Idiots and watches.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by lukeh

With all the watch experts here I have a question. I won a $1,600 Hamilton watch. It is in the box and came with the receipt. I thought this was a crazy expensive watch but after reading some of prices you guys are paying I guess I was wrong.

My problem is I'd like to get rid of the watch. I'm not a watch guy and after trying it on I felt like I'd be walking around with a 2 pound weight on my wrist. The store wouldn't take it back or let me trade it on anything. They said the return policy had expired. Can someone tell me the best way to sell this thing. I thought about ebay or but I'd figured there might be a better option.

As MRM said, TimeZone is the place. Be prepared to offer up several close-up pics.

Out of curiosity, what model of Hamilton? I love Hamilton watches, I wear a khaki automatic as my daily.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by mikez

Seiko Sports 150 chronograph. Beaten the crap outta it, still get compliments on it.

$800 20 years ago.....

I remember this watch when it was new. My uncle has one in stainless steel and he still wears it everyday. He'll be 81 this year.

[RPKESQ]

Stuartj, that is a reasonably good picture if you ignore the dust and fiber contamination in the movement.

I agree with you on the marvels of a good mechanical watch. They are sublime.

I don't agree with "Im not really fan of what Rolex has come to represent- but we can pretty much thank it for the fact that the mechanical watch still exists as anything other than a curiosity. "

Several Swiss watch companies found the wherewithal to compete with the quartz invasion and Rolex was just one of them. Rolex was far more successful in automating the construction of a fine watch and excelled in marketing those watches. But most cutting edge innovations and design have come elsewhere than from Rolex.

Even that "mall Omega" has a more sophisticated movement than any Rolex.

[stuartj]

RPK, you are referring to the Omega movement? That was taken by the watchmaker who cleaned and serviced it- but it was still running! Not bad for a 1952 day to day timepiece.

Im no fan of Rolex, for the reasons you state- and the Omega Co-axial is a thing of beauty. But before Rolex was “ROLEX”, in the 50s and 60s, they made honest tool watches. The Submariner is a, perhaps “the”, classic diver. It’s a workaday watch. Now it is something else and Rolex is one of the biggest brands in the world. Yes, it’s wrong perhaps to say Rolex single handedly rescued the mechanical watch, but Rolex do deserve (completely self interestd) credit for the resurgence in interest in mechanical watches. IMHO, ofcourse.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by stuartj

RPK, you are referring to the Omega movement? That was taken by the watchmaker who cleaned and serviced it- but it was still running! Not bad for a 1952 day to day timepiece.

Im no fan of Rolex, for the reasons you state- and the Omega Co-axial is a thing of beauty. But before Rolex was “ROLEX”, in the 50s and 60s, they made honest tool watches. The Submariner is a, perhaps “the”, classic diver. It’s a workaday watch. Now it is something else and Rolex is one of the biggest brands in the world. Yes, it’s wrong perhaps to say Rolex single handedly rescued the mechanical watch, but Rolex do deserve (completely self interestd) credit for the resurgence in interest in mechanical watches. IMHO, ofcourse.

No, on the first pic. The Lang & Sohne.

I agree about the classic models from the 50's & 60's. I love the piepan dial Omegas!

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

As MRM said, TimeZone is the place. Be prepared to offer up several close-up pics.

Out of curiosity, what model of Hamilton? I love Hamilton watches, I wear a khaki automatic as my daily.

I sold my Rolex awhile back, but am thinking of getting a watch again just so I can tell time without having to pull out my phone. Am thinking of this - simple and not stupid expensive

Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic - 38 mm - Black Face - Leather Strap H70455733

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

I agree about the classic models from the 50's & 60's. I love the piepan dial Omegas!

Yes, I love the pie pans too. Dont have an Omega pie pan- but I do have a 60's Zenith auto. Not the most attractive example....

