I'm thinking about purchasing a new TAG Heuer watch. I would really like a Rolex but that's not going to happen. The model I'm thinking about is called a Formula 1. Any thoughts on the brand? Where to buy? Thanks.
TAG Heuer watches
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The Formula 1's I've seen have quartz movements and cost between $1300 and $3500. That's a lot for a battery operated watch. Tag Heuer also doesn't have the respect it once had by a lot watch enthusiasts. Resale won't be great.
As much as I admire Rolex, I don't own one. Initial price and service costs are too rich for my blood. There are a lot of quality watches available in your price range and many of them are heavily discounted if you know where to look. Seiko makes some great products, including their acclaimed Grand Seiko line. Tudor, Breitling, Ball, Rado and Glycine and also make quality time pieces.
Christopher Ward is a small London based maker of Swiss watches that sells direct. They make some really nice stuff and they have several clearance sales every year. You can get a quality automatic with a beautiful finish for under $1500.
I frequent a site where the members list watch deals. Sometimes the discounts are 70% or more. I'll send you a link. If any other members are interested, shoot me a PM.
As much as I admire Rolex, I don't own one. Initial price and service costs are too rich for my blood. There are a lot of quality watches available in your price range and many of them are heavily discounted if you know where to look. Seiko makes some great products, including their acclaimed Grand Seiko line. Tudor, Breitling, Ball, Rado and Glycine and also make quality time pieces.
Christopher Ward is a small London based maker of Swiss watches that sells direct. They make some really nice stuff and they have several clearance sales every year. You can get a quality automatic with a beautiful finish for under $1500.
I frequent a site where the members list watch deals. Sometimes the discounts are 70% or more. I'll send you a link. If any other members are interested, shoot me a PM.
Well, you have said something without saying anything. What model? What purpose do you want it for?
I bought a Rolex 30 years ago. Wear it a couple times a year. I used to wear it every day years ago. Serviced it a couple years ago, 600.00. Now back in safe.
Quartz will be your most accurate. Rolex is reasonably accurate. They never claim to be most accurate, just most rugged. I have no Idea what a Rolex costs today, but I am sure it is plenty, and nobody discounts them.
My every day watch is a Bertucci
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OP
Good to know. Thank you. I know very little about watches. From your comment, I take it that battery operated watches are looked down upon in the higher end/collector/quality watch world. I hadn't even given that a thought.
This will be a dress watch. And I was hoping to get something before next Friday because I want to wear it to a fundraising dinner that I'm going to in Chicago next Saturday. Flying out on Friday. The required dress for the event is "business casual" and I normally dress in "welder". I have to buy something to wear and I've been wanting a nice watch. I do have a Seiko, but it has a broken crystal. My everyday watch is a Casio G-Shock that I treasure because it was a present from my son. But I like the "Rolex" style look. Will consider all quality brands. Thanks.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
My brother and I bought used Rolexes in 1990. Both were Oyster/ Day/ Date/ Stainless (no gold). His had the standard 3 row band, mine had the 5 row "Jubilee" Band, we paid about 25% of going new retail. Often used watches have a presentation inscribed on the back of the watch. That part is inexpensive to replace, but we never did. (Ours were Retirement watches from Coca-Cola, Canada, that gave them a little Coke collector value!) I have mine serviced in 2003 and the Jeweler stole mine and several expensive jewels, that got him 10 years in the Grey Bar Hotel!
My brother still wears his every day, never has needed any service. He also bought himself a second one with about 1/10 being gold and his wife one that matches it (She wears that one every day, and mucks the horse stalls in it!)
If you have body chemistry that messes up a watch, the type of stainless in Rolexes' is non-magnetic. Mine kept time to within 2 minutes a year before the first cleaning and to within 1 minute a year before it was stolen. Good enough to sail around the world and navigate with. The only time my brother and I wouldn't wear them was days we poured concrete!
Ivan
My brother still wears his every day, never has needed any service. He also bought himself a second one with about 1/10 being gold and his wife one that matches it (She wears that one every day, and mucks the horse stalls in it!)
If you have body chemistry that messes up a watch, the type of stainless in Rolexes' is non-magnetic. Mine kept time to within 2 minutes a year before the first cleaning and to within 1 minute a year before it was stolen. Good enough to sail around the world and navigate with. The only time my brother and I wouldn't wear them was days we poured concrete!
Ivan
If the Seiko is dress style, go to a watch repair place and see if you can get the crystal replaced quickly?
I do not like chronograph watches with all the dials.
Rolex has the style, name, reliability, and reputation, but you are going to pay for it. I bet a new Datejust gold and silver is going to be 10K at a guess for 36mm size. Brietling is not cheap either.
I see men wearing sneakers with suits on TV, so I would not get hung up on dress style. I like a good field watch. To me that meets business casual which I guess is nice slacks, polo of dress shirt, and a jacket and maybe loafers?
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OK, I have to ask what is the main reason for buying a Rolex? I assume so people will see you own a Rolex!
