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Advice needed!

  • 01-08-2011 3:44pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭


    Calling all watch connoisseurs!

    I want to buy a watch for my fiance as a wedding present. I haven't a clue about brands etc. My budget is 2000euro.

    I know he LOVES the IWC vintage-style pilots watches (and so do I) but they are outside my budget. I know he really doesn't like Tag Heur. He already has an Omega.

    Can anyone recommend a good-looking, quality watch that would be a nice wedding present for him?
    Tagged:


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Do you feel compelled to spend the whole budget in order to get a recognized name?

    If not, you might want to have a look at this pilot style chrono (I'm sure somebody also has it on a normal strap if you prefer that) for half your budget.

    4h86m_3c3_640.jpg

    all the goodies are there ...Valjoux 7750 chrono, sapphire glass, etc.
    http://www.aristo-online.de/online-shop/armbanduhren-herren-mechanisch/chronographen/aristo-fliegerchrono-mit-massivem-vollmer.html


    Alternatively the same company does a lovely certified chronometer in similar style for the same kind of money

    chronometer-v3_fff3c3_640.jpg
    http://www.aristo-online.de/online-shop/armbanduhren-herren-mechanisch/vollmer-chronometer/vollmer-chronometer-v3.html

    You could eat and drink the rest of the budget during the honeymoon :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Thanks peasant- What a coincidence, just last weekend I was checking out Aristo and Steinhart watches online. They have some lovely looking ones and I'm going to investigate them further.

    Fair point about blowing the budget- we have so much expense at the moment. He is spending an awful lot of money on my engagement ring though. I'm kind of thinking now that I should get him a modest-priced dress watch and get it engraved with a nice message, and get the Best Man to deliver it to him on the morning of the wedding. The IWC ones he likes are about 10 grand- he will have to wait for an important anniversary!!! I've seen some Armani and Citizen ones online that I personally think are lovely and cost 300-500 euro. Don't know if himself would find them as lovely though. Am seriously tempted to just ask him...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,857 ✭✭✭Reloc8


    Have you seen these : http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showrub,131221968210168,en,1312219697-10577,flieger,,,,.htm

    The chrono on that page might tick the box and is under budget. The others are well within your budget and similar in style.

    There is a wait on delivery though - couple of months.

    I'd be careful abou going down the road of Armani/any quartz - watch blokes can be funny about that kind of stuff.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Thank you, I hadn't heard of Stowa. Just checking out their website. They have a lovely vintage look to them and I like that you can order an extra engraved rotor for the back...not getting married till 22nd of December so I have a bit of time...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    ReLoc, as I was saying earlier, I haven't a clue about brands or specs, so you'll have to forgive me, is 'quartz' considered a bit naff? What do the Stowa have instead of quartz?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,857 ✭✭✭Reloc8


    A mechanical watch is powered by a mechanical movement - literally clock work. A quartz is powered by an electric oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal.

    Some people who are into watches are snooty about having nothing but mechanical watches and don't really care for quartz.

    The same people often don't like 'fashion' watches - watches made by something other than a dedicated watch maker - Armani and what not.

    The stowas are mechanical (automatic as well - they don't need to be wound as long as you wear it regularly) and made by a specialist watch company. If your bloke is into omega/IWC he might not be a quartz/fashion watch type of fella. Stowa is just a brand - there's info on the website. They are good value for money.

    Then again for all I know his omega is quartz - if the second hand 'ticks' as opposed to sweeping smoothly it's quartz - but I still wouldn't get him an Armani watch unless I knew he was ok with that brand.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Reloc8 wrote: »
    Have you seen these : http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showrub,131221968210168,en,1312219697-10577,flieger,,,,.htm

    The chrono on that page might tick the box and is under budget. The others are well within your budget and similar in style.

    There is a wait on delivery though - couple of months.

    I'd be careful abou going down the road of Armani/any quartz - watch blokes can be funny about that kind of stuff.

    Was just looking at your post on another forum. Did you buy the Stowa 1938 chronograph? It's looks so beautiful!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,857 ✭✭✭Reloc8


    I did - if he likes IWC portugese style that might be as close as you can get for the money.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Reloc8 wrote: »
    I did - if he likes IWC portugese style that might be as close as you can get for the money.

