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What Tthew said, although I'd struggle with:
I’m reluctant to swap it as the wife and daughters chose it,
Equally though its not fair to them if you don't wear it because you regret it being on your wrist. Better is subjective - I think the one you've linked to and Sprockers Calibre 5 look "Omega" like and therefore a bit more middle aged than your watch which is a good or bad thing. Then again, I like chrono's.
Both likely have a Ronda quartz in them so your essentially paying for the name and the build.
TDLR pick the one YOU like best.
I’m reluctant to swap it as the wife and daughters chose it
It's a dilemma.
I'm not sure the Aquaracer is higher or lower than the Formula 1, just different styles and ranges.
I think my wife would like to have something I like and wear regularly. I think I'd have a look at others, but unless something really stood out I'd stick with what I've got.
The Tag Link I posted on previous pages was a present, my wife said the same "go to this shop to adjust the bracelet, they'll swap the watch if you prefer another one". There were a couple that I liked but in the end I stuck with what she'd saved for and bought, and I'm very glad I did.
I've developed a bit of a liking for Tags recently, mainly because they still get a bit of watch-snob hate and I'm a contrary f****r like that. The recent Aquaracers look smart, the tortoiseshell version in particular and they're a decent size as well.
Oh yes, that red one does look nice.
@brads £150 posted? Open to negotiation though Jon DOT Hitchcock AT gmail DOT com
And Brad saves me, unless I'm gun jumping again.
See now the blue one...niiiice!
The red. No. I just...no.
Watches are very personal aren't they!
Re which tag odd best, what does best mean to you? Are there features in one your rate? Movement differences, water resistance, case size/shape/weight/fit, bracelet or clasp size, fit, adjust, build or complications or crystal sapphire Vs acrylic or mineral, with or without ar, style, colour, readability etc etc etc. You get the idea!
and I quite like the red one!
Mine is the black on steel, would stick a pic on but its technically beyond me.
Eww, been following this on my phone today and now I'm on my computer just noticed the faux crocodile and stitching rubber strap on the Tortoise shell Aquaracer. That's not nice.
It can be changed easily.
Speaking of Tag's, I've still got my first one, a mid size (38mm) F1 chrono bought new in the summer of 2000 -
Within weeks I'd gotten the sickness and was glued to the internet learning the difference between Submariner's and Seadweller's etc, but I was earning 20k and planning to do my bike test, I wanted a new MTB and I really should have been saving for a house, so I made a concious decision to stop looking at watches.
I wore it 24/7 apart from when it was getting a battery fitted. The first battery cost me £75 from the place that sold me the watch and they tried to upsell a full service at over £200 on a two year old quartz. The next battery died at around five years old and the shop insisted on a full service due to the age of it, otherwise they wouldn't send it for a battery, so I left and went to a place down the street who fitted a battery for £5. It performed flawlessly for the next five or six years until one day I looked at it and it was 20m slow. It happened a few more times so I knew it was now due a service but £250 on what was now a £350 watch was hard to stomach. It was around this time I saw a thread on here about modified Seiko's and the sickness returned. I loved the idea of building a custom watch for less than the price of getting the Tag serviced, so the Tag was retired and I became a massive Seiko fanboy.
In the years that followed I went from swapping dials and hands on my own watches to buying old dead Tag's on Ebay, fitting a new movement and flipping them. I then learnt how to service a quartz rather than spending £30 on a movement and then progressed to mechanical movements. I had some spare time during lockdown so I decided to pull the Tag out of the safe and give it some long overdue TLC. A new movement for this model is around £100 but as I was time rich and cash poor, plus now having the skills I decided to spend a few hours on it.
Here's the back view of the ETA 251.262 movement -
There are five different circuits in this movement, one for each sub dial, one for the minute counter and one for the timekeeping, so basically five different quartz movements within one. It's quite complicated inside when the bridges are removed to reveal the train wheels -
There's a tiny wheel in each of the five metal parts called the rotor. This wheel is magnetic and is driven each time the coil next to it gets a pulse from the circuit and that's how a quartz watch works. Many collectors turn their noses up at quartz saying they lack soul or whatever but I gained a new appreciation of them after servicing a few.
Train wheels removed -
Circuit revealed -
Circuit removed to reveal the keyless works which is for hand and date setting -
While the movement parts are in the cleaning machine the case and bracelet get ultrasonically cleaned and new gaskets fitted -
...and finished -
It was nice to get it up and running again and I was going to treat it to a new bezel, but after wearing +40mm watches for years it felt tiny and I doubt I'll ever wear it much. It seems a bit silly spending £70 on a new bezel just to having it looking good at the back of the safe. Here it is next to a 42mm Speedmaster -
The lug to lug distance is very short and it has a small dial so wears more like a 35-36mm watch. Still, it's the only watch I'll never sell so it's nice to know it's back to full health again.
