MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Love it Blazin. Tried one on a while back in the factory sailcloth type strap which looked good to me. I'm not a fan of strap accents - let the dial/GMT do the talking!
I think black sail cloth with yellow stitching would suit well. Definitely wants a strap of assume kind with that bezel or it seems 'too metal '
Ah a BB Pro. Lovely
I've no regrets selling my GMT as it was a chunky monkey but I do like the dial and handset on these much better. Was pretty much decided on a Ranger for my next watch but I might have to have a closer look at these now
A little splash of colour for the summer just arrived in the post. A dinky 40.5mm says 90s and in lovely nick on the original brushed/polished stainless bracelet.
@midlife 👍
I have a Tissot SeaStar that I’m generally very happy with. But I’ve always liked the Pepsi look. Does anyone know if getting a customised two colour replacement bezel is a ‘thing’? Any recommendations about where to source such a thing. And any idea of the ball-park cost?
https://imgur.com/gallery/Xen4nEU
Has anyone experience with Ochs und Junior watches, quite tempted by a moon phase.
Longtime lurker, infrequent poster on here... 😉
OK, so I've just sold my house in Todmorden and before the cash gets put into something sensible, like savings or kitchens (don't worry, there's at least one bike on the shopping list...) I was wondering about a new watch while I have the daydreaming space...
I have several nice (but not mega expensive) watches: a Stowa Verus, Archimede Pilot 39, an old Seiko diver, couple of Seiko 5s, a Singletrack Elliot Brown, a Mondaine and a '60s Tudor dress watch that was my grandad's.
Requirements - not massive or mega heavy. I have tiny wrists and 40mm is about as big as I go. Something legible, with good lume. I appear to like Pilot style watches, though I've had a couple of Steinhart Submariner styles. It'll get used as a daily wearer, though probably not taken mountain biking...
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I think I've missed the boat on getting an IWC MK XVIII or Tag Monaco as a posh watch, as they seem to be silly money.</span>
Some on my list:
Steinhart Ocean 39 GMT , Archimede Pilot 200 Tudor Ranger Sinn 856...
Suggestions, and I know that this is asking for trouble, welcome! 🙂
Traska or Damasko?
The 39mm tudor pelagos is easily available now, excellent serious tool watch
Just coming up on a month since I set the SPORK, and it’s currently 42 seconds fast; I think I can live with that… 😉
@Fudd - thinking about Tunas, tbh, a MarineMaster 300 is probably my preferred choice, I’m not bothered about the shroud, but I really like the handset on the MM300, I’ve never really liked the arrowhead handset on most of the Seiko sports watches. I’ve got my eye on one at the moment - it’d make quite a nice birthday present for me…
Requirements – not massive or mega heavy. I have tiny wrists and 40mm is about as big as I go. Something legible, with good lume. I appear to like Pilot style watches, though I’ve had a couple of Steinhart Submariner styles. It’ll get used as a daily wearer, though probably not taken mountain biking…
<span style=”font-size: 0.8rem;”>I think I’ve missed the boat on getting an IWC MK XVIII or Tag Monaco as a posh watch, as they seem to be silly money.</span>
Some on my list:
Steinhart Ocean 39 GMT , Archimede Pilot 200 Tudor Ranger Sinn 856…Suggestions, and I know that this is asking for trouble, welcome! 🙂
😀 even Chipps can't get the formatting on this forum to work properly! 😉
Obviously I can only suggest things I've actually looked at or worn, but those are some quite different watches.
Personally of those the Sinn speaks to me most, as it's a classic Sinn design that could feasibly be both daily 'go anywhere/ do anything' and slightly more formal shirt/ collar type watch. Sinn's build quality and customer service are both excellent; it has 200mm WR and so on. I have a U50 SDR (black bezel) that's Tegimented and after a year of daily wear it's absolutely unmarked. The big challenge is not being able to try it on because they're online only!
I've never really felt inspired by the Tudor Ranger, but I'm sure you've checked out things like the Hamilton Khaki which are somewhat similar in the field watch kinda space. Tudor definitely has the brand cachet, and a decent enough movement too, with enough power reserve to take it off Friday and put it back on Monday morning.
