Poor man's watch thread

[theSufferfest]

Hey! I just stumbled across this site, and I have to say this is the bested thread ever in the history of the interwebs. For my first post:

Inspired by the watches posted here, I've been thinking of buying a Seiko 5, white or blue face, with the idea of replacing the bracelet w a tan/brown leather one. Can anyone enlighten me with regards to which of the 5s use a 20mm strap? Some of the product descriptions on line differ for the same models. I know most 5s use an 18mm, but I think there are more choices for replacement straps for 20mm. Other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

 

[Madmanden]

Personally I think this Pulsar is pretty nice:

http://www.mastersintime.com/us/en/pulsar-ps9039-ps9039x1.htm

 

[WorkingClassDude]



Hey! I just stumbled across this site, and I have to say this is the bested thread ever in the history of the interwebs.  For my first post:

Inspired by the watches posted here, I've been thinking of buying a Seiko 5, white or blue face, with the idea of replacing the bracelet w a tan/brown leather one.  Can anyone enlighten me with regards to which of the 5s use a 20mm strap? Some of the product descriptions on line differ for the same models.  I know most 5s use an 18mm, but I think there are more choices for replacement straps for 20mm.  Other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

A lot of the dressier ones use the 18mm. There might be more selection for 20mm, but the good news is 99% of the time you can squeeze a 20mm strap into an 18mm watch and it usually looks fine.

 

[Lucan]

Hey! I just stumbled across this site, and I have to say this is the bested thread ever in the history of the interwebs. For my first post:

Inspired by the watches posted here, I've been thinking of buying a Seiko 5, white or blue face, with the idea of replacing the bracelet w a tan/brown leather one. Can anyone enlighten me with regards to which of the 5s use a 20mm strap? Some of the product descriptions on line differ for the same models. I know most 5s use an 18mm, but I think there are more choices for replacement straps for 20mm. Other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

"theSufferfest" - you a fan or the great DMcQ himself?

 

[kentyman]

Hey! I just stumbled across this site, and I have to say this is the bested thread ever in the history of the interwebs. For my first post:

Inspired by the watches posted here, I've been thinking of buying a Seiko 5, white or blue face, with the idea of replacing the bracelet w a tan/brown leather one. Can anyone enlighten me with regards to which of the 5s use a 20mm strap? Some of the product descriptions on line differ for the same models. I know most 5s use an 18mm, but I think there are more choices for replacement straps for 20mm. Other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

Wow, you and I are in the exact same market. Good news is I've been doing some research and I have a list of candidates that I think might be 20mm. Bad news is I'm not done with my research, and pro'ly won't be able to complete it until next week. I'll be sure to let you know what I come up with, but until that please keep us informed on what you find!

 

[theSufferfest]

I think its nice too....I'm thinking of a slightly less dressy watch this go around though. thx

 

[theSufferfest]

Ha! No, just a fan.

 

[theSufferfest]

Wow, you and I are in the exact same market. Good news is I've been doing some research and I have a list of candidates that I think might be 20mm. Bad news is I'm not done with my research, and pro'ly won't be able to complete it until next week. I'll be sure to let you know what I come up with, but until that please keep us informed on what you find!

Cool,I'm looking forward to your findings and will keep posting my own. In the meantime, does anyone have suggestions re straps? I figure spending $40 to $150 (though that would hurt). In addition to my quest for a white or blue Seiko, I have a few black dial watches that I am looking to re-band. I tend to use my s/s bracelet watches for the rare occasion I wear suits, so I am leaning towards a more casual, hand-made/ vintage look tan/brown leather. (I will post some pix of the watches soon to not confuse my 2 projects) So far:

http://www.kainheritage.com/strap20mm/veteranpilot.html
http://www.basandlokes.com/handmade-leather-watch-straps/

and of course

http://www.strappedfortime.com

am I missing any?

 

[RefleX]

I have the Orient Esteem Black/Rose Gold. I got it for $145 shipped. I think it's a great deal for an in house movement with 21 jewels.

 

[jischwar]

A lot of the dressier ones use the 18mm. There might be more selection for 20mm, but the good news is 99% of the time you can squeeze a 20mm strap into an 18mm watch and it usually looks fine.

I haven't had any luck pulling this off. Is there a trick?

 

[djwoblely]

@reflex, that's a good looking piece

 

[WorkingClassDude]



I haven't had any luck pulling this off. Is there a trick?

Not really... most materials, when speaking of rubber, leather, cloth, nylon, etc (just not metal bracelets obviously) should have plenty of 'squish factor' to them... put in the 18mm spring bar, put one of the tips into the lug on the watch, and squish the band and spring bar at the opposite side and finish putting on the spring bar. Only other thing I can think of is take some teeny tiny scissors and MAYBE trim a tiny bit of the width off the strap where the spring bar goes through, but that might look bad. That should only be a last resort... I've never had to do that because I can get it to fit. I don't have any 18mm watches but I've fit 22mm bands to 20mm watches, so, same thing.

 

[deveandepot1]



http://www.crownandbuckle.com/straps-by-size/18mm-straps/leather-nato-18mm-rouille.html
I bought a 22mm one and I'm pretty sure I posted pics of it a couple months back. Will have to dig up...

Thanks again for the recommendation. Crown and Buckle have some very nice straps.
I am very pleased with my purchase.

 

[jgold47]

speaking of poor mans watches, I've got a trio for sale on ebay right now. If youre interested in any of them, i would be glad to make you a price offline.

I've got a timex J crew, a vintage Tag Heuer F1, and my prized Magrette PVD

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...saslop=1&_sasl=jgold47&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50

 

[Benjamin Chee HH]



It's a BWAF movement, the highest quality watchmaker in China and all of Asia. They're not well known outside of China, but you can search the internet and watch forums. I'm willing to bet it's the best movement you will find in any watch less than $700 (twice the price of my watch).

They're not as well known as Seagull but the production quality is comparable to or even better than the finest Seagull movements. Unlike Seagull which produces both low-end to high-end products, BWAF only does high-end. They don't do OEM assembly for other brands like Seagull does and usually do not sell their movements either, so it was quite a coup to get these—my watch guy has good guanxi. The rotor is much smoother and the guilloche decoration is nicer as well.

Kent, BWAF definitely does private label production. Its their top-end tourbillons, the ones with 3 day power reserves and freesprung balances, that they dont sell to outsiders. They do have lower-end and mid-end models. Their SB-18 movement is one of the nicest handwound movements that China produces.

Kudos on the watch, definitely fits in with the Bauhaus theme!