Watch help

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bladefixation2

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Mar 28, 2004
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I have decided my next purchase will be a watch, but I'm new to timepieces and could do with some advice from you more experienced chaps :)

My current watch is a quartz TAG kirium, Its a good watch but I apprecite some of the criticisms they get for being overpriced etc.

I'm looking for a mechanical watch in the £350 - £500 range, so far I like the following models, any advice on which would be better and any other similar models would be appreciated as I dont know anything about which movements are better etc.

My criteria are
- Small - mid size as I have small wrists
- Stainelss bracelet
- Sapphire crystal or other very scratch resistant crytstal
- Date

Glycine Combat 3 automatic with stainess case and bracelet and black dial
Glycine Combat 3 automatic 200m divers with stainelss bracelet
Sinn 656 stainless bracelet
Orfina Beobachtungsuhren - Steel Bracelet

Currently I'm leaning towards the Glycine divers watch because I like the design, or the orifna because it sounds like it has a better movement and better construction and tritrium markers.

I have read a few posts praising Sinn watches but I don't like the face design as much as the others I have listed.
 
Personally i'd go with a black Omega Seamaster. You can get the auto version for about £750 (brand new). I'm thinking that servicing would be quite easy for a major brand like Omega or Rolex compared to a Sinn or Glycine. You can just send it straight to their own service centre. If you know where you're going to send it in for servicing then that's alright then.

However, from your choices i'd still go with the Sinn. The Sinn has a better overall quality and i think it also uses sapphire crystal. I think the Glycine uses K1 mineral crystal. However, you've already said that you don't like the look of the Sinn so why are you considering it?

The orfina has a good movement that is basically the same as the Glycine. I think it's an ETA 2824-2. Not too sure about that but at least the Orfina has sapphire crystal.

In the end they are similar style watches which have basically the same movement. So choose whichever one you like the looks of.

However you should consider looking at Fortis as well. They also have similar styled watches.

By they way, only the Glycine 200m has sapphire crystal. The normal combat doesn't.
 
Ditto on the Seamaster, try finding a used one on TZ, and asking the seller to ship to UK. I've seen nice ones in the $700-800 range.

I used to own the normal 50m Glycine Combat when Ashford sold them, nice watch but it definitely wasn't worth the asking price of a new one nowadays.
 
I see what you're saying about the seamaster but it looks 'expensive', that's one of the problems with the Tag, its obvious you're walking around with a grand on your wrist...
 
Real simple soultion to your problem, get yourself a MINT used Rolex Submariner (can get one for around 1500-2000 USD) or Get that Seamaster already mentioned you'd be happy with either one, but I think a used Rolex is a better deal. However at retail they are very overpriced. I'd be afraid to buy many of the other swiss watches, for a lot of them are no better than good Japanese watches by Citizen or Seiko, and unless you have good experience with other brands you'd probably do well to stick with Rolex or Omega in my opinion.
 
Wow, all these votes for the seamaster are really making me think again. Maybe its worth the extra cash.

"get yourself a MINT used Rolex Submariner"

I'd love a rolex but I don't think I have the budget
 
bladefixation2 said:
Wow, all these votes for the seamaster are really making me think again. Maybe its worth the extra cash.

"get yourself a MINT used Rolex Submariner"

I'd love a rolex but I don't think I have the budget
Click to expand...

A Rolex is nice. I went to a shop that had a blue and gold Submariner yesterday. That watch is a nice watch. It's a bling bling watch without being too blingin'. They also had a seadweller. That was a nice watch as well.

However, they are expensive. Way more than a seamaster. A seamaster is one of the best value watches out there. Your budget is £500 and another £250 gets you a watch in a totally different class. I'm not saying that a Sinn isn't any good. But a Sinn isn't an Omega. Sinn's are good rugged watches but a black seamaster is a do-it-all watch. You can wear it with a suit or wear it for sports and it wouldn't look out of place.

And the service here in the UK is very pleasant to deal with. Due to my own stupidity i dented my Omega Planet Ocean so i sent it in to get it polished. Very easy. Just post it through royal mail Special Delivery and that's all you need to do. I even asked for an extra half link and they're giving me one for free as a gesture of goodwill.

