What Motivated You to Buy an 'Expensive' Watch?
Discussion
Calorus said:
One for the Horolophiles(?) - Not whinging or ranting, but why did you decide you chose to spend far larger sums than average on a watch?
Watches, as mentioned already, often appeal specifically to those with a love for mechanical design. The perfect complexity of a beautiful watch or the (superficial) simplicity of Patek - they just give pleasure knowing how tricky they were to make.
I quite like the 'hidden' aspect of watches, all that mechanical alchemy going on and it's tucked under the sleeve. An expensive watch is likely to be less reliable than a cheapie quartz - mind you, Astons are less reliable than Toyotas in my experience!
Some interesting links here - I was amazed by the globe watch, I wouldn't want one, but would love to see one.
maxf said:
Freddie von Rost said:
Because I always lusted after a Speedmaster.
Best watch I have ever bought.
Best watch I have ever bought.
Yep. I have one on a nasa-esq velcro strap and really love it. I actually bought the GF a reduced size speedmaster yesterday!
My SM Reduced arrived with the steel strap. As my right wrist is really hairy - don't even think it! - I wear mine with a black G10 NATO strap. Looks fantastic. Superb timekeeper too!
And before I forget. Mummy, I have been a naughty boy again and bought a 1946 Omega when all I was going to do was to collect my old Lancia Chrono after being serviced.
Spoiler
Not me. The watch you filthy beast.Freddie von Rost said:
maxf said:
Freddie von Rost said:
Because I always lusted after a Speedmaster.
Best watch I have ever bought.
Best watch I have ever bought.
Yep. I have one on a nasa-esq velcro strap and really love it. I actually bought the GF a reduced size speedmaster yesterday!
My SM Reduced arrived with the steel strap. As my right wrist is really hairy - don't even think it! - I wear mine with a black G10 NATO strap. Looks fantastic. Superb timekeeper too!
And before I forget. Mummy, I have been a naughty boy again and bought a 1946 Omega when all I was going to do was to collect my old Lancia Chrono after being serviced.
Spoiler
Not me. The watch you filthy beast.Got to agree with the speedmaster love! its a very understated and classy watch and i like the fact that no-one in my age group knows what it is. They all seemed to be more impressed by the latest diesel offering :rolleys:
abarthchris said:
Got to agree with the speedmaster love! its a very understated and classy watch and i like the fact that no-one in my age group knows what it is. They all seemed to be more impressed by the latest diesel offering :rolleys:
... and you *do* know the difference between the Speedmaster automatic (pictured) and a Speedmaster professional right?
Just checking.
Strangely Brown said:
abarthchris said:
Got to agree with the speedmaster love! its a very understated and classy watch and i like the fact that no-one in my age group knows what it is. They all seemed to be more impressed by the latest diesel offering :rolleys:
... and you *do* know the difference between the Speedmaster automatic (pictured) and a Speedmaster professional right?
Just checking.
well, i know about the speedmaster day/date thats strapped to my wrist...
the professional has the movement that was used in the moon landing. I personally preferred the silver faced day/date, hence thats the one I have.
AbarthChris said:
Strangely Brown said:
abarthchris said:
Got to agree with the speedmaster love! its a very understated and classy watch and i like the fact that no-one in my age group knows what it is. They all seemed to be more impressed by the latest diesel offering :rolleys:
... and you *do* know the difference between the Speedmaster automatic (pictured) and a Speedmaster professional right?
Just checking.
well, i know about the speedmaster day/date thats strapped to my wrist...
the professional has the movement that was used in the moon landing. I personally preferred the silver faced day/date, hence thats the one I have.
Jolly good. I thought that I would ask because there is often a misconception that a "Speedmaster" is a "Moon Watch" especially so with the reduced because it looks so similar. It was the "no-one in my age group knows what it is" that triggered my curiosity.
Looks like you're not one of the "confused".
The movement that was used in the watches that actually landed on the moon was the 321 but the 861 (actually 1861 in the current model) is also flight qualified. There is some discussion as to whether an 861 may have actually landed on the moon and whilst it has certainly flown on an Apollo mission it is generally believed/accepted that it did not land. Hence, pre-moon cal.321 speedys still fetch a decent price.
I started 17 years ago with a TAG I bought in switzerland. I owned it 10 years by which time every one had got one and there were loads of fakes about.
I just liked the style.
I sold it for £20 more than I had bought it for. :-)
I then bought a Breitling cos I liked it and I wanted a chronograph, but it was a quartz chronograph. I had that for 5 years and sold it a few years ago and 'downgraded' to an ORIS Titanium mainly cos I wanted a ticker and I liked the style. I'm not struck on the new Breitlings, or the new TAG's, every man and his dog now seems to own a Omega, so I didn't want one of them even though I like them.
