I'm uneducated, give me some watch guidance.

[HeavySmoke]

Lately I have been wanting a watch. Not like the galaxy smartwatch I wear daily but a real watch. My dad was a Rolex Submariner guy, but I'm not familiar with any other watches besides that one and the submariner seems hard to come by. I'd like to stay in the 10k or less price range. Give me some guidance.

[P.D.]

Tag Heuer watches are good. One of their dive watches will cost you ~$3K or less. Their other models, can be priced much higher. https://www.tagheuer.com/en-us/watches/mens-watch?&msclkid=de59526cbd10192a7d380c4f175300ba&gclid=CN_V0q67jucCFe-UxQIdGYYAIg&gclsrc=ds

[P.D.]

A lot of guys like Seiko dive watches too. https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/prospex/sla035j1

[Jon Payne]

Lately I have been wanting a watch. Not like the galaxy smartwatch I wear daily but a real watch. My dad was a Rolex Submariner guy, but I'm not familiar with any other watches besides that one and the submariner seems hard to come by. I'd like to stay in the 10k or less price range. Give me some guidance.

Omega Planet Ocean, Seamaster Professional, and Speedmaster.

Also in your price range is the Tudor Blackbay and the Rolex Datejust. Be sure and throughly shop “preowned” vendors.


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[Gabriel Suarez]

A Casio is a watch. What you are looking for is a timepiece. A Rolex is a classic and a top choice. The Omega is another just like it. Both are farther down the road than the Tag or Seikos.

The Submariner is the top choice for a man of action in the Rolex line. The full stainless Sub has always been a classic. The two tone (gold and stainless) is a step above that. These are not the take to the Himalayas and beat the crap out them watches...they can be but only a Trump could do that.

The 300 Meter Chronograph (The 007 watch) or the Seamaster are the Omega counterparts. These are timepieces worn to social events, business meetings, and special times. They establish success by those who can afford to wear them. They are a great way to preserve and transport wealth across borders in a non-taxable and often surreptitious manner...or so I have heard in the circles I have traveled.

FWIW, I have a two tone Submariner in my safe along with Shield Maiden's gold Presidential. I would opt for a stainless Submariner or a stainless Seamaster.

[Herbert West]

A Rolex will maintain its value over time; not so much for other brands. An omega will lose 60-70% of its value on trade or if you wish to sell it, same for Breitling. Tag, well, if you purchase one plan on keeping it because you will get nothing in trade/sale in the future. Panerai, Breguet, Pateks, AP, are outstanding and retain or go up somewhat in value. If you could only hav e one watch :-), I would consider either a Rolex submariner in stainless steel (classic) or a Daytona also in stainless. Both are discreet elegant pieces that go well with a tuxedo or tee shirt. IWC, Chrono Swiss, Glashutte, Gerard-Perregaux are also outstanding and some can be obtained around the 10k figure. For a truly funky timepiece a Richard Mille RM 60 Regatta will definitely gather commentary among your associates, but it’s more than 10k. In short, you can’t go wrong with a classic ss submariner.

[jesselp]

A stainless steel Rolex Daytona is on my aspirational “want list” for someday.

i WILL own one someday.

[coastalcop]

Tudor Pelagos. Think submariner in titanium. Beautiful timepiece, sub 10k. Not sure what they are going for now but mine was sub 5k, but clicked all the boxes and did start conversations.

[Jon Payne]

Tudor Pelagos. Think submariner in titanium. Beautiful timepiece, sub 10k. Not sure what they are going for now but mine was sub 5k, but clicked all the boxes and did start conversations.

I’ve been impressed with several of the Tudors.


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[reforger2002]

I like a basic mechanical watch a seiko 5 or honestly one of the Russian vostock mechanical - though one day post house payments I;ll get a nice watch

[Christopher Calhoun]

Omega SMP300 or Planet Ocean 600M, Tudor Pelagos or Black Bay/BBGMT, Rolex Submariner.

Edit to add: One that has stood the test of time but not as luxurious as the others is a Seiko Marine Master 300. (Lesser known cousin of the venerable SKX007, to the people that sort of keep up with it)


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[HeavySmoke]

The Tudor black bay and the pelagos look amazing.

[coastalcop]

The Tudor black bay and the pelagos look amazing.


I loved my Pelagos, positively reeked of quality and craftsmanship. I did ultimately sell it, only because I wasn’t attending as many functions where I could wear it appropriately ( while they are more than capable, the deer camp, garage, and my work, are not places I would personally wear it). I daily wear a Fitbit now as it alerts me to calls and messages , vibrates for an alarm, and has a smaller footprint on my wrist over a iwatch.

I still have a steinhart ocean one titanium diver on a leather band as my social timepiece. it sits next to the XOs two tone oyster in the watch winder. For the rare social occasions it fits the bill for me.

[henri]

Tudors are nice entry level watches. They were thought of as poor mans rolex, but since they were relaunched in 2009 that perception had changed, somewhat. For a basic timepiece, that exudes quality, taste, and is modestly priced, a SS Submariner would be my recommendation.

