If anyone on here has an old square G-Shock, a factory refurb may be of interest to you.
I tend to agree with that Kato, if shown the watch without branding it's obviously seiko from it's design but the quality and movement would make me guess GS. Why seiko want to end up too where they've positioned GS I don't know, but to do it...ok... And create the LX range... But leave it at LX not stretch prospex! Pro-spec divers stretching from £500 to about £2000, fine, prospex has the identity of proper quality tool watches, but to stretch it out 3 times further does seem..... Baffling.
Despite that, I rather like it. I'd get this used example but I'm determined to stick at N. 5 watches is my limit. This keeps some control in place!
I think the G-Shock refurb service is a good thing although they do not seem to touch the glass so they are doing what can easily be done by buying some bits from:
https://www.tiktox.com/g-shock-1
And now at the other end of the market to the Grand Prospex, I bought three Geckotas, all Sea Hunters with the Chinese movement but with different dials and bezels.
I wanted my sons and I to have matched, but wearable wherever watches. They loved the idea, but with one doing his A-levels and the other just starting secondary school, they weren’t getting a grand or two of Swiss precision to accidentally re-engineer (leave that to me).
I’m impressed so far. On an 18 hour windup and compare they are all within a second or so of each other, and in line with my radio controlled alarm clock.
They look and feel lovely, the metal strap is in a different class to Seiko (ok not that hard) and sticking a NATO on them in the right colour really sets them off.
Like it so far.
I'm tempted by this 42mm manual winder from Beltany. It's a UK company with production in China.
Thoughts?
That Seiko LX SNR041J1 is gorgeous and probably my favourite in that line up.
Doesn't bother me that it has Seiko/Prospex on the dial rather than GS. It doesn't need to be from the GS range does it, it's a very good quality seiko in its own right with a great movement.
Guess some people need to have more higher end branding on their watches to justify to others how much it cost.
At the price its going for I dont think its a bad buy at all. If I had the spare cash I'd be thinking about it too, would definitely love to try a springdrive someday.
That Beltany, have you got the correct link there because it shows me a 36mm automatic? They look nice enough, but for my money I'd rather have an actual vintage watch than a old fashioned new one.
Looks like the Hamilton mechanical.
I’m tempted by this 42mm manual winder from Beltany
I do like the look of the watch you linked to, but that one's a 36mm auto. 14mm thick though, which might be a bit bobbly with the small case - I'd certainly be giving the leather NATO a swerve in the strap options!
Well I resisted the Seiko lx as I am determined 5 watches is the limit. I did ask the seller if he was interested in a part trade but he too is on a n-1 quest (n-4 actually!). It's now sold to another. Phew.
Then last night I came across a brand new ex display grand seiko sbga403 with 25% off! My god I'm getting better ...I dismissed the initial temptation inside the hour!
(It's at Francis and Gaye) if anyone is interested in £9.5k of GS diver for £7.4k
5 watches is the limit
I think this is a good number. I need to cull my collection of 13 by first removing any emotional attachment - which is more difficult than I thought - and in my mind that leaves me with 4 I want to keep. I’d like then to add the Pelagos 39 or IWC Pilot 42 in time as the 5th.
I have a three watch limit and it is quite tough to keep to. I will have to post some pictures.
I have two keepers:
The first is a 60 year old Rolex Oysterdate, they are dated by bracelet rather than serial number and it is a quarter 3 1962.
The second is a G-Shock 5610 with a GW5000 strap which makes it a lot more comfortable. They are so versatile and you can just leave them on whether biking or surfing etc.
The third watch is constantly changing but on a one in one out basis. I don't keep the same watch for more than a year. They are often pretty cheap and recent watches have been Seiko 5's, Enicar automatic but I have a soft spot for 70's and 80's digital watches.
'This week I have been mostly wearing' a Casio from 1980. This is from the in between period between the Casiotrons and Marlin's. Old school build quality so no plastics and I think they are great for about £35.
Speaking (a bit ago) of dress watches... Farer's new handwound collection is really nice, the pink copper version in particular.
Edit - why!?, why is posting images so inconsistent!? You get the gist of it.
is quite tough
indeed, my desirable 5 to keep turned to 7 within 2 hrs. Doh!
If anyone on here has an old square G-Shock, a factory refurb may be of interest to you.
I've got a GW-5600 and although I replaced the bracelet with a composite clasp bracelet when the original broke (a big improvement btw), I quite like the scuffs and scratches it's picked up. It's Seen Some Things in the last 15 years or so, and I like the story it tells.
Love that Casio JP. I like vintage digital.
