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Been to the Rolex boutique in town and been told two years for a submariner date, still to talk about Explorer two yet.
But coming in much cheaper and caught my eye, have a look at Tudor Black Bay heritage - lovely.
Been looking at the Elliot Brown Canford watches and really like the styling, going to look at them and see how they look on my slim wrists before deciding. Is there anything else in that price range to consider?
I have the same watch (gunmetal grey case), given to me as a gift. It's a nice looking watch, just as well you have slim wrists though as the straps (leather and rubber ones anyway) are very short and didn't fit my wrist. I've got it on a Nato strap now. I probably wouldn't have bought one myself with it being a quartz and by a brand I have no history with, not really my thing, but can't complain about it. It seems a decent watch.
Omega are part of Swatch group, yes. Beyond the current ownership they are a brand with heritage. They are also a secure brand, and a brand on the up. They said, if your don't get excited by them then move on, a watch like that should be exciting!!
Tudor black bay come in numerous case size, 39mm and 42.... And some larger I think..43? Not sure. I'd say the recent trend for every larger peeked a couple of years ago....42 is big and bigger is uncomfortable for many wrists! It's personal though so if you like bigger well... Seamaster comes in 46mm
A good quartz will last many decades. It's perhaps not as long lived as a good mechanical.... But it'll last a lifetime.
At £350 there are lovely watches about from many places... Seiko for one but my usual answer is Steinhart. ETA movement in a quality German case... At £350 you must be close to peek vfm for a watch. (Cat shown the pigeons with that statement!)
At £350 there are lovely watches about from many places… Seiko for one
Yeah, for £350 I'd be searching "Seiko vintage" on eBay, setting the price band to £300 - £400, and seeing what beauties came up (in fact I just have, and I'm jealous I've not currently got £350 to spend on a watch, grr 🙂 )
I always wear my nato straps looked underneath, which I always think look neater.
Yeah, for £350 I’d be searching “Seiko vintage” on eBay, setting the price band to £300 – £400, and seeing what beauties came up
Would do this but I've got to purchase it from an actual shop off a list 🙁
Anyone have any experience of the Longines Legend Diver? I saw one today and like the look of it, if not the strap.
are they a division of swatch ?
Who isn’t, these days?
Sorry, slightly cynical, but Swatch do have a lot of brands under their banner.
Also – am I foolish thinking that a quartz watch will last a while i.e. decades rather than years?
I bought my TAG Series 1000 around 1985 - 34 years ago, give or take, it’s taken quite a beating over the years, had a new dial fitted roughly twenty - twenty-five years ago, after the locating pins detached. I can’t remember when the current battery was fitted, but it’s keeping excellent time, and I can see no reason why it shouldn’t keep going like it is for another 34 years.
Of course, as there are electronics involved, there’s always the possibility that components can break down, and manufacturers don’t keep spares forever.
A mechanical movement can be fixed by a good watchmaker, however, things like a mainspring can be replaced - my Yema, which is a fairy rare mechanical movement, and which is now around half a century old, has been repaired after its mainspring broke, and it had a service as well.
Cost a fair bit, but the watch is worth a lot more, so worth it.
Personally, if I was looking at buying a good watch that I wanted to keep for a good period of time, I’d be looking at an automatic mechanical, and Seiko are among the best for reasonably priced auto watches.
@stevet1 - £250-350 could get you a nice auto diver like this Seiko ‘Turtle’
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-Prospex-Turtle-Divers-Watch-SRP775K1/173726494010?hash=item2872e7ed3a:g:hSQAAOSwfTlcRIva
My Seiko SP045RK cost me £350, NOS; good examples are now fetching around £/$1000!
Fark now got suckered in to looking at those and fancy the "Save the Ocean" one-
https://www.seikowatches.com/global-en/products/prospex/srpc93k1
I prefer the Samurai case but like a rubber strap rather than a bracelet - what are my options? Will the retailer likely swap it FOC?
