Considering a new purchase, budget up to £5.5k
Discussion
After a recent bit of good fortune, some money I had set to one side has doubled and I have decided that it is time to purchase a brand new watch.
I currently have a Tag Aquaracer in blue/gold with a bi-metal strap and also a CK chronograph watch.
I have a budget of up to £5.5k but this would only be for something extremely special, would probably prefer to keep it at £3k max. As this is the first time I will be spending what I feel to be a considerable amount of money on a watch, I want to make sure I have covered every base.
So far I have beent thinking along the lines of Rolex Submariner in the same colour way as my Tag, I have always wanted it but wonder whether or not I'd regret dropping such a large sum on such a similar watch. I also really like the style of Breitling Navitimers and Cyberfaces' new IWC is absolutely amazing. I'm not such a huge fan of Cartier and Omega's don't tend to "wow" me.
I like the idea of a big watch, but wonder if the U-Boat is just a bit too dinner plate sized for me and can't really think of any other designs that I like. Obviously with my budget Jacob&Co is out, although I presume anyone with the slightest modicom of style would rule them out anyway. Any other big faced watches I am neglecting to mention?
I would love to hear some suggestions from people, so that I can start drawing up a serious short list. I am open to practically anything, the only things I don't really like are rubber/canvas straps.
I currently have a Tag Aquaracer in blue/gold with a bi-metal strap and also a CK chronograph watch.
I have a budget of up to £5.5k but this would only be for something extremely special, would probably prefer to keep it at £3k max. As this is the first time I will be spending what I feel to be a considerable amount of money on a watch, I want to make sure I have covered every base.
So far I have beent thinking along the lines of Rolex Submariner in the same colour way as my Tag, I have always wanted it but wonder whether or not I'd regret dropping such a large sum on such a similar watch. I also really like the style of Breitling Navitimers and Cyberfaces' new IWC is absolutely amazing. I'm not such a huge fan of Cartier and Omega's don't tend to "wow" me.
I like the idea of a big watch, but wonder if the U-Boat is just a bit too dinner plate sized for me and can't really think of any other designs that I like. Obviously with my budget Jacob&Co is out, although I presume anyone with the slightest modicom of style would rule them out anyway. Any other big faced watches I am neglecting to mention?
I would love to hear some suggestions from people, so that I can start drawing up a serious short list. I am open to practically anything, the only things I don't really like are rubber/canvas straps.
Hi there i have just got myself a IWC Spitfire chrono and am very impressed, quality of the piece is amazing, in a understated way i guess it depends what your after exactly? it's not the biggest watch in the world but a good competitor for the rolex! if you want BIG why not a Panerai (titanium)
Cheers Rick
Cheers Rick
Hi, Im no expert so dont really know all the names / types, A good source of lust for me is just searching on used dealers websites as I tend to find so much more and varied seem to come up over and above your general high street shops, The sales section on TZ Forum and also watches.co.uk gives me lots of ideas of what I would like to own
Never mind about your budget, get one of these. http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/blancpain_fifty...
And if you find that you don't like it, you can give it to me.
And if you find that you don't like it, you can give it to me.
How about these to be different? I have a yellow dial Chronosport. I really like the beige and brown one as well bizzarely! Unfortunately it is not shown on the website, I guess it is only in the catalogue that can be ordered off the web. The customer service is great. I bought the watch in Alaska but wanted the alligator strap which the store didn't have, only the plain leather. They rang ErnstBenz who put one in the post to me and it was in England waiting for me when I got home a week later.
www.ernstbenz.com
www.ernstbenz.com
Well, two of the above would be well above the budget anyway for starters! If you like tradition why not look at the Breitling Superocean Heritage 46mm? With it's new style mesh strap I think it fabulous.
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling/SuperOcean-...
I too own the IWC Spitfire chrono and as a comment on size the bezel is quite small and it actually wears bigger on the wrist than a Seiko Monster. If you like bimetal the submariner I suppose beckons but while doubless they are a brilliant watch I now get a whiff of déjà vu about then as we move out of the Noughties. But for me, given your budget and that you like IWC anyway, have a look at the Vintage collection. Here's a link and their reputation and prices are always good, as anyone here will testify:-
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/IWC/Vintage-Collectio...
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling/SuperOcean-...
