Thanks for the review link, PVN. I really like these Seikos more and more.
WM, I agree that I'm in no way unsatisfied with a manual. I've felt like I'm almost getting away with something when many of the vintage watches that are my favorites fall into this $300-$700 category, when similar vintage eg Pateks (even manuals) go for thousands (is that really for the movement, vs my Zenith or UG, more than the name?). I got my Zenith on ebay (from Holland) at a steal for $400, inscribed as a gift but apparently literally unworn. A friend of mine is obsessed with it and has bid me up to $1,500 for it. I told him I wasn't looking to sell, but for $2,000 I could replace it and pocket something for my trouble. The UG at around $800 fits that bill. But I'm more tempted to just have both.
Another thing. You guys have any reactions to the retrofittings of early, high-brand pocket watches as wrist watches? Like is it a great way to check out these brandds? I see Pateks, maybe Breguets, IWC, and others, from like 1890s to 1920s, with originally made and fitted cases that I often like (some with the crown on the top side). They're all over ebay. These can go lower, like around $1,000 some of them. What I wonder is how these old old movements hold up. And the other thing is that, to me, they tend to be pretty huge. On the order of 50mm, maybe bigger. I think that nixes them for me, but I like to save the pictures.
eg:
old patek
old patek
And a final question on this line: if you'd just made your first 1 (or 10 maybe better) million and decided to get a top watch. What would your short list be, and what do you think you would pick? I ask partly b/c I haven't sorted out all the top classic brands from the non, just as a fan not a shopper. I guess the obvious would start with Patek, Breguet, Vacheron & C, Lange & S. And I think I'd pick an understated Breguet. Just the history of going back to 1775 gives it a certain aura.
edit: ok, here are some converted pocket watch pics.
Last edited by mosta; 04-04-2009 at 08:43 PM.