Watches N+1...

My first NATO:

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I like those, bit too big for my childs wrists when I looked.

Have the Kickstarter Hamtun H2's stated turning up yet? (and if so, anyone not as keen on white face version as they thought they might be?)

SKX lug to lug is 51mm

SKX lug to lug is 51mm

Are you sure? That sounds awfully big, I thought it was somewhere around the 47mm mark.

Yeah I can’t read my verniers properly. 46mm is the answer

Thanks Phil

So over the past week I've bought 4 watches, the big beast further up and 3 Seiko 5s.

And I've settled on this one, an SNK357K1. It doesn't show up that well in the photos but it's dark blue and has "ghost" 5 logos over the face which I like.

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On my weedy wrists (I had to take 5 links out and considering trying one more) it's the right size and reckon it's ideal for me to wear most of the time.

I think I'm going to get a brown leather strap for it, where should I look for something that's a step up from the eBay £5 ones?

Does it follow the circle of the bezel or does it go straight in line with the strap?

Follows the circumference of the dial - it’s very subtle, but close inspection shows it’s radial.

where should I look for something that’s a step up from the eBay £5 ones?

Watch Gecko is worth a look, but there's loads on online marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy, a bewildering amount to be honest.

a bewildering amount to be honest.

🤣 yeah that was the problem, too much choice.

I think I’m going to get a brown leather strap for it, where should I look for something that’s a step up from the eBay £5 ones?

I’ve always used Hirsch leather straps on my brietling, as good as OE straps

I always use steveostraps. Sometimes has some nice ones in his sale. Although quite often some truly hopping ones too.

I always use steveostraps.

Me too, well the one time I've wanted a quality leather strap.
Assuming he still does custom stuff, you can basically request whatever you want. The one I got was a bit bulky in the end but the quality is phenomenal for the price.

@kato, @jonners, @countzero, cheers for the answers, guys.

Related to the above, I have a lovely Tag Calibre 7 GMT, big heavy thing. Lovely face but the bracelet is a bit cheap and nasty, the difference in quality between that and my aged Tag Link is startling. So any good suppliers of metal bracelets? 20mm if that makes any difference.

3rd Stevostraps recommender

I have a lovely Tag Calibre 7 GMT

Me too 😁 Can't help with the bracelet thing sorry, I wasn't over keen on the Link watches because the bloke in the jewelers I first saw them said the watch case wouldn't take any other design, making me nervous if the clasp ever broke and spares out of production, the whole watch is scrap. Was I right?

making me nervous if the clasp ever broke and spares out of production, the whole watch is scrap. Was I right?

I don't know about Link specifically but the clasps on bracelets I've seen are normally attached by push pins so they're an easy swap. Doesn't rule out something proprietary or just riveted but even then a decent jeweller would be able to sort something out, for a price, obviously. Of course the watch end of the strap/bracelet is much more problematic.

I order a couple of £3.99 NATOs from eBay which arrived today. A royal blue one for a future watch purchase and...
[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7BlOS4WSJbjvcBfLc8501qRvkZOFscTAFT9gPC0xn40EVNJpVUmDuEL-uZGkO9_WtEtVgffxuemKbGt1b6b6sGzwVTwUpfMcBztz0Kw8NrGN-j2vrmv8ygB66Z0AxKaF6anLyhkcp-bJ8fM_TXc7uDVdY6yqqD_j1YAFRE3OyKWBb7gQs1VtpppTrYzod44riJLP_vbmZVmOygAdXkM6O6ze7n5_b0SCqQRYVvrrwIXBOfh8rGid1DSuhot2lZAeV_MwaIC45G4WTHNZlDxvbuSIAPyWAxNpGZBFAHVlszdVkrjIRUNuzcee-LeP9t-Ym9kpDA4EHZy3tZctbHruSB_hrfGeziETfIgzOG3eNZoSmh9ueSIONAM_gaUwuRneQZO0iZxCLhSBcZELKRnlfxhEhUDnANkn60u9jmSkjHd7TJ2aQeIsEKZvtmHrC70LdAbDp-z5TBtgU3xvMbjH0vIVFhQ40BMKLYVSiQ7HK-qU3ZQWAtdN-LLYOQ8esJiSUgPtXueGGMI3lcVDW9TIO1NFBOYRGNpd2CAC_7OQ9qs3aojMYc22IXLIEomuf2RnCygRcExwEfimThznL_FtMQmu5_sVhPhJ9kfJ4l11Cv7IhpVPlhmmITjx2Nie4xF_mK1xSmJVtg9SbPatTpwRdCS4uVcY15E=w733-h977-no [/img]

