Watches N+1...

I try to avoid complications

Seems pretty complicated way of showing the date in that picture;)

Sorry for possible hijack, but I thought it may interest a fair few on this thread.

I've bought a few Seiko automatics over the last 18 months, including Sarb 017, 033, and several Samurai's that I've been wearing for a over a year now. The 6R15 equipped watches seemed quite accurate at first but has dropped after a few months wearing in, looking at 30 seconds gain or loss over 3 days now. Conversely the 4R35 equipped Seiko's were quite inaccurate to start with, but with some wrist-time they've all become really accurate, to the point where they're two or three seconds out after 48 hours, whether on wrist or not. I have two Japan made and one Korean Samurai, and the K is the most accurate. Bang-on to the second after 4 days of wearing in the day and on the side at night.

Now, I know it's likely all of them are within spec, and I understand that this inaccuracy and inconsistency is the nature of autos, but I've looked at 'regulating', as I find accurate watches somehow satisfying.

You can pick up a 'value' timegrapher for around a ton and the mechanics of actually doing it don't bother me. But, I wondered if there are watch shops/Jewelers/watchmakers that offer this service for not stupid money. (ie £50 -100)?

I've had a bit of a look round on Google and nothing pops up, wither local or national.

Any of you guys any experience of such things?

Thanks for reading

TC

If anyone's interested in Hamiltons, Creation Watches seem to be offering a load at half price or thereabouts, plus a Fathers day 10% discount until Sunday night.

A few Seiko's on there also.

You can pick up a ‘value’ timegrapher for around a ton and the mechanics of actually doing it don’t bother me. But, I wondered if there are watch shops/Jewelers/watchmakers that offer this service for not stupid money. (ie £50 -100)?

I've got the paid for version of the 'clock tuner' app (android) I think it was only a couple of quid, but it's been more than adequate for a bit of DIY regulation, just pop the watch on the mic' and leave it for a bit to see what the deviation is (BPH/BPM/Hz).

Screen grab:

Just stuck an old Orient on it which appears to be 17s a day slow at present...

Topper, you might be better asking that question at LFGSS watches and horologybthread,mute a few knowledgeable cyclists there
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/143800/

you don't need a timegrapher to regulate, just patience. a shop will do it for a tenner.

its not unusual for a a new watch to be fast and to slow as the spring slackens slightly.

oh and there's a phone timegrapher app

I have a SARB017 and got it serviced and regulated at Debenhams in the autumn for £70. Their watch services are supposed to be good.

Seems pretty complicated way of showing the date in that picture;)

Not if you look at the time...
Regarding regulating a mechanical auto, I’ve done it with my SPORK, which is the 4R15 calibre (it was the first diver to use that movement). I just took the back off, and nudged the adjuster with a pin a very, very tiny amount. It had been losing something like 30 seconds a week, my goldsmith mate had a go, and made it worse, but the other way, so he told me to get a case-opening tool and have a go. First go was a bit of an improvement, but my second go had it losing something like five seconds a month! IIRC, during the period of the clocks changing, it lost thirty seconds.
That was five or six years ago, and it’s not quite as accurate now, because I don’t wear it all the time, but it’s still something around thirty seconds a month, which I think is acceptable.
It’s certainly a lot more accurate than my Casio G-Shock!

Bang-on to the second after 4 days of wearing in the day and on the side at night.

Not at all uncommon. You could try different positions overnight for your other watches see if one is an improvement over the others.

Get yourself a case opening tool, adjust watch, wear it, see how it goes, repeat. When you are happy get the seals redone (and tell them not to regulate it!) I've never found any watch regulated off wrist was all that good on wrist, not even certified chronometers.

I will warm you though, the Seiko adjuster is simple but finicky as all get out. You think you haven't really moved it but the watch runs 2 minutes fast. Takes patience but you'll get there.

Does anyone know where I can find a Seiko Pepsi SKZ009 with Jubilee strap BUT the newer calibre (MH35?) that has the hack?

Seems rare as hens teeth...

Thanks for all the very helpful replies folks. I've got all the tools so may have a go with the app. Cheers!

Been enjoying this thread, so thought I'd post a pic of my Omega. Bought new fifteen years ago, I used to wear it every day, but tend to wear my Suunto these days. Nice to wear at weekends though. I set an alarm for 10:10 this morning to take a picture at the obligatory watch photographing time:

That is bloody lovely CB, very nice watch.

I agree! Smart!

That’s very nice

Cheers folks. I used to subscribe to Time magazine, and from the hundreds of watch adverts I must have browsed through (lots of Breitling, Patek Phillipe, Rolex ect.), I fell in love with this one, so saved for ages until it was finally mine!

