Fine recommendations for a first watch...?

Hi all,

I'm graduating from university and will be starting work soon and intend to reward myself with a luxury watch.
My budget's SGD 10,000 - 12,000 (USD 8,300 - 10,000) and i'm most interested in a brand new JLC SS Master Calendar (brown leather strap).

The following is a pic of it:


Was just wondering if any horological veterans out there may be able to provide an amateur like me with some other beautiful competitors within that price range (it would be best if you can specify your top 3 brands/models).

I would very much love to own an AP, PP, VC, Breguet or Lange but i really can't afford any of them right now. haha, so i had to narrow my other alternatives to:
Brand new IWC SS Portuguese
Brand new UN SS Maxi Marine chronometer 43mm
Pre-owned Franck Muller 18kWG Long Island Date
Pre-owned JLC SS Master Perpetual (discontinued)
Pre-owned Franck Muller SS Master Banker

Btw, i'm very interested in what you guys think about the brands Franck Muller and UN? I know that one will never go wrong with a JLC but what about UN with its volatile history and FM that's debatable for being just a pretty face with the luck of inventing the crazy hours watch and thus being able to jack their price by such a huge margin? Please explain.
Cheers.

some 2011 JLC collection....



MUT Moon



Reversos

Zach T
Forum Moderator

JLC is a great brand, for the price you pay, you get unbeatable quality. Their movements (all of which are in-house), are of great quality. The fact that they having been doing things in-house for so long (pretty much since day one) is why they are, comparatively, lower in price than IWC's, AP's, VC's, etc. They do not have to pay nearly as much for the R&D and other capital intensive projects to begin making in-house movements (such as newcomers in the in-house game like Panerai, Cartier, Roger Dubuis, etc.), just because the investment was made ages ago. They even made movements for Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, the list just goes on. In my opinion, go with the Jaeger, they are a piece of great art. I believe they deserve much more respect (although they get a GREAT deal), they belong in everyone's top three list.

However, I didn't mean to ramble. The Master Calendar is a great watch, the pre-owned JLC perpetual is a gem as well. Too bad the Master Eight Day perpetual is so expensive. Have you looked at the Master Chrono, or Master World Geographic (if worldtimers are of interest)? The master compressor line also offers an awesome line up, if you are looking for a more sporty rustic look. Reversos as well. The Master Ultra Thin Moon, see pictures above, is also great.

Franck Muller is a great brand, their movements are a lot of ETA's, etc. however, they have came a long way with in-house innovations, especially with the most recent in-house chronograph and automatic movements. However, if I were putting out the money for a FM I would buy one with an in-house movement, and since those are so expensive, I would fall back to the Jaeger (I DO NOT mean that in a bad way).

Ulysse Nardin is kind of the same. UN is the home to many watchmaking firsts (thanks to Dr. Ludwig), but their maxi-marines are more of a pretty face, in my opinion.

So, I guess to me, all roads lead to Jaeger-LeCoultre. A great brand, with great history. Good luck saving up for the Lange, another great brand with rich history, just a tad out of my (and I think almost anyones) price range!

Good Luck with your purchase, post some pictures once you make your decision!

If set your eyes on the Master Calendar, then stick to that. I think it is great value for money - at least one with an in-house movement. In fact, I would go for the Reverso 1931 given your budget... and still have some left.

Good luck on your hunt but I seriously think JLC is great value for a first watch. Many in the Master collection will fit your budget quite comfortably.

Thanks for sharing guys, i was looking at the master compressor initially but found it too sporty and bulky for my liking. The master calendar exudes elegance yet has a tinge of sporty side to it as well, allowing it to go well either with a suit or polo and jeans. Imo, the MUT Moon series and reversos are too matured looking for me, haha..

I guess you need to put it in your wrist to get a better feel.

I personally think you can't go far wrong with Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Jaw