The Under £200ish Watch and occasional Opera Thread! Vol2
Discussion
Barchettaman said:
My resolution not to buy any watches this year didn t last long.
I have had various Steeldive, Parnis, Pagani Design, Corgeut, Berny (Inn?) and lots of other Chinese watches over the years but never an SM.
At £85 with a Seiko NH34 gmt movement I couldn t resist.
Call it a reward for a month cycle commuting 17 miles a day through the awful winter Yorkshire weather. Good God, it s been horrific.
That's a handsome watch. My GMT was stolen; you're seeding thoughts...I have had various Steeldive, Parnis, Pagani Design, Corgeut, Berny (Inn?) and lots of other Chinese watches over the years but never an SM.
At £85 with a Seiko NH34 gmt movement I couldn t resist.
Call it a reward for a month cycle commuting 17 miles a day through the awful winter Yorkshire weather. Good God, it s been horrific.
Andy888 said:
Who was looking for a blue face watch??
Forgot I had this Seiko Recraft too. Wore it once out for dinner and then decided it was so nice I didn't want to mark it so put it back in it's box!
Most lovely deep deep blue face. Looks black in the shade but that glorious Seiko burst brings it to life. To me it's fabulous, not overly expensive and really as nice anything else significantly more expensive that I have seen.
That's really nice. Reminds me a lot of cases they used in the 70s. I'd really like one of the Farer models below that use this case shape, but a bit costly so might keep an eye out for one of the Seiko's. Forgot I had this Seiko Recraft too. Wore it once out for dinner and then decided it was so nice I didn't want to mark it so put it back in it's box!
Most lovely deep deep blue face. Looks black in the shade but that glorious Seiko burst brings it to life. To me it's fabulous, not overly expensive and really as nice anything else significantly more expensive that I have seen.
Speaking of vintage inspired, I picked the Duckworth Prestex Verimatic below up for a decent price used. Not quite thread budget, but not far off. Wears really nice.
Took a bit of convincing for me to buy something that doesn't have a fitted bracelet, but it's nice to be able to actually use my straps instead of wearing steel all the time which is what happens if the option is there.
And speaking of straps, I've been to the post office today so those of you who asked for some will receive them shortly. Turns out a standard letter can't be more than 5mm thick so had to do some repacking but they're finally on the way.
Pebbles167 said:
Andy888 said:
Who was looking for a blue face watch??
Forgot I had this Seiko Recraft too. Wore it once out for dinner and then decided it was so nice I didn't want to mark it so put it back in it's box!
Most lovely deep deep blue face. Looks black in the shade but that glorious Seiko burst brings it to life. To me it's fabulous, not overly expensive and really as nice anything else significantly more expensive that I have seen.
That's really nice.Forgot I had this Seiko Recraft too. Wore it once out for dinner and then decided it was so nice I didn't want to mark it so put it back in it's box!
Most lovely deep deep blue face. Looks black in the shade but that glorious Seiko burst brings it to life. To me it's fabulous, not overly expensive and really as nice anything else significantly more expensive that I have seen.
Linky: https://seikousa.com/collections/recraft/products/...
Given that it's Lentil who's chasing a blue sunburst dial watch and that Lentil is fabled for his dislike of wrist mounted wall clocks, an SNKN37, lovely as it is, may not be the most appropriate suggestion for him.
Yeah that's a bit large. Not quite Big Ben, but would probably look at home on the town hall.
I've vowed never to get another watch that isn't sapphire or acrylic so that would probably rule it out on both counts. Case shape is excellent though.
Still, being a Seiko it'll probably wear well due to short lug to lug. I had a 43mm Seiko and you'd think it was much smaller.
I've vowed never to get another watch that isn't sapphire or acrylic so that would probably rule it out on both counts. Case shape is excellent though.
Still, being a Seiko it'll probably wear well due to short lug to lug. I had a 43mm Seiko and you'd think it was much smaller.
Palmela said:
My wrist is about 8 inches (I'm sure there's a fnarr there somewhere!). The watch is about 40 mm across. It's certainly a bit of a beast but sits very nicely and doesn't look daft. I'm delighted with it.
I'm happy with my Re-craft too, even if it's too big for me. Your wrist is almost an inch larger than mine, so yes, I'm not surprised that you feel more at home with something that big.I'm just a puny 11st weakling.
Andy888 said:
Who was looking for a blue face watch??
Forgot I had this Seiko Recraft too. Wore it once out for dinner and then decided it was so nice I didn't want to mark it so put it back in it's box!
Most lovely deep deep blue face. Looks black in the shade but that glorious Seiko burst brings it to life. To me it's fabulous, not overly expensive and really as nice anything else significantly more expensive that I have seen.
That really is lovely.Forgot I had this Seiko Recraft too. Wore it once out for dinner and then decided it was so nice I didn't want to mark it so put it back in it's box!
Most lovely deep deep blue face. Looks black in the shade but that glorious Seiko burst brings it to life. To me it's fabulous, not overly expensive and really as nice anything else significantly more expensive that I have seen.
Thanks for all the positive comments. I really do like the Recrafts!
I think the navy faced one looks big due to the dial layout. But I'm perfectly comfortable wearing them and don't think they are too big. I regularly wear the black strap one but agree - you wouldn't want any larger!
