[Closed] Christmas watches - what did you get?

I bought my Steinhart off [url= http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/ ]Chronomaster[/url]. He also sells quality 2nd hand watches.

@darrimc30 - try timezone.com or rolexforums.com . Be careful

I inherited a Rolex similar to the GMT Master above from my father in law who had been a pilot all his life. According to what I read, it was the first Rolex "pilot's watch" and the result of collaboration between PanAm and Rolex to develop a watch to help with jet lag. The result was (ta daaa!!) the rotating bezel, so the pilot could keep track of the time in his own time zone. Seems laughable now!!

Anyway, I have been wearing the watch for a good few years but now it has started losing so much time that it really is just jewellery - and right how I can't find the 500 quid to stump up to get it serviced, which is a pity.

I got a Police "Cyber" watch which my wife chose for me. It's not somthing I'd have picked for myself but happy that she chose it. Bright orange strap but easy to read and does world time too - handy for working out time back home in UK. Only niggle is it's only water resistant to 3atm so need to remember what watch I have on when I'm out in the sea!

That's watch number 6 to the collection (Luminox Seal, Bell and Ross br1, G-shock Mudman 9000, Tissot Auto (my gramps retirement watch) and a Ti Sekonda). Birthday in a couple of months I've getting a Lum-Tec but not sure which yet.

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@drj, to be honest the gmt complication also adds a 24hr hand which rotates once per 24hrs. It is this, combined with the rotating bezel which allows easy tracking of second timezone. Not the most complicated of complications to be sure but rolex is known for their simple robust designs rather than elegant mechanics.

You should be able to find a good independent watchmaker who can service for a lot less than rolex. Rolex will change so much that it won't be the same watch and will cost quite a bit. What year is it from?

@jeffc - Do you trust an independent to do a proper job, have parts etc? tbh I don't know when it's from. My FiL bought it on a trip to Geneva and just wore it always, so it has some sentimental value as well as the other aspects. Yes - I forgot about the 24hr hand thing.

I wouldn't trust any old guy, with a particularly fragile dial and hands but any competent watchmaker can service an old rolex. What part of the country are you in? There's a list up on rolexforums I can check and see if you're near a recommended guy.

@jeffc- cheers, up Durham way - we mostly make do with coal-fired sundials.

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3 months old and keeping fantastic time - a Yobokies Seiko 5 mod. A tiny 37mm watch for tiny girl wrists. Like a few on here I like a bit of colour and simple dial.

Anyway, I have been wearing the watch for a good few years but now it has started losing so much time that it really is just jewellery - and right how I can't find the 500 quid to stump up to get it serviced, which is a pity.

DrJ

I recommend Duncan Potter at Genesis Watchmaking. He worked on both my Grandfathers 1950's Omega and 1930's Rolex for me and did a fantastic job. He is Rolex trained and independantly accredited.

[url= http://www.genesiswatchmaking.co.uk/ ]Genesis Watchmaking[/url]

Yes, looks like genesis is your best bet

Bought this for work
Bargain £ 93 including postage and packaging
through these guys. Don't worry if out of stock as they always re stock quickly.
[url= http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-divers-60/seiko-automatic-divers-23-jewels-100m-snzf17k1-snzf17k-snzf17-1464.html ]Creation Watches[/url]

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got this to go with the old one i got a few years back

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Why are all the Nixons that I see left handed? The bezel is always reversed and the winders are on the wrong sides?

michaelbowden and jeffc - thanks, guys!! Can't beat STW!!

2unfit2ride - there are plenty of smaller independent watchmakers who would service for a decent price in that it would last another 5+ yrs thereafter. Also loads of aftermarket bracelets for £20-£50 which wouldn't be omega but would be more than adequate in quality and appearance.

2unfit2ride, unless you're looking to sell your watch to a collector, I really can't see the point in replacing a strap or bracelet with an expensive original, when there are loads of quality straps around for a fraction of the price. I bought one of these http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-p20476h330s337-Watch-strap-Drayton-.html
for my '70s Yema, the original strap disappeared many years ago, and this one is lovely to wear, and the red stitching exactly matches red detailing on the watch dial. A good, cheap strap from the Watch Band Centre, and a service from a competent independent should see your watch give many more years service.

8O. At that copper coloured Nixon.

Wally, that is lovely. I quite fancy me one just like that.

What sort of money does yobokies charge? And how do you go about choosing a design? Does he have some kind of catalogue?

I've been given the ok to buy a rolex deep sea dweller in 2014
On the look out for one now 🙂

Harold (yobokies) has an annoying photopic site, but if you mail him what you fancy he lets you know what is in stock.
I have a similar 5 as the one above but with 45° date window and no orange. Think it was £80-90.

Mine was £130 due to sapphire glass. Which I think is worth it. You can trust Harold, but be prepared for short to the point emails. For a super cheap auto I was 10 seconds out for new year after 2 months....impressive.

Many thanks for the replies directed at me, I'm looking in to getting a new strap, but I can't find the right one at the moment, well not for less than about £300 anyway 🙁

michaelbowden, I will get back to you, but I want to keep the watch if I can.

