Watches - another OCD problem
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@Appfaff the red bezel model is a quartz, and I suspect the blue one might be too. For the full watch nerd experience, you might want to go for a mechanical movement.
I don't know who makes the movement they use, and so can't comment on the service schedule. It'll probably be dictated by the battery life.
If you're interested in quartz watches in the same price bracket, I like the Breitling Colt Skyracer. It's got a composite (Breitlight) case, and an insanely accurate thermocompensated movement. Hodinkee have a hands on. It's actually a piece I quite like.
Alternatively, the entry level Grand Seiko quartz comes in at $2200. It's a 37mm case, so might be an acquired taste, but I really like them.
However, if you want a Seamaster, then I'd suggest saving for one. Otherwise you'll spend somewhere between half and a third of the price of one on something as a substitute, and then buy it down the line.
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Thanks so much for the very smart write up @graeme - I agree, I would prefer a mechanical movement for my first “high end” watch. My Victronix and Movado are quartz, so I have that covered already.
I think I will wait and try on some Omegas at the jewelry store by my parents house in Texas when I’m there over Christmas.
I wish we had a place over here, but alas, even the nice jewelry store in Mobile only specializes in Rolex I believe. I’m not against getting a Submariner, but I do t think I will ever get $10k worth if use or joy out of it…
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@Appfaff the Tudor Black Bay might be another option. Monochrome have a review of the new steel model, which, at $3,475, is a third of the price of a Submariner.
I'd suggest trying things on. For example, I'm not normally a fan of diver's watches, but I really liked the Tudor Black Bay
None So BlackDark, and the Cartier Diver in blue.@G.J.F-64 that's a nice Omega.
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Thanks @Graeme - I am a big fan of the Tudor Black Bay
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Glad to help @Appfaff.
Also check Jomashop. They've currently got the Omega Seamaster 300 in Stainless for 40% off, and the Tudor Black Bay Dark for 33% off, amongst others. You lose the factory warranty, but a service will get that back.
#weareallenablershere
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While looking for something else, I stumbled across Straton Watch Company. I'm kinda digging the goofy 70s vibe on the Synchro
And the VDC MKII in the extremely orange variation works for me, too.
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The Synchro is cool @Chris. It reminds me of the Tudor Chrono with the Monte Carlo dial. (A refresh with the Breitling movement from the Black Bay Chrono would be great.)
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Yeah, I've always liked that one, too. I'm not sure I'm ready for a full 70s revival in watch design, but I do like that companies are willing to do things a little outside the mainstream.
Though whether resuscitating 50 year old styles should count as doing something new creatively is a whole different discussion.
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I like a lot of the designs that Omega produced during the Seventies, which had a very different visual language to what's come since. I think that the industry has become somewhat conservative.
Interestingly, Biver has both TAG Heuer and Zenith are doing both retro and contemporary designs. On the left is the Autavia limited edition for the UAE, which Hodinkee are very excited about, and the 02-T tourbillon.
I don't know if Hodinkee are setting the agenda, or merely reflecting what's cool, but they're really pushing the whole vintage thing. And they're influential enough that a lot of people are picking up on it.
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I never really got into the monochromatic trend, but that tourbillon is quite nice. The Autavia doesn't really excite me, which I guess is a shame, since of the two, that's the remotely affordable one.
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I got a very kind offer to buy a 41mm mechanical watch from a friend on the forum, so I went and “test drove” a bunch of watches around that size since I have no clue what my watches are haha
While I think my best bet is to take up the generous offer, I wanted to share the highlights from my outing today.
WARNING: I have absolutely no clue about watches, so these are heavily uneducated comments
Tried on the 38mm Baume & Mercier divers - really impressed with them
Cool one with a sailcloth band
Then the automatic 44mm Seiko - was super impressed by this one at the price point
“Just to be sure” - 18K gold Submariner haha
Was SUPER impressed with this classic dive style from the local jeweler - uses a mechanical TAG movement (Calibre?? If that’s the right thing). The semi coated black bezel had a great hand to it and the orange face were kinda cool. Great value as well
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That last one is water resistant to 20 atmospheres, which is generally equivalent to 200 meters of depth. I'd call that a "real" dive watch.
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I used to own a B&M Capeland. My experience is that the services are expensive. I eventually had to replace the face and hands (!) due to gunky EOM lubricant, after 10 years or so. I've now moved on to Omega. I would not recommend B&M (although I still love the Capeland's design). (Not my pic.)
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That last one is water resistant to 20 atmospheres, which is generally equivalent to 200 meters of depth. I'd call that a "real" dive watch.
That makes more sense than “20 aquatic meters” which the guy and I agreed probably made sense haha
So yeah.. real dive watch and post amended lol [emoji23]
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I used to own a B&M Capeland. My experience is that the services are expensive.
I can see that - supposedly they were “recently” acquired by the same group that produces Panerai, so hopefully they have the bugs worked out. I agree their designs are beautiful, but the salesman mentioned the $500 service that has to be “sent off for.”
The salesman seemed to be very knowledgeable, but it was odd they only stocked Seiko and Baume and nothing else in between or above. Sadly, Rolex pulled all stock from the Mobile, Alabama area, which screwed over a lot of shops. The local jeweler near me has a great selection of Omega and Breitling only to be told by Rolex that it was “us or them” - then when the jewelers couldn’t meet their “150 units” goals per year, they pulled stock and took away their licenses, with very little stock left to push after breaking relationships with the other companies.
One place still sells refurbished pieces (hence the sub I tried), but they had like 3 watches in stock, so it’s slim Pickens around here…
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Google tells me B&M got bought by the Richemont group back in 1988, so I doubt there will be any radical changes coming down the pike with them. Servicing, especially for chronographs, is what really bites you in the ass with luxury watches. That said, if you can get one with a super common movement that's been around for decades, like the ETA 2824, 2892, or 7750, servicing can often be done by a competent local watch shop (if such a thing exists nearby) for a bit of savings.
On the other hand, I've actually read about guys that will never have their watch serviced, wait until it seizes up, then buy a complete new movement and have a local repair shop swap it in. If you only have to do that once every 10-15 years, it might be the cheaper option.
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@Appfaff you need that Submariner for the whole plutocrat look.
I found an Omega Seamaster limited edition today. I'm a fan of the Railmaster, but this is equally as nice. They're probably a similar price to a Submariner, but rarer. I'd get it over the Rolex.
Sorry about the photo. My phone's camera was misbehaving.
Also the Omega Tourbillon. No, I can't afford it!
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Ok, now that is seriously cool.