I would like a Rolex (sorry I know) bimetal, partly cos they hold their value so well, but I also like some of the Zeniths.
All my watches must be waterproof and must have a metal strap. I have worn a 'sports watch' for too long now without having to think about taking it off for bath/shower/swimming. In the 17 years I have broken 2 temporary watches while mine have been serviced.
For me Watches are male jewelery. I have been asked by a few women why I buy good watches when a £20 is just as accurate and I basically ask them would they sooner have a nice big platinum diamond ring or a silver one with a cubic zirc. That usually shuts them up.
I just liked the style.
I sold it for £20 more than I had bought it for. :-)
I then bought a Breitling cos I liked it and I wanted a chronograph, but it was a quartz chronograph. I had that for 5 years and sold it a few years ago and 'downgraded' to an ORIS Titanium mainly cos I wanted a ticker and I liked the style. I'm not struck on the new Breitlings, or the new TAG's, every man and his dog now seems to own a Omega, so I didn't want one of them even though I like them.
I would like a Rolex (sorry I know) bimetal, partly cos they hold their value so well, but I also like some of the Zeniths.
All my watches must be waterproof and must have a metal strap. I have worn a 'sports watch' for too long now without having to think about taking it off for bath/shower/swimming. In the 17 years I have broken 2 temporary watches while mine have been serviced.
For me Watches are male jewelery. I have been asked by a few women why I buy good watches when a £20 is just as accurate and I basically ask them would they sooner have a nice big platinum diamond ring or a silver one with a cubic zirc. That usually shuts them up.
Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 24th April 22:57
Strangely Brown said:
AbarthChris said:
well, i know about the speedmaster day/date thats strapped to my wrist...
the professional has the movement that was used in the moon landing. I personally preferred the silver faced day/date, hence thats the one I have.
Jolly good. I thought that I would ask because there is often a misconception that a "Speedmaster" is a "Moon Watch" especially so with the reduced because it looks so similar. It was the "no-one in my age group knows what it is" that triggered my curiosity.
Looks like you're not one of the "confused".
The movement that was used in the watches that actually landed on the moon was the 321 but the 861 (actually 1861 in the current model) is also flight qualified. There is some discussion as to whether an 861 may have actually landed on the moon and whilst it has certainly flown on an Apollo mission it is generally believed/accepted that it did not land. Hence, pre-moon cal.321 speedys still fetch a decent price.
I didnt know that though! I bow to your superior watch knowledge
the comment about my age not knowing what it is was more aimed at the actual brand of my watch, in that its not really a flash watch so only people who like watches tend to notice it.
Theoretically, a quality watch should work out cheaper in the long run compared to all of the average watches you may buy, and battery replacements you would do in a lifetime. This assumes you keep the watch for say 40+ years, and dont go bonkers in the first place (ie spend much over £1000).
My wife wanted a large wedding 100 guest ! Half of them i did not even no ! and a rock on her finger that would cost a much as the average family hack , So she got what she wanted as most women do, and yes ! I payed for the wedding. In return i purchase my self a very nice time piece for the same price as her ring and sent to to her to send back to me on our wedding day .
yes! I did by her a wedding day gift , The drop earring to match the ring .
If only she would had gone for the registry office and a few pint down the old dog.
I could have still got the villa.
Any way the wedding was last year , I still have the watch and it keep perfect time stand out when sleeve is lift slightly .
I am looking for the right villa again as i want something to set of my watch in the sun.
sh! sh! Do not tell her in door she will find something else for me to spend it on.
Live for to day , As you many not see tomorrow.
yes! I did by her a wedding day gift , The drop earring to match the ring .
If only she would had gone for the registry office and a few pint down the old dog.
I could have still got the villa.
Any way the wedding was last year , I still have the watch and it keep perfect time stand out when sleeve is lift slightly .
I am looking for the right villa again as i want something to set of my watch in the sun.
sh! sh! Do not tell her in door she will find something else for me to spend it on.
Live for to day , As you many not see tomorrow.
When I was some 12 years old, my dad went into a duty free and bought me one of those little Tag F1 watches for ~£200. I wore for a few months when some weird kid (who was stealing money from his dad I'm sure) said he'd give me £250 for it. I asked my dad and he said "hell yes" so I sold it (I was only 12-13). Odd but there you go HA!
With the proceeds my dad went out and my my dad bought me a Tag for some £500 - I was still only 13. I treasured that watch - it didn't miss a beat for some 12 years! I paid for it's service when I was 18 and still have it, only my brother wears it.
