need wristwatch advice. any watch people around?

[Trever1t]

This collector's item, a Seiko SARB065 "Cocktail Time" cost me less than $365


SARB065 Seiko "Cocktail Time" by Bill Grayson, on Flickr

 

[Stradawhovious]

my biggest concern is that i will never be able to budget enough money to really even play the watch game.
is it even worth getting into if you cant drop a few grand on one watch?

There are some really exceptional watches that can be had for less than $100 each. Look at Vostok dive watches (NOT Vostok Euro line), Seiko 5, Orient, and for a little more money, the Bulova Precisionist line. All of them but the Bulova are automatic movements, the Precisionist is a "precisionist quartz" which is a REALLY high end quartz watch with a sweeping second hand that strobes 16 times a second.

There are also many very handsome vintage watches that can be had for not a lot of money. It's correct that a $50 watch and a $5,000 watch basically perform the same function, if you wear an Orient dive watch and an Omega Seamaster Pro for one day each, you will immediately see and feel the difference and price. The higher end watches are an absolute pleasure to wear.

Funny enough, none of the really high end watches (or ANY of the mechanical or automatic movements) are accurate. It's not unusual for even a $50,000 Rolex to gain or lose a few minutes a week, so if you want a really accurate time piece, stick with your smartphone.

 

[Trever1t]

Good points Stradawhovious!

 

[astroNikon]

Don't know
how many times have your dropped a few grand on a D4, D4S or D5 ... and if not, then why not ?

Because a $4k camera does a whole lot more than a $400 camera, where as a $4k watch does exactly the same thing as a $4 watch.

Bet my Apple Watch does a whole lot more than your times

Don't know
how many times have your dropped a few grand on a D4, D4S or D5 ... and if not, then why not ?

Because a $4k camera does a whole lot more than a $400 camera, where as a $4k watch does exactly the same thing as a $4 watch.

I would bet that my Apple Watch does a whole lot more than your Timex.

Yeah but in 10 yrs your apple watch may not even work anymore. And even if it does, it's value would probably be a lot less than that real watch.

You can collect Apple /Android / etc watches too if you want. I wouldn't do it as any type of investment though. And add in 100% depreciation into the collection over a short period of time.

 

[sashbar]

Start with "Practical Watch Collecting for Beginners" by Richard Watkins on Amazon.

 

[runnah]

Don't know
how many times have your dropped a few grand on a D4, D4S or D5 ... and if not, then why not ?

Because a $4k camera does a whole lot more than a $400 camera, where as a $4k watch does exactly the same thing as a $4 watch.

And a Yaris is a car and therefore I don't need to enjoy my Mercedes? That logic is one from a person who doesn't see the attraction to owning a fine piece of mechanical engineering.

Three points.

1. A little eco box with skinny tires can be more fun to drive than a big ole merc. Why? Because a little car like that gets to it's limit at say 40mph. A big merc gets to it's limit at say 150mph. Car are their most fun at the limits.

2. I love mechanical engineering! I can marvel at the stuff all day long.

3. Again comparing a Merc to a watch is a bit silly. A merc can get you places, you can drive it fast, you can drive in complete comfortable and style to get a gallon of milk. You can do things with a car, with a watch you can only look at it to see the time.

 

[runnah]

It's not unusual for even a $50,000 Rolex to gain or lose a few minutes a week, so if you want a really accurate time piece, stick with your smartphone.

I think I might have a stroke.

 

[astroNikon]

3. Again comparing a Merc to a watch is a bit silly. A merc can get you places, you can drive it fast, you can drive in complete comfortable and style to get a gallon of milk. You can do things with a car, with a watch you can only look at it to see the time.

Yes, but more than likely the clock in a little car would probably break as soon as you drive down the street and you won't get it fixed. Assuming it had a analog type clock. Whereas the merc's analog clock WILL break and cost you a pretty penny to fix it; over and over again because you want it working.

 

[astroNikon]

I think I might have a stroke.

Just make sure you have a good wristwatch
Medscape: Medscape Access

and be careful of this phenomenon Switching the clocks back and forward may trigger STROKES

maybe you shouldn't collect timepieces altogether.

 

[runnah]

3. Again comparing a Merc to a watch is a bit silly. A merc can get you places, you can drive it fast, you can drive in complete comfortable and style to get a gallon of milk. You can do things with a car, with a watch you can only look at it to see the time.

Yes, but more than likely the clock in a little car would probably break as soon as you drive down the street and you won't get it fixed. Assuming it had a analog type clock. Whereas the merc's analog clock WILL break and cost you a pretty penny to fix it; over and over again because you want it working.

A German made clock breaking? Pretty sure that is impossible.

 

[Stradawhovious]

It's not unusual for even a $50,000 Rolex to gain or lose a few minutes a week, so if you want a really accurate time piece, stick with your smartphone.

I think I might have a stroke.

Right? They're status symbols, not accurate timepieces.

 

[Trever1t]

Watches can be jewelry or marvels of miniature machinery, or both. Some people love them, some don't.

Honestly I don't see myself buying a $20k+ watch in my lifetime but I can relate to those who do.

Who needs a dozen watches? Nobody! But it is enjoyable for me to set the time, wind and rotate my little friends

 

[table1349]

The K1000 0f watches that all collectors should have.
Navitron Steampunk Wrist Compass and Sundial

 

[DarkShadow]

I have 8 watches nothing over a couple hundred dollars. My favorite is my Android with a Automatic Miyota Movement 90s5 Open heart and case back, 50mm oversized and 17mm thick its a heavy beast. excuse the really bad watch photography. I have small wrist and still will not wear a watch less then 46mm bezel diameter.I hate little girly watches but thats me.

 

[Gary A.]

I really appreciate watches ... in the same vein that I really appreciate wine. Would I purchase a $20,000 watch ... no. Would I purchase a $20,000 bottle of wine no.

I collect wines for my pleasure, which is twofold, firstly, just knowing I have an exceptional bottle of wine waiting for me is a pleasant thought/feeling and secondly and more importantly to consume, spend an evening savoring and enjoying the exceptional bottle of wine.

I collect watches for my pleasure, which is twofold, firstly, just knowing I have an exceptional watch waiting to wrap around my wrist each morning is a pleasant thought/feeling and secondly and more importantly to wear. It is great to walk around with a handmade mechanical/automatic Swiss watch (or equal), and it is fun when people recognize and comment on the watch. My favorite is this very clean Hamilton, white face with blue hands ... no complications ... true onto itself ... it just tells time.

I do like my iWatch, the very opposite of the Hamilton.

Yes collect. Collect what makes you feel good, what brings a little pleasure into your daily life. Once you start looking at watches (or cameras) as an investment, it is becoming a business and you start losing all the fun and enjoyment. Collect what you can afford. (I have some cheapo watches that are unique and very different but have no resale value, but they make me smile in their uniqueness.)