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for £3.5K I'd look at something where you're paying for the movement and something that either hold it's value or appreciate. A lot of brands - even at the 'high' end, you're paying for branding etc. But then (as per 'what dog' thread etc), people will typically recommend what they own.
FWIW, with that budget I'd be looking at a used classic. Take Omega for example - that will get you a really, really good Flightmaster;
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Or, another chronograph - the Tag flyback;
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..there's an awful lot of choice. And that's a really healthy budget.
Oh, and continuing the theme of people pushing their choice - the watch that I wear the most - Ikepod Megapode Ti Flyback;
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not everyone's cup of tea though they're rare, and now starting to appreciate in value...
Enjoy finding a nice Tudor sub, Rolex cases but with cheap to service ETA movements and none of the car dealer image, great with jeans or a suit and the values are only going one way.
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Bit concerned about the perceived inaccuracy of automatics
No it's true. Automatics are not (and cannot be) as accurate as good quartz watches, or internet-connected devices.
If you want to know that every time you check the time, it is accurate to within a second, just use your phone, or get a smart watch.
If you want a piece of timeless craftsmanship and engineering on your arm that makes you feel like you're Chuck Yeager or James Bond, then get an automatic Swiss watch, and spend a few seconds every morning synchronising it with the pips on Radio 4 8)
You'll struggle on a portugesier for 3.5k now, maybe second hand if your very lucky and it's not a desirable one. The baby brother the Portofino is a lovely watch though, that's on budget.
@nick is quite right on prices (and suggestion). IWC basically priced in Swiss Francs
Also what Hebden says is true, a Quartz watch will always be more accurate than a mechanical watch. You are not
buying a classic watch for absolute accuracy over many months. It takes just a few seconds to check time against an internet source say once a week or two to keep the mechanical on track
Some great thoughts here people, thanks very much.
Am open to second-hand, just whether I have the time / inclination to spend ages searching.
Those IWC Portugeiser are lovely, but probably just a little too 'dressy' for me.
I have a few nice watches, and was going to get at least one more before I started wearing my Garmin Fenix, and now really cant see me wearing anything other than a GPS/Sports/Smart watch, I would definitely give one a go before buying an expensive traditional watch to see if you like what they can offer.
Anyway if thats not for you have a look at Bathys watches Hawaii
[url= http://www.bathyshawaii.com/dive-watches/ ]Bathys[/url]
My Seiko SKX is going back because it's gaining time wildly. It was never that accurate - it always gained ~2mins/day, but I believe that it probably just needs regulating and was a statistical outlier. However something's gone wrong and it now gains ~2s/minute so it needs fixing. +/- 2-3seconds per day should be achievable apparently.
It came from creation watches. Can't fault the price or the original service. It's now (just) out of warranty but they have agreed to fix it for a nominal fee, although this involves sending it back to Singapore. You pays your money...
op, This is my 'less dressy' IWC Pilots Chronograph. There is a pic of the stainless bracelet version in the thread. The model is now discontinued but can be found within your budget.
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http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a488/Harris1001/IMG_0891_zps4d82288b.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL][/img]
Lovely!
I've got a Rado, excellent watch and pretty much bombproof. Don't really wear it any more so if someone wants to make a sensible offer for it they can have it. It's this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rado-Sintra-Chronometer-R13663162-Ceramic/dp/B001II27WC
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I've got a Rado, excellent watch and pretty much bombproof. Don't really wear it any more so if someone wants to make a sensible offer for it they can have it. It's this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rado-Sintra-Chronometer-R13663162-Ceramic/dp/B001II27WC
Argh my eyes!
😀
I've got a Casio analogue I replace it every month for six quid when I smash it in work ... 3 grand on a watch but Beans on toast for tea !
Doesn't impress me !
I've got a Casio analogue I replace it every month for six quid when I smash it in work ... 3 grand on a watch but Beans on toast for tea !
