Stowa, where from??

[a13x]

Looking to add to my collection and am looking to purchase something from the Stowa range, probably the Marine Original.

Can these only be purchased direct from the Stowa site? As delivery times are looking well into May!
If so i may look into used, if there are any forums that can be recommended to put up a wanted add...

Many thanks
Alex

[Stuart]

Yes, you can only buy new direct from the factory in Germany. If you wanted to find a used one then I'd recommend either looking at the watchuseek.com forum or the timezone.com forum.

I know that Tertius found his on the used market, but I can personally wholeheartedly recommend buying direct from Stowa. They give great service, and I personally love that straight out of the box freshness of a new watch.

I bought the Marine Original. I've just fitted a croco strap to it, and I really love this watch. Go for it.

[tertius]

As Stuart mentioned I got my MO used from the largely US-based Timezone Sales Corner.

The only other option is direct from Stowa - I've only heard good reports about their customer service. You are right you may well have a bit of a wait, but just enjoy the anticipation ...

[Stuart]

tertius said:

As Stuart mentioned I got my MO used from the largely US-based Timezone Sales Corner.

The only other option is direct from Stowa - I've only heard good reports about their customer service. You are right you may well have a bit of a wait, but just enjoy the anticipation ...

Incidentally Tertius, have you seen the pictures of the new Stowa Marine Original from Basel? Suffice to say that I'm glad I took delivery of mine before they introduced Roman Numerals to the face.

[a13x]

Thanks guys, ive put up wanted ads on both sites. Its such a classy watch and something ive been after for a while. Seems to tick all the boxes!!

Any other similar watches that i should also consider? My budgets around the same as the MO.

Regards
Alex

[Stuart]

a13x said:

Thanks guys, ive put up wanted ads on both sites. Its such a classy watch and something ive been after for a while. Seems to tick all the boxes!!

Any other similar watches that i should also consider? My budgets around the same as the MO.

Regards
Alex

Part of the appeal for me is that this watch is VERY good value for money. I think that it compares favourably (in looks, if not quite in quality of finish and movement) with many similar German watches such as Dornbluth, but at a fraction of the price.

There are a few choices of Flieger watch at this price, and you should also look at some of the Sinn models on www.chronomaster.co.uk, but I couldn't find anything as nice at the price.

[V-spec]

Stuart_Forrest said:

I've just fitted a croco strap to it, and I really love this watch. Go for it.

Hi Stuart... pics? and details? I was also a bit disappointed with the original strap from Stowa, haven't done anything about it yet though.

[petecoll]

They also come up on the Sales Forum on the TZ-UK forum. That's where I got my Stowa Marine Auto.

http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3

Pete

[tertius]

V-spec said:

Stuart_Forrest said:

I've just fitted a croco strap to it, and I really love this watch. Go for it.

Hi Stuart... pics? and details? I was also a bit disappointed with the original strap from Stowa, haven't done anything about it yet though.

I've put a navy blue RIOS Alligator on mine - looks great, but sadly not cheap ... also I haven't photographed it on the new strap so no pics I'm afraid. I got mine from Sirtoli in the US (as I also wanted a curved end strap for the JLC which only he seemed to have, though it now transpires that RIOS (in Europe) and Sirtoli (in the US) are one and the same).

[Stuart]

V-spec said:

Stuart_Forrest said:

I've just fitted a croco strap to it, and I really love this watch. Go for it.

Hi Stuart... pics? and details? I was also a bit disappointed with the original strap from Stowa, haven't done anything about it yet though.

The strap is made by RIOS1931 (google it) but I actually bought it when in Germany at a classic car show (I work for Haymarket and publish, amongst other things, Classic & Sports Car). There were a few good vintage watch retailers and one of them had these straps. It was a good price, and it fitted so I thought I'd take a chance.

Here's a (not very good) picture. The strap is darker than the standard Stowa strap, and thicker. It fitted the deployant clasp, and I think it really suits the watch.

I had to work hard not to buy a Sinn from the Sinn stand while I was there too.

[cyberface]

Stuart_Forrest said:

I had to work hard not to buy a Sinn from the Sinn stand while I was there too.

I am a Sinn fan and, TBH, think their watches are superb in their own right as well as being astonishingly good value for money.

[tertius]

Stuart_Forrest said:

tertius said:

As Stuart mentioned I got my MO used from the largely US-based Timezone Sales Corner.

The only other option is direct from Stowa - I've only heard good reports about their customer service. You are right you may well have a bit of a wait, but just enjoy the anticipation ...

Incidentally Tertius, have you seen the pictures of the new Stowa Marine Original from Basel? Suffice to say that I'm glad I took delivery of mine before they introduced Roman Numerals to the face.

I have now - I see what you mean ...

Still I gather from timezone that this dial is an option rather than being the new standard.

[a13x]

Thx for all the replies.
Ive been offered a MO for around 700Euro. Is this a fair deal?

Alex

[Stuart]

a13x said:

Thx for all the replies.
Ive been offered a MO for around 700Euro. Is this a fair deal?

Alex

Condition?

[a13x]

1yr old. Only worn a few times and been told condition is great, with all box and papers

[a13x]

Or a Baume & Mercier Capeland, new with box and papers for similar money.
Dont know much about B&M though so any feedback appreciated...

[Stuart]

a13x said:

1yr old. Only worn a few times and been told condition is great, with all box and papers

Well for a year old watch, €90 depreciation seems like a better deal for him than you. Assuming that you're buying the basic MO from this guy (ie with no deployant clasp or croco strap) I'd spent the extra 90 euros for the sake of a brand new watch and your own papers. Trust me, it is worth the wait.

[V-spec]

Stuart_Forrest said:

a13x said:

1yr old. Only worn a few times and been told condition is great, with all box and papers

Well for a year old watch, €90 depreciation seems like a better deal for him than you. Assuming that you're buying the basic MO from this guy (ie with no deployant clasp or croco strap) I'd spent the extra 90 euros for the sake of a brand new watch and your own papers. Trust me, it is worth the wait.

I agree - €90 doesn't seem much just to save a few weeks waiting time.

Stuart - thanks for the picture

[tertius]

Stuart_Forrest said:

a13x said:

1yr old. Only worn a few times and been told condition is great, with all box and papers

Well for a year old watch, €90 depreciation seems like a better deal for him than you. Assuming that you're buying the basic MO from this guy (ie with no deployant clasp or croco strap) I'd spent the extra 90 euros for the sake of a brand new watch and your own papers. Trust me, it is worth the wait.

Tend to agree, its a fair bit more than I paid.

They do seem to hold their value pretty well mind.