Watches - another OCD problem

[bertoni]

Wow thanks for all the replies guys. Just read them all with interest. Not got round to checking your suggestions yet but will do.
Do it Hectic, try and tear yourself away from the powerful pull of G-shock…just for the hell of it!
I have to admit I LOVE mine...tough and beautiful...just like the wife
The Sinn U1 ticks all the right boxes except I haven't fallen in love with it....and at this price it has to be love!

[hectic]

@berty - the U1 comes in a few variations, there is one with a black bezel that you may like.

[hectic]

Also: http://www.seiyajapan.com/c=e08B6x9A0o1VFELA2sSY5mTNG/category/2_seiko_mechanical/

[bertoni]

Thanks for that Hectic! Damn some of them G-shocks are lovely ???….will look at the Sinn site now before I buy another feckin Casio!.

[rocket]

@rocket:

[bertoni]

I was waiting for you to show up mate My german taste double no less. It was you that put me onto these.
I love the build, toughness, price but just can't see it with a vintage leather strap. I may come round mind Any other ideas?

[hectic]

berty: http://tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=175427

[bertoni]

Thanks for the link. Yeah it looks pretty nice….i'm not blown away though :-\ It's not an easy task this watch buying business!
I'd LOVE a Panerai but that ain't NEVER gonna happen. Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

[rocket]

know what you mean, as Hectic posted it possible to rock them with a leather strap, but I'm not really sold to that…but they go well with a nato imo

do not really have ideas that fit in the budget, to buy one of the many watch magazines or catalogues that are around in newsagents might bring some more input as well...

[Giles]

Personally, I love this - and for the price…..

http://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=58.msg338#msg338

[bertoni]

@Chris:

Definitely check out Damasko if you're looking for tough.  Downside there is that the company is seriously small production; last I heard, there was more than a year wait.  I'd also recommend Fortis, Stowa, Kobold and as a total curve ball, the 300 meter dive watch by Orient (yellow dial, specifically).  Kobold watches might be out of your stated range, depending on current exchange rates, but the rest should be ok.

Jesus Harry Christ Chris, those Kobolds are AMAZING! Why do I have such expensive taste and so little money?! Aaaaaargh!

[Chris]

Yeah, I know the feeling.   I've been wanting a Spirit of America manual for a while, but I just can't justify it.  Good luck with the search, and I'll be happy to keep tempting you with expensive wrist candy.

[Anesthetist]

I've had such bad luck with my kobold that I won't buy another. I returned it three times for warranty work and it was sent back broken twice. This was on a brand new watch that I had for two weeks. They didnt want to give me my money back, but persistence and a ton of phone calls worked. I love buying American, especially watches but none of my cash will be going back to Mike.

[bertoni]

Wow that's good to know. Kinda softened the blow of not actually being able to buy one
Chris, keep the suggestions coming…I can deal with depression and envy rather well
(you kinda get used to it when combining a Social Worker salary and unfortunately expensive taste).
Anything that kinda looks like Kobold but costs a bit less would be good...or a 'budget' Panerai if such a thing exists!
Thanks again for the help

[hectic]

dude, check out Benarus

[barun]

Not sure if anyone here has heard of or owns one of these.  A really cool, smaller watch company with all hand carved bezels and more out of New Zealand of all places.  Check it out, with as much as we all pay attention to the details, this should be right up most of our alleys…

http://www.magrette.com/the-timepieces.php

[bertoni]

@hectic:

dude, check out Benarus

Yeah been looking at some of their watches but they're all sold out! Quite like the look of the UTS 3000…not sure I can stretch to that though. Anyone here had a Benarus? Or UTS? By the way thanks again Hectic...
Barun - interesting link...some nice original watches on offer.

[zhivago]

Barun, cool link, not my style but very cool none the less.

[Jii]

@bertoni:

Anyone here had a Benarus?

Yeah, I have a Sea Devil. Bought it second hand two years ago and have been very happy with it. They seem to have stepped up their game all the time and as long as they don't start hiking up the prices too much I have to say that they are a lot of watch (and their customer service is top notch) for the money. The second hand market seems to be ok on them as well and at when I asked about it their warranty was transferable.

Benarus always make a limited amount of watches per model and nowadays it seems to be safest to pre-order if you want one as new.

[bertoni]

Thanks for that Jii. I'm still looking around. Loved the look of the U-Boat watches but they're apparently style over substance
according to some. The UTS watches look good but I can't get over the Kobold Arctic diver and Seal designs…stunning. 
Ah well, looks like i'll be spending a fair bit of time on the watch forums. Anyone recommend one by the way?
Thanks again for all your help