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Retirement watch ideas

Anchor Zero Six

Anchor Zero Six

Problem Solver
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 11, 2007
1,838
13
49
Corona Komifornia
#1
Unless I can convince myself otherwise I'll be retiring at my 20 yr mark within 18 months.

I decided a while ago that I would treat myself to a new watch to mark the occasion. Want to spend 1500-2000 which limits options to exclude Rolex or Breitling.

Omega have become too recognizable and I dont find anything special in their non COSC models. The COSC models are out of my price range so no point in considering them.

Tags hold zero appeal to me.

I do like the Bell and Ross however I dont think they have a styling that will last in years to come, on other words I think a 65 yr old wearing one would look silly and want a watch that I can wear 30 years or so down the line.

My preferance is for a metal banded basic "Dive" style nothing too gadgety (have a vintage aqualand already). Chronograph is prefered but that pushes total cost outside my budget for most brands.

So the short list for now is Ball and Oris. Looking for opionions on either as well as suggestions for others I should consider. I have a while to shop around but figured its best to start looking sooner vice later.

Also anybody have reccomendations for reputable online retailers? I can find Ball and Oris locally at the same retailer but would like to do some price shopping and I dont trust places like authenticwatches.com based on many sketchy reviews.

R/
A06
 
#4
Re: Retirement watch ideas

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ubet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What about a really nice pocket watch, they are always classic.</div></div>

Actually, Bell and Ross either is releasing or just released a new pocket watch. It's very simple yet stylish in a classic manner.
 
#5
Re: Retirement watch ideas

Have a heirloom Longines pocket watch while neat they are not very practical at least untill vests come back into style.

Came across Fortis and they have some promising offerings. Need to look up the specs on the internals.
 
#6
Re: Retirement watch ideas

Been Retired for 18 Months and it's GREAT. My .02 Timex and a new Nightforce. After you retire who cares about time, "ya got all day to get er done" or the next day. Just saying.
 
#7
Re: Retirement watch ideas

LOL I wish it were the case but I'm only retiring from the military. Figure I'll do another 20 elsewhere and retire for good at 57 perhaps then I'll get a Rolex
wink.gif
 
#8
Re: Retirement watch ideas

Buy a used Rolex....Its what I do because it becomes a bit of a non depreciating asset.

After buying my submariner that way I was hooked. My Submariner was traded in well used, but the jeweler carefully detailed the watch (what are you going to hurt on a Rolex). So well you can't tell its used.

I also have an as new Daytona that I paid just under 10k for. The watch came with the original purchase agreement of a bit over 30,000.00! This watch will never cost me a dime in depreciation...Let the first owner take that bullet.

Pass it on to your son or another family member when you check out...Quite the heirloom I think.

Good Luck
 
#10
Re: Retirement watch ideas

Never could understand the idea of a watch for retirement. When you retire, you don't need a watch.

That's why when I retired from the Anchorage Police Dept. they gave me my service revolver.
 
#12
Re: Retirement watch ideas

SINN - for the win.

The Sinn line of watches are very nicely understated but truly a "working mans watch". I have one and its never missed a beat...plus service does not cost me like the Omega or Rolex. My last Rolex service was $700...the Omega was $600..and the Sinn was $55. Glycine is another option as well as the B&R somebody else mentioned.

Honestly though why do a watch for reitrement? I am thinking full-house built custom .45....
 
#16
Re: Retirement watch ideas

Adding to MGD's and a few others who mentioned it, a pre-owned Rolex Sub will last you a lifetime. The trick will be buying the seller to ensure you get a genuine watch.

I know you see Omega as a little played out, but a pre-owned Speedmaster Professional will also do the trick nicely.

For pre-owned, I can not suggest the sales corner on timezone.com enough. It has made many watches I never thought I could afford my own.
 
#17
Re: Retirement watch ideas

Appreciate the help guys!

Here is what I currently own;

Sector 450 (valjoux 7750 internals) Carbon Fiber face. Took a gamble on this one about 8 years ago thinking they were going to be the next Tag as theres nothing special other than marketing about them. I was happy to see that this particular model has actually gone up in value while the rest of the line has fallen to the 200-400 range. This one is going for 1K-1200 and I only paid 600 which isnt bad for a 450.00 movement

Swiss Army Victorinox two toned Officers

Citizen Aqualand in the hard to find black dial/black face combo

Sieko automatic diver

Sunnto Core

Casio pathfinder

I mostly wear either the pathfinder or the aqualand.
 
