rolex watches...really?

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Thanks...that can be a deep rabbit hole! For me, the manufacturing process and the people that hand finish the watches is what draws me in....especially the Royal Oak. For example, and you probably found some of this during your search, the dials are still made from brass using 100 year old pantographs with each dial taking almost an hour to engrave. The bracelet alone takes almost 8 hours to hand finish. Heck, the hand finished and assembled movement has almost 200 parts and the entire watch is only 9mm thick with a 60 hour power reserve.

Making something that can be +/- 2 or 3 seconds a week and doesn't take a battery? I think it is badass. My father was a tool & die maker, grinding carbine to incredible tolerances and a swiss watch made by hand using similar skills and precision just fascinates me. Many times when I look down at a nice watch, I think of of my dad and the black carbide dust on hands everyday after work. The people that make and design fine watches are flat out artist and I find enjoyment wearing their art everyday. AP has about 1,500 employees (Rolex for example has 30,000) and they produce about 50K watches per year (Rolex produces almost 1 million).

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Very cool. My grandfather was a tool and die maker too. Made lots of different parts for lots of stuff, but the typewriters always impressed me. I think he made stuff for Royal and Singer. Can't be sure. I do remember my dad was pretty pissed when I disassembled one. I think I could have put it back together too, but he boxed it all up and tossed it. In his mind it was a lost cause. Looking back, I am pretty sure I would have gotten it working again.

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Yes...but 47mm! If you can spend just a hair more, could grab something line an Undone diver for $335 at a more reasonable case diameter.

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Is 47 mm too big or too small? You're going to have to explain these subtleties for those of us who aren't well versed in watch specs.

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Originally Posted by The AD

Is 47 mm too big or too small? You're going to have to explain these subtleties for those of us who aren't well versed in watch specs.

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47MM would be considered a very large watch. The submariner, which is a good average size mens sports watch is 40mm for reference.

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Originally Posted by The AD

Is 47 mm too big or too small? You're going to have to explain these subtleties for those of us who aren't well versed in watch specs.

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how big is your wrist?

not my 40mm

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Originally Posted by warthog

Very cool. My grandfather was a tool and die maker too. Made lots of different parts for lots of stuff, but the typewriters always impressed me. I think he made stuff for Royal and Singer. Can't be sure. I do remember my dad was pretty pissed when I disassembled one. I think I could have put it back together too, but he boxed it all up and tossed it. In his mind it was a lost cause. Looking back, I am pretty sure I would have gotten it working again.

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I worked summers in college at the shop (about 600 employee shop with inhouse carbide production and plating lines). Listening to the multi ton presses run all day long through ear plugs would always make me sleepy (plus getting up in time to get to work by 6:30 am). Standing at cnc machines and grinders all day did not treat his shoulders, neck, back and heels well. Paying for it now in his late 60s. Tough gig.

I used to have a gold Omega Seamaster Deville--got it as a prize. I like small, simple looking watches. 35mm case. I have skinny wrists. I got it as an academic prize, gave it to a kid. People seem to be asking 2--3 K for them online, so not in Rolex territory but when I wore a watch that was my idea of how a watch should look.
Attachment 419492

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

47MM would be considered a very large watch. The submariner, which is a good average size mens sports watch is 40mm for reference.

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Got it. Yeah, I've got pretty skinny wrists so 47 mm would probably look gigantic.

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Originally Posted by The AD

Got it. Yeah, I've got pretty skinny wrists so 47 mm would probably look gigantic.

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Obviously, everyone has a different style. Old Goat rocking a 35mm and Arnold rocking a 45mm Panerai probably both look great and if you like really big watches, go for whatever you want and make it work. I am not cool enough to pull off either side of the extremes. My wrist is 7 3/8" and I generally stick to 38mm to 43mm diameter watches depending on the lug width.

I'm 6 3/4

Wrists

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Originally Posted by old goat

I'm 6 3/4

Wrists

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Engorged?

Or relaxed?

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Yes...but 47mm! If you can spend just a hair more, could grab something line an Undone diver for $335 at a more reasonable case diameter.

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-really/page15

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Why would I want to spend 2-4x as much for a not Rolex copy when the point of posting the good looking sub-$100 auto Rolex copy with a US warranty was to reply to a post about fake Rolexes in Chinatown? Besides, Invicta makes that watch in different sizes including the Sub's original 44mm, and 40mm for chicks and accountants.

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Originally Posted by highangle

Sub's original 44mm, and 40mm for chicks and accountants.

