The Watch Thread (11 Viewers)

[Budha]

I imported a watch 2 years ago from Europe. No VAT refund and I roughly paid 2.5% import duty through UPS upon arrival. I can't find the itemized breakdown anymore. It was definitely a complex calculation of all the different components of the piece.

Thanks - Oh, that’s not as bad as I thought it might be.

I’ve read quite a few posts saying they are kinda of a pain to calculate and as long as you’re not being stupid, CBP doesn’t really care. They are not looking for a guy who bought a watch - lol.

 

[warma]

On watch box, I went with American Chest Captain model with the glass top and drawers. There are nicer and there cheaper, but I’m happy.

I’d be worried about watches banging around on the briefcase style box, as lovely as it looks. (Yes, I realize there’s s soft suede piece in there to hold them all together, but I worry I’d be tempted to lift it like a briefcase and some of my thinner watches would jostle about.)

https://www.americanchest.com/watch-chests-and-watchwinders

 

[warma]

I imported a watch 2 years ago from Europe. No VAT refund and I roughly paid 2.5% import duty through UPS upon arrival. I can't find the itemized breakdown anymore. It was definitely a complex calculation of all the different components of the piece.

No VAT refund? How did you buy it?

 

[Old State]

I’ve been interested in watches for over 20 years and never was drawn to many Rolex models…but this has always been on my list since the first time I saw it. Turned down the previous model from the dealer for different in watch in 2020…then the market went nuts. Decided to ask about one in the fall and they called me about a month ago.

 

[btbmason]

Looking through some packed up boxes and ran into my old daily wearer that was unfortunately replaced by an Apple Watch for work purposes.

Still works but probably needs a service at this point. I was very into budget-friendly automatic watches for a while.

 

[Budha]

Looking through some packed up boxes and ran into my old daily wearer that was unfortunately replaced by an Apple Watch for work purposes.

Still works but probably needs a service at this point. I was very into budget-friendly automatic watches for a while.

View attachment 1347420

nice!

I’m a big fan of Hamilton’s. For the money, I think they are a great watch!

Their service is great too, I think a complete service is ~$250 - $300 direct through Hamilton. IIRC, I think since they are part of SWATCH and use ETA’s, I read somewhere they just swap in a new movement.

 

[btbmason]

nice!

I’m a big fan of Hamilton’s. For the money, I think they are a great watch!

Their service is great too, I think a complete service is ~$250 - $300 direct through Hamilton. IIRC, I think since they are part of SWATCH and use ETA’s, I read somewhere they just swap in a new movement.

I briefly worked for Swatch, and they indeed part of Swatch.

I picked that up for $500 new in I think 2015. I had a regular Pan Europ before that but upgraded to the chrono when I saw I was able to get it for that price.

 

[joeyshin]

I briefly worked for Swatch, and they indeed part of Swatch.

I picked that up for $500 new in I think 2015. I had a regular Pan Europ before that but upgraded to the chrono when I saw I was able to get it for that price.

I’ve worn a Pan Europ as my daily for the past 6+ years. The red indexes faded but other than that it still ticks great. I’ve gone through 3 nato straps already

I’m deciding on whether to get a Khaki or a Submariner next.

 

[btbmason]

I’ve worn a Pan Europ as my daily for the past 6+ years. The red indexes faded but other than that it still ticks great. I’ve gone through 3 nato straps already

I do have a new NATO in hand for the chrono, though oddly enough I was considering buying the leather “racing” strap that was on my original Pan Europ since I liked that better than the alligator strap on the chrono.

I’m deciding on whether to get a Khaki or a Submariner next.

The Khaki is a great watch for the price. I’d be jumping at the chance for a Rolex though. You can always go and get a Khaki later, they aren’t going anywhere.

 

[joeyshin]

I do have a new NATO in hand for the chrono, though oddly enough I was considering buying the leather “racing” strap that was on my original Pan Europ since I liked that better than the alligator strap on the chrono.



The Khaki is a great watch for the price. I’d be jumping at the chance for a Rolex though. You can always go and get a Khaki later, they aren’t going anywhere.

Same with rollies. Maybe I should sell my fifty fathoms first. Then I might be able to get both

 

[Budha]

I’ve worn a Pan Europ as my daily for the past 6+ years. The red indexes faded but other than that it still ticks great. I’ve gone through 3 nato straps already

View attachment 1347714




I’m deciding on whether to get a Khaki or a Submariner next.

I have a Hamilton Khaki and love it! It’s a great daily driver. I opted for the mechanical version (I kinda like having to wind it).

I got my son one as well. The submariner is a great watch as well, however I just cant bring myself to pay the prices for Rolex right now (I think they will come down more). But, it’s a hell of a nice watch!

I’ve been kind of impressed with Tudor recently, and for the money - hard to beat.

