hard time spending the money...

[Mr. K]

Really want to buy a Nahoku watch.

Sorry as I'm posting this from my phone can't embed photos but here is a link.

http://www.nahoku.com/na-hoku-steel-....html?pid=2297

My issue is this. Owned many nice watches from DD, UN, Corum, Cartier, omega, and Tag.

Own some fun watches like Oakley, rado, movado, citizen, tissot, Seiko...

Like this Nahoku but for $650 having a hard time spending the money. It is a quartz probably with plastic spacers.

Want a brown watch. Has high end stuff ruined me? Advice requested. Should I just get it for the look? Can't find it discounted so will have to pay retail.

Anyone else been in this situation?

Advice requested. Thanks.

[wantonebad]

Yeah I'm in this position all the time, I can justify a rolex or omega purchase because of their quality and their standing in the market place. but the watches I'm attracted to aesthetically from lesser makers I tread cautiously, cause you're not going to get your money back so you had better really like it.

Now looking at your selection I can say that it's not for me, not my cup of tea, but if you like it you need to be ok with kissing the money good bye because you are not likely to get much on resale. If you can be ok with that then make the purchase, if you aren't, then move on. JMHO

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Yeah I'm in this position all the time, I can justify a rolex or omega purchase because of their quality and their standing in the market place. but the watches I'm attracted to aesthetically from lesser makers I tread cautiously, cause you're not going to get your money back so you had better really like it.

Now looking at your selection I can say that it's not for me, not my cup of tea, but if you like it you need to be ok with kissing the money good bye because you are not likely to get much on resale. If you can be ok with that then make the purchase, if you aren't, then move on. JMHO

Thanks. Now this is solid advice that I'll think about.

[sierra11b]

My brother-in-law was in Maui and purchased this same watch two weeks ago. It's actually pretty nice but a considerable mark-up for .50 cents worth of nice Koa in an otherwise $250 watch. It reminded me of a Tissot quartz chrono and likely shares the same movement. It is quartz. This particular watch is advertised all over Hawaii as a tourist buy. I told him to at least ask for a discount and they did not budge.

The wood had nice chatoyancy and good fiddle-back to it but cleaning is going to be a concern. If you do clean with light soap and water you're likely going to need to rub a little tung oil on the wood with a q-tip. Regardless, the wood will darken over time with oils and grime to the point it just might resemble dark walnut. Otherwise, if it's really want you want you'll likely get a good life span out of it.

Would be interesting to know exactly what movement is inside and if it's at least serviceable. I own a few 7TXX seiko chronographs which are serviceable but the price to service is typically more than the watch. At $650 it would be justifiable to service assuming it's a movement worth servicing or readily available for a direct swap.

Should also add that I did not ask him to take off the watch and am unsure if they're solid pieces running to the back of the bracelet, thick inserts, or veneers. Something to think about for longevity as they're likely just glued in.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

My brother-in-law was in Maui and purchased this same watch two weeks ago. It's actually pretty nice but a considerable mark-up for .50 cents worth of nice Koa in an otherwise $250 watch. It reminded me of a Tissot quartz chrono and likely shares the same movement. It is quartz. This particular watch is advertised all over Hawaii as a tourist buy. I told him to at least ask for a discount and they did not budge.

The wood had nice chatoyancy and good fiddle-back to it but cleaning is going to be a concern. If you do clean with light soap and water you're likely going to need to rub a little tung oil on the wood with a q-tip. Regardless, the wood will darken over time with oils and grime to the point it just might resemble dark walnut. Otherwise, if it's really want you want you'll likely get a good life span out of it.

Would be interesting to know exactly what movement is inside and if it's at least serviceable. I own a few 7TXX seiko chronographs which are serviceable but the price to service is typically more than the watch. At $650 it would be justifiable to service assuming it's a movement worth servicing or readily available for a direct swap.

Should also add that I did not ask him to take off the watch and am unsure if they're solid pieces running to the back of the bracelet, thick inserts, or veneers. Something to think about for longevity as they're likely just glued in.

Thanks. I didn't expect such a detailed response.

I'll need to take another look. I though the wood was lacquered but maybe not.

So good to hear from someone who knows the watch.

I'm interested to see how thick the inserts are.

My wife is from Hawaii so have lots of koa jewelry.

Fell in love with the Havana dial Rolex DD but not an option right now.

[sierra11b]

I love Koa as well. I've used to make handles for knives.

Didn't mean to sound over the top but $650 can go a long way with another watch or toward savings for that Havana someday. Just thought it was important to make sure the watch is actually worth $650 in terms of quality before you drop the coin.