Watch thread

rick_chasey

To avoid poluting the tennis thread.

shirley_basso said:

I'd love to afford to justify a Daytona, but since taking up running and buying a Garmin watch, I just know I'd never wear it.

(I actually want an AP ROO Jumbo - but that's many orders of magnitude more expensive)

One of these?



I've never really understood the appeal of the metal octagonal design but YMMV obviously.

Stevo_666

Does not appeal to me - and especially at that sort of price.

I like my mechanical watches and have a few but nothing flash or silly expensive as you can get good stuff without paying through the nostrils if you can look past the name on the dial (although I realise that a lot of people will classify watches with a 3 figure price tag as expensive).

pblakeney

I'm not going to, obviously, but if someone gave me the keys to shop to pick one it'd be this. I am clearly a man of simple, but expensive taste.

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Patek-Philippe-Grand-Complications-Grande-Sonnerie-6301P+001/p/17921027

MidlandsGrimpeur2

As someone with a long standing interest in watches, it's taken me by surprise at how 'luxury' watches have become so popular in the last 3 or 4 years.

When I left London in 2015 you could walk into any AD and purchase any Rolex apart from a Daytona. The demand for these and other brands like AP and Patek baffles me. The prices on the used market are ridiculous.

Unless you are buying a Langhe or Patek complication, then I would agree that once you get above £2k for a watch you are paying for the name. I guess that is the case for most luxury items though.

Lots of brands are massively price gouging now, Omega and JLC are the worst culprits, 40-50% price increases on the same models over 18 months!

First.Aspect

Not being funny, but why is that worth more than a Jaeger with a Bugatti around it?

focuszing723

Where is the GPS, heart rate monitor, spot on accuracy?

They're just flounce.

Stevo_666

MidlandsGrimpeur2 said:

As someone with a long standing interest in watches, it's taken me by surprise at how 'luxury' watches have become so popular in the last 3 or 4 years.

When I left London in 2015 you could walk into any AD and purchase any Rolex apart from a Daytona. The demand for these and other brands like AP and Patek baffles me. The prices on the used market are ridiculous.

Unless you are buying a Langhe or Patek complication, then I would agree that once you get above £2k for a watch you are paying for the name. I guess that is the case for most luxury items though.

Lots of brands are massively price gouging now, Omega and JLC are the worst culprits, 40-50% price increases on the same models over 18 months!

Agree with you on all of that.

Rolex seems to be more of a tradeable commodity than a watch these days, though the grey market prices seem to have dropped off a bit recently from crazy to just extortionate levels. Omega and the like have put themselves out of contention for a lot of people who might have got one when they were more reasonable, though seems as if there are enough people still willing to pay the asking price for the time being at least.

There's still a lot of good stuff out there outside of the headline brands though.

veronese68

I hadn't heard about Helm watches until recently, not sure why they saw fit to put my name on a watch. The EPO agrees I should order one. Now I just need to persuade her I need a Holdsworth Helm as well.
Completely agree about prices for names. I've got an old Tag F1 and my old man's JLC in addition to some Swatches that make me smile.

seanoconn

I’d prefer something vintage with a few scratches/patina and some character.

bobmcstuff

That big green ceramic Hublot Big Bang that Djokovic was wearing was nasty... especially at £21k.

The CEO of our software business has an older gold Daytona with a white mother of pearl dial that is absolutely lovely, although I wouldn't wear it (even if I could afford it, which I can't). Apparently he was given it for making some kind of sales record in the 90s. I thought the one Alcaraz was wearing was a bit much - too big these days and the rubber strap puts me off.

briantrumpet

As I've been known to leave watches in jersey pockets when doing the laundry, or just losing them, I think I'll stick to my crappy under-£50 range. But obviously analogue... digital watches are the most hideous invention ever.

verylonglegs

MidlandsGrimpeur2 said:

As someone with a long standing interest in watches, it's taken me by surprise at how 'luxury' watches have become so popular in the last 3 or 4 years.

