Finding the best watches at 500, 1500 and 4000 USD
Вставка
- Опубліковано 19 чер 2024
- You've seen the lists. 10 best watches at 500 dollars. 10 best watches at 1.500 dollars. You get the idea. This video I talk about what you should be looking for and what you should avoid.
It's the video to end all "best video" videos.
Enjoy
For inquiries and collabs: twtw.mike@gmail.com
Fairly certain the Baltic Aquascaphe GMT shown at 2:52 isn’t quartz as labelled. It’s got an automatic movement. Certainly, the non GMT Aquascaphe has an automatic Miyota 9039.
Editing mistake. Should have been a timex in that spot. (Which has a similar bezel which is likely why I mixed them up)
Well spotted. 😀👍
Similar looking watches! :)
Own the Timex Q GMT and like you describe of watches in this price range, it feels light and lower quality in hand and the GMT hand is difficult to set correctly, but I love the look, credentials and it’s lightness = comfort. “Good watch” 👍🏻
I love this channel, it makes me remember the basic principles I was taught when I did my economics degree forty five years ago; principles such as "diminishing maginal utility", "market positioning" and "conspicuous consumption". Curves keep appearing in my head.
I have a few Christopher Ward watches (six and counting) and at this point in my life I can't justify spending more money on a watch just to buy brand recognition. My CW watches haven't had any problems with either build quslity or accuracy and a couple of them are now over ten years old. I've also been wearing the same Pulsar (Seiko) kinetic watch for sailing and motorcycling for the last twenty five years and that watch still looks the same and still has the same space age accuracy.
I really like, that everytime you mention a watch, you also show a picture of it. THAT is the only way to do it on video; too many UA-camrs think that video = podcast.
Thanks - It started out as a way of adding visual interest, but it turns out not everybody knows every watch so adding the watches mentioned for context has been useful for many 😊
Yeah, I'm new to this scene, so I appreciate the visuals.
This channel is quickly becoming my favorite channel when it comes to watches. Super insightful. Subscribed 👍
Now the bot comments are taking over. This has been posted every last of his 7-8 videos
Same
@@patrik3450 your comment had me questioning if i was an actual bot for a second there 😂😂
@@troytona no problem 😅😂 but there are a lot of them everywhere on UA-cam these days.
he really is unique in terms of his analyses. like the underlying theme of the video, he seems to differentiate his approach vs. other watch reviewers
Coffee and a new video from Mike…just part of my Saturday morning routine.
☺️
Same here. Afternoon cappuccino from my Gaggia, and the video. Wondering about selling my Tudor - oof, their secondary values tumble - great for buyers of pre-loved.
@@mindfulawareness1They sure do tumble. I’ll hang on to my Black Bay Heritage a while longer LOL
@@eyeheartsushi2212Same here! 😂 I thought it would be time to let go of my heritage 41. But let’s enjoy it a lil longer 🙈
lol.... sounds wonderful (at least the coffee does) 😂😂
I’m convinced that the most overhyped spec is water resistance. How many buyers dive at depth? Power reserve is another spec that I don’t hold much value in. If it’s a daily watch, who cares? If it runs out of power, wind and shake it.
I also wonder about in-house movements from brands like Nomos that don’t have USA servicing. Just my 2 cents.
Agreed on the water resistance. I just want enough to not worry about it getting wet when I wash my hands or to possibly swim in.
and who needs a screw down crown? Not me, I hate these things, just somthing to worry about or break :(
The thing is, a water resistance rating doesn't correspond to actual use in, say, diving. So the depth rating is in general way overstated. 300 meters may be more like 100 meters in real use. Fortunately, 100 meters is almost 3x the recreational depth limit.
It is same in the sports car world. I have an old Corvette ZR1 that is capable of speeds of over 200mph. I'll never go that fast, but it sure is a cool feeling driving a car that can. It is satisfying owning a thing that was designed to do something extreme, even if you never test those limits. None of that may appeal to a person, and for those people they make Toyota Corollas.
@@overbuiltlimited you dont have be going 200mph to enjoy a corvette, you can still feel the car's power and handling when driving normal, ive enjoyed plenty of fast cars without breaking traffic laws. you can't feel a watch's 300m rating when washing your hands.
