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Right, after a bikepacking overnighter last week I’ve decided I “need” a new watch for such occasions.
There's this MRW-200H, currently on Amazon for <£20. I've got one and love it but TBH that's not a great deal, they've been <£15 for about a year until recently they went down to a tenner for a couple of weeks before doubling in price to a mighty £20. I can't vouch for the toughness because I've not battered mine, and the lume's piss-poor but it's still a little beauty. So light you won't know you're wearing it.
If you want something lumpier with a bit of wrist presence there's this Phoibos for a ton. Or make me an offer for mine, I'm just not wearing it so it's a bit spare in the collection at the moment. Again though, the lume's not great if that's important to you.
I've also got a Casio SGW-100 as recommended by cookeaa ^^. Obviously not analogue if you're firm on that but a good backlight, and who doesn't want a built in thermometer so you can keep an eye on the temperature in the immediate vicinity of your wrist?
Other than that, get yourself on to Aliexpress and marvel at what a 100 quid's worth of low environmental standards and worker's rights can get you.
edit - I've just remembered you're bit of an Orient afficionado - what about the Kamasu? Great lume, sapphire and 200m WR for well under £200 so fits all your requirements.
@cookea - Timex is a good shout but I already have a Mk1 field watch, great little thing to be fair but the tick is ridiculously loud and the lume is pretty basic although it does have indiglo which is mega. It's also very low-profile, literally and metaphorically, which is nice, nothing too expensive looking if I'm somewhere unsavoury. It is a touch small though which is why I'm looking elsewhere. A lot of their other field watches have a 24hr subdial which clutters things up a bit.
@johnners - I remember seeing that Casio and thought would be worth a look but again, the 24hr dial looks a bit busy for what I want and ideally I'm after some decent lume, tritium etc for in tent wrist checks (not a euphemism) so that rules out the Phoibos as well - although that style was a bit blingy for scrabbling around in the dirt in anyway.
I'd prefer to stay away from an automatic for this and stick with quartz for durability, more from the constant vibrations of being on the bike than impact etc. But yes, I have been eyeing up the Orients!
Yeah, definitely forget the MRW and the PX002 if you're going to want to know the time more than an hour after either of them has seen good daylight and of course the Kamasu isn't quartz so not totally friendly for occasional wear. Your £200 max budget isn't going to make any shortlist all that short but go on Ivan, what's in the running so far?
So, in the lead currently is the trusty Citizen eco-drive diver BN0150-28E. With discount I can get this for approx £150 so very tempting.
I also like the Elliott Brown Halton, I've got a Canford already and like the finishing etc so the Halton should be of a similar quality. Having said that the company seems to have gone a bit OTT with some of its military marketing, plus it's a bit over my budget!
Hmmm, no idea where the links/images have gone - they were in the text field but nothing was showing.
The Holton looks nice but as you say they've trowelled on the military stuff a bit and to be frank, (tightwad that I am) well North of £400 to case a Ronda 715 movement is a piss take. The solid strap bars are a nice touch though. The Citizen would do the job and obvs the ISO Diver's certification will come in handy if you get a bit of rain while you're bikepacking.
We have 5 'haute horologists' for the watch-swap so far. @mrsheen @cookeaa @frankconway @neilnevill you all expressed vague interest, come join us. It'll only cost you a few quid and hopefully you'll get something nice, or at least surprise that you'd maybe not have bought yourself.
Send me a PM if you're in.
Can I suggest that when we're assigned our lucky recipients, we're just given the address and not the STW moniker? Just to keep it properly blind, like.
Then again, I hope you all like f-91s 😉
Count me in, I may have already found a fleabay delight for someone...
Yep, you were already on the list Lunge. Thanks cookeaa, can you PM me your address.
Can I suggest that when we’re assigned our lucky recipients, we’re just given the address and not the STW moniker? Just to keep it properly blind, like.
I can do, but you're going to know who it went to when the pictures go up. You may never know who sent yours though unless they confess after a glowing review.
Or can we do shady looking Railway station handovers with code names and pass phrases?
My code name will be "Strawberry Falcon"
I'll be wearing a Hawaiian shirt and different coloured shoes.
The Pass phrase is "Can you direct me to platform seven?"
The response is "I've never been good at Riddles"
Ivan I’d be buying the Instinct solar. Don’t be put off by the Garmin hack, it’s happened to most organisations in the world and very likely the one you bank with, so they are not the first and won’t be the last. Besides, now that it’s happened, they’ll be all the stronger for it.
