What do you think of Stowa?

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Steve9pm

·Jan 30, 2020

I did a search and didn’t find any detailed reviews on the forum. Seems like they’re respected and there’s not much negative. Good bang for the buck, ETA movement.

Anything else I should know? Particularly anything I should watch out for?

 

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Foo2rama

·Jan 31, 2020·Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...

cross shop with Laco....

 

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TheWatchDigger

·Jan 31, 2020

Stowa makes some nice things. I don't own any modern Stowa watches, but I did find this old "fancy lugs" dress watch some time ago. I believe the movement is a manual wound Unitas. Nothing spectacular but it does the job.

 

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Tony C.

·Jan 31, 2020·Ωf Jury member

The '60s Seatime divers are very nice, and good value in the market.

 

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Archer

·Jan 31, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Steve9pm

I did a search and didn’t find any detailed reviews on the forum. Seems like they’re respected and there’s not much negative. Good bang for the buck, ETA movement.

Anything else I should know? Particularly anything I should watch out for?

Generally speaking, they are fine watches, at least any that I've had in the shop...some examples...







I've had several of the Fliegers in the shop, both manual and automatic winding.

Well made generally, solid ETA movements in all that have crossed my bench, and overall good value for the money I would say.

Cheers, Al

 

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JwRosenthal

·Jan 31, 2020

A work colleague of mine bought a flieger a few months ago online. It ran well until about 3 weeks ago when he went to wind it and as he wound the rotor wound spin as he hand wound- he knew something wasn’t right.
He contacted Stowa customer service and they sent him an RMA and even coordinated the fed-ex pick-up at his door. It was sent to Germany and within 4 days they turned it around and sent it back over-night delivery to his door- at no charge whatsoever.
He was prepared for a fight (as is the case with most companies in our modern day) but his experience was excellent and he is now considering buying another from them. They seem like a class act.

 

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Steve9pm

·Jan 31, 2020

Archer

Generally speaking, they are fine watches, at least any that I've had in the shop...some examples...







I've had several of the Fliegers in the shop, both manual and automatic winding.

Well made generally, solid ETA movements in all that have crossed my bench, and overall good value for the money I would say.

Cheers, Al

Thanks Archer. How would you compare Stowa, Junghans, and Nomos?

 

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dougwhiz

·Jan 31, 2020

I'm a big fan, I own a 40mm Flieger that's one of the few modern watches I've bought and have kept wearing. They allow you to personalize things like logo/plain dial, date/nodate, personalizations, etc. I chose a manual wind ETA 2804-2 because the case is then only 8.5mm thick. And it looks great through the clear caseback. The other thing I like is the lume, especially the fully lumed sweep second hand.
Good website too.

 

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Dsloan

·Jan 31, 2020

Darn it - now you all have got me setting up watch recon alerts for yet another brand! Bad influences and enablers, all of you.

Kidding aside, thanks OP - I appreciated learning about this brand. I think their fliegers look nice. I had been looking at some Lacos, but I think I may like the Stowa's case design more. And, it's nice to see a $600 watch with a decent entry-level ETA. Could really tide me over until the hypothetical day when I can drop money on IWC Pilot watch. I also think I really like the design on the Prodiver that Archer shared.

 

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Archer

·Feb 1, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Steve9pm

Thanks Archer. How would you compare Stowa, Junghans, and Nomos?

Stowa and Jungans are more equal on the level of manufacture in my view, where Nomos is most certainly a step or two above the others.

 

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janice&fred

·Feb 1, 2020

Dsloan

I also think I really like the design on the Prodiver that Archer shared.

i'm on that now as well. I just started surfing the net on those to see how much I can't afford to buy one right now 😁

 

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Dsloan

·Feb 1, 2020

janice&fred

i'm on that now as well. I just started surfing the net on those to see how much I can't afford to buy one right now 😁

On the plus side, these are refreshingly approachable compared to many things on this forum. I'm seeing used models going for around $1K on average.

 

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scapa

·Feb 1, 2020

I've owned a Flieger and the Marine Chrono -- both excellent watches, very well made, and sensibly sized. I didn't buy either new, but have been contact with Stowa CS regarding a different product and they were very responsive and helpful. I think they're a strong value proposition if you like the designs, like Archimede.