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The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

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BLAUGRANA

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Alright guys, I need some advice. Looking to buy my first nicer watch and need some suggestions. Budget is around $1200. I've looked at the Tag Formula 1, different Shinola's, and a few Tissot. I'm only a few years removed from college and work for a medical tech company so it's pretty casual. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

There are others in this thread with more experience and knowledge than I have, so take this for what it's worth. However based on what your'e saying I would suggest two things:

1) Take your time and really look and see what's out there. Don't just look around your budget but also somewhat higher. Either way, if you're asking for a suggestion I think that's fine, but I also think if you need to ask that maybe you haven't done enough of your own research. I looked at various watches for over a year and continue to do so and I still feel as though there are some watches that I'm not yet 100% familiar with. More important than that though, I changed my mind somewhat during that time as far as what I liked and how I prioritized my money. Fortunately I didn't buy anything as I discovered other watches that I loved and had I bought something else it would have only held me back from getting something that at the end of the day I loved more. I was re-watching the Talking Watches episode featuring John Mayer (who I'm not necessarily a fan of in terms of horology much less music) and he noted how the first ten watches or so he regretted buying. Knowing that I wanted a couple of watches like the Tudor Black Bay I actually came across the chance to get a number of Shinolas for about 40% off. While I liked the prices and thought I'd appreciate the Shinola (a brand that is too much maligned in my opinion), I didn't get one because I knew it'd just cut into my budget or delay me from getting a "better" watch that I loved more. I'd also suggest considering what you think you'll still like in say five years or even twenty years. I'm a bit older than you are and I try and buy things that I think I'll still appreciate for many years to come. Sure you can always offload a watch, but I'd rather get something that I'll wear and live with for years to come.

2) In the meantime save your money. If you can double the budget, you open yourself up to the possibility of some nicer watches for the money. At that price you can get a nice like a slightly used Tudor Black Bay or Tudor Ranger and still have some money left over for a nice strap. Or if your'e so inclined you could get a Nomos, Longines Heritage or a Montblanc Heritage piece. Personally I'd go Tudor in that range off the top of my head. Otherwise, if you can triple your budget you open yourself up even further. Tripling your budget would get you my favorite modern Speedmaster brand new and still leave money left over for a great strap, and that's not to mention other options. And while doubling your budget or even tripling your budget may seem like a lot, if you do the math and just put money away every month or every check it isn't as daunting.

Sorry I didn't recommend anything in the price range you're considering. I'm just not as familiar with watches in that range. Maybe a Junghans?
 
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Farhad19620

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It's obviously the strap. :p



LOL, yes that is what I thought also but the bloody thing gets noticed even on a simple black alligator strap!
The watch came on a leather alligator print strap but I could not stand that for a minute so had to change it straight away. I must say though that the quality of that fake alligator strap the watch came with was so good that when I went to a specialist strap maker shop even they could not tell if the strap is a real alligator one or just alligator print on leather!

Any way here is something much better and No it is not mine yet but I love it to bits! LOL


2029508
 
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Dino944

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Dino that looks incredible on you. Solid is the word that comes to mind but is such an understatement.
Thank you!
cheers.gif


Nice, Dino! Where does BLNR stand as far as satisfaction? Just curious? Close to RO or not even remotely close?

Really interesting question and one that I hadn't considered. They are such different watches in terms of design, finish, price point, function, and versatility. The 15202 has an amazing finish, and so many complex angles, beveled edges, and contrasting finishes that after wearing it for a while you begin to really understand why it costs what it does and why its production is quite limited. It it is also their only time only movement that is assembled and finished in the same department as the high complications. Its very versatile, and I could wear it for everything other than the dressiest of functions when I might wear a true dress watch, or if I were going swimming (you can, its wr to 50 m, but I don't wear watches in this price range for swimming). There really isn't anything I dislike, would change, and there isn't any competitor or other watch that I had second thoughts about. I know there are lots of Nautilus fans out there, and I'm a big fan of both the 5711/a and the 5712/a. Those are exceptionally well finished, but for me those are pieces I would consider adding to compliment my collection. I wouldn't choose either of them over a 15202...I just prefer the 15202s design far more (but that is subjective). For me the 15202 gets more wrist time than almost any of my other watches combined. I really like dress watches on straps, but I just don't tend to wear them very often. Sports watches or luxury sport watches tend to fit my lifestyle more than pure dress watches do.

