Bit of advice needed. I know nothing about watches. I have a 25 year old Tag I never wear, a collection of increasingly broken/dog chewed G Shocks, some massive Watch/compass thing I've lost the instructions to and an Ti Animal. So you know not a connoisseur 🙂 Mostly wear my Fenix 6 but would like a 'normal watch'
I keep coming back to one of these:
https://www.panzera.shop/time-master-42-s/
Obviously you get 40% off your first order so it ends up being about £300. I'm wondering if there's anything else I should be looking at with a similar stye. Don't like 'fussy' watches, don't like divers much. There's a couple of the Torgeon pilot watches I do quite like but their Planet X type pricing puts me off!
Any recommendations for something else would be great. Or 'if you like that' buy it works for me as well 🙂
Have a look at Baltany watches. Really good value. I've just bought their 42mm military manual winder and it's fab. £165. Sapphire crystal, 50m water resist.
Thanks Derek. Not really floating my boat. Defo need sapphire crystal tho as I'm a clumsy so and so!
. Don’t know much about the insides of these, but something a watchmaker could fix or the domain of sending it Rolex
I would go to an independent before Rolex, mine has been repaired once, and also serviced once, by Alsal on the Strand.
This person is supposed to be good
https://www.webwatchmaker.co.uk/prices
As are Swiss Time Services.
Agreed - you want to keep a watch like that as original as possible and I've heard Rolex like to replace period parts. I'd resist getting it polished too, tbh.
A few here. https://www.watchgecko.com/collections/automatic-watches?sort=price-ascending
They also have some nearly new deals at the moment.
Cheers Kilo & Bob I'll check them out
As mentioned before on this thread, i get mine serviced HERE
Very recently got my Omega and vintage Rolex serviced. Very good service and reasonably priced.
@kato, I suspect someone tried to change the date when the time was within a few hours of midnight (some movements 'close' is just a few hours, others 'close' is about 10pm to 6am) that should never be done, it will have snapped part of the date mechanism. a full service will clean it, replace the broken part, replace any worn parts like the main spring. I wouldn't argue against a good indy and many will be fine with rolex movements but don't worry about rolex replacing dials or polishing cases, they won't if you tell them not to. So if going to the strand, I'd also pop into rolex St James service centre and ask for a quote for a service. they will give you a ball park but won't give a final price until they've popped it apart and diagnosed. they will not proceed with work without authorisation though, so you don't get in deep if you don't want to.
Saw another Rolex at a pawn shop (blue colour face) selling 2nd had for £42K ++ and I think it is 31mm size I think. I suspect there will be many more in the pawn shop soon.
@alex - if you like Pilot style watches why not go for one of the original big German five - Laco - https://www.laco.de/en/watches/pilot-watches-basic - the 'basics' have a fairly, erm, basic Miyota movement (there is a rather nice quartz too, the Zurich) but thats par for the course at those prices. The finishing on the cases is superb, same as the more spendier/posher versions. You can pick the case size to fit you 39/42mm etc. and free engraving if you order through the. I've got the blue faced one as a everyday watch and I'm really impressed.
Soo tempted with one of these faux antique if I had a bit of spare cash...
Or, of course, Hamilton are swiss movements and have a good range, though possibly bit more than £300...
Anyone know how I set my Casioak to GMT?
If I mode through to London it goes to BST - The BT version dosnt seem like such a daft idea at the moment!
Thanks both - will have a look at those tomorrow.
Fancy a cheap beater but having an internal debate about whether a Chinese homage at £300 is actually a cheap beater
You could do worse than one of the Heimdallr watches - I’ve got two, an SKX007 MM300 homage, and a sandblast steel Tuna homage, which has had a MM300 face and hands swap carried out after I buggered up the original movement changing the date at the wrong time. The Tuna is my everyday work watch, currently on an orange Geckota NATO with black fittings, and I’m very happy with it. It’s got a Seiko automatic movement, a 6r35, IIRC, which might need a slight adjustment, but honestly, with a hackable movement, it’s a thirty second job to reset it once a week or so.
My two Heimdallr’s when I first got them.
The Tuna with its new face and hands
And the Tuna with a fully lumed ceramic bezel, but obviously not with the current orange NATO fitted - that one’s a seatbelt NATO to match the face.
@Alex you may want to read this 😀
So, the Great Cull. I'm finding this very hard but have narrowed so my move to 6 watches (I know, I said 5) as follows:
Everything on the right I'm keeping - Aquaracer (Wedding Gift), Chris Ward (50th), Arnie, champagne Hamilton for dress, and the Gecko. The space is for an incoming and perhaps slightly controversial GMT that was on flash sale yesterday, more on that when it arrives. If it goes back, the Gecko GMT will move across.
