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Old 7 October 2018, 07:28 AM   #1
Txkill
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Chronograph

I’ve been working on my collection hard this year as funds have been available. I am lacking a chronograph in my collection and am actively looking for one. Two chronos off the table are the Daytona(love it but not realistically priced) or the speed master(have never liked it.) There are some I’m considering and would love your opinions. I’ll post photos of those that I’m considering.





These are the few that I’m really interested in with the Grand Seiko probably the front runner. I’d like to hear your opinions and suggest some with a pic that I maybe over looking. 10k is top of budget.


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Old 7 October 2018, 08:00 AM   #2
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To me the Zenith is the pick of that bunch. The GS is appealing but a very busy dial and oversized crowns looks odd IMO. The other watches mentioned are really in the same class.
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Old 7 October 2018, 09:06 AM   #3
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I’ll be the odd one that picks the Tag...not something that you come across everyday. Nice symmetry on the case and it’s got some heritage to back it up, similar to the other chronos that you listed. Go try them on your wrist before you finalise your decision.
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Old 7 October 2018, 09:14 AM   #4
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Zenith Heuer Hamilton.

In that order. That hamilton has a strong shot at position two by the way but the Zenith is the top of that list.
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Old 7 October 2018, 09:28 AM   #5
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Zenith is #1 to me. I've never been able to love the subdial layout on that GS. With your budget you could get a panda/reverse panda set of the Hamiltons and still have some change left over.

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Old 7 October 2018, 09:43 AM   #6
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I love my Zenith chrono

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Old 7 October 2018, 10:16 AM   #7
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If you’re going to go for a Grand Seiko Chronograph, personally I’d opt for the non-GMT’d version — SBGB001 & 003

Looking beyond, and if you’re drawn to the hi-beat of the Zenith, then you’ve the Bulgarian Octo Velocissmo.
Further, you’ve the LE Chopard L.U.C. Chrono One, the Blancpain L–Evolution and Bathyscaphe Chronographs, as well as the Air Command, if you like that style of bezel.
Then there is the Parmigiani Fleurier Pershing 002 & 003, the Tonda Metrographe, the Girard–Perregaux Laureato Chronograph, the Piaget Polo S Chronograph, and Glashütte Original Seventies or Senator Chronographs.
And, as if it even needed saying, there’s the 2nd Gen Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph... if you are able to push the budget by another grand or two.

In other words, you’ve a plethora to mull over before beginning the shortlisting process.
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Old 7 October 2018, 10:17 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dualcarb View Post
I’ll be the odd one that picks the Tag...not something that you come across everyday. Nice symmetry on the case and it’s got some heritage to back it up, similar to the other chronos that you listed. Go try them on your wrist before you finalise your decision.
I’ve tried all but the Tag and Hamilton on. I actually love how funky the GS is and love the outrageous pushers. The zenith is great too. I’m kind of on hold so I can try on the other two, but the tag has been hard to find to try on.
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Old 7 October 2018, 10:22 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PJ S View Post
If you’re going to go for a Grand Seiko Chronograph, personally I’d opt for the non-GMT’d version — SBGB001 & 003

Looking beyond, and if you’re drawn to the hi-beat of the Zenith, then you’ve the Bulgarian Octo Velocissmo.
Further, you’ve the LE Chopard L.U.C. Chrono One, the Blancpain L–Evolution and Bathyscaphe Chronographs, as well as the Air Command, if you like that style of bezel.
Then there is the Parmigiani Fleurier Pershing 002 & 003, the Tonda Metrographe, the Girard–Perregaux Laureato Chronograph, the Piaget Polo S Chronograph, and Glashütte Original Seventies or Senator Chronographs.
And, as if it even needed saying, there’s the 2nd Gen Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph... if you are able to push the budget by another grand or two.

In other words, you’ve a plethora to mull over before beginning the shortlisting process.
Lol, I know there are a million options in my price range...but I feel like I’d know immediately when I put it on my wrist that that particular watch is the one. I also need to make damn sure it’s the one I want because it will be the only chronograph in my collection. Thanks for all the homework!
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Old 7 October 2018, 01:50 PM   #10
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Zenith for me in this group. However, I would consider the heuer Monaco and tudor black bay chrono. Also, is it only the speedmaster professional that you don't like or all omega models? Because they gave some great chronos that are worth considering.
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Old 7 October 2018, 01:51 PM   #11
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Aesthetics probably matter most to me when considering a watch and of that bunch I like the Hamilton best followed by the Heuer. I don't really like the colors or the overlapping dials on the Zenith and the GS is just a mess.
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Old 7 October 2018, 06:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Txkill View Post
Lol, I know there are a million options in my price range...but I feel like I’d know immediately when I put it on my wrist that that particular watch is the one. I also need to make damn sure it’s the one I want because it will be the only chronograph in my collection. Thanks for all the homework!
You’re welcome! A bit of homework never hurt anyone.
Since you’re buying something without agonising over its future residual value, then you may as well really take the time to see what can be had for your budget (new & pre–owned), that matches up with your definition of “the one”.

