Hello all! This is my first posting here.

I'm about to buy my first serious timepiece

My budget about 4k.

I wanted to find an annual calendar, so there's only old one.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece flyback annuaire.

I love bauhaus. So, there's the best one(under 4k).

Nomos Ahoi.

Which one is better choice?

Maurice Lacroix has good designs but I think they don't have many service centres and their business model is not set-up to service watches. You most definitely need to check this out because you are most likely buying a ML on the grey market (no one pays their asking prices and dealers cannot shift the stock otherwise). Have you ever seen a thread were someone took his rocked ML in for a service and posted the photos before and after the factory service? But you can easily find threads where people post their 10 year old Rolex after the service and it looks like brand new.

 

Thanks for your wise reply.

I have concerned about ml's condition as you comment.

flyback annuaire is very old model, so I have to buy it online.

Although a seller says it is new one, I worried about conditions of it.

Is it possible that unused ML6098 exist?

 

Thanks for your wise reply.

I have concerned about ml's condition as you comment.

flyback annuaire is very old model, so I have to buy it online.

Although a seller says it is new one, I worried about conditions of it.

Is it possible that unused ML6098 exist?

Sure why not.

Which country are you in? The ML European service centre is located in Germany. So if you are in Germany (or Switzerland) making a service inquiry may be easier.

PS: Regarding Nomos. I think you need to do some research insofar as to how they would handle a watch service request in 5 years time. Does an authorised dealer operate next to you where you live? Or would they happily accept your watch which you have sent to them by courier.

 

Too different to be compared.

 

well, I do think this question is little bit ridiculous.

I think the best answer is "buying both of them".

 

Just my 2 cents. The nomos you highlighted is simply the worst you can find in its range. To me, it's really the laziest thing nomos has done and not worthy of consideration as a first serious timepiece as you mentioned. The ML on the other hand does give you a taste of much cherished mechanical complications at a very good price so if that tickles your fancy, I'd say go for it. Cheers!

 

A 2892 + module isn't a highlight of watchmaking. Calling it a masterpiece is laziness as well. The day indication is missing and imho an annual calendar should have it.

 

visually and technically different
within flyback you can compare

 

Love the ahoi, probably one of the best all around watches under or around 5k, covers beach to boardroom, screw down crown , cool colors and movement, this or Rolex oyster perpetual great first choice in the 5 k and under all purpose watch.

 

I just think it would be more fun to look at the ML on my wrist.

 

Thanks for all of your advices!

It is certain that water-resistence of Ahoi is cool. And "less is more" design of nomos is zehr gut.
But I'm not sure their in-house movement is valuable just because they're in-house.

And it is certain that ML flyback annuaire is cool because it gives an annual calendar at low cost.
But I'm not sure if the product maintainable condition.

So, I should ask the seller to check the warranty and maintenance-availability of ML before I buying it.
If it is not certain, I'll go nomos.

 

Thanks for all of your advices!

It is certain that water-resistence of Ahoi is cool. And "less is more" design of nomos is zehr gut.
But I'm not sure their in-house movement is valuable just because they're in-house.

And it is certain that ML flyback annuaire is cool because it gives an annual calendar at low cost.
But I'm not sure if the product maintainable condition.

So, I should ask the seller to check the warranty and maintenance-availability of ML before I buying it.
If it is not certain, I'll go nomos.

I'm not sure why someone gave you the advice that ML is hard to service. First off, they're a relatively large company by watch standards. Second, they do have in-house movements, but mostly they still rely on ETA movements. In light of those two things, there should be no issue with servicing an ML watch.

I don't think it would be hard to service a Nomos, either, as I believe any competent watchmaker should be able to do it. Bear in mind, however, that Nomos is a relatively small company and relies exclusively at this point on in-house movements.

 

mdgrwl on this forum is selling his Ahoi datum for under $3000. I would definitely go used on Nomos. Save $$$.
I used to have Tangente and loved the design and quality.

