georgeszaslavsky
1580
I wil agree with you on some points
Rolex introduced the cal 3135 back then in 1988 which is now a golden standard among watchmakers and in watchmaking in general. This movement kicked to the curb all of its competitors whether it came to robustness, durability, accuracy and service intervals. Fact that the 3135 is still in production today means something. Same with the Rolex 4030 a highly modified version of the El Primero modified by Rolex which had no date, a bigger balance wheel with microstella screws and other chronograph start/reset mechanism modifications. AP was never a real manufacture back then and their main movement was based on the jlc 920 but they also used some lemania ebauches for their tourbillons and other complications as well as the infamous piguet 1185 in their royal oak chronograph.The only brand that made true quality movements aside Rolex was Zenith with the introduction of the calibre Elite calibre 6 and the remanufacturing of the cal 5000K in 1994, plus the el primero was still manufactured back then.Forgot also JLC which introduced great watches back in these years like the master control 1000 hours back in 1992 (Amanico must have one of these), follow by the master reveil in 1993 , master geographique in 1995 and the reverso shadow in 1994
Best regards
Georges
More posts:
Will the 1990s watches get 'rehabilitated' at some point?
As we age and time passes, it is often the case that we start asking ourselves what we have been thinking in decades past (fashion, music, watch wise...). And then, at some later point, with some retro tinted glasses, we rediscover some reasons why not al...
Don't think so at least not that soon
It was indeed strange decade in watch design Cheers D
Those you mentioned
Came after some of the best watches ever designed. Phidias has its uniqueness, but it's incomparable to the 222, for instance. There are many nice vintage watches made in 80s and 90s that are still underrated, but it depends whether those models are highl...
GP 8010 and VC Overseas 1st gen
Just to mention 2 watches with integrated bracelet. I've seen many names below, Daniel Roth is likely one the most underrated with his unique design. 80-90s have been decades with odd design, but there are many hidden gems. I like TV screen case, for inst...
Will you get a decent service for your DR these days, though?
Hidden gems are definitely out there
Magic 80's and 90's!!!
Love the era and personally I find this Phidias very attractive....thanks for sharing!!
OK - finally someone who believes in the era :)
So you feel there is a renaissance due?
Prefer the upper one...
Although both are an example of things gone right in the decade
So do I.
Only bought the bimetal on impulse when I saw it for sale while the all steel was away a long, long time for a service.
That I can fully understand :)
Always a dangerous situation for me when taking watches in for a service. Often I return with more than I left
So a propos, I have been thinking about 1990s horology for some time
We must be on a mind meld. 😉 I think if we take a retrospective look at the era of the 90s in another decade or more, its significance will be more obvious. It was the decade of upward transition, the brands came out of the crisis & had survived through t...
Very interesting points, Joepny!
Sure, there have been pieces in the 90s that never fell in terms of acceptance - like the ones you mentioned. Looking forward to your post on decollage!
I do not know. The AP and the VC are pretty rare today, while the Neptune is sometimes seen. I doubt that in the next future they will reach success, since older models seem to interest people much more.
Nowadays and in the next future too the vintage market the "hot" one goes till the end of the seventies in my opinion. However in 20 they could have a second life, just like many models that time ago were underrated and today are discussed and widely purc...
Thanks for your analysis, PP5170G!
Wondering how long this process might take, though
No doubt they are well made watches however, the designs were kind of boring to me
Models from the big three that stay tend to have very good design from the very beginning. Just my two cents. Baxter
I suppose you may be right...
But were let's say the 222, the RO or the Nautilus flying off the shelves throughout their lives, or did they also have 'slow' periods?
the most iconic watches are from the 40's/50's/60's/70's/early80's except for Rolex and Patek for which some models are always rising in value most of 90's watches are not holding value well
As I said before very few brands hold their value like Rolex and Patek. See now what costs a Comex sea dweller or submariner or even a Patrizzi A series 16520 dayto. Also problem the mid 80'sand 90's were the years when ETA movements were massively used a...
Interesting point you are making, Georges...
So basically you don't believe there will be a recovery?
No there won't be, I will give you some examples
Are the TAG S/El, 6000 and 2000 series considered as high grade or qualities watches? No, they have a basic eta movement with nothing exceptional in terms of quality, fit and finish. Same comment with the 1984/2008 chronomat, sure it is a classic but it u...
I think we should not confuse 'entry level quality' with 'entry level market position'
ETA made and makes fantastic movement for the money. Chronometric excellence, outstanding reliability, altogether true workhorse qualities, at very competitive and accessible prices. I always found that this is an engineering feat that is all too often ov...
Their movements in the past, were never as highly regarded as Rolex and Omega inhouse movements which are the two only brands having the biggest number of
officially certified chronometers since their foundation. Chronometric excellence hardly, an ETA 2824 or a 2892 must be serviced every five years and its doesn't have a reed regulator like the older 55x-56-75x Omega family of calibers or a triovis regulat...
I hope so, but then again I don't hope so
If my Quartz Omega Constellation steel/gold watch will be accepted again would be a good thing someway...on the other hand it could be the worst thing that could happen!!! So let's say: NO
No, because there won't be parts for these orphans
Speaking as one who's owned a bundle of them and still has a few. The styles are quirky, the engineering wasn't as good as today (or Rolex, or AP). Sorry, I don't think so.
That's an interesting additional facet...
Were efficiencies higher in the 90s already, so few spares lying around, when compared to previous decades? Or will repairs simply cost disproportionately much compared to the value of the pieces?
I wil agree with you on some points
Rolex introduced the cal 3135 back then in 1988 which is now a golden standard among watchmakers and in watchmaking in general. This movement kicked to the curb all of its competitors whether it came to robustness, durability, accuracy and service interva...
The 90s weren't all crazy bad.
- Audemars Piguet Star Wheel - Daniel Roth's Breguet designs - Gerald Genta designs - Ebel primero's Just some of my favourites
Some never fell out of favor...
Dufour (the Duality for instance ain't too shabby...) , Journe, Andersen, Prezuso to name but a few... The foundation of much of that can be seen today in the world of independants (i.e.. the very best of watch making creation) was laid down in the 90's. ...
