What is your favorite watch and why?

scottmandue · 01-01-2005, 06:04 PM

I was starting to feel like I was hijacking the other watch thread so I thought I would start my own.
I have wanted to buy a fine watch for some time and that thread has got me thinking. There were a lot of good suggestions and recommendations on watches so I thought I would probe a little further since there seem to be several closet watch aficionados lurking about here. I guess it is not too surprising that people who appreciate fine automobiles would also appreciate fine watches.
So just for fun... Pelicanheads... show me your watchs!

And if you feel so inclined please advise as to what you think would fill my criteria:
Definitely under $1000, preferably under $500 (I don't mind buying used)
Don't need a crono (my $40 Casio works just fine for that)
Simple, classic style with Arabic numerals.

So far browsing on the net I have found some neat stuff from, Ernst Benz, Glycine, And a cool black crono (I know it's a crono but it's only all black watch with a black metal bracelet I have found in the under $500 bracket) made by Chase-Durer called Special Forces,

Although right now my all time favorite is the Tag Heuer New Formula 1 however all I have seen are pictures of it so I am going to call some local Tag dealers to see if they have them in stock... do you think they will get pissed if I ask them to match the Internet price? Something about jewlery stores just gives me the willys, don't know why.

TIA
Scott

bluebullet · 01-01-2005, 07:25 PM

My kenneth cole one seems to suit me just fine for my going out nights. I think it was $175? not cheap but not expensive.

Moneyguy1 · 01-02-2005, 12:15 AM

Please forgive me..

There was a kid that wanted a watch for his birthday, so his parents let him....

Actually, I know it is a relatively inexpensive watch, but I like the heft and style of the Citizen line.

Milu · 01-02-2005, 12:16 AM

Favourite from amongst about a dozen quality watches:
Rolex Explorer l
Why: Looks, usual Rolex virtues, sentimental value, pride of ownership.

Advise less than $1000: Sinn 656.

bluebullet · 01-02-2005, 12:45 AM

i have to agree with moneyguy too. Citzens are pretty nice.

Jason Porter · 01-02-2005, 01:05 AM

For under a grand, you can get several watches that are better investments and timepieces than a Citizen.

Consider an Omega, a Tag Heuer, an IWC, maybe a Baume & Mercier. Even a full stainless Swiss Army Automatic would be better.

Get a watch with a certified Swiss self-winding movement and an incredibly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

They hold their value better(especially stainless) and you can probably find one of the above mentioned watches on eBay for under a grand used no problem.

No knock on Citizen, but when I see a guy with a Citizen watch, I see a guy who can possibly/probably afford to get a great watch, but doesn't necessarily know what a great watch is, because no one has shown him the way...

Ask around, go to www.worldofwatches.com and just have a look, and for God's sake don't buy anything without talking to lot's people who are into watches first...

Most importantly, get what you like, shop around, and don't waste your money on a piece of crap...

Here's my watch, an Omega Seamaster GMT, soon to share a spot with my favorite Rolex, the Sea-Dweller...

Isabo · 01:45 AM

A very hard question for me. I got it down to three.
Rolex steel&gold date on jubilee bracelet. Best allrounder for a woman, can be worn on the beach, at a formal event or smart casual, always looks right and is never out of place.
Porsche Chrono (Black) pressy from my husband, with its highspots on the black it goes well with my scruffy 911 and distressed leather bomberjacket and jeans. But it's the thought behind the watch that makes it so special to me.
Franck Muller Casablanca, salmon dial, pigskin strap. Another present from my husband, it has style, status and is supercool!
What to buy for less than $1000? Locman for style on a budget and save up for the one you really want. As Jason suggested above; learn a little bit about different watches and go for the quality brands. Sometimes they are just about fashion and marketing but as long as you are aware of it, it's not a problem. Learn and then buy one you like that you can see yourself wearing for 40 years.

Halm · 01-02-2005, 04:30 AM

I like watches almost as much as I like my 911. Went through the required Rolex phase, but it was too big for my wrist. My favorite dress watch these days is a Concord, steel with gold trim.