If you buy an omega and it needs servicing, just send it off and they'll do everything to the watch to make it look like new. I don't know how Sinn deals with their customers here in the UK so i have no comment on that.

I haven't commented on Rolex 'cos i'm sure it's out of your budget for now but they also have one of the best services in the industry.
 
Has anyone mentioned a black Seamaster? :p

Yes, they are worth the "extra" cash.

Paul
 
Be sure to check the sales forums at www.watchnet.com and www.timezone.com before you commit to buying from a jewelry store. You will readily get a better deal. However, should you decide to buy from a store, see if they will discount for cash (if using cash). The worst that can happen is they will say no or they may say yes.
 
The Seamaster also comes in a midsized flavor, approx. 36mm. Nice for us wrist challenged types. :D
Buying used is smart, save yourself a ton of cash for in many cases a near mint watch.
 
Spydiefan04 said:
...get yourself a MINT used Rolex Submariner (can get one for around 1500-2000 USD)
Click to expand...

Have you really seen them going for that?

Those numbers seem very low to me based on TZ sales corner, etc. but I'd loooove to be wrong and hear of a source. I'd like to find a modern used pepsi bezel GMT, which go for even less than Subs on the used market but I haven't seen one of them for less than double the low end number here. :(
 
There are no Subs for $1500,

I remember around three years ago, you'd occasionally see a 5513 used Sub for sale on the boards around $1500, wish I'd been smart enough to snag one.
The way prices are zooming up, you'd be lucky to get a Tudor Sub for $1500 a couple of years from now.
 
Hey all,

In addition to others' posts, can someone explain Panerai to me?

I "get" Omega and Rolex. I own an O&W "Yao'ed" Sub, a number of Seikos, a "Yao'ed" Luminox, and that all makes sense to me.

With the exception of the crown protector on the Panerai, I do not "get" why they are so sought after and spendy. Please enlighten me!

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
I think Panerai is going to be what Rolex used to be a few years ago. Everyone wants one now. I don't understand those people who actually buy more than one Panerai. They kinda look the same.

It's supposed to be a basic tool watch sorta thing and the trend now is big sized watches. Film stars are starting to wear it (Hugh Grant wears one) so it's probably a trendy thing to have.

I don't think their movement is in-house so i don't understand why they cost so much. At least with a Rolex you've got an in-house movement with a history to it.

However, i would want one Panerai just 'cos it looks kinda cool. I also want a Rolex Sub and a Seadweller. And an IWC Aquatimer etc. etc.
 
Point44 said:
I think Panerai is going to be what Rolex used to be a few years ago...
Click to expand...

IMO, it already is.

That is my favorite watch.

I wish I had the money to buy one. :(
 
I have lusted after the Panerais and have come very close to pulling the trigger. Can't quite get there though. I mean, where would I wear it? I'd trash it in 5 minutes if I wore it in the shop. Still, that gorgeous simple design just does it for me. I will own one someday.

As for what watch would be good for the poster to buy..... I own a Sinn 656 and it is a very nice watch but it looks like that one is out of the running. The Glycines are wonderful, I have an Incursore auto on my wrist right now. This is currently my favorite watch and I can't say enough good about it. The Combats are OK but the dials are a little much to my eye and I have seen some with really funky colors that turn me off.

I also own a black dialed full sized automatic Omega Seamaster and it is a phenomenal watch for sure. Everything said above is true, great value for the money. Definitely go for a used one instead of buying new like I did. They come up all the time on TZ sales corner and can be had for under $1000 in perfectly good condition....

Fortis is another very nice and less expensive brand as mentioned above. And the Yao converted watches such as the Seikos and the O&Ws are fantastic.

BTW, I have very small wrists too but I find a 46mm watch is really quite nice once you get used to it. Now the 39mm and under watches seem way too small for me. Go for bigger! :)
 
Yeah, I can get at SUB between 1500-2000 (closer to 2000) if I'm patient but I can get them at Rolex dealer prices (which I forgot to mention) factor in mark-up and you probably will pay around 2500 at least for one. If you don't want to spend Rolex money the Omega is probably the best bet (also the Seiko divers are excellent and much cheaper). With Rolex or Omega you'll be happy, great watches with great reputations.
 
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