Best dressy watch under 15k (new/used)?

C
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Please share your favorites! To me this seems like such a great price range for getting into the very high end (especially used) when you don't necessarily want the most complicated watch.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love the hell out of a Lange Datograph or a Patek perpetual.... but that's not going to happen. I can rock this budget, and a Calitrava, Saxonia or 1815 is nothing to sneeze at.

Of course, you can also keep it complicated and go for something like a used JLC Perpetual Calendar. But I would probably sacrifice complications and aim for the very high end with previous materials instead.

Used seems like the way to go unless you're buying a Saxonia Thin. What's your favorites? What off-beat brands or lesser known vintage options should be considered?

Right now my top consideration is a ALS 1815 in 38,5mm (up/down is cool but probably a stretch), but I would love to broaden my horizon
 
3nicewatches
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This is my only dress watch (although because I like it so much, I wear it frequently, not just for dress). It's far from vintage (announced at Basel 2018), and it's not precious metal (steel - although there is a red gold version) but it is under $15k even if you pay full MSRP (which I didn't)
IMG_0728.JPG

Many don't like the asymmetry of the dial but I love everything about it.
Edited:
 
corn18
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This is my only dress watch:

TW2R94800.png


I have owned these, but they aren't < $15k:

Lange 1 in front of box.JPG IMG_2966.JPG


A serious answer would be a Reverso.

IMG_3109.JPG
 
Kelly
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L1120204.jpg Jaeger-LeCoultre-Master-Ultra-Thin-Perpetual-steel-black-dial-SIHH-2016-7.jpg
(not my photos)
https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/us/en/watches/master/master-ultra-thin-moon/1362520.html
39mm dia., rose gold skeletonized rotor, creamy egg shell white dial, etc.
 
Larry S
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@Kelly bang on! I was just tapping the same answer! This or the 1815.
 
Wetworks
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Eventually I would like to get a GO Sixties with panorama date, retails for just under $15K
MzaJvZ0.jpg

For now, my vintage Seamaster cleans up nicely:

dKW87i8.jpg
twsObgF.jpg
YyK4tTY.jpg
 
3nicewatches
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Wetworks Wetworks
Eventually I would like to get a GO Sixties with panorama date, retails for just under $15K
MzaJvZ0.jpg

For now, my vintage Seamaster cleans up nicely:

dKW87i8.jpg
twsObgF.jpg
YyK4tTY.jpg
I second the GO sixties with panorama date. That one is on my watch list...but the blue dial version. I have decided that my next watch will have a blue dial, largely because the fact that I don't already have a blue dial watch justifies the future purchase. I have not yet tested that justification in the field - in other words, tried it on my wife!
 
MikiJ
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Without question it would be the original ALS 1815.
ALS finishes their watches on the same level as Patek.
I wish I would have never sold either one of mine, especially the Up & Down.
Edited:
 
Kasei
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C catholicblock
Please share your favorites! To me this seems like such a great price range for getting into the very high end (especially used) when you don't necessarily want the most complicated watch.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love the hell out of a Lange Datograph or a Patek perpetual.... but that's not going to happen. I can rock this budget, and a Calitrava, Saxonia or 1815 is nothing to sneeze at.

Of course, you can also keep it complicated and go for something like a used JLC Perpetual Calendar. But I would probably sacrifice complications and aim for the very high end with previous materials instead.

Used seems like the way to go unless you're buying a Saxonia Thin. What's your favorites? What off-beat brands or lesser known vintage options should be considered?

Right now my top consideration is a ALS 1815 in 38,5mm (up/down is cool but probably a stretch), but I would love to broaden my horizon

Got the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon (in steel) and wear it daily. The dial has such a depth under natural light, I can't stop staring at it. 😀
9300 CHF new (probably similar USD price), classical design and beautiful movement from JLC, what's not to love? 😀
 
Spruce
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How come no gold, diamonds etc?
Why are we all so restrained?
 
hungdangnguyen23
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MikiJ MikiJ
Without question it would be the original ALS 1815.
ALS finishes their watches on the same level as Patek.
I wish I would have never sold either one of mine, especially the Up & Down.

Totally agree. If you're ever in Los Angeles, you should visit their store. I got to handle and try on numerous different Langes, it was an incredible experience.
 
DRjre086
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I second both JLC and GO. However, my model choices would be the Master Calendar with moon phase from JLC or the Panomatic Lunar from GO. Both stunning IMO on front and back. Both can be had for under $10K.

3771F870-D8E3-4F75-86CA-7FF172404CFE.png 4913B0EB-6228-422E-A3C5-C41D8A9EF35F.jpeg
 
Wetworks
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Spruce Spruce
How come no gold, diamonds etc?
Why are we all so restrained?
One poster offered a gold JLC, I suggested a gold GO, and numerous posters have suggested an ALS, all of which are constructed in precious metals IIRC.
 
rcs914
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Panomatic Lunar would definitely be my choice if shopping in that price range.
 
3nicewatches
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The Panomatic Lunar is very nice, but I slightly prefer the PanoReserve - mostly because the power reserve complication is far more useful than the moonphase. Let's face it, the moonphase is a pretty useless complication. Then again, it sure does look nice - and we are talking dress watches here. Oh hell, now I don't know what I prefer! Anyway, here it is:
1-65-01-26-12-35_WDV.jpg
 
gbesq
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The post with the photo of the Snoopy WWII Flying Ace Timex made my day. You, sir, are a steely eyed missile man.
 
JPE.88305
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My meager vote based on looks alone, though I don't own either --YET, would be the classic large reverso on an ostrich strap-- well below 15k, and at some point when the kids' 529s are adequately funded an ALS 1815.
 
zrleopold
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I find the JLC Mut Moon to wear much nicer than the GO Pano. The Pano is quite large and thick. Lovely movement though!
 
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