MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
£295 on Amazon. A bit steep for a quartz chrono?
Agreed. Solar too, but still pricey - and a surprising amount of variation in the prices available online (I've seen it around £190 I think)
Any thoughts on Christopher Ward watches - C60 in particular?
I'll get shot down for this but when I held a CW in my hand I was totally underwhelmed and thought it was rubbish.
I haven’t got a Christopher Ward C60 but probably will soon. Like the look of them personally.
I have some good watches but always go on what I like the look of, the C60 fits the bill. I’ll probably get the C60 Trident Pro. (I’ve got to wait another month or so as just spent a fair chunk of cash on new wheels)
Brads, I’ve held other Christopher Ward watches and to be honest felt absolutely fine to me, similar feel to my Breitling. Have seen the C60 on eBay for £500 which seems decent.
I’ve got a CW (not a C60), it’s a lovely watch but it’s nothing special.
I bought mine when they were a much newer company and the prices were lower, I don’t see much value in them at current prices.
I like the black faced Dartmouth diver that they just released. Not keen on the 9 o’clock logo placement on most of the others
Are you looking at the new sapphire version of the C60? I like that one, not sure if I'd wear it myself, might be a bit brash.
Just considering a standard C60 black. The sapphires look a bit too bling for me.
Soon, these will all be burgers.
So fantasy watch buying.
£250-750 for a mechanical or automatic watch
I like the idea of brands like Christopher Ward and Magrette
I like clear faces and bright designs - not too busy.
40mm + in size
I'd like it to be something I could leave to my son.
Whilst I like a Seiko as much as the next person, I'd prefer something less mainstream.
I know some of this sounds a bit pretentious bolloxy, but humour me. Please.
🙂
If you take into account the exchange rate and the 15% discount you get offered when you visit the website, that upper limit gets you close to the Yema Superman Heritage. Nice looking watch from a manufacturer with heritage while still avoiding the obvious Seiko ranges.
Superman!
You could look at Hamilton or Laco, 2 brands I've been eyeing up recently. Hamilton's field watches always look good, as do Laco's fleigers but they both have loads of options.
Personally I wouldn't bother thinking about buying it as a "heirloom" piece, your tastes will differ, fashions will change etc etc and you're unlikely to be able to pick up something within that price range which will increase in value other than by blind luck.
Any sentimental attachment will come from the fact it's your watch, not because you spent a bit extra on a sapphire crystal or whatever. To that end I would get something you're going to wear otherwise it'll just be a thing that sits in a drawer that he doesn't associate with you.
All that said, with that budget, I'd buy one of these...
...but that's because I'm an Orient fanboy.
In fact I ordered one of these...
...yesterday from Creation to go on a Geckota strap I originally ordered to go on a completely different Orient I haven't bought yet!
Oh, the Elliot Brown Tyneham automatic is also very nice - I've a Canford and the finishing and feel of the watch is great.
£250-750 for a mechanical or automatic watch
I like the idea of brands like Christopher Ward and Magrette
Very happy with my Magrette, since I put a Zulu strap on it I’ve been pretty much wearing it all the time. Much more unusual than CW watches which I personally find a bit meh.
Personally I wouldn’t bother thinking about buying it as a “heirloom” piece, your tastes will differ, fashions will change etc etc and you’re unlikely to be able to pick up something within that price range which will increase in value other than by blind luck.
Totally this - but if you do have the idea of passing it on I'd go for something classic rather than quirky, though it'll be that you've worn it for years that will (hopefully) make it special to your son so you'll obviously have to choose something you're actually going to wear. As Ivan suggests, Hamilton or Laco should fit the bill nicely if you get on with them and they'll always look classy. Unlike Ivan though I'd steer well clear of PVD - there's the patina that daily wear gives to a piece and then there's the battered AF look I anticipate PVD having in 10 or 20 years!
^^^^^^
The PVD thing is a fair point but I get around it by only wearing whatever my current smar****ch is - can't damage my actual watches if they're tucked away in a drawer...
