Watch thread, how much do you need to spend?

[scottmandue]

Didn't want to hijack the fountain pen thread, BTW thanks a bunch for getting me thinking of $200-$300 pens!

No doubt a Rolex will outlive you, but for a couple of grand I would expect that. I own a few nice Seiko's that appear to built like tanks and I have no reason to believe that they won't be ticking a hundred years form now So at what point do you think you are paying for brand recognition in a watch?



And yes, I'm still saving up for a BMW R90...
then I'll look at $200 fountain pen...

[Steve Carlton]

I bought a used GMT from a jeweler friend of mine a few years ago for $2,200. I was looking for a Submariner, but actually like this better. Didn't buy it because it's a "Rolex," but just because I like the look of their divers watches. Never get tired of looking at it.

[Joeaksa]

Scott,

There is already a watch thread going somewhere. Do a search for it and you will find some very nice examples there.

The R90 is worth it, try a R75 until you get the money. My R75 will shortly have R90S pistons, cylinders and heads on it. Ultimate sleeper, lighter and same power as the R90S. Could be very fun!

Also, regarding the $200 pens. I just picked up a new in the box ST DuPont roller type pen. List is $280 or so and I paid $60 or so plus $20 in shipping. Its the real McCoy and evidently had been sitting in the store too long so they sold it. If you look you can find deals like this. I do not spend $200 for them and thats how I can afford the plane and motorcycles!

JoeA

[Joeaksa]

Steve,

Believe that you can change the GMT master that you have now into a SubMariner if you really like that style. Its the same body I believe and the jeweler just switches the outside bezel, face plate and hands.

Nice looking GMT, I have a steel and gold (two tone) and one like you have. They will last forever if taken care of and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Just got a Tag Heurer Monaco recently and love it. Goes very well with my Pelican "LeMans" jacket. Like ladies get shoes, I have the same problem with watches, but at least they last longer!

JoeA

[Dantilla]

Wow. When I think of watches and pens, the brands that come to mind are "Timex" and "Bic".

[930addict]

Yeah me too. I have the timex that I purchased when I was in 5th grade that still works. I paid $65 of my own money for the timex. I also have a gold seiko that is about 15 years old that still works - I paid nearly $400 for it way back then. I woke up one morning and thought, "I don't need to know what time it is in 50 countries, I don't need a stop watch, and this thing is just too big." So I recently purchased a Bulova C960354. It's a gold watch with a gold face with numbers (not roman numerals) and it displays day-date. Price $120.

[scottmandue]

Joe, I remeber the old watch thread I'm just being lazy, besides I think we should have at least one (each) new thread a week on watches/guns/motorcycles on OT.

So where do you find "deals" on pens?

I have gotten pretty good at finding bargains on watchs, picked up a few used ones:

[Shuie]

$2200 for the GMT above is a screaming deal. I like watches, but I never got into the pens. I could care less if anyone recognizes my watch or thinks Im putz because of what it cost. I actually prefer that non watch people not recognize it. I'll wear it for the rest of my life or give it to my kid at some point. I dont know why I want one, but I do really want to own a Patek Phillipe in the future.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by Dantilla
Wow. When I think of watches and pens, the brands that come to mind are "Timex" and "Bic".

Hoot! Guess that means I'm very upscale. As I said on the other thread, the pen I carry most these days is a chrome Fisher bullet, (Yes, the pen that starred in a Seinfeld episode.) and the watch is a Seiko day-date. Oh, and I bought a Timex chronograph for wearing to the track. It'll record lap times as accurately as a Rolex Daytona.

[scottmandue]

Shuie, you found me a guitar yet?

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by Shuie
$2200 for the GMT above is a screaming deal.

It was a year old when I got it, but cleaned up as new. He offered it to me for his cost of $2,200, but I paid him a little extra.

JoeA- I had asked for a Submariner, but he came back with the GMT. When I saw it, I liked the red in the bezel and the extra hand better, so it worked out well.

[Shuie]

Originally posted by pwd72s
Oh, and I bought a Timex chronograph for wearing to the track. It'll record lap times as accurately as a Rolex Daytona.