I bloody love it when you do this Fudd, thanks for posting, those pics will keep me entertained for hours.
Missus saw this over my shoulder lol. Been warned, no more watches for the moment so still up for grabs folks.
Pity as it has an Orient feel about it that I like.
As we’re moving onto TAG appreciation, I bought this about 31 years ago as a young lad, my civil service colleagues at the time couldn’t understand paying £180 on a watch. It’s had new internals and a fair few battery changes since then but just sits in a watch box nowadays.
Why won’t the bloody image upload!! GRRRRRRRRR.
Seriously impressive work Fudd.
I've got a Vostock manual movement which was DOA, stops after about 30 mins if not on wrist. I might see if I can take it apart, not necessarily to fix it, just to see if I can reassemble it following your inspiration.
TAGception.
My 2000 from, er the year 2000. 30th birthday present.
My ocd!
So a question; would you buy a Grand Seiko? For me it'd have to have a spring drive...
So a question; would you buy a Grand Seiko?
Absolutely. Not a quartz though
Yep, even a quartz...
In fact, given an unlimited budget I'd basically replace my penchant for cheap Japanese automatics with one for expensive Japanese automatics.
So a question; would you buy a Grand Seiko? For me it’d have to have a spring drive…
Absolutely yes, and not necessarily a spring drive, though it is a magical bit of kit.
Think I'd have a Grand Seiko over the Omega that was the first thing I really fancied now, (that one's a beaut arogers)
I'd probably prefer a spring drive without the odd power reserve dial though.
Yes GS do some lovely watches. I've been considering a snowflake...but tbh I just have too much of a liking for rugged divers...so I've gone off it again....for now. I like the divers Ivan posted. especially the white one...my current favourite next watch is a white with black dial seamaster but now i see that GS...hmmm What is the model? although...no...sorry...can't do quartz. stupid, its far more accurate and needs less maintenance but...no
kilo, that Tag is lovely.
wow fud, thanks.
I'm always impressed when Fud posts one of his sequences, no way I'd ever be able to do that!
Thanks gents.
As for Grand Seiko, just yes. They've been creeping up in price for the last few years but there's still very little that compares. My only issue's are that I'd rarely wear a dress style watch and some of the sportier GS's can be a bit fugly, but that's just me.
Yes it’s the snowflake / sbja211 that I was looking at. I’ve been thinking / saving for my 50th and I’m torn between a GS and a Speedmaster currently (if either actually happens). It’s quite a clean / dress look. I’ve also got a hankering for a GMT as I don’t have one, so the SBGE201 appeals.
@arogers that’s awesome detail, which model is that?
I guess my question was based around my own knowledge I that I don’t know if a £5k Seiko is appreciated in the wider world, but I guess so!
which model is that?
SBGH267 It was a limited release in 2018.
I’d love a GS. Saw this when I was in Malaysia in January but couldn’t afford it and it would have been hard to hide!
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Top post Fudd
@Fudd (probably, but anyone feel free to chip in) can you recommend a set of jewellers screwdrivers that'll be better than the 2 quid eBay specials I have. Not mega expensive, and I'm not bothered about a rotating stand or anything. Also, what's the smallest size needed? 1mm still seems a bit chunky for many small screws.
Awesome post Fudd!!
With regards to your Speedmaster, ever had any issues with it? Mine stopped working yesterday...its fully wound but nothing works - odd as I haven't hit it or had it under water and its generally considered to be bombproof.
@Fudd (probably, but anyone feel free to chip in) can you recommend a set of jewellers screwdrivers that’ll be better than the 2 quid eBay specials I have. Not mega expensive, and I’m not bothered about a rotating stand or anything. Also, what’s the smallest size needed? 1mm still seems a bit chunky for many small screws.
If you've already got a cheapo set you can upgrade them with better blades from the likes of Bergeon, Horotec or AF Swiss. A set of five between 0.6mm and 1.2mm will cover almost everything you'll encounter but a good oil stone is also essential as you'll get some watches with very thin screw slots (vintage Omega for example). If you're buying a new set AF Swiss are probably the best VFM and Horotec the daddies.
Awesome post Fudd!!
