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

[Halo in reverse]

Hi Folks, I ve come to the friendliest corner of the internet seeking a little guidance on a gift for my son (aged 17).

I m looking to buy spend in or close to thread limit (maybe a bit more for the right watch) for no other reason than he is a great lad with the right attitude in life.

He has slim wrists so 44mm monsters need not apply ?

He likes my San Martin Pelagos homage in blue and he also really likes the San Martin SN0140 (black) so this is the style he consistently says he likes.

Dislikes rubber or leather straps and he isn t so keen on busy chronograph faces.

He can be a bit clumsy at a times so am a little worried about the combination of him and a mechanical movement being wise .maybe a Solar movement may be a better fit.

Anyway I hope this is allowed to post this in here and I m hoping one or two of you will know of some watches that may fit the remit?

[Pebbles167]

Halo in reverse said:

Hi Folks, I ve come to the friendliest corner of the internet seeking a little guidance on a gift for my son (aged 17).

I m looking to buy spend in or close to thread limit (maybe a bit more for the right watch) for no other reason than he is a great lad with the right attitude in life.

He has slim wrists so 44mm monsters need not apply ?

He likes my San Martin Pelagos homage in blue and he also really likes the San Martin SN0140 (black) so this is the style he consistently says he likes.

Dislikes rubber or leather straps and he isn t so keen on busy chronograph faces.

He can be a bit clumsy at a times so am a little worried about the combination of him and a mechanical movement being wise .maybe a Solar movement may be a better fit.

Anyway I hope this is allowed to post this in here and I m hoping one or two of you will know of some watches that may fit the remit?

Welcome!

I'd imagine an auto would be fine, they can take some abuse but certainly don't like drops!

So if we're talking quartz, and you're happy with shopping on Ali express, then perhaps the Watchdives WD1969 (Pelagos) would suit? 39mm and under 12mm thick. Uses the Seiko mecha quartz so will have an auto like "tick,tick,tick".

Having had one of their watches before, they're very well made and have the specs of much higher watches. Battery swap will be easy, as long as you have a cheap caseback removal tool available for about a fiver.



If you'd like something solar, I'd always recommend Citizen who have the best tech with it, Seiko and Timex do also, but I think Citizen offer more for your money. As a left field choice you could look for something from Momentum? Sea Quartz solar is a little larger but wears well. Besides, who doesn't want Magnum PI's watch!

[RSTurboPaul]

AIUI the (Seiko) NH35 in the Auto version of the SM Pelagos has a reputation for being bomb-proof, so I wouldn't worry about longevity in that regard

[Bubbas Grill]

Straps can be changed of course. I've a wide selection of watches across different budgets but REALLY like these wee Promasters. On budget, very robust, Automatic and they come in a fun package. Look great on a NATO strap too...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Citizen-Mens-Watch-Herren...

Edited by Bubbas Grill on Sunday 8th March 14:02

[g4ry13]

Pebbles167 said:

Halo in reverse said:

Hi Folks, I ve come to the friendliest corner of the internet seeking a little guidance on a gift for my son (aged 17).

I m looking to buy spend in or close to thread limit (maybe a bit more for the right watch) for no other reason than he is a great lad with the right attitude in life.

He has slim wrists so 44mm monsters need not apply ?

He likes my San Martin Pelagos homage in blue and he also really likes the San Martin SN0140 (black) so this is the style he consistently says he likes.

Dislikes rubber or leather straps and he isn t so keen on busy chronograph faces.

He can be a bit clumsy at a times so am a little worried about the combination of him and a mechanical movement being wise .maybe a Solar movement may be a better fit.

Anyway I hope this is allowed to post this in here and I m hoping one or two of you will know of some watches that may fit the remit?

Welcome!

I'd imagine an auto would be fine, they can take some abuse but certainly don't like drops!

So if we're talking quartz, and you're happy with shopping on Ali express, then perhaps the Watchdives WD1969 (Pelagos) would suit? 39mm and under 12mm thick. Uses the Seiko mecha quartz so will have an auto like "tick,tick,tick".

Having had one of their watches before, they're very well made and have the specs of much higher watches. Battery swap will be easy, as long as you have a cheap caseback removal tool available for about a fiver.



