The Watch Fanatic Thread

[HoustonHorn 1062]

I would love to buy the white dial Treiber for my husband but he would kill me. I prefer the pale blue/green dial for the aesthetic and the cool factor but again, that would be a no go. It's a shame as we could afford for him to have a nicer watch than his daily but he is the 'if it's not broke why fix it' type and I respect it. But, yeah, it's a beautiful watch and I'd love to spoil him with it. (actually compared to some of the other watches I like and would like to buy for him, the Treiber is not that expensive really).

Probably moot as I don't see it getting funded. He's a great watch designer but he needs a 3-4 month promotional tour on Instagram with a lot of top photographers/watch accounts to generate interest. He also needs to get it reviewed by some of the big watch blogs/websites.

Plus he needs to be realistic about how many watches he can sell at over $1k on Kickstarter. It isn't going to happen. Sucks because he's a nice guy and the watches are really cool. Just a bad plan.

There's another account on IG @talkingabouttime who is a buddy of mine here in Houston. He has some amazing shots of them from a few days ago.

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

11 hours ago, HoustonHorn said:

Probably moot as I don't see it getting funded. He's a great watch designer but he needs a 3-4 month promotional tour on Instagram with a lot of top photographers/watch accounts to generate interest. He also needs to get it reviewed by some of the big watch blogs/websites.

Plus he needs to be realistic about how many watches he can sell at over $1k on Kickstarter. It isn't going to happen. Sucks because he's a nice guy and the watches are really cool. Just a bad plan.

There's another account on IG @talkingabouttime who is a buddy of mine here in Houston. He has some amazing shots of them from a few days ago.

 

You're not kidding about the promo/marketing. I mean, Omega and other well known companies grab brand ambassadors (Andrew Garfield one of their celeb famous ones, while Ryan Gosling promotes Tag Heuer) because red carpet types or business 'influencers' (gawd I hate that word) photos are pored over by males and females alike and that is the larger audience of fandoms and general public but for a newer small company, getting on board with the insta/watch fans/etc to create some buzz seems like the most ideal and less costly way to do it.

I hope he's able to make a go of it.

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

Sooo, maybe I can spoil him anyway. I showed him the Monta Noble and he was intrigued. We have an anniversary approaching so I'm filing that little bit of info away to check out as a possibility. He seems to prefer the 'plain' watches and this was the one I marked:

It's got the second hand sweep (a must) and the date (preferred).

[66BUFF 2562]

24 minutes ago, Mrs Whiggins said:

Sooo, maybe I can spoil him anyway. I showed him the Monta Noble and he was intrigued. We have an anniversary approaching so I'm filing that little bit of info away to check out as a possibility. He seems to prefer the 'plain' watches and this was the one I marked:

It's got the second hand sweep (a must) and the date (preferred).

looks just like a datejust

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

It does, doesn't it?!

[Sam Lin 3550]

Just get the Datejust.

[tokamak 6391]

Been out of this thread for a few years. What brands do y’all like in the $1k-$2k range these days?

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

1 hour ago, Sam Lin said:

Just get the Datejust.

We're celebrating 35 years, I'd like to see 36 so I'm going for the one that won't make him mad. While I like the Rolex, I'm going with my gut on this one. He's a good kind man and while I think he deserves the Rolex, if I believe he would prefer the less pricey option, that's what I will honor. Because, reasons.

[fattyflattie 4639]

1 hour ago, Mrs Whiggins said:

We're celebrating 35 years, I'd like to see 36 so I'm going for the one that won't make him mad. While I like the Rolex, I'm going with my gut on this one. He's a good kind man and while I think he deserves the Rolex, if I believe he would prefer the less pricey option, that's what I will honor. Because, reasons.

Fwiw, Datejust is the most affordable one you can get. You can still spin it in that regard. But you don’t make it to 35 years without knowing what’s best. Congrats. 

