What next?
Looking for some opinions and ideas. I've been collecting for a while now. After a host of the usual budget watches (Seiko, Orient, Vostok Invicta etc), I started collecting based on getting a decent watch from each conglomerate. I have a Tudor from the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation. I have a JLC Reverso from Richemont Group. I also have an Omega and Hamilton from Swatch group.
So what's next. The obvious would be Grand Seiko, but I'm waiting for the spring drive movement to get smaller and the technology to be more proven over a longer period of time. I've looked into Glashutte area, but bauhaus doesn't resonate with me.
I'm looking for something perhaps a bit left field. I'm not averse to lower tier costs, either. Ideas? Let's hear them!
I got my first mechanical watch in 1976 as a boy. I broke it within a year (over wound it). Then after many Casio years, I rediscovered mechanical watches. Still have a couple of quartz watches, thoug...
The Spring drive has been out for 20 years now and has been proven. The 62gs models even at 40mm wear more like 39mm on the wrist and are thinner at 12.5mm and that includes 2mm from the box crystal. Even the 5-days power reserve models are sub 12mm these days.
Maybe take a dig into micro-brands?
Monta, Tusenö and Pitzmann
Also maybe Orient Star or King Seiko?
Nivada Grenchen is also very interesting especially the Super Antarctic
Since you've already looked at German, perhaps Sinn or Meistersinger. Further afield, you could look at Habring.
You could look into vintage watches?
I’ve recently become obsessed with the vintage scene, where you can pick up a lot of solid pieces.
Including watches from brands which were taken out by the quartz crisis, Rolexes, or even other big name brands with designs that they no longer do.
Plus I’ve got small wrists so I always welcome the smaller sizes which come with the vintage gear
If I had the wherewithal I'd be looking at RGM watches. I think they are doing some great watches.
If I had the wherewithal I'd be looking at RGM watches. I think they are doing some great watches.
Just had a look. They're pretty spectacular. Will certainly keep an eye on them.
Since you've already looked at German, perhaps Sinn or Meistersinger. Further afield, you could look at Habring.
Thanks. I have a Sinn already and it's a damn fine watch. I'll look into the other brands.
The Spring drive has been out for 20 years now and has been proven. The 62gs models even at 40mm wear more like 39mm on the wrist and are thinner at 12.5mm and that includes 2mm from the box crystal. Even the 5-days power reserve models are sub 12mm these days.
I'll consider GS when non-seiko watchmakers start servicing them.
You could look into vintage watches?
I’ve recently become obsessed with the vintage scene, where you can pick up a lot of solid pieces.
Including watches from brands which were taken out by the quartz crisis, Rolexes, or even other big name brands with designs that they no longer do.
Plus I’ve got small wrists so I always welcome the smaller sizes which come with the vintage gear
Yeah, my Reverso and Speedy are both on the cusp of being vintage (both manufactured in 1999). So I'm definitely bought into the vintage vibe.