The Watches Thread

[mik]

What is it Duncs?

I saw the new CW C60 Luminere - like the new(ish) logo - I hated the script at 9 o’clock that they reverted to a few years back - and I am partial to a bright orange dial. Too many £’s for me though.

[duncs500]

No, not a GMT.

It's a snappily named Namica Shirahama Tokyo Neo. Might as well just copy and paste the specs:

Movement: Regulated SEIKO SII NH38A
Material: Sandblasted 316L steel + DLC
Dial: Ultraviolet vertical brushed metallic fumé
Bezel: 120-click unidirectional sapphire glass
Crystal: Double dome sapphire with underside AR
Lume: Swiss Made Super-LumiNova® BGW9
Bracelet: Fully articulating hexad with solid end links
Clasp: Solid milled, 3 level micro adjust
Water Resistance: 200m | 660ft

[duncs500]

@mik Yeah, that's nice. There's a lot of C60 designs (among others) I like, and I think the newer logo is nicer too. I didn't want to spend the money right now, but they're still on my list of wants.

[mik]

C60 Lumiere seems to be well received by the reviewers. It does look really good, and I didn’t initially realise it is titanium. Slim too. Hard choice between that and an Oris Aquis for me (theoretically only).

[duncs500]

I think I prefer the design to the Aquis, but there quite a few interesting things when you hit that price bracket. The cheaper C60s would probably be of more interest to me.

[Jobbo]

I really like the design of the Aquis but I’m a serial strap-changer so could never own one. The proprietary lugs mean you’re tied to Oris’s own bracelet or rubber strap.

Plenty around as you say though. From my own experience of finding one watch I wear pretty much every day, I’d say go for something universally well-regarded like my Seamaster. I’d hate to be in the realms of serial watch buying well into the thousands.

[Brannen]

I've had an Aquis for about 3 years now, and I love it (black dial/strap). Still looks great to me. I've got no experience with CW, but I'd recommend the Aquis (if it's still a contender).

I've had it on the same rubber strap the whole time, but I've never really been fussed about swapping straps. I'd probably get a second watch where it was easier to switch if I did want to experiment.

[dinny_g]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeKscPBW/

[GG.]

You would never guess it is 75 years old next year!

Perhaps a little slow but I may get it serviced / a new mainspring - a small speck of dirt has appeared on the dial so there is clearly some debris floating around and a good ultrasonic clean is probably needed. May also swap out the band for a lizard strap.

Rather cool owning / wearing such a vintage item.

I know you’re down in Londoncestirshire and probably have several options to choose from, but if you do decide to get work done on it I will pedal out my standard recommendation for Simon Milek. He’s a star.

https://www.instagram.com/milekandco?ig ... g4MHUyZg==

Looks like I may need this chap's services sooner rather than later. The vintage Omega was running pretty well, though seemed to lose time if it was nearing the last of its power reserves (so I just tried to keep it >50% wound) but recently it stopped. It randomly started running again today when I picked it up but is very fast (like running at 1.5x speed) so will need to investigate. Probably needs a new mainspring and/or balance wheel.

On a separate note, its been another busy year so the possibility of another watch at Christmas is on the cards... I now have a diver, a fleiger, a vintage dress watch, a small independent brand in the Unimatic. That makes some sort of calendar complication or a GMT are the next obvious candidates.

As far as annual calendars go, I really want a Patek (5145 or 5205) but those are obviously several price brackets up (by which I mean second hand obviously) to everything I've bought so far so likely not realistic. With GMT watches, I'm not a massive Rolex fan but it seems hard to look past a GMT Master II really as that defines the genre. Maybe I should try one. Would be an all Black or Batman as I wouldn't care for paying a big premium for a Pepsi.

[Jobbo]

Have you considered a bicolour rootbeer GMT II? The colour of the rose gold has to look right with your skin but you don't see one on everybody's wrist like the Batman and it's not a lot more expensive despite the precious metal.

[GG.]

Have you considered a bicolour rootbeer GMT II? The colour of the rose gold has to look right with your skin but you don't see one on everybody's wrist like the Batman and it's not a lot more expensive despite the precious metal.

Yes - quite suprisingly as I don't normally like bi-metal watches. The youtuber "It's Joel" has one that I thought looked pretty good. Would be interested to try one in the flesh. Would be nice if I had the cash for a full rose gold one!

[Jobbo]

I don't think the full rose gold works nearly as well. I'd not normally be a bi-metal fan - too much like 80s bling to my eyes - but in those colours I think it looks lovely.

[jamcg]

I bought myself a new watch, I’m very good at loosing stuff and being a tradesman not very good at being aware of a watch and not scratching it. It’s a really expensive £30 odd quid Casio- It tells the time and that’ll do me it’s also not massive as my wrists are tiny, so big watches look ridiculous on me

IMG_3289.jpeg (97.6 KiB) Viewed 2125 times

[duncs500]

Nice looking watch, only issue with it is the quality of the picture.

[jamcg]

Nice looking watch, only issue with it is the quality of the picture.

I thought potato pictures were the forum convention

[GG.]

With GMT watches, I'm not a massive Rolex fan but it seems hard to look past a GMT Master II really as that defines the genre. Maybe I should try one. Would be an all Black or Batman as I wouldn't care for paying a big premium for a Pepsi.

