Let's talk about watches...

[SCgarman]

1 hour ago, Arman818 said:

I feel you on this. I don't know what we will see 1st. The day where you can walk into an authorized dealer and buy a watch MSRP or the day you can walk into a LCDH and buy what cigar you want not what's available.

In the early 90's there were no issues walking into a Rolex jeweler and buying practically anything you wanted and with a discount to boot. Times have definitely changed 

[BrightonCorgi]

7 hours ago, SCgarman said:

In the early 90's there were no issues walking into a Rolex jeweler and buying practically anything you wanted and with a discount to boot. Times have definitely changed 

My cousin used to be able to buy Rolex prototype watches.  Those days are long gone.  There could be some relief in Rolex availability in the future if their new factory comes to fruition.  Lot of talk on when that'll break ground.

[Wookie]

I bought my first Rolex (Daytona with black dial) for $832 in 1983-84. 

[SCgarman]

May I add the amount of Rolex watch crime/theft is rampant and exemplifies the brazen nature of criminals these days. Folks being seriously beaten or robbed at gunpoint of their watches by professional thieves educated in what the watches look like, sometimes working as teams. If you are going to wear 10K-100K+ on your wrist, better be aware of your surroundings these days. It truly has become pitiful that some in society would rather rob some old guy of his gold Day Date than go earn an honest living.

[Oscar300]

London this week,

 

[BrightonCorgi]

Apple watch has changed a lot in watch industry.  The notion that one's watch should convey status or wealth doesn't hold true as much in many circles.  Some of the wealthiest people known are wearing an Apple watches. 

[ha_banos]

10K+ watches

1K+ phones

expensive sneakers

etc. walking around cities.

In a world of dire inequalities? Nah. Does not compute.

People might start snatching Cohibas now!

[Arabian]

7 hours ago, Oscar300 said:

London this week,

They have been running it for a while, a guy from Oman was killed for his Rolex a few years ago in London. although some people are just straight idiots and unaware of their surroundings, the absence of law enforcement is concerning. 

 

The Rolex is my daily use watch, its been through a lot of beating. I simply adore it. two years later I purchased the IWC Mark XVIII as 'a winter watch' and to have something different. I have a love-hate relationship with it. it looks gorgeous, but the power-reserve suck, not very accurate. wish it had in-house movement instead of ETA.

 

 

I've been eyeing this beauty for a while (8,800.00 USD 🤔). 

 

[Bijan]

18 hours ago, SCgarman said:

May I add the amount of Rolex watch crime/theft is rampant and exemplifies the brazen nature of criminals these days. Folks being seriously beaten or robbed at gunpoint of their watches by professional thieves educated in what the watches look like, sometimes working as teams. If you are going to wear 10K-100K+ on your wrist, better be aware of your surroundings these days. It truly has become pitiful that some in society would rather rob some old guy of his gold Day Date than go earn an honest living.

That's particularly unfortunate and concerning.

But I live in a quiet suburb of Toronto, yet there was an armed mugging down the path behind my back yard, literally a stone's throw from my house a few weeks ago (in broad daylight, I think 2:15pm in the afternoon). The mugger was satisfied with the victim's cash on hand, but I'm sure he wouldn't have turned down a Rolex.

I go on a lot of walks along those paths, that stretch out for miles in every direction. So this concern was already on my radar.

[BrightonCorgi]

49 minutes ago, Arabian said:

The Rolex is my daily use watch, its been through a lot of beating. I simply adore it. two years later I purchased the IWC Mark XVIII as 'a winter watch' and to have something different. I have a love-hate relationship with it. it looks gorgeous, but the power-reserve suck, not very accurate. wish it had in-house movement instead of ETA.

I have an IWC where the power reserve is not so hot and loses power reserve in-between services.  Accuracy is decent, but not even a watch winder will keep it wound.  I am getting ready to schedule a service on it.  Adore the watch though. 

It's the one that has always remained where others have come and gone.

[dominattorney]

On 12/22/2022 at 8:59 AM, Wookie said:

I bought my first Rolex (Daytona with black dial) for $832 in 1983-84. 

My father bought a gmt master Pepsi  around the same time for less than 400. Still works and he never takes it off and rarely services it. For me? I "finally got the email" and bought this serviceable substitute for a Daytona online. Fwiw I love it. It scratches the itch for the panda dial chrono I've always wanted but I could not justify the expense of.

 

Even worse is the idea of buying one second hand as you can't find these at ADs. Even walking into an AD is like a slap in the face. I'm not good enough to be taken seriously because I have no purchase history nor the desire to buy a bunch of watches I don't want which is a prerequisite to be taken seriously.

