Watch novice - Seamaster V Oris Titan?

[disco1]

Hi guys,
I've been after a divers style watch for sometime and popped in to Goldsmith at lunchtime. I had a look at the Oris range and really liked the Oris Titan (red quarter bezel). I liked the size, finish, sweeping hand, titanium casing, clasp and the auto movement looked pretty clever too. However, I feel torn, over the years I've built up a fondness of the Omega Seamaster (black finish) and they has these for £1200, I always thought they were over £2k?. Can anyone give me some guidance on what's what? Both are around £1000 but I just don't know enough about watches. I'm a bit brand snob so Omega seems like the one but Oris appear to be pretty good value for money.

Is the Oris Titan anygood? Better than the Seamaster? They also has a Longiness Divers which appeared to be good VFM.

Any help would be good.

D1

[andy tims]

All 3 are perfectly good watches - just get the one you like best.

FWIW (and I've said this several times before) whilst the Seamaster is a very fine watch, it's just a crushing unimaginative choice - the ultimate clitoris watch.

[Jaykaybi]

andy tims said:

FWIW (and I've said this several times before) whilst the Seamaster is a very fine watch, it's just a crushing unimaginative choice - the ultimate clitoris watch.

Interesting point. The only watch I have is a Seamaster Pro Chrono, cost a little over £2k. For me, though, I don't intend to be a collector. I don't want a range of watches, a case on display or any of that, just one "watch for life" because I'm not spending that sort of money on another watch whan I have so many other things I could do with it. Hence the Omega - of all the watches on the window I could afford, it is the best looking and most suited to that purpose. If I bought something off the wall, it wouldn't tick ALL the boxes.

And, as you say, it's a fine watch....

[hilly10]

The Seamaster for £1200 would have been a Quartz. A proper one Mechanical would be over 2K

Edited by hilly10 on Tuesday 26th October 20:03

[disco1]

So a Seamaster quartz is inferior to a auto Oris titan then? Is is only auto watches that have a sweeping hand?

[hilly10]

I did not imply either was inferior to each other. The general rule on sweeping hands that it is an auto

Edited by hilly10 on Tuesday 26th October 20:34

[hilly10]

As a watch enthusiast I would never buy a quartz watch to add to my collection

[disco1]

thanks for info guys. After a scout around I don't think I'll get a decent used seamaster auto on my budget, only option is the Seamaster quartz however my tissot PRS516 is quartz so would prefer an auto.

What are your thoughts on the Oris titan diving watch? I was pretty impressed with it in the flesh.

[ClintonB]

I've got a 1000m Titan Oris and a man size PO ( so nearly but not quite a comparison), although at the moment the Oris is broken and since I haven't had the time or inclination to get it fixed, it doesn't see much daylight at the moment. I do intend getting it fixed at some point but I've seen at least one repairer saying they won't fix 1000m models.

The PO is better (and better for me as it's a bit larger than the 44 but really 42mm Oris - think they're larger now, aren't they?) but then it should be at something like twice the price. However the Oris is a good watch and served me well over the 6 or 7 years I've had it. I always liked the looks but it's a shame the lug arrangement is so odd as it makes life difficult in terms of straps. As a result of this and general scratch magnet properties, the bracelet has taken a bit of a hammering, although I'm sure it could be brushed up ok.
I guess the other thing which might be off-putting is the depth of the case, although that's a personal thing and only something you can make a decision on once you've tried on (which might be worth doing with a long sleeved shirt, possably even double cuffs).


If I was buying tomorrow, I'd be looking for a decent discount new but personally I would be more likely to go used and keep the change for something else as well.

ETA a couple of pics:

Edited by ClintonB on Tuesday 26th October 22:04

[The Leaper]

Following a post above, I like clitoris!

I've had my Seamaster quartz since 1997, serviced twice, absolutely no problem with it and keeps excellent time, unlike the auto model from what I read and hear. If you are after a regular daily wearer that is problem free I'd say go for the Seamaster quartz. On the other hand if you want to start a collection of good watches then there's an infinite choice only determined by your wallet.

R.

[LukeBird]

OP, what sort of budget are you working to?

[S2KUK]

I've just purchased a Seamaster quartz and I'm really pleased with it.

I had originally set out to get an automatic but decided that the extra money could be put to better use at the moment.

