Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
Rolex GMT black bezel not Pepsi. Had it for ten years this July. Left wrist obvs.
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Watches
- Thread starter patchamalbion
- Start date
Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
Automatic will cost you a small fortune to service/ repair but is just so incredibly skilful to produce. I really don't spend big on clothes/ cars or expensive jewellery but I am in constant love with my Rolex. It's by far and away the costliest item I own other than my car and house but I've been mad about watches since I was a lad.
Presumably it would be different for the brands I've mentioned? Could you give a guesstimate?
Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
I used to get mine serviced annually to ensure warranty etc. And that cost £600 a go ( through a well known dealer in the lanes) I now have it looked at on a bi yearly basis by a local watchmaker for a much more palatable £250 but if he needs to replace anything it can get very pricey. It needed a new 24hr hand as mine kept sticking and that ended up costing nearly a grand to sort.
Jap automatics like sheikh...seiko, damn you iPad spellcheck...are the best value really. Very robust. Luckily I don't drink anymore so my watch suffers less abuse / knocks and wallops etc. Def a good idea to find s good watchmaker in Brighton to give yours a look see after you've owned for a year. Main dealers cost a ****ing bomb.
That is a lot.
Even when you had to pay £1k, that's still cheaper than £600 a year. That's all for a Rolex though, right? A TAG wouldn't be costing so much.
If they're the best value, why do you think they're not mentioned on these pages? They're not all cheap - are they just not as nice to look at, or is it brand snobbery?
I'd like something special, rather than ordinary, but I don't want to be spending £600 a year on it
Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
That is a lot.
Even when you had to pay £1k, that's still cheaper than £600 a year. That's all for a Rolex though, right? A TAG wouldn't be costing so much.
If they're the best value, why do you think they're not mentioned on these pages? They're not all cheap - are they just not as nice to look at, or is it brand snobbery?
I'd like something special, rather than ordinary, but I don't want to be spending £600 a year on it
Tag are predominantly battery operated tick tick watches and the movements are exactly the same as those inside SWATCH I have an old 1500 series that still runs as steady as a rock after twenty odd years so one of those will last a lifetime.
The Japanese were the first to properly nail the kinetic automatic function and market it successfully. A lot of watch officiant dos secretly prefer their japs to their Swiss. The price difference is huge and the performance of the brand leaders like Seiko is usually faaaar superior.
The Swiss have always led in style and brand equity. Re-sale values for Rolex and Hublot etc. Is fantastic compared with any jap models except the very early seiko kinetics.
One bit of advice. Tag etc. Are less expensive to buy on the grey market in places like Dubai where there is little or no sales tax. Never buy direct from Switzerland.
If they're the best value, why do you think they're not mentioned on these pages? They're not all cheap - are they just not as nice to look at, or is it brand snobbery?
I'd like something special, rather than ordinary, but I don't want to be spending £600 a year on it
I think there's some brand snobbery amongst the less knowing for sure. However, those really into their horology will have huge respect for Seiko who make watches for every budget. Their horological backstory is pretty much unrivalled. You can spend more on a Seiko, from their Grand Seiko range, than a new Rolex would cost you: http://www.seiko.co.uk/collections/men/grand-seiko
Most punters walking into a High Street shop with some cash to spend on a nice watch would choose a watch from a Swiss house over Seiko nearly every time.
I'm not sure of the differing servicing costs across the different well know Swiss brands that you mention, however there is unlikely to be too much in it. Nearly every watch that comes out of Switzerland will have an ETA movement, often the same ETA movement, so the task of servicing that is pretty uniform.
If you're spending a few grand on a watch, it should be a heart decision not a head decision. Try lots on, and enjoy finding something that truly grabs you and go for that.
As much as I like Tag, I'd go for Omega over them if I was looking to be a one-watch man.
I'd strongly consider Tudor, well done on being aware of them - many aren't. A Rolex for a decent price. The Black Bay, particularly with the red bezel on a leather strap, is very nice if you like the look of a diver.
Yeah I was looking at the Carrera Calibre 5 and 6 - automatics, so the usual maintenance problems I assume.
