Mechanical watches...

[Cohiba Stevie]

So im thinking of making my first proper watch purchase and have found myself very drawn to watches with a mechanical movement.

I figured i would call on the ever reliable FOH community for some guidance. I have seen some members post on here before about their respective watches and have been lurking on the friends of Oris forum also.

These are what im looking for:

Mechanical with either automatic or manual wind.

Swiss made, will also consider french, german or japanese.

Reasonably priced. I am by no means a millionaire lol.

Future value. Something i could pass down to my future son and so on...

Face, square or round but must be uncrowded and simple.

Finish, stainless steel or silver. Any gold variants will not work at all lol.

As always let me thank everybody in advance for their participation. All advice will be gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Stevie

[polarbear]

Considering Rob is also a stockist of Oris watches, he might be a good place to start.

Oris make a couple of very nice looking models.

Maybe shoot him an email in regards

I've been eyeing off the Pro Diver model for a while now...

[dangolf18]

I've had a Longines Hydroconquest for about 4 years now. Rather affordable and very versatile. I've only taken it off a handful of times in the last couple years lol. Wear it everyday. The movement is a high-end ETA...nothing spectacular. Only thing is I overpaid. Bought it in Germany when the dollar was weak. Paid close to 900 euros.

[OZCUBAN]

So im thinking of making my first proper watch purchase and have found myself very drawn to watches with a mechanical movement.

I figured i would call on the ever reliable FOH community for some guidance. I have seen some members post on here before about their respective watches and have been lurking on the friends of Oris forum also.

These are what im looking for:

Mechanical with either automatic or manual wind.

Swiss made, will also consider french, german or japanese.

Reasonably priced. I am by no means a millionaire lol.

Future value. Something i could pass down to my future son and so on...

Face, square or round but must be uncrowded and simple.

Finish, stainless steel or silver. Any gold variants will not work at all lol.

As always let me thank everybody in advance for their participation. All advice will be gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Stevie

Hi Stevie

In my opinion you cannot go past ORIS they make fantastic watches at a reasonable price I have two and they are great

REAL WATCHES FOR REAL PEOPLE

give Rob or Smithy a email or phone I guarentee they will look after you

[blotto649]

I'm no authority, but I did learn a few key things in my hunt for a couple watches. Most mechanical Swiss watches under about $1500 generally use a common movement made by ETA. There are some brands that don't, but they are generally the higher end (Rolex, Omega, Zenith). In the case of more expensive units, watchmakers will start with an ETA movement and then modify it to make it their own. Unless you're willing to go up to $3k plus, you're going to get essentially the same watch on the inside, so then it just becomes a cosmetic choice.

Automatic movements aren't the most accurate and tend to go off by a minute or 2 every few months. Some of my favourite Swiss-made affordable brands are Hamilton, Oris, Longines.

Good luck on your search. Be sure to let us know what you end up with.

[SCgarman]

Rolex Submariner in stainless steel. Probably one of the most iconic timepieces on Earth and something you can pass down generation after generation. And you will never lose value on this watch if you had to sell it. In fact most Rolex watches increase in value, as new ones always rise in price. Mine is worth more money now than when I purchased it new 16 years ago.

[ZinZan]

As mentioned above good entry level Swiss watches are Oris, Hamilton and Ball are all pretty good ETA movements. You cant get any better with in terms value with Oris in my personal opinion for sport watch. Do stay away from Tag, ive had bad experiences with them and i dont think their movement is that great although recently they've been coming out with their own movement which has moved them up a notch as watchmaker. If your spending a bit more then of course a Rolex, even a simple Datejust retains value. If your spending more than a basic rolex than there's plethora brands you go can go for and depends on what complications and aesthetics you want. One thing to note though buying a mechanical Swiss watch, people tend to forget and not account for is the servicing, its pretty darn expensive. You have to set aside at least 10% value of the watch for servicing every 3 year interval.

[dpodiluk]

Rolex Submariner in stainless steel. Probably one of the most iconic timepieces on Earth and something you can pass down generation after generation. And you will never lose value on this watch if you had to sell it. In fact most Rolex watches increase in value, as new ones always rise in price. Mine is worth more money now than when I purchased it new 16 years ago.

+1

[markmurase]

I think Oris are very good mechanical watches, and the price won't break the bank. There's plenty of choice available in Oris. Smithy & Rob can help you out with that.

You'll probably go with automatic winding, because it's easier than winding every day.

In regard to future value, that's a hard one. As others have noted, some brands such as Rolex do tend hold their value, but mainly for selected models that are hard to get. A good mechanical watch is certainly something that can be passed on to the next generation, but I'm not sure if I would consider it an investment. It's just a beautiful piece of craftsmanship to own.

It's also important to remember that a mechanical watch will never keep time as accurately as your I-phone or a quartz watch. The highest accuracy 'certified chronometer' only certifies it is accurate to within - 4 seconds per day or + 6 seconds per day. That's -2 minutes or +3 minutes per month. Not all Swiss watches are certified, including many very expensive brands such as Patek Philippe, so don't get too hung up on accuracy with a mechanical watch.

I was also surprised to find that a number of Swiss manufacturers, including Brietling and Patek Philippe, have some models that are not even splash-proof. I would recommend you buy a watch that has some degree of water-resistance.

I'm sure you'll enjoy owning a mechanical watch. Hope this helps you.

Cheers, Mark

[jacktarnold]

Rolex Submariner in stainless steel. Probably one of the most iconic timepieces on Earth and something you can pass down generation after generation. And you will never lose value on this watch if you had to sell it. In fact most Rolex watches increase in value, as new ones always rise in price. Mine is worth more money now than when I purchased it new 16 years ago.

x2

[Rushman]

I'm a bit fan of Hamilton. I have four or five Hamilton watches all of them mechanical and automatic winding.