With regards to your Speedmaster, ever had any issues with it? Mine stopped working yesterday…its fully wound but nothing works – odd as I haven’t hit it or had it under water and its generally considered to be bombproof.
It could be any number of issues but without stripping it down almost impossible to diagnose. They have a great movement but it's still a complex mechanical chronograph with a large number of components that can break or fail. They don't have any particular weakness or common point of failure like some watches so time to send it off for an expensive service and repair I'm afraid.
Kryton, we may have had this conversation before, I'm guessing we are similar ages. My 'trying to save for another good watch' is for my 50th. I've got time, I'm 47, but I've 3 young kids and,.. Well, you know!
Kryton, we may have had this conversation before, I’m guessing we are similar ages. My ‘trying to save for another good watch’ is for my 50th. I’ve got time, I’m 47, but I’ve 3 young kids and,.. Well, you know!
Ha! One year older and one less child but same boat. I also made a lot of effort over recent years to calm materialist tendencies so I’m now the other way, with nearly every £ finding it’s way to a savings account. I’m bouncing between new bike/new watch, but I don’t NEED either. Perhaps a nice holiday instead but will COVID allow that in 20 months time?
If I bought a GS I’d quite like that whole grandiose display Kato posted sitting on a shelf 😀
Thanks for the screwdriver knowledge Fudd.
a good oil stone is also essential as you’ll get some watches with very thin screw slots (vintage Omega for example).
I suspect the opportunities for me to bust out my tools on a vintage Omega will be few and far between! 😁
Any experience / love / contempt for the Spinnaker brand?
They do some good looking pieces. Just wondering about build quality and reliability of movements.
I think Seiko do a new presage cocktail time which is very similar but a lot cheaper to that. It has a reddish dial.
I've just ordered an Islander from Long Island watches its the Diver with the all blue dial. I hope it gets here alright!. https://www.longislandwatch.com/Islander_Automatic_Dive_Watch_p/isl-09.htm
I think Seiko do a new presage cocktail time which is very similar but a lot cheaper to that. It has a reddish dial
That'll be the one JOMW was raving about a couple of days ago, very pretty and a nice size but not a style I've much occasion for.
I’ve just ordered an Islander from Long Island watches its the Diver with the all blue dial
It's a strong colour statement, that's for sure! The pricing has just a whiff of BS about it though - $399 list, Island Watch price $299. Who is listing it at $399? It's a LIW design produced exclusively for them AFAIK.
Kryton I think we are both going through the same thought process. I’m currently saving for a new bike, likely to be purchased after Xmas and also a new watch for my 50th (47 now). The bike purchase is likely to eat into my watch savings quite a lot!
I did plan on a sporty Rolex but think my budget may be reduced due to the bike.
Get a feeling it may be a Speedmaster unless Mrs W is feeling very generous!
So here’s a question, I have two girls (12 and 13) and a budget of £1500 each, this is separate to my budget...what would you buy them? Needs to be reasonably special. They are both very girly girls, one is a ballet dancer the other a runner/XC racer, so both dainty little uns. This is to be their first collectible watch.
Do they actually want a watch each? At that age my daughter would not have been the slightest bit bothered, and time wouldn't have improved her view on it. I'd put the money aside for something life changing when they're older unless they've actually asked for a watch.
I agree but I want it as a fashion watch really, for the summer and in a out of the water. Its o.k for that I think. Theres one on Ebay here but a Pepsi dial on a jubilee it looks nice.
No they’ve not asked. It’s a present from the father in law. He likes his watches and wants to buy them something nice.
It’s as a “best” watch for them, only special occasions.
Future wise, we already have a decent handle on that. Again through Father in Law! He wants to do it so I’m kind of happy to oblige spending his money!
if anyone wants to buy a Heimdallr Sea Shepard black, with black bezel, PM me. It is brand new warranty replacement of my first on, that arrived last week.
Thanks
Again through Father in Law! He wants to do it so I’m kind of happy to oblige spending his money!
Oh well in THAT case!
My cousin bought a nice Longines for his partner a few months ago. They seemed to have quite a decent range and a proper heritage brand to boot.
Woodster,
My wife likes her dinky little Rado automatic. Nice proper watch without looking like a small men’s watch
This sort of thing. They have quite a range of women’s autos.
https://www.rado.com/en_gb/collections/centrix/centrix-automatic/R30009172
Of course it depends a) on your tastes and b) what you think of Rado.