You’re one of the best channels about quality watches out there ..
Giving great insight to the facts with common sense applied to it..
Kinda like…
Seiko’s Lumabrite with several layers applied
Verses Hamilton & Tissot lume..
I appreciate your knowledge
Greg
Thanks for contributing . Cheers 😊😊
Your insight stems from common sense but overlooked by the lust of the chase by the masses. Thanks for bringing me back down to earth. I'm a person who can afford watches 10k and less, but prefer the quality of $1500 resulting from the competition. Name allure is something that turns me off and I am a person who appreciates engineering and quality. I enjoy Sinn, CW, Longines & Seiko watches.
Well said. As a mechanical Engineer I feel exactly the same.
Those Seiko movements though. How do they jibe with the engineering mind?
I am eyeing the spb143 with the 6r35. I would just like the accuracy to be good enough to not have to think about it. I am trying to digest what another UA-camr (Andrew Morgan) recently said - if you’re worried about seconds per day, you’re doing it wrong.
@@yleexot touche. I've been lucky with mine In fact that is the only Seiko I own hahaha
@@yleexotforget about accuracy. Nobody is wearing a mechanical watch to accurately know the time. It’s just a piece of jewelry with engineering involved
@@yleexot Couldn’t agree with you more! As a long time Seiko fan it infuriates me that even the 4R movements can be regulated to +/- 6 or 7 secs per day, and even better on the 6R movements, yet Seiko doesn’t do this simple procedure before overcharging you for the watches that have these movements?!! But it gets better, I have a SLA051 Willard (£2500 when new so not insubstantial money) re-interpretation with undecorated GRAND SEIKO movement 8L35 got it, was running -12 secs per day, gave it 8 weeks to bed in, same! Had to pay good money at a Grand Seiko boutique to regulate it and restore its water resistance back to new, now running +0.5 to 1 sec per day, consistently, superb, and despite all this, love the watch, Apocalypse Now was THE movie when I was a teenager and had to have a Willard! Why Seiko, why the eff do you do this shit? Regulate your bloody watches! Even startup micro brands do so FFS! I will add I am a Mechanical Engineer so precision and making sure things run as they SHOULD do is part of my DNA. So can’t agree with Andrew Morgan, despite liking his channel.
My Seiko SKX013 and 009 cost me around $200-300. . Had had it for over 10 years and still running strong. They have 200m water resistance, ISO, rotating bezel day date and automatic. They don’t make watches like these any more
Definitely can last forever with periodic service.
Seiko Turtles are pretty good replacements of SKX watches. Sure, they cost more but that can be attributed to inflation.
And if you don't need 200m but 100m is good enough then the 5KX aka SRPD series are great and cost $200-300.
I disagree. Have 2 skxes. Around 5 years old now. For last two years they've been running plus few minutes per day. Sounds OK for the price but it's frustrating especially that THE CROWN on one got very hard to unscrew and had to be serviced. They're objectively bad watches but cool from historical perspective. Also bezel on one stopped rotating. Its all OK if service for them was widely accessible but with rising cost of labour you better learn it yourself or loose a lot of money(in respect to price paid)
Your video summed it up very well. It's like most every product, there's a point when you stop looking at "specs" and pay more attention to the name and when that convergence happens, you'll pay more because you perceive it elevates YOU. The best advice is to buy what YOU like.
My "best" watch is my Seiko SPB143 because of the heritage, name and because it just looks cool. Not the most expensive watch, but my favorite.
SPB143 - also a favorite of mine. So far, likely my most worn watch of the year 😊
At this stage, in terms of an 'informative' and 'thought-provoking' watch UA-cam channel, I don't think there is any doubt that this is the 'best' one. (Oops, that word again). It really is a revelation.
You are too kind. Don't know if I'm that good, but am happy that there are some that appreciate my approach 😃
Love the no nonsense of the channel
No hype
Just a well considered and thought out discussion on watches
Love the Channel
Glad to hear it 😃
I just picked up the longines Zulu 39 for around $4000 CAD and wow am I Impressed, the overall finishing attention to detail,
Movement and the way the crown operates is just buttery smooth fantastic all around!
