Horological Meandering

eterna-fan
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variations within brands

i enjoy this sort of discussion. i realize its futility, but as a admirer of all levels of quality and prestige, it gives me a rare opportunity to engage in this wonderful community. some responses to a few of your comments:

1. Zenith - 4 for El Primeros, 5 for all others, 7 for Cal 135s

    you find the 135 over-rated? i've never handled one, so i suppose that's fair. i owned a cal 133.8 for a time and found it to be excellent. i would say it is a 4.

2.Longines - has changed dramatically over last 2-3 years: 8 for 13zn, 6 for 30ch, 5 for all 'time only'

    this is a new phenomema, i think. i used to get into particularly strong-worded arguments with another chap only 5 years ago about which brand was more un-appreciated; eterna or longines. now, longines has come full circle.

4. JLC - 8 for Polaris (I know many in forum will disagree, but I think it's a hyped model - although I have one myself and love it), 7 for Geophysic, but 4 for many others (Futurematic, Quatermaster)

     i have read that the vintage JLC bumper movements are very complex and not easily serviced. i find that, as i age, ease of service is somethign i think of often, and i alter my regard for a brand based on whether i have a good chance of encountering trouble when i need some work done.

5. Rolex - 9 for Daytonas, 10 for PN Daytonas, 6 for Seadwellers, 7 for Submariners, 5 for Milgauss 1019/Explorer II

     asothers have pointed out, rolex is a thing unto itself for reasons wholly unrelated to horology. i politely bow out of that discussion.

10. Eterna - 3 for Kontikis, 4 for rest

     ahh, my light, my love. eterna eternally! i actually find that good examples of the super kon-tiki attains a fairly excellent price. commensurate, i think, with other dive watches of similar pedigree. but there is one thing about eterna that seperates it from its competition in the golden age of the 50s and 60s- production numbers. rolex and omega were making millions of watches. eterna made fewer. far fewer. they ran through a million serial numbers in about 10 years. but...scarcity is meaningless without a robust market in pursuit. the prices have risen, but i'm often surprised by how cheaply some good watches sell for.

13. Omega - 8 for some chronographs (33.3), but 4 for some seventies models, 5 for Constellations - overall 5 (think still fairly valued)

     the vintage market for omegas is pure treachery! bad redials, movement swaps, frankenwatches...all par for the vintage omega course. i adore my simple, beautifully aged 503 seamaster. i wear it often and admire its quality. but i doubt i have the stomach to wade into those waters again.

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