The Under £200ish Watch and occasional Opera Thread! Vol2
Discussion
RSTurboPaul said:
summit7 said:
Alot of love for Dan Henry in my house. Have owned this 1975 for 16 months, solid three hand no date watch with real retro vibe, what is there not to like. Yeah it's an Omega Admiralty homage but no main stream watch maker is offering anything like it, without DH you couldn't buy a watch like this anymore.
I do not need more watches.I do not need more watches.
I do not need more watches.
Yes you do.
Yes you do.
Bobberoo said:
RSTurboPaul said:
summit7 said:
Alot of love for Dan Henry in my house. Have owned this 1975 for 16 months, solid three hand no date watch with real retro vibe, what is there not to like. Yeah it's an Omega Admiralty homage but no main stream watch maker is offering anything like it, without DH you couldn't buy a watch like this anymore.
I do not need more watches.I do not need more watches.
I do not need more watches.
Yes you do.
Yes you do.
Anything under 365 watches owned leaves room for purchased just one more
105.4 said:
carlo996 said:
That's deeply cool.
Imagine the stories it could tell
It’s likely not as old as you think, (mid 80’s - early 90’s). It’s just that like it’s new owner, it looks older than it actually is Imagine the stories it could tell
However, I do own four other watches that could likely tell some fantastic stories.
One is a 30 jewel MuDu purchased by my Grandfather in August 1947 on the day that my Mother, (his first child), was born. My Grandfather became very wealthy very quickly in construction after WW2. Even when he was in his 70’s I remember CID taking him away for a couple of days at a time for a ‘chat’, on several occasions, so he was likely a bit dodgy.
I bought a verified late 1970’s Sturmanskie 3133 from Italy, off of an old lady who claimed to be a descendant of Italian nobility. The story with that one is that her Husband, (an Italian diplomat), swapped his watch at a party for the Sturmanskie with what was then the Soviet Navel Attaché to Italy, (3133 were only issued to Soviet Navel Captains and Soviet Navel Navigators). Even if the Italian nobility part is a fable, that watch was still owned by a high ranking Soviet Officer during the height of the Cold War.
I have a ladies Breguet. Transcribed on the back is “To Mary. New York. 1938”.
Who was Mary? Who bought her the watch? (likely someone wealthy). What happened to Mary and the guy who bought her the watch in the following ten years? How did the watch get from New York to the U.K?
And I also own a 1946 American manufactured Hamilton Boulton dress watch. I’d love to know the story and the history of that watch as well.
For me, these are the sort of things that make older watches so special. A watch is a very personal piece of jewellery. Worn every day on the wrist, feeling every pulse, every beat of the heart. As you have rightly pointed out, if old watches could talk, they could tell some amazing stories having witnessed so much personal history and world events.
edited to add;
Whilst there are some really nice new watches posted on this thread, I’m actually quite surprised how few older watches make an appearance on here. The used market can offer a huge amount of variety at some incredible prices, with the added benefit of buying a unique piece of history.
Edited by 105.4 on Saturday 25th May 08:16
And that Dunhill is cracking!!!
Truckosaurus said:
I've recently picked up a Timex Waterbury GMT for £107 from Amazon USA via Amazon UK (taxes and delivery inc.)
(Stock photo, as I can't be bothered to take my own photo)
It caught my eye for wearing to Le Mans and tracking the race time remaining using the '24' bezel and GMT hand, and being cheap enough that you won't care if it gets lost, damaged, stolen, etc.
Interestingly, it says it is made in the Philippines.
The watch feels a bit cheap and nasty compared to the several Seiko and Citizens I own in the £200-300 range - so although you'd expect a watch at half or a third of the price to be of lower quality, it does seem a false economy when 'just' £100 more buys you something much better. (and I suspect that £100 on Ali Express would be your best bet if that was your full budget)
I was pondering that as a traditional style GMT beater, or the other variant of it. I do like some of their designs but the QC can be all over the place.(Stock photo, as I can't be bothered to take my own photo)
It caught my eye for wearing to Le Mans and tracking the race time remaining using the '24' bezel and GMT hand, and being cheap enough that you won't care if it gets lost, damaged, stolen, etc.
