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The frenzied world of rare watches

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Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#61

Post by adamomada »

vgeek wrote: post #58
zucked wrote: post #13

I came into collecting modest watches around 2010. There was certainly a renewed interest in mechanical watches at the time, a lot of it being driven by things like MaleFashionAdvice on Reddit. I believe MFA had a significant hand in rescuing Seiko from obscurity with the SNK809 and SKX007. Old Seiko mechanical chronographs like the 6139 could be had readily for less than a thousand dollars. I had a beautifully resto…

If you like lume, check out tritium watches from companies like Luminox or Traser. They have automatics that are reasonably priced and are super utilitarian. Most of their models are field or divers, so they may fit your preferences.

My personal favourite tritium that I’ve been wearing for almost 20 years: the GSAR from Marathon Watch company.

And yes the tritium half-life is real. I can still see it well-enough but it ain’t like it used to be.

To GP: I humbly submit this one as the ultimate tool watch

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#62

Post by zucked »

adamomada wrote: post #61
vgeek wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you like lume, check out tritium watches from companies like Luminox or Traser. They have automatics that are reasonably priced and are super utilitarian. Most of their models are field or divers, so they may fit your preferences.

My personal favourite tritium that I’ve been wearing for almost 20 years: the GSAR from Marathon Watch company. And yes the tritium half-life is real. I can still see it well-enough but it ain’t like it used to be. To GP: I humbly submit this one as the ultimate tool watch

I do love the Marathon watches - they are truly a tool of timetelling. I just happen to like my Tudor more :D

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#63

Post by adamomada »

smcl wrote: post #51
UmYeahNo wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seiko 5's are great, rock solid, last forever. My dad handed down his Seiko 5 to me, it was a 1982 model, that still runs like a champ. Take that Apple Watch we'll see if you're still running in 2062.

I bought a new Seiko 5 that gradually started running faster to the extent that after a couple of years it's now couple of seconds fast every minute. So after a day or so it's pretty far off the actual time. I have an Apple Watch now which is very nice for doing sports or sneakily firing off messages during meetings, but when I got the Seiko I was determined that if it held firm I would use it as long as required. Ma…

This sounds a lot like the watch has been magnetized. First thing to try is degaussing it

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#64

Post by Guest19023892 »

randomhodler84 wrote: post #37
maigret wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you never want something because it’s nice and inspiring? A sports car, a big Lego, a cap of your sport hero, a computer full of LED? Did you want this only to impress others? Have you had such a watch on your wrist and felt how it wore? Once you start learning about how those are built etc this becomes a small hobby that’s very nice to enjoy in all the trouble nowadays. Of course some wealthy people will buy tho…

No, none of those things. And I have absolutely no interest in impressing others. I own basically nothing except 256-bit numbers. Never owned a watch. If you saw me IRL you would think I am a bum. It’s much better that way to hide in plane sight. I agree that a lot of tech is conspicuous consumption — phones are classic example. I hadn’t considered the longevity of the devices. This does increase their value.

Why do you assume all of these things only exist to impress others? There's a lot to appreciate in the design and craftsmanship of a well made product, its impact on culture, or its significance in history. Or maybe the object simply puts a smile on your face when you see it or touch it. That new phone could make someones work day more efficient. That diamond necklace could be a gift from their loved one and a reminder of the times they shared together when they look in the mirror. It seems a bit shortsighted to suggest that expensive things only exist to impress others.

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#65

Post by dharmab »

ubermonkey wrote: post #30
zucked wrote: post #13

I came into collecting modest watches around 2010. There was certainly a renewed interest in mechanical watches at the time, a lot of it being driven by things like MaleFashionAdvice on Reddit. I believe MFA had a significant hand in rescuing Seiko from obscurity with the SNK809 and SKX007. Old Seiko mechanical chronographs like the 6139 could be had readily for less than a thousand dollars. I had a beautifully resto…

Re: built for a purpose, I think a lot of folks today just see Rolex as a luxury brand, but when Sean Connery walked out of the waves in Dr No wearing a Rolex, it was because it was precisely the sort of robust, fault-tolerant timepiece a super-spy WOULD wear. Moreover, back then, they weren't NEARLY so expensive. Rolex's prices have drastically outpaced inflation FOR SURE. I had thought I'd buy a Subbie, too, but ev…

Spot on. Bond wearing a Submariner with a tuxedo woumd be like showing up to a black tie event wearing a Casio G Shock today.

