[tanman]

Ok, so as you can see from my original post, I've done some more research and narrowed my selection down: https://www.watchuseek.com/f2/best-watch-around-$1-000-a-803281.html#post5861848

I'm now interested in purchasing the Stowa Marine Original, Stowa Flieger Chrono (with deployment buckle instead), Stowa Marine Chronograph, or Sinn 956 Classic. Below are the pictures and links for each watch in the same order as listed in the previous sentence:
Marine Original matt white arabic numerals - STOWA GmbH & Co.KG

Flieger Chrono - STOWA GmbH & Co.KG

marine chronograph - STOWA GmbH & Co.KG

Sinn Uhren: Modell 956 Classic

This will be my first big watch purchase, so I would greatly appreciate advice from you watch aficionados. I live in the US, so it seems like the only way for me to purchase a Stowa is on their website, or through Ebay.com, or Chrono24.com. The Sinn watch seems like it's even harder for me to purchase, as it looks like their only authorized dealer is watchbuys.com, or I have to search ebay.com, or Chrono24.com. Is there an advantage to buying from one of these sources over another, and am I missing any sources?

Even though the price of the Sinn 956 is above what I originally wanted to spend, I think I like the style of it the most. I don't know that much about the movements or construction of watches, so I'm guessing the movement on the Sinn 956 is more advanced. Am I correct in that assumption? Watchbuys.com has this model for sale here: Sinn 956 Klassik on Strap - WatchBuys. Does anyone know if I can negotiate with them at all on price over the phone? The only other places I can find the Sinn 956 Klassik is in the following link and some of them are a bit cheaper in cost: Sinn 956 Watches | Buy and compare Sinn 956 watch at Chrono24

My last question has to do with price. Being that this is my first big watch purchase, and now that it looks like I would have to spend around $3,480 for the Sinn 956 Classic on watchbuys, is there a watch that you would recommend over the Sinn 956 in that price range? Do Sinn's hold their value well, or is there another brand that holds it value better? I did a search for other watches in my price bracket on Chrono and these are what came up: Search for a wristwatch
On Ebay this is what came up: Wristwatches in Gender:Men's, Movement:Mechanical: Hand-winding|Mechanical: Automatic | eBay

If anyone owns the watches I have listed at the top, I would love to hear your thoughts. Also, any advice on where to purchase or what I should be looking for when purchasing (warranty, etc.) would be appreciated since I live in New York City - I don't want to get screwed. Lastly, if there are any watches that someone would recommend based on the ebay and chrono links I have listed above that are a great value in my price range please let me know, as I see a lot of (Rolex, Bell & Ross, etc). I'm sure you can tell my style based on the pictures I have included in this post, but generally I like cleaner designs, and I think I would like something with at least a 40mm face. Lastly, this is a present for my birthday, which is February 10th, so I would like to get it by around that time, but I have to wait for a Stowa, which seems likely ordering off their site, then I would do that.

Thank you for your time and advice!

 

[ShaggyDog]

I'd go for the Stowa Marine Original out of those. It has a very clean look, and the other ones are tending to look a bit more cluttered or busy the further down that list you go. The Sinn is a great watch but that first Stowa is really the most striking one by far.

 

[tanman]

Any more advice from anyone?

 

[M.W.]

well, seems like you're doing a bunch of research, and in the end you'll obviously have to make the call on, for example, whether or not you want a chronograph - i don't know if this will help but my take would be:

- i believe the three chronos you selected all use the same base movement, and that the only way the sinn is more 'advanced' is that it has the added power reserve indicator (which i actually find useful, although some will say it's pointless on an auto)

- the sinn obviously has more going on, more subdials, a date window, etc. - the stowas are going for a classic, minimal, clean look - how much info on the dial do you want?

- i love the simplicity of the fleiger chrono, but the fact that it doesn't have a running seconds hand would be a big negative for me

- my favorite sinn model is the 358 diapal - i believe it costs another $500 above the price you quoted for the klassik, but it does have some 'extras' like the oil-free escapement, electroplated dial, etc. that might help if you're looking to rationalize the higher price

good luck!

 

[tanman]

Thanks for the input M.W. I really didn't go into this with a clear idea on whether I wanted a chronograph or not. Actually, I continue to learn a lot more about movements, styles of watches, etc., as I move along. I basically just started looking at watches and knew the style I was looking for. I just did a search on chrono24.com and these are some of the other watches that popped out in terms of style and my price range:
https://www.chrono24.com/en/breitli...t-steel-chronograph-ref-a13022--id2235658.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/bellross/br-126-vintage---br126v--id2034556.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/sinn/903-st-chronograph--id1779434.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/bellross/vintage-126-chronographe--id2031729.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/iwc/portofino--chronograph--id2261851.htm (not crazy about the polished stainless steel on this one)

I probably would pull the trigger immediately on the Stowa Marine Original, because I can stomach paying that price easier. However, I don't really feel like waiting until the end of April to have it delivered, which is what the Stowa site says.

The Sinn 358 Diapal you mentioned is pretty cool. And yes, trying to rationalize the price is definitely part of my process. It sounds like you think the Sinn 956 Klassik is too expensive by the statement you made and that the 358 Diapal warrants a higher price due to the technology. I would imagine it would be harder to fix and more costly though. Based on pure looks, I like the design of the Sinn 956 the most right now, but I thought some of the ones I listed above that I found on chrono24 were interesting.

 

[mpalmer]

I would go for the Flieger, however, I would opt for the regular non chronograph version. I would do this because it has a significant historical connection that is rare in a watch in this price range. Stowa actually produced WWII Fliegers so this is an affordable piece of history. I would not go for the chronograph because this Stowa design was not worn by pilots during WWII. To me, less is more here. That said, I'd still go with the Flieger chronograph in a heartbeat over the other choices.

 

[M.W.]

tanman - the only thing i'll add is that the whole question of 'value' is, at least from my evolving perspective, not as straightforward as it might seem - some say you should never spend $3-4K on a valjoux 7750 when you can get basically the same movement in a watch for around $1K - i actually do not fall into this camp and wasn't trying to steer you in any particular direction - i think you really have to look at the whole package and make what is ultimately a very personal decision - if you like the 956 best and you can afford it then go for it - but if you're not sure then maybe wait a bit - also, if you post on the sinn / stowa forums you'll probably get better feedback re. specific models or features - i personally find the diapal technology interesting but not everyone feels it's worth paying a premium for ... - mw

 

[tanman]

Thanks for the advice WUS members, you'll see that my decision has been narrowed down due to delivery time, style, and resale value, and now I'm trying to figure out if I should purchase the Sinn 956, a Nomos, or a Used Rolex. Here is the post and thank you for the help: https://www.watchuseek.com/f2/first...nn-956-brand-new-nomos-used-rolex-804731.html