Any Rolex watch experts out there?

[VinceV]

Get a grip guys, they are watches, what's the big deal? Why the hell would anyone spend so much money on a watch? You can buy a digital watch from Walmart for about $3, and it does the same thing.

First Act for you.

[atomic charvel guy]

If I had the bread, I'd buy a watch attatched to a new helicoptor if i could.
Bread rules.

[rjohnstone]

Patek 3998, a JLC Master Grand Taille, an 18k IWC Mk 12

Now you're talking some serious hardware.

I perfer quality over flash with watches.

Mike

I just can't afford it.

[SGplayer]

You do need a special watch tool to remove that screw back, I remember when you could get a UNIVERSAL GENEVE TRI COMPAX CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH in 14K for $200. in the early 80's.......anybody remember the Ashland watch catalogs from the mid-80's , had some bad watches....

[MBreinin]

Vince, I'll take the JLC. That is a sweetheart. I loved my JLC....gone, gone, like all the rest!! The only thing left is my DJR Les Monts in Sterling and my midsized Seamaster Pro. Both gifts from my parents. Oh, I still have plenty of watches...just nothing that great anymore.

I am wearing my $30 Chinese knockoff of that Anniversary Sub today. Rolex are tool watches with very robust, mass produced and plainly finished movements...they do nothing for me. However, some people love 'em. I like my knockoff.

The Big Pilot is cool. However, like the Panerai you have...I don't go for the tuna cans on the wrist anymore...too big. I don't go bigger than 42mm, and that is a stretch.

Zeeg, wake up dude. Watches, high grade ones, are works of art...some of the last true artisans left in the world craft these amazing machines..yes, machines. Some complicted pieces take years, YEARS to manufacture. Sure, a $3 digital can keep time better...but that is not the point. You can make music with a $100 guitar as well...but you would prefer that for costs reasons or would you rather have a handcrafted custom shop Jackson? Would you rather drive a Kia or an E55? Both are going to get you where you want to go...see the logic?

Yeah, RJ, I have had some high buck shit. Mostly through horsetrading and such. Watches used to be my biggest hobby and I have had some great stuff....but I would sell them now if I had them, times aren't what they used to be!

Mike

[Shawn]

Good lord......Watch talk......Dont get me started....

And Vince, every time I see your JLC, I am one step closer to the door to go get one....


I do have to laugh however when I see people, even big collectors I know bash Rolex. My everyday is a Sea-dweller and has always been a champ. Own quite a few other pieces, as that was REALLY my hobby before guitars. faves are definitely IWC. Vacheron and Panerai. and yes, a very big Omega fan. Great watches with what are essentially modified ETA movements, but nice none the less.

Would love to see pictures of this found in the basement solid gold President. There are actually quite a few small giveaways, things you wouldnt even think of.

As a matter of fact, give me one picture of the bracelet screws, and I will be able to at least verify the bracelet.





Shawn

[VinceV]

I'm with you on the Rolex, not a huge fan. I personally find it hard to wear 40mm and smaller watches anymore. The 50th Sub I got, because I was offered it. I don't wear it and I'm thinking about selling it. The Big Pilot I still have the other 2 Panerai are gone(selling the 1950 was a mistake, have you seen what people are paying for them now). I am actually waiting for a new JLC Extreme World Chrono, should be here any day now(of couse I have been hearing that for months).

[Shawn]

I am wearing my $30 Chinese knockoff of that Anniversary Sub today. Rolex are tool watches with very robust, mass produced and plainly finished movements...they do nothing for me. However, some people love 'em. I like my knockoff.

Mike, extremely robust,mass produced(in relative terms) and very plain...

But designed,manufactured and created in house, which is unheard of anymore. QC is second to none in a company of that size . A true gem in my opinion.


Shawn

[MBreinin]

Good lord......Watch talk......Dont get me started....

And Vince, every time I see your JLC, I am one step closer to the door to go get one....


I do have to laugh however when I see people, even big collectors I know bash Rolex. My everyday is a Sea-dweller and has always been a champ. Own quite a few other pieces, as that was REALLY my hobby before guitars. faves are definitely IWC. Vacheron and Panerai. and yes, a very big Omega fan. Great watches with what are essentially modified ETA movements, but nice none the less.

Would love to see pictures of this found in the basement solid gold President. There are actually quite a few small giveaways, things you wouldnt even think of.

As a matter of fact, give me one picture of the bracelet screws, and I will be able to at least verify the bracelet.