Another lovely job, Mike. So happens i showed my 12 watch rotation box to a non-watchnerd friend this week and sure enough, his Qs included "What's your favourite?" and "Which is the best watch here?". All i could do was mumble and start explaining comparatives between several much-loved pieces.
Anyway, this Saturday morning i think it's my vintage Seiko Bullhead. Ask me again next weekend 😀
Who's the favorite of your children? Probably easier to answer for me than my favorite watch... 😂😂
I love the way you point out what the brands are thinking with their designs and specs at different price points. Now that you point out the key design elements I know what to look for during my watch collecting journey. Thank you for the education.
Glad you found it helpful. Always remember to do your own research as well. 😊😊
Where have you been all my (very short, btw) watch enthusiasts' life? By far yours is the best channel that speaks to me while I try and understand the world of watches. Well done, sir.
Very kind of you. Just happy you found me 😃
Thank you for sharing. Those are really excellent points. When it comes down to it, purchasing a watch, wearing a watch, and talking about one's watch is all part of the experience of owning one. Whether we pay $100 or $10,000, it's all about the meaning (and function) a watch brings to our lives.
Thanks for stopping by - It's appreciated 😃
I think you haven't checked Sinn's prices for a while, if you think they cap out at $3000. lol
😂😂😂 me looking at the gold bronze ... went with tudor instead lol
Lol. True. 😂😂😂
I readily admit that I didn't check and just went on my historical recollection of their pricing. I know they've had gold models at high prices that I kind of always ignore but turns out they are getting quite expensive.
Not entirely sure it's justified in every instance.
Yet again, a fantastic and refreshing take on a subject that has been beaten to death by other youtubers. My "best" watch is probably my 1950s JLC 37.5mm 'jumbo' Cal. 479. No other watch gets as much wrist time, and no other watch sounds as good, JLC is JLC for a reason.
A 1966 Bellaire Mechanical watch, still have it and it saved my life while I was in Vietnam, it is my most 'valuable' watch.
Very well described! I agree with your price categories, and I appreciate the clearheader assessment of maker intent in each. Very difficult to find others discussing this frankly, thank you.
Great videos Mike. I like all of my watches for different reasons, but I have a cheap Timex (35mm+dark blue face+white numerals and lettering) that always brings a smile to my face when I wear it with sweaters. I put a dark brown leather strap on it, and I can't believe how fluid it looks with the right outfit. Simplicity at its finest.
Good choice! .😊
My Invicta Grand Diver #3048 was purchased 12 years ago for $125CAD and, to this day, it still looks and runs as well as it did the day it arrived. That NH35A movement has never missed a beat despite never having been serviced. I can't complain about that.
This channel is gold. Fascinating to hear depth and perspective from someone that doesn’t have to restrain from offending a brand they have a financial interest in. Move over Teddy Baldassarre and Hodinkee, there is a new up and coming channel for watch lovers.
Thanks for the praise. Glad you found me 😃
1. Very insightful.
2. Like many people, I have stumbled through things over the years on my learning curve. Yes, I learned that quartz movements were more accurate and if service were required, much less expensive. When my girlfriend paid for a factory overhaul of her Rolex, I was blown away.
3. Eventually, I concluded the most visible part of the complete watch was the strap. I discussed this with a watch repairman. He said that the problem was that a leather band wore out too quickly. So during the week, he would wear a watch with a metal strap and a watch with a leather strap on a date or going to an event. Seemed like a very good idea.
In December, I bought a new Bulova watch. By March, the leather strap was cracking. Ok. Switched to a Wenger military with a Speidel twistaflex band as the daily beater. Have 1/2 dozen watches with new leather straps available if I have to wear a suit or go out somewhere.
I own a digital Timex Expedition with a rotating bezel, which was the first watch I ever owned. I received it somewhere in the mid 90's when I was about 10 years old, and besides replacing the strap and battery, it still runs. Nothing on it is broken and even the Indiglo (yes, Indiglo) still works. I throw it on my wrist a few times a year just for nostalgia.