    Thanks for all your advice- I'm delighted now to have discovered the Stowa watches- enjoy yours when you get it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    I was about to suggest Stowa as your fiancee likes IWC but I see someone has already beat me to it.

    I know you have said he doesn't like Tags but you should really check out the new line based on a vintage look.
    http://www.calibre11.com/tag-heuer-carrera-heritage/


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Bullseye1 wrote: »
    I was about to suggest Stowa as your fiancee likes IWC but I see someone has already beat me to it.

    I know you have said he doesn't like Tags but you should really check out the new line based on a vintage look.
    http://www.calibre11.com/tag-heuer-carrera-heritage/

    Actually, a good friend of his recently got married and she had bought him a Tag as an engagement present. I asked my OH if he would like one, and he said no, definitely not a Tag...and I have to say I don't like his friend's watch, I don't know what type of Tag it is, but I find it a bit big and shiny and flashy... but I LOVE these new Carreras! I was looking for sites that you can buy them on and I came across www.beaverbrooks.co.uk
    Have you heard of them?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    Have not dealt with them before. The nearest type I can find on that site is the 1887.
    http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/mens/tag-heuer/watches/none/10899/mens-tag-heuer-carrera-automatic-chronograph-stainless-steel-watch-with-leather-strap

    Have you a direct link to the heritage line? I haven't seen the price list on those yet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    BTW depending on where you are planning on honeymooning it might be more advantageous to buy the watch then. Especially if it's in the US.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Bullseye1 wrote: »
    BTW depending on where you are planning on honeymooning it might be more advantageous to buy the watch then. Especially if it's in the US.

    We haven't decided where we're going yet, we're probably going to decide closer to the time. Is there much better value in the US? Would we be stung for import taxes?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    I've bought a couple of nice watches in the US without being hit for import. Just wear it back.

    Would he like a vintage? This guy has some very nice vintage Heuers. Check this one out.
    http://vintageheuer.com/modelcodeH158.htm


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Bullseye1 wrote: »
    I love the second one. If it came with a blue leather strap it would be perfect. They are both within your price range.

    It's lovely isn't it? I saw on that link you sent me, they come with blue straps alright, really cool! What do you think of the rose gold numbers on the face of the first one? Is it a bit much?:D I actually really like it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Bullseye1 wrote: »

    Lovely, but I've a feeling he might not be impressed with me giving him second hand/vintage anyway...


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    It's nice but alittle flashy for me. Never been a fan of gold on watches. But maybe your fella might differ. The blue one has a classic look which knowing it's based on a model from the 60's will age well. It's also looks similar to the IWC and Stowa.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    Lovely, but I've a feeling he might not be impressed with me giving him second hand/vintage anyway...

    If he knows his watches he will be blown away. An original Heuer!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Bullseye1 wrote: »
    It's nice but alittle flashy for me. Never been a fan of gold on watches. But maybe your fella might differ. The blue one has a classic look which knowing it's based on a model from the 60's will age well. It's also looks similar to the IWC and Stowa.

    I know what you mean. He has said he wants a yellow gold wedding ring, but maybe rose gold would be a step too far for him.

    Thanks, today has been very educational for me!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 673 ✭✭✭CarltonBrowne


    The vintage style of IWC pilot watch that I think that your boyfriend likes was originally used by the Luftwaffe in the war and was technically an observers watch; know as Beobachtungs-Uhr (or B-Uhr). There's no need to get hung up on this as Stowa refer to theirs as a pilot's watch and the £10k watch by IWC that your boyfriend probably wants is called the Big Pilot. There were 5 original manufacturers of these; IWC, Lange & Söhne, Laco, Stowa, and Wempe. My inclination would be to source from one of these manufacturers as they have the heritage and, given your budget, that effectively leaves Laco and Stowa. Have a look at the stuff on the Laco website but be warned as they have started putting Chinese movements into some of their lesser pieces - what I'm saying is that it would be Stowa everytime for me. I have handled a friend's Flieger Original Limited Edition handwind and it is absolutely stunning - these watches were originally all hand-wound and I would suggest that rather than the auto (having just gone through the Stowa catalogue they don't seem to make the handwind anymore which seems odd). Don't leave the ordering too late with Stowa as they do take their time.

