Watches N+1...

Well NWD for me and courtesy of my sales and thinning the collection, a Black Friday special bought me a dress watch:

It looks good here but I can’t describe how good it looks IRL, what an amazing dial, the strap isn’t as bad as the reviews would have you believe IMO and despite the 4r35 it’s very light.

I was going a bit more upmarket but beggars can’t be choosers and this adds nicely to the Seiko part of my collection as is, which I’m very happy with now:

Nice that. I quite fancy a Negroni Cocktail time. Should add a search on ebay really.  

Yes,  if I wanted a dresser watch an AT would be high on the list

I sent the brown Alpinist back after some reflection. No faults as such other than an unexciting watch face.

I bought a Seiko SARG011 and a Seiko Grand Quartz today as compensation. Two different watches.

Pics when they arrive next week.

Over priced trinket that represents everything wrong with high end watches.

What I’ve always thought about Rolex, tbh. Never seen the appeal, or had the slightest desire to ever own one.

Now, a Marine Master 300 SBDX001 is something that I’ve been keen on for some considerable time, and I’m due to start receiving a bunch of pension payments over the next couple of months, so my small watch collection might get an addition…

It would certainly cost me a hell of a lot less than a Rolex, too.

Speaking of Rolex my mate who is a bit of a Rolex fan boy bought one of those Rolex Bubble watches a month or two back, purely coz he loves it, not for investment, they're now going for about £20-£25K, bonkers.

Said I would post some photos with the rubber strap 

Is this the green/not green one?

That’s the one

I like that, I think it rivals the white dial in that its better than the blue & black because t forces you stare and ask more questions of it.

Nice watch indeed.

Photo issue or do you have small wrists?

Bit of both probably 18cm

my other SMP is a mid size 

I've not seen the green in person but from photos I find it a slightly odd colour. 

CountZ, does it have to be the 001?  The 017 is good,  or the sla039j1 is quite special too.

I like that, I think it rivals the white dial in that its better than the blue & black because t forces you stare and ask more questions of it.

I think you have too much time on your hands (literally), I stare at my watch and think "shit I'm late" and question where the time has gone

I’ve not seen the green in person but from photos I find it a slightly odd colour. 

I looked at one in a shop and decided it was very much the "wrong green" for my taste. It almost seemed to be an olive or even military green from some angles.

Yes. Drab olive describes it well. Nothing like the more vibrant colour of a Kermit, Hulk or Starbucks. Much more under the radar.

@neilnevill - just had a look at the sla039j1, and it’s a Prospex, and way out of my budget; I’d certainly consider a SBDX017, it’s identical, just a later edition AFAIK. I’m not interested in a quartz movement, I just prefer mechanical movements, but with an MM300 there’s battery replacement to consider, when the movement has to be removed after the crystal taken out, to get at the battery because it’s a monobloc case.

In any case, it’s entirely down to how much money I can reasonably afford to spend once all my pensions have paid up, and I can start looking around the various second-hand (badoom, tish) market places. 😁

We’ll see, I’ve liked the look of the MM300 for ages, particularly because of the design of the handset, I really don’t like hands with arrowheads, it’s an aesthetic thing with me, and also the MM300 gets a higher standard of case finishing, zaratsu(?), along with what is effectively a Grand Seiko calibre, which is appealing as well.

Seiko have recently issued a new so-called Marine Master, but it’s a different beast, not as well specced, and really overpriced for the quality of movement and finish - sadly Seiko are moving that way across most of their watches.

lol @ RNP.

Re Seiko, I found a video about this the other day.  Apparently it’s a deliberate ploy to move from, and let the Chinese occupy the bottom of the market whilst still offering the 5.   There’s a new £2500 chrono just been launched which has been compared to Tudor levels of quality, so it looks as thought they want to go for the King Seiko & Grand Seiko type bunfight again, elevating themselves in the main away from the low market sapphire divers that are aplenty these days.

They’ve issues to fix for sure, it’ll be interesting to see if Seiko can achieve that historic comparison again.

I’ve a question, are birth watches really a thing or just another excuse to buy a watch in the eye of the beholder?

I’ve found a rather lovely item from my birth year which breaks the rules a bit - the one where watches are a hobby and shouldn’t be forcing you to reduce your savings account - and am wondering whether to “just do it” or not.  We are talking circa £1k here so I won’t be troubling the mortgage, but it’s still significant.

