[Brighton] Watches

[Nitram]

Again, interesting to get opinions from those that are almost certainly more knowledgeable than me, but do you reckon all these are refurbished? Most images I’ve seen from a similar vintage Oyster look very similar to mine other than the Rolex logo (which in fairness probably means that you and [MENTION=28061]Nitram[/MENTION] are correct in your assumption)

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1...BAgSEC0&biw=1261&bih=898#imgrc=j6RfEJ5trCDj-M

Some look OK some look ‘restored’.
Here’s a link to a very reputable dealer who specialises in vintage watches Mike Wood.
http://theoldwatchshop.com/tudarc.html

A couple of my 50’s watches are redials. I knew that when I bought them and at about £100 each it was a fair price. Most watches of that age are not going to go for big money so if they have a facelift I have no problem with that. To be honest most around that age are going to look quite rough.
Where it gets problematical is where people try and sell things without full disclosure or to try and mislead people to spend big money on something that is wrong.
Your watch is great, and should definitely be worn with pride.

 

[Springal]

I've got a TAG Aquaracer that is about 17 years old but I still wear daily. It was a present to myself after a fairly big pay cheque after some success at work.

I also have a old Brietling that was a gift but for sentimental reasons (or rather not) I am considering selling it. Had a few valuations at £1500 or so which seems fair.

Been tempted by some of the Omega watches, or a Rolex. But the Rolex process seems a bit of a faff (find a friendly retailer, get on a waiting list which you may or may not get to the top of.) Omega was never really on my radar but some of the new ones look decent

 

[Nitram]

I've got a TAG Aquaracer that is about 17 years old but I still wear daily. It was a present to myself after a fairly big pay cheque after some success at work.

I also have a old Brietling that was a gift but for sentimental reasons (or rather not) I am considering selling it. Had a few valuations at £1500 or so which seems fair.

Been tempted by some of the Omega watches, or a Rolex. But the Rolex process seems a bit of a faff (find a friendly retailer, get on a waiting list which you may or may not get to the top of.) Omega was never really on my radar but some of the new ones look decent

Don’t know much about Brietling but if it’s an old Navitimer it will be worth a bit more than that. Lots of watch forums that will help you and give you information. https://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33

 

[Live by the sea]

Some look OK some look ‘restored’.
Here’s a link to a very reputable dealer who specialises in vintage watches Mike Wood.
http://theoldwatchshop.com/tudarc.html

A couple of my 50’s watches are redials. I knew that when I bought them and at about £100 each it was a fair price. Most watches of that age are not going to go for big money so if they have a facelift I have no problem with that. To be honest most around that age are going to look quite rough.
Where it gets problematical is where people try and sell things without full disclosure or to try and mislead people to spend big money on something that is wrong.
Your watch is great, and should definitely be worn with pride.

There used to be a couple of watch sellers on e bay based in India who used to sell vintage Rolex and omegas etc with brightly coloured refurbished dials . Looks fake & completely ruins the value . They got good reviews from their buyers though - guess it takes all sorts

 

[Icy Gull]

I have never “got” the popularity of diver style watches which are clearly very popular and most top brands have a selection. Unless you are a diver why would you want a big clunky diver’s watch? Do those that like them also drive big F off 4x4s?

Please explain watch maestros!

 

[Swansman]

I'm about ten years too young to have a "natural" relation to watches, which is a bit unlucky/lucky because I think I would have been a complete nerd otherwise. If I ever turn in to a normal person I'm going to get myself a nice one as it would match my anti-cellphone lifestyle.

 

[Easy 10]

I have a Rolex that I bought in a charity auction about 5 years ago that I paid about £150 for (only one other herbert was bidding). Its a lovely looking watch, the second hand sweeps (not ticking), and the back of it has a 3D green hologram with a serial number on it. I'm obviously far from convinced its genuine (there was all sorts of bobbins being sold), but I just liked it as soon as I saw it, and decided I'd go up to £200 regardless. I don't wear it all the time, but it keeps excellent time so frankly I don't overly care if its genuine or not, its just a nice looking reliable watch.