But in the price range you are talking about, I really go for Liminox products.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

This is my favorite watch. I've owned it for around 20 years. It's a Lemania Elvstrom, automatic. Used ones pop up on eBay once in a while for under $1000. They quit making them for a while, but somebody bought the rights to the watch and they're making them again now. I have the gold face, but this is the only photo I've got:

My 2 cents: if you want a watch you can really enjoy, buy a mechanical/automatic - batteries are bad!

Shaun @ Tru6 · 01-02-2005, 06:27 AM

take a look on this page, there are some really nice watches out there in the $500 to $1000 range

http://www.watchseller.com/wat500to101.html

kees · 01-02-2005, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cegerer
[
My 2 cents: if you want a watch you can really enjoy, buy a mechanical/automatic - batteries are bad!

[/B]

Breitling.

Kees.

fireant911 · 01-02-2005, 07:58 AM

I have several watches depending on the occasion... antique gold Rolex looked up in safe deposit box (not really functional), Cross watch (yes, the same folks that make the pens) for more formal events, and two Swiss Army watches that I absolutely love. If my memory serves me correct , these Swiss Army watches have the same tough, resilient sapphire crystals (at least on my models) as originally supplied with Rolex. I recently purchased a ladies model of a Swiss Army watch for my wife and she too is now a big fan of these watches.

Without further rambling and to answer your origianl question - Swiss Army watches are my favorite because they are so tough and have a clean look about them.

Moses · 01-02-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Isabo
A very hard question for me. I got it down to three.
Rolex steel&gold date on jubilee bracelet...

I almost got that for my wife, but ended up with the Ebel Beluga. She loves it.

vash · vash's Garage

TUDOR, it is a rolex with a different (cheaper) name. in my biz, i dont want to wear a rolex, but i get by on my tudor. if you have the means, i think a rolex is like a 911. it gets better with age. when my dad passed, he gave me a gold rolex. it doesnt fit my image, so i left it with my mom. i tried to sell it, to get three lesser rolexs for me and my siblings, but my mom freaked. i thought i was being self-less. i guess i dont understand.

pwd72s · 01-02-2005, 09:42 AM

My favorite? Seiko Quartz...an "SQ100"...semi dressy, gold electroplate & stainless. Metal link band. Water resistant to 10 bar, day-date, sweep second hand. I'm hard on watches, so it amazes me that this one has survived the 14-15 years I've worn it. Think I paid around $200, and "service" consists of a new battery every few years. When/if it dies? I'll look around, but I'll probably stick with a similar Seiko. 2nd favorite? For "dressy" times, I usually wind up an old 1940's art deco style (square faced) Lord Elgin...it's accurate, but no way could it handle the punishment I've given the Seiko..Sorry no pics...no digital camera here. Chronographs don't interest me...for some reason all the little dials cluttering up the face turn me off. If I want to time cars when at the track, I have a couple of old stop watches...

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

OK, if ultimate simplicity is desired, here's my favorite watch. No minutehand needed and no need to replace those pesky batteries - it ain't got none.

Decent size (38mm diameter). German made and only $650 brand new.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Timex, Bulova, Fossil...anything under about $40 because I always fail to remove it when working on stuff...

pwd72s · 01-02-2005, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by techweenie
Timex, Bulova, Fossil...anything under about $40 because I always fail to remove it when working on stuff...

Ahhh, but IF you paid 10 grand plus or minus, you'd take care of it, right? The next question, of course is WHY...

Jason Porter · 01-02-2005, 07:16 PM

My Omega has been under the hoods of many cars, hundreds of times. It's poured/finished concrete with me, been on some really stupid and dangerous adventures, and even on my most personally unimaginable journey ever, down the aisle.

And through it all, the movement is still perfect, the crystal is perfect, and the stainless body and band have minimal surface scratching similar to what you'd find on a perfectly functional DVD.

It's like buying tools when you buy a watch.

Snap-on kicks ass, the one from Harbor Freight was cheap, and may get you through for now...

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Breitling here.

I own the Colt Ocean, that's why I like Breitling, haha. Seriously though I like the design and the history. It's battery powered but I'm going on my 4th year with the current battery.

Very reliable, good history as an aero-marine watch. I especially like the Blue Sapphire crystal. Gives it a cool look and never scratches.