"Luxury" watches?

I had a 35 year Bulova Caravelle knicked at work. It wasn't top end, more a Buik of watches but it looked good and was considerable pleasure as it was my father's dress watch.

Our family keeps returning to Casio as they are extremely durable in cases of abuse (Ford pickup). I currently have the edifice titanium that is light and cool in a hot climate. I really love the Ebel range of watches, the sharkskin metal bracelet has beautiful lines (like a Porche). I like the Simple mid sized Rolex in stainless, they are too heavy (and on the wallet) and I really wish they would do something in titanium and gold.
 
It would be cool to get a thin watch in nickel Stamascus?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
 
I have been thinking about this a lot. I got my fine watch, the SeaDweller, like SolidSoldier, a few years ago…..it was a gift.

Lately, have been desiring a pilot’s type watch, the IWC was catching my eye, about $3,500 with a croc strap, as far as I can see.

Pretty sure I am going to go to Bill Yao at MkII again. The watch below really does it for me, and at around $700.00 customized, I can afford to wear it, beat the hell out of it, and enjoy it.

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/images/cg02/vantage_custom1.htm

Maybe this one is like a "kit" car, lol.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
That mk2 looks really nice. Definitly a good example of less is more.
 
There have been some fantastic replies to the first post and there is obviously a great deal of good knowledge being shared.

To me, a watch is a very personal choice and depends on your requirements and taste. I have a Breitling Aerospace that I have had for over ten years and I love it. It is very light, very durable and has a bunch of functions that I use almost every day so it is also a tool for me. I sometimes travel to really dodgy places and as the watch is not very "flashy", it does not attract unwanted attention as much as some other watches do. Unlike my fascination with knives, I only want one good watch and the Breitling fulfills that role admirably.

I like the way the titanium has worn over time but the sapphire crystal is still absolutely perfect. An observation for those of you with titanium watches, the metal oxidizes and becomes dull over time. Take it into the shower with you and scrub it with an old toothbrush and soap/shampoo. You will be amazed at how it shines up and it looks fantastic, I do this about once a month or whenever I think about it. More often in the Summer when I am sweating or dirty.

As mentioned in this thread, it does not even keep time as well as my old Seiko and gains about a second per day. I accept that and live with it. It has been bashed around quite a lot which it is inevitable in my work, even though I try to be careful, but it has withstood the treatment very well and that means a lot to me.

Everyone has different needs so do research, try a bunch on and buy what you want, even if it may cost you more in the short term.
 
Except for this post, all the others have been insightful and above all, honest.

Thanks for sharing.
 
SIFU1A said:
........$300 seiko, but hold there value well, and are again great watches albeit expensive ones.......over heels better than seiko, or marathon,
Click to expand...

The big-ass problem with Seiko, or even Casio, is that even though the movements do great time keeping, and have value added features, if you purchase a model that they discontinue, good luck finding parts....as in bracelets, bezels, buckles, or in some cases, even movement parts....should that be the case, and you cannot retrofit a workaround, you have to "round file" a perfectly good watch.

The classics, on the other hand, in the case of Seiko, say an Orange Monster, should be OK...they made enough of them for long enough that parts shouldn't be a problem.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
The big-ass problem with Seiko, or even Casio, is that even though the movements do great time keeping, and have value added features, if you purchase a model that they discontinue, good luck finding parts....as in bracelets, bezels, buckles, or in some cases, even movement parts....should that be the case, and you cannot retrofit a workaround, you have to "round file" a perfectly good watch.

The classics, on the other hand, in the case of Seiko, say an Orange Monster, should be OK...they made enough of them for long enough that parts shouldn't be a problem.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

My research has indicated that Seiko keep their parts inventory, including bracelets, available for about 5 years only. :(

This reply related to a question about a replacement strap for a Seiko Kinetic model. I do not know what other models it also affects? :confused:
 
why hydrocarbon? targeted to upper middle class oil techs?
sounds silly but it was first thing that came to mind )))
 
There's a certain amount of artistry that goes into the movements from high end watchmakers/companies that can't be had with a Seiko. I've got a couple Seiko autos, a few Omegas, a Baum and I DID have a IWC Mark XV. The Baum, the IWC and my Speedmaster Reduced have the ETA 2892 (2892A2). It's an exceptional movement OEM but of course companies like these completely re-work the movts to their specs and get them running how THEY want. The IWC kept 2-3 secs + a day, was about 10 years old with no services running perfect. The only reason why I don't have it any more is because I gave it to my dad since he was crazy about it and couldn't find one (discontinued).

The swiss movts just can't be copied either in sheer workmanship, aesthetics, accuracy or reliability. No one can even come close to touching the swiss dial work as well. Look at a decent swiss watch and the best Japanese, Chinese or American watches out there and there's no comparing the detail, the precision or the workmanship of a good swiss dial.

