Newly developed interest in watches - looking for advice

ampjohnny

Hello,

I Recently decided the time (boom boom- sorry!) had come to put a respectable watch on my wrist and have fallen a bit in love with searching around trying to find the 'perfect one' and this may be very mainstream but it's really the classic Omegas that have caught my eye.

Specifically a Speedmaster on NATO or Brown leather for day to day and a classic Seamaster De Ville for dress.

Having gone from wearing €20 watches without a thought to eyeballing €2/3k pieces I am keen to ease myself in slowly and not commit all my budget to something until I learn more tips/pitfalls etc.

So I decided to run with entry level versions of my 1st choices until I have the confidence to buy the main pieces or I ndeed see ones at prices I cannot deny. I wanted to ask people's thoughts on my choices and see if you could recommend better fits or indeed offer any advice to me on buying watches full stop

In place of the Speedmaster I decided on a Seiko SKX007 on a Nato strap as I have read some great things about it and many people say it's in their own collections.



In place of the De Ville I picked the Orient Bambino, again because of the low price point and high praise I have seen it receive.



My thinking here is that these are very attractive watches in their own right. Will help me ensure I have a clear idea of what I want and that I like what I think I like and all going to plan I can resell or keep as part of a small collection.

All advice appreciated - thank you!

Wibbs

IMH you really can't go far wrong with a Seiko.

dudara

My OH has that Seiko - it's bulky, but very good looking. The Orient is a good choice for a dress watch too

MarcusP12

Op, what kind of budgets are you talking for your day to day and your formal options? Are the Omegas something you're aspiring to and are just building a collection with solid pieces to work up to this?

ampjohnny

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Op, what kind of budgets are you talking for your day to day and your formal options? Are the Omegas something you're aspiring to and are just building a collection with solid pieces to work up to this?

Roughly a grand a piece and in no rush to spend all that money now. Happy to stagger the right pieces 6 months apart if needs be. The Seiko just really appealed to me as another casual say to day option that I could wear with smart casual and also with jeans and tshirt

I saw a very nice Seamaster for sale here for- I think - €1,200 and that would have been perfect for me for the day to day watch as it was on Brown leather and looked quite sporty to me. The Black dial De Villes are roughly under €1k and again hats fine if I can be sure I am getting one in good nick that will stand up to being wore regularly.

Example here (not a De Ville but close enough to what I want) http://m.ebay.com/itm/231896361884?ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2Fe11010.m1951.l1120%2F7%3Feuid%3Dc795933c44874d3c9c62f78999b4ba28%26loc%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Fws%252FeBayISAPI.dll%253FViewItem%2526item%253D231896361884%26srcrot%3De11010.m1951.l1120%26rvr_id%3D0&_mwBanner=1

Example of Speedmaster I am looking for

http://m.ebay.com/itm/391415216176?ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2Fe11010.m1951.l3160%2F7%3Feuid%3Dc795933c44874d3c9c62f78999b4ba28%26loc%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Fws%252FeBayISAPI.dll%253FViewItem%2526item%253D391415216176%26srcrot%3De11010.m1951.l3160%26rvr_id%3D0&_mwBanner=1

Ps - in case it helps I typically prefer smaller watches so if anyone has advice on the price difference I could hope to save going with a 38mm or say 40mm Speedmaster over the more popular larger dials that would be great!

MarcusP12

ampjohnny wrote: »

Roughly a grand a piece and in no rush to spend all that money now. Happy to stagger the right pieces 6 months apart if needs be. The Seiko just really appealed to me as another casual say to day option that I could wear with smart casual and also with jeans and tshirt

I saw a very nice Seamaster for sale here for- I think - €1,200 and that would have been perfect for me for the day to day watch as it was on Brown leather and looked quite sporty to me. The Black dial De Villes are roughly under €1k and again hats fine if I can be sure I am getting one in good nick that will stand up to being wore regularly.

Example here (not a De Ville but close enough to what I want) http://m.ebay.com/itm/231896361884?ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2Fe11010.m1951.l1120%2F7%3Feuid%3Dc795933c44874d3c9c62f78999b4ba28%26loc%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Fws%252FeBayISAPI.dll%253FViewItem%2526item%253D231896361884%26srcrot%3De11010.m1951.l1120%26rvr_id%3D0&_mwBanner=1

Example of Speedmaster I am looking for

http://m.ebay.com/itm/391415216176?ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2Fe11010.m1951.l3160%2F7%3Feuid%3Dc795933c44874d3c9c62f78999b4ba28%26loc%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Fws%252FeBayISAPI.dll%253FViewItem%2526item%253D391415216176%26srcrot%3De11010.m1951.l3160%26rvr_id%3D0&_mwBanner=1