[Chewbacca 7766]

We're celebrating 35 years, I'd like to see 36 so I'm going for the one that won't make him mad. While I like the Rolex, I'm going with my gut on this one. He's a good kind man and while I think he deserves the Rolex, if I believe he would prefer the less pricey option, that's what I will honor. Because, reasons.

The Datejust will hold its value very well.

[66BUFF 2562]

Ball makes a similar version

[52-80 19147]

12 hours ago, tokamak said:

Been out of this thread for a few years. What brands do y’all like in the $1k-$2k range these days?

If you like funky non-traditional design, these guys are cool, and they manufacturer their own cases dials and hands, so theyre not a mere design-and-marketing shop

https://www.defakto-watches.com/kollektion/

Then there's always Nomos.

I've got a Citizen coming in the mail 👹

[HoustonHorn 1062]

Been out of this thread for a few years. What brands do y’all like in the $1k-$2k range these days?

What type of watch are you looking for?

I love my Sphaera and the new release looks great too.

Straum makes a very good watch, although I like the Jan Mayen more than the release happening today.

Nomos if you're looking for a dressier option they have some in the upper part of that range, or pre-owned.

I really like the Maen Ultra thin is you like rectangular watches. But I don't have one so can't speak to the quality.

The Nodus/Raven Trail Trekker.

Colorado Watch Company is the sister company of Vortic (which make some really badass watches based on vintage pocket watches) and the watches look cool with a more industrial aesthetic.

Damasko is a very good option for a Sinn look at a more affordable price.

The Horage Multiply Small Seconds is slightly higher than that but really nice.

[HoustonHorn 1062]

The Sphaera, my Straum Opphav which I don't like as much as the Jan Mayen but I still really like, the Formex Essence 39 which I failed to mention previously, and the Horage Multiply.

[tokamak 6391]

11 minutes ago, HoustonHorn said:

What type of watch are you looking for?

I love my Sphaera and the new release looks great too.

Straum makes a very good watch, although I like the Jan Mayen more than the release happening today.

Nomos if you're looking for a dressier option they have some in the upper part of that range, or pre-owned.

I really like the Maen Ultra thin is you like rectangular watches. But I don't have one so can't speak to the quality.

The Nodus/Raven Trail Trekker.

Colorado Watch Company is the sister company of Vortic (which make some really badass watches based on vintage pocket watches) and the watches look cool with a more industrial aesthetic.

Damasko is a very good option for a Sinn look at a more affordable price.
 

I tend to go for a simpler, more classic look. My two current auto watches are an Aqua Terra and a Stowa Marine. I tend to be biased toward brands with a significant watchmaking history.

I've had my eye on an IWC Pilot lately, but also thinking about getting something less expensive now and then something else in a year or so. Hence the post.

Nomos is a great suggestion, I love their aesthetic. I also like that Horage in your 2nd post, but not as familiar with that brand. That probably gives you an idea of where my head is at.

[HoustonHorn 1062]

Sooo, maybe I can spoil him anyway. I showed him the Monta Noble and he was intrigued. We have an anniversary approaching so I'm filing that little bit of info away to check out as a possibility. He seems to prefer the 'plain' watches and this was the one I marked:

It's got the second hand sweep (a must) and the date (preferred).

You'll get the sweep from any mechanical watch. The ticking is quartz.

I don't really like homages for the most part, and the Monta is a little too Rolexy for me. I especially think Rolex knockoffs like that are simply a way of saying you want a Rolex but can't afford one. And it's basically trading on someone else's design without any real inspiration. But I'm also pretty biased against Rolex in general so take that with a few grains of salt.

Check out Traska, or as a step up, Formex is a great option. Direnzo makes great affordable watches, but might be a little too different for your husband. The DRZ03 and DRZ04 would be more in the typical style.

[52-80 19147]

1 hour ago, tokamak said:

I've had my eye on an IWC Pilot lately, but also thinking about getting something less expensive now and then something else in a year or so. Hence the post.

Stowas Flieger (pilot) then. Comes in different sizes. And that brand was one of the original ones contracted by the Luftwaffe to make pilot watches, before IWC was involved. 

Stowa also makes the Bauhaus style watches like Nomos.

