Buying a new watch, which one? Doxa vs. Sinn?

[BOOYAH]

I am going to buy another watch due to this addiction and was looking at the Doxa 600 T-Graph and the Sinn 142 D1 with the Lemania 5100 movement. Maybe $3000 or so to spend. I am not limited to these watches, just starting here. I have the U's series Sinn's, Monsters, Seiko Marine Masters, Doxa 750T's, Seal, Sub, ec.

It's really an impulsive purchase, so if you have any other suggestions, let me know.

I love the Doxa, but am not ovewhelmed with the quality of it's movement. The Lemania 5100 is well known. Which would retain it's value over time? I am sure both, generally. More collectable?

Any other thoughts? Thanks!

[BruceS]

I've never owned a Doxa, but I hear good things. I guess I'm not really fond of the style. I own a Sinn 142. I love the layout. The Lemania 5100, to me, is the most useful mechanical chrono I've seen. It's just easy to read. However, I don't care for the SE piece at all.

For the money you're talking about, or less, I'd look at the Muhle divers, Stowa Provider, Breitling (I love the Superocean), or an Omega Planet Ocean as far as dive watches go (given you already own the Sinn).

Of course all of the dive watches mentioned are completely different from the Sinn 142. Outside of dive watches, the world opens up for your budget. Or, you could do a comprimise and go for an Omega Seamaster Chrono. Lots of choices.

Bon Chance,
Bruce

[David Woo]

I've got divers, tool watches, military, vintage stuff... The Doxas are a great example of old school dive watches, and the new ones continue in that vein, very nice stuff. The Sinns are fine tool watches, made for a purpose and not following fashion or fads. Very clear dials/legibility that reflect their purpose.
Both are collectable and hold their value: the 142 is a masterpiece as well as the T graph. It's hard to chose one over the other.
DW

[XTrooper]

The fundamental question between the two is do you want a diver or pilot watch as your next purchase? Once that question is answered, then I think your decision will be a little easier. At least you'll have a direction to go in.

Regarding which will become more valuable, I first have to comment that watches in general are a very poor investment. Fact is, unless it's a watch with a deep and wide cult following like Rolex enjoys, you're going to lose money when you sell it. Having said that, the Lemania 5100 is a fine movement and, additionally, is no longer being produced. When the last of these current watches are gone, that will be it. So, between the two, I'd say the Sinn will be worth more in resale value, but only to that small market of people that will appreciate the movement and its scarcity, i.e., WIS types. :-D

[vjb.knife]

I am not going to claim to be an expert on movements but thought you might be interested in this site http://www.lemania5100.net/ which gives a lot of info on both the Lemania 5100 and the Valjoux 7750 as well as a comparison of the two. It sounds like they are not that far apart in quality or performance. Interesting read anyway. I have a Sinn EZM1 w/ 5100 and a Kobold Phantom w/ 7750 and both are very nice. A choice between them would be tough.

Cheers, Vince

[BOOYAH]

The fundamental question between the two is do you want a diver or pilot watch as your next purchase? Once that question is answered, then I think your decision will be a little easier. At least you'll have a direction to go in.

Regarding which will become more valuable, I first have to comment that watches in general are a very poor investment. Fact is, unless it's a watch with a deep and wide cult following like Rolex enjoys, you're going to lose money when you sell it. Having said that, the Lemania 5100 is a fine movement and, additionally, is no longer being produced. When the last of these current watches are gone, that will be it. So, between the two, I'd say the Sinn will be worth more in resale value, but only to that small market of people that will appreciate the movement and its scarcity, i.e., WIS types. :-D

Actually, I have mostly divers, but I was considering a Navitimer. I agree with you on the EZM1 and Lemania. I don't buy watches for investments, but on the other hand, if I bought a new Polar Surveyor for $5500 and then sold it a year or 2 later, some have recently sold for $1900 on the forums, so I am a bit hesitant to lose money that quickly, although I love Kobold's.

I appreciate the input, I am considering all the remarks provided.:thanks

[bart]

The Lemania, as you probably know, is a workhorse, and no longer produced. I would definitely get the 142 between these two. And personally, I would look for the Sin EZM1 mentioned above if I was looking for a chronograph and didn't need anything outside it's very specialized nature. 2 other good options would be Omega's SMP Chrono and TAG's Aquagraph.

-Bart

[dibetu]

Doxa will only procude 250 of each type of T-Graph, so I think the prices will increase, if Doxa really goes retail and / or the watches are sold out. Just from a movement point of view, The Lemania is already now a cult movement, while the 2894-2 is considered more refined and is far more expensive to buy from ETA, than the Lemania I woud think, this will change though. The T-Graph is 600m waterproof, just a shame you can not use the pushers under water. Also I havn't found a cheaper 2894-2 Chronograph that is entirely Swiss made (Movement, Case, assembly) than the Doxa. Most Competitors there are in the USD 4000 range. I think the two are on par but in the long run, I would put my money on Doxa. If you like Orange buy Doxa, if you like the cool toolwatch look of the Sinn go for it, I think you can not go wrong with either of the two.

[BOOYAH]

Doxa will only procude 250 of each type of T-Graph, so I think the prices will increase, if Doxa really goes retail and / or the watches are sold out. Just from a movement point of view, The Lemania is already now a cult movement, while the 2894-2 is considered more refined and is far more expensive to buy from ETA, than the Lemania I woud think, this will change though. The T-Graph is 600m waterproof, just a shame you can not use the pushers under water. Also I havn't found a cheaper 2894-2 Chronograph that is entirely Swiss made (Movement, Case, assembly) than the Doxa. Most Competitors there are in the USD 4000 range. I think the two are on par but in the long run, I would put my money on Doxa. If you like Orange buy Doxa, if you like the cool toolwatch look of the Sinn go for it, I think you can not go wrong with either of the two.

I thought your summary here was valuable (as is everyones), but it kinda helped me understand. The point about not being able to find a swiss made chrono for this price was important to me. I understand that.

[Tragic]

We recently went over the 2894-2 movement within this thread:

Doxa T-Graph or Omega Planet Ocean

Some interesting points in here from jean-michel