Blackwings and Watches

[1Evil55]

Panerai's reputation has been up and down lately, with a "scandal" (overblown) about Panerai's P.9200 movement being labeled as "In House" in the early 2020s and the Luminor Due betraying the brand heritage by being a little 38mm watch with minimal WR.

In my opinion, Panerai still has one of the most passionate followings of any watch brand, the pieces are iconic, and IMO a 2008 Luminor Marina (PAM00104) is a killer watch for the current market price. It is frequently counterfeited though, so exercise caution if buying online from a non-reputable seller.

Thanks for that! Mine is from a local and very reputable jewelry store. After hawking the different auction sites, I did have a target number I was willing to pay. Overall very happy with my first automatic. My biggest fear now is what one will be next.

 

[5VBW Nick]

So glad that I never got into this whole realm of things. I think my $200 Fossil watch looks just as good as any of the ones I've seen in the last couple pages and if something ever happened to it I would just go buy another and not worry about it.

 

[NorCal Blackwing]

So glad that I never got into this whole realm of things. I think my $200 Fossil watch lools just as good as any of the ones I've seen in the last couple pages and if something ever happened to it I would just go buy another and not worry about it.

Yup, it's not a cheap hobby. Well, maybe cheap compared to getting really into DE's and racing ... if you start digging into the details about movements, finishing, etc. it's all over

 

[1Evil55]

So glad that I never got into this whole realm of things. I think my $200 Fossil watch looks just as good as any of the ones I've seen in the last couple pages and if something ever happened to it I would just go buy another and not worry about it.

When you're bored go back and read my old posts related to watches. I don't know what changed my mind exactly. I think it is mostly the appreciation for a finely crafted art of building them. Similar to an antique car in my mind. Yes, your fossil will be perfectly fine telling you what time it is just like a toyota corolla will efficiently get you to the office. They just don't make them like they used to.

 

[CBH]

Overall very happy with my first automatic. My biggest fear now is what one will be next.

Congratulations !!

I have been fascinated with mechanical watches since I was a kid. It is interesting to find an entire sub-culture on the internet for whatever hobby you can think of - and that you had no idea such a sub-culture existed.

There are lots of places you can find people buying watches that cost more than their car. I guess we just have more expensive cars

I love the high-end stuff too, but I bought my Certina nearly 4 years ago for a mere $600. And it checks all the same boxes as the pricey stuff - Swiss made automatic, in-house movement (during my search I learned that ETA/Swatch no longer sell movements to others), sapphire crystal, solid end links. I was saddened only by the fact that I lost my clear back, so I can't show off that movement.

Has anyone ever added a clear back to a watch that did not originally have one ?

 

[rubberduck]

Yup, it's not a cheap hobby. Well, maybe cheap compared to getting really into DE's and racing ... if you start digging into the details about movements, finishing, etc. it's all over

That’s true, I’m fascinated by the history of watch companies and the evolution of the movements and designs over time. Looking at the minute details of the watch one begins to see the subtle features. It’s like cars, but on a miniature and precise scale.

 

[668LT4]

For the Omega fans.

 

[BimmerFan]

Thanks for that! Mine is from a local and very reputable jewelry store. After hawking the different auction sites, I did have a target number I was willing to pay. Overall very happy with my first automatic. My biggest fear now is what one will be next.

Congrats! Yes, it can be a slippery slope.

When you're bored go back and read my old posts related to watches. I don't know what changed my mind exactly. I think it is mostly the appreciation for a finely crafted art of building them. Similar to an antique car in my mind. Yes, your fossil will be perfectly fine telling you what time it is just like a toyota corolla will efficiently get you to the office. They just don't make them like they used to.

What's not made like they used to, Corollas? Or Fossils?

For the Omega fans.
View attachment 29273

Sweet!

I almost bought the new FOIS but couldn't pull the trigger, instead I found a very nice lightly used '57 in blue, and I'm loving it.

The FOIS is likely my next purchase. Who needs to eat every day anyway? LOL. I love the white one, but it's a smidgen large for me and a bit expensive.

