with 2-3k budget u have to throw in a bit more to get a used speedmaster (~us$1100).

besides asking for a day date watch, with chrono. a raw 7750 movement cost us$440 already, add cost of case, leather or steel bracelet, dial etc.. and man hours assembling it, regulating it. thats another few hundred us$) + marketing cost, operating cost another couple of hundred + middleman cost, warranty cost another few hundred.

a good read 7750. most auto swiss day/date chrono watch will contain this engine.
http://www.chronomaddox.com/valjoux_7750_engine.html

others will contain base cal ETA 2824-2 with Dubois-Depraz module 2020
eg
http://www.watchseller.com/danjeanchron3.html

do read this, ppl are looking for the cheapest day/date chrono watches.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=117588

without chrono, these days.. the in thing is diver/aviation watches. I do agree with r3kahsttub, just go look at the brands u are interested and go from there.

a fun read on diver watches.
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2007_0...2007_05_066.pdf

if twom can get u a deal thru his suppliers on factory prices (prices lower than grey market) u can afford really nice watch.

a louis erard should fit your budget nicely if u can the right shop. some how the discount is steep.
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Louis-Erard-XL-Swis...=item35a5b0068f

there are a few links posted to where to start reading up on watches. check them out. magazine is fun place to start.

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Added on December 22, 2009, 3:22 amwatches in swizerland are in fact more expensive than asia.
ppl in uk, often shop in asias for watch. (AD I meant)
grey market, usa is the largest market.. u do find a lot of ppl trading/buying on timezone, watchuseek.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 23 2009, 02:16 AM

not sure if his req changes, last I saw

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/825550/+560

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Added on December 22, 2009, 9:36 pm+1! I too wonder whats the discount twom can get.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 22 2009, 09:36 PM

retail ~rm$12k for a co-axial cosc, Omega discount very much control not much diff so long u are getting thru AD.
by entry level... quartz model.. ~6.8k, btw this is not the 1st time u had been asking about how cheap an omega can get. the longer u wait price would only get higher no lower. since u like Ball, its cheaper than most omega. discount on ball also higher than omega

I guess u are looking for diver watch.
brands
- owc http://www.orangewatchcompany.com/
- mk2 http://www.mkiiwatches.com/
- Steinhart http://www.steinhartwatches.de/index.php?i...tnr=48&Sel_ID=9
- http://store.debaufre.com/Triton-2000-Mete...t-dw.20.2km.htm
- stowa http://www.stowa.com/
- http://www.serketwatchcompany.com/collections/reef_diver_2
- http://www.ocean7watchco.com/cs1/
- Prometheus Watch
- titoni http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=323651
- vollmer http://www.watchmann.com/vollmerwatches.asp
- Bernhardt http://www.bernhardtwatch.com/globemaster.html

more branded..
- Epos
- Longines
- Hamilton
- http://www.doxawatches.com/
- zeno watch http://www.zenowatchbasel.com/divers.htm
- Fortis
- louis Erard
- oris
- mido
- uts http://www.utswatches.com/

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 23 2009, 12:37 AM

do search thread
eg
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...&#entry30601168

not too clear.. can post more closeup pics?

IIRC All automatic movement can be manually wind. even those vintage auto watches.
automatic watches, can be bidirectional or unidirectional too.

few brands actually remove the rotor of a 2824-2 and convert it to a manual winding watch.
eg
Atlantic Worldmaster Art Deco HW (ref 51650.41.20)
http://www.watchseller.com/atwoartdehws.html

care to share how much U paid for the item?

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 23 2009, 11:21 AM

true, yet to see any articles that say U can manual wind auto watches.
I guess ppl just assume they do. since auto movement are an upgrade to manual winding, don't think they would remove this feature since auto feature is designed with convenience in mind. it would be inconvenient should wearer need to shake the watch to get it moving, a quick 10 turns is much easier.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 23 2009, 12:36 PM

I already told u. do read post again.
want a watch that is valued for $$ not paying much to advertisement.. your fav brands only fortis.
the rest all spent a bomb on adv.
bell & ross used unmod eta movement, like fortis. unlike fortis they use better movement 2892 vs 2824/2836.
u better ask how much u can afford rather than how much this and that cost. wait to save up, by the time too late too.. prices gone up.

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Added on December 23, 2009, 11:37 pmodd ball for a young man..hey who cares what they think! so long u enjoy it, thats most impt!
still waiting for pics!

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 23 2009, 11:37 PM

Tag suggested retailed price is controlled.
this poor Econ, they maybe willing to give more discount and forgo making more profits.
lvmh last sales event at kl, NOS are going for ~50% off!

