Divers watch wanted...

[V6 Driver]

Hi All,

I'm after a tough every day watch in a similar style to an Omega planet ocean with a rubber strap. I have thought about a Seiko Monster.

I haven't currently got the funds for an actual PO so looking for a cheaper alternative until a few years time when I can treat myself to the Omega.

Any ideas?

[Spice_Weasel]

Seiko, Citizen, or if you want something that resembles one of the big brands, go for a Rotary. Quite how they get away with some of their designs I just can't understand. A quick google has brought up the following:

Omega PO -alike: http://www.rotarywatches.com/en/the-rotary-collect...

Rolex Sub -alike: http://www.rotarywatches.com/en/the-rotary-collect...

AP Royal Oak Offshore (Chuffing Hell !!!) -alike: http://www.rotarywatches.com/en/the-rotary-collect...

[Ikemi]

Steinhart Ocean 1 with ETA 2824-2 movement? 320Euros!

http://www.steinhartwatches.de/index.php?id=67&amp...

[deejuic]

I'd go with the Monster. I've got one and just used it for several dives in Costa Rica this past weekend. It took a beating on the underwater rocks and came out looking untouched and running perfectly. It's a great dive watch and will hold up to just about anything you do to it.

[Vespula]

Alpha PO lookalike.

Chinese Seagull automatic movement US$62.99

http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=198

Rubber strap here:

http://www.watchworx.co.uk/pages/lwb/pu.html

Edited by Vespula on Monday 4th January 22:13

Edited by Vespula on Monday 4th January 22:16

[CmdrBond]

Go with your instinct and get the Monster - I had one for a while and they are excellent.

[Twit]

Go with the monster, for the cash it can't be beaten.

I have an Orange face with a rubber strap and have just got back from 3 weeks in Oz and New Zealand surfing (can't believe how cold it is here!!!). I wore it everyday in and out of the water and it has come back still looking brand new. I wear it more than any of my other watches and I'm half thinking of selling some of the others as the Monster does everything just as well.

[CommanderJameson]

Vespula said:

Alpha PO lookalike.

Chinese Seagull automatic movement US$62.99

http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=198

Rubber strap here:

http://www.watchworx.co.uk/pages/lwb/pu.html

About as waterproof as a sieve made of newspaper.

[Vipers]

Ikemi said:

Steinhart Ocean 1 with ETA 2824-2 movement? 320Euros!

http://www.steinhartwatches.de/index.php?id=67&amp...

Definately Rolex look alike, if you cant beat them, copy it?

[Ikemi]

Vipers said:

Ikemi said:

Steinhart Ocean 1 with ETA 2824-2 movement? 320Euros!

http://www.steinhartwatches.de/index.php?id=67&amp...

Definately Rolex look alike, if you cant beat them, copy it?

True, but Steinhart do make some excellent watches for the money ... I was planning on purchasing a Traser Auto Pro, but quite fancy one of these (with a rubber/deployment clasp Steinhart strap) instead:



Unitas 6498 Swiss manual wind, sapphire glass with AR-coating, white/blue Superluminova and small seconds at '6' for ~£380!

[blueg33]

Vespula said:

Alpha PO lookalike.

Chinese Seagull automatic movement US$62.99

http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=198

Rubber strap here:

http://www.watchworx.co.uk/pages/lwb/pu.html

Edited by Vespula on Monday 4th January 22:13

Edited by Vespula on Monday 4th January 22:16

Are these any good at all...I am not worried about waterproofness but do they look ok and keep reasonable time? My decent watches have all failed at once! (my fault for having vintage ones) My dress watch runs fine but isnt suitable for everyday. I am looking for a reasonable stopgap watch for £50 ish, but I would like it to look ok.

[CommanderJameson]

blueg33 said:

Vespula said:

Alpha PO lookalike.

Chinese Seagull automatic movement US$62.99

http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=198

Rubber strap here:

http://www.watchworx.co.uk/pages/lwb/pu.html

Edited by Vespula on Monday 4th January 22:13

Edited by Vespula on Monday 4th January 22:16

Are these any good at all...I am not worried about waterproofness but do they look ok and keep reasonable time? My decent watches have all failed at once! (my fault for having vintage ones) My dress watch runs fine but isnt suitable for everyday. I am looking for a reasonable stopgap watch for £50 ish, but I would like it to look ok.

seiko 5, then. Loads of choice, robust, cheap.

