Think you need to set many more parameters to get good suggestions other than your 3k price point.

For a start, manual Auto Quartz?

Case material, strap Bracelet?

Case size, 38 40 46,

Diver Dress Chrono etc etc.

Be more specific and you will get a load of good options put up.

 

Which Omega? the Seamaster Pro 300M hasnt really changed much in the last 20 years outside of movements. the Bond SMP had the blue wave dial with the white date background and an aluminum bezel. The new SMPc have a smooth dial and ceramic bezel. For 2-3K budget you can get a very good condition one of these.

Or the speedmaster hasnt really changed much in decades except for the "limited" edition models.

maybe see if you can find a dealer that sells new and used watches and try on a bunch to see which fits best.

for me, id pick the Omega Seamaster Pro or the Speedmaster. I have both the bond smp and the smpc and am looking for a good deal on a speedmaster.

 

You sound like a TAG man to me. Check them out and see which appeal to you.

 

Unless of course your trolling how did you come to that conclusion from the OP?

 

If you have Rolex on your mind, you'll soon develop at appetite that you'll have to feed. Take a look at the Explorer ii and the submariner. Higher than your current budget but you'll be go there eventually anyway. Omega Speedmasters are awesome as well and can be had at 3k. Seiko Marinemaster might be worth a look as well. So many options! Excited for you!


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If you want a Rolex, it will be more expensive in the long run to buy anything else now. As said above, sooner or later you'll get one anyway. I know from experience! You might be content with a Rolex and the Aquis, and desire nothing further, so I'd aim for a Rolex and see how you get on.

Save for a Sub if you like divers, or an Explorer 1 if you want something sporty but different to rotate with your Aquis.

I might be a bit biased but I would get an Explorer 1, it would make for a great, versatile, two piece collection with your Aquis.

This is coming from a chap of similar age to you

Happy searching!

 

If you want a Rolex, it will be more expensive in the long run to buy anything else now. As said above, sooner or later you'll get one anyway. I know from experience! You might be content with a Rolex and the Aquis, and desire nothing further, so I'd aim for a Rolex and see how you get on.

Save for a Sub if you like divers, or an Explorer 1 if you want something sporty but different to rotate with your Aquis.

I might be a bit biased but I would get an Explorer 1, it would make for a great, versatile, two piece collection with your Aquis.

This is coming from a chap of similar age to you

Happy searching!

Agreed, I didn't (quite) have the funds for the Explorer II I was lusting after so bought my second favourite SMP GMT (which is still a beautiful piece).

But rather than scratching my GMT itch I quickly found that just put me a couple of grand further from my Rolex goal.

Fast forward 8 months and I flipped the Omega for my current job Polar Explorer II and am much more content - at least for now

 

You could go rolexish and get a pelagos for about 3k, dope watch.

 

Check out Tudor Pelagos, or Black Bay. Also Omega Seamaster, and Seamaster master co-ax 300 (little over your price range).

I'm assuming that since you like the Aquis, you're ok with a bigger watch.
Also, do you want a sportier vibe than the Aquis, or dressier vibe?

 

If you stretch $350 over your $3k, you can get a speedy pro @ Jomashop. Timeless classic (excuse the pun).

 

If you stretch $350 over your $3k, you can get a speedy pro @ Jomashop. Timeless classic (excuse the pun).
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This

 

Save and get yourself a Rolex Submariner.

 

^^^ Best advice so far.

I recently got a 5 digit no-date two-liner from my son's birth year. So far, no-one has even noticed...that is, except for me, and I like it that way...

If you don't want to wait, get a speedy. Both are iconic and will not go out of style until after we are all long gone. Both look great with jeans, suits, and everything in between.

