Watches - another OCD problem

Tempvs

Welp, I think its time I buy my first big boy watch.

cant decide–- Tudor Black bay or the IWC Pilot Chronograph... If IWC made the Big Pilot smaller.. so I guess the Pilot, with that dope winder, that would be my choice in a quick sec. That being said... Any tips on buying a watch in person? Do I negotiate price? Any tips?

Also for NYCers--- Wempe or Torneau... or IWC boutique if I go IWC?

Thanks!

For me personally the new Black Bay is the better watch to wear every day. The IWC pilots range are great but overall the Tudor beats them from a value point of view. The new in house Calibre is a nice point but there is nothing wrong with the ETA in the first watches, simple but so reliable and easy to service.

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Graeme

I'd suggest hitting Wempe, Tourneau, and anyone else you think is interesting, and see what appeals. Sometimes things that look great on paper, aren't so good in the metal. Occasionally it goes the other way.

I haven't seen the IWC Pilot Chronograph. However, I would suggest taking a look at their Timezoner if you want to go that way.

If you like the Big Pilot watch, then consider getting one. A lot of people go on about how they can only wear pieces of a particular size, but I've found that it's more a case of getting used to something. Provided the lugs don't project beyond the edge of your wrist, you'll be fine.

As for Tudor, I'd go for the Black Bay in Bronze or ~~None-so-Black~~ Dark.

But have fun, and we demand pictures when you get your new watch!

Graeme

@louisbosco here's another Panerai for you, the new Bronzo. More pictures and details at Hodinkee.

bubbapest

@Graeme:

I'd suggest hitting Wempe, Tourneau, and anyone else you think is interesting, and see what appeals. Sometimes things that look great on paper, aren't so good in the metal. Occasionally it goes the other way.

I haven't seen the IWC Pilot Chronograph. However, I would suggest taking a look at their Timezoner if you want to go that way.

If you like the Big Pilot watch, then consider getting one. A lot of people go on about how they can only wear pieces of a particular size, but I've found that it's more a case of getting used to something. Provided the lugs don't project beyond the edge of your wrist, you'll be fine.

As for Tudor, I'd go for the Black Bay in Bronze or ~~None-so-Black~~ Dark.

But have fun, and we demand pictures when you get your new watch!

thanks
do you haggle when you buy?

Graeme

The only expensive watch I bought was in a sale, and 50% off.

I'd take a look at the grey market dealers, and use them as a price guide. You might not get a match, but you might get close. Someone like @Tempvs can probably advise better, as he owns all the watches in the world!

louisbosco

@bubbapest:

thanks
do you haggle when you buy?

i've always believed you could. though i'm not really sure if this practice varies from country to country. my cousin is a brand manager for hublot at The Hour Glass, a retail luxury watch chain in asia/ south east asia. rolex wise, i know discounts are hardly given for the popular sport models eg. gmt, sub etc. but i've managed to get at least 10% off the RRP on my GMT with them, probably through connections.

that said, like a car, there's a "recommended" price they mark up and sell watches. they can definitely mark it down a little, sacrificing profits and commission, but it also depends at what point of the month you go in and how desperate are they to make that sale. finally, don't expect too much off the popular models. max i'd say 5%…

@Graeme:

@louisbosco here's another Panerai for you, the new Bronzo. More pictures and details at Hodinkee.

sorry @Graeme not feeling the bronze. hahaha. we'll go further in depth when i'm over east.

Chris

@Graeme:

This is great, and I agree- probably a great daily wear watch.

This is the kind of watch I'd like a buddy to own. It's a monster that I'd never wear, but I'd love to get a chance to play with it.

And these two are just wonderfully strange. I love them both, but the MB&F is just a bit more weird, which makes it better.

bubbapest

@Graeme:

I'd suggest hitting Wempe, Tourneau, and anyone else you think is interesting, and see what appeals. Sometimes things that look great on paper, aren't so good in the metal. Occasionally it goes the other way.

I haven't seen the IWC Pilot Chronograph. However, I would suggest taking a look at their Timezoner if you want to go that way.

If you like the Big Pilot watch, then consider getting one. A lot of people go on about how they can only wear pieces of a particular size, but I've found that it's more a case of getting used to something. Provided the lugs don't project beyond the edge of your wrist, you'll be fine.

