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I also commissioned a pretty special Tudor; they did 59 of them for a group of us. I have issue 1, it’ll never be worn.
Regiment engraving on the back which immediately gets sent to a dealer and sold to a walt for a huge mark-up perchance?
I need a new g-shock. My youngest got his “adventurous” hands on mine and I’m convinced its buried in the garden. Digi only, does anyone know of any deals around by any chance?
@wrecker Scroll up towards the top of page 70. IHN might do you a good deal on a like new second hand one.
Well, I would if the PMs were working...
I asked on here a month or so ago about "what watch for £500" as my inlaws want to buy me something for a rather significant birthday.
After far to much time trawling the web and trying stuff on I think I've settled for this, the Seiko Presage SRPD37J1.
The dial is stunning, albeit not as bright green as some pics make you think. I suspect it'll have a new strap fairly soon after I receive it, something a little lighter, but overall, I'm not sure there's much better at that price point.
Regiment engraving on the back which immediately gets sent to a dealer and sold to a walt for a huge mark-up perchance?
Sort of, it has a custom dial so a bit more than just the engraving.
Who knows where it will end up? Could be sold to a collector (more likely) or a walt (I'm dubious that a walt will spend that much personally but you never know!).
I don't know of any of these which have been sold. To my knowledge all are still with the rightful owners.
Mine is for my boys, with a bit of luck they get a few quid for it when I'm gone. I care more about that than I do who it ends up with!
On the G-shock; sorted! Thanks @IHN, much appreciated!
Bought this as a complete gamble from eBay - crappy pics, listed as "In need of attention" and importantly, cheap. Been owned from new (apparently) and supposedly on a Rolex bracelet. Arrived with the seconds hand loose, plexi and bezel falling off and movement not working (couldn't even get the back open). From a cursory once-over, it seemed genuine, ditto the bracelet so all good...
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Then went to try to find someone decent to get it serviced and repaired. Which was a challenge! It's from 1967 and turns out most places won't touch 'vintage' Rolex / Tudor due to scarcity of parts. Had a quote from SHWR in London - starting at £400 odd, more if I needed it back in under six months (!) and repairs would be on top of that. It'd be two weeks and £90 before they would even look at it and even then no guarantee they'd want to do the work. In end, I discovered someone about 15 miles from home - he works out of his house and does a lot outsourced from workshops who are limited to servicing or the more straight-forward repairs. He even makes parts where availability is limited - old Rolex balance shafts being an example.
Anyway. 2 weeks (!) and not-very-much money later, back on the wrist. The movement was soaked in oil and someone had attempted a bad repair but otherwise all good. Got a full service and now ticking away fine.
If anyone wants the details of an ace watch repair and restoration chap in Kent, let me know!
On the G-shock; sorted! Thanks @IHN, much appreciated!
No probs, I'm already looking at a few potential replacements on eBay 🙂
@woffle I really like that. Nice patina! The only thing i'd do is replace the lume pip (suitably patina'd). I'm looking for something similar from around '77.
@woffle I really like that. Nice patina! The only thing i’d do is replace the lume pip (suitably patina’d). I’m looking for something similar from around ’77.
Cheers - I'll be back to the watch chap to have that done in a month or so when the bank balance allows and when I've found an OEM replacement.
That's the only issue with these watches - there's no way I could afford one 'usually' - so it's a gamble that's paid off - I'm a smidge over £1.5K into it after servicing etc - that's a lot for any watch, but I couldn't replace it for that. If you want it serviced or repaired by the only approved workshop for watches of that age (SHWR in London SW1), you'll be looking at really hefty bills and astronomical waiting times. There's also the inherent danger that any original pieces then get swopped out (service bezels, replacement dials etc). Until I found the local repair shop I was looking at either selling it or breaking it for parts as the bill (and timescale) was going to be prohibitive.
This just popped into my phone newsfeed. How cool is that? A digital watch controlled by a rotating bezel!
Problem is the value will rise hugely now, I might set up an eBay alert nonetheless.
I don't like digital watches, and I like that
Can anyone recommend a good value Oris repair specialist? Just go direct or is there an independent that would di a good job for less?
is there an independent that would di a good job for less?
Undoubtedly, and probably one near you. Where are you based?
