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Meh, I've given up on cheap brand watches without meaning or back stories, I'd rather save up for a piece to talk about, so my current enthusiasms are:
a) A Laco Aachen 29 at £269
b) A Seiko Monster, curing weighing up the new Padi or Antartic models but I wish they had Sapphire for the £450 the come in at. I'm going to look at the 'bay to see what I can find second hand that may be cheaper.
I’d quite like to see a g-shock with an emphasis on legibility. The toughness aspect is great but there’s so much bullshit marketing text on them that doesn’t need to be on there – they’re almost as bad as a Rolex Sub in that respect.
g-shock + legibility…. that might mean _some_ of the Casioaks, depending on what model/hand colour + lume they have! I’ve been looking and most g-shocks are shocking!
That's more a general Casio issue than specifically a G-Shock thing, they like to tell you ALL of the features.
TBH some their nicer looking watches can be found in the 'Edifice' line, but by the same token so can some of their most overblown, oversized, gaudy wrist baubles. Casio have at least two watches for everyone whether they've got taste or not. I sort of like that about them.
People do seem to have a massive Lob-on for the GA-2100, but I reckon the EFR-S108D is also worth a look if affordable octagons are your thing. Not as chunky as a GA-2100 or indeed an AP but 'cleaner' looking and you get sapphire...
People do seem to have a massive Lob-on for the GA-2100
The GM2100's are much nicer - as posted previously, this is my GM-2100B-3AER
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Meets almost none of my criteria and isn't currently available but other than that...
I have suggested to Elliot Brown that they produce a 12hr chapter ring for the Canford but that strikes me as being something which may take quite a while to come to fruition.
Are there any fitness tracker watches with HR and other stats that are more like wristbands than watches?
I like the look of the features on the Garmin Forerunner 45 but wouldn't want to wear one all the time. However you ideally should wear them constantly to get all the stats. There must be bands that do similar in conjunction with your phone?
Yes I wear a Vivosmart 4 on my right wrist, and a normal watch on my left. Others are available.
I was thinking even more basic than that, i.e no display or smart features. I'll have a look at the Vivosmart though
Anyone got any experience with Alpina? Like the look of this quartz number and trying to find reasons not to hit buy.
Meh, I’ve given up on cheap brand watches without meaning or back stories, I’d rather save up for a piece to talk about, so my current enthusiasms are:
@Kryton57 So does that mean you're consigning that pretty Ti Swordfish with the lumed dial to the vast dustbin of Kryton's past enthusiasms or will you be heading for the Zelos website at 1600 local tomorrow?
I was thinking even more basic than that, i.e no display or smart features. I’ll have a look at the Vivosmart though
I think you can turn off the display and notifications for most of them, but if you want to go cheaper you can get the Xaomi Mi band for about £30. It had its own app of course but was no less accurate than others when I had one.
So does that mean you’re consigning that pretty Ti Swordfish with the lumed dial to the vast dustbin of Kryton’s past enthusiasms
Not necessarily, I still like it and the full lume dial is a story in itself, but I have several divers now, do I need another one? Having said that I know where there’s and Orange Baby Monster on sale that’s tempting also. Add the Laco, and it’s one of these three for my next purchase… maybe.
Then, the new withings popped up in my phone ads yesterday…. https://www.withings.com/de/en/scanwatch-horizon. I’m not really a smart watch fan as I prefer a less intrusive hourly lifestyle, so there’s really no point in that for me, but it’s a nice idea.
Not necessarily, I still like it and the full lume dial is a story in itself, but I have several divers now, do I need another one?
Of course not, but when was that ever the point on this thread? But I've not only got enough dive watches, I've enough Swordfish so I'm going to pass. It's annual service time on the car and my insurance also needs renewing this month so my feeble willpower is getting a boost from fiscal reality!
Orange Baby Monster
Not a Monster. Go big or go home.
Not a Monster. Go big or go home.
Yes, very fair point! Plus, I <heart> my Arnie which is my predominant social/indoor watch a lot of the time. I don't really want to buy a watch and not use it.