The Steinhart looks like it's a bit chunkier - specs say 13mm, compared to the 11mm of the Sinn, which doesn't sound like much but will probably feel different on the wrist.
Oris ProPilot X Calibre in Ti ?
https://www.oris.ch/en-GB/watch/big-crown-propilot-x-calibre-115/01-115-7759-7153-set5-22-04tlc
I'm looking for a similar field/tool watch. A couple that are on my short list are
Oris Propilot date (day and date is a bit bigger)
Fortis F39 or F41 (size in mm) - available in nice colour highlights or plain.
Almost as long time a lurker as Chipps and definitely less frequent poster here!
Out of your current list, I’d be very tempted by the Sinn. It’s an absolute classic.
As a bit of a Tudor fanboy, I’d recommend trying on the Ranger. We have the same wrist size and a similar taste in watches. I found it pretty uninspiring in the flesh and to me it just didn’t sit quite right. You’d be better off with a Timefactors Everest, if you could actually buy one! The 39mm Pelegos and new BB54 are lovely though. In fact, had the 54 been available when I got my 58, I’d have struggled to choose between them.
I really like what Fortis are doing, the F39 is a lovely modern take on the pilot / field watch.
Don't see many about which is unfortunate for someone that likes to purchase second hand 🙁
I have a lot of love for the Tudor Ranger, keep looking at other things but keep going back to it. Might have to buy one....
Now is probably the time, this is probably the lowest Tudor prices will be going forward I can only see them going up by a few hundred per model every year...
In other words do it!
'You’d be better off with a Timefactors Everest, if you could actually buy one!' - Got one already, thanks 🙂
Chipps, your best bet is to join TZ-UK forums and wait, post a bit and and look at classifieds. Everything and anything pops up, often left field stuff, for example two Muhle Glashutte SARs have recently appeared. Get something you cannot get in your local shopping mall.
I've been following this thread since the start and haven't seen a single mention
of Raymond Weil watches.
Is there no love for a brand that offers such value as a quartz chronograph for £1300?
Pah!
This turned up on Flipboard earlier today, and I instantly thought of Chipps. Classic make going back decades, and not a daft price either: https://uncrate.com/timex-expedition-north-titanium/
Just checked my SPORK and after a month of wearing it after setting it it’s 41 seconds fast, which impresses the heck out of me. When I first bought it, it was gaining over a minute a week, so I gave it to my mate to tweak, because as a goldsmith he’s always getting watches in for adjustment to or fixing bracelets, or fit batteries, but it ended up slow by the same, if not more. He suggested I get a caseback tool and do it myself, which is where I discovered just how little margin for error there is when adjusting Seikos!
That was ten years or so ago, and I’ve not really worn it much over the years because I was reluctant to wear it to work, and risk damaging it. Now I’m no longer working, I’m wearing it all the time, and that consistency seems to be showing in its timekeeping. 😎
@chipps currently on tz-uk sales Corner.
Time factors orange Caribbean £400
Sinn 356 Sa Pilot II Copper Dial £1600
Various belstaff jackets, stone island shirts, a holiday in the lakes, a couple of cars....
Hamilton Broadway chrono £875
A Willand from 1972
Sinn 158 Bicompax/Bundeswehr £1550
A fifty fathoms at over £10k
It's quite a mix. Send me a pm if you like the sound of any of the watches. Theoretically I can't buy for a non member, but..
Turns out I have an old Timefactors login, but I guess I've not posted enough to be able to see the Classifieds (that's how I thought it worked, anyway...) Thanks for the tipoffs, @neilnevill ! Is the Caribbean the PRS-55? (The one that originally sold for £385?)
I forgot to mention on my want/not want list - I'm not a fan of stopwatches and sub dials, tourbillons and skeleton movements. I guess I have a pretty straight-laced view of watches, eh? 😉
Too slow, the Smith's Caribbean is now marked as 'SOLD'
It was...
Smiths Caribbean 1000 Orange - Full Set
For sale is my Smiths Caribbean 1000 in orange. It’s from September 2021 so has four months of warranty remaining.