[Bevo&Pevo 5120]

Something I've learned about watches.  They are a lot like city buses and pretty girls.  If you wait or look long enough, one will come by.

[HoustonHorn 1062]

Stowas Flieger (pilot) then. Comes in different sizes. And that brand was one of the original ones contracted by the Luftwaffe to make pilot watches, before IWC was involved. 
Stowa also makes the Bauhaus style watches like Nomos.

And Stowa is an excellent suggestion.

[huge 3793]

Also Hamilton and Tissot and Seiko and all the other usual suspects.

Seiko is making some nice stuff now that bridges the gap between a 007 and a GS.

So you want a pilot watch or are you just snooping?

 

[tokamak 6391]

2 hours ago, huge said:

Also Hamilton and Tissot and Seiko and all the other usual suspects.

Seiko is making some nice stuff now that bridges the gap between a 007 and a GS.

So you want a pilot watch or are you just snooping?

 

Doesn’t have to be a pilot. 

As for Stowa, I don’t want another one. Love my Marine but want to mix it up, brand-wise. 

[Bevo&Pevo 5120]

Laco or Leica.

Edited May 8 by Bevo&Pevo

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

7 hours ago, HoustonHorn said:

You'll get the sweep from any mechanical watch. The ticking is quartz.

I don't really like homages for the most part, and the Monta is a little too Rolexy for me. I especially think Rolex knockoffs like that are simply a way of saying you want a Rolex but can't afford one. And it's basically trading on someone else's design without any real inspiration. But I'm also pretty biased against Rolex in general so take that with a few grains of salt.

Check out Traska, or as a step up, Formex is a great option. Direnzo makes great affordable watches, but might be a little too different for your husband. The DRZ03 and DRZ04 would be more in the typical style.

The Traska Venturer is a pretty watch. As far as Rolex knockoff, that didn't really enter the picture. He likely doesn't care in that respect because that's not really the way he thinks about things. The DRZ03 is also pretty. Thanks for the additional info.

[Bozo_Casanova 26434]

23 hours ago, Mrs Whiggins said:

We're celebrating 35 years, I'd like to see 36 so I'm going for the one that won't make him mad. While I like the Rolex, I'm going with my gut on this one. He's a good kind man and while I think he deserves the Rolex, if I believe he would prefer the less pricey option, that's what I will honor. Because, reasons.

Have you considereded Rolex’s sister brand, Tudor? Tudor is today what Rolex was 35 years ago- tool and sports watches of superb quality and value. 
If you want something more elegant, you might consider is a Cartier Tank Must. 
one more choice would be Grand Seiko, which is understated in the extreme- very few people will notice, but he’ll be wearing a watch that’s among the best watches in the world. 

[fattyflattie 4639]

1 hour ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

Have you considereded Rolex’s sister brand, Tudor? Tudor is today what Rolex was 35 years ago- tool and sports watches of superb quality and value. 
If you want something more elegant, you might consider is a Cartier Tank Must. 
one more choice would be Grand Seiko, which is understated in the extreme- very few people will notice, but he’ll be wearing a watch that’s among the best watches in the world. 

Great post. 

[Sam Lin 3550]

Seriously, get the Datejust. Buy one used and it'll only go up in value. Unlike every other option mentioned so far.

[HoustonHorn 1062]

I tend to go for a simpler, more classic look. My two current auto watches are an Aqua Terra and a Stowa Marine. I tend to be biased toward brands with a significant watchmaking history.
I've had my eye on an IWC Pilot lately, but also thinking about getting something less expensive now and then something else in a year or so. Hence the post.
Nomos is a great suggestion, I love their aesthetic. I also like that Horage in your 2nd post, but not as familiar with that brand. That probably gives you an idea of where my head is at.

The AT is a great watch. I'm not into historical significance as much. I appreciate the history but it comes at the price of limiting creativity to maintain consistency with the historical catalog.

Of the major brands, IWC is my favorite. But if I have to go with something from one of the major luxury conglomerates it's Glashütte Original. Nothing in the sub-2k category though.