It’s a great watch and very tough, although If £200 is your limit then just get the prior non solar version which still has 14 days of battery for smart watch /hr Use.
Yeah, on paper the Instinct/solar is the one I should get but the Garmin shenanigans are a bit off-putting, not because of the hack itself but more because its a reminder that it's a piece of "technology" and as such will probably be (perceived as) outdated in a couple of years.
On the other hand something like the citizen is going to seem the same in 10 years as it is today.
That's a fair point. I must admit my marmite G shock (GST-B200G-2AER) keeps coming out to play, because it plays a dual role of looking ok and being tough and solar. The instinct though is more informative and tent-usable for bike days - easier to set alarms, understand sunset/sunrise, be alerted to phone messages when your phone is on the bottom of a bag.
If you only want to tell the time and have it never run out, a solar citizen/seiko/G is definitely the way to go. There a shop with a discount Arnie re-release although £375, I've consider selling the G Shock and buying that.
Happy new watch day to me
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Nice.
Thats very nice Kato, bit of an admirable sleeper IMO, you kind of have to stare at it hypnotically to appreciate it.
On another note, anyone want this - (GST-B200G-2AER) - before it goes on ebay? Sensible offer accepted. All the original bits. It does have a very slight hairline scratch from the "1" about 4mm long toward the "3"indices but you can't see it unless you move it into and around sunlight on the crystal
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Like the Tudor. Very nice.
Anyway, watch swap. We've ended up with 6, I'll PM all the participants with their recipients later. Target for the end of the match is end of August, but if everyone puts their review up before that we can just get on with the voting. 👍 Off to eBay I go!
Watch swappers - I've just sent PM's out with your recipent's names and addresses, just in case you don't get e-mail notifications.
Everyone else - I'll shut up about it now, until my surprise turns up in the post. 😁
Happy new watch day to me...
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I'd had a bit of a refund from HMRC and at the same time had spotted this with a decent discount. I wanted a "historic" Seiko that was actually a Seiko, but wasn't heartfelt with an SKX. I saw this Arnie and knew immediately...
It actually wears lighter and smaller than you'd think...
I’m a fan of the previous model Omega AT and may well try an pick one up on Chrono24 - the simplistic durable look appeals to me.
Anyone here have one?
its a popular watch. Bearnecessities springs to mind and a google showed me nicko74 too, I suspect others have them too.
Off to eBay I go!
I've just been outbid on an absolute peach of a thing, with about 15s to go, grr!
Guys, where’s the best place to sell a watch that I don’t know the true value of?
I have a 1990’s Tudor and I need to raise some funds
TIA
I’ve just been outbid on an absolute peach of a thing, with about 15s to go, grr!
Me to. Hmm!!!
Was it a blue thing?
Holyzeus
well if you were a member of a watch forum then they would be a good place to sell, failing that though
ebay = probably best price but risky and with fees
chrono24 = decent price, bit less risky, with fees
watchfinder = much lower price but no risk and easy
local jeweller = poor price, easy and safe
that is unless its a sub...I guess its not, but if it is, its in demand, don't let it go cheap.
I have raised £200 selling the Kreigsmarine u-boat stop watch I found in dad's garage! not bad!
Thanks Neil, it is indeed a Sub
I’m a fan of the previous model Omega AT and may well try an pick one up on Chrono24 – the simplistic durable look appeals to me.
Anyone here have one?
Yes, I have one, if by previous you mean the one with vertical teak decking and date at 3 O'clock, 8500 movement. . Superb looker, very much an everyday piece of understated luxury.
Ahoy, watch nerds!
Am looking for a decent submariner "tribute". Does anyone have an opinion on the below? At 518 AUD / 285 GBP, does it represent good value compared to alternatives?
MOVEMENT | Mechanical, 24 jewels, 21,600bph (6 per second). NH35a Manufacture Seiko
WINDING | Bi-directional Self Winding via rotor. Additional Manual Winding
POWER RESERVE | Approximately 41 hours
SHOCK SYSTEM | Diashock
FUNCTIONS | Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. Calendar. Unidirectional rotating bezel
CASE ARCHITECTURE | Screw-down case back and winding crown
WIDTH | 40.8 mm (excluding crown) / 46.2 mm (including crown)
LUG-TO-LUG | 49.2 mm / STRAP WIDTH | 20 mm
WEIGHT | 89 grams (excluding strap)
CASE THICKNESS | 15.1 mm (measured at the centre of the watch)
CASE MATERIAL | 316L steel / BEZEL | Fixed steel
CRYSTAL | Sapphire Crystal
WINDING CROWN | Screw-down, waterproofness system
WATER RESISTANCE | Waterproof to 300 metres / 1,000 feet
Got a photo n model number on the Tudor?
