6 years. Just beginning the journey.Had it for 6 years. It’s still on pretty good shape.
6 years. Just beginning the journey.Had it for 6 years. It’s still on pretty good shape.
The Datejust is gorgeous, classic, elegant, deceptively understated, exactly the sort of watch I love (and yes, if I had this particular timepice, I, too, would wear it daily - my own watch is an elegant Omega Deville, - that 50s early 60s style - with Dauphine hands, and Arabic numerals at the 2,4,6, 8, 10 and 12 locations, rather than the more usual Arabic numberals on the quadrants).A pleasant looking Rolex, and like most owners I'm sure you'll be happy with it. My experience however was a little different.
I purchased a SeaDweller 16600 in 1999. It came as a full set, i.e. original box, little anchor, all papers etc. The previous owner stated he'd worn it less than 5 times and as I couldn't see a mark on it thought it was too good to pass over, especially at the amazing price I was able to negotiate. Up until that time I still had a s/s Datejust 1601 purchased new and which I'd worn daily for at least 40years.
The SeaDweller was nice but I wore it so infrequently. One often hears the comment, "Just wear it and forget it" and that's fine imho for those who can easily afford to replace or have their expensive watches serviced, repaired if damaged or even lost. Just last month I read of someone who'd been mugged outside Covent Garden in London and had his Daytona stolen from him. Ouch! I can't help wondering if he replaced it for another or opted for a similar looking 'homage'.
I probably wore the SeaDweller no more than a total of 10 times, simply because I became almost 'paranoid' about damaging it. That may sound crazy but I never felt that with the Datejust, maybe due to having paid relatively less for it and especially for it not having the stratospheric valuation of the SeaDweller. I thought seriously about keeping the latter looking 'as new' and giving to my son in later years. A short time later his apartment was broken into and several valuables taken, including another rather expensive watch I'd previously gifted to him - he hadn't locked the valuables away safely as I'd often suggested he should. So not wanting the SeaDweller to suffer a similar fate in years ahead, a short time time later I decided to sell it. And no regrets whatsoever.
All my other less expensive collectable watches I do rotate, plus most get reasonable wrist time and I don't worry the slightest if they pick up the odd scratch on the clasp, the bezel or even the case itself - and that even includes my El Primo and also original ST 105.012 'pre-moon' c.321 Moonwatch. Fortunately that SeaDweller crazy 'paranoid' feeling is now behind me.
Few years later wearing every other day still a favoriteMy daily watch
They can make tons lol, still won’t be boring as all the similar Rolex out thereThat reminds me of the Formula 1 watches they did in the 90s with plastic bezels, which were very much a product of their time...
Thanks! Would love to add the Apollo 8 Speedmaster to the collection next. A lot of the watch collecting community often criticizes Omega for doing too many Speedmaster editions, but I think the variety is great for us consumers. Certainly makes more sense than going ga-ga anytime Rolex releases a new dial color.🙄
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This is a particularly interesting post! You've chosen a fine watch. Thanks for sharing with us.Probably as close as I'll ever get to owning a Rolex.
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Thank you, firstly, for sharing such a fascinating post, full of interesting material, which I read closely.Firstly, a Happy New Year to all you traditional watch lovers.
Were any of you gifted a non smartwatch over the Christmas period? I was, but more details of that will have to wait a week or two.
This serves to address the @DeepIn2U post #4839 who wished to learn more about homage watches.
So how did I end up not only owning but loving an homage watch?
One timepiece which always fascinated me was the Submariner ‘Red Sub 1680’. A watch first produced in the late 60’s and spanning approx 10 years. Unfortunately the price of a good example is (and always will be) **stratospherically high.
An interest in divers watches led to the purchase of a SeaDweller - which has since been sold as it was never given the wrist time it deserved. But I just couldn’t forget everything I’d read and learnt about the iconic Red Sub 1680 diver watch, although I hasten to add that at my age I’m more of a desk diver rather than the wet variety.
One of my pleasures in looking for a new watch has been to research well in advance of purchase, and several times my decision has been based on the inside-out approach, i.e. first finding a movement which really appeals, and if the rest is aesthetically enticing, go-for-it (subject to budget of course). It was a combination of the above factors that led to me wanting an interesting homage watch to add to my growing collection of low, medium and also a few high-end COSC certified watches.
Firstly the movement. (i) I wanted it to be Swiss, (ii) recognised as highly reliable, (iii) easy and (most important!) relatively inexpensive to service.
My other priorities: (iv) affordable, (v) a manufacturer known for exceptionally high standards and (vi) recognised first-class customer service. I also shared all these ideas with a close family member.
When asked a short time later by the same family member if I’d like a watch as a special anniversary gift I knew immediately what to request and was also certain it would be within their financial means.
