Talk to Me about Watches!

[BISCUT]

I was looking at a Rolex for $6k that I liked. I just didn't want to drop that coin for something I didn't love. I have been looking at a Panzero Classivo and I like the style and it appeals to me. Under 1k is nice as well.

I know there are many here that are aficionados....Please, take me to school. I'm wide open to alternatives and would like to hear about Panzero as well.

 

[Ed_Flecko]

What model of Rolex are you talking about???

I bought my current, Stainless Steel "Submariner" (https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watches/submariner/m126610ln-0001) in 1985 for $1050 and the same model sells, brand-new, for approximately $11K.

I think, one of the best things about owning a Rolex is knowing that you will, forever, be able to have it serviced. Forever.

Ed

 

[Adkcedarman]

My Apple Watch Ultra 2 is about the most id ever spend on a watch…. So I’ll just enjoy watching this conversation, lol

 

[Zee09]

I used too look at those from the gun pawn shops in the day... loved them but I don't wear watches..
This was way back in the early 80s

 

[charbaby]

I won't tell you not to buy the Panzero Classivo(although I've never heard of them). It does have a trusty Miyota(Citizen) automatic movement in it and should last a lifetime, looks good, it's has 316L SS, Sapphire Crystal, Super Luminova, AR Coating, etc. If you like it, buy it. I'd buy one! This particular Miyota movement is a lower end movement with 21 jewels/21,600bph. It's good just the same.
You're the only one who needs to be happy. Just don't overpay for it.

As far as any ROLEX, do you homework as so many people get taken on the web and buy a knock-off watch and don't know it.

 

[Al]

You must make sure it is serviced, warranted from a reputable dealer. Which rolex is it.

I would suggest Tudor Black Bay 68.....................$5000 new

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Bay-68-Tudor/dp/B0FQW8MD5M/ref=sr_1_32?crid=DCBPGGPFWHE5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1mpKfeQ9cjcK8FU9inXXi6KBB-5Vcd0_G3ze_tkntHwVxn5pUyVUK_desO2xJK6B81Yv8xXMTczBVnYc8hqkJfDkJXxe7BkW3kc2ECUS_4Lu5SetxG77e4Jv_wEQbt_q4Y0TgH1LjZOdIG4G6Ty8icv1AyKshBAKpDdqkcECGBcq-4nnMlEEIoDJTv-uC_qInBDfsyEnGD_vgC_JKjlbUt-_CuvrcjGStqU5kdmnKY5TTHEboglcyMZPK_tSlEBBr3LAOM4DVQhyTw2El3NY4YuDjSIK2If2elWvhYaRAVs.aNSzetSMuYdDoD915hvjc0ml-oRpGEOFKDz2G7BsVJc&dib_tag=se&keywords=tudor+watches+for+men&qid=1784570507&sprefix=tudor,aps,152&sr=8-32

 

[Ozzie]

My wife is into watches, and has a nice collection. Me no. I like my solar Citizen with leather band which requires replacement every couple of years. For some reason, I now receive frequent Sternglas ads with internet browsing. These are not in Rolex league, but the designs are attractive.

 

[Elkins45]

I can’t see ever spending the $$ a Rolex commands, especially post-Covid. The fanciest watches I own are a Longines and a Ball. I love the tritium illumination on the Ball.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

After I stopped wearing a watch in the 90's I once again needed a watch on my arm, NOT a cell phone.
I started reading and researching with a open mind knowing little to nothing about watches but I went into my research with this in mind...

Some folks love Rolex, do I want one? I could afford if IF it was something I truly wanted. I decided NO, I have no need.
I like quality everything, THE better build the better and I have always had a respect for most things Swiss Made going back to my Boy Scout days and my Swiss Army knife and my many 80's and 90's Volvos...

I recall my dad and his watches, He had a close relationship with our local watch shop. I have no local watch guy and know a real watch requires real service and hate to be bothered with even a watch battery change out to be honest.