You have a good pulse on what different consumers look for in a watch. I especially appreciated the discussion at the 4K level where a large part of the price tag is brand recognition. In a way it’s a bit like wine at $20, $50 and $200. Beyond a certain price it’s no longer about quality or winemaking but the prestige linked to a particular label or producer. Appreciate your thoughtful discourse as always, cheers!
I get the pont. And you're right, the overpriced Limited Edition Seiko's or brands like Tudor or Oris are not that much better as a $1.500 watch. But you forget the chrono's or high complicated movements like a minute repeater. I can live with the fact that they are more expensive. Also watches from small watchmakers. They are so different than the established order has to offer. They are for watch enthousiasts rather than for someone who just wants a "good" watch. I would spend my money on those, rather than a Tudor.
Love my Hanhart MKI
True - once you go to the higher end, complications do to a large extent justify a higher price point 😃
Wow. I've just found your channel, and it's like a breath of fresh air in the watch world.
Other channels have knowledge, sure. But you offer WISDOM. It's amazing. You cut through the noise and actually reveal what's going on below. Incredible. Love it. May you go from strength to strength!
Thanks and welcome 😃😃
Sharp and reasonable! I agree with everything, there is only one thing I have to say: there are, in fact, watches around 500 built to last decades: Citizen!
Agreed. This brand doesn't get the respect it deserves... And they make some amazing watches.
A really good overview of the watch market, showing what to expect at different price points. No over the top praise or criticism of brands, just clear advice & explanation of the reality how the market works. So many watch fans get hooked up on the specs, they become a bit blinkered when comparing models.
Glad you found it worth a watch 😊
Over the decades I've owned a lot of watch brands, Patek, AP, Rolex, Longines Linde Werdelin, Glycine, etc. I can honestly say the best watch out there is the G Shock. Practically covers all bases- price, specs and longevity.
For the majority that prefers ugliness "G Shock" is the most popular. Its design reflects the cultural decay.
Greetings from Greece! Yet another classy and well-rounded video. Thank you for your take on price categories and value evaluation and how brand names impact this. This video could very much be a useful reference ... negating the need for a formal marketing course (for this specific industry). Bravo!
Thanks a ton 😊
A crash course in watch price points. As a fairly new enthusiast, I learned quite a lot from this 'pro bono' video for watch lovers. Mike, you are an excellent teacher.
This is a great channel, the topics are relevant and not repetitive with other watch channels, I like his insight into buyers’ habits, brand positioning, and seeing value in a wide variety of manufacturers. Keep it up
Always a delight to hear your unique perspective on these price points. Bravo.
This is good guidance to start from, providing reference points that allow to make sense of market, brands and price brackets. Wish I had tit a year ago when I entered the hobby.
Each of us adds his own biases and preferences on top of that ground.
I'm lucky that I don't give that much value to brands, this will probably allow me to collect more and spend less. I resonate with other things, like movements that represent(ed) a technical advance, history and my quirky taste 😅
This has quickly become my favourite place on the internet for all things watches. Great work!
Wow, thanks! 😊
This is why I love getting watches slightly used or new via grey on chrono. Get a $4000usd watch for $3000 with warranty and new. Or local sales. Got my longines spirit zulu for $2300USD new from an AD
Love your channel and reviews. I own a collection of the usual suspects - rolex, omega, tag. However I am hooked on a Casio Oceanus S-100. A sub 500 USD watch, in titanium. Has a radio signal, solar quartz movement. It just works. No servicing or worry that it might get damaged. You should take a look, they are a refreshing perspective on watch making.
Glad to have you as a supporter 😃
This is one of the most informative videos on watches ive ever watched. You are a saint. Thank you
I really enjoyed this video. Haven't seen someone so eloquent and precise about this. Thank you Sir.