Which Japanese brands would you recommend - I looked at Seiko and wasn't fussed about the design.
In what way? The Seiko automatics aren't cheap.
I'm not really fussed about resale value, I wouldn't expect to sell it.
Cheers and thanks for all the help.
Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
Tudor have always been a great favourite of mine. I like their simple styling compared to the big brother Rolex. It's good to see them being marketed more in their own right of late. I would like to add one to my (small) collection.
Agree with you on Omega too. Love their sea masters. The new ones is especially beautiful.
I understand, but a while a few grand is a lot, if it lasts a lifetime it's nothing compared to hundreds every year servicing it.
Is that because you always like the style of Omega more, or something else?
Yeah I like the Style 38 (I want a simple looking watch, not after a diver).
The Omega De Ville Tresor is quite nice. A little pricey though
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/de-ville/tresor/master-co-axial-40-mm/43253402102004/
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/de-ville/tresor/master-co-axial-40-mm/43253402103001/
Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
In the seiko family you will find the "orient" subsidiary. They have some lovely looking elegant pieces. There's another that my mate recommends called "Kenneth Cole" with some funky styling. Not really checked them out myself but he has a nice rectangular one that looks like the original Heur Monaco.
I understand, but a while a few grand is a lot, if it lasts a lifetime it's nothing compared to hundreds every year servicing it.
Is that because you always like the style of Omega more, or something else?
Yeah I like the Style 38 (I want a simple looking watch, not after a diver).
The Omega De Ville Tresor is quite nice. A little pricey though
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/de-ville/tresor/master-co-axial-40-mm/43253402102004/
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/de-ville/tresor/master-co-axial-40-mm/43253402103001/
You'll not be needing to service a modern automatic every year. 3-5 years, or in some cases even longer, is more typical.
If you like relatively plain, check out Omega Aqua Terra: http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Seamaster Aqua Terra/Watches
Don't rule out buying used, from a reputable dealer, either. Always get boxed with papers.
Thanks.
Yeah those are the ones I was looking at (the De Ville are a bit pricey). I like these:
https://www.omegawatches.com/watche...a-150m/master-co-axial-415-mm/23113422103001/
Thought I'd seen this one with a leather strap, but can't see it now:
https://www.omegawatches.com/watche...a-150m/master-co-axial-415-mm/23110422101003/
Thanks. I've no problem getting second hand, but I figure searching will be harder.
kingcole
Well-known member
I just bought my first ever watch. I decided on the tag connected. Whilst I appreciate its not everyone's cup of tea it's worth mentioning that I bought it in Guernsey and saved the vat.
I only went there for it as the only place I could find one but you can get direct 30 min flights on Aurigny from LGW for under £50 for a Saturday day return so the saving will easily cover the flight, even on a much cheaper (£1100 UK, £920 there) like mine.
I only went there for it as the only place I could find one but you can get direct 30 min flights on Aurigny from LGW for under £50 for a Saturday day return so the saving will easily cover the flight, even on a much cheaper (£1100 UK, £920 there) like mine.
Butch Willykins
Well-known member
Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
There. Now THATS what I'm talking about.
Btw...is that a make up bag sticking out of your laptop case?
What makes it pimps gear? I've got so much to learn.
Never really appealed.
Some lesser-known marques worth considering include Ball, Bell & Ross, Fortis, Glycine and Sinn. You get a fair bit of watch for your money, primarily because they don't spend zillions of pounds on marketing and on celebrity brand ambassadors. I've always had a soft spot for Oris too.
Given where your tastes seem to be, how about these:
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...er-ii-marvelight-nm2026c-s6j-be-watch-bl-1428
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...3-officer-white-watch-brg123-wh-st-scr-br-385
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...cematic-pilot-professional-623-10-71-m-ft-505
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...mbat-6-automatic-36-mm-3916-18-1-watch-gl-342
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...elet-01-733-7642-4035-07-8-21-80-watch-or-984
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...nter-watch-6033-watch-6033010-bracelet-sn-071