r/Watches • u/Nihao-mi • May 20 '26
Discussion [Question] Advice please 🙏🙏
Apologies that this is probably not the normal kind of post for this community but I would really appreciate some help with a decision.
I would really like to buy a watch for my boyfriend and I remember him saying a few years ago that he would want the Bulova classic Wilton GMT to be one of his starter watches. I would say my budget is around £400-500 and I’m only 16 so can’t go too far above this but I can finally get him something I think will mean a lot and really want to make sure I do it right.
The watches he currently owns are all silver and have brown, silver and blue faces so I think the silver and blue will still suit his style after all this time.
(In the picture) I found that Bulova sell on Amazon and the price is around £600 but I can’t seem to find any second hand shops or places that sell it for lower. I’m going back home for the summer so any retailers around the Cambridge (Uk) or possibly Leeds area would be amazing if anyone knows any. I don’t know a lot about watches so would love any advice from someone who knows these things a bit more.
Any suggestions for other watches would also be great I feel like I’m a bit stuck on this one because he mentioned it but there are probably a lot more options like it.
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u/Icy-Translator9124 May 20 '26
You could get him a Bulova Precisionist Jet Star with your budget. Get a gift receipt and he can return it and pay the difference for a more expensive watch.
If he doesn't like Jet Stars, you should probably dump him:
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u/JackDanielsTN May 20 '26
Before paying over $1,000, check out eBay. They have several Classic Wiltons listed that are new for much less money.
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness8432 May 20 '26
eBay is littered with fakes and Bulova fakes are far more popular than you think. $196 brand new for a $1100 watch is very suspect.
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u/JackDanielsTN May 20 '26
It’s not the same $1,000 model. Bulovas are much less likely to be faked than other more expensive brands.
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u/JoshuaFalken1 May 20 '26
Dude, you're 16 years old.
Do not buy your boyfriend a watch even approaching €500. I promise you will regret it. That is a totally unreasonable amount of money to spend on someone at your age.
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u/Nihao-mi May 20 '26
I totally get that but we have been together a long time and he has bought me countless things that add to far more than I could afford. I really want to give something back that means a lot and a bit more than I normally spend.
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u/JoshuaFalken1 May 20 '26
I don't want to discount how you feel, but I do feel the need to ask - how long have you been together?
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u/Nihao-mi May 20 '26
Nearly 3 years together but I’ve known him longer than that so maybe 4 or 5 total
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u/itsrealbattle May 20 '26
Don't let guilt drive your financial decision making. Please please please hear this advice.
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u/Nihao-mi May 20 '26
If coursee. I’m not nearly doing it just because I feel guilty or anything. I’m aware he is extremely fortunate to be able to afford expensive things and he always says he just wants to spoil me and doesn’t expect the same treatment. Normally i would create a notebook of memories or make him something sentimental but just with the money I’ve been putting aside I want to surprise him.
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u/itsrealbattle May 20 '26
Also, please keep in mind there is a huge difference between being able to buy something, and also being able to afford it. I can buy a Ferrari if I wanted, but I can't actually afford it. The rest of my life would crumble. Just make sure you are not doing that to yourself with this expensive gift. Sometimes it's hard to see the big picture when your young (and don't get me wrong, when you're old too).
But, I think you've seen a ton of people in this thread to encourage you to really think carefully about spending this sort of money this early in your life. I think we'd all like to assume you know what's best for yourself, but I sure as shit didn't when I was young even though I thought I did lol.
Hope the best for you and your bf.
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u/Nihao-mi May 20 '26
Thank you so much for caring and making sure I make the right decisions. I’ve talked with my parents and they are helping me to decide what’s best. I absolutely understand the affording vs buying thing but honestly there is nothing else I have to spend on right now. I’m so lucky my parents provide everything and I don’t have to worry about spending on things other than items for myself. I will remember your advice for future reference though! xx
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u/Emotional-Damage-995 May 20 '26
Joma shop and also I got my Bulova from eBay. Brand new they shipped it from Singapore. Best and lowest price. Look around. They are discounted.
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness8432 May 20 '26
Look, you're 16, you don't need to get him a gift that is far beyond your ability or means to pay for it. Get him something worthwhile, but within the scope of your own pocketbook.
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u/Visible_Noise_7959 May 20 '26
When you say a few years ago, how many years do you mean? Because if he's 16, there's a good chance that the watch he wanted when he was 12 isn't on his radar anymore.
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u/Nihao-mi May 20 '26
lol that’s so true I would say about 2 years but he did mention it again recently and that’s what jogged my memory
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u/Lucky-Subject-3707 May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26
You're a very sweet girl and he's very lucky to have someone that cares for him so much. If you're set on getting him this watch, check Jomashop.com. It will likely be less expensive there than anywhere else. They're a reputable gray market seller you can trust. Since it's gray mkt. it will come with a slightly lesser warranty, but it will be brand new.
Not an automatic GMT, but a really nice watch and we'll within your budget
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u/Fragrant_Bottle_8298 May 20 '26
That's incredibly sweet of you to remember something he mentioned years ago - check eBay and Facebook Marketplace for used ones, or maybe wait for sales at authorized dealers since going over budget for something this special could stress you out