MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I know there's a lot of Christopher Ward fans on here. Loving the look of the Trident 300 in 42mm with a white face. Anyone got a Trident and want to share views on build quality, feel etc please?
https://www.christopherward.com/watches/c60-trident-pro-300/C60-38ADA31S0KW0-B0.html
I can vouch for how well made they are as I've had Trident pro bronze. I don't think you would be disappointed, however they do lose a lot of value and can be found on ebay easily enough so I'd consider used.
The watch I’ve had for the longest (bought for myself for my 30th birthday) and Omega Railmaster with a strap that I got off a watch I bought of Instagram.
and the watch I’ve bought most recently, a Ming Monopusher. First watch I’ve bought with a complication and I really love it. I know the designer Ming Thein a little from his days working as a photographer and I own a couple of his watches.
Oh those are nice! More info and pictures of both please. The rail master is cracking, I'm an omega fan. I've heard of ming but I don't know about them and would love to learn more.
Zenith eta 17th-24th. I'm guessing (hoping) that it'll be dispatched in a few hours when Japan starts work for the day, and the courier, tracking and eta will get updated.
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 know exactly what you mean! When I bought my TAG Series 1000 ‘NightDiver’ in the 80’s, I put up with the black steel bracelet for quite some time, up until I bought my first mountain bike in ‘88. The incessant rattling, along with the mucky black sweat mark round my wrist got pretty old pretty quickly, so I put an MBUK Velcro strap on, followed by a series of Animal ones.
I took the steel bracelet off my SPORK because it was far too long, and it was heavy, but I’ve had a couple more links taken out, (three in total - I’ve got wrists like sparrows legs), and I’m really enjoying it now, it looks ‘complete’, somehow, probably because it’s a fairly chunky watch, and having a bracelet that tapers away from the outside of the lugs looks sleeker. It is bloody heavy, though!
Just remembered this article I read the other day, which might interest those on here with some spare cash they’re struggling to know what to do with…
https://www.gq.com/story/roger-smith-interview-pocket-watch-auction-one-million
That Railmaster is lovely.
@bullet what @neilveil said. I have a compressor and it’s a lovely thing, quality above most if not all others at the price range and it shows. They just don’t have the cache to hold thier price, it doesn’t bother me becuase mine was a 50th gift and I won’t be selling.
I’m tempted by the black dial GMT tbh but would need to consolidate my collection a bit to do so.
So just for a laugh I spoke to my local Rolex AD this morning. They get 2x Daytonas a year and have a waiting list of 400. So if everyone buys when it's their turn, that's 200 years of forward orders. Riiiiiight.
You will need to get your spend up too in the interim 😆 System seems designed to facilitate the flippers/ grey market
So my man maths is probably wrong but Rolex make one watch per 7500 people in the world per year. Most of those people are either too poor for a Rolex or couldn't give a monkeys about arm jewellery and they are 200 times oversubscribed. Crazy
I have tracking info for the zenith. Exciting.
So just for a laugh I spoke to my local Rolex AD this morning. They get 2x Daytonas a year and have a waiting list of 400. So if everyone buys when it’s their turn, that’s 200 years of forward orders. Riiiiiight.
So glad I don’t really like Rolex aesthetically
Rolex, AP, PP it's a game
Some Rolex are easy enough to buy. Mate bought a Sky Dweller, registered his interest with an AD and was given a phone call a couple of days later saying another but had cancelled so it’s his if he wants it. Had to go there the same day and buy it. This was very recently, in a city centre dealers. He paid standard RRP.
My Explorer II, I just walked into the dealer and they had one in stock, I tried it on and bought it there and then. This was over a decade ago though.
Aye. I bought my Sub in my lunchtime sometime in 1992. Walked out with it on my wrist and paid £1700 IIRC. I'd pay £12.7k (gulp) for a Daytona but £20k - £30k? Not a chance.
Get a zenith, it's a better chrono and better looking anyway.
I have tracking info for the zenith. Exciting.
