Most reliable watch...
Discussion
... that does not require constant time adjustment, routine annual services and additional unexected repairs totalling hundreds of pounds per year?
I'm interested from a general perspective, plus from a potential personal one too, ie: IWC any good? Anything more reliable? 1-2k max. Thanks...
KUB3 said:
I don't like Rolex. I do like my mates IWC Pilot however, as it's minimal looking.
So, anything more reliable than the IWC gear?...
Which Pilot watch?So, anything more reliable than the IWC gear?...
I would think only the Mk XVI or the mid size would come in under £2k (on list price anyway). Used you would find one.
JLC are extremely reliable and accurate (their 1000 hours test makes the COSC certification look like a walk in the park), but again you'll struggle to get under 2k new. Used definitely doable, but quite hard to find - they just don't make many watches.
Looking much cheaper Ollech & Wajs and Sinn are both noted for their strong reliable watches.
As a wild suggestion how about Union Glashutte? I know nothing about their reliability, but love the look of them, and they get very good reviews. They make a simple pilot style watch:
And a pilot chrono:
List for the first is about £1300 and the chrono about £2k.
They also use a true in house movement unlike most of the IWCs. And you definitely won't see many of those around - very hard to find.
Most auto movements are gonna req (according to manufactures requirements) a service every 2 years approx!! Dont mean you have to do this though..... I have 3 auto watches, 5yr old tag not serviced yet still keeps good time and functions perfectly, breitling crohno cockpit just 2yrs old but seems fine and again keeps good time, and a louis bolle which is only a few months old. I will only send any watch off to service when they start to malfunction or loose a lot of time, but each to there own!!
It's not fancy or exclusive but I have a Tag Heuer that in 9 years I have replaced the battery once. It's seems to be bullet proof, only signs of wear are a few light scratches on the strap and a couple of chunks out of the watch where I have caught it whilst messing about with cars or doing DIY. I am kinda hoping it will go wrong one day so I can justify buying a new one.
Must say, I've owned and still own a few.
The most reliable timekeepers I have are:
Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial large size
Hamilton Khaki Frogman re-issue in Titanium with ETA movement
and (no joking)
A fake Rolex Submariner 50th Aniv "Green Sub" green bezel with Tudor internal workings which puts all the rest to shame.
Bloody clever those Chinese!
The most reliable timekeepers I have are:
Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial large size
Hamilton Khaki Frogman re-issue in Titanium with ETA movement
and (no joking)
A fake Rolex Submariner 50th Aniv "Green Sub" green bezel with Tudor internal workings which puts all the rest to shame.
Bloody clever those Chinese!
iwc pilots rrp of the mkxvi or spitfire mkxvi is something like 1950. i got my mkvi for about 1550.
i think blitz were selling the mkxv cheaper toward the end.
i love the restrained design of the mkvi and mkv. the mkvi doesn't have the 12,3,6,9, marked on and the remaining numerals are larger.. it looks really cool in a plane dial kind of a way..! the mkv had all the numbers. the mkxv had a buffalo strap the mkxvi is gator/'dile (the latter i think (derr)) the SS bracelet is c£400 more (and starts to look less restrained (which is fine is that's what you want).
at that price level IWCs seem to be more highly regarded than rolexs in terms of build quality.. but that's an argument in itself..!
my uncle and his ebrother both had omegas (forget the model - from the 80s!) and they had all sorts of trouble.. but it sounds as though they were unlucky. but what i can say is that my uncles current rolex has been fine for 4 years according to him.
i think blitz were selling the mkxv cheaper toward the end.
i love the restrained design of the mkvi and mkv. the mkvi doesn't have the 12,3,6,9, marked on and the remaining numerals are larger.. it looks really cool in a plane dial kind of a way..! the mkv had all the numbers. the mkxv had a buffalo strap the mkxvi is gator/'dile (the latter i think (derr)) the SS bracelet is c£400 more (and starts to look less restrained (which is fine is that's what you want).
at that price level IWCs seem to be more highly regarded than rolexs in terms of build quality.. but that's an argument in itself..!
my uncle and his ebrother both had omegas (forget the model - from the 80s!) and they had all sorts of trouble.. but it sounds as though they were unlucky. but what i can say is that my uncles current rolex has been fine for 4 years according to him.
My 'work' watch is a Fortis Spacematic, black face. E400 in Amsterdam.
Not flash and solidly built, had it about 4 years and is a really good timekeeper.
It stopped once when I fell about 10 feet onto some steel work. Had to send it to Germany because no dealers in UK but they repaired it F.O.C.
Last year I had to replace the leather strap and could not get Germany to understand that I would PAY for a new one, sent one FOC.
Fortis B-42 Pilot Professional Chrono, uses the same ETA 7750 base movement that is used in the IWC Portugese and many other high-end chronographs so quality really is not an issue here. On a leather strap and with a brushed steel case it looks very similar to a lot of the 'flieger'-type watches including the IWC Spitfire and Classic Pilot.
Not flash and solidly built, had it about 4 years and is a really good timekeeper.
It stopped once when I fell about 10 feet onto some steel work. Had to send it to Germany because no dealers in UK but they repaired it F.O.C.
Last year I had to replace the leather strap and could not get Germany to understand that I would PAY for a new one, sent one FOC.
Fortis B-42 Pilot Professional Chrono, uses the same ETA 7750 base movement that is used in the IWC Portugese and many other high-end chronographs so quality really is not an issue here. On a leather strap and with a brushed steel case it looks very similar to a lot of the 'flieger'-type watches including the IWC Spitfire and Classic Pilot.
What do we think of B&R... fashion statement or solid engineering?
http://www.bellross.com/#
Certainly looks different. £1700:
http://www.bellross.com/#
Certainly looks different. £1700:
Edited by KUB3 on Saturday 30th June 13:14
Take a look at them in the metal - IMO they simply look like someone has strapped an old travel alarm clock to a rubber strap! They look insamely uncomfortable as well.
You will be hard pressed to find a mechanical watch which is as reliable and trouble free as a £500 quartz watch - if reliability is your only concern I'd be looking there.
You will be hard pressed to find a mechanical watch which is as reliable and trouble free as a £500 quartz watch - if reliability is your only concern I'd be looking there.
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