The Under £200ish Watch and occasional Opera Thread! Vol2
Discussion
Llentil the llama said:
And many thanks to the forum regulars for not pointing out what an absolute grade A muppet I am.
Reflecting upon my 1970's rant whilst down the gym today, I look at my wrist and what I am wearing?
My space hopper orange Dan Henry "1975" skin diver. Why is it called "1975" - oh yes as it is a modern uptake of the Omega Admiralty from 1975!
With a little bit of llama maths that seems to be a justification to at least go and look at the CW 'cos if you have crossed the rubicon once you might as well go all in! I justify it as aversion exposure therapy, if I hated the 70's that much, buying another 70's style watch might help me accept my past. What do you guys think to my reasoning?
And for our younger viewers (and to make Bobbers smile)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByob-5pPEs
No judgement here Llentil, we're mostly older chaps with dodgy memories and ailing bodies!!!Reflecting upon my 1970's rant whilst down the gym today, I look at my wrist and what I am wearing?
My space hopper orange Dan Henry "1975" skin diver. Why is it called "1975" - oh yes as it is a modern uptake of the Omega Admiralty from 1975!
With a little bit of llama maths that seems to be a justification to at least go and look at the CW 'cos if you have crossed the rubicon once you might as well go all in! I justify it as aversion exposure therapy, if I hated the 70's that much, buying another 70's style watch might help me accept my past. What do you guys think to my reasoning?
And for our younger viewers (and to make Bobbers smile)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByob-5pPEs
Thanks for bringing a smile to my face with that Skippy throwback!!!
eccles said:
Barchettaman said:
Random high-quality media operatic update.
The Guardian came in to do a rather nice photo essay on our production of Cinderella, which opens on Saturday.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/25/eno-...
Random horological operatic update: I just had to turn down a gig in Schaffhausen, home of IWC, as the dates didn t fit (and the money was crap)
Looking very dapper as well. The Guardian came in to do a rather nice photo essay on our production of Cinderella, which opens on Saturday.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/25/eno-...
Random horological operatic update: I just had to turn down a gig in Schaffhausen, home of IWC, as the dates didn t fit (and the money was crap)
Distinct lack of bonkers alien boobs or fat suits though.
redrabbit said:
InitialDave said:
Llentil the llama said:
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?
Seeing as this discussion is already outside of thread budget, I suggest you save yourself well north of half a grand and buy an Erebus Ascent in whichever size and dial choice appeals.https://www.christopherward.com/the-twelve/C12-36A...
Can you see my dilemma?
I have a 41mm aventurine, and it's excellent quality for the money.
Edit: tbh the quality is very good however you cut it, I really can't rationalise spending more unless there's a very definite personal value to a certain brand.
Edited by InitialDave on Saturday 20th September 22:27
For the wider Sub200 crew - out of curiosity, which do you prefer? (Not you, ID - you've done enough damage already
)
It's a slippery slope I tells ya!!!
Orange fade for me!
d - that's pushed me over the edge. Just ordered, and YOU made me do it.
T_S_M said:
T_S_M said:
Ordered this last week from a store in Japan, via eBay. I m well pleased with it! Second hand but it looks like it s never been worn, £140 delivered.
Stuck a £15 silicon strap on this now, exactly the look I wanted! Blatant Daytona rip off but I don t care judas said:
Pebbles167 said:
Sorry folks, but from a long time lurker on this thread, how can anyone not pass comment on this... magnificence? It is stunning - in the most literal sense. Who doesn't covet this majestic timepiece?Barchettaman said:
At £220 shipped to my door this Japan-only Citizen makes a strong case for itself. It s utterly delightful.
I will post a proper review (if anyone is interested) once it has settled in to the wrist. So to speak.
I hope all regulars and lurkers are enjoying a relaxing weekend.
Llentil the llama said:
Hello all you two hundreders, luckily for you I haven't posted for a while, unfortunately there has been quite a lot happening in the barn horologicaly speaking. Sorry for the following rambling and jumping around different watch related subjects.
Firstly, mostly for the Skunk. My son has a 21 year old Bulova, nice watch,it was an eighteenth birthday present from his grandparents. He came to me today complaining that the watch slips down his wrist. It has a beads of rice bracelet with butterfly clasp that is utterly shagged and stretched. The end links are more wobbly than a wobble board. The bracelet needs replacing he wasn't happy at the aftermarket options I gave him. I told him Bulova won't have that bracelet anymore, what are the chances of finding that bracelet?
I have recently had a big watch problem. I put my recently bought Watchdives Explorer x Airking 37mm mash up onto my Uncle waffle strap that was on my San Martin Aqua Terra which was my everyday watch.
Here is the Watchedives
It is phenomenal, so comfy on the rubber strap, I can not fault it. Amazing for £80. A previously posted picture of its lume.
This means that the San Martin that had been a battered faithful friend I had stopped wearing. Sadly the watch also stopped for the first time in over two years. I felt guilty about when it stopped ticking when a new floosie caught my eye.
Anyway put the original bracelet back on and had forgotten how good with a silver bracelet the contrast of the blued markers and hands look against the cut dial, lovely. All worked out in the end.
Finally, going beyond the £200, but hopefully of interest, I am booked for a visit/tour of the UK Grand Seiko repair centre and HQ to see the "craft" of how they repair watches and their horological philosophy. Should be interesting.
Always enjoy reading your posts Llentil, I still think that San Martin is an absolute belter!!Firstly, mostly for the Skunk. My son has a 21 year old Bulova, nice watch,it was an eighteenth birthday present from his grandparents. He came to me today complaining that the watch slips down his wrist. It has a beads of rice bracelet with butterfly clasp that is utterly shagged and stretched. The end links are more wobbly than a wobble board. The bracelet needs replacing he wasn't happy at the aftermarket options I gave him. I told him Bulova won't have that bracelet anymore, what are the chances of finding that bracelet?
