Looking for a nice Watch - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jamesnj · #16 04-25-2002, 06:20 PM

Pentoman and others, a lot of the German watches like Tutima and Muhle(Glashutte) are old, old brands that are new again, that is, they were brands manufactured in the eastern part of German in factories that had been shut down or nationalized under the old eastern govt. These watchmakers are now coming back and are hoping to catch on. Some of the watches are really beautiful, but they seem kind of expensive considering these companies have to prove themselves again. I find there is still a difference in quality between the eastern and western parts of Germany.

The other thing to consider when buying an automatic is that you will have to buy a winding box because there's no way you're going to wear the watch every single day. The days youre sick, on vacation, want to wear your old watch or just simply want to go watchless are the days you'll need the winding box. I've seen these boxes for $300.

Also, don't just buy the watch from the cheapest dealer, buy it from the most knowledgeable, "honest" dealer who will be there if you have problems.

pentoman · #17 04-25-2002, 07:46 PM

Thanks guys,
I can't afford most of the brands you guys are talking about, most of those watches would be worth more than my car, so thanks those who've given me some names of good value watchmakers!

Checking out some of these brands, I really liked some of the Eterna watches (Monterey), but a quick search of the internet didn't find any jewellers stocking them in the UK. Thanks jamesnj for the info about winding.. I probably would wear the watch all day and night, but if I don't I guess I *have* to have one of those boxes?!

One more thing - I see some watches available as a 'lefty'. I'm not left-handed, but have worn my watch (when I have one) on my right hand all my life. Do all watches come as left-handed as well as right-handed?

I looked through the archives - watches have been brought up a lot before haven't they ?!!

later

Russ

AJG382 · #18 04-26-2002, 07:14 PM

Pentoman;

I am into watches as well as cars, and a good site for watch information as good as this site is for Mercedes is Timezone.com. There is all kinds of information on just about types of watches

Regards
Tony

1999 230SLK
1993 300SL

240 Ed · #19 04-30-2002, 05:29 AM

Check out WATCH magazine. It is a slick style magazine for watch enthusiasts. Includes fascinating history articles about different companies.

Chronoswiss is my favorite watch. Brietling are too big, but gorgeous, Cartier are too commercial and cutesy, Hamilton and Buluva get the nod for styling and history-good stuff there.

Have you seen RADO watches? Almost unscratchable because of the super high tech materials. The case is a porcelin product which looks like steel, and the crystal is some amazing glass product...

The less you know, the better sometimes. Hmmmmm...

Check out Timex and Fossil, you will be surprised!

Kuan · #20 01-02-2025, 07:58 AM

So my Hamilton decided to start losing time. First it was like a minute a day and then quickly progressed to many minutes a day.

Things being expensive as they are these days I don’t think I’m willing to shell out a couple hundred dollars to have someone tell me it needs parts.

martureo · #21 01-02-2025, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

So my Hamilton decided to start losing time. First it was like a minute a day and then quickly progressed to many minutes a day.

Things being expensive as they are these days I don’t think I’m willing to shell out a couple hundred dollars to have someone tell me it needs parts.

That sounds like it needs a simple service. Still a few hundred bucks, but would probably be worth it.

oldsinner111 · #22 01-02-2025, 10:18 AM

been using solar powered watch for 6 years. rolex, self winding watches with jewel bearings, are good for navigating with a sextant.

Kuan · #23 01-02-2025, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

That sounds like it needs a simple service. Still a few hundred bucks, but would probably be worth it.

I think the watch only ran me $500.

Would I get a “new” watch after service though?

P.C. · #24 01-02-2025, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

I think the watch only ran me $500.

Would I get a “new” watch after service though?

About two years ago, I sent off a circa-2007 Omega Seamaster automatic for repair and a general overhaul to a west coast company which performs a lot of Omega repairs. The cost was $600, and they did a great job. I could justify the expense, as it preserved the value of a watch worth 4 -5 times that amount in good repair. While some parts were replaced, most were just examined and cleaned and lubricated as necessary, so most of the internal parts of my watch are still from 2007.

I expect that any parts your watch may need are more reasonably priced than Omega parts, but the labor cost will not be much less than it was for me. You're probably at the point that a watch replacement may make more sense, although the price of a good watch, like everything else, has gone through the roof over the past few years. My used Omega is worth about twice the price that it was when new. While this reflects, in part, the collectability of the watch, it also reflects that a new Seamaster costs 5 - 6 times as much as it did back in 2007. I'm guessing that a new Hamilton would retail $900 - $1,500.

BTW, don't shy away from a watch with a quartz movement. A good quartz movement will last a very long time with little, if any maintenance. I have four Omega Seamasters, with maybe 5 years difference in age between the oldest and newest. Three are quartz, which have needed nothing more than a battery change every few years, and the fourth is discussed above, which just ate six pictures of Benjamin Franklin without so much as a burp...

martureo · #25 01-02-2025, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

I think the watch only ran me $500.

Would I get a “new” watch after service though?

Think of a service like an oil change. With mechanical/automatic watches the majority of the friction points are synthetic rubies with or without a grease/oil layer. When a watch starts to slow its usually because the grease is drying up or dirt/dust has entered the watch. More rarely, the hairspring is tired/broken or a pivot has worn. More than likely the person servicing the watch will fully disassemble the mechanism, wash the parts, reassemble, lubricate and set the timing.

You should get your old watch back as if it were brand new aside from the patina.

I've seen a service run from $150-400 depending on the brand, if any parts needed replacing and the shop servicing it. I'm still on the hunt for another hobbyist who charges $80 because they like doing it for fun. The last guy I had died a few years ago.

Idle · #26 01-02-2025, 05:45 PM

You could search Evil Bay for an Eteramatic. I have one from 1962 that has not been seviced in 14 years and still runs like a top.

Eternamatic stop selling watches years ago and now just sells movements. And those movements are used in some pretty high buck watches. Today they are called ETA, so if you look at newer watches look for an ETA movement.

Kuan · #27 01-05-2025, 07:12 PM

Well it looks like there is a shop on the internet that has a name like Jo, Joma or something which is fantastic for window shopping. Got a decent quartz Victorinox as an everyday rough-ish wear but you bet I’ll be hitting up that site more!

Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate it.

Idle · #28 04-05-2025, 04:15 PM

Another brand to look for is Bucherer. They are a jewely store chain in Europe and sold high quality watches made by others under their own name.

There is a current line called the Carl Bucherer that is an actual maker and sold through other shops. Carls are VERY high dollar.

Some Bucherer models had movements made by Rolex.