Watches - another OCD problem
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It occurs to me that we should have a thread á la "Unpopular Opinions" called something like "Embarrassing Admissions" (it says admissions @Chris , not emissions , so don't worry).
I can test run the idea here:
I don't own a watch, nor have I since I was 12. I have no idea about watches and this thread might as well be written in γρεεκ
Let the humiliation commence…
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It's pretty simple @neph93:
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If you're not into watches, you think that Rolex is the top brand. If you are, there's a chance that you'll think they are because they're over-engineered.
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Patek Philippe are usually considered the finest watches by people in the know.
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But real watch nerds rate A. Lange & Söhne more highly.
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Blancpain, Seiko (and Grand Seiko), Rolex and Tudor are the favoured brands in the forum.
Follow these rules, and you'll fit right into the discussion.
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Tbh I follow this thread because I’ve learnt almost everything I know about denim and denim production, and absolutely everything I know about leather, boots, and fabric etc from this forum over the last few years. I’m hoping some of the watch knowledge (and interest) will rub off but it’s almost impenetrable right now. I’m still trying to work out what the entry level brands I should be looking at are and what kind of watch I actually like.
Your potted guide is helpful though, so thank you.
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Glad to help @neph93.
If you want to follow the watch scene, Hodinkee and aBlogToWatch are the biggest sites. You could probably add Monochrome to that.
I'm going to throw in another recommendation: The Watch Snob on Askmen. Yeah, he acts more superior than Hodinkee and aBlogToWatch at their smuggest, but it's tongue in cheek.
As for choosing a watch, I'd buy what you like and can
affordget past the missus. I'm pretty certain that if you asked the regulars on this thread for an opinion, you'd get different suggestions. For example, @Giles likes Blancpain; @louisbosco is a Rolex man; and I'd possibly go with something like Chopard.
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@neph93 to be fair to everyone and all brands, i'd even say don't look at this thread. start seeing out mechanical watches, then learn about movements then figure the brands you like and why you like them..
Eg. i started out with a simple kenneth cole automatic movement. heck, i didn't even know what movement was in it. all i know is the more i wore it, it'll keep ticking on.. then i slowly explored seikos and stumbled upon steinhart and vostok. before graduating to swiss brands.
what i can safely say is to look at swiss ETA/unitas movements as they're fairly common and used by most watch brands putting out entry level watches. even the old panerai's are run with a modified swiss eta movement before they starting producing in house movements..
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For anyone considering picking up a potentially expensive watch habit, I'd say that the second-hand market is your best friend. Watches depreciate on a scale comparable to cars.
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^,^^ about time.
And for the record if you are looking at a preowned Panerai. Make damn sure all the paperwork is in order as well. Replications are so good that w/o paperwork its VERy difficult to tell them apart. My $0.02
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Worldwide though: https://www.watchrecon.com/
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Thanks everyone. I think @louisbosco has a point that my research needs to start at a basic level. I’m becoming familiar with strap types and learning about movements is next. As far as the style of watch I like, I need to study things a little more. Lots of useful links provided here.
At the end of the day I’m not looking for a new hobby, just one decent timepiece. Although there was a time I just wanted a decent pair of jeans and look how that went…
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At the end of the day I’m not looking for a new hobby, just one decent timepiece. Although there was a time I just wanted a decent pair of jeans and look how that went…
Which is exactly why I look, but don't dig in this thread, lol! I tend to over-do hobbies, so I know getting too deep in this thread could be tragic, lol!
I just want one nice, classic piece that I'll be able to proudly pass on to my son in the future…
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At the end of the day I’m not looking for a new hobby, just one decent timepiece.
Picked up a single Rolex GMT Master 2, been enough over a year in to not even think about something else, considering the cost. Never plan on buying another watch again, don't even look, don't think I'll ever look with interest again..maybe apple watch down the road, but they're a throw away yearly more so than a life piece…
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@neph93 I am / was just like you. I didn't wear a watch since I was 14 and didn't intend to do so. I liked to look at magazines and shopping windows but mainly to be surprised for what Prices watches can be sold.
The Major Change happened when an old colleague of mine talked about his watch collection with the same Passion that I do about clothing. After that I started looking around, but I still don't find many watches that appeal to me, for example I don't like metal wristbands and too much functions. Rolex for example lacks some understatement IMO. Pinion and Sinn were the ones I liked best for their aesthetic and value.
I'm super happy with what I've got now, but I already start to look around….so I guess it's another possibility to develop a new expensive hobby.
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Something like the Omega Railmaster strikes me as being the ideal one watch.
It's in a steel case, so should withstand knocks relatively well; it's more accurate than the COSC chronometer standard; the size means it'll sit under a shirt sleeve, and and a strap it'll probably dress up for formal occasions reasonably well; it's anti-magnetic; and has long service intervals.
Rolex, Patek Philippe, Panerai, Grand Seiko, and pretty much any brand will offer similar models. (The Patek 5522a is the well-heeled version.)
@neph93 the Grand Seikos looks like a good place to start. Just don't look up the Credor Eichi II.