It’s annual service time on the car and my insurance also needs renewing this month so my feeble willpower is getting a boost from fiscal reality!
Different reason but also under some financial pressure. It'ss nice to explore different items lead to by peoples suggestions though and enhance knowledge.
Then, the new withings popped up in my phone ads yesterday…. https://www.withings.com/de/en/scanwatch-horizon. I’m not really a smart watch fan as I prefer a less intrusive hourly lifestyle, so there’s really no point in that for me, but it’s a nice idea.
Withings watches are quite configurable and not very intrusive. I had only calendar and phone call notifications activated on my older model as I don't keep my phone ringer on.
The issue with them in context of watches is that their life span is quite limited compared to 'real' watches. Although it is not as bad as with Tag Heuer smart watches (Android) which were 10x more expensive.
Just back from a tour of Bremont Watches in Henley. Their look isn't really for me but it's a fascinating place. Number of components made on site keeps going up and with it the number of machine tools and employees.
Recommended if you're in the area.
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Well I ordered one of the S&B Springfield GMTs I linked to initially. Annoyingly though I thought I ordered the brushed steel case with green dial but actually ordered the black and tan version instead and only noticed when I got the dispatch notification so too late to do anything about it.
I was basically scouring the web for effectively the same watch but made by a brand I'd heard of so decided just to take a punt, spec looks ok for the price so what can go wrong?
So far there's been good comms from the company owner which is promising so now it just a case of waiting for international delivery.
I just popped in to this corner of the forum to check you’ve clocked (badumtish) the Elliot Brown story on the front page. Yes there’s a website, ooh it’s actually a bike forum, etc.
I thought I ordered the brushed steel case with green dial
That's a handsome watch though a bit big for my taste, I'd prefer it in a 40. I'm afraid I'm not so keen on the black and tan you inadvertantly ordered, sorry!
Have lusted after the Petrograd from Omega's Museum collection since I first saw it; have now found one in unworn mint condition.
Undoubtedly an investment piece.
Do I?
yes
You'll just regret it if you don't. If you don't bond with it, just sell it on.
Yes definitely.
Just sold my 2020 Omega FOIS for €4500, €1000 more than I paid. This follows my 2020 Rolex OP36, in for €5050, out for 5500. Both sold as worn, 'very good' not 'mint'. What a bonkers market, but at least I can get out of last year's overspending with my shirt. Not all will be in the black but at least these ones counterbalance!
@countzero, I got the green Resolute in the first RZE (was Reise then) Kickstarter. Nice watch and accurate to boot.
Heh, I’ve been avoiding both this thread and their site deliberately, to avoid any temptation! I certainly don’t need another dive watch, but the field watch is enormously tempting, and while I might possibly be able to stretch to one, it’s an extravagance I can’t really justify at the moment, as I have a shower unit that really needs replacement, and the really wet weather of late is showing that my car’s front tyres need replacing sooner rather than later!
johnners
Free Member
That’s a handsome watch though a bit big for my taste, I’d prefer it in a 40. I’m afraid I’m not so keen on the black and tan you inadvertantly ordered, sorry
I think I'm going to put it on a tan or khaki-ish NATO strap to lighten it a bit as the black/black/black wasn't what I was after.
44mm is fine for me, I think GMT types need a bit more dial space anyway and besides, I'm not a fan of the current fad for sub 40mm, youth sized watches. 😉
Totally agree about the over-complexity of the average G-Shock, I don’t want to have to resort to putting on high-strength reading glasses in order to read the time on a watch, or operate a multitude of generally useless functions!
Which is why I bought one of these some years ago:
I stopped wearing it after a while, because it gains quite a bit, and resetting is so sodding tedious, having to hold a button in while the hands crawl round and round the bloody dial! It should be possible to wind them backwards, but no, they can only go forwards, resulting in total loss of the will to live!
Apparently, it can be adjusted, but that involves having to take the back off and poke around in its entrails, which I guess I’ll have to do sometime or other.
