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I'm selling my Alkin.
Lovely thing but not wearing it.
PVD black case and dark brown leather strap.
£200
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I like the look of the Model 2.
@lotto
That g shock looks quite good actually, and reasonably priced too.
@inbred853 (I’ve got one of those, btw), that Seiko pretty much has the most common mods, particularly the Pepsi bezel insert - the only mod I’d make would be the hands, just ‘cos I’m not so keen on arrowhead hands, I much prefer MarineMaster 300 style. Nice looking watch, that. 😁
Kato, you should buy Merak's black Alkin to complete the set. 😁
@tthew I think I probably would have if it was stainless. I’m not a fan of PVD cases you see. I like the look but I fear the longevity of the finish
A flieger will be next. I was about to buy a Stowa before Christmas but I like that the Laco is closer in resemblance to what the case would have been originally
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Started ordering other bits for another build. Lockdown/furlough boredom!
Can you recommended me a place to buy a ceramic but standard pattern SKX 007 please @Futureboy77. Either full lume or normal pip. Thanks.
Can you recommended me a place to buy a ceramic but standard pattern SKX 007 please @Futureboy77. Either full lume or normal pip. Thanks.
If you are using the standards hardlex flat crystal, you will be a bit more limited as most are for domed crystals. However have a look at:
Namoki Mods
DLW
Lumed Ceramic Bezel Inserts (LCBI)
Crystaltimes (shut just now due to Covid).
I have a spare you could have as a freebie if you have a domed crystal.
@tthew your best bet if flat...
https://www.dlwwatches.com/collections/ceramic-bezel-inserts/skx007-flat
Thanks for that! It's a flat one I'm after, I want to keep it looking standard but have scratched the aluminum one so may as well do a sympathetic upgrade while I'm replacing it. 👍
No probs @tthew. Original inserts are made of cheese and the bezel and insert should be fired in to the sun. Ceramic looks better, but get used to your own fingerprints!
Just been looking at a piece on a watch from a Swiss maker, it’s being produced on a sort of crowd-funded system, in that each watch made is custom made to order, there won’t be any available to buy outside of the order system. Not cheap at 6,990chf, £5854, but what really sets it apart is the fact it’s a chronometer-grade tourbillon movement!
https://monochrome-watches.com/horage-tourbillon-1-the-most-accessible-swiss-made-tourbillon-introducing-price/
A tourbillon separates the main movement from the rest of the watch workings, more or less making it immune to the effects of the watch being moved around, and they’re usually incredibly expensive, the TAG tourbillon is £15,000.
I’m not usually a fan of skeletonised movements, but if I had the means to buy one of those, I’d grab the chance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourbillon
There are really cheap ‘tourbillon’ watches on Amazon, I have doubts as to how genuine their movements are, a genuine tourbillon is basically a showcase of watchmaking skill, hence the prices.
Dunno if anyone caught it last night, worth looking at on-demand, the ITV4 series Made In Britain. They were looking at the processes behind Wagon Wheels biscuits, Dr Martens boots, and, of interest to this thread, making Bremont watches. The whole programme was interesting, but being able to see behind the making of a hand-made British watch was fascinating.
Hamtun watches are running another kickstarter campaign for their ti diver, the Kraken H3
I was tempted with the H2 but got cold feet but commited to this one. £294 ti diver with some kind of scratch proof coating. Due in November. Think I'm going fir the orange version.
Hamtun Kraken H3. A titanium watch for everyone, every day., via @Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rossdavis/hamtun-kraken-h3-the-best-titanium-watch-replaces-the-h2?ref=android_project_share
all gone already hah
I put a search on eBay for a H2 thinking I quite fancied one. When they were first delivered there were LOADS being flipped at reasonable prices and I still get a reasonably regular message about a new listing. You'll probably get one that way if you have missed out.
Tempted by one of these for sub £300 shipped from the states incl fees etc. Especially a Swiss Made wactch,if its the older one with basically an ETA 2824 movement, and at 36mm (meaures up slightly bigger) its not a massive dinnerplate size.
A flieger will be next. I was about to buy a Stowa before Christmas but I like that the Laco is closer in resemblance to what the case would have been originally
My Stowa flieger is a thing of beauty. The thing with trying to get things close to 'originality' ona flieger was that they were 50mm+ monsters for wearing over your leather jacket sleeve so even a Laco is tiny/compromised in that respect.
Oh yeah I couldn’t wear a full sized one! I meant more the case design is more as the original was. Straight lugs and bead blasted with a solid caseback.
Count I'm not sure if the spinnaker has ceramic bezel but it is lumed. Sadly it looks to be sold out and the bronze version is $800
Long Island has both the blue and black in though at $299 and a fiver off voucher when you go on their website.
It's the weekend!
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Ooooh Smiths Everest! Lovely
I've never seen a Smith's Everest before, then saw this here and another one for sale on another forum 5 minutes later. Very tempting, it's a lovely watch, but I resisted...phew!
