[dark.knight]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

One can buy watches from credible companies like the Japanese Big 4 companies like Seiko, Citizen, Orient, Casio, etc. who have been in watch making business since many decades. Quartz, Solar, Kinetic or Automatic is one's choice.

It's just a choice of people though, realistically there is no upper limit on watches. If I may be so brazen, like Japanese cars, Japanese watches too are highly overrated for what they offer, an equivalent priced Swiss watch is in a whole 'nother league to my eyes, in terms of aesthetics, glass quality, tight assembly and snob value (which to me, is the only reason why people even buy a watch over Rs.1000/-).

In-house movements, automatic or quartz, do not matter at lower price range, it's simple to me, one either buys beater watches, and I mean real beater watches at sub 10k, to be replaced every 3-4 years or one buys 1+ lakh watches to keep for a decade or two at a minimum. If one thinks about it, there isn't even a reason to buy in-house without an open-caseback.

While Citizen, Seiko etc are nice watches, in terms of quality they are about as much as fashion brands (trust me I know), even Grand Seiko, I wouldn't peg it at even 50k and it's MRP is 10 times more.

In-house movements are for the real big boys, Jaeger-LeCoultre and upwards. Even Rolex won't feature in my top 20 watch brands. Rest we're buying only to please our aesthetic senses and justifying it in our own eccentric ways.

[AVR]

Originally Posted by dark.knight

While Citizen, Seiko etc are nice watches, in terms of quality they are about as much as fashion brands (trust me I know), even Grand Seiko, I wouldn't peg it at even 50k and it's MRP is 10 times more.

In-house movements are for the real big boys, Jaeger-LeCoultre and upwards. Even Rolex won't feature in my top 20 watch brands. Rest we're buying only to please our aesthetic senses and justifying it in our own eccentric ways.

Strong views on GS. I think they do a great job of finish, movement, accuracy and aesthetics. Perhaps you may want to share your experience with one to peg it at 50k.
I have a GS and a 41 DJ and I find them deserving of their price tags. Goes without saying, it is not a sum-of-parts calculation but also factors the buyer's urge

[arindambasu13]

Originally Posted by AVR

Strong views on GS. Goes without saying, it is not a sum-of-parts calculation but also factors the buyer's urge

Not to mention, the hand crafting and workmanship involved. The amount of handcrafted detail (the Zaratsu polishing, that is commonly referred to) on Grand Seikos are among the very best that I have seen. In fact, GS offers much stronger value for the rupee than a Rolex ever can do, and the case and dial designs of many of the GS models are just on another level.

Is GS the pinnacle of watchmaking? Most certainly not. But in my considered opinion, it is very, very, very far from being a Rs. 50,000 watch, that goes without saying. The are definitely more deserving of their asking prices than many watches of similar price points.

[dark.knight]

Originally Posted by AVR

I have a GS and a 41 DJ and I find them deserving of their price tags. Goes without saying, it is not a sum-of-parts calculation but also factors the buyer's urge

Since you've said that it's not a sum of the parts calculation and also in very large part, the buyers urge, there is not much I can go into detail here, even though I fully agree with your statement. However, against popular opinion, I dislike Rolex and Grand Seiko and that's that, one is over-hyped a billion times out of proportion and the other is severely overpriced.

But again, since we're talking of personal inclinations, would it make any difference if I say that I consider a watch-maker elite only based on the number of complications they're capable of manufacturing in-house? I guess not, or if I say that they should've had a long, storied history of making time-keeping the way it is today? Like IWC with its Pellaton winding rotor or the Kurt Klaus complication, Jaeger LeCoultre with the first ever double-purpose winding crown on a watch ever, the slimmest Calibre of its time 145 or the first watch with 2 faces the Reverso or Cartier with the first ever wristwatch ever, not to mention all of them can churn out tourbillons, perpetual calendars, long power-reserve movements like it was almost nothing? I found even Carl F Bucherers Peripheral rotor movement superior, these brands all have models in the same price range as a GS or Rolex.

Upper segment Rolexes have a lot to worry about in terms of competition of quality (sales aren't a benchmark of quality to me, quite the opposite), the likes of A.Lange & Sohne (finishing specialist), Vacheron Constantin (the most storied watchmaker on earth), Blancpain, Breguet (most value for money for the prestigious brand that it is) and last but not the least Jaquet Droz the automaton and metiers d'art specialist, all Gods of watchmaking.

