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my wife bought me vintage 1978 (year i was born) Rolex Airking for a wedding gift last year. Its beautifully understated and can be worn with a business suit or jeans and t-shirt. Other than that i wear a cheepo digital from debenhams. Rolex or Panerai for me
Nick
Mappin & Webb and Goldsmith are part of the same company.
I would search out somewhere a bit more specialist.
For servicing in London I have seen this guy recommended:
http://www.russelltalerman.com/
Any idea of a Rolex got summed up in the first few minutes of Die Hard, dicks like that do Rolex, Rolex is what you get by the grateful man after you gave your entire working life slaving your ass off. Rolex is a sad watch.
I infer from this that you really wanted a Rolex
spudnick, i have a rolex datejust 1978, same year as i was born!
i would love a rolex explorer, rose gold panerai and a patek philipe
would need a major lotto win to fund them though!
The only posh watch I'd want is this, but as it's £12k I think I'll pass
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I've had a seiko sportura for 10 years, I expect I'll still have it in another 10.
Or, right, you could get an iPod Nano, and a range of different straps then you've got a watch what plays music an ting, and what has different style faces...
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How waterproof is the nano elfin?
My watch stays on all the time. Is never removed. And I would never actually pay £12k for a watch - I could get a bike for that.
If I was paying for a nice watch at the moment, I'd drop the pretentious willy waving and get a Damasko
Fortunately, I've got a Suunto Core all black on that does everything I could want in a watch, and didn't cost me a penny 😆
Fwiw try the watchforum for some good reading generally n pics of older vintage watches especially omegas. Know you're after a new one but something vintage can be as good as n defi nitely smaller. I have a hamilton gmt which is 42mm n ok on a 6.75" wrist. My advice would be a fully serviced older omega or explorer if money was no object BUT definitely a cheaper casio for all sporting activities. Good watches don't handle scrapes n knocks as well as casios and are very expensive to repair so peace of mind is best.
How about a Panerai. I have a Radiomir and it is beautiful, rare and a great balance between a dress watch and a more rugged look.
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Oh and if anyone is around Bath/Bristol go to Malllory's in Bath. Amazing customer service to a level I have never experienced before and all the staff know so much about watches. When I was there to buy my Panerai the staff were on rotation to the annual watch fair in Zurich. They put other jewellers to shame.
ow are Longines regarded in the watch world
I chose a Longines Presence for my 18th - gold plated. Wouldn't go for gold now but otherwise it's understated and nice for my girly wrist
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Elfin,
that first nano pic is VERY cool. Me likey!
Yes I've had a few Longine watches catch my eye. I'm told they aren't quite such good value, is this true? Also told they are 'old mans watches' but actually I like 'classic looks'
Glashutte Original Senator Sixties is class.
You could get one within budget easily enough if you avoid gold.
[i]I would never actually pay £12k for a watch - I could get a bike for that[/i]
😆
Some nice stuff on this thread.
I especially like the Reverso.
Probably my fav watch of the moment.
I'd probably have one if I could find one which was self winding with a clear face and arabic numerals.
OP, don't over look running costs.
This is why I would suggest an Omega.
The co-axial movement has a far greater service interval than other [i]conventional[/i] escapement watches.
Another reason for opting Omega is the Co-Axial escapement, as initially concieved by George Daniels, is also a landmark in watch design.
Just a thought.
I've not considered Rolex, ever since they refused to build the watch I asked for.
They say you can spec your watch, but what they don't tell you is that there are certain combos, features that they won't create.
I really like those Breitling SuperOceans, I'm wearing my late 90s Chronocolt at the moment, but like the uncluttered look of the face of the blue dial, arabic numeral superocean.
I wish I'd have bought one of those instead of the colt, but I like them both.
I've an Omega De Ville, I just wanted a Co-Axial watch at the time, but I'm now looking at the Speed Master or Broad Arrow.
I was recently looking into a late 60s SpeedMaster, but finding a good one seems to be very difficult and I'm not sure if they are self winding.
I do think that if I'm paying out for a watch, that it should at least wind itself.
My Chronocolt is 42mm Diameter and doesn't look too big, but some watches get far too big.
I like those IWC watches too, but again, I'd be looking for one with a clear face and arabic numerals, no sub-dials.
🙂
slightly o/t for Breitling owbners i had to replace the leather strap on mine and got a vey good and much cheaper than original colour match (blue leather) from here;
All the breitling clasps come off the original strap quite easily as well
I prefer metal watch straps as they last longer.
My Omega De Ville has a leather strap, which I now wish it hadn't.
For one, should the strap break while I'm wearing it, I'm not likely to notice the watch drop away from me as I wear my watches loose.