Thank you 😃
I liked this video 😀 I also got say my favourite watch atm is my cheapest $100 white Casio watch. I use it at work (kindergarten where I often get sand on it) and I have 13! different NATO straps for it, so I change it daily. What I like about it over my much more expensive mechanical watches is that I don't care if it get broken as it so cheap that I can afford to buy a new one if needed. So far though I haven't seen a single scratch on it :) I do prefer having my more expensive mechanical watches around my wrist, but I hate always feeling like I have to be extra careful with it because I know the fixing price is more than the whole Casio watch.
honestly im so glad i found this channel. Been watching watch youtubers for years and i can say that this channel has by far the best and most enjoyable content amongst all i've seen. I cant help but binge-watch.
Wow, thanks. Glad you're on board 😀
I acquired a Seiko SRP automatic for $169 and of course, it's lovely. I do wish for more (screw down crown/bracelet) but it's a beautiful sport model and looks lovely. $500 can buy you a lot if you look carefully.
I do love your videos and thank you for making these.
The question should be what is the best watch for YOU as its not a one size or style fits all situation. This can be infinitely analyzed on a spread sheet comparing endless variables but the long and the short of it is buy what you like and screw what other people think. I have a number of quartz watches and they are all excellent in some way or another. I dont have to wind or set them everyday so that's a heck of a bonus. Some I take to the gym, other I go hunt with but they all have their place! Hope you have a fantastic weekend Mike!
Outstanding video!!! This was exactly the kind of video I've been looking for. It's been super difficult to look through the seemingly endless options and determine the best value for money watches (im not a fan of paying premiums for brand names). Recently bought a CW and my experience definitely seems to align with what you're saying, £1000-£1500 is a sweet spot for value and quality.
Glad you found it helpful 😊
Awesome video.
Here's my little collection:
- Omega Aqua Terra 38 white dial
- Seiko SJE093 (62MAS)
- MONTA Oceanking v3
How are you liking the ocean king compared to your other 2 watches?
Thanks... and...
Awesome collection. Good choices 😃😃
I enjoy your videos Mike. My favorite watch that I keep wanting to wear everyday is also my least expensive in my collection. It's a Seiko SKX007. It doesn't have manual winding or hacking, it gains 5-8 seconds per day but I just don't care. I love the simplicity and the reliability of this dated design. With an upgraded bracelet, ceramic bezel insert, it is very comfortable to wear and enjoy.
My best watch ...is the watch I'm currently wearing - "Love the one you're with." Enjoyed this episode -good job! Today it's a first Generation Seiko Orange Monster on a new orange rubber strap. It makes me smile... It doesn't hand wind, or have hacking seconds which is pretty quirky.
Cool watch sir ! 😃
I like your perspectives and analytic style that applies to a number of other markets. I worke in the high-end audio segment and it’s very much alike.
Don't get me started on speaker cables, open back headphones and tube amps....... 😂
Think hard about what you want, do your research, buy what you love and you will rarely regret your decisions.
I appreciate your unique approach and logical perspective on watches and the watch industry. Thank you.
Very welcome - thanks for watching 😃😃
It’s official. You are now my favorite UA-cam channel.
You asked about our best watch. That’s a tough question that I had not asked myself before.
There are, in my opinion, 2 ways to define best watch. One is what you proposed in your video. In this case it would be my Speedy.
The other is the story of the watch. In this case I t is the watch awarded to my grandfather for him being in the frontlines in the WWII campaign to liberate Italy from the Nazis. Also a chronograph, nowhere near as refined as a speedy, but it is the best watch in the world for me. 😊
Happy to hear it - welcome aboard 😃
You are Fanstastic !! My best ia a Sinn U50 mother of Perl in Black U-boat bracelet, a Longines herirage classic in Blue leder and a Metal G-Shock 5600 . More than enough fron gut watches.... u are so right.... its all matters of perspective.... keep up the gut work and your open opinions! Thanks for the opinions and video's! Stefan Germany
I love my vostok panari, lol. Looks fantastic on the razor bracelet. It's not my best watch, but I love it. Keep producing incredible videos. You have continued to view the watch world from different angles. Thank you
Very well presented discussion and arguments. The only feature I'll look for in a watch at 500 dollars, is if it has a sapphire crystal. Movement, water resistant etc, is not important to me because 1 I don't wear my watches in the water and 2 the movement is fairly basic. Now at 1k-1500, I look for a design I like. And if I like a design that much, I'll look at other dial variations of the same model and potentially buy the same watch but with a different dial design or color. I have 3 Seiko Samurais and 3 Oris Chronoris models, one being a variation of the chronograph model.
Many of the old veteran watch UA-cam is sucking upto Rolex and Tudor and that’s he only content I see on their channels but newer younger channels with focus on contents like these is what made me get into watches. Good content.
Thanks for the feedback 😀
The best watch is the one which connect you to people you love. I have two of my grandfathers watches, may he rest in peace. A small Fortis toolwatch and a Eterna. Great video and explanation!
Great to see a Traska pop up on your B roll. The coating on them is outstanding and for the money, excellent. All the second hand ones I have seen and had hands on, are in fantastic condition.
Yeah - I threw it in as an easter egg, because I feel they have some relevant offers 😃
I love your down to earth approach - this video can really help navigating the wonderful world of watches.
glad you found it worth your time 😃
Always wait for your new videos. So much to learn from you. Always feel you have guided me from being ripped.regards from India
Great to hear! Cheers 😊
Interesting and informative, thanks. I'd take issue on the "avoid named brands" at the £1,500 entry level... as long as you're OK with Quartz. I think the Longines Conquest Quartz is a case in point. Nice design, decent build quality and finishing coupled with quartz accuracy and minimal servicing costs down the line. A good combination (for me).
Getting a BB58 a while back essentially killed my luxury watch itch which has surprised me. Fortunately for me and my wallet, Rolex in its current iteration never has had much appeal. I do like other luxury brand offerings, Cartier, JLC etc but not enough to purchase certainly at retail. Value for money rather than brand is increasingly important to me, and micro brands like Formex and Monta offering high quality watches with COSC movements at significantly lower cost, is where my interest now lies. My sense is the watch buyers market is going more in that direction, and many watchmakers vying for the lucrative Rolex segment will be left with a brand that is substantially overvalued.
I've worn My TW Steel TW74 for 15 years. It's never let me down and looks great. I understand what makes a great watch and just started to venture into this space buying the Omega Speedmaster 'moonwatch' but it just goes to show you that watches are emotional objects that even under $500 can last a long time.
I thoroughly enjoy this watch channel. The topics, related facts, and comparisons discussed in the content of this channel, are excellent. This information is extremely helpful to me in my watch collecting journey. 👍
Much appreciated! 😊
I love how you explain this so clearly!
Glad it was helpful! 😃
Love this video. I very much agree with what you’ve said here. The “rational” price point is the $1500 watch (well, other than getting a cheap Casio and pocketing the other $1470). You really have to start wanting the reputation of the brand to go up. This was something I had to understand before I bought my first Omega. It wasn’t going to make financial sense spec wise, I had to specifically want an Omega.
Great analysis it can really be applied in those price contexts. The sweet spot appears to be that $1500 range if one is looking for function minus the bells and whistles. I recently purchased a Marathon GSAR which totally meets every criteria you mentioned in that $1500 range: - solid workhorse parts, no nonsense construction unpretentious in its claims to be anything other than a tough useful tool. Therein lies its magic no glamour no tricks doesn’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
This is now my favourite watch channel on UA-cam 💯, such great content and done superbly, well done sir 👏👏👏 and my favourite watch atm a Speedy 3861 Hesalite it hasn’t left my wrist for weeks 😄
Speedy for the win 👍👍
Always enjoy these super informative videos; the conversational format works a treat. Cheers!
cheers 😃
Hi Mike. Really love what you do. I just wanted to give my opinion for the 500 USD range. For 500 USD (or under) I want a watch that is extremely durable, well made, strictly purpose built and comfortable to wear. Hence I went for a G-shock GD350. It is hard to be totally satisfied in this price category for a mechanical watch. But if the perception is different and purpose driven, I think G-shock is an amazing option.
Any mechanical Seiko below $500 can last forever. They are solidly build, and can be serviced. Why can't a SARB017 (they were sold a few years ago below $500) or Monster last forever?
I think the 1.5k range is the most interesting. I.e., Zelos, Eagle T2. Titanium, LJP motor, tons of lume, 100m w/r, compromised slightly on the strap, but how many watches in one is it? Diver, beater, holiday/travel, gym, night (yes, I have a night watch, and that's a specific function), general day-to-day. That's a lot of functionality in 1. I could get rid of 5 watches! Take a look. I'm not connected to them , nor do I own one...yet!
Great video! May or May not have a 'best' watch, but this is one of the best watch video and channel!
I think objectively you can say that a watch is better than another, of course keeping in mind the ratio of what you are getting versus the price. For example longines spirit Zulu time 39mm is one of the best watches on the market as far as I am informed. Now 'favorite' watch - this is a different matter and there it is strictly subjective. I think being able to be aware of these two approaches is freeing and also keeps things both playful and serious for our hobby 🙂
That Swatch Mickey Mouse at the end was just true provocation😂
Another great video, I’d also emphasise that the individual perceived quality of a brand has a lot to do with brand allegiance or brand social status (very clear when it comes to Rolex mass appeal).
Google Damien Hirst Mickey Mouse Swatch... I have a full set of both watches. It's hotter than the moonswatch 😉
I see your point with the branded watches in the $1500 bracket - but you shouldn't ever pay retail on those, which is harder to do with the smaller-margin brands like CW. I just picked up a Longines Conquest 39mm from a Swatch Group boutique with the calibre L888 (with silicone balance spring and 5 year warranty) for the same price as a CW with a bog standard SW200, I know which I'm happier with.
Agree. Seconday is definitely worth paying attention 😃
I bought a Cronos 2,000m diver for £150 the other day. Its awesome - 1s per day accuracy - and makes the bottom end of this list redundant.
Great discussion. Very insightful. Glad to see Longines and Tudor being discussed as competitors. The former has a much longer history, more diverse range of designs, while the other has the a Rolex connection and pretty safely designed offerings. Longines at its lower end has lower quality and finishing than Tudor. But comparing their more comparably-specced models, they actually compete very favourably.
Thanks 😃
Thanks for your breakdown, I really enjoyed it! Please could you consider doing a similar breakdown mechanical/automatic chronographs? I am very interested to know your thoughts and opinions(and as somewhere who is fairly new to watches it would be interesting to see your views).
Great points and perspective. For the watch enthusiasts, I'd say you'd be hard pressed to find a truly bad watch these days.. even from at least within the past 10-15 years. They can all (mostly) do the basic things and of decent quality with a wide range of price ranges. There will be, of course, exceptions. But, for the most part, there are A LOT of solid offerings these days and from the past.
I have a $600 Glycine that is more accurate than my $4k+ Tudor and $3k Longines. A $5k+ TAG Heuer that is about as accurate as that Glycine. I also have a $4k+ Grand Seiko GS 9F quartz that bests all of them at +2-3 seconds per year. And, a variety of others that fall around and in-between.
Yes, I think around the $4k price range you are paying for the intangibles such as brand cache and a look and feel you get from them. Are they worth the premium? If say yes, in some cases.
Great content, There is a tremendous amount of distance between two and $4000. The level of quality that can be delivered is tremendous above 2.5k when we talk about something being 25% better It has to be remembered that some of the Rolex models have gone up tremendously with inflation . Tudor really will dominate the 3k area, in the Uk now you can get big discounts on brands like longines.
This channel rocks…maybe I’m basic, but I just picked up a secondhand Speedmaster for less than $4K…to me, this might be the best $4000 watch on the market today.
Speedmaster is always a good choice 😃😃
As John Lennon once said, “I could listen to him for hours”.
lol. Thanks 😂😂😂
So informative and helpful. Thank you. My best watches are my JLC Reverso or my Kurono Tokyo Hisui. But crazy how much fun and pleasure I get from my quartz PRX I got for $270. And I also have a swatch I love.
You are welcome 😊
Such a thoughtful analysis of the proponents and components of watches at various price points. Well done. Subscribed.