Ha Ha. I watched my (hitherto unmentionable) Vostok and more recently the bought in the US Glycine track across states, through the air and to my door. It’s a ridiculous thing to do but quite the anticipatory fun.
The Vostock has been mothballed for over a year of course, what’s the view on wearing them now?
I'm waiting for an Air King, which seem to have become more popular recently. However, I was massively underwhelmed by the OP39 I bought recently and sold it on within a couple of weeks. Kind of making me think I don't actually want the Air King anymore, and there's more interesting options
The Vostock has been mothballed for over a year of course, what’s the view on wearing them now?
Mine are still in their boxes tucked away. I've thought about breaking one out for a couple of days wear, but just can't bring myself to do it.
In the end though, 99.9% of people would have no clue what it was and the Russian connection. Saw a young lad wearing a battered Komanderski at a music festival the other month, I'm sure none of the other thousands of attendees noticed. I reckon you can choose yourself, especially if it's not one of the overtly military themed ones.
I’m waiting for an Air King, which seem to have become more popular recently. However, I was massively underwhelmed by the OP39 I bought recently and sold it on within a couple of weeks.
The OP and the Air King do look like the sort of Rolex’s where a Grand Seiko would be a good (and cheaper) alternative, they both look a little bland, imho
but just can’t bring myself to do it
im on the same wavelength, I don’t expect anyone around me would know, but morally I can’t do it. It’s a shame because I really enjoy(ed) wearing it. (Scuba Dude small seconds complication Batman)
Thanks, the railmaster is just a really nice classic watch, I bought it at Heathrow about 15 years ago. I was by myself, it was my birthday, I’d just come out of an 8 year relationship, I got drunk at one of those posh fish bars and my flight got delayed. Bit of an accidental purchase but lasts longer than C&H?
I also have a thing for cheap, vaguely pointless, fun watches. There’s so much sincerity that sometimes you need to admit that it’s all a bit of peacocking:
neilnevillFree Member
Get a zenith, it’s a better chrono and better looking anyway
I can't get away from the crap cameras association - sadly. Ironically (?), I know some of the Rolex movements are Zenith derived (specifically the Daytona's)...
^ I love that dragon one 🙂
While I'm here, I'd be grateful for some advice. My Seiko Diver has started to gain time, it's a 7S26 movement. I'm quite comfortable taking the back off and tweaking the regulator as I have the tools and did the same on another Seiko 5 I have. Thing is, I'm more concerned about the waterproofing. I'm never actually going to dive with it, at most it'll get a swim in the sea, so am I okay to just take the back off, sort the timing, and stick the back back on?
I was close to buying the C60 elite 1000 titanium watch last spring. it was perfect at the time but a year later it looks to me like its due an update.
I like the white dial too. My only concern is how well it will age and as someone else has replied they loose value so second hand its the way forward sadly. I bought an Oris Aquis GMT in the end.
If you want a sports dive my preference would be..
Used Oris diver 65 or aquis (not the small face) - sub 1k before haggling
used Tag aquaracer caliber 5 (be aware of fakes)
Doxa sub 200 (£990 + a discount code) or 600 if you can find one at a good price, Doxa is an independent swiss company thats been around before most other brands. they sell in Watches of Switzerland who usually give you 10% if you ask nicely.
I didn’t even associate Zenith watches with cameras. Were they one and the same? I thought they were Eastern European/Russian? (It was Zenit wasn’t it?)
Personally I love the watches, looking forward to seeing pictures when it arrives.
The Vostock has been mothballed for over a year of course, what’s the view on wearing them now?
I still wear my Raketa. Has no military theme to it though. Not sure that mothballing it would serve any more purpose than not wearing a Smiths during the UK's illegal Iraq invasion :/
Idly browsing watches and saw this;
https://magrette.com/shop/moana-pacific-waterman-gmt-limited-pre-order?in=37004026
Forum thoughts?
I have a couple of Magrettes, good watches and good people to deal with, but probably won’t buy one, I think I have to try a quartz GS next.
The Vostock has been mothballed for over a year of course, what’s the view on wearing them now?
