Watches N+1...

I'm off to the Isle of Man in a couple of weeks and will take a picture of me wearing a different G Shock everyday*.

*A lie, it'll be the same one.

@wally have messaged you (hopefully).

@walowiz, replied.

I’ve gathered a few watches over the years, Seiko BFK & Sportura, both mean something to me and will keep both.
However, my younger brother and this thread have raised a yearning for a automatic tool / field (that might not be right!) type watch.
Explorer, Ranger type are very nice, but just don’t have the budget, and unlikely to in the foreseeable future so I’m looking for suggestions of similar. I do like Seiko, and have also looked at Laco Augsburg & Aachen.
Quite happy to keep squirrelling away a couple quid here and there to get something I’d like to keep, but there’s a limit there somewhere.
So, fire away with the suggestions.

Harry_the_SpiderFull Member
I’m off to the Isle of Man in a couple of weeks and will take a picture of me wearing a different G Shock everyday

Can't wait... 🙄

fire away with the suggestions

Smiths Commando or Everest. They're in the Explorer/Ranger sort of vein though a bit small for some tastes. If you're after something a bit larger then Hamilton could have something to suit, there are loads of them.
If you're not really sure, pick up a homage from Ali to try out the size and general look - Pagani to San Martin depending on your budget. You can get a decently reviewed Ranger-a-Like from Pagani for £70ish.

So, fire away with the suggestions.

Steinhart seem to be fairly well regarded with their Sub homages. They have the Ocean 39 Adventure that looks very close to the Explorer/Ranger. 440EUR, a step up from Seiko prices but not necessarily going to break the bank.

https://www.steinhar****ches.de/en/diver-watch/ocean-39-adventure-classic.html

Cheeky FS post on previous page for above San Martin "Explore" and this Smiths Commander might suit you.

I also have the same Smiths Commander pictured above. I’ve got quite a good collection of expensive watches but the Smiths is currently my most regularly worn watch. It’s also the newest so that might be why….but I do like kt. Mine is now on a nice brown strap which I prefer.

Jezza, what’s your max budget?

Also have a look at Nite watches.  Haven’t got one (yet) but do like the look of them.

https://www.nitewatches.com/products/mx10201t25green

Explorer turned up last week; I'm trying it on a canvas strap this week.
The bracelet is probably the best I've had on any watch, but I've come to the conclusion I don't love wearing watches on bracelets.

@nicko74, you just got one of the best. Canvas strap is a great look!

nicko74.  Can’t wait for my 50th as I’ve promised myself an Explorer.  Your photo has just prompted me to try the canvas I bought recently on the 556

Stupid G-Shock question - I saw a bloke in the pub the other day with a bright yellow G-Shock. He was telling his mates how wonderful it was 'cos it was solar. It wasn't huge like some GShocks - it looked like a normal largish watch.  The strap was yellow and black. The face was roundish but angled like a octagon or something.

Any ideas which model it was?

Out of curiosity I simply googled “yellow g shock solar octagonal” and found this

Thanks, I think that's it but not 100% sure. I'll look more.

I thought I'd ask on here as there lots of G-Shock fans here

<p style="text-align: left;">Solar G-shocks are ace (other solar watches maybe as well). I've had mine 17 years and not had to touch the battery. Sometimes it lives in the wardrobe when I wear one of my other watches and if I leave it in the long enough it goes to sleep. Put it on and it wakes up at exactly the right time.</p>
I have a Garmin, two Tags and an Omega but the G-Shock is ace and more reliable than all the others

gaidong
Free Member
@nicko74, you just got one of the best. Canvas strap is a great look!

Cheers gaidong! I'll try it on this for a while, and may well upgrade to a diaboliq canvas strap in time. The bracelet is amazingly comfortable, but I like the slightly under the radar look on canvas.
I've also got my eye longer term on a Zealande strap, perhaps this one:

Blazin-saddles
Free Member
nicko74. Can’t wait for my 50th as I’ve promised myself an Explorer. Your photo has just prompted me to try the canvas I bought recently on the 556

That looks fantastic! There's something about Sinn that they just look exactly right.

Think my Oris Coulson purchase could turn into a nightmare. Possibly should have realised if a deal looks too good to be true etc.

