That's a good-looking watch at a great price. And the Indiglo is pretty effective, too.

I like wearing a wrist watch precisely so that I don’t have to look at my phone as much. I look at it way too much.

I like these cheap Swatches but they don’t hold up to the knocking around I give them. Of course I remove it when I’m working on a car but still I manage to bump them and they stop working. That Timex on page one looks enticing, are they more durable? I’ve had G-shocks like the cops wear but I really don’t like a big, chunky watch. Just something simple.

Here is one of the three identical Swatches I’ve managed to kill: :(


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526437887.jpg

Snap, wearing my battered example today too. These things rock, the only ISO certified diver at anything approaching the price. The AK47 of watches.

A really good investment is an aftermarket Oyster solid link steel bracelet. Don't bother with the standard Seiko Oyster or Jubilee, they are tinny junk. Nylon NATO straps, cheap and waterproof, work great on these as well.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526445840.jpg

That's the Korean version Stuart. The Japanese versions always have a "J" towards the end of the model number, also "21 Jewels" under Diver's 200m. They cost a little more but they seem to have a more durable rotating bezel.

Good spot Craigster. Not wanting to derail this thread, my recollection is that the J serialised watches are Japan and the K are Singapore (now moved to Malaysia). That one was bought in Singapore probably 15 years ago, so it predates the move to Malaysia. Back when I used to take more interest in the things, I recall someone one a forum getting confirmation from Seiko that the only differences are the dial markings and serialisation, and this was for "trade route" reasons- ie, mostly about the JPN domestic market. I think that the K watches end up in the hands of the big Singapore and HK online discounters, which is why the cheaper watches tend to be Ks.

I had a J pepsi version which sadly went Davy Jones Locker (the JPN bracelets are equally crappy) a few years ago, and found no difference in the bezel. I'm a fanboy of Seiko mechanicals.

Invicta ? I like the aviator and others... I bought one with the buttons on the left instead of the right so wrist movement doesn't trigger them, I like it... All are around $70-150

https://www.amazon.com/Invicta-Collection-Stainless-Left-Handed-Black-Leather/dp/B0009P66TK

I have the same watch made in Singapore and the guys at PMWF assured me it was just as good as a Japan model (not that I would know the difference).

On mine I think (haven't looked in a while) the teeny tiny writing under the '6' says "made in Singapore"

Mine is a 009

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526584037.jpg

I’ll have to ask my son where his Seiko watch is I gave him for his 15th birthday. He’s 22 now and I got it when I was 15 (59 now). It was an orange face with a red and blue dial sound it IIRC.

I like Seiko too.
Seiko 5s are great. Recently I’ve been wearing this pair of divers.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528177921.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528178100.jpg

My custom Seiko 6309 729A. ;)

6105 style dial
MM300 hand set
Coin edge bezel
Lumed Ceramic Bezel Insert
Polished case

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528182071.jpg

Heres a baby Diver, discontinued model I think. Same 7S26 movt. LOL, just noticed its day changing at 3pm....whoops. Wife has been wearing it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528185425.jpg

Timex gets a bad rap sometimes as cheap, throwaway watches (maybe true in the 80/90s) but is a company 50 years older than Rolex! They've got some really good designers right now. Their Waterbury (the original name of the company) collection is tough to beat for around a $100. Although since they are quartz you do have to put up with the stigma of owning an accurate watch ;)

https://www.timex.com/browse/collections/waterbury

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528195490.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528195490.JPG

Nothing wrong with Timex. I've always liked them.

The whole Swiss watch thing is bullcrap IMO.
The Swiss makers are the first to cry foul when people copy them but at the same time they're copying each other. :rolleyes:

And how many Swiss "Luxury" watches have ETA movements? ;)

Any recommendations for a watch band source?

tia.

I've gotten some nice ones from Panatime...
https://www.panatime.com

I bought one of these recently. Great watch at a great price...
https://www.jomashop.com/citizen-watch-bn0151-09l.html

Lots of choices, thanks.

Stuart, do you have a recommendation for the Oyster solid link bracelet?

There's some cool watches here, some at $99:

https://www.avi-8nation.com/collections/shop-all

Sorry Dan, no first hand recommend. I got mine so long ago, I don't know where it came from. That said- "StrapCode" is a vendor that seems well regarded for aftermarket bracelets.

