The watch that got the most complements all time was a Maurice Lacroix Pontos brown dial I had, which I traded it for a Rolex later, ML hit a huge price decrease in the secondary market shortly after that so I made out well value wise, but if you can get into a Pontos under $700 I say go for it!There will probably e a lot of argument over this but I LOVE my local pawn shop. You never know what they are going to have in, they are great for haggling(not that I've had to struggle to get a bargain) and they can take trades and work with lay away for me.
I'm dreaming of an Omega as well. And maybe a Breitling eventually. But right now I'm having fun discovering brands I never heard of. Before today I had never heard of either Maurice Lacroix or Jean Richard. Found them at my local pawn shop and started researching. Liked the Lacroix immediately for look and feel and love the orange luminous pips. The Jean Richard was not love at first sight but it's grown on me. Have fallen hard for Tag Heuer as well. Crisp clean watches.