I can keep a bit of an eye out on tz-uk if you like Count,  the various mm300 models are all popular and come up on sales Corner.   I mentioned those two as they both popped up and neither sold only a few weeks ago, both at surprising prices. The sla was offered at about half retail iirc.

I am not sure,  but the zaratsu may only be on the snrs, the others are well finished though.

Kryton
Depends whether you think it'll have any meaning to you I guess, plus a balance of historical interest.
Owner of a birth year Constellation and i love it as it's unlike anything modern

This beauty turned up this morning.

[img] [/img]

A gold capped diamond dust face 1977 Seiko Grand Quartz.

@richpips Is that a cock and balls at the bottom of the dial? 😳

@boblo

A symbol that signifies a single quartz movement.

Some later models had twin quartz movements - a symbol with two cocks and three balls.

That comment doesn't age though,  always worth making. 

Well I'm back in the Seiko stable or will be when my new Pepsi arrives from Japan. Only down side is the metal strap.

That grand ∆∆∆ up there is a thing of elegance

There's a lot more to this birth year watch than meets the eye. I spotted a Seamaster deluxe in a pawn shop dated as my birth year. When I bought it there was a lot of excellent provenance and interesting history with it , I loved it from the moment I saw it.  However when I took it for a service the date of manufacture was actually two years previous to its recorded sale date , I don't love it any less in fact probably more as it had travelled a fair distance to be purchased in an exotic location in the first place and travelled vicariously back to the UK with it's proud owner.

I loved the look (and sound), of a Bellmatic and wanted one. Watched on eBay for a while to get an idea on price then found one that was made the month I was born.

Needed some tlc but it makes me smile most days when it goes off in work.

It was a fortuitous coincidence, nothing more.

[img] [/img]

Kryton
Depends whether you think it’ll have any meaning to you I guess

Having thought about it, not really.  I found a serviced vintage Omega but there’s plenty available and I’d be buying it just becuase it’s a birth year watch, and for no other reason.

it’s probably be better to spend more time learning about the period and finding something out of the ordinary that pulls at the heart strings.

@Saccades

I'd never heard of a Seiko Bellmatic before so googled it, for anyone else who doesn't know about them this is a nice informative clip.

That is really cool!

That reminds me... the CW Bel Canto I ordered in Dec 2022 is due next month!

Is that a cock and balls at the bottom of the dial?

🤣

I can keep a bit of an eye out on tz-uk if you like Count,  the various mm300 models are all popular and come up on sales Corner.   I mentioned those two as they both popped up and neither sold only a few weeks ago, both at surprising prices. The sla was offered at about half retail iirc.

I am not sure,  but the zaratsu may only be on the snrs, the others are well finished though.

That’s very kind of you, and I may take you up on it, but not just now, thanks. I’m in the process of sorting out and consolidating a bunch of pensions, and I really need to know what I can afford to spend on another watch.

Especially as I’ve taken up archery, my club membership is £145/year, and all my kit, including the bow has cost me roughly £1000 so far, although there aren’t any more significant expenses other than membership to think about now.
Unless the latest small upgrade shows a previously unrecognised level of talent that has me taking part in national competitions. Which I consider to be about as likely as a EuroMillions win next week. 🤷🏼

This turned up today a Seiko Sarg011

[img] [/img]

So it was that I’ve long regretted selling my Seiko SNDA57 chrono which is used as a beater.   Thinking of re-buying it, a few pics on here - I can’t remember who else has one - and a recent review led me to Baltany, almost the same watch but with sapphire and actually cheaper.  So an impulse buy happens and this arrived today:

It’s a bit odd, you put it on and it just kinda silently blends in without fanfare, but it’s 100m, sapphire and has stunning lume so I may keep it as a beater and flog one of the G’s.  🤷‍♂️<br /><br />

I have two Baltanys and exactly the same Presage as you Kryt!

Ah Derek yes it was you with the Baltany's!

I wore the Presage to last nights Xmas party, it drew some admirable comments. But - for me at least - its definitely a watch of a dress moment rather than everyday.

Right, I've spent half of my funds gained from selling others, its time to stop - again 😀

I replaced the patent strap with a Hirsch Kent in deep blue. It looks bloody lovely.

The Baltany watches represent really good VFM.

Cheers RNP, it's a lovely little watch and the happy sound is ace.

I think I’ve found my favourite holiday watch;

On leather for evenings.

On rubber for playtime.

Nice that Nobster.

I think I've said it on here before but 12hr bezels are massively underused, should be way more popular than they are

I sold a couple of watches this weekend and by coincidence, this Baltic turned up on ebay.