I wouldn't. I've a Komandirskie with a tank logo which I used to think was amusingly retro. Not so much now.
Mind you, I'm pretty sure I bought it post the Crimea annexation so to my shame the old Chamberlain line "a quarrel in a far away country, between people of whom we know nothing" was obviously in full effect at the time.
am I okay to just take the back off, sort the timing, and stick the back back on?
I would for a Seiko with a 7s26 movement. I'd reassemble with a wee smear of silicon grease in the gasket, or if it's more than a few years old, a replacement. I still definitely wouldn't trust it for diving though!
It was Zenit wasn’t it?
It was! Just demonstrates the depth of my ill informed prejudice. Nowt as queer as folk etc.
Saner, peacocking exactly! But you can keep those 2 photo'd to yourself thanks 😉
Boblo yes, when rolex wanted an auto movement for the daytona they turned to the el primero. It was used for quite some time I think. The el primero in the chronomaster sport is high beat, 10hz, which gives the ability to read precisely to¹/10 of a second.
Danj, I've always admired oris, underrated in my view. Never had one though.
I've the vat/ fees to pay notification from the courier for my zenith, brings the total price to £6730. I was expecting it but seeing the figure made me wince.
Will do when it arrives. Its winging its way here from Japan, scheduled for delivery next week.
Oh, for a lottery win right about now… This is just beautiful!
Thing is, I’m more concerned about the waterproofing. I’m never actually going to dive with it, at most it’ll get a swim in the sea, so am I okay to just take the back off, sort the timing, and stick the back back on?
Shouldn’t be a problem, a smear of silicon on the O-ring to make sure it gets a good seal, and sits into the channel once the caseback goes on, there shouldn’t be any problem; if the O-ring is a bit dry, it can catch and ruck-up and pinch, which would definitely compromise the seal. I did it on my SPORK around ten years ago, and while I don’t swim with it on, I’d have no hesitation going into the water, it’s just I don’t swim! I think what I did was put a small amount on my fingertips, rub my fingertips together, then pinch the O-ring and gently pull it between my fingertips several times, just to make sure it’s coated, but with no excess. It’s currently between thirty-five and forty seconds fast since setting it on the 1st of May, it seems to have settled there, waiting to see what it is on the 1st of July. At that rate I may just set it when the clocks change and leave it!
Johannes / CountZero - ta. A job for this weekend then
That Roger Smith pocket watch exceeded expectations at auction, it went for $4.9 million! 😳
Saw that, I love how Smith spent years making pocket watch #2 to impress Daniels after pocket watch#1 was kinda met with, 'mleh'.
I'm liking the smaller steinhart as a beater. I liked the 42 but it did hurt occasionally as the crown dug the back of my hand. The 39 doesn't do that. I've noticed a few minor tweaks compared to my old 42, no lume pip on the bezel, just a triangle, the engraving on the case back is sensible, as opposed to do deep it had sharp edges, and the bracelet is seiko like oyster where inner and outer 'link' are one solid piece, fairly sure my old 42 had proper fully articulated oyster bracelet. None of these detract from the watch though which seems eccentric m excellent, if small.
<p style="text-align: left;">So, pulled the pin on the CW C60 Trident Pro 300 in white with stainless strap. Can't wait although the Mrs has decided she's buying as an anniversary present so looks like I won't be wearing it until August!</p>
Just put the bracelet back on the Smiths Everest and remembered how fab it looks. Randomly met a friend for dinner last night and he was wearing a new Rolex Explorer (which has been one of the watches on my 'one day' list. We put the two side by side and the Smiths did pretty well, I think. It just bugs me that there's a really rattly Miyota movement in it. Perhaps I could get the £450 Steinhart homage to the Explorer for 10% of the cost and put the rest towards a Tudor... 🙂
The steinhart homage would be a good call chipps. Sellita movement and excellent quality. I was just surprised to see their watches are £450 to£800 now when a decade ago they were just over£300. However its no more of a rise than rolex, omega etc etc so its probably fair.
