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automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
As a group of folks who tend to be interested in things mechanical in nature, there are very few things as teeny and intricate as mechanical watch innards (actions). The precision and skills necessary to create and assemble such works will always be a fascination to me. HOW IN HELL such actions survive when attached to my arm is as astonishing, but not quite as exciting as Thomas Voeckler's recent GT performance.
I was a bit ginger (not maryann) with my first Seiko auto diver, but as I got used to the big hunk o' stainless with all them itty bitty parts stuffed inside, I stopped taking it off so much. Then some three months after I started wearing it, I looked for scratches. There were none. NONE -- at __ all.
Scarred up crystals was the bane of all my previous anyday watches. Now I had a watch that will take all day any day punishment, and still look good, AND be representative of the finest actions in the world. Nearly everyone knows that a Rolex is an expensive watch, but very few know (of course _we_ know) that there are 16 zillion teeny parts inside and zero batteries/solar panels/radio receivers/circuit boards/computer chips.
Miniature precision is fascinating to us of the mechanical mindset (ask Dazza 'bout scale trains). Finding the Seiko's to be so durable, I have no need for any other watches. I've worn them doing every outdoorsy thing there is. I'd like to see those auto-wind/overwind clutch mechanisms when i'm running the chainsaw or splitting wood ... the blur that they must be.
The vintage Seikos have quite a following. Mine are current Singapore mfg iirc. If i hit the lotto, I'll get an RGM or some such--just not in the cards these days and as stated before, i have no need. As it is I have avoided buying half a dozen more Expeditions to watch them disintegrate on my wrist.
There are other budget-ish autos, bring 'em on. I just know the ones I have.
Mine are the 7S26 action. i have the "pepsi" and the orange face. many many straps later. There are many versions.
from the web:
http://www.thepurists.com/watch/feat...pacer6399s.jpg
http://www.thepurists.com/watch/feat...plate6408s.jpg
http://www.thepurists.com/watch/feat...rotor6435s.jpg
here's an e-richie-esque drawing:
http://www.thepurists.com/watch/feat...agic_lever.gif
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
this is the "pepsi" face:
http://image.space.rakuten.co.jp/lg0...85ezikezj.jpeg
this is the diver's orange (that i have---i don't care for the others)
http://forums.watchuseek.com/attachm...d-p2190079.jpg
but all can be mixed and modded--if that's yo thang:
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqF,!...85gmg~~_35.JPG
to be technically perfectly correct: mine has the hands of the pieces pic, not the assembled watch pic. but i have no reason to doubt the legitimacy of the other hands. little shit that drives collectors nutzo--or signs of un-authenticity. eff me...my second hand has the "ball" on it...whateva.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
believe it or not there are Seiko collectors and a huge amount of variants and also a pile of counterfeits out there.
but buying a fake 200 dollar watch is MUCH less exasperating that buying a fake 2,000 dollar watchmo atwo yo. i bought one of the former and seller an i rectified the situation amicably. he refunded most of the money and i shitcanned the junkasscopy--saved return shipping.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Always wanted one of those Seiko dive watches. Elegant and tough! I their a reputable place to buy them used?
I am still kicking myself over the Omega I missed in the classifieds...
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Monsters can be gotten from Amazon for under $200, new with a warranty. Used goes for a little less. If I was buying now, I would go thru Amazon
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
itspeedmoore
Always wanted one of those Seiko dive watches. Elegant and tough! I their a reputable place to buy them used?
I am still kicking myself over the Omega I missed in the classifieds...
it's really hard to tell w/o opening them up. just beware of anything underpriced and be able to return anything full-priced. if other folks are bidding--it's probably the real deal.
of course the best place is the classifieds section of the watch forums (no i don't recall which ones). caveat emptor, but really---these ain't expensive pieces.
yeah, i don't care for the bezel on the "monster". and ~200frn is what i expect to pay for any of these dealios.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
That Pepsi is one of my all time faves. I'd much rather have a Seiko automatic than an Omega quartz. And that Rolex quartz that the guy was selling on the metro this morning? Fuggedabout it.
I'll second the request for a good U.S. base Seiko dealer. I've looked at Long Island Watches, but I don't know how reputable they are. All the good Seiko watches appear to be overseas.
Seiko Watches - Hard to find Seiko Automatic Watches
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Disclosure statement: I'm a complete and utter newb when it comes to watches. I've always just had battery operated watches on my wrist. That said, I've been intrigued by fancier/automatic watches for some time.
I've been thinking about purchasing an automatic Seiko or something else from Amazon. I don't need anything super fancy, and that's all that could fit into my budget anyway. Should I be concerned about purchasing a fake if I go through a reputable site like that? Thanks in advance.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fmbp
Disclosure statement: I'm a complete and utter newb ... Should I be concerned about purchasing a fake if I go through a reputable site like that? Thanks in advance.
nah.
ebay is where i got the feiko. but also ebay is where i bought my orange and probably the pepsi. find a forum like this one but wrt watches, support their advertisers maybe.
if you are buying used, have a jeweler open the case to see the action. that's how i discovered the fake (after something went funky and i took it to jeweler.) now it's how i verify...and they're supposed to be cleaned/serviced now and again.