If you'd like something solar, I'd always recommend Citizen who have the best tech with it, Seiko and Timex do also, but I think Citizen offer more for your money. As a left field choice you could look for something from Momentum? Sea Quartz solar is a little larger but wears well. Besides, who doesn't want Magnum PI's watch!

Just to add: buy this directly from Watchdives and it's £82.

Link

[Corso Marche]

Out for a Sunday lunch followed by a walk in the spring sunshine.

Even on a lovely bright day photos never pick up on the green centre of the dial face on this jump hour. The green is always much more noticeable in real life.

[Halo in reverse]

Thanks for the suggestions and insight into how robust the mechanisms are so far.

You’re all def on the right path and I think the price maybe more sensible.

Are there any similar watches but have numbers rather than icon/digits - or is that more a field watch?

[732NM]

Barchettaman said:

View from the office tonight: the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. A sold-out house for our performance of Peter Grimes with Opera North. Fantastic atmosphere, a good performance that was very well received.

Why they didn t programme a second show here I have no idea. Opera is seriously weird.

Anyway, we (the singers) have it easy. We just rock up and do our stuff. The tech crew have to pack everything up in Leeds, bring it down into the next theatre, build it, do all the lighting as per the requirements, and then strike the set and do a get-out through the night.

I know you chaps enjoy seeing the behind the scenes photos so I will get some next time if I see anything interesting.

They work unbelievably hard. I m not sure if many colleagues make a point of saying hello and thank you to the techs but I sure as hell do.

Next stop is the Lowry theatre in Salford, again somewhere I have never sung.

Edited by Barchettaman on Saturday 7th March 12:19

Stunning looking house there.

A friend of mine does the sound systems at some of the largest music concerts around the world, he did Oasis recent world tour. The back stage effort to put on these shows is colossal.

I've spent most of my life working in motorsport, the drivers get all the credit, without the guys and girls doing the hard graft they would be walking. Most drivers understand how important it is to thank the crews and work on building a genuinely good working relationship, the ones who don't are always aholes. I've only had one driver i refused to work with again, he was an arrogant yank, so been very lucky on the whole.

Good luck in Salford.

[732NM]

Mabbs9 said:

I bought this recently. I think about £130. I rather like it.

Love that, hankering for a lemon tart now.

[Pebbles167]

Halo in reverse said:

Thanks for the suggestions and insight into how robust the mechanisms are so far.

You re all def on the right path and I think the price maybe more sensible.

Are there any similar watches but have numbers rather than icon/digits - or is that more a field watch?

I bought one of these a few years back. It's a homage of a Longines Spirit. It is auto, but tough enough that I sometimes let my toddler mess about with it about and it's still within 20 seconds. (It's a spare, I don't make a habit of abusing watches!) It's got a really nice domed sapphire crystal too, one of the nicest I've seen on a watch.

Comparing the two, the quality really isn't as far off as you'd expect, at £80 it's a proper bargain.

[Llentil the llama]

That Pagani Spirit homage is absolutely banging for the money, I had a good look at it when choosing my blue dialled watch which arrived about half an hour ago.

First quick piccie after resizing the bracelet. New and in thread budget.

[jamesson]

Pebbles167 said:

I bought one of these a few years back. It's a homage of a Longines Spirit. It is auto, but tough enough that I sometimes let my toddler mess about with it about and it's still within 20 seconds. (It's a spare, I don't make a habit of abusing watches!) It's got a really nice domed sapphire crystal too, one of the nicest I've seen on a watch.

Comparing the two, the quality really isn't as far off as you'd expect, at £80 it's a proper bargain.

That's an incredible price. Lovely looking watch too.

[jamesson]

Llentil the llama said:

That Pagani Spirit homage is absolutely banging for the money, I had a good look at it when choosing my blue dialled watch which arrived about half an hour ago.

First quick piccie after resizing the bracelet. New and in thread budget.

That looks very elegant. Good choice!

[r159]

Halo in reverse said:

Hi Folks, I ve come to the friendliest corner of the internet seeking a little guidance on a gift for my son (aged 17).

