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Has Omologato been covered yet? Just bought a Le Mans 59 and it's beautiful in the flesh. I'm hoping the quality is not just skin deep with this brand. Not too familiar with them but I just loved the look of the watch and I'm a bit of a motorsport fan.
Nope, pics, details, review?
Christ those are overpriced. Probably about double what they should be for whats in them.
I must stop buying watches!
Current daily beater is a nice Citizen Promaster dive, with full lume dial:
GT Dave I have a black dial NY0040 which I have had for 20 years. Never serviced, battered and bruised, lume gone blotchy but the thing keeps going and keeps pretty accurate time. The NY0040 is a beast and I prefer it to the SKX007. There I said it. Hahah
I’ve been looking at the new pro master actually. I’d quite like one but am in a “don’t need another watch” phase.
Get the blue one! Discounted with H Samuel
https://www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/d/1016903/citizen+promaster+diver+blue+rubber+strap+watch
Unfortunately I don’t like it. If I were to get one, it’d be this green one.
@Kryton57 maybe explains why its half price, not many others like it either 😀
Where would people put their money for between £1000-£1500?
After something sporty/ dressy. Im leaning towards the Tudor 1926 with the white dial and blue numbers but thought I'd see if anyone had any alternatives
SPB161J1
Does it have to be new?
Not necessarily, no.
SPB161J1
Thats very nice - a quick google search shows it at half price too.
Trying again with the image this time, rather than a broken link!
Ooh, a left hander!
Full lume Promaster is the best Promaster imo (I have one!)
Would a quartz be ok? A 2 month old grand seiko sbgx261....I know the whereabouts of one at 50 quid inside budget.
What's the thought on Speedmasters, specifically old vs new? An unexpected bonus from work has added to my watch fund and has brought my favourite within reach a couple of years early, at least for a pre-loved one. Is there any reason I shouldn't go for a "vintage" 2000/2010 era vs saving up a bit more to get a new one? I'm factoring in a service for an older one.
If definitely go with a GS quartz of some kind if second hand.
If new then some other options that could fit the bill:
Milus Snow Star
Pinion Neutron
Longines Heritage Marine Nationale
But to be honest, there are so many in this of category, you are spoilt for choice.
£1500?
What about a Bell and Ross Vintage 123 (used)?
Bell and Ross were all the rage where I worked 10 year ago
Do like that dressage seiko SPB161J1, that’s Lovely.
Serious question, is there any benefit to sinking a grand+ in a quartz versus automatic watch ?
To some the mechanical movement matters, to others it doesn't. To some a quality movement matters, a quartz and a mechanical can both be high or low quality.
Quartz is convenient but ultimately less sexy these days.
Oh and price doesn't really come into it
Similar to above after ideas up to £1,800 for something to add to collection following getting a promotion. I have a tag aquaracer, Seiko presage, Farer. Happy used if people have anything for sale or new. Ideally auto.
Just sharing a PSA I just saw on tz-uk as I think a few years might take advantage.
PSA: New Seiko 5 SSK GMT 20% off at WatchNation
If anyone's looking for one, there's 20% off the new Seiko SSK GMTs at Watch Nation if you use the code FATHER20 at checkout. I'm sure these are available at a discount on other sites but 20% seems pretty good:
https://www.watchnation.com/product-...ports-ssk-gmt/
Switched out the case and strap from my DIY watch, didn't think the dial matched the explorer-style, so...
I think it looks much better now.
Oh my, yes, yes it does! Applause?
Any of you Seamaster owners have the Omega rubber strap for it? I bought mine on the bracelet but was looking for a rubber strap as I find them more comfortable. Didn't want to put a cheap strap on an expensive watch, so was looking at the proper one. Don't know what your thoughts on it were if you had one?
Tried my luck at the AD I bought it from and they offered me the rubber and deployment clasp for 280 when the retail is 450. Was the same price as the retail on the rubber and pin buckle so I couldn't say no. 4-6 week wait though
No. Wear NATOs with mine.
Not a fan of rubber straps. From friends opinions they seem to wear/degrade too quickly.
