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I’ve not posted pictures in ages (clearly). I’ll keep trying, but I’m hoping the link works at least.
Right, the Count’s SKX007 has developed a fault. It’s started losing a random chunk of time, between 15 mins to 1 hour some days. Every time but one this has been overnight, so I assumed around date change, but one random loss in the morning has confused that.
Any idea what the issue might be? With the 7s26 movement is it really worth trying to get it repaired or just bang a replacement in? Could even get it upgraded at the same time to a hacking/winding one.
Definitely not magnetised. When that happens the coils on the hairspring stick together, effectively shortening it and causing it to run several hours fast per day.
My money's on a worn/loose cannon pinion. It's the bit the minute hand is mounted on and is friction fitted to the centre wheel acting as a clutch when setting the time - in normal use the 'clutch' is locked and transferring power from the movement to the hands, but when setting the time the clutch/cannon pinion slips allowing the hour and minute hands to be set independently of the movement. If the cannon pinion is too loose then it'll start to slip when the date change introduces some more resistance and eventually as it gets worse the hour and minute hands won't move at all.
It's a relatively easy fix for a watchmaker to do but requires almost all of the dial side of the movement to be removed. Most watchmakers will quote for a full movement service and possibly for more than what the watch is worth so it works out cheaper buying the upgraded movement and required crown/stem and only paying for a movement swap. Make sure you buy a movement with the date at 4 and not 3, otherwise it won't line up. Also be aware that new movements don't ship with a day disc but if your watch has a 7S26C movement you can use the old one on the 4R36/NH36/6R15. If the watch was made prior to 2008-ish then it'll be a 7S26A or B version and a new day disc and day advance wheel will also be required.
Cheers Fudd for taking the time to type that comprehensive answer, not quite sure what to do now! Might just take it to my local watch place and let him at it, I certainly can't put up with it as is. An hour out again this morning.
On a different note, anyone seen the new Bond watch yet? Nice. 
Fudd has much deeper knowledge than me! Interesting to read, thanks for taking the time to diagnose that.
I like some aspects of that new Omega - the domed crystal, the all brushed case, the typeface and hour markers are all great.
But the faux-sun bleached patina is a bit strong for me. Sometimes I don't mind faux-patina but it does feel overdone here.
N-1.
20 years of faithful service & the bezel has gone.
Can't you just glue it back on?
Not if I want it to go round. I found the retaining ring after it I Chad stood on it. I’ll take it to the watch maker when I get a chance.
On a different note, anyone seen the new Bond watch yet?
Comes on a Mesh Bracelet, in fact a titanium mesh bracelet!
I like a Mesh bracelet, Can't afford £7.5K though...
N-1.
20 years of faithful service & the bezel has gone.
The chap behind Animal watches now runs Elliot Brown watches and I hear he still works on Animal watches where parts are still available. That would be my first port of call.
Thanks for that Fudd, I'll look him up.
Though I'm on the bottom of the world, so cost may be prohibitive.
I don't like the mesh strap on the omega but the head is quite nice and I've seen a mock up of it in a sand coloured NATO which worked well. It's costly, it's Titanium... My it's a lot more than the standard one costs..... But omega are pushing their prices up constantly.
You can get it with that mesh strap, or a Bond grey and black NATO natch. The article suggested one of the other, but you'd have thought for the price of it they'd throw a strip of nylon in with the mesh one, the tight arses.
But the faux-sun bleached patina is a bit strong for me.
I just see it as 'brown' and quite like it as such. However, it's unlikely to be something that ever really troubles me at the price, (with or without the extra NATO strap. 😀)
Having seen one in this thread I'm getting an Alkin for Xmas. The white face and stainless steel case. My first automatic watch. I like the minimalist design.
Getting the brown strap.
Nice choice
I keep toying with buying stainless/black face/black strap
But then it’s £250 towards the Stowa that I really want.....
Oooo,v which one! I like the fleiger
Flieger Klassik 40. Type A face. No date. No logo.
Waiting to see if one pops up in the 25 days of Christmas sale
Type A dials are my preference too, I'm not keen on the more cluttered nav-B. I also like stowa as they have historically, authenticity with fleiger watches. Fingers crossed for you!
