Subscribe now and choose from over 30 free gifts worth up to £49 - Plus get £25 to spend in our shop
Thinking of bunging my Carrera on eBay at a speculative price. They seem to be going* for a few hundred more than I paid for it and while I like it I'd be happy to start a keeper fund.
*or priced, if it would sell is a different matter!
If anyone sees a black Friday deal of 20% or more off a new seamaster diver 300, the white dialed, black bezel version. Please please shout out. Wife may well not be happy.... But I might 😆
Are Omega Black Friday deals an actual thing? Maybe not this year, but...
Rather liking the Yema Pearldiver
New in house movement, made in France 674 Euros. Hopefully my lottery ticket will win on Saturday.
and want to treat myself to a Bamford G Shock.
Crikey, sold out months ago within 3 minutes of launch and now being flogged on ebay for £700. Think I'll pass, and buy the cheapest negative display G5600 I can find.
Yema have a few very nice looking Divers out at the moment.
Really like their bronze efforts but can't justify it with what I already am not wearing at the moment.
The new Carrera's:
To my own surprise I quite like the Rose Gold / Black strap, albeit that has a price hike to £5.3k.
Full details and loads of shots here for lunchtime reading: https://www.calibre11.com/review-tag-heuer-carrera-sports-chronograph-heuer-02/
If anyone sees a black Friday deal of 20% or more off a new seamaster diver 300, the white dialed, black bezel version. Please please shout out. Wife may well not be happy…. But I might 😆
20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY - so £3560 (£890 saving).
Don't tell your wife that I told you!
Bloody photos!
Blooming NS too. That Burrells site has exactly the watch I'd replace the Carrera with at a price close to the second hand ones. Flipping heck.
Edit, what's more my missis would be more than happy for me to buy it. It's me that baulks at the idea of spending the price of a really decent bike on a watch!
@Fudd - thanks for that info, I hadn’t realised that the Valjoux was that widely used! I knew about Breitling, but that was all.
And at the opposite end of the market my new Orient Kano arrived this week.
Now we're talking - which colour?
Edit. There def wasn't a photo there earlier! I hadn't seen that version before though, looks good.
Blooming NS too. That Burrells site has exactly the watch I’d replace the Carrera with at a price close to the second hand ones. Flipping heck.
Yep. I’m a year away from my 50th and Mrs K is redundant so I darent use the family savings just yet, but could have my Speedy/ Carrera a lot cheaper. I’m sure it’ll be back next year...
Also a PSA - quite a big sale at JuraWatches launched today, there’s some decent pieces in it.
Like that irc, Orient watches are brilliant for the money.
Happy so far. Running around +5s a day. For £169 it isn't far off Chinese money for an established Japanese brand with their own movement. Only needed 1 link off for 7 1/2 wrist so anyone with 8 inch wrists would need to source extra links.
I've had the Pantor a couple of days now and not had it off the wrist other than for the photos below so here's a bit of an update.
Firstly, I didn't pay for this - it's a "review" model. Which is great but I'm not a watch reviewer, social media influencer or anything. I've had instagram accounts but never use them so forget the details and have to start again and again. As far as a brand is concerned I'm a terrible choice for increasing awareness.
Which obviously then begs the question - how did I end up getting a watch to try? Well when that image was posted by DerekStarship a few pages back I thought it looked pretty cool so got in touch, exchanged a couple of emails about spec etc and then moved on to the next shiny looking thing forgetting all about it. I think I decided against it as I had to buy direct and at the time I wasn't as keen on sending money off to random companies in Hong Kong for something I'd not seen in the flesh. Off the top of my head this was about 18 months ago ish.
Anyway, last week out of the blue I get an email from Pantor asking if I wanted to try one, so not being one to turn down a new watch I obviously said yes, half expecting there to be some catch. Which there wasn't, after a bit of watch chat I basically got to choose the model, strap and colour and they sent it from their UK Amazon stock along with a handful of discount codes.
