MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I like the patina’d watches, but I like keeping my things in good condition / have a desk job. The worst I have is my 2007 Aquaracer which due to extensive wear under a shirt would be about as patina’d as SSS Triple date on the bezel, and not a mark on the crystal.
Here’s a question, do people wear watches in bed or take them off? I know for sure I’m uncomfortable wearing a Bracelet in bed yet tend to leave my strap watches on.
If I wanted a nice looking watch for not much, just for the occasional time when I go out and my old plastic Casio isn’t appropriate, what should I look for?
If you perform an accurate web search you’ll find a Seiko Monster Antarctica on sale at - I think - £375 before 31st. Good watch with a bit of Cache…. For a bit more I think the Speedtimer’s look nice.
Those Speedtimers look nice, esp in white. I've an Orange Monster (cousin to the Antarctica) and an old Seiko 150m divers watch - the one with the rubber strap in my 'set'. Both tremendous value. The 150m started life with the Pepsi bezel which had to be changed to an all black one at some stage due to an incident that may have been in Mogadishu (or perhaps the back garden as I've never been to Mog 🙂 )
Well, my Barton watch band/strap finally arrived and I think they really lift the two intended for watches:
Prior original straps:
New Barton straps:
For those that haven't experienced them I can tell you that the Barton Elite silicone on the Tissot really is very, very soft and compliant and came with two lengths. Hard to see in the pics but it has a "file" texture on the outside.
I think the black leather really lifts the Hamilton.
Those Heimdallr watches are interesting in that they're using ETA movements. I'd love to know why ETA would supply a Chinese Homage maker but refuse to supply to Swiss and basically every other manufacturer outside of the SWATCH group. I know you can buy Chinese clone 2824's but surely they wouldn't be using these and claiming they're the real thing...?
an Orange Monster
I have the odd fantasy of me lying on a beach as if marooned in raggedy shorts with a beat up orange monster on a suitably matching yet stained and very lived in Nato.
I have the odd fantasy of me lying on a beach as if marooned in raggedy shorts with a beat up orange monster on a suitably matching yet stained and very lived in Nato.
Riiiiiiigggghhhht... Did you get the girl/boy and/or save the world...? 🙂
They are reeeeaaaally good value. I bought mine from Singapore and cost less than a decent meal IIRC.
Kryton the Hamilton looks stunning on that leather.
If I wanted a nice looking watch for not much, just for the occasional time when I go out and my old plastic Casio isn’t appropriate, what should I look for?
An analogue, stainless steel Casio?
EFV-110D for example...
There are absolutely loads to choose from.
I'm waiting in one of These EFR-S108D cos it's got a saphire crystal and slightly Royal Oak(ish) looks for under £100...
(*Don't just look on Amazon, not always the cheapest)
On the theme of Christmas present watches, the old ball and chain got me this - bloomin' lovely it is 🙂
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@bullet, very nice that Certina, and a great fit for your wrist. Congratulations, my wife got me a box of After Eights!
@gaidong, thanks. I'm very particular about fit, I like it loose but snugs up as your arm warms the watch. This was easy to have adjusted in the shop so really happy.
How many times am I going to say 'I don't need another watch' 😉
This was easy to have adjusted in the shop so really happy.
No, no, no. To still be posting on page 109 you must at least have purchased a spring bar tool, if at not least a whole portable watchmakers kit to carefully and with great pleasure tap out your pins. The shame... 😀
Nice Certina!
Would have been quicker to be honest - had time to drink coffees and for the Mrs to spot some earrings 😉
Heimdallr are just a fairly cheap brand that tend to copy other manufacturers designs, nothing wrong with them.
To be fair, there’s a lot of more expensive brands who’ve happily copied significant design details of the top brands, like using Rolex-style hands, ‘Pepsi’-style two-colour bezel inserts, etc.
What attracted me to Heimdallr was the fact that they were doing modded homages, ie versions of the SKX007 with mods already done, and a lot cheaper than an actual un-modded SKX007 was fetching; one thing about Seiko watches that I’m not so keen on is the style of hands most use, I prefer MarineMaster 300-style, so getting a decent quality watch, for a reasonable cost, with a Seiko movement, and looking exactly how I want it to look, was irresistible.
