I can get a lot of seikos tax free and don't mind checking for people on here. Same with luminox. No idea on how the price compares though.

MAROON said:

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jh0400 said:

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I'd look at a Hamilton in your price range.

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I was going to suggest looking at vintage watches to find a true stunner for more formal settings.

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Where to do that?

Again, the question wasn't so much which watches (though those opinions are still appreciated!) but more of where. I like Teddy Baldassarre's YouTube channel for general exploration of brands, but before I buy something like this I'd want to see it in person in store and be able to ask someone knowledgeable questions about it.

Forgot about the Samurai but throw that in there as well.

I bought an 009 J originally and after a few months I wish I would've gone 007 or 011. Can't put my finger on why but the 009 has turned into my least favorite of the "Pepsi" watches.

98Ag99Grad said:

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Any of you ever run across this company Montana Watch ? In was on vacation a couple of weeks ago in the Bozeman area and visited their store in Livingston. They only make 75 watches a year. Some of the engraved watches are a little too busy for me but the simple design starting just under $5k looks nice. It would certainly be unique.

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It looks like they use off the shelf movements, which is fine, but their pricing is putting them up against something with good cache like Tudor or Breitling or even Omega that have in house movements and are known quantities.

Wait, there's a market for trading used Fossil watches?

https://www.chrono24.com/fossil/index.htm

I just realized earlier today the "bead" on the bezel of my SD43 was missing. No idea when or how it came out but had to be recent as I wear it often and would have noticed. Guess I will be taking it to Rolex Dallas RSC to repair with hopes its covered under warranty.

Anyone have a better suggestion?

Diggity said:

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It's not like the thing is under warranty.

I don't see any issue with taking a watch to a local company who has been doing it for nearly 50 years.

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I'm probably just paranoid. With the value of Rolexes today I'd always have doubt if I was getting ripped off in some way once it was out of my sight (switching parts, the watch, etc.) I wouldn't have any way to know.

My sub needs to be serviced and have the locking clasp repaired as it is bent and not staying closed. It's just not in the budget to send it to Rolex right now even though I know I need to do so. Getting it done locally (hopefully for cheaper) is tempting.

Next time you're in town browse lewis jewelers and zadok, and tenenbaums for vintage. I don't know where you can see a junghans meister or frederique constant in person but those brands appear to fit your taste and budget so they should be on your list too

Fall92 said:

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Wait, there's a market for trading used Fossil watches?

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You can trade in any Fossil watch (broken, damaged - or new) for 50% off a new one.

So you can buy their cheapest clearance watch on sale for $30 then turn around the next day and trade it in for half off a $300 watch.

Shows y'all what I know about Fossil watches.

I heard Tudor used to run a similar promo.

Precisely. Hence my stepping out for a new brand.

ChipFTAC01 said:

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Which tells you that $300 watch is really worth less than half that.

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It tells you the cost of production is less than half and with cost of acquiring a customer generally being high they would prefer to add additional volume to their sales with repeat business, even at lower margin, compared to selling all watches at full retail. If the watches are actually selling for $300 in the open market then I would say they are worth $300...

I would bet the cost to actually produce a rolex is less than half the sales price as well.

Well in the case of Fossil, you can routinely find 30-40% off sales if you just wait a month or two. They are one of those companies that mark up the sticker price to try to make you think you're getting some steal with a new sale or promotion every St. Patrick's Day or full moon.

I would never pay $300 for a Fossil, and anyone who does is getting hoodwinked.

Fossil watches are the kind of watches you find at tj Maxx or Marshall's.

Fair enough! Been a while since I bought a fossil.

ETA: Although a fossil was my first automatic watch in high school. Nice entry to the hobby.

TheOC16 said:

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Well in the case of Fossil, you can routinely find 30-40% off sales if you just wait a month or two. They are one of those companies that mark up the sticker price to try to make you think you're getting some steal with a new sale or promotion every St. Patrick's Day or full moon.

I would never pay $300 for a Fossil, and anyone who does is getting hoodwinked.

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Case in point:



Got an email today advertising 50% off their "sale" styles. This is what it looks like after applying the promo code in cart.

(And sorry if I have now derailed the "High-end Watch" thread to be the "Low-end Watch" thread...)

Stop! I'm already dead!

schmendeler said:

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98Ag99Grad said:

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Any of you ever run across this company Montana Watch ? In was on vacation a couple of weeks ago in the Bozeman area and visited their store in Livingston. They only make 75 watches a year. Some of the engraved watches are a little too busy for me but the simple design starting just under $5k looks nice. It would certainly be unique.

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It looks like they use off the shelf movements, which is fine, but their pricing is putting them up against something with good cache like Tudor or Breitling or even Omega that have in house movements and are known quantities.

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If you want American made, RGM makes some beautiful watches and he even makes some with American made movements.

twin barrels?

Awesome watch. Is the logo on the outside of the crystal?

I can see you're a man who knows his stuff

Sea Speed said:

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Awesome watch. Is the logo on the outside of the crystal?

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Floating in the center

a thing or two!

is the reference to "big bang" something related to the creation of the universe or some other thing?

schmendeler said:

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a thing or two!

is the reference to "big bang" something related to the creation of the universe or some other thing?

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Could be, but its just their iconic flagship model. Anyone not looking at Hublot is making a mistake. They're my favorite brand, what they do with materials and engineering is unrivaled.

Roger. I tried on a titanium AP with rubber strap and it was dangerously light for my liking. Id imagine this is incredibly light as well.

Sea Speed said:

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Roger. I tried on a titanium AP with rubber strap and it was dangerously light for my liking. Id imagine this is incredibly light as well.

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Mine is actually the rose gold version. The titanium pic on the right was from online, they didn't have a pic of the movement in the RG case. The watch is pretty hefty, but the rubber band is structured so it carries it well.

schmendeler said:

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98Ag99Grad said:

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Any of you ever run across this company Montana Watch ? In was on vacation a couple of weeks ago in the Bozeman area and visited their store in Livingston. They only make 75 watches a year. Some of the engraved watches are a little too busy for me but the simple design starting just under $5k looks nice. It would certainly be unique.

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It looks like they use off the shelf movements, which is fine, but their pricing is putting them up against something with good cache like Tudor or Breitling or even Omega that have in house movements and are known quantities.

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Thanks for the info. I've been wearing a Bulova for many years and for the price its been a great every day watch but looking to up my game around Christmas. I saw the Jared near the Woodlands has some pre-owned Omega Speedmasters in the $3-5k range I may check out.

Oh yea you mentioned that was a stock photo.