Oris TT1 Divers
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I feel so bad about doing this, but I actually made my first Home Shopping Network purchase. I know, I know. I'm so ashamed. I bought these for Christmas: http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=2159282&web_id=2159283&sz=0&sf=&dept=&cat=&subcat=&gs=&attr=&ocm=sekw Kessaris, his AND hers automatic watch set. Self winding mechanical movement. Made in China. I couldn't help myself. They look so similar to my favorite watch - a Breguet Marine. I figure for the price - what's to lose. They certainly feel a bit cheap, but it is a metal case. We'll see how long they last before falling apart, or the crystal falling out, or the mechanism seizing up, or ... But they do look nice. Enjoy, Bob PS - My other watch is a Zenith El Primero. |
I got my Breitling Aerospace (two tone with blue dial face) about a month ago, and still smile every time I look at it. Accurate to 7 seconds a year, with a function that makes the hour hand go back/forward one hour at a time, so you don't muck up EXACTLY what time it is when changing time zones. I've looked at all of the expensive watches, but none has ever attracted me like the Aerospace, and I don't think any of the big names is more accurate. I get some kind of smug satisfaction knowing that all those well-known prestige watches aren't nearly as precise, and with its titanium case and band, weighs virtually nothing while having a substantial feel. |
There seems to be a misunderstanding here about watches, specifically automatic watches. Many comments where people are putting down "expensive", "big name" watches because they are not as accurate as an inexpensive (quartz) watch. Due to design differences a quartz movement is far more accurate. Owning an automatic watch has its own set of virtues that people like. |
Misunderstanding? I believe the point people are bringing up is that when you spend a substantial amount of money, you reasonably expect prestige AND higher performance (accuracy)- much like audio components. Who will admit to buying a component strictly for prestige or appearance when knowing its performance is substandard to others at a much lower price point? Isn't performance the ultimate reason for the investment and the resultant prestige a la Ferrari, Porsche, Fountain powerboats, Gulfstream jets, and (insert your favorite) audio components? My "big name" not-inexpensive quartz watch has exquisite design, fine materials, outstanding features AND virtually unmatched performance - that's my criteria for spending big $ for a watch anyway. |
I simply disagree Snofun. If someone is purchasing an automatic watch expecting the utmost accuracy they are misled. As for "higher performance", that can come in other forms. Most expensive watches are built very well and last for decades. Furthermore, many people, such as myself enjoy owning a mechanical watch. I did not purchase my automatics for prestige, I don't care who likes them nor do I think they are "substandard" because they are not as accurate as my quartz watches. It is wonderful that you are pleased with your watch and it meets your criteria, but others can be just as happy that have a different criteria than you. If accuracy is your main criteria, purchase an Atomic watch. |
Snofun, throw a Rolex quartz up against your Areospace and see who is more accurate. Also, lets take an oyster perpetual date submariner and your areospace and meet back here in 35 years. We'll see who's is still running. I'll betcha my rolex will still be about 2 seconds per day fast. You will have replaced your battery NUMEROUS times and it probably won't be running anymore. I tend to value my money, so I spend it on things that I know will last. |
Thorton, Happy to put the Aero against a Rolex Quartz, as Breitling doubles the Chronometer requirement for each of its drives, whereas Rolex is happy to meet it. If value is your criteria, may I suggest you look into a Citizen Ecodrive, or a drugstore Timex, as the Timex will be more accurate than the Rolex, and in the case of the Citizen, you won’t even have to move your wrist to get it to wind – leave it on a window ledge. I don’t like large, clunky, heavy, timepieces, and I travel almost weekly, so I do find triple time zones/chronometer/dual alarm/date-date functions very handy. Sure, if you remember to move your wrist occasionally the Rolex will keep working, and it’ll sorta be close to the correct time most of the time - even a broken clock is right twice a day, right? And an automatic mechanism will outlast a quartz one? Okey doke, sure, it could happen. Look, you’re happy with it – good for you – impress your friends and neighbors. They're also impressed with Bose, which they consider to be a good value - ask them. |
Gosh, you guys are getting testy about the Rolex, Aero thing. Where do those of us stand that used to wear Rolex and respect their durability and resale value but got annoyed at all the knock offs and decided to move on. Move on to what? An ordinary Timex from Target at $34.00 that keeps perfect time, use it for vacations so I don't have to worry about it getting stolen or lost. For everyday here at home, an Omega Titanium Seamaster which is another mechanical automatic watch that for some reason I'm fond of. Too big, too heavy, but it "ticks" like a human heart, making it seem friendly to me, at least more so than the "perfect" Timex. |
