OT <$10K to spend on a watch, what would you buy?

[skc]

Top choice - the black one is on my wrist right now.


Modified by skc at 4:45 AM 12-10-2005

[Enzothemaddog]

Ive got a silver faced one.

[Jules]

Wow, how could I have missed out on this thread?!

I didn't know Mont Blanc were so highly valued.

I was going to suggest the IWC Portugese Chrono in Stainless. They retail for about $8500. I think the IWC Mk XV right now is a bargain too.

But if you prefer a bigger watch on a steel bracelet, Panerai is pretty damn good. You could have a Titanum one with small seconds for <$10K or even with the power reserve.

Rolex may be overplayed, but it is still a quality watch. For $10K, you COULD squeeze in a stainless Daytona. Monards has one in Sydney. But they're a bit overpriced now. Maybe the Submariner, Seadweller or Yachtmaster? Unless he prefers dress watches- then I'd go for a regular Rolex Datejust.

Don't forget about Omega either....you'd have a large range to choose from with a $10K budget. Mammy and I have a Seamaster Chrono which is awesome How about the original Speedmaster moonwatch?

Someone suggested AP Royal Oak and that's a top choice too- stainless models should be under $10K.

Edit- I noticed you said you had scratches on your Tag's face- unfortanately, you can't get scratches out of sapphire crystal Acrylics you can....that must've been a hard knock to scratch sapphire crystal!


Modified by Jules at 5:27 PM 12-10-2005

[nix8860]

I went to this shop when i was in swizerland

http://www.bucherer.com and the watches in there were unbeleivable,

prob the most expensive watch i saw in there was $40,000 euro.

[Enzothemaddog]

Quote, originally posted by Jules »

Edit- I noticed you said you had scratches on your Tag's face- unfortanately, you can't get scratches out of sapphire crystal Acrylics you can....that must've been a hard knock to scratch sapphire crystal! Modified by Jules at 5:27 PM 12-10-2005

Correct me if Im wrong but my Tag Monaco is sapphire crystal face, yes? I banged the edge of the top right corner once and it chipped the crystal. I ended up getting it repaired plus buying a spare as you never know when they'll stop making parts. Its only $150 for a replacement piece but as you said, it should'nt scratch that easy should it!

btw, Im pretty negatived towards Rolex, apart from (I think) the 'Air King' they use the same movement throughout their range. Yes the movement you'll find in a 4k GMT2 etc is the same as in a 30k Oyster Perpetual

[Jules]

I guess it depends on the quality of the sapphire crystal. I doubt the sapphire crystal on my $300 Hamilton Khaki is as hardy as that on a higher end watch.

I'm pretty sure the Tag Heuer Monaco doesn't have a sapphire crystal. It's acrylic or perspex, as a testament to the original Heuer Monaco. Hence it'd scratch really easily and chip. But the scratches can polish out and chips can be filled in.

As for the Rolexes, well yes, a lot of them have the same base movement. The equivalent Oyster Datejust in Stainless would be cheaper than a stainless GMT 2. GMT 2 costs more because it's got the extra complication (GMT) and is a sports watch in construction.

But for a $30K Datejust, yes it's the same movement as its stainless $5K counterpart, but by then, you're paying for the lashings of diamonds, platinum and other precious metals That's true for all watches I guess- same base movement, different complications and decorations push the price up.


Modified by Jules at 5:49 PM 12-10-2005

[Enzothemaddog]

Quote, originally posted by Jules »

But for a $30K Datejust, yes it's the same movement as its stainless $5K counterpart, but by then, you're paying for the lashings of diamonds, platinum and other precious metals That's true for all watches I guess- same base movement, different complications and decorations push the price up. Modified by Jules at 5:49 PM 12-10-2005

There are more than a few brands which manufacture different movements for different styles. Albeit, they are far more expensive than a Rolex.
As for the bling factor, it really shows the quality of the watch when you take away the bling to expose the real value of a watch.

[Mark at farm]

ive told this story before in some other thread about watches,
but my ex dropped my tag monaco onto a rough bitumen road.

....it doesnt have a sapphire crystal surface

[TMK-001]

Your ex. Sounds smart

[R'chitect]

Quote, originally posted by greenb5 »

I just bought myself an early xmas pressy...(it really pays to quote internet prices at the manager ). I liked the Carrera, but once I saw this one it was game over. Next step up I'd go IWC.

The new Autavia is OK, but have you seen the original?
Much cooler, especially with a leather strap with the 'steering wheel spoke holes' punched in it. It has round, not square buttons and the colour scheme is more or less the same. It has a date register at 6 O'clock too.

I bought a '70 one years ago and it has kept perfect time ever since.
The winder on the left is a nod to the original which was one of the first automatic chronographs built , i.e. you don't need to wind it so the winders on the wrong side. (The technology was developed jointly between heuer, breitling and hamilton) . It's the same movement in the Monaco.

Sometimes the watch shop in the strand arcade has them.

[dkr]

My choice would be the Tag Heuer Link Calibre 36

[auR32]

Quote, originally posted by Enzothemaddog »

There are more than a few brands which manufacture different movements for different styles. Albeit, they are far more expensive than a Rolex. As for the bling factor, it really shows the quality of the watch when you take away the bling to expose the real value of a watch.

With the rain of spam offering me fake Rolexes, I couldn't be less interested in one.

I couldn't care how oyster-like or accurate they are. Who want's to justify that "it's a real one" to a bunch of teenagers with $10 copywatches...

[WAY]

Quote, originally posted by auR32 »

With the rain of spam offering me fake Rolexes, I couldn't be less interested in one. I couldn't care how oyster-like or accurate they are. Who want's to justify that "it's a real one" to a bunch of teenagers with $10 copywatches...

Anyone who knows watches can tell real from fakes. Besides, you can get fakes of anything. Friend has a really good Panerai fake. Cost $200 but looks like the real thing except to those who knows the watch.

[Jules]

I guess it depends on whether you like show or go. I guess I'm more go than show when it comes to watches. Some dream watches I'd like look like simple $50 gold watches at your average Goldmart....yet they cost upwards of $20K (Patek Phillippe Calatrava comes to mind!)

I wear them because I like them and I like also, what's inside them.

[WAY]

Quote, originally posted by Jules »

I guess it depends on whether you like show or go. I guess I'm more go than show when it comes to watches. Some dream watches I'd like look like simple $50 gold watches at your average Goldmart

I had pictured a Patek in my mind as I read that too!

[Mr Stubby]

Quote, originally posted by Jules »

I guess it depends on whether you like show or go.

Yeah cause wrist watches do mad burnouts and get you chicks yulleh!.

[Aussie_Golfa]

Look at these Todd, no flashy bling, just rock solid perfection. IMHO, the best watches in the world.

http://www.prestigetime.com/it...9,719.

Ed: Sorry, didn't check the whole thread B4 posting, Enzo and a couple of others also have impeccable taste!


Modified by Aussie_Golfa at 6:33 AM 12-12-2005

[nickmyles]

Quote, originally posted by Jules »

Don't forget about Omega either....you'd have a large range to choose from with a $10K budget. Mammy and I have a Seamaster Chrono which is awesome How about the original Speedmaster moonwatch?

Add me to the list of Seamaster Chrono owners on the board, and one very happy customer. After the disappointment of a Rolex Submariner that leaked twice the Omega has been faultless

[Mammy]

Yup, a real man's watch.

I love mine, though mine did go a little wonky.
Thumbs up to the Swatch Group in the city, who sorted it out for free.

[XXX 1.8T]

I love my Rado.

[Shane R32]

Gotta love Heuer for the motorsport ties.

Here's mine.

[Osqar]

hmmm.. maybe... but not as cool as the Oris "Williams" edition. I really like their simple face... if only it didn't have Williams F1 on it!

[Mammy]

Quote, originally posted by Osqar »

hmmm.. maybe... but not as cool as the Oris "Williams" edition. I really like their simple face... if only it didn't have Williams F1 on it!

That watch is quite nice – lovely see-thru casing as well.
Shame they sponsored a dud driver.

[Lima]

I don't mind some of the Oris designs … are they an okay watch … they're certainly much closer to a realistic option for me, well, the ones I've seen anyway.

I quite like the Marc Newson ones too, Ikepod.

[Lima]

Psst … anyone know a decent online shop (in AUstralia) selling Mont Blanc pens?

[Jules]

Quote, originally posted by minigolf »

Psst … anyone know a decent online shop (in AUstralia) selling Mont Blanc pens?

Don't buy any off those online stores on Ebay Liam. They're all fakes- I can't believe how wrong the replicas and the boxes are and how much people are paying for them!

Sorry, I don't know any online stores though. Best to buy from a Mont Blanc themselves or a reseller for authenticity. Resellers wouldn't mind giving a bit of a discount too


Modified by Jules at 9:27 AM 12-14-2005

[Dubbin'_Dave]

Quote, originally posted by seph »
Tag Heuer Carrera with steel bracelet... daymn i like that classic look

I've got one with a leather strap. Love it dearly, but it runs about 5 mins fast every 24 hours. Not the Swiss precision I was looking for when I bought it.

[Jules]

As much as I love Swiss and German chronometers, nothing beats the accuracy of a basic quartz movement.

They're mechanical watches, which require maintenance to run smoothly and accurately.

Gaining 5 min every 24 hrs is a bit much though. Perhaps you should take it back to Tag or a reputable watchmaker to get it regulated

[Mammy]

Yeah, if you're gaining 5 mins per 24hrs, there's something seriously wrong.

Agreed Jules: even a hokey digital watch from Toys R Us will keep better time than a 25 jewel movement. Just the way it is – you pay for the heritage and craftmanship.

[auR32]

Quote, originally posted by Mammy »

Yeah, if you're gaining 5 mins per 24hrs, there's something seriously wrong. Agreed Jules: even a hokey digital watch from Toys R Us will keep better time than a 25 jewel movement. Just the way it is – you pay for the heritage and craftmanship.

Heh. Anyone notice the irony there?

The toy watches are more accurate than your classic watch toy

[patrick_centurion]

The only thing i dont like about my watch is the fact that at the end of a 30 or 28 day month I have to set the date.

[slimmy]

the old man bought one of those gold rolex daytonas a while back... i'm not sure how much it was, but i guess it couldn't be too much more than the $10k budget. very fkn sexy watch, kinda heavy though

[Mammy]

Quote, originally posted by slimmy »

the old man bought one of those gold rolex daytonas a while back... i'm not sure how much it was, but i guess it couldn't be too much more than the $10k budget. very fkn sexy watch, kinda heavy though

If it was an 18ct Daytona, you're looking at much much much more than that.

[Lima]

Quote, originally posted by Jules »

As much as I love Swiss and German chronometers, nothing beats the accuracy of a basic quartz movement. They're mechanical watches, which require maintenance to run smoothly and accurately. Gaining 5 min every 24 hrs is a bit much though. Perhaps you should take it back to Tag or a reputable watchmaker to get it regulated

Warren G and Nate Dogg should be able to do that for you.

[slimmy]

well from memory, it's all gold with black dials... whether it's 18ct or not, i don't know. i'm pretty ignorant when it comes to jewellery.