The OFFICIAL PR watch thread TM PTY LTD

fraz · Post by **fraz** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:21 pm

My fiancée told me today that she wants to buy me a watch as a wedding present so we went out and looked at a few. I havent worn one regularly since I got my first mobile phone about 16 years ago but have often thought about it. I would like something that will look nice if worn with formal duds but nothing too flashy for every day use. I think I'd like a metal band.

We looked at some Tissot watches that seemed quite nice. I don't really want her to spend any more than say $800 (it's my money too) and most of the more expensive ones we saw looked like they belonged to persian carpet salesmen anyway.

I just don't like going into purchases blind so thought I'd enlist the bored's brain trust.

Any important questions to ask before buying a watch? Brands to steer clear of? Things to look out for etc.?

Edinburgh01 · Post by **Edinburgh01** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:24 pm

fraz wrote:My fiancée told me today that she wants to buy me a watch as a wedding present so we went out and looked at a few. I havent worn one regularly since I got my first mobile phone about 16 years ago but have often thought about it. I would like something that will look nice if worn with formal duds but nothing too flashy for every day use. I think I'd like a metal band.

We looked at some Tissot watches that seemed quite nice. I don't really want her to spend any more than say $600 (it's my money too) and most of the more expensive ones we saw looked like they belonged to persian carpet salesmen anyway.

I just don't like going into purchases blind so thought I'd enlist the bored's brain trust.

Any important questions to ask before buying a watch? Brands to steer clear of? Things to look out for etc.?

Bump this for BlackMac if he does not pick it up, he is a bt of a collector.

There is a post of is on the recent purchase thread where he talks about some nice but reasoanably priced watches.

I have a Tissot btw.

Poshprop · Post by **Poshprop** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:33 pm

About 10 years ago I gave myself a budget of about £1k to buy a watch. Looked at Omegas and Tags and plumped for a Tissot that was half the price. No difference in weight and just suited me better. Watch still going strong and wear it everyday and even me who is clumsy bastard has damaged it. So a

from me on Tissot

globus · Post by **globus** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:38 pm

Some interesting banter on the Apple Watch

henry · Post by **henry** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:40 pm

I would recommend Christopher Ward: http://www.christopherward.co.uk

Particularly their dress/classic line.

Crash_12 · Post by **Crash_12** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:42 pm

henry wrote:I would recommend Christopher Ward: http://www.christopherward.co.uk

Particularly their dress/classic line.

Flock Quinnell, do you ride a lambretta as well?

Gospel · Post by **Gospel** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:43 pm

Citizen doesn't have the same prestige but they actually make the movements for some of the worlds finest watches like Rolex and Cartier. So in truth you won't find a better timepiece for the money regardless of what anyone else has to say on the subject.

henry · Post by **henry** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:45 pm

Crash_12 wrote:
henry wrote:I would recommend Christopher Ward: http://www.christopherward.co.uk

Particularly their dress/classic line.
Flock Quinnell, do you ride a lambretta as well?

I do not, sir. And you'd do well not to address me in such terms again.

Lobby · Post by **Lobby** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:46 pm

I've recently bought a Marine Automatic from Stowa. Absolutely stunning watch, hand made to a very high quality and classically elegant design. For the money (about 600 Euros all in) its tremendous value. Definitely recommended

davidswiss · Post by **davidswiss** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:47 pm

If you like chronographs look for a 2nd hand Speedmaster professional or one of its automatic brothers. Looks good, style never dates and easy to read.
If you want a time only then old military watches are usually easy to read, not overpriced and there are plenty of them You can get good old Hamilton and Smiths watches that will last for years, keep good time and are pretty robust. Depends what you want. Seiko have a good reputation and their range is enormous so $800 (about £540??) should get you something decent new.
Problem for me with most modern watches is that they're built for the far eastern market. Massive and blingy.

henry · Post by **henry** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:48 pm

Lobby wrote:I've recently bought a Marine Automatic from Stowa. Absolutely stunning watch, hand made to a very high quality and classically elegant design. For the money (about 600 Euros all in) its tremendous value. Definitely recommended

That is a very nice watch. Very, very nice. I am sorely tempted now.

henry · Post by **henry** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:50 pm

If you want a Lambretta rider's watch, I'd recommend: http://www.larssonandjennings.com/

Though, to be fair, I was rather taken by their CM Black watch when I saw it.

globus · Post by **globus** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:52 pm

You could go mad.

Hamilton Ventura

I've a very nice Hamilton dress watch but it's given up the ghost so I'm having a trundle around.

I shall buy a bottom end Apple watch just for the fun.

Get thee a hunter with fob and chain to go on that new waistcoat you might buy. My late great granddad's is still going strong.

globus · Post by **globus** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:53 pm

henry wrote:
Lobby wrote:I've recently bought a Marine Automatic from Stowa. Absolutely stunning watch, hand made to a very high quality and classically elegant design. For the money (about 600 Euros all in) its tremendous value. Definitely recommended

That is a very nice watch. Very, very nice. I am sorely tempted now.

