Looking for a nice dress watch...

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Originally Posted By: MrHorspwer
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I don't mean to be rude, but isn't it kind of simple to use the internet to look at oil and read reviews instead of asking (and getting) all kinds of subjective opinions? I mean all the higher end oils are of good quality....after that it's just up to personal taste.


Fixed it for you
wink.gif


I see the point here...but oil, in all it's viscosities, properties, and various uses/applications as well as warranty requirements, is just a bit less subjective than a dress watch.
 
Astro14 speaks true. I dont wear rings or watches,they snag on things and conduct electricity. I have a few pocket watches in a drawer. So fashion -wise I cannot say. Financially, it is not a good idea to buy bling on time.
 
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I don't mean to be rude, but isn't it kind of simple to use the internet to look at watches and read reviews instead of asking (and getting) all kinds of subjective opinions? I mean all the higher end watches are of good quality....after that it's just up to personal taste.


I agree all higher end watches are good quality but your not getting anywhere near that class for $1-3K, a 2 hand starts at about 4K and chronographs $7K+ retail unless you know what to look for.
There are expensive Grand Seiko and Royal Orients out there, very desirable, higher end and priced accordingly.

I scour the internet daily for "sleepers" because I know the difference and I know what I am looking at.
I have been collecting watches (real watches not TV stuff) since 1984, other folks have been collecting a lot longer and know a lot more, why not tap the well?
When I was a kid I wanted to be a watchmaker but was convinced it was a dying trade because of the upcoming quartz revolution. I am just a hobbyist but learned enough to overhaul a 2824, change hands and replace a dial and crystal, chronographs are out of my league.

That Bulova I posted for example, even though a quartz is a sleeper, some TAG quartz, Movado and others use a plastic ETA G10 and sell for $2K+, not a good buy and definitely not higher end.
The Bulova blows it away not only with its movement but bracelet and clasp, dial and arguably the case quality.
The point is finding info on which movement is in a quartz watch can be daunting, they rarely publish that info.

Posting in a forum is a great way to get a lot of info quickly from people who may actually own the watch and know what makes it work.

Go look at Aviator watches and the prices for Swiss on the internet then look at a German/Swiss movement Damasko. They even use a local German foundry for the steel.
The quality so high on the case a HUGE Swiss player offered to buy the patent for the ice hardened steel.
Put in a Swiss ETA 2836-2 automatic with Geneva stripes and gilded Movement for less than $1200 and you have a real sleeper.

The point is the chances of finding that info just by happenstance on the internet is almost null.
 
I had a Seiko Automatic for a few years that I picked up for a couple hundred bucks and after 3 years or so of daily use it has recently started running erratically and gaining time fast. It gains a few minutes every hour. This started a few weeks ago so now it sits on a shelf and I'm debating if it's worth the $100 or so dollars to pay to have it serviced. It has lived a rough 3 years...I even forgot I was wearing it once chopping wood which I'm sure wasn't good for it.

I'll admit the above experience has soured the whole automatic watch experience for me. It would run erratically for time to time and then run well for months and then act up again. To me I couldn't rely on it and isn't that the point of a watch? As much as I appreciate the mechanics of an automatic quartz is just so darn convenient and accurate and they don't act up.

I have a Citizen Ecodrive dress watch I got from a now ex girlfriend and I only wear it to things like church and weddings etc. It is accurate as all quartz watches are and it has the whole rechargeable battery going for it. This one is 3-4 years old and works fine as long as I keep it in daylight once in a while.

My new daily wear is a Timex T5K196 Ironman which I like and its indestructible.

IMHO you don't have to spend a large sum of money for a nice watch. Both Seiko and Citizen make good quartz watches that look nice.

If I was a man of better means I'd probably get an Omega and treasure it and keep it in the family as a heirloom....and pay the money to service it periodically.
 
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One time I was on a date with this woman. She used to work at a watch store so she was knowledgeable about watches. I was wearing a $150 watch. From a distance, she complimented my watch and thought it was a $1000 watch.

The thing with watches is that you really can't tell how expensive they are unless it's up close... or unless it's a $40k Rolex. Even a $120 one can look like a $3000 one from across the table.

Just stick with something in the $150-250 range
 
Want a dress watch at a reasonable price? Check out the pawn shops in your area. I picked up a Tag Heuer chronograph last year for $350.00, Jared's checked it out for free as I couldn't figure how to set all the different functions and informed me its worth was in the $1000 range.

Or how bout a Bulova Precisionist like new with box & papers for $125.00.

