Are Steinhart watches any good

SpannerMonkey

Came across Steinhart recently and im just wondering whats peoples thoughts on them . what are they like in the hand. Good quality or cheap ?

unkel

Very good quality for the money! Also very low on depreciation, so if you buy one of the regular models new, it will be easy to sell on again. Which for most of us, is an important consideration when buying a watch.

Deep Thought

I think nearly every person on here has had a Steinhart at some stage.

Great watches, for the price, Customer Service is excellent, I am actually wearing my OVM 1.0 as we type...

DT

sparrowcar

Owned 1 and sold it as I felt I had too many watches at the time.

Worst decision I've made in my watch owning history. So much so I'm getting another one in the near future. Excellent watches with a genuine luxury feel to them.

I had an Ocean One which was well made but I didn't like the fit. The lugs are flat and sit up quite proud even on a medium wrist. I sold it for this reason and as mentioned above it held its value well.

People have complained about the flat lugs for years and their recent response has been to release a 39mm model. Which will presumably wear a little better but I don't know why they didn't just curl the lugs on the regular Ocean One.

oxocube

Wearing my Ocean One atm. Its a great watch for the price point. German engineering with a Swiss Movement. Perfect.

If I was buying another one I'd go for the Ocean Vintage GMT. Good looking watch. Modern but retro.

Army_of_One

I have a military42 and love it.

Lovely leather strap and a nice matt black powder finish.

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/weitere-modelle/military-42-automatic-black.html

SpannerMonkey

Army_of_One wrote: »

I have a military42 and love it.

Lovely leather strap and a nice matt black powder finish.

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/weitere-modelle/military-42-automatic-black.html

ya saw one of those earlier today actually beautiful watch .
im torn TBH i want more than 1 steinhart but i need to chose 1 for now . These are what i want

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-1-black-keramik.html

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-one-vintage-red-742.html

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-1-green-710.html

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-1-bronze-612.html

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/gmt-ocean-1-blue-red-731.html

Army_of_One

SpannerMonkey wrote: »

ya saw one of those earlier today actually beautiful watch .
im torn TBH i want more than 1 steinhart but i need to chose 1 for now . These are what i want

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-1-black-keramik.html

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-one-vintage-red-742.html

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-1-green-710.html

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-1-bronze-612.html

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/gmt-ocean-1-blue-red-731.html

that Ocean green with the date is nice imho.

Mind you I have been looking at pics of that Rolex hulk

Oafley Jones

Army_of_One wrote: »

that Ocean green with the date is nice imho.

Mind you I have been looking at pics of that Rolex hulk

Really tempted by the green 39 myself as I’ve a soft spot for the Kermit.

893bet

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Really tempted by the green 39 myself as I’ve a soft spot for the Kermit.

Same. Have a feeling it will wear a little small!

SpannerMonkey

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Really tempted by the green 39 myself as I’ve a soft spot for the Kermit.

Ya i think the green looks amazing on the 39 mm model , nicer than the 42 . but the 39 would be too small for me

saccades

blatant rip offs of other manufacturers designs.

sparrowcar

saccades wrote: »

blatant rip offs of other manufacturers designs.

Yawn....
The question was are they any good not where do you stand morally on them.

Deep Thought

saccades wrote: »

blatant rip offs of other manufacturers designs.

Was wondering how long it was gonna take before this appeared.

Nonoperational

Agreed. Very nice introduction to good mechanical watches.

unkel

saccades wrote: »

blatant rip offs of other manufacturers designs.

Not rip-offs. More like a salute to acknowledge some of the most iconic watches ever made. We prefer to called it "homage"

CalamariFritti

Never heard of them before I saw this thread, but they do look lovely in every way. Nav B chronograph looks a nice watch. Very nice actually, except for size unfortunately. It seems all their watches are fairly big, 44mm and 47mm with a few 42s thrown in. I prefer a smaller watch. Wearing a 41mm Seiko currently and even that took some getting used to as I was coming from a 38mm.

Deep Thought

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Never heard of them before I saw this thread, but they do look lovely in every way. Nav B chronograph looks a nice watch. Very nice actually, except for size unfortunately. It seems all their watches are fairly big, 44mm and 47mm with a few 42s thrown in. I prefer a smaller watch. Wearing a 41mm Seiko currently and even that took some getting used to as I was coming from a 38mm.

There are now doing 39mm

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch.html

CalamariFritti

Deep Thought wrote: »

There are now doing 39mm

https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch.html

Ocean one 39 black. Nice. Basically a design copy of the watch I really want, Seamaster Professional midsize/unisex. I have to think about it, cos realistically I never gonna commit €2.5k to a watch.

Edit. Someone says they’re an homage to Rolex Submariner. Not Omega at all. But its pretty obvious I thought what with the little seahorse on the back.

saccades

unkel wrote: »

Not rip-offs. More like a salute to acknowledge some of the most iconic watches ever made. We prefer to called it "homage"

Really, I never would have guessed, a salute?

Photoshop off the rolex/IWC and stick Steinhart on there, replace the "T" for a 1 for example and bish, bash, bosh. Done.

I have "homage" watches (FFF & PMMM) and understand the love/want of more expensive watches but the core of Steinhart isn't anything original.

They are great value for money but wouldn't be on my list.

unkel

saccades wrote: »

the core of Steinhart isn't anything original.

Nobody claims it is. If you want a well made watch that looks and feels like an Omega or a Rolex and has a proper Swiss automatic mechanical movement, but your budget is €400 rather than €4000, Steinharts are an excellent choice.

Why else do you reckon they are constantly sold out and keep their value so well?

saccades

unkel wrote: »

Nobody claims it is. If you want a well made watch that looks and feels like an Omega or a Rolex and has a proper Swiss automatic mechanical movement, but your budget is €400 rather than €4000, Steinharts are an excellent choice.

Why else do you reckon they are constantly sold out and keep their value so well?

The OP asked...

Came across Steinhart recently and im just wondering whats peoples thoughts on them .

My thoughts are that Steinhart are way to close to being an imitation/replica brand rather than one that can stand on their own merits.

I reckon that they are constantly sold out because they look so like the watches they are trying to be that a lot of people who can't afford those expensive watches get them in an "aspirational" way.

I think they hold their value well because they are a modern specced (sapphire/ceramic) watches with a decent enough movements that are cheap to purchase (when compared to the similar spec watches) and a lot of people who can't afford them them new probably still want an "aspirational" watch and a 2nd hand steinhart is probably the cheapest way to get a decent quality replica rolex-a-like.

art

saccades wrote: »

My thoughts are that Steinhart are way to close to being an imitation/replica brand rather than one that can stand on their own merits.

I reckon that they are constantly sold out because they look so like the watches they are trying to be that a lot of people who can't afford those expensive watches get them in an "aspirational" way.

I think they hold their value well because they are a modern specced (sapphire/ceramic) watches with a decent enough movements that are cheap to purchase (when compared to the similar spec watches) and a lot of people who can't afford them them new probably still want an "aspirational" watch and a 2nd hand steinhart is probably the cheapest way to get a decent quality replica rolex-a-like.

I think that is a very, very limited view really, it means taking a line from their catalogue and drawing conclusions on the entire brand's catalogue, ignoring the ethos of the watchmaker, the other exciting designs you can find there (some of their chronos in particular), and the fact they are making their own movements for some models.

I certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Steinhart to someone, very well made watches all round, dial and casework, straps of high quality, and using Swiss movements of excellent repute. The fact that all this can sometimes be available for less than €500 euros is indeed fantastic but they are watches worthy of value in themselves regardless.

unkel

saccades wrote: »

I reckon that they are constantly sold out because they look so like the watches they are trying to be that a lot of people who can't afford those expensive watches get them in an "aspirational" way.

I think they hold their value well because they are a modern specced (sapphire/ceramic) watches with a decent enough movements that are cheap to purchase (when compared to the similar spec watches) and a lot of people who can't afford them them new probably still want an "aspirational" watch and a 2nd hand steinhart is probably the cheapest way to get a decent quality replica rolex-a-like.

I started to agree with you there until the last bit. You realise that 2nd hand Steinharts are barely any cheaper than new ones? The depreciation on them is near nothing.

Homer

As watch lovers, when considering purchasing a particular watch/brand we will look at quality and integrity in a brand alongside the basic design. Some people like the idea of a lower-priced watch with some favorable elements of a more expensive brand. Others seek pure originality in their designs, as they see that as the hallmark of a legitimately artistic, industry leading brand.
Very very few watch companies can claim truly original designs in such a crowded market.
Should nobody buy any of the fantastic Seiko divers just because they look similar to a submariner released in the 50’s?

saccades

I'll be honest, I've never looked at 2nd hand prices - I had the presumption that they are a bit cheaper than new.

saccades

Homer wrote: »

As watch lovers, when considering purchasing a particular watch/brand we will look at quality and integrity in a brand alongside the basic design. Some people like the idea of a lower-priced watch with some favorable elements of a more expensive brand. Others seek pure originality in their designs, as they see that as the hallmark of a legitimately artistic, industry leading brand.
Very very few watch companies can claim truly original designs in such a crowded market.
Should nobody buy any of the fantastic Seiko divers just because they look similar to a submariner released in the 50’s?

Every analogue watch* looks pretty much like any other analogue watch - in the same way every car looks pretty much like every car. It's when you get to Geely GE levels of "attention to detail" that it takes the piss.

Steinharts core business models are not a homage or a salute - they are a blatant copy of much more prestigious brands. If you are happy to overlook that, then it appears that you get a excellent bang for your buck.


* - Storm have some mental analogue watches tbf.

art

saccades wrote: »

Steinharts core business models are not a homage or a salute - they are a blatant copy of much more prestigious brands. .

This just isn’t true, at all.

