Yes, another what watch thread.
Discussion
My employer has just given me a gift of £240 to celebrate 10 years of me being too lazy to find another job. Amongst other ideas (japanese knives, tools etc) as to how to spend this vast token of their esteem obviously a watch has to be on the list.
Your mission should you choose to accept it.
a) Mechanical.
b) Not a dive watch. (I just don't like them by and large)
Suggestions please
Your mission should you choose to accept it.
a) Mechanical.
b) Not a dive watch. (I just don't like them by and large)
Suggestions please
Have a look at Christopher Ward, more notably the C5 Malvern: http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/dress.html?mo...
Probably the best quality, automatic, non-dive watch available under £300
Probably the best quality, automatic, non-dive watch available under £300
Tanguero said:
My employer has just given me a gift of £240 to celebrate 10 years of me being too lazy to find another job. Amongst other ideas (japanese knives, tools etc) as to how to spend this vast token of their esteem obviously a watch has to be on the list.
Your mission should you choose to accept it.
a) Mechanical.
b) Not a dive watch. (I just don't like them by and large)
Suggestions please
That's nice. I got a silver biro. Your mission should you choose to accept it.
a) Mechanical.
b) Not a dive watch. (I just don't like them by and large)
Suggestions please
Standard question - standard answers.
Christopher ward (only available online)
Tissot Visodate
Something old from ebay. £240 will get you a reasonable (but not great) Seamaster in a dress watch style, or something very nice from the 30's 40's.
Take a look at these two watch dealers :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/holbensfinewatches/m.htm...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/michaelh54619/m.html?_nk...
The brands these guys deal with (Hamilton, Benrus, are lesser known, or less well respected than the likes of Omega, Breitling etc. IMHO, they make a sensible purchase in your price range. Good quality movement, good quality case, unusual often art deco design. If you see something you like, I suggest you search ebay for similar models to establish "worth". You may well find a decent example elsewhere.
Buy from these guys and you will pay top dollar. That said, the watches are in pretty good nick, often with referbed dials. I've never used Holbens, but I'm very happy with my watch from Michael H. I have a 1960 something Hamilton Darwin, 10K white gold filled case, new acrylic bezel. The watch is mint, you would not know it from a new watch....
Excepting that old watches like these are small by modern standards. My darwin is a little over 1" square. These days that would be considered a ladies size. Personally, I don't care, it's an old watch and that's how they were.
I strongly suggest you make a cardboard cutout watch from the dimensions in the auctions and try it on your wrist before pulling the trigger.
You also need to remember that you will probably be charged 20% VAT when you import. Plus a cheeky £8 or so by your courier for handling the VAT charge. I say probably as customs don't pick up on every parcel.
The two guys I've listed do service thier watches. Michael H seemed to have done a decent job, the watch has been working fine for several months. I can't speak for Holbens. I have previously purchased a Omega from ebay that apparently was serviced, within a few weeks it was gaining 5 mins per hour. My watch maker found that the balance spring was so soaked in oil that the coils were sticking together, shortening the effective length of the spring. A full service cost me £60.
So, caveat emptor. On top of the final bid price, you need to add postage (should be clear on the ebay site), 20% import duty and £60ish for a service. You may not need to get the watch serviced, but if you budget for it, then you're being realistic. If you don't need it, then you're quids in.
The only other thing you need to know is that engraved watches are considerably cheaper than those without engravings.
Post some pics., if you aquire something nice. Hope that helps.
ETA - These sellers should come with a wealth warning. You may want more than one vintage watch....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/holbensfinewatches/m.htm...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/michaelh54619/m.html?_nk...
The brands these guys deal with (Hamilton, Benrus, are lesser known, or less well respected than the likes of Omega, Breitling etc. IMHO, they make a sensible purchase in your price range. Good quality movement, good quality case, unusual often art deco design. If you see something you like, I suggest you search ebay for similar models to establish "worth". You may well find a decent example elsewhere.
