Stauer watch company any good words about them?

[Phantomfixer]

On the back of Aviation History ( oh no a magazine selling watches, I just answered my own question), Stauer advertises their watches. They have a great vintage look, that appeals to me. I am wondering if the cost of 99-149 is over priced and are worth only 30.00 or if their watches truely are worth cost.
Has anyone ever purchased a Stauer watch?
John

[St. Valentine]

Stauer seems to be one of the countless made-up brands coming from China. They may be tempting because of what you seem to get for the price, but I wouldnīt recommend buying one if you want to wear it for a longer time. Build quality isnīt up to par and no regular watchmaker will repair such a watch when itīs broken. After all, who wantīs to pay a repair charge of maybe $70/hour when the watch is only $149? I donīt say that chinese products are bad in general - quite the opposite, but I woulnīt buy a mechanical watch that nobody will repair in a few years time (if it lasts that long at all). The mechanical watch is the most complicated little machine we have and even buying the cheapest japanese, swiss or german watch is safer than those chinese wannabeīs.

As your Stauer is a present I would recommend wearing it and enjoying it as long as it lasts.

These are of course just my two cents, YMMV.

Frank

[Phantomfixer]

Frank,
Thank you for the input. This was my feeling, just wanted to check in to see if anyone had any real world experiance with them. They will be a pass....
BTW hope to be stopping in Germany for a short time this summer, then to Rome....Space available of course, courtesy of the USAF....
John

[St. Valentine]

Youīre welcome John! I had the opportunity to own and handle similar watches which were made by Sea Gull, a major chinese watch manufacturer.
I suppose you will visit the southern part of Germany, if the USAF pays for the ticket? If you should make it to Hamburg in the north let me know, I could show you some watches that are made here.

Frank

[Undertow]

I'd have to agree with Valentine.

These watches are often advertised in the creases of a number of magazines, including Archeology and National Geographic. It's the kind of thing run next to an advert for "Amazing Sapphire Haul Found In The Duke's Crates! They Could Be Yours!".

I wouldn't say they're bogus watches, but you may as well settle for a $30 Timex at Wal-Mart. And at least they take a lickin'.

[St. Valentine]

The main problems with these watches are material quality and that your local watchmaker canīt get any spare parts. A lot of customers are mislead by bogus brand names that suggest a german heritage too.

Frank

[Undertow]

The main problems with these watches are material quality and that your local watchmaker canīt get any spare parts. A lot of customers are mislead by bogus brand names that suggest a german heritage too.

Frank

Precisely. Same thing with the "Spirit of St. Louis" turntable pictured below.

Hey - I have one, the sound quality is sub-par but it plays all my old 33's and 45's. Although I won mine in a raffle, you can buy yours straight from the ads of these same magazines. Oh, but just try getting a new needle for one! Good luck. You'll get laughed out of your audio store.

[St. Valentine]

An LCD-display and black plastic buttons, surrounded by a brass panel! Ok, at least it plays your old vinyls...

Take a look at this, itīs a real Tourbillion (made in China) which a friend bought for a song. NOBODY will / can repair this when itīs defective!

[Undertow]

Haha, the panel is made to look like brass - but it's some cheap pot metal "brushed" with an "antique" finish. Still, you're right, plays the old vinyls well enough and that's all I need until I can get a proper players someday.

That is a great looking watch!