Probably more accurately, but I bet youd get in a wreck before you could read a current Daytona while driving. In any kind of sunlight the dial and tachymetre bezel are impossible to read. Thats one that I owned just to say I owned. Sometimes its more fun to chase things like that down that it is to keep them. I couldnt use it on the interstate between mile markers, I cant imagine trying to use it while going around a track.

Scott, sorry Im banning myself from looking at any guitars for a while. I cant buy any more guitars until I sell some of the ones I have. If I cant buy, then I shouldnt look

[pwd72s]

ON the track? Not my car, nope. I'm just one of those who likes to sit in the stands, push the buttons on my Timex, and say to a buddy: "Monte did a 1:16 on that lap"...

[masraum]

A quartz watch will keep much better time than a mechanical, so for the most accurate time get a casio or timex, or even many of the seikos. For a watch that is built and engineered like a Porsche get a mechanical watch. It's more about the idea and function than the accuracy or price really.

I have a $900 watch that is a true 24 hour watch, the numbers go from 1-24 and the hour hand goes around once a day. It's a nice watch that will be around a long time. I don't like giant plastic watches or digital watches, and if I get a watch with a body that's made from pot metal the sweat/oils from my skin eventually etch the plating off of the outside and start to eat through the case (cool, huh ). That mostly rules out timex and casio watches. I just don't like the looks of many of the cheaper watches. So many are like modern cars, scoops and vents that don't actually do anything or are unnecessary, but added just to be cool. I like Seiko's, I think they are a quality watch. I may have one some day. I also would eventually like a Rolex GMT, but it'll be a while before I spend a few grand on a watch.

My next will probably actually be an Ollech & Wajs for about $300 that I will wear when mowing the lawn, working in the back yard, etc... It'll be my tool watch.

I know that I could just get a new timex once a year for several years for less money, but again, it's more about what's inside the watch.

It's a lot like the guys that would choose a 911 motor over a small block chevy just because of the OHC instead of the pushrods. They both get the job done really well and the chevy is much cheaper, but lots and lots of guys here wouldn't even consider the chevy.

[Dixie]

The best watch is the one that leaves the most money in my bank account. Anything more is all about ego.

[turbo6bar]

The best Porsche is the one that leaves the most money in my bank account. Anything more is all about ego.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Capt. Carrera
The best watch is the one that leaves the most money in my bank account. Anything more is all about ego.

Well, after paying around $300 for my steel and gold Rolex GMT master some 30+ years ago, and its being worth $5500 now, someday I hope you are smart enough to have a terrible ego like mine. I have used it all this time and can make $5200 profit on it should I sell it, so I figure that if I can make a few more "terrible deals" like that I will be set. Oh yea, paid only $220 for my stainless GMT master in 1982, and its valued at over $2000 now, so it looks like I am still doing terrible on investing in watches.

Scott, if you know what you like, keep an eye on Ebay or Craigs list. I never pay list for anything and if you keep looking and have cash you can get deals from time to time. The key is to get the back opened and get it inspected to confirm that its real and not copy of the watch you want.

Bought my Daytona in Saudi right after the first Gulf war. 18k gold and with the complete gold (not leather) band, it sold for $16k new. Guy heading back to the states needed money to ship his extra car home and no one on the compound was interested. I gave him $3.5k for the watch and its appraised at $12k right now. These watches are given out by various companies to various govt officials as presents. The locals wear them for a while then sell them to local resellers for 30-45% of the list price. This guy had bought it there for under $10k and needed cash. No one else had it when he needed it so it worked out. Another "terrible" watch deal...

If you are at the right place and right time and can get the cash, there are times it just works out.

Joe A

[Dixie]

The best Porsche is the one that leaves the most money in my bank account. Anything more is all about ego.

You've got it! That's why I drive an old P-car, and not a new one.

[tabs]

I bought a Two Tone from Lance Thomas back in 89..the watch was new and cost me $1800 out the door.... had to step around the blood stains in front of his shop. I use it as my everyday watch, changing oil or Gardening it don't matter to me...

[turbo6bar]

Originally posted by Capt. Carrera
You've got it! That's why I drive an old P-car, and not a new one.

Why a Carrera when a 924 will do?