MegaSack DRAW - 6pm Christmas Eve - LIVE on our YouTube Channel
Thanks, it’s the limited edition ‘aged IP finish’ steel gmw 5000V - limited to 300 per region, no idea how many regions there are 😉
I really like these new metal G Shocks.
I got one of those french military elastic watch straps for my Vostok. Bit of a mix of nationalities, but I think they suit each other rather well. Now I just need to put on about 3 inches around my wrist to make it fit. 🙄
I bought a couple in the Watchgecko sale and they're useless- far too long for me so the buckle is at the side of my wrist and about 10mm from the springbar. I know the Erikas MN's are stupid expensive now but at least they're custom made for a perfect fit. Hopefully Watchgecko will offer them in S, M and L in the future.
Yeah, this was a cheapy eBay special. Cheap enough to mean I'll just get some green thread and shorten it myself. One of those Erikas straps would be about 50% more than I paid for the watch!
ok seiko modders, where could I find a green ceramic bezel insert for a Sumo SPB103J1?
Like this one which came up in Google when I searched for GREEN SEIKO BEZEL SUMO
https://www.dlwwatches.com/collections/ceramic-bezel-inserts/products/ceramic-insert-sumo-mk2-hulk
Yes they sort of thing, ta. Bit confused by that one though.... Title says mk 2 sumo but the reference number isn't right and it seems to be plugging the sapphire crystal as an upgrade.... The MK2 has a sapphire OEM. That sorry of thing though, yes.
I got one of those french military elastic watch straps for my Vostok
That really suits the watch with the green and red picking up on the dial and second hand. For a proper culture clash I've got my Komandirskie on a Bond NATO, though tbh I don't find the original leather anywhere near as bad as most people seem to.
ok seiko modders, where could I find a green ceramic bezel insert for a Sumo SPB103J1?
Might you not want to wait for your brand new watch to arrive before you get cracking on the mods?
[img] 
[/img]
That’s handsome Merak
Nice price too. Tempting! How are you finding it? Seiko movement isn’t it?
Not bad for £50
[url= https://i.ibb.co/yf1ZS0s/submariner.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/yf1ZS0s/submariner.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
It's a lovely thing tbf. The design is very elegant. Reliable Seiko movement and as you say a reasonable price. Sapphire glass, chunky leather strap.
I prefer it to the busier upcoming model 2
The design is very elegant
It's simple and clear in a field/Type A sort of way, nice skeleton hands - I like it. I must confess I prefer the SS version though.
£6 Erika on my beater Seiko. Big improvement on the leather NATO I had been using, way too chunky.
Got a few "nicer" watches, but i'm developing a thing for Vostok Scuba Dudes. Cheap, cheerful and easy to mod, with a great history too. A proper beater watch!
Just waiting on the postman for bits to mod a couple more. Apologies for crap pic.
Johnners... yeeesss but...no harm in looking!.
btw, spotted yesterday watcho have a blackfriday deal on with 20% of the new sumo making it about £590 iirc...plus 'extended warranty for free' although ho mention of how long thats for!
Still...I beat that price by over £50.
the sale was on garmin and gshock too i think.
murray, very tudoresque emblem and rolex smurf hommage. looks smart though.
Local watch dealer selling a pre-owned Rolex GMT Master 2 Pepsi with box and papers for £13,000!!
Really?? Are they commanding that sort of premium?
Really?? Are they commanding that sort of premium?
Welcome to Rolex in 2019. The demand for steel sports watches is through the roof right now
Not this, this is a tempter.
Johnners… yeeesss but…no harm in looking!.
btw, spotted yesterday watcho have a blackfriday deal on with 20% of the new sumo making it about £590 iirc…plus ‘extended warranty for free’ although ho mention of how long thats for!
