Timepieces

[NYCfixie]

While obviously not up to Rolex standards and much better than many others in the same price range as the Oris, I agree that the "bracelet end links" should be as long as the "lug ends" and fit better. A person mentioned to me offline that once you have owned a few Rolex watches, such as I have, most other watch bracelets will disappoint.

For $2300 you'd think the lugs and bracelet would fit each other better.
Attachment 111966

And it does look better on a strap anyway...

[dgaddis]

Yeah but you don't need to spend Rolex money to have a nice watch with stuff that fits. This $50 Timex bracelet fits the lugs better that that Oris, the tolerances are likely not as good, but at least the general design is correct.

[slwrnu]

I have several watches and bikes, a significant indulgence, but have enjoyed all of them. I am losing the taste for sports watches, so a couple of those will go. I have an itch for a Grand Seiko and it needs to be scratched.

[NYCfixie]

I have several watches and bikes, a significant indulgence, but have enjoyed all of them. I am losing the taste for sports watches, so a couple of those will go. I have an itch for a Grand Seiko and it needs to be scratched.

These are my current favorite Grand Seiko dress watches:
SBGR261


SBGM221



And this is my new favorite Grand Seiko sports watch:
(yes it looks like a Rolex Explorer II, yes it is quartz which some might find heresy but it keeps +- 10 seconds per year - the limited edition model is within +-5 seconds)

SBGN005


SBGN001 (Limited Edition)

[slwrnu]

I am going to search for a simple 2 or 3 hand GS with a big date; they are not cheap but terrific value. Mr NYC i like the top one. regards from Europe.

[choke]

I am going to search for a simple 2 or 3 hand GS with a big date; they are not cheap but terrific value. Mr NYC i like the top one. regards from Europe.

I don't think I've ever seen a GS with a big date.

[NYCfixie]

I don't think I've ever seen a GS with a big date.

Having tried on several GS dress watches, the two listed above have date windows noticeably larger than other current GS dress watches.
(That is one of the reasons I like them. I want/need a date window I can read without my reading glasses and/or a Rolex style cyclops/magnifier)

[slwrnu]

exactly the date windows in the GSs you posted are not A Lange sized but are far bigger than most. Might work. thank you.

[NYCfixie]

And more watches try-ons because my wife said I should look at less expensive options since this will be a special occasion only piece (i.e. wearing a suit).

I went to a local authorized dealer for Oris, one store only jeweler, and was amazed at how quickly they tried to up sell me into a solid gold case Longines. I walked in and spoke with a very nice salesperson. Within 2 minutes the owner's wife (as she introduced herself) was inquiring about my Submariner Date that was under my shirt cuff. She said Oris was good value for money but I should look at something "more grown up". She signaled her husband who came over with a "brand new just came in today Longines that was in the safe". The original salesperson and the owner's wife were shooed away and the owner had me all to himself. After repeated attempts to politely decline, I finally tried on the Longines so he would leave me alone and then I could plan my exit. I have not felt so "icky" in many years and like I was getting sold a used car and not an expensive timepiece.

Anyway, here they are. Lighting was bad and my pictures suck so I am including product shots. What do you all think of the Oris ARTELIER DATE (third) and the Longines RECORD (last)?

ORIS CLASSIC DATE 42mm $1150
Stainless steel and rose gold PVD plated top ring, flat sapphire



ORIS CLASSIC DATE 42mm $1250
Gold plated stainless steel, flat sapphire



ORIS ARTELIER DATE 40mm $1650
Stainless steel and yellow gold PVD plated top ring, double dome anti-reflective sapphire crystal



LONGINES RECORD 38MM GOLD 18K AUTOMATIC $5850
solid 18k rose gold case - this one looks so much better in-person
Attachment 112045

[marley]

Mission accomplished the Orvis looks like it's price.


Go with the Longines.

Go with silver - gold is so ........

I get the icky feeling every time I walk into a jewelry store - so much expensive stuff that is not practical - oh wait what forum is this......

[NYCfixie]

Mission accomplished the Oris looks like it's price.


Go with the Longines.

Go with silver - gold is so ........

I get the icky feeling every time I walk into a jewelry store - so much expensive stuff that is not practical - oh wait what forum is this......

I assume you mean the Oris watches look "cheap".


Did not realize the Longines Record comes in steel $2025:


* last photo credited to - A Blog To Watch

[marley]

Steel for the win.

Got this one for my better half for mothers day - she wears Skagen watches (cheap, simple and clean lines - Scandinavian duh) for her daily drivers but this one and another watch from Shinola have taken their place:

longines_dolcevita-L5.258.4.71.5-350x720.png

[jerk]

do that owner and the poor salesperson a favor.

write the owner a letter outlining exactly what happened and perhaps going a bit further and telling them that you would likely have purchased a watch from the knowledgable person you were originally working with- had the owner and owners wife simply left you alone. naturally- if you had a question the sales person could not answer- it would have been greatly appreciated had the owner stepped in to help find the answer etc. etc. etc.

specialty retail is really really tough- and we "owners" have generally been doing it a long time- our immediate livelihood depends on making a sale and our long term livelihood depends on us making the right sale. this pushy, slimy, "owner" should be told about what he did that blew any potential sale and the first clerk you dealt with deserves to hear it too.

anyway- obviously you don't have any obligation to do this- but it seems you like the specialty retail experience and it'd be beneficial to everyone i bet.

