Controversial Watch Opinions

I'd love to talk about some controversial watch opinions you guys have. I'll start, Tag Heuer is one of the most overrated watch brands in their current state, and overpriced. 

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I don't like gold. In general so even less so on my watches. I have never seen gold done right apart from a 2 toned datejust. Makes watches look incredibly tacky and cheap. Just my opinion though if you love gilt all the power to you

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Scooby

I don't like gold. In general so even less so on my watches. I have never seen gold done right apart from a 2 toned datejust. Makes watches look incredibly tacky and cheap. Just my opinion though if you love gilt all the power to you

Oh yes that is some good conversation. I agree to a point, I think don't overdo it with the gold, use it sparingly to accent the watch (particularly the dial). Gilt I think when used right is just enough as a nice contrast to a black dial e.g. Tudor Black Bay 58

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I think Seiko is one of, if not the most, overrated brands in the entire watch sphere. 

At grey market prices they are reasonable, at retail they punch well below their weight. My impression is people get caught up in the romance of the "history", and "heritage", but forget you aren't buying those, you're buying an object. In the case of Seiko, an object that is objectively lesser than similarly priced competition. 

If you like Seiko, that's cool. As I said, at grey market prices they are a "value proposition", and if you accept them for what they are, they are good watches. 

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I have zero desire to own a Rolex. In my many years of collecting I have entertained the idea of caving and buying a Submariner three times. On each occasion , based on a side by side comparion at the AD , I chose something else. One time it was a Breitling Super Ocean, then a Chopard Mille Miglia 2001 model, and last time it was a Planet Ocean.

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KristianG

I think Seiko is one of, if not the most, overrated brands in the entire watch sphere. 

At grey market prices they are reasonable, at retail they punch well below their weight. My impression is people get caught up in the romance of the "history", and "heritage", but forget you aren't buying those, you're buying an object. In the case of Seiko, an object that is objectively lesser than similarly priced competition. 

If you like Seiko, that's cool. As I said, at grey market prices they are a "value proposition", and if you accept them for what they are, they are good watches. 

I hate that you make some good points here as I personally love Seiko 😂that being said I can relate to the whole retail price argument as I bought a Seiko Turtle Manta Ray edition, and even though I love the watch I did get railed on the price and massively overpaid. Not. all of what they sell is brilliant there are some absolute howlers in their lineup but overall (provided you don't overpay like me) you do get a good watch for the money.

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foghorn

I have zero desire to own a Rolex. In my many years of collecting I have entertained the idea of caving and buying a Submariner three times. On each occasion , based on a side by side comparion at the AD , I chose something else. One time it was a Breitling Super Ocean, then a Chopard Mille Miglia 2001 model, and last time it was a Planet Ocean.

Understandable, personally I disagree I would love to own one but I do get the hype being a bit annoying and the ADs treating customers like trash.

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KristianG

I think Seiko is one of, if not the most, overrated brands in the entire watch sphere. 

At grey market prices they are reasonable, at retail they punch well below their weight. My impression is people get caught up in the romance of the "history", and "heritage", but forget you aren't buying those, you're buying an object. In the case of Seiko, an object that is objectively lesser than similarly priced competition. 

If you like Seiko, that's cool. As I said, at grey market prices they are a "value proposition", and if you accept them for what they are, they are good watches. 

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😂

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The best value in vintage watches is in those made in the former USSR.  They have been worn and battered, but also loved and maintained.  They are overengineered and not fragile. They have not been sitting for forty years.  They are like an old car that starts on a very cold day when everyone else's is finicky.

They are not the most beautiful or most valuable.  But, at what you will buy them for there is no Swiss, Japanese, or American model that will give you a more consistent result.

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CombatWombat

I hate that you make some good points here as I personally love Seiko 😂that being said I can relate to the whole retail price argument as I bought a Seiko Turtle Manta Ray edition, and even though I love the watch I did get railed on the price and massively overpaid. Not. all of what they sell is brilliant there are some absolute howlers in their lineup but overall (provided you don't overpay like me) you do get a good watch for the money.