Full set including unused orange tropic rubber. It’s in amazing condition with no marks I can see anywhere apart from the lightest of swirls on the clasp. I’ll stick my neck out and say you’ll struggle to find a better one.
I’d like £400 please which includes RMSD.
Thanks.
Patel philippe calatrava....gshocks....free tele.... its all there. Oddly, no tricker boots currently.
Ha! Thanks for the 'Here's what you could have won' post 😉
I did notice that the Smiths/Timefactors watches mostly seem to have Miyota movements, which to me sound like the cheapest things when they self-wind. You move your wrist and there's a cheap and fizzy spinning noise. Seems at odds with the nice watches they come in.
Hahaha! Yes sorry about that! They do have miyota inside yes. I agree it's a cheap movement. It's generally better than a cheap seiko though, but yes it's not a sellita or eta and at £400+ I'd like to see those movements.
Anyone know how you can purchase the Time Factors watches without going via an eBay schalper?
I’d like to try and get hold of the Commando but don’t know what the process is.
I know I have very little chance, but would like to try.
Register on the shop site and enter all your details. Look out for when the ship msgop next opens. Be ready and very quick.
I’d like to try and get hold of the Commando but don’t know what the process is.
I know I have very little chance, but would like to try.
I bought one a couple of weeks ago. As said, sign up to the newsletter and be hovering on the website when it opens!
Usually only 1 or 2 models go on sale at a time so it's just a question of waiting for the one you're after, I believe the Commando will be on sale again later this year.
I believe its important to ensure your payment details are all entered and ready on your account so the check out process is just a few clicks, or else you are likely to be too slow and miss out.
Thanks for the info everyone regarding Timefactors. I was sat there refreshing the screen every few minutes and bang on 2pm I’ve ordered a Commander.
https://www.timefactors.com/collections/homepage/products/smiths-commander-prs-60
I was going to order the Commando as this is more the style that I haven’t got in my collection. It’s almost perfect apart from the writing Commando on the dial. As a former soldier who wasn’t a Commando and is best mates with one who was….I’d just get the proverbial ripped out of me! So the Commander it is.
https://www.timefactors.com/collections/smiths/products/smiths-commando-prs-47
The Store closed minutes after being open. I wanted to buy a second watch but thought I’d just progress the first order while i was mulling over what Speedbird I wanted….so will have to wait for the next store opening date.
Regarding the Commander I did buy, it’s very similar to my BB58, so will be going on a different strap. Any thoughts to some options for what may look good with it? I don’t have any NATO’s, but not sure if that would suit a NATO? Brown leather maybe?
Suggestions, and I know that this is asking for trouble, welcome!
i really like the look of the silver tudor BB36. the Sinn 556 is also a looker.
So I sold the Hamilton and with half of the proceeds I bought a Glycine:
It may not be THE famous Airman but I like the small hands GMT complication and locking bezel. Such good quality for what I paid, sapphire with loads of 'flecto, 200m, 316, good lume and a tiny piece of Glycine history.
The curvature of the lugs just work for me and it wears a lot flatter than a 13mm watch should IMO. Nice strap too, soft out of the box.
Anyway, yesterday a new watch release turned up through Flipboard, which caught my attention:
Ooo, I thought, that’s rather nice, and it’s a proper mechanical with an ETA Valjoux 7734 movement. I’ve already got a Rallygraf, I don’t need another one…
Guess what’s arriving in September.
Anyone know a way to demagnetise a watch (other than buying a watch demagnetiser off ebay)?
My Helm has started going super fast adding anything from ten mins to nearly an hour at times. It's mot been dropped bashed or banged so the only thing left is it's hot magnetised (odd as I've got a few autos and this hasn't happened before)
Ta muchly.
For the sake of £10 I'd just buy one, doesn't look hard to do
<edit> and you can use a magnetometer app on your phone to check first</edit>
I have no watch budget at the moment but if you have and this is of interest….
