• Home
    • Recent
    • Calendar
    • Register
    • Login
    Iron Heart Forum
    Iron Heart Forum

    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    The (Less intimidating) Watch Thread

    Accessories
    138
    1.6k
    543.6k
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • GraemeG
      Graeme
      啓蒙家
      Joined:

      @DougNg:

      That Grand Seiko has an aluminum bezel, doesn't it?

      I've been Googling, and found this post on Watchuseek by someone from a Seiko boutique in Miami:

      _I've mentioned before that ceramic bezel inserts are considered to be a risk in divers watches as a thin insert can break. A full ceramic bezel seems like it could be an option, but GS wants these to have the best functionality possible. Ceramic bezels are great for desk diving, but in the water will pose a risk. If it breaks from shock, you will no longer have your elapsed time bezel.

      I understand you may prefer the ceramic, but it does make perfect sense why the stainless steel black hard coated bezel is chosen for all GS._

      The product spec page doesn't actually say!

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • ChrisC
        Chris
        Raw and Unwashed
        Joined:

        @UnTucked, I bought a replacement bracelet from watchadoo on eBay, and it's built very well.  Strapcode is also well regarded, and even makes end links, so that your replacement bracelet integrates nicely into the case.

        Here's the one I bought:

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • DougNgD
          DougNg
          Joined:

          That argument makes sense, however

          1. how many people still use mechanical watches for real scuba diving?
          2. don't you think if you whacked your arm against something that your bezel broke, it's time to get the fuck out of the water?

          I think this plays off suckers who think that they can buy something super tough and it makes them a badass.

          I know violence is not the answer, I got it wrong on purpose

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • DougNgD
            DougNg
            Joined:

            Entry level Seikos look best on NATO straps IMO

            I forgot to add: the hands on my SKX007J were not aligned right and I had to send it off to service. It was really evident at the top of the hour when the minute hand was at the 12 and the hour hand was not at the hour marker properly. Really irritating for a watch that has the hype surrounding it.

            For a little more money, you can get a lot of bang for your buck from Seiko, but the SKX is not one of them. I swear up and down that the SARG011 is a great deal, and I got that for $250.

            I know violence is not the answer, I got it wrong on purpose

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • UnTuckedU
              UnTucked
              Joined:

              @DougNg:

              That argument makes sense, however

              1. how many people still use mechanical watches for real scuba diving?
              2. don't you think if you whacked your arm against something that your bezel broke, it's time to get the fuck out of the water?

              I think this plays off suckers who think that they can buy something super tough and it makes them a badass.

              Your inferences are comparable to denim snobs who only buy selvedge denim… Even though the 2 experts I've personally met (Giles and Haraki) agree that:

              1. There are some phenomenal non-selvedge denims out there, and there are some very shit selvedge denims as well

              2. You can make a far better cut from non-selvedge denim. (Not limited by the selvedge line)

              In spite of those 2 pieces of information, the "marketing" in the denim world for the past however many years will ensure that selvedge reigns supreme, because it's a "premium feature that all quality jeans should have".

              Based on the (alleged) comment from the boutique salesman, I think it's MORE than plausible, and in my mind makes Seiko seems "better" in a sense if they are indeed making a "beautiful tool", rather than "something more beautiful, that's kinda tool-ish".

              In search of:
              IHV-04, med.
              IHSH-185, large
              IHSH-186, large (khaki, and green)

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • ChrisC
                Chris
                Raw and Unwashed
                Joined:

                @Graeme:

                Ceramic bezels are great for desk diving, but in the water will pose a risk. If it breaks from shock, you will no longer have your elapsed time bezel.

                And yet the crystal is sapphire.  If impact resistance was the primary concern, it should be Hardlex, or even acrylic.

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • DougNgD
                  DougNg
                  Joined:

                  I still maintain that if you really are going to be that rough on your watch, you should own a G-Shock.

                  I've been told that they have no soul, but seriously, if I'm going to beat on something (anything) to death, I don't want it to talk back to me.

                  I know violence is not the answer, I got it wrong on purpose

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • JDelageJ
                    JDelage
                    啓蒙家
                    Joined:

                    How useful a good watch is for diving is questionable at best. The dive computer is infinitely more useful and accurate, and in case of failure, you need to ascend anyways, preferably with a buddy. In fact, having a cheap dive computer as a back up is probably not a bad option.

                    I've seen plenty of aluminum bezels dinged up, but I have never seen a broken ceramic bezel. I'm sure it happens but can't be that often.

