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

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

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Discussion

SWoll

18,206 posts

257 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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RSTurboPaul said:
lol at the insane tracking elements in your links biggrin (which I've chopped off here!)

I love a few of the Zelos watches but I always seem to stumble on them when they've all sold out... drives me slightly insane.

Obris Morgan is similar in terms of small, limited run offers - got to be waiting to press buy at the exact release time and hope you get lucky frown
smile

Wasn't paying attention, usually do a better job than that.

Post edited. beer

RSTurboPaul

10,217 posts

257 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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Ninjin said:
Alex_225 said:
Had a bit of fun with an order for an all black G-Shock that arrived yesterday. When it arrived, it just didn't seem quite right. Box was taped up which isn't usual, the tag had been cut off and on the back it had this hand written label.



Seller insisted they were new but the box wasn't original and it was either a return, used or maybe even a fake. I don't know but I sent it back.

Which worked out quite well as I ordered a slightly different model. I'm not sure fussed about the smart features, I don't need alerts for everything on my phone. The display is hugely impressive though, for a negative display it's super clear and quite a step up from the typical LCD displays.



The stickered one looks like a Argos Catalgue number, so most probably ex-display from argos store.

Which model is the replacement, I've never seen the combo of yours before. I have a similar triple black with metal bezel but wouldn't mind an all plastic one for work.



Good spot!

https://www.argos-support.co.uk/9456624-g-shock-m-...

blue_haddock

3,138 posts

66 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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SWoll said:
Bobberoo said:
I've been trying to find a titanium watch for my collection, but I'm struggling to find something I really like for sensible money, in a complete turnaround I've started looking at Spinnaker watches again, especially as they have 20% off at the moment!!!
What style/budget are you looking at Bob?

Zelos do some lovely Ti dive watches that can be picked up for a decent price and are a noticeable step up from Spinnaker from a quality perspective.



Zelos Swordfish Satin Ti Automatic NH35 200m Dive Watch 40mm

Zelos Swordfish Ti -Salmon/Copper Dial


Edited by SWoll on Thursday 16th March 09:23
Personally i cannot recommend Zelos Ti models as i have had two and despite looking after my watches they pick up scratches very easily.

Personally i would recommend RZE watches instead as their Ti models have a super hard coating so are much more resilient to marks and scratches

Composer62

1,626 posts

85 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
blue_haddock said:
SWoll said:
Bobberoo said:
I've been trying to find a titanium watch for my collection, but I'm struggling to find something I really like for sensible money, in a complete turnaround I've started looking at Spinnaker watches again, especially as they have 20% off at the moment!!!
What style/budget are you looking at Bob?

Zelos do some lovely Ti dive watches that can be picked up for a decent price and are a noticeable step up from Spinnaker from a quality perspective.



Zelos Swordfish Satin Ti Automatic NH35 200m Dive Watch 40mm

Zelos Swordfish Ti -Salmon/Copper Dial


Edited by SWoll on Thursday 16th March 09:23
Personally i cannot recommend Zelos Ti models as i have had two and despite looking after my watches they pick up scratches very easily.

Personally i would recommend RZE watches instead as their Ti models have a super hard coating so are much more resilient to marks and scratches
Boldr do some nice titanium watches.

In fact I have on on now smile


SWoll

18,206 posts

257 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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blue_haddock said:
Personally i cannot recommend Zelos Ti models as i have had two and despite looking after my watches they pick up scratches very easily.

Personally i would recommend RZE watches instead as their Ti models have a super hard coating so are much more resilient to marks and scratches
I suppose it depends on the look you are going for + whether you like a bit of patina.

Nice watches though, particularly like this one.

RZE Endeavour 40mm Diver Blackout Stealth Workshop Special Limited Ed Titanium

Wallace12R

280 posts

189 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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redrabbit said:
The Pagani PRX Chrono has arrived, and is every bit as nice as the regular auto in terms of fit and finish. It's a quartz at this price (c. £90 from Ali Express), but I'll take that for 7% of the price of the Tissot automatic. The latter has a rather awkward date box between 4 and 5, which is missing on the Pagani - I think the homage looks cleaner. All brushed surfaces are really nicely done as they are on the non-Chrono, with crisp (but not sharp) edges. Bracelet has the same deployant clasp, and the links are small enough to get a good fit when adjusting.

