The Under £200ish Watch and occasional Opera Thread! Vol2
Discussion
Llentil the llama said:
Nice Blue Haddock, hope you are all mended now.
New watch day today for me as well. I stupidly was worried that this would be controversial but I know it really isn't. First the piccies, then some quick thoughts on the watch after wearing it down the gym this afternoon.
As you knowledgeable people can see it is a Watchdives Explorer homage with an Air King dial, yes a mash up but that elephant whilst being acknowledged is parked for later.
This watch is a 37mm case, VH31 4 beat per second quartz movement, with sapphire crystal. Delivered for 103 US dollar. The watch is well finished with good polishing and brushing as would be expected from a higher end Chinese manufacturer when paying more than the budget watches. The bracelet is different to the bracelet on my last Watchdives purchase. The links are thicker, have screw links rather than pins and the milled clasp is thicker and fits together better. Solid end links like before, a good bracelet.
Regulars will know I like small three hand watches and this really ticks a lot of boxes and is a well built and finished watch. Now back to the elephants.
I like the Air King dial and is one of only two Rolex models I like, the other being a 36mm Explorer. I will never own an Air King as when I tried one on a few months ago it was just too big for me. So now I have a dial that I like in a case that suits me, noone should confuse it for a Rolex as it has the Watchdives branding, is the wrong case for the dial and has a totally different movement with the second hand ticking at the wrong rate.
It is a nice watch for me. Oh I tried on the 36mm Explorer at the same time as the Air King, that fitted and was lovely, so I am on some sort of list now. I described my visit to the jewellers on the "Rolex" thread and got called an AI bot, they are a very strange lot in there, generally not watch fans but fans of Rolex it seems.
This brings me to 10 watches, should I buy a display case now? Another 4 or 5 and I am done and will have a complete eclectic collection, starting at a £10 Casio to a Grand Seiko, all worn regularly and bought to do specific things for me. A big thank you to Bobbers for this thread, couldn't have done it without all the wise and supportive posters here.
That's a cracking looking watch there Llentil!! Lovely clear, clean dial, just a splash of colour with the green second hand, lovely.New watch day today for me as well. I stupidly was worried that this would be controversial but I know it really isn't. First the piccies, then some quick thoughts on the watch after wearing it down the gym this afternoon.
As you knowledgeable people can see it is a Watchdives Explorer homage with an Air King dial, yes a mash up but that elephant whilst being acknowledged is parked for later.
This watch is a 37mm case, VH31 4 beat per second quartz movement, with sapphire crystal. Delivered for 103 US dollar. The watch is well finished with good polishing and brushing as would be expected from a higher end Chinese manufacturer when paying more than the budget watches. The bracelet is different to the bracelet on my last Watchdives purchase. The links are thicker, have screw links rather than pins and the milled clasp is thicker and fits together better. Solid end links like before, a good bracelet.
Regulars will know I like small three hand watches and this really ticks a lot of boxes and is a well built and finished watch. Now back to the elephants.
I like the Air King dial and is one of only two Rolex models I like, the other being a 36mm Explorer. I will never own an Air King as when I tried one on a few months ago it was just too big for me. So now I have a dial that I like in a case that suits me, noone should confuse it for a Rolex as it has the Watchdives branding, is the wrong case for the dial and has a totally different movement with the second hand ticking at the wrong rate.
It is a nice watch for me. Oh I tried on the 36mm Explorer at the same time as the Air King, that fitted and was lovely, so I am on some sort of list now. I described my visit to the jewellers on the "Rolex" thread and got called an AI bot, they are a very strange lot in there, generally not watch fans but fans of Rolex it seems.
This brings me to 10 watches, should I buy a display case now? Another 4 or 5 and I am done and will have a complete eclectic collection, starting at a £10 Casio to a Grand Seiko, all worn regularly and bought to do specific things for me. A big thank you to Bobbers for this thread, couldn't have done it without all the wise and supportive posters here.
Great write up and review too thanks, as for the "other thread" sadly they are only interested in our doing each other with over priced show pieces for investment, but that's just my opinion.
If you feel you'd like a box then why not, I enjoy looking at my collection and picking something to wear.
wibble cb said:
blue_haddock said:
That is rather nice , but seeing as I lost a watch( cat induced), replaced it, bought another while searching for a replacement, then ultimately found the original bloomin watch , I will have to admire this from afar, enjoy it!
Llentil the llama said:
Thanks Barchettaman, I normally go for close ups of the watch nobody wants to see a thin, spindly fetlock and hoof but this small watch is perfect for me. I can't believe you have gone back for more potential punishment with the new bike, a bigger braver man than this little llama.
Just for Rider (and all you other watch lovers) fab loom darling.....
All on the wrist for less than half thread budget, a very contented and self aware enough that I could be coming across as a bit of a self congratulated tosser llama in his barn tonight.
