Recommend me a watch...
Discussion
I've only had a nice watch once before in my life, bought by an ex and lost very shortly thereafter!
I didn't get anything much for Christmas, so am contemplating buying myself a nice watch, and would be grateful for some suggestions or ideas!
The watch would need to be small; I find that large watches get caught against the back of my hand and bend/snap the pins. I’ve also got pretty small hands, so a full-sized divers watch looks stupid.
I’d be reluctant to spend more than £400 to £500, simply because I’d be paranoid about losing it
I don’t like bling.
I’d rather have an older (maybe 60s or 70s?) watch than a newer one.
A recognised name, date display, and automatic/manual winding would be ideal.
Willing to buy something cheaper and get it serviced/overhauled as required.
I saw this and was tempted, but I know nothing about watches, and previous experience of buying cars needing ‘light restoration’ suggests this is not necessarily a good strategy!
Does anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks!
I didn't get anything much for Christmas, so am contemplating buying myself a nice watch, and would be grateful for some suggestions or ideas!
The watch would need to be small; I find that large watches get caught against the back of my hand and bend/snap the pins. I’ve also got pretty small hands, so a full-sized divers watch looks stupid.
I’d be reluctant to spend more than £400 to £500, simply because I’d be paranoid about losing it
I don’t like bling.
I’d rather have an older (maybe 60s or 70s?) watch than a newer one.
A recognised name, date display, and automatic/manual winding would be ideal.
Willing to buy something cheaper and get it serviced/overhauled as required.
I saw this and was tempted, but I know nothing about watches, and previous experience of buying cars needing ‘light restoration’ suggests this is not necessarily a good strategy!
Does anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Id recommend the Seiko SKX007 in a heartbeat. I was after sonething similar to what you want and it ticks all the boxes. Fantastic build quality and excellent timekeeping (withinf 5 seconds per day). Obviously it all depends on if you're after a watch with that style. For me it had to be mechanical and less than £200. It replaced an Invicta 8926 which allowed water ingree after only a year. That is a watch I would fimd very hard to recommend.
Don1 said:
Chrono24.com and enjoy yourself? If you want new, Christopher Ward tended to have good pricing, but I've heard a few complaints about that recently.
I'd actually quite like something a little bit older. A quick search on that website suggests that Omega is the way to go. I quite liked the look of this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-VINTAGE-FAVRE-LEUBA... but it's from India. I've never heard of Favre Leuba before - are they any good?
I liked the style and size of this Omega, but it looks a little tired and doesn't have a date thingy http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Original-Omega-Seam...
That first listing would make me a little nervous for a couple of reasons, but could be a good buy if it stays around that price.
First, no indication at all of the timekeeping. It's all very well saying that it's been "wound and tested" but that could mean that it runs consistently 2 hours a day fast because of the bloody great kink in the hairspring. Some idea that it's fairly close to running properly (eg: within 5 mins a day) would be nice, especially given the cost and potential hassle of finding some vintage Omega parts
Next, while I quite like patina on dials that one's darkened a little too much for me personally - would you be happy long term with it or would you find yourself laying out for a dial restoration (and devalue it) or trying to track down a "cleaner" dial after a while? Both of which can get expensive.
Finally, and probably most important, is the apparent rust on the seconds hand. Especially with no photos of the movement to see overall condition, that's quite a big flag. It may just be down to a little damp air over the years or it may be the visible sign of a real bag of bolts. Without seeing it up close and personal you just can't be sure with that!
eta: The Favre Leuba - AVOID! They're a good well resected, name but the movement on that appears to be built up from at least 3 out of the parts bin judging by the different levels of corrosion / staining / discolouration and has rust pitting on the ratchet wheel - a pretty good sign that it it's suffered the ravages of Indian humidity. Would probably be reliable but there are much better examples out there if you really want one for around the same money.
Second Omega link looks interesting, and 2 minutes a week isn't bad - at least they've stated a figure (even if they don't stick to it!) Just a little concerning that it's varying between loss and gain but that may or may not be a problem to you personally even it it can't be put right.
