Budget is around 7k. I really want to get something cool, interesting and unique. Was looking at Cartier
Side note What is with the bracket rules?
Budget is around 7k. I really want to get something cool, interesting and unique. Was looking at Cartier
Side note What is with the bracket rules?
FYI it would be helpful to give a bit more context. Whats his age, job, lifestyle, wardrobe, location? And does he already own one single mechanical watch, or a smartwatch or a whole collection of watches or would this be a first?
But anyway, for that money i’d get an Omega. Well known brand, just like cartier. But not as flashy (or annoying to buy) as a rolex. Top quality. Arguably the most accurate (METAS standard) and most durable mechanical watches in their respective categories.
The Seamaster Aquaterra for a single do it all watch. Looks great in a swimsuit or a business suit and anything in between. Yet can be worn doing anything you want in the water including scuba diving, surfing, diving etc. This is the one i got and am very happy with: https://www.omegawatches.com/en-ch/watch-omega-seamaster-aqua-terra-150m-co-axial-master-chronometer-41-mm-22010412110001
If you want something more sporty, you could buy a diver 300m (or a more vintage looking seamaster 300): https://www.omegawatches.com/en-ch/watches/seamaster/diver-300-m/catalog
Or, the most iconic one, the speedmaster aka moonwatch. The watch worn by nasa astronauts on the moon: https://www.omegawatches.com/en-ch/watches/speedmaster/moonwatch-professional/catalog
Thats all just below or around the 7k budget. And all of them come in many sizes and colours btw.
That being said, the cartier santos is also quite cool and admittedly a bit more unique. Also has a similar level of historical signficance as the speedmaster (and more than the rest i mentioned), being the first wristwatch for men ever. So its also not a bad choice.
But one thing i find really lacking on the cartier is the open caseback. I really like seeing the movement move, thru the back of the watch. Especially to someone new to automatic watches, this is really quite something. Fascinating and kind of romantic in a way, with how it is one of the few, life long, mechanical things in our otherwise so short lived and digital world.
Other good brands in this price range would be Breitling, Grand seiko or Tudor. Or if you want to spend a bit less but still get excellent quality, Longines and Oris. And if you want some really unique stuff, Rado might also be worth a look.