Nixon also makes some decent watches:
http://www.nixonnow.com/mens-watches/
Check out the Delta II SS - looks like a slicker G-Shock.
I’ve always been a fan of Seikos. A lot of people don’t realize that the higher end models are often of higher quality and sell for more than Rolexes. Mine cost me about 250 bucks and it still runs like clockwork. Wait, that comparison doesn’t really work well in this case. Anyway…
I also like higher end Skagen watches. Very minimalist and cool.
Those Seiko’s are nice.
I’m a big fan of watches from Bell & Ross http://www.bellross.com/ (any of the professional, classic or vintage)
Hey if you find the right watch you’re going to have it for many, many years.
Edit: Also Movado’s http://www.amazon.com/Movado-Stainless-Steel-Watch-0605023/dp/B000E39SOM/ref=pd_sbs_watch_2/189-2046920-7570414 Classy.
Damn man, Bell & Ross watches make me drool. Although I’m interested generally in all watches, from the quirky/weird/cheap plastic to the highest precision swiss watches, how could you not be in serious love with a mechanical instrument like that?
Some of those, I mean…damn! I’m guessing their mechanicals run a pretty high price, so it’s kinda out of my reach, but still, a man can dream.
I really like the “&” symbol on the crowns, it’s a nice touch. They say on their site the auto-mechanicals have +/- 10 sec a day, that’s pretty fucking awesome. I like that they’re undeniably timeless, instant classics. Simple with no tricks or gimmicks. I have no doubt they’d last for generations, and that in generations to come they’ll still hold their style.
But, for the moment, I’ll have to stick to my not-so-nice-but-sufficient Japanese built watches…
Hamilton makes some very nice pieces (hell clinton has a collection). Oris is pretty good for the price too. I definatley prefer the leather band minimalist look. There are alot of lower key good quality brands coming into their own if you know where to look.
I’m very rough on my watch and don’t much like the large heavy ones.
I use a Timex expedition and replace it every two years or so when the battery wears out. Works great for me, I use the count down timer all the time and use the alarm as my alarm clock. I like the leather band, but they will stink if you get them wet often.
With that said, the only time I take it off is for sex, when I shower, or go in the lake.
Rolex Submariner for knocking around. IWC Portugese for more formal times.
Otherwise, I have an Armitron I bought at Walmart six or seven years ago for $9.95 (because it was the cheapest in the store). It works pretty good.
Here’s my take on a watch. I am not saying this is how you approach it or not, but this is my overall opinion on people i know/met/run into. People (again, i am generalizing) will go buy a $60K car while making $35K a year and say they can ‘afford the payment’. The payment for something that loses almost half its value the minute you take to the streets.
A good watch will never lose value. It is also something you can pass down to your kids. It is an investment, that if chosen wisely, will always hold or increase in value while giving the owner a sense of pride. Why, then, do people say, wow, that watch costs “X” amount, i couldnt afford that, but will ‘buy’ a car they can’t afford because they somehow justify it? Or to put it more bluntly, i’ll buy a BMW or Benz because people will see me driving it and i’ll get laid.
This mentality is so stupid i can’t even begin. I dont care how old someone is, nobody gives a shit about your car, unless its a Ferrari or something better. Think about that, the ferrari is the only car people who don’t know you will actually give a fuck about. Other than that it’s just a car, and most people you meet in life will never see your car because you will either be at work, in a bar, or another social event that doesnt revolve around being in your car.
Now, what about a watch? Everyone you will ever meet in your life will most likely see it. Think about that. You want to make a good impression, save your money and get a watch that people will talk about. Don’t spend $500 bucks on a Seiko, because whether you spend $5 bucks or $500, it’s a Seiko. Instead, save that $500 bucks, and keep saving until you can afford a fucking awesome watch, preferably a Rolex.
Why? Because everyone you ever talk to will notice. Trust me. I had a $5 nike running watch for three years until i saved enough. People would tell me how stupid i was for wanting an expensive watch while driving a POS car and owning a POS Nike watch, and you know what, now i laugh at them.