Cheers.

Alpha1653 - you got your Elliot Brown? Happy with it?

Bump - in the hope Alpha sees it....

I also got the Elliot Brown at Christmas
[url= http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/prodpage.asp?type=sub&sub=ELBRWN ]Here[/url]
Sadly sold out of the 202-004 but it was in the sale @ £255.00 so well chuffed 😀 Not sure if any of the others would appeal to you.
But its a stunning watch in the flesh very pleased with it.

Noooooo - gutted! I'm on the verge of getting the 202-004.....

Putting links up like that isn't helping my will power

Blisterman - my Canford arrived this morning (pretty impressive considering the guys only started back at work yesterday after Christmas). Unfortunately, I was at work so missed the postie. Hopefully I'll be able to get it by Thursday. I'll report back when I've got it.

Go on...get one, you know you want to!!

Those Elliot Brown watches are amazing for the money - apparently still 200m water proof even if you leave the winder out!

My father passed away last year and I inherited his Rolex 18c Day Date. The watch was in really nice condition, but I'm sorry to say that I'm not a 'gold person'. It was a hard decision to make, but in the end I px'd it against the below. I now have a watch that would ordinarily be way beyond my reach, but one that still reminds me of my dad each and every day.

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Got hold of my Elliot Brown Canford today and I'm very happy with it. Ill let the pictures do the talking. I will say though that in the box was a hand written note addressed to me from Alex (who I had emailed with a few questions) saying that he hopes I like the watch...a simple but nice touch I thought.

Ver clear to read with lovely detailing on the face - it looks like an old vinyl record.
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With the original olive green NATO strap.
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Wants an Elliot Brown.

Alpha, that is a handsome timepiece! Thanks for the photos - I'm still struggling to commit - it would help if I could actually try one on.

@blister: cheers, I'm very happy with it. It's considerably heavier than my traser but it's hardly noticeable when on the wrist. I've not got particularly large wrists but it fits fine - large but unobtrusive if that makes sense. I think any larger and I'd be having issues!

for those on a budget Amazon have a few of these left for 68 quid

Seiko Men's 5 Automatic Watch SNZH53K1

Simple, unusual and quite understated
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That Citizen is a really nice looking watch, interesting take on the lugs, too. Tasty. 😀

I naively clicked on the Creation Watches link earlier in the thread, had a look around and a week later it's on my wrist
How did that happen?
😉

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Bluetooth G Shock. It is great when I am out riding as I can stash my phone in the Camelback and still see who is calling/texting/emailing without having to dig it out and ignore or respond as needed.

Citizen Ecozilla on Chronissimo. Tool watch par excellence

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Ooof - loddrik - that is pug ugly. Sorry but it is.

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Why do divers watches have leather straps?
I thought the salt water would destroy them. Or will it never see the murky depths?

They make waterproof leather straps.

[url= http://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/hirsch-mariner-waterproof-leather-watch-strap-brown ]Waterproof leather strap[/url]

However, anyone who uses an expensive watch for diving is pretty daft. There is very little reason to do so. An electronic diver timer is far better and a dive computer better still. If you want the back up by a G shock.

Chronissimo is a totally waterproof strap.

Where are the best places to look for used watches? Jeff C's Rolex and the purple Omega are very nice indeed

TZUK.

Thanks Loddrik, I will have to do 50 posts of 'nice watch' now to see the sales section lol

@deserter, depends what you're after. for a vintage rolex i recommend vintagerolexmarket.com . For others, yes TZUK but also rolexforums.com . also have a look at watchdealseeker.com. main thing is to have an idea of what you want and a budget. then do lots of research on what to look out for etc. then find a trusted seller, do your due diligence and jump in.

I will have a good look around, I've always wanted a Tag Monaco since I was a youngster so I will probably look for one of those as the new ones I've seen were too flashy

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Here's mine, I love it.

I'm between sizes on the band though, anyone know where you can get replacement Citizen straps?

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Happy 40th to me...in May. Patience has never been my strong point

MM

I got the elliot Brown Canford for xmas off the missus, was really chuffed with it and their customer service after a few emails back and forth so i finally spent my xmas money. I know it's the end of March and its not an xmas watch but it counts if bought with xmas money right?

I found a shop locally yeasterday that had the Bloxworth in stock so I nipped out to have a look and came away with this.

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I fancied the same watch but with the leather strap but really didnt like the clasp on them.

Lots of BaselWorld stuff on the Internet. Big news is Tudor are coming back to the U.K. Some people sneer at them as a poor mans rolex but I really like them and they are 'affordable'

[img] https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OqwZfByhphkm1Dgl5j7BdzKGfqwBPfwV7fINMh0Ja-0=w155-h207-p-no [/img]
Just thought you watch fans might like a look at a little gem i picked up on ebay about 10yrs ago.
Wittnauer Futurama from the seventies.

Twin4ll. Thanks for sharing that one. An automatic jump hour. Cool. Is it in full working order?

Yes Derek, keeps excellent time.