First, no indication at all of the timekeeping. It's all very well saying that it's been "wound and tested" but that could mean that it runs consistently 2 hours a day fast because of the bloody great kink in the hairspring. Some idea that it's fairly close to running properly (eg: within 5 mins a day) would be nice, especially given the cost and potential hassle of finding some vintage Omega parts
Next, while I quite like patina on dials that one's darkened a little too much for me personally - would you be happy long term with it or would you find yourself laying out for a dial restoration (and devalue it) or trying to track down a "cleaner" dial after a while? Both of which can get expensive.
Finally, and probably most important, is the apparent rust on the seconds hand. Especially with no photos of the movement to see overall condition, that's quite a big flag. It may just be down to a little damp air over the years or it may be the visible sign of a real bag of bolts. Without seeing it up close and personal you just can't be sure with that!
eta: The Favre Leuba - AVOID! They're a good well resected, name but the movement on that appears to be built up from at least 3 out of the parts bin judging by the different levels of corrosion / staining / discolouration and has rust pitting on the ratchet wheel - a pretty good sign that it it's suffered the ravages of Indian humidity. Would probably be reliable but there are much better examples out there if you really want one for around the same money.
Second Omega link looks interesting, and 2 minutes a week isn't bad - at least they've stated a figure (even if they don't stick to it!) Just a little concerning that it's varying between loss and gain but that may or may not be a problem to you personally even it it can't be put right.
Edited by Variomatic on Tuesday 5th January 08:35
A vintage Omega is a good call and I would personally be looking at Omega and Zenith. One thing to consider is that the older watches tend to have a smaller case than the current fashion so make sure you are happy with the size of the watch. As perviously stated, Chrono24 is a good place to start looking. If you wanted new but with a vintage look I'd be looking at Tissot Visodate and some of the Hamilton range-Viewmatic, Jazzmaster or Intramatic all available at good prices through Creation watches. I think you could also get a Junghans Max Bill mechanical for the top of your price range and with a bit of shopping around.
Hoofy said:
How about this: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?357847-FS-Ce...
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?358194-Vinta...
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ks.Dicky Knee said:
soad said:
Hoofy said:
How about this: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?357847-FS-Ce...
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?358194-Vinta...
"You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page." bhttp://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?358194-Vinta...
ks.Dicky Knee said:
Try his, some nice stuff. http://www.birthyearwatches.com/
Some dodgy (taste) stuff too, but them's your shakes.
Some dodgy (taste) stuff too, but them's your shakes.
Dempsey1971 said:
Try his, some nice stuff. http://www.birthyearwatches.com/
Some dodgy (taste) stuff too, but them's your shakes.
Blimey - some interesting watches on there. Not sure about the 1996 Kodaks though Some dodgy (taste) stuff too, but them's your shakes.
There are lots if old Omegas in budget. A seamaster, plenty of Geneves, the dynamic (make sure you get a original dial and don't trust the sellers description.)
Look also at old Rados, king Seiko. I have just picked up a mint 60s Jaeger le Coultre Memovox for £650. I know thats over budget, but it's stunning and a big jump in quality over the others mentioned.
Look also at old Rados, king Seiko. I have just picked up a mint 60s Jaeger le Coultre Memovox for £650. I know thats over budget, but it's stunning and a big jump in quality over the others mentioned.
Thanks for the suggestions everybody!
In a moment of boredom last week, i made a low offer for a 1990s Tag Heuer on fleabay and it was accepted. Quite different to what I was originally looking for, and considerably cheaper, but I do like it.
The smaller size is great, and I do like the feel of it - solid, but not too heavy. The crystal is a little scratched, but other than that it's in decent condition. Paid around £150 for it at current exchange rates.
Dempsey1971 said:
Try his, some nice stuff. http://www.birthyearwatches.com/
Some dodgy (taste) stuff too, but them's your shakes.
I reserved a watch with him that was waiting for parts , but haven't heard anything since.Some dodgy (taste) stuff too, but them's your shakes.
In a moment of boredom last week, i made a low offer for a 1990s Tag Heuer on fleabay and it was accepted. Quite different to what I was originally looking for, and considerably cheaper, but I do like it.
The smaller size is great, and I do like the feel of it - solid, but not too heavy. The crystal is a little scratched, but other than that it's in decent condition. Paid around £150 for it at current exchange rates.
Edited by spitsfire on Monday 14th March 10:12
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