MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Today is Oris day. Bought this a good few years ago, this was my daily beater. I don’t normally wear my watches so low down on my wrist, but for photo purposes it’s easier…
Oris TT1 Chrono, when I bought this they were selling for £1900 RRP, I went in to the shop to buy a Aquis, but this was reduced by 50% so decided to buy it. I had been looking at Oris for a while so had seen the RRP and thought it was just too much, but the sale price tempted me.
(Hopefully the pic is nicely out of focus)
My daily a quartz Seiko Chronograph on a cork strap.
Unfortunately quite scratched and chipped- a proper beater!
Nice watch ctk. Didn’t RAF issue ones like that at one point?
photo needs to be more out of focus mind you
Cheers Kato, don't know about the RAF connection. Not sure if the first photo passes muster focus wise tbh 😂
Didn’t RAF issue ones like that at one point?
Not that model. Purely a chrono, no WR and flat (easily scratched) glass. They were Navigator issue; they then used a cheaper Pulsar equivalent, that fell apart, particularly annoying when flying and the crown got lost in the cockpit, leading to a loose article check and grounding of the aircraft. I think they were all recalled/withdrawn at that point.
No Idea if they issue a watch any more. Just getting basic flying clothing is hard enough!
photo needs to be more out of focus mind you
Now you're just being deliberately mean.
ctk
Full MemberMy daily a quartz Seiko Chronograph on a cork strap.
It's unusually legible for a chrono, they're usually a bit more compromised than that. Looks like an excellent choice for a daily.
I like the strap, I'll have to have a hunt for some cork
So I’m still wearing my Seiko ‘King’ Samurai which I’ve just swapped to an Orange Rubber & Sailcloth style of strap…
I like it and I shall probably be swapping backwards and forwards between this and the original bracelet.
Rubber sail cloths for the win! I would post a photo but I'm a cheap skate member so it's trickier
Sorry, nothing new to show but finally off on proper hols with the family (Dorset was... complicated). I have in my bag: one diving mask, two pairs of fins (scuba and freedive), three Speedos and four watches. Possibly five pairs of pants but not sure.
Garmin its the top!
@gaidong - the Oris is probably my favourite out of those four. A real “does what it says on the tin” type of watch - tells time, very legible, elegantly attractive without being fussy.
Which is good as I have the GMT version of the same watch.
Happiness is enjoying what you have.
@gaidong Theres no chronograph, what are you going to do if you need a chrono on holiday? 😀
Whats the Reverso update? I note its not in the travelling watch box..... you throw it overboard in disgust?
Hello from the plane. I didn't have time to take the Reverso to Paris for a battery/service, otherwise it'd have taken the place of the Explorer or VC. Chrono.... I know but I am super picky and can't afford what I like, Sinn 103 variant would make sense but they feel a bit... under par. I will be diving so a proper dive was a 'necessity', as my dive computer is 25 years old and needs a weird SL-750 battery, and more importantly, the Pelagos needs a proper diving photo. The Oris is my daily. I would wish it a couple of millimetres smaller in diameter, 41 or 42mm. I do miss a rotating bezel to fiddle with though. I could get all this with a Blancpain Bathyscape Complete Calendar but don't like their handset, and it's too pricey to beat on...
Damasko DC86/2 is a beast chrono with a gnarly bezel but nigh on impossible to try in advance of purchase, which I'm not doing again.
Oh well, the fun is in the hunt!
I will be diving so a proper dive was a ‘necessity’,
I'd probably go diving in the old gold one - don't want to risk damaging that nice Tudor by bashing it on a rock or something! 😜
So I’m still wearing my Seiko ‘King’ Samurai which I’ve just swapped to an Orange Rubber & Sailcloth style of strap…
Like that sailcloth esque strap - do you recall where you got that ?
At Athens Airport now. Just tried the Tag Hauer 'glassbox', gorgeous but a tad small. Fitted my son like a glove though, but he's 15 so F that! Longines Zulu 42 is massive, wears bigger than my Oris Propilot 44. No Zulu 39s to try. Did fit my son up for a Tudor BB36 though, that is envisagable for his Bacc., so in three years... Now studiously avoiding the gyros sellers...