[Catalina]

Just like your armament what is the purpose of the timepiece?

Boardroom, business meeting, country club, training class, snorkeling, diving, personal enjoyment, etc etc?

I recommend you narrow your price range somewhat. Watches are under $1,000. $1,000 to $3,000, $3,000 to $5,000, $5,000 to $10,000, then to infinity.

You can get the same watch for $7k, $10k, $35k, or $85k depending upon the metal used in the case and band.

Rolex is never wrong IF you know what and who you are buying from. They do not go down in value. Patek the same but out of your price point.

Buy new, or buy used (“pre-owned”) from a real dealer if you can. I recommend Bernard Watch in Austin.

[Mike OTDP]

Watch eBay. Also timezone.com. High-end watches are like cars and furniture, the price on the tag is marked up 25-35% over what you can reasonably buy it for. And if you have any military or LEO connections, you might be able to pick up unit-marked watches at a relatively reasonable price.

Also, think about what you want in a watch. In particular, the complications. Chronographs are more expensive. The fancier complications cost even more. Also the look. Most of these watches use the same handful of movements, but with different cases. And do you want a true automatic, or will hand-winding do?

WRT manufacturers, they are all good, but I think Rolex and Breitling are both marketing name recognition. Is this important to you? Or are you willing to accept a less-well-known brand?

I've got three high-end watches. The old Heuer Carerra I inherited, it doesn't count. But I've got an IWC Fliegerchronograph. I wanted a chronograph for work reasons, like the IWC design. And while it's not a household name, people who know watches know what it is. The other is a Bremont ALT-1Z. Also a chronograph, with shock-absorbing mounts. This one is a U.S. Naval Test Pilot School edition, limited to TPS graduates. My only regret with that one was going with the dark gray face...I wish I'd gone with white to show the TPS insignia better.

It's up to you.

[Winchester67]

Rolex is a brand that almost everyone knows, so it is a pretty safe bet in terms of value retention. As I get older, I find myself spending an inordinate amount of time chasing my misspent youth. So I end up buying cars, guns and watches I wanted back in the day but could not afford. Since I am at a point in my life that I rarely have to dress up anymore, about the only time I wear my Rolex is Church on Sunday, but it is rugged enough for everyday use. I went with a vintage GMT Master from the 80's, the watch my parents would have bought me for graduation if they had truly loved me. It just seems to fit with my vintage Bob Chow Combat Commander .45 carried in a Milt Sparks holster for weddings and the like....

[Greg Nichols]

I consider Rolex to be jewelry, Omega, Tag, Breitling, and others to be time pieces that keep accurate time, are beautiful, and built like tanks.

[dondy66]

59216Tudor Pelagos , 500 meter pressure rated, titanium, Scratch Proof, two bands Titanium and Rubber, Ceramic glowing bezel, $4,400 US. A better Submariner than the Rolex Sub

[Herbert West]

I consider Rolex to be jewelry, Omega, Tag, Breitling, and others to be time pieces that keep accurate time, are beautiful, and built like tanks.
Omega, tag, breitling are good watches, sort of like a Toyota Camry is good car. Some would prefer a Porsche or Lamborghini.

[Greg Nichols]

Omega, tag, breitling are good watches, sort of like a Toyota Camry is good car. Some would prefer a Porsche or Lamborghini.
Are you attempting to say that Rolex is the Lamborghini? Personally I prefer a time piece that actually, you know, keeps time. If the lambo isn't running is it more useful than the Camry?

[dondy66]

59248Tudor Pelagos in black

[45Smashemflat]

59250

30+ years and going strong...

[henri]

Are you attempting to say that Rolex is the Lamborghini? Personally I prefer a time piece that actually, you know, keeps time. If the lambo isn't running is it more useful than the Camry?

I think you may have misjudged the intent of the analogy. To 'watch guys', like myself, and I would venture a guess given HW'S comment that he is one as well, certain brands are preferred over others to collectors and aficionados for lack of a better term. To you, a custom made Suarez Glock is de rigueur as opposed to a Hi Point or Taurus. Certain brands given their history, movements, innovations, design, are preferred over others and are more desirable. I prefer Porsches (and have two) over other vehicles, others prefer Fords, to each his own. All watches mentioned appeal to a different group of individuals, Tudors are good, but if you can afford a Submariner you're not going to purchase a Pelagos.

