Reply With QuoteDare I say that true WIS-dom may not even go for a Swiss watch - it would be between (at the high end) a Lange, or lower down the food-chain, a Glashutte Original, a Grand Seiko, or a Nomos.
following on from the interview thread. Which watch would most likely identify a fellow watch enthusiast. So forget the Rolex, (any brand snob would buy them), but which watch shows a bit of knowledge, and thought in the watch buying process. Which watches have the secret code that taps only into the thought processes of a WIS.
Dare I say that true WIS-dom may not even go for a Swiss watch - it would be between (at the high end) a Lange, or lower down the food-chain, a Glashutte Original, a Grand Seiko, or a Nomos.
Perhaps vintage Heuer?
I would say - Omega Ploprof, any watch from a microbrand or a skeleton watch.
edit: If you find any of these watches on a strangers wrist there should be a good chance he is into watches, unlikely that they would end up on the wrist of a "civilian"
Last edited by don segundo; 24th August 2012 at 19:14.
+1 but perhaps, Vintage anything (?). A little bit like petrolheads, the roots are important.Originally Posted by Rocky555
Seiko Tuna
(Vintage..?) Zenith El Primero
Any watch worn with a nato strap
Anything not mainstream. So any of the very high end Swiss stuff, anything microbrand, or as has been said something like Nomos or anything vintage or interesting or anything with grand complication.
It would be easier to answer the what does not say WIS question.
I was going to say any worn with a shark mesh.
Grand Seiko 100%.
Other brands that are perhaps 'close but no cigar' include Sinn, Stowa, Nomos, Dornbluth etc.
But Grand Seiko ownership signals membership of the horological illuminati allowing one to smirk inwardly at the sight of the riff raff with their Rolex, Omega and Breitling from the land of the Toblerone and assisted suicide.
;)
for me it would be a grand seiko. pieces from Lange, AP, GO, JLC, etc are bought sometimes by non WIS who buy them because of their high price exclusivity and because it says Swiss or Germany made on it.
someone who buys GS tells me that they aren't brand or "Swiss-made" snobs who can yet recognize craftsmenship and quality irrespective of what the name happens to be on the dial and that they're backing that belief by putting out some serious $$$ on those pieces.
too many times have i come across purported WIS on forums who have said, "I recognize what the Grand Seikos are but i would never spend more than $500-1000 for a timepiece from Seiko". oft-times, those same 'WIS' have no problem dropping 2-4 grand on a quartz Tag or a Swiss made watch with a slightly better than stock 2824 or other common ETA movement.
Last edited by Denizen; 24th August 2012 at 19:32.
Vintage
JLC
Vacheron
Zenith
High-end German or Japanese
Damasko, Stowa, Rolex on a NATO? :)
Yeah, NATO, definitely.
I'd like to add the Breitling Emergency
Omega Flightmaster?
I would be intrigued by someone wearing a Dornblueth, and I agree with the previous poster who suggested a Grand Seiko.
Yep, I'm obviously not WIS either with my Omega, Tag Heur and Breitling. Maybe my Ball Fireman Stormchaser would qualify...
Dreadnought ?
z
This
Navi 806 has to be a contender- the classic car of the watch world
There was a chap on the tube the other day, wearing a Sea Dweller on a Bond Nato. I was pretty sure he was a WIS.
JLC, but not the silly macho ones.
I think a watch that screams WIS is one which is common and then twisted. In that respect i would go with a Rolex on nato
Depends on budget - doesn't everything.
A few pick and mix:
Seiko Diver
Dornbleuth
Dreadnought
Vintage Dress watches
Roger Smith
Patek Phillipe
"Master" ranges
Vintage Divers
G10
Sinn
Fortis
Vintage Chronographs
Rolex (because many WIS have/had/want one of some description)
B&M Capeland XXL
Vintage military
Micky Mouse watch
Casio LED
...
Gray
IMHO it simply has to be a Seiko Monster, without a shadow of a doubt.
Now shoot me down in flames...
Not a bad shout actually.....
JDM Seiko (tuna, mm, alpinist etc) not everyone can afford a GS. To me this shows someone who has taken the time to research and find a supplier for said piece alone with shipping, customs etc.
Not if the WIS has taste.
Agree 'base' Seiko, but include 6105, 6309, 007, 009 etc..
I'm in agreement...to a point.
That.
And all JDM Seikos.
You'll go far young Skywalker
Dornbluth...
Cheers..
Jase
I love the notion that a G10 suggests WIS when a lot of squaddies will wear one! :)
Any of the zenith El Primero range
I'd say an IWC. Something like a MK XV. Subtle yet stylish, no showy either.
Not out of uniform they won't.
G shock GW-5000-1JF. Only a mentalist would have one over a GW-M5600-1ER.
+1 on 007 & 009.
Anything you can't buy from a shopping centre.
JLC, Zenith, etc.
I also saw a guy the other day wearing an issued Seiko 7a28. To young to his from new so definate WIS
So, includes Panerai then? ;-)
Anyone who calls a bit of webbing - a NATO strap......
A
Zenith El Primero or Grand Seiko. Come on guys, this one isn't rocket science..
Any rocket scientist wouldnt buy that...
Get a steel Rolex and you're set for life. The rest are just also-rans. Fact.
Chill Duncan - 744 is a trainee watchmaker......Rollocks. Every flash git and his dog has a Rolex Sub! Every wannabe flash git and his Pit Bull/ Staff has a fake one. So how does that make a steel Rolex a WIS watch? Good grief!
Lots of watches indicate somebody as being a potential WIS - some (potentially) rule them out.......for some.
For me, a WIS is somebody that understands and appreciates what they own and can rationalise their choices. A wannabe is somebody who has what they think they should buy because of how they feel others in the same position will judge them.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Oh no, now you have upset it...Rollocks. Every flash git and his dog has a Rolex Sub! Every wannabe flash git and his Pit Bull/ Staff has a fake one. So how does that make a steel Rolex a WIS watch? Good grief!
Wanna be a WIS (whatever that really means)? How about start conversing in model numbers/codes, rather just the name....?!? LOL
^^^^^^very well expressed that man.
Sinn because a couple of watch salesman I know have never heard of them. If the wearer actually pronounces the Sinn name correctly, then it's a no brainer
Anything that isn't sold in the region where you live, like an Asia only Seiko now living in Europe, or a boutique brand watch. If it's easy to find, it's off the list.
Anything modded would also do fine! :)
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