Help to find my ideal watch!

[Darra8]

First of all i would like to say hello to you all.

I am new to this forum and obviously this is my first post, so please be gentle with me!!

I love watches and while not a collector i find i never keep a watch for more than 12 months at a time before something else shiny and new catches my eye. I currently have a Seiko Sawtooth and a V-max from Chronomaster. I have thin wrists but love thick, chunky, large watches.

I have always tended to go with dive style watches because of the chunky style. But this week i have been mostly looking at Pilot style/military automatics and feel this is where my next style of watch lies. I would love a Sinn, Glycine or Fortis, but my budget is too tight at around £300 max. I have looked all over and have failed to find something i really like. I have liked some of the Junkers range, but they are a little too small. The only thing that comes close is a Christopher Ward C8 pilot, as it has the style i like, although not perfect, plus it has a deployment clasp and the price is good for a Swiss watch.

Would you guys be kind enough to have a think and point me in direction that i might not have been yet. I have started to think that having looked all over the net for the past month that my ideal watch might not exist in my price range.

My spec list is as follows;

Stainless case, brushed or blasted
Black face, not too plain
Dimensions no less than 40x10mm
Date window
Chunky hands
Good lume
Deployment clasp on either rubber or thick black leather
ETA automatic movement
Water resistant
Around £300 or less

Many thanks for taking the time to read my first post.

Steve

[tertius]

Doesn't have the deployant but how about a Mk II Stingray?

Here is a crap pic of mine:



Have to be used to get in under your budget but just about do-able, mine was 300 and a little bit.

[alfabadass]

I don't think you would struggle as much If you looked into preowned.

Shouldent be too hard to locate a Fortis for around £300

[Darra8]

Thanks for the pic of your Mk II.

Nice watch, but i think i want to get away from bezels for my next watch.

Cheers,

Steve

[tertius]

Darra8 said:

Thanks for the pic of your Mk II.

Nice watch, but i think i want to get away from bezels for my next watch.

Cheers,

Steve

Yes I must confess I didn't properly read the bit about moving away from Diver style watches in your original post. So how about a Precista Speedbird III: http://www.timefactors.com/speedbird.htm



Only 39mm across but what's 1mm between friends? (as the Bishop said to the ...)

[Pesty]

similar to above

http://www.rltwatches.co.uk/acatalog/Military.html

Ollech & Wajs - "Pilot"

Movement : 25 Jewel, ETA 2824-2, Automatic wind with quick set calendar.
Watch case : 46mm Stainless steel case with screw on back. Screw down crown. Flat Mineral glass. 5 ATM Water Resistant.
Dial: Black with calendar.
Band: 22mm Leather.
This watch is brand new and never been worn.


Price: £195.00

Ps it probably does not come with a deployant clasp but these can be bought and fitted to most if not all normal straps
http://www.thestrapshop.co.uk/pages/access/deploy....

Edited by Pesty on Friday 20th February 00:24

[Pesty]

glycine combats on straps come in at £320 ish this would be my choice. I have one and its mint

Edited by Pesty on Friday 20th February 00:27

[Darra8]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I have seen all the watches you have shown me before. The Speedbird has a great spec for the money, but is a little too plain, I love the look of the O&W but Neil at Chronomaster has stopped selling them because of QC issues, and the Glycine is great, but i think is a bit too small @ 38mm.

I am beginning to think that maybe i'm being too picky, but i'm sure you'll all agree that unless you fall in love with the watch as soon as you get it, it's never going to be a keeper.

The search continues!!

Cheers,

Steve

[Pesty]

My glycine combat is 42mm

[Stuart]

Darra8 said:

Hi Guys,

I am beginning to think that maybe i'm being too picky, but i'm sure you'll all agree that unless you fall in love with the watch as soon as you get it, it's never going to be a keeper.

Not so in my case tbh. The watches that I love the most are the ones that I wasn't immediately sure about.

[Darra8]

I have now looked a little closer at the Glycine Combat, and your right, they can be had in 42mm.

Could be worth a few hours searching for more info.

Has anyone got any real life pics of theirs?

[Pesty]

they come in ither colours than pink





Nice watch.

All the ones you mentioned in your first post could be had for you budget pre owned

[Darra8]

I have now looked a little closer at the Glycine Combat, and your right, they can be had in 42mm.

Could be worth a few hours searching for more info.

Has anyone got any real life pics of theirs?

[andy tims]

Loads of choice if you buy pre-owned.

Have a look on TZ-UK

[Darra8]

Thanks Pesty,

That's a proper nice watch!

Just to be awkward, do you have a pic of the side of it to see how thick it is.

Cheers,

Steve

[Darra8]

Anyone know anything about the Estana GMT watch?

http://www.wernersflyingwatches.com/products.asp?P...

It looks nice, but the cheap price is putting me off

[Pesty]

Darra8 said:

Thanks Pesty,

That's a proper nice watch!

Just to be awkward, do you have a pic of the side of it to see how thick it is.

Cheers,

Steve

funily enough I do. I was asked teh same question not long ago.

Its large diameter but slim for an auto. very easy and comfortable to wear. not a problem for me with button shirt.