I like the strap, I’ll have to have a hunt for some cork
I like the strap also but I wouldn't get another. Its a super thin layer of cork on leather and the cork is peeling away. Wasn't cheap either @ £50ish
Yes I know thats cheap compared to some straps! Here's a pic
It's arrived. Meets the brief, super light, not too big for my skinny wrists, easy to read, no batteries to change. And about 2/3rd or a bit less of RRP. Not a great photo but IRL it's nicely finished for the price. I even like the strap. Mostly tho I like how light it is.
@Alex that’s very nice, looks much better on than it does in the promo shots.
Liking the Citizen @alex!
re sailcloth / rubber straps, I bought this to replace the leather strap of the same colour and design, it may be of interest and it’s very good - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275558506774?var=576608777976
Thanks all. really happy with it. Glad I've learned my lesson (finally) and stopped buying massive watches! (my fenix gets a pass tho). I do like simple things done well. I expect tho I'll be around 198m under the waterproofing limit 🙂
@Krtyon57 - those straps look good. Like to try one, once I've worked out how to remove this one!
What diameter is it Alex?
ctk
Full Member
I like the strap, I’ll have to have a hunt for some corkI like the strap also but I wouldn’t get another. Its a super thin layer of cork on leather and the cork is peeling away. Wasn’t cheap either @ £50ish
Thanks for the tip, something to keep an eye on!
ctk
Full Member
Yes I know thats cheap compared to some straps!
Not mine...
@johnners 44mm according to Citizen web site. My Fenix is 47 I think and I have a Torgeon that is 46, but this feels a lot smaller than both of those.
As promised, here is my 'what I can find in the drawer' collection. Pretty much in order of purchase. The Tag I bought in Canada and wore loads until I broke it (long story), got it fixed, hardly wore it again. Couple of pre-smar****ch MTB cheapies, sold all my g-shocks when I bought a fenix 3.
The massive Timex has a compass! I still have the instructions. Bought off here many years ago. Never used for navigation, could almost hang it on a wall as a clock 😉
I forgot I had the Boccia. That's another really nice light Ti watch. And the Animal Ti was one of my favs, properly beaten up but deserves a new battery. I'd wear both of those again.
As for the rest - not sure how many of them will ever get worn again (apart from the Fenix which is a brilliant MTB watch), but nothing worth selling. They occupy the same drawer as old phone chargers 😉
Seeing Alex's collection made me venture into the "Room of Doom" to try and find my old Animal watches (I saw them 5 years ago when I moved house so they must be in there somewhere!). Found the Titanium one after about an hour. Movement all appears to be free so hopefully battery hasn't melted and corroded everything. Where to get the battery replaced? Try somewhere local or send it to someone who knows what they're doing? Also, can you still get Animal velcro straps?
Thank you - it was a £19.95 Ebay purchase. Here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275565251856?var=576638566452
@everyone-else I'm loving the watch show :o)
Where to get the battery replaced?
Our local hardware shop does that kind of thing or Timpsons, even DIY if you've got a way of getting the back off without damaging it. Little smear of Silicon grease on the O ring when you put it back on would be a good idea.
Our local hardware shop does that kind of thing or Timpsons, even DIY if you’ve got a way of getting the back off without damaging it. Little smear of Silicon grease on the O ring when you put it back on would be a good idea
Be nice to have it pressure tested after battery replacement in case I ever take up surfing again, I doubt Timpsons can do this.
Seems that they do... from their website.
Pressure testing - Every Timpson shop has a pressure tester to ensure your watch is water-resistant. Every watch battery replacement includes a pressure test as standard, but this is also available as a separate while-you-wait service.
I know some might get a bit sniffy about Timpsons, but I like them as a company, the blokes in are local one are great.
Oh that's good to know, cheers. I've happily used them for other stuff 🙂
Timpsons will also sell you a lifetime replacement deal - I need to dig mine out and get a new battery in the same ti version as in Alex's photo.
