@ the flying ox, I'll complicate this with a thought. In ~18 years when your kids may receive their gifts, will they be interested in watches and will they like a particular style? If you can't answer those, will they receive the gifted watches and forever associate it with you and cherish them? All very hard to answer, impossible I guess and unfair to ask. Are you buying the watches as an investment that they can sell if they wish? If are you confident the watches will be worth something?
I'm not trying to put your off what is a well intended idea but just to help you think through if it will work or if saving/investing the money and buying a gift at their 18th might be better.
@scapegoat thanks, thats wonderful. Thats exactly the sort of image I have in my head to leave something for Jnr.
@neilnevill no worries, it's a valid question and there's a chance they'd wish it was a car or something. Still not 100% on the idea, the alternative is more of the same - ISA, kids savings account, etc. but those seem a little soulless if I'm honest. Basically I'm looking at "plain" black Submariner/Sea Dweller so a fairly safe bet in terms of style and certainly suitable for pretty much all occasions. Hopefully to be cherished as a coming-of-age gift from mum & dad, but if not then at least worth a bit and they can sell them for space drugs or sex robots or whatever the youth is into in 10-15 years time.
Referring back to the James Bond strap, yes, I think the later Craig watches had the ‘incorrect’ version, so complicating things more than a little.
This is a nice little article I read earlier today about British watchmaking, and horological history in Britain and Europe.
I've always found the idea of buying a watch with the specific intention of handing it down a bit weird, it seems a bit like trying to force faux-sentimentality onto an object for the intended recipient.
I sort of get the thought process behind buying a watch to celebrate a birth and then handing that down if the watch is worn and becomes associated with the wearer and the recipient actually liked it but otherwise not.
In this case it seems even more contrived, buy it, stick it in the safe, wait a few years and hand it over. Not only might they not like ostentatious displays of materialism, watches in general or whichever model you decide upon in particular, they may well end up feeling uncomfortable getting rid.
You can tell them they can sell it but if they think you're emotionally invested in the whole ceremony they could easily just nod and smile and chuck it in the bedside wire drawer muttering about why didn't you just give them money instead of something you liked and they're stuck with.
I know what you mean about ISAs etc seeming soulless but you can at least allocate one ISA to something they "want" whether it's a watch or travel or whatever and then it's up to them without strings attached, perceived or actual.
If I had to buy a physical "thing" to hand over for that sort of money I'd probably just buy gold which most people would be fascinated with and can easily be cashed in without risking causing offence etc in the same way.
handing that down if the watch is worn
To me that’s important, that’s it’s synonymous with the memory of the person which is why I liked scapegoats pics so much - it’s instantly recognised as “dads watch” not just “a watch that dad owned”. It totally justifies narrowing down a collection to 1 for me.
I’m due a watch from my Dad. His brother bought it in Cairo during the Suez crisis (*). When he came back, my dad who was still a nipper & idolised his big brother in the RAF was fascinated by it.
When Mum & Dad got married, my uncle was best man and gave the watch to Dad knowing how much he liked it. It’s nothing fancy (probably some cheap bazaar knock off) but the history is the draw for me.
Dad always said it’s mine when he’s gone. He died 10 years ago but Mum still has it as it’s a memento if their wedding, which adds to the cachet.
* AFAIK He was never imprisoned and had to hide it.
The watch is very much Dad’s watch. I remember liking it when I was young and when I inherited it I wore it as my daily wearer.
I treated myself to an Aqua Terra when I retired so it’s more of a dress and special occasions watch now. Looks great with a DJ.
There’s a great story that goes with it. He was gardening one day and after lunch realised he wasn’t wearing it. He searched the house top to bottom and went out to where he’d been cutting a hedge but failed to find it. Eventually he wrote it off and claimed on the insurance.
About eighteen months later he had a new dog. She was about six months old and came back in from the garden and dropped a clump of leaves at his feet. He looked down and realised that the leaves were clumped round his watch. Thinking the watch must be toast after all that time outside he ran it under the tap to wash the shite off it and it started running.
