The Under £200ish Watch and occasional Opera Thread! Vol2
Discussion
Pebbles167 said:
Bobberoo said:
I have a really unhealthy obsession with a couple of Thomas Earnshaw watches......
Keep an eye on TK Maxx & Mainspring Boutique, both offer them regularly at decent prices. Their watches will be well made and reliable, and are looking pretty good with their newer branding. Make no mistake though, never pay full price on their site for them, it's stupidly inflated.
You should usually aim to pay less than RRP with the Dartmouth brands. It's not so dramatic with the big bitters like Spinnaker or AVi-8 where the RRP will drop maybe 40% in a sale. But with the less well known ones like Nubeo, RGMT or Thomas earnshaw, their usual price of £1k + decreases to like £200, which is obviously closer to what they're worth. The silly RRP cheapens the brands in my opinion.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Thursday 14th August 20:34
riskyj said:
What’s the thoughts on these? https://www.debenhams.com/product/st-hrling-origin...
A lot of people like them, they look decent.I'm rather obsessed with this right now, hopefully ordering one at the end of the month.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone's entitled to their opinion and I encourage it to continue, however I do really like the style and have wanted one with this look for a while, I did some due diligence and read reviews, they are getting better reviews than most high end makers, add in a 5 year warranty and Im confident it's not going to fall apart, as for the aesthetics, as I say I really like it.
Llentil the llama said:
Hello £200 ish threadites.
I haven't posted for quite some time mainly because I have most of the different types of watches that I wanted. If I were a get a new watch it would have to offer something new to me that I want. Which leads me to...
Bobberoo just one question offered in a helping way. Does this scratch the dress watch with complications itch for you or is it a way of sort of getting a perpetual calendar type of display without it being a perpetual calendar?
Ultimately would the lack of movement complication change the way you view the watch in your collection and eventually buy a perpetual calendar watch as well?
Sorry that was two questions, I will go back to my barn now, there is a lovely haynet in there and I have a new copy of fluttering eyelashes monthly, it's all a llama needs.
Aaahhhh there you are Llentil old llama, I did start to wonder where you'd got to!!I haven't posted for quite some time mainly because I have most of the different types of watches that I wanted. If I were a get a new watch it would have to offer something new to me that I want. Which leads me to...
Bobberoo just one question offered in a helping way. Does this scratch the dress watch with complications itch for you or is it a way of sort of getting a perpetual calendar type of display without it being a perpetual calendar?
Ultimately would the lack of movement complication change the way you view the watch in your collection and eventually buy a perpetual calendar watch as well?
Sorry that was two questions, I will go back to my barn now, there is a lovely haynet in there and I have a new copy of fluttering eyelashes monthly, it's all a llama needs.
It's more a case of I really like the complication style watch and can't actually find a sensibly priced perpetual calendar that isn't another bloody Citizen!!!
I have just had an offer accepted on a Swan and Edgar Complexe in a different colour scheme........
Llentil the llama said:
Congrats on your new watch, of course we will need piccies!
I guess this being a fancy Dan dress watch it won't be worn at work?
Hope the flat hunting has gone well for you.
(now back to the "eyelash of the month" feature)
Cheers Llentil, no it will be worn regularly, it's main reason is to round up my collection to 21 leaving me 20 watches including it in my watch boxes and my prized Rado Captain Cook in its box on display to be worn when I feel like it.I guess this being a fancy Dan dress watch it won't be worn at work?
Hope the flat hunting has gone well for you.
(now back to the "eyelash of the month" feature)
wibble cb said:
Well that was awkward, I had ‘lost’ my Casio Duro, much to my annoyance, so asked for some pointers from you guys, and ultimately decided on a straight replacement, the best (ie cheapest) solution, so this was ordered :
On a canvas NATO style strap, not my favourite, but heyho, 87$c all in inc delivery from Quebec, it’s arrived, and balance is now restored to the force, until last night, I moved a cushion on the couch looking for a screwdriver that might have fallen off the desk next to it, and what do I see…….
Stiff words will be had with the cat, who is the prime suspect in the great watch theft of 2025…
So now I have 2 Casio Duro watches and a hankering for one of the as well
92$c all in. Inc delivery, Damn you Smokey!
