£2k budget - diving watch or motorsport oriented watch...
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I've got the watch buying bug yet again and would really like to add something diving/deep sea related or even motorsport related to go alongside my Omega Speedmast Pro. Can anyone help?
I don't mind whether it's new or secondhand but I want something that has a bit of history - one of the biggest reasons why I bought the Moonwatch in the first place. Anything smaller than 42mm looks a bit silly on my wrist and I've made the mistake of buying some beautiful watches which don't get much wrist time as a consequence.
I've looked at some of the Chopard watches and really like them but there are a whole load of other makes out there which others will be far more familiar with than me: e.g. Sinn, Glycine, Stowa, Ball etc. Do any of these watchmakers produce a relatively iconic watch? I'd quite like to get something that isn't as well known as an Omega, Tag, Breitling etc but am open to suggestions. Maybe I'm a sap for marketing, but I like to have something with some heritage! Has anyone else been through the same dilemma recently?
Thanks for any help offered.
AKA8
I've got the watch buying bug yet again and would really like to add something diving/deep sea related or even motorsport related to go alongside my Omega Speedmast Pro. Can anyone help?
I don't mind whether it's new or secondhand but I want something that has a bit of history - one of the biggest reasons why I bought the Moonwatch in the first place. Anything smaller than 42mm looks a bit silly on my wrist and I've made the mistake of buying some beautiful watches which don't get much wrist time as a consequence.
I've looked at some of the Chopard watches and really like them but there are a whole load of other makes out there which others will be far more familiar with than me: e.g. Sinn, Glycine, Stowa, Ball etc. Do any of these watchmakers produce a relatively iconic watch? I'd quite like to get something that isn't as well known as an Omega, Tag, Breitling etc but am open to suggestions. Maybe I'm a sap for marketing, but I like to have something with some heritage! Has anyone else been through the same dilemma recently?
Thanks for any help offered.
AKA8
I've had some experience with Ball and Glycine watches; As a summary, I'd say that Ball packs a massive punch in terms of specifications, especially with the Hydrocarbon range, for the price.
Hydrocarbon models are anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, rated to -40C, rated to depths of 300M or more, incorporate those cool tritium gas tubes, and have lots of additional hidden features that really add to the ownership experience. The bracelets are fantastic too; Solid construction, well finished, and the clasp locks together with one precise, chunky click! I'd rate the overall build quality to that of an Omega, personally
Try some on and see what you think!
As to History, well ...
The downside to being the best kept secret is the fact that residuals are not good. I personally wouldn't buy a Glycine brand new without massive discount. However that does mean you can pick up some bargains on the second hand market.
The Airman is the most notable watch in the collection, although for divers, check out the Incursore and Lagunare range. I believe the Airman was used by pilots in Vietnam. The company itself was established in 1914 and remains as one of the few independent Swiss watch companies (Not owned by LVMH or Richemont).
I'm wearing my Lagunare Chrono 3837 today, which hasn't had some wrist time for awhile ... I've fallen in love with it again There aren't many sub-£2K chronographs with blued screws, Geneva stripes and pearlage decorated movements:
For motorsport links, Chopard are well worth looking at ...
Hydrocarbon models are anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, rated to -40C, rated to depths of 300M or more, incorporate those cool tritium gas tubes, and have lots of additional hidden features that really add to the ownership experience. The bracelets are fantastic too; Solid construction, well finished, and the clasp locks together with one precise, chunky click! I'd rate the overall build quality to that of an Omega, personally
Try some on and see what you think!As to History, well ...
Wikipedia said:
In 1891 there was a collision between Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway trains at Kipton, Ohio, which occurred because an engineer's watch had stopped. The railroad officials commissioned Webb C. Ball as their Chief Time Inspector, in order to establish precision standards and a reliable timepiece inspection system for railroad chronometers.
He established strict guidelines for the manufacturing of sturdy, reliable precision timepieces, including resistance to magnetism, reliability of time keeping in 5 positions, isochronism, power reserve and dial arrangement, accompanied with record keeping of the reliability of the watch on each regular inspection.
