Watches you wear...

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

AP's ROOs and Hublot's Big Bang series watches are both the choice of plenty of actors, athletes and rappers.

And that right there is why I stay away from Hublot.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Tyler

I know this is a bit of a shocker, but do you guys have any recommendations on a nice digital watch to wear to the gym? Big numbers ideally.

You could take a look at something like this as well:

http://www.amazon.ca/Fitbit-Force-Wi.../dp/B00FQQ579W

[MaDMaN_26]

Buddy of mine bought Rocky Mountain Pawn a while back and is trying to clean it up and make it nice(r) - one of the things he loves to buy and sell are high end watches... if your looking for a high end watch, you should check it out... tell 'em MadMan sent ya!

http://goo.gl/maps/foCbT

He's been trying to talk me into one... the high end watches often retain and even more often gain value over time as they become collectables.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Actually AP is recognized as one of the top Manufactures in the watch industry and would be my recommendation. Most Hublot's are equipped with the 7750 as was mentioned but they do manufacture their own column wheel chronograph movements now as well. AP's ROOs and Hublot's Big Bang series watches are both the choice of plenty of actors, athletes and rappers. Among the watch snobs, AP will provide you with more cred.

Agree. Based on its long history, AP is often named as part of the "big three" along with PP and VC, but it is a distant third. As I said, I don't like AP ROO, because it looks like a poor man's PP Nautilus. I find most of their other designs also boring. A. Lange & Sohne is already outshining AP in terms of both design, quality, complications and prestige.

[renny]

hmm interesting, sorry, I've just started down this journey so I hadn't done much research. A friend of mine recommended the Hublot or AP. I'm of course not adverse to buying something else. Would love your guys' input here. I'd say my budget is between 10-20k.

I started doing some more research this morning and I started looking at the Omega Speedmaster professional. I really liked the look of that watch, but I'm not sure about the mechanical movement, would I be better of getting something else that's an automatic movement?

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by renny

... I'd say my budget is between 10-20k. ...

You can get a very good, respectable and solid timepiece within this budget. Something that can even become a heirloom. It is extremely difficult for anyone to suggest a watch not knowing your taste and look preferences though.

Speedmaster Pro is a good reputable watch, absolutely, but it is below the category you can buy with the budget you've outlined. It is more of a "starter" luxury watch. You can get an 18K solid gold Breitling Navitimer World for $17K or Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph for $10K. I mean, you can even get a lower-end model of A. Lange & Sohne for $18K. There are a lot of very good options in this price range.

Important to remember, there are a lot of different models within the same brand name.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I've owned both hublot and AP before. To be honest, it really depends on how you feel about the brand. Like other's have mentioned hublot uses an ETA brand, which in itself isn't bad. I think people just don't like the assembly line movements that are massed produced like the ETAs.

[Table 5]

Personally, if I was in the 10-20k territory and only want one watch, I would go with JLC, Lange, or Patek. Those are watches that will hold their value, both prestige and $ wise. Those are watches that would get the respect of everyone who mattered.

Although for that budget, you could also get yourself 2/3 nice watches depending on what materials you go with. For 15-20k, I'd get myself a Rolex Explorer 1 or Milgauss, a Zenith El Primero, and perhaps squeeze in a vintage Omega diver. But thats me of course...but the point is for that budget you can easily get yourself two, three, or maybe even four, amazing pieces.

Either way, I envy your position!

[nik-]

If I could justify (or even afford) 20k on a watch, it would be the Calatrava



Or I'd do like Table said and buy 3 or 4 nice watches in different styles.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by renny

I started doing some more research this morning and I started looking at the Omega Speedmaster professional. I really liked the look of that watch, but I'm not sure about the mechanical movement, would I be better of getting something else that's an automatic movement?

Just an FYI, an automatic movement is still a mechanical watch. Perhaps what you were thinking of is automatic vs. manual (ie, you have to wind it)?

You can get the Speedmaster in both. The classic Speedmaster (ie, "Moon watch") is manual, but you can also get the Co-Axial version that is automatic. Personally, I have the manual because I think it's a nice ritual to have to do every day...and because the CoAxial is a little too big for my tastes (I just prefer the proportions of the moon watch).

But either way, it's an awesome watch. Absolutely timeless.

