BMW
X1 / X2
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums Off-Topic Discussions Board Watches A bit about buying affordable ($200 - $1500) watches

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-29-2015, 09:56 AM   #23
Flyinglap
New Member
5
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 1998 E36 M3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Raleigh NC

iTrader: (0)

I retired my submariner as my daily, and purchased a Helson Shark Diver. Fantastic timepiece so far.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2016, 08:58 PM   #24
chris82
Brigadier General
chris82's Avatar
United_States
825
Rep
3,856
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NY NY

iTrader: (8)

Garage List
2009 BMW 128i  [9.80]
Great informative thread for a watch noob like myself. I just purchased a Seiko Kinetic Auto Relay and am loving it so far. I have a bad (or is it good?) feeling that I will quickly start spending more and more on them... Oh well
Attached Images
 

Last edited by chris82; 06-03-2016 at 09:04 PM..
Appreciate 0
      06-26-2016, 11:28 AM   #25
Robm129
Private
18
Rep
53
Posts

Drives: '16 M235i
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NoVa

iTrader: (0)

What's the verdict on Hamilton watches? I see styles I like and they fall into mostly the sub-$1000 especially if ordered off amazon.
Appreciate 0
      06-27-2016, 09:26 AM   #26
neverdone
Major
Canada
327
Rep
1,394
Posts

Drives: X5, 335, Ford Lightning, 63 me
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: calgary

iTrader: (0)

You can't go wrong with a hamilton. Great movement and alot of the line has an 80 hour reserve on the autos.

I have a Pan-Europ and for what I paid, it's probably my favorite watch. It has way more of a reserve than my Lum-Tec and it's 100× more comfortable than my TAG.

Get a Hammy, you won't regret it.
Appreciate 0
      06-27-2016, 10:36 AM   #27
csu87
Banned
2134
Rep
3,555
Posts

Drives: 09 335xi
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robm129 View Post
What's the verdict on Hamilton watches? I see styles I like and they fall into mostly the sub-$1000 especially if ordered off amazon.
Hamiltons are definitely nice value watches. Lots of people use them for their dailies.

I have started going the route of building my own watches. You can find the ETA 2824 and 2892 movements for a good price on Ebay, then you can snag blank dials and cases for fairly cheap as well.

Here's one I did with a ETA 2892-2 movement and a Sub-like case with sapphire crystal and high intensity lume. All said and done, cost just at $250 w/ ss bracelet with a high quality clasp and solid endlinks. Currently working on a Heritage Black Bay Homage watch with a 2892-2 movement in it as well, and I have a Seamaster Pro Homage that I did with a 2824 in it. They make nice dailies so I dont have to damage their more expensive siblings.


Appreciate 0
      06-27-2016, 01:00 PM   #28
Robm129
Private
18
Rep
53
Posts

Drives: '16 M235i
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NoVa

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by neverdone View Post
You can't go wrong with a hamilton. Great movement and alot of the line has an 80 hour reserve on the autos.

I have a Pan-Europ and for what I paid, it's probably my favorite watch. It has way more of a reserve than my Lum-Tec and it's 100× more comfortable than my TAG.

Get a Hammy, you won't regret it.
What Lum-Tec do you have? I was checking them out today. Looking to spend about $2k and get 2 watches that cover almost all situations. I liked a hamilton for weekend and Lum-Tec for a "tactical" style daily.
Appreciate 0
      06-27-2016, 01:15 PM   #29
neverdone
Major
Canada
327
Rep
1,394
Posts

Drives: X5, 335, Ford Lightning, 63 me
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: calgary

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robm129 View Post
What Lum-Tec do you have? I was checking them out today. Looking to spend about $2k and get 2 watches that cover almost all situations. I liked a hamilton for weekend and Lum-Tec for a "tactical" style daily.
I have an M51 Phantom, it's a few years old now. I had a quartz M48( if I remember correctly) and even that was a great bang for buck. I don't know about now, but mine came with a stainless bracelet, rubber and leather strap.
Appreciate 0
      06-29-2016, 03:02 AM   #30
Nivarox
Quadrex
Nivarox's Avatar
1090
Rep
1,423
Posts