Yeah, I've had a couple/few Steinharts the Ocean Diver Sub one and the MilSub one too. Can't remember either of them costing more than £250 secondhand... At a tenth of an Explorer, it'll probably calm that desire for a while/ever. Then I can put the Smiths back on its Hirsch leather strap and be happy with both.
@Kryton57 - they’re lovely watches for the money (£350 when I bought, fair bit more now)
I bought three - one for me and one for each of my sons, different colours of the same watch. They rarely have them off.
Where are you chaps buying your replacement straps from? I’d like something nice for my Garmin Fenix which is 26mm between the lugs. A nato strap won’t work as it’s got sensors on the back. I’d like something in a nice leather or perhaps even a coloured leather?
I’ve been disappointed by a crappy ‘leather” one from eBay previously. Don’t mind spending proper money for something nice
where should I be looking?
The Steinhart is a bit too homagey for me….too close to the Explorer.
How about a Sinn? I like the 556a, not an Explorer homage, but to me has a similar feel.
For good quality leather raps I always use https://www.hirschstraps.com (as mentioned by chipps up above).
My brietling is on one of their rally straps and it is very nice and good quality.
Has anyone got one of the new Garmin Epix 2 Pro watches yet?
I’m tempted to upgrade my Fenix 7 for the Epix.
@petrieboy I can heartily recommend Steve-O Straps - https://www.steveostraps.com/
He does a huge range of hand-made straps in all sorts of leather (and other stuff) and he'll listen to what you want and give you recommendations. I've had several straps from him and he's a really nice guy to deal with.
We put the two side by side and the Smiths did pretty well, I think. It just bugs me that there’s a really rattly Miyota movement in it
It's not bothered me yet with my Commando but I'm probably older and deafer than you. I also prefer the female end links and Arabics moved out a bit into the minute track.
I'll second SteveoStraps . Got a beautiful replacement for my Khaki Field from him at a fraction of the cost of a genuine Hamilton. Great guy to deal with. 
While we're on the subject of Hamiltons....
I've a bit of a tussle going on in my head. I've got a hankering for a chrono. I'm a big fan of Omega and have a 1967 Constellation (inherited), an Aqua Terra (retirement pressy to self) and a Planet Ocean 600 (cat's birthday or some other such excuse) Both modern Omegas are black dials on steel so I kinda fancied something with a bit of colour.
I had a browse of the new Hamilton Jazzmaster Chrono and was impressed by the pictures. The specs read well and the blue dial on blue leather is a stunner. However, at the back of my mind is the thought that at the RRP of £2200 I could either get a pre-owned Speedmaster or sell the other kidney and get a new one. So, anyone got any thoughts that would sway me in either direction?
I could either continue my indulgent Omega fetish, but end up with yet another black dial watch or have a rather lovely blue chrono?
May just be me but I can’t imagine ever looking down at my wrist and thinking “wow a Hamilton” whereas with a speedy I could see that happening.
Watch this first:
they’re lovely watches for the money (£350 when I bought, fair bit more now)
Yeah, I love mine and paid roughly the same price. I was supposed to move on the quartz GMT (on page 168) which I paid £199 for, but when I realised it was a Swiss movement that and the crystal and insane lume all the way out to onto the bezel keeps it in the collection. The build quality is very good.
@Bullet please don't make it too late in August, I have a buying decision re the Sealander GMT vs something discounted in the Caribbean to make!
@Kryton57 I'm sure I will need to check it over when it arrives (hopefully end of this week) so will let you know my thoughts before it gets whisked away 😀
A combination of the Commando dial and the Everest hands would be great
"May just be me but I can’t imagine ever looking down at my wrist and thinking “wow a Hamilton” whereas with a speedy I could see that happening."
Personally I'd be more likely to think "wow, I've no independent thought" if I looked down and saw a Speedmaster but everyone's different!
(**** knows what's happening with the quote function on mobile)
kiloFull Member
I’m waiting for an Air King, which seem to have become more popular recently. However, I was massively underwhelmed by the OP39 I bought recently and sold it on within a couple of weeks.