I'm finding it very hard to have to sell the Samuari, and the Citizen AT has been good to me. Weirdly selling these off feels like I've "failed" somehow.
if you like Pilot style watches why not go for one of the original big German five – Laco
I recently bought a Laco, there was a psa on them from @neilnevill, can’t recommend the Laco enough, I only got one of the “basic” pilots b dial, but it’s a lovely piece
Page 136
My OH has decided she wants my seamaster! Although at the moment it's, ' if you see something else you want them I'll have it.'. 😳
@Kato I bought a San Martin Tudor BB58 clone a month ago, for a bunch of reasons including test riding whether I actually wanted to shell out for a BB58.
I ordered it via amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?rh=n%3A328228011%2Cp_4%3ASan+Martin&ref=bl_sl_s_wa_web_328228011
Arrived 9 days later. I'm super pleased with it. Beautifully finished and running at +2 seconds a day. Supplied with a very solid steel bracelet (heavier than Rolex/Tudor equivalent) and a Nato strap. I put it on a fave Nato I had, and if you get over the Swiss brand thing (I have a few which maybe helps, maybe doesn't) it is a winner. I might just buy a blue one, or another San Martin and put in a draw for a rainy day.
HTH C.
Some nice looking Zelos watches "launching" soon at $300. Usually a bit of a price hike when the initial batch has depleted. Very tempting (and I'd deffo hit one if I wasn't getting a Ti Helm Vanuatu!!!)
Thanks for all the recommendations/links. Still pondering.
So where do you all sell your watches ?
I know I’ve moved one on here at STW through this thread, but considering moving on my Seiko Turtle (Black) Prospex - SRPC49K1 - Limited Edition. No point creating an ad here on STW for a watch, as it’ll just sit there in the chasm that is STW classifieds.
Here or on tz-uk. eBay and chrono24 are alternatives, the authentication service on eBay seems to make that a reasonable option.
Been fairly uninspired by watches recently but saw a couple of the new Seiko 5's in flesh this week that may get my credit card twitching.
Good luck with tz-uk. I’ve tried signing up there for months but just get a message stating they’re not accepting new members
I like the flieger style one @lunge. Was looking at the black one on the Milanese
So where do you all sell your watches ?
Unless anyone here wants one of the 6 I’m getting rid of, they will go on eBay when it next has a sale on its fees.
I am however tempted to try the Tissot and the Samuarai on chrono24
Good luck with tz-uk. I’ve tried signing up there for months but just get a message stating they’re not accepting new members
Ho hum, tried to register at to-uk earlier “ Sorry, due to the high number of bogus registration attempts registration has been temporarily disabled by the administrator.”
Think when I first got into watches, I registered on watchuseek, not to-uk.
@lunge Nice seiko5’s there, like the first pilot style one great colour combo, esp like the strap.
@neilnevill, I may have read your comment incorrectly but in my experience with Rolex Service Centres, there are services that are optional, like a polish or replacement scratched bezel insert, and there are those that are compulsory, in my case replacing a crown tube. Of course, they couldn't force me to replace the crown tube but without me accepting, they wouldn't service the watch - which they then guarantee for two years. I wanted the guarantee to make it sell easier (it did) so accepted. If there is a scratched dial, or anything that may create debris in the movement (like dial particles can) or affect sealing, they will insist on replacing those parts. If you want to keep them, get a non-RSC service.
Maybe I read you wrong, just my $0.02.
That's my understanding to, if it affects function they insist or won't touch the watch, agreed. You don't have to get a polish, you don't have to get service hands or dials or bezel inserts if there change ones are patinad/aged, but a damaged dial eg through water ingress, they would insist on replacement.
Tz-uk, if you aren't a member then you'll not get to sales corner to post (sell) for 6 months anyway. If you want to join I'd try a message to Eddie direct.
Just read an interesting article by Fratello Watches about micro-brands, and it mentions the sort of business practices that are becoming increasingly common among the major brands, as has been talked about here.
Looking at those Seiko 5s I think one of my pet hates in field watches is the unnecessary inclusion of a 24hr scale.
Just read an interesting article
I enjoyed that, and for me its very timely. Using my cull to think about why I'm interested in watches, I'll admit there is a part of me that wants a Big Brand piece, but there's a tight fisted part of me that refuses to lay out £5k easily. So I think my £5k piece is the grail watch, and I don't what it is yet so I need to remain patient.
