Watches - another OCD problem
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Also can’t remember if read it here or elsewhere but it’s possible to negotiate lower price on certain new watches? If I was to go to a store in person
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@Giles said in Watches - another OCD problem:
I really don't get the hard-ons about GMT's. I had a couple (may even still have one by accident). But most people can do basic arithmetic (@Matt accepted). I always have my watch on local, so if I am in NYC, I add 5, or LA, I add 8.
And then there’s India Standard Time, UTC+5:30.
Some people want to glance at their watch and know the time where they are without doing math. Some people also I guess want to know what time it is in other places at the same time.
I think it makes sense for pilots but otherwise it’s just a mostly useless complication as most of the others are. I don’t think practical utility is really the point in fine horology.
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@meatmarketdenim1 In my personal opinion, you can find a “good” watch in any price range. It just depends what you are looking for.
I love Rolex. But preowned ones are very expensive. And for vintage, you really need to know what you’re looking at to make sure you don’t get a Frankenstein watch or just something worth less than what is being asked.
I love learning about watches, their history and the innovations of these wonderful little machines. A great book is “Longitude” by Dava Sobel. A short history lesson on time keeping and the reason we use Greenwich Mean Time
As for suggestions, Sinn U50 are super cool. Sinn make a lot of cool watches with clean designs.
There are a lot of microbrands making good watches for good prices too. I went to a watch show last year for microbrands and it was really eye opening to see them in person. The quality and the unique designs etc.
Raven is the first brand to come to mind.
Kyle, TX
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@Danimal506 great post. Outside of brand, what do you (and others) look for in a watch? I’m learning more about movements but it seems like there are many other factors one could consider.
IG: selvedgelooks
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@Danimal506
Thank you for the info and book recommendation. I should def be more educated before make a big purchase. And that’s good to know about the vintage Rolex’s, assume the ones I saw in the 1k to 1200 ish range were Frankensteined, or possibly fake. I’ll def check those brands out, much appreciated man. -
@meatmarketdenim1 It would almost be a guaranteed fake if a Rolex was selling for that range. I would highly suggest going to/joining the Rolex forum if you’re interested in vintage Rolex’s. You have a bit of a learning curve ahead of you especially if you’re looking for vintage. There are many unscrupulous sellers out there looking for buyers…
Caveat Emptor
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@jdwaid I only own a handful of watches, nothing too crazy. But when I buy a watch it’s gotta one I will wear. I don’t have time (no pun intended) to buy watches I won’t wear. I love so many watches, I could own hundreds if I had the money lol. These are my main three.
I wear a Gshock GWM-5610 for work. I got that one because I wanted a classic square Gshock for one, but this one has a world time function and is radio synced so that it updates the time at around midnight every night. So it’s always accurate.
I wear my Seiko Sarb033 for casual wear. I got it because at the time it was still being produced and only cost $350. It’s an amazing watch for that price. I swear it feels as good as an older Rolex. The dial is clean but has so many details after you dig in.
I also wear a Casio A158WA-1 which was a watch I got for work a long time ago and now I wear casually when I don’t want to fuss with setting my Seiko.
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@meatmarketdenim1 There are many videos online about videos. Hodinkee has put out some really great videos over the years, despite their overall stigma. I really like their “Reference Points” series for Rolex models like Submariner, GMT-Master and Explorer.
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Was on a nice summer evening walk when I came across these lovely little flowers. They made a beautiful background for my Sjef’s one.
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@Heritage_Guy beautiful watch. I have my father's old JLC Reverso, I love it but save it for special occasions.
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I have several watches but the Sub is my daily driver. There is a reason it's THE classic. This photo is showing me I need take off the bracelet and clean this thing lol. -
Cough, MM300
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MM300 gets my vote...
Or this:
Or this (Alex has one that I love):
But then I am just not a Rolex fan, so will always look for something else....
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011
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I never use the bezel
And, does thick matter in a dive watch? Serious question. It's not like I'm going to have a problem with shirt cuffs, obviously when diving, but I don't wear long sleeve shirts on a diving holiday (because I am a wuss, and don't dive in cold places)...
My "I'm likely to do some shit to my watch today" is this, and that's pretty thick (and the bezel is completely and utterly unusable) ...
I've been out on UKIYO fishing today and knew that the watch could take a beating, which is why it's on my wrist....
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If you could remove cultural context entirely, purely from a design perspective, I love Rolex divers especially if the dial isn’t over the top with text. Great, slim case and great bracelet and it inspired tons of copycats.
I don’t understand why one would prefer a chunkier version of it, at least based on the merits of design alone. I do understand reacting to the cultural trappings associated with the brand and / or model though.
I think Submariner, Tudor, Superocean, FF, Seiko, GS, Panerai, and SeaQ all have worthwhile entrants into the debate.
