Best watch for around $5,000? [Archived]

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sscritic
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Post by sscritic »

Gekko wrote: "I don't wear jewelry, except for this watch. It's the best in the world - costs sixty five grand." - Lenny Dykstra
You mean this Lenny Dykstra?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4145589

http://www.latimes.com/classified/reale ... 3030.story

Bankruptcy and foreclosure are just around the corner.
Analystic
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Set yourself free!

Post by Analystic »

Seriously, I took off my watch eight years ago. I'm not retired. I have a profession where time matters.
I took off my watch.
I will never go back.
My blood pressure dropped ten points.
Set yourself free. Really.
You can always peek at your phone if you must.
You do not need a timepiece on your wrist.
No watch is the new elite look.
Give the 5G to charity.
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Post by yobria »

johnjtaylorus wrote:So Ivy diplomas have to be burned along with the Mensa membership card in order to attain reverse chic?
By all means. Instead, write down what you achieved after (or instead of) college and frame it on your wall. That's what impresses me.

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DRiP Guy
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Post by DRiP Guy »

johnjtaylorus wrote:So Ivy diplomas have to be burned along with the Mensa membership card in order to attain reverse chic?
Hipsters in Möbius circles consuming Möbius onion rings while blowing Möbius smoke clouds...
The twist on hipster mockery, of course, is that (like all vicious satire), it comes from inside. That is, you have to recognize the subtle hipster tropes, which means that you are probably pretty much a hipster already.

One picture, of a guy in a plaid jacket listening to headphones, is captioned, "If I didn't already know I was listening to Animal Collective on these headphones, I would bet myself $100 that I was listening to Animal Collective on these headphones." Which is, of course, only funny to a hipster.
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eggs
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Post by eggs »

I've never really bought myself anything that couldn't be justified some how. I save all that for gift giving during holidays/birthdays.

Except for my new watch, which I just bought this weekend, at the urging of my wife.

I've only had it for a little while now of course, but I absolutely love it. Ulysse Nardin Maxi-Marine Chronometer.
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DRiP Guy
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Post by DRiP Guy »

eggs wrote:I've never really bought myself anything that couldn't be justified... Except for my new watch...Ulysse Nardin Maxi-Marine Chronometer.

Image

:roll:
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Post by eggs »

DRiP Guy wrote:
eggs wrote:I've never really bought myself anything that couldn't be justified... Except for my new watch...Ulysse Nardin Maxi-Marine Chronometer.

Image

:roll:
Yeah, that's not quite the one ;)

Bought the 41mm stainless steel version with the white face. The cost is more in line with this thread, and imo, its better looking than the gold version. 8)

Image
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nisiprius
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Post by nisiprius »

eggs wrote:I've never really bought myself anything that couldn't be justified some how. I save all that for gift giving during holidays/birthdays.

Except for my new watch, which I just bought this weekend, at the urging of my wife.

I've only had it for a little while now of course, but I absolutely love it. Ulysse Nardin Maxi-Marine Chronometer.
If it's supposed to be a "chronometer," don't you need three of them, so that if one of them is inaccurate you can tell which one it is? :P

(Sailing captains in the days when longitude was determined by chronometer always carried three chronometers, for that reason)
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Post by chaz »

nisiprius wrote:
eggs wrote:I've never really bought myself anything that couldn't be justified some how. I save all that for gift giving during holidays/birthdays.

Except for my new watch, which I just bought this weekend, at the urging of my wife.

I've only had it for a little while now of course, but I absolutely love it. Ulysse Nardin Maxi-Marine Chronometer.
If it's supposed to be a "chronometer," don't you need three of them, so that if one of them is inaccurate you can tell which one it is? :P

(Sailing captains in the days when longitude was determined by chronometer always carried three chronometers, for that reason)
But two could be innacurate.
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eggs
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Post by eggs »

nisiprius wrote:
eggs wrote:I've never really bought myself anything that couldn't be justified some how. I save all that for gift giving during holidays/birthdays.

Except for my new watch, which I just bought this weekend, at the urging of my wife.

I've only had it for a little while now of course, but I absolutely love it. Ulysse Nardin Maxi-Marine Chronometer.
If it's supposed to be a "chronometer," don't you need three of them, so that if one of them is inaccurate you can tell which one it is? :P

(Sailing captains in the days when longitude was determined by chronometer always carried three chronometers, for that reason)
hah! Something tells me my cell phone will have to fill that void ;)
leonard
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Post by leonard »

Best $5k watch?

