Deeply reclining First... or flatbed A380 J and a nice watch instead?
 

I have a bunch of expiring miles - not enough to do anything worthwhile, but enough for a oneway DXB-LON J->F upgrade

So, should I...

(1) Specifically choose the only DXB-LGW connecting flight that currently has award availability, which happens to be EK11 on the old 777-300, in the hope that I can still upgrade that sector from non-flatbed J to non-flatbed F

Or (2) book the exact DXB-LHR J class flights that I want (on the A380), and use my miles on a nice watch from Emirates High Street (about £100 in value, in return for c.£30 of shipping and taxes)

Personally I am tempted by the watch, but what would you do?

Yeah, the non-reclining F is a joke and a shame for Emirates (six seats across ...).

I thought all 777s had at least Sky Cruiser seats...

I also thought that the non suite services to London had flat bed seats albeit 6 across; I have no issues with the flat beds and would go with those quite happily especially since it goes to Gatwick rather than Heathrow

All 777-300 aircraft with first class have sky cruiser seats or suites. While the suites are much better, the sky cruiser seats are very comfortable for a 7 hour flight and I can always sleep on them. The first class service is better than business and you can use the F lounge in Dubai which is soooo much better than the J lounge.

Those seats are not deeply reclining. They do go full flat. In fact while they are not nearly as nice as the suites, they are very comfortable & I prefer them to suites on a short (under 7 hour) day flight when I'm travelling w someone). The biz seats are horrible though.

A £100 watch is not going to be a high quality watch. I'd go for the upgrade

I'd go for the upgrade without a doubt.

I would go with the watch only because the next day all will have is a memory of the flight but you will still have the watch. Xmas is approaching and it would be a nice little gift also.

Be aware though that stuff on the high street is ridiculously overpriced, so the watch that you are contemplating buying may be possibly available at 50% of the price elsewhere.

totally agree, this is maybe the worst way that miles could used. I think the OP was asking what can be done here and now.