Poor man's watch thread

[Kaplan]

The gap in that photo is of course quite a bit more than 1mm.

As for shell straps, I find them to be in an uncomfortable no-man's land: On one side, the shiny (sometimes even plasticky so) surface make them seem like they want to be dressy, but on the other side they're usually paired with more casual details, like larger stitching and I don't believe I've seen a lined one (which with some neat stitching would've kept it in the dressy camp). I'm aware they're popular though, so I'll happily stay in the minority with this opinion

 

[Jazzmenco]

@mosy

Darn you @mimo , now I'm going to spend all morning searching for this beauty.

 

[mimo]

@Kaplan , I think shell only works in the dressy context - that slick surface, with neat stitching, like you said.

@Jazzmenco, now you're just being greedy; you already have its twin! If I show you where, will you get me one too? Also, have you ever compared side by side with the "Shogun"?

 

[Jazzmenco]

Yes but I don't have a gray textured face in the collection and it's gorgeous. I'm just a victim of crass consumerism!
I'll post photos of my Seikos side by side tonight

 

[Michigan Planner]

Here's my Shogun with modded MM300 hands and a different sapphire with a slightly blue AR tint.

 

[mimo]

Oh bloody hell.

 

[kimmo]

And a GMT function. It's not possible to switch bezel inserts on the Shogun. I'm wondering if the whole bezel can be switched with the Samurai? But then I'm starting with a $800 watch and basically changing everything but the case and (possibly!) bracelet. And Seiko don't make an automatic GMT movement anyway. Nor do Miyota.

Suggestions welcome.

Wildcard: Orient does GMT, and as they're owned by Seiko, you wouldn't be too blasphemous, right..?

 

[mimo]

Gold star for @kimmo , you are quite right! In my three day nerd-fest of looking up movements, sizes, case shapes and whoknowswhatelse, that did occur to me. The 40P51 movement also has a power reserve, which is cool and seems to be a bit of a signature for Orient. There is a GMT and date only FE03 movement but it doesn't hack or hand-wind so stuff that.

I couldn't find any details of the size of the Orient movements relative to the Seiko 6r15, whereas I know that ETA 2836 movement is just a hair's breadth smaller in each direction (the more modern 2893 is much slimmer, and offers little advantage as far as I can see over the "Top" standard 2836). People speak highly of the Orient 40P5x, but everyone talks well about their own car. I just instinctively wanted any change to feel like an upgrade. It might not be true that ETA's higher movements are better than Orient's, but it would feel a bit odd putting the movement from a $250 watch into an $850 watch. Then again, that movement appears in Orients that are as expensive as the Shogun, so maybe it is like for like.

Still, it could be the way to go, if anyone is will to do this kind of stuff at all. I'm thinking that with the power reserve too, the dial would have to be totally custom. Not sure that's even doable!

This is all madness. And thank you for playing!

 

[Jazzmenco]

@mimo , Baby tuna - Shogun - Samurai... Don't have a Turtle yet... the tuna came with a crappy rubber strap (sold it on ebay) replaced it with this cheapy faux alligator that I had laying around forever...IMHO it works (for now)... Shogun came with the leather strap (plus the original titanium), looks good but unfortunately the strap is too short for my fat wrist...almost came to my senses about that gray Samurai but the Euro exchange rate is so favorable today I might just get it anyway...what the "heck" oh yeah & today's ensemble...jazzy being jazzy!

 

[mimo]

Can we have them all on bracelets, equidistant from the camera, and a Sumo too please? Thank you very much.



I really fancy that Shogun, but I fear the missus will not allow the expense and she doesn't like it too much (any black dial dive watch is just a lesser Submariner in her eyes, it seems). That Samurai...maybe.

On a side track, I've just noticed a brand that @TheWraith has been advocating for a while: Steinhart. I'd dismissed it as Rolex-substitutes only, and that's partially true. But I've noticed they have some models with more original dials and hands that might stand up nicely on their own. Alas, their GMT model is a BLNR "tribute", but pretty nice.

 

[TheWraith]

Thanks, @mimo. I just got their BLNR "tribute" (posted a pic of it a page or two back). I normally don't like titanium watches, but this one doesn't feel as light as one I had in the past (though it is still lighter than its steel equivalents), but the ceramic bezel won me over. Beautiful watch, a real winner in my book. Apart from the colour of the bezel, it's really nothing like the BLNR. Different font, different dial, no Cyclops, date at the 6 o'clock position, 500m water resistance, no PCL, different hands, different metal and case size etc. etc.

 

[mimo]

Yeah, I was thinking if the bezel were swapped out for a plain black one, it wouldn't be a Batman at all - and they sell the bezel inserts too. Sigh. So many good things. The 6 o'clock date is a plus, too. I really, really don't like 3 0'clock date windows...

That Marine Office chrono in blue is something. Not sure about the modular movement, but it looks great. I am quite impressed with their range now I've bothered to look properly.

One thing that's disappointing: 5ATM water resistance. But 50ATM for the divers is impressive, and I'm quite taken with them. And this is a real looker:

 

[mimo]

Having wondered about it, I made a cack-handed edit of your beautiful titanium Bat-a-like to see what it would be like with the bezel swapped for a black one:

@TheWraith , what are the dimensions of the bezel insert? I'm wondering if it's possible to buy aftermarket ones made for another watch. What I really want is a brushed metallic or grey one.

 

[Thin White Duke]

Good work Mimo.
I like the look of those Steinharts GMTs with the date at 6 - makes them look a bit less Rolex-y. They are very decent PMWs in their own right and don't need to be considered blatant ripoffs.

 

[Inkss]

My 1969 Zenith. London made 9ct case.
A bit too small and dressy for everyday use.