I'm a fan but looking for the California Dial deal of the day

I love the idea on Panerai but everytime I put one on my wrist I just feel ridiculous. Its so large and so square. Maybe one day I'll get over myself

ChemAg15 said:

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I love the idea on Panerai but everytime I put one on my wrist I just feel ridiculous. Its so large and so square. Maybe one day I'll get over myself

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They are big.... and heavy..... but easy for my old man eyes to read the time.

If you are not atleast 6'2 and 225lbs dont bother. It will look ridiculous. Its also kind of a meat head watch but I think they are cool nonetheless...

I think knowing the history of the watch, it's an exception to normal size conventions. It wasn't sized crazy for fashion. I love the giant retro/vintage numerals.

schmendeler said:

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I think knowing the history of the watch, it's an exception to normal size conventions. It wasn't sized crazy for fashion. I love the giant retro/vintage numerals.

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They were more or less an afterthought until Stalone starting wearing them (I think in Rambo).

They also use cheap plastic parts in their movements now that have no business being in watches at that price point. I've always been extremely anti Panerai and think their quality is only deteriorating.

I believe Panerai quality has actually increased substantially over the past few years. Regardless, I love the look and love my submersible.

I get positive comments all the time, although some of those are comments about how they like it but don't think they could pull it off. . It is a big boy.

The one I'm interested in was before they went in house. Ironically the build quality is supposed to be better.

The PAM00111.

https://ebay.us/m/1ZJ2gJ

FTAco07 said:

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They also use cheap plastic parts in their movements now that have no business being in watches at that price point. I've always been extremely anti Panerai and think their quality is only deteriorating.

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The rep market on those may be better

Looks good

First time post here. I am new to watches. "High end" for me right now is around the $1,000 mark. I have only ever owned watches that were sub $400. I want to take the next step to get a solid watch that doesn't break the bank for me. I want to get a nice watch but there are so many brands out there and I am not sure if some are considered knock offs or copy cats or whatever the correct terminology is.

I know I want a dive watch and a pilots watch. I have been eyeing two brands, Hamilton and Jack Mason.

I don't know much about these things, I do know I want an automatic, but I was hoping to get some opinions on what I should be considering and opinions these and other brands.

You might look at Davosa.

I think you can get a lot of watch for your money with Christopher Ward. Their trident divers are really well done.

Traska makes a nice watch as well. Hardened steel as well - not as good as Damasko or Sinn, but well done and nice finishing for the price point.

DartAg1970 said:

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First time post here. I am new to watches. "High end" for me right now is around the $1,000 mark. I have only ever owned watches that were sub $400. I want to take the next step to get a solid watch that doesn't break the bank for me. I want to get a nice watch but there are so many brands out there and I am not sure if some are considered knock offs or copy cats or whatever the correct terminology is.

I know I want a dive watch and a pilots watch. I have been eyeing two brands, Hamilton and Jack Mason.

I don't know much about these things, I do know I want an automatic, but I was hoping to get some opinions on what I should be considering and opinions these and other brands.

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C ward will make you cream

DartAg1970 said:

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First time post here. I am new to watches. "High end" for me right now is around the $1,000 mark. I have only ever owned watches that were sub $400. I want to take the next step to get a solid watch that doesn't break the bank for me. I want to get a nice watch but there are so many brands out there and I am not sure if some are considered knock offs or copy cats or whatever the correct terminology is.

I know I want a dive watch and a pilots watch. I have been eyeing two brands, Hamilton and Jack Mason.

I don't know much about these things, I do know I want an automatic, but I was hoping to get some opinions on what I should be considering and opinions these and other brands.

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I used to tel everyone to go for the Oris Aquis, you could get one right around $1000 and that was the absolute best bang for the buck. Unfortunately it looks like inflation has pushed these well over $1000.

Christopher Ward Trident, Mido Ocean Star, Certina DS, Tissot Sea Star powermatic 80 are all great choices. I would probably go with CW Trident 60 reef

It has an automatic movement, a beautifully decorated sellita visible through an exhibition caseback, decent power reserve, steel bracelet, and ceramic bezel. The Tissot sea star powermatic 80 is also a good choice but while the brand recognition is better, the movement is not as beautiful, and it only has an aluminum bezel instead of ceramic.

