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One of the Seiko watches I’m looking at has -+17sec swing per day and that’s on a 600qiud watch.( Automatic)
They're never as bad as the specs. My Mini Turtle with a 4S movements has been -7 this week. I've lost the records for my other ones with a a change of phone, but they were a all within 10 seconds.
@drj a lot of us here have used and recommend Calibre in Dundee. I had my Sub serviced there last year and the process was A1. I'm in Cambs and everything was easy peasy by post.
As above. I’ve measured of mine - 1 x 6r and 1 x 4r calibre to similar tolerances.
im falling for my Siekos again, after wearing the King Sam all week & the Arnie is my weekend watch. I’ve discovered why I like big and / or heavier watches - I have virtually no “knuckle” bone so everything ends up at the end of my forearm rather than the end of my hand if that makes senses - the bigger watch’s cover the gap in my wrist to look more normally situated.
still can’t abide the orange 5kx though 🙁
Edit – I see they arrange that.
They do and it's painless.
… and fully insured.
Wow look at that!
They are absolutely beautiful!
Better photos would be good when you get the chance…..
@boblo can you give an idea of the cost of your service by calibre ? I appreciate it will vary depending on the work required, I wasn't happy with the last one when the watch fell off my wrist the first time I wore it as they'd not attached the bracelet properly
@sprootlet I'm assuming your watch wasn't serviced at Calibre when it fell to bits?
My last full service at Calibre was a bit less than £500 including fully insured Special Delivery each way. Back within a week IIRC and Steven fully photographed the process to satisfy my curiosity. Rolex in Mayfair wanted double that and a month IIRC. I had it serviced by Rolex previously and it was £600 probably ~15 years ago.
My 2006 Aquaracer chrono was £330 at Calibre during ‘21 lockdown, fully insured back and forth and hadn’t been serviced since I bought it.
Phew!
I opened my watch case and was worried to see a blank display on my Certina Chronolympic (ca. 1977).
The chances of finding a replacement module for this are low to zero so if a new battery didn't revive it, it was toast.
I rummaged through my bits and bobs bin and wahey, I found a new Renata 390.
I couldn't get the back off quickly enough! So, battery in place and back secured I nervously turned it over to see the result. LIFE - the display was working and the watch ready to set. Many sighs of relief.
It's in lovely condition considering it's 47 years old.
Re: Calibre
My Sub ND needs a service...15 years old and has had a hard life....its running quite fast now.
Is there any issue about future Rolex servicing (having had third party servicing) should they be used in the future...?
Thanks for the interest. I had the pocket watches serviced at Steven Hale by Bond street tube station. Not cheap, but they are quite valuable both sentimentally and monetarily. They are both gold repeaters
the golden coloured half hunter is a minute repeater by Audemars London, it has lovely blued hands and an inscribed back plate.
the silver coloured one doesn’t have a makers mark that I can see. it is a quarter repeater and has my grandfather’s initials on the front (as he signed them) and his name in Chinese on the back (he lived in China from the 20s to the 50s).
Got an email from Steinhart about this new model. I know it's a Sub copy but I really like it.
No it's not, it's a sprite, a, version of the gmt. Which does I admit look very very much like the sub. I don't think they share the same case oddly, I may be wrong but I think there are teenie tiny differences.
I was looking at that also the other day, but I have a thing against homages; I don’t want the “oh you have a…. Ah no, it isn’t”, and also I know it isn’t “real” despite being a perfectly adequate watch. I want the real one.
Add to that I’m at a brick wall with my collection, I have everything I need, and anything I’d want to upgrade to is serious money, serious enough to have to cull the collection and need some serious saving to get to. I keep looking at the £300-£600 range and thinking, “nah, it adds nothing other than just another watch to give me a daily indecision derived headache”.
Two days ago I got offered the grey graduated King Sumo for half price. A while back I would have just bought it, but now it adds nothing really. I keep looking at the latest half metal Solar Casioak, but why? Equally the 63mas at 2/3 price - a significant upgrade theoretically to my King Sam & Slim turtle/Willard, but other than the GMT hand and the case shape I’m not getting anything else for my £1000 (except less watches).
Im in a weird space, sorry for the monologue mind dump.
I’d rather admire those pocket watches ^^^ and pieces like the Jacob & Co Astronomia Revolution seen here from 19 mins, let it play until you see the animation of the full watch build, holy crap that’s a thing…
If they made a Jacob & Co Astronomia Revolution pocket watch… well I’d look at it at and think it was a very nice thing.
Spotted on EBay this morning - definitely a ‘statement’ watch to wear on special occasions link
There's also this, hahaha!