It's an interesting point. I'll give it some thought 😀
[url= https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/19/luxury-watch-industry-survive-digital-age ]Good article in the Guardian[/url] about why the Swiss watch industry is bigger than ever even though you can get a more accurate timepiece for a fiver:
That Rado is grim, did it come out of a cracker?
if the Portugueser is too dressy then the pilots watches are a good blend of understated tool watch but with a high quality finish and a bit of history. I have handled a few million pounds worth of watch bling (been flown out to Jaeger and Patek plus others in Geneva to shoot the high end timepieces) but often fail to see the value in a lot of the high end but an IWC would be on my list.
I can't afford a Laurent Ferrier Gallet square or a Langhe & Söhne 😥
Jensen , please do
I have a Rolex which is 30+ years old. It was a 21st present. I wore it continually for nigh on 25 years until the need to be bare below elbows at work meant that I didn't fancy walking around with it in my pocket as it is now worth more than my car second hand. Still wear it when not at work though.
The elephant in the room is servicing costs. Rolex recommend servicing every 2-3 years as the lubrication used is said to only last that length of time. In fairness, the watch comes back like new with all worn parts replaced. Last time I had it serviced was about 10 years ago and as the glass had a scratch it was replaced as part of the service which then cost around 250ukp.
Cost of service now is 600ukp+ and once the watch is 40 years old that starting price goes up to 1000ukp. As it was playing up and only right twice a day it is off for service but I now have a couple of Seiko solar watches doing duty for work and play that between them cost a lot less than the service cost of the Rolex and should tick for 10 years plus without service. Not sure that I will get Rolex serviced again although I admire the brilliance of a business model that asks you to pay 3k+ for an item without mentioning that you may need to pay the same again every 10 years for the privilege of continuing to use it.
Little seen here but Ralf tech watches are rather nice. http://www.ralftech.com/montre.php?modele=wrx_a_auto-chrono_noon
Cheers 1 shed.
Wow, £3.5k; that's alot of money. I think the biggest issue with spending that much on a watch, is not necessarily the cost of the watch itself, but the cost of all the other things in your life.
You're gonna look a bit of a tit with a £3.5k watch if you live in one of those generic Barratt Homes style housing developments on the edge of town and drive anything less than a BMW/Merc/Audi etc.
You're gonna look a bit of a tit with a £3.5k watch if you live in one of those generic Barratt Homes style housing developments on the edge of town and drive anything less than a BMW/Merc/Audi etc.
😆 said on a forum where no doubt a large proportion of members have bikes worth more than their cars... does a 3.5k bike have the same stigma on the roof of a £500 Ford Focus?
I think the biggest issue with spending that much on a watch, is not necessarily the cost of the watch itself, but the cost of all the other things in your life.
Yep - the opportunity cost. But you could apply the same logic to any discretionary purchases. Is a £5k bike really that much better than a £2k bike unless you're a pro? Do you really need a Range Rover for the school run? Graphite golf clubs? Bespoke suits? Designer handbags? Etc etc.
You're gonna look a bit of a tit with a £3.5k watch if you live in one of those generic Barratt Homes style housing developments on the edge of town and drive anything less than a BMW/Merc/Audi etc.
Well, I live in an "average" new-build and drive a Dacia 😀 but I have a Swiss watch. It wasn't £3.5k but it was certainly in the "expensive" ballpark. It was a 40th birthday present from my family, who clubbed together to get it for me. It will outlast any car, expensive German marque or not. It will probably outlast my house. It gives me more pleasure than a BMW, although I can't put my finger on why. Probably because it is the only really, really nice thing I own.
When I fall off my perch, my eldest son will inherit it. And hopefully, his son after him. It's an heirloom in the making.
I doubt anyone on here is a watchsmith if that is the word ...you are relying on the word of the manufacturers as to the quality and workmanship of the watches ...or is it a cost thing ??
I doubt anyone on here is a watchsmith if that is the word
We don't need expert analysis - we have Manreviewing!
