What is the Sebenza of wristwatches?

If you like the Rolex Explorer and Sinn 656, check out the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. It even comes in three sizes...35mm, 38mm, and 41mm.

Paul
 
My suggestion is a Yao modified Luminox with a good-quality kevlar strap. Very clean and simple and relatively inexpensive.
 
Originally posted by PWork
If you like the Rolex Explorer and Sinn 656, check out the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. It even comes in three sizes...35mm, 38mm, and 41mm.

Paul
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Ditto the Aqua Terra. I've been eyeing the 41mm for some time. It has similar looks to the Rolex Explorer for about half the price. The coaxial movement is very accurate for an auto.
 
Originally posted by KnifeRat
Question: Why are the Sinns so expensive? They look nice but the price surprises me based on their appearance. I'm starting to get a sense which watches are expensive because of quality materials and machining, and which are expensive because of brand image. I get the impression that Sinn is expensive because of quality, but I don't really know what makes them distinct. Anyone have the inside scoop?
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I will give you a little insight on Sinn. Sinn is a German Watch Company started by a former World War II Luftwaffe pilot. For years, they were quite affordable, and offered quite a value for their customers. However, their sales were restricted solely to the European Continent and mostly Germany. When American watch enthusiasts found them, they were selling in Germany at low prices when compared to Swiss watches. This perked American collector interests and they began to demand them in the USA. Sinn wasn't really interested or capable of expanding beyond their market, but got somewhat of a shot in the arm when Bell&Ross contracted them to build watches for them to be marketed in the USA. While Bell&Ross marketed the Sinn made watches in the USA, Sinn could not by contract sell Sinn badged watches in the USA. Still enterprising folks found ways to have Sinn muled over to the USA.

Once the Bell&Ross adffiliation with Sinn ended. The Sinn name had become established in the USA, and Sinn was having a hard time ignoring it. They still didn't really have the means or interest in established a US presence. However, due to extreme demand, Sinn acquiesced and appointed a couple of US dealers. The US franchise was not a standard wholesale arrangement. Due to the high cost of maintaining overseas service agreements, and distribution, Sinn did not give their US representatives complete wholesale pricing. Sinn US dealers don't get cut a whole lot of slack in pricing. They in turn pass this cost on to customers. Now if you are ever in Frankfurt, visit the Sinn Depot, and I am sure you will find better prices.

I hope that explains it in a nutshell.
 
My vote would go to the Rolex Explorer on the high end. I've owned one for 20 years without a malfunction. I've inadvertantly run over it with my Dad's Mercedes (true story), worn it every day for 20 years 24/7. I just had it overhauled including a new bezel (the paint wore off, new mainspring, crown, gaskets, and crystal for $400. Considering that the watch cost $800 in 1983 and is worth over $3,500 today (it is a rare orange hand) that's a pretty good investment.

On the low end, I think Victorinox makes a bunch off nice automatics in the $300 range. The Seamaster is in the middle.
 
I vote for the Sieko Black Monster (SKX779)

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Mike
 
OK, thanks to all of your help getting the lay of the wristwatch land. I really appreciate the insights. Here is my shortlist:

Rolex Explorer I
Omega SeaMaster Aqua Terra
Fortis Flieger Automatic
I couldn't help but add the Omege Speedster in reduced face or the cool white face with deep blue dial and numbers. I know it didn't fit my criteria but I really like it. :D

Thanks for the help with Sinn, Bob. I don't mind paying for quality, but I don't want to pay for inefficient distribution channels. Love the looks, but unless I find a German dealer with a good willing to ship...

Showed my wife the pics and was blown over when she said "just get the Rolex!" This was after I explained the price differences!! :D :confused: :D :cool:

I'll post a pic after some trips to jewelers. Are there any reputable online dealers? Or does this need to be an "in person" transaction?
 
Rolex Submariner if it fits the budget is great.
Casio G-shock is the best in their price range, IMHO. They have models that fit any taste (almost)
 
KnifeRat!,

Don't cut corners on your new timepiece's water resistence rating...even if you never get it wet, the seals do double duty in protecting the movement from dust and grit of all sorts....NOT just water!!
I've owned several Rolexes and recently put up my ref.1601 SS/14kyg.
Datejust in favor of a Casio G-Shock due to working conditions under which my Rolex would certainly have survived but might have needlessly suffered cosmetically. I picked up one of these at a local wholesale club.....http://www.casio.com/index.cfm?fuse...=Watches&section=G-Shock&product=MTG900DA-8V#

Larry S.
 
What's the general opinion on the kevlar bands? I need to replace the plastic band on my Chase-Durer, and my one complaint was that the plastic never really molded to my wrist, and remained somewhat stiff until it finally began to split.

I was thinking of getting a NATO or canvas style band, but kevlar has a higher gadget factor. Is it worth it? Does it soften up and mold to your wrist?
 