Anyone recommend me a nice 18mm leather deployment to dress up my new/old Seiko? This one has decent reviews and the price feels enough to be reasonable quality without being mad expensive seeing as I'd not really use it that often.
Booooo
My Helm Vanuatu has broken (but it's still going).
At work today I noticed my watch was rattling, thought a pin had come loose and the bracelet was about to fall apart. Nope. All pins firm but giving the watch a little shake-wind and I can hear what I assume if the auto winding counter weight slopping around inside. Just emailed Matt at Helm as I thought it was a 2 year warranty, but alas not, only 1 year. Hopefully a swift resolution with minimal cost to moi. Annoying though.
My Helm Vanuatu has broken
They give such an air of indestructibility but inside - there's just a Seiko!
NH35 usually quite a solid movement. Not had issue with any one of my other autos. I've got a 6309 from the 80s still ticking
Will see what Helm say.
NH35 usually quite a solid movement. Not had issue with any one of my other autos. I’ve got a 6309 from the 80s still ticking
Sure, don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing Seikos for a minute. I've a few of them and maybe half a dozen various micros and Ali specials with Seiko power on board, my oldest being a 7005-8042 from the seventies that was my dad's. Timekeeping on my SKX779 is getting a bit wayward but the rest are running fine.
It's just Helms look and feel like they're a solid steel billet ( or Ti in my case).
I need some advice. I’ve not found a watch I’d be interested in buying recently and so happy with the collection, I don’t have a twitching wallet. Despite that, after settling the mortgage I have spousal permission to “buy myself something”. You may remember I had an interest to add a GMT to the collection.
So, I’ve negotiated 15% off this Seiko Craftmanship series GMT, a new piece launched recently. My question is, it is worth the price* and the remove of a 5kx and Blue/Ice dial cocktail time - it the “hand made” & Urushi all a bit marketing bollocks or the chance to own something slightly special?
I very much don’t want “just another Seiko” and actually wanted to reduce the number of auto’s in my collection. On the flip side I have located a birth year Omega Geneve auto day/date for £1k, serviced and vgc.
*edit I don’t mean to diminish the expertise & time shown in the video should that actually be applied to the piece I’d buy, but have this “just a Seiko” phrase in my head which is holding me back.
I’ve not found a watch I’d be interested in buying recently...
Stick the budget in a 'pot' and keep it until you find something. Don't just blow it for the sake of buying 'something', you'll only loose money on flipping when you find that next must have.
There you go, that's my sensible head talking.
Every time I look at a 'nice' GMT, a dress one or whatever it should be called, I realise that the only watch I actually like and want and is realistically attainable for me is a Farer Lander IV. Which I see is getting some upgrades lately too.
But then it's still a lot of money for me and I have an Apple Watch Ultra that I'd still wear 99% of the time probably, so I still don't buy it.
Anyway, that Seiko GMT looks lovely and I don't know if it's much better under the hood, but I still think the Lander looks nicer for a similar price (little bit cheaper I guess).
@tthew you are right, my heart isn’t in it.
@milko9000 i had my eye on the Farer Foxe Workdtimer for ages, both lovely watches. I’m pretty sure I don’t want another Seiko.
The case is fine (also ti on ti engineer strap). I think darn near indestructible. Just the movement that's chucked a wobbly.
Anyway, just had an email from Matt who says warranty is 12 months but he's happy to extend it if I send the watch in for repair.
Hope the process doesn't take too long.
I’m paralysed by indecision on a luxury watch. I know I’m the kind of person that will lust after something specific for years then the instant I have it I’ll debate whether I really wanted it or if something else would have been a better fit.
I would probably be better off buying second hand so I could sell if I wanted to change without taking much of a hit, but it doesn’t feel as special for a first luxury watch.
@airvent, I bought my first luxury watch second hand back in about 2002. I had the same dilemma as you.
I now wouldn’t buy shop price. I tend to buy one new luxury watch a year, always used or heavily discounted.
It’s entirely your decision, but I really wouldn’t let the fact that it’s used put you off. My simple logic is that I’m letting someone else pay the brand tax and I get it at the correct value…..(I know even then I’m paying brand tax, but I’ve never lost money on my purchases so it works for me)
What is it that you have your eye on?
Of course I don’t ride a £100 Argos bike because it patently wouldn’t perform as well as one that costs 10x the price. 😉
And a $10 divers watch isn't going to perform as well as a $1000 dive watch, is it? But it'll tell the time until you're 50m under the water, probs when you kind of need it working, not filling with water heheh
I see your point. But I disagree.
