Watches N+1…

Nice that Nobster.

I think I’ve said it on here before but 12hr bezels are massively underused, should be way more popular than they are

I sold a couple of watches this weekend and by coincidence, this Baltic turned up on ebay.

I’ve been after one since the launch and it was a toss-up between this, the brown or the cream face model.

You may remember me asking about an alternative to the summery white rubber strap for my Seiko chronograph a few weeks ago. Well I went for a Barton race leather strap. I’m already a fan of these have a couple of brown ones but I think it rather suits. 

It certainly does suit it. Nice.

Just back my my round-the-world trip, with my Oris and Reverso. Now over to England with my Exp1 and this new little number. Green strap is to match my new kayak (when it arrives).

Not as esteemed as some watches in here but my Nixon 51-30 Tide is back from repair and with a nice new leather strap fitted. 

New Seiko 5 Gmt / field watch due for release in January could be a purchase (I like Seiko and watches with numerals!)

https://www.seikowatches.com/uk-en/products/5sports/ssk023

£410, GMT/Alpinist hybrid and no Sapphire. I’m out.

On another note the Zulu Diver Seasalter nylon/cordura strap I have for the CW is irritating my inner wrist, and I can’t find any obvious protrusions or frayed bits – any suggestions for softening it?

New Seiko 5 Gmt / field watch due for release in January

I like it, bit spendy for a 5 though. Seiko still determined to reposition themselves pn price, a couple of years ago £410 would have put you well into the Presage/Prospex ranges.

Hmm, presage maybe but only just into prospex.   I agree it’s a big increase for a 5 though. 

Seikos problem is too big a spread of watches (since they do 5 it makes some think credor and gs aren’t high quality), a lack of qc on mid range stuff (prospex) and a lack of regulation before shipping out the factory on…. everything. 

I like it, a mini Explorer 2!  But you’re right it’s pretty spendy for a 5 and not far off King Turtle money

@Richpips, yonks ago you posted a black white Amazon special I think, very chunky and minimal, could you share a link? Think it was sub £50 and wanted something to tool watch wise

Dear watch-lovers of singletrack, you may be able to help just as brilliantly as you do with bike-related issues!? I had a Seiko Automatic since 1996, went through many straps, and the occasional adjustment when it started going a little fast or slow, but the last adjustment at a decent watch repair shop ended in a terminal failure of the mechanism:

No reason not to trust the guy, seemed like a decent shop, but he said he cannot repair it or get parts after it gave up while lying on that shaking platform for a few days. Hence my question: Do you happen to know whether I can buy a mechanism that slots nicely into the empty space of the watch’s body, whether it be an automatic or battery operated one I don’t mind.

Thanks in advance

Sven

That’s an SKX171 which came with a 7s26 movement, that movement has been superceded by the 4R36 which will also give you hacking and handwinding. It’s a like for like swap and will set you back £50.

No one ever services a 7S26 because it’s cheaper to fit a new movement. If you want to go really cheap, a NH36 is the same as the 4R36 without the Seiko branding.

I’ve just had my dad’s Skx031 given a new nh36 to replace the ~20 yo 7s26.

There are millions of Seiko movements & parts, I’m surprised the horologer didn’t know tbh. If you were in Ireland I could give you a NOS 7S26b.

Thank you, @Saccades, that’s a fantastic piece of information, great!

I’ll go ahead ordering a 4R36 or nh36 and will give it a go… if I can lace my own wheels, I hope that is not too hard?!

And yes, maybe the horologer wasn’t all that clued up on Seiko watches after all, he only told me that the movement was discontinued (which seems correct, but no mention of a successor), at least he didn’t charge me for his failed attempts at repair.

Thanks again

Sven

That’s an SKX171 which came with a 7s26 movement, that movement has been superceded by the 4R36 which will also give you hacking and handwinding. It’s a like for like swap and will set you back £50.

Post of the year for me on this thread. Brilliant! 👍

Oh and nice to hear from Sven when he’s not busy on ISIHAC… 🙃

So I stuck the Baltany on the same £10 Heavy duty ballistic Nato I bought for the Arnie, this time in olive:

i cant post a wrist roll vid so apologies for the set of many large pics.   Thoroughly recommended the NATO, different colours available: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heavy-Olive-Green-Nylon-Buckle/dp/B082P6N9F1/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=264AATPHJLRJJ&keywords=talk+time+nato+4+ring&qid=1702559848&sprefix=talk+time+nato+4+ring%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1

Saccades
Free Member
That’s an SKX171 which came with a 7s26 movement, that movement has been superceded by the 4R36 which will also give you hacking and handwinding. It’s a like for like swap and will set you back £50.