It's a stupid gripe to some but for me it's absurd that I have to elbow my way to the front of a seething croud to drop what amounts to many people as a quarter or an annual salary on a bauble. 

I've been buying the "homages" coming out of China and having no regrets. Have a few san Martin's and pagani designs which for what they cost are excellent in terms of quality. I did have an old date just but never wore it. It just never spoke to me. And when I realized I could recoup my initial investment and then some the sale was a no brainer.  The only Swiss watch I still have, having also sold on an omega seamaster (the pagani equivalent thereof serves me tremendously at 85 usd) is my tag heuer which was a gift from my father.

[RDB]

Here’s what I’m wearing right now: an Eterna KonTiki 20 from the 1960s.

[SCgarman]

I bought this July '17 before all the madness started. With a nice discount to boot. My 6th and last Rolex. The previous 5 are gone. This is it until death 

[SirVantes]

IWC cal 852 from the ‘60s

[RDB]

3 hours ago, SirVantes said:

IWC cal 852 from the ‘60s

One of my absolute favourites. Looks great in gold on gold.

[BrightonCorgi]

The founder of IWC is originally from the Boston area.  We had quite a watchmaking industry around Boston, especially in Waltham before watchmaking took off in Switzerland. 

I'd love to see Swatch group launch a US manufacture in Waltham of high end time pieces.  Would be a great vocation track starting in high school.  We have the history and labor market to make it work. 

[GolfT3]

Christmas gift to myself this year, just a splash of red for the holiday! 

[el chino]

Glad that this thread exists with so many knowledgeable members regarding watches!

Very much a novice when it comes to watches as I come from the camp, I can tell time with my smartphone..  However, lately I've been wearing a couple sub 600 dollar gift watches just to see what I've been missing.  It's nice not having to look at my phone.  I can see the allure and collectability of it. However, I see it more as a utilitarian instrument, thank god! 

I'm looking for a tool watch, and was wondering what you all think of Marathon watches?  I know aesthetics is subjective, but what about the movement and reliability.  I think this GSAR has a nice blend of tool and aesthetics.  I'm looking at the GSAR 41mm Anthracite w/Bracelet. Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Tdm_86]

11 hours ago, el chino said:

Glad that this thread exists with so many knowledgeable members regarding watches!

Very much a novice when it comes to watches as I come from the camp, I can tell time with my smartphone..  However, lately I've been wearing a couple sub 600 dollar gift watches just to see what I've been missing.  It's nice not having to look at my phone.  I can see the allure and collectability of it. However, I see it more as a utilitarian instrument, thank god! 

I'm looking for a tool watch, and was wondering what you all think of Marathon watches?  I know aesthetics is subjective, but what about the movement and reliability.  I think this GSAR has a nice blend of tool and aesthetics.  I'm looking at the GSAR 41mm Anthracite w/Bracelet. Would love to hear your thoughts!

I looked up the specs and saw that it’s powered by a Sellita SW200. They are essentially a copy of the ubiquitous ETA 2824 and are a workhorse movement that any watchmaker will know how to work on, with parts readily available.

Love the tritium tubes too. 

[El Presidente]

12 hours ago, Tdm_86 said:

I looked up the specs and saw that it’s powered by a Sellita SW200. They are essentially a copy of the ubiquitous ETA 2824 and are a workhorse movement that any watchmaker will know how to work on, with parts readily available.

Love the tritium tubes too. 

This. 

Solid proven movements. The backbone of the mechanical watch movement industry. 

[El Presidente]

 

 

The inaugural Cuban Grand Prix, the Gran Premio de Cuba, was held in 1957 and threaded its way through the avenues and vibrant esplanade of Malecón, north of Havana. Here’s how the brand presents the event: “The exotic backdrop of Havana made the race a fascinating spectacle and, despite the political challenges — like superstar driver Juan Manuel Fangio being kidnapped by revolutionaries in 1958 and the 1959 race being canceled altogether due to political instability — and the tragic death of several spectators, many motor racing enthusiasts still talk of the race with much affection.” Now, Cuervo y Sobrinos honors the Gran Premio de Cuba with a limited-edition chronograph bearing the name and date of the legendary race’s first edition.

 

 

[dangolf18]

Crossed the Planet Ocean off my bucket list. The older ones can be had for a pretty good bargain.




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[X-Man]

This went for service before Chinese New Year and now it looks brand new.

[BrightonCorgi]

16 hours ago, X-Man said:

This went for service before Chinese New Year and now it looks brand new.

Cartier watch values have increased well over the last year or so.  That's a Santos, no?

[X-Man]

12 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Cartier watch values have increased well over the last year or so.  That's a Santos, no?

Yes sir. Santos 100, a bday present from my folks back in 2009.