Thread: Watches

well I went out on a limb and bought myself an Omega Speemaster as a graduation present (parents talked about it, but ended up getting a Taylor guitar from them instead).
It's a 1996 model, but looks brand new.

Nice watch my friend.Paul

Originally Posted by WestSideGuy

My wife got me an Omega Speedmaster (automatic) for our 10th Anniversary, in 2000. It is a beautiful watch and I really like it. I have noticed lately that it loses a minute or two a day. I have been reluctant to have it repaired because I heard once you open the watch up it will never be the same. Is it typical for a watch to lose so much time after 7 or 8 years? Would you recommend getting it fixed? Will opening the watch do more harm than good?

If you get it seviced By a reputable service center who specilise in high end watches it should be fine .It sounds like it just needs a service& reoiling ,as the oil degrades over time & this is probably what is causing the loss of accuracy .
But be warned a service at this end of the market is not cheep .Just check out who it the main service center for Omega's where you are.Paul

In another post someone mentioned a seven day straight razor set was a status symbol, likened to owning a Rolex watch.
In 1972 I was left some money by my grandmother.I spent half on some Barclays Bank unit trust shares and the remainder on a Rolex Oyster. Interestingly,since the stockmarket downturn, the Rolex would sell for more than the shares.

I'm wanting to add a "decent" mechanical pocket watch to my collection. I'd like to stick to something less than $100, but don't want junk. judging on Ebay this should be reasonable, but I get confused as to all the nomenclature.
Jewels are fairly obvious, although I believe something like 7 jewels is "enough" and much past that is overkill, but still seems that more would be better. One of the big ones is the adjustment. some are unadjusted, some are adjusted x number of positions, seem to vary from 3-5 on most.. I do notice it seems the swiss watches I've looked at (mostly Omega) are lower number of adjustments compared to American (Waltham/Hamilton).

NICE!
The Moonwatch is one that I still haven't gotten out of my system. One of these days...

Originally Posted by bbshriver

well I went out on a limb and bought myself an Omega Speemaster as a graduation present (parents talked about it, but ended up getting a Taylor guitar from them instead).
It's a 1996 model, but looks brand new.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

I'm wanting to add a "decent" mechanical pocket watch to my collection. I'd like to stick to something less than $100, but don't want junk. judging on Ebay this should be reasonable, but I get confused as to all the nomenclature.
Jewels are fairly obvious, although I believe something like 7 jewels is "enough" and much past that is overkill, but still seems that more would be better. One of the big ones is the adjustment. some are unadjusted, some are adjusted x number of positions, seem to vary from 3-5 on most.. I do notice it seems the swiss watches I've looked at (mostly Omega) are lower number of adjustments compared to American (Waltham/Hamilton).

You should pick up a copy of complete price guide to pocketwatches by Cooksy, shugart its the bible and has a primer in pocketwatch buying.

if your looking to buy a new pocketwatch the choice is easy because so few make them. If you want vintage don't buy 7 jewels. You need at least 17 jewels for a quality watch and the better railroad grade watches were 23. If you buy unadjusted its less likely to run accurately depending on the position the watch sits in. There are 6 possible positions and the best watches are adjusted to 6 positions though many are 5 and even 3 is still good. Adjustments are different than position because a watch will be adjusted for temperature and wind state of the mainspring.

The bottom line is if you are looking vintage buy American they were the best. Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton and Illinois were the largest and are easiest to get parts for if you need them. For $100 in a vintage watch you will get junk. be prepared to spend at least $350 or more for anything in decent condition. There are some modern Swiss pocketwatches that can be had for around 150-200 or so. Nothing special but they will serve.

I just acquired a Patek Philippe 5110G Worldtime in white gold - Absolutely stunning watch - and one of the most gorgeous chronographs ever made in my opinion - a Paneria 5218-301A Mare Nostrum!

I am wearing the 5110 now and just love it! I like the larger case size of the 5130 model but I do not like the dial and hands as much, thus I decided to get the 5110. I don't have pics yet but will try to take some this weekend.

Originally Posted by Garrett

I just acquired a Patek Philippe 5110G Worldtime in white gold - Absolutely stunning watch - and one of the most gorgeous chronographs ever made in my opinion - a Paneria 5218-301A Mare Nostrum!

I am wearing the 5110 now and just love it! I like the larger case size of the 5130 model but I do not like the dial and hands as much, thus I decided to get the 5110. I don't have pics yet but will try to take some this weekend.

Holy smokes those are nice watches! You gotta be loving it. I would love to see some pictures.

I've got on my PAM 48 today. I'm not a fan of the 5218 I gotta say. Not a fan of many of the Pan's. Don't get me wrong, they're amazing, and I sure wouldn't turn one down. I just find it impossible to beat the simplicity of the Luminor Marina's. The others are all too busy for me.

I'm wearing a Jaeger LeCoultre Master Moon just about every day right now. I love symmetry, and it is, in my opinion, among the cleanest, best looking Moon Phase Calendar watches around, regardless of price. Of course, when you get into the really pricey watches, there are others I would ocnsider, but most would STILL not take daily-wear consdieration away from my JLC.