Well at least take the stickers off first! I saw the Sumos on Watcho, they used to have 15% off watches over £300 so they've pulled that, applied 20% off to some watches and called it "Black Friday"! It's still a good price but pretty slippery all the same. The warranty extension is for a year, making it 3 on Seikos, and they've rather arbitrarily valued it at £100 IIRC. The green Sumo is very handsome but 44mm is maybe a bit big for me though I've not had one on wrist so don't know how they wear. Even with the reduction the price is definitely a bit big for me too, and I'm trying to see the year out without any more watches!
I tend to agree on all that. I worked out how much to bid on ebay by guessing someone might do a 20% ish offer and knocking enough off that for 'ebay from italy hassle' so my price is ok, although I didn't factor in a year of warranty too but chances of a problem are low.
its 45mm i think... massive. Probably way too big for me but we shall see. I can always sell it on and probably get most of the cash back....and then I'll know I want the green LE MAS instead.
I'll stick with the alu bezel for a start, I just wanted to see if ceramic replacements were about and how much. its hardly a mod really...just a material upgrade.
Too much?
[img] 
[/img]
Too much?
Too much what? Text all over the front?
Never, it's a Casio!
New Spinnaker watch about to launch. Called the Amalfi. 46mm watch, Sapphire, c3 superluminova, 24mm lug width. 4 colours... Teal looks lovely. Orange had a Sumo vibe to it. Early sign up gets you 25% off. Says Japanese movement so I'm guessing Miyota
I like it. Piqued my interest as I got married and honeymooned in Amalfi. I'm just not sure about a 46mm watch with my skinny wrists. Might take a punt with 25% off though.
https://d3k81ch9hvuctc.cloudfront.net/company/NgqesC/images/24d70ea7-2578-4bf0-b065-38e3b445ca12.gi f" rel="nofollow" >ebikegum
Member
Local watch dealer selling a pre-owned Rolex GMT Master 2 Pepsi with box and papers for £13,000!!Really?? Are they commanding that sort of premium?
Sod that Get a Parnis GMT for less than 70 quid. Sapphire and AR, ceramic bezel. Probs even cheaper via aliexpress in their black Friday sale
New Spinnaker watch about to launch. Called the Amalfi.
46mm and 250 grams - too much for my 7" wrist!
I'd maybe be tempted by this PVD Spence in their sale if I was in the market, only mineral but at $149 there's some value there.
Or Phoibos have just launched a GMT Eagle Ray in some interesting dial colours. (Only a) quartz movement but sapphire and decent enough value at 200 euro if it's made to their usual standard.
Merak - my silver metal one is more tasteful!
[img] 
[/img]
Well, a trip to the Phoisbos site and... thats quite good looking. Reminds me of a Tudor Black Bay Bronze... yet 10% of the price.
Well, a trip to the Phoisbos site and… thats quite good looking. Reminds me of a Tudor Black Bay Bronze…
I was sorely tempted by that bronze Eagle Ray when they launched a couple of months ago. Already having a bronze 42mm diver with a black face and black ceramic bezel helped shore up my meagre willpower until the urge passed, but they're a nice looking watch and it was a close run thing with the bronze bezel model. In the end I decided against but they were very well received/reviewed, I'm quite surprised they've not sold out yet tbh
Derek, what model is that? It's lovely.
Sure you must have posted it before, but it's late. 😀
Cheers oxidised wrench. I do like it.
Model no. is GMW B5000.
I was sorely tempted
I still am. I went solo window shopping last week and tried on a few watches. I absolutely fell in lust with a Tudor Black Bay Bronze when I tried it. So, other than £2700 what are the differences that would substantiate the Tudor over the Phoisbos? Just the name and legacy?
So, other than £2700 what are the differences that would substantiate the Tudor over the Phoisbos? Just the name and legacy?
Unsure if you're aware but Tudor is the sister-brand to Rolex. This means you get lots of awesome Rolex-tech and engineering inside their inhouse movements, as well as a punching-above-their-weight level of finish.
Sure, a lot of all luxury goods (watches especially) is paying for the brand name, but I feel this is less so in Tudor. The movement in the Bronze is the COSC certified inhouse Calibre MT5601 which will get you -4 to +6 secs a day.