Then I thought its been 30 years that I have had a watch on my wrist, better try something inexpensive FIRST to make sure I'll use it.

Going back to the battery change out, the last few battery change outs my wife had done the battery only lasted a few weeks, I want no part of that.

Enter the TIMEX Solar Expedition Scout $61 Amazon
Solar charge so no regular battery change outs, stainless back and keeps great time. Disposable, stops working toss it.

I know we talking Apples to Oranges with the kinda watch this thread is about but I can't be the ONLY guy that does not need a dress watch, is actually hard on a watch as im changing Harley oil and does NOT want to do much more to my watch than look at it when I want to know the time...

I would like to own a nice Swiss made watch one day but Its NOT gonna happen! I love and buy expensive cars and motorcycles and toys but I turn a wrench on those cars and motorcycles, I DON"T need a dress watch as thats not how I roll but many do... I simply LOVE my TIMEX Solar!

BEST $61 Spent on anything and I did replace the band after a year or so with a Amazon $7 band.

 

[BobsArmory]

Best bang for the buck in watches seems to be watches in the $3,000 to $4,000 range. After that you get ito diminishing returns (quality wise). Longines among others seem to give you the perfect mix of price, quality and looks. For watches, I look at the manufacturers website first then chrono24.com & Jomashop.com. If the local authorized dealer can get close to them I'll stay local.

I would be super nervous about buying a 2nd hand Rolex! So many super clones out there these days.

Panzera is an Aussie company. I would guess just assembled there made from chinese parts.

If you want to learn a little bit This Watch That Watch is a great down to earth honest youtube channel.

 

[iCurious]

If you care about luxury, get the Rolex. It holds value very well.

If not, just buy any time piece to your liking.

BTW - I only buy Rolex at an Official Rolex Jewelers, no where else.

 

[Silverado12]

I have a Tudor Black Bay 68. It’s made by Rolex sort of kind of and is really good quality.

 

[crashz]

If you want a nice looking watch that is of great quality, Sieko. I love their design and functionality. I had a kinetic watch and loved it. Sold it to pay sales tax on a truck. What a dummy.

 

[Mr.GTRSpecV]

Not sure why people glaze Rolex so hard. Their marketing is more valuable than their watches. From Submariners, Daydates and Datejusts, they're "ok". Do they make bad watches? No. Do they make the best watches? Heck no. I've had Citizen, Casio and Seiko watches that "feel" better and do the exact same thing.

Look, only few will be able to tell the watch you are wearing, it's composition etc. Most important things is that YOU have to love your watch. If it does not feel as an extension and expression as yourself, you won't appreciate it. Been there and done that.

If you want something special, Grand Seiko (SBGZ specifically). But that's just me.

This is my tier list, others may beg to differ and that's okay:

The Holy Trinity of Horology (Money is simply a number to me, I don't tell the time, I have it condensed into a form of art, and have given it a home on my wrist)
Patek Phillipe
Lange and Sohne
Audemars

-------------
The "I have a decent amount of money, know how to spend it and don't break to garbage ads, celebs and social pressures"
Omega/Grand Seiko

-------------
The "I will get there one day, for now, these will get me where I need to be on time and are reliable
Seiko
Citizen Casio

Vacheron and Constantine was one of my favs as well and fell among the "trinity" but after I saw a photo of Epstein wearing one, it just threw me off.

 

[Al]

This one has a NH-35 Movement. It is considered the best sub-luxury movement. It has a sapphire crystal. I don't own one but it looks like a great watch on Amazon. Seiko movements at least on their 5 Sports watches have the 4R36 movement wich is identical to their NH35 movement that they export to watches like the one pictured. You might want to go with the Seiko 5 Sports though.

OLEVS is also a great watch for a bit over $100. I have 4 of them. I have a timegrapher machine and all of them are solid performers.

Also Invicta.

And note, if you want a mechanical watch in the above (not quartz) it must say "Automatic"

 

[Passport1]

I have a watch collection.

