The (Less intimidating) Watch Thread
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After some talking with Giles, we thought it would be a good idea to create a thread for beginners to the watch collecting hobby (Like myself), and those who are just curious and want to learn more about watches in general.
There is already an AMAZING watch thread here, but it is definitely an overwhelming place for a beginner that's barely dipped their toes in the shallow end of the pool.
I hope this thread to be a place where those of us who are just getting in to the hobby to ask questions, share information and tips, and grow our knowledge and collections from Timex and Seiko, on up to Rolex (And beyond).
Enjoy!
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Good idea, I like watches but can’t see myself dropping mega bucks on one for a while yet. Until then I like the basic Timex Expedition, it’s pretty and keeps good time.
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I don't know anything about movements and jewels etc, so base everything on looks. I've looking for a watch for my Mrs 40th next year and I have been looking at some old Omega's.
The 70's 'Cosmics' can be picked up for fair money.
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I don't know anything about movements and jewels etc, so base everything on looks..
I'm at "that place" right now, and I'm hoping to get more information through this thread.
Btw, those look nice!
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This is my one watch right now, a Maranez "Talay" diver watch in brass.
I've had it for 2 years, and barely wear it, because the strap is just uncomfortable, and I never got around to buying something more comfy to put it on. Planning to get a NATO for it in the future, so I can start wearing it more.
I don't have anything else to compare it to, so I won't rant or rave, but from my research about movements and features, it seems to be a solid watch for the price.
*Not to mention I got it on discount, because when I ordered it, the brand owners were on vacation and unable to ship it in a timely manner.
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I don't know anything about movements and jewels etc, so base everything on looks. I've looking for a watch for my Mrs 40th next year and I have been looking at some old Omega's.
look up 6694 rolex oyster date. vintage, fairly decent pricing and with a good leather strap. can be quite a beauty..
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Can i start a watch thread for people who think anything over £100 is a lot for a watch
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Hamilton (IMHO) is another brand that may offer “beginners” a variety of choices at a fairly reasonable price point.
It's a brand that I see mentioned often for entry level quality. And apparently the Khaki Field Watch is quite a deal, especially if it can be found at a discount or second-hand.
http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/collection/khaki/field/auto-40mm/h70595963-khaki-field-auto-40mm
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^I would have one of them… One of the looks I'm considering.
Probably not necessary to mention this but avoiding expensive watches by fashion brands is a must. Hot Ingrid bought me a (unasked for) Marc Jacobs ( [emoji22] ) watch about six years ago and it was the biggest piece of shit I've ever owned.
It cost about 350 quid, and the pins (?) holding the strap to the watch would bend or break once a month. The jewellers it was bought from tried charging me 25 quid for new ones every time it happened, obviously I refused. Eventually I took it to a quality watch shop in Oslo and they said it was made in such a way that the actual watch was too heavy for the gauge of pin used. Design fail much? In addition the rubber coating on the chain became greasy and disgusting and the watch let in water and got condensation under the glass all the time, despite being allegedly water proof.
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Still wearing me 100€ Citizen Eco-Drive… Daily... Gets abused at work... I tore the whole pin out once, accidentally... Shoved it back in, and it just went back to work...
It's ridiculously accurate, has a titanium bracelet, and sapphire glass... Bit like a 1995 Subaru: absolutely boring, but amazing value for money...
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The Hamilton Khaki field watches are solid buys. I have a chrono buried in a box somewhere. And a Hamilton X-Wind, too.
Man, I gotta sell some stuff…
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Love that old Seiko @sabergirl.
Totally agree with Reuben, stay away from Boss, Armani, etc watches.
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I'm not a watch guy at all. I have a Seiko 5 SKN809 and a Casio G-Shock. The Seiko kept horrible time and lost a minute or 2 every couple of weeks and the pins that hold the strap in kept coming out. I've been using my Casio G-shock ever since because it's indestructible. Both were cheap $50 watches so there ya go.
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After 25 years without a watch, I eased back in, a couple of years ago. If memory serves, I paid $220 for the Maratac GPT-1…
While I don't know much about movements, I know it has a Miyota 9015. Which, from what I've gathered, is a fairly reliable one. It has kept great time, and is certainly a "tank" of a watch. I like it, but the thickness and weight of it keep me from wearing it every day. Being my only watch, that is somewhat problematic. I've found another I'm interested in, as an everyday wear. I may just turn the Maratac around, and put down a few extra bones on this…
NAV B-UHR 44MM VINTAGE TITANIUM B-TYPE
The Steinhart runs just north of $500 USD. So, I think it would qualify as "less intimidating".I am still seeking a grail, though. I will dive into the deep end, when I see the "one". If there is such a thing.
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Seiko is an incredible value for a mechanical movement. I have a SARG011 (discontinued) that is as accurate as my Omegas.
The SKX line is a good way to get a "feel" for mechanical watches, but are really overrated. The dials are oftentimes misaligned, the accuracy is not great, but they are cheap. They went through a renaissance recently because of YouTube personalities but I'm pretty unimpressed. For a little bit more, you can get a Japanese Domestic Model with a much higher level of quality.
G-Shock is the way to go if you want something really tough and aren't into watches. If you get one with solar charging and Multi-Band 6, it's as low maintenance a watch you'll ever get. They have no personality, but they last with zero amount of maintenance. My GW-6900 has been through some rough shit and still looks new, only cost me $80. The alarms are handy for back to back meetings (my employees know to stop talking when my watch goes off, so I can get to the next meeting, keeps my meetings on time)
Edited to add photo:
Always my recommendation for a first mechanical all day every day any day. Durable, accurate, service will be relatively cheap if you need it and fits in with most casual/semi casual situations.
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Re: "ultra tough mechanical movements"
It's an oxymoron. Ultra tough is relative. A digital watch will always be tougher (I take my watches through firearms training regularly, and workout with them as well).
Any amount of moving parts will be more fragile than a device that's essentially one piece.
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I‘m in no way a watch collector or aficionado. I like automatic watches which can take a beating, because I don‘t go easy on my watches and don’t want to think about changing a battery. I chose my first automatic watch for the aesthetics (thank you Pierce Brosnan) and kept it that way with the other ones. Money is limited, because Giles is snatching any spare cent I have out of my pocket, so don‘t move in the expensive watches market, like some others here.
For the last 19 years I only had one watch and that was/is my Omega Seamaster Professional. 19 years without service, worn every day and on every activity (office, sports, physical work such as moving whole households and everything else you can come up with) and it is still going strong. This watch is a tank and goes as well with a suit as with a denim outfit or sports gear. A true heirloom piece.
My second watch is my Steinhart Ocean Vintage Military Mark I that I bought this year. I love the look of it, it has a high quality feel and a Swiss ETA movement. Overall an incredible value for money piece.
The latest addition is a modified Seiko Snzf17j, which now has a new saphire cristal, new hands, new bezel and new dial. I like the looks of it, because it is modded to have a lot of similarities with the Omega Seamaster 300, which is totally out of my price league.
There is one more watch that I want one day. The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 45,5mm. But it will be another 2 or 3 years before I will be able to pick one up in the used market without risking instant divorce.