The OP and the Air King do look like the sort of Rolex’s where a Grand Seiko would be a good (and cheaper) alternative, they both look a little bland, imho
This caught my eye as I was thinking similarly last week. Popped into the local AD, and while they had basically no Rolexes on display, they had a reasonable selection of Grand Seikos, so I took the opportunity to try a few on. It was great, and I got a better idea of what I think of them.
I much prefer the SLG (Evolution 9) case to the 44GS, which is quite slab-sided for me; but they all sit really well on the wrist and feel great in steel (just a bit light in Ti). I love the glass caseback; and in black/ blue (black birch/ Lake Suwa) it just looks fantastic - the perfect dressy 'sportswatch' middle ground. The white/ silver birch is far too flashy (literally - it catches the light a lot) for me though; but otherwise I'd happily take Hi-Beat or Spring Drive (SLGH017, SLGA007 etc).
Three things hold me back: residuals (you can buy as new unworn from Chrono24 etc for about 2/3 the RRP), the complete lack of lume, and my suspicion that even though they're better in most technical aspects than a Rolex, if I buy one I'd always be thinking "yeah but it's not a Rolex though, is it".
Personally I’d be more likely to think “wow, I’ve no independent thought” if I looked down and saw a Speedmaster but everyone’s different!
🙂
Speedy’s are fairly on trend atm for sure!!!(fortunately my credibility is intact as I don’t own one). I suspect that will die down eventually and the next trend will emerge. I read somewhere that Seiko GS are on a bit of an upward curve so maybe they’ll be the next big thing, either that or people being crippled by their mortgage repayments and unable to buy trinkets.
I quite like a Hamilton. Wear my Khaki Field pretty much every day. Doesn't make my heart skip a beat for sure, but wore it in some recent holiday snaps and couldn't help thinking it was a fine looking little watch 😂
I was tempted by the new chrono which I personally prefer to the jazz master.
https://www.chisholmhunter.co.uk/hamilton-khaki-aviation-mens-watch-h76409530-black-dial-leather-strap.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=16839313899&utm_content=135782866455&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjw-b-kBhB-EiwA4fvKrK9HHilo1sdVZJPcKn0LDgRfHB_1BxORczJh7IkL2BP-wTF9nWHaGBoCMwcQAvD_BwE
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kilo
Full Member
May just be me but I can’t imagine ever looking down at my wrist and thinking “wow a Hamilton” whereas with a speedy I could see that happening
I still get an extraordinary amount of pleasure from my tatty old Khaki Field auto. It ain't about the prestige/luxury, it's about the joy of owning a handsome watch of pretty decent quality.
Kryton57
Full Member
Watch this first
Havi g watched that I realise that I need to go and try it on. My PO is as wide and thicker than the Performer but wears surprisingly smaller than the dimensions suggest. I have a 7" wrist so it only just isn't too big, I suspect the dimensions will mean it stays in the shop.
The best sport chrono is a zenith... and mine has arrived!
I need to buy a screwdriver set to adjust the bracelet. And I need to get photos. It's niiiiicceee! 😆
I gave my son my Omega Speedmaster last week for his 30th birthday. He was last seen wearing it at a friends wedding, where someone noticed it on his wrist and they started talking about Omega watches! He was dead chuffed
@neilnevill get those photos uploaded
I gave my son my Omega Speedmaster last week for his 30th birthday
Nice! That'll (should) be a lifetime keeper!
Checks back in 4 hours after this threads big announcement of the day and still no pics 🙁 @neilnevill
And I need to get photos. It’s niiiiicceee! 😆
Come on already then. We’re waiting!
Pictures or it didn’t happen
My Speedy is my favourite watch. It would be a boring hobby if we all liked the same thing
How about a Longines Conquest then, @w00dster? Keeps it nice and French...
https://www.longines.com/fr/p/watch-conquest-l3-776-4-58-6
@chipps - go on a roadtrip to the Jura and check out French watchmakers in the area. It's also famous for glasses so you could get some snazzy new eyewear whilst there. Add in local cheese like Morbier, Mont d'Or and the local trails and roads and it's a fab holiday all round.