I agree. Does all it needs to do.

Sandstorm · Post by **Sandstorm** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:57 pm

Gospel wrote:Citizen doesn't have the same prestige but they actually make the movements for some of the worlds finest watches like Rolex and Cartier. So in truth you won't find a better timepiece for the money regardless of what anyone else has to say on the subject.

Yeah great - until the watch breaks!!

My Eco-Drive is only 9 years old and Citizen no longer stock parts for it, so refuse to fix it.

fudge 'em! I just bought a jolly nice Tissot instead:

henry · Post by **henry** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:59 pm

I've one of these. Does exactly what it needs to in an attractive package: http://www.christopherward.co.uk/watche ... k-mk2.html

LandOTurk · Post by **LandOTurk** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:59 pm

henry wrote:
Lobby wrote:I've recently bought a Marine Automatic from Stowa. Absolutely stunning watch, hand made to a very high quality and classically elegant design. For the money (about 600 Euros all in) its tremendous value. Definitely recommended

That is a very nice watch. Very, very nice. I am sorely tempted now.

Not being a dick, but that does nothing for me. Each to his own.

I have always wanted a Tag Heuer Monaco. Bit too tight to splash out.

Lobby · Post by **Lobby** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:00 pm

henry wrote:
Lobby wrote:I've recently bought a Marine Automatic from Stowa. Absolutely stunning watch, hand made to a very high quality and classically elegant design. For the money (about 600 Euros all in) its tremendous value. Definitely recommended

That is a very nice watch. Very, very nice. I am sorely tempted now.

Go for it. You won't be disappointed. The detailing is superb, including the blued steel hands.

LandOTurk · Post by **LandOTurk** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:00 pm

henry wrote:I've one of these. Does exactly what it needs to in an attractive package: http://www.christopherward.co.uk/watche ... k-mk2.html

Very nice - reasonable price too.

Openside · Post by **Openside** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:02 pm

fraz wrote:My fiancée told me today that she wants to buy me a watch as a wedding present so we went out and looked at a few. I havent worn one regularly since I got my first mobile phone about 16 years ago but have often thought about it. I would like something that will look nice if worn with formal duds but nothing too flashy for every day use. I think I'd like a metal band.

We looked at some Tissot watches that seemed quite nice. I don't really want her to spend any more than say $800 (it's my money too) and most of the more expensive ones we saw looked like they belonged to persian carpet salesmen anyway.

I just don't like going into purchases blind so thought I'd enlist the bored's brain trust.

Any important questions to ask before buying a watch? Brands to steer clear of? Things to look out for etc.?

My wife bought me a TAG I am very happy with it and wear it in preference to an Omega Seamaster.

globus · Post by **globus** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:02 pm

I bought quite a few "Tag Heuers" to give to relatives for fun. Usually from Stanley market or some such.

I know that one of my nephew's is still going strong after about 8 years. The rest of them are not!

Openside · Post by **Openside** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:05 pm

globus wrote:You could go mad.

Hamilton Ventura

I've a very nice Hamilton dress watch but it's given up the ghost so I'm having a trundle around.

I shall buy a bottom end Apple watch just for the fun.

Get thee a hunter with fob and chain to go on that new waistcoat you might buy. My late great granddad's is still going strong.

I have a beautiful gold hunter watch that my great grandfather was given on retiring as headmaster of Musselburgh. Unfortunately it doesn't have a chain and I haven't been able to find one to match it. I really fancy wearing it with a waistcoat.

ScarfaceClaw · Post by **ScarfaceClaw** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:06 pm

Openside wrote:
fraz wrote:My fiancée told me today that she wants to buy me a watch as a wedding present so we went out and looked at a few. I havent worn one regularly since I got my first mobile phone about 16 years ago but have often thought about it. I would like something that will look nice if worn with formal duds but nothing too flashy for every day use. I think I'd like a metal band.

We looked at some Tissot watches that seemed quite nice. I don't really want her to spend any more than say $800 (it's my money too) and most of the more expensive ones we saw looked like they belonged to persian carpet salesmen anyway.

I just don't like going into purchases blind so thought I'd enlist the bored's brain trust.

Any important questions to ask before buying a watch? Brands to steer clear of? Things to look out for etc.?

My wife bought me a TAG I am very happy with it and wear it in preference to an Omega Seamaster.

Bought a tag in 2001 or there abouts. Still wearing it and it still works well. I'm looking for another watch, ideally with a square face but not sure about the current range of tags. Would be nice to go for something else a bit different.

Post by **ZappaMan** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:07 pm

Mickey Mouse points at the time on my watch

Get a Baume et Mercier

henry · Post by **henry** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:08 pm

LandOTurk wrote:
henry wrote:I've one of these. Does exactly what it needs to in an attractive package: http://www.christopherward.co.uk/watche ... k-mk2.html
Very nice - reasonable price too.

I thought it was the nicest (affordable) watch I'd seen until I saw that Marine Automatic from Stowa.