That lume is fantastic, a very good purchase that Llentil.Just for Rider (and all you other watch lovers) fab loom darling.....
All on the wrist for less than half thread budget, a very contented and self aware enough that I could be coming across as a bit of a self congratulated tosser llama in his barn tonight.
jamesson said:
If anyone is interested in a thread buster, I bought a Nomadic which arrived this afternoon.
I will wait, of course, for Bobberoo's permission to post as well as seeing whether or not anyone is actually interested!
I will wait, of course, for Bobberoo's permission to post as well as seeing whether or not anyone is actually interested!
Do please continue good sir, looking forward to a review of it as I quite fancy one myself. Agree with the comments, lovely watch that, I really like the nods to the ship building history, as for cost versus finish etc, you paid a decent price for a hand assembled watch, the San Martin might feel as good but I doubt it has as high quality components in it as the Nomadic, wear it and enjoy it sir.
Speed addicted said:
The Citizen arrived today and I must say I’m impressed with it.
I now see what people meant by wearing small, it’s the same size as other watches I have but looks smaller. Weird!
I also now understand the complaints about the strap. Anyone tried Archer straps? They seem good value.
I've had a couple of Archers straps and feel they're very good.I now see what people meant by wearing small, it’s the same size as other watches I have but looks smaller. Weird!
I also now understand the complaints about the strap. Anyone tried Archer straps? They seem good value.
That Lige looks ok to my untrained eye, enjoy.
Nice Orient that Barchettaman.
And now to my own latest purchase, the £115.45 (including delivery) Swan and Edgar Count, I will say right now that I love it, the colour scheme, the strap is lovely and the red stitching on the strap and red hands just make it a bit nicer, there are some lovely touches which make it stand out, have had nothing but positive comments about it.
It's a non hacking movement which is a tad annoying, but appears to keep decent time, I really like the day/date sub dials.
It's comfortable to wear not too intrusive on the wrist but it is quite thick so I suspect wouldn't be good under a cuff.
Overall I'm really happy with it, there's no way I'd pay full price for it though.
Nice Orient that Barchettaman.
And now to my own latest purchase, the £115.45 (including delivery) Swan and Edgar Count, I will say right now that I love it, the colour scheme, the strap is lovely and the red stitching on the strap and red hands just make it a bit nicer, there are some lovely touches which make it stand out, have had nothing but positive comments about it.
It's a non hacking movement which is a tad annoying, but appears to keep decent time, I really like the day/date sub dials.
It's comfortable to wear not too intrusive on the wrist but it is quite thick so I suspect wouldn't be good under a cuff.
Overall I'm really happy with it, there's no way I'd pay full price for it though.
Wallace12R said:
I ve just been informed by my wife that she has bought me something at just about 4 x thread budget! She s only told me as I d see it on the bank statement 
It s something that I had seen, that I really liked and said it would be a lovely thing to have. It s a Christopher Ward, and I m a Spurs fan.
Only pain is I have to wait until the end of February for it.
I wasn t sure whether I d be allowed to post it in here or not?
Absobloodylutely!!! We all like a Christopher Ward here and make allowance for them!!! It s something that I had seen, that I really liked and said it would be a lovely thing to have. It s a Christopher Ward, and I m a Spurs fan. Only pain is I have to wait until the end of February for it.
I wasn t sure whether I d be allowed to post it in here or not?
Llentil the llama said:
I have had a good look at these "in the flesh" and they appear to be well designed and built, stylish integrated watches. The crown positioning suits the design as it leaves a clean line around the bezel into the integrated bracelet. The dial colours are well chosen to the design and are brightly executed.
Three things mean that the watch is not for me whilst there is nothing wrong with the watch. The watch whilst being sensibly sized is just a little too big for me and I have a personal aversion to cyclops.
Good overall watch and at the posted sale price if you like the watch then a far more complete watch than the PRX at a very good price.
"click, click, click, click"
Whats that Skippy?
"click, click, click, click"
My you are a clever kangeroo being able to count to three and saying that I have only stated two things why the watch is not for me. Yes Skippy I will tell the boys and girls the third reason why the watch is not for me..........
I grew up in the 70's, hateful time to be young, Power cuts, ice on the windows growing up, homework by candlelight. Black and white telly, nationalised industries meaning you had a choice of two cooker or phones when they broke and had to wait weeks for them to be delivered. And worse of all Bay F!CKING City Rollers being introduced by the nonce Saville as "entertainment".
Then Tissot launch the PRX and integrated 70's design in watches is at a zietgeist, everyone wants that 70's design. Anything that reminds of how awful the 70's were well, just not for me however I have been on the hunt for a pale blue watch for ages. Despite all I have just written, seeing as the CW has been mentioned I am currently obsessing about this little 36mm three hand baby....
https://www.christopherward.com/the-twelve/C12-36A...