On my 25th my dad bought me a really unusual Breitling. So on his birthday the next year I bought him a yellow gold Daytona so that HE could finally have something to remind him of his boys. (it's funny I see more of the supposedly rare SS Daytonas than any other).
It's all about sentimental value - that's it - and giving someone/yourself something SPECIAL which may or may not be cheap.... it's not a hard and fast rule but when it's expensive it sort of adds to the specialness... that's all.
With the proceeds my dad went out and my my dad bought me a Tag for some £500 - I was still only 13. I treasured that watch - it didn't miss a beat for some 12 years! I paid for it's service when I was 18 and still have it, only my brother wears it.
On my 25th my dad bought me a really unusual Breitling. So on his birthday the next year I bought him a yellow gold Daytona so that HE could finally have something to remind him of his boys. (it's funny I see more of the supposedly rare SS Daytonas than any other).
It's all about sentimental value - that's it - and giving someone/yourself something SPECIAL which may or may not be cheap.... it's not a hard and fast rule but when it's expensive it sort of adds to the specialness... that's all.
My first purchase was to celebrate the completion of my apprentership. Then purchase number two was because i was wearing my `nice` one too often and wanted to save it for best so off i went and bought the every-dayer, a superb and brilliant Omega Seamaster....cue James Bond music 
After this i was just wondering round a fairly local shopping centre and noticed another that i liked, so just popped in to simply try it on to see how it looked well, i ended up walking out with it - £570 lighter and the credit card taking a pasting 
I've two more on the list of `wants`. One i think will be a wedding present (when i get married to the girlfriend - a nice simple Tag Monaco) and the other will be the jewel in the crown so to speak - the Panerai.
It's not that i want a whole collection of these things as i simply cant afford them but i just cant help but appreciate their beauty and how well engineered they are. I'd love to go behind the scene's at a watch makers for a few days to see how things are done.
M3J.
After this i was just wondering round a fairly local shopping centre and noticed another that i liked, so just popped in to simply try it on to see how it looked well, i ended up walking out with it - £570 lighter and the credit card taking a pasting I've two more on the list of `wants`. One i think will be a wedding present (when i get married to the girlfriend - a nice simple Tag Monaco) and the other will be the jewel in the crown so to speak - the Panerai.
It's not that i want a whole collection of these things as i simply cant afford them but i just cant help but appreciate their beauty and how well engineered they are. I'd love to go behind the scene's at a watch makers for a few days to see how things are done.
M3J.
Edited by M3John on Friday 4th May 19:03
Work watch - Fortis Spacematic - good time keeper and keeps going after lots of knocks and a few soakings, no service places in England though.
Reason for buying a rather expensive watch for work: Used to wear Casio's for work but NGL's [natural gas liquids] eat the plastic - god knows how, but BP says, 'It has been shown to cause cancer in the State of California'
Play Watch 1 - Audemars Royal Oak Offshore, blue face, blue leather strap.
Reason for buying an expensive play watch: Liked the colour combination.
Play Watch 2 - Audemars Royal Oak Offshore, white face, titanium strap.
Reason for buying an expensive play watch 2: Titanium stands up to the sea water soakings better than blue leather [I guess this is almost called a practical decision?], also found Audemars service good, are excellent time keeper [unlike Rolex]and not common or bling IMO.
Dress Watch - Longines Automatic 23 karat gold, black face, black coral trim. Nice looking watch but crap timekeeper!
Reason for buying: My wife spotted it in a shop Saudi & bought it for me as an Wedding Anniversay present.
Dream Investment Watch: Audemars or Breguet Tourbillon.
Reason for buying a rather expensive watch for work: Used to wear Casio's for work but NGL's [natural gas liquids] eat the plastic - god knows how, but BP says, 'It has been shown to cause cancer in the State of California'
Play Watch 1 - Audemars Royal Oak Offshore, blue face, blue leather strap.
Reason for buying an expensive play watch: Liked the colour combination.
Play Watch 2 - Audemars Royal Oak Offshore, white face, titanium strap.
Reason for buying an expensive play watch 2: Titanium stands up to the sea water soakings better than blue leather [I guess this is almost called a practical decision?], also found Audemars service good, are excellent time keeper [unlike Rolex]and not common or bling IMO.
Dress Watch - Longines Automatic 23 karat gold, black face, black coral trim. Nice looking watch but crap timekeeper!
Reason for buying: My wife spotted it in a shop Saudi & bought it for me as an Wedding Anniversay present.
Dream Investment Watch: Audemars or Breguet Tourbillon.
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