I will add the movement in the Shinola is a solid Swiss movement that will cost about $250 every 5-7 years to service, so that’s not bad. It’s just the brand doesn’t have the same brand recognition and overall longevity to make it an heirloom to be passed down. Sure that could change or it could be they go more of a designer watch route instead.

Thanks everyone for the input! No, not wedded to the Shinola. Like the idea of a Detroit “branded” product. But for better products I can get over that. And no, not an entry level purchase for me. this would be my last jewelry buy for me and I fully expect life to get in the way. Might have to be my retirement gift
Did not know about the maintenance on these, thanks for that info. I will look into the slimmer bronze diver, thanks for that link. I like the bronze vase aging with me, although I have a headstart in the patina department.
Thanks again everyone for the information and links. I seem to always take more than I give on this sight.

Sinn (pronounced Zinn ) is most definitely what I would consider an heirloom watch. This website by and large is dedicated to what was once a Swiss and German made firearm that is now also made domestically. The Sinn is a Swiss and German made masterpiece of a watch, a true tool that you can beat the snot out of and count on while still being elegant at the same time. It is a German brand/watch with a Swiss made movement.

If they make a watch in your price range that you fancy I don’t think you would regret purchasing one. From what I’ve heard they are also a company who treats their customers right and 100% stands behind their product. I am hoping one of our members will see this post and tell their Sinn customer experience story.

The Swiss and the Germans have a reputation for being meticulous and exhibiting and extraordinary attention to detail. If you like Swiss and German guns (I sure do!) you might fancy a German watch with a high quality Swiss automatic mechanical movement.

It could be said that the Germans, even more than the Swiss, will engineer the details to the point of excess. Ie the HK P7 slide costs more than a complete Glock. If I understand correctly, when Timex came out with the TX upscale watches with multiple dials and a computer driven quartz movement, they had the Germans work on it. Up to five stepper motors and some fantastic features made them push the envelope for a analog display. Sadly, they are collectibles now with Timex offering few IQ models now.

On the other hand, Glasshute and others are genuinely nice to have. I still caution tho, about the idea of an heirloom watch - the history of the automatic dive watches which were extremely popular among professionals in the 60s thru 80s is the reason. Those were leading edge designs and movements, but many were worn daily and suffered long years of abuse. They are no longer available, worn out and certainly not anything more than a collectible. Goes to others more expensive or Swiss, too - it is in my mind a marketing gimmick to claim "heirloom quality" when the reality is, it's just a watch the same as an Elgin pocketwatch Grandad carried on a chain. Most of those are in display cases in collector hands, not handed down and used. Because the next generation simply doesn't appreciate them - same reason they don't wear the same clothing, or drive the same brand of car. It's Not Their Generation.

Wait and see, there will be G Shocks handed down as heirlooms - and they can survive abuse - but the next gen of watch owners may well have moved on to the styles of 60's dress watches, which are now currently ignored by many. So many wore that style then it was the reason for James Bond wearing something completely different.

Buy what impresses you, the wearer. Nobody else is going to care so much. I have my Dads Omega, simple dress watch on a twistoflex band. Doesn't run and for what I see is an unappreciated model with little provenance now. It's worth less than the service fee. Keep that in mind when someone quotes $800 for an oil change and crystal wipe on an old watch. Recent post from an upscale Swiss owner.

I'm another fan of Christopher Ward and currently own four of them. The Trident C60 is an excellent choice if you like dive watches.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
I am hoping one of our members will see this post and tell their Sinn customer experience story.

Allow me. I've been to their old and new factory showrooms in Frankfurt. I've sent three watches there for service. But my crazy customer experience was with one of their ADs in Cologne. They were regulating my U2 onsite. When I went to pick it up, I fell in love with a 857 UTC, which was way, way cheaper than with WatchBuys. But the store didn't take credit cards, it was 6pm on a Friday and I was flying home the next morning. I could not get $1800 out of an ATM in another country in the same day. The shop owner said to just wire him the money when I got home. But I said that would make it a bad deal, as I'd have to pay for shipping, insurance and import duty. He said, "No, take the watch with you now and just pay me next week." He even filled out the VAT refund paperwork, stating I had paid him cash for the watch. You can bet I wired him the money first thing Monday morning.

Doxa SUB 300T should be contender. Jacques Cousteau wore one. My friend has a Doxa and it is a beautiful watch. Less than $2k. Here is the Whitepearl

The Damasko DK30 is another German watch comparable to the Sinn 556. It's made of hardened submarine steel, has a simple face, and is relatively small for this type of watch- 39mm diameter x 10mm thick.

https://www.watchmann.com/prod...php?prod=DamaskoDK30

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Go see Dave,
Go see Dave,
Go see Dave - and his dog Spot.

