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Agree re rubber strap; my favourite on a diver. The Nato possibly makes it look bigger on the wrist, as it elevates it a bit, as well as the excess strap being visible at the top lug.
As far as the case size itself goes, that's ideal for my tastes.
Bracelet all the way for my money, I think the blue NATO detracts from the watch as the focus.
It’s a nice looking watch neil, but appears massive
It is nice, the diameter doesn't look huge but the lug to lug looks to be quite big, that and the NATO is making it sit up on rather than conform to the wrist. Try wearing the NATO single-pass, it'll settle in to the wrist better - you'll also lose that ugly bunch of strap on the side (I know, "it's a feature not a bug" but I've never got why people like it!).
It's just my personal taste I suppose. My favourite watch is my 40yo Seiko 5 with a 36mm dia. If you squint or I think it looks a bit like a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. I like 36mm to 40mm.
On modern larger divers it always appears to me that a Nato is not enough strap for the watch.
I'm not a massive fan of NATO straps because of the fold of excess length and the way it stands the watch off the wrist. These 2 piece ones look good, if not a bit pricey. Watchbandit
Anyone do similar a bit cheaper?
’m not a massive fan of NATO straps because of the fold of excess length and the way it stands the watch off the wrist.
Totally agree, I like a NATO but hardly ever wear them the normal way - give your existing NATOs a try worn single pass, you'll be surprised what a difference it makes. You'll still have the excess to deal with but it'll be under the wrist, not poking out beside the watch. And the second loop is superfluous anyway unless your watch is a very slack fit across the lugs and tends to slide off the strap when you take it off. I'm half inclined to just cut the extra bits off mine altogether.
It's 42mm. But sure if they includes the crown, I'll check. My po is 41.5mm across the crown and I'm well used to that. Both are also thick watches. The Tudor appears larger as the case sides are flat, the lyre lugs and large chamfers on the po make it appear much smaller. The Tudor still slips under a shirt cuff ok. My wrist is between 6.5 and 6.75" so not thick bit I'm happy/used to 42mm thick watches now. The slab sides of the tudor are what really makes it appear larger. If put the end links back on and cut down/notched the NATO it would look quite different I think, the rubber strap (supplied) is made to fit with the end links and hide some of the height of the watch. Personal view but I think that looks a bit weird having the end links on.
I'll post up some more photos later as it's on another strap today...a few more to try yet too.
Lug with is 22mn which is large. Steinhart Ocean one is the same, po is 20Mm iirc. One of the straps I might get to try is a seatbelt nylon NATO, blue edged in grey. I think the grey will match the Titanium well and I'm wondering if the strap would look less wide as a result of the edging.
Oh and since the tudor is very light, unlike the po which very very heavy, so wearing it is much comfier. I'm used to the po now, but swap to another and I'm reminded it's a hefty lump.
Looking at the photo of the blue and yellow NATO, I'm wearing the strap quite loose and the strap had only just been fitted and hasn't conformed yet. It is making the watch look very tall.
johnners, I'm wearing a NATO on my paratroopers Vostock like that right now. It's better, but the way the extra loop folds then the spare back on itself and tucked in there's 5 layers under my wrist! It's probably the reason this one doesn't get worn so often.
I'd love to see the Tudor on the rubber strap Neil
EDIT - I give up, how do you put photo's up on this site now?
Where's the photo hosted? If it's Google you need to put it in a shared album, grab the address and paste between IMG and /IMG but with square brackets around those. Or you can use apps to turn the Google sharing link into the embed code and just paste that.
tthew, yes, I know what you mean. I'm generally OK with it but there's always a lot of superfluous fabric somewhere with NATOs and I'm happier with it under the wrist rather than stuck out by the side of the watch. You could just cut off the extra loop and reduce it to a mere 4 layers! Or have you tried a French Para strap? They're a bit flavour of the month but I find them very comfortable and there's a max of 2 layers anywhere. Nowhere near the choice or value to be found with NATOs though.
The Tudor OEM NATO for the black bay is a bit different, with sewn in place spring bars and no extra step. I believe they may wear better. Once I have a colour/design settled I might get the scissors and needle and thread out for a bit of strap modification.
Or have you tried a French Para strap?
No! Not seen those before, will take a look. Ta.
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There's a magazine?
38.75mm and 73g - bit cheaper than the Omega Superlight.
38.75mm and 73g
Not 73g with the bracelet, Shirley?
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/G3fpSnzn/IMG-3974.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/G3fpSnzn/IMG-3974.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
You are right - 68g. It's ahem, tiny and you just don't notice it's there.
