Retro Chrono - Hugo Boss, Tissot or?

[jkh112]

I have been awarded a voucher from my employer and intend to use it to purchase a new office wear watch.
Budget is up to around £500 (could go a bit higher for the right watch).
I am thinking of buying a retro chrono in stainless steel, dark face, stainless steel strap and quite a large case.

This Hugo Boss one is the best looking I have found so far:
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Hugo-Boss-Chronograph-...



but am not to sure about spending that much on what I perceive to be a fashion watch.

I have also found:
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tissot-PRC200-Chronogr...
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tissot-Tradition-Chron...

The latter is on the wrong strap but it may be available with a ss strap.

This is top budget, a bit too modern and I prefer numbers to sticks, but it is also appealing:
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tissot-Couturier-Gents...


I prefer the look of the Boss but am wondering if anyone has any other suggestions to watches in a similar style and budget or views on any of the above watches.

Edited by jkh112 on Wednesday 15th October 23:21

[Dicky Knee]

Hamilton do some very nice retro looking watches. Not sure what you could get for your budget. If you can shop wherever you want take a look at Creation or Chrono24

[Variomatic]

One thing to be wary of with anything Tissot:

The movements they use are generally non-repairable (literally held together with melted-over plastic tabs). At the moment that's not a huge problem because you just remove the whole thing and replace in the event of a problem - cost (fitted and guaranteed) from us would be around £90.

BUT Swatch group, who own Tissot and make the movements, are withdrawing all supplies of all parts and movements outside their own repair network from the end of 2015.

Given that a quartz watch bought now will typically be showing problems sometime around 2020, that means you're likely to be faced with a choice of Tissot repair prices or throw it away when it starts to play up because no-one else will be able to do anything thanks to the disposable design.

Not sure what movement the Hugo Boss uses, but you may be on safer ground with the "fashion brand" in this case

[jkh112]

Thanks for the quick replies. Just had a quick look at Hamilton, and this one stands out :
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Hamilton-Open-Heart-Me...
Not really the style I was looking for and a bit pricey for me but it does look interesting.

[Paul Drawmer]

Try this:


http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/sport/c7mk2/c...
Ronda 3540.d movement.
Doesn't spend all the voucher, but jut as much watch as the others.

[jkh112]

Christopher Ward is not a brand I know much about. I do like this one:
http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/dress/c3scs-m...

Very similar to the Hugo Boss but a bit smaller.

Edited by jkh112 on Wednesday 15th October 23:21

[Variomatic]

Can't comment on aesthetics, but technically a good choice. You get this inside for your money:



instead of this:



in the Tissots.

Doesn't really take watchmaking knowledge to see which is better made, and you get to pay less for it as well!

[Gareth1974]

I'll be in a similar position next year, and had been considering a Tissot, but an automatic, not quartz. Are these any good? - One of the Tissot watches the OP linked to is an automatic.

[Variomatic]

Their automatics are ok, but you'll be faced with the same problem of parts supply. Routine servicing will be possible outside their network, but as soon as parts are needed, it'll be them or no-one.

Lose the crown / winder? Back to Tissot (who'll probably insist on servicing it)

Fail a pressure test because of the crown seal (the most common leak on any watch)? Send it to them.

Scratch or crack the crystal? Same again if you don't want a generic part.

Need a bracelet link? Guess what....

[DukeDickson]

Variomatic said:

Their automatics are ok, but you'll be faced with the same problem of parts supply. Routine servicing will be possible outside their network, but as soon as parts are needed, it'll be them or no-one.

Lose the crown / winder? Back to Tissot (who'll probably insist on servicing it)

Fail a pressure test because of the crown seal (the most common leak on any watch)? Send it to them.

Scratch or crack the crystal? Same again if you don't want a generic part.

Need a bracelet link? Guess what....

Could be worse, could be a $20 fashion watch sold for a metric fktonne more due to a ropey name.