On a canvas NATO style strap, not my favourite, but heyho, 87$c all in inc delivery from Quebec, it’s arrived, and balance is now restored to the force, until last night, I moved a cushion on the couch looking for a screwdriver that might have fallen off the desk next to it, and what do I see…….
Stiff words will be had with the cat, who is the prime suspect in the great watch theft of 2025…
So now I have 2 Casio Duro watches and a hankering for one of the as well
92$c all in. Inc delivery, Damn you Smokey!
BrokenSkunk said:
Bobberoo said:
A lot of people like them, they look decent.
I'm rather obsessed with this right now, hopefully ordering one at the end of the month.
I have a Parnis that's similar-ish. It uses the ST25. Mine has date and power reserve. It is on the far right in this photo:I'm rather obsessed with this right now, hopefully ordering one at the end of the month.
It was a £50 quid cheapie, all be it 20 odd years ago now. For my skinny wrist it's a bit toobig at 42mm. Despite being a massive watch, the date pointer is way too small to read. The rotor is really noisy - so much so that my wife can actually hear me coming. It has an equivalent waterproof rating to a loofah, Only two weeks ago it had to go to the watchmakers to be dried out inside after I was caught in a shower cycling home from work.
Yet despite it's many shortcomings, it tends to get worn far more than many of the more expensive, more prestigous watches in my collection. It makes an excellent pub or holiday watch.
In summary, go for it Bobbers (I see youy already have), but don't pay over the odds. These are just cheap Chinese watches.
Llentil the llama said:
Great deal! In the past I have had a number of Swatches but when they went over £40 I stopped buying them as I didn't see the value.
Just 48 hours a go I posted that I had more or less stopped buying watches and hence my contribution to this thread had diminished, well, not sure how to say this, but err, hum, I have just ordered a new watch. That blasted Bobberoo, I have been caught again!,
Coming from China so 7 to 10 day delivery will post piccies when here, 37mm case, 45mm lug to lug, female end link, lots of polishing and a VH31 movement keeping it cheap, just what this llama likes.
Just 48 hours a go I posted that I had more or less stopped buying watches and hence my contribution to this thread had diminished, well, not sure how to say this, but err, hum, I have just ordered a new watch. That blasted Bobberoo, I have been caught again!,
Coming from China so 7 to 10 day delivery will post piccies when here, 37mm case, 45mm lug to lug, female end link, lots of polishing and a VH31 movement keeping it cheap, just what this llama likes.
Don't blame me for your poor impulse control!!!
Pics upon receipt please!!!
gregs656 said:
Bobberoo said:
Thanks for the feedback, everyone's entitled to their opinion and I encourage it to continue, however I do really like the style and have wanted one with this look for a while, I did some due diligence and read reviews, they are getting better reviews than most high end makers, add in a 5 year warranty and Im confident it's not going to fall apart, as for the aesthetics, as I say I really like it.
Reviews from who? Their website is full of fake reviews IMO.The movement is a very cheap Chinese movement.
The whole watch is being presented as something it's not, I expect that warranty is worthless.
johnpsanderson said:
Well, if I didn’t already *love* a NATO strap then I surely do now!
A couple of years ago I dropped a lot of hints about getting this as a Fathers Day present and it duly arrived. And was too big and a bit uncomfortable despite me really liking the look of it:
Just this week I thought, why not try a NATO strap and so a quick eBay order later and “et voila”, i really like the look of it, and it’s snug on the wrist, hurrah!
Really like the look of that, well done.A couple of years ago I dropped a lot of hints about getting this as a Fathers Day present and it duly arrived. And was too big and a bit uncomfortable despite me really liking the look of it:
Just this week I thought, why not try a NATO strap and so a quick eBay order later and “et voila”, i really like the look of it, and it’s snug on the wrist, hurrah!
Well a message for all you naysayers out there, my Swan and Edgar Count watch arrived today is actually really nice, no it's not as well made as some of my watches, but it is still as well made as my Steeldive and I would say better than the Diesel Big Daddy I have.
Colour wise it's really nice, rose gold, brown, black and red, it works nicely, very legible, it wears nicely on the wrist and IMHO is a very nice looking watch.
I'll wear it for a couple of days and update in a couple of days.
Colour wise it's really nice, rose gold, brown, black and red, it works nicely, very legible, it wears nicely on the wrist and IMHO is a very nice looking watch.
