Author Topic: Watch this!!  (Read 3069 times)

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Offline wilber

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #120 on: December 23, 2020, 12:42:11 pm »
One of the Ruskis looked like this.

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Offline kimmy

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #121 on: December 23, 2020, 01:40:40 pm »
HEY SQUIDWARD! I have a question about automatic watches!

I gather you have more than a couple of automatic watches... and I imagine you only wear one (or 2 at most) at a time...  what about the ones that you aren't wearing?  Do they just sit there dead most of the time, or do you keep them on one of those automated dealies that gently rocks your watch to wind it, or do you have some other system?

My Fossil "Pepsi" is completely fine for the use I have planned for it, but I do plan to keep trying to steal a "real" dive watch on ebay... and most of the watches in this style seem to be automatic.  (I see quite a few Seiko automatics that have been rebuilt and sell for good prices.) For me an automatic isn't ideal because this watch will sit there for several days unused between trips to the beach or out on the lake. Obviously I don't want to find my watch dead when I want to use it.   I'd like to snag a solar, but they're not nearly as common.  Anyway, thinking about this issue made me wonder what you do with your automatics when they're not on your wrist.

 -k
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Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #122 on: December 23, 2020, 02:53:37 pm »
HEY SQUIDWARD! I have a question about automatic watches!

I gather you have more than a couple of automatic watches... and I imagine you only wear one (or 2 at most) at a time...  what about the ones that you aren't wearing?  Do they just sit there dead most of the time, or do you keep them on one of those automated dealies that gently rocks your watch to wind it, or do you have some other system?

I just let them die.  It only takes a few moments to fix the time and date (just time for my Momentum dive watch...  no date).

Both are able to be wound to charge them, but a couple shakes is all it takes to get them going!

Quote
My Fossil "Pepsi" is completely fine for the use I have planned for it, but I do plan to keep trying to steal a "real" dive watch on ebay... and most of the watches in this style seem to be automatic.  (I see quite a few Seiko automatics that have been rebuilt and sell for good prices.) For me an automatic isn't ideal because this watch will sit there for several days unused between trips to the beach or out on the lake. Obviously I don't want to find my watch dead when I want to use it.   I'd like to snag a solar, but they're not nearly as common.  Anyway, thinking about this issue made me wonder what you do with your automatics when they're not on your wrist.

 -k

Watch out for all the Seiko “custom” watches on EBay.  People are really into modding Seikos, but things don’t always go well when Average Joe decide to mess with a watch.

I would also stay away from the budget brand automatics.  Not Seiko, they’re great budget movements...  but Invicta, or those types of brands.

I know a dead watch seems to bother people...   But, it’s literally 12 seconds to set the time.  It’s a metaphor for rebirth, life anew, every time I reset my automatic watches!   ;)


Offline wilber

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #123 on: December 23, 2020, 03:04:06 pm »
HEY SQUIDWARD! I have a question about automatic watches!

I gather you have more than a couple of automatic watches... and I imagine you only wear one (or 2 at most) at a time...  what about the ones that you aren't wearing?  Do they just sit there dead most of the time, or do you keep them on one of those automated dealies that gently rocks your watch to wind it, or do you have some other system?

My Fossil "Pepsi" is completely fine for the use I have planned for it, but I do plan to keep trying to steal a "real" dive watch on ebay... and most of the watches in this style seem to be automatic.  (I see quite a few Seiko automatics that have been rebuilt and sell for good prices.) For me an automatic isn't ideal because this watch will sit there for several days unused between trips to the beach or out on the lake. Obviously I don't want to find my watch dead when I want to use it.   I'd like to snag a solar, but they're not nearly as common.  Anyway, thinking about this issue made me wonder what you do with your automatics when they're not on your wrist.

 -k

It's one of the disadvantages of automatic watches. Upsides are you will never go to put on a watch you haven't worn for awhile and find it has a dead battery and you will never have a battery quit when you are somewhere you can't get it easily replaced. I always wear an automatic when I am travelling because I have had that happen.

I'm like squid, I just let them sit. There are mixed opinions on winders. Some say it is good to keep them running, others say you are just wearing them out faster. Probably pros and cons to both.