This is my Certina Chronolympic circa. 1978.
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I missed out on a certina that went for only £40 just before I got the Casio. It wasn’t as nice as yours though
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nhQg9iBmyHGvZAcQ 9" alt="eatch" />
Any Helm owners?
I'm at the top of the list for either and SS or Ti Vanuatu. I skipped the offer last time as funds wouldn't allow. Essentially been on the list for 4 years. I like the SS but it's hefty so I'm probs going to plump with the Ti version. Imho the nicest looking engineer strap. Matt the Helm boss says I'll be getting the offer email for the SS in the next few days and the ti one in around three weeks.
Great timing as I was actually looking at a Gshock 5500 and getting a ti case / band upgrade from Aliexpress.
Pics when the ti arrives 😁
Bit of a change of direction at Elliot Brown - £2300ish for their new model. It's got a new type of timing double-bezel thing which takes a bit of understanding.
Supposedly a mission H-Hour timer so not sure Beachmaster works as a name particularly. That said I'm not keen on overly literal military sounding names which sound a bit tacky anyway.
I’m not a fan of the Lume on that Elliot Brown, mixed colours and far too busy.
In ascending price order, but sub 15K+ craziness, column wheel chronographs (not Seagull 1963), GO! I'm seeing Sinn 903 & 910, Longines Master/Bigeye, Airain Type 20.... Keep 'em coming!
I pulled the trigger on this:
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But (obviously) opted for black NATO.
£180 down to £165 with an introductory discount code.
I'll report further when it lands.
Interesting in hearing about it derek
but for the money I wouldn’t want to see Prospex on it.
Seiko have done that with the MarineMaster 300, taken the MM300 designation off the dial, and replaced it with the PX icon, which I think is a mistake. It’s a classic watch, removing it’s original name seems to devalue it somehow. I’d love one, given the money, the face and hands are, for me, just about the best design of any dive watch. Which is why I’ve got two Heimdallr’s with that style of face and hands.
I’m really not a fan of hands with arrowheads on the ends, I just don’t find them pleasing to look at.
Same goes for sunburst faces.
I pulled the trigger on this
Handsome, bit bigger than I'd have gone for at 42mm, loving the crystal though!
That's smart. I think I prefer a centre seconds, sub seconds does give a vintage look though. Do give your thoughts when it arrives!
Seiko fans, h Samuel have the marine master 200, spb077j1, on bracelet, half price in the sale £499. Under 3 left says the website. Sign up to the news letter for a10% off code (dunno if that works with sale items) and use top cashback for a further 2.1% discount...£438.50 possibly. Bit of a steal.
I am strong. I do not want another Seiko diver. I am stro.....
Tempting but I've not much love for the arrow hour hand. Would love another Turtle though, regret selling my last
The Worn and Wound review of that Seiko is useful to read, especially if you already have another model.
TLDR: Other than the sapphire and hardened coating it’s about the same as any other Samuarai/Tuna/Prospex. It’d be a good watch if you don’t already have a Seiko though.
Thanks Kato, I'll give it a read. I can see that a lot of prospex are basically just styling differences...6R15 or 35 movements, diashield on most cases, bracelets and clasps the same on many, some are still mineral glass but more get sapphire once past £5-600 ish I think and then LE colours/numbered watches are sold for an extra fee hundred but really there's little between a £400 ish prospex and one 3 times that. For the mm200, £500 seems a pretty good price, decent watch for not too much, but £1000 RRP feels steep.
I don't mind the arrow hand, maybe as my po has arrow hands and that was my first proper good watch. I have grown to think baton hands suit Seiko divers more though and given the choice would prefer baton on my sbdc059/spb081j1, but hey ho. I'm not massively into seiko though so I don't intend to get a mm200.
@Gaidong - have you seen the Frederique Constant FC-760?
https://frederiqueconstant.com/products/flyback-chronograph-fc-760v4h4
Gosh, well I tried on the Pelagos 39, with a 90% chance of coming out of the shop wearing it before I'd entered. But I didn't.
I'd fallen for the marketing alright, but once on, I came to the conclusion that it was less detailed and therefore a little "flat" on the dial than the 42, but the biggest error in my opinion is that the inclusive straps are not quick release. What a pain, it'd be a lovely addition to a collection if you swap the straps over quickly. So, it feel less like £3500 to me and I forced myself out the door without one. Its a great watch, but I think its a £2500 not a £3500 watch and perhaps should have stayed steel/entry level.
Anyway, the new King Sumo looks lovely, but I'd be wary of JOMW advice of Seiko's quality over £500 being very much south of the price point....