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Sorry...what? The Sub's original size was 37mm when introduced in 1953 and then went to 40mm in 1959. Last year it went to "41mm"...but is really round 40.8mm.

If you want something more in the 45mm range, wouldn't it make more sense to buy reproduction of the Fifty Fathoms and not a blown Sub?

2nd link I posted, the 9937 with the SW200 movement and assembled in Switz, has the 40mm case and sapphire crystal and takes 20mm bands. $169

I can't stand Russia, but they build cool-looking aircraft and watches

https://www.amazon.com/VOSTOK-Amphib.../dp/B08Y5G394B

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Originally Posted by highangle

I can't stand Russia, but they build cool-looking aircraft and watches

https://www.amazon.com/VOSTOK-Amphib.../dp/B08Y5G394B

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they built cool aircraft, not so much anymore. I’ve looked at buying an ex Soviet chronometer

Wonder when the Moonswatch will become available to purchase online?

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Originally Posted by dunfree

they built cool aircraft, not so much anymore. I’ve looked at buying an ex Soviet chronometer

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Here's some Soviet style for $150

https://www.amazon.com/VOSTOK-Komand...st_sto_dp&th=1

My wrist is 7 3/4" and anything over 42mm looks like a friggin hubcap attached to my arm.

My wife bought me a Rolex for our anniversary two years ago. I've worn it exactly 3 times and it is now known as the wedding watch. I just can't get comfortable with that thing on. They're heavy and awkward.

Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful and I absolutely intend to leave it to one of my daughters some day--I do appreciate it and enjoy wearing it on very special occasion. But for day to day, I'll rock my Timex or Garmin.

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Originally Posted by The Reverend Floater

My wife bought me a Rolex for our anniversary two years ago. I've worn it exactly 3 times and it is now known as the wedding watch. I just can't get comfortable with that thing on. They're heavy and awkward.

Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful and I absolutely intend to leave it to one of my daughters some day--I do appreciate it and enjoy wearing it on very special occasion. But for day to day, I'll rock my Timex or Garmin.

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Have you tried a zulu band with it? I have a Ball Hydrocarbon that's loud af with the big flash steel band, but way cool with black, or fde, or olive, or black/gray 007 webbing...

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Originally Posted by old goat

I used to have a gold Omega Seamaster Deville--got it as a prize. I like small, simple looking watches. 35mm case. I have skinny wrists. I got it as an academic prize, gave it to a kid. People seem to be asking 2--3 K for them online, so not in Rolex territory but when I wore a watch that was my idea of how a watch should look.
Attachment 419492

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Excellent looking watch OG. Similar to my favorite lately in the drawer (1960 2-tone). I didn't wear watches much during the pandemic as I was constantly working on something outside. Having to get used to having something on my wrist again getting back to work.

Attachment 419564

Maybe I need one of those fancy boxes some of you all have?

The cool kids rock a Swatch

MISSION TO URANUS
https://www.swatch.com/en-us/mission.../SO33L100.html
Attachment 419566

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Originally Posted by BCR

Excellent looking watch OG. Similar to my favorite lately in the drawer (1960 2-tone). I didn't wear watches much during the pandemic as I was constantly working on something outside. Having to get used to having something on my wrist again getting back to work.

Attachment 419564

Maybe I need one of those fancy boxes some of you all have?

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BTW mine had a leather band--I used light tan bands although they tended to get dirty and needing replacement frequently. When my mom died I inherited my dad's Omega--steel case. The other kid got that one. Neither of them wears a watch regularly but they wear the Omegas like jewelry when they want to dress up. I only wear a watch sometimes when I'm hiking etc and don't want to carry a phone. But the battery is always dead so I wind up taking the phone.

I'm not a jewelry guy, so watches should be practical to be worn. If I am scuba diving, then preferably an Omega Seamaster ( I like a black rubber band when underwater) or Rolex Submariner. The Rolex is also great for all outdoor activities. If in court, or on public business, then something like a Patek Calatrava with a crocodile band.

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Originally Posted by schindlerpiste

I'm not a jewelry guy, so watches should be practical to be worn. If I am scuba diving, then preferably an Omega Seamaster ( I like a black rubber band when underwater) or Rolex Submariner. The Rolex is also great for all outdoor activities. If in court, or on public business, then something like a Patek Calatrava with a crocodile band.

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A Calatrava is the only watch I could possibly see adding. But I vacillate between buying it, keeping what I've got, or selling it all. Kinda like my ski quiver on a yearly basis.