"Umm, yah. Cracking bit of kit that."
etc
😀
Hebden Defo
But a more serious answer to your point:
They're all expensive, they're all good quality, they all tell the time, so you may as well just go for a brand whose image suits your personality, and a watch you most like the look of.
I get that hebden it's all personal taste and you are free to spend your money how you wish ...it's madness to slag off one brand compared to another brand as we have no idea what we are looking at !!
I get that hebden it's all personal taste and you are free to spend your money how you wish ...it's madness to slag off one brand compared to another brand as we have no idea what we are looking at !!
Yeah - really we're just left with our own preferences. Which is exactly why every "recommend me a..." thread ends up with people recommending what they own. Guilty of it myself!
I was recently in a similar boat..
Fancied a nice watch..yeah, it tells the time as does a mobile, but you're a long time dead..
I got really interested in the mechanics if it..obsessed almost!
Watching YouTube videos of movement is a guilty pleasure!!
I went for a black seamaster in the end..
I use grenichmeantime.co.uk and basically 3 weeks after purchase it's 1 second out...
Though of course that's +8 one day, -12 the next etc etc!
Yeah, it's a lot for a watch, but hey ho...
DrP
Well on the back of this thread I've been checking the accuracy of my watch, and it's lost 2.5 seconds in around 5 and a half hours.
Not happy at all with that. Going to give it a really good wind in the morning and try it out over a day. If it's losing more that 5 seconds over 24 hours it's going back under warranty 🙁
Rolex recommend servicing every 2-3 years as the lubrication used is said to only last that length of time...
That may have been the case 30-odd years ago when you bought the watch but not these days with the modern synthetic oils that are now used. I think Rolex recommend every six years now and Omega's with the Co-axial escapement have ten year service intervals.
CaptainSlow - Member
Ooh thanks Fudd. Wasn't aware of that. Got his recommendation off here too...So....where does one send ones timepiece to be serviced these days?
In my slightly biased* opinion this guy is good - [url= https://www.instagram.com/benchdweller.uk/ ]https://www.instagram.com/benchdweller.uk/[/url]
*Very biased, it's my account 😉
My "every day" watch is a lovely Longines Hydroconquest Automatic. Looks superb, classy and not "shouty" at all. I have TAG's and a Breitling plus a Seiko Auto Divers watch that gets a fair bit of use too.The Longines can be had for very little money and I can highly recommend them.
What does everyone think to Chopard?
I quite like my historic racing and fancy them now they have started making their own movements.
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I'm looking at the sheiks Ska 689 family of watches but can't for the life of me see what the press button does. Any ideas? Ta.
Omega's with the Co-axial escapement have ten year service intervals.
Really? You might be right and I'm not an expert by any means (hell, none of us are) but the highly-praised 8500 is still every 4 years.
Seiko ska689 was what I meant, what does the button do?
It's a kinetic? If so it will force the second hand to move to 12 and then up to 20 seconds. 20 seconds equals fully charged. 10 seconds half.
Seiko are dropping kinetic in favour of solar. With sister companies Pulsar and Citizen also. Kinetic watches do not last forever, the capacitor dies. I would imagine that solar also uses a capacitor, however, my solar citizen is 15 years old and still running. Kinetic- dead. Perhaps it's the total running down that kinetic do not like.
Ah ha! Thanks.
I've got an omega planet ocean it's a bit orange TBH the normal sea masters way more subtle
Spend £3-4k on something that will appreciate 50% plus over the next decade (Rolex etc)
Or
Seething that will depreciate 70-90% over the next five (Orange etc)
Of unnecessary purchases, which is the better choice?
This bloody thread is rekindling the desire for my dream watch - one I bought and subsequently sold whilst having my (everyone's allowed one) breakdown period , but am now, albeit sound of mind, seriously considering.
It's stupid. But then you're a long time dead etc..
Aargh!
