J-L is my favorite brand overall I think. Just really gorgeous designs.

What's your budget? Can we get a picture of your current watch on your wrist?

Ha, the budget has steadily gone up as I've learned more! I'm making it firm at $10,000, though.
The watch on my wrist is pictured here http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2085.msg57662.html#msg57662
Thanks for thinking about it.

 I'm looking more closely at the JLC Master Control Ultra Thin Moon.





I don't wear black shoes so much, so is the black strap okay with brown or cordovan shoes?

Some of us westerners suffer conjunctivitis and acid reflux at the sight of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. They're popular but usually for the wrong reasons with the wrong people (label whores). I find their aesthetic and detail lacking nuance and balance. Feng Shui for you easterners. Another thing is they scream stuck in the 70's to me like nothing else. I just feel their classic look is extremely dated and far from timeless. I mean is this 2011 or 1971-81?









The Daytona is nicer but it's a little late to the party too if you ask me.

no Rolex users yet?

may be it's a cultural thing, such that it's only popular in Asia?

The most popular models over here are the Submariner (blue/green) and Sea-Dweller bar none. The fakes are becoming harder to distinguish even by experts, as most differences need a magnifying glass.

Ha, the budget has steadily gone up as I've learned more! I'm making it firm at $10,000, though.
The watch on my wrist is pictured here http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2085.msg57662.html#msg57662
Thanks for thinking about it.

I checked and the Raymond's dial is 41.5, which looks slightly large on your hand (not good or bad, just a matter of taste).

~10k will get you a mid-to-high level watch in Tier 2 brands like IWC and Panerai, and entry level watches in Tier 1 brands such as Breguet and JLC. If you want to do a little more than get your feet wet, you could always invest more and go for an entry level watch in brands like Patek or A. Lange & Sohne.

If you decide to stick to budget and dress business casual (I'm just assuming- tell me if I'm wrong), here are a couple of brands to check out:

Breguet
JLC
Blancpain

Glashutte
IWC (some of the dial sizes on these are huge so watch out if you want low profile)

There is also the oddball that is Franck Muller which you could check out. Don't confuse his stuff with Richard Mille though as the pricetags on those are in another league.

Oh and don't worry about the alligator straps smelling. I've gone through a couple and even during summer they do alright. Also straps are part of the watch culture as there are many DIY brands.

Nomos is nice.  Looks good online, even nicer in person.