whats your working budget? I can see it vary alot. like CK77 stated, Stowa quality and finish is the best. value for money I say the Mido, esp if U can get 30% off and bring it down to US$890 or perhaps lower. no love for Hamilton and Tissot for these model, might as well get a Stowa Antea its at EUR$312. Hamilton I am sure cases are build from far east, Mido I got a feeling its from there too. However you are getting a expensive movement in the watch. Stowa ETA 2824 on Antea is decorated with blue screws, Hamilton and Tissot U do not get any decoration. the back is open but it not as pleasing to look at compare to a Stowa.

1) its at EUR$880 (including VAT) or US$1130

2) retails at US$1270 b4 discount.

3) retails US$675 b4 discount

4) retails at US$525 b4 discount

I welcome PM! esp if U are willing to disclose the info!

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Added on July 24, 2010, 5:07 am

U have to pay german sales tax, to get around it I read is to get a Fedex account. It don't cost you to get a Fedex account.

its not hard getting discount on Mido, they are part of swatch group. I would imagine U can get ~25-30% of their watches. maybe still a little left to get a 2nd watch.. maybe a  Stowa Antea or Archimede!
not many online store sell Mido, U should compare prices. Online are usually grey and U don't get Mido's warranty. anything wrong U got to ship it back to the online retailer.

mido runs on ETA 2897, an auto watch 42hr pwr res
that stowa is on Unitas 6498, its manual with 56hr pwr res on swan neck regular. don't really mean anything to U since U are not regulating the watch.
archimede is indeed cheaper, made by Ickler GmbH http://www.ickler.de/English/DefaultE.htm I will go with Archimede. Stowa I like MO on Durowe 7440 movement, that cost more.

maybe this too?
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/index.php?i...3&Sel_ID=26#183

d. freemont sapphire series is very dress. pwr res too and Breguet hands! nice thing is you can customize it!
http://www.dfreemontwatches.com/sapphire_series.htm

I like this site, it exhibit varies level of decoration on these pocket watch movements, 6498 
http://www.tourbywatches.com/shop/page/5?shop_param=

Order direct from their website if you don't mind paying VAT.
Send them an email to ask for procedure if you intend to choose without VAT option.
Like we mentioned earlier, you would need a Fedex account for 2nd option.
More information here,
http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=427252