If you're a watch nerd, then it's worth it imho. Not so if you don't care about the technicals. It's the exact same comparison to a £2k bike vs a Halfords special for someone who doesn't care for bikes.
So, other than £2700 what are the differences that would substantiate the Tudor over the Phoisbos? Just the name and legacy?
Name, legacy, bragging rights down the yacht club, and I suspect that it's just a little bit better finished. And don't forget you'd also be buying into probably about the same cost as the Eagle Ray for a periodic service!
If it helps, Phoibos have 10% off the Eagle Ray from tomorrow, have an EU base so you won't be hit for any Import Duty or additional VAT like on some other micros plus you can return it if you don't like it.
Of course, if you're after something more original in bronze the Zelos have just opened orders on the Hammerhead 2, starting at $369 for NH35. Who doesn't need a 1000m capable dive watch to ease those worries about splashing it when you're washing the car?
Not sure I'm keen on that, looks like something my user named alter ego might wear...
Unsure if you’re aware but Tudor is the sister-brand to Rolex
I was but not enough about the details, so thanks for helping me understand that. So Rolex-ish quality for sub-Rolex prices. Not sure I'm concerned about the servicing cost, I've never serviced my 2006 Aquaracer although maybe I should...
10% off the Eagle Ray
That makes it about £298... hmmmm
I wouldn't worry too much about servicing - I'm not sure what their recommended service intervals are but Rolex just upped theirs to 10 years. But many only service when the watch starts to show signs of running erratically, which could be many more than the recommended 10.
Your watch will also come back with a refinishing should you desire.
Basically the Tudor will outlive you - I'm sure the cheaper brands are made well these days but it's not uncommon for cheaper off-the-shelf movements to break.
I just bought a watch box, bloody hell I'm in this for life...
the Tudor will outlive you
Ah the old "an heirloom" marital justification method... 🙂
Not sure I’m keen on that, looks like something my user named alter ego might wear…
Well, it's got some angles for sure. Too big for my taste but I quite like the looks and it's good to see a micro not taking all their design cues from industry classics.
Ah the old “an heirloom” marital justification method…
In the interests of fairness it's got to be one heirloom per child...
Ah the old “an heirloom” marital justification method…
Yeah - I mean, it depends why you're into watches, right? If you're into the idea of owning one (or N+1...) watches that grow old with you, develop their own patina and ultimately become something you pass down through your family - then you'll want to buy a watch that can withstand a lifetime (or more) of wear.
Personally I'm quite into the 'romantic' ideal of wearing one watch which will grow old with me, with it's own battle scars and unique patina.
If that's not something you're into or if that sounds stupid, that's absolutely fine - maybe luxury watches aren't for you. Or maybe you're into luxury watches for other reasons, which again - is fine.
They're expensive, fairly redundant objects - so you gotta make sure you're buying one for a reason you're at peace with yourself with. Otherwise you'll never be able to truly enjoy it!
plyphon nails it.
the tudor is a far far better watch that will still have a lot of value in years to come, it'll run better, it will look better.....and yes you pay a lot of extra for the little shield too.
Kryton, I've pm'd you.
They’re expensive, fairly redundant objects – so you gotta make sure you’re buying one for a reason you’re at peace with yourself with. Otherwise you’ll never be able to truly enjoy it!
Having slept on it I think this bit is key, and also true - at least for me - about most significant purchases. Out of interest generated by this thread I’ve been looking and discussing watches for a long time now, but until I saw that Black Bay I didn’t really want to buy another. Nor do I want to buy it to say “look at me!” But the more I learn about it - the growing patina of Bronze watches I discovered earlier in the thread, the movement detail and lesser pretentiousness of Rolex from Plyphon earlier helps me build a story. And it’s a story about watches that I have discovered I like. Yes looks are influential but being able to tell - or bore - someone with a history and detail that is investested I the Watch I have found it key. Now, maybe I’ll end up with a Bronze Black bay one day, maybe not but if so I could indeed hand this down with a back story of quality care and attention that it deserves.
