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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Watches - another OCD problem

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    • neph93N
      neph93
      見習いボス
      Joined:

      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.

      “Some of those that work forces
      Are the same that burn crosses”

      • Virginia Woolf
      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • GraemeG
        Graeme
        啓蒙家
        Joined:

        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 afford get 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. 🙂

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • louisboscoL
          louisbosco
          啓蒙家
          Joined:

          @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..

          "Loyalty is a two way street. If i'm asking for it from you, then you're getting it from me."

          • Harvey Specter
          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • ChrisC
            Chris
            Raw and Unwashed
            Joined:

            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.

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • SeulS
              Seul
              Joined:

              So you're telling everyone to… watch out...

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • mikebarhootM
                mikebarhoot
                Iron Heart Deity
                Joined:

                ^,^^ 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

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • JDelageJ
                  JDelage
                  啓蒙家
                  Joined:

                  What's a good 2nd hand marketplace for a US based (potential) buyer? Preferably something not too "wild wild West"….

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • louisboscoL
                    louisbosco
                    啓蒙家
                    Joined:

                    @Chris:

                    Watches depreciate on a scale comparable to cars.

                    except pateks and rolexes..

                    "Loyalty is a two way street. If i'm asking for it from you, then you're getting it from me."

                    • Harvey Specter
                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • SeulS
                      Seul
                      Joined:

                      Worldwide though: https://www.watchrecon.com/

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • neph93N
                        neph93
                        見習いボス
                        Joined:

                        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…

                        “Some of those that work forces
                        Are the same that burn crosses”

                        • Virginia Woolf
                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • UnTuckedU
                          UnTucked
                          Joined:

                          @neph93:

                          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…

                          In search of:
                          IHV-04, med.
                          IHSH-185, large
                          IHSH-186, large (khaki, and green)

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • S
                            sabergirl
                            見習いボス
                            Joined:

                            I've chosen regular Seiko to obsess over.  I love the look, and I can give in a little to the collector impulse, because the price isn't really limiting for me.  This thread is dangerous, though.  Lots of eye-candy.

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • neph93N
                              neph93
                              見習いボス
                              Joined:

                              @UnTucked:

                              I just want one nice, classic piece that I'll be able to proudly pass on to my son in the future…

                              That’s sort of the idea, but in my case, I’d have buy to ALL the watches…

                              “Some of those that work forces
                              Are the same that burn crosses”

                              • Virginia Woolf
                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • S
                                Snowy
                                Joined:

                                @neph93:

                                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…

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • neph93N
                                  neph93
                                  見習いボス
                                  Joined:

                                  ^ that would be nice. I’ve started looking closely at Seiko Grands on the 2nd market. Seems as good a place to start as any.

                                  “Some of those that work forces
                                  Are the same that burn crosses”

                                  • Virginia Woolf
                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • Max PowerM
                                    Max Power
                                    Raw and Unwashed
                                    Joined:

                                    @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.

                                    @elclintor:

                                    > I don't care what people say.. The Max Power way is the right way…

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • GraemeG
                                      Graeme
                                      啓蒙家
                                      Joined:

                                      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. 🙂

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • ChrisC
                                        Chris
                                        Raw and Unwashed
                                        Joined:

                                        However, if you're looking at Grand Seikos, the Spring Drive Snowflake seems like an appropriate choice.

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • madmondayM
                                          madmonday
                                          Raw and Unwashed
                                          Joined:

                                          I got this:

                                          but it is too big for my puny wrist, any suggestions for something that looks like the tuna but is smaller & also any suggestions for where I can sell the tuna can with little drama?

                                          please & thanks

                                          head high, middle finger higher

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • neph93N
                                            neph93
                                            見習いボス
                                            Joined:

                                            @Chris:

                                            However, if you're looking at Grand Seikos, the Spring Drive Snowflake seems like an appropriate choice.

                                            Well I am a snowflake, after all [emoji23]

                                            That really is a remarkable article btw.

                                            “Some of those that work forces
                                            Are the same that burn crosses”

                                            • Virginia Woolf
                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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