I like Alpinists, esp the green faced ones, but I don't like the rotating chapter ring - seems pointless.
Didn't know they did them without that feature.
Green Alpinist, no rotating anything (apart from the hands and crown obviously) - https://www.seikowatches.com/global-en/products/prospex/spb245j1
I have one, it’s lovely. Kind of a dress watch for me. Available in the normal myriad of Seiko variations. Note that there are two lug designs and a numbers / indicators for the watch face.
If there was one niggle, my leather strap one is excellent excepting the quality of the leather is a little plasticy. I assume there’s a good dose of PU coating on it. But that will be changed at some point anyway.
I like Alpinists, esp the green faced ones, but I don’t like the rotating chapter ring – seems pointless.
I've got a SARB017, the green one with the compass bezel - you're quite right, it's a pretty pointless complication but I still like the look. I'm not keen on the second crown that goes with it though, it spoils the lines of the case somewhat, I prefer the case of the newer model. Glad to hear they're continuing with the plasticky strap, it's traditional!
I went into the Swatch store on Oxford Street on Friday and was told in a very sickly and rehearsed way, “oh sorry, sir, we sold out of them this morning,” which I strongly suspect is what they say to _everyone_. They couldn’t tell me when they were next going to get any, but “it should be soon” and they don’t get regular deliveries of them, I just need to keep going back and checking.
I don’t know how much of any of that is true,
I was in Edinburgh on Saturday (Van Gogh Live = awesome) and popped into the Swatch store. The above is almost word-for-word what I was told too: they're getting deliveries of stock most weeks but not always on the same day, can be first thing or later in the day, and they don't know how many or which 'mission' version(s) they'll be getting. Sounded like a BS response to me: I don't believe they don't have clearly tracked info for stock control purposes, obviously they do but aren't sharing that info with the public to avoid a riot etc I guess.
Anyway, I liked the look of them in person. Strap a bit meh but overall I still want one, but I'm too far from the store to just pop in and out to check.
Shit photo, gorgeous watch.
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Pressie for the missus.
Love the dials on those Seiko cocktails!
I have the Presage on an MC's strap, black patent, blue stitching and with the gorgeous ice blue face.
I'm currently hunting down an original cocktail time for myself, it would bug me having the presage version I think.
Although tempted to mod by gold coating the rotor and fitting the cupcake crown to it.
30th birthday coming up, time for a treat.
Always fancied an Explorer I but not enough to jump through the hoops (whether contrived or genuine) to get hold of a new one... When I was considering it a few years ago I ended up buying a North Flag instead (only to watch the value of the Explorer jump by 40% in the same time).
I like the look of a Black Bay 36 (possibly with a silver dial) and it has lovely OP style case - has anyone got one and does it wear as well as it looks online? Would probably buy this for work, slightly dressier occiasions and keep the NF for everything else.
Other option is to trade the North Flag in for an unworn 2015 Explorer that's available nearby and keep the one watch only collection policy.
That looks nice. It sounds like you want an explorer and nobody knows what will happen with Rolex availability, no one. So can't help on the choices, but the Tudor is an appealing watch
So er.... would something like BB58 appreciate over time? I'm thinking of an alternative and wearable investment...
i had a black Black Bay but 41mm and on leather. It was very nice but flipped it for something else as I regretted not getting the bracelet A great watch. Go for it
So er…. would something like BB58 appreciate over time? I’m thinking of an alternative and wearable investment…
Not really. Tudors don’t seem to gain any ground other than the odd discontinued model that doesn’t depreciate too badly. The North Flag seems to be OK and Ranger Heritage for eg. The BB chronograph seems to make a bit of money for the flippers but because they’re currently unobtainable officially.
Bb58 is a very popular watch and too a large degree it's pre owned value is tied to it's new RRP. If RRP increases then used values also. However they are not going to increase above that unless discontinued and they achieve cult status like a Tudor submariner
Another crap picture, gorgeous watch.
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Paid a bit of a premium, but I got to see it before buying and it cames with an additional Barton strap so I'm happy.
Gotta say, that Tudor above is a lovely looking thing, a nice compromise between a dress watch and a field/tool watch.
Anyone here built a watch from bits? Not one of those DIY kits, things bought from eBay, AliExpress, Cousins, etc.
A recent wedding in the Highlands had me thinking that my never-removed Fenix 5 isn't perhaps the best watch for fancy occasions so I'm thinking about building a nice elegant dress watch. Yes I could just buy something and be done with it but where's the fun in that?
