Timepieces

[dashDustin]

Ready for next watch. I figure fine watches go hand-in-hand with fine bicycles...sooo...guide me, fellows.

Requirements:
sapphire crystal
durable

Want:
Day/Date
good visibility in the dark

I've been swapping between a Swiss Army watch that's about 4yrs old and an Oakley Minute Machine that I won.

The glass on the Swiss Army gets scratched too easily, and the Oakley watch is a little over-the-top for work and events, but the crystal is superb.

I keep going to back to the B and M series Lum-Tecs and a couple of the Christopher Ward pieces. I'd love to sport something that's pure class, but need something that is practical day-in, day-out - from the shop to a nice dinner.

Any recommendations?

RGM would be badass, but about 3x what I'm willing to pay.

[Peter B]

Stowa?

[danjammin]

Submariner Date. Job done.

[sbornia]

+1 for Stowa

Or a Sinn. I like my 856.

[Innominatus]

Yeah, Sinn. For me, it's a 656.

[Mabouya]

Or a Sinn. I like my 856.

Victoria ???

]

[hokoman]

seamaster is a way better deal than a submariner. huge fan of omega. btw, all nicer watches aside from the speedmaster moon watch will use a sapphire crystal. you won't have to worry about scratches. what is your budget and do you just want a simple quartz? hamilton makes nice watches. only problem with sinn is that you can't try it on at a store .

[akatsuki]

Skip the pseudo-military watches and pick up a Marathon TSAR.

[visiondrawn]

I have a Hamilton Khaki. It's a fine, inexpensive automatic. I love the black face and leather strap; substantial and classy. The whole unit is quite understated.

[Too Tall]

I could go on and on about my Omega Seamaster Pro. wow.
I've had the watch about 6 yrs. and it is not babied. The watch stays on for racing, swimming and yard work...I'm brutal with it. This watch is a sleeper in the world of fine automatics. The automatic mechanism is as stout as they come and finish is supreme. I've JUST got my watch back from the Omega "Spa" and thanks to a forum member who help facilitate the refurbishment it is now snicking away on my wrist once again.

The reason I sent it for refurbishment was not because the watch stopped working. I beat unholy he!! out of the case and the band was broken. The watch came back looking as good as new :) Omega rocks.

FWIIW during the interlude I purchased an Seiko "Neo" Monster automatic from Ebay and it really surprised me. The silly think only cost about $130 and kept perfect time and took all the usual abuse I dish out. Came with a very nice metal band and only downside is that it is a truck. The watch itself is pretty large and heavy esp. if you are used to wearing thinner watches. I'd recommend that too. The hands are nicely illuminated if you are underwater ;) Honestly I've never seen a watch that you can see in pitch black with exception of Luminox which are absolutely brilliant. The watch itself is a bit crude.

Good luck with your search

[54ny77]

what is a watch?

[friedtongue]

I agree with too tall, I love my omega, but I find myself wearing this one more. It is much less common and bomb proof also avail with divers bezel and several different dial colors. I have the basic SAR pictured. Mine is about 5 years old and has just about supplanted all my others.

http://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/vi...4&idcategory=0

[soBRIquet]

what is a watch?

Backup, in case my cell phone dies.

[dashDustin]

I'm liking both the Stowa and Sinn offerings...the Marathon is a little to bold for me. Hamilton Khaki is nice as well.

The Stowa Airman, specifically.

Budget of $1k, max. No problem buying used.

[Roman]

Anything that doesn't require maintenance on your part.

[mainemike]

i too have an omega seamaster pro and its been through hell. its old and great looking. stainless band, black face, date/time, not too big. i've had it over 20yrs and its been refurbed a time or two and i'll never wear anything else for any reason.

[jscottyk]

Skip the pseudo-military watches and pick up a Marathon TSAR.

Or Marathon GSAR. I'm wearing mine today.

For something a bit less bulky check out Bill Yao's MK II watches. He's got some interesting stuff going on.

Another really good, affordable and durable are the Seiko dive watches with automatic movement.

[hokoman]

Budget of $1k, max. No problem buying used.

Didn't realize that there were so many Omega fans on velocipede. I opened the first Omega boutique in the US in 2006 - Rodeo Drive, and enjoyed the watches. I didn't have to buy one since I had my choice of watch to wear, but after leaving the company, I've since purchased 5 of them. I truly believe they are the best bang for buck in the industry. The finish is truly up to standards with watches 2-3x the price.

For $1k, you can get a ton of used watches, you really can't go wrong with fine time pieces. A used co-axial aqua terra will set you back about $1k, they are great because they are pretty versatile and come in 3 sizes.

[Too Tall]

Didn't realize that there were so many Omega fans on velocipede. I opened the first Omega boutique in the US in 2006 - Rodeo Drive, and enjoyed the watches. I didn't have to buy one since I had my choice of watch to wear, but after leaving the company, I've since purchased 5 of them. I truly believe they are the best bang for buck in the industry. The finish is truly up to standards with watches 2-3x the price.

For $1k, you can get a ton of used watches, you really can't go wrong with fine time pieces. A used co-axial aqua terra will set you back about $1k, they are great because they are pretty versatile and come in 3 sizes.

Good for you.
Glad to see you made it out alive. That's a rough walk.

[akatsuki]

Or Marathon GSAR. I'm wearing mine today.

For something a bit less bulky check out Bill Yao's MK II watches. He's got some interesting stuff going on.

Another really good, affordable and durable are the Seiko dive watches with automatic movement.

For Seiko, I'd go with a Japanese market one from seiyajapan.com. Unless you are getting that large Seiko monster dive watch.