How about a Tag Professional for a 1st "good watch?"

[DoD NucE]

Well, I was in Macy's buying a new suit for my upcoming ATF interview, as all my old ones are now too big, and can't be taken in anymore. While there I stopped by the watch counter. I saw they had a pretty nice selection of Taf Heuer watches. I really liked the professional model for $1195. I have always said that I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a watch unless someone gave me a Rolex Submariner as a gift. Well after a bunch of hemming an hawing, I am thinking of buying the Tag as a first excursion into a nice watch that would class up my image a little. You see, I have had a trusty Timex Ironman for a little over 10 years now, in fact it was the very first thing I bought with my first part time job. It will work for my every day needs, but I'm starting to cave into the pressure from my girlfriend that I need something nicer when I need to dress up. When I bought the new suit and looked at myself in the mirror, for the first time I saw all the weight I had lost (about 110 pounds) in an effort to get into law enforcement, and I must say I thought I looked pretty sharp. So now I am thinking that maybe I should spend my unexpected tax return on part of a nice watch. I can't afford the Rolex that I want yet, but would this be a good start? I figure, I may as well look the best I can for my upcoming ATF interview. What's everyone's opinion on this particular watch? Thanks in advance.

[ahunter]

Take it from a LEO and certified watch-nut; don't spend that kind of money on a Tag. The watches use a good, but much less expensive movement than their price warrants. For that kind of coin, take a look at Omega Seamasters, and do some surfing on the internet. Department store and jewelry store markups are too high! Email me for some good websites.

Just my $ .02

Steve

[Justice]

DoD NucE -

I like the Tag, however, if I were going to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a simple time piece I would probably go with the 18k Patek Philippe 5004 (http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/60/60307/pp5004a.jpg).

They only retail for slightly more than a Tag.

[DoD NucE]

ahunter, the jeweler I am looking at has the watch on sale for only about $50 more than any of the more reputable looking online places I have seen. I would rather spend an extra $50 and keep the business local, but I do appreciate the advice, and believe me that was the first thing I thought to do when I got home. I do like the Omega Seamaster though, and I will try to look at that this week as I'm in no rush. I should have mentioned that after looking at Macy's I looked in another jeweler with much more reasonable markups. In fact that is where I get pretty much all of the jewelry I buy because his service and prices are both excellent. Thanks very much for your advice. As for that watch you recommended Justice, that watch costs more than I make in 2 years, so I doubt that I would ever buy that even as a retirement gift to myself.

[universible]

I'll second the SMP...I fell in love with the Omegas...I am allowed to get the Ti SMP that I want...after I get my wife the Omega SHE wants :D Until I'm sticking with the customized Seiko 007k I have on order.

Omega's are just classic, however...

Ted

[nwohsy]

Before you spend over $1000 on a tag. Check out the marathon sar (search and rescue) watch produced for the canadian coast guard. It is a good looking, heavy duty mil-spec watch with an eta 2824-a2 automatic movement, water resistant to 1000 ft. even with the the metal bracelet you are only going to spend $625 for it. pm me and i'll send you the link. or do a google search. i've had mine for over a year now and wear it nearly everyday.

[1Riot1Ranger]

If you are going to look at a Omega, take a look at Breitlings -- some models are priced similar to the Omega's already mentioned.

[ahunter]

hey ted....getting your Seiko from yao?

steve

[universible]

Yup...I had been flipflopping on what I wanted exactly...it was an xmas present from my wife...now its an xmas/birthday present...probably academy grad present as well! LOL.... I really want the case bead blasted, with a blasted clamshell bracelt as well. It would have been a bit too much to spend at the moment though. So I'm going to send it to IWW for the blasting job some other time.

The Marathon SAR's are sweet watches! I think they are pretty hard to find at the moment. I read on another forum, a guy just bought a 2003 model...and heard there might not be any more being made (as in no 2004, and so on...). Have you seen the PVD coated ones that International Watch Works has done? SWEET!

Ted

[nwohsy]

IWW has done a few things for me already. I was hoping to pick up a used sar to have IWW do up in pvd including the band.

[ahunter]

I personally think the SAR's are overpriced...have heard some grumbling about the quality on the watchboards as well. I have a PRS 7 and just purchased a Sandoz Singapore Sub that I am thinking of doing something with with yao or iww. I think i would go for something from wct rather than an SAR. ah well, to each his own!

steve

ps ted, which academy are you in?

