Watch Collectors - Information / Advice

[VaTom]

Recently returned from a trip to Germany. I had been looking at Dive watches for several years and in particular Citizen Eco- Drive models. I do fishing, paddling, water sports, etc. and wanted a good, rugged water resistant watch and have had good service out of my Citizen Eco-Drive dress watch. Ended up buying a Citizen Pro Master Dive Watch in Germany. Price was very good as well as duty-free so no VAT (Value Added Tax). Model BNO 190-82E.

When researching afterwards I found that this particular model is not one listed in the Citizen USA catalog. Contacted Citizen USA customer service to see what the difference between US Models and those sold in Europe. They stated that Citizen watches have different models for different parts of the world and referred me to Citizen Watches -Europe. Awaiting a reply from them.

Didn't know this. Any watch collectors - do you know anything more.

Thanks. Really like the watch!

 

[Mexican Kerry]

I don't know more, but I also just picked up a Pro Master and it seems to be a great watch so far.

From the little bit I've been able to glean from the internet, different model numbers are basically for warranty issues (different coverage depending on country of origin). But that was only my interpretation of it, I could be way off. Hopefully someone with actually useful info comes along to answer this for you.

 

[ShivasIrons]

Citizen Eco Drives are pretty tough! I have a couple and they are great watches.

 

[billwill]

Squale, Steinhart, Halios, Helson, Zodiac, Nodus and NTH are all super automatic movement watches. Great value for the money. Of course you can always buy the flavor of the month Seiko, hundreds to choose from. If you are looking for a beater do everything watch get one of the Seiko Prospex diver line of watches and go do anything you want.

 

[TheHobbyist]

I am not familiar with buying internationally in this product category. However, I will state that my international purchases have been flawless. I am sure, obviously, there are many exceptions to this statement.

 

[VaTom]

I am not familiar with buying internationally in this product category. However, I will state that my international purchases have been flawless. I am sure, obviously, there are many exceptions to this statement.

Here is what I found out. I did save around $50+ on Citizen ProMaster Dive watch by buying over seas HOWEVER i have since learned that the warranty period is only 1 year for international purchase whereas the same watch purchased in U.S. has a 5 year warranty. Not happy about that!

 

[Narragansett]

I used to wear Orient Mako dive watches, and I do have a Wenger Swiss Army dive model, but I grew tired of the weight quickly. Now I wear Bertucci field watches made with titanium. Good for 100 meters, and weigh a fraction of what a dive watch weighs

 

[VaTom]

I used to wear Orient Mako dive watches, and I do have a Wenger Swiss Army dive model, but I grew tired of the weight quickly. Now I wear Bertucci field watches made with titanium. Good for 100 meters, and weigh a fraction of what a dive watch weighs

Citizen makes a titanium Promaster. Looked at it also. Quite a weight difference from the stainless but over $100 more. Went with the stainless with stainless band.

 

[03hemi]

Absolutely, the Jap watches sold in the US are different from the ones sold in Europe and cannot be serviced in the US for any warranty work. There are Horologist that can/will work on it, but you'll find out like me, the cost far out weighs the value of the watch. You'll be throwing it away when it quits.
And the Echo Drives say they don't need a battery, but they eventually will need one for the capacitor, so they actually do use a battery. fwiw

 

[03hemi]

Dragging out this old thread again, finally found the Luxury watch that I've always wanted.
An Omega blue dial Speedmaster with the 1151 movement. I like Rolexes, I just like Omegas better. I have an original alligator band and clasp on the way too, those were the hardest to locate.

 

[billwill]

Cannot go wrong with an Omega. Excellent watch. Oh and get that silly Christmas Morning grin off your face