The only other watch I feel about is the Citizen Chronomaster - a huge back story and every detail has a quality and mystical telling of manufacture and technique from unique Washi faces and long historic Samurai polishing methods. I mean jeez, there’s such an investment in skill and time in that watch that transcends centuries and tells to the skills of an ancient society. What a thing.
Personal connection to your watch is super important - both my luxury watches I had a major life goal/milestone/etc behind the reason to purchase. It's nice to celebrate things via something luxury that you'll get to wear and enjoy every day.
Agreed. 40th birthday= my planet Ocean, married this year = my pelagos.
When it comes down to it, it's just jewellery and it's about making you feel good for wherever reason you have.
Oooo, its nice! The sumo has arrived! Photos tomorrow maybe. i need to get the bracelet sized or buy the tool, pins and collars to do it myself (if anyone wants to make suggestions please do) it is a very good fit though! the head I mean. very surprised, i really thought it would be huge but ...well...it isn't. until i hold my PO next to it I'd never think it were larger.
I'll report more once I've had a proper play
The sumo has arrived! Photos tomorrow maybe.
Great stuff, I look forward to it!
buy the tool, pins and collars to do it myself (if anyone wants to make suggestions please do)
TBH any old thing will do, a cheap kit like this one from Amazon will be fine for home use - it's got everything you'll need (unless the links are joined by screw pins, in which case a tiny screwdriver is what you need). Pay more money and you'll get something that's nicer to use and more robust but I've never bothered. You won't need extra pins and collars (if it even has collars), you'll reuse what you take out to rejoin the bracelet.
Heads up, some good prices on Seiko on Creation Watches today, £255 for an SKX007/9 or less if you're happy with the Korean model.
Hmmm, 94 watches listed under Prospex, all of them listed as in stock and all of them also listed as not available for sale... Dafuq?
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-prospex-299/
Hmmm, 94 watches listed under Prospex, all of them listed as in stock and all of them also listed as not available for sale… Dafuq?
Some sort of geolocation nonsense going on there, they may have an agreement not to sell into the UK market. If I switch server to US, Netherlands or France they're available. Whether switching locale would let a purchase go through with a UK card or delivery address I've no idea.
Any good Black Friday deals?
While "Christmas shopping" I've accidentally ordered my first ever G-Shock an AW-591.
I'm excited now about it coming now, and oddly enough I've never had a G-Shock before despite being a bit of a Casio fan...
It's apparently not as comically huge as some other G-Shocks (~46mm) and is a Ana-Digi type watch, both of which which appealed to me.
Straight after ordering that I found myself looking at the stealthy negative display, Black DW-5600, I may have started on another slippery slope...
Still need to buy some presents for the missus though!
Right, the Count's SKX007 has developed a fault. It's started losing a random chunk of time, between 15 mins to 1 hour some days. Every time but one this has been overnight, so I assumed around date change, but one random loss in the morning has confused that.
Any idea what the issue might be? With the 7s26 movement is it really worth trying to get it repaired or just bang a replacement in? Could even get it upgraded at the same time to a hacking/winding one.
(sorry cookeaa, a hijack. Put a picture up of it when it arrives).
Magnetised?
In what way Kryton? Left next to a powerful source overnight, (in which case, no) or can a 'belt' of magnetism permanently affect them? In think that's very unlikely too. Although I work in a power station with magnetic exclusion zones for pacemakers and such, I have no need to get that close to these sources.
This thread is relevant to my interests.
I'm someone who hasn't got the money to burn on Rolex's etc, so am a budget peruser.
So far my favourite is my custom 80's SX007 7002 (and a couple of broken ones). Have a few Seiko 5's, a couple of Vostoks, etc. I also have a couple of Grayton Harriers which were an interesting Amazon find.
Was a bit of a Master copy collector, but found that they generally couldn't take daily use, often failing when knocked or dropped. I do fancy one of those Parnis's tho...