Thats pretty much the dilemma I’m in at the moment. This looks like the perfect Turtle to me, but have seen a lot of reports of wonky bezels and the 6r movement being a pup. I get 20% off the retail price at Goldsmiths, but as tempting as it is there’s a nagging doubt in my head
Thats lovely but the lime pip look off centre even in that picture!
Exactly! There's one 2nd had on eBay at the moment with a misaligned bezel. I guess if I bought new I could return every one that had poor QC
So, now I’m annoyed. I found myself in Westfield again so thought I’d have another go. Earnest Jones have sold the one I tried and have confirmed me on the waiting list for the next batch for which they reckon it’s a months wait.
Popped over to Watches of Switzerland, and they told me “you need to be on the reserve list”. I said what list? They said “are you on the registered Tudor or Rolex owners list sir?” Bunch of ****ers, just trying to create demand.
Madness. Just been in the US for two weeks - most Tudors seemed to be available with 15% off (except BBP, baby Pelagos and Ranger).
@stevet1 good call! I didn't realise that model was a column wheel. I'm not a huge fan of the looks but I'm heading to my AD tomorrow anyway and will give its buttons a squeeze.
@Kato - yes it has.
I learned of this brand just a few weeks ago courtesy of some Facebook advertising. Usually, a bit annoying but in this case a blessing.
I had a military / field watch until mid-August when I gave it to a friend who was heading to South Africa and Botswana for a few weeks doing the safari and braai thing. I was so proud of him for embarking on this trip as he lost his left leg in 2009. I said "you need a watch to remind you of home and give you some comfort." The watch I gave him has a full-face lume that really does bring some reassurance in the dark early hours. For me at least.
Via the FB advert', I browsed the Baltany range and the military manual winder appealed straight away. But not on the brown leather NATO it wore in the on-line photographs. Tight blue trousers and brown shoes syndrome! The specification to price ratio also grabbed my attention: Sapphire crystal, brushed stainless steel case, 5 atm. water resistant, dual colour lume and a sub-seconds dial which personally, I like.
Price was £180 including carriage but there was also a chance to submit your email address to get a discount of between £5 and £15. I assumed I would be awarded the former but no, the full £15 was deducted so I hit BUY.
Baltany are UK based with production operations in China so I knew delivery was not going to be swift. In the small print it states that delivery target is fifteen days from order but "please allow up to 90 days." I hadn't seen this prior to buying and a pang of worry and disappointment hit me. I had visions of my watch being squashed into a container full of MG cars and cuckoo clocks whilst being on the rolling high seas for several weeks.
I needn't have worried. Order placed on the 5th of October and delivered to my door (RM48) this Saturday the 14th. I assume stock is shipped to Baltany's UK base and then orders are shipped to UK customers from there.
So, this is what you get in the package:
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The watch, a spring bar tool, a dated guarantee card, user guide, hard case and a logo'd cleaning cloth.
The watch:
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I love the detail on the crown, although it is not signed:
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A back view:
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And on the wrist:
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I think it's a good looking watch. The build quality is excellent and although really comfortable to wear, it has a reassuring heft when held in the palm. The crystal to brushed steel interface is perfect. The dual colour lume (blue numerals and second hand, green indices) won't be lighting up your bedroom anaglypta but it's more than sufficient to confirm your 4am piss has arrived on time. It's a manual winder and on receipt, I gave the crown forty clockwise turns. This should keep it running for around forty hours. I can't confirm this as I've been topping it up once a day. I've not done any precise testing of accuracy but it's stayed bob on for the two days I've had it. Not sure of the SI unit for bob on...
So in summary, I am very happy with the Baltany 42mm military manual wind. I guess it's the cheapest watch in my collection of Omega, Certina, Seiko etc. but I can see it staying on the wrist for some time.
For £165, I'd say it's a genuine bargain. Something that is something of a scarcity in these days of soaring prices and piss-taking.
Obviously I can't comment on longevity of service or mean time to failure but for now I am really very pleased.
It certainly does look good. Big though, what size is it?
I am very happy with the Baltany 42mm military manual wind
I'm guessing at 42mm neilnevill. 😉
Great looking watch Derek.
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Eddie has done well IMO. (Commander-38mm- -6s a week)
Got one of the Zuludiver Octopod straps.
Works well. Nice slightly more upmarket alternative to a typical single pass NATO.
Buckle is not cheap but the straps aren’t bad.
https://www.watchgecko.com/collections/zuludiver-octopod
Having had a couple of evenings post physical browsing, I must admit I've been put off watches a bit.
