watches...

[hikenbike]

Wearing my Laguna in lovely Bermuda.....

 

[Thai]

First impression: The First Frederique Constant Smartwatch Now Delivered!

Software not fully compatible with Android:

Fullpower’s VP of Technology, Arthur Kinsolving, explains: “With the fragmentation of Android and the number of cooks in the kitchen to make an Android handset, the Bluetooth Low Energy implementation on the Android handsets is quite poor. It’s getting better, but there’s still a ways to go. So we are constantly working on ways to make connectivity better, working around these issues."

 

[Thai]

Watch enthusiast blog talking about Apple Watch Edition: 18k Gold Apple Watch Edition In The Real World & Its Ancestors | aBlogtoWatch

Very interesting insight and history of gold electronic watches...never knew about them!

Quote from article that i find surprising: "What surprised me so much is that even watchmakers seemed to appreciate the Apple Watch even more when it was in gold. I heard statements such as "Very impressive; nice choice; they make a beautiful gold watch; the design is really top notch; great job on construction; Apple isn't screwing around; I love it; this feels better than many traditional watches; because it is gold, we can accept it." Yes, I did hear that latter comment, and it really amused me.

One theory I have for the positive reaction to the Apple Watch Edition in Switzerland is that it didn't come across as a "cheap competitor." Finally, it is worth noting that the people who reacted so positively were technicians and watchmakers - not Swiss watch industry executives and marketing people (who I've found tend to have a more protective reaction to the Apple Watch family)."

 

[hikenbike]

I agree it is interesting and glad to see Apple start to play to people's sense of style. I can easily see Apple going in many other "style" directions with the product that keeps it respectfully in line with traditional watch wearers IF the product warrants it and becomes mainstream......which (in agreement with the writer) I think it will over time.

 

[Thai]

Beautiful Rolex IMO (uber expensive especially for a gold watch with [high tech] rubber band]: https://www.hodinkee.com/blog/rolex-yachtmaster-review

 

[hikenbike]

I normally dislike gold but somehow that one works. 2-3 more mm would be sweet. $25k hurts though.

 

[Thai]

I normally dislike gold but somehow that one works. 2-3 more mm would be sweet. $25k hurts though.

After looking at a few new watches coming out, I think that the trend of big watches are slowing down. 40-42 mm is now the goldilocks size.

 

[hikenbike]

I agree but yet I see countless people in Manhattan wearing gigantic Invictas and GShocks that are utterly laughable. 38mm's though can look puny on 7.5" or larger wrists.

 

[Thai]

I agree but yet I see countless people in Manhattan wearing gigantic Invictas and GShocks that are utterly laughable. 38mm's though can look puny on 7.5" or larger wrists.

I agree 38 is now for women. Shit, i still have my 36 Rolex Turn-o-Graph! Thank goodness for my 42mm Apple Watch to bail out my manhood!

 

[Thai]

Somewhat old news, but Rolex finally (after decades!) has a replacement for its 3135 caliber...new caliber is 3255:

More info: http://www.rolex.com/content/dam/ro...bre-3255/02_Brochure_Calibre_3255_English.pdf

Quick points about this movement:
- basically brand new design with 14 patents.
- exceeds COSC specs...now, -2 to +2/day accuracy with REAL world wear.
- 70 hours of power reserve.
- new escapement and more efficiency.
- resistant to magnetic fields of over 1,000 Gauss (and hence just about as antimagnetic as Rolex's Milgauss) without need of a Faraday cage.
- and yes, Rolex even makes their own lubricants!

And knowing Rolex, this movement has been tested thoroughly...IMHO, this may be the BEST mechanical movement in terms of reliability, durability, and now accuracy.

This movement is currently only available in the Day-Date 40 models. It will eventually makes it way downward to the "regular" Rolex models.

 

[hikenbike]

Thai, tell me about Breitling.

I always thought Breitling made some of the most hideous looking watches. Never liked them or payed them much mind.

Recently this one caught my eye somehow and I went to see one today and it is indeed very nice on wrist. It's unique and pretty cool.

Is Breitling a luxury brand?
Is it really worth the $2500 you can get it for new via grey?
Seems to have a very common ETA movement no different than my Laguna's so no great shakes there.

What makes Breitling special? Anything? Am I missing something?

Is Breitling just an overhyped overrated name brand and not worth the price?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Thai]

Is Breitling a luxury brand?
Is it really worth the $2500 you can get it for new via grey?
Seems to have a very common ETA movement no different than my Laguna's so no great shakes there.

What makes Breitling special? Anything? Am I missing something?

Yes, it is luxury brand...higher than TAG but slightly lower than Omega...IMO.

Breitling came to fame because they were watches worn by pilots I think. Since then, they are overbuilt watches with "ordinary" internals. They look beautiful inside a watch place because they use double anti-reflective coating on their sapphire crystals (one on outside and one layer on inside crystal)...thus bluish look under showroom light. The problem with outside AR coating is that it can easily get scratched, which then makes your face look ugly...so, you then have to sand down the crystal to get rid of the AR coating (did that on my Omega). So, yes, the watch looks beautiful during honeymoon phase...then you need to sand your crystal!

IMHO, Breitling is not what I want to spend $2500+ on. Not worth it because the internal movement is no different than most Tag and even your Oris. I think that Breitling still uses the ETA 2824 I think on some of their models; thus explaining most of their watches THICKNESS. No, it is not because it is that overbuilt but because the movement is so damn old (and thus thick)! I am not sure what the SuperOcean uses...hopefully 2892 at least.

I don't even think Breitling modifies the ETA movement much either when they put it into the watch case.

So, you're paying MAINLY for the outside bling...and Breitling has A LOT of bling! Face is usually very busy. Bezels thick. Everything very stoutly designed. But, I am not sure if it is actually any tougher than TAG or Omega. So, IMHO, it is overhyped.