    https://shop.laco.de/en/

    One footnote should you be thinking about Laco - they do an exact recreation of the original watch which is the actual size of the Luftwaffe model (55mm). This is practically unwearable as the design was originally intended to be worn over the sleeve of a flying jacket on a massive leather strap.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 673 ✭✭✭CarltonBrowne


    A footnote about Stowa handwound Fliegers. It would seem that the gentleman who used to prepare their handwound movements has passed away so these are not currently offered. They will probably fix this at some point but not likely in your timeframe.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 204 ✭✭marcus1971


    I would give a bit of thought about buying a pilots watch..... If he already has his eyes on an IWC and considers it his "grail" watch and at 10,000 ... then this IS the pilot style watch he wants, it might be 10,000 now, but give it a few years and they'll be had far far less than that (not new obviously) but most middle to luxury brand watches tank in spectacular fashion once bought and I can guarantee that if he ever buys the IWC he wants any other similar watch will be consigned to the watchbox to gather dust
    Some Tags are nice, and have great history....but its not what he wants (?)
    What kind of Omega does he already have? another fantastic watch...with probably the best background story out there is the Omega Speedmaster Pro., The first and only watch ever worn on the moon, the only (still?) watch certified by NASA for basically anything outside of the spaceship, probably one the most important watches in recent history, more than a pilots watch, an astronauts watch...seen on many famous wrists over the years, it looks almost exactly the same as it did all those years ago when the first ship landed on the moon.....a used one is just about within your budget, I would put my neck on the block and say its more of a watch than a Rolex Daytona for less than 1/4 of the price.

    If it were my watch you were buying I would put as my #1 choice the Rolex Datejust 36mm
    ...a vintage, plexi glass, stainless steel, jubilee bracelet, silver/white/linen or tapestry dial.. one of the most elegant, timeless, understated watches that you could buy within your budget
    ...good for formal, jeans, even digging the garden, it is one of the few watches within your budget that (well cared for) will still be the sort of watch you can wear into your old age together and not look out of place.. you'll rarely see a pensioner sporting a pilot chrono and this watch is supposed to be something for a lifetime, the pilots watches will come and go as will the chronos but the Datejust will be an heirloom that can be handed down to the kids for generations, they are practically indestructible, it will ..guaranteed.. most Rolex watches go up and up in value over the years with more certainty than any other brand in the sub 10,000 price range.
    It may not be something to wear every day but will always be a go to watch for certain occasions.

    I have bought my wife a few watches in the few years we are married, all high quality, expensive watches and the only one she says she will never be without is her Rolex Date (from 1960 and in perfect condition) that I bought in 2008 for the sum of....get this, $450 in a no reserve auction in ebay...VERY VERY LUCKY BUY, she has watches I spent over 25 times this amount and this is the only one she will never let me sell.

    And as any pilot (of a certain age) will tell you with a Rolex watch, no matter where in the world you are, stranded, no money, no credit card...no matter where....a Rolex watch will always be a ticket home.

    Try watching this for a bit of insight into the whole facination with watches...and maybe a bit of inspiration, great view...

    http://www.theluxurychannel.tv/timeMachines.aspx


    I know you want to buy new but to be honest you will get 10 times the watch second hand for the same money.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    Cheers Marcus. Going to watch that video later today. Very useful information there too.

    How do you feel about those mid 60's Heuers?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Marcus, I totally take your point on board about the IWC- if that's what he wants, he'll get one eventually, so maybe I should get him something totally different and classic.

    Not sure what Omega he has, I know he told me they retail just under 2K, but his ex gave it to him, he got a friend to sell it for him for way less than that, so I want him to get something totally different from me iykwim?

    I really like the look of those Tags carrera heritage, but I will have to suss him out further about where he stands on Tags, because they're certainly not all the same.