Tim13 · Post by **Tim13** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:14 pm

I have one of these and its a lovely watch (t'other half bought it for me), and it didnt cost the earth either...

Crash_12 · Post by **Crash_12** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:15 pm

Lobby wrote:
henry wrote:
Lobby wrote:I've recently bought a Marine Automatic from Stowa. Absolutely stunning watch, hand made to a very high quality and classically elegant design. For the money (about 600 Euros all in) its tremendous value. Definitely recommended

That is a very nice watch. Very, very nice. I am sorely tempted now.

Go for it. You won't be disappointed. The detailing is superb, including the blued steel hands.

An early Christams present last year. I can't imagine what I'll buy next as it's just splendid.

bobbity · Post by **bobbity** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:57 pm

That's lovely crash.

Another option or two depending on tastes.

Some of the Smith's watches from timefactors are really nice - http://www.timefactors.com/smiths.htm
As are the Speedbirds - http://www.timefactors.com/speedbird.htm

Manchester Watch Works successfully funded production of their Tatoskok diver through kickstarter, think you can still order though - http://www.manchesterwatchworks.com/index.html

Huldra diver from Aevig - http://aevig.com/product-category/huldra-retro-diver/

I've got the quartz Corvid on pre-order from Aevig.

Crash_12 · Post by **Crash_12** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:02 pm

Cheers.

I ordered that Corvid in stealth black after you posted it, mainly to wear to work and biking. Do they all come with the green strap?

bobbity · Post by **bobbity** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:06 pm

Crash_12 wrote:Cheers.

I ordered that Corvid in stealth black after you posted it, mainly to wear to work and biking. Do they all come with the green strap?

Think it varies depending on what you ordered. Think the brushed stainless/cream or lumi faces come with lighter natos. The pvd/black face is the only one they have photographs rather than renders of. Assume we'll both be getting dark green natos, but I've already ordered a dark green canvas (from timefactors) for it.

Really looking forward to mine arriving now, similar use intended as yours. Although I did buy and modify a Vostok Amphibia to wear as a tool diver in the meantime...

slick · Post by **slick** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:13 pm

Lobby wrote:I've recently bought a Marine Automatic from Stowa. Absolutely stunning watch, hand made to a very high quality and classically elegant design. For the money (about 600 Euros all in) its tremendous value. Definitely recommended

Oh yes, really like this

globus · Post by **globus** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:22 pm

I've always liked Longines. I've a dress watch that is very like this. (It's about 30 years old now.)

I've repeated myself. Getting senile.

Magpie26 · Post by **Magpie26** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:22 pm

Tim13 wrote:I have one of these and its a lovely watch (t'other half bought it for me), and it didnt cost the earth either...

Very nice watches, have been eyeing up the Nabucco but its probably a little more than I want to pay.

Missus has a Tango that has lasted for ever.

MrJonno · Post by **MrJonno** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:24 pm

ZappaMan wrote:Mickey Mouse points at the time on my watch

Get a Baume et Mercier

I think I posted it before but I got one of these bad boys

It is surprisingly difficult to find a plain watch which doesn't have that stupid date indicator. If its really that important to me to know the date, I already do. Sometimes I even know what date it is for no reason at all.

Last Line · Post by **Last Line** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:26 pm

Get in touch with your inner self, the sundial watch from Fossil

globus · Post by **globus** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:29 pm

B & M. Lovely. I've got my uncles'. It's a good thing to outlive relatives.

Nice and plain. There are a few of them that fetch £20k. Mine's not up in that region.

globus · Post by **globus** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:30 pm

Last Line wrote:Get in touch with your inner self, the sundial watch from Fossil

How big is the manual?

Torquemada 1420 · Post by **Torquemada 1420** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:35 pm

I have a T-Touch. Have a few friends who had them too. I bought it because I hate any notion of having Big Ben on my wrist: a sensible size face and the titanium case make it lightweight.

Warning: they are not very reliable. All 4 owners I know (incl I) have had to send back at one time or another for faults. Mainly the touch screen. Oh: and Tissot are very Swiss i.e. arrogant, unaccountable c**ts who'll take forever to do anything. They had mine for 4 months this time just to replace the strap.

toweliechaos · Post by **toweliechaos** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:40 pm

globus wrote:I've always liked Longines. I've a dress watch that is very like this. (It's about 30 years old now.)

Man after my own heart. I've been wanting one of these in silver for some time.

The Mondaine Swiss railway watch is cheap enough but looks lovely for every day wear:

And also this bad boy, the Manometro:

globus · Post by **globus** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:43 pm

Torq wrote:They had mine for 4 months this time just to replace the strap.

Tell me about it. I sent my Rolex off to Switzerland for a "service". It came back eons later and the back of the oyster case had a kind of turquoise painted film on it. I was moaning to them after about a month but they told me it was correctly to get it back to "chronometer" status. It had been keeping perfect time.

No explanation of the paint film. It wore off after a year but I never got an explanation, despite asking.