The Watch Fanatic Thread

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

As an aside, anyone ever used WatchRapport.com? Legit?

[conVINCEd 21,469]

6 hours ago, DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt said:

well fuckin' A. file this one under DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?

So I'm all horned up for a vintage moon watch, have tried to make something happen on a couple from my birth year, can't get the deal done. last night i'm up scouring the web and find a 1969 pre-moon for a price that is just too good to be true. guy has been trying to sell it on there for months but has no seller history. 

i'm asking him questions through the site but you can't get any contact info through mercado libre. everything on the watch looks legit, but he put weird Serial Numbers and 'Adjustable Clasp' number on the description. it doesn't make any sense...then i realize if i combine the numbers, it's a phone number in monterrey. so i message the number on whatsapp and sure enough it's the dude.

so i have a friend from monterrey who happens to be there right now. i call him and ask if he knows a really good watchmaker in monterrey. turns out he does, puts me in touch with that guy, i call him and tell him i need him to check out a watch. i give his info to the seller, seller drops the watch off, watchmaker calls me and tells me it's all original in perfect condition.

i can't even say what i paid for it. i can't believe that just happened.

Glad it worked out for you.  Pretty good story and a great watch.

 

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

Any of you watch nerds on Instagram?

Just started one @time.texas

Most of what I end up posting probably should be in the other watch thread but figured the people in this thread are probably bigger watch people.

[G650 14,272]

10 hours ago, HoustonHorn said:

Any of you watch nerds on Instagram?

Just started one @time.texas

Most of what I end up posting probably should be in the other watch thread but figured the people in this thread are probably bigger watch people.

Get all my watch porn on the gram. Will give you a follow

[DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt 12,301]

not on the gram but saw it in web browser...is the profile pic a reflection of a burnt orange sunset in the hill country @HoustonHorn?

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

41 minutes ago, DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt said:

not on the gram but saw it in web browser...is the profile pic a reflection of a burnt orange sunset in the hill country @HoustonHorn?

Still getting things organized between that and the twat and meta so possibly?? I think right now the headers are of a Florida sunset over the water (ironic right?). The profile pic is the sun reflecting of an H. Moser Pioneer that I took at the same time.

 

 

[statsman 5,473]

18 hours ago, HoustonHorn said:

As an aside, anyone ever used WatchRapport.com? Legit?

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=759737
 

sketchy. When Chrono24 is presented as the ethical alternative…

Edited January 28, 2022 by statsman

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

1 hour ago, statsman said:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=759737
 

sketchy. When Chrono24 is presented as the ethical alternative…

Yeah, it seems a little sketchy. Their pricing is out of line with the market and they have watches nobody else has. Allegedly. I'll steer clear.

 

Thanks for the link, that confirms my suspicions exactly.

Edited January 28, 2022 by HoustonHorn

[utxmike05 1,828]

I have never heard of Watch Rapport until past few weeks when they have come up in almost every watch google search while doing research. 

I like Chrono24 to search for watches and get idea of the market.  But have only sold once on there. Never bought because I saw they added a 6% buyer fee. 

[G650 14,272]

Chrono24 has always been a solid buying source.

[66BUFF 2,564]

1 hour ago, G650 said:

Chrono24 has always been a solid buying source.

I bought a Submariner and a Ball watch off Chrono24.  Smooth transactions both times.

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

Have purchased from Chrono24 and Watchbox and all transactions have been very smooth. Same with Exquisite Timepieces, Westime in LA, and as far as I can tell, Oster Jewelry in Denver although I pre-ordered and won't get the watch until this summer. He did let me put a down payment on a yet unreleased model of a hard to get watch with no buying history. Plus the owner Jeremy is fantastic to talk to.

PM me if you're looking for something and I can put you in touch with someone at each place except Chrono24 in which the communication is directly with the seller.

[utxmike05 1,828]

Well I found the Limited Edition Speedy I was looking for….Apollo 11 40th. I’m a nerd for space stuff, and I like this version isn’t as wild as other anniversary editions. 
 

Arrived today and it’s gorgeous.  Still got my other Speedy for sale yall lol. 