 

Either a Nomos or the Intramatic (mentioned herein:
The Car-Watch Comparison - AskMen)

 

You can probably find a pre-owned Planet Ocean 2500 in your price range. The 42mm models are more popular than the 45.5mm ones unless you have a pretty large wrist. A lot of folks prefer the 2500 models over the newer 8500s because of the slimmer case and it'll cost a little less, too. Keep your eyes on Watch Recon and program in an alert and you're bound to come up with the right deal with just a little patience and persistence. Some things that would entice me would be a recently serviced Planet Ocean with documentation and one with a 2500D movement would be nice, too. Most of all, buy from a forum member with a strong history of good dealings.

 

It's hard for me to tell you what's right for you, but If I were 30 years old and looking for that "one watch" for 3K, then I would go with an Omega Planet Ocean. However, you might need to stretch your budget a bit, or consider pre-owned (nothing wrong with that). Previous models are fine (preferred by some) and the size depends on what suits you best. I think the PO is a great looking versatile watch, with a classic but sophisticated design, that is respected by watch lovers and recognized by the general public (Omega that is). Furthermore, for me the Planet Ocean is a great everyday "man's man" watch, and if you get one now then in 10+ years you will have a great well worn watch that tells the story of one man's life. Again, this is all just my opinion, I'm just telling you what I, looking back, would do at 30 (I am now 40). I would get a watch that I want to represent myself and my journey, and possibly be passed along as a keepsake.

 

Agree with advice already given! Tudor Pelagos or Omega speedmaster I own both and love them! Also if you stretch the budget I endorse the no date Rolex Sub. Just iconic!

 

That price range for me = Tudor Black Bay...

Something to think about.

 

I couldn't agree more and the perfect stepping stone into that Rolex you are thinking about.

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I'm was in a similar position (32 though) ended up with the black bay, best thing I did was stop at a local AD that carted just about everything. I too checked out the Seamaster but the bracelet wasn't much better than my Hamilton IMO. I liked the planet oceans but were out of my price range (buying new) fell in love with the black bay, and a few months later pulled the trigger. Couldn't be happier. I concur that it may pacify the Rolex bug.


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I too would vote for the Planet Ocean. The 2500 runs between $2300-2800 and is a great watch for any collection (follow ChuckW's advice if you decide it's a good fit for you). I bought this 42mm here a few months back and it currently sees the most wrist time in a 12 watch collection. I bought it on bracelet and added a Omega rubber strap and deployant. I think it's definitely a "cool watch" for someone in their 30's (and beyond). I like the Black Bay too and am considering adding one but only because I already have the PO.

 

I agree that if you have Rolex on the brain at this point, nothing will truly satisfy you until you get it. I've been there myself. It's worth saving for a little while longer to have the watch you truly want. And if you want a diver, nothing beats the Submariner. Just take a look at this beauty...

 

Omega PO.
Omega SM300.
Tudor Black Bay.
Tudor Pelagos.
Breitling SOH.

If you don't mind (or even prefer) that it doesn't have the cachet of a 'luxury' Swiss brand, the Seiko MM300 too.

 

get a Grand Seiko and really confuse everyone

 

You sound like somebody who would appreciate a tag, check them out.
cheers

 

Isn't that a backhanded compliment in these parts?

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Don't buy a Rolex...

Not to say I'm not a fan of Rolex but you're 30....I'm 30. A lot of people don't want to see a 30 year old with a Rolex. If you're into watches, spend money on something non-watch people won't recognize. Older, more experienced co-workers that might otherwise give you career advice, might be turned off if you carry yourself like you've already "made it". Us watch people, may not view Rolex like that because we know the Pateks, A Lange's, etc. but to most people, Rolex screams "I'm really successful and have reached the mountain top". Just saying....you don't want to be alienating some people above you career-wise at 30.

As far as my suggestion, I think the Tag Connected would be a good fit here. That will impress your non-watch caring social circle.

 

I got my first 'good' watch, a Rolex Explorer at around age 30. Sold it later at a small profit but that's not the point.

