What watch do you wear?

BabelFish · 19 Mar 2022 at 19:23

The second hand /grey market prices for stainless steel rolexs has become increasingly detached from reality in the last few years, 15k for a milgauss? 25/30k for a hulk, 14k for a sub? Non of them are worth anything like that and there are much better watches out there for less. It wasn't that long ago you'd get a discount on most models at an AD other than something rare like a daytona!

The mugging/stabbing point is sadly a real risk when wearing such watches.

Would love a classic sub though, not prepared to pay the price though.

Mikey · 19 Mar 2022 at 19:32

BabelFish said:
The second hand /grey market prices for stainless steel rolexs has become increasingly detached from reality in the last few years, 15k for a milgauss? 25/30k for a hulk, 14k for a sub? Non of them are worth anything like that and there are much better watches out there for less. It wasn't that long ago you'd get a discount on most models at an AD other than something rare like a daytona!

The mugging/stabbing point is sadly a real risk when wearing such watches.

Would love a classic sub though, not prepared to pay the price though.

apparently my dateless sub that I got in 2020 now has massive waiting list. Bonkers

Omega’s new planet ocean is listed as £10k ish.

My favourite watch is my battered Tudor Black Bay 2014 ETA. My AD likes it as it’s worn daily with little regard. I paid £2k for it in 2015 and I bought it to wear it. It’s in for a service atm.

DIY, racking servers, mountain biking and so on. Rarely taken off.

lsg1r · 19 Mar 2022 at 19:38

Mikey said:
In reality I prefer my Tudor and Omega watches too, 4 watches that I enjoy and all together still don’t reach the value of my one Rolex. Plus I’m less likely to be stabbed for them. My AD and I were talking about a hopeful GMT Batman, but I don’t care anymore, they’re getting uninsurable so what is the point. If one came in, I’d flog it.

Personally I'm not a huge fan of Rolex, in all honesty if I was willing/able to pay £6k+ on a watch without missing that amount of money I'd be looking at JLC (reverso/polaris). Those in the know would know it's heritage etc but to the average person they'd likely not know much about them, the 'average' person knows about Rolex because they've done a really good job with marketing etc. Having said that I really like the colours Omega have just added to their speedmaster 57 and aqua terra ranges...prices not so much lol.

I'd also make sure that my home insurance (or even item specific insurance) has on any high value items (this would include things like a pc's these days) listed for out of the house cover, while the risk is pretty low here there is still a small risk no matter where you live.

Mikey · 19 Mar 2022 at 19:46

lsg1r said:
Personally I'm not a huge fan of Rolex, in all honesty if I was willing/able to pay £6k+ on a watch without missing that amount of money I'd be looking at JLC (reverso/polaris). Those in the know would know it's heritage etc but to the average person they'd likely not know much about them, the 'average' person knows about Rolex because they've done a really good job with marketing etc. Having said that I really like the colours Omega have just added to their speedmaster 57 and aqua terra ranges...prices not so much lol.

I'd also make sure that my home insurance (or even item specific insurance) has on any high value items listed for out of the house cover, while the risk is pretty low here there is still a small risk no matter where you live.

I’ve insured via TH March, house covers it too, but items are specifically covered with TH March.

I agree Omega colours looking nice.

JLC, indeed and very nice. I think certain Tudor watches still under the radar fortunately.

I saw a patek Royal Oak up for £130k ish last week at a shop in Lymington.

lsg1r · 19 Mar 2022 at 19:59

Mikey said:
I think certain Tudor watches still under the radar fortunately.

Yeah they do look nice and fortunately haven't quite hit the madness of rolex, but I have seen some reports of 'scalping' and wait lists of key tudor watches too...

My issue is actually finding a decent AD. Where I live companies seem to think that no one is likely to buy a decent watch, they closed Ernest Jones which was the 'high end' jewellers if you can call it that (my store only had tag heuer as the 'premium' section) and all we have left selling watches is H Samuels.... so day trips it is lol

I saw a patek Royal Oak up for £130k ish last week at a shop in Lymington.

I'm sure there will be someone stupid enough to buy it....

Mikey · 19 Mar 2022 at 20:13

lsg1r said:
Yeah they do look nice and fortunately haven't quite hit the madness of rolex, but I have seen some reports of 'scalping' and wait lists of key tudor watches too...

My issue is actually finding a decent AD. Where I live companies seem to think that no one is likely to buy a decent watch, they closed Ernest Jones which was the 'high end' jewellers if you can call it that (my store only had tag heuer as the 'premium' section) and all we have left selling watches is H Samuels.... so day trips it is lol

I'm sure there will be someone stupid enough to buy it....

i’m sure they will.

Yes the Tudor Chrono, I had the option for one due to a decent AD, but I turned it down as it’s quite thick. If they do one in the 58 size then yes please.

Laings I’m Southampton are so arrogant, so indeed finding ADs and then finding ones that aren’t so obnoxious

Wizardskills · 19 Mar 2022 at 23:34

I managed to pick up a watch the other week that I have been after for quite some time. A Universal Geneve Golden Shadow.