Interestingly, it says it is made in the Philippines.
The watch feels a bit cheap and nasty compared to the several Seiko and Citizens I own in the £200-300 range - so although you'd expect a watch at half or a third of the price to be of lower quality, it does seem a false economy when 'just' £100 more buys you something much better. (and I suspect that £100 on Ali Express would be your best bet if that was your full budget)
On a Le Mans theme, besides the Q Timex chronos, I do like the Zenith/Daytona-esque 41mm stainless Waterbury chronograph with the three colour sub dials. That did get some really decent reviews actually (have a search on youtube), enough to consider instead of that Seiko SBTR I mentioned earlier even if it cost a bit more.
And they have a Marlin panda chronograph for a more vintage early 60s look.
I'm not really one for AliExpress direct clones. But you can't deny San Martin have some tempting stuff for not much more, and something like the Invicta 1953 Automatic seems better value than a quartz Timex for about a hundred quid. Not a GMT or chrono admittedly.
Edited by WayOutWest on Saturday 25th May 13:15
105.4 said:
Bobberoo said:
RSTurboPaul said:
summit7 said:
Alot of love for Dan Henry in my house. Have owned this 1975 for 16 months, solid three hand no date watch with real retro vibe, what is there not to like. Yeah it's an Omega Admiralty homage but no main stream watch maker is offering anything like it, without DH you couldn't buy a watch like this anymore.
I do not need more watches.I do not need more watches.
I do not need more watches.
Yes you do.
Yes you do.
Anything under 365 watches owned leaves room for purchased just one more
WayOutWest said:
Truckosaurus said:
I've recently picked up a Timex Waterbury GMT for £107 from Amazon USA via Amazon UK (taxes and delivery inc.)
(Stock photo, as I can't be bothered to take my own photo)
It caught my eye for wearing to Le Mans and tracking the race time remaining using the '24' bezel and GMT hand, and being cheap enough that you won't care if it gets lost, damaged, stolen, etc.
Interestingly, it says it is made in the Philippines.
The watch feels a bit cheap and nasty compared to the several Seiko and Citizens I own in the £200-300 range - so although you'd expect a watch at half or a third of the price to be of lower quality, it does seem a false economy when 'just' £100 more buys you something much better. (and I suspect that £100 on Ali Express would be your best bet if that was your full budget)
I was pondering that as a traditional style GMT beater, or the other variant of it. I do like some of their designs but the QC can be all over the place.(Stock photo, as I can't be bothered to take my own photo)
It caught my eye for wearing to Le Mans and tracking the race time remaining using the '24' bezel and GMT hand, and being cheap enough that you won't care if it gets lost, damaged, stolen, etc.
Interestingly, it says it is made in the Philippines.
The watch feels a bit cheap and nasty compared to the several Seiko and Citizens I own in the £200-300 range - so although you'd expect a watch at half or a third of the price to be of lower quality, it does seem a false economy when 'just' £100 more buys you something much better. (and I suspect that £100 on Ali Express would be your best bet if that was your full budget)
On a Le Mans theme, besides the Q Timex chronos, I do like the Zenith/Daytona-esque 41mm stainless Waterbury chronograph with the three colour sub dials. That did get some really decent reviews actually (have a search on youtube), enough to consider instead of that Seiko SBTR I mentioned earlier even if it cost a bit more.
And they have a Marlin panda chronograph for a more vintage early 60s look.
I'm not really one for AliExpress direct clones. But you can't deny San Martin have some tempting stuff for not much more, and something like the Invicta 1953 Automatic seems better value than a quartz Timex for about a hundred quid. Not a GMT or chrono admittedly.
Edited by WayOutWest on Saturday 25th May 13:15
Any love for Cestrian watches here. Looks to be the house brand of Chester based Watch nation. Cestrian being a Chester resident.
Looks like usual Chinese made NH36 watches. Buying from Watch nation perhaps giving faster delivery, maybe a bit of quality control, and easier returns if any issues.
