Do I stay in toe or buck the system?
So recently, I i’ve been blessed to start the journey of looking to purchase my first four figure watch. I’m signing that I want to get a vintage styled diver. I especially like the cushion case design like the Seiko turtle. One dilemma I found myself in is loving psycho, but having an issue with their quality control. Things like misaligned hands and improperly aligned, Bezzel inserts, are making straight away from a brand. I like this is learning to see some other upbeats that are out there that are very interesting and unique. It’s pretty universal seen that you have to get a Swiss brand to know that you have “made it.” But this is one of my dilemma lies. The options I am looking at keep coming up feeling a little numb. If I am going to spend this amount of funds, I want my heart to sing. Not just buy it to say it’s $1000 and Swiss. However the Jack Mason Hydrotimer is a watch I keep coming back to and drooling over. The design is gorgeous. The colorway is exactly what I want, the movement is high beat, reliable, but cheap to maintenance. The newest tech in watchmaking. It even has a scratch resistance coating to keep it looking new longer…. But it’s not Swiss. Heck it’s not a micro brand people talk about and show massive respect. But it’s for that “thing” about it. Do I buy a watch but some might say I’m idiotic or buying instead of a Swiss brand, or do I just go with what I want regardless of resale value, or other opinions? Thoughts on this?
Hey! The name is Jade. I run a little channel on YouTube where I review Everyday Carry items. My biggest passions in life are my family, food, music, and of course my hobbies. Watches are my favorite...
Older Seiko QC was a lot better. Don't get an exotic vintage there are no parts for. The repair possibilities are best with an ETA movement. There are people here crazy enough to work on vintage Seiko
Find a watch you love. It doesn’t matter if it’s Japanese, Swiss or $1000 +/- . It doesn’t matter if you don’t find anything for months or a year. Find that one that whispers gently in your ear and take it home.
If that’s a Jack Mason, who is to tell you you are wrong.
Buy used!!
You get far more for your money - for example I paid £500 for my Green Willard, £1300 for my Omega Aqua Terra quartz .. 🤑
Opens up a whole new tier to you.
For that money, check these out. Much more individualistic tha Seiko.
This Vulcain is only 1,490.00 Swiss francs (CHF)
This Oris diver is $3,100.00 Cdn! Much more interesting than another Seiko!
These two Longines Hydroconquests are $3,100.00 usd. Again…
And then there’s this:
Muhle SAR tough as guts! 2,250 euros.
Hey, you’ve got some fun to be had!
Best of luck!
😃
I can speak to the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver, which I am a very happy owner of. The quality, fit and finish are all superb and you can even get one without a date window now if that's your jam.
In stock now here https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/collections/antarctic-diver for $995.
Buck the system... or something that rhymes with that 😉
Buy the watch YOU want, not what someone thinks you should get. After all, it’s going to be on your wrist and it’s your money.
Buy what you like That’s all that matters
If it's vintage divers, I can recommend the Mido Ocean Star Tribute and Certina DS PH200M. Both are well below usd1000 from company with great watch history. I personally own the mido which is one of my favourite watch. The certina comes with 2 version, earlier releases are hesalite with powernatic 111 movement (which I don't recommend) while the newer ones are sapphire with powermatic 611 movement which are much better. Depending on where u live it could be difficult to find these watches especially the Certina.
But my advice is buy the one u like the most. The one that u keep going back to. And if possible please go try out the watch physically before buying. It might change your mind or seal the deal. Good luck and enjoy your watch journey.
Nivada!
I was in exactly the same position as you 2 years ago. It was a big birthday and I wanted to treat myself. I ended up dropping a wedge on a hign end Seiko prospex Willard with the 8L35 movement serial No SLA049. I could feel the watch salesman trying to guide me towards Swiss. I knew as soon as I walked out of the door it would probably be half what I paid for it.
But it’s what I wanted and I love it and no regrets.
Get what you enjoy and not what you think you should enjoy🙂
Christopher Ward!!!!
I woulnd't personally rule out a Seiko for the reasons you mentioned. I know way more people who have had nothing but success than Seiko than who have had issues and I know guys with 50+ Seikos. If you like the Seiko, check it out. I'd say there's a 99% chance everything will be fine.
I've had this problem too. It's all fun and games until you find your stuff in a pile on fire in the yard. But that's the tax you pay for loving a psycho
Jack Mason is awesome! They’re doing great things, have a great team and excellent customer service. The hydrotimer is smashing. Does not matter at all that it isn’t Swiss.
I'm kinda partial to the Nivada
You won't know till you own it. I am one of those insane people that drop 4 figures on a Seiko. No regrets.
If Jack Mason is what you want, get it. If you don't like it, you'll know within a few weeks. If you love it, you'll probably wear it more than that Swiss watch the AD recommended.
If it's vintage divers, I can recommend the Mido Ocean Star Tribute and Certina DS PH200M. Both are well below usd1000 from company with great watch history. I personally own the mido which is one of my favourite watch. The certina comes with 2 version, earlier releases are hesalite with powernatic 111 movement (which I don't recommend) while the newer ones are sapphire with powermatic 611 movement which are much better. Depending on where u live it could be difficult to find these watches especially the Certina.
But my advice is buy the one u like the most. The one that u keep going back to. And if possible please go try out the watch physically before buying. It might change your mind or seal the deal. Good luck and enjoy your watch journey.
There's seriously lots of watches in this category, but if you already have your eye on the Jack Mason, then 100% go for it. I got the Strat-o-Timer last year and it's a brilliant watch. It just needs a "Made/Designed in Texas" on the dial and it would be near perfect.
Got the Hydrotimer a few weeks ago. Absolute zero regrets. Quality is superb. Accuracy is true to their +/- 5. Customer service is great as well. The scratch resist coating is more amazing than I had anticipated. Just over all a great piece. And the dial. The watch is even better in person. I recommend getting the FKM as well. Superb all the way through.
Saw a few guys on here say Jack Mason is becoming the American C ward…I can say that I think they’re well on their way. Good luck on your decision!