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Stevostraps is a good option for custom made leather straps. He’s been mentioned a few times on this thread.
I’m sure that your mate could sent his existing strap to template from.
I’m sure there has been mention of some other strap suppliers through this thread, Possibly with options for metal straps...
Festina mentioned on a cycling forum, ooft.
Thanks all , I’ll have a trawl through past supplier suggestions
@dmorts Creation watches doing extra 15% off SKX007 with code “CHRISTMAS” - allegedly anyway, I don’t know the pre-offer price...
@dmorts this thread sucked me in and I bought an SKX007J from Creation back in April. I ordered a stainless steel bracelet for it from yobokies but a) it took so long to arrive and b) I liked the black synthetic original strap so much that I've still got the stainless bracelet sitting sealed in its bag - I might fit it at some point in the future, but I'm really happy with the SKX007 in its stock configuration.
It loses about a minute a week, which is a huge difference from my Casio GW5600, but I was expecting something like that. The Seiko feels more like a "grown up" watch and is my daily wearer in the workshop. I love it.
Still wearing the SKX007 that I got off Count Zero on this thread. After replacing the movement, (how TF I broke it, have no idea - I thought they were supposed to be pretty much indestructible!) and messing with the regulation it's currently running better than 2 seconds per day. Might treat it to a ceramic bezel insert in the new year.
There really isn't much to dislike about them. An 013 might suit my girls wrists better, but then I'd have to swap the movement, (upgraded to NH36 while I was repairing it) and crown again.
I liked my 009 but ultimately not enough to hold onto it. If was to get another SKX it would have to be a 007 with a movement upgrade
What's people's opinion on Rado?
The Bronze Captain Cook with the green dial has piqued my interest!
Hi, I've got the blue islander which is like a mod of an skx 013. I paid £240 for mine converted from Us Dollars, I didnt have to pay taxes or import charges. Its from Long Island watch.Its better than a skx because it hacks and you can hand wind it.
Hi, I’ve got the blue islander which is like a mod of an skx 013. I paid £240 for mine converted from Us Dollars, I didnt have to pay taxes or import charges. Its from Long Island watch.Its better than a skx because it hacks and you can hand wind it.
Been really tempted by these, they look great and Mark is a good guy. How was the process of buying it and having it posted internationally?
Its better than a skx because it hacks and you can hand wind it.
Mine does now! If anyone is tempted doing the upgrade, movements are currently £35 from eBay UK sellers and you need a new crown and stem to complete the job. There are plenty of guides on YouTube how to do it, its tricky, (hands are the most fiddly) but by no means impossible.
After replacing the movement, (how TF I broke it, have no idea
Yeah, I’ve managed to break the date change mechanism on my Heimdallr ’Tuna’, and the only practical solution is a new movement. ‘Shrugs’, probably me trying to change the date at the wrong time of day, it can cause issues, as I’ve discovered. Tough, but not unbreakable, as I’ve found, ham-fisted muppet that I am! 🤪🙄
Creation watches doing extra 15% off SKX007 with code “CHRISTMAS” – allegedly anyway, I don’t know the pre-offer price…
Thanks! I don't think the prices have changed in light of the offer coming in.
I just need to decide on a K or J model. J seems more authentic but the K has a slightly cleaner dial and is cheaper
That Captain Cook !!! wow
I have a 1072 Diastar, Rado know how to make a nice watch.
I agree the cpt cook looks great, but a diver without a screw down crown just...just...no.
Rado definitely had a screw down crown when I looked at it.
But I agree divers without screw in crowns are a baffling thing
Liked that Christopher Ward super compressor too as it had a genuine super compressor case....
..... and a push in crown?????
Santa's been to Aliexpress
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Really Kato? Ooooooo maybe they've updated it... I'll have to check. B of they have then the bronze with the green dial would be hard to resist..... My sumo jade won't like it but... Well....hmmm
****, you're right, I just checked the rado site, it has now got a screw down crown (steel versions too). That must be an upgrade. It's got 300m wr now.... Fairly sure it was less when it was not a screw down.
I need to find money for that now.... Poo! (In a good way!)
Has it grown in size too? Wasn't it 40mm before? 42mm now.
Defo screw down and 300m depth rating. Bronze case is £700 more than the stainless case but looks way better. Not value for money though!