Thanks - Welcome aboard 😀
Another solid deep dive. Two pts about the truth of the ‘$500 watches won’t last forever’ - there’s a component that’s due to how the owner treats his belongings (we all have a friend or coworker whose smartphone looks like it was in a war zone) in addition to the obvious fact mfgs aren’t going to have as rigorous quality control at that price and will let some things slide that they would reject at $1500 or $2000.
Going to Watches and Wonders? I’ve decided to go in 2025. My Tudor AD told me they will start providing tours of their factory to customers in 2025 - so going to do both.
Agree that a watches lifespan is heavily dependant on how much it gets treated like a beater...
Yes - I am going this year. Flying out friday 😊
I bought a Grand Seiko quartz. I find the heritage of their quartz manufacturing and watch building more compelling than most mechanical watches of a similar price.
I own a few good mechanical watches already though and wanted something different in this case.
When I want quick and reliable timekeeping I usually wear the GS quartz.
Glycine combat sub. It’s so underrated it’s criminal.
I originally purchased the GMT Pepsi configuration while being disappointed with the Tudor GMT thickness but it’s become one of my favorite GMT offerings under $700.
Great video. Your insights and thoughtfulness are a breath of fresh air. Fluffy sponsored content videos are quickly dominating the UA-cam watch space. Creators like yourself and IDguy are becoming more and more rare… this comment is brought to you buy Henson Shaving and IFL watches. Haha
Love the content on this channel ..much better than just reviews
Just found this channel and glad I did 👍 very clear cut and very informative.
Welcome 😊
13:02 will a quartz movement in a 200 m water resistant case last us long as a mechanical movement in the same case? Considering that no one is servicing a $1500 watch, wouldn’t the robustness of quartz be an asset in this price range?
Yes - As long as the case is specced to handled it. You would have to have it serviced to change the battery (theoretically you could do it yourself but I would worry about maintaining the seal). At the end of the day quartz just isn't "cool" 😊
Without question the one of the best watch channels on UA-cam...and I watch most of them.
Very kind - Thank you 😃
Top notch video as always.
The main issue with whether a watch will "last forever" isn't the build quality, it's parts availability. There are many watches from the 50s-70s which are unserviceable because there are no parts left, e.g. Longines.
Swatch Group won't touch them. If you send one in for service they send it back with a voucher for $100 off a new Longines. Makes sense for them to force the customer to buy a new watch rather than service an old one.
So I'd be astonished if a current Zulu GMT will last a lifetime - Longines only guarantees parts availability for 15 years after the specific model is discontinued. Things will get worse in future compared to vintage watches as the Swatch Group now refuse to supply parts to independent watchmakers which means no "New Old Stock" parts will be popping up on ebay in 20 years time.
Sellita SW200s are a much better bet for long term serviceability - Sellita supplies parts to independents and there are so many SW200-powered watches out there that there will also be lots to cannibalise for parts if needed.
True - agree. Swatch is not big on stocking old parts. Planned obsolesence clearly isn't just an IT/tech/apple & samsung thing.... 😊
Nice video.
I want to leave my testemony here. I have a collection, all for daily use. I love grab & go watches. I love quartz. I´ve had a Timex Chrono in my box for almost 25 years. I´m using a Edifice EF-503, also Chrono, while writing this. Being a gift from my daughter, I´ve been using it for 12 years. Like this two examples, all of them are reliable. Accuracy? Barely 2 minutes a year. Cost of ownership? Peanuts. My next purchase I think it´s gonna be a solar-bluetooth. There are beautiful choices today,
I like your no-baloney approach to these videos. You take the air out of ridiculous arguments.
Thanks 😀
Just another great video :) Thank you for your time and efforts
I loved the video. Interesting. Surprise ending with the swatch... i bought around last christmas a seiko solar diver sne589. I put a rubber strap on it. I fell in love with this watch and seem to be unable to take it off.
Thanks for sharing! 😊
Mine would be my Citizen Pro Master Aqualand JP2000 that I bought in 1993 from a small inheritance of my granddad- I went with some uni-buddies for a low budget diving holiday to Malta!
I’ve got an omega quartz that’s 20yrs old and is still solid. Don’t be so down on the quartz. Only had three battery changes in all that time. Keeps great time too.