Shawn

Hey, Rolex watches are tough and they are well made. I'm not bashing them, I just could never justify the expense when there are much better pieces at more reasonable price points. Have you ever seen a Rolex movement taken apart? Really poorly finished, crud left behind, etc. I used to be really active on TimeZone, hell I was there at the beginning just about. I remember when Walt Odets opened up an Explorer I and went through it. It was so tragic it was almost funny.

Get the JLC, you won't regret it. IMHO, JLC probably makes the best value in high grade watches today. Of course, the prices have gone up quite a bit. I have always been a huge fan of the Master Control series...and I have had a couple. My favorite watches of all time are Vacherons. I am also very partial to IWCs. I had an 18k Mk 12 and a Zirconium Oxide Flieger.

Mike

[Shawn]

My post went up before I saw yours, wasnt directing the bashing at you Mike, sorry about that.....

Yeah, I do remember the early days of TZ, used to be fun. People here think guitar buying is expensive.......LOL


Shawn

[MBreinin]

Mike, extremely robust,mass produced(in relative terms) and very plain...

But designed,manufactured and created in house, which is unheard of anymore. QC is second to none in a company of that size . A true gem in my opinion.


Shawn

Well, it is not "unheard of" when you get into the realm of higher grade watches. There are plenty of true manufacturers...PP, JLC, GP, RD, Vacheron has an in-house movement now, AP does a well...although AP and JLC are sister companies, so you can give them the crossover...Minerva was an affordable in-house company and I used to be close to Michael Schmutz..I had several Minervas. Of course, the big boys like Lange and Glashutte Original are cranking out the German high grades...the list goes on and on. Mechanical watches are really coming back, and that is GREAT!

Rolex needs quality control, they crank out a million movements a year and they sell their watches based on reputation and public perception. However, I can testify that my mom's Datejust was always a regulation nightmare and my Dad's Explorer rarely lived up to its Chronometer rating. I find Omega a far better value, and the 1120, while based on an ETA 2892, is nonetheless well finished and pretty. The Co-Axials are awesome as well....

I still want an 18k Daytona on a strap though.....always have.

Mike

[jgcable]

Watches are the only jewelry that I like. I have alot of watches too but I only have one "good" one. Its a fancy Gucci watch that my wife got in Rome, Italy back around 1987. My favorite watch (that I want to own one day) is that black Movado Museum watch with the diamond in it. A guy I work with has a $15K Rolex watch. Its huge. Heavy too.

[MBreinin]

My post went up before I saw yours, wasnt directing the bashing at you Mike, sorry about that.....

Yeah, I do remember the early days of TZ, used to be fun. People here think guitar buying is expensive.......LOL


Shawn

I loved TZ, until Richard sold it. When Ashford took it over, they ruined it. They also put me out of business. I used to be the US Distributor for Hebdomas...I had a nice business that relied heavily on the TZ sales corner. Bye, Bye 30k a year selling watches as a hobby.

I rarely go over there anymore. I am bitter, but I admit it.

Mike

[zeegler]

I guess I just don't get it Mike. I don't wear a watch anyway. I have a nice Timex at home that sits in my junk drawer. I would probably spend $300 on a watch max. Let's face it, the only purpose it serves other than telling time, is looking nice. I'll leave it to the ladies to wear expensive jewellery. To me it just seems pretentious. Besides, if I had multi-thousands of dollars to spend on a watch, I would rather buy guitars and amps anyway. I suppose if I was a millionaire, I might buy one, just for the hell of it, but I'd probably smash it in a week anyway. I'd wear it while I was working on my car, and smash it against an engine bracket or something.

[MBreinin]

I guess I just don't get it Mike. I don't wear a watch anyway. I have a nice Timex at home that sits in my junk drawer. I would probably spend $300 on a watch max. Let's face it, the only purpose it serves other than telling time, is looking nice. I'll leave it to the ladies to wear expensive jewellery. To me it just seems pretentious. Besides, if I had multi-thousands of dollars to spend on a watch, I would rather buy guitars and amps anyway. I suppose if I was a millionaire, I might buy one, just for the hell of it, but I'd probably smash it in a week anyway. I'd wear it while I was working on my car, and smash it against an engine bracket or something.

Nah, that's why you should always have a good Rolex Sub or Yachtmaster in your collection...they are for working on the car!!!

Sorry, Shawn...I had to!!!

Mike