Ps - in case it helps I typically prefer smaller watches so if anyone has advice on the price difference I could hope to save going with a 38mm or say 40mm Speedmaster over the more popular larger dials that would be great!

you sound like a kindred spirit! when I got into watches I decided I wanted to build up a collection to cover every possibility. For example, a watch for popping down the shop for the newspaper, another for going to watch a match with a pal, another for work meetings and another for site visits, blah blah the list goes on but I'm making progress! Currently looking for a casual higher end watch for going out in (jeans and t-shirt like yourself). I'm more of a breitling than omega man (not that I have either yet!) so we're on different pages there, but my taste is changing with the wind as to how to cover that base (B1 one day, aerospace another and now longines hydroconquest (which surprised me!)).

But to add to your thoughts though, you could maybe consider a tag aquaracer and as an intermediate classy purchase, I currently quite like the longines hydroconquest. You can get that in either quartz or auto. Quartz is around 600 and auto 800/900 quid. I'm considering it myself as a stepping stone to a breitling...but as I said, that plan will change a million times before I pull the trigger eventually. its not a big unit either as available in 39 and 41mm. I prefer the bigger watches myself....

As for your dress watch option, not into orient myself but I have an almost identical Seiko kinetic which I got off creation watches for about 130. Its lovely. You could also check out Hamilton watches. they do a nice range of dressy watches (jazzmaster I think) and would be very good quality (swiss). They are on my list of watches to include in my collection. They're the only "non-mainstream to non-watch fanatics" that I would consider outside of the usual Seiko, citizen, tissot, tag, breitling, omega, longines. My more "impressive" formal watch is a Tissot PRC200 Auto. you're nearly into 2nd hand lower range premium watch range there (800 quid or thereabouts) but you should check out Tissot generally also. very good watches.

Good luck and expect your head to be wrecked with the choices out there!

dinorebel

Am pretty much the same as yourself having recently developed an interest in watches, currently have a Seiko 5 and a Citizen Eco Drive Chrono along with a few older cheaper pieces but am looking at a step up and maybe get the Steinhart Ocean Black.

Eoin

ampjohnny wrote: »

Ps - in case it helps I typically prefer smaller watches so if anyone has advice on the price difference I could hope to save going with a 38mm or say 40mm Speedmaster over the more popular larger dials that would be great!

If you go to somewhere like Chrono24.com, you can do quite a granular search and compare the prices by size. A very quick search shows a few starting at a little over 1K, but no idea about the condition or authenticity of them. Search for "Speedmaster Reduced" to get an idea.

I'm not sure if there are any homages of the Speedmaster out there, which can be a handy way of trying out a style relatively cheaply to see if it's worth getting the real deal or not. Alpha watches used to do one, but it's not on their site any more. I bought one of their Seamaster homages to see if it was for me or not.

MarcusP12 wrote:

I currently quite like the longines hydroconquest. You can get that in either quartz or auto. Quartz is around 600 and auto 800/900 quid.

I didn't find mine great value for money unfortunately.

MarcusP12

Eoin wrote: »

If you go to somewhere like Chrono24.com, you can do quite a granular search and compare the prices by size. A very quick search shows a few starting at a little over 1K, but no idea about the condition or authenticity of them. Search for "Speedmaster Reduced" to get an idea.

I'm not sure if there are any homages of the Speedmaster out there, which can be a handy way of trying out a style relatively cheaply to see if it's worth getting the real deal or not. Alpha watches used to do one, but it's not on their site any more. I bought one of their Seamaster homages to see if it was for me or not.



I didn't find mine great value for money unfortunately.

Oh, why not?was going to price them here abroad as there is a longines store in the main mall. Is longines not a step above seiko,citizen and tissot say?

How do you define value in a watch anyway? Genuine question since they all ultimately do one thing and that is to tell the time.if u take a car for example....they all get you from a to b but some do it faster than others if u want, in more comfort, safer, etc etc.its a question I've often thought about to be honest as I know the day will come when I go in big on a grail watch and my pal wearing a cheap Casio or timex will think I'm off my rocker!! Won't stop me though!

ampjohnny

MarcusP12 wrote: »

you sound like a kindred spirit! when I got into watches I decided I wanted to build up a collection to cover every possibility. For example, a watch for popping down the shop for the newspaper, another for going to watch a match with a pal, another for work meetings and another for site visits, blah blah the list goes on but I'm making progress! Currently looking for a casual higher end watch for going out in (jeans and t-shirt like yourself). I'm more of a breitling than omega man (not that I have either yet!) so we're on different pages there, but my taste is changing with the wind as to how to cover that base (B1 one day, aerospace another and now longines hydroconquest (which surprised me!)).