I have a Rolex GMT II and yes it does run a bit fast (1 sec / day) and I don't care a jot! I've only had it for a couple of years, and it's given me no problems - it does the multiple timezones and you change the hour hand independently to keep the seconds ticking whn you move time zones too. I did have a couple of fake ones for a fraction of the price, but firstly they fell apart when I dropped them (both) and secondly I always thought I was kidding myself. So I bought this one when I was flush and think to myself one day I'l be able to give it to a younger relative and it'll probably be worth more than what I paid for it. For accuracy I have a radio clock linked to the Caesium clock in Geneva which cost all of £60. Is it bling? To some yes. To me, I'll just never have to buy another watch. |
Snofun, the problem I have with your posts is that you don’t hesitate to say things as fact that are more opinion. Shorton’s point was that you are boasting of your watches quartz accuracy comparing it to an automatic. You have followed up by making claims about the Rolex quartz that I suspect you haven’t a clue about. Either way it’s a pissing match. You say that a Timex is more accurate than a Rolex. Have you ever owned a Rolex? I will bank my money on the Rolex quartz, keeping apples to apples; even with an automatic, if you learn its characteristics, you can control its timing on how you lay it when not worn and it will be very accurate. Perceiving that you have never owned an automatic, you are making claims with no experience. Futhermore, when speaking of Rolex, you generalize them, you can get a Rolex quartz like your Breitling, just as you can get a Breitling automatic; Breitling’s automatics will not be as accurate, in general, as their quartz movements, so what does this say? You criticize automatics because one must move their wrist to keep them going, that is part of owning an automatic that some like. As for which will last longer, an automatic or a quartz, an automatic can always be maintained, if a quartz fails, it is thrown in the hurby-curby! Furthermore, look at the vintage market, it doesn’t take long to see the vast market for vintage mechanical watches. You also imply that people who purchase a Rolex do so to impress neighbors and friends, I wouldn’t doubt that some may, but that is a sweeping generalization and one I do not believe as a whole, in fact, I know it not to be so. Lastly, I have tried not to get personal in my replies. You have repeatedly put down people for spending large sums of money for watches such as Rolex, claiming your watch to be far superior. An argument could be made that your purchase is the foolish one; the Brietling Aerospace lists at over $2000, correct? When you replace the battery, ask to see inside, I suspect you’ll see mostly plastic, similar to the Timex. I would like to state again, I don’t look down on your purchase, it is what you wanted and brings you joy, for other it would not. |
Brian – Maybe I’d take your admonition more seriously if you didn’t appear so officious yourself in your addressing and correcting “us” in your posts – along with your freedom to use presumption and assumption when convenient in addressing me. I also tire of the pissing match, however so succinctly I reply as follow - I said my opinion was that performance should be the ultimate goal of a premium piece of hardware, and notwithstanding your attribution, YOU stated quite factually on Jan 14th-“no automatic watch will keep time as well as a $50 Timex”, so my opinion and your fact apparently agree, and I’d assume particularly so when comparing a very high quality quartz movement to a Timex. And notwithstanding comments about reliablity, a local dealer told me today -“A Submariner should come in every 3-5 years for maintenance– it’ll cost $410 and take 10 days if we’re not backed up. An Aerospace should come in when the battery fails – cost $35, time 30 minutes”, and reliability was stated as “not an issue”. So the probability is greater that a Rolex can be fixed if broken, however it’s also apparently more likely to break due to complexity, and it’s required to have frequent and costly maintenance. So for a substantial sum of money, you get something not as accurate as a Timex, that requires substantial additional cost and time for maintenance, and is more likely to require repairs. OK, the attraction continues to elude me, but that’s just my opinion as I said. You do get a web site that dedicates 20% of its masthead to celebrities or “ambassadors” who wear them, and another 20% to sponsored events if that’s of interest to you though – not my cup tea. Thanks anyway. |