I too own the IWC Spitfire chrono and as a comment on size the bezel is quite small and it actually wears bigger on the wrist than a Seiko Monster. If you like bimetal the submariner I suppose beckons but while doubless they are a brilliant watch I now get a whiff of déjà vu about then as we move out of the Noughties. But for me, given your budget and that you like IWC anyway, have a look at the Vintage collection. Here's a link and their reputation and prices are always good, as anyone here will testify:-
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/IWC/Vintage-Collectio...
The sea dweller looks great, my Dad has mentioned these to me but as he has never owned one I assumed it was more of a "go on son, buy that one and I'll lend you the Patek when I feel like wearing it." But I will definitely look into it.
As for the Super Ocean, it looks nice but I don't think it is "special" enough to me. For that sort of money I could get a Navitimer which would look a bit showier, but I think it suits the Breitlings, especially with a stiched leather strap.
As for the Super Ocean, it looks nice but I don't think it is "special" enough to me. For that sort of money I could get a Navitimer which would look a bit showier, but I think it suits the Breitlings, especially with a stiched leather strap.
BrabusMog said:
The sea dweller looks great, my Dad has mentioned these to me but as he has never owned one I assumed it was more of a "go on son, buy that one and I'll lend you the Patek when I feel like wearing it." But I will definitely look into it.
As for the Super Ocean, it looks nice but I don't think it is "special" enough to me. For that sort of money I could get a Navitimer which would look a bit showier, but I think it suits the Breitlings, especially with a stiched leather strap.
Andrew, As for the Super Ocean, it looks nice but I don't think it is "special" enough to me. For that sort of money I could get a Navitimer which would look a bit showier, but I think it suits the Breitlings, especially with a stiched leather strap.
You have mail.....
Dom H
Its a forgone conclusion that you are going to join the ranks of car salesmen, estate agents and middle management with a Sports Rolex. As Clarkson* said "the only thing worse than a fake Rolex is a real one". Hideous things worn by 'wife swapping' overweight males.
My money would be going towards an IWC (da Vinci, Portuguese) or a JLC (master control/compressor series), perhaps a Dornbluth 99.1.
My money would be going towards an IWC (da Vinci, Portuguese) or a JLC (master control/compressor series), perhaps a Dornbluth 99.1.
- I may have damaged the validity of my argument with a Clarkson quote.
Try Fellowes auction house if you are looking to pick up something at trade-ish prices.
Most of the stuff needs a service and a good polish but you may come across something you fancy!
www.fellows.co.uk
Most of the stuff needs a service and a good polish but you may come across something you fancy!
www.fellows.co.uk
Chairman LMAO said:
Its a forgone conclusion that you are going to join the ranks of car salesmen, estate agents and middle management with a Sports Rolex. As Clarkson* said "the only thing worse than a fake Rolex is a real one". Hideous things worn by 'wife swapping' overweight males.
My money would be going towards an IWC (da Vinci, Portuguese) or a JLC (master control/compressor series), perhaps a Dornbluth 99.1.
Yes.My money would be going towards an IWC (da Vinci, Portuguese) or a JLC (master control/compressor series), perhaps a Dornbluth 99.1.
- I may have damaged the validity of my argument with a Clarkson quote.
Had the Submariner 50th Green. Loved it. Sold it for what I paid for it.
Bought this.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Size Black (45mm)
2k.
Lovely lovely lovely. You'll never see a fake. Better feel and weigh than the Rolex, and just so SATISFYING for the price. It feels a million times better than the Sub. No one ever complimented me on the Rolex, but in the first three weeks of having this three people said "that's a lovely watch".
Dominic H is your man for these.
Bought this.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Size Black (45mm)
2k.
Lovely lovely lovely. You'll never see a fake. Better feel and weigh than the Rolex, and just so SATISFYING for the price. It feels a million times better than the Sub. No one ever complimented me on the Rolex, but in the first three weeks of having this three people said "that's a lovely watch".
Dominic H is your man for these.
Edited by Soovy on Tuesday 11th August 20:44
Soovy said:
Or leapfrog me, and go for my next purchase before I do.
IWC Portuguese Blue.
That really is IWC Portuguese Blue.
In interesting that you mention that nobody commented on your Rolex. I have used my fathers Oyster Perpetual Datejust many times and nobody ever mentions it, perhaps because of the fake connotatins, or maybe because there are so many floating around Liverpool Street every day!
With regards to the Seamaster, how much heavier is it than the Roley? I've been looking more into Sea Dwellers this afternoon, they really look smashing. I don't really care what other people are thinking what is on my wrist, as long as I like it then I will buy!