Firstly, Watches of Switzerland snobbery and lack of treating me like a valid customer to get onto their books really pissed me off. The Pelagos 39 AND the IWC Pilot 41 I looked at both didn't look like spending £3.5 - £6k was worthwhile at all and left me feeling a little flat, especially after watching the JOMW video comparing the £300 San Martin version of the Black Bay Pro with the real thing.
On the plus side I really appreciate the workings and detail on that Frederique Constantine, but its not a watch I'd wear TBH.
So I'm feeling a little flat and tempted to flip something and buy San Martin Tudor homage, the Formex Jody reviewed or the Steinhart Pilot 41 homage although I know its just materialism and a waste of money.
Maybe it's just time to appreciate/wear what I do have little more.
@derek_starship very nice looking classic understated watch. Very nice.
@kryton57 the "your names not on the list" exclusive watch game, put me off a long time ago. There is something to be said for taking another look at the collection you already have. But if you're already looking and trying something new and shiny, that won't put off the itch to purchase another for long 🙂
Heading home from Paris now, post AD visit. The missus' Cartier Tank Americaine looks great, and there's no way I'll be able to wait until her birthday to give it to her.
Column wheel chronographs... using a Speedie Pro as a reference (co-ax escapement but still cam operated. The Speedie was remarkably stiff to actuate, like my FOIS was. The Longines Big Eye and complete calendar were in stock and whilst I could feel the difference, it wasn't THAT much smoother. I don't like the asymmetry of the BE and the CC was really lacking contrast on the dial. The new Record looks very nice though, IMO.
Next step up at the AD was Zenith (not really keen on the look) or Blancpain (getting into silly money). So next door I found the Frédéric Constant Column wheel, not the flyback but the highlife model. I'm not into 70s design elements at all but the chrono actuation was a LOT smoother. Hmmm, the salesman also suggested Auricoste but didn't have any in stock.
All pointless but jolly good fun. Now sat in the rain at the bus shelter trying to keep the Cartier box from getting soggy!
Odd that. I’m wearing a watch with a 7754 in it and I’d describe the chronograph as having a pleasant click. If anything the action is too little light and occasionally it gets knocked on or off by the back of my hand as my wrist flexes back.
Oh gosh, that Record is nice and half the price of a speedy. I was looking at this the other day also:
That dial could do with a few more numbers on it!
Lol!
I've been after a moon phase as a dress watch for ages, but am prepared to wait - that is indeed very busy but the marvel is within the 8 complications!
Gaidon's Record though is very nice and comes on a bracelet, yet only 30 water resistance, grrr.
@Kryton57 I like that Longines. Yes, it is busy, but i really like the moonphase addition on the dial.
Its that which catches my eye and takes away the 'busy-ness'
Zenith (not really keen on the look)
They have quite a few 'out there' models don't they? I really like the older El Primero Chronomaster e.g. https://www.chrono24.co.uk/zenith/el-primero-chronomaster--id25712038.htm
Which models did you look at?
Also been looking at Breguet Type XX, either with a date or without -
e.g.
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breguet/breguet-type-xxi-flyback-3810st929zu--id23666496.htm
They do a Ti version but the carbon face looks a bit naff.
NO. No. No. That Longines NumberGrenade is very unpleasant to my eye.
I'm not keen on the Longines white dial, which has 'clou de Paris' decoration. Despite all the numbers etc, it feels flat and somehow sterile.
The Record on the bracelet is the same price as the strap, so a no-brainer, even if I would put another strap on it. Also, the day of the month figures and 24hr subdial don't match the hours, seconds or other subdials!
I gave the Cartier to my wife immediately. Only ten months before her birthday. She's been having a shitty time at work for months, so I presented it with tea, to 'remonter la morale'. She cried and we had a cuddle (just cuddle!), so it was all worth it 😀
Whoops, I meant the mismatched figures for the Master chrono, not the Record.
Bloody hell gaidong, I wish I'd married you instead of your wife. 😁
Nope, chronographs just don't do it for me in general, zenith chronomaster sport aside that is.
I may have found a GMT that appeals though... Sbge277. I'm fixing up a after work trip to the seiko boutique in Knightsbridge with a work buddy, followed by a free beers. I shall wear my spb081j1 and see how many spring drive sports watches I can get out on the table at once!
How did that Longines designer look at that and think "that's beltin, I can go home early today!" and not get fired?
Thoughts on the new 5 GMT?
I’m thinking of getting the Batman/Blueberry instead after flipping 2 watches and selling my Vostok Batman and donating its funds to a Ukrainian charity.