Correct, I did say that an automatic movement is not as accurate as a quartz movement, in general; the part we seem to be missing it is that you freely bash Rolex brand as not being as accurate as a Timex, here I disagree. Just like your Brietling, Rolex makes quartz movements. If I kept saying Breitling isn't as accurate as a $50 Timex would you disagree? Breitling makes watches with automatic movements that will not be as accurate as a quartz Timex. I don't argue the fact that an automatic can cost more to maintain over the years, but it can be maintained. That said, as for 3-5 years, the current state is more in the 5-10 realm. If something were to go wrong with the quartz movement, what are you going to do? As I already mentioned, there is a healthy market for preowned mechanical watches, while there may be a market for certain quartz watches, it is small in comparison. Mechanical watches do a better job of holding their value as well. It is clear that an automatic isn't your thing, that is fine, but for many people there is a lot of appeal to owning one; much like some people love a V-Twin motorcyle and others just don't get it. You state that in your opinion performance should be the ultimate goal of a premium piece of hardware. Does Breitling miss this mark with their mechanical watches? If accuracy is your biggest issue in owning a watch, you don't have to spend a lot of money. |
If performance is what you are after, why spend 2 grand, there is no need. Your reply to me makes no sense. "if you remember to move your wrist, while wearing an automatic?" Do you have problems with this? Seems to me someone that travels shouldn't have that issue. Leave the Ecodrive on the window sill? Yes, it's true a wrist watch is most effective on a window sill, instead of on my wrist wear I can see it. Impress my friends? 90% of my friends don't know I own a Rolex. I didn't buy it for them, I bought it for me. As far as a Rolex being accurate most of the time... at the end of the day when I'm 1 or 2 seconds fast, I'm comfortable with that. I would love to know what your profession is that 1 or 2 seconds can make or break you. And, if it does, you sure don't have time to look at your watch. BTW, contrary to your belief, accuracy is not the ONLY thing that makes up value. |
Thorton – The misquotation thing is starting to render this thread a bit juvenile, but OK, I’ll bite one final time. I didn’t say ACCURACY was the ONLY thing that makes up value – check again - one last time –“I said my opinion was that PERFORMANCE should be the ultimate goal of a premium piece of hardware”. THAT’S MY OPINION – stated three times now. If your’s is different that’s OK, but I have a reasonable right to express my opinion OK? Gheeesh. I define performance (again) as the fact that the thing has multiple other functions that are useful on a weekly, if not daily basis, being extremely light because of its titanium case/band, having a compact size, with back lighting making it fine for night use, immediately adjustable function displays, 100 meter depth, and being extraordinarily accurate making for a very HIGH PERFORMANCE, all around highly desireable piece FOR ME. OK? FOR ME. You want something else – go get ‘em tiger – it’s your money and your opinion -we all have them as the saying goes, and no ones is necessarily correct. |
A little customer service story, if you don't mind: I sent my Aquatimer into the watch dealer Tourneau (NYC), who then sent it to IWC (Switzerland) for service. It had a few dings in the case, and one nasty scratch. They said they would completely disassemble the watch, clean and oil it, and then polish the case. They said they could not promise that all of the blemishes could be removed. Six weeks later--that's two weeks AHEAD of schedule--it arrived back at Tourneau. Tourneau then overnighted it to me. The watch had been re-packaged in a new suede bag, protected in plastic, with not a scratch or ding on it. I often complain about the lack of good customer service in today's "your call is very important to us" world. This experience assured that the next watch I buy will be another IWC. Maybe a Portugesier in rose gold. |
Dean, A few years ago, we had the opportunity to meet the head of IWC at a jewelers in Seattle. Because of his visit, they had brought along with them virtually every model in the line-up. We were able to closely examine the Grande Complications watch, in which nearly every part is made of gold, as well as made by hand. It was an extraordinary piece, the second most impressive wristwatch I've seen to date. First honors goes to the Girard-Perregaux Three Bridges, which we saw in a watch museum in Switzerland. I sat over the display case like a surgeon over a patient, examining that thing for over half an hour. A friend who is a big watch collector--he has the IWC Destriero Scafusia--once loaned me a Lange 1, a $20K watch made by Lange & Sohne. Some loaner, huh? You could get the chills simply by feeling the movement of the watch. Smoothest winding I've ever felt. I had several nice watches at the time, and they all felt gritty in comparison. One day, I intend to get to CES. And also to the Basel Watch Fair. |
I am thinking of spending ($3-6K) on a "nice" sportish/dressyish watch. Reading this thread suggests that I need to do much more research... Can you all lead to me a site where I can learn about watches? Which brands are respected vs which brands are more "desginer" (which I want to stay away from)??? Thanks, John |
Can you all lead to me a site where I can learn about watches? Which brands are respected vs which brands are more "desginer" (which I want to stay away from)???Check out Time Zone . Take a look under the brand forums. Some of the top brands that are highly respected: Rolex, Panerai, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Girard-Perregaux, Roger Dubuis... http://www.watchnet.com is also a good site. Enjoy! |
