My wife is looking for a new watch and I appreciate your advice.
She has small wrists so it needs to be on the smaller end of 40mm.
What she really wants is a Rolex Explorer I with the old style dial. But this is a bit too expensive for us. Our budget is approx 5000 EUR, max 6000 EUR.
Other brands/models we have looked at are the Omega Seamaster (She likes the 120 for the size, the 300 for the style). Another contestant is the Blancpain 50 Fathoms Bathyspape. She does not need the water resistance, she just like divers for the style.
I have also shown her various examples of the dirty dozen pedigree type watch, but although the diameter is right, she feels they are too dark/depressive. She likes patina though, so maybe if the right one comes along..
I also showed her the Rolex Submariner and GMT Pepsi. She likes them but think they scream a bit too loud. She has another Rolex already so nothing against the brand, she just wants to fly under the radar with her daily watch".

Do you have any suggestions on what to look for?
Or should we just bite the apple and save up for a proper Explorer 1?

 

When you say old dial style are you referring to a 1016? If so this one is closish to your budget.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/1969-rolex-explorer-1016-reduced.66697/

 

Yes, I am referring to the ref 1016, thanks for the link! 8800 EUR is still quite outside our budget and if we put in the extra cash and go for the Explorer 1016 we might as well go for one with correct hands.
If you have any ideas to similar watches that might fit our bill, it would be appreciated!

 

Honestly it sounds like she wants the 1016. I would probably just save up and get what she wants. If she really does have her heart set on a 1016, anything else may just be a catch and release. Just my thoughts though without really knowing.

 

Have you looked at Girard Perregaux lady F, I bought my wife one years ago and she loves it?

 

Your small wristed wife wants a large sized vintage mans watch?

I bet she also wants a 80 inch flat screen and a Saleen Mustang.

 

D'oh, I was misled by the title, and was going to ask what new watch you were offering...

 

there are many smooth bezel Datejusts out there that are what she might be looking for...

What about the new air king?
https://www.rolex.com/watches/air-king/m116900-0001.html

 

Have you thought about the Cartier Tank?

There are several sizes of it. It’s a unique style. Does it get any more classy than Jackie Kennedy?

 

There are some great looking vintage DJs in a range of dial styles that seem (at least in the wild world of vintage Rolex) to be almost undervalued and are well within your budget.

Some of the older manual wind Rolex models have a similar look and feel to the 1016s as well, and you can get black, silver or cream dial variants at 1/5 the cost of a 1016. Very, very similar case designs, lug profiles, etc.

My 6426 and my 1016 for reference:

 

There are some good looking 38mm Aqua Terras about.

 

Sure are

 

No

 

"new watch for wife"

I thought we discussing a trade here....

you know... like "I got a new Timex for my wife.... it was a good deal"

Sorry.... I guess it depends on how much you like you wife....

 

Or perhaps
Watch (as in lookout) for a new wife

 

I have learned from painful experience ... enlist her in the process of acquisition or your labors will be for naught.

 

She likes the style of those large vintage mens watches but not for their size. Never heard of a Saleen Mustang but looked it up and it is not our style. My wide drives an old Mini. Make a joke about that if you want.

 

It kind of writes itself with that typo.


My GF with small wrists loves this piece at 40mm

 

@sjg22 thanks a lot, this was exactly the kind of tip I was looking for.
@Larry S so have I, she will pick the watch herself this time.

To the rest, sorry for the misleading title, not up for a trade