 

[Mark K]

I think this type of watch is much more practical for a car like the blackwing

 

[668LT4]

I think this type of watch is much more practical for a car like the blackwing

View attachment 29284

For a regular V, you can just count in your head

For a Blackwing... this is more my style.

 

[5VBW Nick]

Ya know, if you didn't have so many watches you could have ponied up for the carbon ceramic brakes

 

[668LT4]

Sweet!

I almost bought the new FOIS but couldn't pull the trigger, instead I found a very nice lightly used '57 in blue, and I'm loving it.

The FOIS is likely my next purchase. Who needs to eat every day anyway? LOL. I love the white one, but it's a smidgen large for me and a bit expensive.

I was torn between the white Speedy and the FOIS. My dealer had one of each and told me to choose. The dial on the FOIS is spectacular, but I have other pieces that are similar. Snow White was a good departure for me, and I have enjoyed it thoroughly. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[668LT4]

Ya know, if you didn't have so many watches you could have ponied up for the carbon ceramic brakes

How do you think I paid for the car??

I have owned some spectacular pieces over many years. But as I age, I am minimizing material possessions. I have some inexpensive watches that I enjoy just as much as pricier ones. That is what the passion is all about. I am not a brand guy, and am out to impress nobody. Much like my de-badged Blackwing, it is just for my enjoyment.

 

[Dreezy]

So glad that I never got into this whole realm of things. I think my $200 Fossil watch looks just as good as any of the ones I've seen in the last couple pages and if something ever happened to it I would just go buy another and not worry about it.

Yeah certainly not for everyone....anyways - here's my christmas gift to myself. The Breitling endurance pro. Matches my seatbelts LOL

 

[rubberduck]

Ya know, if you didn't have so many watches you could have ponied up for the carbon ceramic brakes

I have both, you can have it all.

 

[5VBW Nick]

What's the minimum that you guys would consider worthwhile spending on a reputable watch? Is it like a 3K buy-in kind of thing?

 

[rubberduck]

I have owned some spectacular pieces over many years. But as I age, I am minimizing material possessions. I have some inexpensive watches that I enjoy just as much as pricier ones. That is what the passion is all about. I am not a brand guy, and am out to impress nobody. Much like my de-badged Blackwing, it is just for my enjoyment.

I’ve paired down my “expensive” watches. Which I consider in the $5K to $25K zone for me. Some people consider $50K or more expensive. There are a good amount of watches of very high quality in the $10K zone. Essentials I consider are a dive watch, chronograph, and a GMT. After that it’s all gravy.

 

[rubberduck]

What's the minimum that you guys would consider worthwhile spending on a reputable watch? Is it like a 3K buy-in kind of thing?

One of the best inexpensive watches is a Longines Spirit. The Longines Spirit is arguably the best bang for the buck. But it may not be your style. I would say ~$5K is the low end for a good quality watch.

Plenty of resources, some I like.

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[1Evil55]

Do any of you with the collections use any of the display winder/boxes?

 

[BimmerFan]

What's the minimum that you guys would consider worthwhile spending on a reputable watch? Is it like a 3K buy-in kind of thing?

You can find a very nice used Omega Speedmaster for $3K or less (depending on your tolerance for scratches and "patina" and which model) and there are lots of other options for $5K or less.

Unless you are stuck on the image and labels of fine Swiss watches, there are a crap-ton of second-tier watches below $1K that are nearly as good. Bunches of Chinese brands, which I avoid like the plague, but there are also others such as Steinhart, which is a German company using (I presume) Chinese and Swiss parts, assembled in Switzerland. They are mostly homage watches, similar to Rolex and Omega, and for less than the cost of a Rolex service you can get a watch that is 98% of the quality without the label.

I have found that the quality of materials, finishing and accuracy of the movements sorely lacking in the few Chinese watches that I've seen and owned. That combined with my general disdain for the policies and behavior of the country leads me to avoid them. Kind of like how the Canadians feel about Americans right now, I presume.

Do any of you with the collections use any of the display winder/boxes?

I used to use winders, but I got tired of messin' with it all, and I just let them run down and wind up whatever it is that I want to wear today.