Originally posted by mgeoffriau
What's the general opinion on the kevlar bands? I need to replace the plastic band on my Chase-Durer, and my one complaint was that the plastic never really molded to my wrist, and remained somewhat stiff until it finally began to split.

I was thinking of getting a NATO or canvas style band, but kevlar has a higher gadget factor. Is it worth it? Does it soften up and mold to your wrist?
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Kevlar bands are cool, but almost none of them you see offered online are actually Kevlar. They are "Kevlar Style." No matter what anyone tells you, if the band costs significantly less than $100, it's plastic and not kevlar at all.
 
Good Morning All-

Originally posted by KnifeRat
"...Showed my wife the pics and was blown over when she said 'Just get the Rolex!' This was after I explained the price differences!

Are there any reputable online dealers? Or does this need to be an "in person" transaction?..."
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All of the choices you listed in your post are excellent, high-quality wristwatches. If getting "bang for yer' buck" is a factor, you may wish to avoid purchasing Rolex models.

Rolex is truly a marketing machine. They send out "shoppers" to their dealers to ensure that none of the jewelers are offering a discount. This is done because they feel it will preserve the "image" of the brand in the marketplace. It virtually eliminates the possibility of negotiating a lower price because Rolex manages to sell each of the 800,000 or so timepieces they produce each year.

They produce very, very good watches...but you can easily obtain better quality at a lower price. As an example, take a look at the Oyster bracelet on the Submariner and then compare it with the Omega Seamaster and you'll see what I mean.

This isn't meant to be a Rolex-bashing post...but I wouldn't want to see a BladeForums friend unnecessarily drawn into the "allure" of Rolex without both eyes open. Ask a regular person the best watch in the world (regardless of price) and they'll immediately blurt "Rolex!" without even being aware of Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Breguet, Ulysse Nardin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, etc., etc.

In terms of Internet sales, many Swiss brands advise that they do not authorize their watches to be sold from Internet stores and caution that they could be used and/or counterfeit models. The message there is certainly "Let the buyer beware" for that kind of purchase. With that in mind, you could certainly visit a reputable online jeweler like Ashford or the Sales Corner on TimeZone forums if you wish to purchase from an individual.

Hope that helps! :) We're looking forward to pictures of your watch!

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I have compared Rolex to Omega first hand. IMHO Omega has a better fit and finish and is a much better value. If you can, look at comparable models from both makers, then get the one that YOU want.

Paul
 
I really like the LIMES nightflight. All the good stuff at a VERY reasonable price. I also put up the Rolex in favor of the Casio G shock " WAVE-CEPTOR/
SOLAR" Never change the battery and gets a radio signal 4xs nightly from the Boulder Naval observatory to set the time to the second daily.
 
My 2cents worth.... Try the CWC watches available from Silverman's. They replaced the Rolex Submariner in the UK MOD supply system. I have a Royal Marines SBS watch that was worth the wait for shipment from London. It came with a NATO band, and is waterproof to 300 meters. All for a price around 500 bucks, depending on exchange rates at the time of purchase.
 
Omega black/black SMP if you can afford it, any Seiko auto diver if you can't. I've had my good old Seiko since 1989, wore it in all kinds of tough situations. Other than the fact the luminosity of the hands and markers is barely functional (only lasted about 5 years), no problems, looks like it did the day I bought it.

I've had my black/black SMP (ref. 2054.50.00) for 3 years now. The bracelet and clasp are scuffed pretty good, it works like a dream. You can find good used ones for around $800.
 
Blue Jays,
Excellent advice! As a former watch nut, I can only agree after having seen and handled countless watches over the last five-six years.
The fit and finish of Omega, IWC and other "moderately priced" brands blows Rolex out of the water in most cases.
Not sure what would be the Sebanza of wristwatches, but for me it could be and IWC Mark XII (sadly discontinued), Omega Seamaster Pro Automatic or my own favorite, the Speedmaster Professional.
 
I'll stick my 2 cents in here. I have an Omega Seamaster, a Rolex Submariner and an O&W Diver. If you want a working watch that keeps decent time and isn't particularly large go with the O&W. (It's about $300.)

Having said that I believe that the Seamaster is a better deal than the Rolex but I can't honestly say that the fit and finish is better. My Rolex has survived some very rough treatment and still keeps perfect time. The Seamaster hasn't been treated quite so rough but still keeps good time though not as good as the Rolex. (The Rolex gains 2 seconds a day, the Omega loses about 4.) I think Rolex's are what they are, a prestige watch that is very well made but sold at a premium. If you're interested the December 2003 issue of Watchtime just did a review of the Submariner.

If you have the money and want an investment get the Rolex. If you want a great watch and don't think it will get too abused get the Omega. If you intend to be really rough on it get either a SAK automatic of an O&W.

Just my opinions....
 
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