Thread: Starting to take an interest in mechanical watches. Anyone info?

I really like mechanical watches myself, especially vintage RR pocket watches. Germans make excellent watches: Laco is good value for < 1K Sinn is a bit more, but fine watches. Be careful though, as you can spend way more than 1K real quick. Take a look at A. Lange & Sohn - fantastic watches, but entry point is in the 12K range. Good luck with your research, that will only cost you some of your time.

Lou

So, without derailing this thread too much, mechanical as opposed to.... digital? quartz?

Where does something like my '60's automatic Seamaster Deville fall? It ticks, and doesn't have a battery, so I guess it is mechanical? And my '80s Rado Jubile takes a battery, so it's not?

Is that basically it?

(You can tell I am a huge watch geek, right?)

James.

Sinn makes a nice watch however they have really raised their prices. At 1 grand there aren't very many models to choose from. If you want their technology you need to spend around 2 grand and up. Look at Limes and Archimede and Seiko and Hamilton.

Jimbo; I Think you are correct. Further more, if it does not take a battery and does not need to be manually wound, I believed it is termed an automatic.

thebigspender; will add those to the growing list of brands to research. Down, down, down the rabbit hole.

Good luck, it sounds like it could be an expensive hobby. Fun one though

James.

For quality older mechanical watches, I recommend Omegas and Tudors.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I used to, but now I prefer the low maintenance of the automatic watches. I used to have a small collection of Hamilton 992 Railroad watches. Carried one as my primary timepiece for a number of years. Great watches those, along with the 950s and the Illinois Bunn Special, Ball, and others. Can be a big hole to throw money in if it becomes an AD.

You too? LOL Been down that road. Nothing prettier than the inside of those old watches. American craftsmanship at its finest. Sold all of mine before the bottom fell out. SOme pretty good buys out there now, but I'm over it. My old pard that I used to trade with that also fixed old watches gave it up. He doesn't even work on 'em any more. Asked me if I was interested in buying all his tools and parts when I saw him Tuesday. Told him thanks but no thanks.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Sinn makes a nice watch however they have really raised their prices. At 1 grand there aren't very many models to choose from. If you want their technology you need to spend around 2 grand and up. Look at Limes and Archimede and Seiko and Hamilton.

Been wearing a SINN FLIEGER for 15 years now. Needs a good cleaning and adjusting. VALJOUX 7750's are pricey to get worked on so I reset it every other day. They were sold here in the states under the BELL & ROSS banner at one time.

My understanding is that the Chinese have started making very reliable mechanical watches for a LOT less $$ than the big names everyone associates with watches. Some of the Russian mechanicals are good solid machines but they are rather spartan.

I like the weight of a REAL watch as opposed to case for a battery powered mini-clock. The battery powered jobbies have a tendency to keep a LOT better time though........:\

Not that many years ago you could buy the basic Sinn for around $300. That same watch is around $1000 now. The problem is the outfit selling them here. I've known people who traveled to Germany and went to their factory store and bought a couple of watches and returned that evening. Even with the airfare they came out ahead. Of course that was before airfare prices skyrocketed. I've had probably 6 Sinns over the years and sold them all. I have an Ezm 10 now which is a keeper.

You're right, I can probably sell my well worn old Flieger for more than I paid for it and let somebody else pay to tune it up.

Check out Doxa. I love mine and they've got some great mechanical automatics that you can find on both watchuseek and eBay for sub 2k.