Watch snobs any suggestions...where to buy from and brands?
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Never really drop any $ on myself other than shirts, clothes nice shoes from time to time but never really any big ticket items. I've had an urge lately for a nice watch. Only problem is that there aren't really any nice watches in the area other than a Rolex or Tag dealer. I would like more options than just these 2 brands. Any guidance on other brands and an online source would helpful? Projected budget 7k give or take, trying to study up before I pull the trigger. Thanks |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() skipg - 2012-11-23 5:12 PM Never really drop any $ on myself other than shirts, clothes nice shoes from time to time but never really any big ticket items. I've had an urge lately for a nice watch. Only problem is that there aren't really any nice watches in the area other than a Rolex or Tag dealer. I would like more options than just these 2 brands. Any guidance on other brands and an online source would helpful? Projected budget 7k give or take, trying to study up before I pull the trigger. Thanks Amazon had some killer deals yesterday when I looked. Even if you buy elsewhere, you can browse styles and features. Nordstrom has a good selection when I shopped for my wife. Edited by pitt83 2012-11-23 4:25 PM |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Omega's are nice. Comparable to Rolex's--traditional styling. They're what James Bond wears. Breitling's are beautiful--especially the chronographs. Jaeger le Coultre is another great brand. They have a popular style called the Reverso where you can flip the face over. It was originally invented for a client who needed to protect the crystal during his polo matches, but now it just looks cool. There's even a version with a second face on the back for people who travel between two time zones often. Panerai's and Hublots are also great. Hublot makes a watch with a high-quality rubber strap which is a nice alternative to the typical leather or metal bands. Panerai's a re very popular now. Try Tourneau.com. They're a famous luxury watch store in NYC. Be very careful where you buy luxury watches. Knockoffs are very sophisticated now and look very convincing. Make sure wherever you're getting them is an authorized dealer, and if the price seems more than10 or 15 percent lower than retail, be very skeptical. Most of these watchmakers don't discout their products much at all. Good luck! Edited by jmk-brooklyn 2012-11-23 4:49 PM |
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Elite ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Start here... http://forums.watchuseek.com/forum.php It's a pretty awesome forum, tons of stuff... you have no idea what you are getting yourself into. All the makers you want to look into, with every imaginable type to look into. Style... can be had pretty cheap. I have always loved watches, and there are some really nice looking watches that are not expensive. That is totally subjective and you do not have to be a snob to enjoy it. You can have a lot of them, but I am a loyalty sort of guy, I wear only one till it's done. Construction... sorry, I'm a sucker for gear. I love well made watches... and by that I mean, sapphire crystals and solid link bracelet as minimum. But again, you can get that at $400-$500 dollars. Not a ton of money. I have a quartz TAG right now, I want a Omega next. I'm not into flashy "jewelry" watches.. bling or jewels. I like stainless steel, and when they get scratched up, a simple SOS pad gets them good as new. Seriously, that's not a joke. I need to refinish mine about every 6 months. Gold will need more work obviously. Polish will never last except for a "dress" watch. Quartz... OK... so here is where it gets silly... any $10 drug store Casio watch will keep better time than a Rolex. All watches are quartz movements, and they keep great time. You can even get temp compensated quartz watches that are INCREDIBLY accurate... +/-10sec./yr for a few hundred dollars. Some of the higher end quarts watches like TAG or others are more accurate though than cheapos... even though they are still quartz. Temp compensated quartz are not common at all. Only a few makers and movements.... there is no point... Satellite.... because if that is not good enough, you just have to look at your cell phone for satellite time kept by the national atomic clock if all you want is accuracy. Plenty of watches sync to the clock and calibrate daily. My G-shock does and it was $120. Atomic clock accuracy for $120. "Automatics"... which brings us to autos, mechanicals, self winders. You do not buy a Rolex for it's accuracy, you buy a Rolex for it's incredible craftsmanship... that a mechanical device can be made to keep time to +/- 3-10 sec./ day is an incredible instrument. Seriously. I don't care for Rolex, but still. If you get into automatics, then you really need to know the movements... and they are not hard to learn... they are all made by the Swiss company ETA. This will help HERE. All companies take their raw movements and use them, or modify them, then stamp their name on it. Rolex makes their own movements, but not all of them are "hand crafted" only the top ones. Omega is the only one that has any real breakthrough in the movement with their "co-axial" escapement. It reduces friction and can last longer. Meaning when you put it down it will last longer. Introduced in 1999 it was sort of a big deal. Automatics have to be serviced like anything else so you will have to pay for upkeep, and of course you can get a "self-winder" storage to keep them going so you can put them on and go. But again, you do not have to pay a ton... you can get a well made sports watch with sapphire and solid machined links with a good Swiss movement for $500-$600. Tons out that that relay look great... some look like they could be run over by a tank and still keep