However my pride and joy is my quartz Heuer Diver 980.006 - a rare and appreciating little curio - 40mm case, but super tough.
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
or can a ‘belt’ of magnetism permanently affect them?
It sure can - your symptoms perfectly describe a magnetised watch - random erratic losses of time.
You can buy a demagnetiser on ebay for a couple of quid, or take it into any jewellers and they should have a wotsit that does it.
Excellent, cheers plyphon. You're right about the cost of a demagnetiser, I'll give that a go.
Love this thread. Always have a read when I get a chance. So I thought I’d share my watch history.
Always been fascinated by watches. I got a Timex digital watch for my 8th(ish) birthday. One of the LED ones that you had to push the button in to see the time and the battery lasted about 2 month at a time, no idea what happened to it and I regularly look for one the same on ebay and can never seem to find one the same, maybe after all these years I remember it incorrectly, so I never will.
I was then hooked, I remember being obsessed about getting a calculator watch after my uncle got one with tiny buttons you needed a pen to us, he gave it me a few years later and I still have it somewhere.
Once I started work one of my first purchases was a Seiko divers style watch, another uncle had a Rolex and I converted from the day I saw it.
Then things got serious, I got a Tag 1500 for my 21 birthday. I still have it, wore it pretty well every day until I was 30. Unfortunately I swapped the strap out for some trendy surfer Velcro one at some point and although I still have the original metal strap I can’t find the “shoulders” to put it back on. Again they are on an eBay search.
I went for an Omega Seamaster for my 30th from a shop in Australia. It was a very good deal, good discount and with the exchange rate at the time it was hard to say no. Although I liked it to start with, I always felt I probably bought it because of the deal and I never really likes the wave lines on the face.
On my 40th I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to trade in the Omega and get the watch i had wanted for a very long time. A Rolex Deepsea Seadweller. I still love it as much now as the day I got it. I’d saved hard for a good few years in order to get it, it wasn’t just some whim. I’m 50 next birthday and my wife asked if I wanted to change it, but I don’t think so. On the plus side it’s worth a lot more now after 9 years than I paid for it.
I don’t wear it all the time, a day or 2 a week. I currently wear a Garmin Fenix 3 most of the time (maybe I’ll update that for my birthday). I also have a Casio G-shock GNW-1000B as my holiday watch, great watch. Solar and radio adjust, so always accurate and I never have to worry about it.
Although my Rolex is very important to me, it is just watch, it’s on the house insurance and could easily be replaced. Therefore it is not my most treasured watch and I am not being flippant in anyway.
For my 18th birthday my late Nan asked what I wanted and knew instantly. My grandad had been given a watch for his retirement, it wasn't some mega money thing but it was a nice Rotary and he’d worn it every day. He’d past way nearly 10 years by then, at one point she had leant it to my dad while his was getting fixed or something, so I knew it was around somewhere. So I cheekily asked for it, we have a big family so I was well down the pecking order for it, but nobody else had ever thought to ask(there where comments after the fact) so tough. Turned out it was broken by then. So she had it fixed and put a new strap on it for me. I have worn it to every wedding, funeral, christening, graduation etc I’ve ever been to . Years later my mum told me I’d made my nan cry when I’d asked for it, she was so happy (is it’s dusty in here). Truly love that watch, keeps shocking time though.
What a great story johnikgriff. Moving, and thanks for sharing it.
Truly love that watch, keeps shocking time though.
Want to borrow my demagnetiser? 🤣
See, there's the thing about watches vs. the smartphone in your pocket. So much more to them than just being functional.
Great story, thanks for sharing
EDIT: I'd love to see pics of your Sea Dweller, they're great watches.
Yes, and the unreliable Rotary. Photos from Neil_Bolton too.
What no picture of my Garmin.
Rotary looks so small compared to my other watches now.
Not sure you can see, but the winder on the Rotary is not the original. It was the bit they repaired, tbf i thought it was very “clunky” compared to the original, but didn’t want to change it as that’s how she had it replaced. It’s not long had to have the strap replaced again, the other just fell apart.
