The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Other (non-Rolex) Watch Topics > Watches (Non-Rolex) Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 14 January 2012, 07:31 AM   #1
sierra11b
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Eric
Location: California
Watch: MkXVIII, 3570.50
Posts: 1,966
What am I missing? Chronographs between $5-8K

Not entirely sold on the Daytona that I have actually considered a Pre-tiger or Big Block. Heck, maybe even a Tiger if the price is right? Afterall, they have a date, are a third of the price, have more dial options if you're patient enough, and more and more people seem to complain about the modern Daytona legibility.

I owned a 3570.50 and loved the watch for what it was but hated the non-hack and WR rating. But for the price NIB it can still be had for a bargain which has me thinking of going back to Omega. I'm not really sold on the other Speedmaster models as I wanted the quintessential moonwatch. Plus owning the moonwatch was the only reason for me to go back to Omega after having problems with them (another story). I dunno... maybe the co-axial should be considered after all based on my criteria?

I have nothing against the Valjoux in the Tudors but at Big Block prices I might as well consider Zenith 36.000 VPH. I know with a discount I could even start looking at the Striking 10th for under 10k.

So what other Chronographs am I missing? Anyone have an new El Primero on bracelet? I really want in-house, 100WR, and something somewhat versatile and sporty in the 5-8k range.
sierra11b is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 07:58 AM   #2
TuonoRider
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Real Name: John
Location: Lancaster Co., PA
Watch: Omega Speedmaster
Posts: 268
Omega PO Chrono would fit the bill, wouldn't it? in the price range, newer 8500 movement which is in-house, well over 10ATM, versatile and very sporty.

ding ding ding! We found a winner!!!

TuonoRider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 08:00 AM   #3
p_mcgee
"TRF" Member
 
p_mcgee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,150
Maybe the 39mm Blancpain Leman Flyback...I've seen some preowned in your range.
p_mcgee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 09:07 AM   #4
Captain Kirkwood
"TRF" Member
 
Captain Kirkwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: Kris
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 205
Breguet Type XX
GO Sport Evo Chronograph

Pre-owned would open up some other options like the JLC dive chronograph.

Me personally, I'd save up for a heavily discounted or pre-owned VC Overseas Chrono. But I believe it's also non-hacking.
Captain Kirkwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 09:10 AM   #5
clarencek
"TRF" Member
 
clarencek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 400
A PO Chrono 9300 would be nice if you can stomach the height (19mm).
Or maybe this beauty... in-house, 100M WR, sporty & dressy...
__________________
Citizen AQ4020-54X, NB6005-05L, NB6006-02X, Casio GMW-B5000TFC, MRG-B5000B, MTG-B1000XB, Hamilton Field Khaki H70605731, IWC IW356501, IWC387902, Longines Spirit L3.810.4.93.0, MKII PMWF Graywater GMT, Project 300, Omega 210.92.42.20.01.001, 304.33.44.52.03.001, Rolex 116400GV, 116520, 116610LV, 126600, 326933, Seiko SBGA001, SLA019, Sinn U1-ST
clarencek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 09:44 AM   #6
sierra11b
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Eric
Location: California
Watch: MkXVIII, 3570.50
Posts: 1,966
19 is too tall.

What is the reference on that GS? Is it Spring Drive?
sierra11b is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 10:11 AM   #7
esm
"TRF" Member
 
esm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Eric
Location: Location,Location
Watch: this, bro...
Posts: 15,340
GS - Grand Seiko.

how about some sort of Breitling Chrono or Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Chrono?
esm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 11:40 AM   #8
sierra11b
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Eric
Location: California
Watch: MkXVIII, 3570.50
Posts: 1,966
Would love the Blancpain FF Chrono but believe it's out of my price range, too. I occasionally see regular FFs for sale on the forums but never the chronos, at least the FF Chronos.

I really love the GS line, always have as a proud MM300 owner, but GS may be too expensive, too.
sierra11b is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 01:32 PM   #9
Maxtor
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Max
Location: Toronto
Watch: Exp 1, DJ Tuxedo
Posts: 2,472
I recently picked up a Zenith El Primero HW Chrono off the boards. Under $2K. Looks mint. Keeps great time. My current favourite. Tremendous value.
Maxtor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2012, 01:36 PM   #10
kilyung
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
kilyung's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cave
Watch: Sundial
Posts: 33,940
Iwc 3717
kilyung is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 January 2012, 02:20 AM   #11
slcbbrown
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: steve
Location: dallas area
Watch: 50's TT t-bird
Posts: 3,689
If you are considering pre-owned and like the Daytona, the Tudors are tough to beat. Prices are getting up there, though.

A brand that probably has the longest history (220 years) and a fair history with chrono's is GP. I'd like a Daytona but didn't want to tie all my funds up on one watch, yet, so I picked up a couple GP's-- a stainless 7000 and a tt 7050. These early 90's watches have reworked ETA's with DD modules. There are plenty of other models to pick from, too.
slcbbrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 January 2012, 03:45 PM   #12
willski
"TRF" Member
 
willski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Real Name: Will
Location: New York
Posts: 500
IWC aquattimer chrono is quite nice, although not in house. They'll also be releasing a new Pilot chrono this week which might be worth checking out.

From what I hear, zenith el primero's are great and superb value to boot as well.
willski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 January 2012, 12:42 AM   #13
Sarajevo
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: The Netherlands
Watch: 16600371701
Posts: 1,271
Quote:
Originally Posted by kilyung View Post
Iwc 3717
+1. Have had mine for over two years and love it. Haven't had a moment's bother with it and it is in great shape even though I wear it everywhere.
Sarajevo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 January 2012, 12:07 PM   #14
clarencek
"TRF" Member
 
clarencek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 400
Quote:
Originally Posted by sierra11b View Post
19 is too tall.