This sort of thing
https://www.watchnation.com/product/cestrian-maste...
Looks like usual Chinese made NH36 watches. Buying from Watch nation perhaps giving faster delivery, maybe a bit of quality control, and easier returns if any issues.
This sort of thing
https://www.watchnation.com/product/cestrian-maste...
irc said:
Any love for Cestrian watches here.
Yes. They make some good watches, but the Master series V2 isn't one of them. Avoid unless you like haphazardly applied lume that looks utterly amateur. Buy the field series, the dive series or find a Master V1 until such a time as they fix their QC.
Pebbles167 said:
irc said:
Any love for Cestrian watches here.
Yes. They make some good watches, but the Master series V2 isn't one of them. Avoid unless you like haphazardly applied lume that looks utterly amateur. Buy the field series, the dive series or find a Master V1 until such a time as they fix their QC.
Don't get me wrong, it should be a good watch. But in every video review I've seen, the lume dots on the indicies are wonky and the only time it looks correct is on the press CGI mock ups. You can see my experience on page 267
I returned mine, and bought a used V1 which doesn't have this problem. I also have a Field series though, it's an excellent thing and can't fault it at all.
I returned mine, and bought a used V1 which doesn't have this problem. I also have a Field series though, it's an excellent thing and can't fault it at all.
105.4 said:
It’s likely not as old as you think, (mid 80’s - early 90’s). It’s just that like it’s new owner, it looks older than it actually is
However, I do own four other watches that could likely tell some fantastic stories.
One is a 30 jewel MuDu purchased by my Grandfather in August 1947 on the day that my Mother, (his first child), was born. My Grandfather became very wealthy very quickly in construction after WW2. Even when he was in his 70’s I remember CID taking him away for a couple of days at a time for a ‘chat’, on several occasions, so he was likely a bit dodgy.
I bought a verified late 1970’s Sturmanskie 3133 from Italy, off of an old lady who claimed to be a descendant of Italian nobility. The story with that one is that her Husband, (an Italian diplomat), swapped his watch at a party for the Sturmanskie with what was then the Soviet Navel Attaché to Italy, (3133 were only issued to Soviet Navel Captains and Soviet Navel Navigators). Even if the Italian nobility part is a fable, that watch was still owned by a high ranking Soviet Officer during the height of the Cold War.
I have a ladies Breguet. Transcribed on the back is “To Mary. New York. 1938”.
Who was Mary? Who bought her the watch? (likely someone wealthy). What happened to Mary and the guy who bought her the watch in the following ten years? How did the watch get from New York to the U.K?
And I also own a 1946 American manufactured Hamilton Boulton dress watch. I’d love to know the story and the history of that watch as well.
For me, these are the sort of things that make older watches so special. A watch is a very personal piece of jewellery. Worn every day on the wrist, feeling every pulse, every beat of the heart. As you have rightly pointed out, if old watches could talk, they could tell some amazing stories having witnessed so much personal history and world events.
edited to add;
Whilst there are some really nice new watches posted on this thread, I’m actually quite surprised how few older watches make an appearance on here. The used market can offer a huge amount of variety at some incredible prices, with the added benefit of buying a unique piece of history.
I absolutely love things like this, it gives inanimate objects real character. OT have a machinists stool in the garage, various workers have etched names and comments into it. I chose it over a mint one. However, I do own four other watches that could likely tell some fantastic stories.
One is a 30 jewel MuDu purchased by my Grandfather in August 1947 on the day that my Mother, (his first child), was born. My Grandfather became very wealthy very quickly in construction after WW2. Even when he was in his 70’s I remember CID taking him away for a couple of days at a time for a ‘chat’, on several occasions, so he was likely a bit dodgy.
I bought a verified late 1970’s Sturmanskie 3133 from Italy, off of an old lady who claimed to be a descendant of Italian nobility. The story with that one is that her Husband, (an Italian diplomat), swapped his watch at a party for the Sturmanskie with what was then the Soviet Navel Attaché to Italy, (3133 were only issued to Soviet Navel Captains and Soviet Navel Navigators). Even if the Italian nobility part is a fable, that watch was still owned by a high ranking Soviet Officer during the height of the Cold War.
