Treating myself to a new watch... help me pick which one to get.

[paul34]

Originally Posted by TigerMike

Has anyone seen, tried, or own the new Seiko Springdrive watches? They look pretty neat to me or am I missing something? SPRING DRIVE - SEIKO Do you think this is a quality movement?

There's a video about the movement on the website, if you've seen it. It's quite amazing, really. I find these springdrive watches amazing... I would love to have one! Unfortunately I believe the prices is somewhere around $5k (from when I last looked), so it is... well, a "little" out of my range for now

[Mikhail]

Originally Posted by drewski59

Movado has gone through a few ownership changes, and as far as I understand, quality wasn't their top priority, money was...

I have no update on their quality right now at this moment, but I know people with ESQs that have been nice and trouble-free and others whose minute hand fell off and one whose crown didn't work at all....

It just sounds like taking a risk at a nice watch or a junk one. And when I'm spending money on a watch, I expect quality control to be a little higher...

That's all...I'm a big fan of the Swatch Group in general...they mostly use proven, reliable ETA movements(also a Swatch co.), and they have always produced excellent quality timepieces at reasonable prices, IMHO.

Citizen and Seiko also make very good quality watches for not a lot of money...

I am also like swatch group....6 month ago i bought TISSOT LE LOCLE, and I like it a lot.

http://www.tissot.ch/index.php?mod_c.../action_select

I also have in my collection ORIENT (automatic), and SWI (quartz). My next "target" will be OMEGA (automatic).
By the way...I use to be a watch repairer for 6 years, but any more!

[drewski59]

Originally Posted by Mikhail

I also have in my collection ORIENT (automatic), and SWI (quartz). My next "target" will be OMEGA (automatic).
By the way...I use to be a watch repairer for 6 years, but any more!

It seems as though you and I have very similar aspirations...

[Mikhail]

Originally Posted by drewski59

It seems as though you and I have very similar aspirations...

How do you like this "machine"???
Racing Chronometer

[TigerMike]

Originally Posted by Mikhail

I am also like swatch group....6 month ago i bought TISSOT LE LOCLE, and I like it a lot.

Hello,

Would you happen to have any pictures of your Le Locle? I am very interested in that particular watch and some nice pics would really help. What is your overall opinion of that watch?

Regards,

Mike

[drewski59]

Originally Posted by Mikhail

How do you like this "machine"???
Racing Chronometer

I actually like it a lot, especially the carbon fiber dial....although, if it were my money and I wanted a Speedy, then I would most likely get the Original moon watch version...it's a classic!

Also, TigerMike, here's two nice pics(not mine) of the Tissot:

[35TH LE]

Guys... I just watched that video on the Seiko spring drives... then I saw the price. Now I cant stop thinking about how Im gonna explain to the wife about spending a few grand on a watch.

[EdLancer]

Originally Posted by drewski59

Are you on Timezone, Ed??

I love being on that forum, except when looking at OTHER peoples' A. Langes and Pateks!!

I agree with you except for the 'off the shelf' movt part. Rolex makes their own movements, like Seiko, except for their chronographs, I believe, which are Valjoux. Also, ETA movts come in different grades, the cheapest movts going to Swatch and the mid-high end movts to Omega...the finishing and accuracy can vary greatly depending on what grade it is.

I'm not sure he's looking for a watch in Grand Seiko territory, just going by the ESQs he's considering. Sinn is a very good watch for the $$....I love their 756 Diapal...

Yer, I am a member, just don't go on it much anymore maybe once a year ...LoL

Heres the difference for those who what to know the difference between a watch you get at Wal-Marts and a certified chronometer like Rolexes, Omegas, Patek Phillipe, Cartier and Grand Seikos.

A watch "tells" time, a chronometer "measures" time ! A chronometer is measured against an atomic clock for 3 months and is calibrated to within +- 3 secs a day. This is no small feat for a mechanical movement, just imagine this about 150-200 years ago where the craft was at its height.

Like all purist who are passionate about their hobbies and collections, they go for refinement of the craft.

Watches = Mechanical movements, a challenge of art, craftmanship, engineering and function.

Pens = Fountain pens only, a $300 Mont Blanc ballpoint pen is only as good as its $8 refill whereas the fountain involves craftmanship and human skills to produce, so every pen performs a little different.

Smokes = Hand rolled cigars only, every hand rolled cigar is a work of art, each one smokes and tastes differently.

[Danase]

Thanks for thyis thread! Tonight I replaced the battery in my watch and I could not get the back cover to snap back on. I pushed a little too hard and the glass shattered. I guess it is time to look into a new one.

[06E90]

I have a Tissot Flyback that I bought 3 years ago and wear daily. I has been able to resist some serious abuse. My only problem is that the red lettering on the face has faded! I would not expect that from a $500 watch. Otherwise I love the watch.
Anyway, thanks to this post I ended up buying an Invicta Pro Diver for $99 on Overstock. It arrives Monday. Somehow this forum always manages to get me to spend some $ I wasn't planning on

[seikoguy]

Well, from my nickname on this forum, I'm sure you guys can tell which maker I'm most fond of! Anyhoo, the majority of watches that I do own are mechanical as I do appreciate fine craftsmanship. Below are just a small sample of the higher-end mechanical Seikos in my personal collection.

This is the SBGW001 handwound.


Here's a Seiko Credor Automatic, from their discontinued Phoenix line.


Here's a close-up of a Brightz Retrograde.


And here is a pair of Credor Phoenix Chronographs. I got them both when I heard that they were being discontinued. (Custom knife by Andre DeVilliers.)



In dive watches, there's always their Marine Master, bigger and heavier than anything Rolex has.


[Post continued below.]

- Lee -

[seikoguy]

[Continuation of post.]

The above are off-the-shelf watches, but there is a little cottage industry that has sprung up to cater to people who want something a little different. Below is a quick and dirty pic that I took to illustrate a short piece I was writing. It shows two easily-available Seiko SKX007's that have been fully-customized with aftermarket dials and hands, and PVD-refinished.



I can go on and on, but I just wanted to let folks have a quick look into what Seiko offers. The only European timepieces presently in my collection are Zeniths as I appreciate their in-house movements, and a few Lemania 5100-powered pieces by Sinn and Tutima.

- Lee -