Anyone here built a watch from bits? Not one of those DIY kits, things bought from eBay, AliExpress, Cousins, etc.
Yes. Generally built around Seiko movements as they are the most common, but others are available.
It's not particularly difficult as long as you have the correct tools (crystal press, case back remover, hand press) and you ensure parts comparability with the movement.
It’s not particularly difficult as long as you have the correct tools
This I like to hear. Would something like this be up to the job? - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08YDV72RR
Are there any particularly useful resources online, best youtuber, etc.?
I'd like something reasonably 'high quality' so looking at a Sellita SW200 elabore movement rather than the £30 Chinese hand-wound things and then I guess searching for compatible cases, dials, etc. from there.
Yup, that would do the job. The only thing I wouldn't scrimp on is the crystal press (I did and had to buy twice!).
From memory Otto Frei is a go to place for Sellita compatible cases and bits n' bobs.
TheFlyingOx - I bought a replacement bracelet for my 1962 Rolex from raffles dials so that I could retire my stretching original, the quality is really good and they are easy to deal with. You can build a replica vintage watch with their bits but they also do unbranded cases etc. They will makes sure all of the bits you buy will fit together and work with movement that you decide on.
@TheFlyingFox, I've made a couple of watches, with 6498 movements. Hardest part was getting the crown stem the correct length with a screw-down crown.
I saw an AP RO chrono in the flesh last night in Versailles. Wasn't impressed tbh, to look at from a metre or so. I didn't handle it.
Thanks all! There seems to be no question STW's combined masses can't answer. Have we thought about clubbing together to figure out this fusion energy lark?
Cheap kits are okay but the quality of some of the tools is poor. I have a similar one and the screwdrivers are junk, so I have spent money on Bergeon ones which aren't going to round off at the first sight of a screw
Agreed. The quality of metallic parts in some kits is dreadful. Think Wensleydale cheese. Worth spending a bit more as you'll probably get bitten and build more in future.
TheFlyingOx, if you do look into it please keep posting. Something I'd love to do sometime and I'd be interested to read in how you get on.
Same here. Often thought it would be quite good fun, but no idea where to start
Will do YoKaiser. Was very tempted by a Rolex Day Date replica from that rafflesdials website but then thought Rolex might be too obvious. And if it's going to be a fake then may as well be a top tier fake. It's been a quiet day at work so I've spent an hour or two looking round various far flung webshops, the end result of which is I'll be building an homage to the PP Nautilus 5711 with blue dial. I'm not home until beginning of June but I'll definitely post pics of my progress.
Edit - will start a new thread rather than polluting this one with my horological charlatanry.
I modded my Seiko SKX007, but I got the crystal and bezel changed by shops in town (long story). I changed the movement myself (4R35? movement bought from Amazon) and I wish I had bought hand pushers. I had read that a pencil eraser tip did the job but it was fiddly af. This guy "Lume Shot" on YouTube is a really good resource.
‘Fake watches are for fake people’
https://www.fratellowatches.com/fake-watches-are-for-fake-people
I just don’t see the point. Fake watches. Or more the more dubious term trying to make it seem acceptable ‘replicas’.
FWIW. None of mine are ‘replicas’ from the Patek down to my Casio’s.
Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better
To be fair, if you can afford a Patek it’s unlikely your other watches are fake.
I’ve a handful of good watches, not paid more than £5k (includes a Rolex and a Panerai), but I probably understand fakes more so than homages (especially Panerai homages).
But then I also realise how lucky we are to be in a position that allows us to buy these watches.
SSS - you’re last comment. Really not sure that’s a just comment, quite offensive to be honest. Having money makes you no better than someone who has to buy fake. Just had to delete my mini rant (trying to understand if SSS is trolling?)
"...someone who has to buy fake." No one has to buy a fake. Buy what you can afford, be happy with it, and don't support criminals' finances.
@w00dster i feel quite strongly about Fakes (Replicas/Homages - insert your suitably 'socially' acceptable term here).
If you can afford a real CW/Tissot/Omega/Rolex (pick watch Manufacture here). Be happy and content that it is real, and not a knock off.
Fakes and discussion thereof cheapens the quality and integrity of this thread.....
I cant get angry about fake watches. Would much rather a Promaster than a fake Rolex myself but each to their own!
i feel quite strongly about Fakes (Replicas/Homages – insert your suitably ‘socially’ acceptable term here).
