The Under £200ish Watch and occasional Opera Thread! Vol2

[CharlesdeGaulle]

The_Nugget said:

The base case might be the same but the bezel, dial, hands, glass, strap and colour are different.
I’m pretty sure these are all coming out of the same factory though.
I have a Steeldive Army Engineer which is similar in look to the one in your picture but in a different case.

Both this and the San Martin come in exactly the same style box with different stuck on branding.
Whilst both are good for the money, you can see where the extra cost of the San Martin is. The case finishing is better and the metal strap is miles better. The Steeldive ones feel quite cheap and jangly imo but the San Martin ones feel quality and solid especially in the clasp area.

Agreed. I've taken the metal strap off mine but it seems to be very good quality.

[The_Nugget]

This SanMartin one on the other hand looks more like the Steeldive one you pictured


Whereas this is the watch we are talking about

[j4r4lly]

Afternoon all,

I have been looking at a couple of brands with very similar watches - Pagre Design and Steeldive.

The Steeldive is a little more expensive but other than that I can't really see a lot of difference.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B088R73492/ref...

https://www.steeldiveuk.com/product-page/steeldive...

Anyone here have any experience of these 2 brands and which they would recommend?

Also, very tempted by this which is lovely in Sunray Light Blue............

https://www.sanmartin.watch/products/san-martin-me...

[unrepentant]

The_Nugget said:

unrepentant said:

This one.

The base case might be the same but the bezel, dial, hands, glass, strap and colour are different.
I’m pretty sure these are all coming out of the same factory though.
I have a Steeldive Army Engineer which is similar in look to the one in your picture but in a different case.

Both this and the San Martin come in exactly the same style box with different stuck on branding.
Whilst both are good for the money, you can see where the extra cost of the San Martin is. The case finishing is better and the metal strap is miles better. The Steeldive ones feel quite cheap and jangly imo but the San Martin ones feel quality and solid especially in the clasp area.

That's the stock photo. The metal strap was not great but I switched straight away to the blue rubber band which looks and feels much better. The timekeeping is phenomenal though! I put it on yesterday having had it in a winder for a week and it was accurate to within 3 seconds.

[unrepentant]

j4r4lly said:

Afternoon all,

I have been looking at a couple of brands with very similar watches - Pagre Design and Steeldive.

The Steeldive is a little more expensive but other than that I can't really see a lot of difference.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B088R73492/ref...

https://www.steeldiveuk.com/product-page/steeldive...

Anyone here have any experience of these 2 brands and which they would recommend?

Also, very tempted by this which is lovely in Sunray Light Blue............

https://www.sanmartin.watch/products/san-martin-me...

The Steeldive's have Seiko movements which are very good for the money (more accurate than my $10k Breitling or my $2k Junghans!)

The Pagre watch doesn't say what movement it is? It may be a Seiko, they all seem to use them but if it's a Chinese movement I'd be wary. Both great looking watches though. The San Martin is quartz so different kettle of fish. Nice looking though.

[RSTurboPaul]

The_Nugget said:

RSTurboPaul said:

No no no

The correct response is 'it is terrible, do not order one', as that way my credit card balance will actually get lower (eventually)...


What's the AR like? Does it have an obvious blue tinge to it?

Is the lume decent? (And is it all the same colour in daylight (as I hate mismatched hands/dial markers) and at night (as I prefer one colour of lume on everything)?)


EDIT: Both the San Martin website and the Watchdives website appear to be sold out and restocking on 1st of July... not that I'm going to buy anything, of course...

https://watchdives.com/collections/watchdives/prod...

https://www.sanmartin.watch/products/watchdives-x-...

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 21st June 16:00

Lume seems decent and uniform in colour


In daylight, I’d say the Dial markers and hands are a creamy white and the bezel just white so slightly different colour but not troublesome (to me at least).

Not sure what you mean by AR?

Thanks for the pic and comments!

AR is short for 'anti-reflective coating' - some of the coatings are pretty colourless but some are strongly blue-tinted, to the point of obscuring the dial (to my eyes). Some (like the Omega coatings) are amazingly see-through and make the crystal 'disappear' at certain angles!

A thread I found with some examples (if it is acceptable to link to WuS - please remove if not, mods):
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/most-exotic-loo...

[The_Nugget]

RSTurboPaul said:

Thanks for the pic and comments!

AR is short for 'anti-reflective coating' - some of the coatings are pretty colourless but some are strongly blue-tinted, to the point of obscuring the dial (to my eyes). Some (like the Omega coatings) are amazingly see-through and make the crystal 'disappear' at certain angles!

A thread I found with some examples (if it is acceptable to link to WuS - please remove if not, mods):
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/most-exotic-loo...

In that case the “AR” seems pretty clear to me and not tinted.

[The_Nugget]

j4r4lly said:

Afternoon all,

I have been looking at a couple of brands with very similar watches - Pagre Design and Steeldive.

The Steeldive is a little more expensive but other than that I can't really see a lot of difference.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B088R73492/ref...

https://www.steeldiveuk.com/product-page/steeldive...

Anyone here have any experience of these 2 brands and which they would recommend?

Also, very tempted by this which is lovely in Sunray Light Blue............

https://www.sanmartin.watch/products/san-martin-me...

In my opinion the price pretty much reflects the quality of these brands but all are generally decent. I have one of each of them.