[dondy66]

Watch guy here......If you look at the history of Tudor which is the other side of Rolex and throughout history has shared cases and movements mostly. Rolex is chained from innovation of materials as well as technology so as not to offend their base of traditional customers who have worshipped at the altar of Submariner. Much like the Volvo's and Volkwagon's of the 60's- 80's they could only change a small detail which was mostly imperceptable. This appeased their loyal customer base. Well Rolex asked Tudor ( same company ) to innovate and make a better Sub with modern materials and well as technology. Tudor came up with an in house movement, utilized titanium as opposed to 316 stainless which scratches. and they utilized a ceramic bezel with newer types of Lume which included a luminous ceramic bezel. Additionally The Tudor Pelagos is depth rated to 500 meters as opposed to Submariners 300 meters. I have a collection of automatic watches and am blessed to be able to choose Rolex.. However my due diligence and logic led me to become aware that the Rolex Submariner is yesterdays technology. This is not a smear on Rolex. In Europe motorcycle enthusiasts laugh at Americans obsolete fascination and worship of Harley Davidson brand. Europeans look at Harleys as low torque , inferior technology 50's technology. But don't tell that to a 55-60 year old Dentist who is pursuing his badazz rejuvenation and personal search for his fountain of youth ? ......... IOW " To each his own ?"

[Jon Payne]

I can afford a Submariner, but I bought an Omega SMP ( which IMHO is better timepiece ) and two Datejust, one for me and one for the XO. Found myself wearing the Omega 6 times as much as the Datejust so I flipped it. When it comes to resell value more models of Rolex hold well as compared to Omega, but there are models of the Speedmaster and Seamaster that hold their value just as well if not slightly better many Rolex.


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[Herbert West]

Watch guy here......If you look at the history of Tudor which is the other side of Rolex and throughout history has shared cases and movements mostly. Rolex is chained from innovation of materials as well as technology so as not to offend their base of traditional customers who have worshipped at the altar of Submariner. Much like the Volvo's and Volkwagon's of the 60's- 80's they could only change a small detail which was mostly imperceptable. This appeased their loyal customer base. Well Rolex asked Tudor ( same company ) to innovate and make a better Sub with modern materials and well as technology. Tudor came up with an in house movement, utilized titanium as opposed to 316 stainless which scratches. and they utilized a ceramic bezel with newer types of Lume which included a luminous ceramic bezel. Additionally The Tudor Pelagos is depth rated to 500 meters as opposed to Submariners 300 meters. I have a collection of automatic watches and am blessed to be able to choose Rolex.. However my due diligence and logic led me to become aware that the Rolex Submariner is yesterdays technology. This is not a smear on Rolex. In Europe motorcycle enthusiasts laugh at Americans obsolete fascination and worship of Harley Davidson brand. Europeans look at Harleys as low torque , inferior technology 50's technology. But don't tell that to a 55-60 year old Dentist who is pursuing his badazz rejuvenation and personal search for his fountain of youth ? ......... IOW " To each his own ?"
To digress, I have a new 2020 BMW R nine T, a traditional looking cafe racer, and an older R6 (2017), I'd have to agree with the European view of Harley Davidson, always found them dreadful. Ok, new can of worms, possibly new non-gun thread :-) as well.

[dondy66]

Possible candidates for topics include : Motorcycles, Timepieces, Optics, Cigars ( Cuban's Vs. Nicaraguan's ?) New Vs. Old ? : )

[Herbert West]

Possible candidates for topics include : Motorcycles, Timepieces, Optics, Cigars ( Cuban's Vs. Nicaraguan's ?) New Vs. Old ? : )
Cigars ! Indeed ! Though I limit myself to 2, rarely3 /week usually on weekends, it is a continual topic of debate in my present location. Current favorites include patron serie 1926 #6, and Juan Lopez seleccion 2, the latter can be obtained where I reside, both are outstanding, I've always enjoyed a simple montecristo classic #3 which is Dominican a well. Let's compare !

[coastalcop]

59250

30+ years and going strong...

The three "R"s Randall knife, ruby ring, and rolex watch , i wonder how many still remember that .

[joe6pack]

One thing to consider is the cost of maintaining that watch. Whatever you choose you should know that the cleaning of any mechanical is going to run you $400.00 + every two years. Omega, Rolex, Tudor are all often more. I've worn a Tag since I started in patrol in the mid 1980s with an all stainless model. They are tanks, left a few scars with the sharp bezel - not on purpose, just saying they hold up. Mechanical Tags are about the same price as Omega and for rough use or unpredictable use they hold up far better than my Rolex watches. I would also look at the battery operated Tags, they are about 50% of the mechanical versions. I have done business with a Mass company called Royal Jewelers of Andover MA, they have an extensive line of estate -used high quality watches and have a very knowledgeable staff, they may be of help in your search. Watches area lot like guns - good ones multiply!

[Trench]

59250

30+ years and going strong...

A Randall Model 1 with a stag handle? That is one sweet knife!!

[45Smashemflat]

Yup! It’s a good one!

[45Smashemflat]

The three "R"s Randall knife, ruby ring, and rolex watch , i wonder how many still remember that .

Yup, that’s why it’s photographed that way. Gotta have all three after the Q.

[coastalcop]

Yup, that’s why it’s photographed that way. Gotta have all three after the Q.

Only now days its a "Reeves" after the Q as I recall (to clarify I DID NOT go through the "Q" course, I only have some buddies that did)