MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Can anyone recommend a decent Batman GMT? So far I'm thinking on the top-of-budget Stienhart Steel...
...but wondering if there's anything I've missed thats not a Seiko, any ideas? Thanks
How about a G-Shock for £6,500?
Not even half tempted and I like my G-Shocks
Not much love for them in general on here, but this MAY be more up STW's street - might buy one when they come available AW 500
New watch day (well, it was some time this week...)
Stowa Verus - been after one since they came out. Found one on ebay at the same time Nick Crossley reminded me that he's been after my Timefactors Speedbird GMT for ages...
wondering around the Rolex dealer in Bahrain today and found a sports model actually in stock for the first time in a while!
sea dweller
had a try on and whilst it was a lovely piece, didn't feel quite so special on the wrist at a price of £10,000! I'll stick with my vintage sub for now...
Probably the only model your likely to take dip in price on when bought new.
Stowa is handsome. A flieger classic is on my to do list when I find a reasonably priced one!
Great fleiger, very nice.
Wow, £10k fora area dweller, roles prices just keep climbing
Okay, so aside from the "investment" end of the market, where do you guys get a nice watchstrap for much cheapness? Just to go on a Timberland identical to this:
It would be nice to re-use the branded buckle and wrapover bands but by no means a dealbreaker.
Also, I'm just not interested in expensive watches, but I do like interesting things for pocket money prices. Has anyone had experience of the cheap Seiko 5 from India, some lovely (It's OLD, not RETRO) 70s and 80s designs for not much money, like this:
I'm also looking at some Junghans from Germany, we have some of their clocks and it was my grandfather's favourite make to work on as a clock repairer, so a browse on ebay shows lots of funky and classy designs to explore.
I buy quite a bit of stuff from Watchgecko, the straps they do are usually really good. They're not mega cheap but they're not expensive and usually have some deals on.
Steveostraps will make you a nice one a reuse the buckle if you send it to him
Watch Obsession have some nice stuff too
@Kryton57, Tag Formula 1 Calibre 7 GMT?
And if you were interested in a lightly worn one with box and paper then drop me a note.
Watch straps I've used Watch Bandit for nice ones and Cheapest Nato Straps for the more bargain end of the market.
I looked at all those funky Seiko's when we were doing the watch swap. There are so many of them, I'm suspicious. I reckon they are, well I'll call them modern homages because I doubt they are copies of actual Seiko models. There were a lot of Oris's similarly offered, but you know for less that £30 if they work then I'd be tempted. Would be interested to see what the experts on here think.
Love the GS SBGH267 with the dark blue face! I’m not a classic, dress-watch sort of person, but if I had the cash available, I might seriously consider one of those!
Had a look at the link to the chain-drive fuseé watch - now that is a work of horological art! Just the amount of care taken in crafting the enamel dial pieces is impressive, but I’ve never, ever seen anything like that movement before. Now, all I need is a £175 million Eurolottery win, and I’ll put down a deposit!
Whilst I don’t doubt the exceptional build quality and craftsmanship of the Grand Seiko, I just cant get my head passed the fact its the same brand that I have in my seiko 5 auto that cost me £40 30 years ago. It just doesn’t have that intangible allure that an Omega or Rolex might have.
Do a bit of research into the history of Seiko, their GS movements are as good as anyone else’s, chronometer grade, they just can’t be bothered with getting them certified by the Swiss, and they were among the first to produce a true dive watch, and I believe the first to produce a monocoque front-entry case with the MarineMaster 300.
Nah, for me they’re too obvious. Like in James Bond when he gets asked ‘Nice watch, is it a Rolex?’ it’s just what everyone who has a chunk of disposable income and wants a watch plumps for without really thinking about it. In that price bracket I’d get an Omega, (though they are skirting close to the obvious choice) or a Grand Seiko every time.
Seiko Emperor Tuna for me! 😎
@lunge thanks for the offer but I suspect that’s above my €600 limit (of which I can’t decide if a wireless seatpost is more useful 🙂 )
@chipps - that Stowa is really nice, about as clear and legible as a watch could possibly be!
I’m blind as a bat without my glasses, so my watches are all pretty bold. The Stowa has excellent full (blue!) lume too, so is great at night.
two more votes for WatchObsession for a great range of straps and for SteveO Straps for handmade stuff. I have tiny wrists and he’s made me a couple of great straps to suit.
V nice Chipps. I've been hankering for a field/pilot style watch lately and looking at either a Hamilton Khaki or a Sinn 556A. I prefer the Sinn but it's 3x the price...