Which immediately gives you something of a moral dilemma - what to do if it's crap? Suddenly you're at risk of becoming a corporate shill, selling out your integrity for cheap/free kit! Anyway, as I'm not a professional watch reviewer relying on free kit to create cost effective content in order to generate youtube subscribers and all that dirty, dirty ad revenue I decided that wasn't an issue and I'd just say whatever the hell I think about it. Which is, ironically, the obvious thing for a corporate shill to say but let's not go down that rabbit hole...
In terms of the watch itself, I was actually really impressed when it turned up - it's a genuinely nice watch. Obviously the cushion-case styling is SRP/Doxa-ish but it's not an homage of any individual watch and it feels solid with the bezel and crown actions being crisp and clean and the lume is great, lasting through the night and being easily visible in the morning
On a personal preference level I really like the green sunburst dial which I was 50/50 about when I ordered it as I'm not (wasn't) a fan of green watches and the little Sealion details on the crown and case back are pretty cool. The cushion case looks nicely retro and makes the watch wear a lot smaller than its paper dimensions would suggest.
I can tell it's a couple of grades higher in terms of spec than the Orient Ray I've got which is currently the closest thing I've got to it in terms of style, everything is just that bit tighter and more solid as well as the on-paper spec being better across the board.
Obviously if you want to disregard all the above because I'm bound to say it's amazing then that's fair enough, but otherwise yeah, thanks for reading and don't forget to like and subscribe etc to Ivan's Watch Reviews!
Couple of photos from walking the dog on the beach...
No idea why this isn't posted in full and you need to click on it? I told you I was a terrible choice of social media influencer - I can't even reliably post photos...
'Nice' Tudor Pelagios on the bay, does say 'not original Tudor' in the desc and feedback/other items looks like a regular seller. I don't get it, dodgy, out of copyright 'homage', what gives?
https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watches/pelagos/m25600tb-0001
Hey @IvanDobski I missed your Pantor review from the other day but that's a great write up and story, you should be a watch reviewer. Those are superb photos too!
Have you sent your contact at Pantor a link to this thread? I reckon they might sell a couple on the strength of that and maybe you'll get a regular STW watches n+1 influencer job! 👍
Sorry, double post weirdness.
Such a sucker for 70s quartz. £45, and it's basically a baby snowflake Grand Seiko if you squint
Premier Icon
bungle
Full Member‘Nice’ Tudor Pelagios on the bay, does say ‘not original Tudor’ in the desc and feedback/other items looks like a regular seller. I don’t get it, dodgy, out of copyright ‘homage’, what gives?
Can't believe someone has bid that up to £400 already. The stainless case instantly gives it away as a snide
That quartz Seiko is handsome. What size is the case?
37mm, so pretty reasonable for an older watch.
Can’t believe someone has bid that up to £400 already. The stainless case instantly gives it away as a snide
And the date window and just the overall quality of it. There are some good fakes out there but this isn't one of them.
I've seen fakes get outed on TZUK, the watch gets reported to Ebay who do nothing, so then a few members get into a bidding war. So a fake Sub for example gets pumped to over £20k, the seller thinks he's hit the jackpot and is spending the money in his head before the auction has ended, then he gets told to do one when he sends the invoice. It's not like he can raise a non-paying bidder claim or force you to pay when you have a list of indicators that it's a fake.
Went Rolex shopping again today and quite frankly it just made me angry.
Decided to calm myself down by coming home, drinking Spanish beer, and buying a Grand Seiko spring drive instead.
Yay me !.
Very nice Brads. Like that a lot.
umop3pisdn
Such a sucker for 70s quartz. £45, and it’s basically a baby snowflake Grand Seiko if you squint
Technically it’s a cock and balls seiko isn’t it? 🙂
Nice Grand Seiko Brads
Very chuffed actually, been after one for ages and I think Mrs Brads was listening to my chat with the dealer today and thought it might be nice to let me buy one lol.
Saw some mental stuff today. Tried on a Patek complication, a snip at just over £100k lol, worth it mind.
What boiled my piss was £11k for an old 90's GMT on a jubilee. Bog standard , but nice watch, at 5k mibbe, total arse biscuits at £11k though.
Also had it confirmed that sales folk at AD's are taking back handers to sell to flippers and are also selling to mates to split the profits.
