Feel free to comment and ask questions!
Do you have any questions or comments regarding particular brands or models that interest you? Post your questions below and I’ll be happy to answer them!
If you wish to contact me personally, you can reach me at my email: alex@swissdiverswatches.com
Alexander – Founder and Owner of swissdiverswatches.com
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Hello my dad has a old watch ( so i believe) and the glass of that watch is broken and im thinking if its worth it to fix or not .
The watch is Raymond Weil Parsifal 9189 i would love to hear your opinion about this watch and the price of this thank u.
Hello Max and a very warm welcome to swissdiverswatches.com!
Raymond Weil Parsifal 9189 is a beautiful and aesthetically appealing dress watch with a standardized quartz movement. This isn’t an exclusive or high end luxury watch, but it’s still a good and decent watch based on what it can offer you – a dependable (quartz movement), affordable and beautiful dress watch.
Since it’s your dad’s watch and therefore I assume it has a sentimental value to you, I’d recommend fixing the watch. If you think it isn’t worth it, you can still buy vintage Raymond Weil Parsifal 9189 either at ebay or chrono24, below $1000.
Cheers!
Alexander
G’day i’ve been looking at the Nautica nap srf009 and i wounder if the watch is any good?
Hello George and welcome to swissdiverswatches.com!
Nautica nap srf009 is a good standard and affordable quartz wristwatch, but by no means any quality or premium product. If you’re looking for cheap or affordable wristwatches of considerably higher quality, I’ll have to recommend you some non-Swiss brands such as the Russian Vostok Amphibian, or Japanese Seiko Skx007 or Seiko Skx009.
Cheers!
Alexander
Hi Alex & friends,
I’m considering an Oris 65 but my wrist is slim at 6″ – 6.25″ and flat. Not sure whether 36″ or 40″ case size is best. Problem is at 36″ with 17″ and tapering strap, it may look too dainty. At 40″ the lugs reach close to edges of wrist. Probably the nicest sized watch I have is Hamilton Khaki auto at 38″ and 47″ L2L. What do you recommend for Oris 65 in my situation? Or go for some other sized diver. Don’t want to spend more than $1500 U.S. and want leather strap though.
Thanks,
Andrew
Dear Andrew,
Welcome to swissdiverswatches.com!
So essentially, you’re looking for a watch diameter around 40mm?
Because you said: “Probably the nicest sized watch I have is Hamilton Khaki auto at 38″ and 47″ L2L.”
Have you considered TAG Heuer Aquaracer 39mm? It’s with a quartz movement but has the diameter you might be interested in. You might also try the the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 41mm & 43mm versions – equipped with automatic movements. I believe some of their watches are within the $1500 U.S price range.
You could also try Longines HydroConquest 39mm, with an automatic movement. It’s still within the $1500 U.S price range. But you could also try the Longines HydroConquest 41 mm version. Also within price range.
As far as leather straps are concerned: You could purchase leather straps for your timepiece here: https://swissdiverswatches.com/blog/buy-leather-watch-straps-for-men , have your metal bracelets removed, and replaced with a leather strap of your choice.
Please feel free to contact me again if you have additional questions.
Cheers!
Alexander
Greetings Alexander!
Great article! Awesome to read someone who’s put the time into his research and who knows how to use the pen as well!
A couple of questions for you…
First, as the Omega 231.10.39.21.06.001 is my favorite watch on the planet (at the moment) I am curious as to how you compare the overall quality of its quartz version (don’t remember the number off hand)? (I saw online I could get the quartz for about 40% of the price of the 6.001).
Second, in the process of saving for a 6.001 (which may take me quite a while), if I wanted to get something with a similar look but in the price range of about $1000…could you give me a few recommendations?
Thanks again, Alexander! Your info is exceedingly helpful!
Cheers,
Shack
Greetings Schack! And a warm welcome to swissdiverswatches.com.