I am the opposite. I prefer type B fleiger. Fleiger are not the most cluttered of watches at the best of times.
Help me out....
Middle_oab wants a watch for Christmas.
He has tiny wrists so must be small. Is there equivalent of a Swatch in digital - on one hand quite simple and contemporary, on the other hand quite fun...?
The polar opposite of most Casio watches...
Budget is £50ish
I was going to buy a Stowa Flieger but was bothered by the fact I couldn't try on or even see an actual watch before buying as Stowa are mail order only, a bit of a leap of faith, although they do look lovely, went with a Tudor Ranger in the end, which is perfect on a nice NATO.
Started to get into watches this year, 1st is my 1920’s (ish) Rolex, before they were Rolex, the movement is WM Rolex but i can’t find much out about it, was bought by my great aunt after the second world war, inherited from my grandfather. Second, Parnis diver, total bargain £63 for an automatic. Third, quartz Hamilton Khaki field, slightly regret not getting the mechanical.
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Parnis looks good. I like that stealth bezel look, epitomised by the (somewhat pricier) Rolex Yachtmaster 42
The Parnis is excellent, 40mm so suits my small wrists, not the fanciest movement but was a bargain and nice first diver
Had a type B Laco before and sold it. Busy but interesting face.
Tudor Ranger on leather is also something I fancy. Was bidding on one on eBay last month but missed out in the end
PSA. Bit big for my tastes but the 44mm Geckota K-01 is half price over at Watch Gecko
£149 down from £299
clicky
For those into divers', look at the Scurfa range. Great VFM and great looking. Designed by a saturation diver and watch enthusiast.
Kato if you see a Tudor Ranger on a bracelet they're good to go for too as you can really soften the price of the watch by selling the bracelet on Chrono24, they fetch very good money on there as do the camo NATOs that come with the watch (way too gung ho for me). I didn't like any of the straps that the Ranger came on so bought it on a bracelet specifically to sell and soften the price of the watch, the bracelet and the camo NATO fetched five hundred Euros, although this was a couple of years back, which made the price of the watch much easier to swallow.
But omega are pushing their prices up constantly.
I've noticed this too. First the AD told me it was due to Brexit/supply fears and the £GBP losing value - that was 2.5 years ago and the prices have risen still.
I think it's more so they're seen as a direct competitor to Rolex - it's a marketing play.
It's kind of working, too - the secondary market seems to be tracking closer to MSRP - if I sold my Speedmaster today I'd get either what I paid for it 2.5 years ago or maybe even slightly over. You've not been able to say that about Omega, especially a bog standard Moonwatch, ever in the brand's history.
Blimey - I just checked again. An Omega Speedmaster Professional with the hesalite dome now retails at MSRP of £4000 (!!!) That's a full £1k more than I paid for mine 2.5 years-ish ago.
I think you're right. In terms of case, bracelet, dial and movement quality I'd say there is little to choose between the two brands. Design and branding there is s bigger difference but omega do seem to be trying to close on Rolex., although Rolex seem to want to push up to pp, ap, jlc territory. Tudor are pushing up behind omega... Basically a lot of brands are pushing prices up hard!
My 10 year old Submariner 14060M has a cr@p strap. Rubbish from new. They wanted £1000 for a replacement strap 🤪 it is, however a lovely watch that means something special to me.
The Omegas always had nicer straps. The Rolex straps have been improved recently but I’m not a fan of the newer Submariners TBH.
Orient have a new Orient Star diver out which looks really nice and is a bit different to the usual sub "homages".
Link to picture cos I can't get an actual picture to work.
plyphon
Member
Blimey – I just checked again. An Omega Speedmaster Professional with the hesalite dome now retails at MSRP of £4000 (!!!) That’s a full £1k more than I paid for mine 2.5 years-ish ago
Hackett Watches will do it for £3295 still. I was going to px my quartz Seamaster but was advised to hold onto it
miketroid, I know what you mean, omega bracelets improved years before rolex did, but the bracelet on a modern rolex is good, solid links, and the glidelock clasp on sports models is good and esy to use. the omega adjustable clasp is similarly good now...but rolex had the glidelock for 4 or 5 years before omega caught up there. other than that, I'd say its very hard to pick out any quality differences bryon the movements where rolex are ver, very good, but omega are probably a bit better ....but I'm an omega fan so respect that others may disagree.
