Post: #26

The Stührling is Chinese...do I need to say more? I would rather cut my hand off before wearing that. It's also way over the top.

The Sinn looks great. I like its simplicity.

Post: #27

I agree, I like the Sinn.

I got into watches recently, but I was after great quality for the value. Some people call these "Watchmaker's Watches" because you get a very nicely made, quality watch and movement with a price isn't jacked up based on the name. Well, perhaps very slightly as you get up into the 500 range for a brand like Hamilton. However, you get your value in all of these watches. with these watches, the only thing you give up is a high end name. Also, you get infinitely better quality than you get from a replica.

When shopping for watches like this, you are avoiding Chinese made replicas. If you are after a replica, you generally get a shitty quality watch that looks like a high end watch. If your about that, then that's okay. Just know what you are buying.

"Homage" watches are different than replicas. In general, homage watches are built to resemble, if not outright mimic high end watches, but are built to quality standards as compared to replicas. They won't have the fake brand name, as a replica will, but generally are branded with the name of the watchmaker.

Generally, I only recommend homages if you are after a very specific look, like a Panerai style watch, or if its a special edition offered by one of the better watchmaker's brands. A lot of these guys will do Rolex and Omega diving watch homages.

To get a great quality "watchmakers watch", you will generally spend between $125-$750. Average price probably ranges between $175 and $500.

Great quality/value watch brands. Most either make their own movements or use high quality movements:

Oriental (Japanese brand with a USA division. Great reputation, they make their own movements. Executive Series or Racer Series)

Hamilton (check out the Jazzmaster and the Khaki King. Both classics.)

Seiko (check out the SNZJ, SNZH, and SNZK series)

Christopher Ward (Boutique watchmaker. Your Choice)

Seagull (Great reputation long standing Chinese brand. Make their own movements, which are again used in many other high value brands. Your choice)

Parnis (A wide Variety, mostly large style watches using seagull movements. Chinese made. Very economical, and entry level for the quality watch category.)

Strela
Vostock
Poljot (Both this one and the brands above it are very nice Russian brands, if you want something that ranges from Soviet style military nostalgic to classic to modern euro. Very nice.

Marina Militaire (Common Panerai Homage [generally chinese made parts], amongst many other boutique homage makers who copy this watch. Many use seagull movements)

When your shopping, pay attention to whether your getting a crystal or sapphire dial as well as the movement and whether or not it has a "power reserve indicator" (my preference-but not common). All of these things, and more, go into the quality and price of the watch.

When shopping you want to determine if you are looking at a manual winding, automatic(most) or (gasp) quartz watch. I suggest automatic.

Then, make sure that you like the strap. However, you can always buy a new strap if you like that watch. Its very common to replace straps based on style preferences. Many watches that look good on metal bands look incredible on a nice leather strap.

Finally, be sure that the size is okay for the size of your wrists. Especially when buying online. Big watches are in style, buy they aren't my style, and so I'm very careful to look at the size. Most watches range from 39mm up to 60mm. I won't go above 42mm for my 7.25 inch wrists.

All of these watches will beat the pants of of your friends watches, generally, especially for the price.

I love all of the recommendations earlier in the thread, but most fall into the next level in terms of price. Although, many of the brands that I listed have equivalently priced watches in their high end editions.

Post: #28

Thank you for the great info hydrogonian.

I'm diggin on the Russian watches a lot.

Post: #29

You got it. Yeah, they're some of my favorites. You'll pay a bit more than for the equivalent quality here (many only come with crystal dials) but you can't beat the style. The Russians do high end classic, military, and modern all very well. And you can always replace any crystal dial with sapphire, for about $80, if you get a crystal and it eventually scratches. That should take a while, though.

Post: #30

[attachment=3174]
These two watches were given to me. I have no clue about them.
[attachment=3173]

Post: #31

(09-22-2011 08:19 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  These two watches were given to me. I have no clue about them.

Wow, great vintages. Hard to go wrong with a vintage Seamaster. That Seahawk looks great too.

On the other hand, that Breitling posted earlier looks like a gaudy trinket. Except the Navitimer (a classic chrono), their whole line up seems to consist of $200 ETA movements in $5000 over polished cases. Even though the one pictured does have a tourbillon in it.

If you have less then $5000 for a watch than don't spend more then $1000. Good sub $1k watches are Seiko and Orient.

The only watches that might be worth their value in between 1k and 5k are the ones that employ some form of higher tech like Damasko with their scratch resistant cases. Some of the Sinns also use that steel coating. Another interesting one is Bremont. The movement has a special caging of some sort, very shock resistant.

Not sure why all the hate with Rolex, their steel models have classic, sharp, and sober designs. I'd pick a Rolex over Breitling/Tag/Omega any day, especially as a daily wearer.

If I was going for Omega I would stick with vintages. After the quartz revolution they seem to have a hard time finding their place. If you buy a modern Omega than stick with anything that has a 8500 caliber in it. That movement was designed for Daniels' co-axial escapement, unlike the very crappy 2500 co-axial that has at least 3 major revisions in the last 10 years.

Post: #32

Alright, after giving my opinion on Chinese watches, here is mine. A divers watch. You shouldn't normally wear these with suits but I still do. I just love it. I know I'm quite opinionated on this topic but I do believe in Swiss automatic watches. They are just top notch.

Post: #33

Man, I put "Oriental" for a recommendation. I must have been half asleep. I meant "Orient". The no edit after 60 minutes rule bites you in the ass sometimes.