I really prefer small independent watch brands and watchmakers.

Horage is making a name for themselves. They designed the K1 and now K2 movements and they are regulated to COSC standards. But they are a relatively young brand. I do like the Multiple as it's clean but the grid on the dial keeps it interesting while still being relatively subtle.

I'm probably not the best person to recommend watches for what you're looking for as we are almost polar opposites on what we like. But to each his own.

Here are a couple clean, simpler looks.

Oligo Blue
Rashid Tsoroev

And because I'm a Texas fan, the orange Nicholas Hacko Mark II. The guilloché is incredible and everything is titanium which is incredibly difficult to work with.

[52-80 19147]

Do people hate the rolex cellini? Its kinda nifty

[HoustonHorn 1062]

Do people hate the rolex cellini? Its kinda nifty

With the Cellini, you lose the most important aspect of owning a Rolex, other people don't know you own a Rolex.

[huge 3793]

7 hours ago, HoustonHorn said:

With the Cellini, you lose the most important aspect of owning a Rolex, other people don't know you own a Rolex.

Unless you roll up on Phil Mickelson, he would likely admire it.  Imitation being sincere flattery and all.....

[Bevo&Pevo 5120]

Reference 6300G-010 Grandmaster Chime | An impressive white gold double face wristwatch featuring 20 complications, Owned by Sylvester Stallone, Circa 2021 | Important Watches | 2024 | Sotheby's (sothebys.com)

 

could bring 5M.

[52-80 19147]

16 hours ago, Bevo&Pevo said:

Reference 6300G-010 Grandmaster Chime | An impressive white gold double face wristwatch featuring 20 complications, Owned by Sylvester Stallone, Circa 2021 | Important Watches | 2024 | Sotheby's (sothebys.com)

 

could bring 5M.

 

[fattyflattie 4639]

That’s really cool. Don’t know about 5m cool, but very cool. 

[52-80 19147]

It comes with USB. Im sold. 

[brown water 3775]

On 8/12/2023 at 5:38 PM, brown water said:

Seeking input from the Surly steering committee.  Jumped on the waitlist for this gmt master 2 yesterday. Would pay retail. Wait time TBD but guess was ~2 years. To date, my affinity for staying off the beaten path has kept me away from Rolex. Now I am feeling no collection is complete without one. This is a new combination for 23 but seems immediately familiar.  
 

Mrs. Brownwater hates it…

Call came sooner than expected.  Picked up yesterday. 

[Nigel Tufnel 199]

Been following this thread since TOS and I would  appreciate any suggestions.  
 

Little Nigel is graduating high school this week and I would like to give him his first watch as a graduation gift.  He is playing football and running track in college so I would like to get him something sporty that is nice enough to wear most anywhere but that he could run routes, catch passes in as well (I know much of that has to do with the band).  
 

Would like to keep it in the hundreds but can go higher than that if it is worth it.  Tissot, Citizen, Hamilton, etc. are where I am starting.  
 

Thank y’all for any help!

[ITHorn 800]

4 hours ago, Nigel Tufnel said:

Been following this thread since TOS and I would  appreciate any suggestions.  
 

Little Nigel is graduating high school this week and I would like to give him his first watch as a graduation gift.  He is playing football and running track in college so I would like to get him something sporty that is nice enough to wear most anywhere but that he could run routes, catch passes in as well (I know much of that has to do with the band).  
 

Would like to keep it in the hundreds but can go higher than that if it is worth it.  Tissot, Citizen, Hamilton, etc. are where I am starting.  
 

Thank y’all for any help!

Tissot PRX is a pretty solid watch in that range with plenty of options for dial colors. You can pick up a rubber strap as well for more sport durability and what you spend can vary from a few hundred to 700 or so depending on movement you choose. 

[huge 3793]

On 5/20/2024 at 7:34 PM, Nigel Tufnel said:

Been following this thread since TOS and I would  appreciate any suggestions.  
 