[V6 Driver]

Well I've just ordered a Steinhart Ocean 1 from their web site which should be with me within the week.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[blueg33]

Vespula said:

Alpha PO lookalike.

Chinese Seagull automatic movement US$62.99

http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=198

Rubber strap here:

http://www.watchworx.co.uk/pages/lwb/pu.html

Edited by Vespula on Monday 4th January 22:13

Edited by Vespula on Monday 4th January 22:16

I have taken a gamble, out of interest to see what I can get for £40 and ordered one of these http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=198

I wonder if it will even arrive! I used funds from selling junk on ebay so it feels as if it is free. It will need a better strap though.

[blueg33]

Well I ordered this http://www.alpha-watch.com/details.php?myid=198 and it arrived yesterday.

My first impressions are what fantastic value! The watch appears to be heavy and very well made, the strap is way better than I thought it would be and in the first 24 hours it remains spot on with my radio controlled digital clock.

The case is well polished, the bracelet has no indication of folded links. Some links can be removed o allow adjustment and these are secured byu screw pins.

The movement seems very good, date turns over on the click of midnight, winding date and time setting are all very positive. Overall I would say the quality is at least as good as my Tissot PRS200 which cost £250 for a quartz movement. This watch is an auto and cost me just over £40.

I am sure that the watch will not be waterproof, but the makers say it is splashproof.

The watch was delivered in soft pouch with a guarantee card.

Quite frankly I am amazed at the apparent quality and only time will tell if the watch will continue to work and look good.

I know that people with real Omega Planet Oceans will hate this....but I have to say that having tried one on in a shop and then having worn this, the difference is minimal, it looks almost as good (wrong logo!) and seems as well built (I am a fan of Omegas's I own 3 seamasters of various types) This watch is obviously based on the Omega PO, Its not a replica, buying a replica doesn't seem right, what I would say is that if you cant afford to spend £100's or even £1000's on a watch, this makes an excellent alternative.

I do have one criticism though, one of the screw pins in the bracelet needed to be screwed down tight, and the Alpha logo is a bit large

Overall I am well pleased for the money. I will see if I can post some pics at the weekend. I think my daily wear Tissot may become redundant.

[CommanderJameson]

blueg33 said:

This watch is obviously based on the Omega PO, Its not a replica

Indeed, it's not a replica. Look:





Who'd possibly believe that the former is a replica of the latter, eh?

>awaits cries of "it's an homage"<

[XJSJohn]

ohh come on now, surely you can see that the date window is a different colour

[blueg33]

CommanderJameson said:

blueg33 said:

You are right, when I said its not a replica, I was trying to find a way of saying its not a fake. Its not a watch you could try and pass off as a real PO, it doesn't have the Omega branding and lots of details are wrong eg no helium valve, white date etc. Plus I personally wouldn't try and pass it off as an original.

But it clearly is based on the PO and I said that above.

Everything's as much the same as they could make it. Font. Hands. Bezel. Dial. Dial markers. Bracelet. It's not "in the style of", it's "a direct clone of".

blueg33 said:

As for being a replica, is that bad?

That depends entirely on you. One of the reasons for buying an Omega watch (or one that looks, from any distance over about a foot, exactly like one) is that there's a certain amount of cachet and respect in the brand. I bought a real PO because I like the watch, but I also like the idea that I have something of value (albeit less than what I paid for it; the PO's never going to be an investment as such) and of genuine quality. I also have an actual dive watch that really is what it says on the tin. I don't take my PO off in the shower or when I go swimming. Hell, even my £150 Seiko Monster is more honest than that Alpha.

And yes, I like the idea that I've got a watch that's a bit better* than the average quartz you might find out there.

The only reason to buy a "replica" (i.e. fake) watch is that you want other people to think you've got a real one. It's up to you whether that bothers you or not.

blueg33 said:

For many it's about affordability, form and function combined.

That's where a Seiko 5 comes in. Huge range of styles, more functional than the watch you bought (they're all day/date and swimmable) and no more expensive.

blueg33 said:

At least this watch is not pretending to be an Omega, just take a look at the size of the logo!

