Watch Thread

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

  1. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    It's a very polarizing watch - people tend to either love it or hate it. I love mine, although I don't find myself wearing it as much since the quarantine... I am tending to wear my mods more (I consider them beaters) as I'm working projects around the house, outside, in the workshop, etc. If we ever go back to the office, then I suspect I'll start wearing what I consider my nicer watches more often

    Yes, it does. I typically wear mine on a leather strap with green/olive stitching - it won't go with a suit, but for business casual works well. I also have a couple of natos for it. Even tho most pictures on the web show it on a croc styled strap, I can't seem to find one that I like with it.
    [​IMG]
     
  2. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Yeah, since quarantine hit, and since public health safety practices will likely be in place well into 2021, it doesn't make much sense to grab a new watch that probably won't get worn a ton (kind of like the new briefcase I made right before quarantine). I think I am fantasizing about a hopefully future life where I am doing normal things out in public and traveling again. Part of me also worries about prices skyrocketing once the stock truly gets scarce.
     
  3. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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    It’s a good watch. The case is very comfortable on the wrist. Unfortunately mine was running like 25s/day fast and I tried regulating it and ended up screwing up the balance spring lol. Their movements are all over the place, but ultimately it’s my fault.

    I love the green dial, but the lack of AR coating on the sapphire sometimes makes the dial look dull.(I notice the glare on @dasman66 photo). It’s best under direct sunlight and it really pops. I’m not a fan of gilded dials so I’d prefer silver hands and markers. One thing that I don’t like is that the markers look stamped.

    if you can find a good deal it’s a good watch. The dial really pops under direct sunlight and it’s just so comfortable to wear and is unlike any other watch out there.

    @spwath the stock strap is really bad. I’d just get a Colareb or something. Looks nice with leather.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2020
  4. squishware

    squishware Friend

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    on a whole other plane
    https://www.amazon.com/Seiko-Quartz-Titanium-Casual-Watch/dp/B000J1YMWW

    This just arrived, NOW. I will replace the link with a pic later. Jomashop is cheaper.
    It's light. Mine has a grey face that really compliments the Titanium.

    EDIT:

    [​IMG]

    I boogered the strap with a well reviewed but functionally useless watch toolkit from Amazon. The RED display date on Sunday annoys me too much so it's for sale.
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2020
  5. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    The lack of AR coating definitely is something I am wary of. I have a Victorinox watch that I wore for years that had a sapphire without AR and it was unreadable at certain angles (glossy black face with polished indices).

    Another option I considered was the SNE529, which has a somewhat similar color combination and sapphire, but none of the intricacies of the Alpinist.
    [​IMG]
    It does run about $300 cheaper at the moment, though.
     
  6. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    If you like it. Get it.

    I do not like the green dial. Blue would have been great for me. Besides that, it has the same vibe as the Rolex Explorer 36/39mm or Smiths Deluxe Expedition (the other watch that went up Mount Everest, kind of).

    The alternative with the solar quartz movement, look into that. Seiko and Citizen make some underrated solar quartz movements and I am really enjoying my blue ProMaster (great work/beater watch).
     
  7. will_f

    will_f Friend

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  8. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Aside from price, the big difference between the two is do you want a mechanical, solar/quartz, or do you even care about the movement?
     
  9. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    In the end, I am looking to sell off what I can of my DIY/cheap watch collection and get something that might be a long term keeper. Along with that, and what draws me to the Alpinist, I want something that evokes a nostalgia. Part of that means I would prefer a mechanical. I was looking at the new Prospex Alpinists, as they upgraded the movement and now have an AR coating (along with a very tempting cream dial), but I am hung up on the new cyclops, especially on the green dial. Doesn't bother me as much on the cream. Obviously the price increase hurts, but I haven't come across something under $1000 that appeals to me as much.
     
  10. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Cyclops can usually be removed with a heat gun and Razer blade, if you want to do that to your watch.