Can you see my dilemma?
Three things mean that the watch is not for me whilst there is nothing wrong with the watch. The watch whilst being sensibly sized is just a little too big for me and I have a personal aversion to cyclops.
Good overall watch and at the posted sale price if you like the watch then a far more complete watch than the PRX at a very good price.
"click, click, click, click"
Whats that Skippy?
"click, click, click, click"
My you are a clever kangeroo being able to count to three and saying that I have only stated two things why the watch is not for me. Yes Skippy I will tell the boys and girls the third reason why the watch is not for me..........
I grew up in the 70's, hateful time to be young, Power cuts, ice on the windows growing up, homework by candlelight. Black and white telly, nationalised industries meaning you had a choice of two cooker or phones when they broke and had to wait weeks for them to be delivered. And worse of all Bay F!CKING City Rollers being introduced by the nonce Saville as "entertainment".
Then Tissot launch the PRX and integrated 70's design in watches is at a zietgeist, everyone wants that 70's design. Anything that reminds of how awful the 70's were well, just not for me however I have been on the hunt for a pale blue watch for ages. Despite all I have just written, seeing as the CW has been mentioned I am currently obsessing about this little 36mm three hand baby....
https://www.christopherward.com/the-twelve/C12-36A...
Can you see my dilemma?
Love the 70's Skippy reference too!!!!
As much as you detest the 70's, I too grew up in the 70's, born actually in 1970, so I understand your angst, you know very well that the CW will be a beautifully made and indeed a lovely watch to own!!!
karma mechanic said:
I think this must qualify. I was looking for some tyre dust caps (which I know for sure are in a certain drawer). At the back I found a watch.
Looking at old photographs when the kids were tiny I last wore it around 1990.
It was obviously completely dead, so I opened the back and discovered the battery had corroded. A bit of cleaning it up and I wondered if it could be restored to life. A suitable battery was about 3 quid, so when it arrived I inserted it, and.... nothing.
More cleaning up, and the seconds hand sprang to life. Nothing else. This model of watch has a reset procedure involving all three buttons, all of which seemed a bit stuck. I separated the case and used washing up liquid to degrease the buttons, dried it with a hair dryer, still no joy.
Oh, and the little seconds hand isn't present, no idea where that went.
Last resort - I sprayed the innards with an aerosol of MAF cleaner (a solvent for cleaning the inlet air sensor in a car engine). Left it in the sun to air, and now the one of the buttons resets the seconds hand. Progress. It is a V600 movement.
Next step, bend the little contacts on the sides of the innards so they mate better with the push buttons. I may have bent them when putting the innards into the case. Reset procedure - the hands move, except the minute hand catches on the hour hand. More gentle persuasion had that cleared.
More resetting and twirling of the bezel (the bezel position governs the functions) and the full reset works. Setting the time works. It's alive!
Trying it out now. Unlikely to be water resistant, and no idea where the little hand went, but there's a certain satisfaction from wearing it due to the history.
PS. I just noticed that I took a picure while it was all dirty, and the missing hand is present in that one! Hands and knees time...
PPS. The packet of dust caps was never found, but then I saw the missing one on the drive. Missing dust cap found (unlikely) in exchange for little hand lost.
Well played for getting it running, an interesting design that!!Looking at old photographs when the kids were tiny I last wore it around 1990.
It was obviously completely dead, so I opened the back and discovered the battery had corroded. A bit of cleaning it up and I wondered if it could be restored to life. A suitable battery was about 3 quid, so when it arrived I inserted it, and.... nothing.
More cleaning up, and the seconds hand sprang to life. Nothing else. This model of watch has a reset procedure involving all three buttons, all of which seemed a bit stuck. I separated the case and used washing up liquid to degrease the buttons, dried it with a hair dryer, still no joy.
Oh, and the little seconds hand isn't present, no idea where that went.
Last resort - I sprayed the innards with an aerosol of MAF cleaner (a solvent for cleaning the inlet air sensor in a car engine). Left it in the sun to air, and now the one of the buttons resets the seconds hand. Progress. It is a V600 movement.
Next step, bend the little contacts on the sides of the innards so they mate better with the push buttons. I may have bent them when putting the innards into the case. Reset procedure - the hands move, except the minute hand catches on the hour hand. More gentle persuasion had that cleared.
More resetting and twirling of the bezel (the bezel position governs the functions) and the full reset works. Setting the time works. It's alive!
Trying it out now. Unlikely to be water resistant, and no idea where the little hand went, but there's a certain satisfaction from wearing it due to the history.
PS. I just noticed that I took a picure while it was all dirty, and the missing hand is present in that one! Hands and knees time...
PPS. The packet of dust caps was never found, but then I saw the missing one on the drive. Missing dust cap found (unlikely) in exchange for little hand lost.
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