The Official Watch Thread.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I'm exactly the same as Harry with regards to watch faces. Indeed it's the reason I wear an old fashioned watch rather than a Garmin or an iWatch like most of my peers.

I like gold old fashioned face clocks which I can read out of the corner of my eye in a fraction of a second.

[Nordboy]

Sorry for the brevity of that reply, my stupid phone wouldn't let me type text after I posted the link.

That Breitling seems to tick all your boxes, but I know some folks are a bit anti-Breitling so may not be to your tastes. I am lead to believe they don't hold the money as well, not sure how true this is though.

Personally not a great fan of "diver" watches, unless you have big arms, they always look a bit "clunky" to me on anyone who isn't well built.

I'm not exactly well built, fat, yes

But I do have quite big wrists and hands, so I really like the bigger watches. The Breitling may be a little on the small side for me. But I do like them.

And I'll be wearing whatever I get all the time, including work, so it needs to be pretty tough and I'll wear it swimming and if I go somewhere nice, for (at recreational limits) scuba diving as well.

I'm going to pop into town and have a look at Goldsmiths and Crouch Jewellers, see what catches my eye.

[Nordboy]

I'm exactly the same as Harry with regards to watch faces. Indeed it's the reason I wear an old fashioned watch rather than a Garmin or an iWatch like most of my peers.

I like gold old fashioned face clocks which I can read out of the corner of my eye in a fraction of a second.

That's one of the reasons I'm liking the Oris watches, the faces are clear to read, not over complicated.

[MrLongbeard]

I've been wearing my new (to me) watch for just shy of the past week, it takes a day to get your head around reading it, but it keeps time well for a clunky manual mechanical lump of communist engineering, I've not had to alter the time at all.

IMG_20200804_100434 by MrLongbeard, on Flickr

[wheelnut]

Ok, I have a rather large (and unwelcome) birthday this month and I realised that I don't really have anything to 'keep' and eventually pass on from any of my other birthdays. It's always been new bikes!!

So, looking at getting a watch. Now, I'm not looking at spending a fortune, probably up to £2500 max. I like larger watches, so want something 43mm+, and as I suffer from skin issues around my wrists, I can't wear metal bracelet straps, so need something leather/ canvas/ rubber etc.

Been looking at Oris, as I like their divers style watches, clean, faces not too messy etc

Any other suggestions?

Oris are nice, alpina and Sinn also spring to mind in that price range. If you can up the budget a little you get to Tudor and Omega seamaster territory.

[Yorick]

I can see why folk buy expensive watches, but they're wasted on me and I'd probably smash them up very quickly.

I am the proud owner of one of these... Pen asked me to choose anything from the Argos catalogue when she was last in the UK. Ignored the expensive stuff as nothing I fancied. I just love this for it's clean lines and simplicity





And unlike some mega priced jobbies, it keeps perfect time

[G.P]

I can see why folk buy expensive watches, but they're wasted on me and I'd probably smash them up very quickly.

I am the proud owner of one of these... Pen asked me to choose anything from the Argos catalogue when she was last in the UK. Ignored the expensive stuff as nothing I fancied. I just love this for it's clean lines and simplicity





And unlike some mega priced jobbies, it keeps perfect time

I like that

I've got a Beringwith a black chrome finish which I really like - just needs a new battery. it was under £200 but I notice they are nearer £300 now..

The pic makes the face look busier than it is - or maybe familiarity just filters out what you don't want to know!

[moth]

Oris are nice, alpina and Sinn also spring to mind in that price range. If you can up the budget a little you get to Tudor and Omega seamaster territory.

Good shout, with a little extra you're into Black Bay 58 (especially the Blue) territory and if I was spending <£3k on a watch then that's 100% where my money would be going, it's quite likely that they'll go the same way as Rolex and only go up in price as well.

If I was buying a Seamaster then I'd get a used one, a hardly worn one in 'as new' condition can be had for good money.
Or ask around and see what discounts are being offered on the standard Seamaster in shop windows, there should be plenty about.

BB58s are a bargain, and likely will hold their value, but probably too small for Nordboy (but as you know, some watches wear bigger than others that are the same size). The cheapest new Seamaster is over 4k, and that's *only* 41mm

The BB P01 is 42mm, and has an in-house movement that's COSC. Or the BB Bronze at a shade over 3k, is 43mm, also with an in-house COSC.

Besides the brands mentioned, there's the Baume & Mercier Clifton Club, Stowa make some large pilot watches and a 41mm diver. ETA movements though.

