The (Less intimidating) Watch Thread

[IrishHeart]

@Cole I agree with you. Not that I need reminding regarding the message!

[TeflonDon]

Ok, so I found the right thread.

I just received my first diver:

I think it is a beautiful watch, and based on the first 24 hours I’ve been
reasonably lucky with precision as well.

I haven’t had luck with straps though. I think the stock bracelet is ok, but I’m looking for a good rubber strap and a nato/zulu as well. I have a couple of natos from a Danish website, they are a little disappointing. They are comfortable enough, but the nylon is very shiny, I think I would prefer something a bit more textured.

Any recommendations for straps? Preferably from an EU vendor, but I’m willing to compromise if I can get better options outside the EU.

[Giles]

Without a doubt.......

https://isofrane.com/

[endo]

On mine I like the original Seiko Prospex rubber strap.

[TeflonDon]

Great suggestions. Thanks. The Isofrane is really functional, which I like. The Seiko one is more subdued, which could also work.

It’s a bit of a jungle, a lot of producers give very little information about the rubber they use.

[Graeme]

I like the look of Erika's Originals straps, although I haven't tried one.

https://erikasoriginals.com/

[VoodooRay]

Trusty g-shock metal square.

[TeflonDon]

Brilliant, Graeme. They have the slightly more rugged look I was after.

Thanks!

[Matt]

The Brew Metric I posted earlier was a catch and release as the Chrono Regulator I wanted came back into stock…

[VoodooRay]

Buzz Rickson’s A-11 watch (seiko movement). Repro of a WWII Elgin watch.

[Matt]

Brew makes a few automatics and once they sell out they go for double on the 2nd hand market. Managed to score one on eBay for retail. The Retromatic in burgundy with a Seiko movement…

[AdamJ]

@Matt Lovely bit of kit that

[Matt]

Thank you!

[goosehd]

@Matt He's just looking for a place to stay...

[Matt]

He wants to rent that room and “borrow” the watch.

[chrisjohnnick]

My Grandfather was a pilot and a navigator in the Navy and Air Forces during WWII. The plane he was on went down somewhere over the Philippines in 1945, and he floated in the ocean for a few days before being rescued. Somewhere over the years, the Type A-11 that he wore (and was wearing at that time) found it's way into my hands. It wasn't working, and is rusted out in areas (obvs) but has always meant a lot to me. I finally found another one from the same maker (Elgin) and the same year (1944) and decided to pick it up. It is also in perfect working order and has a period-correct olive watch band on it! Beyond stoked to be wearing this piece and think of Grandpop every time I put it on!

Here's his original watch, which I have on a shelf on our family gallery wall:

And here is the one I just picked up:

[GraemeE]

This post is deleted!

[Matt]

It must have felt awesome to find the working one. Congratulations.

[IrishHeart]

@chrisjohnnick that’s a lovely watch but the back story makes it very special. Thanks for sharing.

[Mizmazzle]

Anyone ever heard of Jack Sloan watches? Pretty cool. Handmade in Colorado. He rebuilds the movements from old watches. Quartz movements but pretty cool concept. Got Morgan this whitefaced one for Xmas.

https://jacksloane.com/product/the-watch/