It’s a bit bulky to wear, because I bought adaptors for it so I could put a nylon NATO/ZULU strap on, which makes it a bit wider than my skinny wrist, but the plastic strap brings my arm out in a rash, so not much choice, really.
I might take it apart and get a small container of Lume for retouching dials, and paint the hands and markers, make it a bit better at night.
I’m not a fan of the current fad for sub 40mm, youth sized watches.
Have some pity for the weedy of wrist, though TBF it's not so much a current fad, more a rebound back to normality from the dinner plate fashion of the last few years. I'm guessing you'd not have much time for my old SNK805, coming in at a bijou 37mm!
Annoyingly though I thought I ordered the brushed steel case with green dial but actually ordered the black and tan version instead and only noticed when I got the dispatch notification so too late to do anything about it
I know this was posted a couple of days ago, but distance selling regs mean you could just sent it back and order the version you originally intended. Granted that's not going to be entirely easy with it being an USA supplier, and I think you'll have to pay the return shipping, but will you really be satisfied with the wrong one?
Do distance selling regulations apply if the seller is outside of the UK?
After a bit of research seems like the Vivosmart 4 ticks all the boxes.
Quite a difference in what different colours are going for though. £100 for black and £65 for others. Black would be my first choice, but I'm wondering if I could get away with the grey/silver version.... and save £35
Do distance selling regulations apply if the seller is outside of the UK?
I obviously thought that they did, and that the law was based on the place where the consumer made the purchase. A bit of googling suggests I'm incorrect. CAB advice page.
It's called the Consumer Contracts Regulations now, and of course based outside the UK includes Europe now. Yay brexit. 😒
I could just exchange it but for the cost of the watch versus the cost of postage then I won't bother.
I do like the one I've actually ordered but it wasn't my first choice so it's not the end of the world.
I get a discount at Garmin. Can get the Black Vivosmart 4 for £59.99 but it's a 2 week dispatch time.
£45.49 for the Vivofit 4 with immediate dispatch but I think I'd pay extra for the Vivosmart at that price
I stopped wearing it after a while, because it gains quite a bit, and resetting is so sodding tedious, having to hold a button in while the hands crawl round and round the bloody dial! It should be possible to wind them backwards, but no, they can only go forwards, resulting in total loss of the will to live!
I had one and ended up absolutely infuriated with it for the same reason. Gave it away it annoyed me that much.
@ RustyNissanPrairie - glad it’s not just me, then! Oddly enough, I went and dug it out last night, having not worn it for what must be a couple of years, and found it was showing the correct date on the LCD display, and it was about ten minutes slow! I advanced the time, and I’m wearing it now, so I’ll see whether it’s gaining or losing at the moment.
It would be a fun little project to repaint the hands and put better lume on the hands and markers, and tweak the fast/slow setting slightly, so it would run slightly slow, a minute or so a week, if possible.
Something to do once I’ve set up a little workspace in the next room.
Thinking of selling my omega aqua terra co axial but can’t find any equivalent watches on eBay or chrono24 to work out a value. It’s 10 years old with a leather strap so thinking of going with eBay with a minimum of £1800 - does this sound sensible as I’m a bit nervous about eBay and chrono24 and getting a fair price, any advice gratefully received ….
Apparently all quartz watches are affected by temperature, too cold (stuck in a sock drawer for 6 months) and they run slow, owner a bit on the warm side it runs fast, so I'm told.
Casio's answer is of course for punters to spend more on a watch with Multiband 6.
But TBH (@CountZero) it just sounds like you bought a watch you don't really like, I'd flog it, people often pay a bit much for G-Shocks on eBay...
@cookeaa, all quartz affected but High Accuracy Quartz are thermocompensated. My Sinn UX and Grand Seiko SBGN005 are good for 10s per year minimum, others manage 5s and the newish Citizen 100 calibre is 1s pzr year 😱😱😱
@claudie, I've sold two watches on Chrono24 now. One to the company itself and and other à private sale. I get the feeling they're à lot more evenhanded than eBay...
