Watches - another passion of ours, it seems...post your pics!
Lemieux66
100+ Head-Fier
What is that? Zenith, IWC, Patek? Can't tell from the pic...
bigfatpaulie
Headphoneus Supremus
It looks like a Audemars Piguet Quantieme Perpetuel to me (Ref#185197), but it is a pretty blurry image. If it is it was made form 1990-1999 and I would not have used the same numbers to describe the industry then as I would today. Yes, used it is in that price range, sure. It is a 20+ year old watch that isn't particularly sought after or rare. A modern day AP perpetual calendar is very comfortably in the top tier price category. By your methodology, I guess I should have suggested a Rolex Submariner as in the 1960's they were around $500 retail.
It is not me that qualifies what is a mid or high tier watch - it just is what is it. See this from a few years ago (so you have to skew the numbers up):
That's just a classification of prices. You can lump it however you want, in anyway that makes you feel good, but here is the reality of the market. Obviously it is tough to universally classify certain companies - Seiko, for example, makes watches for <$100 and Credors in the eye-watering price group as well. JLC is an odd duck too where they have traditionally offered mid-tier watches (see above) but, under Daniel Riedo, has really been pushing their prices and quality up along with new very complicated and exclusive watches.
Breitling, is moving the other direction - a Chronomat was almost the same price as a Daytona once upon a time. You also see it reflected in their prices on the second hand market. So it is a dynamic list. Keep in mind in 2005, for example, a steel Rolex DateJust had an MSRP under $5000. The equivalent watch today is over $7500. I don't know what year this chart is from but the source certainly has a good thumb on the market and are well qualified to put this together.
Finally, there really should be an acknowledgement of a tier above what is listed on this list. Can you really consider a Dufour in the same group as Jaquet Droz (if you exclude the unwearable bird repeaters)? The same goes for a Calatrava, which, despite price, really belongs in the mid-tier group with regards to movement and finishing versus a 5316P which well boils over the top of this list in every aspect. Most of the companies listed in the top bracket here start offerings in the mid bracket. What about brands that start way, way above where most logic has already been thrown out the window? (MB&F, Harry Winston, etc)
Anyway, just food for thought.
It is not me that qualifies what is a mid or high tier watch - it just is what is it. See this from a few years ago (so you have to skew the numbers up):
That's just a classification of prices. You can lump it however you want, in anyway that makes you feel good, but here is the reality of the market. Obviously it is tough to universally classify certain companies - Seiko, for example, makes watches for <$100 and Credors in the eye-watering price group as well. JLC is an odd duck too where they have traditionally offered mid-tier watches (see above) but, under Daniel Riedo, has really been pushing their prices and quality up along with new very complicated and exclusive watches.
Breitling, is moving the other direction - a Chronomat was almost the same price as a Daytona once upon a time. You also see it reflected in their prices on the second hand market. So it is a dynamic list. Keep in mind in 2005, for example, a steel Rolex DateJust had an MSRP under $5000. The equivalent watch today is over $7500. I don't know what year this chart is from but the source certainly has a good thumb on the market and are well qualified to put this together.
Finally, there really should be an acknowledgement of a tier above what is listed on this list. Can you really consider a Dufour in the same group as Jaquet Droz (if you exclude the unwearable bird repeaters)? The same goes for a Calatrava, which, despite price, really belongs in the mid-tier group with regards to movement and finishing versus a 5316P which well boils over the top of this list in every aspect. Most of the companies listed in the top bracket here start offerings in the mid bracket. What about brands that start way, way above where most logic has already been thrown out the window? (MB&F, Harry Winston, etc)
Anyway, just food for thought.
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Lemieux66
100+ Head-Fier
It's a funny thing with watch forums that Rolex is always thought of as a maker of steel sports watches - because they are the popular models on forums - and as such, their more expensive watches are neglected in charts like these. The most commonly sold Rolex is actually the ladies Datejust in steel and gold, and they make a lot of gold and diamond watches too. The most expensive in the production range is platinum and covered in baguette diamonds and costs more than a lot of houses!
I have to agree though, Rolex is a mid-range brand in the grand scheme of things. It's just they have huge brand recognition amongst the public who often think of them as the 'best watch you can buy'.
Good spot with the AP, btw.
I have to agree though, Rolex is a mid-range brand in the grand scheme of things. It's just they have huge brand recognition amongst the public who often think of them as the 'best watch you can buy'.
Good spot with the AP, btw.
Lemieux66
100+ Head-Fier
I'd post a pic of my new Datejust but don't know any easy pic hosting sites now that photobucket has become difficult.
bigfatpaulie
Headphoneus Supremus
That's correct - the 178273 is the most sold Rolex. With a MSRP of $9700: Right in the middle tier
Lemieux66
100+ Head-Fier
My aforementioned Datejust. It's a ref 116234 in steel with a 18k white gold fluted bezel. I chose the classic silver with baton markers dial. I tried many other dial options but none felt so right as this one. The watch is very complete being all white metals. One day I hope to have the Day-Date 118238 in all gold and a champagne baton dial. But until then this is an ideal daily wear watch for me:
Sneaky WM1A/Z1R in the background
Rolex Datejust 116234
Sneaky WM1A/Z1R in the background
Rolex Datejust 116234
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bigfatpaulie
Headphoneus Supremus
Nice 116234! I have a pink/roman/oyster one with RSC right now being serviced! It is a fantastic watch.
For your own reference the dial is rhodium. A true classic.
For your own reference the dial is rhodium. A true classic.
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lostinthesauce
100+ Head-Fier
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Try imgur.com
Saraguie
Headphoneus Supremus
My aforementioned Datejust. It's a ref 116234 in steel with a 18k white gold fluted bezel. I chose the classic silver with baton markers dial. I tried many other dial options but none felt so right as this one. The watch is very complete being all white metals. One day I hope to have the Day-Date 118238 in all gold and a champagne baton dial. But until then this is an ideal daily wear watch for me:
Sneaky WM1A/Z1R in the background
41 mm?
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