BREITLING, ROLEX, TUDOR, OMEGA, anybody into high end watches?

[Bikeman315]

Thanks Ira. Yes loads of fun! I do like the fact with watches as long as you care for them, there is a market to resell them if you so choose. And generally the better ones and more rare ones hold value pretty well.

Not sure how big of a thing this is either, but I have heard anecdotally of people trading watches with other collectors too. Sometimes some cash thrown in or say a 2 for 1 type deal, but maybe you all can give more detail on that if you’ve heard of it or experienced it.

I most certainly have. I used to spend a lot of time on here. Way too much time......

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[Palma]

Open to just about anything at this point. I’ve been spending a decent amount of time just looking at what’s out there, all the various functions and features, etc. Outside of my Apple Watch, my Citizen watches are pretty basic (date & time). The chrono’s are pretty cool but not sure if I really need all the different functions? Thoughts or opinions on that? I do like some of the diver designs too. Like I said, open to hearing opinions on just about everything at this point

Chronos are fun to time stuff; the origin is in auto racing. Mostly today it’s just a style thing. Just like having a dive watch; I dont dive anymore and never will again so it’s kinda silly but it’s a style thing. Look at Longines used, they are a good Swiss brand that has good value, and used are a great deal. Longines is owned by the swatch group which also owns Omega and a ton of other Swiss brands like Rado and others. Hamiltion mighty be part of the group too and those watches are very good and a nice value. Here is a link to a retailer in Asia that deals in a lot of Japanese, Chinese and Swiss watch’s at good prices and sales often. I like the Squale brand but they also offer Seiko that are not available in the US at times. Seiko is a fantastic brand, not to be overlooked. If you dig a chrono type they sell a few around 5-600 bucks that a really nice.
https://www.gnomonwatches.com/?srsltid=AfmBOophyb5DhUY07nCY4lJJ5Ex304Xpb2D39xqkMvk_k4-Xal-fxpNQ

 

[Bikeman315]

Chronos are fun to time stuff; the origin is in auto racing. Mostly today it’s just a style thing. Just like having a dive watch; I dont dive anymore and never will again so it’s kinda silly but it’s a style thing. Look at Longines used, they are a good Swiss brand that has good value, and used are a great deal. Longines is owned by the swatch group which also owns Omega and a ton of other Swiss brands like Rado and others. Hamiltion mighty be part of the group too and those watches are very good and a nice value. Here is a link to a retailer in Asia that deals in a lot of Japanese, Chinese and Swiss watch’s at good prices and sales often. I like the Squale brand but they also offer Seiko that are not available in the US at times. Seiko is a fantastic brand, not to be overlooked. If you dig a chrono type they sell a few around 5-600 bucks that a really nice.
https://www.gnomonwatches.com/?srsltid=AfmBOophyb5DhUY07nCY4lJJ5Ex304Xpb2D39xqkMvk_k4-Xal-fxpNQ

Well that is a blast from the past. Gnomon was the Steinhart dealer back in the day. When watches were hard to get from Germany, Gnomon was the place to go. Gunther made some special editions just for them.

But as you brought up the topic, where you buy your watch can be as important as what you buy. Steinhart, for instance has no US distributor. I used to buy direct from Germany. The warranty is world wide. Any good watchmaker can work on them. When I got my navigator watch from them it was shipped with the wrong stem. I contacted Gunther, he shipped the correct stem and offered to pay for having it installed. My local watchmaker at the time didn't charge me but the offer was there.

Most major brand have USA service for watches obtained through authorized dealers (referred to AD's). Watches can also be purchased through the gray market but warranties vary. What I do is find the best price I can find online and then have a discussion with my AD. Saved a couple of thousand dollars on my Omega Speedy that way.

 

[MAGS1]

Thanks Ira @Bikeman315 and @Palma , will definitely check those links out. My dad has a couple of Seiko’s and he’s always thought highly of them so will definitely give them a look as well as some of the other household names and some of the smaller, more niche names too. Should be a fun new hobby!

 

[galaxy]

Sounds like it’s the 46 then. No regerts!

eehhhh, you read my post correctly and I tend to agree, but there are differences in the two that are making it more difficult than that. For example, the 46 has the date and the 43 does not. But, the 43 has the clear back and the 46 does not. Both features I love. The power reserve display on the 46 I could take or leave. Uugghhh...1st world problems, right?!?!

Changing gears a little, when I was in my dealer checking these out, I learned that every Rolex in the store is a display only. If you find something on display you like and want to purchase, your name goes in a registry and you wait on a priority listing to hopefully get a watch.

,

 

[MAGS1]

eehhhh, you read my post correctly and I tend to agree, but there are differences in the two that are making it more difficult than that. For example, the 46 has the date and the 43 does not. But, the 43 has the clear back and the 46 does not. Both features I love. The power reserve display on the 46 I could take or leave. Uugghhh...1st world problems, right?!?!

Changing gears a little, when I was in my dealer checking these out, I learned that every Rolex in the store is a display only. If you find something on display you like and want to purchase, your name goes in a registry and you wait on a priority listing to hopefully get a watch.

,

The clear back would be a pretty cool feature. Decisions decisions…

Interesting regarding the Rolex displays. I guess I’m not totally surprised. I’m a little ways out from that level of watch but good to know

 

[derklink]

Just picked up this one here. I really like the simplicity and it goes with everything

 

[Bikeman315]

Just picked up this one here. I really like the simplicity and it goes with everything

A stunning classic. This watch is for the person who knows who they are and doesn’t care about what anyone else thinks. Bravo!!!

 

[derklink]

A stunning classic. This watch is for the person who knows who they are and doesn’t care about what anyone else thinks. Bravo!!!

Thank you for your kind words! The longer I collect watches, the more I’m drawn to simplistic no-nonsense time pieces. Also, I’m grateful I’m able to pursue the hobby.

 

[olds442111]

Im a watch junkie. Have a Breitling that i rarely wear, a couple of vintage longines, and then theres the daily drivers, which are all Citizen. Ive found these are great for the money, and if you hurt it, you wont be heart broken.

 

[Bikeman315]

Im a watch junkie. Have a Breitling that i rarely wear, a couple of vintage longines, and then theres the daily drivers, which are all Citizen. Ive found these are great for the money, and if you hurt it, you wont be heart broken.

Welcome to the thread but we need pics. Especially the Longines and the Citizens.

 

[olds442111]

I’ll grab a few pics when I get back home. Enjoying a day of nice weather in the Mustang….and forgot to wear a watch. Lol

 

[olds442111]

 

[galaxy]

@MAGS1 I recall an old saying I got from my dad…”if you’re gonna be a bear…be a grizzly!”

 

[MAGS1]

@MAGS1 I recall an old saying I got from my dad…”if you’re gonna be a bear…be a grizzly!”

Ooh that’s a beaut!

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