@gaidong - Indeed, but the question is does it really matter?
After a month of being left the difference between my MB6 M5610 and my other non-MB6 G-Shocks/Casios will be maybe 10 seconds, only the F91 will be more like a minute slow. My old eco-drive seems to hold pretty well within 10s over the course of a month...
And yes I do find myself doing the occasional 'survey' and resetting them all to match sad git that I am...
At the end of the day though, all this "accuracy" doesn't improve my own promptness much, within a minute over a month is fine (IMO), what's that 5s/day? About on par with mechanical a Seiko from a good batch?
Gaidong, how do you sell direct to them? And when they give a price guide, the price doesn’t change regardless of what option you choose for condition? Thanks
@cookeaa, nah, none of it really matters but some on the HAQ forum at WatchuSeek get weellll into it!
@claudie, first I had my collection registered on their website but I don't think that's a requirement. Under the sell tab there were two options, one of which was to sell to them. They took my OP no problems but refused my FOIS, both 2020 watches (ergo I think they want only Rolex pro models, Royal Oaks and Nautilii (Nautiluseseses?). Even à private sale is pretty easy though. Follow their instructions and list à price commensurate with condition and other private examples, and less than dealer offering, who have to pay overheads, warranties. Buyers can make you an offer, you accept, counteroffer or refuse. Do all comms through their system and you're covered! I paid 6.5% commissionon the private sale, which seems fair.
Having a bit of a watch clear out at the moment.
Anyone interested in my Certina DS1 Powermatic 80?
COSC certified and in as new condition.
Hugely under appreciated brand IMO. The quality of this is flawless.
Will knock £50 off for STW
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255139333785
Thanks Gaidong
An interesting article about the Grand Seiko manufacturing process and ethos if you haven't seen it before
https://wornandwound.com/grand-seiko-finishing-cases-and-movements-magic-in-metal/
I'd be interested in opinion of this, of which I'm 99.9% sure is going back on Monday:
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So, if you haven't heard of these before these are great value £134 watches. The spec is Sapphire, NH35, screw down crown 200m, ceramic bezel solid links and scissor clasp and with mad lume made in the UK from WatchNow. It really is a solid thing which feels like more than the sum of its parts. Probably a great sub homage for someone.
The thing is, there's no history, no story, no standout reason to own one and generally nothing to be overly excited about, especially when sat next to my other 5 diver's. If anyone can find me a compelling reason to keep it now that its here, I'd love to know.
The spec is Sapphire, NH35, screw down crown 200m, ceramic bezel solid links and scissor clasp and with mad lume made in the UK from WatchNow.
It looks like a pretty decent low-mid tier subby homage from one of the Chinese factories that churn out these things. It's certainly not made in the UK, not if they can punt them out at £134.
Worth hanging on to if you don't already have a subby shaped object for your wrist, it's a classic design that wears really well.
Only reason I can find is that it’s £134 and people might be surprised when you tell them how little it cost?
My two cents, I don’t know how they can produce a s/s automatic divers watch for the price.
But I can’t get past the little niggles, the logo, the outer ring numerals don’t quite look right, there’s just something about the watch that doesn’t quite look right to my eye. But it is great value.
I doubt if it’s really made in the UK?
I’m with you, my Orange monster gets worn more than any other watch (apart from the fitness garmin thing), purely because I like what it is and I have a connection to it.
That depth charge would never leave the drawer.
That depth charge would never leave the drawer.
I've a Loreo Hulk-a-Like which is markedly inferior in quality to that Depth Charge and I'm more than happy to wear it on a regular basis so you're obviously more brand conscious than me. And yes, how absurdly cheap it was is a big part of its charm!
I have to say though that my favourite watch is my Gen 1 Black Monster but its timekeeping is showing its age somewhat so it's not getting much wear.
I’ve a Loreo Hulk-a-Like which is markedly inferior in quality to that Depth Charge and I’m more than happy to wear it on a regular basis so you’re obviously more brand conscious than me. And yes, how absurdly cheap it was is a big part of its charm!