I know that you hate me for saying it...but, WAIT...save up and get a good one that you can keep for a long time. Once I got my "holy grail" I lost interest in the other watches. So, decide what your holy grail is and wait for it.

Personally, I would get an Omega with the 8500 and above movement. OR if you want get expensive, then get a Rolex with their new movement posted above, but you probably need to sell your cars and house for that!
Just my 2 cents.

 

[hikenbike]

Yes, it is luxury brand...higher than TAG but slightly lower than Omega...IMO.



Breitling came to fame because they were watches worn by pilots I think. Since then, they are overbuilt watches with "ordinary" internals. They look beautiful inside a watch place because they use double anti-reflective coating on their sapphire crystals (one on outside and one layer on inside crystal)...thus bluish look under showroom light. The problem with outside AR coating is that it can easily get scratched, which then makes your face look ugly...so, you then have to sand down the crystal to get rid of the AR coating (did that on my Omega). So, yes, the watch looks beautiful during honeymoon phase...then you need to sand your crystal!



IMHO, Breitling is not what I want to spend $2500+ on. Not worth it because the internal movement is no different than most Tag and even your Oris. I think that Breitling still uses the ETA 2824 I think on some of their models; thus explaining most of their watches THICKNESS. No, it is not because it is that overbuilt but because the movement is so damn old (and thus thick)! I am not sure what the SuperOcean uses...hopefully 2892 at least.



I don't even think Breitling modifies the ETA movement much either when they put it into the watch case.



So, you're paying MAINLY for the outside bling...and Breitling has A LOT of bling! Face is usually very busy. Bezels thick. Everything very stoutly designed. But, I am not sure if it is actually any tougher than TAG or Omega. So, IMHO, it is overhyped.



I know that you hate me for saying it...but, WAIT...save up and get a good one that you can keep for a long time. Once I got my "holy grail" I lost interest in the other watches. So, decide what your holy grail is and wait for it.



Personally, I would get an Omega with the 8500 and above movement. OR if you want get expensive, then get a Rolex with their new movement posted above, but you probably need to sell your cars and house for that!

Just my 2 cents.

I've come to that realization and my next watch will be my only watch. They are being sold off in prep for that. One down, two to go.

The B'ling was just an interesting lunch time foray. The Rolex Deepsea is more than I will ever spend on a watch. The Omega PO 8500 is exceptional and I've tried real hard to like multiple times on wrist but it didn't work.

The Grail for me? Well that's easy.....

I've seen it and worn it and it's all the versatility I want when I only have one. When on wrist, there was no doubt at all. This is the one for me.

 

[Thai]

I've come to that realization and my next watch will be my only watch. They are being sold off in prep for that. One down, two to go.

The B'ling was just an interesting lunch time foray. The Rolex Deepsea is more than I will ever spend on a watch. The Omega PO 8500 is exceptional and I've tried real hard to like multiple times on wrist but it didn't work.

The Grail for me? Well that's easy.....

I've seen it and worn it and it's all the versatility I want when I only have one. When on wrist, there was no doubt at all. This is the one for me.

While Bremont Sub is a beautifully detailed watch, you are still paying $5000+ for a watch with an ETA 2836 movement. For me, the HEART and SOUL of the watch is the movement. It defines the watch.

I have my eye on my brother's Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 (the one before Deepsea). Mint, stored in his safe. This the original SD before Rolex went ultra high end. Bracelet is the old Rolex, which is not great. So that will go out if I get it.

 

[hikenbike]

While Bremont Sub is a beautifully detailed watch, you are still paying $5000+ for a watch with an ETA 2836 movement. For me, the HEART and SOUL of the watch is the movement. It defines the watch.



I have my eye on my brother's Rolex Sea-Dweller (the one before Deepsea). Mint, stored in his safe. This the original SD before Rolex went ultra high end. Bracelet is the old Rolex, which is not great. So that will go out if I get it.

But you don't wear a movement, you wear a watch and there is much more to a watch that makes it special to someone than just the movement. You only know it when you wear it and it strikes you......like when I met my wife for the very first time and knew with absolute certainty she was the one......and now my youngest goes to college tomorrow.

 

[hikenbike]

Read up a bit on the Bremont Supermarine S500. Outstanding (and in several ways unprecedented) design and engineering that define that watch.

 

[Thai]

But you don't wear a movement, you wear a watch and there is much more to a watch that makes it special to someone than just the movement. You only know it when you wear it and it strikes you......like when I met my wife for the very first time and knew with absolute certainty she was the one......and now my youngest goes to college tomorrow.

Ok, if that is how you feel about it.

Read up a bit on the Bremont Supermarine S500. Outstanding (and in several ways unprecedented) design and engineering that define that watch.

Case design may be nice but in-house movement is my requirement for mechanical watches that I would buy.

 

[Sphonaut]

I am wearing this: Official Tissot Website - Watches - T-Sport - TISSOT PRS 516 - T0444302105100

Sapphire Cristal front & back for under $800. It gains consistently 6 sec. a day but hey..its under $800.

 

[NoDak]

picked up this watch a few years ago for the warden, recently it started having issues keeping time. sent it in for estimate, $560 for repair which was 3/4 price of a new one.

had our primary jewelry person (we have know her for years at zales, 12yrs I think or more) look around the zales system for replacement that was new, none where found so we just fixed it since the wife loves her watch.

gave us a discount down to $490 for repair. replaced the watch glass (had a chip in it) and fixed the internals.

she rather fix it than replace it no matter the cost since she hasn't found anything she likes better.

 

[GHARP57]

please forgive me if it had been brought up but this company looks pretty good. and it is here in the US

Weiss Watch Company - Restoring Prestige to American Watchmaking