@w00dster thanks for the thoughts. I’ve had my eye on a Black Bay 58 for a few years now, albeit off and on. The fact there are so many variations also intimidates me!
A good choice Airvent. I have a BB58, I did actually pay full price for that a few years ago when they were a bit more difficult to buy. One of the chaps from this thread had been offered it from his local AD, he in turn let me know it was available and I went down to Eastbourne to collect it. Obviously I’m biased, but I prefer the original version. I’d definitely be happy buying one second hand.
Nice. I think I’d buy with the bracelet but probably spend most of the time wearing it with a leather band which seems to compliment it well considering it’s a dive style watch.
If you’re going in the water with it surely a Rubber strap is better? If the Pelagos was quick release it’d be a slam dunk for me as it comes with both but you need a spring bar tool to change them. Or go nato, in my case with the extra bits trimmed off, this (for monochromatic colour reference as per the Pelagos) being my weekend watch for some time now:
If I was buying a posh beater now I’d be with you, Tudors seem to be at the “ not too expensive yet luxury” watch level in the main. I’d also consider longine and Tags new Aquaracer though. Having said that, the Slim Turtle above was £660 for a pretty much and arguably comparable spec to a steel pelagos* albeit I wouldn’t wear the turtle to office, defo the Tudor on a bracelet though.
* depends how well your 6r runs 🙂
I’m struck with two luxury beaters on the YouTube circuit currently; Adrian Barkers battered nato shod Explorer two and Andrej’s (brave beaters) mono Pelagos on a dark gray canvas strap.
I've got a BB58. I'd wanted one for ages and then when I got it I stuck it in a drawer and hardly ever wear it. I wear a Certina DS Podium every day and never take it off for showering, swimming etc. Keeps good time and looks good. Plus, it's less bulky and lighter than the Tudor. I think I might sell the Tudor if anyone's interested.
I’ve got the Pelagos FXD MN which has become my daily, it’s a proper tool watch and I don’t mind using it as so, I’ve got much cheaper watches that I baby, the Pely however, I don’t much care if it picks up knocks and bangs. I wear it most of the time on natos, but trimmed to be through pass.
I was within striking distance of a light dial Explorer 2 at Goldsmiths yesterday. I was trying it on, in a back to back with the Explorer 40 and no date Sub that I’m on the waiting list for and I liked it much more than I should have. When the salesperson was hinting that there might be one in the safe. I said I’d take it if there was, she went off to sort it out but the Rolex manager veto’d it as I wasn’t on the list for that particular model. Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, but my savings live to fight another day!
I’ve got the Pelagos FXD MN which has become my daily, it’s a proper tool watch and I don’t mind using it as so, I’ve got much cheaper watches that I baby, the Pely however, I don’t much care if it picks up knocks and bangs. I wear it most of the time on natos, but trimmed to be through pass.
Im strongly considering a Seiko sell off for this MO, which is the slim turtle for me currently. Not the FXD, but a mono Pelagos 39 would be the 5th of my six watch keepers. I’d keep the Arnie for a grab and go beater.
What’s your wrist size BS? Mine 16.5cm, the Turtle up there is a 41 but wears smaller. I get away with big watches with mid-short lug length due to having virtually no “knuckle” on my wrist bone so my watches wear high on my wrist with a larger case shapes filling the awkward gap, hence why the Arnie, Samurai, SMP and Panerai aka 42-44 work for me despite a slender wrist.
I might have to go to the AD then and try the Pelagos, although paying all that for just a brand name to replace the same USP as the Turtle - mine also gets wet, sees shed time etc - seems a bit overbearing. As on previous pages though I always feel like “Seiko” somehow equates to “not reputable” but that probably just brand ego.
Edit, anyway looking to seeing air vents outcome.
What’s your wrist size BS?
more like 190cm (7.5”)
Thanks guys, I’m not quite ready to buy just yet though, I have a little more cash to save first so it’ll be mid next year I think.
It wont be getting babied, but equally no interest in a rubber strap as I’ve no interest wearing it in the water. That’s what the Garmin is for!
I have the white dialled Explorer II, got to admit back in 2001 when I bought it I loved the look of it, but now really not a fan. I don’t think they’ve aged particularly well. (Shockingly bad photo as I was on a booze cruise and that pic is from a very old camera phone)
A fairly plain black leather strap would set that Explorer off nicely.
Here’s the Adrian Barker look, a grey NATO:
I like that look. In a couple of more recent other watch reviews he’s mentioned it after it got smashed on a rock and the close ups -even of the repaired watch - show quite a bit of patina, with which makes it suite the nato even more IMHO.