#18
Re: Retirement watch ideas

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: X-fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy a used Rolex....Its what I do because it becomes a bit of a non depreciating asset.

After buying my submariner that way I was hooked. My Submariner was traded in well used, but the jeweler carefully detailed the watch (what are you going to hurt on a Rolex). So well you can't tell its used.

I also have an as new Daytona that I paid just under 10k for. The watch came with the original purchase agreement of a bit over 30,000.00! This watch will never cost me a dime in depreciation...Let the first owner take that bullet.

Pass it on to your son or another family member when you check out...Quite the heirloom I think.

Good Luck </div></div>

funny this thread came up I have always wanted a rolex one day and got to looking at them recently. GOOD LORD!!!! they are expensive, a decent used submariner is going to run at least 4 grand on the used market. a few years ago a brand new sub was 4 grand. rolex's have risen at about twice the rate of inflation, back in say 1980 a new sub was $900 about 2000 in todays $$$, a used sea dweller is going to be 5 grand. for a stainless steel watch pushing 10 grand new, one really needs to be pretty wealthy to afford such and item and have that much money tied up in it.

I wear a victorinox divemaster 500 its 14 oz of solid stainless, its a tank. but I still want to one day be successful enough to own a rolex, the non dive models can be had for cheaper but IMO they are really dated looking watchs, particlarly the day dates and date just models.
 
#19
Re: Retirement watch ideas

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Anchor Zero Six</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah I'm looking hard at the Sinns now. Which model do you have and can you suggest a retailer? </div></div>

Sinn 356
Sinn U1

There is a great little military watch forum but I cannot think of its name off hand. Good guys..small group...broadarrow something. Timezone is decent...as well as Rolexforum...Know your seller...check his ebay, paypal and references on the site. Have multiple phone numbers..and do not be scared to grab a plane ticket and check it out in person on high dollar stuff.
Rolex - my everyday watch I wear it because it fits my style. I am not looking to impress other people or give a fuck what they think about my timepiece. I just like nice shit....and it was a gift from my wife. If you do decide to spend serious coin for a watch think about the significance of your retirement..and how timeless you want this timepiece to be.....its like a white polo shirt...or blue jeans...simple. Dont get some "fru-fru faggomuffin" diamond crusted turd....or some "flashy splashy" colored dial...think classic Seamaster...Speedmaster....Submariner....ExplorerII..
 
#20
Re: Retirement watch ideas

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cummins cowboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

funny this thread came up I have always wanted a rolex one day and got to looking at them recently. GOOD LORD!!!! they are expensive, a decent used submariner is going to run at least 4 grand on the used market. a few years ago a brand new sub was 4 grand. rolex's have risen at about twice the rate of inflation, back in say 1980 a new sub was $900 about 2000 in todays $$$, a used sea dweller is going to be 5 grand. for a stainless steel watch pushing 10 grand new, one really needs to be pretty wealthy to afford such and item and have that much money tied up in it.

I wear a victorinox divemaster 500 its 14 oz of solid stainless, its a tank. but I still want to one day be successful enough to own a rolex, the non dive models can be had for cheaper but IMO they are really dated looking watchs, particlarly the day dates and date just models. </div></div>

If you look at it like that and the used Rolex continues to appreciate it could be considered a good even wise buy...they never get cheaper!

There is no way I would ever spend 30K on a dead sexy Daytona, but 1/3 the price on an as new watch has been a lot of fun!
I can't imagine the action a young guy would get with this thing on his wrist!...The ladies know what they are looking at too...I have no idea how...They must get training in this stuff!?
smile.gif


Peace
 
#21
Re: Retirement watch ideas

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xp100man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Been Retired for 18 Months and it's GREAT. My .02 Timex and a new Nightforce. After you retire who cares about time, "ya got all day to get er done" or the next day. Just saying.</div></div>

My dad retired at 53 years old, he'll be 63 this april. He also has a pretty nice watch collection, but he hasn't worn one since the day he retired.

I'm not at all a watch guy, I just use my cell phone. I had a TAG that went into the washer/dryer in one peice and came out in about 10 peices, that was a HS graduation gift. The only watch that I have and won't ever get rid of is the pocket watch my grandpa gave me. He had quite a collection of pocket watches. Dad took it to his watch guy to have the loop that connects to the chain repaired and he told him it was "the rolex of pocket watches". I haven't found one like it, but it's a gold Bucherer with a train engine engraved on the back. He gave it to me because I work for the railroad. Very thoughtful gift that I cherrish even more now that he's gone.
 
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