Watch - Page 2  

Perhaps the term "jewelry house" was going a little too far.  I agree that Cartier has a storied history, and their watches have outstanding resale value.  That said, Cartier is generally not considered one of the top watchmakers (and certainly not on the level of IWC, much less Patek or Lange).  As far as I know, Cartier doesn't make any of its own movements and does not produce a super-complicated watch (like a perpetual) -- two hallmarks of a top-tier brand.

I know everyone bashes Rolex, but I for one like my rolex explorer 1. I like the idea of having a watch that can go from a wetsuit in the morning to a tuxedo in the evening (like on a cruise) without causing any worry. Since its not a sub or a datejust no one really notices it either.

The Explorer I is my favorite sports Rolex watch due to its stealth appearance.  In fact, my Blancpain Aqua Lung is quite similar in appearance.  The Explorer I's lack of a date and this scathing review (which may or may not still be applicable) ended any interest I might have had, however.

Yeah that's the infamous Walt Odets explorer 1 review that was quite a scandal when it came out. All that I know is that my explorer has been 60ft underwater, dropped onto rocks from 15ft, scraped, bashed and bitten and still keeps time within 10 seconds a month and looks great. I don't think could be said of most other automatic watches. Also if anything does ever go wrong I just have to walk to the rolex building and drop it off.

Rolex gets a bad rap from many watch connoisseurs due to its overwhelming popularity among the general public (it makes 800,000 watches per year and sells every single one), its phony advertising (Does it really take one year to make a Rolex? I don't think so) and the fact that it makes very few watches with complications (one of the hallmarks of a top-tier brand).  Rolexes are not my cup of tea (although I do like some of the vintage models from the 1950s and 1960s), but I recognize that the one thing Rolex does -- make durable and reliable watches that are classically handsome, easy to service, and that will retain their value in the future -- it does very well.

Regarding Rolex: I like the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. This is a terrific looking, functional watch. In my mind, however, it is a "sports watch." The Rolex watches I don't like are the huge gaudy gold and/or gem incrusted watches. They have pretty much taken the classic Oyster sports watch and tried to convert it into an elegant dress watch by making it in gold and covering it with gems. I see nothing elegant about this approach, and the hulking gold and diamond Rolex Presidential watches have always struck me as somewhat tasteless. It's not that I have anything against beautifully adorned watches in precious metals (although they are not to my taste for anything other than black tie events.) I just don't think that the Oyster style case is the best template for this style of dress watch. Kai Kai

No one has mentioned them yet, but I really love Movados. They may not be "high end," but they are gorgeous to me.

Favourites: Breguet, patek, IWC, Blancpain, Vacheron, Jaeger-LeCoultre, A.Lange Own: Patek, IWC and Vacheron, Pulsar, longines

Hi All, I imagine since no one has mentioned them yet, I might already have an answer to this question, but: what are your thoughts on quality/style of Tag Heuer?   I have been seriously considering the Kirium F1 (numberless black face with "hidden" digital features).  I think it's a sharp if somehwhat heavy-looking sport watch.  I am (dare I say it) attracted to the hidden digital gimmick: I have some sort of biological inability to tell analog time accurately and the discreet digital option makes it perfect for me (i.e. looks like a nice analog watch but easy for me to read). It retails I think between 1400-1600K and it would be my first "real" watch (that is, unless Casio counts).  Have any of you had experiences with Tag or do you know anything specific about manufacturing quality, etc.?  What other watches would you recommend in that price range?

James Bond prefers an Oyster Perpetual for use as a knuckleduster. So, you see, huge, chunky watches do have a place in the wardrobe of a well-dressed man.

The general consensus of the folks over at Timezone, who know much more about watches than I, is that TAG Heuer is "overpriced mall junk."  I wouldn't go that far, although I would agree that TAG is definitely overpriced for what you get.  They don't have a factory and make very little of the watches themselves -- they're really more of a design company.  It is a great credit to their marketing department that they have managed to place themselves with Rolex in the public's mind as a prestigious watch company. That said, I think the Kirium is a fine looking watch, and one that I was actually considering buying a few years back.  TAG's classic line, which harkens back to Heuer's pre-TAG days, is also really nice.  If you have your heart set on a TAG, may I suggest a vintage Heuer?  I own this vintage Heuer Camaro, which looks great and keeps better time than any of my other mechanical watches.  If you are looking for a sports watch in the $1400-$1600 range, I recommend an Omega Seamaster.

Wow, that's a bitchin' Camaro. But seriously, very nice watch. What is the quality level of the old Heuers? Comparable to anything?