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I'm just going to put these here....
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Nt1aJYxkanyu9CnoLBr0gAO4pMjb0SVgnCYMyux8UIBdeZbBLMwwdAPSQRAl-xCjnyG2YjUB3sTdIYPC-asLIFSjyjZVdv7rwskUwKlUm8erFDe5PcqavgaLfLIMkm0xHaXrkA9zaMI=w2400
love them both but man maths dictates both need to go to make a contribution to the SBGA031 I rather like
Damn, still can't get the hang of the picture posting on here.....it's worked😁
What's the emblem at 9oclock inbred?
Nice!
@neilnevil, Parachute Regiment, 80 watches commissioned for the Regiments 80th Birthday. I was fortunate to be able to get one.
P.s. I don’t want a Chinese watch…
Well, that'll rule out the Geckota and the Momentum.
Try Scuba Leeds for momentum watches in the UK
@Kryton57 What do you think of the Gekota with the PT5000 movement?
I’m looking at this one and quite liking it on paper.
https://www.watchgecko.com/geckota-g-02-black-bezel
Which is also why I was quite so fast with the Gekota GMT suggestion this morning.
@igm, I have that exact watch when it was first issued - No 86 - before it was called the Sea Hunter. I asked for the bracelet to be changed to the same style but two-tone.
It’s a lovely piece, has a lovely piece of sapphire with much anti reflection, sits low on your wrist and the lugs / bracelet have a great downturn to them. The PT5000 has been reliable and accurate. In fact if you Google it it’s allegedly Chronometer accurate but won’t be officially measured because it’s not Swiss.
It feels great quality and the Warrington bracelet is the proper five pieces and a milled clasp - the only issue is that it comes with the cheaper one that has 2 holes of micro adjust - you can call them and asked for the next version up which has 5 holes and costs about an extra £20.
And because of my experience with this watch after I saw your recommendation came with a hackable power saving movement I didn’t hesitate to order the pepsi… 🙂
If you want any pics let me know and I’ll be happy to oblige.
Thanks.
And they do a couple of nice black ‘n’ beige NATOs too as an alternative strap.
Nice.
I agree, I was looking at the black and beige for my current watch (same as the one you are looking at ) and thinking of putting the two tone on the GMT.
Going to try a waffle strap I already have first.
Decided to mod my seiko, wanted a new stealth bezel and insert but with a red crown and second hand, could not find any red crown so send it off to get the stock one cerakoted.
Quite pleased with the result and cant wait to pick it up at post office tomorrow. Paul that did the work have build some amazing looking watches.
This is mine.
Jodie of JOMW has made me make my first AliExpress purchase. I await the taxes and QC lottery. Will post up when it arrives.
Discretion is certainly order of the day.
That Tempus mod is outstanding.
I have buyers remorse this morning 😔
What did you get Kryton?
@Kryton57, oh dear, hopefully it’s only related to your £200 post. Pics would help understand your level of remorse.
What is the view here on Steinhart ?
Am thinking of swapping out one of my nicer seikos for one, second hand titanium.
Yes the Gecko, this one.
Although it replaces the Vostock in the box so it looks as though I don’t have “more”, in reality the Vostok will just be in storage for a couple of years. And it’s occurred to me that I was happy with the samurai-on-waffle in Barcelona last week, why do I need another £200 watch?
It’s on its way already, so now have have to carefully try some straps avoiding tool marks in case it needs to go back.
Steinhart, excellent. I've moved it on but had an ocean one for a few years, well made, solid watch, good movement. Better value then similar or twice the price Seiko imv.
Thanks @neilnevill, it’s an ocean one titanium ceramic jobbie.
It’s all personal choice, but the “samurai waffle” combo would get my vote over the Gecko.
In about 48 hours they’ll be a Gecko waffle combo, how about that 😉
I don’t know about that, but I am hungry for waffles now 🙂
Me neither. I’ll post some pics up - trial by jury with the returns envelope waiting forbodingly…
*#@£!!! When I first saw the sbga031 for sale I wasn't totally convinced, especially when I thought about parting with two nice watches that make me smile in order to get the man maths to come close. As time has gone on my apprehension that I may miss out on the 031 had grown, and it's currently at a pretty stressful height! I really want that watch. Help me stay strong.. I am not as weak as kryton (I can't be ...I can't return the 031!). Heeeellllpp!🤣
Do it. Do it…. kryton57 is an inspiration to us all 🙂
It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all….
