UPDATE: Reviews section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
Think you're right. The split stem appears to be in place. Have emailed Steven.
I've used Calibre's warranty service and they were very good if that's any reassurance.
Cool, thanks. The chronometer function stopped working about a month after getting it back from being serviced and Calibre were very good about sorting it. That was 18 months ago and it's been fine since, which considering it's ten years older than me (dad got it for his 21st) is really pleasing.
In other news, the Victorinox I treated myself in 2001 is also away being serviced so I'm reduced to the wooden Bobo Bird watch my uncle gave me for xmas a few years ago. Which also pleases me.
Luminox and Nite watches use those little Tritium tubes instead of actual Lume, which is fine, they’re quite bright, but my understanding is that the Tritium has a life of about ten years or so, which could be annoying on a fairly expensive watch when it doesn’t glow any more. Super Luminova and similar luminova materials don’t seem to have an actual life span, they just need a bright light or a UV source.
Super Luminova and similar luminova materials don’t seem to have an actual life span, they just need a bright light or a UV source.
I tihnk they can be dug out and re-filled as part of a service too?
Having just had a significant number birthday (and sadly considering an approaching inheritance) I am considering a ‘proper’ watch.
I am automatic-curious, and like the look of the Rolex Explorer II.
Whilst looking I’ve found
SEIKOWATCHES.COM Which seems to be a similar. (I can buy ~20 Seiko for the price of an Explorer, so I don’t expect it to be the same quality).
But is the Seiko a crap auto watch? Coming from quartz I am used to a watch holding time.
Tempted to buy one to see if I like it as a daily wearer
(before I go to a Rolex shop and have to beg them to take my money)
any thoughts?
the seikos are great, but its a world of difference between them and the rolly / other brands at the same price. Everything on the seiko will feel a bit 'off' in comparsion. Anything that moves will be a bit loose, nothing quite lines up, the polishing will be inconsistent, and the seiko will not keep great time - you'll likely be setting it every few days.
Crap isnt fair either, its 1/20'th the price and its a great mechcanial watch. All the 'build quality' things only really become apparent once you've handled the fancy ones. You do get diminishing returns tho, so you might want to look at longines / tudor as you'll get 90% of the rolex quality for half the price.
For a single watch rather than a collection it probably makes sense to go long on quality, and know that apart from a service every 5/10 years it'll be your watch for life.
@dakuan thank you
I’m tempted as I can buy one tomorrow, and see how I like it on my wrist day to day.
if I like it (partly if it’s not too white) I can move it on in 6 months if and when a Polar Explorer is available.
I’ve been wearing a tag 2000 quartz for more than 20 years so I don’t change watches often.
If it’s the excuse of a birthday (and a reminder of someone), and I’ll wear it for life then I’d spend the money of a Rolex.
Tempted to buy one to see if I like it as a daily wearer
My explorer 1 feels completely different to my seiko (solar quartz (turtle, iirc)) to wear. The explorer has a lot more heft to it and feels like a quality item. It also keeps excellent time. The seiko feels like my old tag1000, lightweight, insubstantial in comparison, although both are fine watches.
also i dont know what the latest is, but Rolex are often a pain when it comes to buying well anything really, it might put you off the brand entirely
@dakuan that might be the sticking point.
I accept the idea I may not be able to just go buy a watch, but don’t want to put up with condescension or having to ‘make friends’ with the shop.
I also won’t be buying a new watch every year just to keep them sweet.
reminds me of the jeweller who told my wife she can bring back the engagement ring to swap for an upgrade later on if she wanted… 😤
The waiting list is easing up a bit, I got mine after about six months max on waiting list a year or so ago and a couple of weeks ago I was offered a no-date sub by the same authorised dealer. I think it also helps where you are on the list, I was on at an international airport AD so it's pretty difficult to insist on building a relationship there.
There is the option of a used piece - such as Watchfinder. They have a few Polar Explorers on there. Save the AD hassle and waiting list.
I got mine 18 months ago after a little wait, unfortunately our AD only sells Rolex and Patek, so I’m a real pauper in their eyes.
Explorer 2 aren’t selling for much over retail grey market atm, so unless you want to play the game, I’d just buy grey.
I’ve been promised a no date sub for my 50th by the same AD, and that’s tomorrow, mum’s still the word. It’s all a very frustrating process.