It’s a stunner in the flesh. Don’t regret buying my Black Bay but if I hadn’t bought it I’d have bought that Rado. Will have to wait a bit
What's the bezel? Is it sapphire a la a Bathyscaphe?
Yeah 42mm. They do a 37mm but not in bronze. The burgundy face is also a looker
Bezel is ceramic
I bought myself Mrs RNP chose well for a daily beater tool watch.
That’s a good choice! Very nice indeed. Dial looks very similar to my BB41
The burgundy face is also a looker
Impressive but not my taste. Bit too Christmassy. Kind of Santa’s official watch.
Maybe I’m being unfair and it’ll appeal more in June when not everything is done up in red and gold.
Yes I'm with igm, to red watches don't do it for me. The blue, the black, both gorgeous but I have a pelagos smurf and a black planet Ocean, both keepers. The green is awesome... Tempted!
@Kato - mmmmm, I like that Tudor! Looks good with a plain leather strap.
That’s a good choice! Very nice indeed. Dial looks very similar to my BB41
They have been described as a Seiko Blackbay/Explorer homage.
At the more affordable end of the market, this on a plainer black leather strap would look good on those dressy nights in a Charlie (or a Tux for you English folk)
Pinched this from the Steinhart website for quickness - but really pleased with it in the flesh 🙂
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The red Captain Cook looks a bit much on the matching strap but I reckon it would look great on something more subdued.
I think black and blue dials are the "standard" and once you move away from them the look becomes a bit less formal. However, my green dialled/bezelled Pantor looks great on a bracelet or black rubber strap and a full burgundy Rado would probably be the same - not quite as versatile as the more traditional colours but maybe the better for it.
That Pantor has pretty much become my day to day choice, it's really comfy with the cushion case and surprisingly compact versus the dimensions of it.
@CountZero it came with a grey camo NATO too, which is an odd choice for the watch and I’ve never used it. Went with the leather as it has 22mm lugs and is a bit dominated by the bracelet. The deployment has ceramic ball bearings like the bracelet clasp does and it’s amazing.
@Bullet that’s Steinhart is handsome. Looks pretty big, what’s the case size?
47mm so yes, pretty big but feels good on.
@Kato - I can see a plain grey NATO or ZULU strap, or other plain colour, perhaps a canvas one, or perhaps one with stripes, but I agree a camo pattern is really odd, although, it does sort of follow pilot-style watches, maybe that was the thinking.
Nice looking, though, and I’ve long had a soft spot for the Tudor snowflake hands
Another Christmas watch. Think I went for the right colour, it was this or the tomato red one. Surprisingly accurate but the crown is a bit slack. Leather strap is temporary until I can resize the bracelet. 
The Nav-B in situ, it's nice and comfortable even though it's pretty huge!
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dmorts
Full Member@RustyNissanPrairie I like that. Is it a black dial face or a grey one?
It's the black one - it wears well @40mm but I have fairly skinny wrists.
I'm really pleased with it.
Cheapest place i found it;
https://www.watchnation.com/product/seiko-5-sports-srpe55k1/
Anyone looking for a classy, classic watch, Seiko have just re-issued the King Seiko after nearly 50 years:
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/watches/article/king-seiko-ksk-2021
Apparently there was competition between two Seiko factories to produce the best watch, one was the Emperor Seiko, the other the King Seiko, and the Emperor won, as part of Seiko celebrating 140 years of watch production, they’re making a limited edition run of 3000.
Right, polishing.
Along with the Komanderskie up there, I also got a Dremel for Christmas. I think it, (the watch) might look better with the sides and crown end polished to match the bezel, currently it's completely brushed. Anyone ever done similar? I don't want to arse it up and I don't have a suitable old case to practice on first.
You want the Burgeon Polishing stick
On amazon here
Dremel is way too aggressive IMO, I have got out scratch marks with careful use of the above. But do watch videos on how to use, there is a definite technique and easy to arse up.
Thanks Wally, glad I asked. 👍
@kato - the Tudor camo NATOs are lovely straps though - I have one with my Ranger. I prefer them to leather as they’re just so comfy, but I wear a canvas nato from Steveostraps on it now instead.
You want the Burgeon Polishing stick
Not seen those before, Amazon list it along with a glass fibre scratch removal stick as well; would that be for use on cases with a brushed finish instead of polished?