What is the deal with watches

[fruityasu]

See something like this is very appealing -

Unpolished, original SMP 300M. Purchased in Australia in 2001, and looks to have been worn regularly since then. Case shows scratches and scuffs commensurate with it's age and lack of service history.

Currently running a few minutes slow per day and should be serviced.

Comes with the full kit.

Great, honest example of a modern classic.

Gender: Men’s
Model #: 2531.80.00
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case details: 41mm
Bracelet: Original Omega stainless steel - will suit up to a 7.7in wrist.
Movement: Omega 1120 Self-winding chronometer with rhodium-plated finish
Dial: Blue
Hands: Silver with luminous inserts
Paraphernalia: Outer box, inner box, hangtag, warranty card, instruction booklet, service centre guide, chronometer booklet, card pouch.
Grading: 2

Was even originally purchased in a local Canberra jeweler! I'm not sure though I can get my head around even spending $2800 on this even though others are a lot more!

The Omega SMP is a beautiful watch and the one in picture @Mark1966 at 17 years vintage is a handsome piece of wrist candy....The 'Fat Boy' of the watch world....

 

[58RW]

The Omega SMP is a beautiful watch and the one in picture @Mark1966 at 17 years vintage is a handsome piece of wrist candy....The 'Fat Boy' of the watch world....

How is my baby I should have mentioned she comes with 5 year free servicing

 

[Drubbing]

True, true.

I must admit, some of my choices are more based on visual appeal. I would hate to admit it but exclusivity is appealing too.

But this is what I don't get. Who, apart from your virtual sad watch obsessed buddies on a watch forum gives a shit about exclusivity? When I'm drinking beers in the bar after hockey, or a work, virtually no one notices anyone's watch or comments on it if they do, let alone what brand it is and whether it's a piece of crap from Bali or a high end bit of kit.

In fact, wear a real Rolex, which screams LOOK AT ME, and 9/10 people will assume it's a fake. Then assume you're a bit of a wanker. If it's real and you'll have to tell them, many will think you're an even bigger one.

 

[Mark1966]

You will spend another $800 on a service, just make sure you do not let them polish it.

Sigh, but wait, there more! [money to pour down the rabbit hole that is]

Or I have a Blue Monster that you can have for far less than $800.

Not a fan of the look unfortunately

The Omega SMP is a beautiful watch and the one in picture @Mark1966 at 17 years vintage is a handsome piece of wrist candy....The 'Fat Boy' of the watch world....

'Fat Boy', did somebody say 'Fat Boy' - well in that case tell me more

Oh wait, don't bother. Just read @Drubbing's post - will stick with my cheapie Seiko 5

 

[Ferret619]

But this is what I don't get. Who, apart from your virtual sad watch obsessed buddies on a watch forum gives a shit about exclusivity? When I'm drinking beers in the bar after hockey, or a work, virtually no one notices anyone's watch or comments on it if they do, let alone what brand it is and whether it's a piece of crap from Bali or a high end bit of kit.

In fact, wear a real Rolex, which screams LOOK AT ME, and 9/10 people will assume it's a fake. Then assume you're a bit of a wanker. If it's real and you'll have to tell them, many will think you're an even bigger one.

The same is true of anything high end be it a car, house, other jewellery and just generally keeping up with the Jones’s
it’s important that people enjoy the item itself more than posting it on Facebook.

 

[Rami]

@Drubbing

That is so funny , and very wide off the mark I wear the watch for me, not for the dumdum in the bar or to circle jerk with the watch forum guys.

Think of it this way, my wife wedding band signifies my love for her. The more expensive and exclusive it is the more it is a sign to her how much she means to me.

Same as a watch. It signifies to me that I have done well in life. Now I work hard and cover all my obligations. So what if I want to sink a few grand on baubles, as long as I don’t rub it in people face I am good

Bought my first when I graduated uni, my second when I made team lead. And the last when I build my house.

Hope this explains where I come from at the very least

 

[Rami]

See something like this is very appealing -

Unpolished, original SMP 300M. Purchased in Australia in 2001, and looks to have been worn regularly since then. Case shows scratches and scuffs commensurate with it's age and lack of service history.

Currently running a few minutes slow per day and should be serviced.

Comes with the full kit.

Great, honest example of a modern classic.