Agree give David a call he might help you to get what you want, recently got a Omega two tone for my girl with tremendous amount of saving, going to call him soon for my dream watch.

check out Vaer as well if US assembly is of interest.

https://www.vaerwatches.com/pa...VaTDxiXCP4%3D.HAgXQ8

What's the appeal of an automatic watch?

It's been a couple of years since I've been to the shop but I believe Dave is a Ball dealer.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
What's the appeal of an automatic watch?

Admiration for a fine mechanical device - same as a well built firearm or automobile. Features that appeal to many if not every member here..............

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
I am hoping one of our members will see this post and tell their Sinn customer experience story.

Allow me. I've been to their old and new factory showrooms in Frankfurt. I've sent three watches there for service. But my crazy customer experience was with one of their ADs in Cologne. They were regulating my U2 onsite. When I went to pick it up, I fell in love with a 857 UTC, which was way, way cheaper than with WatchBuys. But the store didn't take credit cards, it was 6pm on a Friday and I was flying home the next morning. I could not get $1800 out of an ATM in another country in the same day. The shop owner said to just wire him the money when I got home. But I said that would make it a bad deal, as I'd have to pay for shipping, insurance and import duty. He said, "No, take the watch with you now and just pay me next week." He even filled out the VAT refund paperwork, stating I had paid him cash for the watch. You can bet I wired him the money first thing Monday morning.

Rick, that is a very neat story. Things like this restore my trust that there are still good people on this planet. Thanks for sharing.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
I would get a pre-owned Omega, Breitling, Ball, Tudor, and probably TAG before the Shinola. All of which can be found under $2000. Or a new Hamilton.

Good luck finding a pre-used Breitling for $1500. Even my 1970 Navitimer - non-automatic - is heading towards the £5000 here in UK. Same goes for Omega...

With the exception of the few high end houses, most auto watches with “Swiss” movements use ETA movements. Some may tweak or modify the ETA movement, but many don’t.

There’s a wide variety of mark up prices charged for the same movement.

One big name may charge double for a particular movement over another brand.

I have found Steinhart in Germany to offer great deals on ETA movement auto watches. Another brand name might charge double the price for the same “engine” in a a watch.

Don’t rule out some of the Japanese movements either.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:He said, "No, take the watch with you now and just pay me next week." He even filled out the VAT refund paperwork, stating I had paid him cash for the watch. You can bet I wired him the money first thing Monday morning.

Incredible. and AWESOME! That guy has to be here somewhere on SF.

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
I would get a pre-owned Omega, Breitling, Ball, Tudor, and probably TAG before the Shinola. All of which can be found under $2000. Or a new Hamilton.

Good luck finding a pre-used Breitling for $1500. Even my 1970 Navitimer - non-automatic - is heading towards the £5000 here in UK. Same goes for Omega...

I said under $2000. There are 3 men's Breitlings under $2000 on jomashop currently.


https://www.jomashop.com/p1-br...d45-152s-a20s-1.html

And some Omegas under that, as well. My point, by raising the budget a bit, was that a $2000 Omega or Breitling is a better "investment" than a $1500 Shinola, by far. And I guess when I think of heirloom, I think quality and future value.

The addictive and alluring world of automatic mechanical watches can be quite overwhelming when you first become interested. My advice is to get what speaks to you after doing exhaustive research into different types and styles of watches.

Personally I prefer dive watches because generally speaking they are built like tanks and can handle abuse and tons of pressure. The rotating bezel is also useful to have when grilling steaks and burgers.

My favorite brands are:

Doxa
Christopher Ward
Seiko
Omega
Zelos
Helm (if you can find one)
Steinhart
Sinn
Tissot
Hamilton
Tudor
Mido

I’m probably forgetting a few amazing brands but off the top of my head these brands are all very good.

Hamilton...have a few, love them...tons of selection

CW I only have one C Ward...the older Malvern C5..ETA 2824 FOR $315 about a decade ago...love that watch.

I would love to grab an Oris too, but my most expensive watch is the Longine Hydroconquest auto...maybe when I retire, an Omega

Lots of good suggestions above, particularly Sinn & Ball. I'll throw in a couple other ideas.

If you're determined to spend ~$1500, and you can handle LARGE legit diver watches, Marathon Jumbo Day/Date:

https://www.marathonwatch.com/...riant=39777488863274

This Steinhart is excellent for the $$ (Swiss mvmt, etc) and drop-dead sexy IMHO:

https://www.steinhartwatches.d...vintage-gmt-neu.html

If you like 'Made in the USA' Bernhardt has a line:

https://www.bernhardtwatch.com/


You could get on the list and get a couple of Helm Vanuatu's, be the envy of many, and use the extra ~$1000 you have left over to something fun with your son.

https://helmwatches.com/vanuatu.html


Otherwise, you get alot of bang for your buck with Chris Ward & Zelos.


Cheers,
Boss