Talk me out of a Tudor...
Discussion
For the past 8 months or so, I've been enjoying my first 'proper' watch - a Chris Ward C60 Pro, as below, in 38mm because I have a wrist circumference instantly recognisable to any insect.
However, I have a bit of money behind me combined with the insatiable itch to get something a bit more special. My old man has a no-date sub of which I'm a big fan, but the black-on-black just doesn't quite do it for me, so a quick email was sent off the the famous DomH enquiring about the 116610LV 'hulk'.
The reply contained (predictably) a number which I thought would buy me a nice car, and instantly quashed the idea. However, I have been reminded of Tudor, and their range of fairly stunning watches, the two to which I'm drawn, seen below are the black bay blue, and the Pelagos respectively:
They are 41, and 42mm and are likely to feel quite large to me - which would be a deal-breaker, and as a result must be tried on before consideration - but they aren't half making my wallet twitch!
Advice from the masses, if you please, any reviews or problems - or if you think I'm just compromising because I can't justify the excessive cost of a full-fat Rolex (thanks, Brexit).
However, I have a bit of money behind me combined with the insatiable itch to get something a bit more special. My old man has a no-date sub of which I'm a big fan, but the black-on-black just doesn't quite do it for me, so a quick email was sent off the the famous DomH enquiring about the 116610LV 'hulk'.
The reply contained (predictably) a number which I thought would buy me a nice car, and instantly quashed the idea. However, I have been reminded of Tudor, and their range of fairly stunning watches, the two to which I'm drawn, seen below are the black bay blue, and the Pelagos respectively:
They are 41, and 42mm and are likely to feel quite large to me - which would be a deal-breaker, and as a result must be tried on before consideration - but they aren't half making my wallet twitch!
Advice from the masses, if you please, any reviews or problems - or if you think I'm just compromising because I can't justify the excessive cost of a full-fat Rolex (thanks, Brexit).
Thank you all for your replies, you've certainly given me a lot to think about, and perhaps I should have explained a few more crucial details first which would make my question more understandable.
I have (briefly) worn my Dad's submariner, and whilst it felt 'big' on the wrist, i didn't feel 'over watched'. Hence my looking for the Hulk. Interestingly they're both thinner than my CW, owing to their 300m rating rather than the C60's 600m.
My craving for a Rolex isn't because of the brand, its because I like the submariner-style dive watch. With the exception of the everose yachtmaster with the oysterflex I don't like any other Rolex enough to even consider it. And the yachtmaster is about £14,000 and so is another league, personally.
With regard to budget, I was prepared (naively) to spend up to £4.5k-£5k at a push, assuming (foolishly, it seems) that I could somehow obtain the hulk for that. I didn't want to push my budget to over £7k, but I didn't want to spend that kind of money for the sake of buying into a brand. Hence the Tudor, a watch that I really like the look of - although I have gone off the Pelagos in the last day, the blue is the wrong blue, as has been mentioned above - so the black bay blue would be the choice, if it fits.
In summary, I'm not surprised people would suggest the 'Why didn't you buy ___' and having to explain a Tudor - but then again I've had to explain my CW and didn't feel embarrassed about that.
Thanks again, and I'm sure to keep you posted of any impending purchase!
I have (briefly) worn my Dad's submariner, and whilst it felt 'big' on the wrist, i didn't feel 'over watched'. Hence my looking for the Hulk. Interestingly they're both thinner than my CW, owing to their 300m rating rather than the C60's 600m.
My craving for a Rolex isn't because of the brand, its because I like the submariner-style dive watch. With the exception of the everose yachtmaster with the oysterflex I don't like any other Rolex enough to even consider it. And the yachtmaster is about £14,000 and so is another league, personally.
With regard to budget, I was prepared (naively) to spend up to £4.5k-£5k at a push, assuming (foolishly, it seems) that I could somehow obtain the hulk for that. I didn't want to push my budget to over £7k, but I didn't want to spend that kind of money for the sake of buying into a brand. Hence the Tudor, a watch that I really like the look of - although I have gone off the Pelagos in the last day, the blue is the wrong blue, as has been mentioned above - so the black bay blue would be the choice, if it fits.
In summary, I'm not surprised people would suggest the 'Why didn't you buy ___' and having to explain a Tudor - but then again I've had to explain my CW and didn't feel embarrassed about that.
Thanks again, and I'm sure to keep you posted of any impending purchase!
LaurasOtherHalf said:
£4-£4.5K, £5K at a push?
Maybe not a Hulk but you can get any number of Rolex Submariners from £3.5K+
The 114060 'no date' retails at £5,450 IIRC, and is becoming more and more tempting as I continue to look... perhaps everyone was right and I really do want a Rolex... perhaps I need to look down the back of the sofas.Maybe not a Hulk but you can get any number of Rolex Submariners from £3.5K+
I definitely want a ceramic bezel, not only for looks (the debossed increments and gloss finish) but for durability. If the clasp of my CW is anything to go by an aluminium bezel would be ruined in minutes on my wrists. The only personal issue is I would like one new, or at least unworn. Something about a used one doesn't sit right with me, regardless of the potential savings available.