Drives: W212 Mercedes=Benz E Class
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Close To German Car Dealer

iTrader: (0)

Davosa or Tissot are both decent brands
Appreciate 0
      08-08-2016, 08:12 PM   #31
Kolyan2k
Major General
916
Rep
5,538
Posts

Drives: 2006 S2000
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston

iTrader: (1)

I am not a watch junkie but wanted some decent watch. I didn't want to end up buying some fake Rolex on the net for 30% off and paying 60% mark up to retailer is not something I wanted to do either. So I bought Japanese watch from factory dealer at a discount and chances are that it's fake are very slim since no one cares about faking Jap watches
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2016, 12:45 AM   #32
NemesisX
Captain
317
Rep
905
Posts

Drives: '19 Infiniti Q60S
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chris82 View Post
Great informative thread for a watch noob like myself. I just purchased a Seiko Kinetic Auto Relay and am loving it so far. I have a bad (or is it good?) feeling that I will quickly start spending more and more on them... Oh well
Seikos are excellent watches. A family friend of ours worth $10 million+ wears a Grand Seiko as his daily watch. It's funny, the day he started wearing his Seiko many of his colleagues who were gung ho about Swiss watches went out and bought Seikos LOL. Being their boss and CTO of their company the know how successful he is and so it was almost like they aspired to be like him. Seikos provide a high value : price ratio and they are a mainstay among the ultra wealthy (particularly Grand Seikos) for their high quality and value.
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2016, 04:17 PM   #33
csu87
Banned
2134
Rep
3,555
Posts

Drives: 09 335xi
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NemesisX View Post
Seikos are excellent watches. A family friend of ours worth $10 million+ wears a Grand Seiko as his daily watch. It's funny, the day he started wearing his Seiko many of his colleagues who were gung ho about Swiss watches went out and bought Seikos LOL. Being their boss and CTO of their company the know how successful he is and so it was almost like they aspired to be like him. Seikos provide a high value : price ratio and they are a mainstay among the ultra wealthy (particularly Grand Seikos) for their high quality and value.
The Grand Seiko has one of the best movements out there. Its a must have at some point for any watch connoisseur.
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2016, 06:43 PM   #34
Kolyan2k
Major General
916
Rep
5,538
Posts

Drives: 2006 S2000
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston

iTrader: (1)

Dont know about Grand Seikos, but sale margins on Seikos are probably 60-70% at retail stores. I bought mine 55% off from factory direct dealer and I assume he made money too. Bought my brand new Orient (one of the top models) for 70% off from private party
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2016, 06:50 PM   #35
Fundguy1
Major General
Fundguy1's Avatar
2031
Rep
8,339
Posts

Drives: 335 e93
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Orlando, fl

iTrader: (0)

I got my tag heuer formula 1 chrono from Sams club for around $800. Respectable.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2016, 01:06 PM   #36
PandaM3
Captain
470
Rep
988
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (6)

As an owner of two Omega watches (a Planet Ocean and Seamaster) I think my Seiko Monster is built just as well and seems to be more durable. It looks much less worn after years of use compared to my Omega's. It does have a less sophisticated movement but it's reliable and just as accurate. If anything my Omega's are running a bit fast.

That being said I just picked up a Seiko SNZG13 that I can use my Nato straps on

Seiko Men's SNZG13 Seiko 5 Automatic Black Dial Stainless-Steel Bracelet Watch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ITF2H8..._I7BYxbB2ZNJQR

Also been really tempted to get a Seiko Shinobu Ishigaki Cocktail Time since all my other watches are divers.