Soovy said:
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Size Black (45mm)
2k.
Lovely lovely lovely. You'll never see a fake.
Sorry mate, but the PO is one of the watches selected by the counterfeiters to become one of the 'super reps' i.e. their best efforts at exact copies 2k.
Lovely lovely lovely. You'll never see a fake.
And yes, the 45mm watch with black bezel and red numerals is available as the current 'Ultimate Version' rep. It's one of the most accurate fakes out there.
You'll have to dismantle it to tell the difference... this is from one of the more popular top-end fake sellers (Josh @ Perfect Clones) and looks pretty accurate to my eye. I've actually bought top-end fakes from this fella in order to take apart, learn to service the ETA movements, do a 'test drive' for a few months before buying the real thing (as per my recent IWC aquatimer purchase, which is a genuine watch - but I bought a top-end fake 6 months ago to see whether I got on with it enough (size, bracelet, etc.) - I liked the fake so much that I bought a real one).
Unless of course you're gently taking the mick with us all, and your PO actually is one of the cartel's 'ultimate replicas'. AFAIK the PO is one of the most heavily discussed fakes in the 'replica watch' hobbyist scene - so you can bet your arse that there are virtually indistinguishable copies out there, whether they be frankenwatches or plain replicas.
And before anyone goes off on one about how 'fakes' are easy to distinguish, be bloody careful - the top-end 'replica' market is getting frighteningly close - one of the main reasons I tend to prefer vintage and non-ETA movement complications these days is because most of the ETA-based expensive watches have been virtually perfectly copied by the counterfeit brigade. All that is missing is the quality control - and so all you need to do is put an order in, receive your watch from China, open it up, lubricate the movement properly and put it back together with a bit of silicone on all the rubber seals... and you've got an ETA-based watch that will work for 5-10 years no problem. Sea-Gull in China are good enough to make their own double tourbillon, so cranking out ETA copies is no sweat to them (I've seen a microscope comparison that showed that the Sea-Gull ETA 2892 copy was better than a 'real' ETA base model, so perhaps not as good as a 'Top' grade or 'Chronometer' grade but still enough for the fake market).
And before anyone points out that my IWC has a 'heavily modified' ETA 2892 (which is true, as per many top-end watches), there is no fake out there made from titanium. There is a stunningly accurate Aquatimer Chrono copy (Valjoux 7750, as the original) - I have one, they even replicated the bracelet push-pin link retaining mechanism *on all links* FFS - but they're only available in stainless steel. So I'm pretty confident my watch is genuine
Sorry to be a pain in the arse, but I love my watches - and whilst I admit to taking advantage of the superb replicas being made by the Chinese for 'extended test drives' - I do feel it's important to let people know what the fake guys are up to when considering a watch. Buying a watch on the pretext of 'you'll never see a fake' really requires research as to what is currently 'in fashion' in the 'replica' world. The PO is a hot watch for the replica guys, and they are trying to make perfect copies. In general you're safe with certain complications that aren't available from Sea-Gull (who are a good watch movement maker in their own right) or the crappy Chinese manufacturers - you won't see any fake with a working flyback chrono, for example (one of the reasons why I replaced my Daytona with a Breguet translatlantique). Anything ETA-based and 'fashionable' will generally be available as a high-quality fake. And whilst the genuine PO should not have an ETA 2824 inside, the real thing *is* actually a modified ETA 2892 and these are readily available from Sea-Gull. So a *truly* dedicated fakemaster could buy the best PO copy, then buy a 2892 movement from Sea-Gull and install it. No co-axial escapement - which is what you'd have to look for - but in terms of accuracy, aesthetics and a quick look at the movement? You'd have to be sharp.
Be careful out there!
BrabusMog said:
Soovy said:
Or leapfrog me, and go for my next purchase before I do.
IWC Portuguese Blue.
That really is IWC Portuguese Blue.
In interesting that you mention that nobody commented on your Rolex. I have used my fathers Oyster Perpetual Datejust many times and nobody ever mentions it, perhaps because of the fake connotatins, or maybe because there are so many floating around Liverpool Street every day!
With regards to the Seamaster, how much heavier is it than the Roley? I've been looking more into Sea Dwellers this afternoon, they really look smashing. I don't really care what other people are thinking what is on my wrist, as long as I like it then I will buy!
Check out the photo of both I posted below.
After you've handled the PO Big, the Sub /Seadweller feel like they are made of plastic!!
Make sure you go for the bigsize though.
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