I need to throw some money at the car first and then hopefully it'll be new wrist bauble time in the new year, and because everybody loves pictures -
That date window on the Sinn - what were they thinking?
"It's good but is a bit TOO clean and uncluttered?"
"I think you're right, but I can litter the dial with a near-useless date window, and for extra irritation I'll unbalance the whole look by plonking it at 4:30!"
"Perfect. You're a genius!"
The 556i has the date at the 3 o’clock but has baton indices rather than the 3/6/9 Arabics
I like both! Plus there’s a version with a red second hand!
The red hand one is far nicer. 
Archimede do a flieger with the date at 6 that looks really clean.
One for the Speedmaster owners out there. Video is interesting...
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/servicing-the-speedmster-at-manfredi
231 pieces! Kind of makes you appreciate it more.
Proper love my new Seiko 5 Sport, I know theres some criticism over how it lost its ISO rating and stuff from the SKX but I think it's a really nice little timepiece. Thinking about buying a jubilee style bracelet for it, though.
Strapcode do nice bracelets. Had a Super Oyster of theirs on my SKX when I had it
I have a strap code on my 5 (an original Sea Urchin). Its very good quality.
Cheers guys. Will take a look at strap code.
Has anyone had experience of the cheap Seiko 5 from India, some lovely (It’s OLD, not RETRO) 70s and 80s designs for not much money, like this:
No personal experience. Not good vibes over at Watchuseek though.
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/seiko-ebay-india.2552202/
If you want a cheap automatic there is the option of the Chinese brands on Aliexpress like Cadisen who use Japanese movements like the NH35 which is a Seiko based movement. Or for around the same money get a Vostok. Russian watches. A bit like the 1980s Skoda of watches. If you buy from the factory shop it's about 5 weeks delivery.
I recently bought this one at £66.
https://meranom.com/en/vostok/550/vostok-watch-retro-2415-550930b.html
The 3rd Vostok I have bought. Part of the reason they are cheap is they don't spend much time regulating them. Mine have all arrived going 30-40s a day fast. Easy to improve that though by opening them and adjusting. Even without a Timegrapher. I have done 2 of mine so far. One is now 12s a day fast the other 2s a day fast. Which is as accurate as any of the other automatic watches I have.
Thanks for that link to the Indian Seiko thread irc. Seem like you can go wrong for 30 quid, pleased I didn't bother.
Looks it might be fairly common too. I was reading about a reissue King Seiko the other day, a 44-9990 and this article mentioned the original ones were a good price on eBay. So I went to look, there were loads. Odd in itself for a 40+ year old model, but on closer inspection there are only 2 sets of photos on most of the listings. This one seems about the most legit.
For well priced decent watches (and it’s been said before in here), keep an eye on Creation. I picked up a Seiko 5 on there for my son at £55.
Terrible bracelet, but it got a NATO strap pronto anyway.
E.G. £66 and there’ll be a discount code along in a bit if you take their email
I think Creation are great, I've bought a good few watches from them, mostly Seiko and Orient's, but I did pick up a bargain Tag as well.
They 5 you like to is very nice indeed, reckon it's look good on leather as well.
This is a little different, SNKK27 for £65.
Or your classic SNK807 for £72.
There is a few bargains there for sure. £111 for an Orient Ray
I'm guessing with creation there's duty to pay?
I've only bought one watch from Creation (Seiko 5) and didn't have to pay duty
Loving this new one from Oris.
aquis
Pretty justifiable price tag too for what it is. I think I prefer the look of the tag aquaracer a touch more though for similar money.
I’m guessing with creation there’s duty to pay?
Pay extra for the Royal mail shipping at checkout and it gets shipped from the UK with no vat to pay.
@countzero Tried to pm you back but the send message button seems to be broken. Send me your email address if you can.
I recently bought 2 watches. The first was a Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A1ER. I bought this as an everyday watch and because it looks very cool.
The second was a Chinese special from AliExpress, the Starking AM0184. I fancied an automatic watch as an antithesis to the smart watch I have, which needs charging every 3 days…. I have to wind this or wear it instead.
This was £38 with a metal bracelet (which is great) and black leather strap (which isn’t great). It’s an automatic watch with a sapphire crystal. For the money (and it was only £38 as it shipped within the EU), it seems like a bargain
I think I might have started something expensive though….. I’m now looking at other watches. On my list is a Seiko dive watch, Citizen Eco-Drive, Square digital G-Shock. I like the look of Farer watches and Christopher Ward… might struggle to reign this in 😄
That Starking is very nice, bargain price too.