U may wanna read this.. do have a review on the Fortis, good for value ( http://www.collectorstime.com/other_EH.php#Fortis offering close to 50% off)!
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2007_0...2007_05_066.pdf

other fun read on diver watch
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2007_0...2007_06_130.pdf

U are going for the same movement family... 2824, 2836.. same family..
I still think next in line 2892 or something along those lines..

a good read on ETA 2892
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2008_0...2008_02_122.pdf

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 24 2009, 12:46 PM

2824 is a work horse movement, 2836 same family.. the only diff is the day wheel.

some felt OWC is a great buy, Soprod A-10 better design etc etc compared to 2892. but just 200m. ppl like U going diving to depths over 200m, this is useless.
http://www.orangewatchcompany.com/

a good number of the ocean7 watches seem to be using 2892 movement. its amazing LM6 gmt just US$699, of course not many know the US brand (swiss made watches) and design
http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=115494
http://www.ocean7watchco.com/cs1/

sinn? U1 using 2824 it seems should be a little more expensive than a Marinemaster.. U2 definitely more costly.
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2006_0...2006_01_074.pdf

Sinn is no longer owned by Helmut Sinn. http://guinand-watch.com/ is and from what I gather they use top grade movement, not sure if they make any diver watch. issue is like stowa they only sell online.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 25 2009, 03:16 AM

well, ocean7 is just value for $$$, U can tell from watchuseek some ppl do enjoy their design. (personally I don't like how the date window is displayed) tons of valued of $$ brands just copy here and there, expensive if they need to design. even with some brands such as Zenith, no everyone love their design.
Submariner homage can be found in tons of brands..

I always wanted a pwr reserve watch.. thinking of getting this, but I am sure I will find this design sucks!
http://www.authenticwatches.com/zenith-def...channelid=FROOG

Panerai homage.. from branded places do cost above US$550, pretty standard all using Swiss Unitas 6497. always wanted a 6497 movement, to pay US$500++ is alot of $$ just for the design. since a swiss army with 6497 is just US$270 of course not cool looking.
http://www.watchseller.com/vollmeru5.html
http://www.dievaswatches.com/collections.html

go thru my older post and U know where the hack I get them. Those info are more accurate than hear say on watchuseek/timezone/watchnet, since its all thru published magazine.

Stowa watches, need to order.. usually a good wait...
so Fortis coming up next yr soon?

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 25 2009, 03:16 AM

maybe the same model twom saw? the damage is ~rm$7K? can share where u got it?

can be found here
http://www.thewatchery.com/TAG_Heuer/watch...=CAF2113.BA0809

I don't think the compass works... I think U may have to find North on your own...
let see if bearbrick explains

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Added on December 26, 2009, 12:56 pmthey make decent watches..
http://www.pointtec.de/zeppelin/overview/
alot more Zeppelin come equip with swiss movements, although u do find some in Russian.
Junkers not really the case... IIRC some are Chinese/japanese

prices... pay less u could be getting glass or harden mineral crystal.. pay more U get sapphire crystal

U got to know whats inside.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 26 2009, 12:57 PM

red army expensive! I would get them online

congrats! xmas gift?? so show pic of lume!
how many watches in your collection??

ya.. try
http://tinypic.com/
http://imageshack.us/
http://www.theimagehosting.com/

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 27 2009, 12:06 AM

not sure what u are looking for but can try
http://www.iwmagazine.com/uploads/pdfs/sept%2007.pdf
http://www.iwmagazine.com/uploads/pdfs/November%202006.pdf
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2006_0...2006_05_102.pdf
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2008_0...2008_01_068.pdf
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2006_0...2006_05_118.pdf
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2008_0...2008_06_180.pdf

which ones are soprod tune?
http://www.tourbywatches.com/shop/page/5?shop_param=

stowa watch, movements are regulated and tuned by Jorg and his small group of watch makers.

what makes Soprod tuned better? I read there are sopord upgrades, what exactly no idea.. from their site.. I think swan neck???

those stuff are cheaper online.
branded ones and silent can cost up to us$800 easily after discount.

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Added on December 31, 2009, 9:25 ameta movement can go any private watchmaker to get it done. just get ppl to recommend u.

collectorstime, don't think they have shop. not sure if they are willing to negotiate the price further maybe can suggest U are paying cash. watch from them do carry AD stamp unlike other gray market dealers. u can email them to find out. I am interest in a zenith but I still debating if I should get thru them (rbber version) or a steel version thru grey market in usa.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Dec 31 2009, 09:25 AM

U have to factor in the cost of shipping+insurance.