[statsman 5,473]

Yeah, dont take me wrong in Chrono. I would buy from there, but their guarantees are for sale protection, not product legitimacy. I collect bowl game watches and I have seen a few Cotton Bowl Rolexes from China there, that I am pretty sure are replica dials. And Chrono has a rep for being overpriced. It’s all ok if you know your item, but not ok at all if you don’t. 

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

Yeah, dont take me wrong in Chrono. I would buy from there, but their guarantees are for sale protection, not product legitimacy. I collect bowl game watches and I have seen a few Cotton Bowl Rolexes from China there, that I am pretty sure are replica dials. And Chrono has a rep for being overpriced. It’s all ok if you know your item, but not ok at all if you don’t. 

I always contact the seller to discuss the watch and get some additional details before purchasing. So far I've had good luck but I would definitely be more concerned about brands that are more likely to be fakes or vintage pieces.

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

25 minutes ago, HoustonHorn said:

3 hours ago, statsman said:

Yeah, dont take me wrong in Chrono. I would buy from there, but their guarantees are for sale protection, not product legitimacy. I collect bowl game watches and I have seen a few Cotton Bowl Rolexes from China there, that I am pretty sure are replica dials. And Chrono has a rep for being overpriced. It’s all ok if you know your item, but not ok at all if you don’t. 

I always contact the seller to discuss the watch and get some additional details before purchasing. So far I've had good luck but I would definitely be more concerned about brands that are more likely to be fakes or vintage pieces.

Well, you're buying the seller as much as the watch.

[Superhero 8,833]

Looking for leather straps for a dress watch with white face.

The watch currently has a burgundy colored alligator strap that doesn’t match anything I wear. I’d like something that’s unassuming, smooth leather, small buckle, maybe some subtle stitching would be fine.

Lug width is 20mm; a quick release (since I want to switch between black and tan) would be a plus. Any recommendations?

Edited January 29, 2022 by Superhero

[DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt 12,301]

more speedie pron. this thing is just absurd, still can't believe i fell ass backwards into it. waiting on some nylon/cordura straps to dress it down to match my crocs and socks.

if you look closely at the second pic you can see the omega centered in the glass

Edited January 29, 2022 by DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt

[utxmike05 1,828]

1 hour ago, DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt said:

if you look closely at the second pic you can see the omega centered in the glass

Yup cool feature all the Speedies have on the hesalite crystal.  Enjoy!

Also recommend polywatch to clean up the hesalite.  There are other homemade solutions also out there. 
 

 

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

Looking for leather straps for a dress watch with white face.
The watch currently has a burgundy colored alligator strap that doesn’t match anything I wear. I’d like something that’s unassuming, smooth leather, small buckle, maybe some subtle stitching would be fine.
Lug width is 20mm; a quick release (since I want to switch between black and tan) would be a plus. Any recommendations?

For relatively inexpensive, Lonestar Treasure on Etsy does nice work.

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

Meant to quote Mike above.

Always loved space/NASA stuff so I've had feelings for the Speedmaster. Don't own a Moonwatch though. I went for the Speedmaster Racing, black dial/orange accents instead.

[Superhero 8,833]

Probably belongs on the Inexpensive Watch thread, but indulge me… One of my cheap dive watches died and I need to fill the case. Looking for suggestions for a “type” of watch rather than any particular watch.

Suggestions? Field watch? Flieger? Vintage? …?

 

[DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt 12,301]

36 minutes ago, Superhero said:

Suggestions?

tell your wife to get her own watch case for hers?

😜

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

40 minutes ago, Superhero said:

Probably belongs on the Inexpensive Watch thread, but indulge me… One of my cheap dive watches died and I need to fill the case. Looking for suggestions for a “type” of watch rather than any particular watch.

Suggestions? Field watch? Flieger? Vintage? …?

 

Spinnaker for good dive watch designs, and a very good bang for the buck IMO.

pancetta for a pilots or maybe a fleiger design

[DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt 12,301]

sorry, i'll shut up about this watch, but i'm down a rabbit hole and discovered something cool...so the watch was actually produced in september 1970...turns out, for 3 months that fall they had a mis-print on the bezel, instead of 200 on the tachymeter they printed 220. they realized the error quickly and corrected it.

