Watch Thread

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by Shem, Sep 28, 2015.

  1. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Any thoughts for a dressy/casual watch for around $100?
    I liked the looks of my vintage Russian watch, but it's made so poorly the hands literally fell off inside the watch (and it didn't keep time well).
     
  2. luximal

    luximal Made things right

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    My Vostok is a 24hr watch which can be a bit hard to read at times, but I agree that Vostoks have a ton of character. I've used this during hiking and camping, and no matter how roughly I treated it , the vostok kept going like a champ. The minute nicks and scratches adds to its charm in my opinion.

    [​IMG]

    And I'll just throw a similar pic of my Oris
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    Seiko 5. It's a bit of a classic cheap mechanical dress watch. Between that and the cheapest gshock, you are covered until after college and beyond.
     
  4. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    That actually looks pretty nice. I think ill get one of those...
     
  5. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Actually one concern I have with that is that it seems a bit small. I bigger watch may be better, idk.
     
  6. luximal

    luximal Made things right

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    the citizen NH8350 is 40mm and some models come in at just over 100
     
  7. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Measuring the diameter of my Russian watch by hand, its at 45mm, and I don't find it large.
     
  8. haywood

    haywood Friend

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    It’s all about wrist size, but 45mm is considered big.

    For the inexpensive watch, the Seiko 5 is nice and has a cachet that exceeds its price so you don’t just look cheap but if you don’t wear your watch all the time an automatic might be a hassle.
     
  9. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    A new member of my cheap and cheerful collection.

    020.JPG
     
  10. haywood

    haywood Friend

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    I’m not really a watch guy but this thread was making me kinda jones for one so I picked up this (not my pic) airboss with a bracelet to dress it up a bit when needed...

    [​IMG]

    and an inexpensive leather nato from amazon (ohflash, < $20) for more casual use.
     
  11. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Nice, Victorinox is my favorite for reasonably priced "nice" watches. Most come with sapphire crystals, which I think are basically required for everyday use if you want to avoid scratches.
     
  12. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Haywood .... Jablome? (I'm sure you've heard that one before)

    I like that and some of the other current/past Airboss watches.

    Some of their quartz models are also very nice but just wish some specific ones were sized down from 43mm.
     
  13. haywood

    haywood Friend

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    ;)

    Yeah, sapphire crystal plus brushed stainless so the outside will hopefully hold up, and an eta 2824 movement which is supposed to be good. So far so good but as someone who doesn’t wear a watch all the time I wish the reserve was a little longer.

    Here’s the actual watch with the leather nato:

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Great serious first watch. With a black strap you can wear it under a suit and it becomes a versatile daily watch and dress watch at the same time. I love their original take on designs where they avoid the hommage and go for Victorinox accents.

    The best part is that their watches are affordable and should perform just as well as some entry luxury watches. I might consider a flieger/dress watch from their line-up later on. I already have too many dive and beater watches.
     
  15. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Bought some polywatch for the Vostok. The next watch will be a Sistem 51. There is a new "Body & Soul" in the stores but I might skip it for a dressy watch. I am not a fan of skeletonised watches but Swatch gets it: I can look at this all day.

     
  16. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Sistem Fly landed today.

    [​IMG]

    Goes well with my mirrored aviators :3
     
  17. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    I have a weak spot for blue dials. My Vostok is blue. My Seiko Solar Diver is blue. Most of my watches are on blue nato straps.

    Can this model be serviced? At the Swatch store in Amsterdam the employee there told me the steel (case) models can be opened for service.
     
  18. Cryptowolf

    Cryptowolf Repping Chi Town - Friend

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    I know it's an affordable watch, but the inability to use third party straps is almost a deal killer for me. I really like swapping straps on my existing watches to change things up.
     
  19. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Steel case here.

    I can see how they pull it apart, the bottom "glass" is actually polycarbonate or similar, and snaps into the steel leaving two tabs accessible.

    Remove the strap and you can lever the plastic cover out.

    Unlike the plastic case ones, the steel case doesn't spontaneously self-destruct when you do this.

    Although I have actually swapped mechanisms on all plastic swatch skin ...
    True but not really a concern to me.
     
  20. Stapsy

    Stapsy Friend

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    What do you folks make of in-house vs standard movements? Does it come into consideration when buying?

    An ETA movement seems like a good option for proven and durable timekeeping with much easier servicing. In-house certainly has an added intrigue, but I wonder about long term performance. Since mechanical watches have largely progressed from a necessity for time keeping to an appreciation of craftsmanship I can understand the desire for a unique movement.
     

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