Why? Because they have probably bought at least three watches that cost too much that sucked (e.g. a $500 Seiko) and leased/loaned out a car that was too expensive for them. And now they got nothing and i have something that will last the rest of my life, and everyone i have ever met has commented on the watch. Oh yeah, and James Bond’s first watch was a Rolex Submariner.
I drive a $2500 1986 Camry, with about 120000kms on the clock.
I like this car because A) It was cheap, B)It’s simple and reliable C)It gives good mileage.
Even if I had a 6-7 figure salary, I would buy a new Camry, or an Aurion. Because they represent good value for money, they’re reliable and the running costs are low.
I think you’re right that people try and improve their image by buying shit that doesn’t achieve that goal, and also represents a poor investment. I don’t think most people give a shit even if the car is a Ferarri. I would look at it and think, well, it’s a cool car and it’d be fun to drive for a while, and if they have money to waste, good for them. I’m quite content to drive my 20+ year old camry.
For an everyday watch, I want something similar to the camry. It has to be good value for money and be reliable. I spend most of my time wearing generic brand track pants and plain t-shirts. I don’t think a rolex is going to do much for that outfit. I need a watch to tell the time. That’s why I like the Seiko 5 series. They tell the time. They’re mechanical, reliable, simple. They represent very good value for money.
I like g-shocks because they’re accurate, functional, tough and good value for money.
In a dress watch I’m still looking for the same thing. Good value for money, reasonably accurate and reliable. The only added need is for the watch’s aesthetics not to be so horrible to draw attention to itself. My suit is not going to be worth much more than the watch is.
I think you’re misguided on the value of japanese made watches. The top seiko and citizen watches easily rival the top swiss made watches in terms of quality of build and accuracy. So, people are not going to be awed by the fact that you’re wearing a citizen (which is a big reason why in the US they started marketing their top end watches as campanola, much like Toyota started marketing cars under Lexus), it doesn’t mean that the watches aren’t of a very high standard.
I’ll agree that top-end swiss made mechanical watches can be a decent investment, and won’t lose value like other watches. I think investing that money is other ways makes more sense financially. I think that in mid-priced watches the best value for money is to be found in japanese built watches (i.e. seiko and citizen).
Here’s something to think about-
A $500 quartz seiko would be expected to last at LEAST 30 years or more with out much trouble. That’s $16 2/3 a year.
Let’s say you buy a Rolex Submariner at around 8k. To see similar value for money you would have to expect the watch to last over 477 years. Needless to say at that point you’ll be dead. Sure, if your kid’s/grandchildren/…/great x4 grand children happen to hold onto and look after the watch they’ll make a nice sum of money on it. But I can pretty much guarantee that if they actually WEAR the watch, especially on a daily basis, that the watch won’t last that long. Eventually even the worlds best watches break, and die, and it won’t matter whether you spent $500 or $50,000. So although up to a certain point you’re correct in saying that good watches hold their value well, and can be a decent investment, long term it’s not so true. When do you decide to cash in and sell the watch and go back to wearing $5 nikes?? How do you decide that you’ve gotten your money’s worth of wear out of it and it’s time to let someone else buy it and wear it for a while?
Remember what a watch is for- it’s to wear, to tell the time. If you want to make an investment, there’s a lot of better ways to make a return on 8k, they just won’t involve people commenting on how cool your rolex is.
I’m all for the collecting of watches as hobby. If I had the money I’d do it, because watches interest the hell out of me. But at this stage, I just need a watch to wear. To tell the time.
[quote]comus3 wrote:
Rolex Submariner for knocking around. IWC Portugese for more formal times.
Otherwise, I have an Armitron I bought at Walmart six or seven years ago for $9.95 (because it was the cheapest in the store). It works pretty good.[/quote]
Haha, a lot must have happened in those last 6-7 years! What did you do- finish med-school?
