[thoms_a]

Have to chime in with my agreement here. As an engineer, to me the beauty of the mechanical watch lies in its embodiment of "form follows function".

I read this entire article as I find the horology and the hobbyists fascinating, but my passion is strictly that of an engineer for his tool. I like robust, well made tools by companies that value craftsmanship and longevity. Status, collectability and such are superfluous in my estimation.

Now, the history of a watch is important, but that is a personal thing which you create with your own watch. Any watch can have its own story, and the most important story is the one you're living with your own watch, whether it be a Patek Phillipe or a Casio.

[ubermonkey]

The tension now in mechanical watches between craftsmanship/longevity/utility and status/collect-ability is weird, and distorts the market a little.

Rolex used to be a utility watch, not a luxury watch. That's clearly changed a LOT, even to the point that I occasionally hear people say silly things about babying them (e.g., not going in the water in one, which is crazy).

Omega was less inflated when I bought my Brosnan-era "Bond" Seamaster (2531.80) back in the late 90s (and fairly so; 90s-era Seamasters have ETA movements, but Rolex is in-house, and this matters to Watch People). It was less than two grand at the time, for a crazy-robust watch I can do anything in and wear anywhere. Now the Bond thing has inflated the value of Seamasters INSANELY so they, too, are out of reach for most people.

[MarkMarine]

You just have to search for a brand that for some reason isn't flashy on the used market. I have a late 2000s JLC Master Compressor, you (could) get them for a couple grand used, like I did. Not sure about the prices now. I freedive with mine, I fix cars with it on, but if you know about the movement it's a watchmaker's watch.

[itbeho]

Fellow owner of a 2531.80 of a similar vintage. It's been on my wrist through many sailing and climbing adventures. Fantastic watch for the money and quite durable. Keeps great time for a mechanical watch as well.

[ubermonkey]

I will note, however, that if you take back to the snooty jeweler you bought it from for a bracelet adjustment and then drawl "Hey, how ya make that laser shoot out?", they will not think you are funny.

[MarkMarine]

I completely agree, and as something I want to pass on to my kids and grandkids, I wanted something made with the utmost attention to detail and quality. Honestly, the story about this watch will probably come from being around for 50-100 years after I'm gone, it's got a mechanical gong alarm that sounds like the "class is over" bell from the 80s. The second I heard that I was sold. So I spent my first signing bonus on it... not super inspiring, this isn't the watch from pulp fiction