newbie "hello" and a question or 2
Discussion
I've been lurking for some time here so thought it best to finally say "hello" and introduce myself.
Currently got a full size blue faced Omega Seamaster (non Bond)I've had for about 5 years and can seldom pass a jewellers without having a good look (love the JLC Reverso's - they all look like art deco classics). However, from reading these fourums (fora?)I never realised that there were so many quality watch makes out there away from the mainstream (the brutal clean lines and of the Sinns and Mark II have caught my eye)and, despite having bought the Omega, I can appreciate paying for a quality product rather than for brand ambassadors and golf tournaments
For fun have bought a Werners "Roman sun and moon automatic" and am currently looking at something like a Zeno orange faced 300m diver (nice retro look)or just a Seiko Monster (beautifully solid) as I dip my toe into this potentially expensive obsession. A few Q's please:
1. Are Zeno a decent make/represent value for money or is the orange faced diver just a Doxa(?) "homage"?
2. There seem to be loads of interesting watches on the Christopher Ward/RLT/Precista websites that are well received - how do these stack up quality wise? Also, are they generally original or homage?
3. Watches seem to getting bigger. I have 6.5inch wrists so is there a size of watch above which I shouldn't even look or does it come down to the style and "feel" of the watch?
Sorry for the length of this ramble and the lack of pictures (due to me being a techo-tard).
Many thanks
Currently got a full size blue faced Omega Seamaster (non Bond)I've had for about 5 years and can seldom pass a jewellers without having a good look (love the JLC Reverso's - they all look like art deco classics). However, from reading these fourums (fora?)I never realised that there were so many quality watch makes out there away from the mainstream (the brutal clean lines and of the Sinns and Mark II have caught my eye)and, despite having bought the Omega, I can appreciate paying for a quality product rather than for brand ambassadors and golf tournaments
For fun have bought a Werners "Roman sun and moon automatic" and am currently looking at something like a Zeno orange faced 300m diver (nice retro look)or just a Seiko Monster (beautifully solid) as I dip my toe into this potentially expensive obsession. A few Q's please:
1. Are Zeno a decent make/represent value for money or is the orange faced diver just a Doxa(?) "homage"?
2. There seem to be loads of interesting watches on the Christopher Ward/RLT/Precista websites that are well received - how do these stack up quality wise? Also, are they generally original or homage?
3. Watches seem to getting bigger. I have 6.5inch wrists so is there a size of watch above which I shouldn't even look or does it come down to the style and "feel" of the watch?
Sorry for the length of this ramble and the lack of pictures (due to me being a techo-tard).
Many thanks
Welcome and you're right to ask questions.
As for Zeno, from what I have read and heard about them, they are a good if underated brand, solidly made and good value for money. You have already mentioned one of my favourite brands - that is Sinn. I had never heard of them until I joined TZ-UK (friendly bunch over there - come and have a look) and now looking at getting a 556 on a steel bracelet in the next couple of weeks.
Couple more that I have found and really like the look of - Fortis and Glycine (have had a B-42 Pilot Day/Date and an Airman 2000), both with a lot of aviation hertige and very good value for money. As for sizing - then yes, they do appear to be getting bigger. I have 7.5in wrists and anything over 42mm across look a little big, however saying that a 45mm Planet Ocean looks okay, but a 47mm Panerai just looks too big, you will need to go and try on different styles.
Chris Ward/RLT/Precista watches are very good value for money. I have had a Precista Speedbird III which I have just moved on, and for the short while I had it couldn't fault it for build quality. Have not had an RLT watch, although was tempted a couple of weeks ago to get one as needed a cheap(ish) watch for just doing things around the house in - but didn't in the end. And last, Christopher Ward, heard good things about them and will be taking delivery of one of his divers watches next week, so will have first hand knowledge of the quality.
It can take a while to find out what you like and you will make a few mistakes along the way, and when you get your eye on one, the fun is in the chase. A lot of my watches have been pre-owned and that is a very good way to collect, as us WIS (Watch Idiot Savant) move them on fairly quickly, unless that is the chase has been long and hard.
It is a obsession of which the majority of us can not be cured of (but who would want to) and it can be expensive if you let it be, but the more you learn about what you like, the more careful you are with making decisions. There are some seriously good value watches out there if you know where to look.
As for Zeno, from what I have read and heard about them, they are a good if underated brand, solidly made and good value for money. You have already mentioned one of my favourite brands - that is Sinn. I had never heard of them until I joined TZ-UK (friendly bunch over there - come and have a look) and now looking at getting a 556 on a steel bracelet in the next couple of weeks.
Couple more that I have found and really like the look of - Fortis and Glycine (have had a B-42 Pilot Day/Date and an Airman 2000), both with a lot of aviation hertige and very good value for money. As for sizing - then yes, they do appear to be getting bigger. I have 7.5in wrists and anything over 42mm across look a little big, however saying that a 45mm Planet Ocean looks okay, but a 47mm Panerai just looks too big, you will need to go and try on different styles.
Chris Ward/RLT/Precista watches are very good value for money. I have had a Precista Speedbird III which I have just moved on, and for the short while I had it couldn't fault it for build quality. Have not had an RLT watch, although was tempted a couple of weeks ago to get one as needed a cheap(ish) watch for just doing things around the house in - but didn't in the end. And last, Christopher Ward, heard good things about them and will be taking delivery of one of his divers watches next week, so will have first hand knowledge of the quality.
It can take a while to find out what you like and you will make a few mistakes along the way, and when you get your eye on one, the fun is in the chase. A lot of my watches have been pre-owned and that is a very good way to collect, as us WIS (Watch Idiot Savant) move them on fairly quickly, unless that is the chase has been long and hard.
It is a obsession of which the majority of us can not be cured of (but who would want to) and it can be expensive if you let it be, but the more you learn about what you like, the more careful you are with making decisions. There are some seriously good value watches out there if you know where to look.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff