OT: Watch Talk

[buddybikes]

That Hamilton is pretty!

[RFC]

Check out

watchuseek.com

You can spend days there!

[Ti_on_Steel]

Three words: Stainless Steel Rolex

Looks good with a suit, looks good with a bathing suit, will last forever.

I like the Explorer 1, but any Oyster series is a solid choice.

[Mikej]

I’m not saying they aren’t worth it but, new Rolex Subs go for almost $9000 these days and used ones aren’t that far behind. Just not in my last lifetime! I may go quartz Omega- mechanical is just not robust enough for me at my job. I here Old Potatoe - PX in Kadena Okinawa had Rolex Submariner for 1200 in 1992- that was 3 paychecks for me! And just asking my, but are Tags any good??

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Mikej

I’m not saying they aren’t worth it but, new Rolex Subs go for almost $9000 these days and used ones aren’t that far behind. Just not in my last lifetime! I may go quartz Omega- mechanical is just not robust enough for me at my job. I here Old Potatoe - PX in Kadena Okinawa had Rolex Submariner for 1200 in 1992- that was 3 paychecks for me! And just asking my, but are Tags any good??

Rota Spain Exchange..my first MED cruise, 1976..Rolex Oysters(not date-just)..$190

My 1978 GMT Master worth 10 times what I paid in 1978..

[jr59]

Originally Posted by Mikej

I’m not saying they aren’t worth it but, new Rolex Subs go for almost $9000 these days and used ones aren’t that far behind. Just not in my last lifetime! I may go quartz Omega- mechanical is just not robust enough for me at my job. I here Old Potatoe - PX in Kadena Okinawa had Rolex Submariner for 1200 in 1992- that was 3 paychecks for me! And just asking my, but are Tags any good??

Agreed that the sport watch from Rolex has become a BIG TICKET price.

As to is Tag a good watch? Well.... that’s like asking if Spec is a good bike. They aren’t my cup of tea, for the most part. But I like a few of them.

Also if you are buying a tool watch, then it is a tool, and robust enough for most jobs. I had/have a customer who owns a propane company, who wears his collectible explorer every day. Both in the office, as well as out in the field digging ditches and laying pipe. I personally think he enjoys the latter more than the office stuff. His watch needs service about every 3-4 years, then right back to work.

[dsimon]

Thanks Guys Ill look at the Hamilton and Seiko's but still leaning toward a Used Omega I really like the look. Sorry Rolex fans I have never been a fan just not my cup of tea. Thanks Anryscientist you brought up many great valid points that I didnt think of. I did have a Marathon Dive Watch and man that thing was heavy. and thanks Oldpotato I appreciate it but I just couldn't quit no one likes a quitter.

[colbyh]

Used Omegas are generally a great value if you have time to look around for a deal, but be wary of early Coaxial movements. There were some QC issues early on and warranties were quietly extended but still could be annoying.

All of the mid+ tier watches with in-house movements are generally only serviceable from their own dealers these days, so if you are hard on your watches I'd look for something with an ETA or Seiko movement as well.

[RFC]

Originally Posted by colbyh

Used Omegas are generally a great value if you have time to look around for a deal, but be wary of early Coaxial movements. There were some QC issues early on and warranties were quietly extended but still could be annoying.

All of the mid+ tier watches with in-house movements are generally only serviceable from their own dealers these days, so if you are hard on your watches I'd look for something with an ETA or Seiko movement as well.

I believe that Omega now owns ETA.

[pcxmbfj]

Both Rolex and Omega automatics have a service requirement every five years and was ~$500 last service.
My daily is a Tag electronic that is on it's third battery.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by pcxmbfj

Both Rolex and Omega automatics have a service requirement every five years and was ~$500 last service.
My daily is a Tag electronic that is on it's third battery.

No idea about Omega but I did the every 5 years service on my GMT Master(at Rolex in NY) until a very well versed local Rolex watch wrench said not to bother. If it’s working, gain or lose stays the same, no issue..service when you have an issue. Stopped every 5 years service about 20 years ago on my works perfect, 40 year old Rolex. Ymmv and all that.

[djg]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

No idea about Omega but I did the every 5 years service on my GMT Master(at Rolex in NY) until a very well versed local Rolex watch wrench said not to bother. If it’s working, gain or lose stays the same, no issue..service when you have an issue. Stopped every 5 years service about 20 years ago on my works perfect, 40 year old Rolex. Ymmv and all that.

YMMV is right, and I'm not a watch maker or any sort of expert, but I suspect that yours probably gave you pretty good advice on any mechanical or automatic watch. I got similar advice from a local watch maker who checked one of my watches not long ago and reported that it was still better than spec. Instead of, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, more like, if it ain't showing degraded performance, you don't need to worry about it.

It's not like changing the oil on a car on schedule (leaving aside what that schedule should be); and it's not as if you void the 1 year warranty by not having the watch cleaned (and adjusted and regulated) every five years. It might be pretty lucky if your watch is actually keeping the same time after 20 years without any service, but there are all sorts of variables, and whether it's plus/minus 2 seconds or 3 or 4 or 5 might not matter much if you actually have to reset it from time to time. I don't think I've had my GP serviced in . . . not sure, but maybe 10 years? I don't have a Rolex, but if any of my 3 automatics starts to seem off, I'll take it in.

I'm also not sure I'll use factory service again if I don't need to. A local master watch and clock maker charges 350 bucks instead of 500, and he doesn't keep it forever.

But . . . it's not as if mechanical or automatic watches don't sometimes need cleaning or repair. And none of them is indestructible, even if lots of them are fairly sturdy.

[CDollarsign]

I bit the bullet last year and picked up a Rolex Explorer. It’s totally understated and wears pretty small for a 39mm watch. I wear it everyday dressed up or down and it looks great. I realize it’s very expensive though.

Like other people have stated, omegas loose there value significantly so the used market is a great place to get one cheap (relatively). Another brand I’d check out is Nomos - second hand can be had at good prices. Also surprised no one has brought up IWC. Used Mark Xvii can be had pretty cheap and are nice.

[kingpin75s]

Originally Posted by pcxmbfj

Both Rolex and Omega automatics have a service requirement every five years and was ~$500 last service.

Yep. If you are interested in automatic watches like these, I highly recommend seeing if you can join a local chapter of your NAWCC and network with your local service community.

[wallymann]

swatch group is the 800# gorilla of the industry

...owns these brands

Breguet, Harry Winston, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Léon Hatot, Omega, Longines, Rado, Union Glashütte, Tissot, Balmain, Certina, Mido, Hamilton, Calvin Klein, Swatch, Flik Flak.

...and these production companies

ETA, Nivarox-FAR, CHH Microtechnique, Comadur, Rubattel et Weyermann, MOM Le Prélet, Universo, Manufacture Ruedin, Simon Et Membrez, Lascor, Novi, Swatch Group Assembly, DYB, EM Microelectronic, Renata, Micro Crystal, Swiss Timing.

Originally Posted by RFC

I believe that Omega now owns ETA.