But to add to your thoughts though, you could maybe consider a tag aquaracer and as an intermediate classy purchase, I currently quite like the longines hydroconquest. You can get that in either quartz or auto. Quartz is around 600 and auto 800/900 quid. I'm considering it myself as a stepping stone to a breitling...but as I said, that plan will change a million times before I pull the trigger eventually. its not a big unit either as available in 39 and 41mm. I prefer the bigger watches myself....

As for your dress watch option, not into orient myself but I have an almost identical Seiko kinetic which I got off creation watches for about 130. Its lovely. You could also check out Hamilton watches. they do a nice range of dressy watches (jazzmaster I think) and would be very good quality (swiss). They are on my list of watches to include in my collection. They're the only "non-mainstream to non-watch fanatics" that I would consider outside of the usual Seiko, citizen, tissot, tag, breitling, omega, longines. My more "impressive" formal watch is a Tissot PRC200 Auto. you're nearly into 2nd hand lower range premium watch range there (800 quid or thereabouts) but you should check out Tissot generally also. very good watches.

Good luck and expect your head to be wrecked with the choices out there!

Thank you for the detailed feedback. I went through each of your suggestions but didn't really see anything that took my fancy until the Hamilton Jazzmaster but I had looked at them previously - except for the newer Chrono apparently- wowzers!

http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/collection/american-classic/jazzmaster/auto-chrono/h32596781-jazzmaster-auto-chrono

Ionised

I can second the vote for Hamilton. Have two, a khaki and a viewmatic. For me the quality exceeds the price by some margin.

Eoin

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Oh, why not?was going to price them here abroad as there is a longines store in the main mall. Is longines not a step above seiko,citizen and tissot say?

How do you define value in a watch anyway? Genuine question since they all ultimately do one thing and that is to tell the time.if u take a car for example....they all get you from a to b but some do it faster than others if u want, in more comfort, safer, etc etc.its a question I've often thought about to be honest as I know the day will come when I go in big on a grail watch and my pal wearing a cheap Casio or timex will think I'm off my rocker!! Won't stop me though!

Don't want to go too off-topic, but having owned a load of divers in the 300-400 mark, I just didn't think the Longines felt like it was worth the premium.

Though perhaps boutique brands often have to be better built for the money because they don't have the name behind them. I don't want to sound like a broken record/fanboy but my Steinhart Ocean One - the bracelet in particular - just feels better finished.

Longines is typically a brand where you do get a good watch for the money though.

ampjohnny

Ionised wrote: »

I can second the vote for Hamilton. Have two, a khaki and a viewmatic. For me the quality exceeds the price by some margin.

Can I ask where you bought them. I believe there are stockists in Dublin (none in Cork!) but I am currently looking into prices in the States as I have friends over there coming to visit shortly and I'm told it's a lot cheaper to buy Hamilton in the US?

Eoin

You'll get a decent price in Hour Passion in Dublin airport. They're really well made watches; I've had this one for a few years now and still love it.

ampjohnny

Eoin wrote: »

If you go to somewhere like Chrono24.com, you can do quite a granular search and compare the prices by size. A very quick search shows a few starting at a little over 1K, but no idea about the condition or authenticity of them. Search for "Speedmaster Reduced" to get an idea.

Some nice ones indeed such as the following, anyone see any catches?

http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/speedmaster-reduced--id4182669.htm?dosearch=true&man=omega&manufacturerIds=187&modelId=72&models=72&query=Speedmaster+reduced&urlSubpath=/omega/speedmaster-reduced--mod72.htm&models=72&manufacturerIds=187

Let me ask, how important are box and papers?
How much would a service on say a 98 Speedmaster cost?

Ionised

ampjohnny wrote:

Can I ask where you bought them. I believe there are stockists in Dublin (none in Cork!) but I am currently looking into prices in the States as I have friends over there coming to visit shortly and I'm told it's a lot cheaper to buy Hamilton in the US?

Both mine came from eBay. Both new with tags at around 2/3 of the local price I could find

ampjohnny

Ionised wrote: »

Both mine came from eBay. Both new with tags at around 2/3 of the local price I could find

That's 'Grey Market' right?

Eoin

ampjohnny wrote: »

Some nice ones indeed such as the following, anyone see any catches?

http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/speedmaster-reduced--id4182669.htm?dosearch=true&man=omega&manufacturerIds=187&modelId=72&models=72&query=Speedmaster+reduced&urlSubpath=/omega/speedmaster-reduced--mod72.htm&models=72&manufacturerIds=187

Let me ask, how important are box and papers?
How much would a service on say a 98 Speedmaster cost?

If you're not pushed about resale, I'd say no B&P isn't a big deal, provided you pay less for it in the first place.