Love how it looks on the Steinhart, even my wife commented it really changes the look (compared to an Olive green NATO I've had it on of late). buckle and keepers are good, strap comfy. I see little benefit in paying more for a NATO, such good value.

I see little benefit in paying more for a NATO, such good value

I like a cheap NATO myself but sometimes it's worth paying more than rock bottom to get a particular colour or hardware. Talking of which, does anyone know of a 22mm NATO or Zulu with bronze hardware? I'd settle for brass at a pinch. I've done a fair bit of googling but they keep coming up OOS or not available.

I wasn’t over keen on the Link watches because the bloke in the jewelers I first saw them said the watch case wouldn’t take any other design, making me nervous if the clasp ever broke and spares out of production, the whole watch is scrap. Was I right?

Never really thought, but yes, it does look like that might be the case.

Hey Derek, have you worn that blue and white NATO much yet? It looks great and is been considering a similar design strap, it looks great on with dials like that but I wonder if the white portion is filthy in no time. I know you can slip it off the watch and put it through the wash but if it's filthy quickly it would probably annoy me. Do like it a lot though!

nn - thanks for the compliments!

It does look good on the Diver One.

Well I've worn it for a week now and it's remained clean all round.
Still bright white on the desk contact bits so I'd say go for it.

Cheers. I'm saving up for the watch still at the moment but getting nearer.... I've fallen for the blue Tudor pelagos and a blue and white stripe NATO would really set it off I'm sure.

It's from Sniperbay.

Thanks I'll take a look.

Walked into a shop yesterday and having a glance at the Rolex stand they had a gold / black Sub.   Of course my viewing attracted the sales lady, and she gladly explained it was $11000US and required a British or US passport to purchase it!

i don’t like gold watches but I have to admit the Sub has a huge allure to it...

Well mine is definitely borked. Refuses to start from a manual wind, so going back under warranty. Optimistically hoping they give it a polish too 🙂

your aqua terra? oh. thats rare to have trouble but it'll be off to southampton swatch grup for a good service and back in no time.

Kryton, two tones are about £8500 iirc, or maybe £8800. most collectors stay away and they are very out of fashion, seen as very 80s, Arfur Daley. That said th Steel and Gold Tudor is doing well and possibly making two tone acceptable again. But, be aware, the more preciousl metal in a rolex \9r virtually any other brand) the more the cost new but the bigger the % lost/saved if sold/bought pre owned. A two tone used pre owned sub is probably cheaper or the sme as a steel one. Personally.... far too much on the bracelet but stick it on a good rubber or a nato and the two tone head looks nice....and a two tone smurf..oooooo....an affordable smurf.....oooo tempting

Well, FIL is after a cheaper than UK Breitling so i scoped a dealer for him.

Well, while i was there he tried to sell me an Avenger for £3950:

https://www.breitling.com/bb-en/watches/avenger/bandit/E13383101M2W1/

Lovely watch, but it feels a bit "tool watch" but whod wear a watch that price in the shed...

Two recent acquisitions

Wedding ring? Congratulations!

Platinum?

I don't know the watch brand but it looks a nice vintage style. Can you tell us more?

For those looking for a well designed, quality watch, that’s a bit out of the ordinary, there’s a new German maker, basing their design philosophy on The Bauhaus school, with very compact movements, and very high water resistance, 1000ft, not metres, oddly...
https://nomos-glashuette.com/en/?utm_source=highsnobiety_editorial&utm_medium=advertising&utm_campaign=highsnobiety&utm_content=text

Yep, platinum wedding ring. I'm a lucky man as she got me the watch - it's a Junghans Max Bill, similarly Bauhaus to the above (but with a bit more heritage ;))