time. Seiko... is the only other notable breakthrough in self winders called "Spring Drive". I so so want their diver... but at $8K, it's a little out of my budget. Batteries... I only mention Seiko, because they also have a lot of other movements that power themselves like "Kenetics". And then Citizen has "EcoDrive". They do not need batteries... but obviously will wear out. I had two Kentics and really liked them, but after 4-5 years of heavy abuse they gave up. Not bad for $200. Other watches don't use batteries now.. but just don't fool your self that since you never have to open them up that they will last forever. They don't. Sorry: I just read your post and saw your budget. Disregard all the cheap info above. I like unique... so I want a Omega next for their "co-axial" movement. Seamaster Planet Ocean or even a Aqua Tera is nice. I would love a "Spring Drive" but other than the diver, Grand Seikos are VERY traditional like the Japanese are, so not at all flashy. Looks like any normal regular ole watch... for $4K and up (I could live with this one).... have fun. If you can't tell, I like watches... even if I do not own a lot of expensive ones. You are on your own for dress watches, sky is the limit and so is taste. Obviously a lot of nice Rolexs' and you can spruce them up all you want to hit your target. Edited by powerman 2012-11-23 7:39 PM |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Why not just buy a knock-off watch that looks like a 5k watch but is $19.99? Unless you're buying the watch as an investment with projected price increases. |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I can't offer much assistance because I've always bought Citizen watches the past 15-20 years. I would consider them the low end of "quality" watches at the $300-700 range. So you could buy one of them and then get that new Tri bike you always wanted. |
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Got Wahoo? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Bought my Breitling from prestigetime
The service is impeccable and they are typically going to come in a solid 10-30% under retail shops like Tourneau. Edited by tmwelshy 2012-11-23 10:03 PM |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() tuwood - 2012-11-23 9:30 PM Already have a pretty sweet tri bike and some cool tri gadgets. Started out doing a few tris on a beater bike from Wal Mart and after a while it just wasn't cut'n it anymore and had to step up my game to a nice Felt b12, kind of the same situation with my time machine. My Seikos are working just fine but feel the need to trade the beater in on a sportier modelI can't offer much assistance because I've always bought Citizen watches the past 15-20 years. I would consider them the low end of "quality" watches at the $300-700 range. So you could buy one of them and then get that new Tri bike you always wanted. ![]() |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() powerman - 2012-11-23 8:29 PM ... Batteries... I only mention Seiko, because they also have a lot of other movements that power themselves like "Kenetics". And then Citizen has "EcoDrive". They do not need batteries... but obviously will wear out. I had two Kentics and really liked them, but after 4-5 years of heavy abuse they gave up. Not bad for $200. Other watches don't use batteries now.. but just don't fool your self that since you never have to open them up that they will last forever. They don't. ...
I have an eco-drive dive watch that has been working perfectly for the last 10 years of so. I got it since the last divers watch I owned sprang a leak at the o-ring when the battery was replaced, rendering it useless. I can't see spending north of $500 on a watch, but similarly I know many people don't understand why we would spend north of $1-2k on a bike. But just as most of us have a relatively short wish list on bikes, I would think the recipient of an expensive watch has some ideas about which watches are most appealing. Knowing that would make more sense in deciding which watch to go for than asking a bunch of strangers on BT. Where to get such a watch would seem like the better way to crowdsource. |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Good thread - I've been wrestling with the same question for a few years. Been into the Tourneau and Cartier shops here in Atl several times with the intention of leaving with a big-boy watch, spent some time on the web researching, etc.. The hang up (besides spending money like that on myself for something non-car or tri related) is that when you workout 1 or 2X every day, I'd be taking the thing off and swapping for my Timex tri watch constantly. So beside the jostling a good watch would get in my gym bag, I figure I really wouldn't even be wearing it all that much. Spending that kind of money and tucking away in a drawer isn't part of the plan, so the trigger remains unpulled. Both IWC and Panerai have watch styles that catch my eye, and are in that price range. One day I just might succumb to my impulse! Good luck with your deliberations.. |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() gearboy - 2012-11-24 8:03 AM I've got a few watches/brands that Im checking into, Zenith, IWC maybe Rolex just figured with the income level of many triathletes there would be some solid advice on the subject. From the little research I've done so far, triathlons and all the gear don't seem so expensive anymore. powerman - 2012-11-23 8:29 PM ... Batteries... I only mention Seiko, because they also have a lot of other movements that power themselves like "Kenetics". And then Citizen has "EcoDrive". They do not need batteries... but obviously will wear out. I had two Kentics and really liked them, but after 4-5 years of heavy abuse they gave up. Not bad for $200. Other watches don't use batteries now.. but just don't fool your self that since you never have to open them up that they will last forever. They don't. ...