Let me commend you on an excellent choice. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 231.10.39.21.06.001 is indeed a stunner. The quartz version? It uses the same steel grade – 316L Stainless steel, and has the same build quality. You’ll simply get a battery movement which is more affordable and more accurate than anything mechanical out there.
As for a $1000 price range, you’d have to take a look at another brand in order to get a watch with a similar design and look. I’d recommend Longines Conquest L3.676.4.58.6, and Longines Conquest L3.677.4.58.6. Both these models are automatic.
Yet another even more affordable alternative would be Seiko SARB033 with an automatic Seiko movement. Granted it’s not Swiss, but Seiko is one of the few non-Swiss brands that I truly respect and one of the few non-Swiss brands that truly are exceedingly excellent at combining quality, aesthetics with affordability.
So essentially around or below the $1000 price range, you could find the following models that somewhat look like Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 231.10.39.21.06.001:
1) Longines Conquest L3.676.4.58.6 (ETA based automatic movement)
2) Longines Conquest L3.677.4.58.6 (ETA based automatic movement)
3) Seiko SARB033 (Seiko automatic movement)
Contact me again Schack if you need to ask more questions.
Cheers
Alexander
Dear Alexander
First of all let me congratulate you for this blog… really good indeed.
I was wondering if you could give me a help, I want to offer a watch to my Dad around 1500€ mark, I was thinking to buy a Tag heuer or a Logines but to be fair I don’t know which brands gives the better product and if they are good brand inside the luxurious watch world. I spoke with some retailers but they don’t give me a good explanation about the subject…
I will much appreciate to ear your opinion about it!
Regards
Dear Joao,
Welcome to swissdiverswatches.com and I’m delighted to hear that you like the blog.
Sorry for my late reply but I was on vacation for a few days.
TAG Heuer and Longines are pretty much equal in terms of steel grade, build quality and movements. TAG Heuer does make some movements in-house but in all fairness most movements utilized by TAG Heuer are generic ETA and Valjoux movements, which makes TAG Heuer no better and no worse than Longines.
TAG Heuer is a sporty brand while Longines has a distinctly classic, elegant and timeless design. TAG Heuer is a younger brand and Longines is a considerably older brand with a richer history and heritage. TAG Heuer is more recognized by the man on the street due to marketing, while Longines tends to be more appreciated by the connoisseurs.
My recommendation is for you to ask your father which design appeals to him the most and which watch he’d be most comfortable to wear. That way you’ll make sure that he gets a timepiece that matches his style and personality.
Cheers
Alexander
Dear Alexander,
You have a very informative site. I have a few questions that I hope you can help me with. I already have some automatic Swiss watches. My questions are:
1. Do I need a watch winder? (Particularly with the automatic watches that I seldom use)
2. I was told that the rotation of some automatic Swiss watches vary. some are Clock-wise, others are Counter-Clock-wise, and others can do both. Do you have any idea for rotations of the following watchse?
– IWC Portofino Chronograph Ref. IW391008
– IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Ref. IW377709
– Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 116610LN
– Rolex Datejust 36 Ref. 116234
– Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra James Bond 15,007 Calibre 8507
– Tudor Speed / Sport Chronograph Ref. 20300
– Tudor Fastrider Chrono Ref. 42010N
Keep up the good work.
Dear Sonny,
I’m glad you like the site.
With regard to your questions:
1) Watch winders: Yes for sure. A watch winder keeps your watches “alive” even when you aren’t wearing them and makes sure that your watches keep accurate time. A watch winder also reduces friction inside the movement.
From a purely mechanical point of view, many people are damaging their watches and the automatic movements inside them, when and if people use their watches only on a purely sporadic basis, and as a result of that sporadic use, their watches routinely stop and need to be wound up manually again and again. This causes friction inside the movement, which means that the movement will wear out quicker and the accuracy and the performance of the movement will be damaged. To ensure that your automatic watch/automatic movement lasts longer, it’s better to keep the movement active even when you aren’t wearing the watch and for that purpose I’d recommend you to get a watch winder.
2) Yes that’s correct. Automatic movements are inherently different. Some have rotors that rotate clock-wise, counter clock wise and both directions.