There’s a distinct difference between a fake and an homage. I’ve got two Heimdallr’s, both based on Seiko watches, both with Seiko movements, but neither are trying to be fake Seikos, the dials carries Heimdallr logos, and the casebacks are Heimdallr designs. One is based on one of the Tuna Seikos, only it’s been further modified by having the style of hands and face from the MarineMaster 300, the other is based on a modified SKX007, with a MM300 face and hands.
There’s a whole subculture based on modding the SKX007, with different faces, hands and bezel inserts styled after other watches.
There are also plenty of quality makes of watch with faces and hands and bezel inserts based on various Rolex dive watches - are those fakes?
A fake is exactly that, it’s deliberately pretending to be an expensive original, down to markings, etc, and sold as such.
My Heimdallr ’Tuna’ - there’s no Seiko that looks exactly like it, it’s not trying to be a fake, it’s a Heimdallr homage to a particular style of Seiko, nothing more.
In an attempt to get I have no useful contribution to make that I can see coming as one of the longest standing threads, hardly off page one, teeters on the edge of a mass slanging match..... Certina. Talk to me about certina. I saw a photo of a ds powermatic 80 diver today and...wowsers it caught my attention.
Fake watches are for fake people...
Chill out mate. I'm just seeing what it's like, how easy/enjoyable it might be to build a watch. I'm not funding some cross-continent people-smuggling/drug mule operation. It's unlikely it'll ever see light of day, because I'll either enjoy the process and use the movement in something more suitable (because who really wears a £100k+ grail watch as a daily beater) or I'll hate the process and never finish it. Look at it this way: amateur artists when they're starting out - do you think they just paint empty plantpots or bowls of cereal? Or do they maybe try their hand at replicating one of the Old Masters like the students in Ateliers of old used to?
Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better.
Now that's just embarrassing. This is STW, not TikTok.
In the case of RafflesDials they really came to my rescue. As an owner of a sixty year old watch with a rivet bracelet that was stretching and would eventually fail.
The watch was given to me by my Grandad in 1989, I want it to look good and live on.
A replacement rivet Rolex bracelet would cost £500 plus and be in no better condition than my own. I doubt if Rolex has made a compatible bracelet for about thirty years.
These old oyster watches look a bit rubbish on a leather strap.
I was able to but a replica bracelet with the correct end pieces and markings for peanuts and to be honest I don't think my watch ever looked so good. If you go looking for a 60's-80's Rolex I would say 80% have a reproduction bracelet.
The whole homage/fake etc always throws up a lot of debate.
When it comes to watch building and modding, some (like me) just do it to create a one off watch to their own taste.
I posted this one ages ago which was built by myself from scratch using entirely aftermarket parts.
To be honest, I get more enjoyment out of wearing "my" watches than I do from wearing my branded premium watches as I decided what I wanted them to look like, and I took the time to put them together with my own hands. The modded watches or ones I built myself also receive more comments than the likes of my Seamaster, because they are different. Live and let live and all that. I'd agree that straight out fakes are a bad thing mind.
Currently after a Sinn 556a although now seems like a terrible time to be spending over a grand on a luxury purchase.
SSS comes across as a snooty bugger. I wouldn't go for a pint with him and his £35k watch.
That ^^ looks lovely Futureboy.
Certina. Talk to me about certina. I saw a photo of a ds powermatic 80 diver today and…wowsers it caught my attention
I like those as well, and for reasons that follow was considering putting one on a NATO.
So I’m in a place now where I know a 40/42mm watch is the perfect size for me, with the exception of the Arnie which wears very well. This is putting doubt over two of my watches - the Tissot Supersport which is massive and the G-Steel. I can cope with the latter becuase that’s kinda how G shocks are supposed to be.
With an end of May work bonus coming - which is why I asked the Black Bay question a page of so back - I’m considering selling the Tissot an moving to something smaller on a NATO/not bracelet. I’d like it to be reputable but not tumbling in value, maybe Certina maybe a Longines Hydroquest or a green sunburst Oris Aquis.
I thought of putting a NATO on my Hamilton Field King but it looks a bit too “dress watch” on black leather and I think I’d like to keep it that way.
That is very nice indeed Futureboy77. Where would I find for similar decent quality watch dials? Leaving aside the fake/not-fake debate it seems as though most places, certainly the Chinese sites, either sell either poor quality knock-offs or poor quality blank dials. That one you've shown looks to be neither.
@TheFlyingOx that one came from One Second Closer over in Poland although they don't have much in the way of choice and are limited to Seiko.
Dagaz also do well finished dials for Seiko, but it looks like they are giving up mod parts and concentrating on complete watches.
Otto Frei are apparently good quality for Sellita movements but are unbranded.