The Under £200ish Watch and occasional Opera Thread! Vol2
Discussion
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Blimey redrabbit, talk about kicking a man when he's down! After a break-in I've gone from 21 to one, so my list of 'keepers from the current collection' is an easy one to answer. 
Good incentive to invest 400 notes in four replacements then! An SD Willard, a Pagani, a Royale and something else. Also, check your PM. Genuinely feel for you, sounds really s
t. 
redrabbit said:
One of the only ones I still have. It's a binary watch, with blue LED's.Mine needs new battery and a new strap as the leather has perished.
https://www.watchroom24.com/en/the-one-men-binary-...
Intriguing thing - I like that sort of oddity. I thought it might have been a qlocktwo, but it's equally quirky!
This is the qlock, nearly bought one about 10 times over the last three years...
Eta.. I see yours is available on Amazon in several styles - they do look very cool. I fear it may be hard to find a replacement strap, though...
This is the qlock, nearly bought one about 10 times over the last three years...
Eta.. I see yours is available on Amazon in several styles - they do look very cool. I fear it may be hard to find a replacement strap, though...
Edited by redrabbit on Wednesday 29th March 23:13
redrabbit said:
So then, threadists... Let's have your top five from your current stash, at least 3 iwithibthread limit, but allowing for one slightly over, and maybe one proper budget buster?
Ok, here we go. 1) my 50th birthday watch, Laco type A Flieger, £150 new:
2) the nicest dive watch to wear on the planet, the Glycine Combat Sub, £250 nominal used value but I got it for free:
My summer watch, the Seiko Padi Samurai, with a Crafter blue rubber strap and an upgraded Namoki sapphire crystal- the perfect summer holiday watch? Dunno about that but it has the nicest dial of any of my watches. €268:
My latest Hanowa will have to go on the list, because it was a) only €55 shipped, b) is automatic and sits steadily at +1 secs / day, c) is a bit different, it has kind of an AquaTerra vibe:
Final watch, I’m not sure. I suppose it’ll have to be the Omega Deville that belonged to my wife’s grandfather, and that was gifted to me by my wonderful MiL. It’s quartz and is probably worth £300-£400 max. It’s from about 1981.
Apologies to those who have seen these watches previously.
redrabbit said:
Intriguing thing - I like that sort of oddity. I thought it might have been a qlocktwo, but it's equally quirky!
This is the qlock, nearly bought one about 10 times over the last three years...
Eta.. I see yours is available on Amazon in several styles - they do look very cool. I fear it may be hard to find a replacement strap, though...
The Qlock looks cool.This is the qlock, nearly bought one about 10 times over the last three years...
Eta.. I see yours is available on Amazon in several styles - they do look very cool. I fear it may be hard to find a replacement strap, though...
Edited by redrabbit on Wednesday 29th March 23:13
You can get 30mm straps, but won't look as good as the original. I did look at getting a 30mm NATO strap, but apparently that's not a thing
.
Barchettaman said:
Ok, here we go.
1) my 50th birthday watch, Laco type A Flieger, £150 new:
2) the nicest dive watch to wear on the planet, the Glycine Combat Sub, £250 nominal used value but I got it for free:
My summer watch, the Seiko Padi Samurai, with a Crafter blue rubber strap and an upgraded Namoki sapphire crystal- the perfect summer holiday watch? Dunno about that but it has the nicest dial of any of my watches. €268:
My latest Hanowa will have to go on the list, because it was a) only €55 shipped, b) is automatic and sits steadily at +1 secs / day, c) is a bit different, it has kind of an AquaTerra vibe:
Final watch, I’m not sure. I suppose it’ll have to be the Omega Deville that belonged to my wife’s grandfather, and that was gifted to me by my wonderful MiL. It’s quartz and is probably worth £300-£400 max. It’s from about 1981.
Apologies to those who have seen these watches previously.
I'd have guessed the Glycine, Laco and Hanowa. Maybe the DeVille, as your left field choice.1) my 50th birthday watch, Laco type A Flieger, £150 new:
2) the nicest dive watch to wear on the planet, the Glycine Combat Sub, £250 nominal used value but I got it for free:
My summer watch, the Seiko Padi Samurai, with a Crafter blue rubber strap and an upgraded Namoki sapphire crystal- the perfect summer holiday watch? Dunno about that but it has the nicest dial of any of my watches. €268:
My latest Hanowa will have to go on the list, because it was a) only €55 shipped, b) is automatic and sits steadily at +1 secs / day, c) is a bit different, it has kind of an AquaTerra vibe:
Final watch, I’m not sure. I suppose it’ll have to be the Omega Deville that belonged to my wife’s grandfather, and that was gifted to me by my wonderful MiL. It’s quartz and is probably worth £300-£400 max. It’s from about 1981.
Apologies to those who have seen these watches previously.
But where's the Duro...?
redrabbit said:
I'd have guessed the Glycine, Laco and Hanowa. Maybe the DeVille, as your left field choice.
But where's the Duro...?