Anyone have any experience of C.W Sellors? Whilst I'm sure they are kosher, going by their Trustpilot reviews I could be in for a world of pain. Think I'm being given the runaround on a watch that probably doesn't exist.

Bought it in three installments via PayPal, so assume I'll get my money back, if it plays out how I'm expecting it to.

CW Sellors/Jurawatches are legit.  Bought from them before with no issues.

What's going on with your order?

I did look for the same deal when you first mentioned it... and the place with that name and that watch that came up when I googled it only had it at the same full price as everywhere else... so I'm afraid I'd have to say check VERY carefully that you are dealing with the actual, genuine, company...

I'm pretty confident it's legit, unless it's an incredibly sophisticated scam. Everything tallies up; phone numbers etc. Checked where payment has gone to from PayPal and all seems ok.

Price did go up to full RRP after I purchased, and item went out of stock.

I'll probably give benefit of doubt for time being. But it didn't arrive on date stated. I rang and was told someone would need to call me back as there was an issue. No call followed. A couple of emails went unanswered. Rang today and a more helpful chap said he could see a note on order that there was a problem with the strap and he needed to get clarification from head office.

So I'll sit tight and see what happens. My thoughts are a) it doesn't exist or b) there's a glitch that offered far too big a discount and now they're looking to back out of the deal.

Trustpilot reviews aren't great reading. Lots of negative feedback.

My new Oris Sixty Five was from there & all went ok.

Subsequently registered it with Oris who confirmed serial no., sellers name etc & extended the warranty (the main reason I registered it).

I know from when I spoke to them that the website doesn't just sell stock from their H.O. but also the various branches - they sent mine from one of these whilst the free winder seems to have come from centre.

Edit:  Harriet was very helpful on the phone.

Trustpilot reviews aren’t great reading. Lots of negative feedback.

I thought a vast majority was positive & many of the negative reviews were from try-on merchants who didn't like being called out?

That's reassuring @Nobby, and also I think Blazin got his Aquis from them heavily discounted? I'll sit tight and hopefully it turns up. Got a month until the next installment from PayPal goes out, so no great rush.

Yeah, Sellors/Jura are legit.  I’ve had 2 watches from them now that seemed too cheap and have both turned up next day and kosher.

The sale prices are usually just 1 piece of surplus stock, when it sells the site usually reverts to full price and not available.

I suspect yours is a courier problem as both mine turned up special delivery next day.

Update on my 'What watch to splash out on' saga, for which I'm grateful for all advice received so far. I've currently shelved any Tudor Ranger plans for a while (until I can get to an AD in Andorra to try one) but in the meantime, I'm very happy with this that I bought to quench the 'new watch now!' urge - and it might be all I actually need (and maybe a Doxa Sub 200)... Sorry to be a cheapskate, especially with @nicko74 and his new purchase here, but I am probably actually going to buy two bikes with the difference... 🙂

<p style="text-align: left;">Excellent choice Chipps. I've long been a steinhart fan and that explorer homage is a good watch,  a great watch.</p>

Also used Jura a couple of times, no issue.

In other news I’ve been saving hard to a timeline of my holiday beyond the tax ridden shores of the UK and it’s gone a bit too well.   I’m not there yet but the distraction of new shiny watches within all those sales is strong with cold hard cash lying about.

Must remain strong…

I've looked at the yellow "Casioak" and I now think that the bloke in the pub have a different strap on the model that Charlie linked to.

As I'm new to G-Shock... Show me your Casioaks!

That looks lovely Chipps! But which bikes, I feel we need to know! 😉

Very tempted, as a present to self for passing my habilitation (HDR). What thinketh you lot?

Not my photo, not my arm but it should fit fine.

Looks great, what will the reverse face look like?

Chips, very nice. The S200 grade 1 movement is a peach. I have one and it's the cleanest position unaffected Timegrapher trace out of all watches. Very accurate. Nice size too.

@gaidong  Monoface or Duoface? If Duo, whats the reverse(o) like?

It's a monoface. I understand the argument for a duoface (2fer) but I really like having a dark dial and this one is at a not too bonkers price. Just visited JLC boutique in Paris (no riots!) and a full factory service is €450 including polish, which isn't too bad either. Someone has changed straps using a crowbar so a spot of laser might be in order!