[nwohsy]

You are entiled to your opinion, but you have obviously never owned or handled the sar. As the owner of a sar, wct 5513, rolex submariner, and breitling super ocean pro. I can confidently state that the sar represents the best bang for the buck. the sar is the only one of the bunch that is a mil-spec watch. It is over engineered. The only grumblings that i have ever heard about are the 2001 run with the bezel that did not line up correctly and its size and weight. It is a big watch, and not everyone is comfortable with something that large/heavy on their wrist. the wct 5513 represents a great value for a sub $300 automatic watch, but no way can it stand up against a tag, which is how the thread started. The rolex sub is what it is. Too expensive, but if well kept, it will most certainly bring you more than you paid for it over the course of time. The breitling is pricey, but i was able to find it at a good price with the serial numbers intact. It fills a nice niche just below the rolex. If I was a multi-million dollar captain of industry 'bang for the buck' would not be a concern. The rolex would be worn most of the time. The others would only be worn when i checked the tire pressure on my mclaren f1. Since i am still just a humble civil servant who must wait for the planets to line up for any major purchase, i'll stand by my original statement. The sar represents the best bang for the buck imho.

[universible]

Wow...watch snobs! :D

I'm at FLETC at the moment, with ICE.

I can't wait to get my Seiko however...I keep looking at Yao'd ones used...but think I'll stick with a new one, set up just how I want it.

Ted

[paul810]

How are Tissot watches? I like their touch models, pretty amazing a watch can do that much.

[bkc2a]

I would go with a Omega Seamaster Pro, Oris TT1 Diver, or a Marcello C Diver all with high quility Automatic movment. You can buy the Rolex Sub or Seadweller if or when you get the cash.

[ahunter]

Tim...welcome to ICE....where are you going to be working? I'm an SA in Ft. Lauderdale....I see that Yao isn't accepting any new orders until June! I'm trying to order a dial and hands for my Sandoz Sub to have installed locally....man, I guess he ain't hurtin' for work!

Steve

[bkc2a]

Yao is on vacation. It does take a while, but well worth it.

[universible]

Who's Tim? :o :D

I'm in the SF Bay Area when I get back. I got my order in with Bill on March 5th :D I'd say email him about the dials and hands. I've been emailing him the last week or so. He hasn't gone underground yet. Heck of a nice guy as well.

No, he is not hurting for work, that's for sure. If you want something special, check out tadgear for their special custom Yao Seikos they recently got in. I had a chance to take a look at the dials before I left for Georgia. Very nice :)

Ted

[orangehopeful]

Breitling Aerospace is a great watch- different looking, light as all heck and very easy to use- price tag is around 2400, ask around and you can find it as cheap at 1500.

[nwohsy]

That is a LOT of money for a quartz watch.

[DoD NucE]

Well, I got the Tag 2000 Automatic. I decided that if I was going to spend that kind of money, I may as well buy an automatic. I looked at a bunch of other watches incuding the Omega Seamaster, which was also pretty nice, but I just really preferred the looks of the Tag. I think I may be hooked though, and may just end up a watch collector. Thanks to all for the advice.

[aznxtacy]

Get the omega seamaster!!!! much much better for the money

[gaboy]

What do you watch experts think of the luminox watches. I just got one of the stainless steel navy seal divers watch. very nice. not a cheap watch but nowhere near the price of a tag with similar features.

[ceobob]

Ok..I have been wearing my Timex Expediton watch for years. I need a upgrade. However..I need a watch that does not scratch easily. My Timex is scratched up big time. I just checked out the Omega Seamasters. They are really nice. My question is...are these everyday wear watches, or just watches to wear for special occasions? I am bascially going to wear it for everyday use. There are so many Seamaster models to choose from. I was wondering if someone could recommend the right model for me. Again...this is for everyday use, and may take an occasional bang now and then.

[Reservoir Dog]

Bob,

For everyday use, I would recommend the Seamaster 300M Chronometer. This watch has an automatic movement, but they make a similar one with a quartz movement for less money. However, if you are going to spring for an Omega, I would get the automatic so you don't have to worry about winding it or changing batteries.

The Seamaster 300M comes in several dial, bezel, and bracelet styles to choose from. The case and bracelet are stanless steel (they also have a titanium model) with a sapphire crystal. This watch is heavy and tough. I have had one for about 4 years, and it has been through quite a lot. The bracelet has become a little scratched (that can always be polished out), but the sapphire crystal looks just as good as the day I bought the watch. I think this watch would be just fine for everyday use, as well as special occassions. Hope this helps.

[ceobob]

Bob,

For everyday use, I would recommend the Seamaster 300M Chronometer. This watch has an automatic movement, but they make a similar one with a quartz movement for less money. However, if you are going to spring for an Omega, I would get the automatic so you don't have to worry about winding it or changing batteries.

Thanks for the info. Can you point me where the Omega web site is? Specifically the page with the automatic movement seamaster.

