If I can't wear rolex what else?

[noche619]

because of the recent info I learned about Rolex SS containing more nickel than other SS and since have a problem with nickel, I'm forced to give a hard second thought to buying a Rolex. I really wanted an Air King--a watch that to me is timeless, simple, can be worn with business attire or sporty. (I'm a woman)
So.....now I must think about whether I should take the risk on Rolex, give up the plan on buying a high quality automatic watch, or consider other options.
Is rolex the only SS with the nickel problem?
What are your thoughts (quality-wise and style-wise) on Breitling, Omega or Tissot?
I looked at an Omega Aqua Terra theother day and was surprised it was more expensive than the Rolex Air King.
I had seen a Breitling watch with a mesh bracelet that was kind of interesting but more sporty looking.
What about Panerai? IWC:

[Zed Homme]

Idk, but from the previous thread it seems like you are very sensitive to nickel. Is a Rolex on a leather band an option? If so, then a large piece of clear packing tape cut perfectly and fitted to the back of the case could keep all metal off your skin. As far as the other brands are concerned, I assume the all have some nickel (even if less than 5%) in them. You might have to get a gold or platinum watch...

[noche619]

I'm currently wearing a movado with ss bracelet and prior to that I wore another ss....that's why it never occurred to me that it would be a problem until I happened upon this info about rolex being different.

[JJ Irani]

Try on a RADO!!

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Try on a RADO!!

Yes JJ, we all know you are a big fan of Rado.



Glad to see you posting again.

[kyle L]

I guess plastic, ceramic, gold, platinum watches would be no problem.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by kyle L

I guess plastic, ceramic, gold, platinum watches would be no problem.

Plastic meaning Timex, Kyle?

[Txr]

Originally Posted by noche619

because of the recent info I learned about Rolex SS containing more nickel than other SS and since have a problem with nickel, I'm forced to give a hard second thought to buying a Rolex. I really wanted an Air King--a watch that to me is timeless, simple, can be worn with business attire or sporty. (I'm a woman)
So.....now I must think about whether I should take the risk on Rolex, give up the plan on buying a high quality automatic watch, or consider other options.
Is rolex the only SS with the nickel problem?
What are your thoughts (quality-wise and style-wise) on Breitling, Omega or Tissot?
I looked at an Omega Aqua Terra theother day and was surprised it was more expensive than the Rolex Air King.
I had seen a Breitling watch with a mesh bracelet that was kind of interesting but more sporty looking.
What about Panerai? IWC:

you should consider NATO strap and glass back. That might reduce the nickel contact

[noche619]

thanks JJ...Rado is nice but I don't think it's my style
Kyle, I'm afraid platinum and gold is more than I want to spend

[TARDIS]

If you can't wear a Rolex, wear an Omega.

[kyle L]

You could get a titanium watch as well.

[RedwinGV]

Omega's have many great pieces. Take a look at their site and go from there. They deliver a lot of bang for the buck, have history, and are come in some great styles.

[darthmouse]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Plastic meaning Timex, Kyle?

No no JJ, it's the very special plastic Rolex. Limited run and the late serials have 3186.

You find them in the darker corners of Canal Street.

[Singslinger]

All the brands you've mentioned are highly regarded on their own.

If it's important to you that the watch hold its value - and you've decided not to go for Rolex - then perhaps Panerai is your best bet. However, they don't make dedicated women's models, the smallest being 40mm (I think it's the PAM 0051) so you'll have to try and see if it fits your wrist.

Was the Breitling model that you saw the 36mm Superocean Heritage? If yes, it's a nice watch - comes in three colors (black, brown & blue) - and apart from the mesh bracelet, can also be fitted with rubber straps.

Hope this helps - good luck!

[hunz]

I wear a Donald Duck watch. the back and strap is made of leather and plastic - no probs there for you dude.

People may laugh, but DD is way cool.

[duckdown]

I am sensitive to nickel too (belt buckles ALWAYS irritate me. Where the hell do I get a nickel free belt?) but I bought the SS Rolex and it hasn't affected me at all, nor has my SS Seiko Monster. Hopefully what you said about the rep and developing an irritation 6 months down the line isn't true!!

[Chris B]

Have you tried a leather-bund strap?

[Fiery]

There're a lot of vintage Rolexes out there that are built entirely from 316L.

When it comes to other brands and timeless classics at a moderate price, then your safest bet could be the Omega Speedmaster Pro "Moon Watch".

[Ebruner]

Buy gold and be done with it!!


-Eddie

[noche619]

Originally Posted by Singslinger

All the brands you've mentioned are highly regarded on their own.

If it's important to you that the watch hold its value - and you've decided not to go for Rolex - then perhaps Panerai is your best bet. However, they don't make dedicated women's models, the smallest being 40mm (I think it's the PAM 0051) so you'll have to try and see if it fits your wrist.

