Got a question for you wristwatch and chronograph nuts.
Is this crap, or a respectable watch?
(http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/watchseller_2005_62986951)
http://www.watchseller.com/volovwinmid.html
I'm looking for a decent watch (read: better than the average department store watch), something not commonly seen on the street, something that I like the style of (classic styling, aviation & space oriented), and yet something my budget can handle. The list on this Vollmer is around $1500, and they go for $1000 elsewhere. To pick it up from an authorized reseller for under $500... sounds too good to be true, so I want to get some opinions on whether this watch is merely high-priced junk, or actually a respectable timepiece.
I'd love an Omega Speedmaster Professional (the "moonwatch"), but at $2500 for the least expensive example I found, that's simply not in my budget.
Exclusivity costs money, try U-Boat watches [thumbsup]
that's not a chronograph ;)
never heard of the brand, I'm suspect at the cost from a no name company with a crappy website. After finding Vollmer's website, they have 13 authorized sellers, and most of them sound pretty suspect. I'd vote "junk".
If you want to go high end, stick with a brand name (for aviator chronos: breitling, tag hauer, etc) and stay away from deals that are too good to be true. A nice watch is an heirloom that can be passed down, and if carefully chosen can have minimal depreciation.
Spend a little more and get one of these, you can probaly get one for $2200-2500. Pretty good deal for an automatic movement (no batteries) chronograph watch. They also make a good selection of quartz movement watches in the low $1000 range.
Tag Heuer Carrera
(http://ww2.tagheuer.com/_images2005/watches/zoom/131c23/CV2111.FC6182.jpg)
Might I suggest the watch that never needs to be set or batteries replaced
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/Putz37/175922606_924a48c911.jpg)
or the watch that lures women of all shapes and sizes
(http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/de/b3/Casio_Wave_Ceptor_DBCW150_1_Atomic_Watch_Databank_Calculator_with_EL_Backlight_Black-resized200.jpg)
there are many fine watches in your price range...and that is NOT one of them. You should look at an Oris (many different models will work) or a Sinn both make wonderful mechanical watches that will last a lifetime.
Go to timefactors.
http://www.timefactors.com/
British guy. Makes his own watches using various movements (Just like all the big boys do)
Only because he doesn't spend $$$$ on advertising (trying to convince you of his watches' exclusivity and luxury) his watches are affordable.
High quality. I own two.
And yeah, they're low prestige. But WTFGAS about that?
I can't comment on the watch, as I've not seen a Vollmer in person. I had considered one a few years ago but I never ended up buying one. I can tell you that's a very respectable dealer.
If you want an inexpensive chronograph you might look at the the DJR line here http://www.bernardwatch.com/Daniel-JeanRichard (http://www.bernardwatch.com/Daniel-JeanRichard) DJR is owned by Girard-Perregaux so they should be pretty decent quality, but I've not handled one.
Okay, I'll probably stay away from the Vollmer. I can't find much info on them, other than the fact they're a German made watch using off-the-shelf movements.
I know that example is not a chronograph. ;) I titled the thread for chrono aficionados because I figure those who know what a "chronograph" is can give me a better-educated opinion of this watch.
I'd love a Brietling, Tag, or Omega. Can't afford a $2500 timepiece. I'd love the Omega Speedmaster Professional, or a Tag Carrera. Breitling makes several models I'd enjoy...
Skyracer:
(http://www.professionalwatches.com/breitling_skyracer-thumb.jpg)
And the really desireable one... the classic Navitimer:
(http://www.mens-watches-guide.com/images/breitling_navitimer_50th_anni.JPG)
But again, it's simply a matter of budget (or lack thereof). I guess it just takes money to look like money, and on my humble engineer's salary, that will take some years to acheive.
you can get a simple Oris dive watch with a great movement and super overall build quality for under a grand.
just a thought
Some of my chronographs... In no particular order...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/Dxomas/OrisTT105copy2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/Dxomas/KhakiRhino05a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/Dxomas/Tissot05a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/Dxomas/SAMThreeyearsandThreeMonths.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/Dxomas/ZodiacDucati-1.jpg)
Try PACT Inc:
http://tinyurl.com/58wgql
Sorry, couldn't help myself, that was my first reaction when I read Chronograph! ;D