I have to say though that my favourite watch is my Gen 1 Black Monster but its timekeeping is showing its age somewhat so it’s not getting much wear.
I’ve never thought of myself as brand aware - maybe I am !, the OM gets picked over others as every time I wear it it makes me smile, it doesn’t keep the best time anymore, is looking a bit worn from too many surfing holidays and sea time, but is still the one I choose.
I doubt if I (or maybe the OP as he asked the question) would say the same of the depth charge.
The Depth Charge looks like a potentially great beater watch. I'd prefer it not to have 'sapphire glass' written on the dial, and personally I like my divers BIG, like 46mm big. Still, sapphire, ceramic, decent movement - it would be a great wear around the house/not mind if it got knocked watch.
I think my issue is that i like wearing my Arnie mostly around the house/socially, should wear my samurai more, have a seiko sea urchin, geckota 55 fathoms-alike and an aquaracer not being worn....
I would like a Sub homage (arguably the the sea urchin is) just feels a watch too many for the sake of it.
I can't think of any definite reason to keep the Depth Charge and that "logo" is at least one definite reason to get rid of it.
Having said that, realistically, how many brands' backstories are a reason to buy/keep a watch? I would say the important backstory is the one you create to justify buying whatever, not the one the brand tells you via it's multi-million £ marketing budget.
My S&B turned up yesterday, really pleased with it despite it being not the watch I thought I ordered and as far as anyone else is concerned there's no real backstory to the watch.
To me though, it's a style I like, with a feature I identified a need for (however tenuously!) and it's a US brand which seemed appropriate as it's a recent trip to the US which paid for it and highlighted my requirement for a GMT.
So now there's a relevant backstory to it which a more marketed brand doesn't have.
there’s just something about the watch that doesn’t quite look right to my eye
It still has the plastic on the dial / bracelet so isn't as shiny as it really looks
the Depth Charge and that “logo” is at least one definite reason to get rid of it.
Whilst I agree its not the best, its not as prominent in real life oddly enough...
that “logo” is at least one definite reason to get rid of it
Yes, it's not the best even if nowhere near as gopping as the San Martin hexagon.
Was there someone on here that has Pelagos?
was wondering if it wears big at all. I know the reviews say the tall case and the overhanging bezel make it a proper chunk but the titanium case would keep the weight down?
Was keen on the Co-axial Seamaster but I already have an older Goldeneye one and they now put anti-reflective coating on the outside of the crystal which always puts me off
@kato, I have the Pelagos blue dial and it wears very nicely on my 7.25" wrist. I'd post a photo if it wasn't such a ball@che here. Great watch that has its own style and doesn't seek to imitate anyone else. Can PM.
I'm the other pelagos smurf owner. Like it a lot but yes it's a chunky big watch. 6.75" wrist and ok but it's my biggest wearing watch.
More Rolex jokery.
They now have a full window of display models that don’t work and that , if you like one , can’t buy anyway.
Admitted you must be a “preferred buyer” before being considered fo a watch that you like.
I again stated I wanted a GMT
So the sent me pics of a used piece of trash that had been battered about for 20 yrs and offered it to me for 11k.
I’ve had enough.
Now selling a 4 line submariner .
Going to blow the cash on a Tudor GMT and a titanium exhaust for my Kawasaki lol
I'm looking for a new strap for my Seamaster. I do have something in mind but would be interested in suggestions, currently have the metal bracelet. I can find AliExpress/eBay and Omega genuine stuff but I'm looking for something in between that I'm not going to worry will disintegrate on my wrist.
Anyone any recommendations?
Something from uncle Seiko or from strapcode/miltat or watch gecko?
I use a borscht leather strap on my breitling (when it’s not on a Zulu). Good quality leather and I swap the old brietling fittings over to it
https://www.hirschstraps.com/collections/hirsch-straps
Tried a sail cloth one didn’t get on with it, from Barton, good quality wore it maybe twice just never gelled with it.
I was going to recommend something from Barton, I'm amassing quite a collection of them now!