Either that is the wrist of a child or petite lady, or is much larger than I'd imagined they were.  What is the lug to lug and does it fit your wrist?

Cheers @wally. I've had a couple of Steinharts in the past - a Sub homage and the MilSub homage. Both great watches. If I'm being fussy, the case is a bit deep and the lugs don't curve nicely like an Oyster case, but that's about it. (Oh and I had to remove about six links to fit my girl-sized wrists... The 39 size seems to fit well, despite that.)

New bikes @nicko74 ? I'm currently sizing up for an Ibis RipMo bike for my wife and probably a Ripmo frame for me. AND then... I'm also keen on a new, Belgian Classics style disc road bike. And I thought that picking watches was hard!

OMG, just tried the new Breguet Type 20 too. Lady asked me if I wanted to see them on entering but i refused, knowing what would happen. One coffee, two chocolates and three solid gold Classiques later, I relented. Simply fabulous. That's the bicompax. Didn't like the tricompax at all. Would post photos if it wasn't such a b@ll@che.

Mens Vileness Automatic Watch!

Good Working Order Very Clean, Lovely Watch

Ebay

Suspect spell checker as actually a Voken; vintage/retro 70/80s

@neil, that is the Grande Taille size, 26x42, and I have tried them on before. This is a 2008 model, quartz, which doesn't bother me as it's a 2-hander. I find the modern silver dials a bit too dressy for the way I usually dress. A duoface would have been an option last year but a) I was never that keen on the black dial of that one, and b) they buggers put the price up by 45% in one year!!!

I've put an offer in.... Max the German will probably refuse it, and I'll counter-counter-offer a little more 😀

I'm surprised nobody has a Casioak to show off

Hmmmm, counter offer is more than I have in my bank account. Could the saga be over? Goodness me no!

DUZU

Any knowledge of? Australian Microbrand, Miyota movements, started on Kickstarter but seem to be still going.

I like the Garmin 9 series watches (primary use will be tri training), but I hate using the Garmin as everyone is using it. Anyone has some recommendation from other manufacturers for the watch with similar capabilities?

I’m surprised nobody has a Casioak to show off

I’ve shown two over recent pages.  As much as the idea of owning one feels like a perfect beater, once I had on on my wrist it just felt a bit “meh”.    I couldn’t put my finger on it, too common for anyone to comment on, too light and feels unsubstantial, always a flawed band in some way or another….  There just doesn’t feel any pride or reason to own one unless your budget vs its functionality fits together.

Id be tempted to have the current Utility series again if it was the solar module, pos display and the keepers were good enough to stay on one place and not leave the tail flapping about every 20 mins.

Everyone has their opinion but I couldn’t get on the bandwagon and sent them back.

I just bought myself a Tudor Black Bay Pro as a 40th birthday present.

NATO strap which is a bit more sporty than the standard bracelet

It will act as a companion to the Longines Hydroconquest I bought a few years back.

Photos!  Although I am one of the few that doesn't fawn over the pro, I just don't like the steel bezel and how it looks,  prefer the coloured bezels. Similarly I don't like the explorer 2. That's just my taste though,  so still admire it for a great watch

@beer247 you have great taste!  I’ve got mine on a green canvas now and I reckon it looks great. Enjoy.

Reverso Grande Taille is on the way. €3500 delivered, which seems pretty reasonable given the rocketing RRP prices (and they're actually selling them!). The flippy action will give me something to do during long winter evenings by the fire.

RE: Black Bays, I had an original 'Smiley' for eight years, and was very happy with it at the time. Viewed now though, I don't like mixing snowflake hands with round indices. Pelagos is all good, snowflakes and squares. I do love a graduated steel bezel though!

Are you ordering these on a weekly basis?

As promised/threatened yesterday, the Breguet 2057.

https://www.watchuseek.com/attachments/20230712_141724-jpg.17628819 /" alt="" />

https://www.watchuseek.com/attachments/20230712_141734-jpg.17628821 /" alt="" />

https://www.watchuseek.com/attachments/20230712_142328-jpg.17628822 /" alt="" />

Is it too much to ask that the designers at least pretend to give some consideration to making the cut-off numbers look acceptable?  And wtaf is going on with the placement of that date?

If it fell from a christmas cracker I'd bin it.

