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Flex

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Yep he was and I got the other spammer. :boxing:

 

Cheers Strudul. ;)

Couldn't have someone spamming more than me :thumbs:

:lol:

 

At least you speak sense for the most part and don't try to flog us all viagra or whatever. :surrender::teeth:

so, Granville, those little pills you put me on to ................ they don't work :blush::stir::surrender:

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I got a Breitling Colt Automatic Chronograph as an engagement present - wear it every day... bloody service costs are eye watering!

 

http://www.breitling.com/multimedia/pdf/sav/sav-894.pdf

 

Back on topic, I'm not convinced that Rado looks like a good 'investment' watch, if that's what you're after. Probably better off looking at a used Omega or similar. I have my eye on the pre moon landing Omega Speedmaster which is around your budget.

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I do like a nice watch, for £1500 there's plenty of scope for something that will hold its value or even appreciate. The Tag carerra series is a little bit north of your budget and its special editions are in Rolex territory. Last I checked they couldn't source anymore of the Calibre 16 Nismo edition watches so they will obviously be expensive when they do crop up.

 

Rado is very nice, I own a sintra as a dress watch and can't fault it for wow factor, it's definitely not an everyday watch.

 

Prior to buying myself a Rolex for my 30th birthday I used a seiko kinetic auto relay watch, it's a shame I hardly wear it now because I loved that thing. It gets occasional outings if I'm going to be in a dodgy city or country. It was around £350 which is a steal for a watch that's lasted nearly 20 years without a service & still keeps good time.

 

Rolex submariner gets worn all day everyday except when I'm offshore, for obvious reasons. It's a rolls royce compared to the other watches I've owned but unsurprising given the outlay.

 

Watch for offshore is a bright red Casio G shock :-)

 

 

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So do all high ends watches have high servicing costs?

 

Sorry I missed the Troll!

 

Flex, no is the short answer. I know a few people who only use an independent to service watches, which warrants a much lower cost but the same level of servicing (depending upon the watch maker). Rolex's should last 10 years without a major service (which is circa 450 from Rolex, and expect the watch to be gone for a couple of months). Breitling minor service is around 150, major being around 400, but again only if you go back to the manufacturer. I wouldn't get too hung up on servicing costs tbh.

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Tag Heuer Aquaracer Automatic (black face, black bezel if you want my opinion). I've been wearing one every day and most nights for 14 years (almost without ever taking it off), it has been up mountains, in the sea, it's been smashed into walls, scraped on everything imaginable, and apart from some swirls on the stainless steel, is still like new (the sapphire glass is still completely flawless). I'm not recommending it because I own it, mainly because when I read your thread title I said to myself, 'wow, he's looking for my watch!', based on budget and needs stated. :)

 

It will cost you exactly your budget from the high street or slightly lower onnline. I'm not a serious watch afficionado (as some of you will have realised by now, I'm one of those annoying bastards that seems to be into everything), but I dabble as an amateur, sadly I've never had the money to be really into watches. I prefer Tags to Rolex, as they are more 'man on the street', I can't help thinking that someone who wears a rolex is trying to say something without speaking, I know that's not always the case, but it's like BMW ownership lol.

 

For what it's worth, the servicing costs have been:

 

After 7 years, the automatic mechanism started losing 2 minutes a week, and the bezel ratchet started getting sticky and notchy. I got a chemical clean and a repair to the mechanism for 120 quid. Not bad I thought, after 7 years, less than 10% the value of the watch. 6 years later and it is going again for service for the exact same issues.

 

Absolutely wear and forget, no battery, no BS. :) this is the latest version which I find isn't quite as beautiful as my older one. I've included a link to the older style as well. Beware! The cheaper ones are not Automatic unless stated on the watch face.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...dwAAOSwux5YSlo0

 

Older style (this is the exact watch I wear, and this is basically in the same condition as mine, after 14 years non stop wearing!):

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...W0AAOSw8w1X96WK

 

Having said all of that, my Aquaracer will be retired this Christmas in favor of my first smartwatch, a Samsung Gear S3.

Edited by Aashenfox
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I really should get my watch (Rolex) serviced at some point. Not that I use it that often, and tbh I prefer my cheapy Sekonda anyway as it doesn't matter if I get drunk and fall over and scuff it then :lol:

 

tell me more! which model is it? age? pics? I think there are a few of us that are keen/aspiring watch fans. I'm certainly in the latter of the 2.

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It's nothing special, just an Oyster from 2001. Blue pearl face, stainless strap. 21st birthday present from my folks, so more sentimental value than anything else. :)

 

I used to wear it a lot, but I just won't risk it these days. If I lost it, or it got stolen I'd be absolutely heartbroken.

 

EDIT

 

rolex-oyster-perpetual-date-blue-dial-fluted-18kt-white-gold-bezel-watch-115234blso.jpg

 

That's close, but the face is darker in real life and the bezel is slightly different. Smoother, I believe.

Edited by Ekona
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There are very few mathematical and sure ways to tell, but there are things which are good indicators. One good indicator is how strong the flourescent paint (on TAG Heuer its a special brnad called Luminova) is on the parts that have it. Even after 14 years, my aquaracer can almost be used as a torch after a quick shot in sunlight, it has not weakened a jot. Fakes will never glow as strongly. Another is any sign of dust, glue or paint under the glass or on the face. Everything should move smoothly (though ratchet problems in the rotary dial are common in older examples). Automatics are easier to tell because there isn't a cheap way to make a reliable automatic mechanism. A fake automatic usually 'isn't' automatic. A genuine automatic when held up to the ear and rocked back and forth should make an audible (just barely!!) swoosh as the pendulum that drives the mechanism is moved. Other ways involve comparison with a known genuine example, for example, most watch makers give their second hand specific characteristics, many know that Rolex second hands do not tick, they swish smoothly, for example. Lastly, look out for this catchphrase 'tags and certs', make sure they have any relevant. I still have mine from my aquaracer, in the original box. I wouldn't buy a watch, genuine or not from someone who did not keep this stuff.

 

EDIT: oh, and another good one for Rolexes and TAGs at least (as well as some other brands), is the 'swiss made' print on the face at the bottom. It's very subtle, on TAGs you really have to look for it in photos.

Edited by Aashenfox
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