 

I don't know how prices for ML work in Seoul, but stateside I've heard they can go for quite steep discounts (up to 60%) so that may be something to consider. NOMOS is a relatively (1990) new brand so they've not had all that many watches need a full overhaul so it'd be hard to know how easy it'll be to replace dial or hands. If ML has a bad reputation from that, then the worst you can get with NOMOS is the same.

 

I'm just saying that if I needed an expensive watch I've owned since new to have hands, case, dial, and crown replaced, I might rather consider a tool watch designed for the treatment that imposes the need for such replacements. I still have original hands, crowns, dials, and cases on watches that were made in the 60's. All of those have been serviced by a regular watchmaker without issue.

My ML Phase de Lune Tonneau is not at all new, but it is showing not the slightest sign that it will ever need such replacements in my usage.

Most companies do not supply parts outside their support network.

I would look and see where the nearest factory service center is.

Rick "suspecting ML is no worse than most premium brands" Denney

 

Very different watch companies....in design, movements, etc....But both would be a fine choice

 

I'd take the annual calendar if you like it aesthetically. The complication is good value at the price point. While the Nomos is still fair value for what it is, it is one of the worse values in the Nomos lineup. You are paying a lot more than a Tangente for water resistance...

 

this is a very sound and justified advice -i m much obliged too==

 

I think there's been an important checkpoint here.

If old model of ML is bought from the grey market, will it be properly serviced and fixed when the timepiece get trouble?

It's my first buying, so I don't know much about "the grey market". Can Trusted sellers at Amazon be called the grey seller?

 

I think there's been an important checkpoint here.

If old model of ML is bought from the grey market, will it be properly serviced and fixed when the timepiece get trouble?

It's my first buying, so I don't know much about "the grey market". Can Trusted sellers at Amazon be called the grey seller?

Most Amazon sellers are gray market, and the gray market is just bypassing their authorized dealers in the area. That does not affect ML's (or any other company's) willingness to service the watch. It only affects their willingness to provide warranty coverage. It's exactly like buying a preowned but unused watch that is just out of warranty.

I've bought new-old-stock watches ranging in age from a decade to half a century, and never expected any warranty support.

Rick "who will happily send those watches to factory-authorized service centers" Denney

 

It all comes down to what design you like best and if "made in germany" is a deal maker.

Do you like Bauhaus minimalist over the Maurice complication (and vice versa)?

I don't think it's wise to ask us which one you should get because in the end you will wear it.

So which one do YOU like more?

 

I'd take the Nomos over the ML although the ML is also good. If I wanted something hyper-Bauhaus though, I wouldn't get an Ahoi, I'd get a Tangente/Tangomat or Orion.

 

sadly in malaysia, many old stock watches selling at AD. Unless it's a boutique. It's normal to see ML discounted until 60%, which quite ridiculous if u ask me.

Get the NOMOS.

 

sadly in malaysia, many old stock watches selling at AD. Unless it's a boutique. It's normal to see ML discounted until 60%, which quite ridiculous if u ask me.

Get the NOMOS.

I don't know about athorized retailers, though, at the gray market that maybe global phenomena.

some sites say retail price of ML flyback annuaire is 8k$ but selling under 4k.

 

My advice is against annual/perpetual calendars unless you have a winding tool because they are difficult to set. If you like the style of the ML, better add some cash and go for a Calibre de Cartier.

Ps: glad to see Rick Denney is back. Welcome back Rick - I missed your posts.

 

Although I don't know about the lowest price of calibre, for me it maybe not "some cash", sadly.

 

I love bauhaus, but if there's annual calendar at same price, I prefer the complication.
As long as it works properly.

 

http://www.jackroad.co.jp//product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=44545

 

Too different to be compared.

 

Haha. Never say never. Nomos is very good watch. I am aiming the Orion 1989 myself. Altho i prefer the Zurich blau gold in the first place but already too expensive. That kind of money, i better spend on watch that i really like..

 

ML have virtually no resale value because the market interest is so small.Nomos is has been one of the hottest brands over the past few years and quickly moving up scale. For that reason, I would only consider Nomos

 

Nomos gmt is tha bomb

 

Hi, i just bought the watch last week. I love the complications and easy to read design. no regret at all.