OP - Don't do it. You must be able to get a decent Hamilton, Oris or Longines for the money (maybe plus a very sensible bit).

[Variomatic]

DukeDickson said:

Could be worse, could be a $20 fashion watch sold for a metric fktonne more due to a ropey name.

OP - Don't do it. You must be able to get a decent Hamilton, Oris or Longines for the money (maybe plus a very sensible bit).

At least those ropey fashion watches with inflated "name" prices can be repaired at reasonable price by just about any watchmaker - which is lucky seeing as support from the company is usually nonexistant

Most of the big Swiss names will be in the same boat for parts in the near future, btw, since most of them use Swatch / ETA base calibres

[RobCh]

Not sure whether the voucher will be valid beyond the usual "high street jeweller" suspects. If not, and you're set on a chronograph, this Hamilton looks good (IMO), is just a bit different, and comes in under budget. Ernest Jones.

[jkh112]

The Hamilton is listed as having a quartz movement. This gives no clue as to the quality of what is inside so am I to assume that Hamilton use better movements than the tissot and how does one find out how it compares with the Christopher Ward, for example?

[RobCh]

jkh112 said:

The Hamilton is listed as having a quartz movement. This gives no clue as to the quality of what is inside so am I to assume that Hamilton use better movements than the tissot and how does one find out how it compares with the Christopher Ward, for example?

Can't help you on the respective merits of Hamilton vs Tissot quartz movements, I'm afraid. They're probably identical, as I think both brands are owned by Swatch. CW looks likely to be higher quality, but will they accept your voucher?

[Variomatic]

Yep, it's the same G10.211 as Tissot use in their PRS range:

http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/collection/khaki/avia...

Strictly off the record, I can buy those movements for £29.95 and that's buying them singly, after Swatch / ETA have made their profit, the shipping company's brought them over here, and my supplier has added his margin as well.

So they probably cost Tissot, Hamilton etc well under a tenner each. Which is also what it'll cost them (plus about 1/2 - 1 hour of work inc resealing etc) when you send it back for "service", which entails removing the old one and dropping a new one in. That's the only "service" possible seeing as it's a sealed unit

No prizes for guessing why they want to cut the independents out of the repair side...

[jkh112]

Thanks for the advice, in light of your comments I have been looking a little higher up the foodchain.
Longines seems to be well regarded and they have this model :
http://www.cohenandmassias.com/product/longines/co...




How does the movement in this compare to Tissot/Hamilton etc?

Edited by jkh112 on Friday 17th October 08:31

[Variomatic]

It's still an ETA movement, so the same potential parts issues will arise in a year or two(unless they change their mind!), but it's a quantum leap up in quality and, barring damage requiring parts, can be serviced by any good watchmaker.

Unfortunately, in Swiss and "traditional" known brands, the ETA link is going to be there for the foreseeable future!

[jkh112]

Variomatic, your advice is much appreciated and it seems like stretching my budget for the longines may be worthwhile.
I just need to go and see one and then find a retailer who will accept my voucher and be willing to give a good price.

[DukeDickson]

Variomatic said:

DukeDickson said:

Could be worse, could be a $20 fashion watch sold for a metric fktonne more due to a ropey name.

OP - Don't do it. You must be able to get a decent Hamilton, Oris or Longines for the money (maybe plus a very sensible bit).

At least those ropey fashion watches with inflated "name" prices can be repaired at reasonable price by just about any watchmaker - which is lucky seeing as support from the company is usually nonexistant

Most of the big Swiss names will be in the same boat for parts in the near future, btw, since most of them use Swatch / ETA base calibres

I guess they can, as long as they can put a new movement in. If not, or is something else, probably expensive folly.

They're fine at the right price - had one because I liked the look, but it cost £80, not nigh on £380 (and I guess now I'd spend that £80 on a G-Shock). For the Boss money, someone could probably have my Oris and pay the servicing & repair costs. Good for another 5 years after that probably.