@batfink - what I've gleaned from viewing a lot of Just One More Watch is that what makes the micro brands good value for money is pretty much what you won't see from photo's on the website. Things like the security and action of the bezel, polishing of the case, quality of the strap (often the bracelet clasp, but that doesn't apply here) that kind of thing.
It's got solid specifications for that price. The movement is a good one, reliable and accurate and common in watches like that plus it's got a Sapphire crystal too. Nice dial design with applied markers, bit of sunburst would give it more pop but you can't have everything.
I don't think you'd go far wrong and distance selling means you could send it back if it's not what it seems.
four
MemberI’m a fan of the previous model Omega AT and may well try an pick one up on Chrono24 – the simplistic durable look appeals to me.
Anyone here have one?
Yep, one of the original models with the 2500 Co-axial calibre, bought new in 2008. I'll see if I can dig out a picture, but it's dark blue hands and ticks, on a white-ish face. I like it, as a great understated dressy watch that's also WR to 150m, with a display back etc.
However, I think I'd lean towards one of the 8500 calibre models (the revised ones, launched in 2010ish? that Scapegoat mentioned) if you're looking. I'm not a huge fan of the teak decking look, but the movement is an upgrade on the original 2500, and the bracelet and clasp are way better too.
ETA (shockingly bad) pic:
Thanks @tthew..... the marketing **** on the website is strong, So it it’s good to know that the cost is in the right ballpark for the specs.
Completely understand that the fit/finish will be the determining factor in value, but unfortunately there are very few Hands-on reviews that I can find
he marketing **** on the website is strong
Is it ever! I've never heard an NH35 described like this before -
powered entirely by renewable energy drawn from the wearer's own arm movements - no batteries are required. It is exceptionally accurate, highly serviceable and ready for generations of active use
If anyone could help with pricing please.
Negatives are it’s on a NATO strap and numbers need re blacking.
Lume pip AWOL? Probably doesn't matter, is guess a bezel insert isn't too costly. I've never seen a silver dialed sub. Dunno if they makes it more, or less valuable. I'll see if I can find out. Any more info? Age? Yours from New? Last service? Paperwork? Condition?
What size is it Holyzeus? Is it a 32mm model ref 73290?
Thanks Neil, will PM you later
It’s a 75190?
The most dangerous thing about about horology is knowing a little but not clearly enough.
Wally has been a muppet again.
What have you done Wally?
Right then the watch swap, the inevitable has happened, I've acquired two watches, each within budget and I like both, they each have their Pro's and Con's and so I'm struggling to decide which one I send now...
I guess I could describe them as one being more "Quirky" and the other as more "Classical" in appearance without giving much away. I'd personally be happy to receive either but I'm worrying now about other's expectations, and imposing my tastes and compromises on some other poor bugger.
I don't want to send something they're going to hate...
Anyone else facing a similar conundrum with this game?
Anyone else facing a similar conundrum with this game?
Kinda, but in the end I'm going to go with "if I was buying a watch for myself, and I was going to spend thirty quid, what would I buy and be happy with?". People's tastes vary, obvs, but that's part of the fun I reckon.
Yeah, I've not purchased yet but have my eye on a few things of various types.
Shall I go vintage or new(er)?
Classic in design/boring or something modern/quirky?
A brand I'd heard of or something random?
Hmm.
I decided to just go for one specific brand that I was aware of, but happened to have never bought an example of before, which I sort of knew I could find reasonable examples within the target budget, that helps narrow the process down a fair bit...
I think I've made up my mind now, I can see myself looking about for a similar one for myself later, which I'm treating as an indicator that it's the "better" watch.
Got myself into a pickle here with a monoblock pre "Ray Mears"
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I jumped on a watch swap in haste, it arrived pretty quickly and it's rubbish. Got to be something you'd wear yourself I reckon so this is just going straight back on eBay.
It was absolutely vile filthy too. 🤮 Why would you not spend 10 minutes cleaning off your own mank before sending it off.
Hopefully have something more suitable on its way now otherwise it's getting a bit costly!