Just upgraded the movement in my modded seiko (refinished case and dial swap) now it have hacking and handwinding so i dont have to set the time every morning.
https://flic.kr/p/2nZzBf4
@theflyingox - Adding to @neilnevill 's thoughts, another alternative would be to buy yourself two very nice watches now (wait... bear with me!) and wear them both often - perhaps a daily and a smart watch and then when they're 18 you give them 'your' watch. It will be always associated with you, be seen as a great gift as you're giving them something you obviously treasure and which they'll have seen you wear on many, many occasions.
I have a Tudor that my grandfather left me and I have a Seiko5 that my other grandfather gave me. I remember both of them wearing those watches and they're watches that I'm going to keep forever, above my other, more fancy watches.
I thought that might work. Those watches stunt have to be investments, they could be more affordable. You can do the ISA or whatever too.
buy yourself two very nice watches
That has been suggested by a guy at work, and while I certainly like the idea of having a couple of Rolex to swap between I think that it tips the balance from the "forced faux-sentimentality" of buying a gift for each of my boys way over into pure selfishness territory. Will have a think.
@Robz, nice watch. I've toyed with the world of modding and decided to leave it to the experts because I wanted my watch to be reliable; I had the bezel and crystal swapped on my SKX007J as well as having the mechanism re-calibrated and it came back significantly better than new, and way more accurate. I didn't want it to look too different from stock, so a flat sapphire and a ceramic bezel with lume just smartened (and hardened) it up a bit.
[url= https://i.ibb.co/zRNGFn9/image0.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/zRNGFn9/image0.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
@dmorts I sent mine to Paul at Tempus Watch Mods, he was superb. His Instagram is worth a look (and contains how to get in touch with him) at https://www.instagram.com/tempuswatchmods/
Looks really great! I follow Tempus on Instagram. Some very nice work for sure.
another vote for Tempus, Paul is great to deal with.
The black Seiko with red crown on his instagram is mine, i had him change the bezel and insert and cerakote the crown red.
Having since modded the other Seiko i have found its not quite as scary as it seems, just dont drop your second hand on the floor to many times...
@Mikkel - nice work on the Seiko. What movement did you use? NH35?
I was thinking of doing the same on my old 5 Sport, the hairspring is bent and although it could be fixed, I'd rather swap the movement to get hacking/handwinding
i used a NH38A.
Looks like he might have a lot of incoming business, I want to replace the the crystal on my Arnie with Sapphire.
Cheers. Would like to swap the dial & hands too, but it has this kind of stepped/recessed dial going on, not sure what the options are.
Bob, thatd the model i started with for the watch pictured above (just different case finish originally) the dial is same as usual seiko 5 but its sort of a flat chapter ring setup and not found any replacement for those.
Also worth noting that to get that out you have to pop the bezel out.
Here’s something new just popped up, that might interest those looking for a more traditional style watch that isn’t too dressy.
I saw that and was tempted by the Kickstarter but somebody pointed out the 'comic sans' font they've used for "Wristmaster" and now I can't unsee it.
Thanks for the advice a few pages back. JrT is 18 today and is loving his new watch. It's an edifice eqb1100 is active cares.
I like that ☝🏼
Good Choice (I'm Biased though).
Main thing, is Junior happy with it?
Woohoo
Got "that" email today.
"Congratulations you can now order a Titanium Helm Vanuatu!!!"
Ordered - hurry up postie. Perfectly timed for my retirement from nursing and my new job.
Woohoo
Nice watch, really good price for a titanium piece, did you go for the black or white face ?
Yeah I've waited a while! I turned down an SS as I was top of the list there too but I knew the ti was imminent so I held on. Got the email and paid yesterday so it's going to be posted soon. Probs a good 2.5-3 years on the wait list (this is the second time I didn't buy an SS as I got to the top a couple of years ago but finances weren't great then.
