IWC and alternatives

IWC and alternatives

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Discussion

h0b0

Original Poster:

7,557 posts

195 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
I may be in the market for a watch soon. This does depend on work paying out a bonus that I have met the criteria for but they have previously wormed their way out of. Budget is around $4-5k and I'm thinking second hand offers better value and less depreciation.
I would say that I typically don't like busy watches but this caught my eye



As you can see, busy. But, to the point, are IWC a brand that is worth investing in? I'm not expecting to make money but don't want to lose a fortune when it comes time to sell. I need a relatively understated watch that can be worn in business and casually. For sports I will stick to the G-Shock. I like the idea of a Panerai but I couldn't wear it for work. An IWC I could wear without people paying too much attention.

So where would you spend you $4-5k budget?

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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2nd hand unworn JLC master compressor chronograph 2.

h0b0

Original Poster:

7,557 posts

195 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Got a link?

michael gould

5,691 posts

240 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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sleep envy said:
2nd hand unworn JLC master compressor chronograph 2.
Good choice smile

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Don't like fussy/busy, want something understated/under the radar – Grand Seiko is the answer, from a US dealer or Japan.
Personally I'd wait until you're sure you have money to spend, before getting yourself all worked up about what to spend it on.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
h0b0 said:
Got a link?
Loads on Chrono 24.

h0b0

Original Poster:

7,557 posts

195 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
PJ S said:
Don't like fussy/busy, want something understated/under the radar – Grand Seiko is the answer, from a US dealer or Japan.
Personally I'd wait until you're sure you have money to spend, before getting yourself all worked up about what to spend it on.
I have some money already set aside for a rainy day so this thread really is trying to push me to make a purchase. My biggest issue is that I can't make my mind up. 6 years ago I wanted a Tag Carrera at $2k. Now they are closer to $4k.
If anyone comes up with a watch I fall in love with I will buy even if the bonus doesn't come in. I will just have more explaining to do with my wife

cardigankid

8,849 posts

211 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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Take a look at the Tissot PRC200

h0b0

Original Poster:

7,557 posts

195 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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I already have a Tissot Quadrato which has been through the wars several times. The last repair was as much as the watch cost me. But, I bought it on my honeymoon and it was broken by my 2 year old son as we introduced him to his baby sister. I couldn't not repair it!

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
h0b0 said:
I have some money already set aside for a rainy day so this thread really is trying to push me to make a purchase. My biggest issue is that I can't make my mind up. 6 years ago I wanted a Tag Carrera at $2k. Now they are closer to $4k.
If anyone comes up with a watch I fall in love with I will buy even if the bonus doesn't come in. I will just have more explaining to do with my wife
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-grand-seiko-sp...

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-grand-seiko-sb...

Edited by PJ S on Tuesday 23 December 13:00

michael gould

5,691 posts

240 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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IWC are still using ETA movements, so your IWC has the beating heart of a £200 watch

Beachbum

2,507 posts

230 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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Have you considered Sinn. Bit left field, but some of their watches would fit the bill as you describe it. Maybe not their Divers watches though smile

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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michael gould said:
IWC are still using ETA movements, so your IWC has the beating heart of a £200 watch
Not all of them - but the one above is based on a Valjoux 7750, yes. Don't think there are any 775x based watches out there under a grand even for base spec, which the IWC version certainly isn't..

In the olden days, it was said 'no-one did a 7750 like IWC' but those days are over; they were supplied ebauches by Valjoux and then took them apart completely; upgrading, polishing and decorating everything possible. Swatch have now stopped this and IWC have to order them to their spec directly from Swatch just like everyone else, but they are still a good spec (interestingly not chronometer spec though).

IWC do make some movements in-house (as part of Richemont group, they of course have access to the knowledge and expertise of Jaeger-LeCoultre's back catalogue) so if you're set on IWC, it's worth searching one of them out. It still won't be an investment as such unless you buy very well, but it helps you to think you have more value attached to the wrist.

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
And at that end of the market, I'd go for an Omega Aqua Terra with the blue dial.

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
PJ S said:
Don't like fussy/busy, want something understated/under the radar – Grand Seiko is the answer, from a US dealer or Japan.
I'm assuming that the OP is neither a Japanese businessman interested in his own country's heritage or a highly educated watch expert with a penchant for knocking the Swiss. Therefore GS would hold absolutely no interest for him smile



I have started looking at the SBGJ001 by the way. You finally broke me Phil...

Gio G

2,945 posts

208 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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OP - I think it is very nice. I think these look better on a leather strap..

G

michael gould

5,691 posts

240 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
yeti said:
michael gould said:
IWC are still using ETA movements, so your IWC has the beating heart of a £200 watch
Not all of them - but the one above is based on a Valjoux 7750, yes. Don't think there are any 775x based watches out there under a grand even for base spec, which the IWC version certainly isn't..

In the olden days, it was said 'no-one did a 7750 like IWC' but those days are over; they were supplied ebauches by Valjoux and then took them apart completely; upgrading, polishing and decorating everything possible. Swatch have now stopped this and IWC have to order them to their spec directly from Swatch just like everyone else, but they are still a good spec (interestingly not chronometer spec though).

IWC do make some movements in-house (as part of Richemont group, they of course have access to the knowledge and expertise of Jaeger-LeCoultre's back catalogue) so if you're set on IWC, it's worth searching one of them out. It still won't be an investment as such unless you buy very well, but it helps you to think you have more value attached to the wrist.
whilst i agree with you Yeti....there is just something about me that thinks that we are all being conned by many watch makers such as IWC , Breitling , TAG and many more who are all still using swatch group movements .....they lack honesty

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
michael gould said:
whilst i agree with you Yeti....there is just something about me that thinks that we are all being conned by many watch makers such as IWC , Breitling , TAG and many more who are all still using swatch group movements .....they lack honesty
As long as people have their eyes open... It's only in the last few years the like of Patek, VC and AP have started using in-house movements and they are still not completely in-house (unlike JLC, lords of all that is good).

The tradition of watchmaking is the buying of ebauches from manufactures and modifying them. Recent'ish developments have seen Lemania become Montres Breguet*, F. Piguet become Blancpain*, Kalek become Manufacture Breitling and LMVH taking Zenith. That's why these brands are making in-house movements, they bought movement manufacturers! Patek of course just put the heads down, spent the money and developed their own calibres. But they are Patek, and are awesome.

The Richemont brands (Cartier, Panerai, IWC etc) all got JLC's movement manufacture R&D - which sadly is why JLC service times are about a year at the moment!

Special mention always to Seiko who even make their own molybdenum grease. They are a true manufacture.

  • Both Swatch group brands, but given a huge amount of autonomy from the mother ship.

Riff Raff

5,086 posts

194 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
yeti said:
The Richemont brands (Cartier, Panerai, IWC etc) all got JLC's movement manufacture R&D - which sadly is why JLC service times are about a year at the moment!
Actually, they have ValFleurier to do their R+D and produce ebauches.

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
Riff Raff said:
Actually, they have ValFleurier to do their R+D and produce ebauches.
With no input from JLC? That's not what JLC said at the factory.

Where do you think ValFleurier got their expertise? Or do you reckon they just appeared out of nowhere, fully formed and with hundreds of years of know-how, all ready to make Richemont groups movements? smile


Edited by yeti on Tuesday 23 December 12:46