From ‘worst’ to best in my experience of overall quality of the ones I have:

Pagani (Moonwatch)
Steeldive (Army Engineer)
San Martin (the one a few posts up)

Spinnaker also make nice budget watches - some of which are outside of thread budget now but they are good value too and there are often deals to be had. I have a Bradner.

Main thing is I would buy from any of these brands again as they are all decent. I try to buy mine with a 20mm strap size and then buy straps off Amazon and mix and match depending on my mood.

[Wallace12R]

j4r4lly said:

Afternoon all,

I have been looking at a couple of brands with very similar watches - Pagre Design and Steeldive.

The Steeldive is a little more expensive but other than that I can't really see a lot of difference.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B088R73492/ref...

https://www.steeldiveuk.com/product-page/steeldive...

Anyone here have any experience of these 2 brands and which they would recommend?

Also, very tempted by this which is lovely in Sunray Light Blue............

https://www.sanmartin.watch/products/san-martin-me...

The Pagrne (Pagani) GMT uses a Chinese Pearl DG5833 movement which can be a little unreliable. I’ve got 2 watches with that movement in though and they are both very accurate and very reliable. The Steeldive uses a Seiko NH34 movement which is an all round better movement that the Pearl DG.

Of those 2, buy the Steeldive. It’ll be a better finished, better quality watch. If you want to buy from Ali Express then you can pick up a Pagani with the Seiko NH34, but those haven’t made their way onto Amazon yet.

[RSTurboPaul]

The_Nugget said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Thanks for the pic and comments!

AR is short for 'anti-reflective coating' - some of the coatings are pretty colourless but some are strongly blue-tinted, to the point of obscuring the dial (to my eyes). Some (like the Omega coatings) are amazingly see-through and make the crystal 'disappear' at certain angles!

A thread I found with some examples (if it is acceptable to link to WuS - please remove if not, mods):
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/most-exotic-loo...

In that case the “AR” seems pretty clear to me and not tinted.

Excellent, thank you!

[j4r4lly]

Great feedback on my Pagani / Steeldive question - many thanks.

I've now ordered the Steeldive and am sitting by the front door in eager anticipation!!!

Will post some pics once it arrives.

Thanks again.

[Kes Arevo]

Spotted this which I quite fancy as an alternative to a G-Shock.

[HannsG]

I am genuinely shocked at the heft, quality and lume on this watch as a daily beater. It's wears more comfortable that the high top end watches I own in my collection. This SD1970 cost me £53 on AliExpress came with a case, fitment and link removal tool also.



A superb companion to my GW-M5610U-1ER G-Shock which is my digital thrown on as a daily when needed.

I already ordered a blue version of the SD1970 also. I'll be doing some mods when time permits. Maybe a dial swap.

Edited by HannsG on Friday 23 June 14:58

[Barchettaman]

Excellent work Hanns, they’re ridiculously good value for money. I sold mine on (at a small profit) as the face was a bit small for my tastes but that was no reflection on the quality of the watch.

I later got the Steeldive 1953, their Submariner ‘homage’, which is now apparently much better (milled clasp and lume pip)







The only minor quibble I had was that the rehaut was a bit tall, and the watch overall was a tiny bit chunky for my tastes but I still enjoyed wearing it all last summer.

Sold on for what I paid to a chap in Dortmund who’s delighted with it. In fact, he bought it in a meal deal with my Orient Bambino.



The OB was absolutely superb but alas I’m not a dress watch kind of guy so it was just sitting there.

[HannsG]

Barchettaman said:

Excellent work Hanns, they’re ridiculously good value for money. I sold mine on (at a small profit) as the face was a bit small for my tastes but that was no reflection on the quality of the watch.

I later got the Steeldive 1953, their Submariner ‘homage’, which is now apparently much better (milled clasp and lume pip)







The only minor quibble I had was that the rehaut was a bit tall, and the watch overall was a tiny bit chunky for my tastes but I still enjoyed wearing it all last summer.

Sold on for what I paid to a chap in Dortmund who’s delighted with it. In fact, he bought it in a meal deal with my Orient Bambino.



The OB was absolutely superb but alas I’m not a dress watch kind of guy so it was just sitting there.

Superb watches you have there. The 1953 looks really nice. Thought I would also post a pic of my 5600 series G-Shock. Been pretty much around the world and in some of the harshest conditions. Knocking on age wise now also.

[Kes Arevo]

HannsG said:

Superb watches you have there. The 1953 looks really nice. Thought I would also post a pic of my 5600 series G-Shock. Been pretty much around the world and in some of the harshest conditions. Knocking on age wise now also.

Classic.

[eskidavies]

My missus has put these in the Amazon basket




That’s with prime and %50 off

She said which one do like the orange or black ,may as well get the 2 for that price ,tax return due in 7 days may as well treat my self to something out of it ,and some more adidas trainers me thinks

[pistonheadforum]

Anybody got anything interesting on the way after the recent Aliexpress summer sale?

[r159]

pistonheadforum said:

Anybody got anything interesting on the way after the recent Aliexpress summer sale?

Not sure if classed as interesting but have a steeldive 1970 hopefully only a couple of days away…and a few straps and bits.

[eskidavies]

Hers the two I ordered off Amazon, a bit chunky but feel ok on , the dog come in handy