Interestingly, the only one that has disappointed is the sailcloth one that Kilo mentioned. It frayed really badly around the tang holes from first use. All the rubber and leather ones, absolutely ace.
If you wait a couple of days there will be a 10 or 15% discount code I could share, one arrives most weeks for some random reason!
Yes Barton straps are good. I've a2 piece NATO from gemoni which I believe is identical to the Barton, it's great.
The uncle Seiko bracelets are excellent I believe. The seamaster one looks better than the Omega in that it's tapered
I use a borscht leather strap
Bloody autocorrect, Hirsch straps.
Many thanks, there are some nice straps in all of them. The Barton straps has a silicone one that I think may be ideal. Also a nato that I might try with the Omega but also have my eye on a Pagani in the Ali 11/11 sale which it would work with too. Looks like you also get a discount if you sign up for email.
Just bought 2 watch gecko straps.
Very impressed
The Barton straps has a silicone one that I think may be ideal.
Now they really are good. You get long and short parts of the non-buckle end so if you're a skinny wristed bugger or want to wear it as a diver over a wetsuit, you're covered. If I start my proper computer up in a bit, I'll pop on a photo.
The uncle Seiko bracelets are excellent I believe
From my limited sample of one I believe they're shite. I'm bemused and embarrassed to this day that I (uncharacteristically) didn't just send the piece of tat straight back.
And yes, I know it's a sample of one but the main problem with it doesn't seem likely to be a one-off QC issue.
My 2541.80 sometimes lives on blue leather from Watch Obsession and a snide Omega clasp from eBay. Cheap and no complaints
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There's some weird trainer action in those photos
This looks nice. Maybe not £999 nice though:
This looks
nice. Maybenot£999nicethough
ftfy
Thanks Kato, I have the same watch but black. I hadn't particularly considered a leather strap, looks good.
Smart Kato. Particularly made by the white stitching.
Really jhonners? Oh. I thought they were supposed to be good. Maybe they are just marked up/over priced reselling of Chinese cheap stuff?
Blinking 'eck! Pre-covid Speedys were lower end of £3k+, just wandered through town for the first time in two years and now they're mid £5k!? Pretty sure both were base models.
Ones not coming my way anytime soon, especially with twins in childcare the majority of the week.
I have a Mondaine, I like the simple dial layout and it reminds me of travelling as you'd see the same clock face at the odd EU train station when I was travelling a bit more for work a few years back, had some complimentary comments as well but the movement is cheap
Anyone have a Junghans Max Bill? - floats my simple dial box with a Bauhous nod, is the movement another cheap bought in job?
Really jhonners? Oh. I thought they were supposed to be good. Maybe they are just marked up/over priced reselling of Chinese cheap stuff?
I think you're right about their rep Neil, I bought a beads of rice (why "beads" btw, surely they're grains?) for a SARB017 on the strength of positive reviews for Uncle Seiko in general and a couple of glowing reviews of that specific strap. Sadly it's really not good at all. Sharp edges, a poorly aligned clasp and very poor execution of the taper part of the bracelet - it looks like they've just used 2 pieces the same next to each end link so it tapers in then back out again to the original width with a pronounced sharp edge in between links.
I don't like to be negative on what's generally been a positive and enthusiastic thread but I'll see if I can maybe dig the thing out and post a couple of pics.
TLDR - if you're considering an Uncle Seiko strap try to get hands on before parting with any money.
New Speedy's have the co-axial moment now so that's some of the price increase. I'd love a moonwatch but I'm not keen on the new bracelet
Anyone have a Junghans Max Bill? – floats my simple dial box with a Bauhous nod, is the movement another cheap bought in job?
Not bought one but one of my favourite designs. The movement is a modified ETA2824 which is pretty widely used because it's so reliable. Easy to service too.
The same movement (or a newer version 2824 2) is in the diver I'm hovering over at the moment, the Squale Matic. There is the polished case/indices (grey sunburst dial) but I think I prefer the satin case/indices (flat black dial) with the half orange bezel:
