ALTERNATIVES: Smitten w/ Sinn 756 and Broke!

[CottyGee]

Howdy.

Beginning WUSer here. Not much of a collection, but tons of enthusiasm and even some passion for mechanical timepieces.

I'm SMITTEN with the Sinn 756 in BLACK.

http://members.cox.net/cottygee/sinn756sm.jpg

Unfortunately, at no time in the near future do I anticipate having $2K to sink into this purely unnecessary luxury machine! But the bug has got me none-the-less.

I also am similarly smitten with the 656 (in black of course!), however the PVD isn't on this one, and from what I've read, that seems like a MAJOR upgrade. Plus, I think the 756 LOOKS cooler, tho what do I really need a chronograph for??

http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/B77_Sinn_Bl_s3.JPG


So....
What other watches might come close? If I were to find one for say $500, I *might* be able to consider that. Prolly a used watch - save some there. The LOOK is important to me. Very. The most important part, actually. Then the height/weight. I understand these two Sinns are very "tall", and also very heavy. Very appealing to me!

I'd also have strong preference for a PVD watch, with a mechanical (hopefully ETA) movement, and a saphire crystal. Preferably a PVD bracelet as well. I'd CONSIDER a quartz, but mechanical is sooo much sexier!

So what watches can you think of that I might be able to live with?? What say ye o wizened horological ones of extreme geekiness?? ;-)

[JerOk]

A real cheap alternative:

Pulsar PHX221:
http://www.princetonwatches.com/images/watches/PXH221.jpg

http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/PXH221.asp

[CottyGee]

Thanks for the reply!

I can go more than $50! Maybe $500 or below?? Really want the PVD.

Prolly I'm just gonna hafta suck it up and get the Sinn eventually... It'll just take a long time to get there!

[Dennis Smith]

Off the top of my head...here are some PVD watches I'd tell you to check out online or at eb@y...

Pseudo-Ruhla automatic PVD combat diver's watch

Luminox Stealth and other models in PVD

Citizen Promaster PVD pilot's watch with GMT index

But REALLY...I'd scan the "for sales" forums and look for a watch out of the IWW shop...You'll find all kinds of neat watches that have been custom PVD'd for under $500...like classic Seiko 6309 Divers, modern Seiko 007 divers with custom Yao dials, hands and sapphire crystals, O&W ID 3066's, MarcelloC's, etc...

You might find a used PVD chrono from the 80's-90's for around $500, like Orfina or LeJour.

[abraxas]

Try this for just over $300.
http://www.timefactors.com/images/4052-3.jpg

john

[Tragic]

I believe Chase-Durer has several pvd watches you might look at.
They may be quartz though.

[Stokport]

You could try a Glycine. There is a Combat PVD which is tough, big and very well executed.


Cheers

Henrik

[JerOk]

You could always get this for $500 and PVD it later...

http://www.thewatchplaceonline.com/images/A1230Group01.jpg

http://www.thewatchplaceonline.com/a1230.htm

[obie]

What about this: Model: Seiko Sportura Kinetic SNL029P

http://www.superchrono.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28&products_id=76

From above website..

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/obie33/e2064f48.jpg

[Dennis Smith]

http://www.superchrono.com/images/medium/skz217k1_MED.jpgMaybe you'd like this new limited edition Seiko?

[obie]

I forgot about Fortis, don't they offer a PVD model in the $500 range..

[Dennis Smith]

New Luminox automatic is pretty nice...can be found for around $650.http://www.timeoutlet.com/ProdImages/LMX-9002_XL.jpg

[Dennis Smith]

Fortis day/date PVD

http://www.mwrforum.net/cgi-bin/px.pl?read=48851

[CottyGee]

Well, you guys certainly had some excellent suggestions. Thank you. Nothing quite hits the spot like the Sinn - sure wish I could see one in person! It's hard to know just from pictures...

I think I *MAY* have eased my craving for the Sinn with an International Watchman Marine Diver I bought on Tuesday from a TZer. It's not a Sinn to be sure, but it's a very smart lookin' watch IMO and it's big and hulking, and it has a nice plain face and a black dial. We'll see! It was a smokin' deal, so easier to pull the trigger.

In the mean time, I've discovered a TON of watches I like! I think the military angle is what's gonna float my boat... Military, some vintage stuff, some Russian stuff, some German stuff - that's what I seem to be drawn to.

Thanks again for the help.