DMORTS, you might quite like YouTube " just one more watch " Jodie specialises in the value end and loves an Aliexpress round up.
DMORTS, you might quite like YouTube ” just one more watch ” Jodie specialises in the value end and loves an Aliexpress round up.
Hellllllloooooooooo, and welcome...
He's the reason I bought 2 watches in less than a month!
Any recommendations for a watch tool kit for adjusting bracelets and perhaps removing backs to change a battery? I have a Pulsar chronograph with a screw down back that needs a new battery
Of what level of regard are Ball watches?
Any recommendations for a watch tool kit for adjusting bracelets and perhaps removing backs to change a battery? I have a Pulsar chronograph with a screw down back that needs a new battery
No need to spend much, I bought a full kit on Ebay for around 15 quid and have used it to adjust bracelets on various cheap and expensive watches.
Bergeon make excellent tools. I like their spring bar tools a lot
Kryton - I had a Ball watch but found it was very hard to read with my pants on 🙂 Gonna stick with wrist watches for now...
Ooo, the thought, makes me wince!
Not had one, bit decent I think. Have a history in railmaster pocket watches I think
Kryton – I had a Ball watch but found it was very hard to read with my pants on 🙂 Gonna stick with wrist watches for now…
Fnar. They do a very nice dual sapphire cosc GMT. For the money it looks great, and less “fussy” to own than a Speedy for a 50th Birthday, but if it’s basically a marked up homage without recognition I don’t want it.
What are forumites doing with regards watch rolls? Thinking I ought to take more care of my timepieces and how I store them.
Watch storage. I have 2 boxes like these except brown. £18 on Amazon. Keeps watvhes on display. I can keep one box on the windowsill to keep the couple of ecodrive watches I have charged up.
I seem to have satisfied the watch buying itch at 12. I'd probably sell/give away a watch I never wear if I needed sopace for a new watch.
I got a Wolf Howard for my birthday earlier this year, it's a really nice case but realistically it's overkill considering it was more expensive than most of my watches.
I've one of these watch rolls. Watch roll Purchased at the start of the year because I thought it would be bob on to take a couple of alternatives on holiday.
So of course it's never yet been out of my drawer. 🙄 It is really nice quality though, I'd have another. Would also make a nice little tool roll.
Just joining this thread after lurking around it for sometime (actually seem to be doing a lot of that on STW this week).
Anyhow, I recently bought a www.Ming.watch which I’m really looking forward to arriving. I know the guy who designs them a bit and little by little he and this thread have sucked me into the world of watch appreciation.
I like the idea of a smart box like irc's but then thought it's a bad idea if I had a break in. I enjoy wearing the watches not looking at them in a box so let's not make it easy for a thief I thought. So I bought several specs cases for a few pounds each and when not worn each watch goes in its own case and away in a safe place.
Seiko SKX007 (or SKX013), I am mad to try and find a new one for sale, and buy it if I do? Most second hand ones seem to be modded or very expensive for what they are.
There are alternatives, e.g. from Orient, but they're not quite the same. I don't like the new Seiko 5 divers as much either. I could go the homage route and get a Steeldive?
Thoughts? Have I missed the SKX boat?
I like my SKX @dmorts, a perfect tool watch. You can pick them up new from Creation for £200 if you don't mind a Pepsi bezel.
I don't think you've missed the boat, they're still out there.
Creation watches? they look like they have some in, some rubber strap and some nato style but if you needed a bracelet you can buy one separately
Creation Watches are non UK? So I'd have to account for VAT, import duty and handling fees too.
I've had a few things from creation and never had to pay VAT etc.
I’ve had a few things from creation and never had to pay VAT etc.
That's my experience too. They used to have a delivery option that was a tad under the radar, not sure if that's still the case.
Did anyone else get one of the bronze Yemas from their recent Kickstarter? I went for the GMT and I’m beginning to get a bit concerned about whether it will even ship as it’s due to go out next month.
Yema are probably used to international shipping processes, so you'll likely be OK to actually get it. If there's no free trade agreement sorted out in the next 10 days you'll get whacked with additional import duties though I think.
This might be of interest, Certina have been doing a 43mm dive watch, but they’ve just introduced a 38mm watch, which may suit those with smaller wrists, male or female.