I don't hate, or even dislike Seiko, one day I'll own a SPB143, or SPB239. I just find the hype a but much at times...🤣 

I just think they are the Rolex of "affordable" watches. People talk about them because it is a guaranteed way to get clicks. People who love the brand will click to read/watch something that supports their opinions, and people who dislike the brand will read/watch to to pick apart the watch, or the hype. 

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Speak your mind my friend every opinion on watches is welcome, I'm not gonna hate or insult. I do understand what you mean with certain styles (which obviously comes down to personal preference) each to their own, wear what you like :)

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If sports watches weren't so much more popular than dress watches nowadays, great, historic brands like Baume and Mercier (founded 1830) would be seen as much higher-end than they are.

If Longines had a super iconic sports watch like the "moonwatch" or "submariner", or even an iconic movement that survived the Quartz Crisis (like the El Primero) it would rank way, way higher than it does today, and maybe we'd still even be able to buy a 13ZN powered chrono.

Also, inhouse movements are overrated

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KristianG

I don't hate, or even dislike Seiko, one day I'll own a SPB143, or SPB239. I just find the hype a but much at times...🤣 

I just think they are the Rolex of "affordable" watches. People talk about them because it is a guaranteed way to get clicks. People who love the brand will click to read/watch something that supports their opinions, and people who dislike the brand will read/watch to to pick apart the watch, or the hype. 

A good point to be fair, I think there are very good alternatives and I personally would buy a Hamilton over a Seiko if we are talking about a limited budget.

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I’m not a fan of a 6 o’clock date window. Own your asymmetry! Move the date back to 3:00 where it belongs!

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Lugsandlumeblog

If sports watches weren't so much more popular than dress watches nowadays, great, historic brands like Baume and Mercier (founded 1830) would be seen as much higher-end than they are.

If Longines had a super iconic sports watch like the "moonwatch" or "submariner", or even an iconic movement that survived the Quartz Crisis (like the El Primero) it would rank way, way higher than it does today, and maybe we'd still even be able to buy a 13ZN powered chrono.

Also, inhouse movements are overrated

B&M is criminally underrated, their 5 day Baumatic Movement is class and you get a hell of a lot of watch considering how much you are paying. Longines as well is a brand I would consider buying a watch from and I have, but you are right they do lack that "OMG I want one" watch in their lineup

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I have a 5.75 inch wrist, I wear 42mm watches and I think they look good.

Yep. I'm gangster. 😆

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AtavachronWill

There is no doubt that you are right in terms of value. You can pick up any one of dozens of microbrand watches that will have better specs for less money. Traska's offerings are great examples. However, Seiko is one of the only brands, aside from true luxury brands and the odd non-luxury edge-case like Doxa, that has an immediately identifiable design language and iconic dial designs and case shapes. I don't think that should be under-appreciated, either. Many, if not most, watches are seriously derivative, usually of some easily identifiable archetype—how many times have you seen a Submariner or Royal Oak analog?—and yet Seikos seem invariably unique. The Tuna, the Sumo, the Monster, the Turtle, the Samurai, the Willard. . .what other 'affordable' watch brands have even one or two easily identifiable, original, and iconic models? 

If you're inclined to care about "iconic" looking, or "unique" styles, you are right, Seiko has it's own look. I suspect most watch buyers care more about getting a good looking, reliable, and well put together watch, than they do about "iconic" style. 

Iconic style doesn't prevent a mineral crystal from picking up scratches, or align a bezel.  

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I hate lumed hands on full lumed dials.

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People hate things they think it is popular to hate, and they love things they think it’s popular to love, in general. 
I‘ll use my two favorite watches as an example: Omega Seamaster diver 300m and Rolex Explorer. 