[Reservoir Dog]

Try this link: http://www.omega.ch/omega/co_se_gents_sub?sublineID=360&lineID=116&sexID=63

[ahunter]

Omega Seamaster Professionals have also seen limited military issue, i believe by the British.....I, too, would go for the automatic, and in any watch, as long as you have the more expensive saphire crystal, your scratching will be nil....be careful though, when the watch bug bites, it bites bad!

[761 10-8]

DOD Nuce

I too chose the Tag...

Two years later I'm still very happy with my decision.
I did buy it from an online watch broker, new in box with tags and warranty.

Saved about $400....

I've been exteremly pleased.

[DoD NucE]

I saved a little less than that but got it from an authorized Tag dealer who happened to be having a grand opening blowout sale. So far, I am very pleased with my choice. I tried really hard to like the Seamaster but I just couldn't love the looks. The waves on the face of the watch were just a complete deal breaker for me. The Breitlings that I looked at probably would have been my first choice but I just couldn't justify the cost at this point. Maybe in a few years, I'll buy a Breitling then get my Submariner. I am really getting into this watch collecting thing, and will probably set aside a little money each week and buy a nice new watch each year.

[UsualSuspect]

Just sell the farm and buy an IWC (any IWC)! If an IWC is not for you, try a Patek Phililpe. :D

[kels]

Bought a Seiko about 20 years ago for about 200.00.
It was on sale at the time.
Lot of money for a city cop making 880.00 a month
after taxes.
Still works 4 batteries later and has went thru several
watch bands.
Wife says I can have a new one as soon as it breaks.
(I think she told me that about 10 years ago)

[cbpofficer]

I just picked up a Movado gentry sport. A real beautiful watch, it's a chronograph, stainless steel, saphire crystal, with a black face, water resistant to 60 meters I believe.

It's retail price is 795.00, however I picked it up over the internet for 400.00. Which I believe was a pretty good deal. Check it out! :D

[Reservoir Dog]

There are some excellent deals on watches over the internet. However, some sites sell watches that have had the serial numbers polished off the watch. They do this to hide the identity of the authorized dealer that sold them the watch at the discount, so that the dealer won't get in trouble with the manufacturer. If you get a watch like this, you can forget about ever getting it serviced at a manufacturer authorized repair shop, as they will not touch a watch with a serial number missing. You can only hope that the website company offers some sort of service program (some of them do). When considering a purchase over the internet, you should read everything about the company very closely. Most of the sites I have seen will tell you if they sell watches with serial numbers polished off, however this info is usually buried somewhere on the site, and you have to look for it. Basically, read everything very carefully before you buy over the internet.

[gbcop]

What are some of the additional features of these high priced watches? Do they tell you how to plant a money tree or how to get a goose to lay a golden egg? hahaha, all of the above mention watches are certianly beautiful and classy, and most certainly WAY too darn expensive for me.... My $10 wal-mart aquatech watch with velcro strap has served me well for the past 2 1/2 years and I think it'll continue to serve me well as I work, play or go to court. hahaha

[FedRich]

Just think of a nice watch as "1811 bling". Don't worry, my GS7 pay can't support buying a TAG either. I opted for a Timex, even got it on sale :D

[zoltan36]

i am looking for a watch that is less than $200 that is both very lightweight but very durable. any ideas?

[kemet64]

I personally have a fossil watch. They look nice, are durable, and are extremly affordable at around $65-$150.

[BigLew72]

I'll tell you what....I love Breitling watches, but the cost is simply rediculous. I own the Bulova Marinestar, and it is outstanding. The watch looks as good today as it did 3 years ago. I have nothing but good things to say about Bulova! It can be had for less than this, but here is a good photo. I paid more, but that was over 3 years ago. This model has been updated slightly, so the old style can be bought right.

http://www.lawsonwatch.com/bulmarstarco3.html

- BigLew :cool:

[batakgt]

Also look at Suunto. They make a great watch I have a Suunto Observer Stainless Steel for 399. Durable, reliable, tough watches. Come with Chrono, Time, Barometer, Altimeter, and Compass. Check out Suunto they carry a wide range of great watches. (they prefer to call their products Wristop Computers).

[jayqubed]

i also considered a tag professional and the 2000, but i wanted something automatic rather than quartz. i also wanted a watch that if it got scratched or dinged i wouldnt break down in tears. i looked at cartier, patek, tag, omega, rado (very durable watches), et. al. to my surprise i found a Tissot Le Locle automatic, 25 jewels, with sapphire crystal for under $500, and fell in love with it, seriously. . . Tissot also makes the Heritage Soverign for about $800 and is quite classy, but does not have sapphire crystal. i know if i got a cartier or patek i would worry constantly about damaging it. Watch Time Magazine's 2004 Buyers Guide has a lot of great tips for someone interested in fine watches. check it out.