Got a yearning for a nice watch. Want something practical that I can wear every day so not massively chunky or blingy, something like a Tag or Breitling. Metal bracelet strap, maybe titanium, preferably automatic rather than quartz.
Any thoughts on these brands ? any recommendations ?
Ta in advance
Aqua Terra.
I procrastinated for 5 years. Trying to decide, Rolex, Omega, Panerai and many others before finally choosing an IWC Portuguese. It took a long time but was worth it.
I've worn my Omega Seamaster pretty much everyday since getting it in 2002. Lovely bit of kit.
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Wedding present from 2006, never gone wrong, still looks good. Much cheaper in Barbados 🙂
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I have a hankering after a Bremont, usually after a bottle or two.
Next morning I forget...
Why stop at one 🙂
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Very Personal View alert:
I think TAG are too common and "obvious" as a status symbol, owned by the same company who own Louis Vuitton and Moet & Chandon, worn by sales reps, propping up the bar at the golf club, saying things like "Yah. BMW M5. Cracking bit of kit."
Breitling. Great watches with great heritage, worn by combat pilots and NASA astronauts. Personally put off by the trashy marketing. John Travolta? Really? Having said that, if I were a pilot, I'd probably get one. But I'm not, so I won't.
Personally I wear a Raymond Weil Freelancer. RW are one of the few Swiss watchmakers left who haven't been gobbled up by huge conglomerates, they're a little less obvious as a brand, and I liked the design, and could afford it.
And seeing how everyone else is posting pictures of their Swiss watches:
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I have a hankering after a Bremont, usually after a bottle or two.
Next morning I forget...
Completely overpriced shite from a company started by a couple of hooray Henry brothers using daddy's money. Bremont are a pile of ****!!
My current watch...
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http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/loddrik1/Mobile%20Uploads/585AD73D-FEFF-4B63-80D9-A16A09E05534_zpsgwzck8af.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Start saving, 2nd post Bearnecessities has it covered.
Titanium (check) Automatic (check) Classy (IMO check) Small 37mm (check)
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I wear a titanium Lorus RRP £45 that is fab and more in keeping for me.
Have a look through the [url= http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/ ]Watchfinder[/url] site. I'm sure you'll find something to like.
@on and on. Is that a Deep Sea nearest your wrist?
loddrik Liquid metal planet ocean ?
Harris - it's a DSSD.
loddrik Liquid metal planet ocean ?
8500 Ceramic Planet Ocean XL.
I find this guy on Youtube one of the more sensible watch guys.
I would also suggest you take a breath and think again about Tag or Breitling,
particularly if you don't want chunky or blingy, IMO they do exactly that in spades. Go JDM - Japanese Domestic Market for some really nice titanium with class.
I have a Tag and it's lush, but oddly if not buy another one. I keep looking at Grand Seiko's and Rolex's, both damn fine for very different reasons.
@ on and on. nice piece
I've been wearing my Speedmaster every day for very nearly nine years. Not for mountain biking or mucky DIY but otherwise it's been everywhere.
Cheers Harris. It's a bit of a lump but that's why I like it. Totally over engineered and still looks new after being worn for three years.
A couple of other ideas.
I've got a Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Magnate GMT (just for the stupid name.
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And a Bell and Ross (small one)
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As my "best" watches. I wear a Tissot Racing Touch 90% of the time though.
What do you mean by 'nice'?
Nice doesn't have to be expensive. Just what you like.
Tudor Pelagos are the only other Titanium, automatic beater I would suggest.
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I agree with the sentiments of get something nice and you have searched for, not something you can walk off the shopping Mall and get. My dad and I wear old "Ray Mears" titanium Citizens, this makes the watch nice in my world. And yes, cheap titanium can be dire, Citzen Duratec is super hard and a good bet. However just to balance, all my triathlons and endurance events are done with...
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Very thin and light, fits perfectly under a wet suit and stays put. Willy Waving a watch around is not what you are worried about when you are wobbly legged out of docks or lake.