I haven’t got one! I had a good scout round for one when CdeG was looking, but that would’ve been for him, not me. But where's the Duro...?
I can’t really justify getting one as I already have a Quartz dive-style watch, my Accurist, and I don’t wear that much either. It was £70 I think.
OK then, after a long think, a couple grunts, some gratuitous scratchching, and breaking out in a cold sweat here's my 5.....
Citizen Promaster Bullhead, £695, most important watch to me emotionally, a present from Mrs Bobbers after I helped settle her mum's estate.
My first Steeldive, an SD1970, bloody love it, really well made, keeps excellent time and looks far better than the £110 it cost.
My most recent purchase, my Tissot PRS516, it took me so long to actually get one, and I love it, paid £280.
My 50th birthday present to myself, Bulova Futuro, my favourite watch of my whole collection, I think it's a great looking watch and the partial skeleton just makes it!!! £180 paid.
And strangely the watch that started it all, despite being consigned to a drawer I will never get rid of it, Timex Indiglo Expedition, £89 paid many years ago!!!
Citizen Promaster Bullhead, £695, most important watch to me emotionally, a present from Mrs Bobbers after I helped settle her mum's estate.
My first Steeldive, an SD1970, bloody love it, really well made, keeps excellent time and looks far better than the £110 it cost.
My most recent purchase, my Tissot PRS516, it took me so long to actually get one, and I love it, paid £280.
My 50th birthday present to myself, Bulova Futuro, my favourite watch of my whole collection, I think it's a great looking watch and the partial skeleton just makes it!!! £180 paid.
And strangely the watch that started it all, despite being consigned to a drawer I will never get rid of it, Timex Indiglo Expedition, £89 paid many years ago!!!
redrabbit said:
So then, threadists... Let's have your top five from your current stash, at least 3 within thread limit, but allowing for one slightly over, and maybe one proper budget buster?
Ohh go on then 
Sharky/Heimdallr "Seiko SKX007". I think it would look better if it had black circles round the lume markers like the later models do, but I love the yellow and the bracelet design. It's really comfortable to wear considering how heavy it is.
Poljot Strela remake that I bought used around 15 years ago. Needs a service as the knob's gone stiff. Hopefully nothing needs replacing as the movement isn't made anymore. I'm not wearing Russian watches at the moment as it doesn't feel right.
Re-cased Molnija Pocket Watch. It's a bit big, but it's nice for a more casual look. Another one sitting in the drawer until the war is over. Despite being a USSR watch, it was delivered from Ukraine so I feel better about that one!
A little over budget, was about £225. Chronographe Suisse that I bought in 2020. I was looking for a classic chronograph for ages until I found one at a good price. I think this was cheaper as the dial is unbranded. Chronographe Suisse was a watchmaker that sold watches to other watch companies who would put their brand on the dial and re-sell them.
Thread budget buster, though it was already around 25 years old when I bought it so not too bad. Being a 1990s model it is quite under specced compared to later ones. Post 2000 models came with COSC certified movements (same movement, but with a different balance wheel and hairspring), sapphire crystal, increased depth rating (like 1000m isn't enough) and the bezel and dial numerals were redesigned to match each other better.
However the 1990s models have a more tooley/military vibe to them and look a bit nicer I think.
A couple of thread budget ones from me:
I wear this a lot. James who designed it did a fantastic job. The 5 link bracelet is great, lumed brushed ceramic bezel, 38mm, 10.5mm thick with a nice compact lug to lug. £210
Every one needs a G Shock, right £150ish I think.
Don't wear this enough but it was a gift from friends a long time a go. £120 at the time
A little over budget into the 300s but wear it all the time. The regular ones go under RRP often on the secondary market.
And if I could only keep one it would probably be my Planet Ocean, easily my most worn watch of the last decade. Good for another 599.9 meters here. £1450 at the time.
I wear this a lot. James who designed it did a fantastic job. The 5 link bracelet is great, lumed brushed ceramic bezel, 38mm, 10.5mm thick with a nice compact lug to lug. £210
Every one needs a G Shock, right £150ish I think.
Don't wear this enough but it was a gift from friends a long time a go. £120 at the time
A little over budget into the 300s but wear it all the time. The regular ones go under RRP often on the secondary market.
And if I could only keep one it would probably be my Planet Ocean, easily my most worn watch of the last decade. Good for another 599.9 meters here. £1450 at the time.
Edited by gregs656 on Thursday 30th March 22:02
My 5
First automatic watch, which took me down the rabbit hole, Long Island Watches have just launched a Jubilee and Oyster bracelet so it might get a makeover
Inox, again going to look into a freshen up by getting the bezel re-finished as the previous owner had it polished.
Red ga2100 birthday present chosen by my lad, very much a summer wear.
The just over budget Samurai
Budget smashing Hydroconquest
First automatic watch, which took me down the rabbit hole, Long Island Watches have just launched a Jubilee and Oyster bracelet so it might get a makeover
Inox, again going to look into a freshen up by getting the bezel re-finished as the previous owner had it polished.