Shown below:
View attachment 2136538
View attachment 2136544
View attachment 2136545
Movements fitted are either an ETA or Sellita - both being Swiss. These automatic movements in one form or another are used in several well-known watch brand names such as Eterna, Invicta, Oris, Sinn, Baume & Mercier, Hamilton etc. Even some of the early versions of Tudor watches had modified versions of the ETA2824.
When ordering this watch, apparently one cannot request the movement required. I’d hoped it would be a Sellita in preference to an ETA, and that indeed turned out to be the case. The Sellita SW200 élaboré movement according to the specialists, is as reliable and performs as well as it’s ETA 2824 half-brother. Again from my research, the Sellita has 26 jewels, compared to 25 in the ETA, and although this extra jewel is claimed to reduce friction, tests show little difference in terms of timing precision - but we’ll return to the issue of accuracy in a moment.
I’m told the ordering procedure was exemplary with a very efficient team as depicted on their website. Accordingly shipping/estimated delivery times were respected, so I foresee no problems with after-sale issues with this company.
The quality of the watch is truly outstanding for the price, with a dia. of 42mm and a weight of 212g it wears very comfortably. Hacking second hand, domed sapphire anti-reflect coating crystal, waterproof to 1000ft/300m with screw-down crown all demonstrate an excellent cost-performance ratio.
I’ve been wearing the watch for a number of months as a daily beater without pampering, and I note with a 16x magnifying glass some very minor hairline marks on the black aluminium bezel which is to be expected. A ceramic bezel was not available on this model, but the slightly more pricey premium models do feature this option.
View attachment 2136582
I’d initially planned to write up this brief review within weeks of receiving the watch, but then on reflection preferred to provide a true appreciation after several months of daily wear, and especially to comment on the perceived accuracy of the movement. For those who may not know, the task of the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (or COSC as it is commonly known) is to measure and certify the accuracy of mechanical watch movements, specifically to guarantee accuracy within +6 to -4 secs/day, and watches having received with this certification were frequently in the thousands of dollar price range. I add this just for information, as neither the Sellita or ETA movements fitted to this watch are officially COSC certified.
After the 2nd month of daily wear to ensure it was well ‘run-in’ and the lube had well circulated, I started to check the accuracy and was more than surprised to see that it was running at +3 secs/day. Now after almost 6 months of daily wear it retains a remarkable consistant average of +3 s/d, which is truly amazing for a non-expensive mechanical automatic watch! This is superior to my COSC certified El Primo which returns an average of +5s/d.
Here's a wrist shot (without the usual hairy arm) which may please a certain 'scepticalscribe'…......
View attachment 2136583
**Info: for a Red Sub 1680, unpolished with box & full papers one would be looking in the $60k+ region. So for a mere fraction of that price this homage is giving enormous satisfaction. And isn’t that what owning a favourite watch is all about?
Firstly, a Happy New Year to all you traditional watch lovers.
Were any of you gifted a non smartwatch over the Christmas period? I was, but more details of that will have to wait a week or two.
This serves to address the @DeepIn2U post #4839 who wished to learn more about homage watches.
So how did I end up not only owning but loving an homage watch?
One timepiece which always fascinated me was the Submariner ‘Red Sub 1680’. A watch first produced in the late 60’s and spanning approx 10 years. Unfortunately the price of a good example is (and always will be) **stratospherically high.
An interest in divers watches led to the purchase of a SeaDweller - which has since been sold as it was never given the wrist time it deserved. But I just couldn’t forget everything I’d read and learnt about the iconic Red Sub 1680 diver watch, although I hasten to add that at my age I’m more of a desk diver rather than the wet variety.
One of my pleasures in looking for a new watch has been to research well in advance of purchase, and several times my decision has been based on the inside-out approach, i.e. first finding a movement which really appeals, and if the rest is aesthetically enticing, go-for-it (subject to budget of course). It was a combination of the above factors that led to me wanting an interesting homage watch to add to my growing collection of low, medium and also a few high-end COSC certified watches.
Firstly the movement. (i) I wanted it to be Swiss, (ii) recognised as highly reliable, (iii) easy and (most important!) relatively inexpensive to service.
My other priorities: (iv) affordable, (v) a manufacturer known for exceptionally high standards and (vi) recognised first-class customer service. I also shared all these ideas with a close family member.
When asked a short time later by the same family member if I’d like a watch as a special anniversary gift I knew immediately what to request and was also certain it would be within their financial means.
Shown below:
View attachment 2136538
View attachment 2136544
View attachment 2136545
Movements fitted are either an ETA or Sellita - both being Swiss. These automatic movements in one form or another are used in several well-known watch brand names such as Eterna, Invicta, Oris, Sinn, Baume & Mercier, Hamilton etc. Even some of the early versions of Tudor watches had modified versions of the ETA2824.