Personally I'd stay away from TAG and Brietling. I'd also try and find an independent jeweller rather than a High Street chain, but I've bought from Goldsmiths myself...

[G.P]

The thread prompted me to go and get a Battery put in my Bering. Whilst in the Jewellers (5 mins £8 )
The guy noticed my oyster perpetual datejust and asked to have a closer look, complimented me on what good condition its in (its 1 1973/74 model) and he mentioned that prices were going north at a daft rate on Rolex at the moment.

He advised me to check my home insurance "because the usual £3k on single items isn't nearly enough anymore..."

Naturally he offered an official valuation certificate for a small fee (£60). I've never bothered before, only kept photo evidence, it's probably worth doing...?

[wheelnut]

If you fancy a chunky diver another option may be a Doxa. They have a good heritage.

ETA movement iirc.

https://www.cwsellors.co.uk/collections ... gJTCPD_BwE

[gremlin]

I like uncluttered faces with easy to read dials.

Mondaine are hard to beat in that respect. I keep meaning to purchase this model:
https://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-msx- ... e/p3848217

Good daily watch, suitable for old duffers with failing eyesight and I get 25% discount at JL. What's not to like?

[MrLongbeard]

Mondaine are hard to beat in that respect. I keep meaning to purchase this model:
https://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-msx- ... e/p3848217

Good daily watch, suitable for old duffers with failing eyesight and I get 25% discount at JL. What's not to like?

No date

[gremlin]

Mondaine are hard to beat in that respect. I keep meaning to purchase this model:
https://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-msx- ... e/p3848217

Good daily watch, suitable for old duffers with failing eyesight and I get 25% discount at JL. What's not to like?

No date

Yes, but a gentleman can refer to the top of the front page of The Times for that information.

Or spend another tenner: https://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-mse- ... e/p3264356

In all seriousness, I struggle these days to read the date on my Raymond Weil daily watch, the IWC is a bit 'busy' and needs a second of my attention and the other RW doesn't have a date function, but does show me the inner workings of the mechanism, which is dead handy when I need to know the date. I think I'll push the boat out and spend the extra tenner...

[MrLongbeard]

Mondaine are hard to beat in that respect. I keep meaning to purchase this model:
https://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-msx- ... e/p3848217

Good daily watch, suitable for old duffers with failing eyesight and I get 25% discount at JL. What's not to like?

No date

Or spend another tenner: https://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-mse- ... e/p3264356

That's better
Drop a few more quid for a strap that doesn't pull out your hairs and it's not a bad wee watch, I mean, not bad for a battery powered watch.

I'd sooner;
https://uk.mondaine.com/collections/men ... 0348-11sbb as a man
or
https://uk.mondaine.com/products/classi ... ad5b&_ss=r if I were a lady.

[wheelnut]

Mondaine are hard to beat in that respect. I keep meaning to purchase this model:
https://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-msx- ... e/p3848217

Good daily watch, suitable for old duffers with failing eyesight and I get 25% discount at JL. What's not to like?

Another watch that I’m always drawn to by the pics, but when I try one i’m underwhelmed.

[Yorick]

I like uncluttered faces with easy to read dials.

Mondaine are hard to beat in that respect. I keep meaning to purchase this model:
https://www.johnlewis.com/mondaine-msx- ... e/p3848217

Good daily watch, suitable for old duffers with failing eyesight and I get 25% discount at JL. What's not to like?

It's unisex. Nope. I'll leave the jokes to others....

[Mr. Dazzle]

I can see why folk buy expensive watches, but they're wasted on me and I'd probably smash them up very quickly.

I am the proud owner of one of these... Pen asked me to choose anything from the Argos catalogue when she was last in the UK. Ignored the expensive stuff as nothing I fancied. I just love this for it's clean lines and simplicity

I can't hear the word 'Accurist' without immediately then hearing in my head 'On the third stroke, the time sponsored by Accurist, will be..."

[Wreckless Rat]

Not keen on the mundane

[gremlin]

Not keen on the mundane

Yeah, but slip it on and you're immediately overwhelmed by all things Swiss, like muesli, tedious punctuality, a lack of humour, fascination with your own bowel movements and casual racism.

[Yambo]

Not keen on the mundane

Yeah, but slip it on and you're immediately overwhelmed by all things Swiss, like muesli, tedious punctuality, a lack of humour, fascination with your own bowel movements and casual racism.

If the Swiss make you think of tedious punctuality, their watch movements (or whatever posh name they give them) must make you apoplectic.