Ordered the black face, ti engineer as standard and a black and orange Nato.
Talking about waiting.
I am waiting for this
https://flic.kr/p/2o1Hu2t
My first ever kickstarter purchase (and probably last)
Entered the collection yesterday. Wait time, six months. Will take it to work today and test resistance to magnetic fields, he he he
Nice. One of those or an Oyster Perpetual would be my pick of the Rolex range. My taste seems to have settled on cases without big rotating bezels and I definitely don't like a Cyclops.
Yup, not clean on cyclops either. BITD I would have gone for a SeaDweller 4000 and I nearly got a Deepsea last year. However, now the absurd Challenge has come out, the Deepsea is no longer (Rolex) top dog and has lost its appeal. Next on my list is a classic Sub, but that'll be a couple of years away. I still have my Sinn 3006 coming in January or February, and I'm getting quite tempted by the Speedmaster 57, even with the red dial!
The bracelet is coming off the Milgauss immediately. I was worried even my shirt would scratch those PCLs!
3 really nice watches above!!! I’ve never really been keen on the Rolex as the minute hand feels a bit “Novelty” to me, but I have to admit it looks very nice on the wrist.
You mean the second hand on the Milgauss?
@DougD I had a Spork serviced by Brendon Haddock in Roseburn, he would do you right.
You mean the second hand on the Milgauss?
I do. Sorry I’ve had a long week already! Yes it’s personal for me but it’s not my thing.
I don't mind the second hand. On that watch it's always been part of the design, not part of some gimmicky special edition or fashionable collaboration.
Sorry I’ve had a long week already
All g! Must admit I spent a min or two staring at the minute hand thinking it wasn't that bad haha
Ah, seconds hand is a bit of fun. Milgauss is a bit much for an everyday watch. Doubtless I'll get some gaudy orange strap and pretend I'm a real scientist now. That said, my badge access hasn't been changed and I still can't get through these doors!
I'm feeling a bit jealous! Enjoy your new watch. I just can't get a sniff at a Rolex from an ad.
Nice one @gaidong, I’m not usually a Rolex fan, but that’s absolutely lovely, enjoy.
So what do we think of the new Timex Q Chronographs? I have to admit, at a similar price to a Moonswatch, I'm tempted..
Review here:
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/the-timex-q-timex-chronograph-watch-is-the-q-youve-been-waiting-for/
Nah, won’t replace the hand wound seagull Alpha Daytona homage…. 🧐
Have to say, those Timex chronographs are rather lovely! I’ve already got a chronograph, my Yema, and I almost never use the chronograph function, but those are very much a close nod to the Omega.
Looks like he might have a lot of incoming business, I want to replace the the crystal on my Arnie with Sapphire.
I’d very much like to get the Hardex crystal on my SPORK replaced with a good Sapphire crystal, it’s got several scratches across it, one fairly deep one that’s recent-ish, and I’ve no recollection of knocking it against anything that could scratch it so noticeably - I stopped wearing it to work ages ago for just that reason.
I’ve considered having the movement replaced for something hackable, and keeping the original 4R15 movement stashed away safely.
New watch day. Stunned at what £160 can buy you. Finishing and build quality are amazing for the price. I’d definitely buy another San Martin. Only really bought it to see if I could get away with wearing a sub 40mm watch too
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I've still not entirely gone off the idea of a Moonswatch, but that Timex could convince me otherwise.
Well I found the Timex on their website, I'm sure the product thumbnail said register interest, but in actuality it just took my money and it's on the way. 🤦♂️
If I'm not sold on it, I can always send it back or flip it if the stock sells out quickly.
I'm after a particular watch that is no longer in production, anyone had experience of watchuseek? I'm keeping an eye on chrono24 as well - any other good sites to check? I'm not on tz-uk and can't register and even if I did it would be ages before I could access the sales corner.
@Stevet1 yes to watchuseek and had no problems with the purchase. Was a good few years ago though.
