Wristwatches, watches and watch-like gadgets

[Virtual Blue]

I got this mechanical watch for about £65 a while ago.

incredible for £65, Orient make awesome watches.

on the subject of Japanese brands, i have come to fancy this Alpinist quite a bit - can see it making a useful travelling watch - and one that suits all attire - jeans, suit etc. it's got that classic mythical look (i think it's colour of the dial - unusual).

i find a compass more useful than a chronograph but probably won't ever use either in everyday life.

nice review here http://www.wristreview.com/?p=3823
modestly priced too!

 

[editor]

i find a compass more useful than a chronograph but probably won't ever use either in everyday life.

Oh, I barely ever use the chrono feature but I just like the look of them! I use the rotating bezel most days though - they're practically far more useful for me (I use them to time cooking, lectures, football etc).

 

[editor]

My ideal watch is a Fortis chrono - automatic, rotating bezel, big numbers on the dial, loads of lume, chrono, moving second hand, tough glass, day/date, and not too big etc.

Are there any (much) cheaper alternatives that come closer to this?

 

[editor]

Oh and if it's got an alarm too, then that's the jackpot!

 

[Virtual Blue]

Ooh! Smooth!

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/omega-speedmaster-mark-ii-reissue-watch-2014/

There's a video review of this as well.


That is one hell of a cool watch.
I love it in fact and that bracelet is so versatile.

70s futurism (technically 1969) rocks.

 

[Mr Retro]

Guys, in all honesty, what do you think of those who wear Rolex Submariners?
I'm thinking of saving up for the ceramic version no-date but am worried about perception.
Is it a wanker's watch?

I love them. So iconic but only thing I dislike is they lack originality.

 

[Mr Retro]

There's a video review of this as well.


That is one hell of a cool watch.
I love it in fact and that bracelet is so versatile.

70s futurism (technically 1969) rocks.

Since editor posted that Speedmaster a few weeks back I've been into the shop that sells them here to drool 3 fucking times. I'm like a child. Just can't justify the expense to myself though.

 

[editor]

Since editor posted that Speedmaster a few weeks back I've been into the shop that sells them here to drool 3 fucking times. I'm like a child. Just can't justify the expense to myself though.

I'm glad I don't see the Fortis watches in shop windows ..

 

[Poi E]

I love them. So iconic but only thing I dislike is they lack originality.

Surely because the sub look has been ripped off so many times?

Much prefer the look of the sea dweller.

Was in a store in Hong Kong a while back and the guy let me try on a 5512 sub. I was struck by how flimsy the construction was compared to the 14755 seamaster I have.

 

[Mr Retro]

Was in a store in Hong Kong a while back and the guy let me try on a 5512 sub. I was struck by how flimsy the construction was compared to the 14755 seamaster I have.

That's very interesting. I've never tried one on. As an aside when I was in Hong Kong at the start of the year literally every second person was wearing a Rolex. I've never seen so many jewelers, there was 1 every 50 yards.

 

[pogofish]

I'm glad I don't see the Fortis watches in shop windows ..

I was like that when I found a shop selling the current Hamilton range recently. I'll have to go back now to see if they have Fortis!

 

[Poi E]

One of my favourites from my collection of vintage Japanese watches. Given to me by my wife as a wedding watch (not my photos). Designated a Chronometer, Seiko had to stop using this following being disbarred by Neuchatel in the 1960s for being too damn good. Blows away most Swiss dress watches from the period in finish and time keeping.

 

[Virtual Blue]

I love them. So iconic but only thing I dislike is they lack originality.

The wearer or the watch?
It's now become a noob piece now...there's a part of me saying, 'fuck all this shit. Buy the ultimate watch. Buy a Grand Seiko.'

I'm forty in 3 months time. Wondering if I should reward myself with that beautiful Speedmaster MK 2.

Problem is, there's too many watches and so little money/ wrist time.

 

[editor]

Has that got an alarm?

 

[editor]

So, every single time I see a watch and go, "Ooh, I really like that one," it's almost always going to cost well over a grand.

Like this one:

 

[Virtual Blue]

One of my favourites from my collection of vintage Japanese watches. Given to me by my wife as a wedding watch (not my photos). Designated a Chronometer, Seiko had to stop using this following being disbarred by Neuchatel in the 1960s for being too damn good. Blows away most Swiss dress watches from the period in finish and time keeping.

I was reading into Grand Seiko and didn't realise their original movement on was on par with the Zenith El Primeros from the 1960s! The more I read about Seiko the more I love...

 

[Poi E]

Seiko pursued a lot of hi beats, like Zenith. I have a few Grand Seikos and Lord Marvels (gotta love the name) that crack on at 36000 bph and do so beautifully. This one, again not my photo, has a wonderful linen effect to the dial (circa 1968.)

 

[Virtual Blue]

So, every single time I see a watch and go, "Ooh, I really like that one," it's almost always going to cost well over a grand.

Your tastes are very German, big functional tool watches - have you checked out the new Steinhart range of late? They make affordable pieces and I have to stop myself from looking too often at their website. Too tempting...

As for money, if you like a watch then there's no substitute I'm afraid.
Maybe look at the grey or used market? Chronomaster do a lot of Sinns and Fortis products.

 

[Virtual Blue]

Has that got an alarm?

GMT hand.

 

[Virtual Blue]

Seiko pursued a lot of hi beats, like Zenith. I have a few Grand Seikos and Lord Marvels (gotta love the name) that crack on at 36000 bph and do so beautifully. This one, again not my photo, has a wonderful linen effect to the dial (circa 1968.)

More reading! Not heard of Lord Marvel...

 

[Poi E]

One more to help the reading. Recent purchase. Lord Marvel competition from Citizen: the Leopard. Most comfortable strap I have worn. Used to be able to buy great Jap watches cheaply but now the market has caught up.

 

[Mr Retro]

So, every single time I see a watch and go, "Ooh, I really like that one," it's almost always going to cost well over a grand.

Maybe you should just go for it? For the use you'll get, the pleasure of wearing it and for how long it will last. A good watch literally lasts longer than the wearer

 

[not-bono-ever]

That's very interesting. I've never tried one on. As an aside when I was in Hong Kong at the start of the year literally every second person was wearing a Rolex. I've never seen so many jewelers, there was 1 every 50 yards.

it is probs the only palce you can haggle for a discount for a rolex- the stainless steel sports ones are the hardest ones to get anything over 5% apparently- cash only!

 

[not-bono-ever]

i had a doxa a while ago when they were cheap(ish)

also a PG deep diver

the PG was well old and utterly unuseable in water

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Why is it so hard to buy a nice looking digital watch, with a large display that doesn't look like it was designed to have rocks dropped on it?

 

[ska invita]

Oh, I barely ever use the chrono feature but I just like the look of them! I use the rotating bezel most days though - they're practically far more useful for me (I use them to time cooking, lectures, football etc).

what is a rotating bezel? what does it do?

 

[mwgdrwg]

what is a rotating bezel? what does it do?

say it's 27 minutes past twelve now, rotate the bezel so the arrow is at now...you can time shit.

 

[Virtual Blue]

So, every single time I see a watch and go, "Ooh, I really like that one," it's almost always going to cost well over a grand.

Like this one:

View attachment 56564

The hands on that watch look like hypodermic needles.

 

[editor]

Here's another stunning watch that I'll never be able to afford!

 

[editor]

Look at that lume!



Sorry. I'll stop now.