It reminded me in the interim I'm interested in the education of horology, historic time pieces and mechanics that I've learned through this thread. I'm keeping a Vajoux Chrono, a film industry/ of its time recognised Solar, a genuine compressor, a micro brand, A powermatic 80 based field/dress watch and one other TBC. And in fact, I take a little pleasure in having to explain why they are significant, rather than have someone go "oh look a Rolex!" To that end, a "pagani homage" doesn't do it for me either.
To emphasise this point, a few weeks ago a guy rocked up I the office with a Hamilton Murph, with no idea why it's significant - he didn't even read the literature and didn't know about the morse code. I took great pleasure in the reveal.
Its easy to ooh and ah about the offers I get in my inbox. After the mystery watch arrives this week I reckon the next purchase is a moon phase complication, but I've no rush and I think I'll start with a logon on chrono24 and not defer to the junk mail.
Well that arrived faster than I thought!
So here we go then, the controversial watch, or not? I've never owned an SKX and of course the prices these days are astronomical, but I did fall for the Seiko Diver indices when I bought my Arnie.
Then, this got release as too expensive and under specced. I watch several video reviews, and kept an eye out for any offers - of which there was a flash Sale on Saturday! And of course, who doesn't want an Orange Diver? Here we go then for my modern SKX interpretation, and a bargain mechanical GMT to replace the over complicated Citizen AT as part-time office & travel watch:
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Ta Da!
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52486166714_e412acd79f.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52486166714_e412acd79f.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nY2jLS ]IMG_3418[/url]
Insane Lume...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52485907516_fdc72642f3.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52485907516_fdc72642f3.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nXZZHW ]Unknown[/url]
...an bi-colour hardlex bezel. Looks bigger here but its 42.5 and actually wears much more like a 41 IMO.
I'd welcome your thoughts, and could have waited for a micro GMT with the 4R34, but I got this at almost half price. Not sure if it’s staying yet though, stickers still in place.
Surely the answer to the 5K question is a Grand Seiko? That must narrow it down a bit 😉
An orange Seiko diver is an iconic and appealing thing. Glad your got a deal though.
Slightly biased, but an orange seiko is an underrated classic IMVHO.
@kryton57 and on a deal too. Nice work.
Thanks. Yeah, I wouldnt have paid £400 for it... probably.
Its such an intriguing thing to look at, they've slight bevelled/top-hat the crystal, the dial has a slight sunburst, the bezel and edge glitters, the jubilee is single links so doesn't jangle as much as an SKX and the bracelet is slightly dulled like gunmetal, the friction bezel - something I was nervous of - is pretty stiff and can't be accidentally moved, and the sometimes visible two tone bezel is a talking point.
But its it really the "SKX of 2022"? I think for me it is, its easily worn as a desk mule, would look great on black rubber for holiday, and somehow manages to look a bit upmarket also include some recently missing Seiko cache!
Either deliberately or accidentally Seiko seemed to have hit a mark with this one, perhaps bringing something more than a homage to their own models for a change.
I like the 5 GMT's (I'm a Seiko skx beater wearer) but personally I'm not keen on the orange - I prefer the 'batman' blue/black version.
I've been reading this thread for the past year or so but in all honesty have never had any funds to splurge on anything 'nice'.
Until today I've only ever owned one watch at a time. Currently a Garmin Instinct which I really like for work and running/biking. It never leaves the wrist but is just too bulky and not very smart for the very odd occasion when I need to wear a shirt.
I changed roles at work a few months ago after 12 years on a great team and the daft buggers had a bit of a collection for me. Being a boring sod they bunged a decent amount of cash in an envelope and told me to get something nice. I've resisted blowing it on bike bits and have been on the lookout for a slightly dressier watch. I didn't fancy a new 'homage' watch and have been keeping an eye on eBay. Over the weekend I spotted this rather nice Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic which took my fancy.
It arrived today and I'm absolutely delighted with it. The photos don't do it justice. It may not be up there with some of the fine watches others have posted and it needs a new startup but for a decent but not huge amount of cash I'm just so made up and every time I wear it I'll remember the best team I've ever worked with.
@Bregante - nice watch, it's inspired me to post some pictures of my grandads watch that was bought by his workmates.
To anyone who knows the Ramsbottom area - Fletcher Bank is the original name for Marshall's quarry in Shuttleworth/ Peel Brow where Tommy Wynne aka 'Pop' worked. The watch was a long service award.