Yup pawn shops still give good deals, at least here in the mid-west.
 
Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I don't mean to be rude, but isn't it kind of simple to use the internet to look at watches and read reviews instead of asking (and getting) all kinds of subjective opinions? I mean all the higher end watches are of good quality....after that it's just up to personal taste.


I agree all higher end watches are good quality but your not getting anywhere near that class for $1-3K, a 2 hand starts at about 4K and chronographs $7K+ retail unless you know what to look for.
There are expensive Grand Seiko and Royal Orients out there, very desirable, higher end and priced accordingly.

I scour the internet daily for "sleepers" because I know the difference and I know what I am looking at.
I have been collecting watches (real watches not TV stuff) since 1984, other folks have been collecting a lot longer and know a lot more, why not tap the well?
When I was a kid I wanted to be a watchmaker but was convinced it was a dying trade because of the upcoming quartz revolution. I am just a hobbyist but learned enough to overhaul a 2824, change hands and replace a dial and crystal, chronographs are out of my league.

That Bulova I posted for example, even though a quartz is a sleeper, some TAG quartz, Movado and others use a plastic ETA G10 and sell for $2K+, not a good buy and definitely not higher end.
The Bulova blows it away not only with its movement but bracelet and clasp, dial and arguably the case quality.
The point is finding info on which movement is in a quartz watch can be daunting, they rarely publish that info.

Posting in a forum is a great way to get a lot of info quickly from people who may actually own the watch and know what makes it work.

Go look at Aviator watches and the prices for Swiss on the internet then look at a German/Swiss movement Damasko. They even use a local German foundry for the steel.
The quality so high on the case a HUGE Swiss player offered to buy the patent for the ice hardened steel.
Put in a Swiss ETA 2836-2 automatic with Geneva stripes and gilded Movement for less than $1200 and you have a real sleeper.

The point is the chances of finding that info just by happenstance on the internet is almost null.



Wow! You've truly humbled me. You obviously know watches. I had no idea people paid that much for a watch (except the super wealthy) nor did I have a clue about the various brands/complexities and quality aspects.
Next time I'll think before post!
 
Originally Posted By: strat81
Originally Posted By: Swarmlord
Citizen.

That, or Seiko.

http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SKX779-Monster-Automatic-Stainless/dp/B0006IHHN4

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-BJ7000-52E...431&sr=1-13



Neither of those are dress watches. In fact, here is my new Black Monster on a Super Engineer II...no way would I ever wear that with a suit or even a dress shirt. It's a diver's watch and looks out of place with a suit -- it looks right at home with a pair of shorts and a polo, though. The Nighthawk you linked *might* be fine with a dress shirt at the office. As an aside, I used to own that exact watch and it is a real looker.

1502392_10102481403788812_1285257718_o.jpg




Dress watches are about simplicity. Subdued colors (silver, black, or white), minimal ornamentation, and a smaller size so it doesn't look awkward under a shirt cuff. I shy away from leather straps as it limits the shoes/belt I can wear with the watch, and I think it tends to make them look too casual.

This is about as flashy as I would ever go on a dress watch (Seiko SRP151, likely the next one I'll add to my collection):

srp151j1_03.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: GenSan
How 'bout wearing a Ball to your military ball? (I'm not kidding) Ball Watches


I second this. Oris is worth a look too, if you like the style of the Ball watches.
 
Originally Posted By: GenSan
How 'bout wearing a Ball to your military ball? (I'm not kidding) Ball Watches

Wow..those are some nice looking watches. As an astronomer, I especially like the GMT and Moon phase dial. Nice touch. I have an old Ball RR pocket watch given to me by my godmother decades ago. Didn't realize they were still in business.

As for my current, and only watch, I wear a Tissot PR100 automatic. I paid around $200 for it 15 years ago.
 
From what I understand, watch styles come in a variety...according to ones dress.
In general étiquette terms a DRESS watch should have a brown or black leather band. The choice of leather should match ones shoes or belt. For a military ball I would guess black.
For true FORMAL events, a watch should be made of a precious metal, have an analog display....and be rather discreet (not gaudy or ghetto). The metal in the watch should match the cufflinks or dress buttons on a uniform.
Most other watches are considered 'sports' watches if you will.
I'll leave the technical and actual watch body/mechanisms to others far more knowledgeable in such matters.
 
I have the same in white dial. I like it but the gold colored plating is not very sturdy. In less than few months, it already has cuff marks on it.
 
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