There are a lot of really expensive watches that I would never buy even if I could afford them, purely because of a small design detail, like the hands, or a textured face. TAG Heuer have done a Night-Diver style watch recently, it’s got a faceted bezel, rather than round, which puts me right off! I do love most Tudor designs, though.
@Fudd - I’d noticed that some Heimdallr watches, mostly European based designs, had ETA movements, and I’ve seen other makes with them as well, I didn’t know that ETA were picky about who used their movements though. I haven’t looked through Heimdallr’s range lately, I don’t want to be tempted. Although the Yema Navygraf would be my first choice for another watch.
Spotted this watch review today that might interest anyone looking at getting a sports watch that isn’t stupidly expensive and comes from somewhere a bit different.
https://www.fratellowatches.com/hands-on-celegin-draken/
This is a first-time effort, and it’s Swedish, with a Swiss movement.
This is well worth reading as well, it goes into the R&D that watch brands are doing to continually improve the accuracy and working life of modern analogue watches…
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/luxury-watch-r-and-d
New watch day
That's smart!
Yes indeed! Lovely
Happy new watch day indeed!
It's SPB197J1 Prospex Alpinist aka Mountain Glacier, it was somewhat controversial when it was released last year as they released the SPB199 which is identical but on a leather strap at a higher price and as a limited run, then released it cheaper, on metal strap which unsurprisingly upset a lot of people
on metal strap which unsurprisingly upset a lot of people
TBF those end links are upsetting me but I do now feel slightly more forgiving about my POS Uncle Seiko attempt.
TBF those end links are upsetting me
Ha, tbf I am looking for a leather strap for it already, in the end its a Seiko and at any price point they are never going to be winning praise for their straps but I would still rather it came with a metal strap I won't use than not
I am looking for a leather strap for it already
I think my SARB017 looks good on a plain vintage Horween, I also like it on a green/yellow Marine Nationale. Though anything's an improvement on the unyielding faux croc it came on.
I rather like the look of this
@Fudd – I’d noticed that some Heimdallr watches, mostly European based designs, had ETA movements, and I’ve seen other makes with them as well, I didn’t know that ETA were picky about who used their movements though. I haven’t looked through Heimdallr’s range lately, I don’t want to be tempted. Although the Yema Navygraf would be my first choice for another watch.
Swatch group who own ETA stopped supplying to others back in 2015/16, so brands outside of Swatch who've relied on ETA movements for years such as IWC, Breitling and Tag have been forced to either adopt the Sellita equivalent movements, look elsewhere as Breitling have done with Kenissi/Tudor, or buy an existing movement manufacturer like C Ward have done and claim you're now 'In-House'.
The point I was making was that Helmdallr's claims of ETA movements in their watches is BS as new ETA are no longer available direct from the factory, not unless you're one of the Swatch brands. I've also seen other micro-brands claiming they use ETA and it's tripe, it has to be when no one else can buy them, so what are they actually fitting? If they were using Sellita then they'd just say so, so my money's on them using Chinese ETA clones, possibly even stamped with ETA and then charging an extra £200 or so for a movement that costs similar an NH35.
Or maybe I'm just a cynical old bastard and some of the Chinese micro-brands do indeed have Swatch group exec's on speed dial...
Chinese ETA clones, possibly even stamped with ETA and then charging an extra £200 or so for a movement that costs similar an NH35.
I've heard rumours before that this is the PT5000, which in its own right is making itself the cost effective replacement of the NH35. Its supposed to be very good - perhaps Chronometer good in fact. I have one in my Geckota and it - from an outside and non technical perspective - seems very accurate and reliable.
Is PT5000 the modern Seagull perhaps...?
I've handled one watch with a PT5000 and the rate changed by 8 seconds depending on position, so it could be regulated to +4/-4s/d. Not quite chronometer spec but still respectable and better than the NH35 which average around +7/-7 once regulated.