I'll wear it for a couple of days and update in a couple of days.
Llentil the llama said:
Those colourways and tones on that style of watch are something I have not seen before and look to work well on your manly (OK maybe gorilla is a good adjective) wrist.
Its good we are all different, I could never wear that but bob on Bobbers, a worthy addition to your collection.
My recent purchase is winging its way from China, had the tracking email. I fear about posting piccies when it arrives even on this friendly thread might be inflammatory, even more so than Bobberoo's excellent result above.
I bought the watch as I like it, the regulars know I like a small three hand watch with no complications, what could be controversial about that? I am just getting my excuses in early over an £80 watch.
Llentil
(ps Bobbers would love to see that on a gold bracelet for the full 21st century man / Roger Moore 007 vibe)
Its good we are all different, I could never wear that but bob on Bobbers, a worthy addition to your collection.
My recent purchase is winging its way from China, had the tracking email. I fear about posting piccies when it arrives even on this friendly thread might be inflammatory, even more so than Bobberoo's excellent result above.
I bought the watch as I like it, the regulars know I like a small three hand watch with no complications, what could be controversial about that? I am just getting my excuses in early over an £80 watch.
Llentil
(ps Bobbers would love to see that on a gold bracelet for the full 21st century man / Roger Moore 007 vibe)
No excuses Llentil, we require pictures!!Pebbles167 said:
The Swan Edgar looks better now you have it Bobbers, not about to suggest it's a world beater, but then that's not the objective of the thread.
In the under £200 segment everything is both a bargain and overpriced depending on what you're after. It's true what Greg said (clearly had the best intentions), you could get similar for cheaper but it wasn't this watch. I've spent nearly £100 more for an Orient Helios because whilst being no better, the particular model I was after had one detail which I liked.
Take this other example for instance, the new watchdives WD0005B:
£170, from a brand with comparable quality to cheaper models, which uses a NH35 without a date window (ghost date positions are sinful). You can get the same watch with a different dial for well under £100, so this is hardly a bargain..
..but that dial, awesome. Not many brands outside of AnOrdain or Straum are offering similar, and they are much bigger money.
I ordered one as soon as I saw it since for me, just the look was worth the money, as it was for you with your watch Bobbers.
Bloody love that dial, so different!!!In the under £200 segment everything is both a bargain and overpriced depending on what you're after. It's true what Greg said (clearly had the best intentions), you could get similar for cheaper but it wasn't this watch. I've spent nearly £100 more for an Orient Helios because whilst being no better, the particular model I was after had one detail which I liked.
Take this other example for instance, the new watchdives WD0005B:
£170, from a brand with comparable quality to cheaper models, which uses a NH35 without a date window (ghost date positions are sinful). You can get the same watch with a different dial for well under £100, so this is hardly a bargain..
..but that dial, awesome. Not many brands outside of AnOrdain or Straum are offering similar, and they are much bigger money.
I ordered one as soon as I saw it since for me, just the look was worth the money, as it was for you with your watch Bobbers.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Saturday 23 August 20:46
Right then, but of an update on the Swan and Edgar Count watch and the collection overall.
Worn it pretty much all day, seems to keep decent time, bit if an issue with the day skipping ahead but meh, it wasn't expensive, it looks and wears really nicely and I like it.
The collection as it stands.
Worn it pretty much all day, seems to keep decent time, bit if an issue with the day skipping ahead but meh, it wasn't expensive, it looks and wears really nicely and I like it.
The collection as it stands.
Barchettaman said:
Pebbles167 said:
That Citizen is a bargain watch, and a genuinely capable diver.
The only reason I've not bought one is the mineral glass. From experience, If it gets scratched it's pretty much there for good which is sad, so I'll only go for acrylic or sapphire now.
The mineral crystal that Citizen uses is soft so any scratches are dead easy to polish out with Polywatch (the glass version of course)The only reason I've not bought one is the mineral glass. From experience, If it gets scratched it's pretty much there for good which is sad, so I'll only go for acrylic or sapphire now.
I revived one successfully that looked like it had been sandblasted and I’m not exactly talented when it comes to repairing stuff.
On the subject of repairs, I think this is beyond one:
Fortunately I am uninjured (I was riding it as the frame snapped)
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