Recommend a watch: $3k max

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Vasp

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
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slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
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Hmm, so I'm thinking I'm going to try to convince him to go the used route, tags are all that's really in my reach new and reviews spotty, and entry level omegas aren't my thing looks wise (when you get to the $4,000 level they're stunning)... So, used omega or rolex it is - any more decent used sites? Some linked were still quite pricey, I'm ok going older to get me to the $3k point. THanks! You've guys have been very helpful, the watch forums would eat a n00b like me for lunch
 
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Ne0

Golden Member
Nov 4, 1999
1,227
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81
For $3k you can probably find a pre-owned datejust. I would pay a little more (around $5k range) and aim for a Rolex Submariner 14060m or a JLC Reverso. If you're going to purchase online, purchase from a trusted seller (DavidSW, takuya, OCROLEXGUY).
 
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Ne0

Golden Member
Nov 4, 1999
1,227
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s0me0nesmind1 said:
Uhh, if it is actual gold, then it is a VERY soft metal. And if it's a soft metal, you would probably need to have it maintained. There are plenty of other metals that do not need regular maintenance. That sounds like a pain in the ass.



Correct. Which is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT if you want guns held at you.

Stupidity at its finest.
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I've worn my Rolex watches for 3-4 years now. No one besides friends, family, and watch employees have noticed them. They're insured as well at jewelers mutual so if they're ever stolen, I will be covered.
 
WaTaGuMp

WaTaGuMp

Lifer
May 10, 2001
21,207
2,506
126
slackerinabox said:
Hmm, so I'm thinking I'm going to try to convince him to go the used route, tags are all that's really in my reach new and reviews spotty, and entry level omegas aren't my thing looks wise (when you get to the $4,000 level they're stunning)... So, used omega or rolex it is - any more decent used sites? Some linked were still quite pricey, I'm ok going older to get me to the $3k point. THanks! You've guys have been very helpful, the watch forums would eat a n00b like me for lunch
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IMHO, at that price point, another to look at would be a Chopard Mille Miglia. Check ebay etc for pictures, see if you like them. Going preowned is smart, you don't take a huge hit on the value, like buying a brand new car type of thing.
 
mikeymikec

mikeymikec

Lifer
May 19, 2011
20,980
16,227
136
JulesMaximus said:
Well, you don't buy a Rolex because you need a watch to tell time accurately. It is a luxury item.
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You're really not selling this :)

What you're basically saying is that nobody should buy a Ferrari because a Corolla will do the same job.
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If that was true I would absolutely be saying that. I am in love with the idea of owning a Lotus Elise some day, however if I test-drove one and found that it drives just like my Mazda 323 then I absolutely would not buy it, or if I found another car that is pretty similar to the Elise in most important respects for half the price, I'd consider going for that instead.

The nicest watch I own is a $250 Citizen (that I NEVER wear)
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What's the point?

but I'm kind of toying with the idea of buying a nice watch. I work with a guy who wears a $5,000 Bremont every day and I find myself admiring the quality and look of his watch.
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If the watch hypothetically didn't have a brand name on it (just to get "ooh, brand name! Add another zero or two on the price!" out of the way) and I thought that it looked like an unusually nice watch, then I might consider it (assuming the watch was any kind of price I'd consider paying). $5k for a watch however screams status symbol, and 'status symbol' screams 'pointless waste of time' IMO.

Think of it this way, what does a $200 watch (or a $15 watch) say about you?
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Absolutely fuck all. People buy status symbols because they think that by having one somehow means something, however it does appear to carry weight with other people who buy into status symbols. A lot of people buy status symbols to imply that they're better off than they actually are.

If I saw someone's watch and liked it, I might say "that's a nice watch", regardless of price. How would I know how much it costs, unless they go full-chav style and still have the price tag on it.

I'm only thinking of replacing my ~15 year old watch because the finish is coming off to reveal a copper colour metal in places and I think it looks quite shabby :)
 
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Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Perhaps a Casio?

ptacasio.gif
 
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slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
mikeymikec said:
You're really not selling this :)

If that was true I would absolutely be saying that. I am in love with the idea of owning a Lotus Elise some day, however if I test-drove one and found that it drives just like my Mazda 323 then I absolutely would not buy it, or if I found another car that is pretty similar to the Elise in most important respects for half the price, I'd consider going for that instead.