Smith's Everest?
but if you do have the idea of passing it on I’d go for something classic rather than quirky, though it’ll be that you’ve worn it for years that will (hopefully) make it special to your son so you’ll obviously have to choose something you’re actually going to wear.
100% this - the watch doesn’t have to be fancy, or with lots of complications, there’s more to go wrong there, or be a sports watch, something like a military style, a Citizen for example, and preferably an automatic, just because electronics can fail, whereas a mechanical will go on for decades.
Wearing a watch for many years gives it a genuine patina that will be associated with you when worn by your son.
Regarding PVD coatings, they will wear, no matter how tough the manufacturer might say the coating is - this is my TAG Series 1000, which may be one of the earliest watches with a PVD coating, I bought it around 1985, and you can clearly see the wear on the case and bracelet from years of my wearing it. Collectors like to see that, getting a watch recoated will drop it’s value; ones like mine, which cost £250, are now going up around £1000, or thereabouts, but only because of a James Bond connection, and they’re cheaper than Rolex!
Count Z — very curious about the Heimdallrs – a) how much duty did you have to pay? B) what is the quality like ?
No duty at all. The quality is excellent, the machining of the case is easily on a par with Seiko, and I’ve got a couple of Seikos here at home, they use Seiko movements, so mechanically there’s no difference, they have sapphire crystals, instead of the Hardlex Seiko use, they have ceramic bezel inserts instead of alloy, the stainless bracelets have proper machined ends, and timekeeping is easily on a par with any equivalent Seiko - one of my Heimdallr’s gains roughly 10 seconds a day, the other loses about the same, but because the NH36 movement’s hackable, resetting the time literally takes a few seconds, I do mine about every couple of weeks, by which time they’ve about three or four minutes out, the last time I did one was after twenty days, and it was just shy of four minutes adrift, which really isn’t much to worry about.
The lume is very bright too, they use SuperLuminova.
I like the Heimdallr Shark logo, it doesn’t bother me that it doesn’t say Seiko on the face, some Heimdallr watches use different movements anyway, and customisations often have third-party faces with different logos anyway.
Dunno if anyone’s interested, even from a purely intellectual/being nosey point of view, but Watches of Knightsbridge are holding an online auction, these are the people who sold a Yema Rallygraf a couple of years ago, and they’ve got another very similar watch, a Lejour, which is basically a Rallygraf standard, and that’s valued at £1200-1500!
Worth a shufti just to see what watches are fetching at the moment.
https://watchesofknightsbridge.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/t/CFDB758C5E1EDE872540EF23F30FEDED/08963C6FB00C33DC20B193FBA00ED1DB
Remember the Garmin instinct G shock competitor I mentioned a few pages back? Well, Casio have just released early info on the GBD-100, a kind of light version and although it seems a little focused on running, is only £139.
https://world.g-shock.com/asia-mea/en/products/g-squad/gbd-100/
my quibble is how much for a battery change in - perhaps less if used properly a lot - 2 years?
That's interesting because they've just done a beefier version at £380 as well.
That’s the one, yes. Good move to have a light version I think. Although, the instinct pricing is right in the middle!
I'm surprised casio have been so slow to jump on the fitness tracking type bandwagon tbh, I know they've done one or two but you'd think they'd be all over it.
@oldtennisshoes , my oft suggested brand for superb quality at affordable prices is the Steinhart. If you don't like a Homage then there are other non ocean one steiny's. I also agree with the Laco and Hamilton suggestions, both quality watches. I'd favour the Laco, one of the original fleiger manufacturers but that's just history....and I love a good tool watch. thinking on those lines Stowa have the same credentials too and are at the top end of the price bracket you gave.
@Kato - that Yema Navygraf is very tasty! I’ve not come across that particular watch before, my Rallygraf is from the same period, c1969/70, but I had no idea they’d made an actual dive watch.