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#66

Post by vgeek »

adamomada wrote: post #61
vgeek wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you like lume, check out tritium watches from companies like Luminox or Traser. They have automatics that are reasonably priced and are super utilitarian. Most of their models are field or divers, so they may fit your preferences.

My personal favourite tritium that I’ve been wearing for almost 20 years: the GSAR from Marathon Watch company. And yes the tritium half-life is real. I can still see it well-enough but it ain’t like it used to be. To GP: I humbly submit this one as the ultimate tool watch

Seconded on the tritium fade, my oldest is around 15 years and you can tell a big difference vs newer ones.

I've had my eye on a Marathon GPM for a while, I already have a GPQ-clone with no date complication. Bertucci A5s are similar if you like compact field watches.

https://www.fullgear.watch/en/ these are supposed to use Seiko movements and you can customize the dial quite a bit, but haven't seen much about the build quality.

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#67

Post by animalgonzales »

zucked wrote: post #13

I came into collecting modest watches around 2010. There was certainly a renewed interest in mechanical watches at the time, a lot of it being driven by things like MaleFashionAdvice on Reddit. I believe MFA had a significant hand in rescuing Seiko from obscurity with the SNK809 and SKX007. Old Seiko mechanical chronographs like the 6139 could be had readily for less than a thousand dollars. I had a beautifully resto…

this. the speculation around watches right now is completely unhinged. my Rolex Date 34mm sold for $3k in excellent condition three years ago. the same watch now sells for nearly $6k.

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#68

Post by kettro »

vgeek wrote: post #66
adamomada wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My personal favourite tritium that I’ve been wearing for almost 20 years: the GSAR from Marathon Watch company. And yes the tritium half-life is real. I can still see it well-enough but it ain’t like it used to be. To GP: I humbly submit this one as the ultimate tool watch

Seconded on the tritium fade, my oldest is around 15 years and you can tell a big difference vs newer ones. I've had my eye on a Marathon GPM for a while, I already have a GPQ-clone with no date complication. Bertucci A5s are similar if you like compact field watches. https://www.fullgear.watch/en/ these are supposed to use Seiko movements and you can customize the dial quite a bit, but haven't seen much about the bu…

The GPM is honestly really underwhelming -- I tried them on at the windup fair this past weekend. There is no lack of khaki field watches out there with better build quality, not to mention actual water resistance (Hamilton being chief amongst, or other Seiko 5's)

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#69

Post by Nextgrid »

UmYeahNo wrote: post #14
jacquesm wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have one of these, a '5' and it still keeps time just fine after many years. It's a completely mechanical watch, no batteries to replace and no frills. It will likely outlive me.

Seiko 5's are great, rock solid, last forever. My dad handed down his Seiko 5 to me, it was a 1982 model, that still runs like a champ. Take that Apple Watch we'll see if you're still running in 2062.

> Take that Apple Watch we'll see if you're still running in 2062.

To be fair, smart watches would likely last that long if it wasn't for planned obsolescence (via software "updates"), anti-repair practices (such as impossibility to disassemble them and source genuine parts) and vendor lock-in.

Re: The frenzied world of rare watches

#70

Post by Nextgrid »

smcl wrote: post #51
UmYeahNo wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seiko 5's are great, rock solid, last forever. My dad handed down his Seiko 5 to me, it was a 1982 model, that still runs like a champ. Take that Apple Watch we'll see if you're still running in 2062.

I bought a new Seiko 5 that gradually started running faster to the extent that after a couple of years it's now couple of seconds fast every minute. So after a day or so it's pretty far off the actual time. I have an Apple Watch now which is very nice for doing sports or sneakily firing off messages during meetings, but when I got the Seiko I was determined that if it held firm I would use it as long as required. Ma…

If you're into watches there are good channels on YouTube that explain watch repair such as the Watch Repair Channel or Wristwatch Revival.
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