                    That SKX007 cannot be hand wound. To me this is an insta-killer on a watch that isn't worn every day.

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • JDelageJ
                      JDelage
                      啓蒙家
                      Joined:

                      @DougNg:

                      I still maintain that if you really are going to be that rough on your watch, you should own a G-Shock.

                      Yes, from a purely utilitarian stand point, they're hard to beat.

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • DougNgD
                        DougNg
                        Joined:

                        I vaguely remember that there have been one or two posted in Rolexforums.

                        I don't know if they were broken out of negligence or someone was out to prove something.

                        If you can afford a Sub, you can afford a clue. It's a mechanical device with close to 200 parts…

                        My Glock has less than 40...

                        I know violence is not the answer, I got it wrong on purpose

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • ChrisC
                          Chris
                          Raw and Unwashed
                          Joined:

                          I thought the lack of hand winding would bother me, but it's actually not that bad.  If you wear it daily, it's never an issue. If you don't, then you just have to swirl it around (a bit like a glass of wine) for a minute or so to get it up and running. Not appreciably different than the effort of hand winding.  I was more put off by the fact that it didn't hack (for the less nerdy readers, hacking just means the second hand stops while you're setting the time).

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • DougNgD
                            DougNg
                            Joined:

                            The SKX is durable enough that you can just shake it up and down like you're jerking off and it'll be fine.

                            It's not a great watch, but it's relative resistance to abuse is notable.

                            I know violence is not the answer, I got it wrong on purpose

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • ChrisC
                              Chris
                              Raw and Unwashed
                              Joined:

                              The nice thing about aluminum bezel inserts compared to ceramic is that they're cheap and easy to replace. So go ahead and scratch it to hell and back, then pop it out with a knife tip and stick a new one in. Five minutes and twenty bucks later, it looks brand new.  Ok, maybe a little longer, if you have to do some adhesive replacement, but still…

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • DougNgD
                                DougNg
                                Joined:

                                Something about replacing an aluminum insert to a $4k Grand Seiko with a dental pick and Loctite just doesn't sit right with me.

                                I know violence is not the answer, I got it wrong on purpose

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • JDelageJ
                                  JDelage
                                  啓蒙家
                                  Joined:

                                  Does anyone have any strong opinion about (1) Christopher Ward or (2) Dievas? The Dievas would only be a consideration 2nd hand, but they have impressive specs, especially the Maya Mk2:

                                  http://www.dievaswatches.com/maya2.html

                                  https://www.christopherward.com/watches/dive

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • UnTuckedU
                                    UnTucked
                                    Joined:

                                    The CW C65 Trident Vintage is nice!

                                    https://www.christopherward.com/watches/dress/c65-trident-vintage

                                    In search of:
                                    IHV-04, med.
                                    IHSH-185, large
                                    IHSH-186, large (khaki, and green)

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • ChrisC
                                      Chris
                                      Raw and Unwashed
                                      Joined:

                                      I have a Dievas Vortex and Vortex Professional and like them a lot.  I had some modifications done, and the guy who did the work, Jay of MotorCity WatchWorks, said he considered them well made.

                                      No experience with the Maya, though.

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • JDelageJ
                                        JDelage
                                        啓蒙家
                                        Joined:

                                        Chris - what mods did you have made?

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • neph93N
                                          neph93
                                          見習いボス
                                          Joined:

                                          @UnTucked:

                                          The CW C65 Trident Vintage is nice!

                                          https://www.christopherward.com/watches/dress/c65-trident-vintage

                                          Oh helllllloooooo [emoji7]

                                          About the same price as the Pinion Atom which is different but also nice.

                                          “Some of those that work forces
                                          Are the same that burn crosses”

                                          • Virginia Woolf
                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • UnTuckedU
                                            UnTucked
                                            Joined:

                                            @neph93:

                                            @UnTucked:

                                            The CW C65 Trident Vintage is nice!

                                            https://www.christopherward.com/watches/dress/c65-trident-vintage

                                            Oh helllllloooooo [emoji7]

                                            About the same price as the Pinion Atom which is different but also nice.

                                            Exactly…

                                            When I think of a "watch", this is what is pictured in my mind..... Something along the lines of the Pinion Atom, CW C65, or Hamilton Khaki Field.

                                            In search of:
                                            IHV-04, med.
                                            IHSH-185, large
                                            IHSH-186, large (khaki, and green)

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • First post
                                              Last post
                                            Copyright Iron Heart 2025.