I’m out of the mkt for a while though. Just picked this up while in Italy. Great deal, and with getting 22% VAT back - I got my son’s Hamilton pretty much free and still came out good on the Breitling.

Here’s a Tudor I tried on as well:

I saw this one afterwards and I might have gotten this one instead - lol. (The Breitling was a total impulse and unplanned buy - lol)

 

[joeyshin]

I have a Hamilton Khaki and love it! It’s a great daily driver. I opted for the mechanical version (I kinda like having to wind it).

I got my son one as well. The submariner is a great watch as well, however I just cant bring myself to pay the prices for Rolex right now (I think they will come down more). But, it’s a hell of a nice watch!

I’ve been kind of impressed with Tudor recently, and for the money - hard to beat.

I’m out of the mkt for a while though. Just picked this up while in Italy. Great deal, and with getting 22% VAT back - I got my son’s Hamilton pretty much free and still came out good on the Breitling.

View attachment 1347727

Here’s a Tudor I tried on as well:
View attachment 1347728

I saw this one afterwards and I might have gotten this one instead - lol. (The Breitling was a total impulse and unplanned buy - lol)
View attachment 1347729

That’s a great dial on the seamaster!

I looked at black bays but felt I might as well splurge for the sub.

 

[Budha]

That’s a great dial on the seamaster!

I looked at black bays but felt I might as well splurge for the sub.

Yeah, isn’t that dial cool!! It was really cool in person.

You really can’t go wrong with the sub!

 

[DirtyTIVA]

No VAT refund? How did you buy it?

I paid the VAT I guess. Sorry just seeing your post now.

For anyone interested, Shreve in SF has been liquidating for a few weeks now. I went in and found a Corum Admiral 42 tourbillon in rose gold brand new but no box. 60% off sticker of 62k. Out the door price is 26k. I almost impulse bought it. If it goes another 10% off I still might. I just called them now and it is still available. #12/75.

These are screenshots from the videos I took. Anyone seriously interested PM me and I can send you the full videos.

 

[DirtyTIVA]

Also shout out to Bellusso Jewelers at the Palazzo for helping me to replace my original strap with something more modern. With @chrismurda

California wouldn’t allow this upgrade to happen

 

[warma]

I have a Hamilton Khaki and love it! It’s a great daily driver. I opted for the mechanical version (I kinda like having to wind it).

I got my son one as well. The submariner is a great watch as well, however I just cant bring myself to pay the prices for Rolex right now (I think they will come down more). But, it’s a hell of a nice watch!

I’ve been kind of impressed with Tudor recently, and for the money - hard to beat.

I’m out of the mkt for a while though. Just picked this up while in Italy. Great deal, and with getting 22% VAT back - I got my son’s Hamilton pretty much free and still came out good on the Breitling.

View attachment 1347730

Here’s a Tudor I tried on as well:
View attachment 1347728

I saw this one afterwards and I might have gotten this one instead - lol. (The Breitling was a total impulse and unplanned buy - lol)
View attachment 1347729

That no-date Breitling is a beauty!

 

[warma]

Also shout out to Bellusso Jewelers at the Palazzo for helping me to replace my original strap with something more modern. With @chrismurda

View attachment 1347734

California wouldn’t allow this upgrade to happen

That blue strap is gorgeous. For your next one, take a look at ABPconcept.paris. I’ve had multiple custom straps made by them (for several watches) and love them.

 

[Budha]

That no-date Breitling is a beauty!

Thanks! It’s a bit of a left turn from my normal taste, but I do like it.

 

[Old State]

nice!

I’m a big fan of Hamilton’s. For the money, I think they are a great watch!

Their service is great too, I think a complete service is ~$250 - $300 direct through Hamilton. IIRC, I think since they are part of SWATCH and use ETA’s, I read somewhere they just swap in a new movement.

I’m thinking movement swaps are more the norm than not. I recently sent in a 20 year old Tag Heuer Carrera in for a full service. it has had a “calibre 16” which is really a decorated and regulated ETA 7750. They returned the watch with all the old parts they replaced. They replaced the case, dial, hands, pushers, bezel, and crown. They refinished the bracelet. When I flipped it over I could see the rotor was a newer production design…which makes me think the entire movement was swapped out.

 

[warma]

I’m thinking movement swaps are more the norm than not. I recently sent in a 20 year old Tag Heuer Carrera in for a full service. it has had a “calibre 16” which is really a decorated and regulated ETA 7750. They returned the watch with all the old parts they replaced. They replaced the case, dial, hands, pushers, bezel, and crown. They refinished the bracelet. When I flipped it over I could see the rotor was a newer production design…which makes me think the entire movement was swapped out.

You sent it to the Tag/LVMH service center? They should have told you before they did. Wow.

On the other hand- you kinda got a new watch….

 

[Old State]

You sent it to the Tag/LVMH service center? They should have told you before they did. Wow.