Titanium is a really bad material for watches. It scratches and marks easily looking tatty really quickly.
Even wearing one while typing on a desk will scratch the clasp.
I got rid of my pelagos after a few weeks, lots of fuss when they were released but would be vastly better in steel.
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http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a488/Harris1001/IMG_1369_zpsrb7rj9mq.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL][/img]
I wear an early 60's seamaster manual keeps excellent time
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Another Seamaster owner here. Next watch will be another Omega or a Bell and Ross.
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Rolex Omega Tudor
Look for a good Seiko, they make their own movements, Grand Seiko movements are chronometers in all but name, Seiko couldn't be bothered to go through the certification process.
Seiko 'Tuna' are serious 'tool' watches, having a shroud around the case to protect it in hostile environments.
My own Seiko 'SPORK' is as good a watch as you could want, lovely clear face and reliable.
It's finding one that could be an issue, Seiko have a habit of only producing some models for a limited time, and they become quite collectible as a result.
I found mine as NOS from a dealer in the Midlands for £350, they were around $650.
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Seiko 'Tuna can'
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Not a 'posh' watch, exactly, but with a chronometer-grade movement, and 1000 metre water resistance, I'll take one over any posh make like Rolex, Breitling, IWC that you care to name.
I have one of these - Seiko Alpinist, JDM, nicely understated and not too pricey - but auto so maybe not what you're after.
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We need to have a steer on preference on style and a budget. I'm a fan of IWC.
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Omega speedmaster 57 is nice too
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Pelagos lovely for a bit less, but it is a diver and will be a bit chunky.
Brietling Colt Automatic. Good for those of smaller wrists.
Seiko with a Pepsi Bezel 😉
[url= http://watchreport.tumblr.com/post/128723080134/the-new-steinhar****chesofficial-ocean-one ]Lush.[/url]
I'd quite like a Rolex Millgauss
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My Tag Aquaracer is in it's box upstairs because I can't be arsed spending £300+ on a service/making it work properly again.
Currently wearing a Seiko Pepsi for everyday wear.
Completely overpriced shite from a company started by a couple of hooray Henry brothers using daddy's money. Bremont are a pile of ****!!
My current watch...
There's absolutely nothing shite about anything Bremont produce. Their watches are priced similar to others with the same spec and quality. And so what about a company started by two Englishmen? Try and meet the guys, they're as passionate about producing good quality watches as anyone on the Swatch Group board.
Back to the point, chunky and titanium piece, look at Breitling.
they're as passionate about producing good quality watches as anyone on the Swatch Group board.
Good point. Difficult to criticise some people who have started a company, and wearing the products of a faceless global mega-corps.
I like Omega watches, they are nice but they can't be held up as the model of watchmaking purity, certainly not since they sold out.
A vintage ploprof? Now we're talking.
If you're feeling very flush, a Ressence.
If you're feeling a more normal level of flush, Longines make some good looking watches (conquest, hydroconquest are classic looking numbers). They have a long history in watch making and the automatic versions use movements that you'd find in far more expensive brands.
Or seek out German watch makers for something a little different.
I'd look at [url= https://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http://www.sinn.de/mobile/en/Kollektion.htm&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi7y9usiO_PAhVLLsAKHbT0ANYQFggWMAA&sig2=5zv8-6JxozaJYx-doJVh2A&usg=AFQjCNFLcsWoJ2BIbnZzJQ86i2r_0Z9NSw ]Sinn[/url]. They have something for most budgets and tastes. The 903s are vaguely Breitling-esque, and their Frankfurt Financial District watches are nice too.
I'm tempted by a 757 UTC for my 40th. Gives me a few years to save up...
Damasko make hardened steel tool watches if you like their style (I do). They do a bracelet now as well.
Few watches and fewer brands keep their value so contemplate second hand or watch the sales for a mint example at c50% discount. Also worth considering vintage if you really want something a little leads common or have wrists which suit 40mm or less.