Seiko MECHANICAL x Shinobu Ishigaki SARB065 Mens Wrist Watch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038OLUMM..._F9BYxbWJ4NG4S
Appreciate 1
oolas3387.00
      09-07-2016, 02:58 PM   #37
bratwurst1
Private
15
Rep
81
Posts

Drives: 2014 428i X drive
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chris82 View Post
Great informative thread for a watch noob like myself. I just purchased a Seiko Kinetic Auto Relay and am loving it so far. I have a bad (or is it good?) feeling that I will quickly start spending more and more on them... Oh well
I bought one of those new at Seiko outlet in early 2000's if I recall for $150. Retail was $600 at time. I sold it years later, I really like it but recall it was a heavy piece.
__________________
2014 428i X Drive / Dinan Sport Tuner
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2016, 03:49 PM   #38
Irishsig
In Hoc
Irishsig's Avatar
United_States
315
Rep
626
Posts

Drives: 2016 M4 6MT MG/SO
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2016 BMW M4  [0.00]
Affordable divers & tacticals were my favorites, still are.
Luminox
Marathon
Deep Blue Abyss
Helson
Korsbek
Boschett
Dievas Vortex

Guns & watches took up most of my extra time & money until I bought my M4.
Everything else has now fallen by the wayside in favor of the M.
__________________
2016 M4 MG/SO 6MT- Max PSI Intakes - BMS Stage 1 - Swift Spec R - CG Precision Valve controller - 20" DPE Flowtech 5S - AA Midpipe & all the external CF goodies.
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2020, 05:07 AM   #39
Skoidat69
Secret Squirrel
Skoidat69's Avatar
United_States
273
Rep
392
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW 328ix E91
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: StL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW 328XI  [0.00]
WMT and CWC make nice watches that you can find pre-owned for sub $500 if you looks hard or negotiate hard
__________________
No good sea story starts with Cookies and Milk
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2020, 07:03 PM   #40
quick
Captain
216
Rep
780
Posts

Drives: '12 X5M, '01 E55, '91 964 Trbo
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Planet Earth

iTrader: (1)

Any pointers on good thin watches? I like to keep them light and thin.

Thanks
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2020, 06:37 AM   #41
F10CPROG
Private First Class
77
Rep
169
Posts

Drives: BMW F10 M5 Competition
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Essex, UK

iTrader: (0)

Great write up. I love the CW watches, im yet to buy one. But i think one of them will be my next purchase. I started off as a bit of a watch snob, wanting expensive swiss brands. But now i buy anything that i like the look of, regardless of brand. Although I must have a rolex deepsea one day.
__________________
BMW F10 M5 Competition
Hyundai i30N
Porsche 986 Boxster S
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2020, 09:54 AM   #42
happyjack
Captain
happyjack's Avatar
United_States
1657
Rep
922
Posts

Drives: '21 F87 M2C 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: old line state

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
nice thread. i love watches but have never been able to justify the cost of a rolex or omega. i do own three alpinas including a hand-wind regulator style just to prove my watch geekiness.



i would really like to add a couple more to my watch drawer: (1) classic bronze diver — was super tempted to pull the trigger on jomashop’s recent tudor black bay sale at $2800; and (2) panda chrono — haven’t seen the Hamilton intramatic in person yet but love the look. any good recommendations?

Last edited by happyjack; 09-11-2020 at 10:35 AM..
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 10:36 PM   #43
BMW11
Captain
278
Rep
689
Posts

Drives: M340
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Seiko SKX favorite beater
Appreciate 1
Maynard3804.50
      10-11-2020, 12:10 PM   #44
neverdone
Major
Canada
327
Rep
1,394
Posts

Drives: X5, 335, Ford Lightning, 63 me
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: calgary

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW11 View Post
Seiko SKX favorite beater
Out of all of my watches, my 007 is the one I like to pull out the most and its my least expensive.
Appreciate 2
Maynard3804.50
BMW11278.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:59 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST