What characteristics do you value the most when you buy a watch?
There are three main characteristics in a watch that you look at before you buy it. The dial. The case and The movement. Out of these three characteristics. Which do you value most? For me I always look at the movement first and then the case second And lastly the dial. I have a photo of the JLC Mark 11 for example, a watch I dream about. The movement in this watch is an absolute masterpiece. The case is just simply perfect. And lastly, the dial. Just a simple black military dial. Would love to know what characteristics you guys value most before purchasing a watch that you have or want in the future? Thanks
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Dial > Case >>> Movement
I wear and enjoy my watches for their aesthetic and for styling my outfits.
I could not care less about the movement inside because it doesn't affect my experience at all. +10 seconds a day or +3 seconds a month doesn't make a difference when the watch powers down in the box at the end of the day. 40 hours power reserve or 70 doesn't matter for my rotation. All of these high end specs just make the price of owning and servicing a luxury watch skyrocket for no benefit on my end. 🤷
Dial > Case >>> Movement
I wear and enjoy my watches for their aesthetic and for styling my outfits.
I could not care less about the movement inside because it doesn't affect my experience at all. +10 seconds a day or +3 seconds a month doesn't make a difference when the watch powers down in the box at the end of the day. 40 hours power reserve or 70 doesn't matter for my rotation. All of these high end specs just make the price of owning and servicing a luxury watch skyrocket for no benefit on my end. 🤷
Understandable. Definitely respect your perspective.
That's a heavy question. To me I would have to say heritage/History on a budget. I think we know that a Rolex, JLC, Vacheron and any big player will have the quality and movement and heritage when you spend more. But can you find it on an affordable brand?
For Example:
This Seiko 5 was a field watch for the Vietnam war:
Seiko released a SNK model that homages the actual model for 150.
That's a heavy question. To me I would have to say heritage/History on a budget. I think we know that a Rolex, JLC, Vacheron and any big player will have the quality and movement and heritage when you spend more. But can you find it on an affordable brand?
For Example:
This Seiko 5 was a field watch for the Vietnam war:
Seiko released a SNK model that homages the actual model for 150.
Very cool! Thank you for that information. What is the reference of that Seiko 5 that was used in the Vietnam war?
movement-case-dial. Movement because a bad one makes an ornament. case because it has to be comfortable and dial last which has to be highly legible.
After four decades and over 200 watches that I've owned and flipped onto others and making the same mistakes over and over again, I am a watch nut afterall! I can say that I don't believe one needs certain watches in the collection or use a pattern that many claim would make a "complete" watch collection in the WatchBox such as casual, dress, diver, tool, sport, pilot, chronograph, Tourbillon, master complication etc. Today I look for design, materials, workmanship, size, proportion, comfort, these are key important characteristics for long term relationship in my view, along with of course the manucture brand and I appreciate more than ever "in house" manufacturing to insure no cutting corners like when ETA announced in 2004 no more movements for the majority of the watch industry and everyone went into panic. Finally as operating engineer of mechanical systems and operation I love watches that are purposeful as well functional past or present like divers, sport, tool/utility, pilot, casual and the like, also my favorite complication are chronograph, true GMT, big date, power reserve and others. Watch manufacture I love for years are Glashutte, Breitling, Omega, Seiko, Rolex, Tag Heuer since a youngster, Longines, Zenith, Blancpain, Corum, IWC and a few others that have history and progressed over the years.
Dial hands down. If the case is somehow a bit thick or thin etc with a beautiful dial, I can still wear it. And movement is now too mainstream is not a unique selling point unless its a super thin or tourbilon. However, if the dial is ugly then 😅
Example of my watch’s dial
Very cool! Thank you for that information. What is the reference of that Seiko 5 that was used in the Vietnam war?
6119-8090
Also if you are into Seiko vintage I highly recommend browsing these catalogs and searching for any models you like:
https://www.theseikoguy.com/catalogs/
That's a heavy question. To me I would have to say heritage/History on a budget. I think we know that a Rolex, JLC, Vacheron and any big player will have the quality and movement and heritage when you spend more. But can you find it on an affordable brand?
For Example:
This Seiko 5 was a field watch for the Vietnam war:
Seiko released a SNK model that homages the actual model for 150.
Raider Rolex. Issued to some very hi ops tempo, very tough dudes, who did very tough jobs. 100% of the MAC-V SOG were wounded.
Also one of the more faithful reissues IMO. Great watch, still at a great price, but when it was $99 on Joma that was a steal!
Dial, then movement
For me it would be intended use for watch, then bezel, then dial aesthetic, then relative hardiness of movement, then all the rest.
Can I wear my Hamilton Thinline Quartz for a night op, yup. But with proper planning I should choose my Holton Pro, Protrek, or new Wolbrook/Douglas. And vice versa.
Got married in a White Dial Orient Dress watch, museum or curator 🤔 model I think. Could care less if it had a bezel.
6119-8090
Also if you are into Seiko vintage I highly recommend browsing these catalogs and searching for any models you like:
https://www.theseikoguy.com/catalogs/
This is awesome! I'm going to spend hours going through this!
Case. Dial. Movement. You cannot/ do not want to wear an uncomfortable watch. Comfort is king that's why I've selected case. I briefly owned a blancpain fifty fathoms and because of the way the case was designed the crown dug really painfully into my arm. It didn't last a day.
I am a dial guy as well. I bought this Dan Henry a year ago because I felt the dial was calling out to me.
Dial.
For me it's the dial that catches my eye first. It has to be appealing no matter the movement for me to consider. Then case shape cuz if it fits like crap its an immediate turn off. So I guess movement is third, but I do care what it has under the hood
Movement, case, materials and finishing finishing finishing & finishing ( All under the banner quality )
Dial and the feel in my hand and on my wrist.
It's a hard question. I think my approach has 2 steps:
Is everything (design, dial, case, movement, sizes) acceptable?
Does something stand out?
In other words, a watch must first meet Anna Karenina principle (nothing is wrong with it). Then, something about it must wow me.
To be fair, if the something is like really really really wowing, I can lower the standard of "acceptable."
Overall design first then the movement.
Don't know my friend 😍but can I have that one
For me is something that makes a watch special. Not a dial guy but I really love Enamel. Firstly I love watches that have a story, then the movement, is it better or the best at the price range(better and best can mean lots of things). Then the case, the lugs, function if I am looking for something more spicy and then dial.
For me, it is extremely different for each watch that I have bought. I guess that a grail watch would have to hit top marks on all parameters.
might be a weird one but i actually look at the case first and then the dial and lastly the movement 😅
Dial (including the hands) first. Then how it fits on my wrist i.e. the case, and then the movement. I'm not going to buy a watch I don't like looking at no matter how brilliant the movement is inside. Same if the watch isn't comfortable. As long as the movement is reliable, I'm good. I don't need a high end or beautifully decorated movement if I like the looks and the feel of the watch.
Legibility
Comfort
Precision
Case and hands are very important to me, there are a lot of very famous and talked about watches I'll never buy because of the hands.
I'd go along with that, case shape/curves are all important to me and I have a very particular taste in hands, there are some beautifully crafted watches out there that are totally let down by the choice of hands, Grand Seiko and Omega spring to mind.
Case and hands are very important to me, there are a lot of very famous and talked about watches I'll never buy because of the hands.
What hands do you dislike?
I have to love it, if I just like it then it’s a no go. No matter its quality.
Dial, the case, the durability, the movement.
But depending on the purpose, it may change.
What year is this model? I’m not familiar with it.