Mrs kilo bought me a pressie today, completely unexpected (birthday and Christmas I think)!
Quick update on the Instinct Solar - just wore it on the Badger Divide setting off with it at full charge and showing 17 days of battery life remaining.
After 5 days of use as a smar****ch with notifications etc but not for navigation or tracking I ended up with it showing... 17 days of battery life remaining. So the changeable Scottish weather was sufficient to keep the watch fully charged for everything but tracking/nav despite it spending a decent amount of time under sleeves etc which I reckon is pretty good going.
Lovely that Kilo. What a grand surprise.
That Tudor is lovely woffle. Wish I'd seen it!
Love that Kilo, lovely piece.
wow kilo, wow
What a lovely watch to have Kilo, lucky you!
@woffle - lucky find, that Tudor, and luckier still finding someone local who could fix it. Similar situation with my Yema a page or so back, similar age watch, nowhere near the poor condition, but the mainspring broke, and it needed a full service, as one might expect with a 40-odd year old watch, but finding somewhere was a nightmare! I eventually tracked down Deacon and Sons in Marlborough, who have two other branches, and who have in-house watchmakers. They are a Rolex, Tudor and Seiko dealer, among others, and they were able to fix my watch, but it cost me £460, for a watch I paid £50 for fifty years ago! Absolutely worth every penny, though.
It's only bloody new watch day!
Oddly I could get this on next day delivery from amazon rather than the usual palaver of dealing with companies on the other side of the world and waiting for it to clear customs etc.
The rubber dive strap is nicer than I thought, I'd imagined it being a bit plasticy but it's quite supple.
There is a NATO enroute for it from Watchgecko which will either look great or shit so that should arrive tomorrow.
Got myself a new G Shock the other day - my first. Nice Japanese 90s retro model 🙂
Going to clear out one I’ve never really got on with, any interest?
will be cheap.
@IvanDobski, I’ve been debating one of those for a while, be interesting to hear what you think of it.
@kilo, DM me. And don’t tell my wife!
Message sent.
So far so good. As mentioned above, the strap is better than expected with a contour pattern texture to the underside, logo'ed tip, decent suppleness and signed buckle. It's quite long so would fit over a wet suit if ever worn for actual diving.
The bezel insert is really nice, a sort of ceramicy satin finish, the edge is very easy to grip and the bezel action is very "clicky" in a good way. No misaligned bezels from the Orient dept of Seiko Epson at least!
Crown feels precise, no looseness to it and again, nicely signed.
The dial looks "flat" for want of a better word which gives it a modern, crisp look - a bit like when Apple went to flat icons on ios. The lines above the day/date add a certain something as well.
It's 44mm so not a small watch but I'm not a fan of the fashion for smaller watches so tend not to go much below 42mm anyway.
All told, I'm pretty pleased with it!
IvanDobski
Free Member
Quick update on the Instinct Solar – just wore it on the Badger Divide setting off with it at full charge and showing 17 days of battery life remaining.
Ivan, thinking of an Instinct Solar but have heard it doesn't do Connect IQ so I'd not be able to easily transfer routes from Wikiloc via my phone,is this correct? I do Bikepacking as well, what features do you like about it?
Kilo, I could be interested in that if lunge is not. DM me with more details if available
I've only just got it so not had much chance to drive into the inner-workings yet but I believe you'd just use the Garmin Explore app as the bridge between the wikiloc app and the device.
I'm not sure I'd use it as my main navigation device but as a back-up it would be worthwhile, or even as a way of just getting a grid reference to navigate from an actual map.
Things I liked? Legibility, battery life, having a light you need to click off so you can use it as a torch, general smar****ch features.
It's actually a really good outdoors smar****ch, given the ability to keep it topped up via solar I'd say it's probably the best outdoors smar****ch for people doing more than a couple of days without access to a charger.
Thanks, same here, I use an Edge Explore for navigation but fancy a wrist device for backup and other stuff but limited battery life has put me off. I'll do some research.
The JLC is lovely Kilo
Can we swap wives?
Can we swap wives?
Surely thats a whole new thread....
Some nice pieces in here, I really like the Presage and the Orient.
Where does one sell watches, bar stealth ads on here?
