Wife needs new watch

[ratcheer]

My wife's 10 year old or so Seiko died and we are shopping for a replacement. In the spirit of value and reliability, I wanted to buy her a Citizen Eco-Drive and I asked her to look at them and give me an idea of what style she would like. Somehow or other, she came back wanting a Movado Junior Sport. So, I have a few questions.

1) Even though Movado is a Swiss made brand, it seems to be not very well respected. Any insights?

2) We found an online seller, The Watchery, that offers the watch at a very good price. The company is rated A+ by BBB, but I see a few internet rumblings about their integrity. Has anyone dealt with them? They sell the watch for significantly less than Amazon.

3) I went to timezone.com to try to do some unbiased research, but that site is a big, jumbled up mess. For instance, I went to their Sponsors page to try to find more reputable online sellers. The page said, "Please support our sponsors, as they support us." But otherwise, the page was blank. Also, I could find nothing about women's Movados in the Ladies Watches forum. But, this also leads me to believe that they are not very popular.

Please don't go suggesting a bunch of Rolexes, Hublots, Omegas, etc. I am unemployed so the Movado at $540 is already a stretch, but I want her to have something she likes. I really thought I was going to spend about $200-300 on a Citizen or another Seiko. I showed her Orient watches, but nothing grabbed her attention. I also looked at Longines, but they cost more than the Movado, so I didn't even show them to her.

Anyway, what I need is advice focused on the above points. Thanks.

Tim

 

[betat]

I am not sure of the respect Movado gets but my guess, only my guess, is that it remains a "fashion" watch and is not considered to be in the same league as other brands that produce more varied styles of watches. Be that as it may, I see them on wrists everywhere I go. I am a watch guy and always look at people's wrists. Weird huh?
With that said you might try Ashford.com. I just checked and they have 275 different Movado ladies watches. Did not check for the Junior Sport though. I bought my wife a Tag from Ashford several years ago and the customer service was incredible. I had taken the watch to a local jeweler/idiot who butchered the band and the case trying to size it for her. I sent it back to Ashford and they not only sized the band but buffed out all the scuffs the idiot caused. Good luck and I hope she enjoys her new watch!

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

in all due respect, there is a seller on ebay that is selling some discontinued citizen eco drive mens and ladies watches very very reasonable, in fact if you make on offer, like i did on a mens chronogragh, i got it for $65 bucks...

he has a couple of different styles in gold and silver...

since you are un employed, saving money would be a good thing to do

 

[penates]

Movado is a fine brand but has a quartz movement which horology snobs will look down upon. Rado is also very nice.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Movado isn't anything special. Mostly generic quartz movements and a serious marketing campaign. Nothing really wrong with that, but you'll pay a premium price to support Movado's advertising budget.

Have you looked at some of the Invicta watches? You can get an awfully well made automatic for $100-$150. No battery replacements and their stainless bracelets are well regarded for comfort.

You might also want to nose around the Poor Man's Watch forum. They're very knowledgeable about affordable, quality watches.

 

[ratcheer]

Thanks, everyone. The Ashford site is excellent. They have some good deals on Ebel watches that I never expected, as far as total discounts offered. And they make it easy to view sets of watches by various criteria, e.g., by the black faces my wife likes. Their price on the Movado is the same as at The Watchery site.

I will also take a look at Invicta.

Tim

 

[ratcheer]

Oh, I am definitely not trying to impress watch snobs, just to find something my wife likes and will use.

Tim

 

[johnmrson]

I'm another fan of Invicta watches for their price bracket. Generally women don't appreciate things like the difference between a good automatic and a quartz. My advise would be to just get her a quartz watch. In the price range you're looking at, Seiko, Citizen, Casio are all good.

 

[ratcheer]

Right now, I am looking very hard at an Ebel Type-E at Ashford. They say it is a $2300 watch and they are selling it for $600. Is it an old model, or something?

Tim

 

[Aevum]

ebel is nice, part of the movado grupo,

check out the certina DS First lady ceramic,
http://www.certina.com/Collection/Lady-Quartz-Collection/DS-First-lady-Ceramic.aspx

 

[betat]

Right now, I am looking very hard at an Ebel Type-E at Ashford. They say it is a $2300 watch and they are selling it for $600. Is it an old model, or something?

Tim

I have never been able to figure out how they price the way they do. Depending on the brand, like Omega, they admit to not being an authorized dealer. That means that they must obtain their inventory through a third party as opposed to the manufacturer. Is this grey market? Probably but they usually offer a warranty in addition to the manufacturer's warranty. It just means sending the watch back to Ashford for repairs. Most jewelry stores would do that anyway. As I said in a previous post, their service was excellent. I will also add that Ashford has been around for a long time as I bought my wife's watch from them around 12-13 years ago.

 

[tblech]

This is your BIG chance. Don't allow her to get a watch, make her ask you what time it is, that way you can begin to control her. Information is power! Muahhahaha

 

[ratcheer]

This is your BIG chance. Don't allow her to get a watch, make her ask you what time it is, that way you can begin to control her. Information is power! Muahhahaha

Heh heh!

Tim

 

[ratcheer]

I have never been able to figure out how they price the way they do. Depending on the brand, like Omega, they admit to not being an authorized dealer. That means that they must obtain their inventory through a third party as opposed to the manufacturer. Is this grey market? Probably but they usually offer a warranty in addition to the manufacturer's warranty. It just means sending the watch back to Ashford for repairs. Most jewelry stores would do that anyway. As I said in a previous post, their service was excellent. I will also add that Ashford has been around for a long time as I bought my wife's watch from them around 12-13 years ago.

Here is what their web site FAQ says:

"Ashford.com watches are direct from the manufacturers with original packaging, manuals, warranty cards and serial number identification. Every watch carried by Ashford.com is a 100% verified new, unworn, original and authentic watch."

Doesn't sound like gray market.

Tim

 

[Austin]

Here is what their web site FAQ says:

"Ashford.com watches are direct from the manufacturers with original packaging, manuals, warranty cards and serial number identification. Every watch carried by Ashford.com is a 100% verified new, unworn, original and authentic watch."

Doesn't sound like gray market.

Tim

I have bought several modern watches from Ashford in the past. I have never had a problem with the site. I spoke to rep before and they told me the same thing. I would call prior to purchasing to verify their sources.

They use to carry T&H at unbelievable prices. Those were the good old days.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Right now, I am looking very hard at an Ebel Type-E at Ashford. They say it is a $2300 watch and they are selling it for $600. Is it an old model, or something?

Tim

They all inflate the MSRP to make people think they're getting a good deal. Not unlike buying a car.

 

[rickboone1]

Overstock is reputable.

http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=movada&SearchType=Header

 

[ratcheer]

So, just like a woman. She can't decide on anything without going to see it and holding it in her hands. We went to several stores and she basically found nothing she really liked. She didn't like the way the bracelets closed on the Movado's. Then, on the way home, she had me stop at an outdoor furniture store, where she bought a "love seat" for the deck. $770 + tax.

I suppose that is the end of the watch shopping. I will get interested again if she ever does.

Tim

 

[ratcheer]

I made a unilateral decision and ordered her this watch a few minutes ago. I hope she likes it. I know I do.

Tim

 

[bohdathone]

Ratcheer, what caused her Seiko to die in the first place? Their reputation for quality is such that you'd hope they'd last longer than 10 years..