GShocked

1 hour ago, Nanuq said:

I was called out on the Vintage Rolex Forum by an "expert" who claimed this one has the wrong hands and an aftermarket bezel.  The only part not original from the factory is the crystal, and it is a factory Superdome tropic-39.  Take "expert" opinions with a grain of salt.  I trust the "experts" here more than I do the ones on VRF or TZ.

 

Enjoy it. They're just jealous probably. 

Arguably one of the best movements ever made for top grade. Sellita has their chronometer grade movements luckily to give the market a similar movement for us folks that don't have 10-100k to spend on a time piece. 

Unless they've changed things, most smart watches only have like 50 meters for resistance. I'll stick to tried and true quartz/solar! 

"All good points, but the same case can be made for doing away with a wristwatch altogether in favor of a smartphone. Why wear a quartz watch when you already carry a phone that is probably more accurate than your watch (most smart phones routinely auto-correct themselves through your provider)? Of course, the answer is that, for most gentlemen, there is only 1 acceptable way to display style or status & that is via jewelry. Unless you go in for garish wedding bands or are of Italian ancestry (wear a pinky ring), a wristwatch is your only piece of daily jewelry. & while a Prius will get you from point a to point b, few will view the gentleman behind the wheel of an eco-wagon like they will a Mercedes or Lexus. Similarly, if you dress to impress, rather than to fade into the masses, I think your watch should be up to the task. That said, there ARE some very cool quartz watches, I often wear 1 myself. But I would never suggest they are a preference for any reason other than variety or safety (if the potential exists that you may be headed into questionable locales)."

-Fair points also, but I'm not trying to impress people. I do plan on getting the Aquis C.400 or a Seamaster in the future but only because of the prices going up and it'll be for the more dressy/formal occasions. Not really to brag or say "hey I have money". Total opposite actually for me. I just like the engineering/the changes that both companies have done. 

I still have a great appreciation/love for automatics, but here's my reasons for using quartz more often: 

1) More accurate

2) Less concerns about accidentally dropping it if I'm taking it off, better shock resistance. (Although Omega and Rolex have improved their shock resistance over the years). 

3) Cheaper! 

4) Less snobbery involved. As the mechanical aspect is not really as much of a focus. 

5) Can replace the movement for $15 after 30 years if I cared to, and put them on daily. 

Quartz overall to me just have more advantages, but I have a lot of respect for the mechanical movements and the engineering involved. 

Unfortunately Omega/Rolex aren't going to bring back the quartz models that they once offered. The quartz seamaster (thermocompensated) had been a great value. The japanese still offer higher end thermocompensated quartz and Breitling. 

I have a top also in one of my automatics from Germany and they're fantastic. It's a shame ETA isn't going to sell them outside of their group anymore. 

1 hour ago, freddy333 said:

Wearing my Vostok Amphibian, the Soviet's version of the Doxa

Beatles: Back in the USSR 

Very nice, I have no need for a chronograph personally...but I've been a fan of the style for years. 

I respect the craftmanship that goes into making a Patek, or any high end brand. Capitalism does create opportunity for some, and then keeps others at the bottom. It's just life, I don't expect Rolex to collapse anytime soon. At some point though most people aren't going to be able to drop 20-30k on a submariner or datejust. It's just a matter of time. I don't even deny that if someone had true charity and had so much money that offered me a Patek or a Rolex...I'd accept it for free, I'd eventually sell it later on as it's not a necessary item for me to have. Is anyone ever going to do something like that? No. 

I'm hoping to see more mid-range divers out there, even if they can't be automatics that are good quality and get the job done for real scuba divers, not just desk dives!  I don't expect prices to drop unless a recession happens, and that looks possible in the near future. I'd rather people have jobs and money coming in vs a recession. 

7 minutes ago, freddy333 said:

Perhaps, not today. But if you set your sights on 1 of Patek's lower-end models, or a model in less demand & save for awhile with the goal of owning that Patek, you probably will.

I appreciate your optimism/hope but that's very doubtful. 

I have to agree, the used prices are getting really bad, especially for Vintage. It's good for anyone that bought the old Seamasters from the 70s for $300 back in 2010 or so. 

So this post really doesn't apply much to the millionaires on the forum or people that can afford a 100k Patek. This is more for your average person that lives pay to pay or is middle class. As the prices get into really ridiculous/insane territory on some of these brands that are entry level "luxury" at best...are Microbrands the only viable option then? Rolex has just gotten into territory for MSRP that is just not even doable for most people out there. I predict that someday the party is going to end for them, and they'll be selling a lot less watches as a result of the prices just getting too inflated. Hopefully some brands out there keep the prices reasonable. I don't have a reason personally to ever buy a Rolex as my Owc Bond has been fantastic. Can't ever afford a Patek either, but I respect both brands contributions to horology. 

Even the japanese watches are starting to get into expensive ranges for movements that are average at best. 

Your thoughts? 

https://www.sakurawatches.com/casio-oceanus-ocw-t200s-1ajf

-Another one thats gotten a lot of praise on different forums, costs more but better quality, atomic too. 

Just discovered this one, $116 on sale on some sites...not sold in USA, but it has sapphire!

Casio Edifice EFR-S108D-1AVUEF

Has been running +1 for 2 years daily. Soprod movement is fantastic!

2 hours ago, iggi said:

Stunning, it's just a shame they're not a bit more affordable. 