Yes, it is. Why else are all the other details apart from the logo as close as you can get to the real thing (within the constraints of manufacturing something for which the retail price is £50) as possible?

I cannot respect this watch. Sorry if that offends (for that is not my intent), but then you did put pictures of it on an internet watch discussion forum.

*The discussion of whether an automatic chronometer is better than a quartz is a topic for a whole new thread

Edited by CommanderJameson on Friday 22 January 06:53

I have taken no offense, as I said ordering the watch was an experiment, but it does beg some questions. Bear in mind it was just over £40 and is an auto movement not a quartz. I am pretty sure that a Seiko 5 is considerably more money than that. I love watches of all types and I have to say for the money I havent found anything that comes close to this. I guess if the bezel was black it would be less obvious that its trying to look like a PO.

As for respecting the watch, I don't think its about that. Claerly its a copy but its not a fake. Bear in mind that Seiko make watches that look very much like Rolex Submariners as do other brands. Really this watch is no different. A fake uses Omega branding, a replica uses the style.

The watch doesn't claim to be a chronometer and I am with you on the point regarding which is best. Personally I like auto's.

[blueg33]

You are right, when I said its not a replica, I was trying to find a way of saying its not a fake. Its not a watch you could try and pass off as a real PO, it doesnt have the Omega branding and lots of details are wrong eg no helium valve, white date etc. Plus I personally wouldnt try and pass it off as an original

But it clearly is based on the PO and I said that above.

My point was for a cheap watch it actually seems pretty good and for regular use there is no chasm in quality between this and a £250 watch and although only time will tell (good pun!) I suspect that the difference between this and a real Omega PO for a normal persons use would be minimal with waterproofing being the main issue.

As I said before I like Omegas and I have several. Buying this watch was an experiment, TBH I thought it would be rubbish, but it isn't.

As for being a replica, is that bad? How many people have cars made to look like the hot version, prints of famous paintings on their walls, flights by easyjet rather than BA First Class, especially if easyjet offerred virtually the same level of service for £2000 less (I bet people would then say easyjet was good value.

For many its about affordability, form and function combined. At least this watch is not pretending to be an Omega, just take a look at the size of the logo!

Edited by blueg33 on Friday 22 January 06:55

[CommanderJameson]

blueg33 said:

You are right, when I said its not a replica, I was trying to find a way of saying its not a fake. Its not a watch you could try and pass off as a real PO, it doesn't have the Omega branding and lots of details are wrong eg no helium valve, white date etc. Plus I personally wouldn't try and pass it off as an original.

But it clearly is based on the PO and I said that above.

Everything's as much the same as they could make it. Font. Hands. Bezel. Dial. Dial markers. Bracelet. It's not "in the style of", it's "a direct clone of".

blueg33 said:

As for being a replica, is that bad?

That depends entirely on you. One of the reasons for buying an Omega watch (or one that looks, from any distance over about a foot, exactly like one) is that there's a certain amount of cachet and respect in the brand. I bought a real PO because I like the watch, but I also like the idea that I have something of value (albeit less than what I paid for it; the PO's never going to be an investment as such) and of genuine quality. I also have an actual dive watch that really is what it says on the tin. I don't take my PO off in the shower or when I go swimming. Hell, even my £150 Seiko Monster is more honest than that Alpha.

And yes, I like the idea that I've got a watch that's a bit better* than the average quartz you might find out there.

The only reason to buy a "replica" (i.e. fake) watch is that you want other people to think you've got a real one. It's up to you whether that bothers you or not.

blueg33 said:

For many it's about affordability, form and function combined.

That's where a Seiko 5 comes in. Huge range of styles, more functional than the watch you bought (they're all day/date and swimmable) and no more expensive.

blueg33 said:

At least this watch is not pretending to be an Omega, just take a look at the size of the logo!

Yes, it is. Why else are all the other details apart from the logo as close as you can get to the real thing (within the constraints of manufacturing something for which the retail price is £50) as possible?

I cannot respect this watch. Sorry if that offends (for that is not my intent), but then you did put pictures of it on an internet watch discussion forum.

*The discussion of whether an automatic chronometer is better than a quartz is a topic for a whole new thread

Edited by CommanderJameson on Friday 22 January 06:53