If you have the budget for a Rolex and really like it, no reason not to get one. If you're uncomfortable letting some people know you're wearing a Rolex, just tell them its fake and let them guess. People can and will believe whatever they like. That's what I did, and as long as you know it's real, that's what matters.

 

Tudor BBN or Pelagos will scratch the itch as you keep saving for a Sub and can be easily traded towards it when you're ready

 

I'm confused, you state your social circle is not into watches, yet you want something cool and trendy. Cool and trendy for whom? Apparently none of your friends are going to appreciate the watch so overall, why give a crap about it one way or the other, spend your money on a kick ass vaca or towards some similar wheels. It seems like you have the watch thing taken care of already.

Now if its more about price than function then go ahead and dump as much money as you can afford to waste on another watch. It seems that it's you your looking to impress the most. One other thing to consider; how will you feel should you lose or damage your $3K+ watch? Can you afford to repair it, replace it (not to mention regular service)? As I brought up in another thread, for me at least it's less about affordable and much more about justifiable. But carry on. BTW, I find it hard to believe that your 'older' workmates are going to be pissed off because you bought an 'expensive' watch. If anyone it will be your peers, social and work. Older people aren't really going to give a crap what you do with your money.

 

BTW, I find it hard to believe that your 'older' workmates are going to be pissed off because you bought an 'expensive' watch. If anyone it will be your peers, social and work. Older people aren't really going to give a crap what you do with your money.

Not so much 'pissed off' but from my experience, people hear Rolex and react differently than if you say I'm buying an Omega, JLC, Zenith, Tudor, and so on. I'm also not trying to say older people care what younger people are buying in general....but there is a sense of arrogance about a 30 year old that should be putting money toward a home/mortgage, raising a family/kid's college fund, and retirement but instead, is buying luxury goods. If a 22 year old came in my office acting like that, I'd also look at him like he's a fool. But if watches are your passion, all I'm saying is not everyone will understand that. So sometimes it's better to enjoy your hobby discreetly. Our hobby just happens to involve wearing something on your wrist everyday that others tend to view as "showing off" if you are putting a lot of money toward it. Yet, those same people probably paid an extra $5k for a sunroof/sound system upgrade on their car yet that's different to them than spending $5k on a watch.

 

LOL at the Tag comments.

I was once in this position. Like you, I first bought a "starter" watch before going for the Rolex. In my case, I bought a Seiko SKX watch that I wore for months before deciding that I wanted to make that purchase. I ultimately bought the Explorer 1 that I hardly wear anymore. I got the Exp because at the time I felt anything larger would look too big on my wrist, but my tastes later changed and I then got the Sub and Speedy.

I think the Tudors and Omega watches mentioned both qualify as "cool" but I don't know if they are trendy. One of these would be a fine choice. The comments about saving for a Rolex or else you'll have that itch forever... that may or may not be true. I think if I were in your position, it would be true. But knowing what I know now, a Rolex is not the ultimate watch that is advertised.

 

As some of the other comments explain, Rolex rubs people a certain way. Especially when you're a young professional looking to advance your career, competing against those who are older than you. I'm also 30, and rolex is on the back burner. Just got my masters and am getting back into corporate again. I feel if I show up with a rolex on it could possibly give off the vibe that I don't necessarily need that extra salary bump I'm asking for, or if I'm managing my investments wisely. Sure after sitting down and talking with someone they'll learn about my love for watches, but who knows.
Many of my friends working as new attorneys have chosen to get omegas, which I feel is a good middle ground. With my wife in med school and me investing almost 20% of my income into retirement, I'll stick to my tags, and hamilton for more casual situations. At the end of the day it's your decision tho, good luck!

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Amazing what judgements can be made based on what we reflect in our image. If a boss is cheaping out on promotions due to something I'm wearing and not purely on the merit of my work/contribution to a company I'd be questioning a lot more about his character and my seat in the company. I have no doubt though, that there are people who do do exactly what you've stated.