I really like these watches. A shame that no-one else is interested, you're missing out... biggrin



£180 for the pair...



Edited by redrabbit on Wednesday 15th March 14:53
They are both really nice, and PD have really stepped up the finishing process now and are really churning out some absolutely fantastic watches for not a lot of money. I always laugh at the folk who put down PD because they are blatant copies, and that we should be buying better watches from Microbrands for £300 - £500. Why? The PD watches are usually a much better spec with Saphire etc, and using the same movement that the Microbrands are using, for at least half the money.

Wallace12R

280 posts

189 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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RSTurboPaul said:
I am seriously tempted by the three-hand model...

I just am not sure I trust aliexpress with all my personal and payment details. lol
You can pay through PayPal, so you don’t have to have any card details or anything stored with them. That’s how I’ve done it, and have bought several watches and a heat press for my wife’s crafting without issue. It’s really is very simple and you have nothing to worry about.

SWoll

18,206 posts

257 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
Wallace12R said:
They are both really nice, and PD have really stepped up the finishing process now and are really churning out some absolutely fantastic watches for not a lot of money. I always laugh at the folk who put down PD because they are blatant copies, and that we should be buying better watches from Microbrands for £300 - £500. Why? The PD watches are usually a much better spec with Saphire etc, and using the same movement that the Microbrands are using, for at least half the money.
The subjectively dreadful branding and likelihood of using Chinese sweatshop labour puts people off I would imagine, it certainly does with me anyway.

Each to their own of course, but I'd rather pay a bit more and if you're willing to buy used the quality will be a significant step up for not much more outlay also IME.

RSTurboPaul

10,217 posts

257 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
SWoll said:
Wallace12R said:
They are both really nice, and PD have really stepped up the finishing process now and are really churning out some absolutely fantastic watches for not a lot of money. I always laugh at the folk who put down PD because they are blatant copies, and that we should be buying better watches from Microbrands for £300 - £500. Why? The PD watches are usually a much better spec with Saphire etc, and using the same movement that the Microbrands are using, for at least half the money.
The subjectively dreadful branding and likelihood of using Chinese sweatshop labour puts people off I would imagine, it certainly does with me anyway.

Each to their own of course, but I'd rather pay a bit more and if you're willing to buy used the quality will be a significant step up for not much more outlay also IME.
Is there any actual evidence of this?

I'm aware that Apple allegedly use such things hehe

Barchettaman

6,280 posts

131 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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redrabbit said:
lots of useful stuff about Pagani

That does look very decent indeed. Hmm. Tempted! Plus if it’s not my thing I can sell it on via eBay small ads here.

RSTurboPaul

10,217 posts

257 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
Wallace12R said:
RSTurboPaul said:
I am seriously tempted by the three-hand model...

I just am not sure I trust aliexpress with all my personal and payment details. lol
You can pay through PayPal, so you don’t have to have any card details or anything stored with them. That’s how I’ve done it, and have bought several watches and a heat press for my wife’s crafting without issue. It’s really is very simple and you have nothing to worry about.
Paypal is a whole other discussion due to their law-unto-themselves practices laugh but the option could be useful...

Thank you for the info! smile

Barchettaman

6,280 posts

131 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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redrabbit said:
Just nosing around some random watch dealers' sites, and spotted this. Given the love for (cheap) Lacos on this thread, does this price sound even vaguely correct?

"originally looted from Kiel depot in World War II"... Yuk.



Yes. The original 55mm Fliegers go for €4.5k plus, and if that one is in unusually good condition then it sounds about right. Maybe a bit toppy but I’m no expert.

The original WW2 IWC Fliegers go for even more as they are extremely scarce, if I remember correctly. €10k or more.

The moral is: the Laco watches for £150 from Secret Sales are the ones to get!