No I find rubber sweaty but the look of great so I put mine on a black sail cloth with white stitching. I believe the Omega rubber strap is good quality. Also look at rubberB.
Found it, a current thread on tz about the best rubber straps
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?487865-Is-there-one-rubber-strap-to-rule-them-all
Oh dear. I have a dilemma. Seen a watch I'd love to try out come available but can't justify the spend. I'd have to clear a couple from the collection at least to raise some funds. Arrrggh!
Do it. Worry about it later.
And what’s the watch?
Is it one of them multicoloured Titanium G Shocks? They've just been released today. Nice.
No thankfully I detest G-Shocks.
Would anyone be interested in my sbdc059/spb081j1 ? And maybe the zelos abyss?
This little treasure popped through the letterbox last week. Been wearing occasionally, seems to keep very good time, approx. +5s/day by my current estimate. I like it a lot, feels very purposeful.
Way too much writing on these new all-metal G-Shocks:
[img] 
[/img]
Way too much money, that’s £1500 they want for that.
In other news I spent the weekend in Barcelona and in the watch section of a mall with pretty much most main brands you could mention on display.
Couldn’t get interested in any of them and all of them were the equivalent pricing in Euro to Pounds here so no savings to be had. 🙁
Way too much writing on these new all-metal G-Shocks
Given that they pretty much always print the spec sheet on the front of the watch I think that looks relatively subtle for a Casio digital.
@TheFlyingOx that's lovely. It's pretty much top of my "watches I'd like to own" list.
I am sort of proud of myself, I haven't bought that Ball complete calendar. It has been in my basket for weeks, and I keep looking at it, but no, I resist. I really like the thin bezel and maximum dial but the logo is too large. Most importantly, if I get a Ball, which I probably will one day, they are not known for 'complications' but tech to improve robustness and legibility, and the low dial:handset contrast on this model is not a winner.
To satisfy my consumer lust, I spotted a pricing error on the Royal Mint website and bought an ounce of platinum. Wot a lozer I iz!
😀 @gaidong was the decimal point in the wrong place? (im away to look...)
Prob best to hold back if youd not be truly happy with it....
Edit: nope couldnt see any errors 🙁
Very good gaidong! Excellent self control and an example I wish I could follow!
@SSS, nothing so delicious as a decimal point error :D. No, it was just the digressive pricing was out of whack - single coins were cheaper than bulk buying by about 5%. I was after one anyway, so I had a 2022 Pt Britannia for both of my children as a collector item (i.g. Elizabeth II platinum jubilee year).
I was really quite fed up with the Ball customer service too. They have no French distributor, so no way to see any models in Paris. Then I wrote to ask if any proper photos were available, even pre-production models, as the website ones look computer-generated and show no texture, and there are no reviews. 'No, we don't have anything.' They were making it hard for me to want to buy!
So, I'm still on a slow lookout for a complete/annual calendar with decent everyday properties (5+ atm etc). I did spot last week that the BP Bathyscaphe complete calendar has a new option, titanium case and silvered dial. The white dial on stainless steel leaves me cold but the Ti one is brutally beautiful!
Enquired about the silver snoopy Speedmaster at my AD today. Was told they'd only had 2 this year and there's 400 people on the waiting list for it...
That's lovely. Got have a Speedmaster one day. Probably a Moonwatch, although I have a love for the old Broad Arrow with the white dial and blue indices
Oooo. Very nice. German engineering. 😀
Going back a few pages to catch up, I was looking at neilnevill’s Zelos - that’s nuts! I love the idea of it, but it’s probably wider than my skinny wrist! Wouldn’t stop me wearing it, though. Sadly, no money spare to buy it. ☹️
Saw this the other day, Yema have brought out an updated version of their classic Superman, with their own in-house movement.
https://monochrome-watches.com/yema-superman-500-no-date-blue-dial-dive-watch-hands-on-review-price/
This is a rather nice thing, by Mido, who I’m not familiar with, 600m diver with a chronometer-grade movement for €1650.