Buy from these guys and you will pay top dollar. That said, the watches are in pretty good nick, often with referbed dials. I've never used Holbens, but I'm very happy with my watch from Michael H. I have a 1960 something Hamilton Darwin, 10K white gold filled case, new acrylic bezel. The watch is mint, you would not know it from a new watch....
Excepting that old watches like these are small by modern standards. My darwin is a little over 1" square. These days that would be considered a ladies size. Personally, I don't care, it's an old watch and that's how they were.
I strongly suggest you make a cardboard cutout watch from the dimensions in the auctions and try it on your wrist before pulling the trigger.
You also need to remember that you will probably be charged 20% VAT when you import. Plus a cheeky £8 or so by your courier for handling the VAT charge. I say probably as customs don't pick up on every parcel.
The two guys I've listed do service thier watches. Michael H seemed to have done a decent job, the watch has been working fine for several months. I can't speak for Holbens. I have previously purchased a Omega from ebay that apparently was serviced, within a few weeks it was gaining 5 mins per hour. My watch maker found that the balance spring was so soaked in oil that the coils were sticking together, shortening the effective length of the spring. A full service cost me £60.
So, caveat emptor. On top of the final bid price, you need to add postage (should be clear on the ebay site), 20% import duty and £60ish for a service. You may not need to get the watch serviced, but if you budget for it, then you're being realistic. If you don't need it, then you're quids in.
The only other thing you need to know is that engraved watches are considerably cheaper than those without engravings.
Post some pics., if you aquire something nice. Hope that helps.
ETA - These sellers should come with a wealth warning. You may want more than one vintage watch....
Edited by mikeveal on Tuesday 13th September 13:17
Thank you Mike for your excellent thoughts and advice! Much appreciated.
Watch size is not an issue, my regular wear is my late grandfathers Vertex Allproof which as you say is by today's standards barely larger than a current ladies watch. I much prefer it to a larger watch particularly when wearing a shirt with French cuffs.
Watch size is not an issue, my regular wear is my late grandfathers Vertex Allproof which as you say is by today's standards barely larger than a current ladies watch. I much prefer it to a larger watch particularly when wearing a shirt with French cuffs.
This looks rather nice and you would also get some change !
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-1955-Hamilton-Trans...
Sorry thought that was a buy it now price
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-1955-Hamilton-Trans...
Sorry thought that was a buy it now price
Edited by P7ULG on Tuesday 13th September 20:16
Edited by P7ULG on Tuesday 13th September 23:27
ApexJimi said:
Tanguero said:
Amongst other ideas (japanese knives)
What knives, may I ask?Decisions decisions...
Tell your employer they are tight, I got an Omega SMP for 5 years! Just passed 10 years and took cash and extra holiday allowance. Still bought a watch but got a G-Shock as the cash is earmarked for something far more responsible sadly.
Joking aside, nice you got a present, not many employers value long term service these days (I only reached 10 years as I'm lazy and the rut I'm stuck in is too well paid with a short commute!)
Joking aside, nice you got a present, not many employers value long term service these days (I only reached 10 years as I'm lazy and the rut I'm stuck in is too well paid with a short commute!)
I consider it a testament to the fact that I am too lazy to go and find a job that I will enjoy, while the pay cheques keep rolling in. I think the award is probably commensurate with the regard that we hold each other in... 
My 5 year award was a "pick from a list of things that HR think you will hate" type thing - so my wife ended up with a rectangular face Tissot (quartz) as she had put up with 5 years of me pissing and moaning about them.
And yes - they are tight!
My 5 year award was a "pick from a list of things that HR think you will hate" type thing - so my wife ended up with a rectangular face Tissot (quartz) as she had put up with 5 years of me pissing and moaning about them.
And yes - they are tight!
CraigVmax said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I really rather like the style of the watch overall but I am definitely looking for mechanical rather than quartz and I don't much care for the engraved back.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff