Watches. Talk to me.

[AshWebster]

I'm sick of seeing nice looking watches advertised on FB/instagram and thinking oh these look decent and only £70 (ranging up to £150).

Every time. and i mean EVERY time i am finding that they are just Alibaba £2-5 watches stamped with a different name or altered very slightly for minimal cost and then resold with a name like Lord Timepeices rather then Sangoko or whetever on Alibaba.

What watches do you guys have? I'd love a tourbillon but im not made of money so budget is £50-150

Id like something like this

https://www.chronext.co.uk/rolex/vintage/8952/C58424?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_4a-w-CA3QIV0g0rCh39zwvmEAQYASABEgIKzPD_BwE

(obviously NOT a rolex but similar looking)

Ash
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Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[thx1138]

Casio F-91W
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casio_F-91W

[Big Jock]

Raymond Weil do some nice classic style watches or check out the Ball 'Tainmaster' series
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1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat

[chickenstrip]

Been saying that to my watch for ages. It has never said a word
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THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[-]

I use a Garmin Vevoactive HR smartwatch now to help with the weight loss, but before that, used to buy the cheapie Chinese disposable analogue watches.

Odd brand names, but some of the skeleton ones where you can see all the movement ,where pretty nice looking IMO.

Lost a couple of minutes a week, but easy to set. Depends if you want a watch you like the look of, or you want others to look at the brand name of.
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Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 Sport R, VW Transporter T5 GP LWB Shuttle 140ps DSG.

[RhynoCZ]

If you want a affordable mechanical watch, have a look at Seiko and Orient (Japan). Those are well made and tuned = not pain in the arse to wear. And that's pretty much where the money is, speaking of mechanical watches. If you get a really cheap time piece, you'll be correcting the time several times a day and the whole experience just either won't be nice, or you'll stop using the watch to keep time.

*BUT, many times all it takes to make a very cheap watch useful, is to take it to your local watchmaker for a tune up.

Seiko 5 is very good for the money, good to go out right out of the box.

To keep time properly, just go quartz, preferably digital (more accurate). Radio controlled watches being the most accurate thing you can have on your wrist.

IF you want something interesting, go vintage, but be prepared to pay a watchmaker to clean them for you.
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'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Polarbear]

What is your budget and do you want a quartz or mechanical.

I only collect mechanical watches now and my starting point is about the £200 mark for new but there are some lovely second hand ones available for not huge amounts.

Don't get hung up on names unless you are going to pay lots for a proper watch name - IWC, Rolex, Omega. etc. Most of the others are fashion names put on someone elses work - Lacosse, Hilfinger, Diesel and the like.

Fossil are a good mid level watch company. Others include Rotary (Dolphin grade) Tissot and Bulova.

I actually like Filippo Loreti mechanical watches but others are not so complimentary, it pertains to be what it isn't I know but I love the designs.

My normal wear is this (obviously not when working).....

https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.id6nhww22alParWL1_aQWAHaL2&w=116&h=164&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Ste]

Increase your budget and get one of these.

https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/watches/professional/1/emergency/V7632522-BC46-156S-V20DSA-4/

[AshWebster]

I'd really like a nice mechanical watch.. i mean if its going to hold its value i don't mind paying north of £200..

I think it just boils down to wanting to pay money for something thats actually WORTH that money (minus markup costs etc i know shops have to make profit)

Ill have a delve into some that you guys have helpfully mentioned,

Sekio (i have been reccomended the 5 already so should start here)
Orient
Raymond Weil
Ball
Filippo Loreti (though this rings an alarm bell from somewhere might be good might not be)
Rotary
Tissot
Bulova

will report back later with my findings and decision
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Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[Polarbear]

Filippo Loreti I only say because I like the designs and their mechanical watches use reliable Japanese Miyota movements (Citizen). They are one of these crowd funded companies and certainly don't have any real reputation, good, or bad, yet. Do not buy for investment purposes and certainly don't pay north of £200 for a mechanical one.

For something to keep its value, be reliable and all made in house, Swiss or Japanese, with my bias to Swiss.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Pebble Time. I like being able to read texts and fucking off phone calls without getting my phone out of my pocket.
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Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
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[AshWebster]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rotary-Automatic-Analogue-GS00652-21/dp/B01GJEVARM/ref=cts_wa_2_vtp?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=af3abac6-841d-4383-ab3e-63917b8fdffb&pf_rd_r=fd6000fd-1c1f-47b6-bfbb-8644390525a8&pd_rd_wg=BXL4r&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B01GJEVARM&pd_rd_w=sOD04&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=fd6000fd-1c1f-47b6-bfbb-8644390525a8&_encoding=UTF8

Rotary (sorry for long ling its amazon) looks decent (ish)

https://shop.filippoloreti.com/collections/mens-watches/products/rome-gold

Filippo Loreti - Crowdfunded with the aim of making luxury watches accessible, i do like actually

Raymond Weil, Ball, very nice watches but 4x and 10x my price range unfortunately. If i wasnt spending £2k on my car id give it some serious thought..

Seiko, Orient, not a fan of the designs, but thats just personal preference.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/T063-610-36-037-00-Tissot-Quartz-Analogue-Display/dp/B009CTII54/ref=sr_1_31?s=watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1534949773&sr=1-31&keywords=tissot

Tissot, looks are decent but mayble just slightly out of price range i think.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bulova-Designer-Automatic-Winding-Leather/dp/B0129ZKAUI/ref=sr_1_33?s=watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1534949838&sr=1-33&keywords=bulova

same for bulova i think.
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Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[RhynoCZ]

Mechanical watch is like having a crappy car/motorcycle. It needs care and adjusting to do the job somehow alright + you do have to change the oil (lubricant) and bearings (jewels) as time goes. You'll be adjusting the time a lot or alternatively you'll give up and just wear it as bracelet.

Anyway, check youtube channels Hodinkee, aBlogtoWatch, wornandwound... I also do enjoy watching Watch Repair Channel (an English lad fixing and making watches, while calmly explaining what's going on, just like watching snooker or golf).

But beware, reading about watches and learning all there is about the topic will inevitably turn your focus elsewhere, speaking of money willing to spend.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[AshWebster]

[B5234FT]

Amongst others, I have a seiko SK007 on a Nato strap (something like this, but mine has a green bezel for now)

https://mywristcheck.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/20110418-083414.jpg

For dressier occasions I have a Seagull M182SK Skeleton watch (although I got the version without the blue hands...)

https://montre-automatique.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/montre-squelette-automatique-france.jpg

https://montre-automatique.com/produit/sea-gull-blue-skeleton/

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f72/thoughts-seagull-skeleton-m182sk-234673.html

I paid £90 used for the Seiko and £85 new for the Seagull if I recall.

Really depends what you want!

[Polarbear]

[RhynoCZ]

[AshWebster]

[stevo as b4]

I had a relatively nice watch to treat myself for my 30th. It was a Citizen eco drive something or other, and about £225.

Ok as a dress watch for smart evening out occasions, but in reality I hardly ever wear it, and don't want or need a watch at work. Its also a sign out at night that says rob me as I've got stuff worth stealing.

I've worn mine maybe 5times in the last 2years, and before that I had to have it repaired as the eco drive gizmo had failed from sitting in a box for too long.

A nice part for your bike like a fancy ass shock or a fork re-valve would for many of us be a better use of the cash?

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Pjay]

https://www.dhgate.com/store/20209628

Very highly rated in the replica world.


Odd, I dont seem to be able to get to the page with that link.

Just search for noob factory in dhgate, they make very good replicas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2hNNxe6IjU
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[Old Git Racing]

Casio Edifice for work, about £100, Tag for going out, £600. The Casio is more accurate and comfortable.

OGR.
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[c_dug]

Oooh one of my favourite subjects, I used to sell mid range watches, won a competition for best sales in the company once too . Fossil are definitely one to look out for at the sub £200 price range, they actually produce the mechanisms for lots of other brands.

Personally I have a solar charged Citizen which is nice but a bit heavy, a solar charged G shock somewhere about the place, and a pretty unusual Irish made watch (can't remember the make off the top of my head).

But my absolute favourite is an Oris automatic watch - I left it at work this evening so I'll edit in the model name tomorrow, it's really very nicely made though and showed me the difference between a £200 watch and a £1000 watch. Perhaps a bit mad but I wear it as my daily, no sense in buying something nice then leaving it on a shelf for most of its life!
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[sensi5446]

Casio - had is over 8 years, its been through a lot and its still going strong. Did have to replace the strap after 5 years of hard use but it was easy to do.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-G-Shock-Mens-Watch-GW-M5610-1ER/dp/B001414NT8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534960399&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=casio+classic+solar

Seiko 5

Great auto, wear it everyday when in the office or not doing any rough stuff. Think it cost me £100 4 years ago.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seiko-Analogue-Automatic-Stainless-Bracelet/dp/B001IBF15Y/ref=sr_1_6?s=watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1534960644&sr=1-6&keywords=seiko+5+sports


Nomos - only ware on special occasions.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/nomos-glashutte-club-neomatik-live-pics-and-pricing

[arry]

Unfortunately, you need more like 500 quid before you get anything nice but you can get some interesting stuff for under 300 quid if you pick carefully.

Some of my collection:


Baume Et Mercier Capeland. On a crap strap at the moment must sort that.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4692/25263222818_4dc7ba357e_b.jpg


Seiko SARB033 (often referred to as the mini Grand Seiko). It's a bloody good piece this, and was about 250 quid from memory.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4634/27352893499_39ca3f4430_b.jpg

And my showcase IWC Portofino 8 day manual wind - it's a beast, but just a touch out of your budget!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4615/25995904838_7034769cde_c.jpg

I have others too but no pictures at the moment.

But what I'm wearing right now is a Homage watch, a Parnis black PVD Panerai style jobbie. It's got a Miyota Japanese movement in it and I've had it donkeys years, it's done everything with me as its my holiday watch and it's still in bloody good nick and keeps great time. That was circa 150 quid from memory. It's a real surprise bargain.