That orient is nice, and I'm not really a fan of the others people have linked on here. 44mm though, too big!
Talk me out of this? I want a Pepsi, and the Solar appeals.... is it worth adding to the collection...?
I’d say its very hard to pick out any quality differences bryon the movements where rolex are ver, very good, but omega are probably a bit better
The new Omega co-axial is an incredible movement - too early to say about longevity, but currently the performance, finishing and technical prowess is well up there with Rolex, and above in some categories.
The issue I take with Omega is that their Moonwatch still comes with a 1861 movement which is almost as old as the Speedmaster design itself. I know its a workhorse movement that has pedigree etc etc which holds a lot of weight - but it becomes hard to justify it's tolerance of +/- 10sec tolerance when even the "cheapest" of Rolex watches comes with a Superlative Chronometer Official Certification which is +/- 2sec ... it's a noticeable difference. Last time I checked my Explorer it came in a +0 secs...
Orient have a new Orient Star diver out which looks really nice
Agree with tthew, lovely apart from the sizing. No design cues at all that I can see from the sub but I wouldn't be expecting a sub homage from a Japanese major anyway.
I want a Pepsi, and the Solar appeals…. is it worth adding to the collection…?
Well, I've never liked Pepsi bezels and the only solar I'd entertain would be a Casio Tough so I'd say no. But you want one and have seen one that appeals so why TF would you care what I think? Are you talking Seiko here? There are loads of other Pepsi style bezels around if you want to branch out a bit.
Aficionados, any tips on good places/sites for women's watches?
Triple points if you have direct links to a watch that is designed for very small wrists, is anti-bling, beautiful in a modern and understated way, and under £400 (the last part does not apply to my partner!).
For anyone who is hankering after a Sub but can’t get hold of one, a jeweller I know in Stourbridge has a 2 tone version with a gold and back face, gold and steel bracelet, 2nd hand, in store. Not cheap but it does look lovely.
TT subs are a bit marmite though.
...the only solar I’d entertain would be a Casio Tough...
Not even an Eco-Drive Promaster diver?
I have to admit I'm slightly taken with them, and I'm not so fussed about automatic divers anymore...
That said I'm toying with getting a GW-M5610 as it would make a proper beater. So yeah Casio tough solar FTW...
As for that linked solar Prospex I don't doubt it's good VFM but there's just something 'off' about a Dive-style Chronograph it doesn't quite correlate (IMO), it's like it doesn't know what sort of watch it actually wants to be, so it's going to try and be as many different watches as possible... just me perhaps.
Talk me out of this?
Sorry, didn't see the link first time round or I'd have also been manking about the visual fussiness of a chrono being at odds with a diver and only getting Hardlex when you're paying the thick end of £300. But that's the Seiko tax for you and we clearly look for different things in a watch!
I’m toying with getting a GW-M5610
The 5610 is very nice but I'm leaning more towards a white AQ-S810. Very affordable but not cheap enough for me to break my "no more watches in 2019" resolution! I had an orange AQ-S800W briefly but it was a little too dainty and the legibility was too compromised.
Sorry, didn’t see the link first time round or I’d have also been manking about the visual fussiness of a chrono being at odds with a diver and only getting Hardlex when you’re paying the thick end of £300. But that’s the Seiko tax for you and we clearly look for different things in a watch!
After sleeping on it I've changed my mind anyway, I think my next purchase should be non Seiko and a bit more "special" or "classy" in watch terms however long it takes.
I've been inspired, by this thread, to revive my +1, which has been sitting in a drawer for 5 years.
It's a Christopher Ward Quartz Chrono, and from memory when I took it in to the local jeweller 5 years ago for a battery change, they said there was nothing wrong with the battery, it was the movement. The crown also doesn't screw in.
I've sent it back to Christopher Ward, and have just been presented with a £300 quote for a service and repair, which includes a new case. The watch cost me about £130 brand new! I've asked why it might need a new case, so I'll wait to see what they say.
The market rate for a quartz service seems to be about £120. Forgive my ignorance, but when a new movement (ISA 8174-220) seems to be about £38, wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just swap out the movement, rather than servicing the old one? What am I missing?