One option might be Seiko's kinetic watches. They use a mechanical system which charges a capacitor with the movement of your arm to run a quartz movement. I don't know much about them or how much power reserve they have when fully charged but they might be an idea.
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Offline Super Colin Blow

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #124 on: December 23, 2020, 10:19:19 pm »
Hi again, Super Colin-Blow! Long time no see!

Russian watch is STRONG like tractor!

As I've been searching for bargains on ebay I keep finding these "Vostok" brand watches from Russia. The styling is so odd that I have considered buying one just for the WTF factor.

 -k

Speaking of Vostok, I have a Soviet submarine clock (winds with a key) on my wall that's made by Vostok.

That gold Hamilton makes me envious. I was looking at a new 18C gold case Tissot automatic with a leather strap and it was over 4k. Hamilton is a higher end watch than Tissot.

I'll try to get a picture of it for you. Pity there are so few qualified watchmakers left. Not sure who I'm going to take it to next time for a cleaning, adjusting, as it has started to fall behind a bit (so I am assuming it needs one). It's a 1951 model, back when Hamilton was an American company. They were sold to the Swiss in the 70s I do believe.
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Offline wilber

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #125 on: December 24, 2020, 11:49:31 am »
Speaking of Vostok, I have a Soviet submarine clock (winds with a key) on my wall that's made by Vostok.

I'll try to get a picture of it for you. Pity there are so few qualified watchmakers left. Not sure who I'm going to take it to next time for a cleaning, adjusting, as it has started to fall behind a bit (so I am assuming it needs one). It's a 1951 model, back when Hamilton was an American company. They were sold to the Swiss in the 70s I do believe.

Like to see a picture of that clock too. Hamilton is owned by Swatch group so one of their repair centres could probably do it for you.
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Offline kimmy

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #126 on: December 31, 2020, 03:32:11 am »
I just let them die.  It only takes a few moments to fix the time and date (just time for my Momentum dive watch...  no date).

Both are able to be wound to charge them, but a couple shakes is all it takes to get them going!

Watch out for all the Seiko “custom” watches on EBay.  People are really into modding Seikos, but things don’t always go well when Average Joe decide to mess with a watch.

I would also stay away from the budget brand automatics.  Not Seiko, they’re great budget movements...  but Invicta, or those types of brands.

I know a dead watch seems to bother people...   But, it’s literally 12 seconds to set the time.  It’s a metaphor for rebirth, life anew, every time I reset my automatic watches!   ;)

There are a couple of watch repair guys on ebay (one in Spain, one in the Philippines) who sell a lot of "serviced" Seiko automatics, some with aftermarket hands and dials and bezel inserts. The watches seem to sell for  around $80 US on average (plus shipping).  They also sell some older Citizen automatics that go for a little cheaper. The Seikos with aftermarket dials and chapter rings and bezel inserts and hands are really attractive. Some of the color combinations are great, and the ceramic bezel inserts look amazing.  There are also some that look like crap... I've seen several that have fish skeleton hands, which I think look stupid.

From what I have seen the Invicta automatics have a Seiko NH35 movement, which I gather is good.  But I don't see the fun in buying a new Invicta. If I can steal a vintage dive watch in an auction, that would be fun.

 -k
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Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #127 on: December 31, 2020, 12:54:19 pm »
There are a couple of watch repair guys on ebay (one in Spain, one in the Philippines) who sell a lot of "serviced" Seiko automatics, some with aftermarket hands and dials and bezel inserts. The watches seem to sell for  around $80 US on average (plus shipping).  They also sell some older Citizen automatics that go for a little cheaper. The Seikos with aftermarket dials and chapter rings and bezel inserts and hands are really attractive. Some of the color combinations are great, and the ceramic bezel inserts look amazing.  There are also some that look like crap... I've seen several that have fish skeleton hands, which I think look stupid.

From what I have seen the Invicta automatics have a Seiko NH35 movement, which I gather is good.  But I don't see the fun in buying a new Invicta. If I can steal a vintage dive watch in an auction, that would be fun.

 -k

The Seiko NH38 is what my Momentum MH30 dive watch has.

