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

[Bobberoo]

pistonchris said:

My sekonda titanium i bought of a carboot sunday for £12.50. It wasnt running but ive stuck a battery in and its working.
It is unbelievably light and really comfy.

Absolutely cracking purchase that, well done!!!

[Bobberoo]

Sometimes I really wonder if I've stumbled into an alternate universe while on some drink and drug fuelled binge ...


..... and then I realise, nope, it's just another of Barchettaman's psychedelic operas!!!!

[Bobberoo]

21st Century Man said:

Royston Vasey. Germany.

[Bobberoo]

Barchettaman said:

gregs656 said:

How long do the productions run for?

It varies. The show above is 9 performances over 2 1/2 months, including one show in Paris (Theatre Royal du Palais de Versailles, which is exciting)

Sometimes you’ll do 6 weeks of rehearsals for just 3 shows which is a bit of a ball ache.

Often I will get flown in to replace someone; so that’s one day of rehearsal if I am lucky and (assuming the bloke recovers) just the one show. Having said that I am in an odd situation next month where management are trying to get rid of the other bloke as they are fed up him being ‘sick’ and want me to do his shows.

Any other questions just ask.

Do you practice?
If so how often?

[Bobberoo]

Barchettaman said:

Bobberoo said:

Do you practice?
If so how often?

Every day. But it’s in no way a chore. Singing is a good laugh. As long as I have ear protection I am happy. I only ever practice with full-on shooting ear protectors. My room at home is a bit too small.
Plus I spend hours and hours learning the bloody roles, but again, as long as it’s nice music it’s a pleasure.

I suppose over the years I have come to terms with my vocal and cognitive limitations and have come to relish the challenge of working with what I have, and trying to be as good as I can, rather than wasting time and energy trying to sound or perform like someone else. If that makes any sense.

Edited by Barchettaman on Thursday 24th April 21:22

I think I understand better than most, I'm constantly comparing myself to others when I'm in the gym, my bench is crap but my back and legs are strong, you can really knock the stuffing out of yourself by constantly comparing yourself.

[Bobberoo]

No need to apologise Barchettaman, I think most of us find it utterly fascinating!!!

[Bobberoo]

Llentil the llama said:

fellow watch lovers, I haven't posted for a little while as I hadn't anything new but..........

Following on from my GS experience where I thought I would like a Shunbun but then got a koi carp instead, I still had a hankering for a light pink textured dialed watch. Apparently a watch with the right specs (stainless, 39mm, saphire, NH35) and the right dial (from the pictures) was released 9 days ago. My credit card has just been lightened by £107 so I will happily be able to post piccies here when it arrives next week.

I actually wasn't looking for another watch, honest, but Bobbers strikes again

Llentil

[Bobberoo]

Grande Pedro said:

I've never sold a watch. That's probably how 'collections' start.

It's certainly how mine started!!!

[Bobberoo]

Drooles said:

Apologies for thread drift but I hope people don’t mind.

Bobbers, I have a couple of questions. Do you still have the Citizen Promaster Aqualand? Is the bracelet really 21mm? Some reviews say 22mm. Also, what are the extra hands for? One looks like it’s a depth gauge - what is the other?

It would be great if you could post a couple of pictures, too

I never bought a Promaster Aqualand, I have a Promaster Bullhead, the Aqualand is something I've coveted for a long time.......

[Bobberoo]

Drooles said:

Bobberoo said:

I never bought a Promaster Aqualand, I have a Promaster Bullhead, the Aqualand is something I've coveted for a long time.......

Apologies, I thought you had taken the plunge. I am currently coveting…

I think it depends on which variant you're looking at, but I know the base ones only have a power reserve indicator and then they add day/date to some.

[Bobberoo]

Llentil the llama said:

Drooles I don't think how asking about a watch is thread drift at all!

While we are asking Boberoo some questions here is another question for him - any news on finding (and more importantly acquiring) a perpetual calendar watch?

Reading the posts about not selling watches and that is how a collection starts, about 3 years ago I only owned 2 watches, I couldn't understand how people could have "a collection". I have never sold a watch. When the incoming this week (sneak piccie below) arrives I counted up and it will mean that I have 9 watches. I guess that could be called a collection - now who do I blame for this?

Llentil

Oooooooohhhhh that's nice!!!!

I'm currently on a watch buying sabbatical due to needing/wanting to spend money on my car......

[Bobberoo]

BrokenSkunk said:

blue_haddock said:

I don't do quartz.
I don't do quartz.
I don't do quartz.
I don't do quartz.
I don't do quartz.

Repeat to self, I do not do quartz. It doesn't matter how much you like that Mike. It doesn't matter how many of your more recent purchases have been quartz. You do not do quartz.

I don't do quartz.
I don't do quartz.

