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Thoughts on Mondaine watches

57250 Views 36 Replies 32 Participants Last post by Stephen2020, Dec 26, 2018

Shademantis

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2009

I've searched the forum and haven't seen much discussion about Mondaine watches.

http://www.mondaine.ch/mondaine-watches/

I stumbled on to them whilst looking for a new watch for my mom (she has low vision). I saw one of the dial layouts and thought this might be just the thing for her. This of course led me to start considering adding one of the gents quartz models to my own collection. For those unfamiliar with the brand here are a few pics:

41mm

41mm w/ alarm

41mm w/alarm, 2nd timezone

I must say the more I look at these dials, the more they appeal to me. A semi-elegant quartz beater is just the sort of thing I want to add to my current collection. However, I have no idea if these are worth the price.

The prices for most the quartz Mondaines run around $90-170 depending on the model. But I have no idea about the quality, given the pricepoint. So do any of my fellow WUS mates own any Mondaines? How would you rate their overall quality, bang for the buck wise?

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21 - 37 of 37 Posts

dnslater

· #21 · Jan 15, 2010

jason_recliner said:
Endeavouring to make a watch look like a train station clock strikes me as pointless.

Yes but you have to realize that the Swiss Railway clock is a symbol that in may ways has come to represent Switzerland. It has become an icon, and is also a clean modern design that is easy to read.

6138

· #22 · Jan 16, 2010

Mythical design of ....................1944

http://www.mywatchandi.com/hans_hilfiker.php

my unit eta 2836-2

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2

pompe

· #23 · Jan 16, 2010

I fell in love with the pocket watch with alarm ! got no real use for it but i like it.

http://www.mondaine.com/mondaine-watches/display/101

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Enoran

· #24 · Jan 16, 2010 (Edited)

Clean and classic look with an unique theme, occupying a specific niche

.
Don't struck me as pointless ...

bluloo

· #25 · Jan 16, 2010

I like Mondaine's offerings. :-!

They're simple and uncluttered, even the chronos.

I've got a quartzie on the way and would like to pick up an auto at some point in 2010.

YMMV, of course.

yermano

· #26 · Jan 24, 2010

got a blackline day date about 2 and a half years ago. its a really nice watch very simple to read and very light compared to everything else i have . the leather strap is very comfortable and is holding up quiet well. its not worn every day but is worn regularly about twice a week its the dressyist watch i have and im trying to take care of it. i would recommend one to a friend.

RickH86

· #27 · Jan 25, 2010

jason_recliner said:
Endeavouring to make a watch look like a train station clock strikes me as pointless.

It's all about legibility in a classic design. Their ads here state something like "the most accurate watch in world isn't any good if you can't read it".

I think they are nice, affordable watches.

zippofan

· #28 · Jan 25, 2010

While my new custom sub isn't a Mondaine per se, it does contain a Mondaine signed NOS 21 jewel ETA 2846 automatic. It's been running around +5 sec/day or so since I installed it :-!

Cheers,
Griff

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crayola

· #29 · Jan 25, 2010

zippofan said:
While my new custom sub isn't a Mondaine per se, it does contain a Mondaine signed NOS 21 jewel ETA 2846 automatic. It's been running around +5 sec/day or so since I installed it :-!

Cheers,
Griff

looks good Griff. any pics of the front face? link?

watcher_sg

· #30 · May 6, 2010

I absolutely love Mondaine watches. Bought one from KLM on the way from Madrid to Amsterdam since they had a pretty good price.

Mine's a big date model but one concern though is the quality and look of the black strap. Pretty forgettable. I've changed it to a Hirsch dark brown leather strap with minimal white stitching (too heavy a stitching just steals attention away from the classic design of the dial).

If you're considering about the price point and value, i must say it is top notch. The design is so iconic it's on display at the design museum in london and elsewhere. Nice to have a piece of history right there on your wrist.

Cheers!

HertogJanNL

· #31 · May 6, 2010

Cool that you mention this brand, my mother bought one in Switzerland last january. The design is based on the Swiss railway clocks and I find the design appealing, although it isnt something I personally like to wear. Prices seem reasonable too and they are available in many different sizes and configurations.

zippofan

· #32 · May 6, 2010

crayola said:
looks good Griff. any pics of the front face? link?

Whoops, sorry, I missed your post!
This is the watch with the Mondaine auto installed:

Cheers,
Griff

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Reactions: 1

SND195

· #33 · May 7, 2010

TicTocTach said:
Since they designed the station clocks and every station in CH has multiples installed, I guess they figured that market was spent. Making tiny version you could wear on your wrist was the next logical step... ;-)

Clair

Speaking of tiny, I found this on the bay...
http://search.ebay.com/230470201923

Outlawyer

· #34 · May 7, 2010

bluloo said:
I like Mondaine's offerings. :-!

They're simple and uncluttered, even the chronos.

I've got a quartzie on the way and would like to pick up an auto at some point in 2010.

YMMV, of course.

Ditto. Really like the lugs as on the automatic pictured above, and the bracelet looks nice too.

Richard E

· #35 · Jan 31, 2018

I purchased a Mondaine Railways Watch in Geneva, and after two and a half years it stopped working. The authorized repair dealer stated it needed a "major overhaul." The repair cost was 1/2 the price of the watch. I thought Mondaine was supposed to be a high quality watch, but it failed 6 months after the warranty expired. I work in an office so it didn't get any sort of heavy usage or wear. Mondaine didn't stand behind the product. Needless to say, I have a nice looking broken watch. Beyond disappointed in Mondaine. Thought they would recognize they sold a lemon. I have a friend who bought the same watch about 30 years ago and has never had a problem. That's what I thought I was buying... instead, my advice is don't buy a Mondaine. I have $6 watches that have lasted YEARS beyond the life of this watch.

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Smaug

· #36 · Jan 31, 2018

I had a quartz Mondaine, it was the big date model. Quality was very good.

A couple thoughts:

- Mine had a leather strap that was not stitched. It looked very clean, but came undone on the sides within only a few months of non-everyday wear.
- Mineral crystals
- With the "flying meatball" on the end of the seconds hand, it accentuates the 1 Hz quartz ticking
- Mine had a tiny movement and battery in that case, so battery life was only one year.
+ Unique dial.
+ Could be considered casual or formal, but is different from anything else out there. It's so legible it doesn't really need lume, except in pitch blackness

I'd get another one, but it would surely be mechanical. The clocks in the Swiss railway stations are running at 50 Hz for a smooth sweep, so this is important to having it look "real".

Alarm is a useful feature. If you're sure you wouldn't be bothered by the choppy seconds hand movement, go for that one.

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Stephen2020

· #37 · Dec 26, 2018

Has anyone got one of these Mondaines with the coloured straps? I like the idea but the computerised pictures don't help on deciding. Would like to see a real life photo.

Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Blue Product

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