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Watches



Bevendean Hillbilly

New member
Sep 4, 2006
12,805
Nestling in green nowhere
Rolex GMT black bezel not Pepsi. Had it for ten years this July. Left wrist obvs.
 




Bevendean Hillbilly

New member
Sep 4, 2006
12,805
Nestling in green nowhere
I'm planning on getting an automatic. Is there much reliability difference between the likes of Omega, Breitling, Tudor and TAG, and is the cost of maintenance very different?

Automatic will cost you a small fortune to service/ repair but is just so incredibly skilful to produce. I really don't spend big on clothes/ cars or expensive jewellery but I am in constant love with my Rolex. It's by far and away the costliest item I own other than my car and house but I've been mad about watches since I was a lad.
 




Bevendean Hillbilly

New member
Sep 4, 2006
12,805
Nestling in green nowhere
Presumably it would be different for the brands I've mentioned? Could you give a guesstimate?

I used to get mine serviced annually to ensure warranty etc. And that cost £600 a go ( through a well known dealer in the lanes) I now have it looked at on a bi yearly basis by a local watchmaker for a much more palatable £250 but if he needs to replace anything it can get very pricey. It needed a new 24hr hand as mine kept sticking and that ended up costing nearly a grand to sort.

Jap automatics like sheikh...seiko, damn you iPad spellcheck...are the best value really. Very robust. Luckily I don't drink anymore so my watch suffers less abuse / knocks and wallops etc. Def a good idea to find s good watchmaker in Brighton to give yours a look see after you've owned for a year. Main dealers cost a ****ing bomb.
 


Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
52,738
Goldstone
I used to get mine serviced annually to ensure warranty etc. And that cost £600 a go
That is a lot.

I now have it looked at on a bi yearly basis by a local watchmaker for a much more palatable £250 but if he needs to replace anything it can get very pricey. It needed a new 24hr hand as mine kept sticking and that ended up costing nearly a grand to sort.
Even when you had to pay £1k, that's still cheaper than £600 a year. That's all for a Rolex though, right? A TAG wouldn't be costing so much.

Jap automatics like sheikh...seiko, damn you iPad spellcheck...are the best value really. Very robust.
If they're the best value, why do you think they're not mentioned on these pages? They're not all cheap - are they just not as nice to look at, or is it brand snobbery?
I'd like something special, rather than ordinary, but I don't want to be spending £600 a year on it :)
 




Bevendean Hillbilly

New member
Sep 4, 2006
12,805
Nestling in green nowhere
That is a lot.

Even when you had to pay £1k, that's still cheaper than £600 a year. That's all for a Rolex though, right? A TAG wouldn't be costing so much.

If they're the best value, why do you think they're not mentioned on these pages? They're not all cheap - are they just not as nice to look at, or is it brand snobbery?
I'd like something special, rather than ordinary, but I don't want to be spending £600 a year on it :)

Tag are predominantly battery operated tick tick watches and the movements are exactly the same as those inside SWATCH I have an old 1500 series that still runs as steady as a rock after twenty odd years so one of those will last a lifetime.

The Japanese were the first to properly nail the kinetic automatic function and market it successfully. A lot of watch officiant dos secretly prefer their japs to their Swiss. The price difference is huge and the performance of the brand leaders like Seiko is usually faaaar superior.

The Swiss have always led in style and brand equity. Re-sale values for Rolex and Hublot etc. Is fantastic compared with any jap models except the very early seiko kinetics.

One bit of advice. Tag etc. Are less expensive to buy on the grey market in places like Dubai where there is little or no sales tax. Never buy direct from Switzerland.
 


Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
57,058
Back in Sussex
If they're the best value, why do you think they're not mentioned on these pages? They're not all cheap - are they just not as nice to look at, or is it brand snobbery?
I'd like something special, rather than ordinary, but I don't want to be spending £600 a year on it :)

I think there's some brand snobbery amongst the less knowing for sure. However, those really into their horology will have huge respect for Seiko who make watches for every budget. Their horological backstory is pretty much unrivalled. You can spend more on a Seiko, from their Grand Seiko range, than a new Rolex would cost you: http://www.seiko.co.uk/collections/men/grand-seiko

Most punters walking into a High Street shop with some cash to spend on a nice watch would choose a watch from a Swiss house over Seiko nearly every time.

I'm not sure of the differing servicing costs across the different well know Swiss brands that you mention, however there is unlikely to be too much in it. Nearly every watch that comes out of Switzerland will have an ETA movement, often the same ETA movement, so the task of servicing that is pretty uniform.

If you're spending a few grand on a watch, it should be a heart decision not a head decision. Try lots on, and enjoy finding something that truly grabs you and go for that.

As much as I like Tag, I'd go for Omega over them if I was looking to be a one-watch man.

I'd strongly consider Tudor, well done on being aware of them - many aren't. A Rolex for a decent price. The Black Bay, particularly with the red bezel on a leather strap, is very nice if you like the look of a diver.
 


Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
52,738
Goldstone
Tag are predominantly battery operated tick tick watches and the movements are exactly the same as those inside SWATCH
Yeah I was looking at the Carrera Calibre 5 and 6 - automatics, so the usual maintenance problems I assume.

The Japanese were the first to properly nail the kinetic automatic function and market it successfully. A lot of watch officiant dos secretly prefer their japs to their Swiss.
Which Japanese brands would you recommend - I looked at Seiko and wasn't fussed about the design.

The price difference is huge
In what way? The Seiko automatics aren't cheap.

The Swiss have always led in style and brand equity. Re-sale values for Rolex and Hublot etc.
I'm not really fussed about resale value, I wouldn't expect to sell it.

One bit of advice. Tag etc. Are less expensive to buy on the grey market in places like Dubai where there is little or no sales tax. Never buy direct from Switzerland.
Cheers and thanks for all the help.
 




Bevendean Hillbilly

New member
Sep 4, 2006
12,805
Nestling in green nowhere
I think there's some brand snobbery amongst the less knowing for sure. However, those really into their horology will have huge respect for Seiko who make watches for every budget. Their horological backstory is pretty much unrivalled. You can spend more on a Seiko, from their Grand Seiko range, than a new Rolex would cost you: http://www.seiko.co.uk/collections/men/grand-seiko

Most punters walking into a High Street shop with some cash to spend on a nice watch would choose a watch from a Swiss house over Seiko nearly every time.

I'm not sure of the differing servicing costs across the different well know Swiss brands that you mention, however there is unlikely to be too much in it. Nearly every watch that comes out of Switzerland will have an ETA movement, often the same ETA movement, so the task of servicing that is pretty uniform.

If you're spending a few grand on a watch, it should be a heart decision not a head decision. Try lots on, and enjoy finding something that truly grabs you and go for that.

As much as I like Tag, I'd go for Omega over them if I was looking to be a one-watch man.

I'd strongly consider Tudor, well done on being aware of them - many aren't. A Rolex for a decent price. The Black Bay, particularly with the red bezel on a leather strap, is very nice if you like the look of a diver.

Tudor have always been a great favourite of mine. I like their simple styling compared to the big brother Rolex. It's good to see them being marketed more in their own right of late. I would like to add one to my (small) collection.

Agree with you on Omega too. Love their sea masters. The new ones is especially beautiful.
 


Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
52,738
Goldstone
If you're spending a few grand on a watch, it should be a heart decision not a head decision. Try lots on, and enjoy finding something that truly grabs you and go for that.
I understand, but a while a few grand is a lot, if it lasts a lifetime it's nothing compared to hundreds every year servicing it.

As much as I like Tag, I'd go for Omega over them if I was looking to be a one-watch man.
Is that because you always like the style of Omega more, or something else?

I'd strongly consider Tudor
Yeah I like the Style 38 (I want a simple looking watch, not after a diver).