ALSO, they will _not_ be as accurate as a quartz mechanism. Mine always gain, so it's no big deal. When i alternate each day, they are most accurate. If i wear one, it will gain. Alternating two keeps both wound.
++++++++++++++
bands/straps: i've worn blue, black, red, orange, and original rubber. they all wear out, but the red and orange fade considerably if one is outdoors as much as i am. the italian rubber straps smell of chocolate.
the straps eventually crack or tear out. the deployant buckles are forever...but they are sold together, so i have plenty of spare clasps if anybody needs one. the aftermarket straps reduce the overall bulk of the system atmo. never could stand the metal bracelet.
my fave:
(not affiliated, and my regular source is in FL)
http://photos.gmter.com/Rubber-4-A.jpg
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
WadePatton
nah.
ebay is where i got the feiko. but also ebay is where i bought my orange and probably the pepsi. find a forum like this one but wrt watches, support their advertisers maybe.
if you are buying used, have a jeweler open the case to see the action. that's how i discovered the fake (after something went funky and i took it to jeweler.) now it's how i verify...and they're supposed to be cleaned/serviced now and again.
ALSO, they will _not_ be as accurate as a quartz mechanism. Mine always gain, so it's no big deal. When i alternate each day, they are most accurate. If i wear one, it will gain. Alternating two keeps both wound.
++++++++++++++
bands/straps: i've worn blue, black, red, orange, and original rubber. they all wear out, but the red and orange fade considerably if one is outdoors as much as i am. the italian rubber straps smell of chocolate.
the straps eventually crack or tear out. the deployant buckles are forever...but they are sold together, so i have plenty of spare clasps if anybody needs one. the aftermarket straps reduce the overall bulk of the system atmo. never could stand the metal bracelet.
my fave:
(not affiliated, and my regular source is in FL)
http://photos.gmter.com/Rubber-4-A.jpg
thanks!
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
I love my Seiko for all the reasons you have mentioned. I don't swim so have a leather strap on at the moment. Will switch out to a rubber for vacation.
Attachment 34177Attachment 34178
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
sweet. that's the one i'd prefer, i dig the "made in japan" part. i used to pitch mine into the deep end for the kids to dive after. diver's watch right?
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
I get what you say on the monster. It is pretty chunky. I'd love a blue sumo, but I can't get my arms around dropping that kind of money on one.
Based on my very cursory review of the watch forums, the Singapore vs Japan distinction on the movement really doesnt matter that much. They are considered to be of equivalent quality. Some of the watch forums are, interesting, to say the least.
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I bought the MIJ one because it cost me no more than the other one and I prefer the face graphic which is such a subtle difference it proves I'm a pervert.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
I love my seiko auto, but I would like to save up for a bali hai. If anyone wants my orange one, its 3 months old donate $20 to the VS and 60 to me, you can have it on a maratac black strap, with the original steel strap in the box.
On original
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...e/IMG_0257.jpg
On Maratac
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...s/IMG_5324.jpg
Its a SNZF19.
Holla at me, that Bali Hai http://www.balihaiproject.com/ is not going to buy itself :)
-Joe
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
xjoex
Pm sent Joe and I'll up the donation to the Salon a bit.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
I'm on that if rydesteel opts out. Good score and nice on you joe.
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Its found a new home with rydesteel!
-Joe
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
cool. i've been intrigued by the mid-sized jobbies but never closed a deal on one.
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This will be my first mechanical watch in years. I had a titanium Seiko years ago and when it broke so was I and it went by the wayside. Thanks Joe for watch and Wade for starting the thread. Enjoy the day all.
Frank
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Is there a hierarchy of Seiko automatics? I've seen Grand Seikos, Seiko 5s, Automatics, 21 jewel, 23 jewel, yadda yadda. How do they all line up?
:shaggy:
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Yes, there's a huge lineup, especially when vintage is included.
As i recall the "5" is a mid-sized auto often equipped with transparent cover and goes for less than the full-sized auto- (stem at 3:45) currently using 7s26 actions. The Grand is top-of-the-block, lower production, etc. Best source of that info is the collector forums and sites. Those guys refer to most of the stuff by the action model number/name.
Of course every extra hand on the face adds complexity and $ to the action.
...so i fixed the strap on my pepsi today...now i have two to rotate once again (and two bands about done).
(wait, i heard richie say "own the thread". rummages around web and returns with:)
Sport/5 (note crown @ 3 o'clock, and slightly smaller overall.)
http://i.ebayimg.com/20/!BmTK-vQCGk~...mZmRTg~~_3.JPG
Sport/5 w/ picture window:
http://www.prosportwatches.com/320-4...c-snzg07k1.jpg
)refer back in thread for 7s26 photos- that's the full-sized diver i brag about.(
they go for ~200 street and 300 retail. the sport/5's are less.