 

[brown water 3,778]

Well fuck. It’s useless now.  Guess you didn’t get a good deal just the factory seconds price. 

Edited January 30, 2022 by brown water

[troph 24,896]

On 1/27/2022 at 2:35 PM, DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt said:

well fuckin' A. file this one under DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?

So I'm all horned up for a vintage moon watch, have tried to make something happen on a couple from my birth year, can't get the deal done. last night i'm up scouring the web and find a 1969 pre-moon for a price that is just too good to be true. guy has been trying to sell it on there for months but has no seller history. 

i'm asking him questions through the site but you can't get any contact info through mercado libre. everything on the watch looks legit, but he put weird Serial Numbers and 'Adjustable Clasp' number on the description. it doesn't make any sense...then i realize if i combine the numbers, it's a phone number in monterrey. so i message the number on whatsapp and sure enough it's the dude.

so i have a friend from monterrey who happens to be there right now. i call him and ask if he knows a really good watchmaker in monterrey. turns out he does, puts me in touch with that guy, i call him and tell him i need him to check out a watch. i give his info to the seller, seller drops the watch off, watchmaker calls me and tells me it's all original in perfect condition.

i can't even say what i paid for it. i can't believe that just happened.

I’d give you a second look with that one. Very nice. 

[utxmike05 1,828]

9 hours ago, HoustonHorn said:

Meant to quote Mike above.

Always loved space/NASA stuff so I've had feelings for the Speedmaster. Don't own a Moonwatch though. I went for the Speedmaster Racing, black dial/orange accents instead.
 

Seen that one in person at the Omega boutique…sexy af and if I didn’t already have the moonwatch at that time then a racing model would have been my first Speedy.  

Edited January 30, 2022 by utxmike05

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

Probably belongs on the Inexpensive Watch thread, but indulge me… One of my cheap dive watches died and I need to fill the case. Looking for suggestions for a “type” of watch rather than any particular watch.
Suggestions? Field watch? Flieger? Vintage? …?
 

I'd look for some sort of daily wear sport casual or field watch.

This is a very personal opinion, but you need some color. Check out Farer. Great designs and they are amazing at choosing colors for their watches. Many different models to choose from but most fit in a casual everyday wear type watch. Under 2k, with quite a few under 1k. Their new release I think is 870. Great on straps.

http:// https://usd.farer.com/collections/all-watches

Halios would be another sport casual brand.

https://halioswatches.com/products/universa

There are 3 new Oris Big crown watches out that look incredible.

https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/big-crown-x-cervo-volante/01-754-7779-4067-set

$2k, but Oris are legit well respected Swiss watches and that's pretty reasonable value.

Vero has a little different and unique look and 10 year warranty

https://vero-watch.com/


William Wood Valiant. Under 1k and very nice looking.

https://williamwoodwatches.com/collections/valiantcollection

Supports firefighters



Don't want color

Unimatic might fit the bill and is unique.

https://www.unimaticwatches.com/

Monta and Former are both good watches in the 1300 to 1800k range.

https://montawatch.com/products/monta-noble-silver-dial

https://formexwatch.com/watches/essence-automatic-chronometer-degrade/

The Essence 43 gray fume is a great looking watch, but they also have a 39mm that has different colorways.

Orion makes quality watches for well under $1k. I like the Hellcat a lot and have one on the way. The Calamity is also popular for a more diver style.

http:// https://orionwatch.com/


Microbrands, yes. But the quality on these is good and you're getting something a little different but solid value for the money.

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

If you're looking for something a little less expensive, Nodus is solid for under 500.

https://www.noduswatches.com/collections/all

[DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt 12,301]

12 hours ago, brown water said:

Well fuck. It’s useless now.  Guess you didn’t get a good deal just the factory seconds price. 

Yeah I tossed it right after posting that. I knew it was too good to be true.