And this is rather lovely, the Torgoen T51 Pilot watch. Limited to 100 examples of each design, the face is made from aluminium sourced from restored P-51 Mustang aircraft. And not stupidly expensive either, at $495
That the quartz gmt Torgoen.
I'm wearing the automatic equivalent, the T40, at the moment, and I like it quite a lot.
New Superocean 3 available at Jura:
I like it.
Not sure. Too much bezel/chapter ring to dial for me
That was my immediate reaction but it did grow on me overnight.
The cyan-faced SO 44 grew on me in picoseconds!
Just gorgeous.
Hahahaha Count, nuts is the one way to describe it! Or absurd...or ridiculous. Or... Yes nuts 🤣. Sometimes it's just good to be silly.
Sometimes it’s just good to be silly
Indeed it is! My Bronze Swordfish is pretty subtle and restrained compared to your Abyss. My silliest watch is (currently!) my gold Armitron Griffy, which makes me smile and ranks among the most pointlessly daft things I've ever bought. And I'm a bloke who bought a Roadrat.
I know Rolex demand seems to be on the wane but I made enquires about a black OP41 and was told a straight no, but I could have a Datejust 41. Have asked about the new Air King so we shall see, don't want to play the grey market game mind you. Was trying to avoid Rolex too but it's an itch I need to scratch I think
Howdy folks, I've a milestone birthday coming up (50...) and have been thinking about getting a proper chronometer watch with a chronograph. I have fairly slim wrists so am looking at 40mm or below really and am looking for something that appeals to the heart rather than my head. My budget is 3k or around about max - this is waaay more than I've ever paid for a watch before and is likely to be the last time as well! I think I've settled on a Zenith El Primero of some kind, albeit second hand as new are more and I like some of the older styles better anyway. On my search I've come across this watch from Concord which has a modified El Primero movement to show the full date. I must admit I really like it but I'm concerned that I may regret not getting a true 'Zenith', and that possibly the date complications may turn out to be too small to be legible anyway given the case size is 38mm. Any thoughts on it anyone?
Concord Impresario
@neilnevill, thanks but not symmetrical enough! Girard Perregaux has some nice options in its 1966 line. Could be a decent 2nd hand pick up.
@Stevet1, that's a pretty watch but I would be slightly wary of vintage pieces with complications. Chronograph servicing can be a bit spicy, plus calendar modules... Can you buy it with a one year warranty or anything?
Doubt I'd get a years guarantee, not sure if 30 days or similar would be within my rights to return. There are a lot of vintage speedies around, do they have issues as well or is it all a bit of a gamble and I should stick to new?
Steve1, are these a bit obvious for a 50th?
https://www.junghans.de/en/collection/watches/1972/
If it's your 50th birthday next year* then Tissot have a 1973 chrono.
* It's mine btw if anyone is wondering.
There are a lot of vintage speedies around, do they have issues as well or is it all a bit of a gamble and I should stick to new?
£3k puts you firmly in Speedmaster Racing territory - there's a brand new one on Chrono24 for $3000. 40mm case, automatic chronograph movement, certainly ticks your boxes.
Not symmetrical enough?! But it's bloody gorgeous
!!
Some people. Tut tut 😆
Count you'd be surprised, my wrist is a flat 6.75" at it's biggest but the zelos actually feels wearable! The grand seiko sbga031 I fancy is still available and although the zelos and sbdc059 would only cover a third of the cost of it, it's lovely so I'd part with the two even though I like them both a lot. Gov on... Have you looked down the sides of the did sofa? You might find it less costly than you think.
@Stevet1 - £3k would get you a Tudor Pelagos fxd? Titanium, very waterproof and easy to change NATO straps on it. Very different from a chronograph though.
A nice Seiko chronograph?
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/products/seiko-watch-presage-limited-edition-srq031j1
With money left over for something else.
Steve1, are these a bit obvious for a 50th?
https://www.junghans.de/en/collection/watches/1972/
/blockquote>Like but look a bit big, may see if I can try them on somewhere. Although... it's actually my 50th is still 2 years off but if I have an idea of what I want I can look out for a good example and buy in advance.