Was the Breitling model that you saw the 36mm Superocean Heritage? If yes, it's a nice watch - comes in three colors (black, brown & blue) - and apart from the mesh bracelet, can also be fitted with rubber straps.

Hope this helps - good luck!

I'll check out Panerai. Yes, here is a pic of the breitling I looked at.

[noche619]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

Buy gold and be done with it!!


-Eddie

not ready to spend that kind of money on a watch
and I like stainless anyway
thanks

[noche619]

Originally Posted by duckdown

I am sensitive to nickel too (belt buckles ALWAYS irritate me. Where the hell do I get a nickel free belt?) but I bought the SS Rolex and it hasn't affected me at all, nor has my SS Seiko Monster. Hopefully what you said about the rep and developing an irritation 6 months down the line isn't true!!

I think the CS person at Rolex was being super cautious in advising me. I saw something online that someone sued them for their allergic reaction. Hopefully if you don't have a rash after a week or two, you're fine.

[WatchTimes]

Id still buy a Rolex....
Id either buy one second hand, an old one or buy wise from
one of the GREAT Gray Market Dealers we have in here (Mosco, TempoKing and many more)

That way if it doesn't work out for you when you sell it the loss will be minimal, but youd likely just easily be able to find someone to do a trade online for something else you liked without waiting too long

[lorsban]

I have that exact same problem with nickel, that's why I had to forget about my grail watch - yachtmaster. At first, I thought it had something to do with the jubilee bracelet design but when I got my air-king, I noticed the same irritation on my skin, so I guess it's really the steel Rolex uses.

I too would love to have an all-platinum or white gold watch but I also don't have that kind of cash on me.

That said, I have no such problems with breitling/omega/ball/oris/tag heuer.

For something similar to the air-king, I recommend you try Omega AquaTerra. It's far far cheaper and you get a date function as well.

[noche619]

Originally Posted by lorsban

I have that exact same problem with nickel, that's why I had to forget about my grail watch - yachtmaster. At first, I thought it had something to do with the jubilee bracelet design but when I got my air-king, I noticed the same irritation on my skin, so I guess it's really the steel Rolex uses.

I too would love to have an all-platinum or white gold watch but I also don't have that kind of cash on me.

That said, I have no such problems with breitling/omega/ball/oris/tag heuer.

For something similar to the air-king, I recommend you try Omega AquaTerra. It's far far cheaper and you get a date function as well.

So disappointing for you to have tried twice and failed to be able to wear rolex SS!
I'm going to have to think seriously about what you're saying. I did look at Omega Aqua Terra. The stores I looked at only had black or white dial. It was nice but cost more than Air King (though less than Rolex date). I'm going to have to decide whether I can be happy spending that much on Omega. I'll look again at Breitling too and others.
Thanks for your advice.

[asadtiger]

the aqua terra that costs more than an air king is the new one with teck dial and 8500 movt inside..you could try the prvious models which were elegant amd just as functional but half the price

also try titanium watches..no allergy, very light..though I cant recall specific titanium models, sorry

regards, Asad

[noche619]

Originally Posted by asadtiger

the aqua terra that costs more than an air king is the new one with teck dial and 8500 movt inside..you could try the prvious models which were elegant amd just as functional but half the price

also try titanium watches..no allergy, very light..though I cant recall specific titanium models, sorry

regards, Asad

thanks for that tip Asad
the Aqua Terra I looked at was $4550....SA wrote down on card for me: 38.5 mm dial, co-axial

I'll look and see if there are any less expensive models out there in the BNM stores

[vukotab]

Idea of getting Omega Aqua Terra sounds very good, that`s very beautiful and well made watch. And if you don`t want "bling" factor, I suggest that you pass on Breitling watches (although they would be my first choice beside Rolex and Tudor).
And how`bout Tudor? They`re made of 316L steel, just like Omegas and Breitlings, and, if you go for older models, you`ll get almost exact Rolex design, made by same company, for fraction of price of Rolex watch.

[noche619]

thank you all
I'm truly torn between reading a post from someone who has nickel sensitivity and can wear rolex anyway and wanting to go ahead and try
and reading Lorsban's post who had to give up his holy grail
I'm going to check out Omega and some others and see if something really appeals to me.
But I'm thinking my original intent was to spend this large (to me) amount on a Rolex. If I can't have Rolex, I don't know whether I want to spend that much.
Maybe I should look at something like Tissot that I can wear and not be "married" to. Or even a quartz fashion watch in men's size that again, I can wear for a while and get tired of. Something nice but in the hundreds of dollars instead of thousands.

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by noche619

I'll check out Panerai. Yes, here is a pic of the breitling I looked at.

I have the 46mm version of the superocean heritage in Black....great watch!!