Hi I'm after a working watch without any strap, I'm looking for something to use for work and keep in my pocket, as due to covid im not allowed to wear a watch anymore. Apparently due to wrist watches being a contamination risk! Doesn't have to be fancy. Has anyone got anything in a draw?
Put your wrist watch in your pocket obviously.
Strange rule.
By the way, it's DRAWER.
Love the Spring Drive. A fab choice!
Everything you say about Rolex AD’s is exactly what’s putting me off a Rolex for my big birthday
Seriously you won't be able to get one, its a farce.
OP's are now doing over 7k, the are 4.4k new
18 months ago you could get a discount on them ffs.
Big birthday ? lots of lovely options.
Birth year vintage watch ?
I could list you some amazing makers at a fraction of Rolex prices. Or a few lesser known makers that are seriously lovely.
What kind of watch were you thinking ?.
Love the Spring Drive. A fab choice!
Everything you say about Rolex AD’s is exactly what’s putting me off a Rolex for my big birthday
+1 As you know I’m in the same place early 2022. Grand Seiko with a Speedy & new Carrera in equal second place is the current order.
I’m looking for something to use for work and keep in my pocket, as due to covid im not allowed to wear a watch anymore. Apparently due to wrist watches being a contamination risk!
Say what now? 😳 Are people just making this stuff up to make people’s lives even more difficult? Who the hell is a watch going to contaminate? It’s not going to breathe on anyone, for starters! #facepalm
I do like a nice Grand Seiko and that is a nice Grand Seiko. I'd like to see them increase their prices a fair bit so they get judged as direct equivalents to Rolex et al rather than being seen as the value option.
Having said that I just don't get the Rolex thing, it's so clearly an artificial bubble based on... nothing particularly special yet the media can't help fuel it. Earlier in the year GS introduced a brand new escapement, one of only a handful which are in current use despite thousands of attempts over hundreds of years and the media barely mentioned it but when Rolex rearranges the deckchairs on the sub or paints the Black Bay blue the media loses its collective shit.
What kind of watch were you thinking ?.
Not a diver. I have an SMP that has sentimental value to me so don’t want another diver.
What I really want is an Explorer 1 but if an OP is at 7k an Explorer will be more than I’m willing to pay. I have always fancied a Speedmaster Pro as well and I’ve a soft spot for that GS you have
50 hits me in 5 1/2 years. Maybe Rolex prices will crash by then? Hahahaha
I have a Rolex, a thunderbird I’ve had for nearly thirty years now. I used to wear day in day out - on the road bikes, out on ops at work, on the motorbikes, etc, etc.
Got a JLC this year, hardly use it now, I still love it but there’s so many other nice watches out there (Grand Seiko amongst them).
3000!
Mind you the GS is pretty similar in style to the Tudor BB41 I just bought. Seem to always go for dark dialled 3 handers. Maybe it’s time for a light dial!
I'd have a Grand Seiko over a Rolex any day of the week, Spring Drive especially EXCEPT for that power reserve indication. I think it's a really odd design choice to just plonk it on the dial like that with no thought to making the radius of it match and line up with any of the other circular elements.
Lovely GS there, and much cooler than an OP.
Rolex are high quality and iconic, but they seem to have become a watch to wear if you want to 'flex' rather than enjoy their horological merits.
I'd (sadly) be much more excited to see someone wearing a nice Ulysse Nardin (among the tacky tat), JLC, GS or H Moser.
Of course, now its been spoken about this thread needs a Snowflake pic:
Ti, duel curved Sapphire, Spring drive - Lovely. My desire is mixed with the fact I don't have a GMT in my collection, so I'm leaning toward something like this ref SBGJ211:
Although it feels a bit busier than the Snowflake, of which I prefer the cleaner look.
Grand Seiko you say? This is the one for me, SBGH267.
Filth.
brads - thank you for pointing out the error of my ways.
CountZero - I wish it was made up but it's part of the NHS bare below the elbow policy. They have previously turned a blind eye to wrist watches but not anymore due to covid😡
I have tried just putting my watch in my pocket but it's bloody uncomfortable and visually looks odd due to the fixed shape strap. I will click and collect a cheap one and just cut the strap off.
