Watches - another OCD problem
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I'm a big fan of this one:
Virtually scratchproof crystal, 500 meter water resistance (more than you'll ever need), solid and reliable ETA 2824 movement and a tough, lightweight titanium case. If you look around, you can find one used for about 30-35% off retail, which makes them a very good value.
You could also look for pilot/flieger style watches, which are simple, classic designs and fairly durable. Laco, Archimede, Stowa and Steinhart all make nice ones. Most should be suitable for moderately rough use, though typically they don't have very good water resistance. If you're going to be getting your watch drenched on a regular basis, you should look for a diver style watch. To my eye, they don't look as good on leather straps as they do on bracelets or straps made of rubber or nylon, though.
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I have a cheap, moderately waterproof 6497-movement based aviator:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8544023@N03/7469482180/#in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8544023@N03/7560653704/#in/photostream
it keeps very good time (+1.1 sec a day) and looks decent.
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Yup, that's what I'm talking about- classic, clean looking watch that looks great on a leather strap. And the 6497 or 6498 manual wind movements are durable and plentiful (cheap too!).
Finn, you could probably find one similar to that on Ebay for <$100. That's where I bought mine.
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Can anyone recommend a classy/simple watch–not read overly luxurious--that's meant to be worn with a brown leather band that will only look better with wear and can withstand an IH lifestyle?
It depends on what you want to spend, but I'd be looking at some sort of diving watch. These tend to have a fairly basic and chunky design. Beyond that it depends on your budget.
If you've got a stack of cash then I like the Jaeger Le Coultre Navy SEAL model with the alarm, but it's pushing £10K. Breitling, Omega and TAG Heuer are somewhere between £2K and £4K - they keep on putting up their prices, and I lose track. Oris are at the cheaper end of the Swiss mechanical watches, and do some nice models.
Some of the lesser known brands, such as Fortis, Glyine and Sinn have interesting options. Take a look at Chronomaster:
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Can anyone recommend a classy/simple watch–not read overly luxurious--that's meant to be worn with a brown leather band that will only look better with wear and can withstand an IH lifestyle?
For a simple watch I like these:
Nomos
http://watchinghorology.blogspot.com/2008/08/nomos-glashuette.html
Stowa
http://www.watchsites.net/watches/stowa-antea-365-specs-pictures-price/
IWC Portuguese
http://www.buzzaboutwatches.com/iwc-2/mens-watches/Whats your price range?
For something that looks better with wear you should go with either a brushed nickel case or a pvd case. There are also cases made out of brass that look amazing over time.
Anonimo
http://www.watchtime.com/watch-database/anonimo/anonimo-10th-anniversary-bronze/others
Panerai
http://panerai.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-717/pi-2394111/ti-400841/s–3/
Archimede
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6066/690/1600/Archimede%20Pilot%20FliegerKrone.jpgIDK, Im fan of fliegers for there simplicity. But some people dont like there look.
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Some good suggestions in there. I love the look of bronze cases, but I still haven't seen one that hits on all cylinders for me.
Dammit, why are all my interests so expensive?
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Yeah, those are just too steep. Panerais are well made, but their designs just don't appeal to me. I want to like Anonimo watches, but they're too busy for my tastes. Then there are a couple of micro brands that do reasonably priced bronze case watches, (Magrette, Olivier, Benarus, Lum-Tec) but for one reason or another I just didn't like them. Eventually, I'll find something, but until then, the search goes on.
Oh well, more money for my IH tee shirt addiction…
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Yeah, those are just too steep. Panerais are well made, but their designs just don't appeal to me. I want to like Anonimo watches, but they're too busy for my tastes. Then there are a couple of micro brands that do reasonably priced bronze case watches, (Magrette, Olivier, Benarus, Lum-Tec) but for one reason or another I just didn't like them. Eventually, I'll find something, but until then, the search goes on.
Alain Silberstein has a few watches with bronze cases, but they're not cheap, and a long way from being conventional. For example.
Almar, in the Burlington Arcade in Mayfair, had a different one in the window a while back. No idea if it's sold or not, but it's not showing up on their website so I'm guessing it's gone. I could check next time I'm in town.
Giles, I completely understand the need to have more watches.
I own a Breitling, so have my mechanical watch base covered, but I still get the urge to buy others. I wouldn't mind something by Jaeger Le Coulture or Bremont, I've got a hankering after a tourbillon movement, and I stumbled across one of these at a sale price in the window of a jewellers in London recently.
It's the limited edition Rado Sintra, with a skeleton chronometer movement. The gold is a lot more subtle in real life, and they're one of my favourite designs of recent years.
