Can someone please explain the expensive watch thing to me?

Never understood - obviously back in the day a well made accurate watch of course made sense but today?

And no, having a clunk of metal on your wrist isn’t ‘stylish’

Rileybobs wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 1:08 pm

Not sure about you but I still have to physically re-set the time on my clocks when they change.

Some require re-setting, others re-set automatically. But, I've always got to check everything looks right the next morning.

Avoid ANYTHING that a wannabe gangster /road man /drug dealer/gypsy /rich Arab /men on instagram / might find “ cool” or “ hot” and you’re already 90% there . Some of the leather strap classic Longines or more laid back Breitlings ooze class . Then again I’m 56 and not 30 !!

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:07 pm

Can someone please explain the expensive watch thing to me?

Never understood - obviously back in the day a well made accurate watch of course made sense but today?

And no, having a clunk of metal on your wrist isn’t ‘stylish’

Guess it's the same kinda philosophy as those who will pay a few grand for a car number plate.. PR1CK... that sort of thing.
I don't know anyone with the slightest interest in either.

fatboy47 wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 6:09 pm

Guess it's the same kinda philosophy as those who will pay a few grand for a car number plate.. PR1CK... that sort of thing.
I don't know anyone with the slightest interest in either.

Another thing that really sets the bellends apart doesn't it.

Really childish this, but if me and my mate see a personalised plate we reckon to spell it out with our fingers, digit by digit, then turn to each other and say it in unison:

'W@NKER'

I told you it was childish.

SalisburyClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 4:02 pm

Watch fashions come and go but something between 38-41mm will always look right on most wrist sizes.

Always get a metal bracelet - they last a long time. Leather will need replacing every few years to keep it looking good. Cost of a leather strap from major Swiss manufacturers is currently around £400-500+

An automatic movement will last longer than quartz or solar cells - they wear out after around 20 years

Any good watch will need servicing periodically - a major brand will charge you around £1500 for this and they’ll keep your watch for around 3-6 months

If you're avoiding the major brands there’s a lot of value and quality to be had with Longines, Farer, Oris, Serica, Ball, Alpina. Etc

Finally always buy a classic design, cool and trendy doesn’t keep it’s value

The leather shouldn’t/doesn’t need replacing at all if it’s decent leather & if it became that much of a issue any normal person would just get some sort of a rag offcut & dip into a leather treatment cream as you do with a jacket or boots or anything consisting of leather.

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 6:21 pm

The leather shouldn’t/doesn’t need replacing at all if it’s decent leather & if it became that much of a issue any normal person would just get some sort of a rag offcut & dip into a leather treatment cream as you do with a jacket or boots or anything consisting of leather.

If true there’s there would be no aftermarket in watch straps. Leather lasts well as you say but the dyes used can’t stand up to fading from sunlight and sweat and salt degrades the the leather. They also use stitching which breaks over time. If you use leather cream then you’ll get dye over your skin. Just not the look you want if you’ve shelled out a small fortune!

SalisburyClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 8:07 pm

If true there’s there would be no aftermarket in watch straps. Leather lasts well as you say but the dyes used can’t stand up to fading from sunlight and sweat and salt degrades the the leather. They also use stitching which breaks over time. If you use leather cream then you’ll get dye over your skin. Just not the look you want if you’ve shelled out a small fortune!

When applying the treatment you let the cream soak in to moisture the watch strap you don't instantly wear the watch, you wouldn't treat a chesterfield settee & then sit down on it straightaway you'd leave it a few hours even a day. Maybe I've been lucky I've never had a problem with expensive leather straps I've always found them durable even with the bold claim that I've never had to replace 1 yet (but there's a 1st time for everything) I guess it's the way you look after things whether things stay in good condition & don't need replacing if you treat any product carelessly it will end up breaking & need replacing, the "aftermarket" in terms of consumer volume will be cheap straps not calfskin.

fatboy47 wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 6:09 pm

Guess it's the same kinda philosophy as those who will pay a few grand for a car number plate.. PR1CK... that sort of thing.
I don't know anyone with the slightest interest in either.

I take it you don't drive F47 BOY around then

If you want some sensible responses, check the tz-uk forum.

Also for those genuinely interested in watches there is a good podcast/youtube series called ‘About Effing Time’. 3 guys reviewing and discussing watches, not just elite models. Main guy is George Bamford, close relative of a certain Patrick Bamford who may be familiar to some on here.

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 8:55 pm

I take it you don't drive F47 BOY around then

Pushbike mainly Boss

Car (old banger) if really necessary.

fatboy47 wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:22 pm

Pushbike mainly Boss

Car (old banger) if really necessary.

Main piece of advice is get something you'd like to wear, like the look of, not something as an investment.

Have a think about what you want in terms of style: dive watch, dress watch, field watch, pilot, etc.

What are you going to wear it with mainly? Plenty of dive watches won't fit under a shirt cuff nicely. If you're going to wear it everyday then dress watches can be a bit fragile, not as versatile with what you wear them with.

How big is your wrist? Some watches can look too big/small if your wrist is bigger/smaller than average.

And of course how much do you want to spend?

If you're planning on getting something to last for a long time then you'll want an automatic. Quartz/solar/kinetic are convenient (the watch I wear most at the moment is this for instance https://www.citizenwatch.co.uk/promaste ... 8-04e.html ) but they won't last 60 years like the second-hand Omega Automatic I got for a similar price.

You should occasionally get them serviced but it's not something you need to do that often and you can go to an independent company who will often be much cheaper (last service for one of my Tudors was about £200).