Gender: Men’s
Model #: 2531.80.00
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case details: 41mm
Bracelet: Original Omega stainless steel - will suit up to a 7.7in wrist.
Movement: Omega 1120 Self-winding chronometer with rhodium-plated finish
Dial: Blue
Hands: Silver with luminous inserts
Paraphernalia: Outer box, inner box, hangtag, warranty card, instruction booklet, service centre guide, chronometer booklet, card pouch.
Grading: 2

Was even originally purchased in a local Canberra jeweler! I'm not sure though I can get my head around even spending $2800 on this even though others are a lot more!

There was a thread today on which watch drop the most second hand, someone suggested iwc pilot. Maybe that would appeal?

 

[Mark1966]

There was a thread today on which watch drop the most second hand, someone suggested iwc pilot. Maybe that would appeal?

But I like the look of this one.

Drop the leading ‘2’ and I think I would grab it

 

[fruityasu]

How is my baby I should have mentioned she comes with 5 year free servicing

Baby's doing just fine @58RW....

 

[Mark1966]

Invicta 8926-perhaps

I think you are missing the point mate. I want the Omega watch at the Invicta price. I mean, come on, somebody described it as like a Fat Boy ...

 

[Rami]

I think you are missing the point mate. I want the Omega watch at the Invicta price. I mean, come on, somebody described it as like a Fat Boy ...

Don’t we all.

 

[Ferret619]

Yeah.. but then it’s not as special is it..

I’ve been looking into the Seiko Kinetics.. any of you guys have one?

 

[58RW]

I think you are missing the point mate. I want the Omega watch at the Invicta price. I mean, come on, somebody described it as like a Fat Boy ...

Well now hahahaha

 

[Mark1966]

Don’t we all.

That there is the problem.

If you would all just get out of the way and let me get my watch for the price I want I will be happy then

 

[Rami]

For some reason omega does not tickle my fancy. I do love the history behind the Speedmaster thou

 

[Mark1966]

For some reason omega does not tickle my fancy. I do love the history behind the Speedmaster thou

Great, all sorted then!

I'll leave you with your Rolex and you will leave me with the Omega

 

[Rami]

Yea. I saw a Datejust a few days ago. Nice.
It’s always fun to day dream about the next piece

 

[Monsta_AU]

Lets keep this one on topic - why do people like watches... is it a wank, just people spending money to project an image?

Is there even a real need for a mechanical timepiece anymore? And that could even mean Quartz in the era of the Smartwatch.... Is battery-powered screen on your wrist simply soulless and you would gladly take the monotonous accuracy of a quartz rather than have your sprung-driven heart stop beating with an Apple Watch?

General banter in the general watch talk thread please.

The general watch talk discussion

 

[Rami]

So. Why does the honourable @Monsta_AU like watches?

 

[Monsta_AU]

So. Why does the honourable @Monsta_AU like watches?

For many years, I didn't like watches. As a young, modern guy I did not see the need for them. Even a Nokia 3310 had a perfectly serviceable clock on it.

The came the realisation with age and hopefully a touch more maturity was that mechanical watches have a beauty and life of their own. There is something to be said about seeing a modern hi-beat movement near-sweep around a dial rather than the quartz beat that seems devoid of any character.

Age also started impressing on me that often it takes strapping a watch to your wrist to be taken seriously in some places, and that includes career and certain social circles also. Not so much what is on your wrist, but that there is something there. I have noted a complete difference in attitude with people that do wear watches versus those that don't and look at their phone ever 30 seconds.

A watch is also that one acceptable piece of jewellery men can ear outside of a wedding ring. It can be a constant companion and outlast 20 mobile phones while retaining the ability to show some personality which phones seem not to be able to do anymore since they mostly look the same.

Another thing I came to understand is that rather than a battery giving such a finely crafted timepiece its energy, instead I could power it with my own movement (auto) or control (in a hand-wound movement). Even mass-produced movements with accuracy to often within COSC standards (and you can regulate a Seiko NH35 to that level these days) has become something to behold. When you realise the tolerances involved in some small components being within microns in order for a movement to get down to that type of accuracy then I am proud that we have the ability to make them.

The same goes for Computer CPUs and memory literally building wires at 10-20nm diameter in silicon, 100 times smaller than a micron. Amazing we can even achieve that.

Finally, it's about enjoying the finer things in life. Purchasing quality over something designed to fail and be replaced. Solid, dependable, repairable, quality. And as we know in shaving circles, often buying vintage is one of the best things you can do.