Casio G-Shock wrapped around $4,960 in bills.
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ataloss
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Post by ataloss »

G-shock waveceptor/atomic/solar for me
better timekeeping than the fancy watches and no maintenance except getting out in the sun to charge it (not all that easy in michigan in the winter)

A more interesting question in my view is the best audio power amp for $10,000 ( looking at the McIntosh labs web site again)
bmb
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Post by bmb »

Great watch article in current New Yorker:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009 ... _fact_marx

http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=2009-05-25#folio=033

An atomic watch loses a second every 100 million years.
Einstein's 1931 Longines auctioned for $596K.
The Patek Phillipe Calbre 89 auctioned for $4M in 2004. It has 1728 parts, 24 hands and can perform 33 tasks, such as modelling all the stars in the night sky.
If they make thousands of Rolexes a year, how "exclusive" are they?
Last edited by bmb on Sat May 23, 2009 2:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by LadyGeek »

ataloss wrote:A more interesting question in my view is the best audio power amp for $10,000 ( looking at the McIntosh labs web site again)
You'll need the best $10,000 speakers to match. Although, one could spend more. Especially on the source equipment. And interconnects.

My better half has an Altis Titanium Tactical watch: altimeter, barometer, thermometer, ski chrono, chronograph, time.
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ataloss
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Post by ataloss »

nice watch, my wife insists that the "listening room" is actually a "family room" and has veto power over loudspeaker size and placement. That limitation helps me reign in my desire for better amplification :lol:
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Post by LadyGeek »

Don't give up! You should always desire a better amp. Why don't you change your perspective and not use any speakers? Consider a serious pair of headphones and headphone amp. Start your research here.

Less volume of air to push (your ears instead of a room) means smaller electronics. You could get away with under $3,500 for a really nice setup. That leaves you $1,500 for the watch. Mental accounting at its finest. :)
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edge
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Post by edge »

bmb wrote:Great watch article in current New Yorker:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009 ... _fact_marx

http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=2009-05-25#folio=033

An atomic watch loses a second every 100 million years.
Einstein's 1931 Longines auctioned for $596K.
The Patek Phillipe Calbre 89 auctioned for $4M in 2004. It has 1728 parts, 24 hands and can perform 33 tasks, such as modelling all the stars in the night sky.
If they make thousands of Rolexes a year, how "exclusive" are they?
Rolex is a triumph of marketing. They probably make more than 1 million Rolex watches per year. They are not particularly high quality and are obviously NOT exclusive.
SP-diceman
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Post by SP-diceman »

I bought Louis Winthorpe's III watch from the pawn shop.
50 bucks! A steal.



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Post by ataloss »

That would solve my speaker and room issues. Like the idea of super low thd even before listening!
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nick22
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watch

Post by nick22 »

for $5,000, you can call me day or night and I will simply tell you the time. Your own personal service :lol:
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Post by Gekko »

what happened? did you ever buy the watch?
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Petrocelli
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Post by Petrocelli »

Gekko wrote:what happened? did you ever buy the watch?
No. For a number of reasons.

1. I discovered I have difficulty spending large amounts of money on myself.
2. The watches I really liked (Vacheron Constantin and Brequet) cost well more than $5,000.
3. We had a rough year at work. We did not lay-off anyone, but we did not give raises. I wondered if it would be a good time to show up with a new Rolex.

I think I am going to get a Kindle for my 50th instead.

However, the thread was a lot of fun.
Petrocelli (not the real Rico, but just a fan)
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Post by Gekko »

Petrocelli wrote:
Gekko wrote:what happened? did you ever buy the watch?
No. For a number of reasons.

1. I discovered I have difficulty spending large amounts of money on myself.
2. The watches I really liked (Vacheron Constantin and Brequet) cost well more than $5,000.
3. We had a rough year at work. We did not lay-off anyone, but we did not give raises. I wondered if it would be a good time to show up with a new Rolex.

I think I am going to get a Kindle for my 50th instead.

