Subscribe now and choose from over 30 free gifts worth up to £49 - Plus get £25 to spend in our shop
But if cared for with occasional cleaning and conditioning it will go on for ever.
But then I wouldn't need to buy a new one and where's the fun in that!?
Interesting debate. Of course I wouldn’t pick a leather strapped watch for diving into a pool with, but my particular case was of a beater with a not expensive strap. I might wear it, and if the strap deteriorates get another non expensive strap, but I’m struggling to see the cost /mental effort justification for a pick up and go beater. As I said, it could just be me though, and I do find the baltany strap nice to wear.
Aye, I'm more a metal and rubber fetishist than leather. I've an alligator jobbie on a Chronomat Evolution and it looks nice but I wouldn't want leather on something I wear a lot. I sweat for England and it wouldn't last 5 mins...
@relapsed_mandalorian I have a couple of nixon watches that need new glass…wondered where you were getting your nixon done?
@luckydog Just had a quote back from the Watch Lab, £100 for glass replacement, including a service and battery replacement. The other two were kind enough to reply and pointing out I didn't read their site closely, they only support certain brands.
Nixon quoted me £300, but thats because I think they were going to replace the whole watch.
I like that strap, classy and understated. 🤌
Hmm yes, its a bit more "smart casual" than the Nato. I guess this is the beauty of straps though, 5 mins effort an its on the Nato ready for more cumbersome use.
Still V impressed at these watches for the money.
Still V impressed at these watches for the money.
CWC styling for a fraction of the price, what's not to love? Got a good G10 issued watch vibe. Think I might have an old issue grey NATO strap somewhere.
@relapsed_mandalorian thanks - I'll contact them about mine...nixon still haven't replied
Here you go. Mine was the dark brown vintage calf leather one. It was 20mm with an 18mm buckle so the baltany signed buckle swapped over without fuss.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/belvederewatchstraps?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l2563
Well this turned up a few minutes ago. Is this the new STW economy Seamaster fetish? Oh, and it's actually not very big but makes my wrist look like a pipe cleaner (tho I normally wear a Fenix Pro which is huuuuge)...
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/59qvGHng/20240208-134247.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/59qvGHng/20240208-134247.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
No, because it won't be very accurate.
What size is it? Seiko only do two sizes of sports watch, massive and humongous.
Looks great though, I really like the orange
Really!? Seiko do thin sports watch skocker. Blimey. I'm poor on remembering the different seikos, it's it a baby marine master case? Looks about the right shape
it’s it a baby marine master case
IDK much about it. The specs say 12.5mm thick if that helps? I only bought it cos some twit (you know who you are 🙃) up there ^ posted a pic of one and I liked it. I still like it in the flesh which is the acid test pour moi 👍
Slightly random question, but does anyone own/has anyone owned a Bulova Accutron? I've got an apparently significant birthday coming up and I'm being asked for ideas for a pressie. I've got a vague idea of getting a watch from the year I was born, and a quick search throws up some Accutrons. Whilst I'm very much a handwound/automatic, not quartz, kinda guy, they're pretty cool as a concept, so I'm pondering...
@IHN - I had an Omega Constellation F300 Hz.
This has a tuning fork movement like the Bulova you mentioned.
I loved owning it as it was stunning and an interesting piece due to the movement.
The only problem is spares and repairs if things go wrong. There was one guy I used for this and he badly injured his hand of all things and couldn't work for ages. I'm not sure he returned to servicing them or if he fully recovered.
If you get one, don't put your arm under you pillow in bed as you will hear the tuning fork humming way!
Oh, I like that! 😍
I've got my dad's Accutron. It's a nice watch but servicing is a pain. Last repair I used this guy in the US https://mybob.net/ Repair was good but he did manage to send the wrong watch back - all sorted at his expense in the end
It goes "ding!"
I have also read about early quartz being steadily harder to get parts for.
There's great video review of the CW Bel Canto by Andrew Morgan of Watchfinder.
I have a couple of omega f300, skin diver and a Lobster, I’d post up,some pictures if I ever work out how to do it 🤷♂️
That Seiko of Boblo’s is a direct reference to the MarineMaster 300, quite possibly my favourite design of Seiko Diver. The original has a Monocoque case, so access to the movement is only through the crystal, which makes repairs and servicing a bit of an issue…
It’s got my favourite style of hands, and I like the ‘traffic light’ seconds hand - the orange on the bezel is a nice touch too. It’s also 200m water-resistant, so a proper diver, which the SKX series were, which is why they were so popular; a budget priced dive watch that encouraged the huge expansion in customisation my owners.
Speaking of which, this appeared on my radar the other day, and I thought it might appeal to a few here, there’s six variations, it retails for around $429, and unusually it’s compatible with SKX007 bezels, inserts and crystals, so some scope for customisation.
With the greatest respect to the individuals that’s two within several posts that really grate on me:
Andrew Morgan of Watchfinder
….has a very cliched voice-over voice IMO and Mark from Long Island watch often appears wearing two watches, has a hard to listen to “New Yoik” style voice and constantly promotes his own stuff.
Still, that’s my intolerant problem not theirs.