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I sold my Rolex awhile back, but am thinking of getting a watch again just so I can tell time without having to pull out my phone. Am thinking of this - simple and not stupid expensive

Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic - 38 mm - Black Face - Leather Strap H70455733

Nothing wrong with that as a basic watch. ETA movements are really amazing for how inexpensive they are. I have assembled several completed watches for friends. I'll post a picture and see if you like it.

[RPKESQ]

Stuart
Zenith made movements for Rolex for many years. The Zenith quality really was the main reason for Rolex success in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's. That and mastering marketing!

[johnnywishbone]

They are made with such precision that it makes the best cars look like buckets of rocks. They are in every sense of the words, the premire mechanical constructs that will fit on your wrist or in a pocket ever devised by man. All wrapped up in an artistic design and superb craftsmanship.

i bought a new rolex submariner when i was eighteen. $205.oo at a px in japan. still got it. don't wear it much. got a bond mechanical seamaster. much thinner and lighter. these days, i don't really care what time it is. i just like fine mechanical things. always have. rolex, omega, porsche, caterpillar, francis-francis, all-clad.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

Stuart
Zenith made movements for Rolex for many years. The Zenith quality really was the main reason for Rolex success in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's. That and mastering marketing!

RPK, yes I'm aware of that. Have you seen Zenith's current offerings? What are they smoking in there?

Javadog- Im sure you know- but one of the reasons that your original Rolex Daytona is worth so much is that it has in it the Zenith El Primero 36000bps column wheel movevment. Still regarded as the best chorongraph movement ever produced. Rolex did not have a chronograph movement.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stuartj

RPK, yes I'm aware of that. Have you seen Zenith's current offerings? What are they smoking in there?

Javadog- Im sure you know- but one of the reasons that your original Rolex Daytona is worth so much is that it has in it the Zenith El Primero 36000bps column wheel movevment. Still regarded as the best chorongraph movement ever produced. Rolex did not have a chronograph movement.

Stuart,

Rolex used a Valjoux movement for most of their chronographs, for 50 years, give or take. The Zenith movement came later, followed by an in-house Rolex one.

JR

[nostatic]

Any brilliant insight into leather vs stainless band? I prefer the look of leather, but stainless is waterproof. Other issues to consider?

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Any brilliant insight into leather vs stainless band? I prefer the look of leather, but stainless is waterproof. Other issues to consider?

Get the bracelet with the watch. Hard/more expensive to get later. Good leather straps and clasps can be had aftermarket much cheaper than from the mfr (and its usually the same stuff).

Was that sufficently brilliant? -)

[nostatic]

yes, have a cookie!

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by javadog

Stuart,

Rolex used a Valjoux movement for most of their chronographs, for 50 years, give or take. The Zenith movement came later, followed by an in-house Rolex one.

JR

Ofcourse thats correct, I pharsed badly- I meant that the Daytona was originally produced with the Zenith, then later the new Rolex inhouse mvmt. Is it correct to say that the Daytona was originally released with the Zenith, never a Valjoux?

[javadog]

No,

Rolex used the Valjoux when they began producing chonographs way back in the 30's. The Valjoux movement was used for around fifty years, before the Zenith-based movements were made. They didn't start using the Zenith until the mid- to late-80's.

JR

[javadog]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Any brilliant insight into leather vs stainless band? I prefer the look of leather, but stainless is waterproof. Other issues to consider?

Not only do you have to worry about things like rain, sweat can ruin a leather band pretty fast.

JR

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by stuartj

RPK, yes I'm aware of that. Have you seen Zenith's current offerings? What are they smoking in there?

Javadog- Im sure you know- but one of the reasons that your original Rolex Daytona is worth so much is that it has in it the Zenith El Primero 36000bps column wheel movevment. Still regarded as the best chorongraph movement ever produced. Rolex did not have a chronograph movement.

Alas, although I am a big fan of past Zeniths, their current stuff is nothing short of a complete abomination styling wise. Whatever they are smoking, someone please make them stop!

[RPKESQ]

Motion, you can get waterproof leather which is easy to keep clean and nice looking for a fairly long time. Not as long as a metal band, but for several years.