Tz-uk not being able to register is a pita.
Well I found the Timex on their website
A small work bonus has me remaining intrigued about the Timex. I do really like a MoonWatch look, but with the Alpha chrono & Tissot Supersport in my box I can't decide whether buying a Quartz Chrono from Timex supersedes a) owning an ST19 movement for historical reference purposes and b) a Swiss watch with an ETA quartz in it already.
I'll likely never wear the Alpha as it feels like a cheap Chinese watch, and the Tissot is a big lump of a think and both are in the "for sale" category.
So er, maybe I'll wait and see how yours looks.
P.S. oh and the Quanon implication. 😀
So er, maybe I’ll wait and see how yours looks 😀
I'll bang a photo or two on when it arrives.
I worked out that the 'register interest' status was for the watch above on the webpage, which just wasn't well spaced. 🤣
Stevet1, what's the watch? It's against tz-uk rules to buy or sell on behalf of another but depending on the watch I could take the risk, biy and then sell.
I know many on here like classic style watches that aren’t necessarily a dress watch, so this might be of interest. It certainly caught my eye, although the coin-edge bezel isn’t something I’m that fond of.
https://www.fratellowatches.com/introducing-the-oris-big-crown-waldenburgerbahn-limited-edition/
@neilnevill - thanks for the offer, I'll pm you, don't want to clutter this thread up too much
Well the Timex arrived.
The bracelet is as gash as I expected, but it suits the leather band from my stash, if not the thread colour as there's no red highlights on the dial. Sub dials are a nice vintage champagne colour. No hour sub-dial for the chronograph, that's a 24 hours hand. I need to read the instructions to see if there's a way to set that independently of the main time.
It's an acrylic not mineral crystal as it says on the website, but that's OK by me, I don't have a habit of scratching them enough that a smear of Polywatch won't fix.
Think I'll keep it. And it's definitely dissuaded me of getting a Moonswatch. Not getting a plastic one that's more expensive than this! Apart from the lug shape this has a look of a Speedy I think.
Oh cack! A bit of (a lot of) a grail of mine had come up! I need to do a fire sale to raise the funds though, as well as raiding the piggy bank and kids college funds!
Shout if interested in a smiths Everest, Seiko spb081j1/sbdc059, or seiko snr035!
I’ve a friend who’s desparate for a Smiths Everest. Can you send me a PM and I’ll reply
Too slow. Not surprised, a zenith chronomaster very much priced to sell was not going to linger [slinks off kicking himself....]
@neilnevill probably something wrong with it if the price was almost too good, at least that's what you can tell yourself 🙂
Got offered a great price on a Breitling Superocean UK edition similar to one that I was close to buying a few months ago.
The UK edition comes with a black dial with navy blue bezel
It came on a bracelet but I popped it on a rubber band for now.
[url= https://i.ibb.co/JrBLrWX/5-CE081-FF-9-D23-4808-9983-F21839-A521-D2.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/JrBLrWX/5-CE081-FF-9-D23-4808-9983-F21839-A521-D2.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Enjoying it very much. Wears smaller than a 44mm I think.
Pfff! It wasn't on a bracelet.... I'm SOOO over it! [ Shuffles off sobbing]
Article I read yesterday about the rise of microbrands, and some insights into how they’re working.
https://www.esquire.com/uk/watches/a42163202/the-rise-of-watch-microbrands/
zenith chronomaster very much priced to sell
Mmm nice, was very much looking at these myself before deciding that a Fortis was more in my price range. Which version was it? The one with thw 1/10th second hand chrono sweep?
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39mm Christopher Ward C63 in Lucerne Blue showed up this morning. Not sure whether to keep it. I like the colour just not sure when and where I’d wear it. Getting bored of black or white dials though
Sorry if this has been discussed before, but…
As someone who really doesn’t give a toss about watches I keep seeing adverts on my social media for Seiko mods on Etsy, specifically this one
And it’s grown on me. Now certain personal events have made me want to get something special as a memory, this would be nice… How does it rate?