I left out a few, not least the likes of Breguet Type XX/XXI/XXII, IWC Spitfire, and Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph (not to be confused with the Big Bang) as I concentrated on those with a true in-house movement, nicely decorated to admire, or with an interesting design in the case of the Bvlgari, GO, and G-P.
Maybe I should’ve mentioned the quirky Pierre Kunz Sport too...?
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Old 7 October 2018, 06:57 PM   #13
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Old 8 October 2018, 03:24 AM   #14
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I’ve never tried the Tudor on and it might be a contender, but something’s off about it, at least to me. Can’t put my finger on it


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Old 10 October 2018, 01:39 AM   #15
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I am actually in the same dilemma! I got no chronographs in the collection and I’m looking for my first. I’m leaning towards the Zenith due to its horological history, but I have also considered the Speedy Sapphire. In your case I’d go Zenith, Heuer, Hamilton. Not sure of the Heuer, but that Hamilton seems a bit thick. The thickness is one thing to be aware of when buying Chronos. Good luck!


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Old 10 October 2018, 02:19 AM   #16
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Have you considered the JLC MC Chrono sector dial?
Of the ones you mentioned, I think i'd go Zenith.
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Old 10 October 2018, 05:09 AM   #17
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Zenith definitely
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Old 11 October 2018, 03:02 AM   #18
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So I went and tried on a bunch of chronographs (Daytona, GP Laureato, Tag Heuer autavia, Carrera, zenith el primero, Grand Seiko, etc...my favorite out of the Busch was the GP laureato. That thing is pretty amazing really. Still have a few more to look at.
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Old 11 October 2018, 06:00 AM   #19
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Keep going, but I’m not surprised you took a shine to the Laureato – many dismiss it due to the Royal Oak and Nautilus.
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Old 11 October 2018, 06:46 AM   #20
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I would go El Primero...the hamilton a close second
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Old 11 October 2018, 06:56 AM   #21
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Definitely the Zenith! The GS looks interesting but those pushers turn me off completely. The Hamilton looks great and actually so does the Tag!

But go zenith, it’s pretty special
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Old 27 October 2018, 11:49 AM   #22
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Thought I’d update you all on what I picked up. I ended up going with the Grand Seiko sbgc205 spring drive made of titanium with gold hands and indices. I absolutely love this watch! I actually wasn’t going to because I let others opinions steer me towards a more traditional chrono, and was seriously looking at the Heuers, Hamilton Intra Matic, even a speedmaster. But the second I put the titanium version of the GS on my wrist it was an easy decision.




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Old 27 October 2018, 12:24 PM   #23
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BRAVO! You made the best choice for you, and that’s all that matters.

Enjoy it for a long time!
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Old 27 October 2018, 08:57 PM   #24
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GSeiko imho.

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Old 27 October 2018, 10:27 PM   #25
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Congratulations.
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Old 27 October 2018, 11:16 PM   #26
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Quote:
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I love my Zenith chrono

Very nice and a proper 1/5th of a second.

My choice.
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Old 28 October 2018, 04:58 AM   #27
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Congrats... great watch choice.
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Old 29 October 2018, 01:28 AM   #28
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Congrats and I think you made the right choice. IMO, the other watches you were looking at do not even come close to the interesting movement, finishing, and overall quality of the GS. Not everyone likes the looks of GS chronographs, but if you do, I cannot think of a better chronograph for the price.
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Old 29 October 2018, 01:35 AM   #29
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Congrats. Little too late now but I think for 10k this JLC is tough to beat.


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Old 29 October 2018, 01:31 PM   #30
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Congrats and I think you made the right choice. IMO, the other watches you were looking at do not even come close to the interesting movement, finishing, and overall quality of the GS. Not everyone likes the looks of GS chronographs, but if you do, I cannot think of a better chronograph for the price.


Thank you, and those were my thoughts exactly...the only one I truly lust for and still might acquire down the road is the GP laureato chrono, but at 15 k it’s way too much for my liking....this GS is killer and man, watching the chrono hand just run as smoothly as possible is fun to see. I’m incredibly happy with it.


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