I'm on a 1 in, 1 out policy with Mrs Lunge and that means there's a potentially a few things that need to be moved on. I've eBayed before but wondered if there was anywhere better.
We're talking a Seiko, an Orient and maybe a Tag.
I think most of the major watch forums have a classifieds section which becomes available after you post x number of times. Used to be one called TS Watch I think.
I'm rather taken by the new YEMA in house calibres hitting Kickstarter in October
Shame I can't afford it
No Murray, it's unbalanced. Leave it. No, just... No.
Anyone got a view on the new, larger sub? I mean you're keen view, dob you actually care? Tz UK, like all watch forums, is still imploding. Meanwhile, did the real world notice? I thought not.
Lunge, stealth on. Seiko you say?
@neilnevill, SKX009, very good condition with a selection of straps.
I’ll say no more.
And the Orient?
Any Steinhart owners in? Interested in thoughts on quality/reliability etc please.
I for one wouldn't mind a few stealth ads slipping in to this thread- anyone else?.
I need to make space so would let this go for £65 posted - new strap and battery.
steinhart, yes, buy.
Great, anywhere cheaper than direct from their website?
Gnomon watches sell them, and very occasional have a tiny discount offer or you make a saving by playing the $ rate, but actually I found the more expensive most of the time.
And aren’t Steinhart arguably one of the topmost homages you can buy? I’d love a GMT of some description but I’m on the Lunge level of instruction - one in one out - and the look of the Stienhart is a bit too close to my 5/sea urchin to warrant a place in the box.
@IvanDobski what does the NATO look like on the Orient? I've got the same watch, so I'm interested to see (though I like the standard block rubber strap much more than I thought I would)
I really don't need another watch but just love the look of this pilot watch... https://www.steinhar****ches.de/en/flieger-watch/nav-b-chrono-47-mm-schwarz.html
No idea yet, the strap itself looks really nice but it turns out I've lost my spring bar tool so waiting on one arriving. I'll post a picture when I get it swapped.
I know what you mean about the standard rubber strap though, it's much better than I expected.
OK, not so stealth ad, report and delete if this is not on.
1 x SKX 009, Red NATO strap and original rubber strap can be thrown in if wanted.
1 x Orient that I bought on a whim. Strap is a bit beaten up, but I have the original black one which is like new too.
Drop me a DM for better pics and prices.
I like that bronze Yema. I am a sucker for domed crystals on diver watches as the Fifty Fathoms is probably my most wanted watch. I'd be tempted if I didn't already have a bronze PRS.
Speaking of which I should really get a thinner strap for it, current one is excessively chunky for my smaller wrists.
Spring bar tool arrived so managed to get the strap fitted. I like it, makes it look a bit more formal.
Edit - god knows what's gone on with that photo but you get the gist of it.
On the subject of stealth ads, I have a Seiko PADI SRPA21K1 which I'm looking to move on if anyone's interested.
It was used as my daily beater for a bit, and it's picked up a scuff on the crystal, and a score on the bezel at 12 o'clock, along with a few marks on the case. It's currently on a blue rubber flat vented Zulu strap, which suits it perfectly, as well as the largely unused bracelet it came on.
Happy to email over pictures if anyone's interested. Looking online, these seem to go for between £350 and £450 online, so thinking £250 sounds reasonable given it's not pristine.
I’ve no issue with ads (stealth or not)inside the thread. We know who posts here and it’s a pretty small group so I can’t see it offending anyone
Got a black strap for the Squale as the orange was a bit ostentatious.
I like that squale - I’m stylistically challenged enough to go with the orange strap too 😀
Any interest in this Seagull before eBay? An interesting hand winder with lovely domed acrylic. 38mm case with a 18mm lug is too small for me so I just end up looking at it rather than wearing it. It’s on brown Hirsch strap and deployant but comes with the originals too. Although the black one is loosing its thread at the tip
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I was about to get an Alkin for my son's 21st but he has seen a Davosa watch he likes the look of - I know nothing about the brand - a quick google suggests they are a decent, well established set up but I'd appreciate the views of the STW watch experts!
I like this.
Just a quick thanks to Kilo. A very generous man who sent over the Seiko Presage below and it is absolutely stunning. I got more compliments wearing it Saturday night than I have for watches with 5 or 8 times the retail price. It's an lovely bit of kit.