Not quite this Omega then.
Ahem, erm, yes, obviously 73g is way too heavy, that's what I meant.
Seriously though, that seems remarkably light even for a quartz. I've 3 or 4 bracelets that would be that without the watch head! It does look compact for sure but not properly tiny. It looks really nice.
right, a photo from today
I've pulled the sweather cuff back so the watch peaks out and I think you'll agree the watch doesn't look so big here. Note my hand is still resting on the table and that tends to push the strap up and lift the watch off the wrist.
same in this one, I've pulled the jacket cuff back as the watch was neatly tucked under. No its not a small watch but I'm happy with its size. (but then tbh I'm happy with a 36mm too...various sizes are all good imo)
and from this morning, with a fleece on that must have short arms so you see wrist. Watch look a bit bigger here but note i tend to prefer a loose strap and the watch has slid down to my hand by the look, which makes the watch look larger.
BTW,what do people think of today's nato? navy blue and wide white tripe?
Whie i can understand Jhonners coment I'm not looking to wear this on a bracelet. My PO is my daily and ives on a bracelet. it s a far more luxury watch and dresses up very very well. This is not that type of watch, its a much plainer tool watch, much plainer case and far far far plainer dial. I think the NATO fits a tool watch fine. I went for a blue watch as I want a summer/weekend fun watch and a colourful NATO will hopefully enhance that. I've bought 6 or 7 different colours/patterns to try. they are all very cheap, 99p to £1.19 iirc, once I settle on a design I may get a better quality version
Neil, if you're totally anti-bracelet I'd still think plain dark (navy or black) strap to set off the lovely blue bezel and dial but if you're really after a pop of colour then maybe a contrasting NATO? Scarlet or crimson are the most obvious complimentary colours but that'd take some carrying off. Worth a go if you've a line on decent cheapies? I can't wear watches as far down the wrist as you, I've a proper gert nobble in the way (see above with the flieger!) and wearing it below that usually means the crown's digging chunks out of the back of my hand.
BTW I think that watch looks a perfectly good size on your wrist.
Now if I were to go for a rubber strap then this crafter, which costs i believe, an extortionate amount for a rubber strap, is the look I'd want. As you see the strap is thickened and curved to neatly fill all the lug space (its 7.5mm there, the strap at the buckle is just 3.5mm)
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However the OEM rubber, although I'm sure good quality, looks very different. it uses the bracelet end links to fill the lug space and ...I just think it looks weird.
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btw, the pelagos comes as standard with the bracelet AND the rubber. the Black bay used to come with its (not quite so good)bracelet and a nato, (with options for a leather) now it just comes with one strap (unless its the harrods Special edition, which still comes with black nato and bracelet at the same price). the OEM tudor nato is not cheap..but its good. its quite a bit different. it doesn't have the extra flap of material and the spring bars are sewn in to little pocket/loops in the fabric. I can't find a good photo but you might get an idea from this one
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Cheers Johnners, I want comments like that. Since natos from ebay are super cheap I'm just trying them to see how they look. I'm quite 'set against the bracelet' I can see it is a good one, its very very comfortable, and looks good, but yes I'm after more POP. I see what you say about the plain blue nato. could people see the watch on the plain blue nato? or was that one not visible? its the wife's favorite so far, and today's navy and wide white stripe (a la Derekstarship and his Scurfa One) is second. I am considering a contrasting and LOUD coloured strap but feel a bit nervous! Scarlet might work though, I'd considered either vibrant yellow or neon orange but scarlet hmmm might work well! hmmm I'm now thinking of the tudor OEM one for the black bay scarlet
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but I'll also try as you suggest as I have them, and show it on a plain black, a traditional bond and a daniel craig bond (you've seen the steinhart on the traditional bond).
I also fancy this one for a go....think the grey edging will match the case beautifully. Tenner is a lot for me to pay for a nato though! (its a seatbelt nylon)
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that should have read Im NOT quite set against the bracelet.
sharkbait
Member
A good friend of mine showed me one of her watches that had just come back from the jewellers – I nearly fainted when I found out how much it cost!!
I'm a bit late to the party but I'm going to call fake here. I think the over polished 'screw' heads drew attention, but when opening the above pic in imgur and zooming in you can clearly see the minute counter sub dial printing is way off with the minute markers around 20 touching the step but at the opposite side theres a clear gap between the tip of marker and where the step is.
Here's the same watch on AP's website to compare.
On the tachymeter scale you'll notice that if the red 75 line was extended it would hit the 5 whereas on the genuine one it would go right between the 7 and 5. Then there's the centre holes on the sub dial hands which don't appear to be centered...
Just because your friend is minted doesn't mean they would never wear a fake. Plenty of millionaire slebs have been called out on social media with fakes on their wrists, but it's also possible your friend thinks it gen and has paid accordingly. This one was posted earlier in the thread and I have my doubts with the same reasons as listed above.
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/d0Sskdjr/CC24-AD6-C-E388-4-A0-C-B8-C1-FD13119-D20-CA.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/d0Sskdjr/CC24-AD6-C-E388-4-A0-C-B8-C1-FD13119-D20-CA.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
This old lady getting a bit of wrist time lately. Love how clear the dial is for a chrono.
Valjoux 7750 movement and nearly 20 years old, lume isn’t as strong as it once was but still keeps great time.
neilnevill
Member
right, a photo from today...
Top tip: When taking a wrist shot hold your phone/camera as far away as possible and then crop the pic. It's all about perspective. I have skinny wrists yet I can wear a Tuna with ease, but if I take a pic of my 36mm Avia too closely it looks like a hairy ten year old girl is modelling the watch.
That Fortis is nice, very much a pilot’s watch, the Valjoux calibre’s are very good, that’s what’s in my nearly fifty year old Yema, Breitling used them in the 60’s as well.
My Tuna homage is wearing very nicely, I was concerned about the rubber strap, I’ve not had good experiences with them in the past, but after nearly a week of continuous wear, it’s been fine, and the watch has gained about twenty seconds so far, so it’ll be roughly thirty seconds a week, I reckon, which isn’t bad for a fairly mainstream movement.
At last, someone has posted a photo of a watch that I own. I am also a very happy wearer of the Seiko Titanium solar diver.
The blue colour is lovely in natural light, the weight makes it really comfortable to wear, lume wise its bright and the real bonus is not having to change a battery.
I have an Omega seamaster which is my posh watch, a tissot T race which is very different and the Seiko which probably gets worn the most as I tend to wear it for work.
My other half has given up on bikes +1, he is now working on watches +1, the latest being an Orient diver with orange dial.....
Love how clear the dial is for a chrono.
That is a very nice clean chrono, I understand the history etc but have never got on with all the tachy and other gubbins you often see, just too much clutter if all you're doing is telling the time. Those are nice clear hands too - my only chrono is a fairly clean dialed Seiko quartz but tbh the hands on that are just a touch too slender for good visibility.
I like the "Tuna" CZ, I don't think it's a style I'd wear but it's certainly got bags of wrist presence!
think you’ll agree the watch doesn’t look so big here.
I think you've done the opposite, it looks pretty large to me! If you like it though, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
As you asked for an opinion, the blue on the white stripe NATO is too dark. It should match the face, or contrast like Johnners suggested. Again IMHO, you shouldn't take what I say seriously, I'm a fashion disaster zone. 😊
@neilnevill I think you just beat me to it by a few minutes in purchasing that Pelagos (tz?) 😉
Looks lovely, the blue is stunning.
I ended up going down the GMT route instead which I love but still would like to try a Pelagos at some point.
I think it looks best on bracelet but if you are going for an alternative strap then it would have to be a crafter blue, don't really like the OEM one.
Jackal, yes tz, from shalako. He is a lovely gentlemen, and has some very lovely watches!
I ended up dragging me wife, 4yo, 2yo to and my mum with me as I took a very slight detour from heading to Dorset for a week's holiday, shalako was very welcoming though, sunshine in the garden and tea and oj made for a nice break from the car journey for a few minutes.
So a few of us are on tz then it seems!
The Tuna looks grubby and it's new. Too many dust receptacles. Certainly not cGMP! Sorry not my cup of tea.
NN the Tudor looks really nice on the Navy/white NATO. It just works, as with my Diver One.
Re. Tudor - if it were me (wishful thinking, as the more I see it the more I like it) I'd order a Crafter rubber strap in blue. It's a lot of coin for a bit of rubber, but well worth it to get the look just right imo.
Re. Tudor – if it were me (wishful thinking, as the more I see it the more I like it) I’d order a Crafter rubber strap in blue. It’s a lot of coin for a bit of rubber, but well worth it to get the look just right imo.
I agree and when you’ve dropped north of £2.5k on a watch then another £60 to get it looking nice isn’t a big leap.
Yes I think the crafter blue looks good. I think there may be a rubber b for it too. I'm nervous about the price though. I've not worn a rubber ever, what if I'm like count and her a rash? I suppose I could pop the OEM on for a test, or worst case I could sell it on tz I guess. I tend to mentally think of rubber as cheap and nasty even though the crafter looks good, I think it reminds me of the plastic rubbery straps from those cheap Casio watches 35 years ago. How well do rubber straps last though?
I suppose it depends on how you treat it. The Mrs has a silicone strap on her Christopher Ward for over 3 years now and it’s still in great condition.
True, I tend to wear straps loose so shouldn't stress the hole with the tang overly but being a lefty I do catch both watch and strap on stuff a bit. Not loads, I'm not clumsy, but so knock/catch it a little. If I paid £60+ quid for a rubber and then sliced it..well it would about more then slicing my livestrong band did. If that's a thought, that never irritated me so is probably be fine.
Jeez! I just looked at the price of the rubber b straps! $250! While the watch deserves a nice strap that feels a rip off.
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New to me, this is an Eterna Military Heritage 1939. It’s an updated version of the original watch issued to Czechoslovakian air crews. £415 from eBay, I’d say it isn’t worth the full retail price but it’s a nice piece nonetheless.
An recommendations for anything similar, but less pricey, to an omega seamaster planet ocean in orange?
it’s also possible your friend thinks it gen and has paid accordingly.
Well you may be right, but in that case AP have been fooled as well because it had just come back from them as it was being repaired!
<div class="bbp-reply-author">oldtennisshoes
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<div class="bbp-reply-content">An recommendations for anything similar, but less pricey, to an omega seamaster planet ocean in orange?
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How cheap? This cheap?
https://alpha-1993.com/products/alpha-planet-ocean-automatic-watch
An recommendations for anything similar, but less pricey, to an omega seamaster planet ocean in orange?
Search for Mako on the Creation Watches site, there’s a few there that might fit the bill.
Thanks both, very useful - I've got a significant birthday coming up in a little while, so I think I'm going to start saving for the real thing, but might buy one of the copies now.
As an aside, how difficult is it to change the bezel on a Seiko SKX007? There appear to be options to buy the bezel like this?
Re that Eterna Military Heritage 1939 on the last page. That date window, oh my!
As an aside, how difficult is it to change the bezel on a Seiko SKX007? There appear to be options to buy the bezel like this?
It's really easy with a slim watch back knife (or whatever they're really called), though you'll benefit from using a press when fitting the new one. It's about the most modded watch around, loads of bezel and insert options. Have a look on YouTube and there are a few popping off the bezel. Jody on his JOMW channel did a bezel and crystal mod on a SKX013 a couple of weeks ago.
Totally hijacking this thread with a cheeky link to a watch clear out! Includes 3 x Orients inc a Yobokies modded version...
What size is the Yobokies modded watch?
It's one of the Orient Flights so it's 42mm.
Thanks - will PM you
Some great looking watches on here, added a few to my Christmas list!
I'm after some pointers on a watch for my wife, something in the £2-300 range, any recommended sites to browse? with the caveat that I need by Friday, typical last minute gift buying...
My missis and a couple of the women I work with like their Michael Kors watches. At the lower end of your budget, and plentiful availability.
John Lewis have a decent range and are reliable deliverers.
I’m after some pointers on a watch for my wife, something in the £2-300 range, any recommended sites to browse? with the caveat that I need by Friday, typical last minute gift buying…
Creation Watches have a huge selection and will get it to you if you order today, it's where I tend to buy the watches at the price.
It’s really easy with a slim watch back knife (or whatever they’re really called), though you’l
If you have an older swiss army knife, the screwdriver/bottle opener tool is perfect for the job. Tape the case first though. If you get the bezel and insert separately mount the bezel first, then do the insert so that the markers line up with the clicks.
Pelago today...slipped under a cuff linked shirt cuff
And trying another strap. Yet again my wife found this one much better on the watch and wrist than when not fitted. the plain light blue is still her favorite though.
I like the “Tuna” CZ, I don’t think it’s a style I’d wear but it’s certainly got bags of wrist presence!
The photo does make it look rather big on my skinny girly wrists, but it doesn’t wear that bulky, probably because I’m wearing it with the rubber strap, so the caseback sits directly on my wrist, and not on a couple of layers of woven nylon, which probably add another 2mm to the height.
I’m really pleased with it, it’s comfy for all-day wear, it’s a proper tool watch, with the PVD-coated steel shroud to take all the usual knocks and wear that the case and bezel would normally take.
One thing I want to change is the bezel insert, I’ve got a ceramic one with all the indices filled with lume; problem is, the bezel is very finely fitted to the case, the gap is almost imperceptible, and the insert is also very closely fitted into the bezel, so I’m not sure how to go about removing the standard insert. I’m not fussed about damaging the insert, I don’t want to gouge a chunk out of the bezel while prizing the insert out.
I could also get another shroud, in plain brushed stainless steel, which would change the appearance, it would look ‘brighter’, without the ‘grubby’ matt black shroud...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F123929788078
Just happened across this and thought about @oldtennisshoes
Pretty tempted myself!
Pelago today…slipped under a cuff linked shirt cuff
Is that with the bracelet as God intended? 😉 I like the second strap (though not particularly on that watch) but it's a good illustration of why a NATO worn double-pass just doesn't work with a cuff. Not only does the watch sit up off the wrist on the 2 layers, there's that massive lump of folded back strap next to the wrist bone preventing the shirt from moving freely. All IMO of course.
IMHO - Bracelet with a work double cuff*, leather or bracelet with Dress double cuff, nato with Polo/T Shirt.
*Unless you are James Bond.
On another note, I don't have a Pepsi in my collection - any recommendations for something in the £200 range? I'd quite like an auto/solar chrono like this:
...but probably need to move away from owning a 4th Seiko...
On another note, I don’t have a Pepsi in my collection – any recommendations for something in the £200 range?
SKX009 is the default answer to that, though it's another Seiko. It's what I have and I'm a big fan.
Would anybody like this? If so I'll post it on.
its not running, presumably it needs a new capacitor/rechargeable battery as its been sat discarded on a sunny window sill for yonks but shows as flat. bracelet is sized for my wife so small and i'll rummage the drawer of bits but i think i binned the spare links. its well stretched anyway. also the bezel won't turn...she tends to be hard on watches! I think its just packed with grit though tbh. one final known problem with the date change. this watch knows when a month as less than 31 days, it even knows about leap years, but it started getting confused, on any month with less than 31 days it would refuse to show the last date of the month and would roll on to the 1st. basically its knackered, but if anyone wants to play about and try and fix it, I'll shove it in the post to you.
Can I join in?
My cheapy watch finally died again (strap pins ripped out through body) so time for a new outdoory watch.
I've just ordered one of these things for £30.
Matt that looks sweet, 200m WR, compass and thermometer for £30. What a bargain. Must resist 😀
I know, down from £80.
And it's a Casio. So it will just work. And work. And work.
Going to be bloody useful should ever you get approached by twins. You'll know ages before they arrive.
@Neilnevil I'll throw. A dibbs in unless I'm a bit late...
I like fiddling with old ecodrives...
It's yours cookeaa, I've replied to your message.
Wow Matt, that's a bit special. I'm guessing you aren't the target audience for that, but... Hope you enjoy it.
Ref that Casio, what’s the difference between Illuminator and Light? Does it have a torch?
Hamish, 'illuminator' means they've put a decent light in it that works and you can read the whole dial with. Casio of old basically had weak, almost useless lights in some cases... My faithful old F91 for example is pretty useless in the dark...
Oh and cheers neilnevil I do like playing with knackered ecodrives...
Going to be bloody useful should ever you get approached by twins. You’ll know ages before they arrive.
D’uh took ages till that sank in 😂.
I’ve just ordered one of these things for £30.
I do love a Casio, I've got 6 or so (including a Blue Thunder bought in the early 80s which still more or less works) but even by Casio standards that's - how shall I put this - unsubtle. And 45mm too. I think I like it but I'm not sure...
Casio - where they write the user manual all over the face.
I think I've found the ONE!
Having thought there was little point in paying much for a NATO I splashed a whole £12 on this premium seatbelt nato and whoaa! its good. the butch hardware really suits the butch wath, the brushed colour, even though its stainless, is a very close match to the Titanium case, the soft seatbelt nylon feels really really good and its shiny colour is lovely. I'd recommend these, and it came with a card giving a 20% off discount so I may well be buying more.
Well, if you're willing to drop the big bucks...
I think this would be good.
I think this demonstrates how a simple, clean face can look as or perhaps more impressive than the cluttered ones we've seen so far.
A Seamaster 120m with a nice shirt.
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Indeed johnners, I'd been considering a grey edged strap just like that. Thanks for that photo, it looks good on that Seiko.
Johnners - where's that blue and grey NATO from?
I've got a Samurai Save the Ocean that would look nice on that design.
Cheers.