Just buy a rubber strap and fit it yourself - you can alternate straps that way.
Omega are a 'division' of Swatch in the same way Porchse are a division of Volkswagen.
That said, if you want a huge watch around £3k i'd be looking at Tudors. Lots of heritage in that brand and in the metal they are quite large.
Or some Bell&Ross models are also very large (up to 46mm!!). They offer divers around £3k as well as their 'BR' range which due to their square size wear very large. A friend has the 42mm BR-03 and it's massive.
https://www.bellross.com/our-collections#BR_03_42_MM
Here is a photo vs my 42mm speedy and his 42mm B&R
Also, how practical is a watch like the Seiko prospex for everyday use - in the office etc?
Not after anything really big but around 41, 42 as I have big wrists. Not really looked at bell and Ross , tried on a Tudor black bay today which I liked and an omega planet ocean which was really nice but a bit pricey.
Practical? It tells the time and date. 😀 I’m not sure what you mean, mine looks great with a suit and under a French cuff and IMO looks far more expensive in the flesh than it really is. Those Save the Ocean ones are likely destined to increase in value one day also.
I had a seiko save the ocean in a basket online. I was so close to pushing the button. I may regret it but I just didn’t have the spare dosh 🙁
Fell in love with one of these a mere £87 from creation and it’s a beautiful watch to me anyway !! 42mm it’s perfect size
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/vHCPR4DK/50-FD2-E3-B-E46-F-453-F-BF2-D-9-C81-AC9-B68-DE.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/vHCPR4DK/50-FD2-E3-B-E46-F-453-F-BF2-D-9-C81-AC9-B68-DE.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Got one of these last week. A Raketa Big Zero. Iconic piece of vintage soviet design, and cheap too. I put a nato strap on it and really like it.
Took delivery of a Pobeda like this today. I am liking Russian watches.
sprocker I have a PO (41.5mm) on my wrist now and 95% of the time. It wears big as its thick and its heavy, noticeably. I was looking at a standard steel black bay very recently(mentioned above in this thread) its noticeably lighter and although its a 41mm case I was confused...I compared to my PO and it seemed considerably smaller back to back...weird. The point is I guess, the measurements can be misleading as some are over the crown as well (tudor?) some aren't and cases are not all the same shape...then visually watches with bezels look smaller than those with big dials, and also thickness affects the stand off and hence how big it wears. So, glad you tried them, a watch of that value is not a triffling matter, try, take photos, walk out, consider, try again. If you want slightly bigger the black bay bronze is 43mm, I suspect that will look ever so slightly larger than the PO. The unknown with that for me, is how the bronze will patina with time, I assume it will lose its initial bling and slowly dull quite nicely brown, not sure though what that Aluminium bronze will do.
The seamaster professional/diver 300 is much closer to the budget and does come in 42mm, I just checked.
The PO is considerably more costly....but its a different league of watch ...but I'm bias maybe. Tudor watches are a lot of watch for the money.
Also, how practical is a watch like the Seiko prospex for everyday use – in the office etc?
Depends what you mean by practical. I've worn a version of the samurai and an orange monster (v similar size) as part of my regukar rotation for years for all sorts. I did keep knocking the samurai on one particular doorframe for the first couple of days but otherwise I barely notice them. There is a reason they are sold second had with "desk diver scratches"
Have you looked at the Seiko Turtles? I'm currently lusting after the "Save the Ocean" version.
Neilneville thanks for response, I nearly went for the black bay but like you suggest am going to give it some time to decide. That bronze version does look good and did not realise the case was bigger.
Practical? It tells the time and date. I’m not sure what you mean
Depends what you mean by practical
Yeah I mean, how wearable is it everyday, y'know - when I'm not diving down to 200m which I do every weekend obvs. Is it the equivalent of buying an intense M1 to commute on because it looks great?
Have you looked at the Seiko Turtles? I’m currently lusting after the “Save the Ocean” version.