£3k puts you firmly in Speedmaster Racing territory – there’s a brand new one on Chrono24 for $3000. 40mm case, automatic chronograph movement, certainly ticks your boxes.
Hmm, a few there that look tasty enough, the blue dial one is lovely.
@Stevet1 – £3k would get you a Tudor Pelagos fxd? Titanium, very waterproof and easy to change NATO straps on it.
Thanks for the suggestion, already got a nice Seiko Ti air diver - I know it's not in the same league but it fulfils the same purpose.
A nice Seiko chronograph?
Seiko Presage Watch Chronograph Limited Edition D
Like that as well but again, maybe too big. I really need to go and try a few on.
For 3k you could get a nice Sinn, say;
https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/356_Sa_PILOT_III.htm
Or maybe a bit more left field but we’ll respected
https://www.junghans.de/en/collection/watches/junghans-max-bill/max-bill-chronoscope/27780002?c=16
chrisbill
Full Member@Stevet1 – £3k would get you a Tudor Pelagos fxd? Titanium, very waterproof and easy to change NATO straps on it. Very different from a chronograph though
This has piqued my interest for my 50th for the fact it's titanium as I'm hard on watches and also for it being available in left handed version. However one thing that puts me off a little is that is quite thick and might look a bit chunky on my wrist and it's going to get bashed more when pipe fitting/heavy engineering. Does anyone have one for comment?
Is the fxd available as a destro, or just the standard/original pelagos?
I've an original, it's a tool watch and as durable as and other. Ti doesn't really show scratches, especially a brushed finish, so it's not a bad choice for you.
New Superocean 3 available at Jura:
I like it.
I *really* want to like Breitling’s offerings, especially since they returned to in-house movements. They strike just the right balance between luxury and utility for me, but I really don’t gel with any of their designs. I guess there’s a reason people call them Bright Bling. The Superocean Heritage is almost right for me but I’m paranoid that I’d do a serious damage to the domed crystal.
OK, a challenge for you. I'd like a budget holiday GMT to replace my Batman Vostock that for obvious reasons isn't being worn at the moment.
Budget £200 max, ideally it needs to not be on a bracelet, a dive watch (pool diver), look smart at the dining table, be able to take a whack and of course have at least a GMT hand not necessary "true" GMT and 40-42mm max with a short-mid lug to lug.
Watcha got?
Quartz GMT, 200m, but on a bracelet.
£199, other disks/bezels available
https://www.watchgecko.com/geckota-gmt-sand-steel
Momentum GMT Diver on black rubber strap, £199
https://momentumwatch.com/products/m20-diver-gmt-42mm?variant=41118579687602
Oh that’s nice. I have a Geckota already albeit an auto PT 500 so I know the quality will be good, and perhaps the domed sapphire offsets the cheap Rhonda…
…but a Batman option with no date complication and and easy swap to several straps I already have… I’m tempted!
Edit: just seen that Momentum and read up about it. Links to Vancouver have a story for me which is something I value for a watch, and it’s an auto… could get stung on import duty though.
That Geckota with the steel bezel is nice, I'm less keen on the other bezel/dial options. I don't see how the Momentum makes the cut for dining table smart but obviously tastes vary.
Links to Vancouver have a story for me which is something I value for a watch, and it’s an auto
It is? It says Swiss quartz on the page I'm looking at so probably the same Ronda module as the Geckota. I'd expect you to have to go full Chinese to get a mechanical movement in budget, something like this
Unfortunately that'll reduce your story to "I bought an inexpensive watch from China"!
I am leaning toward the Gecko, maybe the Pepsi bezel as I’ve never owned a Pepsi and therefore don’t have one.
I was concerned about them being quartz with no battery low indication, but some research reveals that Ronda hacks the second hand to set the GMT therefore can be used as a power saver. Now to decide, steel or Pepsi bezel…
P.s. I don’t want a Chinese watch…
Just received, No.68 of 80. Special edition Tudor Peleagos still to take of the protective wrap and get the bracket sized correctly.
Need to get proper pic to add at a later date.