SOME are overpriced for what you get, others I believe to have a pretty good value if you consider the time that goes into the watch, from someone that's had their craft passed down from generation to generation and keep who's able to learn the skills of watchmaking on a tight lock. It's really a fine art that relatively few are capable of and even fewer do exceptionally well. You're paying for that plus materials with a good valued watch......with some, like Rolex, not only are you paying for that but you're paying for their millions of $$ in advertising. It's not worth it to me to pay for the extra cost of a Rolex over an Omega for example. The retail prices look high but I got a seamaster chronograph that's basically new for $1625 off the bay and I'm sure you could do better. Hell, you could probably nab a non chrono for around $800-$1000 and get away with wearing it for 10 years without any service.

Some people might frown on high end watch ownership because of the maintenence costs, but I know people that have been wearing the same watches for 15+ years with maybe ONE service if that. My uncle has a Rolex that's over 15 years old that's never had a service and still keeps good time.

It's all in what you want. Some people have no appreciation for art and are perfectly content with hanging dogs playing poker on the walls....others are a bit more tasteful, hell, some leave their walls bare. Same way with watches I figure. You either get it or you don't. If you're saying you can get the same thing in a Monster that you can in a Seamaster you're insane. The only thing in common is that they both tell time....other than that, they're two different beasts. I'm not saying you can't get along just fine with a seiko but I AM saying that if you're a watch guy there's no comparison.

One's mainly a utility, the other is kind of an emotional thing. The same reasons we carry high quality knives rather than a $10 Big 5 knife. The Big 5 knife would get you along just fine but we get the good stuff that speaks to us because we "get it". Same thing with watches and pretty much everything else. You just get it or you don't.

That said, I don't think there's any better deal on a watch out there than a Seiko Monster. It's all you'd ever need in a watch. It'll keep decent time, last a long time, it's got a tough movt and best of all: It's disposable. When it breaks you get a new one and don't lose any sleep over it. I totally get why people are into them soo much. I've been wearing Seikos for WAY longer than anything else. I had a kinetic that got me 5 years of total abuse before it bought the farm and I got WAY more than my money's worth with that sucker!
 
I bought a black dial monster at the PX at Ft. Campbell before I shipped to Iraq in 03 and it still runs great. It was a good starter auto (kinda like the LUDT) and it started me on a road that (hopefully) ended with my Sea Dweller.
 
That's a friggin sweet watch! I was drooling over that one for a long time but for some reason the "Bond" chrono Seamaster spoke to me more :D I'm sure it didn't have much to do with the dial....namely the fact that it's my favorite color :p.....BLUE :)

I really like that one and the new Daytona.....minus the 250% markup on the Daytona (at least from what I can see :p). At least until production catches up to demand. Which probably won't be until they come out with ANOTHER revamped one :D.

I think the Tourbillon is an amazing watch movement but I'm with you on not understanding the 500K. I COULD understand paying around 100K though. At least I could if I were ever worth 50 mil or so!! Haha. I can fully appreciate the work and genious of the design and the incredible execution and complication of someone that can make it. Especially the ones that are also loaded up with a grip of complications. Realistically. Give me a 2892 or a valjoux 7750 any day.
 
I have a Tissot Quadrato Chrono. It's not that expensive of a watch, at about $600 with a quartz movement, but it looks really good and feels great on the wrist.
I have four or five other watches- but only two I really wear. One is a newly received (Christmas) Wenger diver's watch (200m WR) and the other is an antique Benrus that I very occasionally wear. The watches I don't wear are a couple of Fossils, a Timex, and a non-functional antique Timex and Le Coultre.
 
I plan to buy a really nice watch next year, but for now this ol Swiss Army does me fine.

DSCF4615.jpg
 
This has been very interesting to me. I have often wanted a very nice watch but have never had the dollars to purchase one. The best watch I have ever had was an automatic Omega Chronometer I purchased back in 1973. I think I paid $400 for it back then. I wore it for years and it is a great watch. The problem I have now is I travel about 6 months out of the year and most of my time is spent calling on downtown clinics---in other words tough neighborhoods. I have had to defend myself twice now with my 38 spec. so I'm really careful about the way I dress and jewelry I have on. Expensive rings and watches can now get me killed. I have been wearing a plane wedding band and Timex Indiglo for several years now. The watch screams cheap. I keep an eye on its accuracy and currently it gains 1 second every 2 weeks. It cost me $30.00. Would I like to have a great watch on my wrist? Or would I like to wear my Omega--You bet, but considering my circumstances and the technology of the day I can get a functional piece of equipment that keeps superior time and keeps me out of trouble. Times have changed.
 
solidsoldier said:
Thanks for clarifying things for me a little better. Another question... My Tag Heuer Aquaracer auto crapped out on me just days before the 2 year warranty was up. I took it back to Macy's and it was shipped out. When I bought it, they told me how these are much better made than Rolex and how when you buy a Rolex, you're almost entirely paying for the name (on a non blingy stainless). I eard the same thing from the Breitling guy, the Omega guy as well. I'm guessing this just may be a case of every dealer having the best dope but how much hype does my Sea Dweller contain?

edit:
Strangely enough, the Sieko 200m auto diver I wore in Iraq (03-04) still runs like nobody's business.
Click to expand...

I have a Rolex Sub from circa 1963 got it new 250.00 in
1963 bucks. It is my Dayle wear watch. Been cleaned on the average of every 4 years. Still going strong. So your
Sea Dweller should give you good service.:thumbup:
 
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