Indeed I have, and initially I liked the samurai version but now the Turtle has grown on me and I actually prefer it. Going to have to look at one in the metal I think. I've narrowed it down to either that, or this Hamilton which is at the other end of the spectrum as far as 'look at me!' watches go but I think it looks great, expecially on a Nato strap
https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-gb/h70455733-khaki-field-auto.html
the number of people who have actually been 200m deep are in the hundreds at most, I'd bet less than 200 people and I would also hazard a guess that not a single one of them was relying on a watch 🙂
from what I can remember the limits are reference to the destruction test that they do on the watch case and 200m means anything to 20m is rock solid for water ingress, 1000m means solid to 100m.
🙂
Unless an heirloom or a gift, it's a piece of male jewellery, designed to project an image or reassure the owner.
Nothing wrong with that, obviously, but at least be honest.
Just a piece of jewellery, I agree.
Men only really get to universally wear one piece of jewelry. Some dudes can rock wrist bands or necklackes but most of us, watches are all we got.
So take it seriously
Sprocker, I just found this read about the bronze bay patina.... And answered my own question
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-patina-diaries-living-with-the-tudor-black-bay-bronze
Btw, if the bronze interests you, Bucherer have a limited edition with a blue bezel not brown, it's got a waiting list though I think.
Just went past a shop in Kingston’s shopping centre - 3 second hand subs in the window at £8k each...
Men only really get to universally wear one piece of jewelry. Some dudes can rock wrist bands or necklackes but most of us, watches are all we got.
So take it seriously
This is my take. A wedding ring and a watch is all the jewelry I wear. So there is nothing at all wrong with wearing something a bit indulgent.
I have an old G-Shock which gets used a beater
My grandfather's Pocket watch - never used, but has pride of place in my watch box
Vintage Pulsar Solar Titanium
Elliot Brown Tyneham
Stowa Verus Hand wind
Looking for a nice auto/hand wind Chrono to add. A few I like, but all out budget 🙁
£8000! I sold my Submariner about 5 years ago for £2000.
neilnevill
Member
Anybody got experience or views on Stowa or Laco? Flieger model A in particular.Posted 2 weeks ago
Ive had an ikarus, and currently have a Verus Hand wind. Quality is excellent. Extremely pleased and would love to add more Stowa's to my collection
So question to Rusty...
I have a Rolex, Panerai, Breitling, Bell & Ross, Omega and Oris. (Sorry for the willy waving, but I wanted to make a point)
My Oris was £1800, I paid £800 for it new / old stock. I generally only wear the Oris. What image would I be projecting or what re-assurance do I need when I wear my cheapest watch on a day to day basis?
Surely if I needed re-assuring I would wear my Rolex? Or if I wanted to project an image of myself as some sort of watch connoisseur then it would be the Panerai?
I do accept that all they do is tell the time, but the same can be said for most expensive things. People who drive a Range Rover, probably only need a Clio, who needs a Santa Cruz when a Boardman will do etc etc. (I drive a Berlingo and ride a Trek - they lose money as soon as used - my watches whilst not purchased as investments will retain most of their value (apart from the Bell & Ross and Breitling but in my defence they were gifts from the wife)
I'm also about to buy a Seiko Divers watch (SKX007J1), this will probably become my day to day watch. Does that say my image is I pretend to be a diver? (I'm not a diver, the deepest water the watch will see is the swimming pool on holiday)
I deliberately said there's nothing wrong with it!
We all indulge ourselves to a certain degree with our choices.
As to what image you wish to project or how your watches make you feel, that's a matter only you can answer.
I do accept that all they do is tell the time, but the same can be said for most expensive things. People who drive a Range Rover, probably only need a Clio, who needs a Santa Cruz when a Boardman will do etc etc. (I drive a Berlingo and ride a Trek – they lose money as soon as used – my watches whilst not purchased as investments will retain most of their value (apart from the Bell & Ross and Breitling but in my defence they were gifts from the wife)
I agree about the car/bike thing, a Range Rover is jewellery, a Berlingo is a tool.
I have a Doblo. I also have a nice Surly, which is a useful tool but also a beautiful thing to own.
I’m also about to buy a Seiko Divers watch (SKX007J1), this will probably become my day to day watch.
I like watches and love 007's. the J1 happens to be my favourite too. 🙂 I'd absolutely love an Alpiniste, but they don't make them anymore. I'll probably not buy either and spend the money on a guitar instead. Choices, innit?
I wasn't decrying other's choices, merely pointing out something that seems to get overlooked by those who value image above all else.
Or if I wanted to project an image of myself as some sort of watch connoisseur then it would be the Panerai?
Everyone knows the only watch that does that is the Seiko 5 on a NATO.
Yeah I mean, how wearable is it everyday,
Absolutely fine. I wear mine because they are comfy, I like the way they look and most of them are not so expensive that I worry about wearing them (I do now make sure to take them of before sticking my hand down into an engine compartment, you have now idea how hard it is to get your watch off and your hand out when it gets stuck.)
Apparently 200m isn't a lot when you factor in the momentary pressures associated with moving your hand in water.
People who actually dive wear wrist computers because they recalculate on the fly allowing you to stay down longer
The Hamilton is nice.
Try the turtle in for a while - cushion cases aren't for everyone, I'm a bit torn on them.
I’m also about to buy a Seiko Divers watch (SKX007J1)
New or used? Rumours come every year that it is about to be discontinued but it seems it actually might be now.
Everyone knows the only watch that does that is the Seiko 5 on a NATO.
Result! 😉
bloke jewellery, yes it is. I'm cool with a Seiko or a casio or a Patek Phillipe, whatever works for you.
Glasses are bloke jewellery as well I suppose
I'm currently struggling to chose between these at the moment, Nato strap is currently the favourite: -
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-prospex-299/seiko-prospex-solar-divers-200m-sne441-sne441p1-sne441p-mens-watch-10422.html
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-mens-208/seiko-automatic-divers-200m-nato-strap-skx007j1-nato4-mens-watch-7362.html
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-divers-automatic-90/seiko-automatic-divers-japan-made-skx007-skx007j1-skx007j-200m-mens-watch-837.html
@w00dster 007 on a black nato. The rubber strap is horrible, you'll end up swapping it out very quickly anyway. And personally, i don't like that model of Prospex.
Yeah I mean, how wearable is it everyday, y’know – when I’m not diving down to 200m which I do every weekend obvs. Is it the equivalent of buying an intense M1 to commute on because it looks great?
No. A Breitling with emergency beacon, yes. A watch like the Seiko is a tool watch, it’s simple, pretty hard-wearing and tells the time. There are watches with a whole shitload of supplementary dials and whatnot that are hugely expensive, and are so complicated and difficult to read that their function as a watch has become secondary to their function as a way of showing off your immense wealth and lack of taste.
I’ve been wearing my SPORK everyday for the last three weeks or so, having not worn it for months, and it’s like having an old friend back after a long absence, it’s so comfy to wear with the sharkskin mesh bracelet.
It’s nice to have a number of watches to swap around on a whim, the only one I don’t wear on a regular basis is my Yema, only because it’s now quite a valuable watch, and almost irreplaceable, at least at a price I could actually afford, and it’s got real sentimental value as well.
I might stop wearing the Seiko regularly, or at least to work, once the weather gets to shorts and tee temperatures, just because it’s more likely to get banged around and damaged, which I’d rather regret.
As the result of someone mentioning Vostoks etc earlier on, this just arrived today. I'm staying out of here now before it gets any more expensive!
I like that Vostok everyone. I am enjoying wearing my newly purchased Pobeda. I was surprised at the diminutive size of the dial compared to modern watches. Not being a deep sea diver or a pilot It does all I ask of a watch.
Yea I was really surprised at how small it is. I quite like it though makes a nice change from my Seiko 6309 (not that that's particularly big!)