As for Tudor, I'd go for the Black Bay in Bronze or ~~None-so-Black~~ Dark.

But have fun, and we demand pictures when you get your new watch!

youre a damned genius

im a proud owner of a big pilot

treat yoself

will upload pics soon

Cole

@Graeme:

I'm not normally a fan of Panerai, but the LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days PAM 700 is a big, black science experiment, with a fifty year guarantee. Want!

I like the look of that watch very very much. Sadly this is way out of my pricerange.

Tempvs

@Cole:

@Graeme:

I'm not normally a fan of Panerai, but the LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days PAM 700 is a big, black science experiment, with a fifty year guarantee. Want!

I like the look of that watch very very much. Sadly this is way out of my pricerange.

I think this is fantastic. I'm a big fan of this brand.
Fifty year warranty is a bit misleading thought.
I'm sure it will need regulation and service and waterproofing a lot more frequently, 3-5 years. Panerai service costs can be eye watering expensive as they replace many parts because of discolouration.

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BloodnThunder

Paging @Tempvs and all other watch connoisseurs. In your opinion what is the best watch/watch brand(s) in the $1,000 - $1,500 range. Not a huge collector so at this time I can't justify spending $3K+ on a watch but have started to seriously consider adding a solid watch to my EDC. Am looking for something not huge and preferably with a face/dial that works well with a leather strap.

Tempvs

@BloodnThunder:

Paging @Tempvs and all other watch connoisseurs. In your opinion what is the best watch/watch brand(s) in the $1,000 - $1,500 range. Not a huge collector so at this time I can't justify spending $3K+ on a watch but have started to seriously consider adding a solid watch to my EDC. Am looking for something not huge and preferably with a face/dial that works well with a leather strap.

Seiko in my view. Well made and so reliable. They represent fantastic value for money.

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Graeme

@bubbapest Glad to hear that you got what you really wanted in the end.

The price for the big, black Panerai is €50K. I suspect if you can swallow that, you'll be able to cope with the service costs. I wonder how many will actually get worn regularly. I know that @Tempvs gets a lot of use out of his tourbillon, but I suspect a lot will live in safes for most of their existence.

I like it too, but it's out of my price bracket.

bertoni

@BloodnThunder:

Paging @Tempvs and all other watch connoisseurs. In your opinion what is the best watch/watch brand(s) in the $1,000 - $1,500 range. Not a huge collector so at this time I can't justify spending $3K+ on a watch but have started to seriously consider adding a solid watch to my EDC. Am looking for something not huge and preferably with a face/dial that works well with a leather strap.

I am in no way a watch connoisseur but I recently made the same decision as you mate. Ended up with a Sinn 104 St Sa.

http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/Johan_Jonsson/Sinn104/DSC_0451_zps89121094.jpg~original

41mm and within your price range. Absolutely love it.

louisbosco

@Graeme:

~~The price for the~~ big, black ~~Panerai is €50K. I suspect~~ if you can swallow that, you'll be able to cope with the service costs. ~~I wonder how many will actually get worn regularly. I know that

I like it too, but it's out of my price bracket. :(~~

@BloodnThunder:

In your opinion what is the best watch/watch brand(s) in the $1,000 - $1,500 range.

in there's price range, there's plenty pretty good ones to look at. firstly, there's the seiko 007 or 6309s. fantastic watches, great basic movement. though the 6309 is a vintage and requires a little more TLC. if not look at brand like steinhart. i find their military repros a good place to start off. there's also vintage rolexes. i like the simplicity of the 6694 oyster date, though same may find the face a little small at 34mm.

figure out what you like; diver, pilot, race inspired? then narrow it down…

Tempvs

@Graeme:

@bubbapest Glad to hear that you got what you really wanted in the end.

The price for the big, black Panerai is €50K. I suspect if you can swallow that, you'll be able to cope with the service costs. I wonder how many will actually get worn regularly. I know that @Tempvs gets a lot of use out of his tourbillon, but I suspect a lot will live in safes for most of their existence.

I like it too, but it's out of my price bracket.

I try to wear it most days.

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Anesthetist

Still super pleased with my MKII Hawkinge

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BloodnThunder

Thanks everyone. That gives me some good direction. Time for research.

bubbapest

tmg

That's a beauty!

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Watches - another OCD problem