Also in the game, there appears to be a lot of rubbish around! My thinking is that it has to be something I’d wear. I’ve got a couple I’m mulling over, the one I prefer might like a night cheap in real life, but it looks good in the photos.
I think I've now sorted the watch swap watch.
I bought one, panicked, and bought a second. Hoping at least 1 will be as good as I hope.
Happy new watch day to me
That Tudor is rather lovely! If I had a need for a more understated watch, that would be the perfect compromise between a diver and a dress watch, a clean bezel-less case, but the large, clear hands and indices. 😍
does everyone else find that seatbelt straps stretch considerably when wet? or is it just the ones i got from georgesstraps?
Got three small diameter watches to sell:
Omega Seamaster 1960's (has been through Swiss Time Services), Seiko Prospex titanium air diver solar JDM (New from London Seiko boutique) and a Smiths Everest 36mm (New from Eddie of Timefactors). Is the best method to wait until you get from ebay a £1 max fee and then take your chances on letting an auction run?
Pickle with monoblock sorted with excellent advice on Timefactors watch forum, turns out they are a notoriously difficult watch to open and repress and Cousins had the gaskets.
Have you not been on tz long enough to post in sales corner? All 3 would sell easily there I'm sure my. Failing that then yes I reckon a week on eBay and they would generally fetch their value. Lots of photos and a good description, answer any questions quickly and cross you're fingers.
Could we have pictures? I always like a vintage seamaster. Well... There are a few perhaps i don't, but mostly I like them.
Been on TZ since Feb 2018, but only 50+ postings, so nearly 200 short. I do think STW could learn a little from this method. I think I will sit tight and get to 250 and then post up on there. I do loathe and resist giving Ebay money. In no rush this end. Be fun,interesting and useful to start somewhere reliable run by hobbyists.
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Hmm, that looks like ideal an ideal WatchSwap candidate. Will you take £30 for it? 😁
@CountZero cheers! Yeah it nicer in the flash too. Maybe would have preferred a dome on the crystal but really pleased with it
@Wally that Seamaster is fab!
Lovely! NIce to see the coathanger 'S'. Similarish to my own of the same age.
Well I've requested to return my watchswap watch. It is a small but nice looking old Oris on one of those expanding straps. I've been wearing it for a few days to regulate it and although it's tiny 30mm I've grown to the looks.
Regulation however is knackered. It swings wildly between -10 and +10 mins a day so barely counts as telling the time.
Unless I can find something quick, it's going to be the reliable but not so cool backup.
My package of two new watches arrived today from Zelos watches. I give you the amazing value proposition of the Zelos Swordfish 40mm.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zsu7owT1WMw69PYQJzw6hjhLK9aH5e2j/view?usp=drivesdk
Unfortunately I find it very difficult to take decent photos of watches.
Unfortunately I find it very difficult to take decent photos of watches.
Unless you sort out the permissions on the pic we'll never know! I would have been all over those 40mm Swordfish if I didn't have a 42mm bronze one already - as it is I just managed to talk myself out of it.
I need STW's help!
Im after a simple field/tool daily watch to replace an aged and battered G10, the requirements are;
numerals
date
cheap (which rules out an Oris Propilot) ideally less than £200
Must be solar/kinetic/auto ie no battery.
Future fixable ie new crystal when I inevitably scrape it.
I think I've narrowed it down to the following watches in order of preference but im not 100% on any of them for the following reasons hence a bit of STW assistance in choosing one!
4.
Seiko EN471 solar
downsides - 44mm case which is probably too big for my small/medium sized wrists.
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3.
Seiko SN13Z13J
downsides - the unused 'real estate' round the outside of the upper dial face annoys me a little
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2.
Orient Defender
downsides - bit overly fussy with the 2nd hour indicator dial
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1.
Seiko SNK381
downsides - 38mm case is possibly too small, polished case - prefer brushed/blasted finishes
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Thoughts and comments please!
The finishing on the Orient will be a lot better than you'd expect for the price and the smaller hr dial effectively acts as an AM/PM indicator which helps when setting the date.
I'm buying that same model at some point soon but I'll put a NATO strap on it I reckon.
RNP - Get yourself on Timefactors forum , post and wait.
I have only had two days of "sales corner access" and .....it's been fun.
Posters often allow 10% to the website runner as a sign of gratitude.
If only STW learnt a little from this method of classifieds.