What's the point?

If the watch hypothetically didn't have a brand name on it (just to get "ooh, brand name! Add another zero or two on the price!" out of the way) and I thought that it looked like an unusually nice watch, then I might consider it (assuming the watch was any kind of price I'd consider paying). $5k for a watch however screams status symbol, and 'status symbol' screams 'pointless waste of time' IMO.

Absolutely fuck all. People buy status symbols because they think that by having one somehow means something, however it does appear to carry weight with other people who buy into status symbols. A lot of people buy status symbols to imply that they're better off than they actually are.

If I saw someone's watch and liked it, I might say "that's a nice watch", regardless of price. How would I know how much it costs, unless they go full-chav style and still have the price tag on it.

I'm only thinking of replacing my ~15 year old watch because the finish is coming off to reveal a copper colour metal in places and I think it looks quite shabby :)
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Listen, I get you - I'm a simple life sorta guy. I dress like a slob because I'm cheap (seriously, 34 is too old for old navy but you can't beat jeans for $20!), my car's always been a beater because it gets you from point a to b... But my dad's a big advocate of "fake it until you make it" and "dress maketh the man" - people who dress well, appreciate workmanship in a watch/car, save for the good shit (he does not use credit, at all, and invested well throughout his life) etc. aren't necessarily vain or super materialistic, they just value different things. I learned the value of this when I gave up payless for a pair of $250 workshoes - craftsmanship's worth something.

I think my dad's trying to use the watch as a catalyst to me dressing less schlubby, i think :) It's a rite of passage thing, and while I recognize my $120 vintage beluva automatic tells the time just as well, I get where he's coming from.
 
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Ne0

Golden Member
Nov 4, 1999
1,227
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JulesMaximus said:
I have to say, this is tempting me. And he's in Orange County so I could just drive up there and do a face to face deal with the guy... no shipping or wire transfers.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=410397
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I've only purchased from DavidSW (based in Orlando) and takuya (based in Houston) but OCROLEXGUY is a well respected seller. You can probably get him to go down some on price as he won't have to ship it overnight with insurance. Some of his other watches for sale: http://www.watchrecon.com/?user_name=OCROLEXGUY&last_days=0
 
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nexus5rocks

Senior member
Mar 12, 2014
413
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mikeymikec said:
It could be made out of recycled toilet paper, if it does the job and looks alright, what does it matter?

For $3k I'd expect it to keep perfect time! Having said that, I can't remember the last time I adjusted the time on my £15 watch (aside from daylight savings changes), checking it now it's in sync with the clock on my computer (which keeps in sync via NTP).

How is it instantly recognisable? There's hundreds of watches that the Rolex that was shown on this thread looks like.

I think what you mean is that the brand is instantly recognisable. The only statement that I can think of it making is "the wearer of this watch has more money than sense".
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The thing is mechanical watches don't keep perfect time. If you care about accuracy, quartz is much more accurate. And they have watches that sync up to GPS if you need 100% accuracy.
 
JMapleton

JMapleton

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2008
4,179
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nexus5rocks said:
The thing is mechanical watches don't keep perfect time. If you care about accuracy, quartz is much more accurate. And they have watches that sync up to GPS if you need 100% accuracy.
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If you care about something you're going to pass down to your kids, don't get a quartz watch. A quartz watch is disposable.
 
JMapleton

JMapleton

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2008
4,179
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WaTaGuMp said:
Really? So a six figure Patek quartz is disposable?
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Find me a six figure Patek.

Patek only made a few quartz years ago and they were butt ugly and sell for dirt cheap (in Patek dollars) because no one wants them. Only Patek posers.
 
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Ne0

Golden Member
Nov 4, 1999
1,227
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81
The Patek collectors I know don't collect Patek Quartz watches. All hard to get automatic Pateks in various precious metals.
 
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