Any watch enthusiasts out there?

[.jacob]

I'm a fan of vintage watches. Here's my humble collection:

L to R:

1933 Elgin

1952 Gloria

Mid-30's 14kt Gruen

[beacons_home]

Nice collection jacob. They all look like they are in real good condition. Nice job!!

[gangstablng2]

a good watch i would suggest is a u boat watch very cool watches high quality durable popular rite now i really like them

[Clockwork_killa]

Can anyone help me out here, Im looking to buy my first serious watch, but Im having difficulty finding something I like within my price range so Im looking for suggestions.

Im looking for an all black military style watch, under $3000/£1500.

Currently the Bell and Ross BR02 is at the top of my list, but its hard to find for under £2000, even though RRP is only £1700.

Im also a big fan of the Doxa SUB 5000T Military Edition (which is almost within my price range) and the kobold phantom (well out of my price range).

Finally, although not really military, I really love the Hublot Big Bang, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak offshore and the Zenith Extreme series, but I dont have a house I could sell in order to own one.

So basically Im looking for something thats either military inspired, used by military special forces (SAS, seals etc) or just something that looks stealthy and bombproof.

I know that luminox make watches that fit the bill almost exactly, but they are a bit too cheap, I want something that has a semi decent movement.

Any suggestions, or am I asking the impossible?

[the_state]

Can anyone help me out here, Im looking to buy my first serious watch, but Im having difficulty finding something I like within my price range so Im looking for suggestions.

Im looking for an all black military style watch, under $3000/£1500.

Currently the Bell and Ross BR02 is at the top of my list, but its hard to find for under £2000, even though RRP is only £1700.

Im also a big fan of the Doxa SUB 5000T Military Edition (which is almost within my price range) and the kobold phantom (well out of my price range).

Finally, although not really military, I really love the Hublot Big Bang, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak offshore and the Zenith Extreme series, but I dont have a house I could sell in order to own one.

So basically Im looking for something thats either military inspired, used by military special forces (SAS, seals etc) or just something that looks stealthy and bombproof.

I know that luminox make watches that fit the bill almost exactly, but they are a bit too cheap, I want something that has a semi decent movement.

Any suggestions, or am I asking the impossible?

not sure how much it fits your bill, but the omega seamaster is one of favorite watches. the new planet ocean series has a movement that doesn't need to be tooled with for 10 years. but the original has such a classic look, and the price point is nice (i think it's around $2000 for the auto).

i mean, shit...

[revoked]

What's been on my wrist everyday for the past few months.

Honestly, very few watches look good on my puny 6" wrist, but this definitly fits the bill

[KidDynamite]

Im looking for an all black military style watch, under $3000/£1500.

Currently the Bell and Ross BR02 is at the top of my list, but its hard to find for under £2000, even though RRP is only £1700.

Im also a big fan of the Doxa SUB 5000T Military Edition (which is almost within my price range) and the kobold phantom (well out of my price range).

Sinn

Hamilton

I mean, whats so "impossible" about it? You have a 3000 USD budget here. It's not like you have a 200 USD budget to work with.

For 3000 bones, you could go all the way near the top of the Sinn range.

[beacons_home]

What's been on my wrist everyday for the past few months.

Honestly, very few watches look good on my puny 6" wrist, but this definitly fits the bill

This is awesome!! I have a small wrist too and I would love a watch like that. Where did you get it?

[Clockwork_killa]

Sinn

Hamilton

I mean, whats so "impossible" about it? You have a 3000 USD budget here. It's not like you have a 200 USD budget to work with.

I know that 3000 is hardly a small budget, but its still proving quite hard to find what Im looking for, it seems that whenever I see something I like even from a more affordable maker, it still turns out to be really pricey. Some of those sinn ones are really nice though.

Perhaps someone could explain the PVD coating process, as I think that might be one of the problems (black is always more expensive than silver).

[Thomaz]

That is awesome revoked, so simple and understated.

[idrawdinosaurs]

Can anyone help me out here, Im looking to buy my first serious watch, but Im having difficulty finding something I like within my price range so Im looking for suggestions.

Im looking for an all black military style watch, under $3000/£1500.

Currently the Bell and Ross BR02 is at the top of my list, but its hard to find for under £2000, even though RRP is only £1700.

Im also a big fan of the Doxa SUB 5000T Military Edition (which is almost within my price range) and the kobold phantom (well out of my price range).

Finally, although not really military, I really love the Hublot Big Bang, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak offshore and the Zenith Extreme series, but I dont have a house I could sell in order to own one.

So basically Im looking for something thats either military inspired, used by military special forces (SAS, seals etc) or just something that looks stealthy and bombproof.

I know that luminox make watches that fit the bill almost exactly, but they are a bit too cheap, I want something that has a semi decent movement.

Any suggestions, or am I asking the impossible?