If the watch has a bracelet option I'd normally go for that, even if you're not planning on using it. You can get a good leather strap for under £100 but getting a matching bracelet if you decide you want one can be very expensive.

This board never ceases to amaze. Just because someone a) either likes watches, or personalised reg plates, or b), has the wherewithal to buy one, or both of said items , he becomes a bell end in the eyes of others. Why? It’s their choice to buy whatever they like with their money. There is a very large market for both of the said items. I myself have both, a personal choice, I always fancied a nice Tag Heuer watch, and was always interested in reg plates from a young age. I don’t have / like tattoos for example, and wouldn’t have one myself. But neither would I belittle anyone or call them names for having any. It’s all about personal choices, or we would all be the same. Grow up.

I bought a 1998 14060 Submariner last week for £9700. Box, papers, guarantee, swing-tag etc in as new condition. Very stylish watch and has its original tritium dial and not a service dial.

It’s a good time to buy as luxury watch prices are down 21% from 2022

Here's my pride and joy.

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 26, 2023 7:01 pm

Here's my pride and joy.



IMG_20230326_185936_432.jpg

That’s a stunning watch

I’ve a Breitling and very rarely wear it, you’ve got to be careful when out and about but I do love it

Claretitus wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:18 pm

This board never ceases to amaze. Just because someone a) either likes watches, or personalised reg plates, or b), has the wherewithal to buy one, or both of said items , he becomes a bell end in the eyes of others. Why? It’s their choice to buy whatever they like with their money. There is a very large market for both of the said items. I myself have both, a personal choice, I always fancied a nice Tag Heuer watch, and was always interested in reg plates from a young age. I don’t have / like tattoos for example, and wouldn’t have one myself. But neither would I belittle anyone or call them names for having any. It’s all about personal choices, or we would all be the same. Grow up.

I've just been called a "Ten Bob Millionaire" on another thread because I live "in the sticks" and like drinking "Doom Bar" ...

Personally thats one of the reasons these pages are fun on this board ... because we can take the **** out of each other ... yes sometimes it gets a bit much but on the whole its reet innit.

Personally my best watch is a "Jaguar Chrono" swiss made ... it cost me £400 and I have a Citizen everyday watch cost around £35 8 years ago.

Yes I have a pvt plate on my car and if some want to call me a w@nker because of that ... I couldn't give a **** its their problem .

I don't have tattoos ... but wouldn't dream of belittling anyone who does because like yourself thats their choice.

We have some great folk on here ... and some sad sacks ... and some I wouldn't **** on if they were on fire ... but thats life innit

Your post Claretitus is spot on

May I suggest looking at a Hamilton ...

Made an awful lot of American & British Military watches over the years, but now owned by and made in Switzerland ... quality without the ridiculous price tag ... as with any watch of any value, always keep the box, receipt and paperwork !!

Clarets4me wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:27 pm

May I suggest looking at a Hamilton ...

Made an awful lot of American & British Military watches over the years, but now owned by and made in Switzerland ... quality without the ridiculous price tag ... as with any watch of any value, always keep the box, receipt and paperwork !!

Never even heard of this brand. But absolutely love the style

https://www.bremont.com/

Bremont watches are hand built in the UK. Check out their website they have some great designs.

Some of the advice on here is absolutely horrendous.

Go to an AD (Authorised Dealer), and try a few watches on within your budget. If you're buying outright, you can negotiate 10-20% off on most non-Rolex pieces that aren't super in-demand.
With brands like Breitling, Omega etc, buy on a bracelet, then get a strap separately, it works out much cheaper. Don't worry what people think, buy what feels special to wear.

spend at least 5k to get best value for money. dont be afraid to buy 2nd hand, you'll never lose out.

Once you've researched and decided what you want, price compare.
I found these to have very good prices when I was looking for a watch https://www.swisswatchesdirect.co.uk/
I saved nearly 20% on my new purchase in comparison to other outlets.

I was given my brother-in-law's watch when he died a few years ago. Never worn it, want to sell it really, but I'm clueless how to price it. For example, Invicta is swiss, yet it's not on the site that overthehill posted above, it's not on chron24 either..... and I've seen ebay stuff from a few thousand to a few hundred.

The watch is an Invicta Reserve Limited Edition model #17824...... mine is 241 of 999 made. Here https://www.invictawatch.com/watches/de ... 824-jt-men it shows an MSRP of $2,400 but I have no idea how much 2nd hand.

NRC wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 27, 2023 3:33 pm

I was given my brother-in-law's watch when he died a few years ago. Never worn it, want to sell it really, but I'm clueless how to price it. For example, Invicta is swiss, yet it's not on the site that overthehill posted above, it's not on chron24 either..... and I've seen ebay stuff from a few thousand to a few hundred.

The watch is an Invicta Reserve Limited Edition model #17824...... mine is 241 of 999 made. Here https://www.invictawatch.com/watches/de ... 824-jt-men it shows an MSRP of $2,400 but I have no idea how much 2nd hand.

Invicta are an American company, they still produce a small amount in switzerland so they can claim some models are Swiss Made. They tend to have quite an inflated RRP compared to actual selling price. I suspect this was probably nearer to what it retailed for but I don't know the model at all
https://www.jomashop.com/invicta-watch-17824.html

You best bet would be to find an Invicta forum (I'm sure there will be one somewhere) and look at selling on there.

The site that Overhill linked to is just a reseller that buys watches from Authorised Dealers around the world where they are cheaper (often due to FX fluctuations) and sell them on in the UK. It's not exhaustive and will mainly carry lines that they can make a profit on at that time.