[cabowabo 4,492]

So I’ve been feeling the need for a panda dial timepiece. I’m not prepared to drop $6k on a Black Bay Chrono right now. Maybe when the hoopla dies down and it can be had at or below MSRP.  In the meantime, the Hamilton Intramatic has caught my eye.   I think the panda looks great, but there is also a green dial version which has really thrown a monkey wrench in my decision making process. That subtle green dial really looks great in my opinion.   What say my fellow watch fanatics on this conundrum I face?  And yes, I would rock this bitch on the mesh bracelet. 
 

 

Edited January 30, 2022 by cabowabo

[G650 14,272]

I've been feeling a panda dial myself

[davidg 4,038]

My

[utxmike05 1,828]

Big Farer fan also. Have owned a few in the past and currently have 1. But most models tend to be 39.5mm case…some “where big” though. 
 

 

 

[utxmike05 1,828]

*wear big. Edit wouldnt work on cell

[davidg 4,038]

2 hours ago, cabowabo said:

So I’ve been feeling the need for a panda dial timepiece. I’m not prepared to drop $6k on a Black Bay Chrono right now. Maybe when the hoopla dies down and it can be had at or below MSRP.  In the meantime, the Hamilton Intramatic has caught my eye.   I think the panda looks great, but there is also a green dial version which has really thrown a monkey wrench in my decision making process. That subtle green dial really looks great in my opinion.   What say my fellow watch fanatics on this conundrum I face?  And yes, I would rock this bitch on the mesh bracelet. 
 

 

 

[AUinHsv 579]

Probably starting a flame war but does anyone use the chronograph function on Daytonas or other chronos?  Every vendor seems to have a model but wondering if anyone uses it. On the other hand I haven't used the rotating bezel on my Sub very much either

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

So I’ve been feeling the need for a panda dial timepiece. I’m not prepared to drop $6k on a Black Bay Chrono right now. Maybe when the hoopla dies down and it can be had at or below MSRP.  In the meantime, the Hamilton Intramatic has caught my eye.   I think the panda looks great, but there is also a green dial version which has really thrown a monkey wrench in my decision making process. That subtle green dial really looks great in my opinion.   What say my fellow watch fanatics on this conundrum I face?  And yes, I would rock this bitch on the mesh bracelet. 
 

 

I like the green better. The traditional white and black will probably have more staying power though. I've liked that Intramatic since it was released.

For just a little more than the Tudor I'd go with this.

[52-80 19,205]

8 hours ago, cabowabo said:

So I’ve been feeling the need for a panda dial timepiece. I’m not prepared to drop $6k on a Black Bay Chrono right now. Maybe when the hoopla dies down and it can be had at or below MSRP.  In the meantime, the Hamilton Intramatic has caught my eye.   I think the panda looks great, but there is also a green dial version which has really thrown a monkey wrench in my decision making process. That subtle green dial really looks great in my opinion.   What say my fellow watch fanatics on this conundrum I face?  And yes, I would rock this bitch on the mesh bracelet. 
 

 

green and cream is awesome and so is the ricebead

2 hours ago, AUinHsv said:

Probably starting a flame war but does anyone use the chronograph function on Daytonas or other chronos?  Every vendor seems to have a model but wondering if anyone uses it. On the other hand I haven't used the rotating bezel on my Sub very much either

i think the most common actual use for chronos is timing a pasta boil.  and the bezel ... never

[G650 14,272]

4 hours ago, AUinHsv said:

Probably starting a flame war but does anyone use the chronograph function on Daytonas or other chronos?  Every vendor seems to have a model but wondering if anyone uses it. On the other hand I haven't used the rotating bezel on my Sub very much either

I've got an Omega AT chrono I use for sailboat racing timing.

[utxmike05 1,828]

Use my chronos and diver bezels for random timing of things like when grilling or driving on the race tracks of Greater Houston Area and suburbs.  But usually start the chrono and forget to stop it lol

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

I honestly barely use my watches to tell the time. I use a chrono occasionally for timing pasta or other cooking, my daughter's swim meets, and other random things. Sometimes I use it as a center second and just let it run. A dive bezel is there to turn and enjoy the action and sound - a fidget spinner for the wrist. I don't use it for diving but I enjoy having some in my collection.