However, the thread was a lot of fun.
lame excuse!
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There is an easy solution

Post by cherijoh »

nisiprius wrote:
Petrocelli wrote: One problem I've never quite solved is how to have a backup watch to use between the time when you notice your watch has stopped and the hours, days, or weeks until you can get around to having it repaired or having the battery replaced. I have a spare watch in a drawer, but of course all the cheap watches use batteries, so unless you make a fetish of replacing the battery in the spare watch, the chances are only about even that the spare watch is working.
I used to have the same problem - when my watch battery died I found that all my watch batteries were dead. Then I realized that all you had to do was pull out the pin (as though you were changing the time) and leave it out. The watch isn't running so you are not using up the battery. I'm sure the battery is drained somewhat by just sitting around, but this has solved the issue of having a spare watch when the main one has a dead battery.

C
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Post by wander »

I am not the boss so no body carries my cell phone and passes important calls to me. I always have a cell phone with me. The cell phone has its own clock that is adjusted by itself when I travel to different time zones. Years after years, I rely on the cell phone clock and do not need a watch. :)
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Post by nisiprius »

cherijoh wrote:Then I realized that all you had to do was pull out the pin (as though you were changing the time) and leave it out. The watch isn't running so you are not using up the battery
I wonder if this is true? I wouldn't do it, anyway--I dread resetting my watch twice a year--because I've lost stems that way.

Yes, I do it gently! And I've only lost two stems in thirty years. But, let me put it this way: the stem never comes out when I'm not pulling on it.

Try explaining to the passenger in the next seat that you'd like to bend over and rummage between their legs and see if you can find your watch stem. It's safer just to leave the darn watch on Eastern time and adjust mentally.

I'm sure that's only because my watch is a shoddy cheapjack Seiko. :idea: Maybe I need a Rolex.

I've heard that a Patek Philippe has a little magazine full of spare stems and whenever you lose one, a springloaded mechanism triggered by the recoil automatically loads a fresh stem into place. :P
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Post by Chip »

I used to have the same problem - when my watch battery died I found that all my watch batteries were dead. Then I realized that all you had to do was pull out the pin (as though you were changing the time) and leave it out.
I figured out the same thing a couple of years ago. It seems to work well, though I haven't been doing it long enough to know for sure.
555
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.

Post by 555 »

.
Last edited by 555 on Fri Mar 26, 2010 12:11 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by Tall Grass »

Holy mackeral, this thread never seems to die! I used to collect vintage watches, and still think they're cool as a piece of men's jewelry (IMO the only jewelry a man should wear is a watch and a wedding ring).

A watch really has no useful function in this day and age.

I like the classic look of the 30's to 50's, especially in art-deco styles...


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Post by Pres »

A girl was visiting her blonde friend, who had acquired two new dogs, and asked her what their names were.

The blonde responded by saying that one was named Rolex and one was named Timex.

Her friend said, “Whoever heard of someone naming dogs like that?”

“HELLLOOOOOOO……,” answered the blond. “They’re watch dogs!”
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Post by stratton »

What's the least expensive watch that might have the same quality time innards as a $5K watch?

Paul
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Post by musbane »

stratton wrote:What's the least expensive watch that might have the same quality time innards as a $5K watch?

Paul

A stolen one?
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Post by MWCA »

I have nothing much to add to this thread.

Other than


LOL and wow.

Should sticky this thing.
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Post by leod »

i have a perpetual calendar Seiko which is more accurate than my chronometer watch and never have to adjust the date but it's not fun to wear.

after i've max our savings this year then i'll buy one, its my only jewelry. my wedding ring is hidden in the safe. don't want to lose that one. :D
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Post by Dingle »

I wear a Breitling. Great watch. :thumbsup
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Swiss army watch

Post by rustymutt »

I bought a Swiss army watch about 10 years ago for under $100. I still use daily. Great time keeper and looks good at the same time. Why do you want to spend $5000 for a watch?
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Post by njuser »

This thread is so relaxing to read. I hope it never dies.
SP-diceman
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Post by SP-diceman »

Maybe for some competition:

The best watch for $50?

Dont think that would be half as much fun.


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Post by roymeo »

How about hitting eBay with "elgin watch"...

http://cgi.ebay.com/GREAT-ELGIN-DURAPOW ... 3efc6c8de5
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Post by southerndoc »

I have a Tag Heuer that I bought on sale for $900. I love it. Stainless steel, looks nice, keeps time very well. Had it for 8 years now.

I used to want a Rolex when I was young and didn't have money. Now that I have a decent amount of money, I couldn't care less, and in fact, probably would have reservations about buying another Tag Heuer now if I were in the market for a watch again (despite the fact I love it very much).
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Post by Opponent Process »

my cell phone keeps pretty good time.
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Post by nisiprius »

stratton wrote:What's the least expensive watch that might have the same quality time innards as a $5K watch?
Define what you mean by "same quality time innards."