I picked mine up and the strap fell off! So it'll be 'total refurb' then. I might even wipe the case down to see the scratches better 🙂
@kryton57 - I cannot imagine taking more than one watch anywhere! This thread has been an education! I'm not mocking at all, I just didn't know it was a thing.
Still I did take 2 bikes on a family holiday once 🙂
Alex, I did occur to me that you'd mentioned you kept your watches in a drawer, so as a now regular visitor to this thread it's incumbent upon you to upgrade to a watch box for home and a watch roll for travelling* 😉
*its a hobby that keeps on giving
I always take two watches on holiday, a beater and a nicer watch. No diving for me, even though most of my watches are 200m rated….they only meed to be waterproof to survive me floundering in the pool.
I’m on holiday now, got my Smiths Commander and my Seiko Diver Chrono.
watch box for home and a watch roll for travelling
I was going to use a broom handle this morning for display purposes 🙂 And I can just take the drawer on Holiday! Not sure the 'collection' is worth a special box to be honest!
@simondbarnes - ah hah right well you've motivated me to take mine in tomorrow!
Feel like I need to dig out my Animal watch, I reckon it's getting on for 30 years old now
<p style="text-align: left;">That's lovely pisco. Can't tell on my phone (and with my colour blindness), is the strap blue as well?</p>
I don't know much about watches (as my photo on the last page shows), but ^^^ is indeed lovely!
My local Timpsons were unable to get the back off the case of the Animal watch. Might try a different jewellers but assume they all use similar tools?
That’s lovely pisco. Can’t tell on my phone (and with my colour blindness), is the strap blue as well?
Thanks! It's black, but still goes nicely with the watch as the blue-fired chrono hands look black in most lights. It originally came on brown alligator.
Suprised that Timpsons couldnt do it tbh. Assume its the same back as the Animal on the previous page?
Anything like this should do the job, unless it has somehow seized or something?
Absolutely lovely that chrono pisco, beautiful! Have fun and tell us about it after please.
<p style="text-align: left;">Absolutely lovely that chrono pisco, beautiful!</p>
+1, stunning looking watch.
lol I didn't check the opening times, and it's only open on a Friday morning! It's only a five minute cycle away, so I'll probably go solo one Friday soon.
Well, as it turns out, because the Upton village fete was on, the museum was open, and at half price entry.
Obviously it's properly geeky, but I love talking escapements. The volunteers were very helpful and knowledgeable. However, one chap, in reference to the lever escapement, said that old watches had this (true) but any modern watches with this are now made in China. "What about today's Swiss watches?" I asked. "They will all be quartz nowadays"??
Anyway, it's got a nice variety of craftsmanship, engineering, and lots and lots clocks
https://giphy.com/gifs/aXw6SnbZAlxjAoCTam
regulated by a ball rolling on a tilting tray
Nerdy escapement working models
Love the Accutron - my dad's in front of me as I type. Really cool but required amazing tolerances to work.
Fabulous pisco! Never mind the less expert expert! You're pics remind me, I forgot to say, I went up the Queen Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster a couple of weeks ago, got to see the clock for it striking a quarter hour and be in the belfry for the next, ear plugs were provided! The clock has a gravity escapement and its regulated by adding or removing old pennies from the top of the pendulum weight. There were specific weights for that job but they got lost. They were found again during the recent refurbishment but they have stuck with tradition and still use pennies. The clock was built by Denison, I'm yet to look up if that is the same family that makes watch cases.
I am of course talking about the clock and tower commonly known by the name of the biggest bell (named after a tall mp that was influential to the rebuilding of the Palace in its current form after it was destroyed by fire). That Bell being......?
... Big Ben.
Roughly 1 in 10 staff in Timpsons are convicted criminals.... for a positive reason, they are the biggest employer of ex-prisoners. I believe they have training centres in prisons so people can go straight into employment after serving their sentence
Correct tthew, I didn't make it hard did I.
I got free tour but having done it I'd thoroughly recommend it, well worth the 20 or 25 quid I belive the tour costs.
However, one chap, in reference to the lever escapement, said that old watches had this (true) but any modern watches with this are now made in China. “What about today’s Swiss watches?” I asked. “They will all be quartz nowadays”??