Copied from my WUS post:
It has been a few months now I've craved a large display back'd watch with a nice slow movement, to while away the winter hours by the fire. I looked around, liked the Stowa Marine Original, and thought I'd have a go at building my own.
The case, dial (silver, I think) and hands (thermally blued) were from a French company about 20 km from me, and the ETA 6498-1 came pre-regulated from Switzerland. Of course, assembling these components should have been incredibly easy but I'm happy to admit it took me hours. Hours of gurning, sweating and cross-eyed trembling at my desk. I was desperate not to scratch anything or get it dirty. Even getting the dial feet in and secured was a challenge with the recessed screw and a fogging loupe. Hardest was the subseconds hand, as my tweezers weren't fine enough and I didn't have the proper tool to seat the hand. Anyway, I got it all done....
....until I was at home and, thank goodness, looked down at 17:55, to realise that my hour hand was about to hit the subseconds spindle. Crown out, wind back, case front off, bend hand up a bit, check it didn't hit minute hand, reassemble.
Overall, I got the look I wanted for about 1/3 of the price and learnt at lot, not least a much increased appreciation for those who work on tiny and/or complex movements. I'll be sticking with my day job!
good effort
Heh, good skills. I'm much too much of a clumsy oaf to attempting things that fiddly. Mouse gynaecology is, also off the agenda...
Swatch (ETA) didn't stop supplying that long ago, they were in a supply agreement which tapered until 2019 so supply ended last year at the earliest.
I'm not sure what they are putting into the market now but it wouldn't be unusual for their to still be sufficient stock in wholesale channels to supply microbrands putting out small numbers.
Great work @gaidong. Getting the seconds hand located on its pinion can be very tricky, but if you can do that without destroying the hand or dial then it's a good indicator you have the dexterity for movement work.
Swatch (ETA) didn’t stop supplying that long ago, they were in a supply agreement which tapered until 2019 so supply ended last year at the earliest.
I’m not sure what they are putting into the market now but it wouldn’t be unusual for their to still be sufficient stock in wholesale channels to supply microbrands putting out small numbers.
Not sure which wholesalers you use but Cousins almost doubled the price of ETA movements and Omega parts overnight when the ban came into effect and they now hold a fraction of the Omega stock they had 4 or 5 years ago. They still have 'loose pack' ETA movements which will have come from elsewhere and should ideally be serviced before fitting to a watch, but there's very few factory sealed movements available anymore.
This seems a good time to ask if theres a site/forum anyone would recommend for selling a seamaster?
@fudd So if you've got one of the older Seamaster with the ETA movement, what are the imitations for service/repairs/spares please?
@fudd, I used this ebay shop ( https://www.ebay.fr/usr/b_line55cc?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2559)
@scrumfled, I've made multiple sales via Chrono24 and all has been fine. They earn their 6%.
@all my complimenters, thanks!
This seems a good time to ask if theres a site/forum anyone would recommend for selling a seamaster?
Putting a speculative ad on the classifieds and linking it on this thread wouldn't be a bad idea. I bought a lovely vintage Seamaster off wally this way.
At least tempt us by telling us what it is and how much you want for it!
@fudd So if you’ve got one of the older Seamaster with the ETA movement, what are the imitations for service/repairs/spares please?
Having an independent servicing the movement should be no problem as there'll never be a parts shortage with Sellita and others making movement parts now, but if you want it waterproof you'll need a new crown and HE valve which are becoming hard to find. I expect there'll be more aftermarket case parts coming to market like there is with bezel inserts but who knows what the quality will be like.
Cousins have taken Swatch to court in Switzerland accusing them of anti-competition by refusing to supply parts, just like there was years ago when the EU forced car manufacturers to supply parts, but I got an email from Cousins this morning and it's not looking good -
Judgement Given by the Bern Court
On 28 December 2021, our Swiss lawyers received the long awaited judgement from the Bern Court.
At the moment we do not have a full translation, but whilst the Court confirmed our position that Swatch are 100% market dominant in the supply of spare parts, it does not appear to have followed previous case law relating to companies with such monopolies, and has ruled that Swatch’s refusal to supply Cousins does not breach British and EU Competition Law.Cousins has until the 1st of February 2022 to lodge an appeal at the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. Our legal teams in Switzerland and the UK will be studying the judgement over the next few days, and we will provide further information and updates as we are able.