The later ones like that are much nicer. The indices on the early ones were far too big IMO
Have thought about it, but I really want an Explorer 1 at some point so will hold on
My latest cheap automatic watch. Vostok K43. Ordered from Russia 9th April and arrived 24th. £65
Giving my Sinn 240 ST a run out.
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Now that’s a handsome watch. Love the case
I'm wondering when I'll ever see mine again as it's hostage in the jewellers for the foreseeable.
Breaking in and nicking your own property is allowed, right?
I may regret peering into this rabbit hole, but I'm considering buying myself a Seiko SK007 as a daily wearer, to replace my current Casio GW-M5600. I love the Casio, it's solar-powered and radio-controlled so it's always perfectly accurate and doesn't need charging, but I feel like it's time for something a bit more "grown-up" and I've always loved analogue watches anyway.
I've found a couple of guides online, but is there anything I need to know - and / or are there any "essential" mods I should look for if I'm buying from, say eBay?
Take a look at futureboy77's at the top of the previous page for mods!
Essential, nothing really, they're decent in standard spec if a bit old fashioned now. Upgraded movement gets hacking and winding, (I did this to mine but only because I broke the original one somehow). Sapphire crystal is more scratch resistant and arguably looks better if you get a domed one rather than flat. Ceramic bezel inserts likewise more scratch resistant. Everything else, (hands, chapter ring, face etc) are really just for looks.
Edit - if you value the accuracy of your Casio, you're going to be disappointed!
Don't go down the rabbit hole! @Pierre
As said above, movement change gives hacking and hand winding to what is essentially the same as the stock movement. My movements have all been really accurate (+/- a few seconds per day). All other mods are cosmetic. I would avoid eBay and use more reputable companies for parts (Dagaz, Namoki, One Second Closer for example). Most mod work can be done yourself with cheap tools. Have a look at Lume Shot on YouTube for examples of different mods and how to carry the work out.
@Count - sorry I thought I'd replied, but I can't see it.
I'm not 100% the Spinnaker has ceramic bezel but I'd expect it does. Sapphire with AR, oh, lumed bezel too. Spinnaker don't seem to have the Ti version on their site but Long Island Watches does for $299 USD and when you log into their site offer you a $5 off voucher so delivery to anywhere world wide is just a fiver. It's a fantastic deal tbh (they have both the black and blue dial).
@Pierre,
You can go as deep into the hole as you wish but actually the SKX is a fine watch in stock form. Most are pretty accurate, to within maybe 3 or 4 seconds per day, though obviously as they're an automatic, if you don't wear it for a day or 2 you'll need to reset the time.
As far as mods go, only you can decide if you like it in stock form or not. For many, it's a gateway watch into the world of automatic watches, for others it's a cheap, reliable bit of kit that you can play with and modify. You can completely change the appearance and put a different movement in and you've got a new watch to all intents and purposes.
For me, the only thing I do with mine is play with different straps. The stock bracelet is notorious for being a bit cheap and jingly, but many love it. I wear mine on a cheap NATO strap most of the time but I've worn it on leather and rubber straps too, they can completely change it's look.
I do love mine, it's beautifully utilitarian, and that's part of the appeal.
@pierre, if your not stuck on a Seiko, this YouTube video has some decent alternatives from smaller brands. I'm not overly keen on the style of the main review watch but there's brief mention of similar designs at the end.
Yeah the stock SKX bracelet is pretty poor. My 009 came on a Strapcode Super Oyster which is pretty nice though. Tried it on a NATO but I just don't get on with the extra height
Depends on your view of manual/quartz watches. I liked the style of the sks007 but when it came down to it I didn't want to reset the time regularly.
I got the SKA 371P1 and it's done me very well.
Suggestions please.
Thinking about a dress watch.
White face (silver at a push), simple (time, probably seconds, date if I have to), preferably hand wound. Not too pricey, but up to £750-800 considered.
To be worn in a black strap, and to look right with a Prince Charlie.
These caught my eye.
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/stowa/marine-36-handwinding--id14828972.htm
(Link doesn’t work but it’s a Stowa Marine 36 handwinding)
https://www.timefactors.com/smithsprs36.htm
What you thinking?
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Derek Starship beat me to it! Lovely watch.
Is there a hand wound variant?
I like the aesthetics.
IGM, maybe consider a Seiko Fuyugeshiki. Rarer, a "story" behind it and a unique pattern on the face.
Or
As always with me, slightly over budget, have a look at Christopher Ward watches. I'm always more drawn to the more rugged watches, but I do like this one....
https://www.christopherward.co.uk/watches/retro-dive/c65-anthropocene-limited-edition-range
I'm tempted by this one myself - but just bought some new wheels so need the wife to buy a few more things before I'm brave enough to ask....
https://www.christopherward.co.uk/watches/dive/c60-trident-pro-600-mk3
I really like the second Seiko that Kryton posted, the SRPC97J1.
That in a good quality black (or dark blue) strap would be bang on. Lovely watch that is.