Little Nigel is graduating high school this week and I would like to give him his first watch as a graduation gift.  He is playing football and running track in college so I would like to get him something sporty that is nice enough to wear most anywhere but that he could run routes, catch passes in as well (I know much of that has to do with the band).  
 

Would like to keep it in the hundreds but can go higher than that if it is worth it.  Tissot, Citizen, Hamilton, etc. are where I am starting.  
 

Thank y’all for any help!

If he wants to wear a watch while running routes, get him a G Shock in addition to an auto.

 

[52-80 19147]

is arrived.  much pleased.

[HoustonHorn 1062]

The Delugs CTS straps aren't inexpensive but are pretty fantastic.

[tokamak 6391]

On 5/20/2024 at 7:34 PM, Nigel Tufnel said:

Been following this thread since TOS and I would  appreciate any suggestions.  
 

Little Nigel is graduating high school this week and I would like to give him his first watch as a graduation gift.  He is playing football and running track in college so I would like to get him something sporty that is nice enough to wear most anywhere but that he could run routes, catch passes in as well (I know much of that has to do with the band).  
 

Would like to keep it in the hundreds but can go higher than that if it is worth it.  Tissot, Citizen, Hamilton, etc. are where I am starting.  
 

Thank y’all for any help!

Seiko Prospex line perhaps? Built like a tank, nice everyday wearer but no problems being sporty either.

[HoustonHorn 1062]

Been following this thread since TOS and I would  appreciate any suggestions.  
 
Little Nigel is graduating high school this week and I would like to give him his first watch as a graduation gift.  He is playing football and running track in college so I would like to get him something sporty that is nice enough to wear most anywhere but that he could run routes, catch passes in as well (I know much of that has to do with the band).  
 
Would like to keep it in the hundreds but can go higher than that if it is worth it.  Tissot, Citizen, Hamilton, etc. are where I am starting.  
 
Thank y’all for any help!

If you're willing to look beyond major brands check out RZE. https://www.rzewatches.com/

Fully titanium case and bracelet for under $700. Lightweight, clean modern look, comfortable, on the fly adjustment on the bracelet, good lume. Comes with an UltraHex coating on the titanium which increases the hardness and reduces wear and tear. Field, Dive, Pilot style watches available. The first photo of the Endeavour has a GS White Birch style dial, but they have more traditional dials. The Resolute Pro comes with enamel dials which look great. That's the second photo.

Two other brands to look at are Direnzo and Nodus.

Direnzo DRZ03
https://direnzowatches.com/drz-03-v2/?v=77c15b8369ec

Nodus
https://www.noduswatches.com/sector-series

[52-80 19147]

Get a modded seiko then you could customize it to the color scheme of his high school, college, whatever

https://www.seikomods.com/noob-centre/

[HoustonHorn 1062]

One of the better looking movements. Platinum Microrotor

[HoustonHorn 1062]

The front

[Bevo&Pevo 5120]

Can vouch for Nodus and Direnzo, I have one of each.

[Goofyboy 3268]

Opinions on Cartier Santos? I haven’t seen Cartier really mentioned much.

[Bozo_Casanova 26434]

31 minutes ago, Goofyboy said:

Opinions on Cartier Santos? I haven’t seen Cartier really mentioned much.

The Santos is beautiful, but I can’t quite pull it off, it just doesn’t suit me. Looks amazing on my pal’s wife tho. 🤷
 

[huge 3793]

On 5/28/2024 at 9:46 PM, Goofyboy said:

Opinions on Cartier Santos? I haven’t seen Cartier really mentioned much.

If you are ok with some assholes thinking your expensive timepiece is just jewelry, Cartier makes watches that will last and the Santos is classic Cartier.

[ITHorn 800]

On 5/28/2024 at 9:46 PM, Goofyboy said:

Opinions on Cartier Santos? I haven’t seen Cartier really mentioned much.

Great watch. I came close to pulling trigger on the medium but ended up picking up a Tudor. It wouldn't bother me, but something to note is they do show every single scratch you will pick up If that type of thing bothers you.