Expensive watches on boats.

[Momac]

P.S. The Rolex cost £69 in 1971 and recently I sold it for just over £1000 after fees at an auction.

I think you are very fortunate to have had that watch while still at school. It did keep its value plus a fair sum.

 

[Momac]

What's a watch for ? Havn't had one for 60 years , never been late for anything .

How would you know?

 

[Concerto]

£69 and 1971! Amazing, how wonderful to have that memory.

I found the original receipt in the Rolex box, so not my memory as I thought I bought it in 1969.

 

[KevinV]

Surely midlife crisis buys are all about phallic symbols? So get the rigging sorted to keep your huge mast proudly upright in all conditions!

 

[wombat88]

Many years ago my father was given a hugely expensive gold Swiss watch with a picture of the giver on the face surrounded by diamonds.

It was so naff he only ever wore it when sailing.

 

[DoubleEnder]

I had a SS Rolex for about 20 years. I was very efficiently robbed in Buenos Aires, and while I was waiting for the insurance payout I bought a Swatch. Much better watch, lighter, easier to read, much less valuable, never going to get mugged for it. Result

 

[LittleSister]

I accept this is classic mid-life crisis behaviour, but at least it’s cheaper than a Porsche. I’ve just turned fifty and it’s either an expensive watch, an expensive guitar or standing rigging, and, much as I love my boat, the latter is not likely to win this race.

That's not a mid-life crisis, that's complete madness!

A good guitar will be much more fun than a watch. You'll spend far more time admiring the look of it, let alone playing it, and enjoy it far more than any watch. It would quite likely significantly enrich your life, and in a way no watch ever could.

No one is going to admire you for having a ludicrously expensive watch, but they are quite likely to think you are a pillock for it. The one thing an expensive watch can do is signal (should anyone you are trying to influence/impress ever notice the watch, which is by no means certain) that you are a person of wealth (if not taste). That can be a distinct advantage, but is pointless if you don't actually have the wealth to back that signal up.

If your mast is at heightened risk of falling down, then go for the standing rigging (though that's presumably cheaper than the others, anyway).

Otherwise, stop messing about, get that guitar!

 

[Praxinoscope]

P.S. The Rolex cost £69 in 1971 and recently I sold it for just over £1000 after fees at an auction.

I still wear my Rolex Submariner when I‘m sailing, splitting logs and every day living, I bought it back in 1968, I don’t have the original receipt, but do still have the Rolex box it came in. I remember it cost £98 and it was partly my 21st birthday treat to myself and a celebration of the first big invoice for which I had been paid.
Checking against the BBC ‘pips’ this morning it was 1 second fast so will be left winder facing down overnight to bring it back to correct.
I have a cheap (bought in Turkey) replica which I wear when the real one is away for service.
Certainly won’t sell it, I’ve left it in my will to my daughter.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Dropped my Breitling into a dollop of sikaflex last year! The job was put on hold while I cleaned it off. It's been on my wrist for over 25 years so I'm not likely to stop wearing it now.

 

[Ammonite]

It will be covered on your home contents insurance.

Not necessarily. Most have a strict limit for valuables which a Seamaster is likely to exceed and you'll have to pay an additional premium for full cover.

 

[Sandy]

For a long time I’ve hankered after an Omega Speedmaster. Its totally irrational and I don’t earn enough to buy one but the same could be said of me and boat ownership.

Are they any good when using a sextant?

I've had a cheap digital Casio Wave Ceptor watch for about 20 years, but have often wondered if an analogy watch would be easier to use?

 

[KeithMD]

Surely midlife crisis buys are all about phallic symbols? So get the rigging sorted to keep your huge mast proudly upright in all conditions!

Ah - I wondered why my mast was so floppy. That explains it.

 

[KeithMD]

A mate of mine bought an "Omega Speedmaster" while he was stationed in Hong Kong for something like $50.
Of course it was a fake.
But he moved to Texas (for family reasons).
Sold it there for $1000.
Just saying.

 

[[194224]]

I still wear my Rolex Submariner when I‘m sailing, splitting logs and every day living, I bought it back in 1968, I don’t have the original receipt, but do still have the Rolex box it came in. I remember it cost £98 and it was partly my 21st birthday treat to myself and a celebration of the first big invoice for which I had been paid.
Checking against the BBC ‘pips’ this morning it was 1 second fast so will be left winder facing down overnight to bring it back to correct.
I have a cheap (bought in Turkey) replica which I wear when the real one is away for service.
Certainly won’t sell it, I’ve left it in my will to my daughter.

I wear mine every day too. I have the original receipt for 822 Singapore Dollars in 1976 the the rate was about $5=£1. As it's a red writing version it's worth a bit more now. I regard it as an investment and is going to my eldest lad. Perhaps in the not too distant future .

 

[chrishscorp]

In my line of work they just get wrecked, the metal straps fall apart then I watch as they fall off a roof or the top of a ladder, never whilst im sat down in a carpeted area.
So I have given up and just use my mobile phone, the ships clock I can easily see from the tiller.
Get a £20 watch and your rigging fixed

 

[Rappey]

Some premium watch fakes have got so good that an expert cant tell without opening the case.
For the rolex submariner copy they are using the same grade of stainless as the genuine and using a very good seiko movement
Some rolex have a barely visible laser engraving on the glass. The chinese replica version under a microscope is now higher quality than the genuine rolex!
I bought a tissot sail. Turned out to be a poor choice. Couldnt read the lcd part without glasses, a blue face with black hands is not the easiest to see at dusk and the fixed position of where the bracelet joined the case made it uncomfortable . Shame as i bought it for the compass, barometer and tide clock.
There are many cheap watches today that are similar looking to the much more expensive but just as reliable and you wont be crying if it goes over the side..
Im sure a dismasting will cost more than your omega ?

 

[William_H]

I only ever wear a watch when sailing and that mostly to get the seconds for start count down. I only buy the cheapest ebay Chinese analogue readout electric.
I have lost too many watches over board. I do wear a watch protector. One type is neoprene wet suit type material sewn in a loop with a hole for viewing face. Another style is home made from sail cloth in a wide strap with velcro to attach and a hole for viewing. Both types protect the strap and buckle. (yes always leather strap)
However most common failure mode is catching the watch on rigging rope etc and over loading the strap. The little pin (with spring loaded ends), strap to watch seem very easily over loaded. The watch protector seems to limit chance of catching on something.
As for the OP if he has go the urge to flash around an expensive watch go for it. But there is no logic to it. Me I seem to have to carry a phone around and that tells me the time. ol'will

 

[Neeves]

Going back to the original post - buy the Porsche. If you lose it over the side it will be easy to find (and prove loss), it would make an excellent mooring - and I'll guarantee it will be unique -

fancy watches

Pah!

Jonathan

 

[WoodyP]

I am very happy with my £10 water resistant watch. Tells the time and everything

I bet you haven't worried about being mugged for it either.

 

[Praxinoscope]

I wear mine every day too. I have the original receipt for 822 Singapore Dollars in 1976 the the rate was about $5=£1. As it's a red writing version it's worth a bit more now. I regard it as an investment and is going to my eldest lad. Perhaps in the not too distant future .

I think in a previous similar thread someone calculated that as the value of his Rolex had risen over the years, its value from date of purchase equated to Rolex paying him to own and wear it.