Well, there has been been this change of plan. While making a list of the various parts I needed to order, the sites and costs, I happened to take a look at some watches one particular parts site had put together, which I hadn’t noticed before, and one caught my eye; it was, apart from the bezel insert, pretty much the watch I was planning on putting together, and the cost of the complete watch was less than the Seiko I’ve just bought! It has a Seiko hackable and hand-winding movement as well, but not as fancy as the one I was thinking of getting, the cost of all the bits would be more that this mod one, so what to do?
I pushed the button on this:
https://www.heimdallr.watch/dive-watches/29-skx007-marine-master.html
Which means I’ve now got two SKX007’s, so I may keep the first one, or, if anyone’s interested, I might sell it on. I’m not keen on the stainless bracelet, so I’d include that with the watch along with the original rubber one.
If anyone is interested I’ll sell it for what I paid for it, along with the steel bracelet.
I’m in no rush, I may decide to keep it in the end.

Love that Max Bill Automatic! I have thr steel version on my fantasy wishlist. Looks great

Just picked up a Tudor gmt. Called at Trafford centre to have a look. Nothing in windows and was told at beaverbrooks in Manchester a couple of weeks ago waiting list till about Christmas. Went for lunch then called into jewellers to put my name down. Girl said they'd put one in window 30 mins ago. Sold. This was my 50th birthday gift from wife and mum. Took me 12 months to make my mind up.

Pics of the Tudor of you can please, it's a lovely watch. Enjoy it!

I’m on the list for a Tudor GMT and as luck would have it they phoned yesterday saying they have one for me. The day after I spent all my watch money and more on a motorbike.....

Count are you offering up an skx007 for £148??

Count are you offering up an skx007 for £148??

I may well be, just as soon as the new one arrives, and I can swap the bracelet for the ZULU strap.
It seems pointless to keep it when the new watch is exactly what I was intending to customise the current SKX007 into.
I’ve also ordered a coin-edge bezel with black ceramic inset, with luminous markings, and a new chapter ring in black, with luminous filled engraved markings, and I’ll get John at Tiger to drill the lugs and fit the chapter ring.
The SKX007 I’ve got is lovely, but it was going to be a transition, so having found one that’s already most of the way there, then I see no reason not to pass it on for what I paid for it.
There’s no box or paperwork with it, it’s an ex-shop display model, but it’s in perfect condition.
I’ll keep you up to date on things, the new one looks like it’ll be with me towards the end of the month, maybe earlier.

Tempting count. I'm trying to save up for a Tudor pelagos but things like skx 007 and 009 have been a constant temptation this summer. I'm currently fighting an urge for a getat fiddy. Does anyone have any views on getat, or in particular the seagull at 2530? I suspect it's rather good despite being Chinese but...

https://geta****ch.com/watch/44mm-1950/1-1-marina-militare-44mm-1950-brown-dial-automatic-watch.html

That^^ looks oddly like this only twice the price. Or here's a 2530 movement with a power reserve for $105. If you like the Militare look there are plenty of these about - same case but GMT and without the small seconds, that'd be my pick. A little digging should find you a sterile dial or one with Marina Militare if having the actual manufacturer on there doesn't float your boat.

Hope I don’t sound like a c0ck saying this. I’ve got a panerai, I’m not a fan of the Marina. It’s as bad as a fake to me.
I’d much rather have a Seiko divers.
I have quite a few watches in the £150 to £300 range, I wear a couple of them regularly. Even if I didn’t have my nice watches I’d still not bother with a fake or a clone, especially when there are so many nice watches in this price range.

I own 19 watches in the £10 to £50 bracket, mainly Soviet vintage manual wind watches. Just bought a special watch for 20th and additional 21st, a pre-owned Tissot Visodate automatic, and a Casio F-91W.

I’ve got a panerai, I’m not a fan of the Marina. It’s as bad as a fake to me.

I've nothing against "homage" watches which ape the style of a famous original but where the homage includes a reproduction of the text from the original design I've a bit of sympathy with your view. However, unless a watch is sold as the original with intent to deceive the buyer it's not a fake nor anything close to "as bad as a fake". I do agree with you that there are plenty of more original alternatives at the affordable range of the market but in defence of the homages the SKX007 clone CZ linked to is not only cheaper than the (now discontinued) original but has the movement and sapphire upgrades Seiko should have included in the original years ago.