Anyone have a good Seiko mechanic? I have a nice 6309 7049 from 1980 that's not running. I've seen it run for as long as 10 minutes, but lately, nothing.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1531198279.jpg

Lee,

Most of the really good vintage Seiko guys are absolutely slammed with work these days. The "go to" guy is Spencer Klein in Colorado. He emailed me a couple weeks back about a Seiko SOG watch I own that needs some work. His response was basically, "I'd love to work on this watch, but I'll contact you in 18 months or so."

There is a pretty cool place in Spartanburg SC called Hub City Vintage that specializes in vintage Seikos too. But... They too aren't accepting any new work.

Warning :I went to a local guy and literally had him steal a 73 Pogue Seiko from me. So in summation, vintage Seikos are stupid hot and be very careful who you take them to. Finally, if you find someone you can trust that does good work, PM me please.

Liked the blue watch so much I bought the black one. Can't beat it for $147.00.....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1531331045.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1531331072.jpg

My wife had these guys rebuild a Seiko bullhead for my Christmas present. I purchased off eBay for $175, didn't keep time so I tossed it in a drawer, she took it to these guys and they did a full rebuild for $250, it works great now.

Found them on a recommendation from Pelican P-O-P back when he lived in Long Beach. (not sure if they do repairs by mail but don't know why they wouldn't)

https://www.watchandclockcenter.com/

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1531332227.jpg

These are going on eBay for $400-$800... some for less but you get what you pay for. ;)

My 1977 Seiko World Time which belonged to my Grandfather.

It stopped working and I found a watchmaker who worked out of a local pawn shop who cleaned and repaired it. <$100 if memory serves.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1531334557.jpg

Stuart,

Thank you for the recommendation. I will give them a try. I ordered that Seiko, and should be arriving today.

Dan

The Chinese are doing some scary good cheap watches the last few years. Example: this Tevise diver for $20 :eek: Automatic movement, stainless steel case, screw-down crown, applied markers, rotating bezel, tapered stainless bracelet, etc. The best part? If you get tired of it or it breaks, you throw it in the trash.

Good review at JOMW: https://youtu.be/XPqlCela2MI

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1545580027.JPG

Or how about this automatic Parnis for $100:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1545580196.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1545596360.jpg

I had that same Seiko Pepsi Dial chrono. First good watch I ever bought. Probably around 1975.

My Pogues... one on the left was a gift from my sister. She bought it for her husband early in their marriage. She gave it to me after he passed away from colon cancer.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1545931167.jpg

Picked up this 1980s Timex Diver the other day for $2 and compared it to my current favorite cheapo watch - the Casio Duro Marlin. What a difference :eek: I suspect the Timex was more expensive in comparable dollars when new. The Casio street price is about $40.

The 38mm Timex features a chrome-plated base-metal case and a crude 0-jewel manual movement (same as all cheap watches back then). Dial is printed but does have lumed markers. Low-quality acrylic crystal. Rotating base-metal bezel with no indexing and lots of play. Non-waterproof snap-on back and non-waterproof crown-stem. Lightweight, cheap overall feel.

The 44mm Casio has a heavy stainless steel case with polished and brushed surfaces and a bulletproof Casio 2784 quartz movement. Dial has a sunburst effect and applied & lumed markers. Mineral crystal. Uni-directional 120-click stainless steel bezel with no play (better than Seiko) and a lumed ball at 12:00. Screw-on case back and screw-down crown. 660-feet water resistance. Same highly finished fit and feel of watches costing several hundred $$, if not more.

There are many other similar examples and even some with decent jeweled automatic movements for under $100. Despite the sentiment that watches are no longer needed these days, we are living in a golden-age of quality watches right now thanks mainly to the Chinese. 5-10 years ago I would never have considered a 'cheap watch'. Different ball game in 2018.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1546110748.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1546110748.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1546110748.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1546110748.jpg

Always liked the Hamilton Khaki watches. Not at the $100 level, but nice for the money. Nordstrom Rack is blowing them out for $300- retail $545.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1554393450.jpg

https://www.watchreviewblog.com/hamilton-h76552955-pilot-pioneer-chronograph-watch-review/

Black Friday deal on the previously discussed Citizens solar (eco-drive) diver watch. Not a great watch or cool vintage one - just a really good watch at a great price. $88.99 :eek:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016R90VBK?t=dealiggcom-20&tag=dealiggcom-20#customerReviews