I m looking to buy spend in or close to thread limit (maybe a bit more for the right watch) for no other reason than he is a great lad with the right attitude in life.

He has slim wrists so 44mm monsters need not apply ?

He likes my San Martin Pelagos homage in blue and he also really likes the San Martin SN0140 (black) so this is the style he consistently says he likes.

Dislikes rubber or leather straps and he isn t so keen on busy chronograph faces.

He can be a bit clumsy at a times so am a little worried about the combination of him and a mechanical movement being wise .maybe a Solar movement may be a better fit.

Anyway I hope this is allowed to post this in here and I m hoping one or two of you will know of some watches that may fit the remit?

Something a bit left field
https://www.jomashop.com/certina-watch-c020-419-11...
Or
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236642957511?_trkparms=...

Edited by r159 on Monday 9th March 20:34

[Halo in reverse]

Pebbles167 said:

I bought one of these a few years back. It's a homage of a Longines Spirit. It is auto, but tough enough that I sometimes let my toddler mess about with it about and it's still within 20 seconds. (It's a spare, I don't make a habit of abusing watches!) It's got a really nice domed sapphire crystal too, one of the nicest I've seen on a watch.

Comparing the two, the quality really isn't as far off as you'd expect, at £80 it's a proper bargain.

Thanks Pebbles…that Pagani looks blooming lovely I may bag one for myself esp at that price.

[Halo in reverse]

r159 said:

Something a bit left field
https://www.jomashop.com/certina-watch-c020-419-11...
Or
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236642957511?_trkparms=...

Edited by r159 on Monday 9th March 20:34

Thanks, I think he would like the Citizen but I think 41mm may be on the large side for him.

[Pebbles167]

Halo in reverse said:

Thanks Pebbles that Pagani looks blooming lovely I may bag one for myself esp at that price.

No prob, don't suppose you'd do me a favour and buy my Longines I'm trying to sell? You'd only need to spend an extra £1420, though I'd be willing to offer a decent PH discount!

[GravelBen]

Halo in reverse said:

Hi Folks, I ve come to the friendliest corner of the internet seeking a little guidance on a gift for my son (aged 17).

I m looking to buy spend in or close to thread limit (maybe a bit more for the right watch) for no other reason than he is a great lad with the right attitude in life.

He has slim wrists so 44mm monsters need not apply ?

He likes my San Martin Pelagos homage in blue and he also really likes the San Martin SN0140 (black) so this is the style he consistently says he likes.

Dislikes rubber or leather straps and he isn t so keen on busy chronograph faces.

He can be a bit clumsy at a times so am a little worried about the combination of him and a mechanical movement being wise .maybe a Solar movement may be a better fit.

Anyway I hope this is allowed to post this in here and I m hoping one or two of you will know of some watches that may fit the remit?

On the mechanical vs solar question, do you think his wearing habits with it will be regular daily use or more for weekends and special occasions etc?

Just thinking that if he isn't wearing it daily to keep it wound then he may get sick of having to wind and set a mechanical when he does want to wear it, whereas a solar (like a Citizen eco drive model) is always ready to grab and go (unless its left in the dark for 6 months or so).

Or depending on his personality he might enjoy that more involved experience.

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 10th March 02:14

[hairykrishna]

r159 said:

Something a bit left field
https://www.jomashop.com/certina-watch-c020-419-11...
Or
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236642957511?_trkparms=...

Edited by r159 on Monday 9th March 20:34

If I hadn't already impulse bought an eBay watch this month I'd be really tempted by that Citizen.

[mickyc79]

Id been badgering my wife that i wanted another watch for Xmas. She wasn't playing ball, saying i have too many. Almost as a joke, she bought me a £40 Anthony James watch as a stocking filler from debenhams...I didnt like the tinny metal strap it came on, but looks OK on brown leather i think.

Its a cheap chinese movement that has zero power reserve. When I take it off at night after a full day wearing, it stops about 4hrs later, needing re set in the morning. When its on, it keeps remarkably good time though.

Its a smart enough little dress watch, a little lume on the hands, and i'm happy that she indulged my wish for another watch. One for the Wrist Check thread maybe?