reply to pics

[rachelbe]

Thanks for asking for more pic of my watches will post other pics soon when I get used to my camera. Firstly, I also agree with you that the Rolex Explorer 2 is an iconic watch and it has always been a favourite of mine before I purchased it. I have in the past had a Rolex Date-Just Stainless Steel and by-metal. As for the Rolex Explorer. I only purchased it 9 months ago and paid £2,850 and to date the price has jumped to £3,640. The Explorer was one watch that you could afford and was a reasonable price but now it has got ridiculous and I must say that other stainless steel watches have also increased, I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

My IWC F-Jones Stainless Steel was only purchased 3 months ago and it is number 2,455 of 3,000 brand new from an IWC shop in Scotland. I must say I tried to get a new one and asked around the UK, it was practically impossible to find a brand new one and I was told by the IWC dealer in London that they had only received 2 from iwc and they were sold before they even had time to put them in there window. I got the watch for £4850 and a week later was offered £6000 for it.

MY other IWC is the Aqua Timer and the dealer said to me it is a much underestimated watch, extremely robust and well made. The IWC dealer said to me that some of the IWC watches that are coming out at the moment are starting to lose some of their original looks and it is my opinion that this could be true and I remember when I had purchased a Zenith el-primero moon face date month. It is a very attractive watch the model I’m talking about was made in 2002 but it is my opinion that Zenith watches today look hideous and it seems to be they’ve lost the plot and I think that this is what can happen sometimes when you have a good watch and then you try to upgrade it then the design for me goes out the window. I read in a very good book called “A Movement in Time” the author stated that Zenith was of the opinion they were going to be the number one watch maker in the future, he doubted that and that I also think that his opinion is correct.

Just some of my thoughts on IWC and some other watches, any thoughts.

[Sgian Dubh]

Rolex prices have been going up for as long as I can remember. It's unfortunate for anyone looking to get into a Rolex, but I suppose it's good for those who are already part of the club. Price increases keep the brand at a certain level, ensuring it maintains its prestige and caché. It also means that Rolex watches hold their value, even on the second-hand market. That's not bad from an investment perspective and is something that can't be said of many other brands.

I'm not yet there, but I'm looking to join the IWC club. I've always appreciated their watches in both design and fit and finish. I like that they're understated, yet are very much quality pieces.

Afraid I don't know much about Zenith, other than during the 1950s, a Zenith movement was the movement to have. I believe Rolex used Zenith movements at one time.

Regardless, thanks much for the photographs. Always a pleasure to puruse a nice collection.

[rachelbe]

Thanks for your reply, don't get me wrong Zenith is a very good watch and you are correct that they used a Zenith movement in one of the Rolex's, what I mean about Zenith is that my opinion after 2003 and 2004 the look of the watches started to look a little odd but like I said the movement in the el-primero has won many awards and I think Zenith do make their own movements in their workshops, but I can assure you even if you buy an el-primero and pay over £4,500 for it and try to resell it, the price that you are offered is extremely low and as you rightfully said it's the name that seems to count in keeping it's value high even though Rolex's are a good make there are other watches that are a much better quality than Rolex. In a way it's a good thing as most people know what a Rolex looks like and there's a good chance you can get mugged if you wear a Rolex as it is so recognisable eg. you could be wearing a patek philipe and not so many people know it's an expensive watch on your wrist.

[Sgian Dubh]

I'm with you on the current Zenith design: it's not my cup of tea simply because the watches are too big for me and while I do have some appreciation for their avant garde styling, I much prefer a classic look.

Right now, something like a Patek or Vacheron are just dreams. Maybe one day. Just maybe . . .

Incidentally, where, in Scotland, did you buy your IWC? My favourite store in Edinburgh was Watches of Switzerland, but it's been closed for some time.

[rachelbe]

I'm with you on the current Zenith design: it's not my cup of tea simply because the watches are too big for me and while I do have some appreciation for their avant garde styling, I much prefer a classic look.

Right now, something like a Patek or Vacheron are just dreams. Maybe one day. Just maybe . . .

Incidentally, where, in Scotland, did you buy your IWC? My favourite store in Edinburgh was Watches of Switzerland, but it's been closed for some time.

thanks for your reply , i am sure that watches of Switzerland is still open in Edinburgh, it was 4 weeks ago, i am in Edinburgh on the 29th May, and will let you know. As for my watch i got it in Aberdeen

thanks

[Sgian Dubh]

I was there last year visiting relatives and the store was closed. I think it's been closed for years.