The marks on the back are from Pop - he was a proper tinkerer and would have no doubt prised the back off and had a mess about with it. When he died I asked for his equally as old Raleigh Superbe bike and this watch. My wife bought the strap from a jewellers in Edinburgh and I wore it when we were married 17years ago. I had it serviced but asked them to leave the water damage on the face, it still keeps time fairly well although I only wear it on special occasions.
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[url= https://imgbb.com/ ]download upload host[/url]
That is a lovely thing and a lovely story too! Cracking!
@Bregante that looks lovely, I really like the detail on the dial and the swoopy lug-case-lug from the view you've posted. I looked at on the website and the polished side really make it look much more expensive than it is - very nice! An an 80hr power reserve on a technical at that price too.
Cool story RNP, love that.
Love the jazzmaster, looks perfect for a smart dress watch without being over the top.
Nice watch and story @RustyNissanPrairie
@Bregante that Hamilton Jazzmaster is one lovely smart looking timepiece.
I like that Bregante. Smart, clean lines and I do like white dial.
Whilst browsing on-line dealers, I came across this image:
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Where is the SWISS MADE on this example? Odd.
Jazzmaster?
(c'mon, someone had to).
Quick google suggests they Quartz version, which likely accounts for the lack of Swiss Made branding.
I prefer the ‘batman’ blue/black version.
Its referred to as the Blueberry don't you know... 😀
My recent obsession with watches has led me down the path of Seiko modding.
So picked this SKX007J up from eBay this week. It’s in immaculate condition and just been serviced. The jubilee band it came on was cheap and horrible though so I swapped it out for a Bond NATO.
I’m pretty chuffed with it.
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Quite liked this, dirt cheap (£60) and the strap is surprisingly nice.
Any interest in pocket watches?
That's nice. It'd look good on a leather strap too. Maybe a dark red or dark blue racer style one.
This new Elliot Brown with a very unusual timing complication might be of interest to a few on here…
https://www.t3.com/news/the-new-elliot-brown-beachmaster-has-a-very-unusual-timing-complication
So picked this SKX007J up from eBay this week.
Nice Seiko. Original metal strap is nice with that model.
Quite liked this, dirt cheap (£60) and the strap is surprisingly nice.
I like that combination especially strap.
Thats is interesting @countzero. On a similar theme, Christopher Wards new Acoustic watch:
https://www.christopherward.com/loupe-magazine/article?cid=c1-bel-canto-the-chime-is-now
Thanks for the comments on the jazzmaster. I'm still really pleased with it. I've binned of the cheap silicone strap it was on in favour of a (equally cheap) dark brown leather number just to see which suits it best.
I know that the subject of straps pops up regularly here, this article by Fratello Watches might give some ideas.
https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-meet-watchstrapheaven/
@Robz - being slightly pedantic here, but that ‘James Bond’ NATO isn’t a real ‘James Bond’ colour. In an example of mis-identifying, because of poor quality video, people assumed it was black with grey stripes. It was only when the first Bond film was re-mastered, and James Bond watch obsessives looked closely, it was noticed that the strap was actually dark blue with olive green stripes, and thin red borders to the green stripes. It’s the strap on one of my Heimdallr watches I posted a page or so back. It’s also not like a modern NATO, it doesn’t have the separate safety strap, or the steel keepers, the keepers are nylon like the strap. In fact, the Rolex that Connery is wearing was Cubby Broccoli’s personal watch, and the strap was actually a bit too narrow for the watch!
but that ‘James Bond’ NATO isn’t a real ‘James Bond’ colour.
Continuing on the pedant theme, it is "Bond" per se though, isn't it? IIRC the black/ grey is the Craig Omega colour, but the original Connery is the red/black/grey or khaki regimental on Rolex colours.
I may be wrong and am happy to be corrected...?
I believe you are correct kryton.
🤷♂️
The other/original Bond colour looks good too
Well Torgeon Planet-X pricing finally dragged me in. At 40% off it just came into the budget
I spent ages deciding if I wanted in black or blue and 44 or 41mm. Since my Fenix is 47 and pretty chunky and I have old eyes, I went 44mm.
Been dithering for ages, so hopefully I'll enjoy it when it turns up!
Can anyone recommend someone to do some work with a couple of Seikos? Both need regulating and I swapped the bezel on the SKX007 but can't refit it!
Ideally local to Edinburgh or someone I can post them to
I recently posted a picture of a Casio digital watch from 1980. I have a three watch policy. The two keepers are a Rolex Oysterdate and a G-Shock 5610 and the 1980 Casio was the current rotation watch.
Below is my Oysterdate and I found the receipt at the weekend, time travel would be a nice thing when it comes to Rolex's. It is a 1962 watch so 60 years this year, I have had it for more than half of its life now.
