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The "Official" Watch Thread and all Things Horological
- Thread starter backmarkerducati
- Start date
This has proven that isn't always effective screening. I think what these stories have taught me is that for items over some price (maybe $500? It's a personal decision), I will record an unboxing video showing me breaking the amazon seal. Without that video, you have very little other than arguing with a monster that dngaf.
I just don’t buy high ticket items on Amazon as I don’t trust them.
I prefer a normal store (brick and mortar or their online store) as u have a better chance of getting somewhere.
I prefer a normal store (brick and mortar or their online store) as u have a better chance of getting somewhere.
I’ve bought pricey camera lenses and sent them back. No issues if “fulfilled or sold by Amazon”. I’ve posted before about this but one time I bought a single micro sd card for $100. They sent me a box of ten and told me to keep it when I told them about the error. That’s $1000 (well $900) write off for them.
I went today. Not as many watches as I expected. A few tables covered in loose watches. Mostly largish, gaudyish ones, like you might see in a mall shop. Many with the Bulova brand. I saw one with a noticeable scratch on the clasp. If you buy one they give you a box at checkout. There were 2 Eco Drive divers. One black one that looked like it had been worn for some time, due to the curvature of the normally flat strap. 122 bucks including tax. And a blue one, just like I bought and returned last week. $166 all tax in. I didn't see any foreign particles in it. One year warranty, versus 5 for a new one bought elsewhere. Makes me suspicious about the history of these. Many clearly unused with stickers on them, but not the divers. I suspect many may have been returned for various reasons. I didn't buy anything.
I picked up some vintage and slightly less vintage watches for a song. Some are happy, others want a lot of love. Mostly women's. On the manual front, Longines, waldon, burns. A few citizen and seiko quartz (zero interest in them but they were included in the deal). A manual mortima pocket watch (feels quite chintzy).
The burns is bound up and doesn't want to run. So bleeping small though. Movement is a balco that is about 12x20mm. Probably not the best starting point to learn watch repair but run what you brung.
The burns is bound up and doesn't want to run. So bleeping small though. Movement is a balco that is about 12x20mm. Probably not the best starting point to learn watch repair but run what you brung.
Crystal needs some attention. I have zero love for the bracelet it is on now. Otherwise seems decent. Definitely worn a lot by somebody. Red tip on the second hand is interesting but doesn't show up well in my lazy photo.
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Priller
Well-known member
I've decided it's time for a dressy watch, classic and clean design and fits well under a cuff. Any recommendations would be very welcome, especially for microbrands I may not have heard of.
Criteria are a budget somewhere between $750 to $1500, so no Rolex or Omega this time. Want three hands (I love the look of some of the Hamilton Intra-Matic models, but no seconds hand would drive me nuts), but no subdials or busy faces. Preferably a leather strap, though a bracelet isn't a dealbreaker, as it can always be swapped. Also needs to be colours that work with a variety of suits, so no Tiffany blues etc. if I can get something that's not owned by Swatch, that would be a small bonus, but again, hardly mandatory. Size can be anywhere from 35ish though somewhere around or just under 40 seems to be a sweet spot.
Right now, Frederique Constant is the leading candidate, with a number of classically styled models that fit the budget, especially in the Classics Index line. There's a Tissot Chemin de Tourelles model that looked fantastic under the bright jewellers lights when I was at Ashley, and Hamilton makes a bunch of options, though I'm not keen on an American brand, even if Swiss made. Longines stretches the budget for most of their dress watches, but I do like the clean styling. The Mido Baroncelli line is an option, though I find the styling to be a bit modern for what I'm looking for. I could also go vintage, but they're often too small for my wrist, and clean watches that have been serviced reputably are often quite pricy.
Any other ideas or suggestions would be most welcome!
Criteria are a budget somewhere between $750 to $1500, so no Rolex or Omega this time. Want three hands (I love the look of some of the Hamilton Intra-Matic models, but no seconds hand would drive me nuts), but no subdials or busy faces. Preferably a leather strap, though a bracelet isn't a dealbreaker, as it can always be swapped. Also needs to be colours that work with a variety of suits, so no Tiffany blues etc. if I can get something that's not owned by Swatch, that would be a small bonus, but again, hardly mandatory. Size can be anywhere from 35ish though somewhere around or just under 40 seems to be a sweet spot.
