Recommend me a mechanical watch for under a monkey

[pistonheadforum]

aberdeeneuan said:

I had a new strap made for my Hamilton (GMT 3t with red on the face) by Toshi. The guy makes them by hand to your spec. It's quite chunky which if you like the watch slim may not be for you, but suits the watch perfectly and Rich was great to deal with. Not cheap but changed my view on the watch from one I'd wear occasionally to one I wear nearly every day. (Mine is papaya with brown stitching).

Any pictures you can post? Thanks.

[aberdeeneuan]

pistonheadforum said:

aberdeeneuan said:

I had a new strap made for my Hamilton (GMT 3t with red on the face) by Toshi. The guy makes them by hand to your spec. It's quite chunky which if you like the watch slim may not be for you, but suits the watch perfectly and Rich was great to deal with. Not cheap but changed my view on the watch from one I'd wear occasionally to one I wear nearly every day. (Mine is papaya with brown stitching).

Any pictures you can post? Thanks.

This was it the day I put it on the watch. Has softened right up in that time and just extremely comfortable to wear.

[pistonheadforum]

Very nice.

[Variomatic]

lowdrag said:

Variomatic said:

It should but there's always the possibility of a faulty one from any maker.

The real problem with places like Creation is the extended chain when it comes to problems. Buy from the high street (or even a UK based web seller) and returns / repairs are relatively easy and backed by pretty robust consumer laws.

Deal with someone half-way round the world, operating under an entirely different legal system, and you're absolutely at their mercy if there's a problem.

Of course, if it's cheap enough that may be a risk worth taking - but it's a risk none the less.

One swallow does not make a summer. Many of us here have bought from Creation - I learned of them here - and both my Seikos have worked perfectly. There are loads of threads and references to them. Have you sent it back for a replacement? Try it and see. The problem was(don't know if it is now) that we all wanted a Monster and they weren't supplied to Europe, hence Creation as a source.

No,, I haven't sent it back for a replacement because 9a) it wasn't me with the problem watch and (b) if it was I'd just fix it. But, from his posts on the other thread it seems that the owner has had a bit of a fight to get them to agree to having it sent back - and is having to pay the international postage for the privilege, with no assurance that he'll have it refunded. £13 or so postage may not be much, but it's a pretty big percentage of what he paid for the watch and, if not refunded, cuts a long way into the bargain value.

That was what my point was about. The vast majority of respected brand watches won't need guarantee repair, but that's an endorsement of the manufacturers, not of the sellers. Where a seller earns his keep is how he handles things when there's a problem

So lots of people buying happily from creation only means that the makers are doing it right and they're good at posting stuff. On the other hand, if every case needing guarantee repair is a struggle then that shows a problem with the company even if it's only 1 in a thousand customers. I'm not suggesting they're that bad, although I can't find any comments online about how they "dealt with a problem well".

My point was simply that, if you choose to deal internationally for the sake of price, then you really need to be aware that you're basically at their mercy if things go wrong.

[pistonheadforum]

Variomatic said:

So lots of people buying happily from creation only means that the makers are doing it right and they're good at posting stuff. On the other hand, if every case needing guarantee repair is a struggle then that shows a problem with the company even if it's only 1 in a thousand customers. I'm not suggesting they're that bad, although I can't find any comments online about how they "dealt with a problem well".

My point was simply that, if you choose to deal internationally for the sake of price, then you really need to be aware that you're basically at their mercy if things go wrong.

Indeed. I am also interested in how this works out as I have a bit left over from the original budget and am now looking at putting a bit extra and sourcing a Seiko SARX015.

Unfortunately, this model appears to be import only (unless others here know of a UK source?). The above mentioned retailer was a possible option. To have it arrive in a box with bits rattling around and then be subject to poor customer service via email are holding me back.

Edited by pistonheadforum on Monday 4th January 20:55

[Dempsey1971]

This looks quite conspicuous value at the moment. Superb warranty as well.

Slightly over budget, but I'd say it was worth it.

http://www.christopherward.co.uk/sale-winter2015/w...