My new watch

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Eltano1
DonVito, thanks for the info and links. If you decide to sell your Black Samurai, please let me know .

BTW, that OMEGA is a killer, before I was looking at a BAUME & Mercier watch that I saw in Venice, Italy, for which I ordered their catalogue looking for the RIVIERA model 8670, but now I will start looking for the OMEGA

Best regards

Eltano

Glad you like the Omega. It's a beautiful watch. I suggest you keep an eye on the Timezone Sales Forum if you're interested in picking one up secondhand (it'll run around $1,000-1,200). There are also some Omega dealers who will sell at a deep discount on a new watch, and you can pick up a new one for around $1,500.

 

[aphex]

I've always loved watches, unfortunately never had the money (yet) to spend on anything decent...

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=2054010&rid=0

Love the look of that one...

Right now all i have is a 3-4 year old scratched up Swiss Army Alliance that set me back like $325

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: aphex
I've always loved watches, unfortunately never had the money (yet) to spend on anything decent...

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=2054010&rid=0

Love the look of that one...

Right now all i have is a 3-4 year old scratched up Swiss Army Alliance that set me back like $325

Russian watches are definitely one cost-effective way to start a collection. I personally started with Seikos, which are meaningfully better from a quality-control standpoint IMO, but I do like Poljots.

 

[EvilYoda]

That watch's pretty hot aphex, nice pick. DonVito, how long have you been collecting? I need another expensive hobby like I need an icepick in the eye, but watches have always fascinated me, both for mechanical and aesthetic reasons. There's a Meistersinger for sale on timezone that I think is gorgeous...any suggestions as to models/manu's to keep an eye out for that make slimmer watches? I have relatively small wrists and just don't like the look and feel of a bulky divers watch (to each his own...one of my friends loves them)...

rather verbose post, but any suggestions would be welcome

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: aphex
I've always loved watches, unfortunately never had the money (yet) to spend on anything decent...

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=2054010&rid=0

Love the look of that one...

Right now all i have is a 3-4 year old scratched up Swiss Army Alliance that set me back like $325

Russian watches are definitely one cost-effective way to start a collection. I personally started with Seikos, which are meaningfully better from a quality-control standpoint IMO, but I do like Poljots.

Well, which Seiko do you recommend i start with? I like chronos, similar to the one above, automatic....

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
That watch's pretty hot aphex, nice pick. DonVito, how long have you been collecting? I need another expensive hobby like I need an icepick in the eye, but watches have always fascinated me, both for mechanical and aesthetic reasons. There's a Meistersinger for sale on timezone that I think is gorgeous...any suggestions as to models/manu's to keep an eye out for that make slimmer watches? I have relatively small wrists and just don't like the look and feel of a bulky divers watch (to each his own...one of my friends loves them)...

rather verbose post, but any suggestions would be welcome

I bought my first mechanical watch, a Seiko SKX779, in the summer of 2002. I have around 13-15 watches, and I've sunk maybe $3,000 into my collection. In the larger scheme of things it's not that expensive a hobby, and I could resell the watches for essentially what I paid at any time.

As for your question about individual watches, your budget is really the key. There are a ton of watchmakers and models out there, and many relatively slim watches. Actually one watch I covet is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin, which is one of the thinnest mechanical watches ever made, but there are many less expensive, relatively thin watches.

 

[mchammer]

I had no idea there was this giant watch fan club here at ole ATOT?

 

[MartyMcFly3]

My parents were generous enough to buy me this watch for my college graduation.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: aphex

Well, which Seiko do you recommend i start with? I like chronos, similar to the one above, automatic....

There are no current, relatively inexpensive Seiko automatic chronographs (though Seiko makes some beautiful auto chronos, particularly the Flightmaster. The cheapest automatic chronos nowadays are Russian, and the cheapest quality auto chronos are powered by the Valjoux 7750. I paid $350 for my Hamilton, a new-old-stock 7750-powered watch, on eBay.

If you're open to vintage watches, the Seiko 6138 and 6139 chronographs are nice and available relatively cheaply (~$200 for a good example).

 

[yhelothar]

Start with a few quality hand crafted rolex replicas with authentic swiss movement

 

[aphex]

Actually DonVito, i love the look of that hamilton... Nearly the exact same band i have on my Swiss Army.

Any idea where i could get that watch other than ebay? Or heck, even that band to replace the one on my swiss?

 

[state 08]

My watch since 9th grade. Junior in college now.

 

[aphex]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hamilton-Chronograp...7QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: aphex
Actually DonVito, i love the look of that hamilton... Nearly the exact same band i have on my Swiss Army.

Any idea where i could get that watch other than ebay? Or heck, even that band to replace the one on my swiss?

Yeah, it's a nice watch. I don't think you could get one new - it is an older design and hasn't been made in some time. I believe it's a Khaki Field Chronograph, though there are many variations on that general title. I doubt the bracelet is available as an aftermarket item either - the current model uses a different bracelet.

 

[aphex]

oooo, i dunno though, just found the chrono version of my watch in black for a good price... $149 to bid, $199 buy it now... Sells for over $400 locally

http://i24.ebayimg.com/05/i/07/da/33/0b_12.JPG

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: aphex
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hamilton-Chronograp...7QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm 95% sure that's a quartz watch, and that's WAY too much money for a quartz Hamilton. The dial layout is different from a Valjoux 7750, the movement they used in their auto chronos. I will say, though, that I have a higher tolerance for quartz chronographs than for other quartz watches . . .

 

[maziwanka]

what do you think about this watch?

i just saw it from your previous post in this thread:

http://www.higuchi-inc.com/sbda005-1.jpg

i really like funky watches. do you think i could pick one up in japan since im out here now? what's a good price for something like this?

thanks man. help is much appreciated. in return, let me know if you want somethin out here (pm)...