As for the BLNR, its my favorite modern Rolex. For years the Daytona was my favorite, and if you talk with people who service watches and study movements they will tell you the cal 4130, which powers the modern Daytona is technically a fantastic movement. Even beyond the technical aspects of its movement, IMHO its probably the best chronograph available brand new for under $20K. That said, I really enjoy wearing the BLNR even more than my modern Daytona. So in a sense in terms of my favorite modern Rolex it has dethroned the Daytona in the hierarchy of my collection. I do qualify it in terms of saying modern Rolex watches, because I think if I could keep only one of my Rolex watches it would be my vintage 16520 Daytona. I like my BLNR so much that from time to time I have considered adding a 16710 Pepsi. That being said, the BLNR does not get as much wrist time as my 15202 so maybe that is a sign that there is still a greater satisfaction/enjoyment level with the RO. The BLNR looks great, is really well finished, has the practicality of a date, an additional timezone, its water resistant to 100m, and its bezel is scratch resistant...but it can't go quite as far in terms of dressing it up. Yes, I know Bond wore Subs and now Seamasters with suits and tuxedos...but the 15202 is better suited for that if I'm trying to wear a sports watch with dressier attire. So after thinking about it, the 15202 still reigns supreme in terms of satisfaction, but the BLNR runs a good second place for a less expensive pure sports watch. Cheers!

Alright guys, I need some advice. Looking to buy my first nicer watch and need some suggestions. Budget is around $1200. I've looked at the Tag Formula 1, different Shinola's, and a few Tissot. I'm only a few years removed from college and work for a medical tech company so it's pretty casual. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
It really depends on your taste and what you are looking for, pure sports watch, dress watch, something in between. Also, if you consider pre-owned there may be other brands or designs to consider.
 
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firenze_rob

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Alright guys, I need some advice.  Looking to buy my first nicer watch and need some suggestions.  Budget is around $1200.  I've looked at the Tag Formula 1, different Shinola's, and a few Tissot.  I'm only a few years removed from college and work for a medical tech company so it's pretty casual.  Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.


Some pieces that come to mind that may fit the bill:

Hamilton Khaki Pioneer
http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/collection/khaki/field/pioneer-auto/h60515533

Eterna Pulsometer 1942
http://eterna.com/en/products/collection/heritage/watches/item/view/itemlist/nr/194241641177/

Longines Heritage Diver
https://www.longines.com/#!/watches/heritage-collection/l2-796-4-52-9

Longines Heritage 1935 - I love that machine turned bezel.
https://www.longines.com/#!/watches/heritage-collection/l2-794-4-53-2

Zodiac Seawolf 68
http://www.watchstation.com/en_US/s...020&Ntt=seawolf&pn=sr&rec=11&imagePath=ZO9500
 
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mimo

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My favourite casual watch is my Stowa - right on that budget, @adsmith4



(and on my wrist now)
 

rnguy001

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Nice! I forgot you had this man. I can't remember but was there a wait for it? To the OP, in your budget I would go SINN There are nice Longines and Oris models as well. If. You think that this is a 'trial' watch then I agree, just save your money until you can get what you really want.. But if you see yourself with this watch for more than a few years and will appreciate it, then there are a number of great options. IMO I don't particularly like Shinola, but if floats your boat..
My favourite casual watch is my Stowa - right on that budget, @adsmith4 (and on my wrist now)
 
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Keith T

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Oris Diver's Sixty-Five is probably the new hotness in that price range (assuming discount from retail).

Here's the obligatory review by Hodinkee:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/with-the-oris-divers-sixty-five

But as others have said, if you're at all unsure, or just trying to ease into the whole watch thing, then take your time and figure out what's best for your lifestyle.

No rush.
 

DLJr

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I'll second the Stowa suggestion, especially their pilot versions.
 

Andy57

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I would also strongly recommend Stowa at that price point. I have a Stowa Marine and it's a beautiful watch. Tough, too.
 

dcg

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Question for the Rolex experts - just took delivery of a U-serial 16600 with a T<25 dial. Placed it under my iphone flashlight, and was surprised to see it glow brightly after a minute or two.

I've seen posts indicating that the light might just be activating the phosphorescent paint. Gave the watch a minute or two of the flashlight and set it in the dark - significantly darker after 10 minutes, and fairly hard to see after 20 (compared to my ~3 year old Speedmaster that I'm using as a Superluminova control).

Would this suggest a tritium dial, or just an older luminova dial that's lost some of its staying power?

Pics to come...
 

dcg

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If it has a T on the dial, then it has Tritium.


This was my initial understanding, but I've seen it suggested that there are some T dials during the transition period (1998) that were luminova. The supposition being that Rolex had a few T dials left over when they started using luminova.
 

mimo

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Nice! I forgot you had this man. I can't remember but was there a wait for it?

Yeah, they sell direct and depending on the model there can be waiting times. They normally say so on the site, and are very efficient on communication when you've ordered, too.

I think there was a backlog at one point while they switched to different movements, but they were always very communicative. Mine took a month or something, I think.
 
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