Grand Seiko you say? This is the one for me, SBGH267.
I have an eye on a dark face also, SBGJ213:
The two GMT's are £7k watches though, ouch.
diz, I suspect for that usage, I'd either get a cheap Casio digital thing.
They keep good time, are cheap and you won't mind if you lose one or 2!
I looked at loads of GS's but most were 41mm. The one I bought is 39m which I preferred.
It also made it a grand cheaper lol.
Same movement , bracelet and clasp, but slightly smaller case, £1k off lol lucky for me.
I have plenty auto watches so the spring drive was what I wanted, its so clever, and that sweep !! oof.
Vacheron Constantin overseas next I think but not this year .
The white GMT is a stunner
Actually look at the dial detail on the one @lunge posted! That’s now to the top of the list!
@Kato thats a 20th anniversary special, get saving: https://www.chrono24.co.uk/seiko/grand-seiko-sbgh267-hi-beat-36000-20th-anniversary-edition--id16620685.htm.
My current favourite dial on a GS is the cherry blossom, looks amazing.
Similar from Citizen f you're interested in unique dials and traditional methods of watchmaking:
The Chronomaster. https://www.seiyajapan.com/products/the-citizen-eco-drive-aq4020-54y-japanese-traditional-paper-dial-made-in-japan.
The back story & manufacturing of this watch is frankly fascinating, enjoy: https://deployant.com/review-enter-the-dragon-the-citizen-aq-4020-54y-best-quartz-watch-in-the-world/
I like my G-Shocks and just ordered this. Think Merak has a custom with the negative display (looks better imo) and Derek has this model. Reduced from £450 to £337.50, so took a punt
Please tell me £37.50 is a mistake....
Yes, it was....
Cheap awesomness.
Or even cooler for a couple of hundred. Automatic as well.
Followed the link to the Deployant website in Krytons post above and came across this - suppose it should be pretty nice for $307,500 but check out the works!
Wow love that @Bullet. I’ve learned something new there, I didn’t know about fusee chains before. A watch with a tiny bicycle chain, how very awesome.
Anything similar to a Tag Heuer Monaco Gulf or similar squareish watches?
It's my current favourite, but the £5k RRP is a little off putting. Any homages out there?
Those Grand Seiko's are lovely - massive fan of the black dialled versions. The movement is incredibly smooth 'in the metal'. Love em.
The problem with Rolex though is that you'll never be quite 'there' until you get one. That's the draw of Rolex. It's the watch that you'll always be slightly curious about. Always eyeing up. Always stopping when you walk past the AD to see whats in the window. Always checking Chrono24 for prices. It'll always be 'the one that got away'.
Good luck 😉
Whilst I don't doubt the exceptional build quality and craftsmanship of the Grand Seiko, I just cant get my head passed the fact its the same brand that I have in my seiko 5 auto that cost me £40 30 years ago. It just doesn't have that intangible allure that an Omega or Rolex might have.
The problem with Rolex though is that you’ll never be quite ‘there’ until you get one. That’s the draw of Rolex. It’s the watch that you’ll always be slightly curious about.
Nah, for me they're too obvious. Like in James Bond when he gets asked 'Nice watch, is it a Rolex?' it's just what everyone who has a chunk of disposable income and wants a watch plumps for without really thinking about it. In that price bracket I'd get an Omega, (though they are skirting close to the obvious choice) or a Grand Seiko every time.
I recently purchased a Breitling Avenger Seawolf 2 with the Pro Diver strap and Cobra yellow face and went to have the deployant strap adjusted and the jewelers I went are Rolex dealers and I did enquire about buying a GMT Submariner as I was looking at some second hand.
Apparently the new model is out now but the waiting list is very long and I was advised if I bought another model of Rolex it would put me in a better position in the waiting list. But why would I buy say a Datejust model just to bump up the queue? This is sadly the way a lot of Rolex dealers work and trying to buy the actual watch you want is a minefield and they push you to buy something else to get the watch you want. I overheard another customer trying purchase a £25k watch and he was having the same issues and was politely pushed towards another very very expensive model until the watch he actually wanted became available.