Good to see they’re doing their own in-house auto movement as well, mine has a Valjoux 7733, IIRC, which Breitling also used around that time.
If I suddenly found myself with some spare cash, I’d have one of those, if only to have some continuity with the company from fifty years ago. They’ve had some real ups and downs, it would be nice to see Yema get some recognition again.
They’ve had some real ups and downs
Scroll down the link and see what you can (somehow) experience if you buy a new Yema Spacegraph.
I assume there's a cost and a waiting list!
So about a month ago on this thread, @tthew generously offered his Pulsar Aircrew Chronograph watch in exchange for a donation to charity. Described as “not brilliant condition” I PM’ed him and we worked something out. A donation was made to Salisbury Hospice and a few days later, just as lockdown started the watch arrived. It has a patina of use but certainly isn’t in bad condition.
I’d like to thank him publicly, something I should have done much sooner. However, today in the post a nice new NATO strap has arrived and is a great opportunity to take a picture and contribute to the thread. I’m delighted with how it looks and will be first in the queue at the jewellers to get a new battery fitted, and then get wearing this lovely watch!
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Excellent, I'm glad it's getting a new lease of life, the hospice got a bit of money and it looks good on the new strap. 👍
Thanks again, very generous of you.
SKX007J ordered today. Planning to dive into the rabbit hole. 🙂
(It's time I owned more than one watch!)
I dithered slightly because I also saw this rather lovely machine, the SPB077, but it's somewhat beyond my budget and I'm going to be wearing the watch in the workshop and the SPB077 is rather too smart for that.
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(edit: not my photo, just found online. But that bezel!)
I'm tempted by this. Not flashy and Seikoquartz inside, but a 500m rated dive watch for £105.
One of the 200m versions was found in working order after a month in the sea at a dive site.
https://www.jfdecommerce.com/divex-offshore-500.html
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/divex-watch-indian-ocean-shipwreck
@beaker those Pulsar Navigators watches (not pilot issue unless you were on good terms with stores) were banned from being used on aircraft whilst I was in The Mob.
The crowns kept on falling out in-flight and causing Foreign Object Damage (FOD) risk on aircraft.
I have no idea where mine ended up. Nice looking watch but I found the EcoDrive Tough perfect for flying. Big luminous numbers....screw in crown and the chap who sold it to me said it was EMP-proof and the "perfect watch to wear to war". Winner!!
Thanks for the draw guys - some things to think about.
@mikertroid I was never on good terms with the Stackers when I was in, I had trouble getting socks from them! My brother was a Loadie and for a while we were stationed at Lyneham together, he eventually told me a bottle of Jack Daniels usually helped get something off the shelf. I’ve always wanted a chronograph, this won’t be the last.....
I’m tempted by this. Not flashy and Seikoquartz inside, but a 500m rated dive watch for £105.
One of the 200m versions was found in working order after a month in the sea at a dive site.
https://www.jfdecommerce.com/divex-offshore-500.html
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/divex-watch-indian-ocean-shipwreck/blockquote >
Divex are an Aberdeen based commercial dive company, and these watches are badged up for them. They are quite common up here as they were given out as marketing/freebies (or they were before the downturn!). Of the ones I've seen, they aren't great. The same watch is available under quite a few names. I don't think anyone knows who makes them.
I first got into watches a few years before my 40th when i decided i wanted to mark that major birthday with a luxury watch. I spent 2 or 3 years choosing before i settled on my PO. love it to bits still.
last year i got a growing urge for a second watch and as i got married i marked that with my pelagos smurf.
now a few years from my 50th i'm thinking of a 3rd major purchase, IF i'm in a position to.(big IF, but let's dream!) i think i fancy a fiddy for my fiddieth. not sure on model yet, nor size although i currently fancy a full 47mm fiddy rather than a mini fiddy if i can pull it off. with skinny 6.5" wrists I'd never have thought I could rock ny PAM to be fair, let alone a full fiddy, but i've found a sumo at 44,5mm perfectly wearable so i want to try a fiddy. Why am i telling you this? well i like seeking views and seeing pictures. PAM views please, and any fiddy photos. partcularly 172, 176, 372, 375, 376, 605...but not only.
@Futureboy77
what were the issues you found with Divex watches? Any reviews I've seen were positive.
EG
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?425667-Is-this-the-best-value-diver-in-the-world-Probably!
I’ve just posted about this on the things you’ve made thread, but I’m posting it here as well because it’s relevant, I’ve finished this afternoon a new leather strap for my Yema, the old one was getting tatty and uncomfortable, so I used some leather I had kicking around and made a replica. More details on the other thread, but it’s hand-stitched all round, and much thicker leather than the old one, which was padded around the middle, the new one is around 2-3mm vegetable-tanned with a thin goatskin lining.
Picking up on those new G-shocks.
I’m surprised casio have been so slow to jump on the fitness tracking type bandwagon tbh, I know they’ve done one or two but you’d think they’d be all over it.
You would, but fitness trackers have mainly been Fitbit and Garmin's territory since the Mid 00's and the general churn of that market seems to be towards getting customers to replace the product every couple of years really. While I would say the ethos behind Casio, especially their G-Shock and Pro-Trek lines has always been selling them on their durability and reliability before fancy, complex, battery draining features.
A G-shock that doesn't last at least a decade (with occasional battery changes) would be unthinkable to their customers, for that toughness they command a disproportionately higher price tag for what are mostly "Dumb" digital watches.
You could catch an inkling of this kind of product coming from casio a couple of years ago, as Casio started integrating Bluetooth into some of their watches (for example I posted some pics the GW-B5600 I bought just before Christmas on this very thread), frankly the use those watches make of BT is largely pointless, but I think they were really just testing the water to see if they could integrate BT and make a working app. The G-shock App is... Adequate so far, nothing more (IMO).
Otherwise Casio have been putting various sensors in their watches for years, and can do this for relatively competitive prices if they want, I happen to be wearing a SGW-100 right now which has a Compass and thermometer integrated, Claims 200m WR and has most of the functions you'd find on a standard G-shock, but it isn't in either the G-shock or Pro-trek range and cost only about £35, you pay a lot extra for that 'G'. They've been building basic accelerometers/tilt sensors in for the auto-backlight and sleep/wake functions on a number of watches for a long time. Essentially they have already implemented most of the technologies needed to build fitness trackers over last couple of decades, yet never gone after that particular market.
The GBD-100 looks like a potentially good product, a step/rep counter (accelerometer) built into a G-shock should make sense, but if you're going to integrate BT, why not ANT+ too? some additional HR strap/other sensor connectivity might make more sense also, but I doubt it can run BT constantly so it must only be for linked GPS running (using a phone), given it only runs off of a CR2032 coin cell, I doubt that 2 year battery life is based on someone who does a 5K GPS tracked run every other day, spanking BT connectivity.
a quick googling suggests the GBD-100 is still going to carry the standard G-shock tax and cost Circa £200 over here.
However, fundamentally it doesn't do much that a basic Garmin Vivofit3 can't (which does have ANT+) and that only costs Circa £60-£70, The GBD-100 does at least look more macho though so there's that...
So Would it tempt a standard Gym-bunny or personal trainer away from a Garmin (that's the real target market for fitness trackers IMO)?
TBH I doubt it as it's still not got the depth of features or connectivity you'd find in a £150-£200 Garmin/Fitbit manufactured Smar****ch/fitness tracker/Running watch.
The GBD-H1000 looks much more impressive but (As Kryton pointed out before) the tough solar power is really just to keep the timekeeping function ticking over, so window dressing on a USB charged GPS watch, but it looks like it's at least got more useful features, and could be a viable competitor to several of Garmin's products importantly keeping the Shock resistance and 200m WR rating that a G-shock has to have. But it's still quite pricey and would you want to be an early adopter with Casio moving into this market when The established players are at least known Quantities?