And more watches try-ons because my wife said I should look at less expensive options since this will be a special occasion only piece (i.e. wearing a suit).

I went to a local authorized dealer for Oris, one store only jeweler, and was amazed at how quickly they tried to up sell me into a solid gold case Longines. I walked in and spoke with a very nice salesperson. Within 2 minutes the owner's wife (as she introduced herself) was inquiring about my Submariner Date that was under my shirt cuff. She said Oris was good value for money but I should look at something "more grown up". She signaled her husband who came over with a "brand new just came in today Longines that was in the safe". The original salesperson and the owner's wife were shooed away and the owner had me all to himself. After repeated attempts to politely decline, I finally tried on the Longines so he would leave me alone and then I could plan my exit. I have not felt so "icky" in many years and like I was getting sold a used car and not an expensive timepiece.

Anyway, here they are. Lighting was bad and my pictures suck so I am including product shots. What do you all think of the Oris ARTELIER DATE (third) and the Longines RECORD (last)?

ORIS CLASSIC DATE 42mm $1150
Stainless steel and rose gold PVD plated top ring, flat sapphire



ORIS CLASSIC DATE 42mm $1250
Gold plated stainless steel, flat sapphire



ORIS ARTELIER DATE 40mm $1650
Stainless steel and yellow gold PVD plated top ring, double dome anti-reflective sapphire crystal



LONGINES RECORD 38MM GOLD 18K AUTOMATIC $5850
solid 18k rose gold case - this one looks so much better in-person
Attachment 112045

[marley]

Save the letter writing campaign for your elected officials

[NYCfixie]

Save the letter writing campaign for your elected officials

I responded to Craig by PM so let's get back to watches (and bikes).

[NYCfixie]

Will all of these retro/heritage watches start to look dated in a few years like avocado colored kitchens from the 70s, green marble bathrooms from the 80s, gold everything from the 90s, and taupe colored marble kitchens/bathrooms from the 00s?

TUDOR HERITAGE RANGER 41mm $2675
- this one looks so much better on a leather strap than on a metal bracelet
Attachment 111968


ORIS DIVERS SIXTY-FIVE 42mm $2300
- a really nice good value for money diver style watch
Attachment 111966

[choke]

My 2­¢...if you're going to get a gold watch, make it solid gold. Of those two I'd definitely take the Longines.

But as I said before, I'd be looking at a vintage watch. I know you're not big on them but just look at the value of something like this one.

[fmbp]

My 2­¢...if you're going to get a gold watch, make it solid gold. Of those two I'd definitely take the Longines.

But as I said before, I'd be looking at a vintage watch. I know you're not big on them but just look at the value of something like this one.

man oh man, that's a beauty.

[NYCfixie]

My 2­¢...if you're going to get a gold watch, make it solid gold. Of those two I'd definitely take the Longines.

But as I said before, I'd be looking at a vintage watch. I know you're not big on them but just look at the value of something like this one.

I do not know enough about vintage to not get screwed by a private seller and pre-owned dealers charge so much these days (assuming they are reputable) that it is not always worth it compared to a new same/similar piece. You might get non-original and/or non-oem parts as part of a previous service, there may be an issue with the movement that does not show up immediately, and a few other issues to be concerned about.

As an example, Patek Calatrava is about 20k new and 17-18k pre-owned. I am not saying that 2-3k discount on pre-owned does not matter but by purchasing new you have the factory warranty, dealer support, and over the lifetime of ownership the price difference between new and pre-owned is inconsequential. At the less expensive end of the spectrum, something like that Longines solid gold case watch is not even worth considering pre-owned because the difference in price between new and pre-owned is even smaller (even if the percentage discount in the two examples is the same). So, I am not against pre-owned and/or vintage but to me, it is not worth the minimal cost savings for dealing with the other issues and my lack of knowledge.

[choke]

I do not know enough about vintage to not get screwed by a private seller and pre-owned dealers charge so much these days (assuming they are reputable) that it is not always worth it compared to a new same/similar piece. You might get non-original and/or non-oem parts as part of a previous service, there may be an issue with the movement that does not show up immediately, and a few other issues to be concerned about.

As an example, Patek Calatrava is about 20k new and 17-18k pre-owned. I am not saying that 2-3k discount on pre-owned does not matter but by purchasing new you have the factory warranty, dealer support, and over the lifetime of ownership the price difference between new and pre-owned is inconsequential. At the less expensive end of the spectrum, something like that Longines solid gold case watch is not even worth considering pre-owned because the difference in price between new and pre-owned is even smaller (even if the percentage discount in the two examples is the same). So, I am not against pre-owned and/or vintage but to me, it is not worth the minimal cost savings for dealing with the other issues and my lack of knowledge.

Those are good reasons and if you're not comfortable then I can understand.

But I think you're way off on the price difference. The Longines, I bet a seller would be lucky to get 40% of the MSRP. As for Calatravas, a quick search at Govberg finds 5 under $10k...most of which come with a 15 month warranty. It won't let me link to my search but here is one of them - Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Vintage Calatrava 2568-1 - Govberg Jewelers