The other thing that is giving me the willies looking at these is the scam factor. I was looking at a GMT Master II being sold on Chrono24 from a supposedly reputable dealer (for a mere £3k over retail...) as a "full set", i.e. box papers and tags... and... well the warranty card and tags all obviously say 126610LN which is a submariner - it is a 126710BLNR GMT Master II!

It does look to at least be a 126710 rather than the older 116710 with the old movement and smaller power reserve (rolex crown between swiss and made at the 6 o clock).

ETA: I messaged the dealer and they immediately responded to say there was a mix up but they have the correct card (which he sent me a photo of). I will take all that at face value and the card will have a serial number which can be checked against the watch - but just shows you have to be careful!!

[Holley]

Want a watch to celebrate a particular brand of sherry...

https://www.marloewatchcompany.com/coll ... xXH.LKyv2x

[IanF]

With GMT watches, I'm not a massive Rolex fan but it seems hard to look past a GMT Master II really as that defines the genre. Maybe I should try one. Would be an all Black or Batman as I wouldn't care for paying a big premium for a Pepsi.

The other thing that is giving me the willies looking at these is the scam factor. I was looking at a GMT Master II being sold on Chrono24 from a supposedly reputable dealer (for a mere £3k over retail...) as a "full set", i.e. box papers and tags... and... well the warranty card and tags all obviously say 126610LN which is a submariner - it is a 126710BLNR GMT Master II!

It does look to at least be a 126710 rather than the older 116710 with the old movement and smaller power reserve (rolex crown between swiss and made at the 6 o clock).

ETA: I messaged the dealer and they immediately responded to say there was a mix up but they have the correct card (which he sent me a photo of). I will take all that at face value and the card will have a serial number which can be checked against the watch - but just shows you have to be careful!!

I’ve just landed back from Singapore (mini break) and was looking at a few watches off Orchard Rd; GMT 1 (from my birth year), GMT 2 (new) and skydweller.. Couldn’t see a Patek I liked and the AP were too much but they had tens if not hundred of all years, faces, bracelets etc Prices are comparable to UK, which I found surprising as it’s an expensive place, (although I guess there is excise to pay upon return?) Whilst I’m not saying buy there, it may help you decide what spec you want and is certainly easy to pick up whichever model you choose. Hong Kong used to similarly be a great place to get watches that were unobtainable here, but you could walk in and buy one pretty easily.

Back in the UK, Selfridges now has a used, approved Rolex store (first one in UK apparently) that is next to Rolex new purchases. Guys were very helpful letting me try on and work out my preference, but I eventually decided to wait and see what Singapore had to offer.. didn’t really help tbh! Probably because I’m not sure I need another watch sat in the safe that I don’t use bar random weeks here and there

[GG.]

With GMT watches, I'm not a massive Rolex fan but it seems hard to look past a GMT Master II really as that defines the genre. Maybe I should try one. Would be an all Black or Batman as I wouldn't care for paying a big premium for a Pepsi.

The other thing that is giving me the willies looking at these is the scam factor. I was looking at a GMT Master II being sold on Chrono24 from a supposedly reputable dealer (for a mere £3k over retail...) as a "full set", i.e. box papers and tags... and... well the warranty card and tags all obviously say 126610LN which is a submariner - it is a 126710BLNR GMT Master II!

It does look to at least be a 126710 rather than the older 116710 with the old movement and smaller power reserve (rolex crown between swiss and made at the 6 o clock).

ETA: I messaged the dealer and they immediately responded to say there was a mix up but they have the correct card (which he sent me a photo of). I will take all that at face value and the card will have a serial number which can be checked against the watch - but just shows you have to be careful!!

I’ve just landed back from Singapore (mini break) and was looking at a few watches off Orchard Rd; GMT 1 (from my birth year), GMT 2 (new) and skydweller.. Couldn’t see a Patek I liked and the AP were too much but they had tens if not hundred of all years, faces, bracelets etc Prices are comparable to UK, which I found surprising as it’s an expensive place, (although I guess there is excise to pay upon return?) Whilst I’m not saying buy there, it may help you decide what spec you want and is certainly easy to pick up whichever model you choose. Hong Kong used to similarly be a great place to get watches that were unobtainable here, but you could walk in and buy one pretty easily.

Back in the UK, Selfridges now has a used, approved Rolex store (first one in UK apparently) that is next to Rolex new purchases. Guys were very helpful letting me try on and work out my preference, but I eventually decided to wait and see what Singapore had to offer.. didn’t really help tbh! Probably because I’m not sure I need another watch sat in the safe that I don’t use bar random weeks here and there

I haven't been to Sing before but its on my list. Expect that might follow the next watch though.

Thanks for reminding me re Selfridges - I remember seeing the used rolexes thinking how odd it was in a department store. May have a mosey over there toward the end of the year to see whether they represent good value for money or not (I expect not). Will be avoiding watchfinder as well as (a) they're overpriced and (b) most of their used rolexes have a disclaimer that they've been polished which has voided the manufacturer warranty...

A birth year GMT would be fun but I want the functionality of the adjustable hour hand which came on the Master II but my birth year is pre pepsi so it would have to be a black and red coke

[IanF]

This came out today and I think it may be of interest to some. I have a Bremont special projects watch that has been accurate and is unique, (well, limited and only sold to people involved with our project), plus it involved lots of visits and cool discussions. Sadly, I couldn’t have the Martin-Baker red band (as I’ve never ejected using a MB), but mine with blue looks cool and speccing a personal project was great.

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