I have recently had a big watch problem. I put my recently bought Watchdives Explorer x Airking 37mm mash up onto my Uncle waffle strap that was on my San Martin Aqua Terra which was my everyday watch.
Here is the Watchedives
It is phenomenal, so comfy on the rubber strap, I can not fault it. Amazing for £80. A previously posted picture of its lume.
This means that the San Martin that had been a battered faithful friend I had stopped wearing. Sadly the watch also stopped for the first time in over two years. I felt guilty about when it stopped ticking when a new floosie caught my eye.
Anyway put the original bracelet back on and had forgotten how good with a silver bracelet the contrast of the blued markers and hands look against the cut dial, lovely. All worked out in the end.
Finally, going beyond the £200, but hopefully of interest, I am booked for a visit/tour of the UK Grand Seiko repair centre and HQ to see the "craft" of how they repair watches and their horological philosophy. Should be interesting.
redrabbit said:
Actually..
Bobbers, what about a 'buy of the year' poll at the close of 2025? Canvas thread participants for five candidates under £200 (or maybe £250?), and put it to a vote.
Although I suspect we already have a winner ^^
If you want to organize it more than happy to see what people think of the purchases!!Bobbers, what about a 'buy of the year' poll at the close of 2025? Canvas thread participants for five candidates under £200 (or maybe £250?), and put it to a vote.
Although I suspect we already have a winner ^^
Firstly, Llentil that's very kind of you but there are far better contributors than I on here, I just started the thread for like minded collectors to gather and encourage each other into completely unnecessary purchases!!!!
As Barchettaman said, this thread succeeds because of everyone involved, there's great knowledge and expertise on here, and a friendly welcoming environment, that's because of all of you.
If I was to nominate a purchase of the year it would be either this titanium Sekonda for the incredible price of £12.50
As Barchettaman said, this thread succeeds because of everyone involved, there's great knowledge and expertise on here, and a friendly welcoming environment, that's because of all of you.
If I was to nominate a purchase of the year it would be either this titanium Sekonda for the incredible price of £12.50
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.
the Seiko for £156.It is unbelievably light and really comfy.
g4ry13 said:
Barchettaman said:
g4ry13 said:
I've been looking at some budget watches and wondered whether anyone had thoughts on the PT5000 movement a number of these budget watches use?
There are some reports that the movement can feel 'gritty' to hand wind and probably best to not hand wind it. Not sure whether to try and avoid this movement and go for something more trusty like the NH35?
Hopefully this link works:There are some reports that the movement can feel 'gritty' to hand wind and probably best to not hand wind it. Not sure whether to try and avoid this movement and go for something more trusty like the NH35?
https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/s/nWWvMCdN...
^ Maybe worth a look. Those guys know their stuff.
As a novelty watch i'm interested. I sent them a message about the watch and am mulling it over in the meantime.
And another great review thanks Barchettaman.
Car Obsessed said:
Evening all. First time frequenting these parts
I ve ended up with £75 Amazon vouchers for my birthday, so thought I would spend it on a cheap watch. I have a couple of nice watches (including a Tag and a Bering) but I want a cheaper daily wear that I can wear in the office but also on holiday, out walking, biking etc.
I m drawn to a G Shock as I ve not owned one before, this is my current favourite https://amzn.eu/d/1rDcF2A but I just thought I d ask here for some inspiration in case I m missing something better.
Cheers
Welcome to our little corner of Tinternet, but everyone knows the correct answer is this https://amzn.eu/d/cVXfhaZI ve ended up with £75 Amazon vouchers for my birthday, so thought I would spend it on a cheap watch. I have a couple of nice watches (including a Tag and a Bering) but I want a cheaper daily wear that I can wear in the office but also on holiday, out walking, biking etc.
I m drawn to a G Shock as I ve not owned one before, this is my current favourite https://amzn.eu/d/1rDcF2A but I just thought I d ask here for some inspiration in case I m missing something better.
Cheers
Tam_Mullen said:
I m new to luxury watches having only ever really worn an Apple Watch for the last 4/5 years and nothing before that. I m often put off my cluttered busy faces, and heavy thick dark bezels so I ve never really found anything I like. Until I became aware of Sinn watches, and specifically their 556A. I don t like watches enough to splurge that much into one (which I know a lot of people will laugh at with 10x the value on their wrist!).
Then in mid/late September magpie215 posted a comment about a Chinese brand which was, let s be honest, ripping off Sinn designs. I ordered one the same day
Nice watch, welcome to the thread.Then in mid/late September magpie215 posted a comment about a Chinese brand which was, let s be honest, ripping off Sinn designs. I ordered one the same day
redrabbit said:
Llentil the llama said:
Bought in good faith, looks like a well built and finished watch, please wear it. Hopefully to allay your fears, nobody is likely to pick up on it, if they do say you ordered a sterile dial as you like the watch, you are never going to try and financially gain from it, please enjoy a good looking watch.
Now to more important things, I mentioned the cat before, please tell us about the lovely black cat, what's its name and on the trouble cat-o-meter scale how much trouble is it?
The great and good of the 200 threadista have put my mind at ease. Hopefully, used as a beater, it will pick up some patina which will offset its shortcomings!Now to more important things, I mentioned the cat before, please tell us about the lovely black cat, what's its name and on the trouble cat-o-meter scale how much trouble is it?
LL - the cat's name is Nero and he's no trouble at all. Very taciturn in fact, built like a brick outhouse, and very protective of his adopted brother Zeus...
woohoo movement finally on the Skunk!!!Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff