Lee's Watch Thread for MM'ers of Impeccable Taste

[JPolen01]

 I just don't recommend buying one if you actually care about getting value for your money.

Dude it's a $100 watch. Their market isn't buying them for 'value'. Their market is buying them because they look trendy and seem high quality on their face for 100 bucks. As you said they totally saw a void in the watch market for upscale designs at a considerably low price point.

[SlimKlim]

I don't lose sleep at night because the company exists, just trying to get you guys #woke before you waste your money

[Apoc]

 Their market isn't buying them for 'value'. Their market is buying them because they... seem high quality on their face for 100 bucks.

Translation: Their market isn't buying them for value. They're buying them for value.

[WRXtranceformed]

Yeah good on the MVMT guys but save your money and avoid the fashion brands if you're a dude. There are so many better options out there for short money

[Ken]

 Their market isn't buying them for 'value'. Their market is buying them because they... seem high quality on their face for 100 bucks.

Translation: Their market isn't buying them for value. They're buying them for value.

Accurate.

[JPolen01]

 Their market isn't buying them for 'value'. Their market is buying them because they... seem high quality on their face for 100 bucks.

Translation: Their market isn't buying them for value. They're buying them for value.

Yeah yeah I re-read that after it posted and didn't feel like changing it.

[WRXtranceformed]

There are some surprisingly good non-fashion brand options in the $100ish dollar price point, but for a little more scratch you can really get yourself a nice timepiece.  Here's a great example that I bought last night actually, completely on a whim (although I have been watching / following the brand for a while).

Dan Henry Watches (https://danhenrywatches.com/) was created by, obviously, a guy named Dan Henry who is a well known watch collector.  He wanted to create a brand that offered legitimate quality timepieces inspired by the historical designs that he was in love with but without breaking the bank.  As a side project, he created this interactive timeline of watches and watch designs to show you where this guy's head is at:  https://www.timeline.watch/

I was part of a focus group set up by a marketing company (that ultimately got fired) for the redesign of his website.  I was told I would get a discount off one of their watches but never heard back, until I learned about the firing after emailing Dan Henry directly.  Being the cool microbrand that they are they offered to give me a discount any time I ordered, just to let them know.

He has a bunch of really cool designs (I'm partial to divers and his '70s inspired diver models are pretty sweet) but after a 2 year process he just released his "1964" Gran Turismo chronograph.  https://danhenrywatches.com/collections/...hronograph

I saw the first pictures posted on his Instagram and then watched this early review from The Urban Gentry:



With the discount and due to my desire to pick up a similarly styled Omega Speedmaster within the next 6 months, I figured this would be a great entry point to have another watch I can wear in the meantime without worry during travel, etc. (my vintage pieces stay home now when I fly). Joey also said he'd buy this off of me when I buy a Speedmaster, so how can I say no to that

I decided on the "Panda" dial with no date, as it keeps the dial super clean and is true to the homage of the Rolex Daytona / Heuer Autavia.  The sunburst dial, sunken chrono registers and faux-blued hands all make for a very handsome piece.  The full kit it comes with is really nice too:  a fitted "beads of rice" bracelet, matching leather strap with quick release bars, and a leather and canvas 3 watch roll.  You can't beat that for $250!  I don't know how he is making money.  The watch is powered by a "meca-quartz" movement, which is a hybrid of a quartz and mechanical movement.  Basically a battery powers the watch and gives you the accuracy, reliability and cheap service of a quartz watch while the chrono functions are engaged via mechanical levers.  Normally on a watch like this I prefer automatic / manual wind movements, but the VK63 is a Seiko movement and is cool in its own right, it still retains some of that soul of a mechanical watch with the large sweeping seconds chrono hand.

This is what it will look like, it even has an engraved Aston DB5 on the caseback!  I'll post some impressions when it gets here!  

[SlimKlim]

A couple of weeks ago I quit beating around the bush and bought my first "real" (aka, expensive) watch. 

It's a Nomos Ludwig 38. An ultra-thin manually wound dress watch from a small German company that produces their own movements in-house. It's 37.5mm across and 6.7mm tall. I've always had a thing for their Tangente model, but the way the rounded case and lugs on this model fit my skinny little wrist completely won me over. 

[WRXtranceformed]

Freaking beautiful man. That was such a great choice for your first "big purchase" piece!! I can't get over who awesome the thin hands are when playing against the thin Roman numbers font

[DavidL]

Awesome - beautiful piece!  Really like the Nomos design aesthetic; when I bought my Stowa it was a decision between that and the Nomos Club, which I still love.  Need to see it in person!

It's funny, I think a couple of us got started on the Skagens back as a gateway... the Nomos seem like the grown up, squared away Skagen.

[WRXtranceformed]

Awesome - beautiful piece!  Really like the Nomos design aesthetic; when I bought my Stowa it was a decision between that and the Nomos Club, which I still love.  Need to see it in person!

It's funny, I think a couple of us got started on the Skagens back as a gateway... the Nomos seem like the grown up, squared away Skagen.

That's a really great analogy with the Skagen!

From my Instagram:  Rolex is for Fridays.  And for closers.  Or something 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJSB5-HcHS/...hare_sheet

[G.Irish]

So this may be a bit gimmicky, but I kinda like watches that are playful and have some character.  I would wear something like this, although I would refrain from wearing when I'm actually shooting photos:

http://www.tacs-image.com/product/avl2/

[WRXtranceformed]

Link to my giveaway on Instagram in case any of y'all want to get in on it!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn4sUEynKo8/...uo5byfon2f

[G.Irish]

Since Lee has corrupted us all with the watch mods rabbit hole, I kinda want to get a list of suppliers together for a jumping off point. I want to do some sort of SKX mod to start, and this is what I've found thus far. Please add any other custom watch parts suppliers you guys know of. Also add any reputable service shops that can do the assembly, coating, etc. Also, add your fav watch strap sources.

Custom Seiko Watch Parts Suppliers

https://one-second-closer.com/

https://www.dlwwatches.com/

https://www.dagazwatch.com

http://motorcitywatchworks.com/index.html

[WRXtranceformed]

More to add:
Parts:
Yobokies (you have to order from his shitty Photobucket...look for what you want and then email him for a price at yobokies@yahoo.com.hk ) - http://s161.photobucket.com/user/yobokie...t=3&page=1
- Word of caution, he has awesome hand sets but he ships them so terribly. I've had several arrive bent.
Lucius Atelier - https://luciusatelier.com/
Crystal Times (my sapphire vendor of choice, but you can order everything from movements to bezels and watches too) - https://crystaltimes.net/
LCBI (my bezel insert go to) - https://lcbistore.com/
WatchNian - https://www.ecwid.com/store/watchnian/
Strapcode - http://www.strapcode.com/store/index.php
Toxic Natos - https://www.toxicnatos.com/
Uncle Seiko - https://www.uncleseiko.com/
WJean28 - http://www.strapboutique.com/
Ridwan (sick custom case milling) - https://www.facebook.com/kr.watchmaker.official/

Assembly:
As far as I'm concerned, North East Watch Works is the best. Duarte is the man, he's quick, reasonably priced and has been doing it for a long time. http://www.newatchworks.com/

[WRXtranceformed]

I'd also add for straps, Hirsch and WatchGecko are pretty good resources:

https://www.hirschstraps.com/

https://www.watchgecko.com/

So there's been a lot going on with my collecting story, IG is really the best way to keep up.  Just hit 2k organic followers!  Wow, crazy.  I did a big giveaway of a watch and mod parts that Zach barely missed getting his number drawn for.  Recently I've picked up a few "affordables", a sweet snowflake dial vintage Seiko quartz and a stunner Dan Henry 1964 panda dial:





One that I'm really excited about though is a preorder for a new release from a small batch microbrand called Draken.  Joey and Zach met the owner Mike at the District Time show (that G went to as well) and were super impressed with the models he had on the table.  After reading his story about how he was inspired by his South African upbringing and the design cues built into his watches around that, and seeing the included features and price I was absolutely sold.  I chatted with him back and forth on IG and he's definitely a cool dude, a total enthusiast who just wanted to build a high quality, affordable tool watch.  I snagged the preorder for his limited edition (about 75 units) blue dial / blue bezel variant of the Tugela on a bracelet:

https://drakenwatches.com/collections/tugela/



Hacking / handwinding Seiko movement, awesome custom bezel design, bead blasted case, C3 lume, bracelet with quick release pins (!), color matched and lumed date wheel, sapphire crystal at a very good price point.  I'm really excited to get my hands on this one, check out his site and his story on his original Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tug...dive-watch

[.RJ]

I need to sort out a Xmas gift for my other half - what’s the best place to buy something like this?

https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/produ...TWO%20TONE

Doesn’t have to be that model but does need to be a small face and silver or rose gold.

[WRXtranceformed]

I need to sort out a Xmas gift for my other half - what’s the best place to buy something like this?

https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/produ...TWO%20TONE

Doesn’t have to be that model but does need to be a small face and silver or rose gold.

For that brand specifically?  Pretty much anywhere you can find it the cheapest online.   Or were you looking for other recommendations?  If yes, is that the top of your budget or can you stretch?

Can take a crack at it when I'm clear headed in the morning.  Joey and I are good at spending other people's money

[.RJ]

I went to that brand because I saw it on someone and knew it’s a style my wife likes - similar to her other watches but I’m not tied to the brand and open to suggestions.. I don’t want to stretch much over that budget unless it was an amazing buy.... I need to buy her a new MacBook too.

Go go gadget watch nerds!

[WRXtranceformed]

I went to that brand because I saw it on someone and knew it’s a style my wife likes - similar to her other watches but I’m not tied to the brand and open to suggestions..  I don’t want to stretch much over that budget unless it was an amazing buy.... I need to buy her a new MacBook too.

Go go gadget watch nerds!

Looks like "Bonanza" has the cheapest price at $332 shipped (https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Burberr...gKt-PD_BwE) or you could go to Amazon and get it for $346 as an easy button (https://www.amazon.com/Burberry-Two-Tone...B01DOND6VE)

It is essentially a fashion watch with a cheap $25 quartz movement, so if you aren't tied to the brand and want to spend even a bit less, Tissot has a ton of options for ladies:

https://www.jomashop.com/watches-for-women.html

Bonus is that it's Cyber week on Jomashop and they are blowing out a lot of brands

Citizen Eco Drives are another good option as you don't have to worry about changing the batteries every few years.  I'd link a few but there are so many that Jomashop is easier to view them.

If she's more into fashion brands and doesn't care if the movement will probably break, there are a ton of Michael Kors, Coach, Kate Spade options that you'll see.  I don't love them, but I bought my wife an all ceramic case / bracelet MK chronograph on our honeymoon and it still works well.

If you want something with a little more watch nerd cache and some heritage in that price point, Hamilton has some nice ladies Jazzmaster models like this:  https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-watch-h42211155.html

or: https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-watch-h42221155.html

Joey just invited you to our GroupMe, come join us so we can help talk you out of more of your money