That's pretty cool 453030!

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Originally posted by r0gue:
That's pretty cool 453030!

Thank you, Sir. I feel Chopard is a bit underappreciated in the watch world. That 8Hz Chronometer has been an outstanding piece for me.

LMT, probably more relevant around these parts :-)

I was thinking of a Tissot as my next watch. Now I'm considering a Marathon. Don't think I'll go for an expensive model. What are some good options for a less expensive version?

For you guys with the Circa 1900s watches, I'd like to look into a trench watch but I've heard crazy stories about radium dials and such. Real concern or are they usually scraped clean? Is there a way to know my watch will be the only thing that glows in the dark?

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Originally posted by Anubismp:
For you guys with the Circa 1900s watches, I'd like to look into a trench watch but I've heard crazy stories about radium dials and such. Real concern or are they usually scraped clean? Is there a way to know my watch will be the only thing that glows in the dark?

The amount of radium on a watch dial and on the hands isn't really much of a concern. It was the people who made the watches that had problems from exposure. As long as you don't open the case and breathe any radium dust you'll be fine.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BrianO,

Good to know, thanks.

Radium info: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/11/health/11real.html

Radium dials are still radioactive and will be for a long time. But the levels are super low, maybe not much above background levels. It is a very, very low risk.

But, don't open the watch. You don't want to accidentally inhale or ingest a flake of radium paint. Leave opening those watches to someone who knows what they are doing.

Workers painting radium dials licked their paintbrushes to put a point on them. They swallowed a fair amount of radium over the years.

I picked this up today.

Ebay find. $18.50 because it had a broken Twist O Flex.

kz and mars: Nice finds!!

RMD

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Originally posted by at-home-daddy:

quote:

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
An Orange watch is always the right choice! I've had a bunch. None have stuck for me. But I have one inbound (due in September). I just can't stay away.

I’m lusting after one now, but haven’t been able to find the right deal on it yet. But I’m going to keep looking

...aannd as luck would have it I found the right deal, and bought it today. Took a while because even though it’s a cheaper watch, it’s not nearly as readily available as it once was (it may, in fact, be discontinued in orange), so general scarcity has kept the the somewhat inflated price stable. But I finally negotiated one from an AD down to around its former retail, and hope to have it (from the Netherlands) in a week or so. Can’t wait to get it.

It’s an Orient Mako XL with orange bezel...a poor man’s Omega Planet Ocean (a watch I’d of course love to have, but fortunately for my wallet I’ve been able over the years to keep my watch max fixed at $500...and truth be told there are stylistic choices of the Orient that I actually prefer). Sure, it doesn’t handwind or hack and the movement is a basic one, but by all measures Orient is a good brand and, most of all, I just think this is an absolutely gorgeous watch, one that really scratches my love for orange.

Finally put this new arrival in rotation a few days ago, and on the first day of wearing it I'll be damned if I didn't scape it against my stone kitchen counter edge not once but twice. I swear that stone is magnetic...it's left its mark on two other watches I own.

With this watch, the first time the Watch Gods blessed me with a blemish-free experience...but the second time they scoffed at the repeat of my obliviousness and foolishness and my brand-new watch now has a slight scratch on the orange bezel, right in front of the "60" at the top of the dial and a corresponding tiny ding in the crystal edge. Granted, you can really only see them at the right angle and light, but still...jeez.

This is why I don't buy watches over $500. I'm pissed off enough at myself over dinging this cheap watch the first day out...I can only imagine how much mental anguish I'd be having if it was a $3000 Omega Plant Ocean Orange instead of this $200 subtle homage. And with my history, it's almost certain this won't be the last time that kitchen counter will claim a victim.

OH NO! I hate that. This is why I try to buy beat up used ones.

quote:

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:
I can only imagine how much mental anguish I'd be having if it was a $3000 Omega Plant Ocean Orange instead of this $200 subtle homage. And with my history, it's almost certain this won't be the last time that kitchen counter will claim a victim.

A PO better not scratch. It has a ceramic bezel, extremely hard case and some of the best sapphire crystals offered.

The bracelet is another story. Even Rolex bracelets will scratch.

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Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:

quote:

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:
I can only imagine how much mental anguish I'd be having if it was a $3000 Omega Plant Ocean Orange instead of this $200 subtle homage. And with my history, it's almost certain this won't be the last time that kitchen counter will claim a victim.

A PO better not scratch. It has a ceramic bezel, extremely hard case and some of the best sapphire crystals offered.

Ah, good point. You’re right, the Omega would’ve likely held up to my carelessness much better.

quote:

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:

quote:

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:
I can only imagine how much mental anguish I'd be having if it was a $3000 Omega Plant Ocean Orange instead of this $200 subtle homage. And with my history, it's almost certain this won't be the last time that kitchen counter will claim a victim.

A PO better not scratch. It has a ceramic bezel, extremely hard case and some of the best sapphire crystals offered.

Ah, good point. You’re right, the Omega would’ve likely held up to my carelessness much better.

I have a 20 year old Seamaster, and I like the beat-up character it has gotten over it's life. It doesn't have a ceramic bezel, and the old metal one has acquired many dings.

I'ts why I prefer experienced watches. I just bought that old Tag 2000 as a daily beater.

The picture makes it look beat up, but it really is in fantastic shape, the hard flash just accentuates the slightest of scratches.

Tell me Sigforum members what's the difference between a 300 dollar watch and a 3000 dollar watch? I'm considering another watch. A dress watch is what I really need. I like the Hamilton Jazz Master. But, 600 dollars is a bit much for a watch I'll only wear maybe two or three times a year.

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Originally posted by goose5:
Tell me Sigforum members what's the difference between a 300 dollar watch and a 3000 dollar watch? I'm considering another watch. A dress watch is what I really need. I like the Hamilton Jazz Master. But, 600 dollars is a bit much for a watch I'll only wear maybe two or three times a year.

A $300 watch will have either an Asian mechanical or electric movement. Citizen and Seiko make GREAT watches, but Swiss command a premium.

You CAN get a Hamilton automatic (ETA 2824-2) for under $600.

https://www.jomashop.com/ha.ht...utomatic&order=price

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
Tell me Sigforum members what's the difference between a 300 dollar watch and a 3000 dollar watch? I'm considering another watch. A dress watch is what I really need. I like the Hamilton Jazz Master. But, 600 dollars is a bit much for a watch I'll only wear maybe two or three times a year.

Some of the difference is truly quality, some of it reputation, demand and marketing.

The Swiss have the reputation and marketing down pat. The big names have the quality down pat.

A lot of watches marked "Swiss" are simply assembled in Switzerland of Asian-made parts or Asian movement shipped to the Swiss houses and modified therein.

The Swiss used to be rather strict about their reputation; the quartz rampage in the 70-80 period changed a lot of that.

RMD

I have never heard of Jomashop. Are they considered a "grey market?) Are they good to deal with? I have been looking on the Hamilton, Tissot, Macy's, and Overstock sites.