worzel Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I'm in the market for a new watch. My watch of 18 years was unfortunately lost on a night out. I've done a bit of research and it looks like watches fall broadly in to two categories: Quartz - starting price very low, extremely accurate, although will need a new battery every 5 years or so. Can have a multitude of functions. Mechanical - more expensive, less accurate, but do a have a certain work of art thing about them, although I wonder if the movements are basically just mass produced, all be it precision engineering. They tell the time, quite possibly date, and possibly a stop watch (chronograph). Prices up from a few hundred to many many thousands. They also constitute a bit of jewellery / status symbol. I must be a bit stupid because I'm leaning toward the mechanical variety, looking at a budget of £1k-£2k. Whadayareckon? I'm sure there are plenty of Casio F-91w (aka terrorist watch) advocates on here, feel free to ridicule the idea of spending serious wonga on a watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bossybabe Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Why not combine the two and buy an Omega Seamaster like James Bond's? Edit to add: http://m.omegawatches.com/collection/seamaster/catalogue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Masked Tulip Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 We had a watch thread on here a few years back. One of the posters worked, or used to work, in the trade and wrote a very interesting post about the enormous mark-up between the watch manufacturer and the customer - apparently there is a complex and long list of middle-men in the watch industry designed to keep up the price of watches IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worzel Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 Why not combine the two and buy an Omega Seamaster like James Bond's? Edit to add: http://m.omegawatches.com/collection/seamaster/catalogue These are mechanical are they not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worzel Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 We had a watch thread on here a few years back. One of the posters worked, or used to work, in the trade and wrote a very interesting post about the enormous mark-up between the watch manufacturer and the customer - apparently there is a complex and long list of middle-men in the watch industry designed to keep up the price of watches IIRC. I don't doubt it, luxury goods (like houses) have huge margins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver Sutton Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 99p on ebay - free postage. No need to thank me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpectrumFX Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I like divers watches with a bezel. These (http://www.webwatchworld.com/vostok-amphibia/) are a bit of fun and cheap as chips (mine was about £50 IIRC). Properly automatic, but not as reliable as more expensive watches. Mine ran well for 5 or 6 years then stated dropping 10 minutes here or there. The straps that they come with are awful and need to be changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy_renting Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I don't bother with watches. I just write the time on my wrist with a ball-point in case I forget what time it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funinhounslow Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I like watches and justify the expense to myself because I wear one all day every day and so get my money's worth out of the things. If you want an automatic but don't want to spend too much have a look at Seiko - in particular the Monster series of diver watches. Cheap, tough, durable and good value for money - about £150 from somewhere like Creation Watches. About £800 will get you a Longines Hydroconquest - a "proper" watch from one of the oldest Swiss brands. Go and have a look at one in the flesh and see how well they compare to Omega divers costing 3-4 times as much. You're getting 90% of the watch for a third of the price. Just over your price range, but in my opinion worth stretching for the extra (or buying second hand) is the Omega Speedmaster Professional - essentially the same watch as issued to the Apollo astronauts - Buzz Aldrin wore his on the moon, and the Apollo 13 crew relied on their Speedmasters when all their instruments failed. Or £100 will buy you a solar powered, atomic G shock. Always accurate and will go on forever. Hope this helps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StainlessSteelCat Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I don't bother with watches. I just write the time on my wrist with a ball-point in case I forget what time it is. At least your wrist is right twice a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccc Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I have a seamaster - and got it before Bond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shindigger Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Got one of these in Amazon sale a while back for about £40. We're very happy together. http://www.designerposhwatches.co.uk/Breil_TW0589_Tribe_Gents_Mens_Chronograph_Date_Watch/p425988_6129254.