It's a shame the hands aren't on the back

Yeah, for the cash it doesn't appeal to me. Each to their own and that...

I'm with Ivandobski on this one, a symmetrical sub dial and no cut off numbers plus appropriate date placement would have looked a lot better*. A shame.

It’s a shame the hands aren’t on the back

Indeed, I love the look of these more expensive movements, and have looked at a couple of skeletonise watches recently for that purpose, its great to show off.

*I say better, but it'd also look alarming like its Hamilton counterpart.

I generally don't like dates but it's unobtrusive in person. I don't like the Longines 'Big Eye' but this one felt fine to me. Don't forget the free coffee, chocolates and aircon I'm getting into the bargain!

As the great philosopher, Paul Calf once said - "you can't buy class"

@Derek. Well, I intend to die trying!

Yes but Ivan, what do you really think? Get off the fence before you get Splinters and just tell us how you feel about that Breguet

😀

I think it's old styled classic case lines are fetching. The dial I find hard to read but overall its nice to see something different from the usual sport watch.... although you'll know... sports watches are my preference!

Re Black Bays, I've no issue with the snowflakes and the dot indices.    However, the new ones which have a lollypop seconds hand whilst retaining the snowflake hour really bothers me to the point I couldn't buy one

The Breguet on the other hand is a lovely thing

Geeeez......I had to Google, but that Breguet 2057 is £16,400!

{wanders off to H Samuels}

New watch arrived today. I wanted another tool/beater watch. It’s nice and small. On a rubber strap which is really comfortable. I think this is my last cheap watch for a while, have my eye on a couple of more expensive watches so need to start saving.

And from a windowless room, lights out. Only light coming in was from the door frame. Taken from my iPhone with no flash on or any fancy nighttime settings. The lume is very easy to read in the dark.

I've always fancied a Nite, I like the tritium "lume" and they're much less mall-ninja/tacticool than a lot of other brands who use it.

Indeed, I quite like the Hawk, which now you've made me look at again...

have my eye on a couple of more expensive watches so need to start saving.

This is me, must resist - I'm £1009 away from a target!

Oris owners - did you get a warranty card with serial number etc on?

Ive just tried to register my Aquis for the 10 year warranty and the serial number off the movement isn’t cutting the mustard with Oris, neither are any of the numbers on the case.  Am I missing some documentation?  I’ll contact Jura/Sellors in the morning, but someone might have the answer 1st.

I'm a massive Breguet fan but I think they really dropped the ball with the date placement on the new Type series.

Cut off numbers is standard practice on these and I have no issues with it, but the date throws the whole balance of the dial off.

A real shame because the older versions are fab.

I think the Breitling AVI is still the pick of the lot looks wise though.

Gulp...

Yes.  I saw that K57.

Quite nice.

That Breguet gets a big ‘NOPE’ from me as well. I don’t mind supplementary dials, but having them asymmetrical just looks like poor design, and it’s not necessary. Having the right-hand one the same size as the left, would then allow the 2 and 4 to be complete, not cut away. I have no problem with a 4.30 date window, my SPORK  has it as do quite a lot of Seikos, which then allows a full set of numerals and/or batons, and a properly symmetrical dial.

I haven’t worn any of my other watches since April, I haven’t felt any need to because it fulfills everything I want a watch to do, and aesthetically I think it’s as good looking as pretty much any watch out there.
Personally, I think Seiko ought to reintroduce it, just with an up-to-date hacking movement. Although, the 4r15 is doing pretty well so far, since I set it on May 1st - it gradually lost time until around the middle of June, until it was 44 seconds slow, and now it’s gradually gaining and it’s currently 14 seconds fast.

I'm not really a watch person, but some of these on this thread are serisoulsy ugly... I appreciate they might have hand built cogs and what not, but I just don't see the attration on spending thousands of quid on something, which essentially, is no better than a ten quid Casio.

Me again.
Your suggestions from my previous post have resulted in some online browsing, including this.
https://shop.diywatch.club/products/monthly-combo-diy-watchmaking-kit-pilot-watch-with-date-sapphire-crystal-2-extra-strap-included-8215-or-8315-miyota-movement-available?variant=43671676879061

&

https://shop.diywatch.club/collections/watchmakingkit-diver/products/monthly-design-explorer-style-dress-watch-kit-with-eoniq-steel-bracelet-d03-green-sandwich-dial

Now I’m not kidding myself that this will make me a watchmaker, I don’t mind the idea of putting some parts together and like the look of both watches.
Price seems reasonable enough.
Does anybody have any experience with them, or any major pros/cons I’m missing?