Interestingly not that dissimilar in size to a Duro, just the case shape takes up a bit more wrist real estate.
I think the navy faced one looks big due to the dial layout. But I'm perfectly comfortable wearing them and don't think they are too big. I regularly wear the black strap one but agree - you wouldn't want any larger!
Interestingly not that dissimilar in size to a Duro, just the case shape takes up a bit more wrist real estate.
seiben said:
Three out, two in, and one straight back out again 
I wanted a quartz diver that I could use as a holiday watch and occasional beater. I started idly browsing Vinted again and ended up with a couple. The first to arrive was a Sekonda which was, honestly, crap - jangly bracelet, loose bezel, and it turned out to be one of the old ones with minimal WR. I overpaid for it, and have since re-sold it at a loss of about 20 quid (with a jarringly honest advert!) just to save it from a fate of sitting in a drawer forever more.
Fortunately, I also found this which came with the standard (unused) rubber strap as well as a decent burnt-orange leather strap for 30 quid.
Screw-down crown, lovely precise movement on the bezel, excellent. As with my previous Pagani I'm blown away by the quality of such an inexpensive watch.
I've been looking for an orange watch and having seen this I went onto Aliexpress and bought a new one. Thanks for postingI wanted a quartz diver that I could use as a holiday watch and occasional beater. I started idly browsing Vinted again and ended up with a couple. The first to arrive was a Sekonda which was, honestly, crap - jangly bracelet, loose bezel, and it turned out to be one of the old ones with minimal WR. I overpaid for it, and have since re-sold it at a loss of about 20 quid (with a jarringly honest advert!) just to save it from a fate of sitting in a drawer forever more.
Fortunately, I also found this which came with the standard (unused) rubber strap as well as a decent burnt-orange leather strap for 30 quid.
Screw-down crown, lovely precise movement on the bezel, excellent. As with my previous Pagani I'm blown away by the quality of such an inexpensive watch.
Looked good on the photos, even better on the wrist. £85 well spent.
No spare links but the pre sized bracelet fits perfectly. It’s got a funky Glide Lock thing on the clasp that I have yet to fully make friends with.
NH34 Seiko movement in this. I will make a rough assessment of its accuracy and report back, hopefully with that smug warm feeling you get when a cheap automatic performs well.
Pebbles167 said:
TVR-Stu said:
Very happy to give to an animal charity for the two straps arrowed, if possible. Extremely generous of you!
Great! Will get them sent out (I think you've picked the best ones!) And as with the charity, I mean it's an as and when thing, don't need any proof!
Edited by Pebbles167 on Monday 9th February 17:26
In the spirit of thread, I think had I been in your position with all these spare straps, I would have bought a watch with right lug width just to make use of them all!
hairykrishna said:
That is rather nice isn't it? Trying to resist the urge just to immediately order one
I can't seem to find it for 85 though. Maybe my AliExpress skills are weak but it seems to be 200 or so?
The boy done good, it's rather nice isn't it?I can't seem to find it for 85 though. Maybe my AliExpress skills are weak but it seems to be 200 or so?
Edited by hairykrishna on Friday 13th February 12:23
I think £85 is the second hand price, by which I don't mean the price for the second hand.
Edited by BrokenSkunk on Friday 13th February 13:33
TVR-Stu said:
Thank you Pebbles, the straps have arrived and they really are rather lovely!
In the spirit of thread, I think had I been in your position with all these spare straps, I would have bought a watch with right lug width just to make use of them all!
No problem! In the spirit of thread, I think had I been in your position with all these spare straps, I would have bought a watch with right lug width just to make use of them all!
And a few years back I would have, but I've learned to be more sensible and realistic about what I will actually wear. Currently have a 5 watch collection and trying to stick to it.
...well I've also got a bunch of Casio's on top, but that hardly counts!
hairykrishna said:
I can't seem to find it for 85 though. Maybe my AliExpress skills are weak but it seems to be 200 or so?
You'll definitely not find a new one for that! Maybe £170 new on Ali. Search eBay for a used one. The turnover on these seems quick and they're usually in great nick. I've bought used San Martin's for about £100.
Just avoid the idiots selling used ones at ridiculous prices of course, there are many.
Barchettaman, I would really be interested in one of your reviews of that San Martin once you have worn it for a little while (plus we haven't had a review for ages). I think or hope that you probably will be surprised by the accuracy. I am looking forward to what you have to say about the sand dial, I love textured dials but have stayed away from sand dials from all manufacturers. I know you said that the bracelet fits but it is very likely that I have a spare link for that bracelet if you need one.
Not going to post this on the trivial thread elsewhere as Bobberoo knows why but this is a mental health rant, after quite some time not damaging my body, not being on an operating table, being really careful owning/using tractors and heavy machinery.......
I broke one small bone in my hand a couple of days ago, my 18th broken bone, I am really cross with myself. Please take care of yourselves don't be a idiot like me!
Ps, my son was driving the tractor, that's my excuse!^
Not going to post this on the trivial thread elsewhere as Bobberoo knows why but this is a mental health rant, after quite some time not damaging my body, not being on an operating table, being really careful owning/using tractors and heavy machinery.......
I broke one small bone in my hand a couple of days ago, my 18th broken bone, I am really cross with myself. Please take care of yourselves don't be a idiot like me!
Ps, my son was driving the tractor, that's my excuse!^
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