    What I don't like more is the prospex logo
     
  11. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Yeah, I have removed a cyclops from a $50 Aliexpress watch (surprisingly actual sapphire as advertised), but it was not a peaceful experience, I'd get even more wary of repeating the process on a $700 watch. While not as classy as the SARB017 printing, I don't mind the Prospex logo, especially on the cream dialed version, which is likely the version I'd get if I went Prospex instead of SARB - more versatile. I think the real issue is the AR coating on the sapphire. I need to have it, especially for the money. If I could guarantee myself the 200M or at least 100M water resistance, I'd consider a crystal swap on the SARB, but I haven't found one that would fit just right, and my own homemade testing equipment can only test up to about 60m.
     
  12. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    Marathon 36 mm Arctic TSAR quartz diver:

    [​IMG]

    Nice Swiss made Quartz diver. Sapphire crystal, tritium gas tubes on the hours and hands. The only thing cheap feeling about it are the stamped inner folding clasp hinges on the bracelet. Save a few hundred if you go with the rubber strap instead of bracelet. I expect this one to last a long time. The dial is a little busy looking but can't complain too much at this price point.

    One of the reasons I bought this with the bracelet rather than the rubber strap was Marathon is one of the few companies selling watches under a grand that use screws for the removable links. So I expected it to be simple to size it to my wrist (contrast the pain in the butt sizing Seiko bracelets:(

    Found out they actually used loctite on the screws. WTH? I was able to remove a couple of links but some would not budge. I think they used too much loctite. So I ordered a Eulit Perlon strap to replace the bracelet which is still slightly loose. If you buy one of these I would suggest you pass on the bracelet and just get the rubber strap, then replace it with the 18 mm strap you prefer.

    Edit: just got the Eulit Perlon Palma Pacific strap installed. Never had a Perlon strap before and I think it looks better on the watch than the bracelet. If you go for Perlon consider getting the Eulit as they created the Perlon strap and the weave looks great. Very breathable and comfortable in hot Fla summer ... it just seems to disappear on my wrist ... no sweating like with leather bands.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2020
  13. Cryptowolf

    Cryptowolf Repping Chi Town - Friend

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    I’m really not a fan of the cobra hands on the Alpinist. You won’t go wrong buying a Seiko, but if I can introduce an alternative, have you ever looked at the Orion Watch micro brand? The owner started his career customizing Seikos and now produces a few interesting variants. I’m personally waiting to take delivery of an Orion Hellcat.

    I also own a Hamtum Nanok and their watches are in a similar price range as a Seiko. The Nanok takes several design cues from the Rolex Datejust, but is different enough to stand on its own.
     
  14. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    Hmmm...I'm liking that Orion Calamity, a lot. Kind of a pity about the name, but he's got something good happening there.
    [​IMG]
     
  15. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Calamity is an awesome watch -- I've had it on my wrist 2x and haven't pulled the trigger because I have enough divers. But if I was in the market now, that would be top of my list
     
  16. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Probably the most coveted Alpinist out there had the cyclops - the Alpinist Red with the 4s15 mvmt (it was the first version with green dial/gold indices)
    [​IMG]

    So it's kinda like they are going back to their roots with the new prospex version...
     
  17. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Funny enough, I just read a long article about the history of the Alpinist and realized that they were indeed returning to the roots of the modern green iteration. Looking at that the Red, I don't mind. I think it is more that they have gone with the white date wheel on the new ones, and the cyclops really emphasizes it and bugs me. On the cream dial, it is less pronounced and more tolerable.
     
  18. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    a white date on the green dial?!?!? smh:confused:
     
  19. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    [​IMG]
    Really sticks out and doesn't look nearly as polished as the older varieties.
    Better in the white/cream:
    [​IMG]
     
  20. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    I think the first thing I'd do is take that baby apart and put a black date dial on it... that would show'em. (but of course, not everyone is comfortable doing that sort of thing & voiding their warranty)
     

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