Anyone know anything about quality watches??

[VADER]

Try going to timezone.com and you can learn alot. The people there tend to look down on Tags, I think because they use a cheap movement. Keep in mind the $30 Casios will probably keep better time than any of these things. If your looking for a watch that sweeps, that would mean it is an automatic (no battery, self winding) or chronometer (better quality), which is not that accurate when compared to quartz.
The Omegas at Costco are the old style, usually referred to as the James Bond model since that is what he wears. There are plenty of legit used dealers, and new, but the discount watch internet guys usually sell gray market watches.
I opted for the Omega Seamaster 300 full size chronometer with silver bezel which I like to wear, but it does wind down quite often due to lack of movement on my arm. Sometimes I wish I opted for the quartz, since it is more accurate and durable. HTH

 

[salvageV6]

I've bought 2 Baume and Mercier Chronographs both leftover NOS on Ebay with good luck.

Both were from dealers with credit card purchases and allegedly a money back guarantee that I never had to use.

One was a Formula S that was my best Ebay score.
Damm thing weighs a ton since it's mechanical automatic, has the good movement with double beat.

Other was an 18K Riviera quartz chrono. that is my dress watch for luck at the Casino.

Bought a ton of Bulova Accutrons also all older tuning fork watches and never got burnt on any of those. Basically all the same type movements with different cases.

Fakes are mainly the "Spaceview" type watches that can easily be made with a clear crystal. I stay away from those and mainly buy the gold original early models.

Also have some pocket watches such as Hamiltons and Walthams that were good deals from Ebay.

Been reasonably lucky I guess.

 

[darb]

How much are you willing to spend? I suggest visiting the IWC website (International Watch Co.) This is the only watch company in the world who makes their entire watch in house. They make their own movements, along with every part that goes on the watch. When you buy a Tag or Omega or Movado, you are buying the name. They buy all internal movements from companies like Blancpain. When you go into the airport in Geneva, Switzerland, they have a pyramid billboard that has the top watch companies in the world. Rolex ain't even in the top 20. When you buy a Rolex, you buy the name. Most Rolex's lose anywhere from 10-15 minutes per year (not very accurate). However, the Rolex Daytona keeps near perfect time and is the best Rolex to have(very hard to obtain and exspensive). Getting back to the pyramid, IWC ranks third on the list. If you truly want a rare piece that most people have never heard of, check IWC, you will be very impressed. www.iwc.ch

I may be a little biased, but I researched and found all of these facts. Ask any true expert about IWC, and you will get it.
BTW, here is a pic of my IWC GST Chrono Automatic.

Brad

 

[Buicksx2]

Originally posted by arista5
i have the breitling B2 i love it!! if you want i will look into some fakes in manhattan.

LMK

>>> Mike,

That would be great, don't knock yourself out but next time you are there see what they are going for. Appreciate it.

 

[TwoLaneBlackTop]

Some one brought up the Daytona.

A freind of mine has one made in 1992 I think and it looses time as well. Also the reliability of the watch was brought into question when he dropped it and the second and stoped. Had to take it to the local jeweler for a rather expensive reapir.. I would expect more from a $10K watch,

 

[darb]

Some one brought up the Daytona.

A freind of mine has one made in 1992 I think and it looses time as well. Also the reliability of the watch was brought into question when he dropped it and the second and stoped. Had to take it to the local jeweler for a rather expensive reapir.. I would expect more from a $10K watch,

There are always "lemons" out there, but from my research, and as I mentioned before, Rolex is not in the top 20 companies, hence the loss of time it may have and the reliability issues you speak of. Your simply paying for a name, while the watch is built by several different companies. If you are looking for just a recognizable name, go with Rolex. However, if you are wanting a little more, in terms of quality, reliabilty, craftsmanship, and rareness, there are many, many other watch companies to consider. Do a little research, or find a real watch expert to tell you about the best companies. If he mentions Rolex, he ain't no expert.

Brad

 

[salvageV6]

There are status jewerly watches, name watches, and cottage industry look what I can build it's so complicated I can sell it to rich idiots for $50K watches.

IWC is German, enough reason right there not to buy one. We used to own that company when I worked for Siemens. Overpriced.

Most people don't buy a dress watch to keep perfect time as there are few standards to say whos right anyway. If it's a windup or automatic few are left running in sock drawers to matter much.

Get an automatic update Atomic watch with the antenna in it for that.