BB58 here, wanted one since they came out, ticked every box except that it was a tad big (all my watches are 34/36) but figured I'd never really notice 3mm. And I didn't, until the BB54 came out. If I try one on, the 58 will have to go.
Stealth watch alert!
Would anybody like a Fenix5plus Sapphire and Titanium 47mm for £40? They are about £100 on ebay.
Cheap because the charging pins are worn on the back and you need to regularly clean them with a cotton bud and contact cleaner to get the watch to charge or sync, just found that a wipe every now and then solves the problem when it's finicky charging. Front bezel is Titanium, back is Stainless Steel. Battery is still very good and holds a multiday charge.
I am including a USB lead and right angled USBC to Garmin charge mount that does charge and sync with Garmin express, I have just done this with the same kit to check. Comes with an original Garmin strap.
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Message me for more pics or details.
So the Helm got sent back to get looked at. Helm extended the warranty. Cost $28 to ship it, then I added on insurance so nearly $50 to send just the watch back (no strap) so hopefully back in one piece, this side of Christmas!
I said seeing as they have been kind enough to extend the warranty for me, I'd cover shipping back to me, but they said no worries, they'll cover it.
nearly $50 to send just the watch back
It's unfortunate (and unusual) that it broke but that sounds like a bargain for a fix. You could have maybe got a repair locally but I don't think it'd have been cheaper than that and they'd probably just have swapped out the movement which would have been a fair bit pricier. I'm pretty sure Helm will pressure test it too so that'll be reassuring for those tricky 300m dives round the office.
I think Helm have behaved decently and done the right thing, no doubt. Tbh though the warranty should be at least 2 years in any case but all in all a result.
No comments re the launch of the Erebus GMT? It’s ok, but there are a gazillion and cheaper - you need to account for import tax - nh34 GMT’s out there. E.g. there’s some Sumo GMTs for sale for £350, San Martin UK have explorer 2 homages for £120 and Baltany for £200.
That Erebus looks like a Chinese Pelagos with a GMT hand. Not keen!
I had them as a Sinn rip-off with those hands. 🙂
They kinda fall into a why bother price range for me - not cheap enough to be a real beater, not good enough to be a best watch then add in not particularly stylish or inventive.
Yeah I can see that now too.
Also not sure if it’s just me but the photos on that web link are terrible quality, not great when your target market is watch geeks who will be looking closely at every little detail they can see.
Agree with Kilo’s summary, I’m on the list for a Farer World Timer now, I don’t see a reason to step off for an Erebus!
The preview photos are low res, if you click on them you get higher res.
I'm also not fussed about it and feel like it's slightly overpriced. In my head it's nothing better than a good Ali express watch which you can get loads cheaper. I may be wrong on that and I appreciate he can't compete on scale to with some of those companies but unfortunately that's who he's up against
im suprised they are so expensive given the owners MO of 'tight scotsman who wont spend a penny he dont need to'
This seems like the place to ask...
I have a Seiko 5 that is about 5 years old. It used to keep great time, only really noticing it had lost any time after maybe 5 days or so. Now I'm having to wind it forward a couple of minutes every day or so (I'll check more accurately soon).
If I got it serviced would it likely improve, how accurate is acceptable for an automatic? I know I could nearly get a new one for the price of a service, but that's not the point.
It looks like this
Accuracy should be -20 to +40 seconds a day for a Seiko 5. There's no real point in servicing a cheap watch, a new movement will be cheaper. If you send it away for a service that's what they'll do.
I think that's a SNK361K1 with a 7S26 caliber. You could upgrade it to a NH36, movements on ebayt are about £35.
I am no expert and there are some on here who really know their beans.
I should be marking the tests in front of me this Sat morning, but this is way more appealing right now...
Losing significant time suddenly is possibly a magnetism issue.
Try moving a good "Scouts" compass over watch, does it move around a bit?
If so, there are plenty of cheap devices (<£20) which solve the issue.
Couple of minutes a day is not good, unless you have a Rollie 32** in which case, get to the back of the queue.
Edit: Agree about the no point servicing, just not cost effective.
Erebus watches appear to be the sum of their parts. They've been designed by putting together "best bits" from other watches or to fix niggles from experience. They don't have a wow factor for me.
I'm not keen on the Erebus GMT but tbh any GMT leaves me cold. I don't want the function so I'm happier with the iteration without the superfluous hand.
I think the Ascent is quite a handsome piece though.
any love for Moon swatches?
any love for Moon swatches?
I think they've got their following but not my cup of tea, and regarded by many as just a cynical cash grab. Which seems to me an odd criticism of a purely optional purchase.
I bet there are plenty of obsessives out there with the full set by now, here's the place to own up!