Really glad I started this thread. I thought it would sink without a trace as a complete borefest, but there's some really interesting posts on here. I had no idea we had so many NSC watch connoisseurs on here.

 

[METALMICKY]

A good few years back I was on a shopping trip with a mate that very quickly turned into a bit of an afternoon session. A little worse for wear we found ourselves in the Brighton Lanes peering with disbelief at some watches in a particularly high class jewellers. What caught our eye was a pretty strange looking Franck Muller watch that was a bargain at £16,000. Within minutes a booted and suited sales person unlocked the doors and invited us in. With a sense of bemusement we hesitated then politely declined with the classic ' no thanks just looking'. What was bizarre was here was a couple of obviously half cut youths who looked so far removed from anyone who could afford such a watch. We concluded must have been a slow day and he just wanted a chat!

 

[Killer Whale]

I have never “got” the popularity of diver style watches which are clearly very popular and most top brands have a selection. Unless you are a diver why would you want a big clunky diver’s watch? Do those that like them also drive big F off 4x4s?

Please explain watch maestros!

Because it was the ultimate challenge in watchmaking. To be able to create a timepiece that is as sensitive to atmospheric conditions as any mechanical watch is, but which can survive and tell the time accurately under the intense pressure that is encountered in deep water was the Holy Grail of the industry for much of the early twentieth century. It was incredibly difficult and took scores of years.

And the iconic watch that beat the others was the Rolex Submariner. Perhaps the most famous and important watch ever created. But (and you will not be surprised here, since this is a recurring theme) it wasn't the first to get there. Omega's Marine (a wonderfully innovative watch) beat it to the punch in the 30's in successful water resistance and the Blancpain 50 Fathoms was the real grandfather of every Divers Watch. The Submariner copied pretty much all of it from the dial to the famous rotating bezel.

But with their screw down crown and wonderful hermetically sealed case they did it better. (The Blancpain was a novelty anyway, not a big seller). They saw the marketing opportunity and hats off to them. If you want the answer as to why Rolex dominates the world of luxury watches, look into the history of the Oyster Perpetual case, and the Submariner.

To your deeper question WHY a divers watch that basically no one will ever use it was so loved, so popular, so influential I don't have an answer. If I did I would be working in the field myself and making the big bucks. It defies explanation by me at least, but people love them. They just covet them. Wealthy people, powerful people, opinion formers.

Ask Rolex, maybe they know.

 

[Gabbafella]

I have never “got” the popularity of diver style watches which are clearly very popular and most top brands have a selection. Unless you are a diver why would you want a big clunky diver’s watch? Do those that like them also drive big F off 4x4s?

Please explain watch maestros!

My Omega isn't as big or clunky as you'd think. I don't have very big wrists and the watch doesn't look out of place on me.
I don't wear it as an every day watch. I work in a warehouse environment and don't exactly dress to impress for 90% of my waking life, so when I do go out and dress nice, it feels good to wear classy clothes and a decent watch.
I get what you mean about the diving side of things, I mean, a 300m divers watch that I wouldn't even wear to wash the dishes is possibly a bit unnecessary, but it makes me feel fabulous darling.

 

[Killer Whale]

it feels good to wear classy clothes and a decent watch...
it makes me feel fabulous darling.

That is exactly the point. It hits the nail on the head.

When you wear a decent watch you feel like a million dollars. It is a joy. You feel (as you put it so well) "fabulous."

What is wrong with that? I can't see it myself...

 

[Nitram]

I have a Rolex that I bought in a charity auction about 5 years ago that I paid about £150 for (only one other herbert was bidding). Its a lovely looking watch, the second hand sweeps (not ticking), and the back of it has a 3D green hologram with a serial number on it. I'm obviously far from convinced its genuine (there was all sorts of bobbins being sold), but I just liked it as soon as I saw it, and decided I'd go up to £200 regardless. I don't wear it all the time, but it keeps excellent time so frankly I don't overly care if its genuine or not, its just a nice looking reliable watch.

Really glad I started this thread. I thought it would sink without a trace as a complete borefest, but there's some really interesting posts on here. I had no idea we had so many NSC watch connoisseurs on here.