@fudd Thanks for that. Sorry about the Engrish, automangle made a bit of a mess of it...
So 300m is no more and don't wear it in the bath...
Isn't the Crown and Helium valve an Omega part rather than ETA as it's the case rather than the movement? Not arguing the toss, just curious.
So the upshot is that anyone who has a watch with an ETA movement in it, you can now only get it reliably serviced by the OEM in case it needs any bits?! Oh unless it's older watch from a non-Swatch company, when it might be unrepairable.
That sucks and sounds sort of like the situation where car manufactures were told they couldn't void warrantees just because a main dealer hadn't done servicing work.
@fudd Thanks for that. Sorry about the Engrish, automangle made a bit of a mess of it…
So 300m is no more and don’t wear it in the bath…
Isn’t the Crown and Helium valve an Omega part rather than ETA as it’s the case rather than the movement? Not arguing the toss, just curious.
ETA and Omega are both owned by Swatch group and have the same restrictions.
ETA and Omega are both owned by Swatch group and have the same restrictions.
Right. So that being the case, what's the issue with Omega servicing their own watches? Or is the parts famine applicable to 3rd party repairs/servicing only?
I think I'm probly being a bit dense here - or only have part of the story.
Interested party here, looking at £450 to service my Tag, of which the winding has got a bit stiff (2006 model, never serviced).
Got my 2006 Subby serviced recently. Indépendant watch service. Rolex was too long lead time and too expensive. Was £440.
Ive used Calibre recently after my local Rolex dealer and service jeweller/watchmaker retired.
https://calibrewatchrepair.com/
Very good service, can’t fault the experience.
Didn’t go to the shop. Used the posted option.
Sends a padded watch case. Fill out the insured form, send it to them before posting. Postage and insurance to get it to you and back included in quoted price.
Right. So that being the case, what’s the issue with Omega servicing their own watches? Or is the parts famine applicable to 3rd party repairs/servicing only?
Pretty much. Imagine you've bought an old BMW but you know the local official dealer is a douche never mind the extortionate hourly rate, but at least you've still got the choice to take it elsewhere for servicing... BMW would very much prefer to restrict supply of parts to independents and lock you in to main dealer servicing as then they could pick a number out of thin air when billing you for parts, but EU courts looked into that and deemed it anti-competitive and therefore illegal.
Same thing with Swatch; They want to force the customer into official servicing at a price that suits them very nicely, and again we've had a court case but this time the court has said that's fine.
There'll be many Swiss watch companies who were following this closely and are now breathing easily again.
Aaah OK. Panic over (not that there was one...). I though there wa World shortage of ETA bits for Omegas and mine would be relagated to box queen's. Happy to have them serviced by Omega themselves.
Thanks also for the Calibre link. Mrs B's Tag needs 'doing' so we'll give them a go.
My Rolex Submariner No Date 14060. I much prefer the no date versions. Think the cyclops is SOOO ugly...
As worn by the King of Cool Steve McQueen (not a 14060 obviously 😀 ) and other style icons.
As worn by the King of Cool Steve McQueen (not a 14060 obviously 😀 ) and other style icons.
You've outstyled them all with your insouciant use of a Nato that's at least 2mm too narrow.
Agree with your opinion on Cyclops'
Disagree with your choice of too narrow, knackered strap!
So I'll go with nice head, rather than nice watch. 😁
If we're doing Christmas gifts can I add the latest addition to my collection?
A stunning IWC gift from Mrs bigG. A Portugieser has been on my wish list for quite some time.
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Thanks for the Calibre recommendation, they've come back with a quote including delivery and a return which is £100 less than Tag.
@gaidong Go for it!
When I got my Sub it was a choice between the Sub No Date and the Sea Dweller
There was very little price difference back then but went for the classic Sub as wanted something more recognisable and sought after.
Hindsight. Wished I’d chosen the Sea Dweller when I had the chance and picked up the Sub later on.