@Kato yes I have a friend that would like that a lot maybe, can you DM me how much you want for it please?
@Kryton57 you have DM
I have a new beater on the way but unsure of the condition from the iffy eBay photos so we shall see. Was a £200 gamble. Will report when it arrives!
Steve Morg yes Davosa are good, they do a sub homage that is highly regarded, and many others.
Kryton, thank ****! Katia seagull was evil temptation! Bloody gorgeous, but I'm trying to save for a 'good watch' again.
I pulled my Visodate out tonight to get a white dial fix.
Btw, Ernest Jones sale on and includes a few watches, some decent discounts
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From what I can gather Tags seem to divide opinion, but I was presented this as a complete surprise by my wife yesterday. To say I was gobsmacked was an understatement.
Definitely a step up from my Garmin FR35.
@neilnevill, it’s not gone yet. It’s for a friend of mine who I knew was looking for one and he’s now “thinking about it”. Don’t be shy on my account 😀
@bluearsedfly I have a 2006 Aquaracer chrono. It even devides my opinion but it still going strong and still looks good today compared to modern watches but they do have the “not an omega / high st Swiss watch” in some respects. It’s worth having a read of the Tag movement history to fully appreciate them. Whichever way you look at it, you now have a well made Swiss watch - very nice.
@bluearsedfly, that's lovely that is, really nice indeed.
I too have a couple of Tag's and Kryton is right, they almost seem as an entry level Swiss watch. One below Omega and Rolex, maybe similar level to Tudor?
I however love my 2. One was a 30th birthday present that I'll never sell, and the other was bought with my first big bonus which is a big old beast but very nice nontheless.
...and I found this a good read for Tag history: https://www.calibre11.com
Bit of Tag love? Why not? These aren't my watches but they're the same models.
Tag Link, 30th birthday present, worn for basically every important meeting or event I've been to since then. Love it, it'll never be sold.
Tag Formula 1 Calibre 7 GMT, bought with my first big bonus in my last job. It's a big, heavy beast but looks great and their aren't too many of them around.
Hmm yeah I'm not sure what I think of tag as a brand. Watches generally seem a bit flashy to me but not unappealing.
Hmm yeah I’m not sure what I think of tag as a brand. Watches generally seem a bit flashy to me but not unappealing.
I think their marketing has always been at the younger market, late 20's/early 30's and the watches reflect that. They're generally priced at the point is just about doable for some of that age, high enough to be aspirational, low enough to be just about within reach.
But, I do think they can get a hard time when they actually make some very nice watches, some with in house movements.
Don’t you love it when poor quality eBay photos put buyers off. What I thought would be a tatty gamble is actually mint.
Seiko SRPB07J1. 4R35 hacking and hand winding with the added bonus of a sapphire crystal instead of Hardlex. Been looking for one of these for ages. Strap is a bit meh but all Seiko straps seem to be
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I have a calibre 5 aquaracer which I got this year. Was going for a tudor black bay but just preferred the Tag on my wrist. Really like the watch which is my daily wear.
Thanks for the kind comments everyone, much appreciated. Really like the look of the auqaracers.
As I mentioned it was a complete surprise, I’ve always wanted a nice watch but never got round to it.
Out of interest, is the aquaracer seen as a better watch than the Formula 1? I have to take it back to be resized and the wife has hinted the shop would be happy to swap it for something else. I’m reluctant to swap it as the wife and daughters chose it, but I’d hate to miss out on the opportunity to swap it for something better.
OK, here's my Tag Carrera, (seen before but back on a really early page). I really wanted an Aqua Terra, but this was about 1/3rd the price so...
I do like the GMT function and it keeps great time.
I’m reluctant to swap it as the wife and daughters chose it, but I’d hate to miss out on the opportunity to swap it for something better.
If you read back through this thread, you'll see that 'better' is entirely subjective and personal when it comes to watches. I like the Aquaracer more myself, I prefer the contrast of the darker dial and it's simpler without the chronograph sub-dials too. But you're wearing it, not me or anyone else here.
I’m not a massive fan of Tag but I’ve always liked the Carrera Twin Time on leather. That’s nice @tthew. I’ll add one of those to my want list
Something fun and a lot cheaper than a Daytona.
