Poor man's watch thread

[Chuckie Egg]



What is it and do you have a better pic of the dial? Is it white or silver?

Thanks Kaplan. Here's a better pic of the dial, as i mentioned it is a subtle shade of off-white.

It's hard to capture in a pic but the light really dances off the cambered sapphire glass onto the dial

 

[Wes Bourne]



Here on SF?

Sorry, I should have specified the dedicated watch forums, i.e. watchuseek. Better yet, just check watchrecon, which groups all sales listings from popular watch forums.

 

[OlafG]

Thanks.

I looked at few used ones earlier, but usually the come in at about the same price as a new one when you consider shipping from the US and EU VAT.

 

[Chuckie Egg]



I picked up an Orient Symphony off Ebay a few weeks ago. Relatively cheap watch (around $140 posted), automatic movement and it came with a steel bracelet. I preferred this over the Bambino because of the 22mm lugs and I had a few 22mm Rios cordovan bands laying around that I got for cheap (also from Ebay). It's been holding up quite well and I've received a few compliments on it.

Very classic, elegant and clear dial with fine detailing. Is it a flat or curved glass? I like it and I can see why it attracts compliments

 

[Stebbin]

Very classic, elegant and clear dial with fine detailing. Is it a flat or curved glass? I like it and I can see why it attracts compliments

It's a flat. I would have liked to try the curved glass of the Bambino but unfortunately, the lugs are 21mm - too small for my straps. However, the Symphony fits the bill nicely.

 

[Chuckie Egg]

^ Thanks. I prefer slightly domed glass but I think it's a definite hit from Orient. The baton markers are nice and gives depth to the dial.

 

[stevent]

Posted in the other watch thread but this one may be a little more appropriate:

Starting to get into watches and am debating to spend the Hamilton / Stowa /Junghans range or to move onto a little higher range at Nomos. (or any brand recs in the $500-700 / $~2000 ranges) Cost isn't a major issue but just wondering if it's better to get a "starter" watch to get used to it first or to just go in. Do prefer components and build and want something simple and reasonably versatile. And one more dumb question, is it necessary to get a rotation of watches? Or is one just fine?

Wearing a simple timex now.

 

[ClassyCanuck]

Just put on a new strap on my Stowa Fleiger.
My second Horween cordovan shell custom strap, this time in whiskey. Great looking if you ask he, can't wait for it to patina.

Here it is with a #8 I had made for it last year.

 

[JTA]



Posted in the other watch thread but this one may be a little more appropriate:

Starting to get into watches and am debating to spend the Hamilton / Stowa /Junghans range or to move onto a little higher range at Nomos. (or any brand recs in the $500-700 / $~2000 ranges) Cost isn't a major issue but just wondering if it's better to get a "starter" watch to get used to it first or to just go in. Do prefer components and build and want something simple and reasonably versatile. And one more dumb question, is it necessary to get a rotation of watches? Or is one just fine?

Wearing a simple timex now.

For the above $1,000 price bracket I'll consider Sinn also if I were you. Nevertheless between those four (Hamilton/Stowa/Junghans or Nomos) and if money isn't an issue for you, personally I would go with Nomos.

 

[Chuckie Egg]



Posted in the other watch thread but this one may be a little more appropriate:

Starting to get into watches and am debating to spend the Hamilton / Stowa /Junghans range or to move onto a little higher range at Nomos. (or any brand recs in the $500-700 / $~2000 ranges) Cost isn't a major issue but just wondering if it's better to get a "starter" watch to get used to it first or to just go in. Do prefer components and build and want something simple and reasonably versatile. And one more dumb question, is it necessary to get a rotation of watches? Or is one just fine?

Wearing a simple timex now.

I suggest Tissot or Longines for your budget

For a versatile watch I suggest one that tends to the dressy side but has water resistance of 100m to make it durable for sporty use.

 

[stevent]



I suggest Tissot or Longines for your budget

For a versatile watch I suggest one that tends to the dressy side but has water resistance of 100m to make it durable for sporty use.

Thanks will take a look

 

[justinkapur]

Steven I have a Longines that I bought 1.5 years ago and I love that piece. Easy to wear dressy or casually. Longines Master Chrono 42MM on a croc strap but I did pay a little bit more than your price range.

 

[Chuckie Egg]

Also it's an interesting question about rotation of watches. I think in the past, traditionally, mostly people wore one watch for life or until they replace it. My dad has a Big Rose Tudor that he bought in 1967 and wore it every day for 30 years until he retired it. He still has it tucked away. Anyway, what I mean to say is, while I can see the reasons for rotating a number of watches for different occasions, however the advantage of being a one-watch guy is that you are more likely to form a bond with a watch that you wear all the time through the course of life. I steer a compromise, I have a number of watches but wear one watch predominantly, which is my Universal because of its versatility (I can dress it up or down, change its leather deployant for its bracelet instead and go swimming with it or whatever) and also because I've had it since childhood and its been through thick and thin with me

 

[johnvw]

Lurker on (and admirer of) this thread for a while, I have questions that someone here maybe can answer. As I understand it, a leather watch strap can be put on a watch made with a metal bracelet, provided the watch cases and bands are the same sizes. For those not especially DIY-inclined in this area, is this usually a time-consuming procedure for a jeweler to do? Roughly how expensive should it be? Watches in the Citizen Eco-Drive and Seiko Solar families are what I have in mind.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

 

[Michigan Planner]



Lurker on (and admirer of) this thread for a while, I have questions that someone here maybe can answer. As I understand it, a leather watch strap can be put on a watch made with a metal bracelet, provided the watch cases and bands are the same sizes. For those not especially DIY-inclined in this area, is this usually a time-consuming procedure for a jeweler to do? Roughly how expensive should it be? Watches in the Citizen Eco-Drive and Seiko Solar families are what I have in mind.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

It should take a competent jeweler 10 minutes to switch out a band. Some of the Seikos (and probably Citizens as well) have an extra little "collar" pin and sometimes that can add to the amount of time. Maybe allot an extra 30 seconds to a minute for the job. If you wanted to DIY, there are some videos out there on YouTube that walk you through the process and it's very simple to do at home, even for the non-DIY inclined.

As for the cost - if you are buying a band from a jeweler, there should be no additional cost to have them swapped out. If you just take in the watch and the new band to a jeweler, I cannot imagine they would charge you much for the work. Maybe $10?