When I left London in 2015 you could walk into any AD and purchase any Rolex apart from a Daytona. The demand for these and other brands like AP and Patek baffles me. The prices on the used market are ridiculous.

Unless you are buying a Langhe or Patek complication, then I would agree that once you get above £2k for a watch you are paying for the name. I guess that is the case for most luxury items though.

Lots of brands are massively price gouging now, Omega and JLC are the worst culprits, 40-50% price increases on the same models over 18 months!

The Omega price rises are genuinely ridiculous, certainly put me off buying one I had my eye on as now I don't think it is worth the money. Also I'm not a fan of the open back a lot of the seamasters now sport, much prefered the closed case with the seahorse logo.

webboo

seanoconn said:

I’d prefer something vintage with a few scratches/patina and some character.

Like this.

I think it was made around 1920.

Stevo_666

verylonglegs said:

MidlandsGrimpeur2 said:

As someone with a long standing interest in watches, it's taken me by surprise at how 'luxury' watches have become so popular in the last 3 or 4 years.

When I left London in 2015 you could walk into any AD and purchase any Rolex apart from a Daytona. The demand for these and other brands like AP and Patek baffles me. The prices on the used market are ridiculous.

Unless you are buying a Langhe or Patek complication, then I would agree that once you get above £2k for a watch you are paying for the name. I guess that is the case for most luxury items though.

Lots of brands are massively price gouging now, Omega and JLC are the worst culprits, 40-50% price increases on the same models over 18 months!

The Omega price rises are genuinely ridiculous, certainly put me off buying one I had my eye on as now I don't think it is worth the money. Also I'm not a fan of the open back a lot of the seamasters now sport, much prefered the closed case with the seahorse logo.

Go second hand - there is quite a lot out there which while not a bargain, is not a rip off like the current new models. This is my old Seamaster GMT which I picked up back in the noughties when prices were reasonable.



Also has your preferred case back as you can see.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

Rolex seems to be more of a tradeable commodity than a watch these days, though the grey market prices seem to have dropped off a bit recently from crazy to just extortionate levels. Omega and the like have put themselves out of contention for a lot of people who might have got one when they were more reasonable, though seems as if there are enough people still willing to pay the asking price for the time being at least.

There's still a lot of good stuff out there outside of the headline brands though.

Yes, Rolex are definitely a commodity these days. It's a shame as I sure there are lots of people who would love to own one and are genuine enthusiasts but are priced out of the market.

Agree about Omega and a few others. I think they will come to regret it in the long term as the interest fades and the prices no longer hold up.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

The Omega price rises are genuinely ridiculous, certainly put me off buying one I had my eye on as now I don't think it is worth the money. Also I'm not a fan of the open back a lot of the seamasters now sport, much prefered the closed case with the seahorse logo.

I was the same, saved up for an Omega only to go into an AD and find the price had gone up £400. Saved up the difference only for the same price hike less than 3 months later. I gave up at that point! I expect many more feel the same.

Stevo_666

veronese68 said:

I hadn't heard about Helm watches until recently, not sure why they saw fit to put my name on a watch. The EPO agrees I should order one. Now I just need to persuade her I need a Holdsworth Helm as well.
Completely agree about prices for names. I've got an old Tag F1 and my old man's JLC in addition to some Swatches that make me smile.

Helm is a new one to me - they look alright. Unfortunately I couldn't find a Git Watch

MidlandsGrimpeur2

@seanoconn I think the Tudor sub is one of the few vintage watches that still offer value. I expect as more people pick up on it they will go towards Rolex sub prices, although not quite as steep perhaps.

Stevo_666

MidlandsGrimpeur2 said:

The Omega price rises are genuinely ridiculous, certainly put me off buying one I had my eye on as now I don't think it is worth the money. Also I'm not a fan of the open back a lot of the seamasters now sport, much prefered the closed case with the seahorse logo.

I was the same, saved up for an Omega only to go into an AD and find the price had gone up £400. Saved up the difference only for the same price hike less than 3 months later. I gave up at that point! I expect many more feel the same.

