What time do you wear?

Very cool David! I would think they could adjust that on your next cleaning.

I also have that IWC Pubul57; what color is yours? Mine is the blue strap.

Excellent collection Bvdiman! I currently have a desire for a particular Glashutte Original, I just lack the money to fulfill the desire and not (yet) ready to part with what I have. :)
Brian

Nice collection Tboooe. I also have a Port. Chrono., but mine is with the blue strap, hands and indices. I am envious you have a 5001!

Well said Bvdiman.

I have sold three watches in recent years with little loss. I live in a rural area and I do not travel much, so I have never seen a GO in person so it makes such a buying consideration tough. Don't get me wrong, I am sure the watch would be stunning, but enough to part with mine, assuming I could even afford it after that???

Excellent John...wish we could post pictures.

LOL, you always have the PAM's and Big Bang for bad eyesight days. :)

Omega Speedmaster Date. I wanted an automatic for a long time, I am very happy with the purchase.

Sorasound, I am not familiar with the Blue Wave, but there are a couple Nardin watches I'd really like!!!

Foie, you have another sweet watch I'd like, the Daytona!

Mehran, Very nice! I like the rubber strap, that will be my next strap, if I can find one I like. Brian

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner. Owned it for 15 years and it has never kept time as well as a $50.00 Timex.

No automatic watch will.

There seems to be a misunderstanding here about watches, specifically automatic watches. Many comments where people are putting down "expensive", "big name" watches because they are not as accurate as an inexpensive (quartz) watch. Due to design differences a quartz movement is far more accurate. Owning an automatic watch has its own set of virtues that people like.

I simply disagree Snofun. If someone is purchasing an automatic watch expecting the utmost accuracy they are misled. As for "higher performance", that can come in other forms. Most expensive watches are built very well and last for decades. Furthermore, many people, such as myself enjoy owning a mechanical watch.

I did not purchase my automatics for prestige, I don't care who likes them nor do I think they are "substandard" because they are not as accurate as my quartz watches.

It is wonderful that you are pleased with your watch and it meets your criteria, but others can be just as happy that have a different criteria than you.

If accuracy is your main criteria, purchase an Atomic watch.

"exquisite design, fine materials, outstanding features AND virtually unmatched performance"

All in the eyes of the beholder. Again, glad your happy, that's all that matters.

Snofun, the problem I have with your posts is that you don’t hesitate to say things as fact that are more opinion.

Shorton’s point was that you are boasting of your watches quartz accuracy comparing it to an automatic. You have followed up by making claims about the Rolex quartz that I suspect you haven’t a clue about. Either way it’s a pissing match.

You say that a Timex is more accurate than a Rolex. Have you ever owned a Rolex? I will bank my money on the Rolex quartz, keeping apples to apples; even with an automatic, if you learn its characteristics, you can control its timing on how you lay it when not worn and it will be very accurate. Perceiving that you have never owned an automatic, you are making claims with no experience. Futhermore, when speaking of Rolex, you generalize them, you can get a Rolex quartz like your Breitling, just as you can get a Breitling automatic; Breitling’s automatics will not be as accurate, in general, as their quartz movements, so what does this say?

You criticize automatics because one must move their wrist to keep them going, that is part of owning an automatic that some like.

As for which will last longer, an automatic or a quartz, an automatic can always be maintained, if a quartz fails, it is thrown in the hurby-curby! Furthermore, look at the vintage market, it doesn’t take long to see the vast market for vintage mechanical watches.

You also imply that people who purchase a Rolex do so to impress neighbors and friends, I wouldn’t doubt that some may, but that is a sweeping generalization and one I do not believe as a whole, in fact, I know it not to be so.

Lastly, I have tried not to get personal in my replies. You have repeatedly put down people for spending large sums of money for watches such as Rolex, claiming your watch to be far superior. An argument could be made that your purchase is the foolish one; the Brietling Aerospace lists at over $2000, correct? When you replace the battery, ask to see inside, I suspect you’ll see mostly plastic, similar to the Timex.

I would like to state again, I don’t look down on your purchase, it is what you wanted and brings you joy, for other it would not.

Correct, I did say that an automatic movement is not as accurate as a quartz movement, in general; the part we seem to be missing it is that you freely bash Rolex brand as not being as accurate as a Timex, here I disagree. Just like your Brietling, Rolex makes quartz movements. If I kept saying Breitling isn't as accurate as a $50 Timex would you disagree? Breitling makes watches with automatic movements that will not be as accurate as a quartz Timex.

I don't argue the fact that an automatic can cost more to maintain over the years, but it can be maintained. That said, as for 3-5 years, the current state is more in the 5-10 realm. If something were to go wrong with the quartz movement, what are you going to do?