I guess they are like cars however many makes and models and varying amounts of chrome, gold, silver and timekeeping power.

Bottom line is buy something with a good reputation that looks good to you and keeps time and ain't made out of plastic.

 

[jmidolo]

So far I'm liking the following. That could change based on size in real life, weight, comfort etc...but this style is what I'm liking:

http://worldofwatches.com/img/prod/p10826B.jpg
http://worldofwatches.com/img/prod/p6983B.jpg
http://worldofwatches.com/img/prod/p4896B.jpg

I like the Movado Gunmetal line they had a few years back, but I don't see anything like that in their current lineup..

 

[bob86gn]

I would get the Tag, I think it carries a little more prestige than the Movado.

 

[arista5]

Originally posted by jmidolo
So far I'm liking the following. That could change based on size in real life, weight, comfort etc...but this style is what I'm liking:

http://worldofwatches.com/img/prod/p10826B.jpg
http://worldofwatches.com/img/prod/p6983B.jpg
http://worldofwatches.com/img/prod/p4896B.jpg

I like the Movado Gunmetal line they had a few years back, but I don't see anything like that in their current lineup..

if you end up with a wanting to go with the movado let me know, i worked for a jewelry company a few years back and one of the people i worked now owns a watch shop, i get the movados for a hair over half list. like a $1050 watch is about $550

 

[jmidolo]

If I get you them 2 model #s, could you check into? I'm leaving early Saturday morning, so if I knew what I could buy it for here in the states, it will help when I'm away and looking at stuff down there.

 

[arista5]

just let me know asap

 

[jmidolo]

Thanks bro, you gots mail.

 

[blackbird]

MOVADO

let me know which style you want and ill check the base exchange. i got a real nice movado for $300 AND IT WAS A $600 WATCH!!

 

[MeanBuicks]

Originally posted by AsphaltAnihil8r
Forget about all that expensive junk..the only time you need to keep is your ET.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3630770535&category=1315

Boy! That's a winner. Let's buy a 'Japanese' Buick watch that's made in China from a dude in Hong Kong.

 

[darb]

IWC is German, enough reason right there not to buy one.

LOL. IWC is German???? You need to get your facts and research straight. Schaffhausen is in Switzerland my friend. Go check www.iwc.ch and you tell me where Schaffhausen is. Some people just don't look into things like they should.

Overpriced.

For a qualilty watch, I would say not. Most models are cheaper than most Rolex models. Same as anything else, you want a true quality piece, you gotta pay for it. Just as you would want a quality car, guess what, you gotta pay for it. You don't get quality goods for nothing.

I do agree that you should get a piece that looks good to you and from a reputable company. As I mentioned before, it depends on how nice a piece you want. We all have different tastes. Most people go on looks of a watch, I tend to dig a little deeper than just looks.

 

[salvageV6]

The factory may be in Switzerland but that doesn't show you who runs the show.

Germans.

Mannesmann-VDO actually owned them not Siemens they bought us instead.

If you think they don't run the daily operations and put their hands all over everything they own you are mistaken.

Here is a link to some boring German propaganda.

Note the German tone and superiority in the interviews saying they have to get away from the traditional Swiss way of thinking.

Hey if you find me a Lange and Sohn cheap pick it up for me.

http://www.chronometrie.com/gb/gb.htm

Then again they may have sold them by now or perhaps like our company they just shut them down...

 

[darb]

Well, you can say that about alot of companies. I'm sure there are Germans (or any non-American) who are in high positions in many American companies. Does this mean that the products here are German or foreign? Not at all. If Ford Motor Co. hired a German as CEO, does this make Fords German made (Although the Germans probably make the finest automobiles in the world)? I don't think so. Fact is, it is a Swiss watch manufacturer with a Swiss background.

 

[Pronto]

Buy a Timex and save the rest to spend on the your car.

 

[salvageV6]

Fact is there's a German looking over the guys shoulder telling him what to do and running the company.

They do not use a hands off approach.

Ask ANYONE American still working for Chrysler.

Not trying to argue it's just why I wouldn't buy an IWC watch.

Lots of companies under that banner, Jaeger, Lange.....

Quality Valjoux movements can be found in many mid-line and upper end brands that are both jewerly and good timepieces.

Movements may be common to many watches but in the collectors market it's usually the rarity and gold content that sets the price, rarely the movement itself.

Excepting in the low volume extremely complicated ones.

Just my .02.

I still like Accutrons.