Often I don't bother to set the time correctly and I certainly don't mess with the date - I don't need it for telling me the time or day. There are clocks everywhere telling me the time and no shortage of places to find the date if I really need it. Accuracy/Chronometer certification matters only in the sense that I have a great appreciation for the skill it takes to create a watch that can so closely keep the time accurately, not because it matters to me as a wearer of the watch. +/- 2 seconds or 2 hours, doesn't really matter.

Watches are a beautiful combination of art, design, mechanical engineering, mechanical skill, craftsmanship, love, and creation. Watches are a time capsule on your wrist. Something to be enjoyed and admired. Something that takes you back to an event or occasion or maybe it holds a special place because of who its from or what experiences you had while wearing it or why you bought it in the first place. And its all available for reference every time you look at your wrist.

[G650 14,272]

I will say I'm OCD as shit with having my watches tell time. I benchmark all of them to make sure they are +/- a second or so.

[utxmike05 1,828]

6 minutes ago, G650 said:

I will say I'm OCD as shit with having my watches tell time. I benchmark all of them to make sure they are +/- a second or so.

I used to be like that...I would use an app to sync my watches when setting the time.  And the second hand would have to be at 12 to set the time exact...then I would track the accuracy over few days.  Then I got lazy...just set the time to the minute of whatever my phone says...I don't even wait for the second had to be at 12 anymore.  

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1,613]

As note for all the speedy pron happening - getting them serviced right now without sending them it Omega is a bitch.  Omega didn't re-certify a lot of the independent watchmakers because of covid and it has been a royal pain in the ass trying to find one that can service my DSOTM.  

Looks like I'm going to have to send it to Omega.

[utxmike05 1,828]

16 minutes ago, GlenFromTheMailRoom said:

As note for all the speedy pron happening - getting them serviced right now without sending them it Omega is a bitch.  Omega didn't re-certify a lot of the independent watchmakers because of covid and it has been a royal pain in the ass trying to find one that can service my DSOTM.  

Looks like I'm going to have to send it to Omega.

I had been thinking about a quick tune up check but haven't contacted Omega.  Good info, thanks. 

Which DSOTM do you have and is it running slow? I have had the Vintage Black model for 3 years now.

[HoustonHorn 1,062]

54 minutes ago, GlenFromTheMailRoom said:

As note for all the speedy pron happening - getting them serviced right now without sending them it Omega is a bitch.  Omega didn't re-certify a lot of the independent watchmakers because of covid and it has been a royal pain in the ass trying to find one that can service my DSOTM.  

Looks like I'm going to have to send it to Omega.

I'm not sure this is necessarily Covid, but another way that Omega and other brands are moving to change their distribution and managing inventory. If people have to send their watches in, they can check to see if its the original owner, where it was sold, etc. and all the stuff that Rolex does when you send it in for service. Maybe I'm wrong, that is speculation on my part.

I will say Covid is the perfect excuse for these shifts. I think they were planning this stuff all along, and now get to blame Covid instead of getting blamed themselves.

 

[cabowabo 4,492]

I sent a Seamaster in in September for warranty service.  Took 10 weeks.

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1,613]

2 hours ago, utxmike05 said:

I had been thinking about a quick tune up check but haven't contacted Omega.  Good info, thanks. 

Which DSOTM do you have and is it running slow? I have had the Vintage Black model for 3 years now.

I have the DSTOM black, black.  Haven't had any issues with it that weren't self caused.

 

1 hour ago, HoustonHorn said:

I'm not sure this is necessarily Covid, but another way that Omega and other brands are moving to change their distribution and managing inventory. If people have to send their watches in, they can check to see if its the original owner, where it was sold, etc. and all the stuff that Rolex does when you send it in for service. Maybe I'm wrong, that is speculation on my part.

I will say Covid is the perfect excuse for these shifts. I think they were planning this stuff all along, and now get to blame Covid instead of getting blamed themselves.

 

This makes a ton of sense.  Almost makes buying on the secondary market a little more harrowing though.  

 

18 minutes ago, cabowabo said:

I sent a Seamaster in in September for warranty service.  Took 10 weeks.

This is why I was trying to go through a local omega certified watchmaker.  The idea of mailing off a $12k watch and just waiting on it gives me anxiety just thinking about it.