Several Rolex oysters, divers and a Yacht Master. Couple of Omega Seamasters and a Breitling Aerospace. Wife has a nurse's Rolex w/second hand for doing pulses before all the electronic gizmos reduced nursing to being a bot. I almost never wear any of mine. My best time pieces are older Seiko 5's, Orients and Citizen automatics. Even wear a Timex Expedition to bed because the lume is great. I will be sending off my heritige 1970 Tissot Seastar VisoDate PR-561 to be repaired soon. It is the same model Roger Moore wore in 'Live and Let Die'.

My advice, skip the Rolex/Omegas and step down to a Tissot, Hamilton, Longines or mid tier time pieces. Great watches. Nobody cares what you have on your wrist and pay attention to what time it is otherwise you'll have to answer this musical watch question;

 

[BobsArmory]

You can get decent quality watches from Citizen & Seiko. They make great quartz watches. If you want a mechanical auto winder stay away from their base models. Example: A base model Seiko 5 with a 4R36/NH35 movement has an official factory accuracy rating of +45/-35 seconds per day.

Rolex is a great mass produced watch. I think they make about 1.2 million watches per year. What people don't like about them is the Authorized Dealer game the fake waitlist, the "spend" on other products required before you can be allowed to buy the watch you really want, the relationship required before you are blessed with a Rolex. I'd love a Rolex Datejust with a Wimbeldon dial & fluted bezel but there is no way I'm going to spend $20,000 on jewelery before I'm considered for one.

I like higher end Seikos & Citizens. Lower end brands like Hamilton, Tissot. Mid Brands Like Longines, Oris, Sinn and higher end watches like Grand Seiko, Breitling, Omega. Tudors are really nice but they just seem plain to me. It's almost like Rolex is holding them back so they don't steal the spotlight from them.

But watches are very personal. What may be the holy grail for one might be ugly to another.

 

[4wd]

You can get decent quality watches from Citizen & Seiko. They make great quartz watches. If you want a mechanical auto winder stay away from their base models. Example: A base model Seiko 5 with a 4R36 movement has an official factory accuracy rating of +45/-35 seconds per day.

Rolex is a great mass produced watch. I think they make about 1.2 million watches per year. What people don't like about them is the Authorized Dealer game the fake waitlist, the "spend" on other products required before you can be allowed to buy the watch you really want, the relationship required before you are blessed with a Rolex. I'd love a Rolex Datejust with a Wimbeldon dial & fluted bezel but there is no way I'm going to spend $20,000 on jewelery before I'm considered for one.

I like higher end Seikos & Citizens. Lower end brands like Hamilton, Tissot. Mid Brands Like Longines, Oris, Sinn and higher end watches like Grand Seiko, Breitling, Omega. Tudors are really nice but they just seem plain to me. It's almost like Rolex is holding them back so they don't steal the spotlight from them.

But watches are very personal. What may be the holy grail for one might be ugly to another.

Yep, have Tissot, Citizen, and Seiko in the drawer - nothing fancier …
In real life - an Apple Watch or Casio …

 

[BobsArmory]

The Classivo you mentioned is what i think is considered a "TV" case very popular in the 70's. It reminds me of a watch from a company that I consider better than Rolex for similar money. Galshutte Original 70s Very cool look. (I spelled Glashutte Original wrong) If I had the money I would grab a Glashutte Original Panorama Sea Q Panorama in a heartbeat.

 

[Nessism1]

Watches are a mixture of a functional device and jewelry. It's the jewelry part that pushes the price of most watches up. To me, anything more than $1000 crosses a functional threshold with greatly diminished return. That said, with the right piece, it will hold its value, so you could always sell later and get back a chunk of money.

The better watches, like a Rolex, have an in-house build movement. That's where the rubber hits the road. Many others buy their movements. Nothing wrong with this, but it's sort of like a car being built with a engine designed and built by someone else.