Many have mentioned, but the ALS 1815 is lovely and I've seen some great examples in the 13-15 range. For around half your budget in a current/new piece, just to mention, I personally find the Omega London edition beautiful. For me the ALS will probably be my tuxedo watch and the O-London my regular 'suited and booted' wearer....eventually.

Or if you have a LOT of patience you could use the 15K as the down payment on a new Frodsham Double Impulse...

 

Not really. They have 2-3 models that are 20k or so new, so a lightly used one would be in your range easily. I’d also have a look at some Moser offerings as they do some pretty special things

 

+1 for the Vacheron. Tried this on recently and loved it

 

This one gets quite a lot of my wrist time.

 

I would say... take a serious look at Habring. Small company focusing on interesting complications. Willingness to work with customers to customize stuff.

 

Way under 15K....

 

Over sized Vacheron from the 40s and 50s. And Patek 96?

 

Cartier Ballon Bleu

 

Used 1803 or 18038. Timeless design. Half price of the newer generation. Underpriced still IMHO.

 

I am pretty happy with the 14790

 

Has to be GO. Take your pick.


Plus many more GOs...

 

Pitfalls, man traps, pedantry alarms; you are quite correct that this is just another minefield to trouble the unwary. I remember a time maybe 15 years ago, when I took off my one watch when I arrived home from work and didn't put it on again until I was dressing to return to the grindstone.
I started reading this thread thinking AT teak dial or vintage Seamaster (they are what's available to me) and I make no comment at all on some of the choices displayed on pages 1 and 2: now I go on.

 

Got this little something from boss lady this Xmas. Gorgeous peeking out from my suit.

 

Second hand Lange is a tremendous value. I didn’t expect to enjoy mine as much as I have - literally wear it all day everyday.

Darth says hi

 

For me, dress watches are most useful with a GMT function - and I don’t yet own but am quite fond of this JLC, which in SS can be had new for just over $10K, and used can be found in 18k pink for less than $15k

 

A friend of mine just bought the SS version of this watch in December. I wouldn’t have fancied it based on the catalog photos, but in the metal it’s beautiful.

 

Datejust 36 with blue dial (about $7,000):

 

Although I do prefer the WG version

 

So many beautiful dress watches posted above. Here are my three: two from Piaget and one from Girard Perregaux.

 

Now, here’s what really interests me. The person that started this thread has made only one post...the post that started this thread. AND the last time they were “seen” was the day this thread was started.

Good thread though...