Least and Most Expensive Watch
The Hanhart Pinoneer Preventor9
My own build based on an ST36
Now, this is a question I normally try to avoid, but it kind of got to me during another discussion on this esteemed site. I realized that my most expensive and one of the least expensive watches are actually quite similar.
The more expensive watch is about 18x the price of the least expensive one. One is the Hanhart Pioneer Preventor9, the other is a build using an ST36, an AliExpress case and dial, and an inexpensive strap from CNS. Both are Flieger-style watches with small seconds in the 9 o'clock position. The inexpensive build lacks hacking and automatic winding, but has a somewhat decorated movement.
So, what gives? The difference cannot be explained by the movement. It would be generous to attribute more that $200 to that. The Hanhart's leather strap retails at about $150 by itself, and I have to say it is worth it. It's the best strap I have in my possession, no question. Thick, sturdy, yet amazing pleasant to wear.
The dial differences are huge, the Hanhart dial has a grainy texture, with painted yet raised numerals that are ornate and crisp, just like the minute track or anything else on the dial.
The handset is also very pleasant, and all comes together nicely.
The case is rock solid, with just the right brushing, and a sliver of a polished ring just below the bezel. Every corner, every angle is crisp. To get something like that as a retail customer, we are looking at around $300. The Hanhart uses a more elaborate way to keep a standard SW200, yet have the small seconds in the 9 o'clock position, with a slimmed down chrono device.
In summary, the parts explain about 60% to 70% of the difference. The rest is design, marketing, the ability to get service, even through the sales process, with somebody explaining to you on the phone what to expect and the terms of service.
There is an odd calming feeling of the Hanhart being "just right", meaning there is nothing I would change without disturbing the balance of the design. I guess that is worth it.
I do not mind wearing my build, but it feels more like a fun experiment than anything else.
My priciest; Seiko Alpinist GMT LE: $1290-ish.
My cheapest: Casio MWH-200: $15.
So, around 86 times differences between the cheapest watch I own and the most expensive.
I'm cool with that.
My priciest; Seiko Alpinist GMT LE: $1290-ish.
My cheapest: Casio MWH-200: $15.
So, around 86 times differences between the cheapest watch I own and the most expensive.
I'm cool with that.
Yes, I don't think I have a watch quite that inexpensive. But in either case, it really made me think about what I value in a watch. Each of them tells the time, but what in particular am I willing to pay for?
Dearest Seamaster 300, paid £3400 +£485 service, cheapest Sturmanski Gagarin, maybe £250ish.
My cheapest is an eBay Seiko, my most expensive is my Tribus TRI-04
Dearest Seamaster 300, paid £3400 +£485 service, cheapest Sturmanski Gagarin, maybe £250ish.
Just curious, which one of the two do you wear more?
Just curious, which one of the two do you wear more?
The Seamaster, & it's not even close...
My most worn watches are a pair of Willards and Aqua Terra quartz and I do tend to gravitate towards my favourites , I've no strict rotation.
Only started wearing the Gagarin again recently tbh, but for what it is it's nicely made & keeps reasonablely good time.
Good value, far better bang per buck than any of my posh stuff all things considered.
The Seamaster, & it's not even close...
My most worn watches are a pair of Willards and Aqua Terra quartz and I do tend to gravitate towards my favourites , I've no strict rotation.
Only started wearing the Gagarin again recently tbh, but for what it is it's nicely made & keeps reasonablely good time.
Good value, far better bang per buck than any of my posh stuff all things considered.
Yeah, makes sense. I was wondering if people baby their expensive watches, because they want to keep them in pristine condition, or are afraid to lose them. The Hanhart is probably the most-worn watch that I have. It just feels oddly calming to look at that dial.
Priciest: Rolex 16570 polar explorer ii
Least expensive: Casio F91W
Definitely a big price discrepancy between the two lol. Funny enough is I wear the Casio more often than any other watch I have because I wear it to the gym to track time and keep me from checking my phone as often. Also an easy choice for when I travel abroad to unfamiliar places l because I never have any worries about it
Priciest: Rolex 16570 polar explorer ii
Least expensive: Casio F91W
Definitely a big price discrepancy between the two lol. Funny enough is I wear the Casio more often than any other watch I have because I wear it to the gym to track time and keep me from checking my phone as often. Also an easy choice for when I travel abroad to unfamiliar places l because I never have any worries about it
Interesting, other than sports/travel I don't really wear my G-Shock all that much. (It was more expensive than the Flieger watch mentioned in this posting, so it didn't make the cut for this comparison.)
I wear most of my watches at the office, and that made me realize that non-divers see most of the wrist time, regardless of their price.
There is somewhat of a price gap between my Glashütte Original Senator and my Pagani Design 1651…Happy with both though and they both get wrist time. Admittedly, the GO more than the PD, the former being worn at least once or twice every week, the latter more ‘on occasion’. But both good value for money imo.
There is somewhat of a price gap between my Glashütte Original Senator and my Pagani Design 1651…Happy with both though and they both get wrist time. Admittedly, the GO more than the PD, the former being worn at least once or twice every week, the latter more ‘on occasion’. But both good value for money imo.
That would be quite a gap indeed. The GO Senator is a gorgeous watch, but at that price point, I'm glad you wear it more than the Pagani Design.
This also seems to confirm my suspicion that a lot of collectors own quite a spread of watches across price segments.
I will narrow the price gap. I have 34 watches.
Least expensive: Casio Tough Solar STL-S300H. It was an orphan in the Walmart Clearance case. $10.
Most expensive: Seiko SRPD59, orange dial, $180.
Interesting topic. Are we going by price we paid, current perceived value of the watch or current retail price of the watch ( for models still on sale) ?
I would say current MSRP, or if no-longer sold, the inflation-adjusted MSRP. (And the sum of the components if you built it.)
Rolex Sky Dweller on Jubilee and Vostok Anchor and Wheel (AKA Zissou) with a bunch of other watches in between, Guess which is which. 😀
Rolex Sky Dweller on Jubilee and Vostok Anchor and Wheel (AKA Zissou) with a bunch of other watches in between, Guess which is which. 😀
You got the Sky Dweller as a welcome present when you bought your Lambo, right? 😁
No, actually the Vostok came with the Lambo... 😎
I would say current MSRP, or if no-longer sold, the inflation-adjusted MSRP. (And the sum of the components if you built it.)
Ok I just made an acquisition that helped me answer that by putting one watch easily into one end of the spectrum.
Cheapest current watch: some Casio that I got for probably SGD$20 touting 10 year battery life (ended up lasting longer than 10 yrs)
Most expensive - actual amount paid, current MSRP, market valuation : Silver Snoopy 50th anniversary
Ok I just made an acquisition that helped me answer that by putting one watch easily into one end of the spectrum.
Cheapest current watch: some Casio that I got for probably SGD$20 touting 10 year battery life (ended up lasting longer than 10 yrs)
Most expensive - actual amount paid, current MSRP, market valuation : Silver Snoopy 50th anniversary
So, just out of curiosity, how much wrist time does the Casio see these days? And congratulations, by the way. 😉
So, just out of curiosity, how much wrist time does the Casio see these days? And congratulations, by the way. 😉
Thanks- exciting acquisition! Regarding the Casio ( model HDD600) not much. Mainly worn nowadays for specifically when I need to stick a small watch under sleeves and gloves.