    I wouldn't really have the confidence to buy vintage, I'd be so worried about getting a fake, or non-existent after-sales service. I've never bought anything on ebay in my life haha, not even sure how it works. I don't think I could afford a Rolex datejust though, I've just done a quick search on ebay, cheapest is 2,599 dollars, most are way more than that though...is this the type you were saying you like?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-MENS-FULSZE-36MM-16030-SS-DATEJUST-QUICKSET-2599-/370530653086?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item564559139e#ht_13226wt_1189


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 204 ✭✭marcus1971


    Bullseye1 wrote: »
    Cheers Marcus. Going to watch that video later today. Very useful information there too.

    How do you feel about those mid 60's Heuers?

    Thread Hijack.....

    I like the look of them, I don't think I would consider buying one without a great deal of research and snagging it at a good price....and most of those type of dealers are over 2x what they could be bought for.
    ... ebay yields great bargains with a bit of patience, I have had a few in the past Omega Speedy Pro Pre Moon, Omega Jedi, SS Daytona and a hairy chested solid gold Zenith Daytona (my excuse was that it was so cheap it was almost a sin not to buy it)... I got em all for buttons and have since sold them all and made a tidy profit on all of them.


    I see vintage chronos as a bit of a minefield, a lot used the standard Lemania/Landeron/Valjoux/Zenith/motor in them with a bit of messing around with extra geartrains for subdial spacing different functions etc.
    And there are great deals to be had on ebay especially, but the thing to consider with them is a lot of watchmakers will not touch a chrono as they are tricky to work on, parts are scarce for a lot of the older ones and they do seem to put more wear on parts than more simple complications. If you do manage to nail down a chrono friendly watchmaker the bill will be a looooot higher than your regular c.o.a. service, which usually means they don't get serviced as often as they should, which means that good ones are like hens teeth although anything is fixable with a good service...a service on a decent chrono can run close to 1000Euro, and some unscrupulous folk might be selling them on with that in mind.

    Anytime I sell a watch on I will, unless I have had it serviced myself, always tell the buyer to budget for a service....and I feel that anybody thinking of buying a vintage chrono should ALWAYS take the cost of a service into account before parting with the $$$....as always research research research.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,663 ✭✭✭Nolimits


    Another plus one for the Stowas here, I have an Icarus, and a handwinding Flieger and really could not be happier with either of them (in fact I'm wearing the flieger now). I'd love to get one of the black face chronos as well, it was the first thing that popped into my head when I read the OP but I see I was (comprehensibly) beaten to to.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 204 ✭✭marcus1971


    Marcus, I totally take your point on board about the IWC- if that's what he wants, he'll get one eventually, so maybe I should get him something totally different and classic.

    Not sure what Omega he has, I know he told me they retail just under 2K, but his ex gave it to him, he got a friend to sell it for him for way less than that, so I want him to get something totally different from me iykwim?

    I really like the look of those Tags carrera heritage, but I will have to suss him out further about where he stands on Tags, because they're certainly not all the same.

    I wouldn't really have the confidence to buy vintage, I'd be so worried about getting a fake, or non-existent after-sales service. I've never bought anything on ebay in my life haha, not even sure how it works. I don't think I could afford a Rolex datejust though, I've just done a quick search on ebay, cheapest is 2,599 dollars, most are way more than that though...is this the type you were saying you like?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-MENS-FULSZE-36MM-16030-SS-DATEJUST-QUICKSET-2599-/370530653086?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item564559139e#ht_13226wt_1189

    Not a bad find for your first attempt, there is only one little flaw I can see with it though...I'm sure the experts will spot it.

    I'm living in the States for the next few months, the market here is very different to Ireland, there are hundreds and hundreds of the Datejusts on ebay here for well less than your 2000Euro limit (remember thats $2800) and as for thebrick and mortar stores almost all of them (exept Rolex) will give around 25% off retail.

    ...but if you aren't too happy using ebay then its not for you, a good place to look at vintage stuff that you can pick up and examine is in the Powerscourt Town Centre there are a few 2nd hand jewellery stalls/stores on one of the upstairs levels, not sure of what kind of prices they offer but maybe a good idea to just look at them, get a feel for what looks good and what has lasting appeal, I'm sure other bigger jewellers have used stuff too...and there HAS to be good discounts on them.