You need to fit a new crown as well. It’s a one piece crown and stem on the SKX and the 4R uses a different stem, so either buy an aftermarket SKX crown for £15 and use the 4R stem, or buy a one piece crown and stem from the SARB059 which usually costs around £35.

@scratch DM me your address and I’ll pop it in the post to you, I don’t wear it.

That’s amazingly generous RP, will DM you know, thank you.

@Fudd, good call, can sometimes get away using the stem in the replacement movement if you can remove the old stem.

Wild fire watches on AliExpress is a reliable cheap source of movements.

Oh and nice to hear from Sven when he’s not busy on ISIHAC…

You know the current thread They’re not the same

Well, it turns out there are more than 2 Svens! I am NOT the one from ISIHAC, but the reindeer from Frozen!

Post of the year for me on this thread. Brilliant!

I agree, I hadn’t even hoped to get such a good answer, thanks also to @Fudd for the advice on the crown and stem.

Sven (the reindeer)

So, question du jour for the cognoscenti… What’s the collective view on this cheaper Seiko? I know it’s a bit Daytona/Chronomaster Sport alike but that’s the sort of thing I go for. Anything so long as it’s stainless steel… £500 of your post Brexit GBP’s so a bargainish?

Can anybody recommend a supplier of a non-OEM leather deployment strap for my Omega Seamaster 120M? And some decent springbars – both 20 mm.

Looking to spend about £60.

TiA

What’s the collective view on this cheaper Seiko?

It’s basically the same as the one I posted above but a slightly larger case size, and a much nicer hand set.  I’d actually like to get hold of a set of those to change mine out. Looks like that one has decent lume too, mine only has little pips at 12, 3, 6 and 9.

Nicely made, the bezel markings are sharp, case finish nice and the bracelet is all solid and good quality, (even though I choose top mainly wear it on straps). Personally I’d be looking for a secondhand one on eBay to save a few quid, but that’s a me thing, not the watch. The date is recessed too far into the dial to be of any real use, really that and the lume, (which isn’t a problem on the big one) are the only minor moans and niggles, as Jody would say.

personally I’d be looking for a secondhand one on eBay to save a few quid,

Or consider the highly rated Orient sapphire & solar version…..

@Kryton57 thanks for the link for that NATO strap, got one on the way for a new watch.

Has anyone got a steer on good quality 25mm straps? Preferably leather, uniform thickness, not tapered.

Kryton57
Full Member
personally I’d be looking for a secondhand one on eBay to save a few quid,

Or consider the highly rated Orient sapphire & solar version…..

Sorry, that Orient is a ‘yuk’ from me. Too fussy for my tastes. 👍

That new Seiko 5 is very handsome.

Not sure about the “pentagonal” GMT hand though.

Or consider the highly rated Orient sapphire & solar version…..

Not my cup of tea. Dive watch or chronograph, make your mind up! And hollow end links are a bit cheese-paring on a £300 quartz.

@derek_starship

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TunsLeather?ref=l2-about-shopname&section_id=36598377

@Sven have sent you a message about the 7S26B I’m not using.

what is everyone’s grail watch ?

what is everyone’s grail watch ?

I’m always torn between two:

Nixon x Metallica 51-30 ‘Master of Puppets’

Or the Nixon x Metallica 51-30 Tide ‘Sanitarium’

what is everyone’s grail watch ?

I don’t really have one, I have a bit of a mental note of things I like the look of, and if I can afford it, I buy it.  I’m currently Panerai curious and a PAM00112 is calling…

what is everyone’s grail watch ?

Don’t really have one anymore. I always wanted a Rolex when I was young and got one at an important time of my life and I value it above all my other watches even if it is not the most expensive watch I’ve got.  It has sentimental value to me and I’ve had it +30 years now so I find I have to force myself to wear one of my other watches I’m so attached to it. Realistically I could never buy another watch and be happy enough (obviously I won’t do that!).

what is everyone’s grail watch ?

I would say Rolex Daytona purely from the motorsport connections

I’d like a white dial, 38mm Omega Aquaterra, but they’re nearly 6 grand now! I’ll maybe look for a second hand one in a few years.