I have a ladies Breguet. Transcribed on the back is “To Mary. New York. 1938”.
Who was Mary? Who bought her the watch? (likely someone wealthy). What happened to Mary and the guy who bought her the watch in the following ten years? How did the watch get from New York to the U.K?
And I also own a 1946 American manufactured Hamilton Boulton dress watch. I’d love to know the story and the history of that watch as well.
For me, these are the sort of things that make older watches so special. A watch is a very personal piece of jewellery. Worn every day on the wrist, feeling every pulse, every beat of the heart. As you have rightly pointed out, if old watches could talk, they could tell some amazing stories having witnessed so much personal history and world events.
edited to add;
Whilst there are some really nice new watches posted on this thread, I’m actually quite surprised how few older watches make an appearance on here. The used market can offer a huge amount of variety at some incredible prices, with the added benefit of buying a unique piece of history.
Edited by 105.4 on Saturday 25th May 08:16
So, three new arrivals courtesy of my lovely sister, smuggled in from the USA...
First up is a Steeldive Fifty Fathoms No Rads homage. Much nicer than I expected, as its not as garish as the pic suggests, and very very nicely finished. In my opinion, SD outpunches San Martin for quality.
..and this is why. I'm pleased with this San Martin Aqua Terra lookalike; the dial is well done and case is nicely polished but the strap is very stiff at the lugs and overall quality isn't noticeably better than SD despite the 25% price difference. Still very pretty though.
]
The pick of the haul is this Bulova Precisionist, though. lovely finishing and detailing on the face, strap much better than expected for the price ($189) and of course the fabulous sweeping second hand. I think this will be my default watch for a while...
First up is a Steeldive Fifty Fathoms No Rads homage. Much nicer than I expected, as its not as garish as the pic suggests, and very very nicely finished. In my opinion, SD outpunches San Martin for quality.
..and this is why. I'm pleased with this San Martin Aqua Terra lookalike; the dial is well done and case is nicely polished but the strap is very stiff at the lugs and overall quality isn't noticeably better than SD despite the 25% price difference. Still very pretty though.
]
The pick of the haul is this Bulova Precisionist, though. lovely finishing and detailing on the face, strap much better than expected for the price ($189) and of course the fabulous sweeping second hand. I think this will be my default watch for a while...
Edited by redrabbit on Monday 27th May 19:40
blue_haddock said:
You may remember I posted a short while ago about the digital Tissot prx, well the other day one appeared on eBay and I may have made a bid!
No pics yet as I'm currently on holiday in France but it's sat at home waiting for me!
Nice No pics yet as I'm currently on holiday in France but it's sat at home waiting for me!
I saw the ice blue version on some young chap this weekend - it looked very striking, it shall remain on my 'sorely tempting my budget if on a 50% off RRP offer' list
RSTurboPaul said:
Nice
I saw the ice blue version on some young chap this weekend - it looked very striking, it shall remain on my 'sorely tempting my budget if on a 50% off RRP offer' list
The prx with the quartz movement is my preference as the sunburst dual looks loads better than the auto dial so I'm still on the lookout for one of those too!I saw the ice blue version on some young chap this weekend - it looked very striking, it shall remain on my 'sorely tempting my budget if on a 50% off RRP offer' list
the_kato said:
Cheating somewhat here but on a cruise and Promaster Fugu’s are £157 which is less than half rrp. Always liked the red bezel one and couldn’t say no at that price
That's a cracking deal for a promaster, not a cheat at all!blue_haddock said:
The prx with the quartz movement is my preference as the sunburst dual looks loads better than the auto dial so I'm still on the lookout for one of those too!
Creation watches are doing certain colours cheap. Assuming it doesn't have to be Tissot and you're open to any brand, the Citizen Tsuyosa offers what you're after in a similar style for a good price, and surprisingly the Accurist Origin is nice after seeing one in the metal.
Redrabbit, that Bulova looks lovely!
Edited by Pebbles167 on Monday 27th May 21:51
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