I've personally held the GS, under a loup as well, I couldn't fathom what the Zaratsu was about, it seemed just like marketing speak, the bracelet looks like how a vintage Longines looked, yes the polishing details are there with the contrast of bi-directional brushed and smooth, but it's way, way too subtle. It also has a confusing design, neither a dress watch, not a sports watch, just in-between the two. I've held other brands under the loup as well, all the ones mentioned above.

Originally Posted by arindambasu13

Is GS the pinnacle of watchmaking? Most certainly not. But in my considered opinion, it is very, very, very far from being a Rs. 50,000 watch, that goes without saying. The are definitely more deserving of their asking prices than many watches of similar price points.

Of course, and your opinion holds every bit of importance to you as mine to myself, we here are no strangers to contrasting arguments and we can all agree that buying what we love, no matter how loathed it is by others is what truly matters, be it cars, clothes or watches.

My point to the OP was that, if originality, in-house movements and legacy are to be bothered about, then the brands that possess them are truly a handful. Fashion brands tell time as good as any other watch, I'm also truly embarrassed to admit that Chinese quartz movements are rock-solid in terms of accuracy and reliability, even at throw-away prices.

Every brand gotta sell at the end of the day, so my previous post was about not trying to search for lineage in a watch costing less than 6 figures, its pointless.

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by dark.knight

It's just a choice of people though, realistically there is no upper limit on watches. If I may be so brazen, like Japanese cars, Japanese watches too are highly overrated for what they offer, an equivalent priced Swiss watch is in a whole 'nother league to my eyes, in terms of aesthetics, glass quality, tight assembly and snob value (which to me, is the only reason why people even buy a watch over Rs.1000/-).

In-house movements, automatic or quartz, do not matter at lower price range, it's simple to me, one either buys beater watches, and I mean real beater watches at sub 10k, to be replaced every 3-4 years or one buys 1+ lakh watches to keep for a decade or two at a minimum. If one thinks about it, there isn't even a reason to buy in-house without an open-caseback.

While Citizen, Seiko etc are nice watches, in terms of quality they are about as much as fashion brands (trust me I know), even Grand Seiko, I wouldn't peg it at even 50k and it's MRP is 10 times more.

In-house movements are for the real big boys, Jaeger-LeCoultre and upwards. Even Rolex won't feature in my top 20 watch brands. Rest we're buying only to please our aesthetic senses and justifying it in our own eccentric ways.

Mate I was replying to the OP in the "context" of Ice solar watches vis a vis the Big4 Japanese options in that price range (€99). It would be great if you can list any solar Swiss watches in that specific price range.

I am still trying to figure out as to where did Grand Seiko, Rolex, JLC, etc. appear in this discussion centered around Ice watches. A credible watch company offering an inhouse movement at affordable prices sub 10-15K is something to ponder on. There is a market for everyone and one is free to choose whatever they want but it doesn't hurt with helping someone (in this case the OP) making an informed decision. Choice is theirs in the end.

I own a few vintage and new Swiss watches and there is a reason why Swiss watches are what they are. But having owned watches from the Japanese Big4 across different price ranges right from simple quartz, mechanical hand wind, mechanical automatic, solar, kinetic, etc. I have come to believe in the Value for Money concept offered by the Japanese Big4.

Let me give you an example, when I was new to collecting/buying watches I was attracted to brands like Esprit, Giordano, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. I bought a couple of Esprit quartz watches where each costed about ₹8000-10000. Once while changing the battery by myself I discovered the Esprit watch uses Miyota Japan Movement. It was only later that I realised I could've bought either a Seiko, Casio Edifice or Citizen quartz or even Automatic(Seiko, Citizen or Orient) watch in the same price range which had much better quality and workmanship as I discovered later. This is one of the many experiences I had while collecting watches. If might help someone make an informed decision while buying a watch or they can also choose to ignore it and go ahead with their choice. It's a free market afterall.

[Tassem]

A rose gold SRPD76 on a custom diver strap joins the collection! Features a 4R36 (hackable, windable) movement. Didn't love the standard silicon + leather strap it comes with, but really pops with this one I think.



