I'm a time served precision engineer, just love the engineering in a Rolex. Everything is made in house, can take 1 year to make a watch from the billet or material. The deepsea is rated to a depth of 3,900mtr, the engineering to do this is sublime. That said, my best watch is a manual Omega Speedmaster (moon watch), as used on all Nasa space flights .... now that watch does have a great history, and not silly money.
I too love and can appreciate the engineering, BUT forgive me, everyone has heard of rolex but proberly not a brand like panerai i just prefer the simple yet very elegant style of the panerai's. Many thanks for your advice.
Why would you class Omega watches as fashion brands? Wouldn't the likes of Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren be more fitting as fashion brands, ie non manufacturers? ( Only slightly dented pride, as my wife bought me a limited edition omega for my 50th a couple of years back, and I would hate to think of myself as being so shallow I only wear it to be fashionably hip) Or maybe it suits me, after all, I do own a Ducati
I normally wear an Omega Seamaster Automatic everyday. Not too expensive in the bigger scheme of things (about £3,000 new iirc), but I bought it 2nd hand and saved a fortune. I definitely wouldn't call an Omega a fashion brand. As above, stainless Rolex's seem to be the way to go. I bought a Rolex Milgauss GV from new about 4 years ago. Rolex have their usual annual price increase, so it's probably just getting to the point where it's worth 2nd hand what I paid for it. It's a nice watch, not too in your face. I've probably had it on my arm 3 times in total though.
+1 on Panerai, bought myself a cheeky 40mm PAM 333 from the Panerai shop in Florence 7 years ago and wear it daily. Always looking on getting a flyback though...
This is an interesting read. I'll be honest it's pretty much all going over the top of my head. I don't think I'd dare wear anything so expensive for fear of being mugged for it. I did a good few years ago have a Tag Heur that cost £750, but it was smashed to bits after a cow stood on it!. Good luck with your decision, it's one of life's nicer problems.
You're right Big M, definitely a first-world "problem" and I guess we're all in that boat through being fortunate enough to be in the Ducati brigade too! Life ain't too bad for some...
How do people view Breitling watches ? Personally they are my ' thing ' and much prefer the look over these to a Rolex. I guess it's just me. I find their prices sensibly affordable , in a way they move to an area of desirability but not the mass watch market area either. Something like this is my choice. Breitling Chronomat 44 IB0110 | www.watchfinder.co.uk
Im yet to see a rolex i actually like, i know they are quality in terms of manufacture but if i dont want to wear it then i see no reason to own it, i find rolex are the go to watch for people with money but a lack of horological knowledge, they buy one because they've heard of them! Panerai, on the other hand are beautiful as are Glashutte Original and are in my (distant)future shopping list. Grand Seiko's are nice and some are very collectible. I also like the speedys, iconic watch for decent money, early caliber ones are big bucks and youll never loose on those!
I'm a Breitling fan myself. Navitimer 01 is my choice. As others have said, Rolex just do nothing for me.
I get what people mean about Rolex and the people that buy them, but I like my Milgauss as a watch. I had a Breitling Super Avenger, again bought new about 10 years back. I wore it for years and didn't really notice the size until I wore a smaller watch. I sold it a few years back as I never wore it anymore and it seemed a waste to keep it in a drawer (plus the cash went towards a bike at the time ). The crystal was the clearest I've ever seen, it looked like it didn't have one it the watch face. As above, I'm a fan of Breitling and the brand. I would definitely buy another at some point. The Breitling is the only watch I've ever had break though. It also had to go back to Breitling for repair as Northern Goldsmiths didn't have the equipment to repressurise the case to it's 300m spec. I told them that the deepest it was ever likely to go was in the bath , but no go. I think the full service and repair was about £300 at the time.
treated myself to this about a year or so ago to wear every day. Not a new one as my watches tend to get knocked about a bit, which it has been . Paid about £1800 for it and don't regret it for a second.
My missus bought me my speedmaster meteorite for my 50th, not limited edition persay, however, by the fact that the metiorite contains metal which won't give the "master chronometer" characteristics, it will be......and for a "fashion" brand I've already been offered more than list for it, so not too shabby!
I'm an F-91W man. Bought my last one in South America for a steal. I was obviously worried it could be a fake, but over 10 years later it still keeps perfect time. I'll never sell it, but wouldn't loose a penny if it came to it