Swiss watches are hard to beat, but prices paid are for the name more than the quality today. Are their watches as good as Rolex out there at much lower price - absolutely. Personally, I own a Raymond Weil and a Tag Heuer, both lower end watch models. Had both for over 25 years and have done nothing more than change the battery in them every couple years. They keep perfect time, are waterproof, and always work perfectly. Guess that is a function over form decision??
I know that other Swiss watches do not have the "wrist appeal" of Rolex, but I would rather take my several thousand dollar savings and buy more S&Ws!
Swiss watches are hard to beat, but prices paid are for the name more than the quality today. Are their watches as good as Rolex out there at much lower price - absolutely. Personally, I own a Raymond Weil and a Tag Heuer, both lower end watch models. Had both for over 25 years and have done nothing more than change the battery in them every couple years. They keep perfect time, are waterproof, and always work perfectly. Guess that is a function over form decision??
I know that other Swiss watches do not have the "wrist appeal" of Rolex, but I would rather take my several thousand dollar savings and buy more S&Ws!
THE PILGRIM
Member
Have a Rolex and a Tag.
They are both locked in the Safe.
Being a Recovering Type A, I don't wear a watch.
Otherwise I keep checking the time to insure we are on schedule and hitting all of our check points.
Even when we don't have a schedule.
When you have a Cellphone you are living on Boulder Time.
Except Don Williams.
He's still living on Tulsa Time.
They are both locked in the Safe.
Being a Recovering Type A, I don't wear a watch.
Otherwise I keep checking the time to insure we are on schedule and hitting all of our check points.
Even when we don't have a schedule.
When you have a Cellphone you are living on Boulder Time.
Except Don Williams.
He's still living on Tulsa Time.
TheHobbyist
Member
I always liked the old Formula 1 Tag Heuer watches.
There's an Omega speedmaster on a popular auction site right now for around $ 2.2K.
An option around $600 may include: Frederique Constant Business Timer.
By the way, there is a ton of higher-end jewelers etc. in Northbrook, just north of where you are headed.
There's an Omega speedmaster on a popular auction site right now for around $ 2.2K.
An option around $600 may include: Frederique Constant Business Timer.
By the way, there is a ton of higher-end jewelers etc. in Northbrook, just north of where you are headed.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
My current watch is a Hamilton manual wind up watch mad for the Army in 1975, I has a Tritium dial so when it dies it needs radiation type disposal. At the Jewelry stores that carry Hamilton, a quarts, non tritium listing for $400. My old watch need wound every day, but people that matter to me, know what it is and it gets as much respect as my Rolex ever did. One of the guys at church is a retired Structural Engineer and is a former small craft pilot. He has the "Pilot Mandatory watch with all the small dials and circular slide rule, but he hasn't worn it for ages. When I told him what the go for now versus when he bought it in 1966, he about fainted! He was hoping on of the grandkids would become a pilot, but that isn't going to happen. So he donated it to the church and they sold it for missionary money. There are many very good watches sitting unused in jewelry boxes that have a surprising value!
Ivan
Ivan
Bought my Submariner in the 70's, price was $236! But that was a week's pay! One reason for buying was as previously stated, corrosion resistance due to my body chemistry having destroyed several other brand watches. I was doing a lot of diving also back then, and having a Rolex on your wrist was prestigious, as well as functional.
I wore mine to work, and broke the band while running a concrete pump. Went through the hopper, luckily missed the gates closing on it, and then down about 500' of line! Worker on the end of the line saw a flash in the mix coming out of the line, and pulled it out! Called me on the radio, and asked how many lunches was a Rolex worth!
Other than the band, no damage, and as another watch brand ad says "still ticking"!
Cost of service later, no more diving, aging, and wearing several medical devices that have the time on them, led me to retire it! Had it appraised a while back, and worth substantially more in today's market! In fact my homeowners insurance refused to cover it anymore due to the appraised value submitted. Hummmmm?
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Was your jeweler a relation to James Traficant
No, the dad founded the store and hired quality bench people, the son took over and hired drug addicts and became one as well as a thief!
Ivan
OP
I am actually going to a fundraising dinner at a place called "Pinstripes" in Northbrook. My son and his girlfriend live in Skokie. The dinner is on Saturday. I don't think I'll have time to do any shopping.
I am a big fan of Omega. All or more than the quality and history of any other brand but not as likely to bring negative comments about "showing off" that a Rolex sometimes bring. You can spend more, but I'm not sure you can get a better quality watch. I have a Seamaster Planet Ocean I wear 24/7.
Amazon about 4 years ago....$70.00.
Keeps great time.
The day I spent 3K+ on a watch just
lock me up.
Keeps great time.
The day I spent 3K+ on a watch just
lock me up.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Then wear the Casio. Who gives a rodents behind what people think!!!
DIsclosure: I have worn my Rolex Seadweller as an everyday watch since I bought in back in 1996. That's what I bought it for....not to keep in a vault. The band has stretched out to the point that I was not comfortable wearing it and a new band cost damn neatr qwhat I paid for the whole watch!! SO I bougt a nice $30 nylon band took the metal band off and now wear the watch with the cheap band. Function over form.
Agani who cares what people think!! Wear the Casion