(And if you don’t like it. Sell it)
@neilnevill do it, the sbga031 looks fantastic.
I’m guessing 2ndhnd as you can’t return it, so in the hugely unlikely event you don’t like it, sell it on, maybe here ?
If it is the £5.5 grand new model then at leat you’ll be able to return it?
yeah preowned. the 031 became the 231 something like ..err.. 4 years ago? and is now the 461. Same watch. 031 to 231 as just a dial change (removing the seiko branding and putting the grand seiko up to 12) the 461 gets a lume plot at the chapter ring at 3, and full minute markers on the bezel. that is it.
By explanation it’s £200 from my watch fund which fwiw is growing toward an IWC purchase. Hence, I’ve moved £200 further away from that IWC when perhaps I should have been more disciplined, hence my angst.
We aren’t all blessed with the funds to rotate on very expensive watches and for the £200 to be insignificant.
That Seiko is lovely btw, good luck with the purchase.
removing the seiko branding and putting the grand seiko up to 12
Am I allowed to prefer the Seiko branding to the Grand Seiko?
GS indicates a great watch generally, but with a terrible typeface on the logo.
Hence, I’ve moved £200 further away from that IWC when perhaps I should have been more disciplined, hence my angst
Return it immediately on receipt, don't waste time on a strap fashion show, you're not going to be happy with a watch you regret before it even arrives. No need for angst, you'll be back at the same place you were before re your IWC purchase.
@Kryton57 - off the wall suggestion.
Where you based and when you going on holiday?
I have a Seiko Prospex Kinetic GMT - SUN019P1, presently on a black rubber deployment strap, but that might not fit your wrist.
I’m interested in trying a Gekota with that PT5000.
If you’re anywhere local (I’m in York), fancy a short term swap for your holiday?
Doesn’t sort your issue, but does kick it down the road.
Understand your angst kryton, and similarly why I won't buy the grand Seiko if I don't sell at least the seiko diver first.
Don't worry, get it returned.
Bloody hell, when did the Zulu diver 400 watch strap double in price?, I bought mine 3 years ago for £40 but I've ripped the strap from the clasp/springbars (cut too close when resizing strap-doh!) and thought I'd buy another one but not at £78. I see they do a replacement rubber but that's £30 per side
I'll need to have a look through this thread and see what other rubber straps come with a similar style clasp as I don't like buckles
Right, watch arrived so here we go then. At first I wasn't enamoured with it, pictured next to my other Gecko it looked a bit flat, and at this point it was going straight back - hence unwrapped:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kryton1957/52196197335/in/dateposted-public/
But then I decided it might look better on the two tone, so I took the risk of adding tool marks and a refund rejection to swap the bracelets:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kryton1957/52196197290/in/dateposted-public/
I also want to try a black rubber strap but don't have a 20mm one. So anyway, I kinda decided the bracelet swap suited both watches, with the GMT also now unwrapped it looks a bit retro kitch, definitely something a paper clip salesman might have won at work. And, as an occasional / holiday watch its growing on me TBH:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kryton1957/52195724903/in/dateposted-public/
As always my photos make the lug to lug look big but both watches are well inside my wrist. I'd welcome your thoughts on the GMT?
@IGM I'm in London and not planning a trip up North soon, but I'd be happy to lend you my Gecko if you wanted to trial it - I'm sure we can work out a way to get it to you.
neilnevill
Free Member
*#@£!!! When I first saw the sbga031 for sale I wasn’t totally convinced, especially when I thought about parting with two nice watches that make me smile in order to get the man maths to come close. As time has gone on my apprehension that I may miss out on the 031 had grown, and it’s currently at a pretty stressful height! I really want that watch. Help me stay strong.. I am not as weak as kryton (I can’t be …I can’t return the 031!). Heeeellllpp!🤣
If you've got the wrist for it, that is a lovely looking watch. I've been on a real GS kick recently; the unavailability of Rolexes, and the surfeit of Omega models/ variants, has had me checking out various grand seikos. It'd have to be something more dressy for me, and it'd be a replacement for the Omega Aqua Terra and possibly Tudor Heritage Chrono; but I could live with 3-5 days power reserve and +/-5s per month 😀
I was recommended on here Orient watches and was just wondering if Creation Watches are ok to buy from or should I stick to the dreaded Amazon.