I've seen the Paris, it's a fair option price/ quality wise. I don't like the crown guard though.
I suspect my current interest in pams will pass but the homages do at least allow someone to try out something which is unusual and see how it feels, without spending loads.
Totally get people's views on sterile Vs mm text though.

Visodates keep catching my eye.

The new Spinnakers are pretty, though I don't think "Hull Riviera" as the name for the range has quite the dolce vita connotations they're hoping for, at least in the UK! I'm also fairly sure they mean imbued rather than imbibed - their copywriter maybe doesn't have English as a first language. The red one looks like a decent value buy for $200.

I don't think Vostok watches have had a mention in this thread of a thousand plus posts.

They do some handsome pieces.

Anybody?

I don’t think Vostok watches have had a mention in this thread of a thousand plus posts.

They do some handsome pieces.

Anybody?

They did several pages (months) back...

I don’t think Vostok watches have had a mention in this thread of a thousand plus posts.

They do some handsome pieces.

Anybody?

I have a couple. A new Komandirskie and a vintage Amphibia. I like them although they are often overlooked by experts where it's all about Swiss.

Russian watches are a great way to get into vintage mechanicals. Raketa, poljot, Pobeda, Zim do nice old watches. Loads for sale on ebay.

I've a mate with a Tissot Visodate, it is lovely.

"Visodates keep catching my eye"

Nice watches. I have the silver dial, brown strap one

A dilemma.
Walked past my local jewellers over the weekend, a tiny old place that does a few cheaper watches and the odd second hand job. What’s that I spy in the window? A no date Sub of all things, with paperwork, at a price that suggests they don’t know the current demand or shortage of them.

Now the dilemma is this.
1. I don’t need a new watch and what I’ve been casually browsing is not Subs or even that style.
2. It’s still a lot of money, less than list price, but still a lot.
But...
1. It’s a bargain based on what they are currently selling for.
2. I could buy it and sell it on without making a loss at all.
3. You always want what you can’t have, and Subs are neigh on impossible to get hold of.

Hmm...

Buy it

If I were you I'd buy it if you fancy giving one a try, a Sub is such a sweet size and fit it's well worth a punt. And with the way the market's been for at least the last couple of years you've got to assume they know their business and are advertising it at a price they'd be happy with so I'd be guilt free doing it. I've never been interested in flipping watches to make money but trying something new (relatively) risk free is not to be passed up lightly IMO.

Buy it!!
the ND is reportedly one of the hardest to get currently. well all steel sports are virtually impossible. I've just been sending photos of mine off to a potential buyer. half of me says keep it another 6-8 weeks as rolex often raise prices in october and given here the Sub ND is (£5750) and the pound struggling with brexit I can see the rise being bigger than the usual 5% ish and blowing well through the £6k mark. Still. I'll be making a nice profit I think.

If you don't want it Lunge...where are you? ;o)

Btw. to get the best price you want a full set, so correct green box and pillow, booklet, warranty paper and card, leather sleeve, bezel protector, spare links, outer card box and outer card sleeve, hang tag and green model number tag, and cleaning cloth. If its an older sub it should have the anchor, but not if its a SubC. Condition is also important obviously.

I've never really been "into" watches. But, as a leaving/retirement gift, I was given this by my colleagues at work.

And I have to say, it's a nice thing to wear

If you don’t want it Lunge…where are you? ;o)

I’ll answer that next weekend when I go back and look at it again! If it’s still there and I don’t want it I’ll let you all know!

For those interested in Spinnaker watches, often discsount codes of 10-20% if you look at the links in YouTube watch reviewers. I think 20OFF used to work but keep your eyes peeled.

Anyone bought one of the new Seiko 5s yet?

Anyone had any issues with Watchnation?

I ordered my Seiko 5 from them, infact I ordered two an returned the one I didn't want. They've short changed me on my refund and are dragging their heels with giving me the rest back.

It's only £10 short but that's not the point....

There’s a little mini review of the new Seiko 5 in this months TG mag.   It won’t educate anyone in here but the watch looks nice.   I’ve taking a liking to this “Suits” one.

https://www.seikowatches.com/global-en/products/5sports/srpd73k1

...but with a 5 NATO and Prospex bracelet I don’t need any more Seiko’s!

I’m off out tonight for a lads night to a slightly more upmarket bar than usual, and now have Watch indecision 😀

There’s a little mini review of the new Seiko 5 in this months TG mag. It won’t educate anyone in here but the watch looks nice. I’ve taking a liking to this “Suits” one.

I know they're new to market but the best price I can see for one of those (and presumably indicative of the rest of the range) is around £250, which seems pretty poor value to me. You can probably still pick up a real SKX and put a mesh bracelet on it for about that money with a bit of shopping around.

Oh, and also -

…but with a 5 NATO and Prospex bracelet I don’t need any more Seiko’s!

Don't talk daft, man!

Cor yeah you'd have to snap up that ND Sub instantly. Fantastic looking watch. I prefer it to the date version 100%.

Lunge, give us an update!

Unrelated to the above -

What are people's thoughts on selling watches that have sentimental value?

So the situation is, I bought a Omega Speedmaster when I had a fairly large success/movement in my life, was a nice way to celebrate.

I still love the watch, it's a great watch. BUUTTT - I got my Rolex Explorer a few months ago. I've not really worn the Speedmaster since. The Explorer is just so god-damned perfect, and I'm loving the slightly smaller case size and diameter.

I'm wondering if I should sell the Speedy. Prices for 2nd hand Speedmasters are holding quite well (Omega raised their prices recently) so currently I wouldn't even lose anything, I might even make some small profit.

But at the same time, I do still love the look of the watch... and it's got a lot of sentimental value attached to it...

If you don't need the cash for a specific purpose why bother selling it, it's nice to have nice things and there's nothing to say in a few months you won't fancy wearing the omega for a bit

Cor yeah you’d have to snap up that ND Sub instantly. Fantastic looking watch. I prefer it to the date version 100%.

Lunge, give us an update!

Tried it on yesterday and much as it was bloody lovely I can’t quite justify the outlay at the moment. Even Mrs Lunge was telling me to buy it, even if I resell it, but right now it’s still in the shop (well it was at lunch on Thursday!). Unsurprisingly, the guy in the shop suggested there was a lot of interest in it and to expect it not hang around.

SO i no longer own a SubC (no date). I sold it on today. 13% profit in 6 months. I suspect the buy will do well too as I suspect rolex will raise prices in october.

Photos and details lunge!

Right, things have changed somewhat, as I received an email telling me the order for the MM300 homage had been cancelled and my money refunded! And I’d been given a shipping number as well. I contacted Heimdallr and it seems that I’d ordered the last one the EU store had in stock at the same time it had been sold, and the HK store was also sold out, new stock at the end of the month.
Damn, what to do... Well, I’m going to get the bits to do the MM300 mod on the SKX007 I’ve got, I’ve already got the lumed chapter ring, coin-edge bezel and full lumed ceramic bezel insert, I just need the face, hands and sapphire crystal, along with an NH35 hackable movement.
However, my original plan was to get an SKX007, and get a Tiger Shroud fitted, but the steep cost of just the machining, on top of all the bits, put me off. Then I was browsing through Heimdallr’s dive watches, and spotted their all-steel Tuna homage, which was what I was trying to emulate. A whole watch for less than the cost of the Tiger Shroud machining?
Well, what else could I do?

It’s winging its way as I speak, hopefully not too long. 😁
Just checked 17TRACK, and it’s definitely on its way.

So after selling the subC and going n-1 let week....I got very lucky and got the chance of a bargain on a watch I'd been saving hard for for quite a while.... N+1 again. This one is a keeper.

Well...?

I know Shinola are generally seen as overpriced for what they are, but if you think the right price should be around £200, there are a couple in the House of Fraser outlet store in Doncaster.

let's see if I can post some images...and how quickly you can ID the watch

That seems to work and i can still see it after logging out...hopefully I'm not the only one.

poor photo but big clue

really big clue!

20% off all H Samuel stock until midnight
https://www.hsamuel.co.uk/

Some bargain Garmins with the 20% off including Instincts for less than £220

ok for those that have still to guess, look at the colour of the metal. Also the crown guards shape.