Remember you're liable for customs if you buy from the US, so I'm not sure if that's a great deal given that it's not on a bracelet.

Here's another one, but I'm really not that familiar with them...
http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/speedmaster-reduced-automatic-chronograph--id4263959.htm

Ionised

ampjohnny wrote: »

That's 'Grey Market' right?

I guess you could call it that. Certainly not Authorised Dealer but I can't say it concerned me. Perhaps if I was spending a couple of thousand I'd be more circumspect.

MarcusP12

ampjohnny wrote: »

Can I ask where you bought them. I believe there are stockists in Dublin (none in Cork!) but I am currently looking into prices in the States as I have friends over there coming to visit shortly and I'm told it's a lot cheaper to buy Hamilton in the US?

Only place I know of that stock them in Dublin apart from the airport is Arnotts. They sell them also in Kildare Village but haven't seen them there yet. One Hamilton which is really like but I'd say is hard to source apart from internet is "Spirit of Liberty", the lack strapped chrono with the silver face and blue hands. Very elegant watch. Google it for the craic....lovely watch....was interested in them when I eventually got my Tissot PRC200 auto chrono but the Hamilton would been about 400 more, only available off the net with long lead time so I didn't have much of an appetite for it at the time...

Keyzer

I'm in the same boat OP.

Currently drooling over speedmasters like a drug addict. Financing the purchase through the sale of a few bits and pieces around the house (guitar amp I wont be using for the foreseeable future).

The gas thing is my missus put the idea in my head. Get a nice watch, you'll look smart, says a lot about a man etc. Little did she know I'd set my sights on a watch that costs €4,400 RRP here in Dublin.

That Seiko looks lovely with the NATO strap.

CarltonBrowne

A friend of mine bought a Hamilton Jazzmaster in New York at the happy time when there was two dollars to the pound sterling. The salesman dropped the price by 50% within the first few minutes of conversation so I think you should buy stateside and haggle.

On the dress watch side of life there is an interesting new venture from the UK called Vapaus which seems to get some positive feedback from the forums - that's probably quite easy since they haven't managed to actually sell a watch yet and there's many a slip between cup and product launch .

http://www.vapaus.co/
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?362707-Interesting-new-dress-watch-brand

ampjohnny

Eoin wrote: »

If you're not pushed about resale, I'd say no B&P isn't a big deal, provided you pay less for it in the first place.

Remember you're liable for customs if you buy from the US, so I'm not sure if that's a great deal given that it's not on a bracelet.

Here's another one, but I'm really not that familiar with them...
http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/speedmaster-reduced-automatic-chronograph--id4263959.htm

€1,600 with box and papers seems decent?

http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/speedmaster-reduced--id4272631.htm?dosearch=true&man=omega&manufacturerIds=187&modelId=72&models=72&query=Speedmaster+reduced&showpage=3&urlSubpath=/omega/speedmaster-reduced--mod72-3.htm&models=72&manufacturerIds=187

I would be happier with a 38mm over a 40mm+ I reckon.

Eoin

If you're not too sure about the size, then hold off and try out a few cheaper styles. I know my tastes have changed considerably since I started getting into watches.

ampjohnny

Eoin wrote: »

If you're not too sure about the size, then hold off and try out a few cheaper styles. I know my tastes have changed considerably since I started getting into watches.

I take the point and i think thats what I'll do. That and keep My eyes peeled for a good deal on a used Speedmaster.

Speaking of which 2008 model with box
And papers at what seems a fair price. Can anyone advise anything amiss with this one?

http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/speedmaster-reduced--id4219257.htm?dosearch=true&man=omega&manufacturerIds=187&modelId=72&models=72&query=Speedmaster+reduced&showpage=2&urlSubpath=/omega/speedmaster-reduced--mod72-2.htm&models=72&manufacturerIds=187

mynameis905

ampjohnny wrote: »

I take the point and i think thats what I'll do. That and keep My eyes peeled for a good deal on a used Speedmaster.

Speaking of which 2008 model with box
And papers at what seems a fair price. Can anyone advise anything amiss with this one?

http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/speedmaster-reduced--id4219257.htm?dosearch=true&man=omega&manufacturerIds=187&modelId=72&models=72&query=Speedmaster+reduced&showpage=2&urlSubpath=/omega/speedmaster-reduced--mod72-2.htm&models=72&manufacturerIds=187

Nothing wrong with smaller watches but do try them on first. 38mm is small by modern standards. It's ideal for an elegant and slim dress watch but a bit small for a sports watch. I always find 40-42mm to be the ideal size for me. Anything bigger is uncomfortable and anything smaller looks like a childs watch on my wrist, particularly if I'm wearing short sleeves.