I'm not a fan of titanium as it marks too easily for me. Enjoy looking but beware it can be a bit of a rabbit hole.....
How about [url= https://www.christopherward.co.uk/ ]Christopher Ward[/url]?
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I've got a Rolly Submariner and a B&R GMT123, but Bremont and IWC are on the list too.
For quality and style at sensible prices, you can't go wrong with a Seiko tho'. Had a lovely Titanium Flightmaster GMT for a few years back which (apart from not quite fitting me perfectly) was all the watch you could need.
Nice but not massively expensive - the new(ish) Elliot Brown Tyneham automatic.
[url= https://www.elliotbrownwatches.com/about-the-tyneham ]it's really quite nice...[/url]
I have a bremont mb2. Curious as to how anyone would consider it overproced shite....never regretted it for a second and never found anyone else wearing one....unlike more "common" watches.
Got a yearning for a nice watch. Want something practical that I can wear every day so not massively chunky or blingy, something like a Tag or Breitling. Metal bracelet strap, maybe titanium, preferably automatic rather than quartz.
Any thoughts on these brands ? any recommendations ?
Ta in advance
Just re-read your requirement and thought about Tudor. Prestigious brand, practical, not blingy, metal bracelet, titanium, automatic with an inhouse movement:
Tudor Pelagos.
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In my head in associate Omega as the Mercedes of the watch world. As I'm only 44 I'm 20 years away from considering wearing one.
What's your budget?
Patek Phillipe would be my choice of top end watches. The nautilus is on my wish list for a 40th present to myself
I've had my Seamaster for 15 years, wore it every day for 10 years and have put it away only to come out on special occasions, can't face the thought of the servicing costs! And was always disappointed with the time keeping on automatics, so quartz it is now, just got a Marathon TSAR proper tool watch and very cool tritium and unlikely to see anyone else with one servicing should just be a battery every few years. And managed to get it before the price went up, a lot of watches have rocketed in price lately, guess that's the brexit effect!
I went for an Oris ti divers watch with an auto movement. Looks nice and is worn daily. Starting to look a bit used now but then I do wear it to work or DIY/gardening/etc.
I went for Oris as all my colleagues were wearing omega, Rolex, tag etc. And I liked the look of it. Wasn't too expensive either
Quite like iwc pilots but in all honesty am tempted most by an aw2 at the mo //stone him!//
The chap on the previous page stating his tag is boxed pending a £300 service. Send it to http://www.chealwatch.com/index.php
Reasonable, does a decent job. Repaired mine when I dropped it...
[url= https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-watches/products/sinn-instrument-856-utc-watch-856010-leather-strap-sn-154 ]Sinn 856 UTC [/url]
End of discussion
That's hideous and I quite like Sinn watches - I've a Yobokies Orient which is a similar style but a damn sight nicer.
Each to their own.
Seiko with a Pepsi Bezel
My dad's old one, swapped the strap for something more understated. Poor photo.
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Suunto Core has way more features than all the jewellery listed on this thread. Plus, when it's on your wrist, it marks you out as someone who's seriously into their outdoor pursuits.
Random pic of my Yobokies Orient which is a similar style to some of the Sinns.
[img][url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5741/22804659765_37ea7e8b91_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5741/22804659765_37ea7e8b91_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/AKaQR4 ]2015-11-05_03-11-21[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/136042423@N03/ ]Ivan Dobski[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Plus, when it's on your wrist, it marks you out as someone who's seriously into their outdoor pursuits.
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When I get food poisoning, what comes out my arse is better quality than what Bremont produce. I can't stand them.
Buy a used steel sports Rolex. You'll never lose money on it.
when it's on your wrist, it marks you out as someone who's seriously into their outdoor pursuits.
But an automatic marks you out as someone who can move their right wrist a LOT. Oh.
I have a Seiko Astron SSE005
It's titanium, chunky, a bit blingy but I press a button wherever I am in the world and it sets itself to the local time in a totally cool way. It's solar powered.
I bet everyone on here will hate it.