I've been after one since the launch and it was a toss-up between this, the brown or the cream face model.

[img] [/img]

You may remember me asking about an alternative to the summery white rubber strap for my Seiko chronograph a few weeks ago. Well I went for a Barton race leather strap. I'm already a fan of these have a couple of brown ones but I think it rather suits. 

It certainly does suit it. Nice.

Just back my my round-the-world trip, with my Oris and Reverso. Now over to England with my Exp1 and this new little number. Green strap is to match my new kayak (when it arrives).

Not as esteemed as some watches in here but my Nixon 51-30 Tide is back from repair and with a nice new leather strap fitted. 

New Seiko 5 Gmt / field watch due for release in January could be a purchase (I like Seiko and watches with numerals!)

https://www.seikowatches.com/uk-en/products/5sports/ssk023

£410, GMT/Alpinist hybrid and no Sapphire. I’m out.

On another note the Zulu Diver Seasalter nylon/cordura strap I have for the CW is irritating my inner wrist, and I can’t find any obvious protrusions or frayed bits - any suggestions for softening it?

New Seiko 5 Gmt / field watch due for release in January

I like it, bit spendy for a 5 though. Seiko still determined to reposition themselves pn price, a couple of years ago £410 would have put you well into the Presage/Prospex ranges.

Hmm, presage maybe but only just into prospex.   I agree it's a big increase for a 5 though. 

Seikos problem is too big a spread of watches (since they do 5 it makes some think credor and gs aren't high quality), a lack of qc on mid range stuff (prospex) and a lack of regulation before shipping out the factory on.... everything. 

I like it, a mini Explorer 2!  But you're right it's pretty spendy for a 5 and not far off King Turtle money

@Richpips, yonks ago you posted a black white Amazon special I think, very chunky and minimal, could you share a link? Think it was sub £50 and wanted something to tool watch wise

Dear watch-lovers of singletrack, you may be able to help just as brilliantly as you do with bike-related issues!? I had a Seiko Automatic since 1996, went through many straps, and the occasional adjustment when it started going a little fast or slow, but the last adjustment at a decent watch repair shop ended in a terminal failure of the mechanism:

No reason not to trust the guy, seemed like a decent shop, but he said he cannot repair it or get parts after it gave up while lying on that shaking platform for a few days. Hence my question: Do you happen to know whether I can buy a mechanism that slots nicely into the empty space of the watch's body, whether it be an automatic or battery operated one I don't mind.

Thanks in advance

Sven

That's an SKX171 which came with a 7s26 movement, that movement has been superceded by the 4R36 which will also give you hacking and handwinding. It's a like for like swap and will set you back £50.

No one ever services a 7S26 because it's cheaper to fit a new movement. If you want to go really cheap, a NH36 is the same as the 4R36 without the Seiko branding.

I've just had my dad's Skx031 given a new nh36 to replace the ~20 yo 7s26.

There are millions of Seiko movements & parts, I'm surprised the horologer didn't know tbh. If you were in Ireland I could give you a NOS 7S26b.

Thank you, @Saccades, that's a fantastic piece of information, great!

I'll go ahead ordering a 4R36 or nh36 and will give it a go... if I can lace my own wheels, I hope that is not too hard?!

And yes, maybe the horologer wasn't all that clued up on Seiko watches after all, he only told me that the movement was discontinued (which seems correct, but no mention of a successor), at least he didn't charge me for his failed attempts at repair.

Thanks again

Sven

That’s an SKX171 which came with a 7s26 movement, that movement has been superceded by the 4R36 which will also give you hacking and handwinding. It’s a like for like swap and will set you back £50.

Post of the year for me on this thread. Brilliant! 👍

Oh and nice to hear from Sven when he's not busy on ISIHAC... 🙃

So I stuck the Baltany on the same £10 Heavy duty ballistic Nato I bought for the Arnie, this time in olive:

i cant post a wrist roll vid so apologies for the set of many large pics.   Thoroughly recommended the NATO, different colours available: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heavy-Olive-Green-Nylon-Buckle/dp/B082P6N9F1/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=264AATPHJLRJJ&keywords=talk+time+nato+4+ring&qid=1702559848&sprefix=talk+time+nato+4+ring%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1

Saccades
Free Member
That’s an SKX171 which came with a 7s26 movement, that movement has been superceded by the 4R36 which will also give you hacking and handwinding. It’s a like for like swap and will set you back £50.