I have an eco-drive dive watch that has been working perfectly for the last 10 years of so. I got it since the last divers watch I owned sprang a leak at the o-ring when the battery was replaced, rendering it useless. I can't see spending north of $500 on a watch, but similarly I know many people don't understand why we would spend north of $1-2k on a bike. But just as most of us have a relatively short wish list on bikes, I would think the recipient of an expensive watch has some ideas about which watches are most appealing. Knowing that would make more sense in deciding which watch to go for than asking a bunch of strangers on BT. Where to get such a watch would seem like the better way to crowdsource. |
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Got Wahoo? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Zenith is an amazing brand, they start around 7k through about 50k. This ones my favorite at about 8700 and likely my next buy: Panerai is also bad , and starts about 6k, They go to many tens of thousands.
Happy shopping! If you get one you need to post it here so we can "oh and ah..." Edited by tmwelshy 2012-11-24 8:16 AM |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() tmwelshy - 2012-11-24 9:13 AM Zenith El Primero is my front runner so far, either the 36000 vph or th El Primero cronomaster Open power reserve. Not sure if I like the open look yet or not but both nice looking watches.Zenith is an amazing brand, they start around 7k through about 50k. This ones my favorite at about 8700 and likely my next buy: Panerai is also bad , and starts about 6k, They go to many tens of thousands.
Happy shopping! If you get one you need to post it here so we can "oh and ah..." |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I have a classic Rolex. I love the styling but the damn thing has broken 3 times and I've paid over $1000 in repairs. Right now it's broken and sitting in a drawer because I'm too annoyed to lay out another $400. |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I have a Breitling Airwolf, because every real pilot needs a giant watch. I've had it for almost five years with no issues whatsoever. |
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Elite ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ScudRunner - 2012-11-24 9:11 AM I have a Breitling Airwolf, because every real pilot needs a giant watch. I've had it for almost five years with no issues whatsoever. Bell & Ross could help you out with that. |
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Elite ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() skipg - 2012-11-24 7:30 AM Zenith El Primero is my front runner so far, either the 36000 vph or th El Primero cronomaster Open power reserve. Not sure if I like the open look yet or not but both nice looking watches. It is a nice movement. There are other high beat movements as that seems to be the new race. I think it would take me a while to get used to the open face. I mean it's really cool, but at some point I want to tell the time too. No real "innovations" out there in mechanical movements. Materials are driving frequency increases. The co-axial escapement is a refinement. The Spring Drive is the first real innovation in a while. What is it you are looking for? Dress, tool, unique, bling, traditional... ect. |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() powerman - 2012-11-24 2:13 PM Looking for something to wear with business and casual night out with the future wifey. No Bling or oversized rapper stuff. Something along the lines of the Zenith in above picture with a metal band. You know...not too hot...not too cold...something just rightskipg - 2012-11-24 7:30 AM Zenith El Primero is my front runner so far, either the 36000 vph or th El Primero cronomaster Open power reserve. Not sure if I like the open look yet or not but both nice looking watches. It is a nice movement. There are other high beat movements as that seems to be the new race. I think it would take me a while to get used to the open face. I mean it's really cool, but at some point I want to tell the time too. No real "innovations" out there in mechanical movements. Materials are driving frequency increases. The co-axial escapement is a refinement. The Spring Drive is the first real innovation in a while. What is it you are looking for? Dress, tool, unique, bling, traditional... ect. ![]() |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Breitling Chronomat -- I've had one for over 4 years and it has worked flawlessly, and I think it looks great. Automatic winding, nice stainless band, etc. Was about $5k. Looks like this: |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Consider traveling to the Caribbean for vacation and get one. A nice two fer one deal! I was just in St Thomas and was quoted 20% off retail for this Aquaracer http://us.tagheuer.com/en/home#/en-luxury-watches-aquaracer-500-m-calibre-5automatic-watch41-mm-black-rubber-bracelet-wak2180-ft6027 . Duty free as well. Was going to go back and haggle price a little after going to the beach at St John. Our ferry got delayed and we barely got on the boat in time. I think she would have gone to 28-30%. Be careful of gray market online stuff. Nothing wrong with it and you will probably do fine unless a warranty issue comes up. Supposedly the manufacturers will not honor the warranty unless purchased from one of their authorized dealers. Amazon seems to have a decent in house warranty, but I can't tell you from personal experience how good it is. I bought my last watch from Tourneau and was pleased overall. They came off retail pricing pretty well and got down to an acceptable price for me. Edited by mdg2003 2012-11-25 7:01 AM |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() powerman - 2012-11-23 6:29 PM Start here... http://forums.watchuseek.com/forum.php It's a pretty awesome forum, tons of stuff... you have no idea what you are getting yourself into. All the