I've always wondered what a gold SKX would look like since I have an SKX007 and SKX009, legendary in their ways. And I just had to buy this when I saw the release. The SKX and this model is identical to the casual observer. Only changes are that the 5KX has a 4R36, no screwdown crown (non ISO rated, 100m WR) and drilled lugs. Honestly makes no difference. Who swims with these anyway. We have G Shocks for that.

A sapphire crystal and an all black yachtmaster style bezel insert + polished chapter ring is on its way. Excited!

Oh, and if there are any JDM fans here, I have a Solid Boy in the mail. Perhaps the most iconic Seiko 5 release of the decade. Absolutely drop dead gorgeous and a dead ringer for the Tudor Black Bay 36.

Has anybody tried the other 5KXs? Tons of designs. A couple of them look beautifully retro.

[noopster]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

Mate I was replying to the OP in the "context" of Ice solar watches vis a vis the Big4 Japanese options in that price range (€99). It would be great if you can list any solar Swiss watches in that specific price range.

Agreed. I didn't respond to your previous post but I do own watches from Seiko, Citizen (Ecodrive) and Casio (Edifice) that I purchased in the 5k-25k range over the years. I find them immensely VFM and of good utility.

Ice watch looks like something I may pick up anyway since the price is at the lower end of this range and I really have my eye on the white with neon green accents


Am not pretending this is anywhere in the class of JLC or Rolex!

[punterccrx8s]

My humble collection.

1. Citizen Ecodrive Diver E101-K006899


2. Police Automatic 13882J


3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 2018 (46mm) with LTE


4. Citizen Ecodrive Navihawk AT Blue Angels JY8031-56L

[mav3r1ckblu3]

I love Chronographs! Presenting my humble guilty pleasure below

[Prodigy07]

Hi All,

Based on few recent posts on HMT Pilot, I went ahead made a purchase on HMT online.

The watch was delivered within 3 days, but my happiness was short lived.

The watch doesn’t seem to work even after following the protocol of winding mentioned in the manual.

What could be the reason?

Also is there a HMT service centre in Chennai where I could get the watch inspected?

Please suggest.

[trammway]

For a price of the leather strap($95 after 82% discount ), I got an automatic watch from an old American brand(Since 1892) that is currently owned by a Chinese company called Herald Group. The funny part is that “Made in China” is no where seen in the watch

Ingersoll Radiolite

This watch deserves a kudos! Fit and finish is so good and I will start observing the time keeping of the movement. So far I like Ingersoll Radiolite watch.

The highlights are:

1. Extremely well made Buffalo leather strap
2. Signed pin buckle and case
3. Embossed numerals
4. Fantastic pricing
5. Cool transparent case back

[roamer012]

Originally Posted by trammway

For a price of the leather strap($95 after 82% discount ), I got an automatic watch from an old American brand(Since 1892) that is currently owned by a Chinese company called Herald Group. The funny part is that “Made in China” is no where seen in the watch

Ingersoll Radiolite

Lovely!!! Is that the same brand that makes air compressors and other machines under the name Ingersoll Rand?

Super cool font though for "Ingersoll" markings on the side and on the face.

[trammway]

Originally Posted by roamer012

Lovely!!! Is that the same brand that makes air compressors and other machines under the name Ingersoll Rand?

Ingersoll Rand and Ingersoll watch company are two different brands. There are even more companies with the name Ingersoll including one of US war ship. Ingersoll watches were also closely related to Timex in some part of history

Quoting wiki:
//
The Ingersoll Watch Company went bankrupt in 1921 during the recession that followed World War I.[5]

It was purchased by the Waterbury Clock Company in 1922 for $1,500,000. Waterbury Clock sold the London-based arm of the Ingersoll watch business, Ingersoll, Ltd., to its board of directors in 1930, making it a wholly British-owned enterprise.[6] In 1944 the Waterbury Clock Company was renamed United States Time Corporation (now Timex Group USA) and continued producing Ingersoll watches in the United States through the 1950s.
//

[AZT]

Saw the word Quartz in this paint ad and had to share. Bonus points for figuring what exactly this even means

[somspaple]

Simple and Elegant Tissot Heritage Petite Seconde! Powered by beautiful Swiss ETA 6498-1 mechanical movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPcW7bgMbNg