Obligatory Wristwatch Thread

[Up1911Fan]

I’ve got a long-winded question for the group.

I’ve only owned three watches (other than Timex when I was young): a Casio G-Shock DW-6600, an older Seiko SKX007, and a Seiko 6309-7049.

The G-Shock was worn about 95% of the time until I was a detective in 2016 and started wearing a suit everyday for a while and then would wear one of the Seikos (usually the 6309) and just kept wearing it. To be honest, the Seiko 6309’s case is really fat and just has never felt super comfortable to me. I tend to wear my watch where you shouldn’t (below the bone closer to the hand).

I’m not really a watch-rotation type of guy. I’m a “wear only one all the time" type of guy.

I’ve always wanted one really nice watch, a Rolex, Omega, Panerai, etc. I guess a “someday” sort of thing. I’m finding that if I don’t just buy something that “someday” is never going to come. I really regret not buying a nice watch ten or twelve years ago when the market wasn't ridiculous. You live and learn I guess.

I’m a 6’3” guy with a big frame and a pretty flat 7.5” wrist. For the past year I was wearing a polo and 5.11 pants everyday at work. Right now at work I’m either wearing business casual (90% of the time) or a uniform (10%). At home I nearly always wearing jean or shorts and a t-shirt or flannel. The deepest I will ever dive is about 12 feet in a swimming pool (just being realistic). The only jewelry you will ever see me wear is my wedding ring. I have two kids under five to give you an idea of lifestyle.

I think somewhere around $3500 is probably my absolute ceiling. My tastes have changed a little over time and while Rolex Subs and those of similar format (Omega Seamaster, my own Seiko’s, etc.) look appealing to me I don’t need nor will I ever use their features. Rolex was always what I had wanted, but they’re out of my price range right now. Lots of guys I work with own Omega’s (there are like five Plant Ocean’s in rotation at my work right now) so I don’t want to buy the same thing everyone else is wearing.

I value having the watch be uncomplicated to read and very legible and having a seconds complication. I prefer straps to bracelets.

All of this has me looking at the Panerai PAM380. They can be picked up pre-owned for about my price range. They’re super legible. I’ve never had a chance to try one on, but I’ve always found they have a strong appeal to me and I’m big enough I don’t think it would look weird. If I get one I think it would probably live on a factory textile strap.

Do they still have the 90’s cigar-smoking former action star vibe or have people moved past that?

Based on what I described can I pull it off as a 24/7 watch?

Be careful looking for a Panerai in that price range, tons of fakes out there. I would definitely look at Tudor, but at a regular Black Bay, not the .925 mentioned above ( at 39mm with a dive bezel, it's going to look small on your wrist). For the under $5k budget I would always recommend 3 brands: Omega, Tudor and Grand Seiko. Should be able to get a nice used piece from any of those brand for around your budget. If you want to buy new, I would up the budget a bit. There isn't much that retails for $3-4k I think is worth buying for the money spent. You get a lot better watch that will also retain more value in the $5k+ range. What type of watch do you want? 3 hander? Diver? GMT?

[theJanitor]

All of this has me looking at the Panerai PAM380. They can be picked up pre-owned for about my price range. They’re super legible. I’ve never had a chance to try one on, but I’ve always found they have a strong appeal to me and I’m big enough I don’t think it would look weird. If I get one I think it would probably live on a factory textile strap.

Do they still have the 90’s cigar-smoking former action star vibe or have people moved past that?

Based on what I described can I pull it off as a 24/7 watch?

I have a 7.5" wrist and used a PAM111 for an EDC watch for about four years straight. My only complaint is that it wouldn't fit under the cuff of a well fitted shirt. I still love it though, and the size wears well on me. I've found the Tudor Pelagos to be the perfect 24/7 watch for me. It's like the Sub for those of us that don't want a Sub

[theJanitor]

Loaded up shipping containers today wearing my ‘74 speedie.




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[Totem Polar]

watch?

In addition to the other suggestions, I’d also advise having a look at the various Sinn offerings. There’s a lot to be said for those watches.

[JM Campbell]

Loaded up shipping containers today wearing my ‘74 speedie.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great gloves, really good looking watch.


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[37th Mass]

I’ve got a long-winded question for the group.

I’ve only owned three watches (other than Timex when I was young): a Casio G-Shock DW-6600, an older Seiko SKX007, and a Seiko 6309-7049.

