????? my 26 year old $12,000 911/beater????

Naw, around Southern California an older 911 is almost intentionally anti-image.
Now a new Yukon or cadillac SUV with 22" bling wheels and rubber band tires, that is the image thing ;)

Besides, a 911 fits into my criteria, it runs forever and is smart.

scott,
have you checked out this thread?
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/75416-must-have-classic-p-phile-watch-interested.html?highlight=lemania

not that my opinion matters too much, but I personally don't care for jewelry on my body. So I was looking for a pocket watch - any suggestions?

I don't think watches can make you cool, but some watches are cool in themselves. The old Orfina/Porsche Design watches made from titanium - very cool. My Casio WatchCamera - not so cool ;)

I'm not big on jewelry myself - I don't wear chains, bracelets, or rings. And, because I worked with my hands as a kid, I used to carry a pocket watch. I didn't go fancy, just a steel watch with luminescent dial, no cover, and a compass I never used - I think it was some sort of camping watch. I still see similar ones on eBay. They've also got fancier ones if you're looking for them.

What ever floats your boat. The image thing is real. A diamond studded gold Rollie is a bling bling statement, no doubt, seems to be one shared by middle aged conservative males and rap stars. People who feel the need to make a powerful economic statements to others.

But its possible to enjoy mechanical watches for other reasons. I enjoy say, my 1952 Omega Seamaster or my 1955 IWC cal 88, in the same way I suspecyt you enjoy your 1980 911 as a fascinating, functional machine.

Im talking about the basic classic military style manual wind. I'll look up the reference for the movement.

Go here:
http://www.chase-durer.com/

everything from pilot to racing to diving, etc...

i have the special forces blackhawk.... get tons of compliments...

here are a few..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1144804636.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1144804650.jpg

Thanks, but I did some Googling using the post from stuartj. Here are the broad strokes of what I've learned:

Apparently, Panerai's movements were originally made by Rolex. After the relationship with Rolex ended, Panerai continued making watches using other company;s movements, modified to their specs. These incude Unitas, Valjoux, and ETA movements. Some of the movements are COSC certified chronographs, some aren't certified but subjected to more rigorous testing by Panerai themselves, others...demonstrate dubious judgement on the part of Panerai, according to some.

Sound about right?

I also learned about a lot of cheap copies and "homages" to various models. I still plan to get one, but I'll be considerably more careful thanks to you and stuart.

I knew there was an early Rolex-Panerai connection. Thats in Dowlings book.

The manual wind movement I referred to in my earlier Panerai comment could be purchased for $62.50 a few years ago. It may have been ETA. There was a thread over at timezone about it several years ago but I can't find it.

Dont get me wrong, I dont hate the Panerai stuff. I think they are classic watches, I just think they are very overpriced for what they are. They do seem to hold there value very well tho, and that can be a good enough argument to buy one.

From what I've learned today, I'll have to concede the overpriced comment. Any company can make a nice-looking watch, and an accurate nice-looking watch - what the high-end companies are supposed to offer for the increased price is craftsmanship and high-quality movements. Panerai seems to be trading mostly on good looks, marketing, and their heritage.

I don't think their watches are awful or anything - as I said, I still plan to buy one - but I've adjusted downward how much I'll pay for it. It's not worth Rolex-money to me.

I like Omegas. Currently have 3 Seamasters ranging from 50's to 90's, and a Speedmaster Pro "Moon" watch from the late 60's or early 70's.

me too, like the Movado, subtle, pretty. I had a Tag Heuer watch that was sort of a piece of crap, kept time poorlyafter about 5 years, so I wear the Seiko with the cool faceted crystal, 20 years old and still looks and works great, generally don't wear a watch, phone has a clock

Dont worry, they are ALL over priced.

But some are simply exquiste.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1144837431.jpg

One thing some find is that tastes change over time. As you appreciate more, the need for ostentatious statement often diminishes.

I believe the best watch for 1K (or less) is a Bulova Acutron. I wear it everywhere and it takes a lot of abuse (sailing, in the salt water, etc) and still looks really good. Keeps extremely acurate time (it's a chronometer).

But the best part is that it has a 25 year warranty, and they actually honor it (after 10 years I had to send it in, fixed it free with no questions asked). You do have to have a copy of the original receipt though. Compare that to the warranty/service on a Rolex, or any other high end watch.

One of the things I have learned from various Pelican watch threads, and from the real world, is that if you do not look the part (IE: if you're a big ol' redneck) then people will assume that the Breitling or Rolex that you have on is a fake.

I guess sometimes a cheap watch is more suitable, even if you really do have an appreciation for, and the coinage to spend on nicer things.

I own a nice Breitling, but my favorites are Casio G-Shocks. There's something about a rugged, accurate watch that I favor.

In particular, I like the ones that intercept the national time signal and set themselves int he middle of the night, they're accurate to about 1 second plus or minus during the day, mostly they're dead on.

Most of them are less than $200.00, some less than $100.00.

Here's a few that I own, including a couple Japan only models.

A 20th Anniversery model, sold only in Japan.
http://images5.fotki.com/v59/photos/...IDJ1BJF-vi.jpg
http://images5.fotki.com/v58/photos/...J1BJF_3-vi.jpg

Another Japan only model, with a red dial.
http://images5.fotki.com/v52/photos/...DJ4JF_7-vi.jpg

Last, another 20th Anniversery model, sold in the US, in it's unique case.
http://images4.fotki.com/v50/photos/...1v_case-vi.jpg

I have a few others, it's a fun way to have a small collection and not steal too much money from the car projects.:D

Way too big. I'm not a small guy or small boned, 6'2" & 205#s, but I don't want a watch that's bigger across than my wrist.

From my perspective, I think it's that I was pretty young at the time that I had my Rolex Submariner ( think I was about 28 or 29). So people assumed that it must have been a fake. Nope, not born with a silver spoon. And even now - still not whealthy monetarily speaking. I've just always liked nice things. When I see something, I fixate on it untlil I've saved enough to buy it. Then I move onto the next thing. In the case of the Rolex, it just didn't fit my persona at the time. One day I'll have aother.

Okay, you folks got to me. Getting bored with my old Seiko, I bought one of these. I guess I just like the military style non chrono. I still prefer quartz accuracy with a day/date feature.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1144859590.jpg