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Wrist watch lovers?

drummerman

drummerman

pfm Member
I want to make a Xmas present to myself.

Although I would love a Rolex Explorer II ... I will have to make do with something similar but cheaper.

The two that I have on the list are;

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/colle...ongines-watch-conquest-mens-l36764586-lng-853

and

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/colle...any-engineer-ii-genesis-nm2028c-s7-bk-bl-1542

I can get the Ball with a discount which would bring it a little closer to the Longines.

Both use a derivative/modified version of a Swiss ETA automatic movements, both look imho great without trying to be exact clones of the Explorer. Neither has a specialist in-house movement of the quality of the Rolex of course. - On the bright side, both can be serviced for around £200 whereas the Rolex service will come to around 500 quid.

The Longines is WR to 300 meters, the Ball to 100m. - The Ball has those brilliant H23 gas tubes for luminance in addition to Ball's proprietary shock and anti-magnetic resistance system.

Both have 2 years warranty.

Which one?

Thanks
 
For that style, I’d probably go for the Ball - it’s that little bit different in looks, and the brand isn’t as well known as Longines. I have a couple of watches with H23 tubes and they are quite something.
 
Of the two I prefer the Longines. I have an Explorer 214270 mk2 myself and the Longines looks like it's a cousin of the Rolex more so than the Ball.

p.s. If you really want to unleash the utilitarian nature of whichever watch you choose, stick it on one of these Red Rooster UK olive green nato straps with gun-metal hardware - that's how I wear my Explorer and it's the perfect understated, utilitarian match.
 
On paper (or on screen more accurately) I'd go with the Longines. Better looking (imho) and 800 quid vs 1400.
But.. in all honesty, I wouldn't buy either without seeing one (or preferably both) in flesh. The look and feel of a watch in the hand can be quite different from what you would imagine from a photo.
 
TBH I would get neither but then watches are highly subjective.

For the GBP1,000 or so, I'd go for a more high end Seiko. Although looked down by many as a maker of cheap Japanese watches, Seiko is a very old, serious watch manufacturer that caters to different price points and all their movements are in-house. A lot of Swiss makers don't measure up; they are cruising on their perceived prestige and purple prose.

If you must have a European brand, Nomos and Sinn make nice watches with a more honest price. I also quite like Hamiltons.
 
-alan- said:
But.. in all honesty, I wouldn't buy either without seeing one (or preferably both) in flesh. The look and feel of a watch in the hand can be quite different from what you would imagine from a photo.
Click to expand...
This for me. Also I wouldn't spend proper money on something that I thought was second best to what I really wanted. There are great watches out there for £100 or 200. Get one of these until your dream item is in reach.
 
I saw/tried the Longines today. Very nice.

Will aim to do the same tomorrow with the Ball.
hockman said:
TBH I would get neither but then watches are highly subjective.

For the GBP1,000 or so, I'd go for a more high end Seiko. Although looked down by many as a maker of cheap Japanese watches, Seiko is a very old, serious watch manufacturer that caters to different price points and all their movements are in-house. A lot of Swiss makers don't measure up; they are cruising on their perceived prestige and purple prose.

If you must have a European brand, Nomos and Sinn make nice watches with a more honest price. I also quite like Hamiltons.
Click to expand...

I did look at Seikos and although they have designs which I very much like, the Grand Seikos are £4k. The SARBS just lack something but are great value at around 500 dollars.- Import only.

I totally agree though. Fantastic watch makers and phenomenal heritage and innovators.
 
drummerman said:
I want to make a Xmas present to myself.

Although I would love a Rolex Explorer II ... I will have to make do with something similar but cheaper.

The two that I have on the list are;

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/colle...ongines-watch-conquest-mens-l36764586-lng-853

and

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/colle...any-engineer-ii-genesis-nm2028c-s7-bk-bl-1542

I can get the Ball with a discount which would bring it a little closer to the Longines.

Both use a derivative/modified version of a Swiss ETA automatic movements, both look imho great without trying to be exact clones of the Explorer. Neither has a specialist in-house movement of the quality of the Rolex of course. - On the bright side, both can be serviced for around £200 whereas the Rolex service will come to around 500 quid.

The Longines is WR to 300 meters, the Ball to 100m. - The Ball has those brilliant H23 gas tubes for luminance in addition to Ball's proprietary shock and anti-magnetic resistance system.

Both have 2 years warranty.

Which one?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The Ball for impact, the Longey for subtlety and class.

Both very nice though.

Good luck
:):)
 
drummerman said:
I saw/tried the Longines today. Very nice.

Will aim to do the same tomorrow with the Ball.


I did look at Seikos and although they have designs which I very much like, the Grand Seikos are £4k. The SARBS just lack something but are great value at around 500 dollars.- Import only.

I totally agree though. Fantastic watch makers and phenomenal heritage and innovators.
Click to expand...

There was (or is) a GS on AV forums recently for about £1800.
 
I like Seiko watches, I have a couple. One a SARB, one a "5". Both great, but the quality shines through on the SARB. I have seen GS, I have every confidence they are lovely but they don't do much for me. At several times the price of a SARB they just don't have enough points of difference.
 
Top tip. Buy a cheap watch and save up for the Rolex Explorer 2. You will never lose money on it. The others will reduce rapidly very quickly. The Rolex you will have for years and never regret it.
(Get an interest free loan from the jeweller and get the Explorer.)
 
Spike said:
Top tip. Buy a cheap watch and save up for the Rolex Explorer 2. You will never lose money on it. The others will reduce rapidly very quickly. The Rolex you will have for years and never regret it.
(Get an interest free loan from the jeweller and get the Explorer.)
Click to expand...
I have to say that this makes sense. It fits with my view that you should get what you want and not spend serious money on something that is second best. I don't like Rolex, while the Explorer is the least ostentatious I find them very much look-at-me-I'm-rich and in your face, so it wouldn't be my choice, but if it's yours then get what you want. As stated, it will hold its value unless you damage it. Even then you can get it restored and serviced.
 
Ain't that the truth! Cheaper substitutes usually don't satisfy; they just nag and remind you that you should have gotten the real thing. Just save up and get the Explorer, or look for recent used ones (vintage ones would cost even more!) if you can't afford new.

Or, get it off your mind and buy nothing...
 
drummerman said:
I want to make a Xmas present to myself.

Although I would love a Rolex Explorer II ... I will have to make do with something similar but cheaper.

The two that I have on the list are...
Click to expand...

For the sake of clarity, do you mean this Rolex Explorer 1 mk2 (i.e. the second iteration of ref. 214270) or this Explorer 2?
 
If you really, really, really want an Explorer II, maybe look into a five year loan to cover the difference. I can almost guarantee that in five years time the increase in value of the watch will cover the interest you've paid. The other watches mentioned here will only, in general, lose value.


Well. That's my free man-maths advice, anyway. :)
 
stevec67 said:
This for me. Also I wouldn't spend proper money on something that I thought was second best to what I really wanted. There are great watches out there for £100 or 200. Get one of these until your dream item is in reach.
Click to expand...

Even though I said I'd love
stormyuklondon1 said:
the victorinox inox is a nice piece..
https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Products/Watches/Mechanical-Watches/I-N-O-X-Mechanical/p/241837
Ive got the quartz version that shares wrist time with my milgauss, looks great on the inox nato strap too.
Click to expand...

Not too fond of this one but thanks.
 
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