@boblo come on, hoes your 6r15 doing? Did you get lucky?
Errm well, Errm, shuffle etc. It's still in its box in the gear cupboard as I'm away ATM. I did mess about with it the other day and concluded I really don't like the fabric strap so thankfully it also comes with a silicone one so I'll try that.
Accuracy to follow but I'm not expecting great things. Spec says +15/-25 p/day IIRC (or mebbies the other way around) so a bit crap but hey ho.
Spec says +15/-25 p/day IIRC
I've always assumed this was an outcome created by the manufacturing process and only true if the watch/movement is untouched and left in the 'as delivered' condition.
I have a theory that a bit of moderation by a Watch Repairer would probably reduce that day-to-day gain/loss considerably.
Has anyone ever had one adjusted by a Watch Repairer or done it themselves?
Nightmare day today! Made an offer on a watch this weekend while on holiday. Was accepted and all good….
But I don’t really use eBay so my details were all out of date. Im moving into a new flat in early March so girlfriend says to use her address for delivery….
I put the wrong address in to the delivery on eBay , correct post code, but put Lane instead of Road. Everything else was correct but it’s now being returned back to sender. Tried ringing the PO DO where its been sent back to, just an automated message with no way of getting through to a human.
Let’s hope he gets it safely! I’ve offered to pay the postage again once he gets it back. Sinn 104 ST SA. Same as this one…
and unusually it’s compatible with SKX007 bezels, inserts and crystals, so some scope for customisation.
Speaking of which, and without plodding thru 200 plus pages of this thread, anyone done any modding of watches (presumably Seiko). Kinda want to have a play and find out how all the bits fit togther (not down to pulling movements apart though). Looking around I'm likely just to build a Seiko in my favourite colourways, but it looks a cool thing to try out for a relative (in watch world) money...
@count zero, strictly speaking SKX watches are not proper divers watches apart from a select few (like the skx007/009), the SKX031 for instance is not a proper diver. I'm not 100% on the naming thru the years but to know it meets iso spec it currently needs "divers 200m" written on it, or 300m or whatever depth.
As for modding there is a massive resource out there using non-seiko parts (everything from case to dials), which is way cheaper than OEM Seiko stuff, usually now the only Seiko biut you get is a NH movement.
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
Yes seiko can be regulated, they are finicky though or so I read.
Breatheeasy, there's a whole world of Seiko modding out there, if on Facebook join Seiko Mods, most build stuff using parts from Ali Express as it's very cheap but a bit of a flea market and parts compatibility can be problematic. For more expensive but highly rated sellers with kit that is all standardised, high quality and good after sales look at Namoki, Yobokies, Lucius Atelier, DLW, Crystal Times, Tokeilabs etc.
I've modded one SKX and built one watch from scratch using parts from Namoki and Yobokies and have another watch planned, happy modding.
Re. the Casio I bought a little while ago, I received the replacement hour-marker ring, which was pre-lumed, but not very well, and I got a Bergeon DiY luming kit from Cousins, via my goldsmith mate, and spent an interesting couple of hours mixing up some lume and applying it to the markers.
It’s a fairly simple, if fiddly process, you need to use the oiler pin to mix the stuff up, then pick up small amounts and apply to the markers, which isn’t like just brushing it on; (there are YouTube videos to show you how to do it). I’m starting to suffer from arthritis in my thumb joints, which is making such processes increasingly difficult, sadly, but once I had a decent amount of lume on the markers and let it set overnight, I opened up the watch, took the module out and swapped the marker ring over and put it all back together.
I’m rather pleased with the result…
😁
I’m not 100% on the naming thru the years but to know it meets iso spec it currently needs “divers 200m” written on it
Yes, exactly that - it’s why the 007 in particular was so popular, but any with “divers 200m” are properly ISO certified.
Yes seiko can be regulated, they are finicky though or so I read.
Yes, they can, and you’re not wrong! When I first got my SPORK, it was quite a bit out, so I asked my goldsmith mate if he could tweak it, because he’s used to opening up watches to replace batteries, so he had a go. It was just as far out, but in the other direction! When I asked him if he could do it again, he politely suggested I get a caseback tool and do it myself!
The margin for error on the adjuster is basically fractions of a millimetre, you need some good magnifying glasses, and a very fine pointed tool to nudge the adjuster, and ideally a watch-holder to hold the watch firmly while you poke the little lever. Then you close it up and keep an eye on how much it’s losing or gaining.
Then you do it again.
And again.
I think after my third attempt, I got it to about a minute a month fast, which I admit was more luck than anything else, and although it’s gone out of adjustment since, that’s over ten years or so, and I don’t wear it often enough now to worry about it.
Have fun!
I have also had a go at regulating a Seiko movement. If you can perceve, even through a Loupe that the lever had moved, you've gone way too far! I did mange to make it better using a phone app timegrapher though.
I'm thinking of getting one of these sensors that apparently work with a computer program as I'd not get the use out of a full timegrapher machine at £140. Has anyone tried this type?
So, on a recent trip to Canada, my wife offered to buy me an omega/swatch moonswatch.