I think they can be dug out and re-filled as part of a service too?
I did wonder if that might be the case, but I’ve never seriously considered any watch that uses that technology, it was more an observation really. I prefer the look of Luminova, it defines the shape of hands and markers in a way that can be a bit more individual and defines a particular watch, although that has limitations, where a number of makers use similar designs.
Having said that, some makes use a variety of different colours of Tritium tubes on the faces and hands, like Ball do, to set them apart.
Just ordered one of these.
BERNY-Men Automatic Compressor-style Diver Watch V3-AM339M – BERNY® WATCH Official
It may be toss, but for less than £100 I'll take the risk.
Just ordered one of these.
BERNY-Men Automatic Compressor-style Diver Watch V3-AM339M – BERNY® WATCH Official
It may be toss, but for less than £100 I'll take the risk.
Nice - great lume. Average strap. Pretty decent crystal. Noisy movement but thus far, mine's been accurate. I ditched the strap and fitted an old style H link. Looks good for a $100 watch! They do some really nice and cheap Ti watches too....
I rather like that Berny, interesting style graphics and I like the different colour lume as well. I hate those plastic straps, they make my skin sweat and get sore, and are generally uncomfortable.
I use woven elastic straps on a number of watches, which are very comfortable and very cheap, about a tenner.
Just noticed there’s a version with a stainless steel bracelet, and it uses a Japanese Myota movement.
I accept the idea I may not be able to just go buy a watch, but don’t want to put up with condescension or having to ‘make friends’ with the shop.
I also won’t be buying a new watch every year just to keep them sweet.
I haven't been into watches for 20 years and don't own any at all so clearly not the thread for me but how times change. I bought my first Rolex when I was 19 (non date Submariner) and just walked into H Samuel, signed some 6 month interest free paperwork and walked out with it. That was almost 40 years ago though and it cost £712...
I accept the idea I may not be able to just go buy a watch, but don’t want to put up with condescension or having to ‘make friends’ with the shop.
I also won’t be buying a new watch every year just to keep them sweet.I haven't been into watches for 20 years and don't own any at all so clearly not the thread for me but how times change. I bought my first Rolex when I was 19 (non date Submariner) and just walked into H Samuel, signed some 6 month interest free paperwork and walked out with it. That was almost 40 years ago though and it cost £712...
I think times have changed.
I do fancy a rolex but i cant bring myself to. its more of an image issue for me.
I do fancy a rolex but i cant bring myself to. its more of an image issue for me.
Just embrace it and get yourself on Reddit. Extra points for posting with a background of supercar steering wheel, breasts, guns and gun ranges or babies.
Or maybe you can get some friends involved to
Or maybe you can get some friends involved to
One of these things is not like the other... (but actually still looks top notch, and is probably the best watch from that brand)
I do fancy a rolex but i cant bring myself to. its more of an image issue for me.
I can relate to this; Rolex is definitely a brand people with money but no taste seem to go for. But then if you fancy a Rolex but buy something else instead, it'll bug you that what you *really* wanted was a Rolex.
If it's an image thing, how about a Rolex that doesn't look so in your face? Maybe an Explorer/ Explorer II on a canvas or leather strap?
I'm taking the piss there but there is a real image issue with Rolex for many people and Reddit really has some great examples of why.
The irony is that actually have a Rolex that I have owned since 1989 and I would never part with it.
Pictures of nobs with things doesn't necessarily make you a nob if you have the same things does it? Rolex owner >35 years and not a nob (hopefully) 🙃
I'm taking the piss there but there is a real image issue with Rolex for many people and Reddit really has some great examples of why.
The irony is that actually have a Rolex that I have owned since 1989 and I would never part with it.
That's lush! Definitely pushes the buttons for me of 'flies under the radar, but if you know you know'.
do fancy a rolex but i cant bring myself to. its more of an image issue for me.
Even 40 years ago it was still a bit of a ****ers, look how rich I am, watch. But then I was a ****er then so fitted very well. Most people say I still am so maybe times have not changed as much as I wished although I don't wear a Rolex anymore so there is that 🙂
Lorus Military Automatic Black Fabric Watch - £129.99
This one I am tempted but already have too many watches (Casio mostly) because it is own by Seiko.
