Quote:
Originally Posted by cab83_750
RPKESQ,
That is some information. Thanks. In your opinion, for the same price as a Rolex, which brand/maker would be of equal quality?
You remind me of what I was told once ago ago diamonds. These rocks are so abundant and normal, that they only appear to be expensive because DeBeers control the 'output' to the masses.
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Since prices vary so very much (new-used) it is hard to give exact match-ups. But here is a list:
8K-25K (new & used) Jaeger-leCoultre, Breguet, Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Sohne, Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Corum, Glashutte Oringinal, Audemars Piguet, Zenith, Blancpain, Fortis, Girard-Perregaux, Chronoswiss, Ulysse Nardin, Maurice Lacroix, Mont Blanc, Universal Geneve, DeWitt
4K- 8K (new & used) Omega, Baume & Mercier, Ebel, Frederique Constant, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Rado, Raymond Weil
1K-4K (new & used) Longines, Victorinox, Seiko, Nomos, Eterna, Bulova, Hamilton, Zeno, Mido, Doxa, Vulcain, Certina
All of these brands have some models (some more than others) that exhibit superb crafsmanship, inovation and value. Many of these offer quartz models. I am not referring to those models. I am speaking of only the mechanical models. I just picked up a Omega Co-Axial Broad Arrow Speedmaster, new for $3500. Great value for the money.
But one of the best deals out there right now is the Master Collection from Longines. I just purchased a Master Collection Moonphase for $2000. This is a mechanical triple date (month, day, date) chronograph moonphase with a 24 hour display. It has a beautiful dial and a display back showing the extrodinary finish that Longines is offering. It has Geneva striped bridgework, perlage applied to the gold signed rotor as well as anglage on all visible parts. In short extrodinary finish for a low priced high quality multi-complication swiss hand finished watch.
You must look at the various brands and choose your own style and pricepoint. I wear a Omega SeaMaster Professional as my everyday bang around watch. I have several higher end watches, some vintage, some not, that I wear for various casual to black tie occasions. Your personality is important to pick the look you enjoy, but your watch education should be your guide to watch quality and value.
By the way, a hobby of mine is to purchase old watches and repair them. I also build new watches from new parts. I have machined up cases for some of my old repaired movements. Currently I am working on an old Longines pocket watch that I am turning into a "skeletion" version, with engraved bridges.