Post a picture and it will give us a better idea.although Rolex hologram would give model number not serial number of the watch. You have the bargain of the century or a good night out.

 

[Easy 10]

Post a picture and it will give us a better idea.although Rolex hologram would give model number not serial number of the watch. You have the bargain of the century or a good night out.

Oops, bit big. The hologram carries the Rolex crown above the number. Its probably trash, but its been going strong for 5 years and I've always liked it.

 

[jamie (not that one)]

I have a Rolex that I bought in a charity auction about 5 years ago that I paid about £150 for (only one other herbert was bidding). Its a lovely looking watch, the second hand sweeps (not ticking), and the back of it has a 3D green hologram with a serial number on it. I'm obviously far from convinced its genuine (there was all sorts of bobbins being sold), but I just liked it as soon as I saw it, and decided I'd go up to £200 regardless. I don't wear it all the time, but it keeps excellent time so frankly I don't overly care if its genuine or not, its just a nice looking reliable watch.

Really glad I started this thread. I thought it would sink without a trace as a complete borefest, but there's some really interesting posts on here. I had no idea we had so many NSC watch connoisseurs on here.

I've almost started a watch thread a few times (inspired by things like running threads which I have zero interest in but is very popular), but also thought it would be into the page 2+ abyss within the hour. I'm happy you went for it!

Regarding your Schrodinger's Rolex.... you'll have to get it serviced eventually and then you will find out if it's real or not. Question is, do you really want to know if it's real or not? You seem to be getting joy from it so does it really matter?

 

[zefarelly]

I have never “got” the popularity of diver style watches which are clearly very popular and most top brands have a selection. Unless you are a diver why would you want a big clunky diver’s watch? Do those that like them also drive big F off 4x4s?

Please explain watch maestros!

Icy . . . I wear my Chrono watch when racing the car . . .it has what is effectively a stop watch on it, which is useful as we have time slots for pit stops in longer races.

In reality I'm so busy hanging on for deal life and trying not to crash and burn I never look at it until I've stopped, the pit crew wave things at me twhen its time to stop. . . . . so other than giving me the false illusion of being Steve McQueen in LeMans its F ing useless

but it looks good, and if I break down at the arse end of the circuit I know how long I have to wait before being recovered!

 

[Happy Exile]

Another watch geek here, great to see this thread! Inherited the fascination from my Dad. Currently have a Tudor Heritage Ranger and an Omega Seamaster and have tinkered with fixing and building a few others from vintage parts. That Rolex doesn't look genuine to me sorry to say, and the 16233 on the holographic sticker is the model number for a Datejust rather than this watch.

 

[zefarelly]

Another watch geek here, great to see this thread! Inherited the fascination from my Dad. Currently have a Tudor Heritage Ranger and an Omega Seamaster and have tinkered with fixing and building a few others from vintage parts. That Rolex doesn't look genuine to me sorry to say, and the 16233 on the holographic sticker is the model number for a Datejust rather than this watch.

I know a guy who has a collection of Heuer MOnacos, more than ten of them . . . he thought mine was a ringer, but it was genuine, just rare. I think sometimes watches get built from bits, like old cars, use 2 half knackered ones to make one good one.

No rights or wrongs ( Unless you're selling and hoodwinking obviously) If you're happy with it, its doing its job. great.

 

[Nitram]

Oops, bit big. The hologram carries the Rolex crown above the number. Its probably trash, but its been going strong for 5 years and I've always liked it.

Sorry mate looks all wrong. Ref for the yacht master is 16622. 16233 is a Datejust model.

 

[Easy 10]

Sorry mate looks all wrong. Ref for the yacht master is 16622. 16233 is a Datejust model.

Honestly not fussed. I just like the thing, and am happy not to have paid the price of a holiday for it.

 

[PTC Gull]

My collection started a few years ago and currently have
Breitling Navitimer Heritage
Tissot Touch Solar
Tissot Touch
Citizen EcoDrive Skyhawk Blue Angels
Casio Tough Solar

Now looking at the Eco drive Promaster Sailhawk , the Tissot Sailing Touch and the new Garmin Quatix 6 Solar.