I’d really like a Military Sub with the sword hands
My late father's Omega. Given to him in January 1967 for his 21st. Needed a little work when I inherited it. Now my most treasured watch.
Along side my latest purchase a Timefactors Smith's PRS-29A.
The Omega is a stunner
The Omega is a stunner
It is, and not a million miles different from the aforementioned one I bought off Wally. You've seen this (terrible) photo before but it was some months/pages back. I assume the dial was originally white, but it's got lovely patina now.
I'd like one of those original Omega buckles for it.
Wally is glad you are still enjoying the Omega. It's a very original watch and well over 50 years old. Lovely to see that beautiful strap on it.
New one for me, continuing the Omega theme...
Snide Omega buckles are available on Etsy, eBay, banggood, AliExpress and more.
Love the 70s Seamasters in auto and f300 guises.
In a similar vein to shredder's Smiths, today I had a pang for a Stowa flieger classic
Has anybody any owner experience of Lillenthal watches?
I really like the look of this chronograph model:
50th anniversary Speedy for my 50th?
Can anyone lend me £8000...? Sigh...
@ Kryton57 Just buy it 😀 worry about it later....
Working in an industry where every man and their dog has expensive watches, The Omega Speedmaster Professional is one of the rarities. In fact ive only ever seen 1 Speedy Pro on a wrist in real life.
Probably cos everyone is too lazy to wind it up.....
Rolexes, theyre like a$$holes, everyone has one. Tags abound like Carreras, LOADS of Omega Planet Oceans, IWC Portofino and Portuguesier, Panerai's, JLC Reversos and Master Controls.
Never actually seen anyone else wear a VC or PP in real life. Seen Loads of AP Royal Oak Offshores and Hublot Big Bangs on wrists.
Only ever seen one Tag Heuer Monaco on someones wrist.
50th anniversary Speedy for my 50th?
Nice idea I thought, and I like the muted tones of that dial...
That Speedy is lovely, go on Kryton, do it 😉
@SSS I'm lucky enough to have the 14060M....obvs more face clutter but still a lovely watch. Agreed about cyclops. The Sea-dweller of the time (2009) was simply too big and uncomfortable for my feeble frame!
My Sub is quite battered....rarely gets warn nowadays as a Garmin normally has first dibs!
That Speedy is lovely, go on Kryton, do it
There are 8000 reasons not too, its above my current affordability and not in my spending priorities. I'd have to really love a watch to buy it at that price, I need to keep looking for the holy grail, there's plenty of time - no pun intended!
Contrary opinion - don't do it, the grey looks like they put the primer on and thought "**** it, that'll do" and the astronaut is beyond tacky.
All these things are subjective but Speedies don't do anything for me, and £8k is silly money IMO, unless this is an investment thing.
But then my PPL (psychological price limit) for watches is around £1k...
You’ve outstyled them all with your insouciant use of a Nato that’s at least 2mm too narrow.
A close study of single frames in the first Bond movie shows the three-colour NATO strap fitted was about 2mm too narrow as well. It was Cubby Broccoli’s own watch, that he had Connery wear on set, because he couldn’t blag a free one for product placement, as nobody knew who he was, or what James Bond 007 was all about.
I was reading earlier that Rolex have just bumped up the retail price of their most popular models. Q’el surprise.
That Smiths is a lovely thing. Are they available only at certain times?
I see it's out of stock.
Eddie tends to build a few hundred, release, move on, repeat.
... a Garmin normally has first dibs!
This is why I don't have a smart watch. They make you a slave to the data, so proper watches don't get a look in.
I do wonder if there'll be another 'quartz crisis', (except it'll be a Silicon crisis) when millenials stop buying mechanical watches because Apple watches become the default wrist wear.
I do wonder if there’ll be another ‘quartz crisis’, (except it’ll be a Silicon crisis) when millenials stop buying mechanical watches
Careful what you say about Millenials or else you'll have 'Keeper of the Millenials' @Cougar after you. I got a good telling off yesterday for daring to poke fun at the poor lambs... 😀