Watch Suggestions

[zyzek]

Hello TRF,

I am looking for some suggestions on a new timepiece. I plan on wearing this watch everyday but it will not be considered a "beater". Service costs are somewhat of a concern as I plan on keeping/wearing it until I stop ticking. You may be wondering why anyone would limit themselves in such a way - Think about it like choosing a wife ;)

I've listed my critirea, but obviously the watches I've been considering do not meet it all. I'm not sure such a watch exists. Hence this thread.

Preferences:
Stainless Steel
40mm or smaller
In-house movement
Display caseback
Chrono function
Date function
Unique
Less than $15,000 USD

I have considered the following options:

SubC 116610 - Classic and iconic, but not unique.

SS Daytona - Classic and iconic, but no date function. Still beautiful without.

AP Royal Oak Chrono 39mm - Amazing. Possible drawbacks for me are service costs. Also wish it had a display caseback for a +$20k piece. Also I believe this is a JLC movement.

I'd love some input on my current choices and perhaps any models that meet some or all my preferences.

Thank you for participating in this thread.

-zyzek-

[agsstructures]

I would say out of the choices the Royal Oak Chronograph. They are a steal on the pre-owned market and the movement from what I know (which is not much) is all in house for the later models. You should be able to get one in the 14-15k range LNIB with plenty of warranty remaining. As far as service costs I do not think it would be much more than a Daytona.

Good luck with your choices and you cannot go wrong with any of them!

[cedargrove]

I'm not sure if you meant to indicate "less than" $15K instead of "greater than".

Assuming "less than $15K" the first thing that comes to mind is one of the Zenith El Primero models.

In-house movement, display caseback, chronograph, date, steel, unique, and virtually all of their models are 38mm, 40mm, or 42mm. I'll add that the El Primero is somewhat iconic being the first automatic chronograph, and has quite an interesting history too.

[TSW]

Of the choices i'd go for a pre-loved ROC and a Sub.

The service cost on a AP are not that much higher then servicing a Daytona.

[zyzek]

I appreciate the quick responses. The El Primero suggestion has peaked my interest. I'd have to see one in person to really get a feel for its majestic splendor. So far the AP is most appealing.

[rosspanics]

I think Daytona is your choice. Best chrono under $15, easily.

[zyzek]

Originally Posted by rosspanics

I think Daytona is your choice. Best chrono under $15, easily.

Kind sir, do you recommend Zenith Daytonas or the in-house?

[Dol Coffee Shop]

Originally Posted by zyzek

Hello TRF,

I am looking for some suggestions on a new timepiece. I plan on wearing this watch everyday but it will not be considered a "beater". Service costs are somewhat of a concern as I plan on keeping/wearing it until I stop ticking. You may be wondering why anyone would limit themselves in such a way - Think about it like choosing a wife ;)

I've listed my critirea, but obviously the watches I've been considering do not meet it all. I'm not sure such a watch exists. Hence this thread.

Preferences:
Stainless Steel
40mm or smaller
In-house movement
Display caseback
Chrono function
Date function
Unique
Less than $15,000 USD

I have considered the following options:

SubC 116610 - Classic and iconic, but not unique.

SS Daytona - Classic and iconic, but no date function. Still beautiful without.

AP Royal Oak Chrono 39mm - Amazing. Possible drawbacks for me are service costs. Also wish it had a display caseback for a +$20k piece. Also I believe this is a JLC movement.

I'd love some input on my current choices and perhaps any models that meet some or all my preferences.

Thank you for participating in this thread.

-zyzek-

Hi,

First of all, you have to be certain whether it is a timepiece you are looking for or a collectible. Your preference on in-house movement suggests that you are looking for a collectible. If you are really going to wear the watch everyday, go for quartz. Quartz watches are far more accurate than mechanical ones. This guarantees you to be always on time.

I believe you have heard about 'horology'. And this word is closely associated with Swiss watches. This is true as long as we live in the 1960s. That time, Swiss watch makers were considered the best in making precision watches. But technological progress (like quartz) has made watches these days more precise and consistent. Quartz watches out-perform mechanical ones. Some quartz gain or lose seconds in a month and some take even more than a month. Whereas, an automatic mechanical Rolex watch gains or losses about 4 seconds a day. In just two weeks, your time will be off one minute. If you are wearing it everyday for a year, imagine how far off your time will be. To avoid this, you have to keep scrutinizing the 'high-priced' watch.

Again, if you are looking for a timepiece, it is worth considering Seiko Kinetic Perpetual. It is a combination of automatic and quartz. The calendar includes leap years. You don't have to adjust the calendar until 2100. And the watch will keep on going for six months when not worn. Go to this link for more info: http://www.seikowatches.com/technolo...kinetic_p.html . As far I know, Seiko has an outstanding technology.

You must also accept the fact that many people are now referring to to their smart-phones whenever it comes to time. This is because smart-phones also offer accuracy. So, when we are talking about timepiece, it no longer means Swiss mechanical watches. Swiss mechanical watches are considered collectibles or more appropriately, jewelries.

Have you ever noticed shopping malls or stores put watches together with jewelries in the same section? This is because watches now sit closer to jewelries, especially those of luxury type. The price you pay is not for the accuracy of time. Rather, you pay for the brand name, the look and the mechanism that you appreciate. It is the 'feel-good' factor. And literally, it depends how much you are willing to spend in order to 'feel good'.

I am not discouraging you. But buying the so called 'ín-house movement' is somewhat tangential to buying a time-piece.

Hope this helps.

[capote]

Originally Posted by Dol Coffee Shop

Hi,

If you are really going to wear the watch everyday, go for quartz. Quartz watches are far more accurate than mechanical ones. This guarantees you to be always on time. .

What?

You can wear a mechanical watch daily. I think most people here do.

And secondly, a quartz watch does not guarantee that you will be on time.

[wokafu]

from your options i would choose the SUB over the rest ..im not a fan of APs and the daytona..however my 2nd choice would be the AP should you're not a sub guy