zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

A few other things...

1. Anyone who is buying a mechanical watch - be it hand wind or auto - for the first time should be forced to read the Consumer Zone section of this website to learn what a luxury watch does/does not buy you.

2. The argument that many Rolexes are worn by middle class and working class may be true but it doesn't necessarily equate them to being a show off. To many, including me, it is the proverbial "brass ring" and often a symbol of some accomplishment whether it be a retirement gift to oneself, a wedding, a work promotion, or an heirloom to pass on to future generations. Reward yourself!

3. I'm surprised that some of you -- who have much more knowledge of watches than I -- only have narrow minded suggestions for Tom. Example: "If you don't want to maintain an Omega, go buy a Timex!". What kind of helpful suggestion is that? There are far more choices in between a $1.5K Omega and $50 Timex. For example, sub $500 can get you a quality automatic watch like the German made Stowa (with Swiss movement) where most of your money is going towards the product rather than shareholder dividends, glossy ads in GQ, and celebrity endorsements. And you can probably get it serviced and maintained by a local qualified watch repairer for under a $100 since it uses an off the shelf ETA 2824 movement. It's just that you probably won't draw as much attention as with a Rolex or Omega.

: I can well sympathize, my Rolex Submariner has
: developed two manufacturer faults within the
: six months I've owned it (and it has
: suffered no rough wear) I'd have to agree
: with the comment that people often buy a
: Rolex for the status symbol of having one (I
: bought mine as I'm a Bond fan) My fiance
: treated me to an Omega Planet Ocean for
: Christmas (my Submariner is still being
: fixed) and I can honestly say it is a far
: superior watch. It's easier to read, the
: case and bracelet are better engineered, and
: it keeps better time.
: Omegas are available with quartz movements, so
: if accuracy of time-keeping is an issue, I
: would recommend one of those over an
: automatic, say a 2541.80 rather than the
: 2531.80, for example.
: If however, you're objecting to paying that
: much money for the watch (not that you can't
: afford it, just that you object to it as a
: value for money issue) you might want to
: look at the
: Casio MTD-1051A-2AVEF
: [url]
: http://www.casio.co.uk/Products/Watches/Others/MTD-1051A-2AVEF/At%20a%20Glance[/url]
: It looks very similar to a 2541.80, but will
: cost about a tenth of the price. (it also
: has a ten year battery)
: Best of luck