Two, I have replaced the leather strap once already, when the original started to look very tired.
It was flipping expensive and has a mind of its own with respect to what shape my wrist is..
Just sharing my experiences.
😉
saddle soap on a leather watch strap to make it last a bit longer...
I've got the "classic" blue wave omega seamster automatic would put a picture up but it's in the watchmaker getting a long overdue service, my arm feels very floaty without it...
The GMT version is probably a better bet was very tempted by it as the extra hand would actually be really useful for all the travel I do.
The Panerais are lovely too but very tempted by those 70's speed masters always loved them and a little bit jealous of the owner having such nice ones!
As an idea you could do what I did and get yourself a free holiday, I ordered mine from the main dealer in Gran Canaria and the tax free saving (about £600) paid for a weeks winter sun so I could pick it up, they also gave me the wooden presentation box rather than the standard leather one and a very nice book on the history of Omega with all the details on the movements etc. Also remember to contact the manufacturer to get your chronometer certificate, mine's framed on the wall and looks lovely 🙂
[i]in Gran Canaria and the tax free saving (about £600) paid for a weeks winter sun [/i]
Yes, it use to be (may still be) the way it was in the US.
People I knew would speak of flying over to NYC to buy a watch, the saving in the price, paying for the flight.
And this was mid 90s.
😉
Tbh was really disappointed at the price when I was in the states and looking for a watch for the mrs but the pound was taking a hammering at the time. Ended up cheapest for what I wanted (women's steel and gold constellation with MOP face and diamonds) was Schipol and as I went through there every week they ordered it in for me.
Almost walked out with one of the gorgeous Rose gold speed masters when I was in St Lucia last year until the mrs reminded me I had to pay for our new bathroom ;-(
No new watch this year for me just got my new Whyte but maybe in the spingarn for my big birthday...
Mrs k bought her jaeger le coultre revereso whilst on a trip to geneva, saved a bit but a much bigger selection of watches to browse through. Nice watch as well.
I'll go for a metal bracelet - this will bew my only watch, worn all the time and wit hall the cycling and sport I do...and being sweaty anyway, I'd rot through leather straps in months....I've had cheap watches with metal bracelet for over a decade for that reason
after digesting my visit to mappin and webb further I am now here:
Breitling - Everything is too big, except the montbrilliant which should fit perfectly - I need to try it and check.
IWC - All too big except for the pilot mark 16. the Mark 16 didn;t appeal as I disliked the large numbers on the dial
Omega - all New are too big? I tried on oe that ws a 36 or 38mm, 300m waterproof seamaster with black dial (the m chrono I thought).....WTF? on the website they are all 41 or 42mm case! I need to go back and check what it was, but suspect it was either a limited edition or an old model so If I go new, then it is out. However, a vintage, prisitine condition, 36mm seamaster planet ocean or 300M chrono is an option. I like the coaxial esapement, the price, but on older ones don't go very old...as the old bracelets are pants (new ones are now very good)
Rolex - Since these hold or increase in value, I will only buy new. 40mm is just wearable...but right o the limit. so the modern explorer 2 is out as it is now 42mm. the submariner or gmt master 2 are both possible...BUT, as they both have coloured bezels (the explorer 2 I tried had a stainless bezel) they may appear too big I MUST try one on.....ah....that's going to be a mission...hunting through London jewellers for a vintage gmt or submariner..hmm. currently quite liking the submariner or gmt 2....but that may change. I won't decide before the 8% price rise expected 1 Nov. With a 12 month or so waiting list on submariners I'll try to decide before the rumoured March 2012 price rise.
So I've narrowed options to just 1 new breitling, 1 or 2 vintage omega, and possibly 1 or 2 new rolex....I'm making progress....I think!
Succcess! Had a bit of luck thanks to a guy at work - A GMT he had on order came in at the weekend and he let me try it today 😀
He has even smaller wrists than me (and I thought it looked too big on him but he was happy so I just made admiring 'ohhh uhhh, that's lovely' noises. Amy way, on me, the strap was a little tight (easily remedied with one more link I think, as even the comfort clasp extension left it tight) but I think...think, the watch fits (just...welcome peoples views on that!)...and boy it looks lovely!
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http://www.christopherward.co.uk/ real Swiss Watches without the 20x markup charged by Omega et.al I costs a lot to sponsor F1 or pay Nichol Kidman ect to advertise
not read all of this, however with a heavyish metal watch on for riding have you considered the likliehood of damaging your wrist if you come off and put your hands out to catch your fall ? guys I know did himself some serious damage doing just that. Omega Seamaster for me and cheap casio when riding.
btw - nice watch 😀
Hmm, the trident has clear styling cues form the rolex sub/gmt andlooks nice...but is too big for me at 42mm (2mm bigger than the gmt above) The chris ward Harrison looks nice...clear styling cues from the IWC pilot mark 16 I think...but too big for me again at 43mm 🙁
There really are very few sports watches that fit me.