My Seiko Recraft has a caliber 7S26C. 

I have no idea which is better.  The Recraft has a date window, the Momentum doesn’t.   I’ve read that they are both good movements. 

I don’t know what it is about automatic, or manual wind, watches that intrigues me...   they’re less accurate than quartz watches, they require more service....   I guess it’s the very fact that it doesn’t require a battery...   that it’s a tiny mechanical machine...   I dunno.  It’s not like there’s some sort of panache that comes with wearing a low-end automatic Seiko! 

Check this one out...   offer them a lowball. 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/254769193140

Offline wilber

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #128 on: December 31, 2020, 03:55:44 pm »
Remember when winding your watch in the morning was normal?

I like these field watches, Hamilton makes a bunch of them.
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Offline kimmy

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #129 on: January 02, 2021, 05:39:45 pm »
The Seiko NH38 is what my Momentum MH30 dive watch has.

My Seiko Recraft has a caliber 7S26C. 

I have no idea which is better.  The Recraft has a date window, the Momentum doesn’t.   I’ve read that they are both good movements. 

I don’t know what it is about automatic, or manual wind, watches that intrigues me...   they’re less accurate than quartz watches, they require more service....   I guess it’s the very fact that it doesn’t require a battery...   that it’s a tiny mechanical machine...   I dunno.  It’s not like there’s some sort of panache that comes with wearing a low-end automatic Seiko! 

I won this Seiko Sea Urchin for $37 US in an auction yesterday!



The bezel insert is all scratched to hell, but it looks like it's in fine shape aside from that.  I believe that I can replace the bezel insert without a great degree of knowledge. I've been looking at some of the gorgeous ceramic inserts they sell here. I could turn it into a Pepsi or a Coke or a Batman! Or a Kermit!



But I was also taken with this striking black lumed piece:



Anyway, the watch is coming from Spain and probably won't be here for a month. So I'll have lots of time to decide.

 -k
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Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #130 on: January 02, 2021, 06:28:16 pm »
That is an astonishing amount of damage just to the bezel!  The crystal doesn’t look scratched. I wonder what happened to it.

A bezel should be easy to replace.  You’ll just need the tool.

Good score!!

Offline wilber

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #131 on: January 02, 2021, 07:38:00 pm »
That bezel is weird considering the rest of the watch but what the heck, for  37 bucks it could be a great score for not much risk.
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Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #132 on: January 02, 2021, 08:02:23 pm »
That bezel is weird considering the rest of the watch but what the heck, for  37 bucks it could be a great score for not much risk.

Yeah, not much risk there....   Seiko 5s are great watches.

Is this the “Sea Urchin”?  I think it might be.

And it’s the Japanese version, not the Malaysian-made version.

If it’s just a bezel, and Kimmy has some fun putting a new one on, I think this is a nice score!
« Last Edit: January 02, 2021, 08:09:56 pm by the_squid »

Offline Super Colin Blow

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #133 on: January 05, 2021, 10:22:43 am »
I'm trying to get photos of my Soviet sub clock and the Hamilton 1951 wristwatch, but it's kind of weird, getting it from my phone to a jpeg on my computer. I guess I'm not tech savvy as others. Once I figure it out I'll get the photos for you. It is a very beautiful watch.
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Offline kimmy

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Re: Watch this!!
« Reply #134 on: February 24, 2021, 11:27:47 pm »
Guys! My Sea Urchin finally arrived!  It took almost 2 months to get here from Spain, so I assume they sent it on the Santa Maria.



It's working, it's a nice size, and aside from the scratched up bezel insert it's in very nice condition. The lume is very good also. The genuine Seiko rubber strap is about as comfy and flexible as an all-season stee-belted radial, so I've replaced that with one of my spare NATO straps.

Now it's time to pick a new bezel insert.  It's harder to find parts for a Sea Urchin than for the Seiko SKX watches that are popular with mods people (which is probably why the seller didn't replace the bezel himself-- most of the watches he sells have been refurbished with aftermarket parts.)  But I have found this website that has some lovely options.

https://www.dlwwatches.com/collections/snzf-urchin

Help me choose! 




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