Thats a lovely looking watch with a great little back story to it also.

I will warm you though, the Seiko adjuster is simple but finicky as all get out. You think you haven’t really moved it but the watch runs 2 minutes fast. Takes patience but you’ll get there.

Ain’t that the truth! The amounts required are fractions of a millimetre.

Hello all - I have a question about my Seiko5 that I've had since December (Japanese movement 23jewel). The seconds are totally accurate but permanently 30s out, and I can't do that thing where you apply pressure to hold it. the obvious thing to do is leave it off for a few days and then restart it but would that make it less accurate ?

the minute hand loses a minute or so every month but I'm not bothered about this too much (or should I? should it lose that much ?) but it's interesting that the second hand is bob on but the minutes not

it’s interesting that the second hand is bob on but the minutes not

I don't think that's possible, they're physically connected. And you're doing very well indeed if a Seiko 5 is within a minute a month, Seiko's stated tolerance is something like plus or minus 20 seconds a day with that movement. In view of the comments from cromo and CZ above don't even think about touching the adjuster!

Agree with Johnners regarding accuracy. 1 minute lost a month on a mechanical Seiko movement is very good indeed. I wouldn't touch the adjuster if I had that level of accuracy.

To put into perspective:

If you average a month to 30 days, that's 2 seconds a day. That's well within COSC and bang on the upper limit of Rolex Superlative Chronometer spec.

That's probably the most accurate Seiko 5 in the world.

Is this the place to mention I really can’t stand looking at my omega seamaster (mechanical) sitting in the box unused for the last year or so. I can’t bring myself to go to one of those online shops to sell but if anyone is inter3sted then they are welcome to pm me. If this isn’t allowed then let me know and I will delete or edit straight away.

if anyone is inter3sted

I dunno, is it as accurate as edhornby's Seiko 5?

Bit of "Modern retro" geek chic for you, casio A168:

Absolutely love this thread.

I decided to treat myself to this longines heritage Diver

Fell in love with it when I saw it in the metal. Roll on Friday when I pick it up.

thanks all - someone from CERN is coming round to look at my Seiko to see if they can use it to calculate the speed of the new LHC 🙂

A bit super retro this, but maybe of interest to some.

Illinois Watch Co. from 1892. This was my great grandfather's watch. An irishman who emigrated to the US in the late 1800s, he was a big burly chap whose pub party piece was to lift an anvil above his head with one hand. Until he had a stroke. He then returned to Ireland to spawn my grandad, who spawned my dad, who spawned me.

It still works, and his initials are engraved on the front.

A lovely thing to have. I do have a picture of him somewhere, and a watch chain is hanging from his waistcoat. Of course I like to believe that this was the watch in his pocket.

that is lovely. its fab to wear an albert chain and watch for a big occasion

@Monkeychild - I like that Longines heritage diver, something a bit different.

My Yokobies Seiko 5 pictured above somewhere is currently running exactly 1’30” slow, after roughly a month. I’ll do a proper reset on the first of the month and see where it’s at on the 30th, just to make it easier to check.
Still, it’s a pretty cheap mechanical auto, that hasn’t been touched from new, so I reckon it’s pretty good.

Anyone wanting a tough waterproof might be interested in the new Omega diver. One recently spent two and a half days at the bottom of the deepest place on Earth, the Mariana Trench 10,928 metres!

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/omega-seamaster-planet-ocean-ultra-deep-professional

3 secs a day ..yes i'd be happy. i guess the test is hardest if the wearing/conditions/environment are changing lots but even if not, that's a decent accuracy

This Seiko Diver thing is annoyingly addictive.  I wanted a bracelet beater so wore my Samurai for two days before deciding it was too good to scratch, the Citizen was two shiny looking and I’m not using the Tag wedding present for that.

Not wanting to spend too much I decided I might buy a Pepsi Sea Urchin, but I’m sitting here with 5 Military on a NATO having second thoughts...  aaargh!

What a great story behind great grandads pocket watch!

I wanted a bracelet beater so wore my Samurai for two days before deciding it was too good to scratch

My daily watch is a Seiko SNK805K2 I bought 6 years ago for £43 and I think that's too good to scratch. I'd only be happy scratching a watch I didn't like, and why would I be wearing one of those?

Get them worn! What's the point in having them sat in a drawer where you can't use them?

Currently wearing a watch with an RRP close to my monthly wage (although I paid way less than that second hand) I just take it off when I'm going somewhere it could get damaged. Worn it every day like that for the few months I've had it.