When ordering this watch, apparently one cannot request the movement required. I’d hoped it would be a Sellita in preference to an ETA, and that indeed turned out to be the case. The Sellita SW200 élaboré movement according to the specialists, is as reliable and performs as well as it’s ETA 2824 half-brother. Again from my research, the Sellita has 26 jewels, compared to 25 in the ETA, and although this extra jewel is claimed to reduce friction, tests show little difference in terms of timing precision - but we’ll return to the issue of accuracy in a moment.
I’m told the ordering procedure was exemplary with a very efficient team as depicted on their website. Accordingly shipping/estimated delivery times were respected, so I foresee no problems with after-sale issues with this company.
The quality of the watch is truly outstanding for the price, with a dia. of 42mm and a weight of 212g it wears very comfortably. Hacking second hand, domed sapphire anti-reflect coating crystal, waterproof to 1000ft/300m with screw-down crown all demonstrate an excellent cost-performance ratio.
I’ve been wearing the watch for a number of months as a daily beater without pampering, and I note with a 16x magnifying glass some very minor hairline marks on the black aluminium bezel which is to be expected. A ceramic bezel was not available on this model, but the slightly more pricey premium models do feature this option.
View attachment 2136582
I’d initially planned to write up this brief review within weeks of receiving the watch, but then on reflection preferred to provide a true appreciation after several months of daily wear, and especially to comment on the perceived accuracy of the movement. For those who may not know, the task of the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (or COSC as it is commonly known) is to measure and certify the accuracy of mechanical watch movements, specifically to guarantee accuracy within +6 to -4 secs/day, and watches having received with this certification were frequently in the thousands of dollar price range. I add this just for information, as neither the Sellita or ETA movements fitted to this watch are officially COSC certified.
After the 2nd month of daily wear to ensure it was well ‘run-in’ and the lube had well circulated, I started to check the accuracy and was more than surprised to see that it was running at +3 secs/day. Now after almost 6 months of daily wear it retains a remarkable consistant average of +3 s/d, which is truly amazing for a non-expensive mechanical automatic watch! This is superior to my COSC certified El Primo which returns an average of +5s/d.
Here's a wrist shot (without the usual hairy arm) which may please a certain 'scepticalscribe'…......
View attachment 2136583
**Info: for a Red Sub 1680, unpolished with box & full papers one would be looking in the $60k+ region. So for a mere fraction of that price this homage is giving enormous satisfaction. And isn’t that what owning a favourite watch is all about?
I've given this a 'like', especially for the IWC on the right, which unless I'm mistaken is the Flieger, a beautiful, much underated model and imho "a watch to die for!" Values apart, I'd take this instead of a Rolex Sub or a Datejust, and (dare I even whisper it) I even prefer it's clean understated design to the Daytona.
They are both mine and you are correct, the IWC is a Fleiger, it is from early 90s if I recall correct, when I took it to service the guy was astonished at the conditions, scratch free and, among the few I own, this is the one I like the most, beautiful without being flashy.I've given this a 'like', especially for the IWC on the right, which unless I'm mistaken is the Flieger, a beautiful, much underated model and imho "a watch to die for!" Values apart, I'd take this instead of a Rolex Sub or a Datejust, and (dare I even whisper it) I even prefer it's clean understated design to the Daytona.
As to the Mille Miglia model, can we assume this is the Australian version.........
Are these your personal watches? If so does the Chopard have the ETA or the later COSC-certified 'in-house' movement? If the latter it's really rather special. But I'd still take the IWC....
Many celebrities appear in films wearing an IWC, although I hasten to add being a 'copycat' is not necessarily a vaild reason to buy one. Get one simply because it's an IWC - that being my reasoning at the time.
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Currently on vacation in Japan and got this 116400GV from Kame-Kichi in Tokyo. They had this particular example for under both retail and market price. Many watch dealers in the same complex, but this one has the most impressive selection in my opinion; more Rolexes in one place than I’d ever seen.
Did you happen to see a Pepsi or Batman GMT there? If so, how much?View attachment 2169381
Currently on vacation in Japan and got this 116400GV from Kame-Kichi in Tokyo. They had this particular example for under both retail and market price. Many watch dealers in the same complex, but this one has the most impressive selection in my opinion; more Rolexes in one place than I’d ever seen.
I definitely saw those models while I was there. There are many shops in the Nakano Broadway shopping complex with great Rolex selections. Unfortunately I wasn’t in the market for those models right now (waiting for Pepsi to drop even more before I consider), so I didn’t get the exact prices for those. At least one shop even had a LH GMT-Master II in the window. But if you’re in the area, most shops have these watches priced quite competitively.Did you happen to see a Pepsi or Batman GMT there? If so, how much?
Nice colour on the Jazz - I has a black '62View attachment 2169580
Sorry @Scepticalscribe , no shirt cuff on this but there is a nice Fender Jazz Bass in the background.
The watch is a limited edition Christopher Ward C60 Atoll with a stunning fumé dial.