Woodster, how about a ladies Cartier tank? In quartz so it's no faff. They are a proper watch maker but also a top fashion designer so ticks both boxes, traditional ladies size, elegant for petite ladies. Quartz might be in budget.... Not sure. Id guess new might be above budget (£2k maybe? Dunno without looking) but pre owned well in budget. They are lovely. My wife has one. Never ever ever ever where it. Does head in, really wish she'd just use it as her daily beater!
Derek, I've not researched but think spinnaker are fine.
Thanks for the suggestions guys, wasn’t a fan of Rado but looking through their site and they make some decent looking watches.
Cartier a good suggestion, mother in law has a Cartier so that could help the fact it’s over budget.
I think one of the girls would like this one....but would need to see it on her wrist as it maybe too big.
https://www.rado.com/en_gb/collections/captain-cook/captain-cook/R32500013
For £1500 it's hard to look past Nomos though they won't be to everyone's taste. In-house movements and a long history though not especially collectible looking at their SH prices.
Something like the Tetra 27 is a great, understated womens watch and bob on budget.
I'm looking at a Metro Gangreserve as as sort of smart / dress watch.
I think one of the girls would like this one
I'd like one of those too! Not that size or colour, but those Captain Cook's are lovely. I tried one on the other year, it's probably time to start looking for a second hand one.
Looking for a strap for a watch where the case has solid bars. Currently on a nato. I would like to try a mesh steel magnetic one. (20mm) Can straps like that be fitted to a case with solid bars? (CWC SBS) can't seem to find anything.
Sorry this might have been asked before but is there a good / reputable website to get a rough watch valuation? No idea about watch values bit I've got a smartish watch that I never wear so was thinking of selling it
Have popped one of my watches up for sale - now with added pics - if anyone is interested.
Classified Ad
I’ve had a Tag Heuer Link automatic for 18 years as a daily and bought a Garmin for running at the beginning of lockdown, I liked the smar****ch thing having worn the Garmin for a few weeks but it felt very cheap compared to the Tag. I have just bought a Tag Connected 2020 for daily use, I will use the Garmin for sports use and the Tag Link for best.
This seems to be working well for me.
Ed, look on chrono24. Or try watchfinder. Remember selling to a dealer price is way below peer to peer prices
Right then, what do we think of this? A Tudor Black Bay Chronograph.
Tried one one today, has an air of Daytona about it, and is very big indeed, but there’s something about out that’s attracting me. May need to trade a couple of things in to get it mind you.
Like that Lunge, that’s very nice. I don’t really like big watches but think that’s pretty decent.
I tried the bronze coloured version of that Tudor chrono. Looks really good. Especially on leather.
As an aside. Anyone thinking of a steel Rolex. Forget it. It has went beyond the bounds of insanity.
Saw a green bezeled sub go for just under 20k
It's 7k new.
It has gotten so mad that I actually sold one last week. Too good to miss as I can't fathom how those prices will be maintained.
received my new pinion atom ND today. cant seem to link a pic, so stock shot here
singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/watches-n1/page/74/#post-11454323
try again
That's rather nice, Explorer like but its own thing and a sensible price
Is that Pinion sapphire or mineral glass? I can’t see anything that would tell me. I like the looks.
Lunge, it's a nice looking chrono. What's the movement? Valjoux? I'm grateful I don't really like chronos, so I have no real urge to buy them. Grateful as they are a bit no more costly to service, and for me it's a complication I wouldn't use. They said I think the Daytona is lovely and particularly the ceramic bezel ones, and I can appreciate the speedy. The Tudor, like most, does nod strongly at it's Rolex brother and does it well.
I assume it's huge, what thickness? Is it even thicker than the standard black bay? The slab sides make them wear big. My pelagos wears far bigger than my planet Ocean and even my sumo! Still love it though, even with skinny wrists
Brads, nuts Indeed, the Rolex bubble grows and grows. What was it you saw sell at £20k? An original Kermit I assume. The modern one looks the same but is a different watch in many ways so the collectors won't pay old Kermit money for a new one, but they are I think selling for a couple of k over list. It's all nuts and getting one at list is impossible in my experience.
Yup an older green one ( I hate those silly names lol 🙂
The AD had a seadweller ( great white ! ffs !) 23k madness.
I sold them a 666 seadweller Mk1
I looked at a Day date but was told no chance of a sports watch.