Right now, Frederique Constant is the leading candidate, with a number of classically styled models that fit the budget, especially in the Classics Index line. There's a Tissot Chemin de Tourelles model that looked fantastic under the bright jewellers lights when I was at Ashley, and Hamilton makes a bunch of options, though I'm not keen on an American brand, even if Swiss made. Longines stretches the budget for most of their dress watches, but I do like the clean styling. The Mido Baroncelli line is an option, though I find the styling to be a bit modern for what I'm looking for. I could also go vintage, but they're often too small for my wrist, and clean watches that have been serviced reputably are often quite pricy.
Any other ideas or suggestions would be most welcome!
Since your sort of Hamilton based , pop over to Millenium Jewelers on Brant street in Burlington, he has a very eclectic display of vintage /classic/ just old watches, mostly dress and has LOTS more in his collection not displayed. Discuss with him what your thinking and get some good advice . Lots in your price range .
Hamilton makes a very good watch in your price bracket . I wouldn’t be too bothered about an American now swiss , Rolex was British before moving to Switzerland.
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Hamilton makes a very good watch in your price bracket . I wouldn’t be too bothered about an American now swiss , Rolex was British before moving to Switzerland.
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And much cheaper than going the other way, getting a watch on leather and wanting the bracelet afterwards.
Priller
Well-known member
Excellent advice and exactly why I asked here. Thanks! Will be visiting next week to see what they have that's unique.
As for Hamilton, some are really nice, for sure, and excellent value. I just have a hard time seeing past the Americanness of the brand. Not dissimilar to struggling to see Tissot as not associated with T-Race monsters. (That and I'm not a huge fan of the Powermatic movement, as I'd gladly sacrifice power reserve for a smoother sweep.)
Both make excellent watches for the money, though I'm starting to think Frederique Constant may actually offer even better value. The rebranded Sellita movements in the cheaper models are less exclusive than in-house variants, but have the advantage that parts and service will always be readily available. I really love the Yacht Timer, too, even if it is hilariously single-purpose and outclassed for the task by endless digital variants...
Ok only since you mentioned the Frederique Constant yacht timer , which is hilariously obsolete as a regatta watch . I’ve been shopping for a Heuer regatta countdown for a couple yrs but I’m having trouble parting with 6-8k for a conversation piece .
Timer related , on my sailboat we race is a gps based digital timer . We sail up to the committee start boat and ping the location , sail to the other end of the start line and ping the end marker. It then automatically computes the time when you sync it with the 5 minute starter gun . It will give you a readout on distance to the line based on approach speed and time to the line using the same GPS speed . If the race committee messes up time you can hit a re sync button and it fixes itself . Rechargeable and day/night screens . Once you start it then switches over to a digital compass and will tell you if your up or down on your path to the next turning mark. It’s worth about 2k US . You still need to know how to sail , but it does a job that used to be a PITA when trying to look at a watch and the 14,000lb boat aiming at you .
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Timer related , on my sailboat we race is a gps based digital timer . We sail up to the committee start boat and ping the location , sail to the other end of the start line and ping the end marker. It then automatically computes the time when you sync it with the 5 minute starter gun . It will give you a readout on distance to the line based on approach speed and time to the line using the same GPS speed . If the race committee messes up time you can hit a re sync button and it fixes itself . Rechargeable and day/night screens . Once you start it then switches over to a digital compass and will tell you if your up or down on your path to the next turning mark. It’s worth about 2k US . You still need to know how to sail , but it does a job that used to be a PITA when trying to look at a watch and the 14,000lb boat aiming at you .
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Whatever you do, don't look at Monacos. Anything that's running and doesn't look like its been run over by a car is $15K and up. Part of it is the SMQ tax, but still......
I have a Monaco but it’s only about 6yrs old and a Tag , so not a real Heuer . It was 4,700. new , they are about 7new now .
Heuer is having a bit of a renaissance with the relaunch of the Autavia , which I can’t afford either .
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Heuer is having a bit of a renaissance with the relaunch of the Autavia , which I can’t afford either .
Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com
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