I’d seen them advertised, i liked the look of them so we went to the swatch shop and had a look in the flesh Hard no from both of us, I’m doubtful I would even buy one at 90% off tbh.
we went to a different shop, had a look at some citizens and seikos, in particular a monster, which i liked, but felt a bit big on the wrist, so i ended up buying a 5.
it came on a nato strap, which is fine, but i had a spare leather one kicking around at home, so I’ve put it in that for the time being.
total cost was £283, from an official seiko retailer , and I’m very pleased with it.
Forgot to add the seemingly obligatory lume photo.
Lol, no, but I’ve only worn it for a few days 😂😂😂
Never mind the leather, what about the marooned Kit Kat? 🙃
I've an apology to make. Was it @countzero I sort of soft promised to keep an eye out for a marine master for? Well someone put an 001 on tz-uk sales Corner at £1500, I saw it and meant to message but got distracted by something.... family probably. By the time I remembered..... long sold. Soz.
The kitkat lasted about 20 mins on the couch before it was sunk
it’s a canadian kitkat, hence the different colour wrapper.
and it could be my imagination, but I’m pretty sure it tasted better than the uk version.
but I’m pretty sure it tasted better than the uk version.
Philistine...🙃
@neilnevill - no worries, I’d completely forgotten about it! At that price, though, I’d have snapped it up! If one appeared for around that price I’d certainly be interested.
Oddly enough, I’m really happy with the Casio, and with the additional lume making it highly visible at night plus its very light weight I’m wearing it all the time at the moment.
Of course, that will likely change, ‘cos I’ll often wear a particular watch for months or years, then swap to another one. If a MM300 should poke its head up at the right time, then it definitely would! 😁
Woodster - 👍👍
Love a Sinn!
Love a Sinn!
There is something very functional and workmanlike about them, I can see the attraction. I even quite like that photo with the clever,(?!) Lighting.
This may be a thread diversion but still is about n+1…
I prefer a wris****ch as it avoids checking my phone for the time. Only worn at weekends as can’t wear at work. About to go to Costa Rica and don’t want to wear a my existing analogue or polar watches, in case they go missing/can’t be arsed to charge when away.
Can anyone recommend a nice but cheap ‘disposable’ waterproof watch? Ideally analogue rather than heavy G-shock style as I have skinny wrists.
Thanks
A Baltany on a Nato, very much the watch du jour, look for the "in stock" ones as that means they are in the UK.
Get a Casio MRW-200, 3-hander analogue with day/date. Very lightweight and comfy with 100m water resistance. Yours for a penny under £20 from Argos.
Meets my definition of cheap and disposable better than paying £100+ for an automatic.
Love a 104 with arabics. Great choice!
Can anyone recommend a nice but cheap ‘disposable’ waterproof watch? Ideally analogue rather than heavy G-shock style as I have skinny wrists.
Fully lumed dial is fun, watch is sensibly sized.
The thread has even prompted me to wear mine today...
Meets my definition of cheap and disposable better than paying £100+ for an automatic.
Thats’s nice. Casio do some really good cheap beaters.
w00dster
Full Member
Lovely Sinn there!
£35 for this anadigital Casio:
It's solar too so no power worries. I bought mine for a holiday in France in 2017 and it's been faultless. And it's still the same price!
Baltany look nice but moving away from disposable (for me).
The simple Lorus above wins, looks idiot proof and I won't cry if I lose it (and doubt it will look tempting to others). Arriving tomo so will see.
Thanks all.
Next up will be Rolex Explorer vs Submariner - which is better for wearing to the pub (it may drizzle)?
Rolex Explorer vs Submariner
Buy both. It's the only correct answer... 🙃
Black faced sub/white faced Explorer.
NEXT!
Next up will be Rolex Explorer vs Submariner – which is better for wearing to the pub (it may drizzle)?
Explorer 1?
Depends on your wrist size; but I'd go Explorer - you want something that *you* know is worth checking out, but few other people do
What are the forums etc for selling watches in the UK? Oris has gone, three more to go...
New watch day again. Went to look at this late last year, was £1500, now discontinued and being sold for £750. Glad I waited.
As this was reduced so much managed to get one for the other half as well….also half the list price….not a great photo, looks a lot better in real life.
Nice, I like Longines, think they are underrated. Managed to snag a heritage skin diver last year for half price, been on my wrist every day since I got it.
This is a good looking watch. I love the dial colour.
It looks almost the same blue as the Tsuyosa
Curious bezel, a dive bezel divided like a GMT bezel? Why?
@futonrivercrossing: for diving in a different time zone? 😁
I know what you mean. I think it's a hybrid "light diver" / beater given it's WR rating.
Hey fellow watch nerds, question about after market deployant clasps. I've always had a preference for a deployant clasp on watch straps, and am looking for one now.
The strap's canvas, with holes, 18mm and about 3mm thick. I'm thinking of something like the Hirsch Sport single fold clasp ( https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/products/hirsch-sport-deployment-clasp-silver). I've also looked at Artem, but given the width and the fact it's not loopless, I don't think any of their offerings quite hit the mark.
So what's the best deployant you'd recommend? Budget up to £70 or so I'd say, and I'd prefer solid/ well made over cheap, given the choice.