Roughly £640
https://monochrome-watches.com/certina-ds-action-diver-38mm-2020-hands-on-price/
lunge
Full Member
I’ve had a few things from creation and never had to pay VAT etc.That’s my experience too. They used to have a delivery option that was a tad under the radar, not sure if that’s still the case.
From memory the phrase is "horological instrumentation".
Hi , a workmate of mine has an old festina watch he is wanting to wear again . He broke the leather strap years ago but now wants to replace it with a metal one but festina said they don’t do a metal one for it . Does anyone have any idea where would be best to start looking ? . I’m struggling trying to post photos also . It’s not your regular strap with a straight edge with a spring bar through but it’s got a narrower middle section with a shorter bar and that fits into an inset cutout at the top and bottom of the watch face . I’m probably not describing it very well but as soon as I figure out photos I’ll get some on . Thanks
Stevostraps is a good option for custom made leather straps. He’s been mentioned a few times on this thread.
I’m sure that your mate could sent his existing strap to template from.
I’m sure there has been mention of some other strap suppliers through this thread, Possibly with options for metal straps...
Festina mentioned on a cycling forum, ooft.
Thanks all , I’ll have a trawl through past supplier suggestions
@dmorts Creation watches doing extra 15% off SKX007 with code “CHRISTMAS” - allegedly anyway, I don’t know the pre-offer price...
@dmorts this thread sucked me in and I bought an SKX007J from Creation back in April. I ordered a stainless steel bracelet for it from yobokies but a) it took so long to arrive and b) I liked the black synthetic original strap so much that I've still got the stainless bracelet sitting sealed in its bag - I might fit it at some point in the future, but I'm really happy with the SKX007 in its stock configuration.
It loses about a minute a week, which is a huge difference from my Casio GW5600, but I was expecting something like that. The Seiko feels more like a "grown up" watch and is my daily wearer in the workshop. I love it.
Still wearing the SKX007 that I got off Count Zero on this thread. After replacing the movement, (how TF I broke it, have no idea - I thought they were supposed to be pretty much indestructible!) and messing with the regulation it's currently running better than 2 seconds per day. Might treat it to a ceramic bezel insert in the new year.
There really isn't much to dislike about them. An 013 might suit my girls wrists better, but then I'd have to swap the movement, (upgraded to NH36 while I was repairing it) and crown again.
I liked my 009 but ultimately not enough to hold onto it. If was to get another SKX it would have to be a 007 with a movement upgrade
What's people's opinion on Rado?
The Bronze Captain Cook with the green dial has piqued my interest!
Hi, I've got the blue islander which is like a mod of an skx 013. I paid £240 for mine converted from Us Dollars, I didnt have to pay taxes or import charges. Its from Long Island watch.Its better than a skx because it hacks and you can hand wind it.
Hi, I’ve got the blue islander which is like a mod of an skx 013. I paid £240 for mine converted from Us Dollars, I didnt have to pay taxes or import charges. Its from Long Island watch.Its better than a skx because it hacks and you can hand wind it.
Been really tempted by these, they look great and Mark is a good guy. How was the process of buying it and having it posted internationally?
Its better than a skx because it hacks and you can hand wind it.
Mine does now! If anyone is tempted doing the upgrade, movements are currently £35 from eBay UK sellers and you need a new crown and stem to complete the job. There are plenty of guides on YouTube how to do it, its tricky, (hands are the most fiddly) but by no means impossible.
After replacing the movement, (how TF I broke it, have no idea
Yeah, I’ve managed to break the date change mechanism on my Heimdallr ’Tuna’, and the only practical solution is a new movement. ‘Shrugs’, probably me trying to change the date at the wrong time of day, it can cause issues, as I’ve discovered. Tough, but not unbreakable, as I’ve found, ham-fisted muppet that I am! 🤪🙄
Creation watches doing extra 15% off SKX007 with code “CHRISTMAS” – allegedly anyway, I don’t know the pre-offer price…
Thanks! I don't think the prices have changed in light of the offer coming in.
I just need to decide on a K or J model. J seems more authentic but the K has a slightly cleaner dial and is cheaper
That Captain Cook !!! wow
I have a 1072 Diastar, Rado know how to make a nice watch.
I agree the cpt cook looks great, but a diver without a screw down crown just...just...no.
Rado definitely had a screw down crown when I looked at it.
But I agree divers without screw in crowns are a baffling thing
Liked that Christopher Ward super compressor too as it had a genuine super compressor case....
..... and a push in crown?????