Personally I'm a boring sod, I like G-shocks to just be "ruggedized" digital watches and nothing more.
If I'm going for a Run I'll put on a Forerunner and an HR strap for that activity, the rest of the time I still just want a watch to be a watch, that's where their strength lies, making true beaters.
Been hanging my nose over a nice diver to go in the small collection so this just arrived...
Christopher Ward Titanium Elite 1000.
So the Orient Flight Mk2 turned up today, much nicer in the flesh than I expected!
The PVD is more gunmetal than black which I'm happy with but I had expected to want to get rid of the green strap straight away. However, the strap is more of a grey/green and suits the look of the gunmetal case and strap hardware really well so I'm be keeping it on that for now.
Took about a week to arrive from Creation and had 70% off because it was their last one so all told I'm pretty chuffed.
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Just put my Samurai on a nice new navy blue NATO from George's Straps.
I like that. What’s the verdict? That and the black Dartmouth are the only CW’s that tickle my fancy
I like that. What’s the verdict? That and the black Dartmouth are the only CW’s that tickle my fancy
Just arrived this morning so not had much time with it, pardon the pun, but I'm impressed. I'd been fancying a Tudor Pelagos LHD, and this is in a similar vein to me. Titanium case so it's light, COSC movement, exhibition back, it's a fair bit of watch for the admittedly higher end (for CW) price tag, but still 1/3rd of the cost of a Pelagos.
Clearly the long term re-sale value isn't as strong as the Tudor, but I don't tend to flip watches anyway.
Missed out on a no date no logo Stowa Flieger on eBay today. Was pretty confident £650 would be more than enough to get it but still got outbid. Have 2nd hand prices jumped massively since lockdown? They were going for around £500 this time last year
That money would pretty much get you a new Archimede if you looked around a bit and it would be very similar in terms of quality and spec etc.
Yeah I did look but i want one of the original names. Means Stowa or Laco in my price range
absolutely everything on ebay is going for nuts prices
Picked another casio up off Ebay...
Meanwhile, on Twitter...
@****erswatch
😀
@derek_starship I really like that save the ocean samurai.
I think I'm going to treat myself to the great white shark (sic) version in a couple of weeks. I love the blue.
I find myself browsing Russian watches on eBay quite regularly at the moment. Came across this funky looking thing, please someone buy it so I don't have to. Appreciated.
Anyone else finding a distinct lack of watch rotation in lockdown? I feel like I’ve lived in either my G-Shock or Garmin Forerunner for the last 2 months.
It was a real treat to leave the house to give blood last week, I felt I had and excuse to put my SKX on.
It’s kind of making me question the size of my collection in truth.
Meanwhile, on Twitter…
@****erswatch
😀
At last something up there with the Peloton tweets.
Thanks Captain.
Anyone else finding a distinct lack of watch rotation in lockdown?
Anything but. I don't think I've settled on anything except my Alpinist for more than a day or so, and that's had several strap changes, including a very disappointing Uncle Seiko BoR. It's now on a Milanese, from Geckota I think.
Anyone else finding a distinct lack of watch rotation in lockdown? I feel like I’ve lived in either my G-Shock or Garmin Forerunner for the last 2 months.
It was a real treat to leave the house to give blood last week, I felt I had and excuse to put my SKX on.
It’s kind of making me question the size of my collection in truth.
Same. I put my Instinct on the day after lockdown and I’m still wearing it, one reason being the Mi Band I was wearing on the other wrist proved it was over reading my resting HR overnight by 20%.
Lunge, to I've been living in my two more affordable watches, a sumo and a Visodate. Although that's just because they are new
Back to this....
absolutely everything on ebay is going for nuts prices
I was following a nice chronograph on auction. The same seller had a couple of buy it now sales running also, exactly the same watch for £370. The auction went to £445! Mental.
I've currently got a pair of second hand Hummvee shorts on. Great condition, barely worn because the wrong size, but at £30 + postage with 24 hours to go. Absolutely barking. Moral is, if you think you have too many watches, get a couple smashed on the bay.