To each their own, I'd personally take a Seamaster 300 over the Submariner because it has a more sporty look to it. METAS is stricter too vs chronometer. Rolex is classic obviously, but that's all they are ever going to be. 

But I'm not planning on ever spending so much money so it doesn't really matter. 

who makes the better quartz? I'd argue that the Japanese do, but the swiss have some great ones too. 

I have the soprod A10-2 model, he offers seagull and soprod

8 minutes ago, Timelord said:

you mean this one?

 

 

The only criticism  of this one is that they could have used a Soprod, or even an STP genuine equivalent Swiss movement!  Look there are lots of choices with exceptional qualities minus the astronomical over inflated price tag!

 

I have also had Technos with eta 2830 movements which are the same as the 2836 but much better with the removable screw from the balance [censored] and the incabloc setting which was chronometer certified!  What a gem of a watch this was!  I also had a Technos eta 2832 high beat 36000 high was also chronometer! Such an easy movement to work with!  
 

I also had a 18k gold king seiko high beat!  Foolishly sold it to buy a 18039 day date which I also sold for the same price I purchased it!  Some great profit that was!  Yet the spell I was under was to buy Rolex which later the excorcist price tag cured me from! Lol!

The biggest problem with that industry is trying to work oout who is the patient and who is he “”therapist””

I believe not even Einstein was able to solve that complex equation!

he has a Bond big crown model, I have it.very good quality. 

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/owc-milsub-ms-6538-james-bond-large-crown-watch-review/

Give the OWC a look , I love my bond model. Rolex doesn't have to innovate monthly/yearly...ETA is kicking their butt in innovation as of this time. Oris has innovated a bit. Sinn has done nice things too. 

13 hours ago, freddy333 said:

 

I guess if you gage watch innovations by the month or require, say, a minimum of a dozen innovations/year, I can see your point about Rolex not having innovated "much" for a long time.
However, I think your premise misses the point. Here is a listing of some of Rolex's innovations to come to mind, most of which we all rely on today --

The first waterproof wristwatch (Oyster case & Twin Lock crown)
Easylink
Glidelock
Datejust (date function)
Day-Date (day/date function)
Helium escape valve (with Doxa)
Perpetual rotor
Parachrom hairspring
Paraflex shock absorber
Cerachrom (ceramic) bezel insert
Syloxi hairspring
Chronergy escapement
Everose
GMT function (with Pan Am)

,

No dispute from me. I respect those innovations. I just have no reason to buy one. 

15 hours ago, Timelord said:

 

Now that is a more accurate description of what would have happened.  But then again the same can be said about other watch companies that made everything in house including other manufacturers of micro wave ovens, computers, iphones etc.  !!!  Consider Seiko with their 1960-1970s calibers which were also well engineered.  Yet the prices were not to the same exaggeration that Rolex charges for their product!!!!   Surely a lot of behind the scene work happens from designing, prototyping, production setting etc, etc, and etc.  

 

Yeah, when a new Rolex caliber was evolved from the 1570 to the 3035, there could have been even more than a year behind the final stage.  Surely nobody can dispute this.!!!! But the way they phrase it, "takes almost a year to make a rolex"  is really very misleading.

I respect Rolex for their contributions, but they haven't really innovated much (other than mainsprings) for a long time. Rolex is a status brand, I'll pass. I have no need to ever buy one, nor do I care about status/bragging. For you guys on this forum you're not in it for bragging, you respect the horology. 

I'd actually be afraid to have one on as its not so much a tool anymore. It'd be like getting an expensive painting ruined. Kobold is more of a tool company. Sinn too

Fresh out of the box from Japan, updated 5600U model. 

Seiyajapan got it to me even faster than originally estimated. 

-This had been a custom order, he doesn't usually put these ones on his site..but can get that model. 

Rolex are a status symbol, James Bond had played a part in that, before Bond Omega had been the "King" in status. They're very good, but the repair costs are a scam IMO. Third party/independent businesses got the shaft, ETA did the same thing to them but luckily Sellita/Ronda have movements for them to service. I like Rolex's older models, but I'll never buy one myself even if it's an investment timepiece. The thinking for me is...I have my OWC Bond and it's arguably better engineered than the original Rolex Bond, it has a compressor case, the Soprod movement has been fantastic. I have no reason to ever get a Rolex, I get enough compliments on it. The next project for me is going to be to get the Casioak then buy the kit. 

Oris Aquis using their in house movement is a game changer and a "value" these days, that'll probably be my last automatic that I buy. The rest are G-shocks/Victorinox for daily use. 

oh and another thought to add...realistically James Bond in real life is going to be using a G-shock MTG or Mr.G , maybe this one too: https://www.cwcwatch.com/products/cwc-sbs-issue-divers-watch for real tactical/spy use. 

they had been some of the finest quartz out there, seems like Citizen is sort of fading them. Only making a very expensive / high end model for electro-static. The military reissues are nice, but they have had a bad run in my opinion on some of the quality control. 

It's hit or miss. The old seamasters from the 90s...I've heard stories of them still going strong even not being serviced in 20 years or more. Thermocompensated movements are typically "high end" quartz , but ETA made some of the most reliable around...not as good as the Japanese but close enough. 

Hey, I never said that they're ugly, a lot of G-Shocks are ugly. I just feel like mechanical movements are going to keep getting more expensive and entry level models are going to eventually start out at 1500-2000 once inflation kicks in more. The R150 from Ronda might be the saving grace.