I'm taking the piss there but there is a real image issue with Rolex for many people and Reddit really has some great examples of why.
I’ve never really seen the appeal to owning a Rolex, and while I recognise the quality and engineering that goes into them, I’m afraid it’s very much guilt by association; I just couldn’t bring myself to own something that would tend to have people who don’t know me associating me with someone who displays significant wealth and superiority in the worst way.
I just couldn’t bring myself to own something that would tend to have people who don’t know me associating me with someone who displays significant wealth and superiority in the worst way.
so no pinarello/S-works for you? 😉
Dentists get a lot of hate, I might as well live up to the stereotype!
(typed wearing a £30 Lorus field watch)
I just couldn’t bring myself to own something that would tend to have people who don’t know me associating me with someone who displays significant wealth and superiority in the worst way.
I've had my rolex for over thirty five years and bought an explorer last year, I've never noticed that judgement and I can't say I've ever been appraised solely on my choice of watch. I suspect you're just projecting your own bias tbh.
Rolex is more of jewellery for men really. Good quality etc but I just find them slightly "boring" but I do like the solid gold president day date. 😆
Daytona, Pepsi, Root beer etc, just boring.
But then I also like the solid gold Casio 🤣
I know a young man who is a watch collector (his parents are rich) and none of his watch is less than £15k, and he has more than 30 in his collection of various brands😆
Rolex is more of jewellery for men really.
I think that's true of any analogue watch these days where the alternative is a technically superior cheap digital tool watch or even a smart watch.
There's a few I like, the basic Oyster Perpetual or a Milgauss, at the end of the day you buy/wear whatever your personal choice is and nobody should really be deriding you for it.
I have to say that I deliberately choose a "dumb" watch.
I spend all day sat at a computer. I have a laptop and a bafflingly complicated smart TV at home. I have a phone in my pocket with more processing power than NASA used to land a man on the moon.
I don't want one on my wrist!
Digital G Shocks for any instance where the watch could get damaged. Analogue watches for everything else.
Digital G Shocks for any instance where the watch could get damaged. Analogue watches for everything else.
The basic version of the GA-B2100 completely baffles me when it comes to changing the time when the clocks change! I’ve tried watching videos, or following on-line instructions, but I’ve never been able to sort it out! I now have the Bluetooth version, which allows me to sync with the Casio app on my phone which automatically sets the time. The other one I wear during the winter…
My mechanical watches get worn anytime (see what I did there…) I fancy a change - they’re all dive/tool watches, quite tough enough to look after themselves!
so no pinarello/S-works for you?
No. But then, I don’t ride road bikes, and the two bikes that I ride now are both Inbreds, and one of those is effectively bare metal, the other is a single-speed, so no stigma attached to them, other than what they are, and most people just haven’t got a clue, which is fine by me!
Going back to the Berny, I’m assuming that one of the external buttons turns the internal bezel? I rather like that idea, I do use the bezels on my dive watches for timing purposes, like how long my pizza’s been in the oven, for example. And I do like bright lume.
Just noticed there’s a version with a stainless steel bracelet
They have a Ti watch that's about $100 (AUD) looks very Sinn-esque. Tempting for the price.
Re: the Berny. Top button rotates the bezel.
Had notification that mine is now in the UK. Will post up pictures when it arrives.
Yup top adjuster moves the bezel back and forth, then screws down to lock into place. It's a fabulous watch for the money. Berny seem to be doing things the right way. Unlike San Martin which seem to be increasing. Their new SN0012 with the hardened case/strap is over $500 which puts it (for me) outside of the reasonably priced watch price range for me.
Anyone seen Phorcydes watches? They use big lume blocks and they look stunning at night.
I'm selling my titanium Grand Seiko SBGX355G, 37mm quartz “Snowflake” on eBay if anyone is interested. Amazing watch, just not getting enough use and I'm having a bit of a clear out.
That's a great looking watch and set, hope it goes well. Possibly a bit of a bargain too given how new it is?
Coincidentally I finally got round to putting my blue Tudor heritage chrono up on ebay last night too; I tried to sell it there before and the buyer pulled out, but maybe better luck this time...
If anyone's interested, lmk and I can share the details
Anyone seen Phorcydes watches?
I like.
Berny Compressor.
Looks massive in the photo because the camera was close.
First impressions are good. I like it.
