The Watch Thread - Part 3

[patryn33]

BTW, I came across an article on China luxury market survey Yr2011 and it was mentioned TOP 5 watch brands are (not in order):

Cartier
Rolex
Omega
Longines
Tissot

It is nice that Tissot is up & coming luxury status for their consumer acceptance.... partially advertising from Huang YaoMing/ China actor helps.

I did share the 2012 ranking, Longines is now 2

 

[takuyazzz]

Zenith is what I call a true manufacture, where every watch contains an in-house movement. They are also presently seen as a value for money manufacture, which has both good and bad connotations.

A very nice article on them:
Valentin Blank — The star is rising again — Pictorial essay and in-depth interview with Zenith CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour

At present, they are still recovering from the end of the Nataf era, where the watch designs really went "Hublot" wild. They were doing a buy back of some of these, so as to prevent too many from going into the grey market, and damaging the brand equity further.

Under Dufour, they have gone to basics and have something interesting in the coming 1-2 years, so stay tuned.

Another manufacture that really interests me is JLC. My next target is probably something from them.

yea, aiming for zenith next!

 

[patryn33]

I like the cheap stowa antea creme that is discontinued a lot better than visodate
From time to time stowa sells them only at ~eur$300

 

[bberry]

With installment plan, it is winthin yr reach...pls get the one your heart goes to... if possible pls go for auto. Europe might be cheaper but factor-in for GST declaration.

Jus back from europe aout a week liao.
Europe is cheaper. i have their price booklet.

even after factoring 7% GST, will still be cheaper.

 

[Velton]

top up abit n get smp

ok i went to shop and see liao.. all same but background is wave version. retail SGP 5100. any difference?

btw, omega warranty is how ah?

 

[tremor]

I did share the 2012 ranking, Longines is now 2

LOL, good to know my legend diver is now recognised. ha ha ha.

 

[javincho]

LOL, good to know my legend diver is now recognised. ha ha ha.

Great!! the new legend diver with date retails at $3200 while discontinued no date version is cheaper. Gd buy.

Got Longines too (mine Hydroconquest and spouse Flagship MOP)

 

[javincho]

ok i went to shop and see liao.. all same but background is wave version. retail SGP 5100. any difference?

btw, omega warranty is how ah?

The blue wave version sells at RP$4900 while black wave $5100

There is newer ceramic bezel (non-wave) in blue & black launched last year both at $5700. This is same as picture shown.

My opinion is get the wave version to aviod paying so much difference... Omega is moving up the prices higher and pushing newer pieces. Moreover in future u would not be able to get wave version anymore. This is also what the Sales said.

Warranty generally 24 months while 36 months for co-axial escapement.

 

[javincho]

Jus back from europe aout a week liao.
Europe is cheaper. i have their price booklet.

even after factoring 7% GST, will still be cheaper.

So if there is chance to go Europe for any watch lovers, pls grab a luxury masterpiece. Swiss watches' price especially those popular brands generally keep going up and up....

 

[javincho]

I like the cheap stowa antea creme that is discontinued a lot better than visodate
From time to time stowa sells them only at ~eur$300

Stowa can get from online & not through retailers.... so pricing generally is lower to aviod middle-man channel. For me, I prefer to view & touch phyiscally prior purchase as well as like Tissot for its branding too

 

[javincho]

yea, aiming for zenith next!

Great!! will be watching to see more Zenith lovers step forward...

 

[javincho]

I did share the 2012 ranking, Longines is now 2

Also noticed some of ladies here are wearing prima luna and evidenza.....
In fact my wife likes evidenza design as bear some similarity to Frank Muller.

Like their slogan: Elegance is an attitude

Since she has already got one, she prefers another brand.

Anyway Longines with its competitive price & heritage value, it is a must-have for watch collectors.

 

[javincho]

It is definitely no surprise that they climb up to 2nd position in China. The number speaks it all... Longines for its: Quality, Prestige, Value

 

[javincho]

My thoughts on bambino

Pros : good 40mm size, applied markers, simple and affordable

Cons : Bambino has mineral crystal, no day function, no deployment buck, no sapphire caseback and some parts of it is made in 3rd world countries

Try for visodate.

Visodate's sapphire crystal can last and look brilliant if u dont drop or abuse your watch.
If its made in europe, the price is justifiable.

Tissot has better and more complete history as compared to orient

For those who can afford to top up a bit more, I will also recommend Visodate.

However for those who just want a simple & basic classic watch and don't wanna spend more than $300 or more, Bambino is value-buy alternative.

 

[javincho]

Zenith is what I call a true manufacture, where every watch contains an in-house movement. They are also presently seen as a value for money manufacture, which has both good and bad connotations.

A very nice article on them:
Valentin Blank — The star is rising again — Pictorial essay and in-depth interview with Zenith CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour

At present, they are still recovering from the end of the Nataf era, where the watch designs really went "Hublot" wild. They were doing a buy back of some of these, so as to prevent too many from going into the grey market, and damaging the brand equity further.

Under Dufour, they have gone to basics and have something interesting in the coming 1-2 years, so stay tuned.

Another manufacture that really interests me is JLC. My next target is probably something from them.

Thanks for the article... LVMH believes it should be worth an investment likewise they do for Tag.... they are pushing towards other luxury expansion in addition to LV leather goods. One day, Zenith may be positioned to compete well with top makers with the right strategy and marketing efforts.

 

[beckhamfan]

Buying an preowned Omega SM Mid - 7815 at 1250sgd good price ? From second hand shop.
How does this watch differ from buying a new one such as the black dial below? Just design or? Any help would be great

 

[Tooi Kono Machi De]

Hello watch enthusiasts..Im getting my 1st watch and Im considering a Tissot Visodate after hearing all the positive reviews here.

Any bros here can recommend places to get them at "better prices" and if there is a website I can visit to browse through their catalogue?Many thanks.

 

[patryn33]

can top up, plus can wait for 3mths get a stowa antea creme.

 

[Spartanz.]

how do u guys make online purchase overseas without worrying?

1st concern, if watch has any defects, it will be troublesome to sent it back, n risk more defects?

2nd concern, servicing of watch in future, will have to send it back overseas, risking defects n damages?


maybe its me, but i prefer to inspect n look at the watch before making my purchase n make sure there is a authorised service centre.

 

[Whitecamel]

Wah, Visodate is becoming the unofficial timepiece of choice in HWZ.


Who's still keen on the gathering? Would like to check out the Visodates in real life.