As I already mentioned, there is a healthy market for preowned mechanical watches, while there may be a market for certain quartz watches, it is small in comparison. Mechanical watches do a better job of holding their value as well.

It is clear that an automatic isn't your thing, that is fine, but for many people there is a lot of appeal to owning one; much like some people love a V-Twin motorcyle and others just don't get it.

You state that in your opinion performance should be the ultimate goal of a premium piece of hardware. Does Breitling miss this mark with their mechanical watches?

If accuracy is your biggest issue in owning a watch, you don't have to spend a lot of money.

I second Boa's recommendation of TimeZone.

Now the test. Other than casework, what makes either of these watches superior to the two I mentioned on 4/18/7?

Unfortunately this would most likely turn into a squabble!

For those who think its important to wear something on their wrist that everyone who looks will recognize and interpert it to mean that the wearer is 'wealthy'?

Unfortunaly this is the mindset of many; while I am sure there is some truth to this for some people, it is not for many, so not a fair statement.

The smaller boutique watch houses such as IWC, Jaeger, Patek etc, put out far less volume and use old world craftsmanship and engineering that watchfiles will appreciate.

I guess it is all how one wants to view it. One could make a point for the state-of-the-art factory that Rolex has. (Before I go any further, let me make it clear that I have nothing against the brands you list, all wonderful pieces and I'd be glad to wear them.) I would be willing to bet some of these "small" boutique companies would love to be selling at the level of Rolex. Furthermore, I am not sure of what craftsmanship and engineering you are alluding to.

In my opinion Rolex takes a lot of heat for two main reasons, some of the people who purchase them, as Newbee alluded and because they are "on top", if you will. On top in that they are a household name and a leader in sales, in regards to mechanical watches. No matter what the topic, those "on top" always have a target, any issue good or bad is amplified.

As you stated, Rolex sells a lot of watches, not just because people want to say they have one, although that happens, and kudos to Rolex for building such a name, but there are many that buy them for what they are, an extreemly good mechanical watch, all with in house movements. Spend some time on Timezone.com and you will see that the Rolex forum is the most active with some passionate and (very) knowledgeable people about the brand.

What a great collection with VERY cool history James!!

I am well aware of that Mike, I never claimed they always have.

Wow Jmo, what an awesome collection! One could retire on that collection. :)

While I don't have near the experience as you, I must take exception to the statement, "Lastly for the record Rolex keep the worst time..."
Clearly you own the brand so you have experience, but I find this untrue for several (good) reasons. First, I too have experience with the brand and have found them to do a stellar job; Second, I have spent a fair amount of time on TimeZone.com, too much in fact, and the track record of the MANY people on those forums differs with your view; Third, while I have not read a lot of reviews in watch magazines, the few I have read have always given Rolex high marks in this area.

Again, awesome collection, I'd love to see a picture of all them in one shot.

Hey Jmo,

I tried on a white faced Milguass, it was very nice but not really for me; I like the tinted green crystal version the best. As for losing minutes, again, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, I have not experienced this nor others I know.

Enough of that. I don't recall seeing an IWC in your list, have you owned any? I haven't had the pleasure to view one in person, but I have looked at a lot of pictures, they look quite nice.

Hey Arthur, I haven't seen you here in awhile, have I just been missing you? Brian

LOL Glad to have you back Arthur, has it really been 3 years?

Nice choice street, love the strap.

Wow Semi, nice collection there!

I was torn between yours and mine; ultimately I prefered the blue numbers, hands, etc. I didn't think I'd like the blue strap but I do, very much.

I agree, beautiful design!

If they are, they are in a different league!

Very cool Goldenroad.

Excellent piece Arthur! I have owned a GMT II, though not the C; I really like the newer C!!!!!

I love the GO watches Mert! I finally got to see them in person a week and a half ago and my opinion only went up. I'd love a Senator Navigator Chronograph.

Interesting, I didn't know that. The store I was in recently didn't have it. They did have another I like, the Senator Navigator Auto.

White gold in all its beauty...I have always liked that version of the Daytona Syntax. I prefer Arabic numerals.

I would have to concur with Roxy, as I have a Ti wheelchair and I can get it polished as an option, but not cheap.

I owned one of those Yacht-masters for a short time.

Nice looking piece Albert. The Damasko has some similar looks to some of the IWC line.

I agree prices have went crazy. I like the look of the ExpII with the orange; I owned the previous Exp II and liked it.

Great pictures Bvdiman, thanks for sharing...quite the collection!

Do you enjoy digital photography Albert? I like to take pictures, but I am not the best at it. I recently purchased Lightroom and it is quite amazing at what can be done to a picture.