It’s likely worth the sum of its parts - historically reliable movement, sapphire crystal usually a Seiko cost cutting option, 316. The bracelet quality is an unknown but of course you can change that, and the cyclops is a matter of taste.
It’s not a marine master, it’s not a Rolex it’s a decent smart looking non original watch if you like it which will serve you well. It’ll have no historic basis or future rise in value if that’s what your after.
You can find better respected micro brand options for cheaper, but would need to know your onions / buy for you and not your audience to find the “right” one.
F it. You only live once. I realised the zenith didn't get snapped up by a cash offer so I raided the savings account and have agreed to but it. Won't collect for another 10 days though.
Kato that’s a nice smart casual / office watch. It keep that over the San Martin, although I’m kind of in the market for a non bezel watch and have been on the CW site recently myself.
this would be nice… How does it rate?
It does look nice but that's because it's a fairly generic sub-a-like and few would say Rolex had come up with a munter when they came up with the Submariner. It's hard to say whether it's good value without a really close look at the standard of finishing but IMO it's a stretch to say it's special. Of course special is in the eyes of the beholder and if it speaks to you then that's really all that matters in the end.
If you want something with a bit more originality the as Kryton says a microbrand may be a good shout but if you really don't give a toss about watches then that's probably more of a faff than you can be arsed with.
If you particularly like the look of the one you posted and that's what you're after then consider one of these - same movement but it'll be really well made and finished by one of the best regarded Chinese brands and will save you a few bob.
Sorry if this has been discussed before, but…
As someone who really doesn’t give a toss about watches I keep seeing adverts on my social media for Seiko mods on Etsy, specifically this one
And it’s grown on me. Now certain personal events have made me want to get something special as a memory, this would be nice… How does it rate?
The only part of that watch which is made by Seiko is the movement, and even that's not certain as the NH35 is now being faked.
For the same money I'd be looking at genuine Seiko's from a reputable dealer such as Creation Watches.
The only part of that watch which is made by Seiko is the movement
I've just had another look at the face of the watch in question, I obviously wasn't paying enough attention before. As Fudd says, it's not a Seiko and printing Seiko on the dial is very questionable. It's not a Marinemaster, though they could split hairs and say it's a Marine Master since they've inserted a space but it's still well dodgy. You'd be unwise to believe the 300m depth rating but then that's probably more to make the text block ape the real Marinemaster more closely than anything else. Finally the seller does claim elsewhere that the movement is an NH35 which is plausible, though in keeping with the rest of the Marinemaster bullshit the small text at the bottom of the dial looks like it's claiming the movement is a 8L35 which is highly unlikely since that probably costs more than the entire watch.
I'd give it a wide berth and if you're keen on the look pick up whatever Subby clone suits your budget.
@Houns - check out Heimdallr watches. Theirs aren’t fake attempts to look like a Rolex, although some do have the Rolex ‘Mercedes’ hand-set, Citizen and plenty of others do that, but that’s well overpriced anyway.
If you want something a bit more special, you could do worse than one of these:
A relatively unknown brand, designed by someone who is a saturation diver, who wanted a good reliable watch for his employees. You’re going to pay a bit less for something that isn’t a knock-off, and has real professional credentials. As soon as I can scrape together £250 or thereabouts, I’m after the all-black PVD coated version with orange hands.
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/actually-affordable-helium-escape-valve-watches/
Nice looking watches those Scurfa, but very little stock…..couldn’t see any stock for the dice watch.
That is a good ahout
Agreed that Scurfa would make a great alternative.
Another question, does anyone known if buying from chrono24 is easy, reliable and fuss free?
Just had advert for Aera watches on facebook and now fancy their P-1 badly
Ok watch fondlers, here's a man on twitter who needs help finding a very particular Seiko 5
https://twitter.com/alomshaha/status/1601506641035526146?t=F4-bitbFHKTIjWEmeorIPA&s=19