It appears I've wasted everyone's time by asking about a Tudor, please mock accordingly and then go about your business!
13m said:
OGR4M said:
The 114060 'no date' retails at £5,450 IIRC, and is becoming more and more tempting as I continue to look... perhaps everyone was right and I really do want a Rolex... perhaps I need to look down the back of the sofas.
I definitely want a ceramic bezel, not only for looks (the debossed increments and gloss finish) but for durability. If the clasp of my CW is anything to go by an aluminium bezel would be ruined in minutes on my wrists. The only personal issue is I would like one new, or at least unworn. Something about a used one doesn't sit right with me, regardless of the potential savings available.
It appears I've wasted everyone's time by asking about a Tudor, please mock accordingly and then go about your business!
Well done, it took a while but you got there. It was obviously what you really wanted.I definitely want a ceramic bezel, not only for looks (the debossed increments and gloss finish) but for durability. If the clasp of my CW is anything to go by an aluminium bezel would be ruined in minutes on my wrists. The only personal issue is I would like one new, or at least unworn. Something about a used one doesn't sit right with me, regardless of the potential savings available.
It appears I've wasted everyone's time by asking about a Tudor, please mock accordingly and then go about your business!
Ceamic bezel - do you realy want one? The ceramic Subs have chunkier cases, and as we have established you haven't got chunky wrists. As for duarability, the pre-ceramic are probably MORE durable. There are a few broken ceramic bezels out there...
The pre-ceramic watches have rattly bracelets, but that doesn't mean they are not robust. They are very robust.
You COULD buy a pre-ceramic Sub that has been serviced by Rolex - it will look a lot like a new one and won't be in the slightest bit soiled. It will look better on your wrist.
Of course if you must have ceramic, new one, there is an unimited supply out there and if you really must you'll probably get 2 years worth of HP on one.
Also the glidelock clasp is a much more appealing prospect, rather than the predecessor - although I'm crossing my fingers that Rolex release the Oysterflex bracelet at some point...
AlasdairMc said:
Buy a Steinhart Ocean 500 for about £500, save up and buy the Rolex.
I was all set for a Pelagos (ever since they first came out really), but the Ocean 500 does everything I want with a finish that is almost, but not quite, as good as the Pelagos (clasp is nowhere near as good). Having said that, it gets worn daily with a fair amount of abuse, and I'd much rather damage that than a Pelagos at 5 times the price.
I appreciate your thought process, and a Steinhart was on the cards, but now I have a £600 CW on my wrist, so surely a Steinhart is a 'too big' and (in my opinion) not as good looking version of what I already have. I was all set for a Pelagos (ever since they first came out really), but the Ocean 500 does everything I want with a finish that is almost, but not quite, as good as the Pelagos (clasp is nowhere near as good). Having said that, it gets worn daily with a fair amount of abuse, and I'd much rather damage that than a Pelagos at 5 times the price.
Nigel_O said:
Face it son, you're going to have to man-up and get an 114060 and hold off on the XF until a facelift S drops to £15k - it'll happen in the next 6-12 months and it means we get to use the 159SW for LeMans
Besides, it saves me having to mortgage your mother for an Everose Yachtmaster just to stay ahead of you.....
Edit - besides, you can sell the CW and the net cost of the Sub is around £5k
Perhaps I can utilise your Yorkshire upbringing to annoy an AD into giving a meagre discount...Besides, it saves me having to mortgage your mother for an Everose Yachtmaster just to stay ahead of you.....
Edit - besides, you can sell the CW and the net cost of the Sub is around £5k
A decision has been made, and I've been talked out of a Tudor!
Having worn the Sub 114060 for most of a day, it was definitely as big as I'd want a watch on my wrists, but at no point did it feel too big - although it was loose on my arm which didn't give full experience, as I like to wear watches snug.
So, I placed my name on the waiting list at Birmingham's goldsmiths for the Submariner - apparently a 4-6 week wait, which is rather better than the 20 ish months quoted by Watches of Switzerland. I have, however, fired off a very begging email to Dom Hackett in the hope he's got one stuffed in a cupboard somewhere... fingers crossed.
Thanks all for the responses, I think the consensus is that I obviously want a Rolex and, as mentioned above, I think a Tudor was a compromise the scratch an itch, which would have grated soon afterwards. So, ever the impulsive - watch this space for a green box and gold crown!
Having worn the Sub 114060 for most of a day, it was definitely as big as I'd want a watch on my wrists, but at no point did it feel too big - although it was loose on my arm which didn't give full experience, as I like to wear watches snug.
So, I placed my name on the waiting list at Birmingham's goldsmiths for the Submariner - apparently a 4-6 week wait, which is rather better than the 20 ish months quoted by Watches of Switzerland. I have, however, fired off a very begging email to Dom Hackett in the hope he's got one stuffed in a cupboard somewhere... fingers crossed.