As I mentioned to VLL about, why not go for a second hand Omega? Most can be had at a discount to new.

rick_chasey

I’ve had my eye on a vintage omega de ville style for a while, and have always told myself when I get a good bonus I’ll treat myself so as not to feel guilty but then there’s always a more pressing reason to spend money.

They’re not expensive relative but still.



Or even a gruen which is cheaper.



I like the smaller watches as obviously I have small wrists.

Not a big fan of the modern trend for bigger watches both in face size and depth.

Also never really understood the appeal of sports watches but they’re more popular than dress watches.

shirley_basso

Yep that's the one. I love the Tapisserie dial, and despite the shape it looks great on the wrist. I had the all black "casioak" for a while but it was illegible so I sold it. Tissot also recently launched a series of Tapisserie dials which look mega.

As for me, I'd like an older, 5 digit submariner the16610 (which I will hopefully get one day) but I also love the 16613LB.

I have quite small wrists so the newer 6 digit models don't really do it for me, although I would make an exception for the Daytona. I put myself on the waiting list about 5 years ago, at the time they said it would take until I was 40, so a few more to wait!

Day to day I just wear my Garmin watch, but I also have a 40's mechanical omega dress watch and a Tag Aquaracer which was an 18th bday present.

This is the daytona I particularly like:

pblakeney

webboo said:

seanoconn said:

I’d prefer something vintage with a few scratches/patina and some character.

Like this.

I think it was made around 1920.

You got me looking. A serial number search reveals - Waltham Hunter, Broadway Grade, Massachusetts 1876. Asking prices on the Bay, over £1000. 😱

This is my photo of the watch, immaculate.

TheBigBean

All a mystery to me. My solar powered watch just keeps the time. No servicing or battery replacement required.

webboo

pblakeney said:

webboo said:

seanoconn said:

I’d prefer something vintage with a few scratches/patina and some character.

Like this.

I think it was made around 1920.

You got me looking. A serial number search reveals - Waltham Hunter, Broadway Grade, Massachusetts 1876. Asking prices on the Bay, over £1000. 😱

This is my photo of the watch, immaculate.

Very nice.
Somehow I as the oldest grand child lost out on my grandads pocket watch to my cousin as result as some dodgy dealings by my auntie. I suspect that it was flogged off years ago.

focuszing723

TheBigBean said:

All a mystery to me. My solar powered watch just keeps the time. No servicing or battery replacement required.

I quite like this at least it's bang on accurate (atomic radio signal).

focuszing723

The rest of this thread is full up with charity shop bits n' bobs.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

As I mentioned to VLL about, why not go for a second hand Omega? Most can be had at a discount to new.

I have been keeping my eye out but 2nd hand are still holding at relatively high prices at the moment and a bit above budget. I am holding out (hopefully) for a bit more of a price drop.

briantrumpet

TheBigBean said:

All a mystery to me. My solar powered watch just keeps the time. No servicing or battery replacement required.

Yeah, if I spent a bit more money, that's probably what I'd do.

Mind you, I don't understand people who don't have a watch, and spend all day getting their phone out to see what the time is. Really annoying when it's someone running a training session or similar.

Stevo_666

MidlandsGrimpeur2 said:

As I mentioned to VLL about, why not go for a second hand Omega? Most can be had at a discount to new.

I have been keeping my eye out but 2nd hand are still holding at relatively high prices at the moment and a bit above budget. I am holding out (hopefully) for a bit more of a price drop.

Patience is your friend, I think prices will soften.

Stevo_666

focuszing723 said:

TheBigBean said:

All a mystery to me. My solar powered watch just keeps the time. No servicing or battery replacement required.

I quite like this at least it's bang on accurate (atomic radio signal).

I have a G Shock that sets its time from the atomic clock to set my mechanicals.

Or else get a Seiko with a spring drive movement - mechanical movement with quartz escapement and quartz accuracy.

rick_chasey

TheBigBean said:

All a mystery to me. My solar powered watch just keeps the time. No servicing or battery replacement required.

Just see it as a bracelet.