Anyone else finding a distinct lack of watch rotation in lockdown?
Kind of, but for one main reason. My Yema gets very little wear, because I daren’t wear it to work in case I bash it hard ferreting around inside some random car, it’s worth far too much, and would cost a lot to repair, but now I’m dossing around at home, and made a new strap for it, I’m wearing it all the time. Keeping good time, too, I don’t think it’s more than a few seconds out after about a month.
It has to be wound every day, so not wearing it regularly means it’s been difficult to judge how well it keeps time, wearing it for an extended period is giving me a chance to see just how accurate, and so far I’m really pleased with it.
My two Heimdallr’s are sat by my bed, and the thing I really like about them is the movement is hackable, which an SKX007 or my SPORK don’t have, which means I just give them a very quick wind every morning, keeping them both ticking over nicely, ready for when I want to wear them again.
Gents flipping a couple of watches if there’s any interest before I eBay them
That white Alkin Model One I picked up for £100 a couple of months back. I prefer the green version I bought new so letting this go. White face, stainless case, brown strap. I’m asking for the £100 I paid for it which is a bargain
Seiko SKX009K1. Nice! On a Strapcode Super Oyster bracelet which is a massive improvement over the crap one they came with. £200 ish for this
@Kato can you email me some pics of the SKX please, I'm interested - kryton57 at sky dot com.
Cheers
Sent!
can I get a pic of the Alkin please?
Hey Kato, if Stevemorg2 doesn't take the Alkin I'll def take it. nice looking piece. PM me.
Kato,
Let Blazin-saddles have it - I'm not sure on a black or white dial but TBH am leaning towards black
PM sent Blazin-saddles
@stevemorg2. My preference is for the darker face. The white is lovely but most of my watches have dark faces for a reason!
The black is discontinued now which is why I got the dark green face with the orange second hand. Much nicer in the flesh than it sounds!
Dave apologies I’ve emailed but someone has just bought it off eBay. Wasn’t expecting it to sell for what I was asking for it but I should’ve taken it off when you showed an interest. Very sorry
I had an interview today so in a bit of 'look the part, feel the part, act the part' I got the best suit, the new Loakes and my best watch on. I haven't worn the Planet Ocean much for about 8-9 months as I bought first the Pelagos, and then a Seiko Sumo and then a Tissot Visodate. My it made me feel good to put it on 🙂
How did the interview go?
I got the best suit, the new Loakes and my best watch on.
How did the interview go?
Starts on the bins Monday. 😀
So here’s a thing. I declined Kato’s SKX after a little soul searching. Despite its history and my prior desire to own one, I stared forlornly at my small lower-end collection and realised I think I’ve spent far too much money on similar watches. I should be taking my time and thinking about why I’m buying these watches. I want some thing special, and am 18 months away from my 50th, original planning for a new bike which I also don’t need. I’m still drawn to the Hamilton Instra Matic but...
I’ve always wanted an Omega. What’s the collective thoughts on owning a Speedy, which likely won’t lose value and can be something with a history to tell awaiting Kryton jnr? It should appreciate over the years. I’m taken to saving up for this one:
Would you buy the hesaltite or go bigger for the Sapphire?
Hi Kryton, I recently bought one of these after inheriting some money when my mum died. Got the sapphire, exhibition caseback and the stainless steel strap version. It's a thing of beauty and just a class design. Also love the history wrt the moon landing etc and the fact that it has 'the first watch worn on the moon' on the back. You also get the enormous case, a NOTO and NASA strap plus other gubbins. Feels great on the wrist and makes you feel good.
I did get all excited about a Bremont Jet51 but seeing it in the flesh it didn't look like a 4 grand watch although very nicely made.
Speedys are an absolute design classic, they do have a few quirks though, worth knowing before you buy.
Bullet / Dakun - thanks for that, food for thought. None of the issues have out me off though!