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveinHope Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I'm in the market for a new watch. My watch of 18 years was unfortunately lost on a night out. A watch tells the time. You can spend a few quid for an accurate quartz watch or £100s - £1000s for a mechanical. Both will do the same thing, tell you the time to help get you to where you want to be when you need to be there. Personally, I like slim watches with hands. I have several watches, an everyday watch I bought (Timex Indiglo Easy Reader), a mechanical Majex that was an 18th B'day gift a long time ago, and a few smart vintage watches I inherited, Longines, Rolex etc. Personally, if I wanted a smart dress watch I'd get a secondhand vintage, slim, Longines from ebay such as this or this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyguy Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I used to have a thing about self-winding mechanical watches. Orient are insanely cheap for the quality - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Orient-Mens-Automatic-Watch-CEM65001B/dp/B001EWEQ3A/ref=sr_1_8?s=watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1421011604&sr=1-8&keywords=orient+automatic I now have a thing for Casio G-shocks. The top end, Pro trek titanium ones are fantastic. I like watches. I have George Daniels' book. But I would never spend more than £500 on one. Its just too much money. I find all the top end, multi 1000 watches just as expensive, vulgar jewellry that does not keep time well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveinHope Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Orient are insanely cheap for the quality - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Orient-Mens-Automatic-Watch-CEM65001B/dp/B001EWEQ3A/ref=sr_1_8?s=watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1421011604&sr=1-8&keywords=orient+automatic They certainly are, and look OK too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
council dweller Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Casio tough solar....battery lasts 15 or 20 years. £25. Pushed the boat out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exiled Canadian Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 My watch stopped working about a year ago....I haven't replaced it as I tend to carry my 'phone almost everywhere and didn't miss it after the first week. You could save yourself a grand and just decide not to wear a watch anymore...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giesahoose Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I recommend these http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/collection/khaki/field excellent value for money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fully Detached Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I bought a Seiko kinetic watch about 10 years ago, after I'd been looking at Rolex for a while and deciding I liked the automatic action but not the price tag. The Seiko cost me £180 and has been the most faithful watch I ever owned. It's smart enough to wear out without being overly ostentatious, and it keeps time perfectly. I won't be replacing it until I have to - fantastic piece of kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougless Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Try one of these. English company, Swiss made and exceptional value for money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccc Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Try one of these. English company, Swiss made and exceptional value for money. Yes they get very good reviews. Another decent value fairly new watchmaker is Glasshutte. I really like their style. Classy and modern. Decent (ish) value too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonguest Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Why not combine the two and buy an Omega Seamaster like James Bond's? Edit to add: http://m.omegawatches.com/collection/seamaster/catalogue Actually IIRC the original Bond, as per Flemings books, had him wearing a Rolex. I do, however, support the Omega choice. Have had a few since my first given to me by my grandfather. Currently have a wonderful day/date Omega speedmaster. A work of art and engineering - and keeps excellent time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rave Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I have a Lorus, which I believe is Seiko's value brand, which was a 30th birthday gift. I guess it cost somewhere between 30 and 50 quid. So far I've had to replace 2 batteries and 3 strap pins, all easily obtainable on ebay for peanuts. I intend to keep it running as long as possible as it is astonishingly accurate- I reckon it loses about 5 seconds a month. Just been to check with the radio clock in the kitchen and it's currently 4 seconds slow, and I certainly haven't touched it since before Christmas. It led to the rather ludicrous situation of a drunken me telling everyone at our soiree who was watching the countdown to the new year on BBC HD via Virgin Media that, er, it was already new year as there was a 10 second delay on the feed! Prat . I work as a bus controller, and I'm a great one for nipping down bus lanes once they become inactive at 7pm, so having a watch that I know is highly accurate and loses rather than gains time is just what I need. How accurate are mechanical watches out of interest? I couldn't be doing with anything that wasn't accurate to within 2 seconds a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Banner Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Casio Wave Ceptor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StainlessSteelCat Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I no longer bother with a watch as I simply use my phone. I'd advise nothing too flashy though for everyday use. If you are ever mugged, one of the first things they will look at - with a view to liberating from your person - is your watch. I had my admittedly crappy looking but functional casio rejected. Personally, I didn't rate the solar casio that much. Mine lasted about five years before the rechargeable battery no longer worked. I guess I could have replaced it - but given the strap had gone and I was by now regularly carrying my phone. I do appreciate a good watch as a work of art - but I'm not sure I'd ever go back to wearing one. They are basically jewellery nowadays - and I don't wear any of that either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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