Bought a couple of things from Creation. Worked well for me.
I was recommended on here Orient watches and was just wondering if Creation Watches are ok to buy from or should I stick to the dreaded Amazon.
Creation are fine to buy from but you may have to pay duty so factor that in to your decision, and returns (for whatever reason) will be a good deal easier with a UK based outfit. Shop around, Amazon were nowhere near the best deal when I bought a Kamasu a couple of years ago.
I've bought several Orients from Creation and never had an issue, great service. I've also never had to pay duty on any of them as far as I can remember.
@somafunk yeah they were £48 at the beginning of the year. That’s some inflation!
Nicko GS do dressy very well, personally I don't like some of the coloured dials but watches like the Snowflake or white birch are beautiful.
Kato : yeah they were £48 at the beginning of the year. That’s some inflation!
At £48 I may have considered a new strap but ive since found an old n' frayed nato strap in a drawer from years ago so that'll do me.
Love the Pelageos a couple of pages back! 😍
@Kryton57 If you were local, or it was the old days where I was in London 2 or 3 times a week, I’d jump at the opportunity of a borrow, but given it would need posting there and back I’ll pause for a bit.
Many thanks though (in a wouldn’t want it lost or damaged in transit sort of way).
Appreciated.
Re: watch straps.
I've bought loads of straps from cheapestnatostraps.com, at $6 a pop with bulk discounts you can try a few styles and colours quite easily. Their RAF straps are nice, but only come in limited colours.
The best strap I've bought in a while though is a bicolour strap from Underthecuff.com, the quality is in a different league. I saw it on Insta, on "my" watch and was sold...:-)
Seatbelt NATO like that look great and feel great. Is it just me though that found they stretch loads when wet, and aren't as strong around the buckle holes?
I guess I've been lucky, mine seems fine. I am between sizes though, so I tend to use the strap on two different buckle holes depending on what I'm doing....
PSA : Christopher Ward sale has gone public. Typically some very healthy savings if they have something to your taste.
https://www.christopherward.com/sale
The holes are fine, no issues there - it's the end of the strap itself which has frayed to the point you can't pass it back through the hardware. I suspect it hadn't had the edge fully sealed from new.
PSA : Christopher Ward sale has gone public. Typically some very healthy savings if they have something to your taste.
https://www.christopherward.com/sale
/blockquote>Nice heads up. Not totally sure it can be called a sale though since most of them appear to be second hand/returns.
The Crown and Buckle single pass nato straps are excellent quality. I've got a few of the Cheapestnatostraps ones, too. Variable quality, but very cheap.
Nice heads up. Not totally sure it can be called a sale though since most of them appear to be second hand/returns.
Ah, I didn't dig very deep in the details. Its always a mix of new and returns - I guess the new stuff got heavily shopped before it went public. Now, where is DPD with my C65 😎
Sorry about the crap pick, image of the back of my 80th Anniversary Parachute Regiment Pelagos that I posted earlier.
@inbred, very impressive. Is it a standard black dial? Also, and no insult intended whatsoever, why would Paras go for a diving watch?
I got an Orient Mako from Amazon in the end as we needed it before Tuesday. Very pleased with it, hopefully son is happy with it.
I thought of a tag line Tudor should use.
'our new Ranger, more explorer than the new Rolex'
@neilnevill, I've seen the new Explorer a few times. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I've got the 39mm version.
I went into Rolex to enquire about an Explorer 1 to find they only do it in 36mm now. Put my name down for an Air King instead but this is 3500 cheaper
@gaidong, aye standard black dial, no reason in particular, works the same at 600 feet up or down😁. Previous other watches have been, Brietling, Bremonts, etc.
Most military units will have limited edition watches commissioned. I've got another from Bremont, limited edition of 50.
yeah i dont understand either but sooo many watch fanatics hated the 39mm explorer and craved the return of 36mm, rolex just didas asked.