His original jewelry business in Cleveland grew into the Ball Watch Company (currently headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland), which used other watch companies' movements, perfecting them and then reselling them. Ball Watch Company also ordered watches complete from other watch companies. Ball used movements from the top American manufacturers, Elgin, Hamilton, and Waltham, and switched to Swiss movements as early as the 1940s in their wristwatches. The Waltham Watch Company complied immediately with the requirements of Ball's guidelines, later followed by Elgin National Watch Company and most of the other American manufacturers: Aurora, Hamilton, Hampden, E. Howard & Co., Illinois, Seth Thomas, later on joined by some Swiss watch manufacturers: Audemars Piguet, Gallet, Longines, Record Watch, Vacheron Constantin.
Webb C. Ball became the vice president of the Hamilton Watch Company and focused his efforts on developing watches for the railroads. On February 10, 1907, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers honored his efforts by appointing Ball as an honorary member.
They were the first wrist watch allowed to be used on the Railroads, (using a Swiss manual-winding movement) followed quickly by the first American made wrist watch on "the roads", Elgin.
The firm was family owned by direct descendants until the 1990s when the right to use the name was sold. The new firm continues the tradition, using Swiss-made (primarily ETA) movements and making watches for sportsmen and even for some small railroads.
At the end of his career, Webb C. Ball was overseeing over 125,000 miles of rail tracks in the U.S.A., Mexico & Canada, having greatly contributed to the safety of all railroad systems. The Horological Institute of America celebrated his efforts on October 20, 1921.
Glycine are seen as the watch enthusiast's best kept secret; Fantastic pieces, with lots of attention to detail, at affordable prices. Glycine seem to favour larger watches and like the odd large numeral on the dial too He established strict guidelines for the manufacturing of sturdy, reliable precision timepieces, including resistance to magnetism, reliability of time keeping in 5 positions, isochronism, power reserve and dial arrangement, accompanied with record keeping of the reliability of the watch on each regular inspection.
His original jewelry business in Cleveland grew into the Ball Watch Company (currently headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland), which used other watch companies' movements, perfecting them and then reselling them. Ball Watch Company also ordered watches complete from other watch companies. Ball used movements from the top American manufacturers, Elgin, Hamilton, and Waltham, and switched to Swiss movements as early as the 1940s in their wristwatches. The Waltham Watch Company complied immediately with the requirements of Ball's guidelines, later followed by Elgin National Watch Company and most of the other American manufacturers: Aurora, Hamilton, Hampden, E. Howard & Co., Illinois, Seth Thomas, later on joined by some Swiss watch manufacturers: Audemars Piguet, Gallet, Longines, Record Watch, Vacheron Constantin.
Webb C. Ball became the vice president of the Hamilton Watch Company and focused his efforts on developing watches for the railroads. On February 10, 1907, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers honored his efforts by appointing Ball as an honorary member.
They were the first wrist watch allowed to be used on the Railroads, (using a Swiss manual-winding movement) followed quickly by the first American made wrist watch on "the roads", Elgin.
The firm was family owned by direct descendants until the 1990s when the right to use the name was sold. The new firm continues the tradition, using Swiss-made (primarily ETA) movements and making watches for sportsmen and even for some small railroads.
At the end of his career, Webb C. Ball was overseeing over 125,000 miles of rail tracks in the U.S.A., Mexico & Canada, having greatly contributed to the safety of all railroad systems. The Horological Institute of America celebrated his efforts on October 20, 1921.
The downside to being the best kept secret is the fact that residuals are not good. I personally wouldn't buy a Glycine brand new without massive discount. However that does mean you can pick up some bargains on the second hand market.
The Airman is the most notable watch in the collection, although for divers, check out the Incursore and Lagunare range. I believe the Airman was used by pilots in Vietnam. The company itself was established in 1914 and remains as one of the few independent Swiss watch companies (Not owned by LVMH or Richemont).
I'm wearing my Lagunare Chrono 3837 today, which hasn't had some wrist time for awhile ... I've fallen in love with it again
There aren't many sub-£2K chronographs with blued screws, Geneva stripes and pearlage decorated movements:For motorsport links, Chopard are well worth looking at ...