  • Seamaster. The two biggest gripes you will hear are the HEV and the non-tapering bracelet. On the HEV, you’ll notice that a lot of people it bothers also like compressor case dual-crown watches and Panerai. Because both do elegant crowns so well?!? On the non-tapering bracelet, they’ll advocate replacing it with a non-tapering NATO strap from their YouTube shop. But it’s one of the most adjustable and comfortable bracelets on the market. Think of it as a steel NATO.
  • Explorer. I love my watch. Rolex is so popular among the YouTube “like subscribe ring the bell” crowd that they won’t tell you this, but the bracelet is not as adjustable as the seamaster. Also, it is noisy. It squeaks when you shake it. I call mine “Snowball the Gerbil.”
  • If you disagree, no sweat. Head on over to BarkAndJackDotCom to buy a NATO. Or just get the same quality NATO somewhere else. It‘s seatbelt strap, not high horology. 

Also, women today will rock a 41-42mm OP or Seamaster or Speedmaster no problem, and it looks good. Meanwhile, men will worry that their wrists are too thin and puny for a 39mm or larger watch. Just stop, people. Wear what you like. Stop worrying about your teeny, tiny wrists online and what other people think of them in mm by mm increments. It’s getting old.

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Virtually any watch in good condition is accurate enough.  If you are performing tasks where +2/-2 Superlative Chronometer isn't good enough, and you have to have +5/-0 Metas, wouldn't another form of timekeeping be more effective?

Those are pretty narrow examples, but even something cheap that runs +/- 20...

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Love what you want but at the end of your life only the Swiss stuff will survive you and the next generation. Very few really old Seiko's survive.

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JCDMA8832

I have 2 controversial opinions: I believe that Casio is the best watch brand, and despite how much we love watches, they are just accessories now, we never use their functions and most of the time we see the hour on the phone, please don't do this....

PERRO CHANCLA | Meme Generator

100% agree with you.  Standard watches above the price of $100 are obsolete and could really be considered luxury items.  After spending many years in the military I can tell you pilots don't wear pilots watches, and the fighters on the ground don't wear field watches.  They wear G Shocks or smart watches. 

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  • I like date windows at the 4:30 position 🤣
  • More watches should have a power reserve indicator (whether on the dial or in a display case back) 
  • More watches should have drilled lugs. It wouldn't ruin the look of a watch (but of course the integrity of the lugs should not be compromised) 
  • I don't like domed crystals 
  • Mercedes hands are really ugly 🤣
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I don't find that tag is overrated, it's appropriately rated. I've never heard anyone bring them up, and seeing people wearing them in the wild is scarce. Vintage Heuer on the other hand is in itself in my top 5 brands of all time.

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Cartier make the best dress watches.

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probably not so controversial anymore but paying 2-4x for a Rolex is beyond stupid 💯

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Here's a controversial topic Ratings AKA Power Reserve , AntiMagnetic/ Gauss , Water Resistance,  Metal type, anti reflective... pick one

 My personal gripe is luxury brand dive watches should all start at 300m water resistance.  We are paying a premium.  Build a premium product.  12 K for a new GS Diver 200m water resistance? Same as a $150 SKX. Before you ask if you will need this type of resistance- Not the point. Example Speedie owners sign NASA regs and compliance for space and EVA missions. None of these people have ever been in space or an EVA but they love to pay for that standard.  Let's do it with divers for 12K and water resistance 

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Why is it that so many are down on the"homage"of today when it's more likely then not the watch they're wearin or love is a homage of yesterday. And to be honest, an affordabl Seiko with sapphire crystal, solid links/end links and quality control is called a San Martin.

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My hot take: Wearing watches and spending money on them is silly. 
 

actually it’s not so hot of a take, y’all prolly agree.  

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Bsblaw

My hot take: Wearing watches and spending money on them is silly. 
 

actually it’s not so hot of a take, y’all prolly agree.  

wearing: no 

spending too much:  yes 

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No one uses the GMT and chronograph complications. Ever.