This fits your bill, +£75. on for sale.
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Tz-uk is very good, very good indeed. Currently wearing my sc purchased pelagos.
Rusty, of those is pic the SN13Z13J, Ive had one in the past, it’s a good, very reliable watch and can be worn on loads of different straps.
However, I did buy my, rather large wristed brother a SNK381 and it does look bad at all on his wrists. He normally wears it on a leather strap. I’m sure you can find that watch with a brushed finish if you look around.
^thanks for the comments.
I should just buy the two Seiko's and be done with it but when I buy a watch it pretty much goes on my wrist and comes off again when it's broken ~10 years or so later so I don't want it annoying me for that long!
I was going to pull the trigger on the Orient earlier today but thinking about it for a few hours longer that 2nd 24hour indicator is still annoying me and it's the dearest watch out of them all.
It's going to be either the 381 or the 13z
The finishing on the Orient will be a lot better than you’d expect for the price and the smaller hr dial effectively acts as an AM/PM indicator which helps when setting...
A mate of mine rocked up with an Orient Triton the other day, I was amazed at the build quality tbh.
I've managed to knacker one of these 🤦🏻♂️. The regulation was all over the place from when I got it (from Creation). It's a 2ish years old and recently started running 2hrs/days fast. When I tried adjusting I accidently moved the beat regulator (not that it was useable anyway). It doesn't really work at all now. I looked at servicing costs but it's similar to what the watch costs. It also has a tiny bit of lume on the inside of the dial which has driven me crazy from the moment I noticed it 😬. Not sure what to do with it now 🤷🏻♂️ assume it's worthless.
I've got my eyes on one of these now. Looking to buy from UK supplier this time though. Price alert set up on Camel Camel Camel. I know it it's a bit of a Tudor rip-off, but I really like it:
I've got an app in my phone called Clock Tuner. It doesn't tell you the beat error, but it does give a trace like one of those fancy machines so you could see how re adjusting the beat regulator works.
Although if it's 2hours per day out, there's probably something more fundamentally broken than that. What movement? Probably just easier to swap it, can be done DIY, I managed it!
@ross980, currently £136 at Creation Watches, I only know this as I'm looking too.
Not UK but the service and shipping is always very good from them. https://www.creationwatches.com/products/orient-watches-252/orient-mako-iii-ra-aa0011b19b-sports-automatic-200m-mens-watch-14879.html
These look good to
Got to add Duty/VAT and handling fee to Creation though. I got stung with it last time. It's cheaper on eBay once that's factored in. Next watch I get in double checking dust/lume under the glass before I start wearing and will be returning if not perfect. My Seiko was a Japanese made one which are supposed to have better QC 🙄
Got to add Duty/VAT and handling fee to Creation though. I got stung with it last time. It’s cheaper on eBay once that’s factored in. Next watch I get in double checking dust/lume under the glass before I start wearing and will be returning if not perfect. My Seiko was a Japanese made one which are supposed to have better QC 🙄
If you choose the royal mail ~£6 option you don't end up paying import duties/tax. The free shipping option does. Not sure how it works plenty of Google about it
@ross980 - I just looked, 4R35 movements are £37 to £40 on eBay, would be a lot cheaper to have whoever you would used to service just to swap it. There are also people who offer SKX007 upgrades for about £100 including the movement, it's essentially the same job.
If you decide to replace I'd have the old one off you for a few quid, (to you or charity) and fix it.
OOS on Creation. Ended up just ordering from Amazon.it , much cheaper than Amazon.co.uk
For anyone else looking for similar things it's often worth looking at Amazon .fr .de.es.it etc. The prices vary wildly and can be a lot cheaper, even with currency conversion and postage (at least for now whilst there's no VAT/Duty!).
I think I'm going to hang on to it @tthew , I might try and swap the movement myself at some point in the future.
I might try and swap the movement myself at some point in the future.
Good plan, if its already broken, you've little to loose! There are lots of YouTube films showing how to upgrade the SKX's to that movement and you won't have the complication of changing the stem. You will have to change the date wheel across and the hands are the most tricky bit, but not impossible.
So how are the Watch Swappers' watch searches going? I had my eye on a few, missed a couple, have now hit a bit of a dry spot. Hmm.
I did find this though, which brought on a pang of nostalgia as my very first watch, circa 40 years ago...
I've hopefully got something arriving this week.
If it's as good as the eBay pics I think the person receiving it will quite like it, we'll see!