Save the Ocean 62MAS is £650 down from £1160 at Ernest Jones and the code EJSAVE100 will take another £100 off making it £550!
https://www.ernestjones.co.uk/seiko-prospex-1965-reinterpretation-special-edition-watch/p/V-8163784
Just wanted a shout out to this guy flogging these Nato straps for £7 on eBay. He was very good with next day 1st class delivery - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185132588864?var=692893538248
As an example - the jury is out at home about the colour scheme for the watch but I like it - I bought this. The USP is that they are elastic which makes for a supremely comfortable fit, and allows you to stretch out the tail and tuck it very neatly:
Maybe I'm late in my discovery of elastic Nato's but I thought it might be worth a recommendation to someone.
That is a good deal Kato! I must be strong!
I will help you. They are all gone 😂
That looks like the same material Zuludiver are using for their Octopod “deployment Nato” type straps.
I have the black & red one on and it is very comfortable indeed.
(Zuludiver not as cheap)
Thanks kato! Saved me.
Sorry igm, but this is pet hatred.
De-ploy- ant.
Apologies. I’m going to blame autocorrect. Honest.
Assuming it’s the incorrect word and not the strap type you hate.
Nato deployment would be something a little different I suppose.
Haha!
The octopod clasps are fantastic I belive. I bit big but really good system.
I like them. And they may just have launched a smaller version.
Expensive clasp but the interchangeable straps are ok at £10 a time.
EDIT - Indeed they have. And new metals / finishes.
We are thrilled to announce that we have listened to our valued customers and taken their feedback to heart. In response to your requests for a more compact buckle, we have redesigned the OctoPod buckle, reducing its length by an impressive 10%.
Sooo this weekend I decided to let my Seiko Recraft SNKP23 go and I've decided to swap it for a better quality diver.
So Sunday morning I set up my Seiko Recraft on eBay, here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325689687487?epid=2318016894&hash=item4bd49e3dbf:g:hdAAAOSw5MxkhacQ&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4LbifsC%2FCQ%2BOpr61%2FVuLk5X7bCT%2FeTmbQqSdVMrHNzNv%2BDeVthphq4hWw9RfUINTH1liVqyAWHJRDjRa9k5jVjPpLxHeuM7xPx%2Bf2P3kfNwr5tINBcnfi8HbMuvz%2Fhh67pKlo4%2Fj7Fd9%2FqrERD4SBxeMAkvUKLg5YVgI7FPEJdYoVmX4ZLH9PYkKXQT8y%2BzPFdsF2uGtlpG4r6jIWpkJhKY43SzBdt%2BO2ewl%2BEIdqwU4wAnIPs0hWautDnic7qa55oh0Ngf%2BKRdFIEo0cI1jwmq59NbVxvEhPTm4wmYDnUDa%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_jLx_qVYg
I've bought a steinhart, again. Another ocean one but the 39mm this time. I've decided 42mm+ dive watches and vigorous sports don't work on my wrist as I end up with the crown digging painfully into the back of my hand. This is also part of a watch reduction plan. I'll be listing both my seiko (spb081j1 and snr035) and my rado captain Cook on ebay and using the funds towards one bigger purchase (plus the steiner as a beater)
Steinhart was £290 from ebay, I was a bit shocked when I looked at their new prices now, blimey.
Thats why i wear my watches on my right hand, so the crown doesnt drill into the back of my hand whilst being vigorous.
My Smiths Commander arrived today.
Some photos. I’ve shown it next to my BB58 as they’re fairly similar.
First thoughts, the Tudor is slightly larger and has a much more expensive feeling bracelet. The Smith’s bracelet is the reason why I don’t like metal bracelet watches….jingly jangly. I had a cheaper model Tag back in the 90’s and the jangly bracelet really put me off metal straps. (I still have a few with metal bracelets but don’t wear them too often)
I may put it on a NATO or possibly a brown leather strap. Still undecided.
I do too, it's the 3 6 9 dial I think.
Yeah I do agree, the face is better looking on the Smiths. I think the Tudor may be moved on. Will have a play with some straps over the next week or two and then decide.
In my divorce I lost my Panerai, may well sell the Tudor and put the proceeds towards a new replacement….will have to wait until next years work bonus though!
I admit to Pam-curuousness, I fancy a sub 389 or 288, that kind of look. My wife dislikes all pams though so, no.