Post: #34

[attachment=3186]


This is the most pimp watch ever. Unfortunately the $6400 price tag will keep me from buying....ever.

Post: #35

Cool website for watches...

http://www.watchismo.com/

Post: #36

A nice watch impresses dudes more than it does women. It's money best spent elsewhere.

Post: #37

@hydrogonian you mentioned "Homage watches" which are imitation of brand watches with the same swiss or japanese movements but for a lower price. Ive never heard of that term but Ive heard of "Swiss Imitation watches." Is there any difference?

Swiss Imitation watches are basically the same swiss movements as a legit rolex or omega and the higher end replicas are exact duplicates including hologram, logo, water resistance and crystal. These watches are generally $500-$1000. IMO worth it if your getting a watch for brand name/social proof, if not then why are you dropping all that $$ on a watch?

Post: #38

I've contemplated getting an Omega for years, something in the $3500 range. It's not about status or getting chicks. It because I want it for me. But the problem is liability. A timepiece like that makes you a target. I don't wanna get held by knife point in London over it.

So I'd end up leaving it at home and only wear it in the U.S., where I could insure it with a Glock 30. But then if I get robbed, and I shoot their ass dead, and that brings up a whole bunch of legal shit I don't want to deal with.

Buying an expensive piece reminds me of the Russian story The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol. It would break my soul to have it stolen. So I'll settle for Casio and be happy.

Post: #39

@ Ali, This watch will get more love than any other anyway.
[attachment=3236]
Go on ebay and find one. Girls go nuts over this in the south.

Post: #40

Slim wrist, cartier tank solo, a lange & sohe

Normal wrist, cartier pacha, JLC, Bvlgari endurer or diagono for the beach.

Thick wrist, Panerai, AP royal oak.



When spending lots of money wear swatch, digital casio or a baby g.

Post: #41

(09-28-2011 02:42 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  I've contemplated getting an Omega for years, something in the $3500 range. It's not about status or getting chicks. It because I want it for me. But the problem is liability. A timepiece like that makes you a target. I don't wanna get held by knife point in London over it.

So I'd end up leaving it at home and only wear it in the U.S., where I could insure it with a Glock 30. But then if I get robbed, and I shoot their ass dead, and that brings up a whole bunch of legal shit I don't want to deal with.

Buying an expensive piece reminds me of the Russian story The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol. It would break my soul to have it stolen. So I'll settle for Casio and be happy.

Yeah that's the one thing about rocking a nice watch/jewelry that gets me, in some neighborhoods you got to be a little concerned and stay on your toes.

I have this watch (Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean):


http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/seamas...n/22015000


Was able to haggle at Tourneau down to $3500 out the door, I love the watch and recommend it.

Also, it's basically the same thing as the Rolex Seadweller for about half the cost.

Post: #42

The only nice watch I have is an automatic from Limes. They're a lesser known manufacturer from Germany. I think they used to make parts for other luxury watchmakers and decided to go out on their own.

I rarely wear it but I brought it slightly used off ebay for about half-price and it's drawn complements from both random laymen and jewelers when I take it in to get it serviced. It's a simple and elegant design, which suits my style. I don't like gaudy watches or jewelry, and I didn't want to ever run into another guy with the same watch I was wearing.

Post: #43

I came across a deal on some interesting looking watches. $40 for $80 of gift credit : http://www.junglecents.com/deals/flud

The watches are $80-90, so $40-50 with the deal.

Some of the watches:









Lots of variety, worth a look: http://fludwatches.com/products

Post: #44

This is my $100 Nautica watch that I love. It's exactly what I had in mind a few years ago when I went out shopping.

Post: #45

I posted a thread earlier these year about knock off watches. I'm not a timepiece head but love the look. You get a quality knockoffs that last years for under $150. I picked up all of these for a bit less than that. Its cool with my future suits. Women cant tell the difference. Really why else would you buy a watch worth something if your make less than 50K?

Better off dropping cash on a few custom suits. If you have that down then it might be worth it to drop 1K+ on a watch otherwise less than 500 or quality knockoffs.

Post: #46

The only time I've seen quality knock offs was on Koh Samui, this place had a store front, walk in shop where they had every dope brand of watch in knock off form. I kind of regret not picking up a knock off Breitling, they were about $50 USD, and at the time I was counting every dollar. I already had an authentic Omega Seamaster, so I decided against it.

Post: #47

huge fan of this one. definitely under your price tag of 1000, and its a fashionable watch with just about anything.

Post: #48

Love the blue hands. IWC Portuguese is my dream, but its way out of my price range. Looks and feels great on my wrist though.

Post: #49

(10-20-2012 06:31 PM)TexasMade Wrote:  I posted a thread earlier these year about knock off watches. I'm not a timepiece head but love the look. You get a quality knockoffs that last years for under $150. I picked up all of these for a bit less than that. Its cool with my future suits. Women cant tell the difference. Really why else would you buy a watch worth something if your make less than 50K?

Better off dropping cash on a few custom suits. If you have that down then it might be worth it to drop 1K+ on a watch otherwise less than 500 or quality knockoffs.

From the pic it is easy to see that those are knock-offs. The Breitling in the middle looks the best, funny enough I am about to drop some coin on a second hand Navitimer.

A good watch will complete my wardrobe.

Post: #50

Does anyone know of a watch similar to a Ronde Solo de Cartier but <$200? I just want that classic look.