I think it would be fair to say that these were the top of the line dress watches that UG made during the 60s and 70s. Why, well before the quartz crisis it was all about how thin you could make your watch. All of the shadow range, which were initially launched in 1965, house very slim micro-rotor movements. Namely the cal 66, 1-66, 2-66 for time only watches and cal 67, 1-67 and 2-67 for ones with a date. These were extremely thin and the cal 1-66 in this example is only 2.5mm in thickness. What took my by surprise was the actual thickness of this whole piece, it's only 5.7mm!! The phrase “Slips under the cuff” has never been more fitting for a watch. To put this into perspective, Patek didn't introduce the calibre 240 (the Calatrava's first ultra thin, micro-rotor movement) until 1977 and even then it was 2.53mm in thickness.

This particular example is ref 166111, dates from around 1969 and is finished in 18k yellow gold with and amazing gold sunburst dial. Needless to say I'm very chuffed this one has ended up in my collection.

Bear · 20 Mar 2022 at 07:52

Mikey said:
I saw a patek Royal Oak up for £130k ish last week at a shop in Lymington.

Wow £130k for an obvious fake, they got some balls :eek:

Sure it wasn’t an Audemars Piguet?

Mikey · 20 Mar 2022 at 10:38

Sorry nautilus, got it wrong

https://watchesofdistinction.com/product/patek-philippe-nautilus-chrono-ref-5980-1a-2008/

lsg1r · 20 Mar 2022 at 11:45

Mikey said:
Sorry nautilus, got it wrong

https://watchesofdistinction.com/product/patek-philippe-nautilus-chrono-ref-5980-1a-2008/

Damn I didn't even notice the mistake, original comment still stands though lol

The funny thing is that it's actually on the lower end of pricing based on chrono24.... we best go grab it and sell it at 160-190k on chrono24 lol

BabelFish · 20 Mar 2022 at 19:17

Just spotted the new green seamaster, will need to see it in the flesh but looks tempting!

https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Omega-...m-Mens-Watch-Green-O21030422010001/p/17331918

Mikey · 20 Mar 2022 at 20:46

I think it’s a nicer green to the hulk and various other Rolex shades.

SpeedFreak · 20 Mar 2022 at 21:19

It would be nicer if it didn't have the Helium escape or waved dial. The LE PO has gone in that direction, it's just a shame it's so thick.

Mikey · 20 Mar 2022 at 21:27

So many thick these days, my Pelagos is a bit of a slab too.

I like my Seamaster 2531.80.00, size so much better.

mrk · 20 Mar 2022 at 22:41

So the Hirsch ARNE is still on the way, was meant to arrive Saturday but seems Royal mail sent it to the wrong sorting office :rolleyes:

so tomorrow it is.

In the meantime I spotted Garmin sell straps on Amazon last night and ordered a rather nice looking one that matched the dark theme of the Laco. I like the texture/pattern on the top face but what wasn't obvious from the stock images was the keeper has a tab on the inside to lock the tail in place and the keeper won't move on wrist. Quite nice, and quick release too. These are made for Garmin's smart watches of course but the quality seems to be a marked bit higher than the usual silicone straps you can buy, though the price at just over £20 you would expect that I guess. Comes with two lengths on the hole section, and the main thing I like about it is that the holes are plentiful and close together so the perfect fit year round.

hughtrimble · 20 Mar 2022 at 23:33

mrk said:
So the Hirsch ARNE is still on the way, was meant to arrive Saturday but seems Royal mail sent it to the wrong sorting office so tomorrow it is.

In the meantime I spotted Garmin sell straps on Amazon last night and ordered a rather nice looking one that matched the dark theme of the Laco. I like the texture/pattern on the top face but what wasn't obvious from the stock images was the keeper has a tab on the inside to lock the tail in place and the keeper won't move on wrist. Quite nice, and quick release too. These are made for Garmin's smart watches of course but the quality seems to be a marked bit higher than the usual silicone straps you can buy, though the price at just over £20 you would expect that I guess. Comes with two lengths on the hole section, and the main thing I like about it is that the holes are plentiful and close together so the perfect fit year round.

Lovely to see another maker with the strap tail notch. It's such a simple solution to a really annoying problem, and that one looks to be superior to the Barton one as it's possible to dock into any hole.

Fnar fnar.

mrk · 21 Mar 2022 at 14:54

Agreed! The HIrsch Arne finally arrived, it is longer than the Pure and has no shorter length option so was a little concerned at first but turns out it's perfect on the first hole and can go to 2nd in the summer I guess. Just like the Garmin strap this is very pliable, more than the Hirsch Pure natural rubber which needs to get warm to become a bit softer (though still comfy either way). I might keep

Wizardskills · 23 Mar 2022 at 21:59

So the new MoonSwatches have been announced, what do you guys think? Personally, I quite like them and will hopefully be picking up Mercury & Neptune if I can find a shop with stock.

Edit:- I've just seen that they are only going to be available in London and Edinburgh Swatch stores in the UK :mad:

. Guess I'll have to wait till they go online.

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dlockers · 23 Mar 2022 at 22:06

I might pop down on Saturday; LMK if you want me to get you one (if they are even obtainium)

Vandle · 23 Mar 2022 at 23:18

The pictures look great, I fear they'll feel light and plasticy although price reflects that. Love Jupiter.