Watches - another OCD problem
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There's an interesting piece about how Mr Porter made a foray into selling watches. It's on the FT, so you might get paywalled, but if you search for the title and open it in an incognito window, you might get past it.
Mr Porter tries to crack the watch world
It sounds like the watch industry wasn't initially keen on online sales, preferring boutiques. (As any watch nerd knows, the salespeople are often less knowledgeable than a well-informed customer, so they don't exactly add value.) So there were some hoops to jump through.
The other thing (and this is from memory) is that they have sold a fair few of the Ressence watches without having to explain them.
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Anyone have experience or an opinion on Tag Heuer Watches?
I’ve always dismissed them, but tried these on today and the shop gave me pretty aggressive (nicely discounted) quotes on them…
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I've heard watch nerds are largely dismissive of them, but I have no idea why. The company is part of the LVMH group, so I'm guessing it's well funded and the watches are technologically competitive with others in their price range. Aside from the Monaco and Grand Carrera chronographs, I'm not a huge fan of their styling, but if you like one, and the price is good, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't buy.
That Aquaracer is pretty nice looking, though.
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Thanks for the info @chris - I have wanted an Omega Seamaster for a while, but the funds have never come into surplus.. I was really intrigued by the red rim Aquaracer and the size seemed to be a great fit for me. They quoted me about $500 less than retail on either one, which was more than generous. I’ll do a little research and see what I can find.
In our area, people with higher end watches either go for Tag or Rolex - probably because that’s what is available to buy from a store and be serviced. Only downside is they said they are recommended to be serviced every 3 years. Is that normal? I though Rolex says every 5 years but I could be wrong
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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.