My daily watch is a Seiko SNK805K2 I bought 6 years ago for £43 and I think that’s too good to scratch. I’d only be happy scratching a watch I didn’t like, and why would I be wearing one of those?

You should see the state of my TAG! That was a £250 watch new - they’re now starting to fetch upwards of £1000, even battered like mine is - I think there’s a photo somewhere earlier in this thread.
My Yokobies Seiko 5 was around $80, I think, possibly a bit more I can’t remember, but I’m wearing that every day to work at the moment, and I was wearing my SPORK to work, in fact I didn’t take it off at all for several months, that one cost me £350 NOS.
The only watch I don’t wear to work any more is my Yema, it’s now become too valuable to risk for everyday wear. I paid £50 for that one, but that one was never a common watch, even when new.
My point is, unless the watch is some fabulously pricey thing with jewels and suchlike, then it’s a tool, and should be worn regularly and used for what it’s intended for, telling the time.

God yeh, gotta wear your watches man. No such thing as 'too nice to wear' unless it's some priceless haute horlogerie piece but even then I'd argue it.

Watches age with you. Scratches and blemishes are part of it. My Explorer I posted a page or so back already has it's first scratch - hasn't came off my wrist since I bought it! It's part of the character it builds.

You can do things to minimise scratches (like turn your wrist inwards towards you as you go through doorways, etc) but ultimately the whole point is they experience life with you.

My point is, unless the watch is some fabulously pricey thing with jewels and suchlike, then it’s a tool, and should be worn regularly and used for what it’s intended for, telling the time.

Absolutely. If you're so worried about a watch that you don't wear it then it's not worth owning IMO, but equally just because something's cheap doesn't mean you treat it carelessly. I know some people are more collectors than users but that wouldn't be for me even if I had the budget for the high end stuff. I'm wearing the black Monster today, that's a gert lump that seems to be inviting knocks but 15+ years on it's still in pretty fair nick. Similar 7S26 movement to the £43 cheapy I mentioned above, which always seemed a bit tight TBH!

Just been looking back through this thread, can’t find any photos of my battered TAG, except with my other watches back near the beginning. This isn’t the best lit photo, but I couldn’t be bothered to go and get it out of the box I keep my watches in and take another, but it doesn’t look too bad for a watch bought around 1985...
Thing is, it’s been worn a lot, and received a real bashing, I’m not precious about it, never was, really. I used to wear it on my bike, the bracelet used to rattle and drive me nuts, so I put an MBUK nylon/Velcro strap on, then Animal straps, then NATO, back to the original steel one for a bit, now it’s got the Bond 007 NATO as in the photo, which I think suits it rather nicely.

I've just returned from the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, where the mere threat of a service seems to have made my best watch start keeping time again. Maybe it was just being in the shop that healed it.
It's a 1952 14ct gold Rolex and still good for daily use.
My other watch for rough stuff is a 2012 Timex Explorer in unflattering brown plastic.
I've never seen the sense in anything in between, unless you're getting a real enviable piece of horological art, just get the cheapest thing that keeps time and hasn't got cartoon characters on it.

Bugger, my 5 Military battery has run out - it’s done well a months shy of 7 years.    Is there a recommended online place to send it?

Bugger, my 5 Military battery has run out

I didn't even know there was a battery 5. Anyway, why not just do it yourself, it's usually pretty straightforward. Unless it's a diver and you really use it for diving that is.

Anyone got a recommendation for a silicone / rubber strap for a dive style watch? Don't really like the expanding onesas they're too chunky, thinking something slim and minimal but secure. I bought a Zuludiver one from ebay last week but it's waaaaay to thick and doesn't want to sit nice on my wrist.

I’ve just returned from the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, where the mere threat of a service seems to have made my best watch start keeping time again

@BigJohn, out of interest, which shop were you going to get a service done in?

Manna Jewellers, 16 Hockley St. Tatty looking shop but did some lovely work on a couple of rings needing re-sizing and they have a proper watch repairer who comes in. Very sensible prices.

Anyone got a recommendation for a silicone / rubber strap for a dive style watch?