The G-Shock was worn about 95% of the time until I was a detective in 2016 and started wearing a suit everyday for a while and then would wear one of the Seikos (usually the 6309) and just kept wearing it. To be honest, the Seiko 6309’s case is really fat and just has never felt super comfortable to me. I tend to wear my watch where you shouldn’t (below the bone closer to the hand).

I’m not really a watch-rotation type of guy. I’m a “wear only one all the time" type of guy.

I’ve always wanted one really nice watch, a Rolex, Omega, Panerai, etc. I guess a “someday” sort of thing. I’m finding that if I don’t just buy something that “someday” is never going to come. I really regret not buying a nice watch ten or twelve years ago when the market wasn't ridiculous. You live and learn I guess.

I’m a 6’3” guy with a big frame and a pretty flat 7.5” wrist. For the past year I was wearing a polo and 5.11 pants everyday at work. Right now at work I’m either wearing business casual (90% of the time) or a uniform (10%). At home I nearly always wearing jean or shorts and a t-shirt or flannel. The deepest I will ever dive is about 12 feet in a swimming pool (just being realistic). The only jewelry you will ever see me wear is my wedding ring. I have two kids under five to give you an idea of lifestyle.

I think somewhere around $3500 is probably my absolute ceiling. My tastes have changed a little over time and while Rolex Subs and those of similar format (Omega Seamaster, my own Seiko’s, etc.) look appealing to me I don’t need nor will I ever use their features. Rolex was always what I had wanted, but they’re out of my price range right now. Lots of guys I work with own Omega’s (there are like five Plant Ocean’s in rotation at my work right now) so I don’t want to buy the same thing everyone else is wearing.

I value having the watch be uncomplicated to read and very legible and having a seconds complication. I prefer straps to bracelets.

All of this has me looking at the Panerai PAM380. They can be picked up pre-owned for about my price range. They’re super legible. I’ve never had a chance to try one on, but I’ve always found they have a strong appeal to me and I’m big enough I don’t think it would look weird. If I get one I think it would probably live on a factory textile strap.

Do they still have the 90’s cigar-smoking former action star vibe or have people moved past that?

Based on what I described can I pull it off as a 24/7 watch?

The Longines Spirit watches are in your price range and have been getting great reviews. I'm considering one of the GMT models. Here is a nice clean one with a strap.



https://www.longines.com/en-us/watch...-l3-811-1-53-2

[HeavyDuty]

In addition to the other suggestions, I’d also advise having a look at the various Sinn offerings. There’s a lot to be said for those watches.

That would be my suggestion, too. With his size, a U1 would probably be a good fit.

[DMCutter]

That would be my suggestion, too. With his size, a U1 would probably be a good fit.

I had a U1 when they first came out and I hated the Lego hands. I replaced it with a U2 which has been my daily beater and most dived watch ever since. The tech isn't as earthshattering as it was when they first came out but it's still an outstanding watch for the money.

[Totem Polar]

That would be my suggestion, too. With his size, a U1 would probably be a good fit.

[98z28]

I had a U1 when they first came out and I hated the Lego hands. I replaced it with a U2 which has been my daily beater and most dived watch ever since. The tech isn't as earthshattering as it was when they first came out but it's still an outstanding watch for the money.

The Lego hands are a love it or hate it feature. I happen to love them. It’s just the right amount of quirkiness and color for my (admittedly odd) taste, and the face is very legible in most light conditions. I’ve worn a U50 about 95% of the time since getting one when they first came out. It’s the perfect size for my 5’11” frame and 7” wrist. I am a big Sinn fan, but I sold off my 103 St acrylic, 104 I, and 556 and I don’t find myself missing them with the U50 around.

The U1 is a significantly larger and heavier watch. The size and weight are the most common complaints I read from folks who are selling U1’s. I’d say to try one before buying, but that’s not so easy with Sinn. You have to either catch a WatchBuys road show or know someone who owns one and will let you try it on.

There are lots of great suggestions in this price range already. I’m a Sinn fan, though many would not consider their divers and fliegers great “one watch” options since they might look out of place with a suit (I don’t agree and have worn them with a suit quite a bit). If you’re looking for something a little more elegant, it might be worth checking out their Frankfurt Financial District Watches: https://www.sinn.de/en/Frankfurt_Fin...ct_Watches.htm.