 

[MazerRackham]

Add me to the watch fanclub. I also love Seiko, and I currently have a Seiko Sportura Chronograph, which I beleive the model number is 7T62. I can find a picture around here somewhere.

And I love the custom mkII watches!! Are you pretty happy with the quality of the custom work? I am going to order one tonight!

How long did it take to arrive? Thanks!

EDIT: this is my watch:

http://www.seikousa.com/Product.aspx?productId=418

 

[imported_hscorpio]

Originally posted by: Kyanzes
Dunno. I haven't had a wrist watch since I use mobile phones. I mean there are clocks everywhere nowadays no matter where you go.

But your cell phone doesn't work when diving at 200 meters.

 

[everman]

Any suggestions on a <$200 watch with leather band?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: maziwanka
what do you think about this watch?

i just saw it from your previous post in this thread:

http://www.higuchi-inc.com/sbda005-1.jpg

i really like funky watches. do you think i could pick one up in japan since im out here now? what's a good price for something like this?

thanks man. help is much appreciated. in return, let me know if you want somethin out here (pm)...

I have the black version of that same watch, on a bracelet. The Higuchi page (where that image came from) sells the orange model for something like $250 IIRC (it's cheaper than the black or blue versions, which include a titanium bracelet).

I don't _think_ these watches will be more affordable in Japan, just because with the advent of the Internet we can easily buy from overseas vendors, and they have to be price competitive. I don't really know the tax laws in Japan, though. You will definitely have access to a ton of cool watches that aren't sold in US stores, though.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
Add me to the watch fanclub. I also love Seiko, and I currently have a Seiko Sportura Chronograph, which I beleive the model number is 7T62. I can find a picture around here somewhere.

And I love the custom mkII watches!! Are you pretty happy with the quality of the custom work? I am going to order one tonight!

How long did it take to arrive? Thanks!

EDIT: this is my watch:

http://www.seikousa.com/Product.aspx?productId=418

Nice Sportura!

The Mark II watches are awesome. Bill Yao is very finicky, and the quality of his work is outstanding. I have two Yao-ified watches, and they're both gorgeous and draw lots of compliments.

I am not the kind of watch enthusiast who carefully scrutinizes the dial and hands with a loupe, but those who do tell me that the Mark II parts are, if anything, even more perfectly printed than Seiko parts.

The luminescent paint he uses is more or less pure white, and the dial markers are a little smaller than on many of the Seiko divers (particularly the Black and Orange Monsters, which are likely the most luminescent watches on the market, regardless of price), so the lume is very good but not AS good as on some stock Seiko models.

Bill Yao has made it relatively affordable to have a truly custom, beautiful military-style watch with excellent quality. The Seiko automatic movements are extremely robust and serviceable (not to mention inexpensive to replace), and Seiko makes excellent cases and bracelets for the money, so they're a great starting point for mods. It's very much like building or modding your own PC - you can essentially design your own watch, and I think that's pretty friggin' cool.

I strongly suggest you run a search for "Yao" on the Seiko and Citizen Forum to see more modded watches.

As for how long it will take to get your watch, I have never ordered directly from Bill, but I believe the wait time is a couple of months. That's one reason to look for a secondhand one on the SCTF. The other reason, of course, is cost: I paid $285 for my new Yao watch, which is unmolested and appears to be brand new - it would have cost around $450 new from Mark II.

 

[RightIsWrong]

DV, you should add your "fetish" to the priciest hobby thread.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: rnp614
Cool watch, I'm a bit of a watch nut myself and I like the yao mods, I just wish Seiko would quit it with the 4 o'clock crown. Right now I'm liking my Oris TT1 Diver as well as the Electric Blue Seamaster I got a while back.

Watches are FUN!

Yeah, I'm a little ambivalent about the 4:00 crown. The entry-level Seiko automatic diver, the SKX031, as a 3:00 crown, but that's a pretty lowly watch. I have a Seiko Prospex "Black Samurai," also a great watch, with a 3:00 crown as well, but that's a much more modern design, and not as suited to the Yao mods IMO. My other Yao-modded watch is another SKX007, with Yao MoD date dial and hands, as well as a Yao sapphire crystal.

Your Omega is a great watch. I would really like a black Seamaster Pro, but I'm a little deterred by the helium release valve, which seems like kind of a goofy gimmick to me. I may get a Seamaster GMT instead, since it isn't burdened with the helium release valve and has the same depth rating. I'd also love an original or Watchco SM300 one of these days (obviously my Yao MoD is a bit of an SM300 homage).

Yeah it seems that a lot of people really dislike that helium valve but I enjoy the look of utility . The watch I'm dreaming about is the Omega Seamaster 2230 model. That 18K White Gold Bezel with the black dial and applied markers really gets my motor running . If only I really needed it

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: rnp614

Yeah it seems that a lot of people really dislike that helium valve but I enjoy the look of utility . The watch I'm dreaming about is the Omega Seamaster 2230 model. That 18K White Gold Bezel with the black dial and applied markers really gets my motor running . If only I really needed it

The 2230.50 is a gorgeous watch. I actually also like the version with the yellow gold bezel, even though I generally dislike bling-y divers watches.

I bet in practice I'd find the HE release valve a fun thing to idly play with, but to me it ruins the symmetry of the watch. In that respect I think I wouldn't mind it as much if it were at 9:00 instead of 10:00. I would never ever use it for ultra-deep bell diving anyway (this is the only time the HE release valve has value), and if Rolex (on the Sea Dweller) and Seiko (on the MarineMaster) can integrate HE release valves without a second crown, Omega can presumably do so as well.