The bracelet is a replacement from Raffles Dials as the original rivet bracelet is starting to stretch so I have put that away in a box. I can see a point in the future when the bracelet will be worth more than the watch. The raffles bracelet is amazing quality and actually makes the watch look better than it did as it is more chunky now so it brings this 34mm watch up to date. I am so glad they make these as Oysterdates never look right on a strap.
A "Raffles" strap on a watch purchased in Carlisle, hmm... 🤣
Beautiful watch and strap: a real bobby dazzler.
I forgot about the raffles estate link
Love the Oysterdate, and I think it looks a bit more than 34mm on the wrist.
I'd be happy to give you £280 for it, go on, you'd be quids in. Especially since I'm willing to overlook depreciation...
BTW, I remember your Casio, was it NOS? Because I've got one I've had from about 1980 and it's definitely not looking as pristine as that one!
I will have a think about the £280 offer. On one hand it has appreciated nicely but I remember I could have had an Explorer for £300 so I try not to look at vintage explorer prices now. It was a present from my Grandad, I preferred the look at the Explorer but I felt guilty enough accepting such a gift so went for the cheaper one 🙂
The casio is used, it has a bit of damage on the bracelet from a hamfisted repair but otherwise looks really nice.
Oh wow! To both the watch and the way prices have changed.
I didn't win the Hamilton x-01 that was on eBay, it went for £730! Which is about double what I've seen them go for in the past....
One in the US, not a nice, went for over $1k the next day.....
LOL at the oysterdate - think I bought my sub about 5 years later and even then it was a chunk more than 280, though in those days I just walked into the AD, tried it on (twice - tried it on my wrist then "tried it on" by asking for a discount for cash - which they gave!) then walked out. Doubt that's a common experience now.
Liking the Oysterdate. 34mm is my sweet spot I think - I've got a 1007 from '63, also on a raffles bracelet for the same reason. Looks briefly tiny after wearing a 42mm chrono for a while but I prefer the size.
Anyone interested in a YEMA Superman French Air Force Black 38mm, quartz movement?
We bought this in November 2021 as a gift for my father in law, but it wasn't to his taste and we never got round to sending it back. It's been partly 'destickered' to let him try it on, then put back in the soft case. Comes with the accompanying booklet, and guarantee card which is dated 3/11/2021, so has approximately 1 year left on the manufacturer's warranty. Looking for £200 posted in the UK, and happy to provide more images if anyone's interested. I did consider keeping it myself, but I have fairly chunky wrists, and something this size tends to look a little 'lost' on me.
Oh wow! To both the watch and the way prices have changed.
I inherited my Dad's Omega Constellation Chronometer- gold plated on a beads of rice bracelet. Its serial number says it's a 1967, and I remember he bought it when his Mum died in 1970. I've got the original box, certificates and receipt. He paid £72.00 for it.
Thats amazing @scapegoat! Would you be able to post a picture at all? I'd love to see that.
@kryton57 Sure, just fighting my way through the process of uploading photos.
Looks like I was fibbing. The receipt actually shows he only paid £70 for it.
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Very slightly off-topic, maybe:
What's the general consensus on automatic watches being stowed away for a few years? I'm contemplating purchasing a birth-year watch for FlyingOxJrs #1 and #2 but if I do the plan would be to stash them in a safe until their 18th birthdays, both of which are a long way away yet. Is that likely to do any harm to the movement? Would I be looking at a megabucks service to get them back in working order? Would I be better off getting a watch winder for each one?
Can anyone recommend someone to do some work with a couple of Seikos? Both need regulating and I swapped the bezel on the SKX007 but can’t refit it!
Ideally local to Edinburgh or someone I can post them to
I'd give Calibre a call and see if they can assist. Based in Dundee but they post you out a box for you to send the watch back in which includes all the necessary insurance. https://calibrewatchrepair.com/
They've been mentioned a few times in this thread I think, and I got my Tag serviced with them earlier this year and they were great.
@Dmorts second @DougD suggestion. Got my Omega SMP300 and Rolex Speedking back a few weeks ago from Calibre. Service for the Omega, refurb for the Speedking. Top service
@TheFlyingOx ive read choose your poison. Use a watch winder and 'wear out' the movement requiring a service, or store and the movement lubricant 'hardens' requiring a service. Catch 22.
FWIW i go down the 'store it, not use it route' (i dont have a watch winder)
FYI My recent services were £450 (Submariner), £160 (SMP300 Quartz) and £240 (Speedking refurb).