Right now it's listed for just over $1150 but I think there may be some codes available that get it under $1000

The C Ward is probably best bang for your buck in a dive watch. Agree with QV that it used to be the Oris Aquis. You can still find a used one on eBay for ~$1,200, but I'd be cautious due to a run of fakes that hit the market a while back.

For a pilot, the Hamilton Khaki Pilot auto can be had for around $700 which frees up budget on the diver.

zgolfz85 said:

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DartAg1970 said:

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First time post here. I am new to watches. "High end" for me right now is around the $1,000 mark. I have only ever owned watches that were sub $400. I want to take the next step to get a solid watch that doesn't break the bank for me. I want to get a nice watch but there are so many brands out there and I am not sure if some are considered knock offs or copy cats or whatever the correct terminology is.

I know I want a dive watch and a pilots watch. I have been eyeing two brands, Hamilton and Jack Mason.

I don't know much about these things, I do know I want an automatic, but I was hoping to get some opinions on what I should be considering and opinions these and other brands.

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C ward will make you cream

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Not sure if serious....?

DartAg1970 said:

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First time post here. I am new to watches. "High end" for me right now is around the $1,000 mark. I have only ever owned watches that were sub $400. I want to take the next step to get a solid watch that doesn't break the bank for me. I want to get a nice watch but there are so many brands out there and I am not sure if some are considered knock offs or copy cats or whatever the correct terminology is.

I know I want a dive watch and a pilots watch. I have been eyeing two brands, Hamilton and Jack Mason.

I don't know much about these things, I do know I want an automatic, but I was hoping to get some opinions on what I should be considering and opinions these and other brands.

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Splurge for a Hydroconquest. That was the last watch purchase I've made and it is a great everyday watch. You'll go over $1k but not by an amount you can't afford if you are set on spending up to $1k on a watch already. And you won't regret it. Very good and nice looking watch.

Christopher Ward is a solid choice too. I just think Longines is a bit better bang for your buck.

I wouldnt sweat it. The holidays are just around the corner.

I'd second the HydroConquest. I recently got one and it's such a well made watch. Beautiful finish. Longines had a long history of watchmaking. I think it's a real under the radar watch

Hydroconquest is a good call. FTAC has gotten me a new Longines at a pretty good discount in the past.

Quo Vadis? said:

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BBRex said:

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For around $1,000, I would be looking at a Seiko. Something like this: https://www.gnomonwatches.com/products/prospex-1965-heritage-divers-ref-sbdc195

Alpina has some pilot's watches in the $1,200 range.

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Seiko is an amazing watch brand but for your first high end watch you want a little brand "pop" and most people think Seiko is still pedestrian

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Just get what you want. Nobody cares what brand watch you wear.

Hamilton is great but has poor water resistance (may be 100m but lots of reports of failure as many of their watches lack a screw down crown), poor lume, and little to no antireflective coatings. I personally prefer hardened / scratch resistant cases and good lume, so lean more to Damasko/Sinn. Dekla is a microbrand that offers a good pilot watch with excellent lume, treated submarine steel (scratch proof) with good coatings, screw down crown, 200M WR, and SW200 movement for <$800.

https://deklawatches.com/en/tactical/turbulenz40_v1

That's a good point. My first automatic watch was a Seiko that cost $100. The thing is, it's a great watch, it gets compliments and it still runs great after 20 years. About five years after I got it, I took it to a local watch guy who got it within a few seconds a day. It was at least as accurate as my Tudor. That Sixty-Five series looks great, and I bet it blows my old Seiko out of the water in fit and finish.

But I will offer an alternative. The Doxa 200 looks great and is in that price range. The brand has legit history behind it, too.
https://doxawatches.com/collections/sub-200

I agree about getting what you want, but certainly there is an element in most people's watch buying of wanting to have something to talk about and feel proud of when discussing with/showing to others and Seiko generally doesn't have that.