New 39mm Tudor Ranger is a lovely thing
I was looking at that earlier - it is a thing of simple, unadorned beauty! Nothing there that shouldn’t be there, a proper tool watch.
#swoon
Had a play with the Ranger today. A lot nicer in the flesh than the photos. Used to wearing 40mm plus watches but it really was the perfect size. No rivets on the bracelet either!
Seen a lot of moaning on other forums that it was boring and a “£2500 Swiss homage of a Citizen”, but I was quite taken by it seeing as a 39mm Explorer is out of my reach
Oh and I picked up the black Omega rubber for my white Seamaster. Looks a lot nicer than the bracelet and certainly much more comfortable!
“£2500 Swiss homage of a Citizen”,
I was going to post exactly that but in the spirit of reducing negativity I decided not to.
Also, when Tudor decide to design things themselves they end with the handset on the BB series so I don't mind too much when they stick to their role as an homage brand.
I like the snowflake hands which is why I’ve bought two Tudor’s, a BB and a GMT. I think they are fantastic value for money in the current market so I think a “homage” brand is a little harsh. That’s the thing about watches though, there’s something for everyone.
Ello from southern Thailand. I've only brought the 214270 with me, as I wasn't planning to do any diving (I learnt here 24 years ago... and happily wore my Victorinox quartz field watch down to 20m or so). I've done a spot of snorkeling with the Explo, and have some lovely underwater shots. Just CBA to try and post them here but I'll probably do a WUS post at the end of the trip - this is work but doesn't mean I can't have a nice time!
When we arrived in Bangkok I went to the Siam Centre and went in all the boutiques apart from Patek, trying the JLC and BP complete calendars in particular. I have photos of these too but...
Yesterday I wore the Explorer in a saline hot baths, the waters of which caused my rock solid 9 year old Olympus Tough camera to suddenly start falling apart - perhaps a coincidence. Then last night, during the aperitif, my AD messages me asking if I want a newly arrived Milgauss. I couldn't see the dial clearly in the transport box but it transpired to be the black dial. No want... He said there might not be a Z-blue this year. Don't care, even if it gets discontinued.
Wish I'd bitten the bullet and gone for a used Milgauss that was offered to me a few years ago. IIRC £5k was the asking, what are they now - £9k?
I just can't seem to do the cost/benefit justification in my own head to make the final purchase of, (what I consider) a proper expensive watch.
@tthew, Euro retail is €8300 I think. No, I don't think great value can be argued now but.... whatever! 😀
Tz-uk sales corner is in full on summer slump mode. This means I've had no luck yet selling, and it means more same more incredible watches piling up.... It's torture and incredible at the same time.
I've tried to register on TZ-UK but the forums set up to not allow any new joiners for some reason
Odd. It won't allow access to sales corner for ages. 6 months and something like 500 posts for full access. It's a fairly effective way of keeping it as a community with trusted members.
“£2500 Swiss homage of a Citizen”,
Citation needed. Which Citizen, exactly?
The company was founded in 1930 by Japanese and Swiss investors. It took over Shokosha Watch Research Institute (founded in 1918) and some facilities of the assembly plant opened in Yokohama in 1912 by the Swiss watchmaker Rodolphe Schmid.
The brand Citizen was first registered in Switzerland by Schmid in 1918 for watches he sold in Japan.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference">[3]</sup> The development of this brand was supported in the 1920s by Count Gotō Shinpei with his hope that watches could become affordable to the general public. The growth of Citizen until World War II relied on technology transfer from Switzerland.
The Ranger is an update of the watches issued to a British team sent to Greenland 70 years ago, 1952-54, and Tudor, don’t forget was set up by the gentleman who set up Rolex, so who is Tudor supposed to be an homage of? Especially as the model name dates back to 1929, three years after the company was established, so again, what is the Ranger an homage of?
That was a quote I saw on Pistonheads. It's not attributed to me and I don't consider Tudor to be a homage brand
Steinhart is homage.
This is a good looking piece. Are Yema well regarded?
Looks even better on a simple NATO noir:
This is a good looking piece. Are Yema well regarded?
Think it's CountZero who's still rocking a vintage one. Yeah, I think they are, (though not owned one myself) and getting better as they're now making in house movements. I know that's no guarantee of quality, but needs a level of sophistication above cases, dials and hands.