Horrid things! If you think a ZULU is too thick, and doesn’t sit nice, you’ll really hate a silicon rubber strap. They’re very stiff, and, unlike NATO/ZULU straps, they can’t breath, so your wrist will get very sweaty, and dirt and sweat will collect underneath and it’ll smell. The one I had for a very short while made my wrist come out in a rash and the skin started to peel and itch.
They’re fine to wear over a wetsuit, but nasty to wear otherwise. The ZULU one I’ve got on my Yokobies Seiko 5 I posted a pic of a page or so back is no thicker than many leather straps, and thinner than many steel bracelets, NATO straps are usually thinner.
If you want a comfy nylon strap, you won’t find a good thin one better than this one - it’s the original military issue type strap used before NATO straps were introduced, and is the exact replica of the one Connery had on the Rolex he wore in the first Bond film.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00PSMIJKS/ref=pe_2340741_337602851_em_slvf_tm

I have silicone straps on a couple of watches. I buy mine from Barton watch straps on Amazon. You can go direct to them but they are US based. I got stung for import duty last time. I like their straps. They have two levels of silicone strap, a simple one tone plain strap, and a slightly more expensive patterned, two tone one.

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JDM - from London Seiko Boutique store. Tiny 38mm for tiny wrists, Titanium on a Perlon strap from Eulit. Very comfy and great lume. Seconds are spot on markers. Seiko SBDN017.

Thats lovely, but my ocd... 😥

I was timing a nap, hence bezel off 12 O'clock. Also date now correct!

Very nice indeed. I have a kinetic (BFK) which keeps excellent time, I've been tempted with a solar - I presume they're just as accurate?
If its not too rude, what price was that?

Seiko SBDN017.

Very nice Wally, like the strap on it too. I had the PADI SBDN035 version of this but it was a bit too small for me. I've got an SDDN013 now which is a 40mm case size which I prefer. The seconds lined up perfectly on the SBDN035 but annoyingly are off on the 013, I've chosen to ignore it as I like the rest of the watch so much 🙂

Horrid things! If you think a ZULU is too thick, and doesn’t sit nice, you’ll really hate a silicon rubber strap.

Yeah I like a NATO strap but not in water which I use this watch for quite a lot over Summer, swimming etc. I've ordered a rubber Zulu strap off a guy on ebay who makes them to length. I'll see what it's like when it arrives and report back.

I have the Diver One which is quartz but I have one hell of an itch for this auto:

[IMG] [/IMG]

I’m starting to toy with the idea of finding a cheap-ish Seiko SKX007, and modding it with Marine Master hands, a ceramic bezel insert with lume indices, and a stainless steel Tuna-type shroud. It’ll be a lot cheaper than a Marine Master Tuna, for certain!

finding a cheap-ish Seiko SKX007,

Theres your first problem right there. The prices seem to have jumped again. The rumour of them being discontinued and replaced by the mini turtle aren't going away so people are starting to think it might actually happen this time
I wanted one with the applied markers but they stopped making them. So isteted thinking about a PMMM (poor mans marine master). Dial from several applied marker models fit and yobokies etc do bezels etc.
I need to find an inexpensive skx first!

Can you 'add' a tuna shroud or is it part of the case?

Count zero, as I posted a few pages ago I was looking for a new beater and was originally looking for an skx009 - always wanted a Pepsi but something was holding me back.  But I was split on wanting a nice looking watch without a bracelet socially - which I already have (the Citizen) - then found myself drawn to the display case on the Seiko 5.   Sad as it may seem, having a Sea Urchin as well as a Samurai in named terms appealed also.  Literally two days ago I spotted this on a (Craig) Bond nato and knew it was the one for me:

£157 here, they have reduced price 007/009 also. https://www.citywatches.co.uk/product/seiko-5-sports-automatic-nato-strap-snzf17k1-nato1-mens-watch/

For me the nato and the display case is enough of a differentiator between this and my Samurai.

Actually I don't mind saying it was inspired by your pic of your Tag.

Just thought I'd remind you all how gorgeous the Save the Ocean is:

[IMG] [/IMG]

Nice, but I'm still fancying the grey dawn version. Expensive though!

@cromolyolly - this bloke makes them, there’s quite a lot to digest on his site:
https://www.thetigeruk.com/the-tst.html
@kryton57 - thank you, that’s kind of you to say so, and I must say your ‘5’ looks terrific! The face/hands combo works really well, nice looking watch. 😄
Oh, and regarding the ‘cheap-ish’ 007, I’m not averse to picking up a second-hand one, (see what I did there), but at the moment it’s an idea I’m toying with; who knows, I might get a lottery win and can buy the spring-wound Marine Master Tuna I’ve promised myself!

@kryton - that looks really good, face/hands combo is spot-on!

Can you ‘add’ a tuna shroud or is it part of the case?

The shroud fits around the case, and is held in place by small set-screws. There are clip-on plastic ones which give the look, especially as they’re black, and the MM Tuna shroud was Titanium, is now a super-hard ceramic, and is very dark in colour, but the plastic doesn’t fit so well.