Red ga2100 birthday present chosen by my lad, very much a summer wear.
The just over budget Samurai
Budget smashing Hydroconquest
I hope you're sitting comfortably as this may be a long post,
So some 41 years ago a young T6 vanman .... well you may actually say BMX Burner BikeBoy ... for a T6 van is a long way into the future.
BMX Burner BikeBoy had casually paroosed the Argos & Shoppers World catalogues and having identified a fine watch ... began his quest to save for this wrist piece ...
Such was his want for this wrist piece that you could almost call it a 'grail' watch for BMX Burner BikeBoy,
Weeks past and it was "time" ... get it see what I did there .... for BMX Burner BikeBoy to dominate the piggybank .....
Picture the scene .. BMX Burner BikeBoy hammer in hand and shards of porcelain all around counting all his hard earned paper-round tips, .... And they were hard earned as opposed to his ba***rd brother who's round only consisted on our housing estate, BMX Burner BikeBoy's consisted of half the lower side of the whole town :crying:
BMX Burner BikeBoy with pockets a jingleing headed for his AD of choice.
BMX Burner BikeBoy was soooooooooo pleased .. he had his 'grail' watch and nothing would part the pair .....
It's alarm would wake BMX Burner BikeBoy in the morning,
BMX Burner BikeBoy would gaze at it knowning it's hidden powers during loooooooooooooong boring lessons of double geography,
And most of all it would keep him amused during that period of time between coming home from his paper-round and tea being on the table ....
But one fateful day BMX Burner BikeBoy was playing football with some friends ...... I say friends but ......
One boy wasn't a friend as ..... having placed his wrist piece of many talents on his jumper/goal post to protect it from damage.
There was a thief amongst BMX Burner BikeBoy's close nit group and due to both Bodie&Doyle and Jim Rockford being unavailable the thief escaped un-apprehended.
41 years later and BMX Burner BikeBoy has grown into a bitter spiteful driver bearing down on unsuspecting lane 2 & 3 hoggers with his van, Sportline kit & 20" like a modern day Duel .... Oh how I wish the thief was Dennis Weaver.
But like a prescription of Ramipril ... calmness has fallen into T6 vanman's heart as he has found his first love again on line and made a purchase
So some 41 years ago a young T6 vanman .... well you may actually say BMX Burner BikeBoy ... for a T6 van is a long way into the future.
BMX Burner BikeBoy had casually paroosed the Argos & Shoppers World catalogues and having identified a fine watch ... began his quest to save for this wrist piece ...
Such was his want for this wrist piece that you could almost call it a 'grail' watch for BMX Burner BikeBoy,
Weeks past and it was "time" ... get it see what I did there
.... for BMX Burner BikeBoy to dominate the piggybank ..... Picture the scene .. BMX Burner BikeBoy hammer in hand and shards of porcelain all around counting all his hard earned paper-round tips, .... And they were hard earned as opposed to his ba***rd brother who's round only consisted on our housing estate, BMX Burner BikeBoy's consisted of half the lower side of the whole town :crying:
BMX Burner BikeBoy with pockets a jingleing headed for his AD of choice.
BMX Burner BikeBoy was soooooooooo pleased .. he had his 'grail' watch and nothing would part the pair .....
It's alarm would wake BMX Burner BikeBoy in the morning,
BMX Burner BikeBoy would gaze at it knowning it's hidden powers during loooooooooooooong boring lessons of double geography,
And most of all it would keep him amused during that period of time between coming home from his paper-round and tea being on the table ....
But one fateful day BMX Burner BikeBoy was playing football with some friends ...... I say friends but ......
One boy wasn't a friend as ..... having placed his wrist piece of many talents on his jumper/goal post to protect it from damage.
There was a thief amongst BMX Burner BikeBoy's close nit group and due to both Bodie&Doyle and Jim Rockford being unavailable the thief escaped un-apprehended.
41 years later and BMX Burner BikeBoy has grown into a bitter spiteful driver bearing down on unsuspecting lane 2 & 3 hoggers with his van, Sportline kit & 20" like a modern day Duel .... Oh how I wish the thief was Dennis Weaver.
But like a prescription of Ramipril ... calmness has fallen into T6 vanman's heart as he has found his first love again on line and made a purchase
Some excellent responses, chaps! I'd better add some pics for mine (with a slight revision to original selection, and apologies for some repeat pics from legacy posts)...
The SD Willard, off the Cretan coast..
Mach 2000, Roger Tallon classic re-issue..
Pagani PRX Chrono... Really love it
A blast from the past (maybe 1992?) Citizen Aviator with insane flight fuel calculator bezel. Needs some sunlight to reboot!
And for the flex, only ever worn in good health...
The SD Willard, off the Cretan coast..
Mach 2000, Roger Tallon classic re-issue..
Pagani PRX Chrono... Really love it
A blast from the past (maybe 1992?) Citizen Aviator with insane flight fuel calculator bezel. Needs some sunlight to reboot!
And for the flex, only ever worn in good health...
Edited by redrabbit on Friday 31st March 07:09
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