insider's watch?

[jhcam8]

[quote name="vinouspleasure" ...do people here really understand the qualitative differences btw the watches?[/quote]


Yes - but TZ or TRF would also serve you well.

 

[6up]

bump...

So what did the "OP" end up purchasing?

 

[ShelterIslandMike]

I have a Breitling Colt Automatic. Nothing fancy about it - just a solid, functional sports watch. But I also have three other watches in the rotation: J Crew Timex, Baume Mercier Hamptons (black leather band) and a Swiss Military for knocking around. I'm covered, so I'm free to spend my money on suits and sports jackets.

 

[MickyD]

personally I think the ultimate in 'insiders watch' that's only recognized by a few, is the MIH watch
http://www.mih-watch.ch/

 

[ndsleep612]



personally I think the ultimate in 'insiders watch' that's only recognized by a few, is the MIH watch
http://www.mih-watch.ch/

Amen to that!

 

[Mute]

MEN! I'd definitely give my vote to JLC.

 

[jhcam8]



personally I think the ultimate in 'insiders watch' that's only recognized by a few, is the MIH watch
http://www.mih-watch.ch/

Amen to that!

AMEN! I'd definitely give my vote to JLC.

All wrong - this is it:

 

[vinouspleasure]

wow, did I write that OP? I can't imagine having the time to form those thoughts and post those long, tortured sentences. I almost bought a stowa, then I almost bought a jlc, then I almost bought an omega sapphire sandwich and then I formed a startup with some friends/ex-colleagues and now I don't have time to look (or post).

 

[impolyt_one]

I actually have the JLC master ultrathin, but wish I also had the Zenith Elite H.W. that are both on the first page. Both are nice archetypal dress watches, a little different. (I didn't know that Zenith was that cheap back then either) The JLC doesn't even have a seconds hand, it's the epitome of simple. It's almost soothing to pop the crown on it and dial in the time (which I check on my iPhone, thank you 2011) and then give it a bit of power, pop it back in and it just invisibly scoots along. Day-dates and stuff are maddening to me sometimes, my other watches never read correctly because I can't be bothered to set them.

The bezel and dial on the JLC are beautiful - just the right proportions for everything and nice figuring on the dial markers, it gives a quality impression, despite its simplicity. It's just so subtle though, it doesn't even seem like I'm wearing a watch, in this day and age of huge watches. Fits nicely under my shirt cuff too, so it really disappears. The logo on the dial is so small, and it's so simple and generic looking, someone asked me if it was a J. Lindeberg X Swatch

 

[akatsuki]

Not sure what the OP did or why this thread popped back up, but it seems like a lot of the answers here are just people's dream watches rather than watches for people "in the know" which seems to be the OP's request.

If you really want a watch that regular people won't know about - I'd suggest Grand Seiko. You can get them at seiyajapan.com and their quality is definitely better than Rolex.

A. Lange & Sohne makes some lovely understated watches - Phillipe Dufour, arguably the greatest watchmaker alive, has openly commented on the high level of quality and the Lange 1 is just a beautiful watch.

If you have big money, get a Dufour Simplicity. Nobody who isn't really into watches will recognize it...

 

[impolyt_one]

The Lange 1 is so expensive that it's not really for people 'in the know' so much as people who are rich, and want one of the finest watches in the world, quite simply. It's not particularly rare or unknown, considering its pricetag - you can get one fairly easily if you can pay for one. Lange is not Rolex by any means, but if you said 'I have $30,000 to spend on a watch, what should I get?" - it'd probably pop up on your radar sooner than later. I agree that the Grand Seikos are an insider's watch though - a lot of go, less show.

 

[akatsuki]



The Lange 1 is so expensive that it's not really for people 'in the know' so much as people who are rich, and want one of the finest watches in the world, quite simply. It's not particularly rare or unknown, considering its pricetag - you can get one fairly easily if you can pay for one. Lange is not Rolex by any means, but if you said 'I have $30,000 to spend on a watch, what should I get?" - it'd probably pop up on your radar sooner than later. I agree that the Grand Seikos are an insider's watch though - a lot of go, less show.

You are probably right about the Lange.