#facepalm! Deary me, I’d love to visit and wave my SPORK under his nose and point out it’s a Japanese watch and movement, and it’s only around ten years old. Then there’s Yema, French, and producing in-house mechanical movements, and as for British watchmakers like Rebecca Struthers and her husband…
I got free tour but having done it I’d thoroughly recommend it, well worth the 20 or 25 quid I belive the tour costs.
Is this a recent thing since the restoration? I've never heard of it, though I suppose they don't want to publicise and make it too popular. Definitely on my to do list next time I'm in London village.
Balls! I typed then lost a long reply! Yes it's been possible before but not for several years during the restoration. They will be doing 1tour per hour and groups of 16 per guide. Think they said it'll be £25, but maybe be £20. Definitely worth that in my view. This gives an idea
There's more on YouTube too if you want a better idea
I’ve got a vintage omega and had a thread about it years ago on here - there was some really useful advice / notes on it but for the life of me I can’t find it! Don’t want to start another!
Can anyone dig it out and post a link??
thanks. Neil
Here’s the Link to booking a Big Ben tour
Before the restoration it was free and booked by contacting your local MP, absolutely brilliant and generally poorly advertised
As others have said really worth it, and looking at the new website looks easier to book than the old (free) system
I always book the 11:15 session whenever in London to get maximum bell ringing at the 12:00 strike, and as a bonus since you’ve already passed through security at Portcullis House, after the tour you are free to explore Westminster Hall and watch Prime Ministers Question from the public viewing gallery as well
Thanks for the photos @pisco! That place looks amazing, I too love an escapement. Would like to visit - I remember watching a video (VHS on the school's massive Ferguson TV, of course) when I was young about that Greenwich Mean Time clock.
And another vote for Timpson's, they're a really sound company. They train and employ ex-offenders as they recognise that this is the best way to prevent re-offending and help people sort their lives out. They offer all sorts of bonuses and perks (the company owns holiday apartments somewhere that employees can rent free of charge, IIRC), has mental health support written into employee contracts and is a Living Wage employer IIRC. Their customer service is usually exceptional because they're such a good company to work for so they recognise that their people might make mistakes but they want to put them right - I found the High Performance Podcast interview with James Timpson very moving: https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/podcast/james-timpson
Currently finding myself drawn to the Style60s presages.
https://www.seikowatches.com/uk-en/products/presage/style60s
I particularly like the petrol blue GMT
So I’ve posted my Seiko ‘King’ Samurai a couple of times now. So here’s my Seiko 5, the watch that got me interested in mechanical watches…
It’s on another eBay Rubber/Sailcloth strap as the Seiko original strap is getting hard and cracking :o(
Swdan - I like the Presage watches too. Although I’m not familiar with the 4R34 movement :o)
Hiking with Oris yesterday. Swimming today. Eating with it everyday, on Samos...
My thanks to everyone who recommended the G Shock 5610U in this thread - I never would have discovered it otherwise
It is the best watch I have ever owned… subtle, robust, solar powered, accurate with nightly radio controlled timing and with change from £100… brilliant
Love those classic Propilot's. Not so keen on the newer ones though
@Charlie, I'm liking the Ω !
Thank you @gaidong
It was a lucky find at a charity shop so I know nothing about it other than it works
The face has no detail other than branding and the reverse is all smooth with no markings or obvious tool markings for opening
I’ve been following this thread with interest but any suggestions for how I can remove the back safely, or who to take it to, would be most welcome
Sharp knife with care will get the back off
Markings will be on the inside of the caseback. Get it off and have a look
Thank you for the encouragement
A sharp knife with care (and persuasion) and the back is off
It’s an Omega 2496 1
circa 1949
Caliber number 283
and in the continuing spirit of this Thread…
I’m lucky to have this mechanical Swiss and a G shock in my collection of 2, so please feel free to recommend a N+1 of a different style of watch to bring my collection up to 3
@ElShalimo, upgraded for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Chickpea fritters doing their part to keep my mass starting with a 9 rather than an 8...