IMO one easily can do better for less $$$ than Brioni. Isaia - the higher end line - is my personal favorite.If you want something that's designed to "fit like a glove," and again assuming off-the-peg rather than bespoke, look to one of the Neapolitan houses, such as Isaia.
IMO one easily can do better for less $$$ than Brioni.
Isaia - the higher end line - is my personal favorite.
Vacheron constantin, Cartier, Bulgari, Zenith, Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Chopard L.U.C, Glashutte Original.O'kay....been perusing through the threads of watches and still have no idea of what I'm looking at and reading... Hopefully someone can point me in the correct direction...
The wife has taken a part-time job at a jewelry store, just to do something in her retirement. I wanted to get her a high-end watch to wear. She has "nice" watches (Bulova/Longines/Tag), but nothing really that stands out.
I want to get her a watch she can be proud of. There are no jewely stores around here so my best bet is Seattle/Bellevue. She wants something elegant but not flashy. No diamonds.... or very few. The only brands I'm aware of are Rolex (too cliche'), Cartier, Patek Piaget and Omega.... any other brands I should be looking at?
Mechanical naturally : https://www.habituallychic.luxury/2016/01/timeless-chic-the-cartier-tank-watch/O'kay....been perusing through the threads of watches and still have no idea of what I'm looking at and reading... Hopefully someone can point me in the correct direction...
When I was working in DC, Everards was just down the street and I frequented the store often. What's fun are the twist Louis puts on classic clothing. The man has style! This was in 2006 so I am glad the dapper gentleman is still doing his thing in his charming atelier.That is certainly true. Brionis have a distinctive cut and use great fabrics, but they don't have any more handwork or higher quality of work than, say, a Martin Greenfield suit from Brooklyn (Greenfield's probably best-known for making the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece line) or a Samuelsohn suit from Montreal (Samuelsohn is probably best known for making most of Paul Stuart's suits). And their work is clearly inferior to Oxxford's. (And Oxxford's cuts have improved markedly of late, too.)
The exact same thing, incidentally, can be said about Isaia, except in the main Brioni's fabrics are a bit nicer and Isaia is a bunch cheaper. And, obviously, Isaia's riff on the Neapolitan cut is very different from the Roman cut.
The only Italian off-the-peg suits (that I know of) that are competitive with Oxxford's in terms of quality of work are Castangia's. (Note I'm not talking about the better Italian tailors, such as Caraceni or Rubinacci, only off-the-peg stuff.)
And by finding a competent tailor, one can easily do better for the same or less $$$. Of late I've been getting most of my suits made by Louis Everard in D.C. He's designed a cut for me that combines my favorite parts of the way my Castangia suits look and the way my old Chester Barrie suits feel and fit. And his prices are shockingly reasonable, at least compared to houses I consider as very similar in terms of quality of work (Huntsman on Savile Row, Knize in Vienna, Charvet in Paris, Rubinacci London House in Naples).
Isaia is back to multiple lines? I thought they discontinued their better line (Enrico Isaia) several years ago. Or do they have a recession-buster gluejob line now?
Bruce, the Longine brand has a rich story and is making a comeback in affordable Swiss mechanical timepieces. Buying a watch is a totally personal affair, as it is one of few items a man can wear on a daily basis. All watches for the wrist differently and so comfort is a big deal. Right now I am wearing an Omega Seamaster in a 42mm size so it's on the large size, and heavy. That said, when I put it on my wrist it feels like it's not even there. The bottom line is try it on and make sure it feels a part of you.O'kay....been perusing through the threads of watches and still have no idea of what I'm looking at and reading... Hopefully someone can point me in the correct direction...
The wife has taken a part-time job at a jewelry store, just to do something in her retirement. I wanted to get her a high-end watch to wear. She has "nice" watches (Bulova/Longines/Tag), but nothing really that stands out.
I want to get her a watch she can be proud of. There are no jewely stores around here so my best bet is Seattle/Bellevue. She wants something elegant but not flashy. No diamonds.... or very few. The only brands I'm aware of are Rolex (too cliche'), Cartier, Patek Piaget and Omega.... any other brands I should be looking at?
Bruce, the Longine brand has a rich story and is making a comeback in affordable Swiss mechanical timepieces. Buying a watch is a totally personal affair, as it is one of few items a man can wear on a daily basis. All watches for the wrist differently and so comfort is a big deal. Right now I am wearing an Omega Seamaster in a 42mm size so it's on the large size, and heavy. That said, when I put it on my wrist it feels like it's not even there. The bottom line is try it on and make sure it feels a part of you.
Vacheron constantin, Cartier, Bulgari, Zenith, Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Chopard L.U.C, Glashutte Original.
all the brands above are less cliche then Rolex.
I've been very interested in watches for almost 20 years now. When I met my wife (16 yrs ago) she was wearing a plastic black Casio, and now over the years she's also become interested in mechanical wristwatches. So she has a very nice little collection herself now.Thanks.... but this is for the wife... They are what I would look for if I were to get one though!
I've been very interested in watches for almost 20 years now. When I met my wife (16 yrs ago) she was wearing a plastic black Casio, and now over the years she's also become interested in mechanical wristwatches. So she has a very nice little collection herself now.
Depending on your budget and your wife's tastes (does she want a very 'jewelry' looking watch? or something more sporty/utilitarian looking?) I'd be happy to make recommendations.
My wife goes for "understated elegance." It now depends on your budget. Mechanical vs. Quartz.Indeed..... I know her tastes and she isn't looking for something that stands out and draws attention to itself. Something like "understated elegance" would be my first reaction. I've admired watches over the years from afar and would always look at the watches worn by some industry folk. I would search out Steve Rochlin at some of the shows because he would always have the latest/greatest. Me, I'm looking for a CLK DTM.... !
My wife goes for "understated elegance." It now depends on your budget. Mechanical vs. Quartz.
As above, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is the real deal for a lady. Failing that, a Cartier Tank. Not flashy, elegant and iconic.O'kay....been perusing through the threads of watches and still have no idea of what I'm looking at and reading... Hopefully someone can point me in the correct direction...
The wife has taken a part-time job at a jewelry store, just to do something in her retirement. I wanted to get her a high-end watch to wear. She has "nice" watches (Bulova/Longines/Tag), but nothing really that stands out.
I want to get her a watch she can be proud of. There are no jewely stores around here so my best bet is Seattle/Bellevue. She wants something elegant but not flashy. No diamonds.... or very few. The only brands I'm aware of are Rolex (too cliche'), Cartier, Patek Piaget and Omega.... any other brands I should be looking at?
Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator | Ron Resnick Site Co-Owner | Administrator | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |