A Seiko from the SPB series? Day, date and power with a urushi dial and display caseback.
Plus cheap enough to use on the bike everyday.
Or a seikomatic weekdater?

How about the new Hamilton Khaki Expedition?
I do like a Swatch, is the best method for getting scratches off the face to polish with baking soda toothpaste or is that too much?

@sanername, just get some Polywatch https://www.amazon.co.uk/Polywatch-Plastic-Crystal-Scratch-Remover/dp/B072M2YN4D
5.5 seconds more than me!
sanername - are you an Ali G tribute act?
sanername – are you an Ali G tribute act?
I'm going with the real Colin Hunt.....

I read somewhere that the numbers on that new Hamilton all seem to be in slightly different sized fonts - totally true and once you see it you can't un-see it.
Much closer to Ken, ya ken?

Cannot stand that Mad Watch Collector YouTube channel
…the pink Zenith on the other hand
@boblo on my watch selection approach again, I often put my current interests (based on whatever criteria) on my desktop. That way I see them all day, different times of day, different moods etc, and it often helps eliminate options as certain features slowly grow to annoy me. Below is the current list but, of course, they do not all imply the same financial pain or effort. A Blancpain is an all-in and requires several watch sales. A Pequignet would require a sale but would be otherwise 'sensible'. For the same sale, I could get the Vertex AND the Damasko, but I lean away from increasing numbers at present (and I gave my dad an originall WWW Vertex for his 70th, so I get to see it now and again).

For example, that grey-ish Blancpain complete calendar looks pretty cool in photos, less cluttered than the black dial, but in person it is washed out and lacks contrast. The black dial I don't like the look of in the photos, due to clutter, but it's more manageable in person (see below). The BP annual calendar (vertically aligned day and month discs!) is much less cluttered but lacks the whimsical moonphase. The Glashütte I find balanced but it drove most of you nuts (and is limit too formal). Same can be said for the Pequignet with indices but the one with numerals is considerably larger. Finally the BP FF flyback chrono complete calendar. The front of it is sumptuous but the rear has the dodgy nautilus winding rotor and the undersized movement (the more recent BPs have better fitting movements and weekend-long power reserves).
Forgot the BP FF CC

Is that a bathyscape? I'm not feeling it for that either. I just don't like the visual appearance, mainly the dial, small hour markers, fat hands, busy with complications.
That's the best picture I've seen of it. It strikes me across all the pics that the crystal is very reflective?
@Neil, yes, that's the Bathyscaphe complete calendar. The case and movement are lovely, it's the dial and handset that let it down.
@Kryton, I am renowned for taking horrendous photos so I can't speak to reflections.
Also, the Bathyscaphe bezel action doesn't even match up to my Pelagos. Feels gritty and annoying.
WHY CAN'T THEY JUST MAKE ME THE EXACT WATCH I WANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@gaidong, just a quick thank you for your guidance re the Oris Pro Pilot, I worked to do a deal on a second hand one but the vendor was inflexible so I decided to try my luck with brand new. Dealt online with a bricks and mortar shop, played a little hardball with the manager via email and wrestled a 20% discount and free next day delivery. When I opened the box I thought it was a touch on the large side but true to your word it looks good , subjective I know ! I have not taken it off yet , and all based on you posting a photo referencing your disdain for the paltry offer you'd received. I have registered it with Oris to gain an extra year warranty and learnt that the reference number you guided me with is a 'Guardian Flight Limited Edition', who knew ? Although I have yet to find a number which indicates this, any way thanks again your input was much appreciated.
@jamesco, that's fantastic, and congratulations! Gizzus a wristshot then???!
In ten days I'm off on a round the world trip, and need to decide which watch to take. I'm going hand luggage only so can't be s0dding around with watch cases, it'll have to be one and done. So far the Propilot is by far the most likely!
gaidong
Free Member
In ten days I’m off on a round the world trip, and need to decide which watch to take. I’m going hand luggage only so can’t be s0dding around with watch cases, it’ll have to be one and done. So far the Propilot is by far the most likely!
Bingo. It's classy, classic, robust, and looks good without costing a packet. Perfect do it all really!
@gaidong , that's interesting - coincidentally took a few pictures with a world map backdrop ! Unfortunately they are refusing point blank to upload , Doh !
@Kilo, yes thanks but the current models are pointer sub-dials, not apertures, on a light dial. I nearly bought an Artix Complication last year but finally decided it was ugly - and I didn't trust ten year old New Old Stock...

Watchgecko have some returns of their Geckota Pioneer Alpinist looky likey.
(Other colours available)
Can anyone recommend an independent that can service my old TAG series 2000 Auto that won't charge the earth?
Preferably London/South East based. Ta.
I know you want local Nobby, but you really can't beat Calibre's service IMO, they'll even provide pics as they go through the process on request: https://calibrewatchrepair.com. Have a look at the send/return process for confidence.
Turned around my 2006 Aquaracer in 3 weeks during lockdown
Oris Artelier
Blimey that pic that Guiding posted is nice, I've been looking at a Moon phase complication for a while now. Must resist!!
Alsal on The Strand might do it but Calibre are very good and I would have no hesitation using them again - just had my Rolex serviced there (and then repaired when I dropped it two weeks later) . I posted mine up from London, I was hesitant at first but no issues with that whatsoever.
Friday afternoon moon phase just for Kryton;

Big day tomorrow, Jody is launching his own watch brand. Watch out for the video in the morning!
I'm never that keen when people like that start releasing watches - they always feel a bit like an exercise in box-ticking. Long Island watches is one which springs to mind.
It'll be interesting to see what they come up with though.
Nice
Big day tomorrow, Jody is launching his own watch brand. Watch out for the video in the morning
It'll be interesting to see what he comes up with.
Just one more diver...
It’ll be interesting to see what he comes up with.
Just one more diver…
Of course, what else:
Just one more diver…
At last someone's been bold enough to fill that underserved niche in the microbrand market.
I can see just about every dimension except diameter but I'll go out on a limb and say it's 40mm.
I quite like it in a tooly Pelagos sort of way. £250 is pretty cheap too, but that'll be significantly more by time customs have got to it. That's the reason I've never bought one of those nice Artem straps from Aus
It’s a 41 😂
I did the cart / maths. The watch plus the strap pack is £360 delivered to the UK incl. taxes. Sounds expensive, but to be fair there are some Seikos likely worse quality for more, albeit they have brand credibility.
Yeah, that Erebus is painfully boring. I hope he has enough subscribers to tide him over until a more interesting model. Or that 'Mr X's' pockets are deep.
Just watched the video. Sapphire, ceramic bezel, quick release bracelet with on the fly microadjust. I quite like it in black to be honest
Sounds expensive, but to be fair there are some Seikos likely worse quality for more
"Better value than a Seiko" is a pretty low benchmark these days!
TBF though, it's fairly priced for a bog stock entry level microbrand diver but I'm disappointed it's just so generic.
I see what he was going for by shrinking the width of the bezel to make the face bigger and therefore easier to read, but the proportions just dont 'look right' to me. Good effort though, be great if they showed some of the prototypes and the issues with them, and curious!
Does anyone know where I can get a fluoro-ish green 20mm NATO strap, potentially to match my kayak....?

Yesterday CWC emailed me the SF300 was back in stock, and I succumbed...
18mm only... https://www.briston-watches.com/en/product/nato-strap-neon-green-ns18-gg/
Would prefer a black buckle but can do that myself if needed.