This was very similar to mine and what I would like to buy in the near future…..(hope the link works)
I bought mine second hand and would likely do the same again. Managed to get an absolute bargain previously, got to hope for the same again!
That is a nice luminor.
Neil, is there are nice JDM Zenith on it's way?
Been watching the pound vs yen exchange rate and over the past 5-6v weeks the pound has climbed about 7 yen, on the back (I guess) of the news of stubborn inflation and predicted higher interest rates. Its climbed much of the gains in the past 2 weeks and about 1.5 yen today, I guess the news of high wage inflation.
So I just pulled the trigger. Fingers crossed the process is smooth from here!
Hey there Casio fans!
What do you make of these?
ebay.co.uk/itm/266290867764?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&var=566117029370
The white one is very "Space 1999".
What do you make of these?
An original Casio Royale is better in every way - cheaper, 100m, a longer battery life and a tiny place in horological history.
But, YMMV.
Wouldn't buy a cheap casio from eBay.. I bought a F-91W from there, turned out to be a fake with disco lights style led instead of the regular light and wouldn't keep time. Never occurred to me that they would bother making fakes of such a cheap item.
Yeah, wouldn't buy from anyone other than a reputable shop. That was just a link.
...and now I want a Casio Royale too.
So chaps, in order to save my garmin Fenix from much more wear, I’m after a beater watch, not too expensive.
My go to always was a g shock, but I fancy something different, what do the collective recommend / use ?
I know that this is another G Shock, but it has become my default "messing about" watch.
Casio G-Shock G-Rescue Moon Tide G-7900A-4C G7900A-4C Men's Watch (creationwatches.com)
Ridiculously chunky with a tide indicator that my kids took the piss out of me massively for... until we went on holiday then I was pestered with "Dad, when will the tide be in so we can go jumping off the pier?".
Would be wearing it today, but some vicious bug got under the strap last night and bit me a three times.
@Walowiz - Pick a Glycine, add duty and fees and voila 4 days later via UPS….?
https://www.ashford.com/brand/glycine.html?gender=MEN&prod_cate=Watches
New strap for the North Flag. From Two Stitch Straps. Having only had it on the bracelet before, this has really freshened it up.
@harry_the_spider I do like that red g shock, rather predictably
@kryton57 that’s good value, but over twice what I want to spend, also never been a huge Tissot fan.
@walowiz, the link didn’t work - use the filters Watches / Glycine. They are flogging off a load of discounted glycine’s around $180.
Really like the North Flag. Also a fan of the Ranger.
While my Smiths was being resized I had a look at the Ranger…..I think Panerai is the next watch before looking at Tudor again.
And talking about the Smiths, I’ve put it on a cheap leather strap. I really don’t like metal braclets. But don’t like it on this either….
Have a look at the Zuludiver Octopod deployants.
Nice straps in either stretchy or non-stretchy (I prefer stretchy - very comfortable).
https://www.watchgecko.com/collections/zuludiver-octopod
Here’s one of mine. (The red stripe does align with the red 12 o’clock arrow when it’s on my wrist)
I have twice had casio royale’s as my short term watch. They are a good size and very comfortable to wear but I cannot love the silver plastic body. It also marks very easily. I much prefer to spend the money on a metal 70’s or 80’s digital watch.
I know this is going to sound like I'm being a twit but...
I'm after a '23 Daytona and will not pay the 'I'm really impatient' uplift so AD presumably? I last bought something like this ~30 years ago when you walked into a shop and said 'I'd like the Sub in the window please' or some such.
Any advice or recent experiences of how to get one of these at RRP please?
I know this is going to sound like I’m being a twit but…
I’m after a ’23 Daytona and will not pay the ‘I’m really impatient’ uplift so AD presumably? I last bought something like this ~30 years ago when you walked into a shop and said ‘I’d like the Sub in the window please’ or some such.
Any advice or recent experiences of how to get one of these at RRP please?
Not sure you can these days other than somehow get on a waiting list. If you work out how let me know as I’d get a 40mm explorer, happy (ish) to pay list but not getting involved with the scalpers. I’d rather not have one if that’s the game.
Daytona? No. Buy grey, go to the ad and buy a LOT of jewellery and hope, or just no. Not possible.