Horologically speaking, what watches have you handled or owned over the years, that were a joy and a total surprise; whereas which ones had high expectations or hype, and were mostly underwhelming?

For me:



Overrated: the Patek 3919. I know, a classic, right? How could one go wrong? I didn't love the hobnail bezel in person, and I found the smallish crown tactilely ungratifying to wind. The watch wears small on even an average wrist, and looks grandfatherly on everyone but...your grandfather.


Underrated: the Vacheron ref. 6694. Unique design, the lugs gently curve downward making it extremely comfortable to wear, and a killer 1072 movement. I can even tolerate the date window on this one. Not that it matters, but almost everyone thinks it's cool when you show them. I never seem to tire of this one.

What's yours?

 

I'll second you on the underrated

 

I was once allowed to open up and pass a loop over a mint Patek Philippe Gondolo pocket watch movement from the early part of the last century and found it did nothing for me. While the quality of the movement was undeniable, it wasn't as nicely finished as a Hamilton 922 or a model 92 Waltham Vanguard, which are worth about one tenth of what that Patek was worth. It was a really big disappointment.

 

And that is why I love having your voice on the forum!

 

Bucherer certified chronometers. So underated. Not uncommon to find a solid 14k chronometer for under $500.

Just picked up a 60s era goldtone for $130 that was just perfect. Not a scratch. Ridiculous value vintage.

 

Basic Seiko divers are underrated in my opinion. They are workhorses that last decades. The new Grand Seiko line seems overrated to me. Too pricey for too little style, and the Seiko brand doesn't have the gravitas to justify a multi-thousand dollar price. GS seems like a transparent attempt to cash in on the luxury/high-end watch market.

 

I haven't taken fresh pictures yet, this is the sellers shot.... arrived yesterday, 1911 Hamilton 940 for $265... my watchmaker offered to buy it off me this morning.

Yankee railway technology... how can you go wrong?

 

Too true. Vintage GS are classic but i wouldn't splash out on the new ones, like why have a power guide thingy on half of the dial?

 

Overrated. Ok I'm the only to say this.

 

I think all solid gold watches are overrated. Beautiful as they may be they don't warrant 3-4x the price . I get that it's to make exclusiveness but even if I had the money to burn, I couldn't do it.

 

Upper mid range 2-6k usd has some funky styling, the high ends are under rated and understated and worth the 8k plus they ask from a horological perspective.


Over rated to me are the metal bezel Daytonas hard to read wear small and coveted for unknown reasons to me.

And that's a good picture.


As earlier stated in another thread the platinum bezel grey dial Yachtmaster is stunning and why I see more expensive bi color subs instead of it is beyond my comprehension.

 

I am not sure this is generally true, other than for a very few select pieces. 1950s and 60s Omega dress watches are routinely worth 50-100% more in solid gold, many Rolexes also have a similar premium for solid gold over steel. There are perhaps a few sports models where the steel is preferable but in the main gold wins in value terms. Feel free to list examples where steel outshines gold. Gold plated often takes a pounding in value vs steel but solid gold still has a strong appeal for many.

 

Not in my world. I would swoop in on your watch market if they are half price.

 

Well that may or may not be true but with respect Omega, Rolex and other mainstream pieces out number those two by a factor of, what 100x or even 1000x so I think my point stands, other than a few specific cases, particularly sports models, gold carries a premium.

 

Let's leave Patek stainless out of this. When they make 2 stainless 20 Plat and a few hundred gold from a maker that almost never made high end complications in steal it tends to throw off valuation.

With the exception of rare models with ultra rare stainless versions, gold watches tend to trade at a premium.