Well on the back of this thread I've been checking the accuracy of my watch, and it's lost 2.5 seconds in around 5 and a half hours.Not happy at all with that. Going to give it a really good wind in the morning and try it out over a day. If it's losing more that 5 seconds over 24 hours it's going back under warranty
Hmmm, that's kinda what I did when I first got my watch...but tehn I chiled out a bit..
It lost about 8 seconds in teh first 12 hour, then gained a bit, then lost a bit...
I got 'annoyed' that it was nearly 12 sec out after the first few days, but then 'researching it' (Google/watch forums) i's actually completely normal for variation. Once I realised that, I kinda 'liked it'. It's like it's a living thing on your wrist... busy/shaky day..it may gain a few sec. Slow day at the office...you lose a bit of time...etc etc
I MIGHT (I'm not sure even I'm that sad..well, maybe I am..) keep a daily check of the +/- seconds to GMT, and see if there's variation based on my activities.
I really 'worried' and thought mine was broken a week in, but as I said...chilling out and realising it's not an atomic clock, and that over the course of time it's impressively accurate for a tiny box of springs and cogs shook to bits on the wrist!
DrP
Hmmm, that's kinda what I did when I first got my watch...but tehn I chiled out a bit..
It lost about 8 seconds in teh first 12 hour, then gained a bit, then lost a bit...
I got 'annoyed' that it was nearly 12 sec out after the first few days, but then 'researching it' (Google/watch forums) i's actually completely normal for variation. Once I realised that, I kinda 'liked it'. It's like it's a living thing on your wrist... busy/shaky day..it may gain a few sec. Slow day at the office...you lose a bit of time...etc etc
I MIGHT (I'm not sure even I'm that sad..well, maybe I am..) keep a daily check of the +/- seconds to GMT, and see if there's variation based on my activities.
I really 'worried' and thought mine was broken a week in, but as I said...chilling out and realising it's not an atomic clock, and that over the course of time it's impressively accurate for a tiny box of springs and cogs shook to bits on the wrist!
DrP
Fair enough!
Raymond Weil's tolerances for my model of watch are -5 secs/+20 secs per 24 hours. So far it's lost 5 secs in 9 hours. You're right - it's not a big deal in terms of functionality - but, well, it was expensive, and I want it to outlive me, and therefore I want it to operate within the manufacturer's own tolerances.
What do people do about winding? In theory it shouldn't need winding much but I do use the chronograph timer so I have a second hand, so having this constantly going presumably uses much more energy.
RW recommend setting your winder to 4 turns per minute over a 6 hour period. That's 1440 turns of the crown 😀 Now I don't have a winder but if I give the watch, say, 100 turns between finger and thumb each morning (each turn = approx. 3 quarters of a full revolution) then I should be set up with enough energy in the spring for the rest of the day, surely?
Or do I need to invest in a winder?
Omega Speedy moonphase :
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not my pictures.
£500+ a service every 5 years, comes back like new though.
£250+ for a new strap, so keep it going with regular saddle soaping...
New speedy isn't the moon watch anymore though as its a different movement, not that the moonphase is anyway as it has sapphire glass.
Isn't there an argument that having the watch on a winder can actually decrease accuracy? If the watch naturally runs slightly fast in its "on the winder" orientation then it will just increase its offset over time. On the other hand (badum tish!) if you mix things up a bit when you take it off, place it face up, face down, crown up, crown down etc then it's more likely to balance itself out over a period of time.
This could well be bollocks by the way but it sounded plausible to me.
Isn't there an argument that having the watch on a winder can actually decrease accuracy?
I don't know. You may be right, but it sounds to me like the sort of thing hi-fi enthusiasts come up with: like if you support your speaker cables on little wooden blocks then they sound better 😀
Mrs kilo was looking at new watch a couple of weeks ago and the salesman got this out to show us 🙂 . I liked that it chimed to tell you the time but possibly a bit too ostentatious !!!