Barchettaman

6,280 posts

131 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
Bobberoo said:
I've been trying to find a titanium watch for my collection, but I'm struggling to find something I really like for sensible money, in a complete turnaround I've started looking at Spinnaker watches again, especially as they have 20% off at the moment!!!
Citizen Eco Drive titanium, maybe? Something a little different.

Barchettaman

6,280 posts

131 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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gregs656 said:
The Citizen Bullhead I bought last year is coming a long

It still needs quite a bit of work, Citizen CA did some work to it which is great but they didn't have some of the chronograph parts.

Bizarrely it has gone to Citizen US as they might want to use it in a marketing campaign, picture from them.

I hope you’re getting a discount off the final bill, if they’re using it for marketing!

A lovely thing (even without the Hollywood hype) and I hope you get it up and running.

Bobberoo

Original Poster:

38,361 posts

97 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
Thanks for the responses chaps, I have read about Ti watches being very prone to scratches, I hadn't thought about Zelos or Bolder, I shall take myself off and investigamagate.........

kuro

1,620 posts

118 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
Barchettaman said:
redrabbit said:
Just nosing around some random watch dealers' sites, and spotted this. Given the love for (cheap) Lacos on this thread, does this price sound even vaguely correct?

"originally looted from Kiel depot in World War II"... Yuk.



Yes. The original 55mm Fliegers go for €4.5k plus, and if that one is in unusually good condition then it sounds about right. Maybe a bit toppy but I’m no expert.

The original WW2 IWC Fliegers go for even more as they are extremely scarce, if I remember correctly. €10k or more.

The moral is: the Laco watches for £150 from Secret Sales are the ones to get!
I think those £150 Laco's are all gone.

blue_haddock

3,138 posts

66 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all


I've just had this land and for half the price of a moonswatch it feels ten times better.

Still not selling my moonswatch though!

gregs656

10,816 posts

180 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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Barchettaman said:
I hope you’re getting a discount off the final bill, if they’re using it for marketing!

A lovely thing (even without the Hollywood hype) and I hope you get it up and running.
There was no bill, which gracious of them.

It does work, more or less. The 3 wheels he would have liked to replace are part of the fly back (and I think hand reset) mechanism.

redrabbit

1,367 posts

164 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
SWoll said:
The subjectively dreadful branding and likelihood of using Chinese sweatshop labour puts people off I would imagine, it certainly does with me anyway.

Each to their own of course, but I'd rather pay a bit more and if you're willing to buy used the quality will be a significant step up for not much more outlay also IME.
Perception of brand names is always interesting. With regard to watches, I reckon that if they were starting up today, the most recognised watch brand in the world would come up with something a lot less cheesy than 'Rolex'. Put another way, if that was attached to Chinese homage, we'd all have a good snigger and put in the same bracket as Megir, Skmei and the rest. I agree some are more presentable than others but Pagani doesn't look too bad.

As for the manufacturing situation, it's possible I guess - but also possible for a lot of the stuff we consume in the West these days. I see no specific reason why a budget watch would by definition be produced in different conditions to anything else made in China, be it Apple phones, BMW components, etc. Interestingly, when I was there in the mid 90s, I saw with my own eyes unbranded copies of an original product (golf clubs) being made directly alongside the branded version in the official factory (which was perfectly reasonable).

Alex_225

6,233 posts

200 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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Ninjin said:
The stickered one looks like a Argos Catalogue number, so most probably ex-display from Argos store.

Which model is the replacement, I've never seen the combo of yours before. I have a similar triple black with metal bezel but wouldn't mind an all plastic one for work.

That's very well spotted and entirely likely. It definitely wasn't new, it didn't look worn as such but I wasn't buying ex-display or a return so I got my refund processed already.

The new model is a GBD-200UU-1ER, a catchy name I'm sure you'll agree haha. It comes in three colours, this, blue and a luminous green. They actually all look good but working in an office and not a mountain, I opted for the more subtle.

In most of the advertising they show it with the step counter showing etc. It looks so much more concise with just the one or dual times showing.