    ...I know a lot of these watches we rave about are really great but this should be something for a lifetime not a fad...

    ever seen other peoples wedding pics where the fellas had perms and staches?, they thought they were the height of cool back then

    ...there are divers watches out there I would run over hot coals for now, but I really know that I will not be wearing them in 20 - 30 or 40 years time, the only watch I have that I would NEVER sell is my Rolex AirKing that I got in 1992 for my 21st (second hand from 1985 & 400Punts) and as old as it is now, it doesn't look dated and I could see myself wearing it for the rest of my life unlike my Omega Ploprof that I will probably get rid of in the next couple of years and wonder what the hell I was thinking of buying it for in the first place and what an idiot I looked wearing what basically looks like one of those ankle bracelets the crims wear under house arrest.

    Lots and lots to consider, but I would strongly recommend looking and looking at lots of different watches in the flesh as it were, what you see as a giant, blown up picture on your computer screen with lots of photoshopping and professional photograping can be very very underwhelming in the real world.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Thanks a million Marcus, a lot of very useful info there. I really enjoyed watching that TimeMachine vid too. I have 3 questions about the watches I see on ebay:

    1. Why do so many have a number written in pen or marker on the back of the case of the watch?

    2. Why are the serial numbers blocked out (as is the case in the 2nd last picture of the ebay rolex I posted earlier)?

    3. Now I'm curious as to what this 'one flaw' is that you noticed?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 204 ✭✭marcus1971


    Thanks a million Marcus, a lot of very useful info there. I really enjoyed watching that TimeMachine vid too. I have 3 questions about the watches I see on ebay:

    1. Why do so many have a number written in pen or marker on the back of the case of the watch?

    2. Why are the serial numbers blocked out (as is the case in the 2nd last picture of the ebay rolex I posted earlier)?

    3. Now I'm curious as to what this 'one flaw' is that you noticed?


    1. The number you see inside the caseback is the last time it was serviced... they used to scratch this number inside the caseback, like a tiny engraving, but collectors don't like them to be scratched up like that so a lot of watch makers will date the service with a felt pen.

    2. Serial numbers are blocked out to basically preserve the security of the numbering system.... If I had a serial number for a watch that I value at a level my home contents will cover all I would have to do (if I were a crook) would be quote the serial # and say it was stolen from my house and pick up my cheque.

    3. The watch has a silver dial, Stainless Steel with engine turned bezel but it has a gold datewheel (although it might just be slightly discoloured or badly photographed)...datewheel should be silver, good start though.....

    A "classic" DJ to most would be: 36mm (not the smaller 34mm) silver dial (sunburst/linen/tuxedo/tapestry), Plastic (Acrylic) Crystal, Fluted Bezel....catches the light better than smooth or engine turned bezels & a Jubilee Bracelet.

    Its easy enough to find a good one and the sellers all have a %rating...every sale gets a point, every buyer leaves feedback based on how they feel about their purchase, they calculate a percentage feedback system based on happy buyers/sales.....so if a seller has 10,000 sales and a feedback of over 95% positive, its safe to assume that they are good to deal with and its down to your own product research from there....which you are making a good start at.

    There are some TT (two tone - gold and stainless steel) versions also, a nice example for sale now on the Rolex Forums:
    http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=187665 - He is asking about 1750 in Euro and the seller has long standing membership there and is most likely trustworthy.

    The Rolex Forums and Watchuseek have their own sales areas that usually have decent deals from people that usually look after their watches - whatever the brand - better than the average person.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,475 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    if he likes the iwc portuguese (which coincidentally is what i got when we got engaged) and you want to get him something that wont look silly on your wedding day with a suit, the stowa 1938 has already been mentioned and its a beauty, they also do a flieger chrono.

    http://www.stowa.de/Flieger+Chrono,i1.htm

    if he likes the iwc fliegerchrono, in my opinion the archimede is the closest approximation and a lovely watch.

    http://www.archimede-uhren.de/EN/Pilot-Chrono.htm

    lots of choice for £2k especially if you are prepared to go preowned maybe?

    most important thing is that its something he really likes, he will have it a long time :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Does anyone know- If I was to buy a pre-owned watch online for $$$, would I have to pay tax?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 204 ✭✭marcus1971


    Does anyone know- If I was to buy a pre-owned watch online for $$$, would I have to pay tax?