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😀
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My older model Junghans ceramic still looks like new at 10 years old.
My dad's old one, swapped the strap for something more understated. Poor photo.
Not too sure that it was the strap that needed understating. If the OP wants a cheap diving watch they could look at an Apeks.
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[/img]It appears that Bremont might be worth a punt as they're worthless tat and not worth nicking.
That's tame compared to some in this thread!
'Nice' watches are great until you need to fix the little gits for innocuous incidents. Speaking as someone with a Seamaster and Calibre 16.
When I get food poisoning, what comes out my arse is better quality than what Bremont produce. I can't stand them.
Perhaps you could just say you don't like them? Hardly much truth in that statement... Nicely finished cases and movements on par with omegas non in house calibres. I'd wear a bremont.
OP a budget? Oris hard to beat at the budget end of a decent watch if you like their styles. If you don't want to lose money look at second hand omega and Rolex. Avoid tag if resale value is a factor. Up from there just go and try loads on.
Willy Waving a watch around is not what you are worried about when you are wobbly legged out of docks or lake
Willy waving in any scenario makes you a bit of a tool, no?
Loving the debate about what's shite and what's good... when it's really just about brand snobbery and (horribly dull and I uninventive) looks.
When I get food poisoning, what comes out my arse is better quality than what Bremont produce. I can't stand them.
Many of Bremonts watches use a ETA 2892 base movement. The same base as used by the Omega planet oceans in fact........
MM300
Give us a style ffs, diver, pilot, office, haven't garde etc.
Personally I'd stay away from ETA movements, clowns are trying to strangle all the smaller players out.
The chap on the previous page stating his tag is boxed pending a £300 service. Send it to http://www.chealwatch.com/index.phpReasonable, does a decent job. Repaired mine when I dropped it...
Erm... [url= http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?228547-Chealwatch-quot-The-Butcher-of-Rye-quot ]Chealwatch - "The Butcher of Rye"[/url]
It's irrelevant anyway as I believe 'The Butcher' has closed up shop now.
If the chap with the Tag wants it sorted for a fraction of the quoted cost then drop me an email, I might just know a guy 😉
Orient Black Mako. Superb value and great looking bit of kit.
Surprised no one has mentioned Schofield watches. Very cool British brand. Looking forward to the imminent release of their bronze beater mark 2!
Loddrik, share your personal experiences and tell us why you dislike the brand so much rather than just make up un-informed slanderous statements, seemingly about a company you know little about.
So far you've recommended a Planet Ocean for no other reason than you bought one, and a Rolex because they hold their value well. Recommending two of the worlds most famous watch brands isn't particularly insightful.
haven't garde
😀
Ooh thanks Fudd. Wasn't aware of that. Got his recommendation off here too...
So....where does one send ones timepiece to be survived these days?
Omega Seaprof - daily wear and my favourite 😀 Expect £350+ every 4/5 years for service though.[url= https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5698/30468982546_59b46f3f54_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5698/30468982546_59b46f3f54_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/NqruZh ]IMG_1764[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/145571820@N03/ ]Paul Tarrant[/url], on Flickr
I recently had my brietling serviced at [url= http://www.alsalwatches.com/ ]Alsal watches in Holborn[/url] I wanted somewhere localish and they have a good rep and weren't too expensive. It was its first service in 16 years so a positive for brietling automatics
Why do you need to get these expensive watches serviced? Surely they are just pieces of jewellery and you can use your mobile phone if you want to know the exact time?
+1 for Christopher Ward.
The Trident is the classic diver/sports watch if that's what you're after?
But there are lots of other styles to choose from.
[url= http://www.seiyajapan.com/ ]JDM - Japanese Domestic Market seller, Seiyajapan.[/url]
[url= http://www.creationwatches.com/ ]Creation watches for ideas[/url]
[url= http://www.bestproducts.com/mens-style/g1264/titanium-watches/ ]Titanium tool watch review[/url]
Enjoy researching.
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Oris Carl-Brashear diver has several variants.