makers you want to look into, with every imaginable type to look into. Style... can be had pretty cheap. I have always loved watches, and there are some really nice looking watches that are not expensive. That is totally subjective and you do not have to be a snob to enjoy it. You can have a lot of them, but I am a loyalty sort of guy, I wear only one till it's done. Construction... sorry, I'm a sucker for gear. I love well made watches... and by that I mean, sapphire crystals and solid link bracelet as minimum. But again, you can get that at $400-$500 dollars. Not a ton of money. I have a quartz TAG right now, I want a Omega next. I'm not into flashy "jewelry" watches.. bling or jewels. I like stainless steel, and when they get scratched up, a simple SOS pad gets them good as new. Seriously, that's not a joke. I need to refinish mine about every 6 months. Gold will need more work obviously. Polish will never last except for a "dress" watch. Quartz... OK... so here is where it gets silly... any $10 drug store Casio watch will keep better time than a Rolex. All watches are quartz movements, and they keep great time. You can even get temp compensated quartz watches that are INCREDIBLY accurate... +/-10sec./yr for a few hundred dollars. Some of the higher end quarts watches like TAG or others are more accurate though than cheapos... even though they are still quartz. Temp compensated quartz are not common at all. Only a few makers and movements.... there is no point... Satellite.... because if that is not good enough, you just have to look at your cell phone for satellite time kept by the national atomic clock if all you want is accuracy. Plenty of watches sync to the clock and calibrate daily. My G-shock does and it was $120. Atomic clock accuracy for $120. "Automatics"... which brings us to autos, mechanicals, self winders. You do not buy a Rolex for it's accuracy, you buy a Rolex for it's incredible craftsmanship... that a mechanical device can be made to keep time to +/- 3-10 sec./ day is an incredible instrument. Seriously. I don't care for Rolex, but still. If you get into automatics, then you really need to know the movements... and they are not hard to learn... they are all made by the Swiss company ETA. This will help HERE. All companies take their raw movements and use them, or modify them, then stamp their name on it. Rolex makes their own movements, but not all of them are "hand crafted" only the top ones. Omega is the only one that has any real breakthrough in the movement with their "co-axial" escapement. It reduces friction and can last longer. Meaning when you put it down it will last longer. Introduced in 1999 it was sort of a big deal. Automatics have to be serviced like anything else so you will have to pay for upkeep, and of course you can get a "self-winder" storage to keep them going so you can put them on and go. But again, you do not have to pay a ton... you can get a well made sports watch with sapphire and solid machined links with a good Swiss movement for $500-$600. Tons out that that relay look great... some look like they could be run over by a tank and still keep time. Seiko... is the only other notable breakthrough in self winders called "Spring Drive". I so so want their diver... but at $8K, it's a little out of my budget. Batteries... I only mention Seiko, because they also have a lot of other movements that power themselves like "Kenetics". And then Citizen has "EcoDrive". They do not need batteries... but obviously will wear out. I had two Kentics and really liked them, but after 4-5 years of heavy abuse they gave up. Not bad for $200. Other watches don't use batteries now.. but just don't fool your self that since you never have to open them up that they will last forever. They don't. Sorry: I just read your post and saw your budget. Disregard all the cheap info above. I like unique... so I want a Omega next for their "co-axial" movement. Seamaster Planet Ocean or even a Aqua Tera is nice. I would love a "Spring Drive" but other than the diver, Grand Seikos are VERY traditional like the Japanese are, so not at all flashy. Looks like any normal regular ole watch... for $4K and up (I could live with this one).... have fun. If you can't tell, I like watches... even if I do not own a lot of expensive ones. You are on your own for dress watches, sky is the limit and so is taste. Obviously a lot of nice Rolexs' and you can spruce them up all you want to hit your target. thats an awesome post. |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Reading this thread as an outsider, I have concluded two things: 1. There is indeed a much larger market for watches than I assumed, when I was first puzzled by the existence of no fewer than seven separate periodical titles dedicated to watch collecting. 2. I am a low-rent, backwoods broke hick. And so is every single person I know. Sorry, carry on. I'll go back to the caddy shack where I belong now. |
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Elite ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() BigDH - 2012-11-25 1:34 PM thats an awesome post. Honestly, I thought he was getting INTO better watches, but then noticed the budget and realized he's no newbie. I just left it for those maybe that are. What most people don't know is you don't have to spend 1000s to get a well crafted good watch. As far as the point.... what's the point of a gold necklace or diamond ear rings... they can't even tell time. Edited by powerman 2012-11-25 4:42 PM |
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Member![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I've had a Citizen Eco-Drive (titanium, but I don't know the model info) for the last 10 yrs. and it's been flawless. I'm not a "watch guy," and really couldn't see spending >US$300-500 on a watch. That said, if I really won a huge lotto jackpot, I've always admired Patek Philipe timepieces. |
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