For me personally, the fit of this watch on my wrist is perfect and thats despite having pretty small wrists.

I also have an automatic Tissot PRS200 which is again a lovely watch, but now I have the Seamaster, I don't think it will get much wrist time.

[disco1]

Good stuff guys, thanks for the info.

As for budget I wanted to keep things to around £1k. I just cant justify get a seamaster auto for £2k. The used option has crossed my mind in the past but I'd rather something new, boxed, unworn and under warranty.

The other thing I need to balance up is whether I blast £1k in cash or get one of the 0% finance offers from one of the big jewellers. I hate paying out loads of cash so might go for the 0% options. Seamaster was £120 deposit and £32 a month seems like a pretty good deal to me. The Oris titan (red quarter bezel) was £92 dep and £23 a month. I did try on the larger Oris divers small second (blue face/bezel) but it looked cheap in comparison.

I only plan to use the watch for day to day such as work and going out, maybe quartz seamster would do the job?. Whenever I go out in to the wild scrambling up mountains/wild camping I wear my old £10 casio, I wouldnt dare use an expensive watch as a tool!!

Can discounts be got even through finance arrangments?

[S2KUK]

You should be able to secure a discount from Goldsmiths. I was offered around 13% off both the Omega Seamaster Automatic and the Seamaster Aqua Terra a few weeks back without even looking as if I was prepared to buy there and then.

I'd suggest you discuss a discount first and once you've agreed a price you're happy with, ask about finance then.

[disco1]

I think I'll have to pay them another visit this lunchtime, will report back.

[disco1]

Doh! Goldsmiths in Cardiff don't stock Omega so went to Parkhouse then watches of Switzerland. Both can do 13% discount for outright purchase of seamaster quartz but nothing via 0% finance. I tried on the classic blue version and the black faced one. Both very nice, I thought I'd like the black one more but in the flesh the blue one does have a charm about it.

Watchheads, because indecision matters!

[disco1]

NeMiSiS said:

disco1 said:

Doh! Goldsmiths in Cardiff don't stock Omega so went to Parkhouse then watches of Switzerland. Both can do 13% discount for outright purchase of seamaster quartz but nothing via 0% finance. I tried on the classic blue version and the black faced one. Both very nice, I thought I'd like the black one more but in the flesh the blue one does have a charm about it.

Watchheads, because indecision matters!

You are trying to operate in the watch buying 'fog of war'.

Stand back and breath, take a day off watch hunting, or you may engage in some regrettable friendly fire.

You don't need the watch today, tomorrow, or the next, so chill, browse, absorb.

I call time out 'T'.

Wise words my friend........ but items like this have fogged things more:
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/s12868_259980.h...

that's proper nice that is

[Jaykaybi]

NeMiSiS said:

NeMiSiS said:

If I was in your postion I would buy a used Omega Seamaster Chrono.

I said this in the first post, it is what I would get.

If I felt uneasy about a second hand one, I would place 20% down and buy a new one on interest free credit.

I have no issues with Finance whatsoever.


Full title of watch pictured = Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver 2225.80.00

When I bought mine (see 3rd post) I sat down with the Seamaster Quartz, Chrono, and Chrono Diver in front of me.



The Quartz, I thought, looked good but a bit 'entry level' and I'm a 'in for a penny, in for a pound' kind of guy.



I failed to see the value in spending c. £2k on an identical watch that just happened not to use batteries (the Chrono).



The only logical choice, then, was to spend that same £2k on the Seamaster Chrono Diver. Clearly.

Hence:









And I am absolutely bloody chuffed with my decision!

Edited by Jaykaybi on Wednesday 27th October 16:17

[disco1]

These seems like a great deal for auto seamaster:
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Seamaster-300-m...

[ClintonB]

NeMiSiS said:

ClintonB said:

I've got a 1000m Titan Oris and a man size PO ( so nearly but not quite a comparison), although at the moment the Oris is broken.

Sorry to be nosey but what is wrong with your Oris ?

Crown won't screw in & it could do with a service in all honesty, having never had one before. I guess I'm now at the stage where it's a case of being bothered to find somewhere and spending the cash. I have the PO, a G and a fashion watch for the more drunken nights out (rare these days ), so most bases covered TBH. I did try and trade it in when I bought the PO but nothing doing.