$3000 is awesome if you are ok with buying used. Check Timezone and the deals with creep in. Just do plenty of reference checks and opt for a face to face deal. Plus ask for a lot of pictures. A lot of good people are on the site, and it's a pretty strong community. I've scored some nice deals through Timezone. On to a thorough discussion of Mil Spec/ Mil Inspired watches.

Kids please take note, this is probably one of the few things I actually give a shit about and doesn't come out incoherent.

Budget Bangers

DIVE

Marathon SAR or GSAR - Looks like a Rolex Submariner but tricked out for Canadian Search and Rescue team. It uses a Swiss ETA movement and the R&D that went into this watch means it can take a beating. Expect to pay anywhere between $400-$800. I like the older look, but the new GSAR uses Tritium dials (shit Panerai used, but got all pussy shit because of it's radioactive toxicity; btw Panerai uses superluminova). About 200 is released to the public every year, and they get snatched up pretty quick. Def good for re-sale value.

Seiko Marine Master - Not really budget, but you will not find a better dive watch for the money. Shit is near bombproof, and it's been in steady development by Seiko for about 20 years. You'll need a Japanese proxy for this piece, but definitely worth the trouble. Resale value is also very good.

Hamilton has been making watches for the US military for a number of years. The Croos-Wing and Frogman are military inspired, and look pretty tricked out. Resale value is bad, but it's a solid watch with Swiss ETA, just not COSC (which is pretty much bullshit anyways, cause there are other certification companies out there that have stricter standards).

Ken Sato's RXW MM20 - Looks like a Panerai, built just as well (if not better), and came in under a grand. These are highly sought after, but obtainable at around $2000 brand new. Coming in at 47mm it's not for the small wristed, but with the number of strap combinations it pulls double duty. Great re-sale value, that cease and desist from Richemont (or Vendome) really helped RXW take-off.

Sinn U1 or U2 (EZ if you don't mind Quartz) - Another bombproof watch from the Germans. Cases are tegmented steel, and can travel deeper into the ocean then you will ever seek to go. Resale value is also really good. Opt for the bracelet, and the rubber strap (don't use or cut the rubber); really helps resale value. Make sure it comes with the CD and strap changing tool.

Flight

Stowa - Everyone thinks IWC Mark series, Feligerchronos, or Big Pilot when it comes to flight watches. But Stowa has been in the game for just as long. Making watches for pilots since the first World War. Priced anywhere between $600- 2500, Stowa has that old school pilot look with a rock solid movement.

DeBaufre/Steinhart - Makes some great budget flight watches. They use good materails, apply AR on their sapphire crystals, use superluminova, and have Swiss guts, what's not to like. In the EU they are Steinhard, but here they are DeBaufre, bot offer some solid choices.

At the 3k Mark

DIVE

Panerai 000, 005, 112 - These can be had around the 3k mark used. These were used by Italian fascists, and have a great deal of history. Be vigilent as deals on used PAMs are hard to find, but a good PAM is great trade bait.

Rolex Submariner - These look so dope on a NATO strap (save the precious bracelet and throw on a $20 NATO). It takes the Rolex out of the snobby country club element, and turns it into a military tool. Obviously great resale.

Breitling Superocean - At around $1500 used this watch is a really good value. Solid diver, plus the heft and prestige of a Breitling. Not too busy like the Navitimer, nor is it as pricey as an Evolution.

FLIGHT

IWC 3717 - A fligerchrono that looks good and can be obtained at the $2800 mark used. A good looking watch. I owned the 3706 for a number of years and only have good things to say. It uses the valjoux 7750 and thus does not be serviced by IWC technicians (same for 3719 Aquatimer).

Bell & Ross - Great instrument watches, but lacks history. They do look fucking cool, and opt for PVD, shit looks bomb in matte black. Used have gone as low as 1800, but are more around 2000-2400. This is in reference to the 03-92, as I think the 46mm is just too big.

Breitling Skyland - Get it in black, and stick with the rubber. The stealthiest of the high ends brands. This is my next watch. Not too many have gone on sale, but I would say $3200 used is pretty fair.

Ok, I am tired of typing. PM me if you have more specific questions. I can talk about this shit all day.

[Tiro]

lots of panerai info I had no clue about here:

http://www.paneristi.com/archives/PreA_Panerai/Pre_A_Panerai.html

[Yardsale]

$3000 is awesome if you are ok with buying used. Check Timezone and the deals with creep in. Just do plenty of reference checks and opt for a face to face deal. Plus ask for a lot of pictures. A lot of good people are on the site, and it's a pretty strong community. I've scored some nice deals through Timezone. On to a thorough discussion of Mil Spec/ Mil Inspired watches.

Kids please take note, this is probably one of the few things I actually give a shit about and doesn't come out incoherent.

+rep when I can. Great write-up.