The Omega De Ville Tresor is quite nice. A little pricey though :)
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/de-ville/tresor/master-co-axial-40-mm/43253402102004/
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/de-ville/tresor/master-co-axial-40-mm/43253402103001/
 


Bevendean Hillbilly

New member
Sep 4, 2006
12,805
Nestling in green nowhere
In the seiko family you will find the "orient" subsidiary. They have some lovely looking elegant pieces. There's another that my mate recommends called "Kenneth Cole" with some funky styling. Not really checked them out myself but he has a nice rectangular one that looks like the original Heur Monaco.
 




Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
57,058
Back in Sussex
I understand, but a while a few grand is a lot, if it lasts a lifetime it's nothing compared to hundreds every year servicing it.

Is that because you always like the style of Omega more, or something else?

Yeah I like the Style 38 (I want a simple looking watch, not after a diver).

The Omega De Ville Tresor is quite nice. A little pricey though :)
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/de-ville/tresor/master-co-axial-40-mm/43253402102004/
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/de-ville/tresor/master-co-axial-40-mm/43253402103001/

You'll not be needing to service a modern automatic every year. 3-5 years, or in some cases even longer, is more typical.

If you like relatively plain, check out Omega Aqua Terra: http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Seamaster Aqua Terra/Watches

Don't rule out buying used, from a reputable dealer, either. Always get boxed with papers.
 


Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
52,738
Goldstone
You'll not be needing to service a modern automatic every year. 3-5 years, or in some cases even longer, is more typical.
Thanks.

If you like relatively plain, check out Omega Aqua Terra:
Yeah those are the ones I was looking at (the De Ville are a bit pricey). I like these:
https://www.omegawatches.com/watche...a-150m/master-co-axial-415-mm/23113422103001/
Thought I'd seen this one with a leather strap, but can't see it now:
https://www.omegawatches.com/watche...a-150m/master-co-axial-415-mm/23110422101003/

Don't rule out buying used, from a reputable dealer, either. Always get boxed with papers.
Thanks. I've no problem getting second hand, but I figure searching will be harder.
 


I just bought my first ever watch. I decided on the tag connected. Whilst I appreciate its not everyone's cup of tea it's worth mentioning that I bought it in Guernsey and saved the vat.

I only went there for it as the only place I could find one but you can get direct 30 min flights on Aurigny from LGW for under £50 for a Saturday day return so the saving will easily cover the flight, even on a much cheaper (£1100 UK, £920 there) like mine.
 




Butch Willykins

Well-known member
Jun 17, 2011
2,550
Shoreham-by-Sea
I'd strongly consider Tudor, well done on being aware of them - many aren't. A Rolex for a decent price. The Black Bay, particularly with the red bezel on a leather strap, is very nice if you like the look of a diver.

Tudor have always been a great favourite of mine. I like their simple styling compared to the big brother Rolex. It's good to see them being marketed more in their own right of late. I would like to add one to my (small) collection.

My Tudor Black Bay. I absolutely love it.
image.jpeg
 


Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
52,738
Goldstone
What do you think of Raymond Weil?
 










Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
57,058
Back in Sussex
What do you think of Raymond Weil?

Never really appealed.

Some lesser-known marques worth considering include Ball, Bell & Ross, Fortis, Glycine and Sinn. You get a fair bit of watch for your money, primarily because they don't spend zillions of pounds on marketing and on celebrity brand ambassadors. I've always had a soft spot for Oris too.

Given where your tastes seem to be, how about these:

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...er-ii-marvelight-nm2026c-s6j-be-watch-bl-1428

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...3-officer-white-watch-brg123-wh-st-scr-br-385

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...cematic-pilot-professional-623-10-71-m-ft-505

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...mbat-6-automatic-36-mm-3916-18-1-watch-gl-342

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...elet-01-733-7642-4035-07-8-21-80-watch-or-984

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...nter-watch-6033-watch-6033010-bracelet-sn-071
 


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