Are you making an artificial rule that they have to have the same technology--that is, it's unfair for a watch to keep good time by "stealing" it from a multimillion-dollar radio transmitter in Fort Collins rather than using its' own honest springs and escapement?

I don't know, but I just betcha that a year-2010 Rolex does not use exactly the same technology in it as a 1902 Waltham Riverside Maximus with 23 Jewels Corrected For Temperature And Five Positions. I'll bet the alloys and metallurgy and jeweled bearings and so forth in it are totally different. Where would they get the whale oil to lubricate it? They probably use some newfangled synthetic stuff.
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Post by DRiP Guy »

nisiprius wrote:
stratton wrote:What's the least expensive watch that might have the same quality time innards as a $5K watch?
Define what you mean by "same quality time innards."

Are you making an artificial rule that they have to have the same technology--that is, it's unfair for a watch to keep good time by "stealing" it from a multimillion-dollar radio transmitter in Fort Collins rather than using its' own honest springs and escapement?

I don't know, but I just betcha that a year-2010 Rolex does not use exactly the same technology in it as a 1902 Waltham Riverside Maximus with 23 Jewels Corrected For Temperature And Five Positions. I'll bet the alloys and metallurgy and jeweled bearings and so forth in it are totally different. Where would they get the whale oil to lubricate it? They probably use some newfangled synthetic stuff.
My Blackberry synced to NIST standard time, FTW.

Cost of timepiece (over nominal cost of device and service I would have anyway) - Zero.

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Post by satori »

I have a new Timex with "Indiglo" -- the light up feature. It has the date and a nice leather band that matches most of my clothes. It cost around $40. It isn't accurate to the nanosecond like the atomic clock at NIST, but so far it keeps time fine. Biggest problem is I keep forgetting to wear it! Timex was my very first watch, so I can claim that I'm sporting an American retro-look. (But if someone gifting me a $5000 Rolex I wouldn't refuse it.) :P
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Post by Opponent Process »

satori wrote: I can claim that I'm sporting an American retro-look.
any watch is an American retro-look.
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Post by satori »

[quote="Opponent Process"][quote="satori"] I can claim that I'm sporting an American retro-look.[/quote]

any watch is an American retro-look.[/quote]

But not all watches were originally an American brand. Timex started somewhere in Connecticut. "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking." I think they are now made in China.
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Post by stratton »

nisiprius wrote:
stratton wrote:What's the least expensive watch that might have the same quality time innards as a $5K watch?
Define what you mean by "same quality time innards."
Typically products are 40% or more discounted to get a wholesale price. This means a $5000 watch is probably $3000 or less to it's seller. Wages are huge cost and these watches have a lot of "bling" on the case exterior. High quality time piece innards might only cost $100 if they order them in bulk. A $300 mass produced, very high quality, watch might be a better time keeper than a $5000 watch.

Paul
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Post by nisiprius »

stratton wrote:
nisiprius wrote:
stratton wrote:What's the least expensive watch that might have the same quality time innards as a $5K watch?
Define what you mean by "same quality time innards."
Typically products are 40% or more discounted to get a wholesale price. This means a $5000 watch is probably $3000 or less to it's seller. Wages are huge cost and these watches have a lot of "bling" on the case exterior. High quality time piece innards might only cost $100 if they order them in bulk. A $300 mass produced, very high quality, watch might be a better time keeper than a $5000 watch.
Well, yeah, and a $9.95 drugstore watch with a quartz crystal might be a better timekeeper than a $300 mass-produced watch that uses a hairspring and escapement.

I mean, that's the question. Is timekeeping the measure of "quality?" If not, what is? And if it's anything else, aren't you're playing by arbitrary rules?

If it makes you feel good to know that your watch manages to overcome the handicap of being mechanical, and tell good enough time by having precise jeweled bearings and such, it might make you feel better to know that it also manages to overcome the additional handicap of not being mass-produced, and better yet to know it was made by higher-paid workers. Being made by craftsmen might be your definition of quality.
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Post by johnjtaylorus »

Money Magazine (March 2010, p. 24).
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Post by XtremeSki2001 »

Can't get enough of this watch which is around $3k ... I probably won't ever get an expensive watch, but it's fun to think about it.

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