Wibbs

The idea of copying can be a nebulous one in watch design. Pretty much every single marque has copied/jumped on a trend at one time or another, including Rolex BTW. Like Apple in the computer world, Rolex invented little enough, but again like Apple were fantastically clever at spotting emerging different trends and putting them together on one package. Rolex didn't invent the screw down crown, or the automatic mechanism(though many fans believe they did). They did take and improve other's ideas and put them in one package, the original Rolex Oyster. They didn't invent the movable bezel either. Or the diving watch. But yet again did put them together in a practical and appealing way that was the design that has lasted down to today.

EG just about the very first example of the "modern" dive watch, where all the elements came together, the Blancpain 50 fathoms*;


Omega, Longines and Rolex released similar shortly after. Others joined in and all sorts of approaches followed(Compressor cases and not least the very clever Soviet Vostok Amphibia design, that can be had(usually) for feck all)


* a rellie of mine actually has one of these. The jammy bastard. A Blancpain/LIP branded example. He bought it on holiday in Spain back in the late 60's. He loves swimming and ruined many a watch from just diving in. His wife(being the sensible one of the pair) suggested getting a "skin-diver" watch. So he went into a shop selling that kind of equipment and looked at the watches. He turned his nose up at most, including a Rolex(Sub I presume). He knew the name, but reckoned it looked too bulky and "silly" and a bit "cheap". Yep. Though was apparently one of the least expensive. He picked the BP because it was slim and in his words didn't look ridiculous. And was reasonable price wise(he reckons a couple of hundred quid in today's terms). He still wears it and has done since then and it is on his wrist when he goes for his swim at the weekends. It currently lives on a 1980's spidel expanding bracelet. Has been serviced twice(70's and 80's) and ticks along grand. It's in better nick than the one in the picture too. He just sees it as "his old watch". Did I mention he's a jammy bastard?

art

There's a Rado model that plays off that design quite well, though with an over-sized small hand that I woudln't be as keen on

Army_of_One

Wibbs wrote: »

* a rellie of mine actually has one of these. The jammy bastard. A Blancpain/LIP branded example. He bought it on holiday in Spain back in the late 60's. He loves swimming and ruined many a watch from just diving in. His wife(being the sensible one of the pair) suggested getting a "skin-diver" watch. So he went into a shop selling that kind of equipment and looked at the watches. He turned his nose up at most, including a Rolex(Sub I presume). He knew the name, but reckoned it looked too bulky and "silly" and a bit "cheap". Yep. Though was apparently one of the least expensive. He picked the BP because it was slim and in his words didn't look ridiculous. And was reasonable price wise(he reckons a couple of hundred quid in today's terms). He still wears it and has done since then and it is on his wrist when he goes for his swim at the weekends. It currently lives on a 1980's spidel expanding bracelet. Has been serviced twice(70's and 80's) and ticks along grand. It's in better nick than the one in the picture too. He just sees it as "his old watch". Did I mention he's a jammy bastard?

Thanks for the eye test Wibbs , I'll book an appointment with Specsavers tomorrow

The definition of homage, or the line between homage/copy/replica is quite vague and everyone has their own take.

I would call Steinhart a homage brand in the sense that most of their watches are close aesthetic copies of historic Rolex etc but are clearly branded Steinhart. The case dimensions change a little bit etc but for the most part they are trying to aesthetically ape a particular watch as close as possible. They have a few original or semi-original designs but their bread & butter is homages.

It is what it is. I don't have a huge problem with it as long as the designs they copy are decades old. I can understand what it bothers some and I respect their viewpoint.

saccades

art wrote: »

This just isn’t true, at all.

I'm obviously in a camp of one here.

Wibbs

The Rolex clone angle is a hard one to ignore alright. The IWC far less so. The IWC Big Pilot comes directly from a WW2 German Air ministry design(B-Uhr, even down to the strap design) and order that IWC among others like Wempe, Laco and Stowa fulfilled(even Patek had a go).



IWC made the least numbers of all of the makers.

art

saccades wrote: »

I'm obviously in a camp of one here.

Certainly the Ocean one is far too close to the Rolex for my own particular tastes and am happy to admit that, to me, it's a bit vulgar because of it. But that is that, the Ocean one. The Ocean 2 is quite different. Reducing all they do now to just "blatant copies" that, I think, is what is quite unfair.

There are classic designs, as Wibbs notes above, that are repeated throughout lots of brands; if every brand making a Flieger was being dismissed your way I'd be surprised. But Steinhart have created over a 100 models in all, in many guises, and not just with ETA movements but with ETA COSC movements too. And have created premium models with an in house movement. I think they deserve some respect, or at least recognition, for what they are trying to do there, whether or not you like the odd end design.

Eoin

I imagine that their core income is from the homages, which allows them to do some unique models with their own stamp. They obviously do closely copy Submariners, Daytonas, B&R and so on. A "replica" to me though, would be an exact copy (remember most their divers are larger than Rolex's) with a Rolex logo on it. And subs have become such a ubiquitous design, that Steinhart are hardly on their own.

From a quality point of view, I don't think many people could say they're not very well made. I've owned a few of their models, and they stand up against some watches several times the price - including 2 Longines I owned. I think their bracelets, where many brands seem to fall down, are excellent. ETA movements and Sapphire crystals might be cheap, but they still put the whole package together very well.