@CountZero

My issue with the date window isn't just that it's at 4.30 although it would be better at 4, inline with the pusher or preferably 6. It's more that once again it's cutting off a numeral and then they've stuck the "swiss made" bit under/next to it.

The entire right-hand side is a mess.

I appreciate they might have hand built cogs and what not, but I just don’t see the attration on spending thousands of quid on something, which essentially, is no better than a ten quid Casio.

If you only want to know what the time is, the fair play get the cheap dumbed down computer and be happy with it, for sure it’ll give you much if not more of the output via the screen.  Alternatively there’s a lifetime of learning and appreciation to be had regarding how manufacturers can design a self powered set of cogs, springs and wheels to do the same with such accuracy, notwithstanding some of the engineering and design that goes into other parts of the Watch.  For example, I’m wearing a GMT now which has a mini clock complication above the six for a second time - a clock within a clock.  It’s about 6.5mm across, and I find the fact that a tiny mechanical clock embedded within a mechanical clock yet not be a slave to it an absolute marvel.

Perhaps look back at some of Fudds dissasembly pics, or jump on the Watch Revival YouTube channel to watch Murray repair and clean up some watches he’s been sent.

I appreciate that not everybody is interested in that.

@countzero - you’ve officially won the “how many times can I get the word SPORK into a singletrack thread completion 😀 😉

😀

I just don’t see the attration on spending thousands of quid on something, which essentially, is no better than a ten quid Casio

And in most cases, worse at timekeeping 🙃

It's like a lot of discretionary purchasing - uneccesary and difficult to justify on purely functional grounds. You'll never convince a MaccyD's fanbois there's merit in a £500 plate Michelin star meal or a pair of handmade made to measure shoes offers anything vs Clark's latest offering etc.

Not everything is boiled down to the cheapest reasonable function.

That Breguet 2057 is not my favourite watch. It's not even my favourite Breguet. When I saw the 2057 online I wasn't that fussed, and only asked to see it out of curiosity (as I was actually keen on a Hanhart 417 ES, as mentioned above). The point is, you simply cannot account for the wearing experience and handling of these pieces. Sure, the price is crazy but you'd also be crazy to pay full price - negotiate or wait and buy 2nd hand. On the wrist, the date is not intrusive. The chrono action is superb (and I have tried many, including the usual 'heavy hitter' suspects). The crown is a joy to turn. The movement is a work of art. It's the whole package, which simply cannot be judged on a screen. I'm not getting this watch, or even thinking of getting it, but before you sh1t all over Breguet, head down to 10, New Bond Street, W1S 3SP London, and actually slap one on yer wrist (and get a complimentary coffee). They, and other high end boutiques, know most people through the door are tyre kickers, but watches at this level are affairs of the heart, and you never know when you'll fall in love.

I like cw, and having had a c60 pro bronze I liked a lot about it.   It was big and heavy though so I'd want a smaller one in future,  no idea what size that new one is,  mine was 43mm.

And seeing as you (didn't) ask, here are two Breguets I'd actually love to see in person. Owning is out of the question, short of me living in the street, but to wear one for a day...

5367PT (off-centred dial is slightly jarring but typical of the maison, the dial colour and texture are sublime)

3795PT - a perp. cal. is a genuinely useful, if extravagant, complication. I usually prefer window'd, rather than pointer, indicators but still, imagine being sat at your desk with a loupe and whiling away the hours....

I will now waste the next part of my day thinking what my ultimate watches would be (not like I haven't done this exercise a hundred times, but still, it shifts!)

@Neilveil Its a 42, details here.

I must admit I'm very tempted, but promised myself I wouldn't spend my funds until I'd got to my next watch of desire because obviously it then gets further out of reach.  Plus also I'm a bit odd in the way I think, in that owning another CW detracts somehow from the Compressor that Mrs K bought for my 50th.

But this in a collection of 5 would sit nicely indeed.