Hmmm nice enough. The orange looks nice. Seiko seem to pull off orange sports watches while no one else really attempts the colour!
Reminder me of 1990s Animal watches that orange does.
Quite like the black, but it’s a pity the arm of the GMT hand couldn’t match the dial so all you saw of it at a glance was the arrow head.
Btw, am I the only one trying to work out how tthew and gaidong's polygomous wife is going to feel when one husband gives her a Cartier and the other like on jealously?
Orange one is lovely I've only got one Seiko now ummmmmmmm
I still don't really understand why cyclops magnifiers on dials remain an acceptable design choice.
Can anyone recommend a watch strap shop?
I want to get the 22mm rubber one on Time Factors but keep missing the 15secs window the shop is open per week
Watchgecko / Zuludiver would be worth a look.
https://www.yellowdogwatchstraps.com/
Can't be beat IMO for a tool watch.
Hello. I’m no watch expert but find myself in the market for a dive watch. I am after some watch wisdom from those more in the know please.
I was interested in a Tudor but when looking at a few today I found them a bit small on my wrist (even in 42mm). I don’t know if it’s just that I am used to wearing a Garmin/Apple watch or if I’m just a bit vulgar but I like a chunky watch.
I then tried on a Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 (previous model not the brand new one) and really liked it.
Is there any reason I shouldn’t get a Breitling or is there anything else I should consider at similar money?
No reason not to get a breitling. They do some nice watches. They haven't been known for pushing horology or outstanding design, navitimer aside, and their designs tend to be large and brash, but they are well respected. I rather like the latest super oceans.
Oh their are plenty of other quality watches, divers are popular and big of easy these days. So over 42mm... Tudor black berry bronze is 43. Christopher ward do 43mm divers, maybe bigger, Seiko excel at humongous yet wearable divers like the sumo, turtle, Willard and many many others. Omega planet Ocean comes in 45mm, Rado Captain Cook in 43, Rolex deep sea or sea dweller are err 45? And 43? In fact I'm fairly sure there's a 44 too. King of big is panerai officine,. Try one of the 47mm submersibles, or a fiddy cased luminor.
With all these though the dimensions can be misleading as some include the crown and the case size doesn't always translate too a big dial. It's a big dial that mainly makes a watch visually big, so a wider bezel among other things can make a watch look smaller. Wear ability also varies with case shape, weight and height/thickness so big watches demand trying on.
If you're looking at breitling gaudy styling, size and cost.... Have a look at Seiko and grand seiko... Oooo so many watches! I do like a big dive watch!
@Kryton57
Thoughts on the new 5 GMT?
https://monochrome-watches.com/seiko-5-sports-style-gmt-ssk001k1-ssk003k1-ssk005k1-introducing-live-pics-price/
/blockquote>Nice enough, blue one is great colour choice, interesting how the chapter ring looks so much narrower on the orange one. Not a huge fan of cyclops viewers on watches.
Btw, having said I don't really tend to like many chronographs I've just discovered Rado brought out a captain Cook chronograph in June, 3 even, 1 bronze and 2 steel. It looks very nice!
Oh and Oris aquis divers are quite large
Thanks very much! I shall take a look at those.
Just been pole axed on my next Seiko journey by going for a Dinner including a bloke wearing a Navitimer B01 ( https://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/0130718/Breitling-Navitimer-B01-Chronograph-43-Mens-Watch/p) and another with the new Carrera, whilst I have my champagne Hamilton which I swapped from my Aquaracer which was worn in the office.
I think I’m aiming too low… and need to revert to the aforementioned 5 x quality watch plan.
Man after my own heart! Although perhaps with bigger wrists!
@robz - I have both the Super Oceon and also a Tudor Blackbay.
The Blackbay isn’t particularly bling. It’s quite small on my skinny wrists. I prefer the BB as my daily watch.
I also have an Oris, not a diver, mine is the TT F1, but same profile as the diver. It’s chunky, has been clunked into doors occasionally but no knicks on it.
I also have a Panerai, my favourite watch, but it’s big and noticeable. Whilst it’s far from being bling, it’s very noticeable.
I do like my Tudor, it can look ok dressed up / down.
The Breitling came on the rubber strap but I swapped it out for a leather strap, on my second genuine Breitling strap in about 4 years and the watch doesn’t get used too often and nor does it go in the shower.
My Super Oceon is quite busy in the face, and I can understand why folk aren’t too keen on them. The Tudor is a much cleaner look.
I have posted pics of them in this thread. I will try and figure out how I previously posted and put them up here for you to see both watches together on a fairly skinny wrist.