    Buying from anywhere in the EU is tax free.

    Buying from outside the EU will/may attract customs attention..... it can be a bit of a lottery.

    I have in the past had more than a few watches sent from the States and they got in under the radar without any additional taxes.

    If in advance you ask the seller if it is possible to send it as a gift and reduce the declared value and list it as "watch parts" on the customs declaration it can slip through, if it does not get through scot free there may have to be taxes added.... in general though a good buy from the states, even if it has duty/tax added on arrival, can still be a much better deal than buying in the EU. If your budget is 2000Euro plan on spending around $2400 (1750ish Euro) and you should have enough aside that if you are caught with tax it is still in budget

    *Most Important IS To Send Via Regular USPS Post and NOT UPS, FedEx or DHL


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 104 ✭✭merc3ps


    I have seen items marked as "horological item" instead of "watch". Perhaps that fools them!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Reloc8 wrote: »
    I did - if he likes IWC portugese style that might be as close as you can get for the money.

    Reloc8, I was just wondering if your Stowa chrono arrived and if you were happy with it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,775 ✭✭✭Zagato


    Reloc8 wrote: »
    I did - if he likes IWC portugese style that might be as close as you can get for the money.

    Reloc8, I was just wondering if your Stowa chrono arrived and if you were happy with it?

    He did, he was teasing us during the week with photos. It looks great.

    He posted photos here: http://www.boards.ie/thread/2055508118?page=40


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,564 ✭✭✭Deep Thought


    The narrower a man’s mind, the broader his statements.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭Anjobe


    I have a Hamilton Khaki auto chrono which has a similar look to the IWC pilots chrono. Its a good watch for sure, but not really a "special" watch.

    For a classic instrument style flieger there's always Sinn or maybe Fortis, who also make the official cosmonauts watches selected for use on the international space station (admittedly, still not quite the cache of a Speedmaster Pro!).

    I also like the Oris BC4s, they are not like the IWC pilots but are quite distinctive and modern looking, and Oris are pretty good quality for the price.

    Jurawatches in the UK are an online source for all of the above.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Just thought you might be interested to know what watch I ended up buying my fiance. Although he still loves the look of the pilot watches, he was a bit concerned about how big they are. I showed him lots of Stowas, Steinharts and other brands and in the end he fell in love with the Blue Tag Heuer Carrera Heritage Automatic Calibre 6. It's not available in Ireland yet. In fact I had to buy it from the Tag Flagship store in the Westfield in London. Other UK jewellers said they could get me one, but it mightn't be until after Xmas, whereas the Tag flagship store actually had one in stock. So they're sending it out to me. I'm attaching a picture. This is the 39mm one- so not too big! Very excited about getting it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    Beautiful and great choice. Now good luck with the wedding.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭winterlight


    Bullseye1 wrote: »
    Beautiful and great choice. Now good luck with the wedding.

    I have to thank you Bullseye for pointing me in the direction of the Carrera Heritages!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,564 ✭✭✭Deep Thought


    I have to say that is a stunning watch

    Nice find

    The narrower a man’s mind, the broader his statements.



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭foxyboxer


    marcus1971 wrote: »
    If it were my watch you were buying I would put as my #1 choice the Rolex Datejust 36mm
    ...a vintage, plexi glass, stainless steel, jubilee bracelet, silver/white/linen or tapestry dial.. one of the most elegant, timeless, understated watches that you could buy within your budget
    .

    Bit late now but they actually have one in Delphi antiques in Powerscourt. In the exact spec outlined. Lovely watch and very tempting. I think it's a watch you could buy on your 21st and enjoy for life. :cool:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,475 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    foxyboxer wrote: »
    Bit late now but they actually have one in Delphi antiques in Powerscourt. In the exact spec outlined. Lovely watch and very tempting. I think it's a watch you could buy on your 21st and enjoy for life. :cool:

    price?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭foxyboxer


    Cyrus wrote: »
    price?

    No idea, just saw it in passing. High no doubt.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭foxyboxer


    Cyrus wrote: »
    price?

    €2,850


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