The problem with IWC is they rely on outsourced movements.

ETA is ceasing embauches and Sellita and STP are having quality issues from chinese parts being supplied.

That's a mid-1970s Ingenieur I posted. Designed by Gerald Genta. I hear they are pushing $20k; I'm still hoping to find one in a trash-picked chifforobe out in a blue-blood's rubbish heap. The models today are way way to thick for my tastes.

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Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
The problem with IWC is they rely on outsourced movements.

As a blanket statement, inaccurate. Some do, but only ~ half their models.

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IWC's collection is powered by a wide range of movements. The entry level watches use movements based on ETA (A30'000 and A79000 calibers) or the equivalent Sellita movements (A35000 and A75000 calibers). There are more than 80 references using these movement families. The manufacture movements are either produced in-house or come from the group's movement foundries. The most prominent in-house movement families are the A51000 and the newer A52000 automatic movements, the 89000 chronographs, as well as the H59000 hand-wound calibers. More than 70 references are powered by IWC in-house movements.

Link, albeit from 2018 but still accurate on almost all.

Right now, with the way things are going here in yUK, I'm looking hard at a used Panerai Carbotech 42.

Ridiculous, right?

But................................

Oh, they multiply. And the expression "It runs like a Swiss watch" is a thing for a reason.

Three of the five watches in this picture are "family pieces" that I inherited. One more-- the Air-King on the right-- was a gift from my wife (funny story, that one. It was a $60 estate sale find, because "it wasn't working.") The last one, the 2001 ref. 114270 Explorer, was the only one I've purchased and likely ever will. It celebrated a significant promotion.

Each watch tells a story. And collectively, they've been keeping time to within +/- 7 seconds a day, or better, for an aggregate of 244 years. The DateJust and the Seamaster were dad's and both were worn in pretty rugged conditions (in the field in the Bavarian Alps in the winter, in Southeast Asia.) The Constellation was on the wrist of a railroad man for most of its pre-Dennis life.

All of these will end up in the hands of a niece or nephew after I'm at room temperature, all likely still keeping good time.

Yeah, a Casio G-Shock-- don't hate, I love them, too-- will do the same thing. Just not with the history. That's the "thing" for me.

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Originally posted by Kraquin:

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Originally posted by Georgeair:
This OP has to be trolling. Right?

Maybe not intentionally so it would go into the passive-aggressive high horse thread category.

You talken to me?

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Originally posted by chellim1:

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Originally posted by TXJIM:
You either have an appreciation for these type of luxury items or you don't. No one will be able to provide an explanation that helps you rationalize such a purchase.

Why buy a Krieghoff shotgun when a Remington will do the job?

Why buy a Krieghoff, if you can afford a Perazzi?

Seriously, owning a Rolex means a lot of things to a lot of people (as you can see above). To me it satisfies my appreciation for a well made mechanical device. Like chellim, I appreciate the quality of a high grade shotgun (Krieghoff or Perazzi) that might not be of interest to those who view these as mere tools. The design, execution, and cosmetic appeal mean something to many of us and if you can afford it, why not own one?

When I was a kid, my father took me to the Pachmayr gunshop in Los Angeles. I looked at the beautiful rifles and shotguns they offered and thought they weren't just beautiful, but considered the places that those wealthy enough to own one would take them.

So now that I'm retired and well enough off to own some high grade guns (Perazzi being my favorite), I can also enjoy wearing a watch that's well designed, aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and tough. I bought my first Rolex (a previously owned, stainless steel Submariner, about four years ago for $5500.00. Because these watches have appreciated in value, I traded it in for much more than that when I acquired a Deep Sea Sea Dweller. This and my rather simple wedding ring are the only jewelry that I wear.

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Originally posted by George43:
I see in the classified section that there is a Rolex for sale for $12,000. It just had a $2,000 cleaning. I have an iPhone that costs less and keeps better time. A Ferrari costs more but really a watch?

Yep. You get what you pay for. Some people are in to soft toilet paper. Or rare tuna. I caught heck for spending $120 for ONE fitted top sheet (I bought two and they are now over four years old). Don’t get me started on my lined REI socks @ $12 per pair. But like a Rolex, they last literally forever.

I’ve got a pair of hand sewn shoes over ten years old. They look like road kill at this point but have not yet fallen apart. And yes, I’m one of those. Beans do belong in chili.

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Originally posted by nra-life-member:
Once you have a deepsea - you will never go back. Big, heavy and makes a statement.

And now that Pulicords has finally surfaced showing off that gorgeous Deep Blue...

I know I have seen it on this forum previously but, where is the best place to get a quality used Rolex nowadays? I just got my Datejust refurbished by Rolex and it started my wife asking how "much would one for me run? Just asking, I really don't need one."

I have done some searching and steel/gold 26mm Datejust for women seem to be in the $2,800 - $4,500 range depending on the age and condition.

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Originally posted by T-Boy:
I know I have seen it on this forum previously but, where is the best place to get a quality used Rolex nowadays? I just got my Datejust refurbished by Rolex and it started my wife asking how "much would one for me run? Just asking, I really don't need one."

I have done some searching and steel/gold 26mm Datejust for women seem to be in the $2,800 - $4,500 range depending on the age and condition.

With that budget, you're in great shape to get a very very nice women's Rolex. Dave Truong is your man.

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T-Boy

Least expensive solution is to have her model your DJ, tell her how good it looks on her, perfect fit and all, and give it to her.

Trolling rolexforums classified for 4-8 months would be greatly helpful. The one that got away for my gal was a 26mm or 31mm DJ, rose gold and stainless two-tone, MOP stick dial, domed bezel, Jubilee bracelet. Absolutely new from seller lawrenceb. $5,000.

I'd look out for end links which are not a perfect fit, rounded case edges, saggy bracelet. You'd want unpolished one owner if possible.

I was looking on Bob's Watches, Watchbox and Chrono24. For the 216570 I'm looking for, it appears just about no ADs have them in stock and they go used for the same price as new because of this. I think all new Rolexes in the US come through NYC, so I doubt this low inventory will be solved for a while. I don't mind buying used, but it's a hard pill to swallow when the ADs have the same watch listed on their sites for the same price, but new.

I got mine at Crown and Caliber here in Atlanta.

They opened the case back so I could inspect the movement.

Chrono24 is overrun with fakes right now.