What's the odds? I pre-ordered an Alkin Model 2 back in the spring and a Vostok in October. THe postie brought both today.
I like both of those. 👍
earl_brutus
Full Member
Whilst I don’t doubt the exceptional build quality and craftsmanship of the Grand Seiko, I just cant get my head passed the fact its the same brand that I have in my seiko 5 auto that cost me £40 30 years ago. It just doesn’t have that intangible allure that an Omega or Rolex might have.
I assume you didn't see the post about the £300,000 Seiko in the "what kids watch?“ thread!?
Whilst I don’t doubt the exceptional build quality and craftsmanship of the Grand Seiko, I just cant get my head passed the fact its the same brand that I have in my seiko 5 auto that cost me £40 30 years ago. It just doesn’t have that intangible allure that an Omega or Rolex might have.
I was discussing this with my son last night but in the context of Fender vs Squire, Gibson vs Epiphone, Bentley vs Seat etc....
Whilst I don’t doubt the exceptional build quality and craftsmanship of the Grand Seiko, I just cant get my head passed the fact its the same brand that I have in my seiko 5 auto that cost me £40 30 years ago. It just doesn’t have that intangible allure that an Omega or Rolex might have.
Unless you are a watch person.
I picked the GS up and had it sized, it really is a stunning watch, right up their with the best I've worn, and easily on par with Rolex.
I didn't even consider an Omega when I was looking.
The problem is getting your watch knowledge from instagram lol. (no insult intended btw).
The Spring Drive is about as far from a Seiko 5 as it's possible to get.
I have a GS springdrive. I love it. Although some days the electronic wizardry in it diminishes my love of it. I hark after a fully mechanical watch now. The thread title sums it up for me.
Model 2 verdict? Early days but I like it.I don't have any other divers of that compressor case style so it is different. The bracelet is good quality. Sized by taking out 1 link in 2 minutes as it is screw pins. 6 micro adjust holes.
Higher end movement than anything else I have - Miyota 9039
Saphire glass.
Good design features. Drilled lugs for easy strap changes. The hour indice markers on the face are actually holes cut on the upper dial which look black as they expose the black lower dial.
Both crowns are easy to operate and screw down easily without any issue catching the thread.
Nice legible design. I do shifts in a car an have found a couple of my watches can't always be read at a glance in bad light. I would expect no issue with the Alkin.
Supporting a UK designer.
Happy with the build quality and specs for the price. Probably down to whether you like the look.
https://www.beansandbezels.com/reviews/alkin-model-two-watch-review/
^
I've never heard of Alkin but that ticks all my boxes for an understated tool/field watch.
👍
I did enquire about buying a GMT Submariner as I was looking at some second hand.
Apparently the new model is out now but the waiting list is very long and I was advised if I bought another model of Rolex it would put me in a better position in the waiting list. But why would I buy say a Datejust model just to bump up the queue? This is sadly the way a lot of Rolex dealers work and trying to buy the actual watch you want is a minefield and they push you to buy something else to get the watch you want. I overheard another customer trying purchase a £25k watch and he was having the same issues and was politely pushed towards another very very expensive model until the watch he actually wanted became available.
There is no 'waiting' list. The in demand models go to [s]Watchfinder[/s] the best customers first, so when a GMT for example comes in the store manager will have an 'expression of interest' list for that model prioritised by spending history. Time spent on the list is of little consideration
You can buy a new GMT tomorrow at a vastly inflated price and there's no shortage of them, you just have to accept that its what they're worth in a free market.
The current alternative is buy whatever Rolex the AD can offer, some jewellery for the Mrs and maybe Tag Heuer at RRP while you're there. Return in a few months and buy a Breitling, mention the GMT while at it, then return and buy something else and repeat. By the time they do have one for you you'll have sold all those unwanted watches you bought and hopefully lost no more than the five or six grand extra you'd have to have stumped up last year when you first wanted the GMT.
Model 2 verdict?
After first 24hr on wrist - running around 4s a day slow. Very comfortable on the wrist. Very legible during a nightshift in the car. I'm happy with it.