My favourite G-Shock is now available in all metal.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Order placed. Delivery tomorrow.

Tonight will be like xmas eve.

Just picked up a used Seiko divers watch - Pepsi bezel, 200m - I think it’s a 7002
It’s got a bracelet but want to put a NATO on - anyone got any inspirational phots of a Seiko Pepsi on. NATO - maybe the Bond one?

Well, not pepsi but my Sea Urchin arrived....

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Since then I've changed the Nato so the buckle is under my wrist.  Its a bit smaller than the Prospex at 42mm but by 'heck is hell of a lot lighter.  Looks great IMO and will wear well with a bit of "patina"...

Stevemorg2 - google Seiko Pepsi Bond Nato and click on images, there's thousands

Krypton57 - you are of course right - why didn’t I think of that!

NATO – maybe the Bond one?

The genuine Bond one is what’s on my TAG in the photo at the top of this page. The grey and black ones are just a result of poor image quality just not showing actual colours, and the thin red bands just look like colour fringing. It was only looking at still frames from the BlueRay remaster that showed details of the Rolex Connery was wearing, which was actually Cubby Broccoli’s own watch, Rolex wouldn’t supply a watch for an unknown first film.

What’s really obvious is the strap doesn’t fit the watch properly, it’s far too narrow, and it’s not NATO, those weren’t issued until a couple of years or so later.

Wasn’t the original Bond “NATO” supposed to be regimental colours or did they make that up?   The assumed black/grey Bond NATO as on my watch was actually worn with an Omega by Daniel Craig in 2 of the recent films.

in other news and to celebrate paying off his mortgage a friend of mine has just brought the blue face Brietling SuperOcean Heritage 2 44.  My god it’s stunning, but I guess i should be for the price.

Update on my quest for a waterproof Nato style strap - I bought a rubber Zulu strap from https://www.yellowdogwatchstraps.com/
He makes the straps to length going on your wrist size and requirements. There are a few different styles but I went for a plain strap with low profile brushed rings. Delivered within a few days and the quality is excellent, the guy from yellowdog is really helpful.


I've been using it for about a week. For the first day or so it smelled a bit rubbery (natch!) but since then it's unnoticeable. It's very comfortable to wear, there's a bit of stretch in it that the nylon nato's don't have. It's obviously fully waterproof unlike the nylon's which although don't suffer damage take an age to dry and feel weird in the water. Other main benefit for me and for when I'm biking is it doesn't slip around as much, even if it's relatively loose. It's a little bit thicker, and a little bit hotter than a standard nylon nato but overall I think it makes for a much more versatile strap and an excellent 'tool watch' strap. I'd highly recommend them.

Quick question, do you guys insure your watches separately or on the house insurance. Watch value is £5.6k.

Cheers.

My Tag is itemised at its current model value on the house insurance, but my other watches are low range the next expensive being the Seiko Prospex, so they'd be covered but the generic cover.

house insurance. out of interest i tried to get a quote from a specific high value jewelry insurer which my now wife was using for her engagement ring....they don't touch watches, obviously onsidred them too high risk even though i could happily comply with all the same criteria as my wife and her ring, and the ring is far far FAR more expensive!

Just ordered a completely unnecessary Seiko from Japan, was toying with a diver but got a Magrette for that niche so went for something a bit subtle

That Kilo is a stunner. Which model is that?

Seiko Presage SARY107, about £390 excluding any duties and taxes. I haven’t got a dress type watch with a leather strap so it’s a nice addition to my pile of watches!

https://www.seiyajapan.com/products/seiko-automatic-presage-sary107-made-in-japan

Thats nice!

Yet - no thanks for posting the link, I see they have the Chronomaster that I want to save up for as a collectors item.  I really want to own the story of the unique Toshi paper dial and Samurai polishing method:

Yesterday I had a warm conversation with Mrs K regarding my new 5th watch vs her pile of 570 pairs of trainers, at least with this one there's a few years of saving to do!

I think your presage is a recipient of the same polishing method?

Quick question, do you guys insure your watches separately or on the house insurance. Watch value is £5.6k.

Cheers.

I have both my Omega and Rolex on our home contents. Was far far far cheaper than anything else I found. It seems bespoke 'jewelry insurance' is for £10k+ pieces before it makes any sense.

The real question is - do you insure at what you paid, current MSRP or current market price? All 3 can be different (and potentially much higher depending on watch).

oh cripes Kilo, thatis bl00dy gorgeous!