I don't do quartz.
I don't do quartz.

I don't do quartz.
I don't do quartz.

Damn you Haddock.

[Bobberoo]

Talking of Steeldive, has the UK dealer gone under?
Everything on the site says out of stock!!!

[Bobberoo]

Fantastic opera update Barchettaman, friends of ours have just come back from visiting Versailles!!

[Bobberoo]

Llentil the llama said:

My "it's not a Shunbun" pink watch has arrived.

Sometimes it looks like it has a linen dial,



Most of the time the dial shimmers as it catches the light and changes tones and colour,



Unfortunately there was a problem with the clasp on the bracelet so it is on a blue leather strap for now, the plan is to put it on a grey suede strap. I have asked for a new bracelet or clasp to be sent out, love the watch annoying that I have to sort out the bracelet.

Really like that Llentil, lovely purchase.

[Bobberoo]

Pebbles167 said:

T_S_M said:

All very helpful, thank you very much! I'm after something quite specific and that was the nearest thing I could find really, rather than because of budget.

I'm after the following:

- Chrono
- 41mm or smaller (spaghetti wrists)
- Rubber strap
- Up to £300
- No Gold or bright colours

If anyone knows of something that would meet those requirements?

No prob!

You could probably get a pretty nice Seiko or Citizen for that maybe even a Tissot, but their brand name will mean perhaps getting slightly less value for money than some others.

I'd take a look at Timex, Spinnaker, Avi8, Casio or Orient. There will probably be plenty of choice here.

Definitely look at Spinnaker, Citizen and Timex for that budget, there'll be lots of choice.

[Bobberoo]

Pebbles167 said:

Llentil the llama said:

OK not being quite so frivolous in tone of posting, having bought two watches already this year I seek my watch teachers and gurus advice.

Lets just say that, thanks to Bobbers, I have actually become a watch collector (9 watches now), what I am missing and would like is a sandwiche dial, something like the Tusueno (spelling?) but obviously 36mm to 38mm with some shiny.

Do your worst...... It's only a watch under £200 after all

It's actually tricky with brands who make or have made sandwich dials, the only other ones that come to mind are Formex, Alkin, Nodus and Baltic, all at least double thread budget.

You'll have to do a big search of the web for smaller brands around the world.

As far as Ali Express goes, whilst usually having everything, they're not common on there. I've seen at least one San Martin model that used sandwich for about £180, and some proper non brand Panerai replicas for about £50.

Post up if you find anything! Good luck.

Edit: Here's that San Martin. Looks like a Seiko.

Clicky

Edited by Pebbles167 on Thursday 29th May 23:50

Ha, I learnt something today, I'd never heard of a sandwich watch before, had to look it up!!

Good luck finding what you desire Llentil, 9 watches is a nice little collection!!

[Bobberoo]

Barchettaman said:

So, I am sure to the surprise of absolutely none of you, I bought it. Details to follow.

Aaahhhh Barchettaman san, you have chosen wisely......

[Bobberoo]

redrabbit said:

jamesson said:

eccles said:

I've got the San Martin BB58 homage. I think it's the most expensive of all the popular Chinese copies. The quality is very good though and the lume is like a torch all night long. Right up there with Seiko divers.
I have a real BB58 and sometimes I compare the two and wonder what the extra £2k is spent on!

Edited by eccles on Monday 2nd June 11:11

Funnily enough, I had that exact watch but sold it to fund something thread busting hence why I was thinking about buying a cheaper version of it as I do miss having it around.

Anyway, I decided sod it, and have now bought the San Martin version as there was a bit of a sale on AliExpress. I find their watches to be of excellent quality.

Good call, if you had one before and liked it. You know what you're getting and not going to break the bank.

On a side note, I dipped my toe into San Martin waters for their Aquaterra homage and couldn't see what the fuss was about, it's decent but not a step change from Pagani. I have to assume it's an exception to the rule, but it's stopped my having another SM punt.

For me, Steeldive are by far the best of the Chinese brands - my SD Willard and 50 Fathoms are top 5 in my collection, alongside much more 'prestigious' kit. I've tried to convince the sub 200 massive on the merits of the 50F in the past, but to no avail. Trust me, it's fabulous...

Agree on the 50 Fathoms, my bronze is just the right patina now!!!

[Bobberoo]

Llentil the llama said:

It was a bit chill in the barn this evening and Mrs Llama asked me to fetch her pale blue cardi.

I went and got it and whilst passing it to her I said "if that was a watch it would be called a Tiffany watch". Very quietly I then added that I don't have a Tiffany watch. She said nothing, saying nothing means she doesn't object, which means......

I am now on the hunt for a pale blue dialed watch with no come backs! RESULT

I like your reasoning, good luck!!!