What is the reference on that GS? Is it Spring Drive?
It's SBGC003, there's a silver dial SBGC001 and a Ti version - SBGC005:

http://www.grand-seiko.com/collectio...ive/index.html

And yes, it's a Spring Drive chrono - so timing is also very smooth. :-)
__________________
Citizen AQ4020-54X, NB6005-05L, NB6006-02X, Casio GMW-B5000TFC, MRG-B5000B, MTG-B1000XB, Hamilton Field Khaki H70605731, IWC IW356501, IWC387902, Longines Spirit L3.810.4.93.0, MKII PMWF Graywater GMT, Project 300, Omega 210.92.42.20.01.001, 304.33.44.52.03.001, Rolex 116400GV, 116520, 116610LV, 126600, 326933, Seiko SBGA001, SLA019, Sinn U1-ST
clarencek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 January 2012, 07:02 PM   #15
sloane
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: singapore
Posts: 2
you should consider Breitling Transocean Chrono
sloane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 January 2012, 10:08 AM   #16
sierra11b
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Eric
Location: California
Watch: MkXVIII, 3570.50
Posts: 1,966
Quote:
Originally Posted by sloane View Post
you should consider Breitling Transocean Chrono
I had never even considered this. It is contender for sure and meets all the criterion.

Here are my thoughts on the others:

Thoughts on Glashutte:

I like the looks of the GO Senator Navigator Chronograph so much but its max is 30minute timing with no hour subdial and has no date! It looks so clean that I could almost forget the lack of date and hour dial if it had a 60min subdial.

I also like the GO Senator with white dial but it's too dressy and has no date.

Thoughts on Zenith:

Zenith is a double-edged sword for me...

I like the 36000 VPH with the reverse panda because it has sub-second markers around the main dial, the hour sub-dial goes in 30minute intervals instead of 12 minute intervals of others i've seen (why 12minutes on some? ). The only small problem is the minute sub-dial being overlapped by the hour sub-dial. You have to make a guess +/- a minute when the sub minute hand is between 15 and 20. Not a huge pain. The overall watch looks slick and sporty as heck.

With the Striking Tenth the sub-dial overlap problem is different because despite the fact the seconds dial is also somewhat obscured by the minutes dial, you know exactly where the second hand is because the large chrono hand makes one revolution every ten seconds as reflected by the seconds sub dial! Then again, it's a lot more $$$$ than the 36000VPH and isn't an option unless I flip a watch (and I don't want to do that).

Thoughts on JLC:

The Master Chronograph has that classic look of the GO Senator but also has a date and all three legible dials! Wish it had a exhibition back but oh well! But I fear it's still too dressy for casual wear. Thoughts?

Here's a picture of the JLC: http://www.jaimelesmontres.com/2010/...re-master.html
sierra11b is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 January 2012, 06:26 AM   #17
Manofsteelpt
"TRF" Member
 
Manofsteelpt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Real Name: Mike
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 3,971
I love the JLC chrono... If it was 42 or 44mm I'd grab one in a min!
Manofsteelpt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 January 2012, 06:55 AM   #18
MrJ320
"TRF" Member
 
MrJ320's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: James
Location: Toronto
Watch: IG: @j.project
Posts: 2,194
I also think the JLC master control chrono is a great choice, and is in the price range for a minty used one. I've had the chance to try it on at an AD and love the look and details. It's a bit lighter than I expected (not necessarily a bad thing), and although it's a bit on the dressier side I think it can also work well when worn more casually.
MrJ320 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 January 2012, 07:50 AM   #19
capote
"TRF" Member
 
capote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Real Name: Daniel
Location: Sweden
Watch: 16570
Posts: 7,315
Regarding GO vs. JLC I would go with JLC in this case since that model got an integrated chronograph and GO is modular. Zenith chrono's are legendary of course, but their design doesn't appeal to me.
capote is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 January 2012, 07:58 AM   #20
Sweramic
"TRF" Member
 
Sweramic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Europe
Watch: Movies
Posts: 4,531
There's a really sweet PAM356 for sale right now
Sweramic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 January 2012, 12:08 PM   #21
karmatp
"TRF" Member
 
karmatp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Real Name: Trevor
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,740
Quote:
Originally Posted by kilyung View Post
Iwc 3717
X3, the 3717 is a great watch, but I love my speedy pro more.
__________________
My grails:
karmatp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 January 2012, 12:29 PM   #22
Welshwatchman
"TRF" Member
 
Welshwatchman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Real Name: Paul
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 14,578
Try one of these beauties.

Pre-owned and as-new it represents a great purchase.

Name:  Capture1.JPG
Views: 160
Size:  38.2 KB
__________________
..33
Welshwatchman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 January 2012, 08:29 AM   #23
sierra11b
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Eric
Location: California
Watch: MkXVIII, 3570.50
Posts: 1,966
I am actually leaning toward Zenith's 36000VPH 38mm.

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2011/5/...d-vs-some.html

Here's why:

Pros:

1) Classic El Primero

2) Pays hommage nicely to the original A386.

3) 38mm wears well and will never go out of style

4) You don't miss anything in this tiddy little package: date is still nicely tucked away at 4:30, subdials appear to be the same size as the 42mm versions with the 3 & 9 indices pushed outward to accommodate.

5) A bargain upper-scale chronograph

Cons:

1) Subdial overlap is still there but it's not a huge deal as only a few minutes aren't visible. You can actaully use some hour indices to help as you become used to the dials and the layout of the minute hand.

2) Would be happier at 40mm but 38mm should suffice for my 6.5" wrist
sierra11b is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.