Your reasoning makes sense. I too do not like to waste my money, I drove a 93 accord until this past year when i had my first kid. It was 2 door and teal green. I got it because it was the most reliable car i could get used and it cost the least. Some people thought i was an idiot, but you know what, i met my wife while having that car and alot of other ladies before her. And i just sold it this year for half of what i paid. Not bad for a 17 year old car with over 200K miles. I miss that damn thing. But i digress…
I agree with your statements about the watch. I only got mine because i wanted it, not for the ‘wow’ factor or any other stupid reason. Plus i figured it is something i can pass along, which means something. I always liked the scene in pulp fiction when Bruce Willis gets the watch from Christopher Walken. Thats some serious shit.
Your last statement did confuse me slightly. You mention that a watch is only for telling time. If that were the case, you shouldnt get a $500 dollar or $5000 watch. Get a $5 Nike watch and invest the money in other things. Perhaps some rims for your Camry!!! LOL!
This is the watch I am planning on ordering for day to day and work wear. It is currently out of stock.
[quote]tassietaekwon wrote:
I drive a $2500 1986 Camry, with about 120000kms on the clock.
[/quote]
One of the wealthiest, most respected dermatologists in the province of Ontario drives a rusty 1986 Toyota Camry. Seriously.
[quote]jdtarheel13 wrote:
Plus i figured it is something i can pass along, which means something. I always liked the scene in pulp fiction when Bruce Willis gets the watch from Christopher Walken. Thats some serious shit.
Your last statement did confuse me slightly. You mention that a watch is only for telling time. If that were the case, you shouldnt get a $500 dollar or $5000 watch. Get a $5 Nike watch and invest the money in other things. Perhaps some rims for your Camry!!! LOL![/quote]
I can understand having something to pass on to you kids. When I was a kid when I went to my grandparents house I was allowed to carry my grandfathers pocket watch around and have it beside my bed at nights. When he died he left it to my dad, and when he dies he’ll pass it on to me. I think at some point it took a hard knock and no longer runs… despite what it costs me to get it running again, I’ll find someone who can fix it.
You’re right in saying that i could just wear a $5 watch and it would be reasonable accurate and probably give me the longest wear per dollar spent. But I suppose I’m at least a little bit vain. Like I say, I really want a watch that doesn’t draw any attention to itself for the wrong reasons. And if it doesn’t draw attention to itself for any reason that’s ok, too.
So what type of watch did you end up buying?
If I were to save long and hard for a watch I’d get the best patek philippe I could afford. The general public might not know the brand, but watch lovers everywhere will drool in envy.
This isn’t the watch I’m going to inherit (unfortunately)
It doesn’t look like much, but it would be right up there with the finest timepieces ever made. And how could such elegant simplicity ever go out of style?
If I ever have a spare 38,000+ dollars I’ll buy one.
sjoconn-
I’d really like the look of that Oris, if only it didn’t have that play button? What is it’s function?
The Chase-Durer looks like a pretty serious watch. You’ll have to let us know what you think once it arrives!
Stay away from the Suunto X9i. It’s an over priced piece of shit that…
I have a four fucking hundred dollar brick on my wrist that barely serves as a fucking wrist watch, let alone the goddamned GPS, barometer, altimeter and the rest. And that fucking company’s customer service is absolutely horrible. I…
I can barely look at my watch with out getting irrationally angry. But it cost $400, so I better enjoy the shit out of it.
I have a Seiko Kinetic Diver’s Watch that I really like.
I got it on ebay for a moderate $180 dollars and it retails for something like $250.
Compared to stuff like Tag Haeur and Omega, it’s on the cheap end. And there’s nothing wrong with Seikos. At least it’s a lot better than the Fossils I see.
Most of the time, however I wear a G-Shock.
[quote]drew1021 wrote:
If you want an analog every day watch, it’s hard to beat this:
Solar powered quartz, so you don’t need a watch winder. Looks nice enough to wear with a suit, feels like a tank on your wrist. Seiko kinetics are pretty good in the same price range as well, but I’ve had friends who have had the capacitors fail on them.
If you want digital, like others above, I also recommend the casio solar gshocks with the atomic clock synchronization. [/quote]
I have an ecodrive - black face, titanium strap and bezel. Very happy with it.