Note, my arms aren’t as hairy as they look in the photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/185838450@N04/shares/DxC70u
I’ve not posted pictures in ages (clearly). I’ll keep trying, but I’m hoping the link works at least.
Right, the Count’s SKX007 has developed a fault. It’s started losing a random chunk of time, between 15 mins to 1 hour some days. Every time but one this has been overnight, so I assumed around date change, but one random loss in the morning has confused that.
Any idea what the issue might be? With the 7s26 movement is it really worth trying to get it repaired or just bang a replacement in? Could even get it upgraded at the same time to a hacking/winding one.
Definitely not magnetised. When that happens the coils on the hairspring stick together, effectively shortening it and causing it to run several hours fast per day.
My money's on a worn/loose cannon pinion. It's the bit the minute hand is mounted on and is friction fitted to the centre wheel acting as a clutch when setting the time - in normal use the 'clutch' is locked and transferring power from the movement to the hands, but when setting the time the clutch/cannon pinion slips allowing the hour and minute hands to be set independently of the movement. If the cannon pinion is too loose then it'll start to slip when the date change introduces some more resistance and eventually as it gets worse the hour and minute hands won't move at all.
It's a relatively easy fix for a watchmaker to do but requires almost all of the dial side of the movement to be removed. Most watchmakers will quote for a full movement service and possibly for more than what the watch is worth so it works out cheaper buying the upgraded movement and required crown/stem and only paying for a movement swap. Make sure you buy a movement with the date at 4 and not 3, otherwise it won't line up. Also be aware that new movements don't ship with a day disc but if your watch has a 7S26C movement you can use the old one on the 4R36/NH36/6R15. If the watch was made prior to 2008-ish then it'll be a 7S26A or B version and a new day disc and day advance wheel will also be required.
Cheers Fudd for taking the time to type that comprehensive answer, not quite sure what to do now! Might just take it to my local watch place and let him at it, I certainly can't put up with it as is. An hour out again this morning.
On a different note, anyone seen the new Bond watch yet? Nice. 
Fudd has much deeper knowledge than me! Interesting to read, thanks for taking the time to diagnose that.
I like some aspects of that new Omega - the domed crystal, the all brushed case, the typeface and hour markers are all great.
But the faux-sun bleached patina is a bit strong for me. Sometimes I don't mind faux-patina but it does feel overdone here.
N-1.
20 years of faithful service & the bezel has gone.
Can't you just glue it back on?
Not if I want it to go round. I found the retaining ring after it I Chad stood on it. I’ll take it to the watch maker when I get a chance.
On a different note, anyone seen the new Bond watch yet?
Comes on a Mesh Bracelet, in fact a titanium mesh bracelet!
I like a Mesh bracelet, Can't afford £7.5K though...
N-1.
20 years of faithful service & the bezel has gone.
The chap behind Animal watches now runs Elliot Brown watches and I hear he still works on Animal watches where parts are still available. That would be my first port of call.
Thanks for that Fudd, I'll look him up.
Though I'm on the bottom of the world, so cost may be prohibitive.
I don't like the mesh strap on the omega but the head is quite nice and I've seen a mock up of it in a sand coloured NATO which worked well. It's costly, it's Titanium... My it's a lot more than the standard one costs..... But omega are pushing their prices up constantly.
You can get it with that mesh strap, or a Bond grey and black NATO natch. The article suggested one of the other, but you'd have thought for the price of it they'd throw a strip of nylon in with the mesh one, the tight arses.
But the faux-sun bleached patina is a bit strong for me.
I just see it as 'brown' and quite like it as such. However, it's unlikely to be something that ever really troubles me at the price, (with or without the extra NATO strap. 😀)
Having seen one in this thread I'm getting an Alkin for Xmas. The white face and stainless steel case. My first automatic watch. I like the minimalist design.
Getting the brown strap.
Nice choice
I keep toying with buying stainless/black face/black strap
But then it’s £250 towards the Stowa that I really want.....