Here is (a version of) the Grand-most of which appear to be _not_ divers.
http://home.watchprosite.com/img/wat...age.656216.jpg
Grand Seiko history: http://www.grand-seiko.com/features/design.html
as a practical person it looks to me like you give up the day to get a spring tension indicator (and no self wind? whatupwitdat?). and at 7.500 we're way out of the "budget" category. i'd rather spend that sort of dough on domestic or euro-made. Here's an ebay sample (with good photos and free shipping) http://cgi.ebay.com/Grand-Seiko-Spri...item27bd016f7e
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
also, the "le Grand" is a "sport/5" version or _budget_ model compared to the "Grand Seiko"
the complexity and bps drives the value. bps/bpm determines accuracy, the more there are, the smoother the second hand sweeps the face. multiple dials/indicators complicate and drive collectors wild (grand complication yo).
"jewels" are synthetic gemstone bushing/bearings. more is generally better as it reflects...again, the complexity/accuracy/durability of the innards.
and that about exhausts what i remember about these watches-beyond the daily wear of one of two 7s26's for ~8 years.
http://www.thepurists.com/watch/feat...encase6398.jpg
the mother of all 7s26 reviews: http://www.thepurists.com/watch/features/8ohms/7s26/
(personal pics to come)
get some.
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I had a citizen eco drive, that ended up giving to my dad. But the eco-drive is a great concept. A 20 year battery in a solar watch.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...s/IMG_4624.jpg
The numbers on the bezel were to big for me, they kind of looked goofy.
But Laura wears this diver from Citizen, she likes it but complains it weighs too much.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
-Joe
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Seiko divers rule. I think about the vintage 6306 [1979] that was passed on almost every day.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Beautiful Seiko...admired it at the Baller's Ride.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
it couldn't have gone to a better man imho.
On a similar note, if the seller had been a bit more reasonable, I'd have brought this one home last week.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b8/mrao/DSC_0008.jpg
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
musgravecycles
what exactly is that? (i get lost in the seiko world, i know there are others)
speaking of vintage. seems there are plenty of guys refurbishing with aftermarket faces/hands/bezels + polish and a strap. i just saw a lemon-face with a pepsi bezel! the horror!
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
MKII Milsub homage.
Bill Yao of MKII got his start producing parts for Seiko Diver mods. Nowadays he's only selling his own stuff (which is EXTREMELY hard to come by).
Most folks in the know say his products are very under priced, though his pricing is going up up lately. His watches are all homages to famous military watches (benrus, Bund, Seamaster 300, Rolex Milsub, etc, etc). He has quite a following and I've been after one of these Milsub homages for quite some time. Some of his watches (like the Kingston which is a replica of the 'Bond Rolex') are already going for more used than new. There's also a new project in the works based on the Omega Seamaster 300 that should be fun. He's currently re-tooling everything so his site doesn't have much but here's the address:
mkiiwatches.com
Also lots of good info here:
MK II
P.S. This stuff isn't crazy $$$. Those Kingston's are going for about $1800. Some of the other stuff like MMTs and Sea Fighters can be had for ~$600
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
very cool---and exactly the sort of watch i'd pursue instead of spend big frn on a "Grand Seiko" or a "Professional Diver", if that time comes.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Me too!
Lots of his pieces in service in Iraq/Afganistan. Especially the Benrus homage - which was originally called the blackwater, then changed to MMT after certain events. Now there's an improved version called the paradive.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
musgravecycles
Seiko divers rule. I think about the vintage 6306 [1979] that was passed on almost every day.
Perpetual right of return bro. I swap that with my Omega. Love it but like I say if you Jones for the watch it's yours again NP I feel the same for an Speedmaster that I don't own!!!
***I'll move this thread W.P. Yep, I took a break. Focused on getting fast ;)
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Nah, it's yours till you pass it on to the next caretaker. I've gotta scratch this MKII itch before they get to expensive...
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
musgravecycles
Especially the Benrus homage - which was originally called the blackwater, then changed to MMT after certain events. Now there's an improved version called the paradive.
Any idea if the leadtime on the paradives is accurate (currently at 7 weeks)? I know people waited quite a while for some of his watches.
But dollar for dollar, you can't beat a 6309/7002/7s26 watch.
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
billrick
Is there a hierarchy of Seiko automatics? I've seen Grand Seikos, Seiko 5s, Automatics, 21 jewel, 23 jewel, yadda yadda. How do they all line up?
:shaggy:
short answer:
Grand Seiko/Professional Diver (top line-limited production)
7s26 is current "mid-line" full-sized with 21j _affordable_ dozens of variations.
Seiko 5/Sport is budget end with multiple dozen variations.
they're all automatic/self-winders or they don't count.
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
I'm a Seiko-holic.
Here's a 7s26 modified by Bill Yao. Will post a couple more later after I snap some pics.
Attachment 34264 Attachment 34263
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Couple of 6309's worked by Bob Thayer.
refurbished
Attachment 34265
modified
Attachment 34266
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Re: automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
musgravecycles
Me too!
Lots of his pieces in service in Iraq/Afganistan. Especially the Benrus homage - which was originally called the blackwater, then changed to MMT after certain events. Now there's an improved version called the paradive.
I've got one of the Blackwaters from the first run. Awesome watch.
The 7s26 of mine that he worked was one of his last Seiko modifications. I feel fortunate to have it.