I suspect the salesmen sell to mates to flip and split profits.
yes I agree the names are silly and I don't like them, but then I have half a chance at knowing the watch from the nickname rather than the serial number...errr.. .16610LV, or is it a 116610 or....they are completely logical but I'm not WIS enough to learn and remember the code.
the old kermit has demanded a big premium for a long while, i've a feeling it was limited in numbers (it was the anniversary version I think and only ran for a shortish while before the hulk replaced it), and also viewed as attractive so collectable and desirable. personally I'm in the minority that think the hulk is much more desirable. they are the real surprise, they weren't liked and were often discounted until just a few years ago, and when they got discontinued the other month they leapt in price with greys going from just a few K premium to more like 8k.
great white and 666 ? I guess they refer to dial text in some way? like double reds, comex and depth first....minor variations to dial text that don't alter the watch in the slightest but make a watch very limited in numbers and hence collectable.
Like you it seems only special friends of the AD get a sports rolex at list and even Oyster perpetuals are a struggle to get.
666 is a 16660 seadweller.
Mine was 1983 and had a Mk1 matte face. It was a transition model (old movement , new case etc ) so was desirable.
It's the smallest of things that make vintage Rolex worth more.
New Rolex, it's simply instagram that drives the price.
Ahh I see. did you have it from new? i bet even selling to a dealer you got several times what it would have cos back in 83!
as for what drives the desirability of the new ones, not quite sure....rolex don't do muh marketing, its quite select what they do. they severely restrict supply on the sports watches and that is a large part. it drivesa feel exclusivity and particularly for collectors to chase a 'hard to get piece' . thankfully i'm not wrapped up in that
I bought it 5 yrs ago and trebled my money. Great investment 🙂
neilnevill
Free Member
Lunge, it’s a nice looking chrono. What’s the movement? Valjoux? I’m grateful I don’t really like chronos, so I have no real urge to buy them. Grateful as they are a bit no more costly to service, and for me it’s a complication I wouldn’t use. They said I think the Daytona is lovely and particularly the ceramic bezel ones, and I can appreciate the speedy. The Tudor, like most, does nod strongly at it’s Rolex brother and does it well.
It's actually an in-house Breitling movement in the Tudor, and Breitling get to use Tudor three hand movements as part of the agreement.
https://monochrome-watches.com/tudor-breitling-alliance-movements-exchange-opinion/
oh yes of course it is, i Knew that, d'oh. Like the rest of the current crop of in house movements that warrants looking into before buying the watch. is it any good and will it be reliable, and most importantly, service costs. Tudor are (or at least were( very very reasonable on that at least.
What’s the movement? Valjoux?
Interestingly, I believe Breitling used a Valjoux movement back in the 60’s, the same one that’s in my Yema - very good movement, kept excellent time when I wore it for the three months I was on furlough, longest period I’d worn it for since the 80’s and getting it repaired and serviced. I tend to prefer diver watches over chrono these days, but that Tudor is really rather nice - given a hefty cash injection I’d be looking at a Pelageos, though.
Highly unlikely to happen, sadly.
its sapphire crystal. +1sec since I put it on my wrist on Friday
New Orient M-Forces have been announced after not being in the range for a while - I think the black one will end up in the collection at some point. I appreciate these probably won't be to everyone's taste!
They also do a "Tiger's Eye" variant which is quite cool.
Interestingly, I believe Breitling used a Valjoux movement back in the 60’s...
Breitling, Heuer, Rolex and literally hundreds of others used Valjoux movements in the 60's. Paul Newman's $17m Daytona has a Valjoux 72 inside and you can find those in watches costing from around 1k today. You'll pay over 70k for a Heuer Skipper with a 7733 inside, to as little as a few hundred for something less collectable with the same movement. Very few companies were making their own chronograph movements back in those days and Valjoux were the go-to supplier for most.
I'm loving the look of Swatch's BIG BOLD CHRONO:
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47mm case width. And look at that tiny date window!
It's only bloomin' new watch day again...
So a while ago @derek_starship posted
derek_starship
Free Member
Just learned about this brand today.300m divers from Pantor. This is the Sealion. Rather lovely.
Posted 1 year ago
And today a green version arrived and it turns out he was right! I've never had a green watch and always fancied a cushion-cased diver like a Doxa or Seiko SRP so now I've got a green cushion-cased diver.
It's a 300m, sapphire crystalled, NH35 diver on a fairly chunky bracelet which came in a travel case with an additional rubber strap and spring-bar tool.
I've literally just unpacked it and need to size the bracelet etc but so far it looks and feels really nice.
Pantor stock image, I'll take some photos later.
Nice. Seems to a plethora of nice watches appearing at the moment. I'm taken by the new Tag Carrera, and want to treat myself to a Banford G Shock. Other G Shocks seem to be getting busier though, and putting me off.