I like them because they aren't too expensive and the styling sppeals to me.

I also like Omega and my next watch will be a Railmaster XXL.

of course since I left the states in 2011 I haven't worn a watch. :-/

---

I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=19.307826,-81.379118

[mk05]

Hi there. Not so clear on the terminology when you say mechanical: manual/auto wind, do you mean automatic movement or manual wind? Price is certainly a factor when you want to approach "heirloom."

Personally, I am a fan of automatics for many reasons. As for my suggestion...Id recommend IWC as the first serious beginner watch, then trade up with time. Trust me on this, if you have just one watch, you're going to grow tired of it/break/lose/etc it before you pass it on. From the way you ask about watches, it doesn't seem like you have your heart set on a watch. Trade up your watch every couple years or so, and at some point, you'll find that watch that just speaks to you. It may not be the most extravagant or whatnot, but that will be the one that you decide to pass on, because it is you.

[mk05]

IWC as beginner? Really?

I should have clarified that the beginner IWC watch that I was referring to is the Pilot Mark series, which can be found for a pretty good price, new or used. Easily less than a Submariner.

[Ghabanos]

I like panerai. Omega. Rolex. Iwc. Frank muller and vacheron Constantin

Panerai omega and Rolex all have good entry level watches.

[dangolf18]

I like panerai. Omega. Rolex. Iwc. Frank muller and vacheron Constantin

Panerai omega and Rolex all have good entry level watches.

Those watches are hardly affordable...I like the look of Vacheron Constantin Overseas but it's like $10k.

I wouldn't get a Rolex....there are so many people that have Submariners. So commonplace that it's actually a put-off for me.

Check into Jaeger Le-Coultre as well. They have some extremely good-looking dress watches that rather reasonable.

[gigabyte056]

Hi,

I own some automatic watches, kind of difficult to answer your questions without an actual price tag.

The IWC Mark xvii which retails at about 4000 Euro, it is an amazing watch, sporty but understated.

Not a big fan of Rolex, you can find a lovely Steinhart watch at 300-400 Euro and they are very sporty and reminiscent of Rolex design and feel.

As a matter of inheritance value, any classy Vacheron, IWC or Omega will do the trick , Panerai is quite popular today however I don't feel them, quite bulky.

So, as you can see like any question on a forum, you are left with more questions than answers...

[Phillys]

I finally checked out the Oris collection, thought the one posted here all the time was rather unpleasing to my eye. They have some very nice timepieces.

[Tan1801]

I have an old ORIS Artelier Date that I've worn for the better part of 7 years.

It's simple, has been great for me (I've had it repaired twice over 7 years which is reasonable imo), and stood up to my abuse.

[frito]

Rolex Submariner in stainless steel. Probably one of the most iconic timepieces on Earth and something you can pass down generation after generation. And you will never lose value on this watch if you had to sell it. In fact most Rolex watches increase in value, as new ones always rise in price. Mine is worth more money now than when I purchased it new 16 years ago.

+3

[Ghabanos]

Those watches are hardly affordable...I like the look of Vacheron Constantin Overseas but it's like $10k.

I wouldn't get a Rolex....there are so many people that have Submariners. So commonplace that it's actually a put-off for me.

Check into Jaeger Le-Coultre as well. They have some extremely good-looking dress watches that rather reasonable.

I don't disagree. I kinda hijacked the thread for a sec with my own favs. You're spot on about Rolex, but I'm considering it from a value retention point of view. Proven to hold up.

The other one I like is patek Phillip.

Depends on budget obviously, but just tossing em out there. I may have skimmed too fast but what's the budget?

[dangolf18]

I don't disagree. I kinda hijacked the thread for a sec with my own favs. You're spot on about Rolex, but I'm considering it from a value retention point of view. Proven to hold up.

The other one I like is patek Phillip.

Depends on budget obviously, but just tossing em out there. I may have skimmed too fast but what's the budget?

Yea, my dad has a 18kt gold Patek Philippe Nautilus from the 1970s. Great, classic timepiece. But seriously, PP can get expensive. My dream watch is the calatrava in white gold. That is a classy, sexy watch.

[Jeremy Festa]

You would be absolutely crazy not to get one of the recently released Hublot Masterpiece MP05 La Ferrari Watches.

Check it out here http://uncrate.com/s...aferrari-watch/

Price ($TBC)

[dangolf18]

You would be absolutely crazy not to get one of the recently released Hublot Masterpiece MP05 La Ferrari Watches.

Check it out here http://uncrate.com/s...aferrari-watch/

Price ($TBC)

How are you even supposed to read that thing? lmao

[gigabyte056]

Your not, with the cost of that one you hire an assistant to walk around with a digital watch to tell you the time...

[ZinZan]

I too thought Panerai was too bulky and showy until i got Radiomir Black Seal, now i enjoy it and love wearing it. Radiomir's size is still manageable i hate the Luminors though, especially the side clasp.

When i was younger i couldn't stand Rolex, i suppose when you get older you begin to appreciate their simplicity and enduring style. My ultimate dream watch is a Bamford & Sons Daytona.

If it was IWC, in my opinion your better off with a Portuguese or the Ingeneur rather than the Pilot series. JLC Reverso would fit the bill for a square face.

Patek and Vacheron is in a different league altogether.

For cheap mechanical watch you should check Sea-Gull from China. Not a place you would think to look for a watch but solidly built and great value. Ive always wanted a chrono and i cant afford a swiss chrono so this was my only viable option.