[CaptainYooh]

Personal perspective is everything. A good watch is pretty much the only respectable jewellery option left for men. Also, because 99% of the population don't really care about watches and wouldn't recognize a good one from a fake, it is also a bit of a quiet personal achievement statement for oneself. In getting an expensive watch, it is always difficult to decide how to go about it. Should you go and buy a few watches to fit within your total budget amount or one piece but the most watch you can afford for it? Another good question: should you buy the top-end model from a lower-end brand or a lower-end model from a top-end brand? The good thing is that there so many good watches on the market today, the choices are practically endless.

[Kswiss]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Personal perspective is everything. A good watch is pretty much the only respectable jewellery option left for men. Also, because 99% of the population don't really care about watches and wouldn't recognize a good one from a fake, it is also a bit of a quiet personal achievement statement for oneself. In getting an expensive watch, it is always difficult to decide how to go about it. Should you go and buy a few watches to fit within your total budget amount or one piece but the most watch you can afford for it? Another good question: should you buy the top-end model from a lower-end brand or a lower-end model from a top-end brand? The good thing is that there so many good watches on the market today, the choices are practically endless.

Totally agree. I was wanting a movado bold for the longest time (my budget at the time) but went with a Skagen to save a hundred bucks....should have went with the Movado. Lesson learned....splurge on the watch you want!!!!

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Agree. Based on its long history, AP is often named as part of the "big three" along with PP and VC, but it is a distant third. As I said, I don't like AP ROO, because it looks like a poor man's PP Nautilus. I find most of their other designs also boring. A. Lange & Sohne is already outshining AP in terms of both design, quality, complications and prestige.

I don't want to be too rude here, but I seriously question your knowledge when you say things like AP is a 'distant' third, and then you start comparing the Royal Oak Offshore to the Patek Nautilus. The Nautilus competitor is the Royal Oak, not the Royal Oak Offshore.

[renny]

Just wanted to thank everybody for their input, I've been spending a lot of time over the last couple of days learning/researching. This thread has been extremely helpful in getting me started. I still haven't decided yet of course, but this has definitely been eye opening. I never fully appreciated the engineering marvels of a wristwatch till the last couple of days.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by renny

Just wanted to thank everybody for their input, I've been spending a lot of time over the last couple of days learning/researching. This thread has been extremely helpful in getting me started. I still haven't decided yet of course, but this has definitely been eye opening. I never fully appreciated the engineering marvels of a wristwatch till the last couple of days.

It's definitely a marvel of engineering. Granted, mechanical timepieces don't always keep the most accurate times, but the fact that it doesn't require batteries or any artificial power source makes it awesome.

I've collected many in my lifetime and every one of them has a unique history and design. I used to have an elitist attitude towards certain brands, but over time by owning these time pieces, I have come to appreciate almost all of them.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

I don't want to be too rude here, but I seriously question your knowledge when you say things like AP is a 'distant' third, and then you start comparing the Royal Oak Offshore to the Patek Nautilus. The Nautilus competitor is the Royal Oak, not the Royal Oak Offshore.

AP IS a distant third to the big two, how could you argue that if you know watches? ALS eats them for lunch these days. I just came back from New York and, after visiting a few watch stores on 5th Avenue, I can say with surety, AP displays totally suck when compared to ALS.

"ROO" was a misprint. I meant a simple RO and its silly quasi-Nautilus look.

[TorqueDog]

The displays? Meh. More interested in the movements myself. I agree with AP being third, don't necessarily agree with 'distant', though I wish they'd focus less on special editions. Patek and VC don't play that game, and I appreciate that.

On the subject of the RO versus the Nautilus, it's definitely the less expensive version of the two, but they were both designed by Gerald Genta, so yeah, I'd expect them to have similar designs.

I like both. The Nautilus 5712 in rose gold is my holy grail watch, while the RO 15400 with a white dial in steel is probably my next purchase for now, next time I visit the US (going to Dallas again in the spring).

[WilderPegasus]

This is amazing even though it's not from a super high end watch maker.



http://gearpatrol.com/2013/10/15/fac...r-face-2-face/

[FLAMESRULE]

Here's a question for watch aficionado's...but how will the EU free trade deal affect the pricing in Canada?? I don't know what/if any tariffs are for European watches brought into Canada are. But apparently up to 98% of all tariffs will be removed immediately.

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Here's a question for watch aficionado's...but how will the EU free trade deal affect the pricing in Canada?? I don't know what/if any tariffs are for European watches brought into Canada are. But apparently up to 98% of all tariffs will be removed immediately.

Still needs to be ratified, that's supposed to take 2 years