Thread: What types of watches do you like?

Originally Posted by Otto

So, did any of you visit BaselWorld 2016? The new Air-King looks nice.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I don't know that anyone here is that dedicated to watches to warrant a trip like that. Personally, I rely on the reports on Timezone.

I did go to Baselworld a couple of years ago. My wife and I were planning a trip to Europe and I was communicating with a fellow WIS on a watch forum I frequent about places to stay in Zurich. He works in the watch business and one thing lead to another. Next thing I know we're changing trip dates and adding a 2 day side trip to Basel as his guest. I can't tell you how wonderful this turned out to be. He could not have been more gracious. We spent 2 days visiting a full array of manufacturers booths. He introduced us to some really nice watch people and they were nothing but happy to see him and treated us as if we were old and valued customers. Saw some amazing watches. The more impressive pieces are made by very small boutique watchmakers you've never heard of outside of this watch world. One for the memory bank.

Originally Posted by ironmaned1987

BigSpendur, you appear to be very knowledgeable about watches! Could you please give me a "short list" of your favorite watches? Thank you!

There are loads of quality outfits making watches in all price ranges. I kind of gravitate to the German outfits like Sinn and Nomos and Nautische Glashutte. I also like Seiko for bang for the buck watches and even their high end pieces are really nice and I like Aqua Dive and Doxa for dive watches. From the higher end brands I like IWC.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

I don't know if any of you are familiar with Ball watches, but I have four, and with the tritium tubes they are great at night. If don't know about these tubes ,the light up at night as the have a small amount of radioactive gas in them that reacts with the phosphor coating on the inside, they work great at night. Anyhow I' waiting for delivery of one that has the t-100 tubes, and can't wait, they used to be T-25,and those were bright, but these are amazing, will post a picture when it arrives, a Ball fireman Storm chaser Glo. I already have a Deep blue with these tubes and it's amazing, look them up, if you need to see your watch at night.

I'm familiar with Ball. They were at one time headquartered in the US but now Switzerland. They mostly use ETA movements for their watches. Some are in house modified before assembly. ETA (now wholly owned by Swatch) makes some very nice movements depending on the grade. Came close to buying a Ball at one time. My current favorite is the Trainmaster Roman with white dial and blue hands. Very nice. ETA movement and the tubes are very small.

Originally Posted by Brenngun

I'm familiar with Ball. They were at one time headquartered in the US but now Switzerland. They mostly use ETA movements for their watches. Some are in house modified before assembly. ETA (now wholly owned by Swatch) makes some very nice movements depending on the grade. Came close to buying a Ball at one time. My current favorite is the Trainmaster Roman with white dial and blue hands. Very nice. ETA movement and the tubes are very small.

Ball didn't know squat about watches and they never manufactured anything. He ran a pocketwatch regulation and time service back in the early 20th century and late 19th which serviced the railroad industry. He sold watches which were made by other outfits like Waltham and Hamilton and Elgin and some others with his name on them. In the 1950s his wristwatches were made in Switzerland and the company went defunct then anyway.

The current ball name has no relationship with the original ball Brand other than they bought the name and when you do that you buy the history too.

I never wear a watch anymore as my cell phone has a more accurate clock.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There are loads of quality outfits making watches in all price ranges. I kind of gravitate to the German outfits like Sinn and Nomos and Nautische Glashutte. I also like Seiko for bang for the buck watches and even their high end pieces are really nice and I like Aqua Dive and Doxa for dive watches. From the higher end brands I like IWC.

I AM interested in the German brands, however, have zero knowledge of what brands I should trust and look into here. Maybe you can enlighten me! FYI, I currently own the following watches (in order of price, high to low): Tag Heuter Aqua Racer, Omega Seamaster, Movado Museum, Filson Scout (made by Shinola Detroit) and a Luminox 1944 Aviator. All of the above are Quartz movements except for the Tag which is Automatic. Quite frankly I prefer the quartzes! I am looking for a nice quality German watch in the $500 - $1,000 range. Hopefully, bigspendur, you can point me in the right direction! Thank you for you help!

Originally Posted by ProudMarineDad

I never wear a watch anymore as my cell phone has a more accurate clock.

I spent my boot camp in Parris Island, in 1955! Semper Fi!

Originally Posted by ironmaned1987

I spent my boot camp in Parris Island, in 1955! Semper Fi!

Thank You for your service Marine!

Murf,
That's a great looking watch!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Ball didn't know squat about watches and they never manufactured anything. He ran a pocketwatch regulation and time service back in the early 20th century and late 19th which serviced the railroad industry. He sold watches which were made by other outfits like Waltham and Hamilton and Elgin and some others with his name on them. In the 1950s his wristwatches were made in Switzerland and the company went defunct then anyway.

The current ball name has no relationship with the original ball Brand other than they bought the name and when you do that you buy the history too.

It sure does sound like you have a grudge, None of mine are bulky, and the tubes last 25 years, I'll worry about them then.....