Edited by Ikemi on Thursday 29th March 15:50
Just to add, if I had £2K now, I'd be on the phone ordering this:
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/ball-watc...
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/ball-watc...
Sounds like you went through the same dilemma! Don't get me wrong, I like Omega Planet Oceans, Tag Carreras, Breitling Superoceans etc, they're very smart but you see quite a few around and there isn't always much history behind them. Chopard are very smart too, some nice Mille Miglias around but they seem less than 42mm so I'd need to try them on.
Jura are just round the corner from my office so I might have to drop by. The Glycine range looks very smart and as you say, a well kept secret.
I forgot about the link between Ball and US railroads - that's the sort of story I'm looking for.
Thanks again!
Jura are just round the corner from my office so I might have to drop by. The Glycine range looks very smart and as you say, a well kept secret.
I forgot about the link between Ball and US railroads - that's the sort of story I'm looking for.
Thanks again!
Another thumbs up for a Ball Hydrocarbon, wearing one now. As has been said, they're properly solid bits of kit, and despite them now being part of the Swatch Group they do have a history which placed an emphasis on quality, reliability and accuracy, some of their range are sold as Chronometers.
AKA8 said:
Sounds like you went through the same dilemma! Don't get me wrong, I like Omega Planet Oceans, Tag Carreras, Breitling Superoceans etc
Same here! I do like my divers and I have a 45mm PO myself, but it's nice to have something a bit different too. Something you don't see everyday!AKA8 said:
Jura are just round the corner from my office so I might have to drop by. The Glycine range looks very smart and as you say, a well kept secret.
That's pretty much perfect then! I know the store doesn't stock all models displayed on their website, but you'll get to handle a few Glycine, Ball and other watches (Sinn, Bell & Ross?) side by side and see for yourself.Be sure to take your time though - £2K gets you a lot of watch, and research/deciding is one of the most fun aspects of buying a watch
AKA8 said:
I forgot about the link between Ball and US railroads - that's the sort of story I'm looking for.
The manual that comes with Ball watches has a few pages on the history of the company ... A nice little addition! Well, it's better than the usual 'Congrats on buying your watch - Here's how to set the time' spiel ... What about a Tudor Heritage Chrono? Made by Rolex and you wont see another one the high street. Great quality, bags of history and plenty of motorsport association. I purchased a used one for around your budget.
http://www.tudorwatch.com/en/heritage-chrono/
http://www.tudorwatch.com/en/heritage-chrono/
Edited by benny.c on Friday 30th March 11:17
That Tudor is very smart indeed. I looked at them but without being able to see them first I was slightly put off.
I had a look at the chopard mm at lunch - less is perhaps more, the most basic gran turismo xl is stunning. Not many around though, regardless of budget (which might now stretch to £3k). Does anyone know where to get good deals on a chopard mm? I was offered one in the USA last year but it was in a shop that was closing for the night 20 mins later and I had to get on a plane - it was too rushed.
Also, I understand chopard are going to fit their own movements in a batch of watches to be released this summer. Does anyone know much about this? I would have thought these watches would turn out to be more valuable in the long run if everything is done in house.
I had a look at the chopard mm at lunch - less is perhaps more, the most basic gran turismo xl is stunning. Not many around though, regardless of budget (which might now stretch to £3k). Does anyone know where to get good deals on a chopard mm? I was offered one in the USA last year but it was in a shop that was closing for the night 20 mins later and I had to get on a plane - it was too rushed.
Also, I understand chopard are going to fit their own movements in a batch of watches to be released this summer. Does anyone know much about this? I would have thought these watches would turn out to be more valuable in the long run if everything is done in house.
benny.c said:
What about a Tudor Heritage Chrono? Made by Rolex and you wont see another one the high street. Great quality, bags of history and plenty of motorsport association. I purchased a used one for around your budget.
http://www.tudorwatch.com/en/heritage-chrono/
i thought rolex has stopped making tudors?http://www.tudorwatch.com/en/heritage-chrono/
Edited by benny.c on Friday 30th March 11:17
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