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

[seikoguy]

Originally Posted by Spilchy

That last one is a real beauty! Flawless! It's my favorite out of the bunch you posted of the vintage ones.

Thanks for the kind words. You, sir, have discerning taste. Took me a while to find one in this condition and finally, my patience was rewarded.

[seikoguy]

Originally Posted by butchdave

I've avoided automatics and anything with dates and the like since I tend to wear different watches every day so that I match colours of watch and band to whatever I'm wearing, and resetting the dates is just too much of a pain. Nor am I going to buy half a dozen winder boxes to keep the automatics running!

I have a few pieces on winders, but I try to keep the older pieces "on rotation" when possible. And I don't even bother to set the date (or day) on them anymore. Just wind 'em up, set the time, and away we go.

[butchdave]

<grins> I don't set the dates either, but it irritates the OCD part of me for the date to be wrong when I glance at the face.

[drewski59]

Wow! This thread exploded overnight! I can't believe how many Autopians are also into watches! Especially the vintage crowd. Vintage isn't really my preference, as I like to wear something new.

Here is what has become my daily wearer because I just love it so much!
Seiko Samurai Ti:

[seikoguy]

Fine choice, Drewski. Seiko's 7SXX-series of movements is a rugged movement that will serve you will for many years to come. Arguably, it ain't pretty, but it gets the job done. For anyone who's really interested, here's the definitive review of the omnipresent Seiko 7S26 movement, written by someone who really knows watches - The 7S26 Automatic Movement
Happy to see that people appreciate fine timepieces here too. I'm sure it stems from an appreciation of fine craftsmanship whether they be automobiles, motorcycles, firearms, watches, etc.

[EdLancer]

Heres another interesting read about comparing an under $200 Seiko diver against a $2000 Omega SeaMaster:

http://www.chronoguy.com/horology/svo/index.htm

[35TH LE]

Originally Posted by seikoguy

Thought I'd post a few of my non-Seikos. All pics taken by yours truly, of watches (and knives) owned by yours truly.



- Lee -

I REALLY like that one... WOW!

Im not much into vintage stuff but I really get a kick out of looking at your vintage collection... thanks for sharing! I really think its neat that you have a collection of military watches, very cool.

Well guys.. I think Im in trouble. Im really falling into this watch thing and I think it could become a much bigger hobby.... I hope I can afford it.

I went to the mall today to pick up a craftsman dual halogen light for detailing... a heads up post for these things @ $20 popped up here on autopia so I had to go to Sears to pick it up, which happened to be attached to the mall. Which ultimately meant I was going watch hunting at the mall.

Well I was on a mission... one: to see the Citizen I ordered through work and I must say it is astonishing in person. I can wait to get it! two: I wanted to see the the Citizen Calibre 8700 in person, and it too is GORGEOUS!

The cool thing is the gentleman I spoke with at the mall is also a watch collector and said he owns almost 200 watches. He was also into cars.. and we talked about hobbies which lead into detailing, he took my phone # and said he'd call me to work on some of his car collection in the future. (he had deformed hands and said he physically couldnt do it himself.) Maybe I can work out a trade deal... watches for details.

Anyways.. Ive nailed my next selection down to these 3 watches. Two of which I have seen in person and absolutely love!

This one is actually a real real dark blue color.. almost black. The attention to detail is very nice.. the month designations is an extremely small lettering but is real easy to read. I also like the Roman Numeral designations. Cost is anywhere from $350-$450
Citizen Calibre 8700

This one caught my eye instantly when I looked into the case... black face with again a lot of detail. I dont know how to describe this one but the picture I provided does not do any justice at all... it is 10xs better looking in person. I found this one at a local jeweler, in the mall, for $300 even. The lady said "buy it now" for $300 rather the $400 tag.. however their website lists $300, maybe I could talk her down.
Citizen Calibre 5700

And then theres the lone Seiko... this one seems to be found online rather easily. I didnt see anything like it in the mall... maybe its a last year or older model? I can only tell that its as good looking in person as it is in pics... it just doesnt strike me as a watch that I would open and say "Hmmm.. well that dont look right." Im starting to dig the Roman Numeral thing and this watch makes it work well. Ive seen this one in the upper $300s-$450.
Seiko Kinteic Premier

While Im here... where do you guys buy watches online? There are SOOOOO many places and its hard to decide which to buy from.

Thanks...

[35TH LE]

Welp.. I just found the Citizen Calibre 5700 online for $195 and free shipping... I may be biting the bullet on this one.

[TigerMike]

Originally Posted by EdLancer

Heres another interesting read about comparing an under $200 Seiko diver against a $2000 Omega SeaMaster:

http://www.chronoguy.com/horology/svo/index.htm

Ed,

The link doesn't work and it appears the site no longer exists. Therefore, can you provide a cliff notes version of the article. I'd be really really interested to read a comparison between the Seiko and Omego. Tell me the Seiko won for $200!


Regards,

Mike

[TigerMike]

Originally Posted by 35TH LE

While Im here... where do you guys buy watches online? There are SOOOOO many places and its hard to decide which to buy from.

Thanks...

I can vouch for classybrand.com as being good. Also, check out PrincetonWatches.com and bluedial.com as well as Overstock.com

You can get prices much better than what your department store will charge (typically MSRP)!

Regards,

Mike

[seikoguy]

Originally Posted by 35TH LE

Maybe I can work out a trade deal... watches for details.

While Im here... where do you guys buy watches online? There are SOOOOO many places and its hard to decide which to buy from.

"Watches for details," sounds like a pretty darn good idea to me! And thanks for the kind words on my pieces. Glad I could share.

As for where I've been getting my Asian timepieces, I travel to Asia a few times a year and always keep a look-out for anything interesting. That having been said, there is a small cadre of dealers that I have personally done business with over the years and I always keep going back to them. I have no personal involvement with them, except to say that I am a most happy customer and continue to do business with them whenever possible. The first is Wayne's Watch World. The owner is a Professor of Entymology and is considered one of the world's authority on, well, bugs and roaches. He also owns the Seiko/Citizen Watch Forum The other is HIGUCHI-INC, owned and run by Katsuhisa Higuchi in Japan. This guy is my source for stuff that is Japan-market only. He speaks English and he's an only an email inquiry away. Now, I have no problems in buying watches sight unseen (well, maybe from looking at some catalog photos on the Internet), but some people like to do the touchy-feely thing and this may not be too comfortable for them. Still, the sellers are wonderfully-reliable.

Mike, the link may be dead, but I did find the article cached on Google's servers. The pics are missing though, but the text is intact. Link is here - Seiko vs Omega

[drewski59]

Originally Posted by 35TH LE

Welp.. I just found the Citizen Calibre 5700 online for $195 and free shipping... I may be biting the bullet on this one.

Darn! I just sold this one for $110 w/the leather strap I added:


I liked it a lot, except I needed some $$ to buy the Samurai....