On the other hand- you kinda got a new watch….

Yes and I okay’d a total refurb via communication with the Tag boutique. It was my very first “nice watch” that I never wear. It’s not worth much more than I paid for it in 2004 money. I figured I’d get it to look and function like new and give it to my son in a few years when he is older.
But yes ….its basically a new watch and keeping excellent time…within COSC specs in multiple positions. I actually googled a new movement and case back to see how much it would be to make up a second watch! Haha

 

[Old State]

That’s a great dial on the seamaster!

I looked at black bays but felt I might as well splurge for the sub.

Only buy the Tudor if that is what you actually want. If you want a Sub just wait to get it.

I now have the only Rolex I’ve ever really lusted for (Explorer 1…though I may end up with an Explorer 2 at some point) and I really like some Tudors for being unique pieces.

I’ve never been a fan of the modern Sub aesthetic and prefer the retro skin diver look. I also think of dive watches as beater types so I feel like they should be acquired under $6K.
I’m heavily considering the Tudor Pelagos 39 but possibly an Omega Seamaster 300 heritage. I already own an Omega and don’t have a Tudor …so that would be it.

If I was going to spend in the $10k range for a dive watch I would chose the JLC Polaris blue boutique edition. It’s rediculously beautiful and WAY more watch than a Sub at the same price. JLC also carries serious watch nerd street credibility while 90% of people wearing a Sub don’t even know what model they are wearing

 

[kmccormick100]

Forgot to post my most recent pickup. The milgauss was the first Rolex I ever really fell in love with like 10 years ago, stoked to pick one up for a pretty good deal. I think I actually prefer this version to the green crystal one, cleaner dial and a little more subtly wearable.

 

[cpac54]

Forgot to post my most recent pickup. The milgauss was the first Rolex I ever really fell in love with like 10 years ago, stoked to pick one up for a pretty good deal. I think I actually prefer this version to the green crystal one, cleaner dial and a little more subtly wearable. View attachment 1348179

I love my Milgauss - it’s such an understated watch.

 

[Budha]

I’m heavily considering the Tudor Pelagos 39 but possibly an Omega Seamaster 300 heritage.

i like both of these watches a lot! Had I planned a little better, it’s likely it would have been one of these (as I already have a Breitling).

I’m thinking movement swaps are more the norm than not.

I tend to agree, especially with ETA movements. Maybe not so much on highly sophisticated, complicated movements, but date/time - this would make sense.

 

[Old State]

Forgot to post my most recent pickup. The milgauss was the first Rolex I ever really fell in love with like 10 years ago, stoked to pick one up for a pretty good deal. I think I actually prefer this version to the green crystal one, cleaner dial and a little more subtly wearable. View attachment 1348179

Hang on to that. I had a Rolex AD rep insist with absolute confidence, that Rolex is not bringing that model back so it should become very collectible.

 

[Max D]

Finally broke down and got it…. Went in for a PAM 1312 and came out with a 1313

 

[warma]

Finally broke down and got it…. Went in for a PAM 1312 and came out with a 1313
View attachment 1352168

blue > black.

Throw this on for some pop!

 

[Budha]

Any watch winder users here? I have an older dual Wolf winder. After digging into it now that one of the motors went out, not at all impressed with the overall build quality.

In the market for a new one. Understand the argument of unnecessary wear on the movements, however I feel for watches with a screw down crown (divers, etc). If your swapping watches fairly regularly, the wear on the crown/stem threads is likely worse than the wear on the movement from being in a winder. (And a potentially more costly repair, depending on the watch)

Anyone have any experience with Benson winders?

 

[DirtyTIVA]

Any watch winder users here? I have an older dual Wolf winder. After digging into it now that one of the motors went out, not at all impressed with the overall build quality.

In the market for a new one. Understand the argument of unnecessary wear on the movements, however I feel for watches with a screw down crown (divers, etc). If your swapping watches fairly regularly, the wear on the crown/stem threads is likely worse than the wear on the movement from being in a winder. (And a potentially more costly repair, depending on the watch)

Anyone have any experience with Benson winders?

I’ve gone through a few available on Amazon in the $100 range. The lowest quality ones make too much noise. I recently had to replace a dual winder with the faux wood finish. First one lasted about 2 years before one of the two spinning directions really started struggling. I would recommend it for the price point. Just don’t expect it to last forever. I’m being more conscious this time around of avoiding the alternating directions to see if it prolongs motor life. It helps to figure out what wind direction(s) your watches are. These basic kinds of winders tend to overwind your watches fyi.

I've also had experience with a high end branded winder that's just a dream to use. Totally silent. Portable and with battery backup. Definitely does not overwind. If you put like a 10% power reserve watch in there it will slowly bring it up to 100% over 4-5 days. The cost is about 10x a Chinese one though.