You need to fit a new crown as well. It's a one piece crown and stem on the SKX and the 4R uses a different stem, so either buy an aftermarket SKX crown for £15 and use the 4R stem, or buy a one piece crown and stem from the SARB059 which usually costs around £35.

@scratch DM me your address and I'll pop it in the post to you, I don't wear it.

That's amazingly generous RP, will DM you know, thank you.

@Fudd, good call, can sometimes get away using the stem in the replacement movement if you can remove the old stem.

Wild fire watches on AliExpress is a reliable cheap source of movements.

Oh and nice to hear from Sven when he’s not busy on ISIHAC…

You know the current thread They're not the same

Well, it turns out there are more than 2 Svens! I am NOT the one from ISIHAC, but the reindeer from Frozen!

Post of the year for me on this thread. Brilliant!

I agree, I hadn't even hoped to get such a good answer, thanks also to @Fudd for the advice on the crown and stem.

Sven (the reindeer)

So, question du jour for the cognoscenti... What's the collective view on this cheaper Seiko? I know it's a bit Daytona/Chronomaster Sport alike but that's the sort of thing I go for. Anything so long as it's stainless steel... £500 of your post Brexit GBP's so a bargainish?
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/N0MdvxQS/Screenshot-20231215-104510-Chrome.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/N0MdvxQS/Screenshot-20231215-104510-Chrome.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Can anybody recommend a supplier of a non-OEM leather deployment strap for my Omega Seamaster 120M? And some decent springbars - both 20 mm.

Looking to spend about £60.

TiA

What’s the collective view on this cheaper Seiko?

It's basically the same as the one I posted above but a slightly larger case size, and a much nicer hand set.  I'd actually like to get hold of a set of those to change mine out. Looks like that one has decent lume too, mine only has little pips at 12, 3, 6 and 9.

Nicely made, the bezel markings are sharp, case finish nice and the bracelet is all solid and good quality, (even though I choose top mainly wear it on straps). Personally I'd be looking for a secondhand one on eBay to save a few quid, but that's a me thing, not the watch. The date is recessed too far into the dial to be of any real use, really that and the lume, (which isn't a problem on the big one) are the only minor moans and niggles, as Jody would say.

personally I’d be looking for a secondhand one on eBay to save a few quid,

Or consider the highly rated Orient sapphire & solar version.....

@Kryton57 thanks for the link for that NATO strap, got one on the way for a new watch.

Has anyone got a steer on good quality 25mm straps? Preferably leather, uniform thickness, not tapered.

Kryton57
Full Member
personally I’d be looking for a secondhand one on eBay to save a few quid,

Or consider the highly rated Orient sapphire & solar version…..

Sorry, that Orient is a 'yuk' from me. Too fussy for my tastes. 👍

That new Seiko 5 is very handsome.

Not sure about the "pentagonal" GMT hand though.

Or consider the highly rated Orient sapphire & solar version…..

Not my cup of tea. Dive watch or chronograph, make your mind up! And hollow end links are a bit cheese-paring on a £300 quartz.

@derek_starship

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TunsLeather?ref=l2-about-shopname&section_id=36598377

@Sven have sent you a message about the 7S26B I'm not using.

what is everyone's grail watch ?

what is everyone’s grail watch ?

I'm always torn between two:

Nixon x Metallica 51-30 'Master of Puppets'

Or the Nixon x Metallica 51-30 Tide 'Sanitarium'

what is everyone’s grail watch ?<br />

I don’t really have one, I have a bit of a mental note of things I like the look of, and if I can afford it, I buy it.  I’m currently Panerai curious and a PAM00112 is calling…

what is everyone’s grail watch ?<br /><br />

Don’t really have one anymore. I always wanted a Rolex when I was young and got one at an important time of my life and I value it above all my other watches even if it is not the most expensive watch I’ve got.  It has sentimental value to me and I’ve had it +30 years now so I find I have to force myself to wear one of my other watches I’m so attached to it. Realistically I could never buy another watch and be happy enough (obviously I won’t do that!).<br /><br />

what is everyone’s grail watch ?

I would say Rolex Daytona purely from the motorsport connections

I'd like a white dial, 38mm Omega Aquaterra, but they're nearly 6 grand now! I'll maybe look for a second hand one in a few years. 

Black Breightling Navitimer with white subdials.   Aiming to  achieve that on my 60th.  <br /><br />that’d be the end for me…..  honest!