Uni-directional winding: Tudor Fastrider Chrono Ref. 42010N, relies on ETA 7753 which is equipped with a uni-directional winding. Both IWC Portofino Chronograph Ref. IW391008 and IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Ref. IW377709 are based on Valjoux 7750 which is a uni-directional winding movement.
Bi-directional winding: Both Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 116610LN and Rolex Datejust 36 Ref. 116234 have rotors that rotate both directions because they rely on the Rolex in-house movement 3135. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra James Bond 15,007 Calibre 8507 is built on the 8500 movement where the rotor too is bi-directional.
Tudor Speed / Sport Chronograph Ref. 20300 – not sure.
I hope this helps and get back to me if you have more questions to ask.
Cheers
Alexander
Dear Alexander,
Thanks for the info. Because of your blogs, I’m learning more and more about swiss watches. Which makes me more appreciative and knowledgeable.
A few more questions:
1. When you say uni-directional, is it clock-wise or counter clock-wise?
2. What happens when you put a uni-directional on a bi-directional winder?
Thanks again.
Dear Sonny,
I’m glad you like the blog.
Pertaining your questions:
1) Clock-wise or counter clock-wise? Answer: Clock-wise.
2) This doesn’t really matter since the uni-directional watch still will be wound up by the bi-directional watch winder, when it goes the “right” direction that is.
Cheers
Alexander
Hi Alexander
Great site!
I found it yesterday and it’s full of good insight and information.
I’m fairly new to the world of watches. Got my first proper swiss watch about 5 years ago. A modest victorinox and have since worn Tissot, Oris and Omega.
I’m in the market for something else and would love your view on a debate that I’m currently having.
Certina DS Diver OR Christopher Ward C60 Pro 600 (new version)???
I’m keen to add to my collection and like both. Thinking the CW with black on black and the Certina with the sunburst blue. Both on SS straps. I like both for different reasons – certina face, hands and bezel. The CW wave face screams omega, nice markings and ceramic bezel but I’m not convinced of their attempt at the push button clasp, which Omega have mastered.
Can you offer me any insight or thoughts on this?
Thanks and again, love the site!
DL
Hi David!
Welcome to swissdiverswatches.com and I’m glad you like the site.
Certina relies on generic ETA movements and Christopher Ward relies both on generic ETA movements and Sellita movements, that are essentially ETA clones.
Both Certina and Christopher Ward are good and respectable brands but I’ll have to give the advantage to Christopher Ward, both as far as aesthetics and water resistance are concerned. Unlike Certina, Christopher Ward uses ceramic bezels. Christopher Ward uses a reliable clasp (as far as I know) and uses a micro adjustment system for the bracelet. I’d say go with Christopher Ward. Based on the look alone, I would grab this watch any day of the week.
Cheers
Alexander
Hello to all newcomers and veteran visitors: As of 2016, a few changes have been made to the website. The “FAQ” page has been renamed “Luxury Watch Encyclopedia” and can be found in the blog in the top menu.
Cheers
Alexander – Founder and Owner of Swiss Divers Watches
Hello Alexander, very nice site for my husband, he is all into watches, can’t run by a store, like a woman can’t run by a store shoes, I will give him the link from your site, (hope it doesn’t gone cost me to much money:) Greetings Loes
Thank You Loes,
I’m very glad that you enjoy the site and you are always welcome to pay a visit. Your husband and I seem to have quite a lot in common. The honest truth is that I can’t stay away from watches either!
Best regards
Alexander
Hey mate
I’ve never really understood why Swiss watches are the go but now I do, clearly explained in the FAQ menu. Next time I need a watch, I’m coming here. Thanks.
Rohan
Hey Rohan.
A big welcome to you – and welcome to Swiss Divers Watches! I’m glad that you find the site useful. Sure mate – anytime you need some advice, you’re always welcome to pay a visit to the site. This site exists for you and everyone interested in Swiss luxury watches.
Best regards
Alexander