OH I'd probably remove it for riding (nad rock climibng) I find even with my current citizen, it is heavy enough to be uncomfortable when bouncing around and if it gets dirt under it it soon rubs me red raw! So when I say this would be my only watch and worn all the time..well yes BUT.. 😉 I won;t wear any watch when riding.
Chris Ward prices are not as nice as they used to be. Saying that I like this
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nice watch, loose the livestrong band though 😉
Noooo! Been wearing that for err...must be...err...8 or 9 years?? I'm amazed it is still in one piece!
Not sure if Steinhart have been mentioned here.
Some people get sniffy about them because they are quite "homage" based but if you like Rolex stainless sport models then you could do a lot worse (ETA/sapphire/superluminova) for the money.
[url= http://www.steinhar****ches.de ]http://www.steinhar****ches.de[/url]
Other lust-worthy objects Sinn, Benarus etc.
okay Rusty, does this one do it for you?
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I am trending back to the Omega Seamaster as :
1. I like the look a lot
2. They have the coaxial escapement - a more accurate movement which requires less servicing (saves money over time)
3. Omega seem better VHM than Rolex
Of the Seamasters, only 2 fit my slim wrists.
1 the 300M chrono comes in a 36.25mm case and looks good, costs £2400-2700 rrp
2. the planet ocean......ladies version 😳 ....well..why not? It is the same as the mens version, just smaller at 37.5mm and a good fit for me.
I think I prefer the planet ocean over the 300m, as
1. it has a better movement, the 8520 calibre (Omegas movment) not the 2500 calibre (a modified ETA fitted with the co-axial escapement)
2. The movment gets shown off with a saphire glass back....the engineer in me gets to see how it all works 😀
On the downside...the planet ocean is a grand more at £3700....but still £1600 less than the Submariner from Rolex which is the other contender.
so.... my current favourite
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It think the market for watches is slow currently. I check 4 bond/oxford street dealers last week and the Submarner no lnger has a waiting list, 2 had a watch in stock, the others would get me one in 4 to 6 weeks.
ALot of nice watches on this thread.
I think you should get the Planet Ocean. Rolex fans will argue to the death, but the Omega is the better watch. Movemen and finish wise. Rolex bracelets are shit aswell.
The bracelets on this 36mm beauty is a cracker. It doesn't get much comfier! I have the full size version and it is by far my favourite watch.
http://www.swisswatchesdirect.co.uk/swisswatches/2222_80_00-mens_watches.html
To the OP - run away from this thread asap - It's because of a similar thread in STW that I'm now the owner of 3 vintage Omegas 😀 from a period in the 70's when Omega were untouchable for watch design.
Omega Constellation Stardust cal 1510
One of the most accurate watches ever made - and back in 1974 - quite amazing, mine is running at +6sec a YEAR...... at it's heart is a quartz oscillator at 2.4mhz - as compared to the usual 32khz. The dial is something else - it's sprinkled with crystals that catch the sunlight, a bit bling - but subtle way.
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I now have my eye on one of these:
Omega Time Computer I from 1972
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The Time Computer is alright, but not a patch on a HP-01:
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2230/1779345381_baa63aa9db_z.jp g" target="_blank">
the HP is cool - but out of my league price wise and in my opinion suffers from too many buttons and just looks cluttered - whereas the Omega has an elegant simplicity to it, just one button, - a design philosophy that I think Apple have emulated very well.
But it can do calculations [u]on time itself[/u] 🙂
Hold it hold it....this is a thread on mechanical watches....leave your quartz watches at the door please 😉
the planet ocean is my choice currently. That may change, last week when I thought the waiting time for a Submariner was 1 to 2 years, I was ready to place an order...luckily I've still got 17 months before my 40th so I can keep looking, keep thinking and enjoying the choosing
Are websites like swisswatchesdirect and iconicwatches trustworthy? I'm sure there are plenty of trustworthy web retailers, but I'd want to be sure before I used one....but after failing to get any kind of warm glow from Selfridges Time2, watches of Switzerland or ernest jones last week I feel no partiular reason to go to a high street shop
I want this ...
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😯
I don't have big wrists but I wear a TAG F1 as my everyday watch and it's a 44mm case and it looks fine honestly. Yeah it's a quartz watch but it doesn't break the bank and keeps very very good time which is exactly what it's meant to do. I have quite a few TAG's including auto's like Monaco and Carrera's and really do like the brand.