What should I buy next? Actually, I wish... instead, what should my buddy buy next?
Oh great gurus of WatchCrunch, I come to you for your sage advice and insights. Nowhere else has the wisdom of so many watch dorks been amassed together to fight the forces of darkness.
Okay, good buddy of mine pinged me out of the blue today, asking what he should get next. He already owns the DateJust Turn-O-Graph and the D. Dornblueth & Sohne.
Here are a couple he was originally thinking of as possibilities...
... but, then, he noticed this morning that his boss was wearing the Panerai, so that's been thrown out of contention, and now he's depressed, because he really liked it.
So, what would you suggest?
Some criteria:
- Maybe something on the sportier / cross-over side, as his D. Dornblueth & Sohne already fills the dress watch niche
- Not white dial, as both watches he owns are already white dial
- Ideally < $10k
- On the smaller side... so, let's say 40mm or 41mm max dial, with maybe shorter lug-to-lug preferred
- Going more for stealthy luxury... like he loves the fact that nobody other than total watch geeks even knows what the Dornblueth is
- Can be new or used
I don't think I'd be much use to him, because all I'm gonna do is suggest Grand Seiko, and as we all know, all Grand Seiko owners are this...
So, what will it be? What must he get???
The Artist formerly known as @HotWatchChick69 and formerly-formerly @Omeganut
More from Mr.Dee.Bater
How about a G-Shock Casioak?
Both those choices seem somewhat curveballs to his existing design cues...
Is he looking for something without a white dial that is more tooly testronic than his current two dress watches?
Not sure about B&R - I only have one in the collection and it's fine but it never really gets any wrist time.
How about an Anonimo Epurato - gets him choices of dials and stays in the dress watch code while also being Paneriffic without copying his co-worker...
As you can see I'm a bit of a fan of Anonimo - they have some other tough designs like the Militaire, Newman and the Nautilo...
Habring2, they have them at Solana Beach. Chronos are for timing races and car racing is a sport, right?
Habring2, they have them at Solana Beach. Chronos are for timing races and car racing is a sport, right?
They have the chrono felix SPORT at the store rn.
How about a G-Shock Casioak?
Yes! Without question!
Both those choices seem somewhat curveballs to his existing design cues...
Is he looking for something without a white dial that is more tooly testronic than his current two dress watches?
Not sure about B&R - I only have one in the collection and it's fine but it never really gets any wrist time.
How about an Anonimo Epurato - gets him choices of dials and stays in the dress watch code while also being Paneriffic without copying his co-worker...
As you can see I'm a bit of a fan of Anonimo - they have some other tough designs like the Militaire, Newman and the Nautilo...
This is amazing! After all this time, I thought I would have heard of every single watch manufacturer by now. I've never heard of Anonimo! Craziness!
They have the chrono felix SPORT at the store rn.
Habring2 is exactly like D. Dornblueth! Amazing quality and totally under-the-radar.
Based on his suggestions, it appears that he likes the somewhat square/cushion case shape. Perhaps a gorgeous Santos de Cartier would be up his alley?
Sporty, black dial with some color, $10k!! 9-8k on Chrono24
Maybe an IWC Mark XX?
Black/blue/green dial. Excellent bracelet, excellent movement, very simply design. Only dorks like me would even pay attention.
Perhaps a JLC Master Geographic (plugging my watch of course). This is an older model but can be found for $7-9k.
This Zenith Chronomaster El Primero revival A384 Shadow.
Norquain Freedom GMT, Zenith Defy Skyline (not really under the radar), anOrdaine model 2 (but there is a waiting list) or a G-Shock, really 😂
So, I've told my buddy to sign up for WC so that he can respond to questions directly, rather than me being the middle man.
Mark, my suggestions... only because I own these, and trying to justify my life decisions.
Laine, kudoke, garrick uk are a few independents i can think of. glashutte original or zenith chronographs would fit the bill too.
You guys are AMAZING!
These are all phenomenal suggestions. Seriously, I've become so myopically focused on GS, that I always forget how amazing some of these other watches are.
If I weren't such an otaku, I think I might go for something like this...
But, at the very least, this...
Habring2, they have them at Solana Beach. Chronos are for timing races and car racing is a sport, right?
What’s the Solana Beach / Habring2connection? I’m in the area (my office is moving from Cardiff to Solana in a couple months) so any local thing could be cool.
Yes yes yes! This is amazing, thanks for the reco!
Truth be told, I would, too. A blue dial GS (choose your pattern/cost) is probably the closest match to what @stayingwarm is looking for. I’d go spring drive and diversify the collection even more, but you can’t go wrong. Maybe you need to bring a set over so he can see the glory first hand.
Oh, yeah!
****
Mark, you are not allowed to buy anything until after you've looked through and tried on every watch in my collection, motherf*cker!
What’s the Solana Beach / Habring2connection? I’m in the area (my office is moving from Cardiff to Solana in a couple months) so any local thing could be cool.
Passion Fine Jewelry is there, one of the only two Habring2 AD's in the USA. They have kudoke, and other really cool independent watches.
How about a MoonSwatch? 🤔😂
No! Evil grey market flipping flippery flippers have manipulated the markets such that it's outside his budget now!
This one !
What about this new release. A bit over budget but it's worth it, but you can lend him the difference 😂
Jokes aside, with current exchange rates he can get it much cheaper from Europe 🤫
No white dial. stealth wealth. Lesser known brand with quality and respect. How about Atelier Wen? one of the most beautiful dials out there, in my opinion.
Your suggestion is an extremely good choice. But I have been looking at the website for a long time, but it is always out of stock.
Since you have received far too little feedback so far, I will also make a suggestion. I also have a Dornblüth 99.1 and am also looking for a new watch. At first I didn't want a dresswatch either, but the Grand Seiko SBGY007 simply convinced me. With a diameter of 38.5 mm, it fits somewhat smaller wrists. In addition, you can buy the steel bracelet of the SBG013 from November 2022, which should fit. The movement is incredibly executed and the dial is simply impressive. 😉
Since you have received far too little feedback so far, I will also make a suggestion. I also have a Dornblüth 99.1 and am also looking for a new watch. At first I didn't want a dresswatch either, but the Grand Seiko SBGY007 simply convinced me. With a diameter of 38.5 mm, it fits somewhat smaller wrists. In addition, you can buy the steel bracelet of the SBG013 from November 2022, which should fit. The movement is incredibly executed and the dial is simply impressive. 😉
Fantastic!
@STAYINGWARM this man speaks truth. Given the strong dollar, right now, there are Japanese ADs listing brand new examples of the Omiwatari for $5,435 on Chrono24 - that's like 35% off MSRP!
I think you are trying to describe the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo without saying Bvlgari Octo Finissimo. LOL
I’ve got the Solotempo but the Finissimo is in an entirely different universe when it comes to materials and technology… and price.
But man, what a watch. And talk about stealth wealth.
Anyway, here’s my poverty version.
Go for Grand Seiko. SBGY007. Lol. Sorry. But to me it’s stealth wealth. Beautiful blue dial. BEAU-TI-FUL! 9R31 movement.
Go for Grand Seiko. SBGY007. Lol. Sorry. But to me it’s stealth wealth. Beautiful blue dial. BEAU-TI-FUL! 9R31 movement.
@STAYINGWARM, again, more truth. Have you ever seen / experienced spring drive in-person?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6nhGgXFIMk
What model is this? To my uneducaged eye it looks like a SeaQ but I’m not finding those with an open back (which I love). Thanks much for the help and this great reco!
Pure H08 :)