Thanks all for the responses, I think the consensus is that I obviously want a Rolex and, as mentioned above, I think a Tudor was a compromise the scratch an itch, which would have grated soon afterwards. So, ever the impulsive - watch this space for a green box and gold crown!
Good news and bad news.
My researcher/father managed to find me a new 114060 in stock at watchmaster at give-or-take retail price (£5,480 to be precise). Cue 15 minutes on the blower and although there was clearly a slight language barrier, I believe the company is Berlin based, there was supposed to be an invoice emailed to me.
3 hours later, and after a little prodding on google (not 100% confident sending that kind of cash "bank transfer only") I found enough people have had dodgy experiences with watchmaster, whether they're increasing prices after the sale, changing trade in values, or delivering damaged boxes/insufficiently packed goods.
Add that to the fact I've yet to receive the aforementioned invoice (I'm convinced by the amount of times I repeated my email address, and the difficulties I had communicating a shipping address, that SOMEONE probably has my invoice, but it ain't me!) I've lost enough confidence to make me bail from the sale.
I'd have liked to either PayPal or credit card the money (and paid the additional fees, as appropriate) to ensure fraud protection, but the slightly chequered past and the lack of financial security just rang one-too-many alarm bells.
Back to the waiting list, it seems...
My researcher/father managed to find me a new 114060 in stock at watchmaster at give-or-take retail price (£5,480 to be precise). Cue 15 minutes on the blower and although there was clearly a slight language barrier, I believe the company is Berlin based, there was supposed to be an invoice emailed to me.
3 hours later, and after a little prodding on google (not 100% confident sending that kind of cash "bank transfer only") I found enough people have had dodgy experiences with watchmaster, whether they're increasing prices after the sale, changing trade in values, or delivering damaged boxes/insufficiently packed goods.
Add that to the fact I've yet to receive the aforementioned invoice (I'm convinced by the amount of times I repeated my email address, and the difficulties I had communicating a shipping address, that SOMEONE probably has my invoice, but it ain't me!) I've lost enough confidence to make me bail from the sale.
I'd have liked to either PayPal or credit card the money (and paid the additional fees, as appropriate) to ensure fraud protection, but the slightly chequered past and the lack of financial security just rang one-too-many alarm bells.
Back to the waiting list, it seems...
Nigel_O said:
Just didn't feel quite right, did it?
Ah well - we're on the list at three or four ADs now - one will turn up sooner or later - suggest you make a few calls to some more remote ADs - I've done Stoke, Harborne, Lichfield and Grimsby(!)
I think there's some sort of complex going on here, hands up who thinks father dearest wants my Rolex more than me...Ah well - we're on the list at three or four ADs now - one will turn up sooner or later - suggest you make a few calls to some more remote ADs - I've done Stoke, Harborne, Lichfield and Grimsby(!)
scherzkeks said:
As much as I don't care for the Tudor brand, I would tend to agree in terms of value for money. Very little sets a Rolex apart, and you pay a massive premium to offset the company's marketing costs.
Agreed. I did flinch when stabbing my PIN into the reader, and had the black bay not been too chunky for my wrists, it would have almost certainly gone that way, as I appreciate they are a Tudor, rather than a cheap Rolex. However, they look (in my eyes) too big in all dimensions, which is why I type this with an out-of-budget sub on my wrist. 
Holy thread resurrection, Batman!
I’d almost forgotten I’d made this thread, can’t see why anyone would bother to register for an account, just to post their personal vendetta...
As it happens, I still have the Sub - working fine but did need to be regulated about a year ago, was -6 sec per day, now -1.
I ended up (briefly) with a Tudor Bronze, I only had it a few months because I’d convinced myself that it wasn’t too big (clearly forgetting that the smaller 41mm black bay I tried on before the sub was also too large)
It ran perfectly, I can’t think I ever wound it or reset the time on it, and I only wore it every other day
Thankfully, in the last 2.5 years ish, I’ve put on some timber and can get away with a 41mm, as a result I’ve put my name down for a Harrod’s Black Bay (boo hiss yes I know) so perhaps I can resurrect this thread again when my name gets called!
I’d almost forgotten I’d made this thread, can’t see why anyone would bother to register for an account, just to post their personal vendetta...
As it happens, I still have the Sub - working fine but did need to be regulated about a year ago, was -6 sec per day, now -1.
I ended up (briefly) with a Tudor Bronze, I only had it a few months because I’d convinced myself that it wasn’t too big (clearly forgetting that the smaller 41mm black bay I tried on before the sub was also too large)
It ran perfectly, I can’t think I ever wound it or reset the time on it, and I only wore it every other day
Thankfully, in the last 2.5 years ish, I’ve put on some timber and can get away with a 41mm, as a result I’ve put my name down for a Harrod’s Black Bay (boo hiss yes I know) so perhaps I can resurrect this thread again when my name gets called!
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