The (Less intimidating) Watch Thread

[Matt]

So as expected, I’m in the rabbit hole currently and have made it my mission to pick one of these Seikos to be my first. I love the Captain Willard’s that have been mentioned above but have also turned my eye to a few more budget friendly options.

The top one is vintage and is what I’m leaning towards but the second one is a 55th anniversary model commemorating the first Seiko 5 Sport. It’s the least expensive of the bunch but is still pretty cool imo (uneducated as that may be)…

[Giles]

I like that top one....

[Twistlock]

+1 the vintage

[endo]

^ what they said

[Cole]

I like the top one better as well. The dial on the lower one is to "busy" for my taste.

[Cole]

After the first high of receiving the SPB237J1 is over I am honestly dissapointed by Seiko's QC.

The bezel inlay and the chapterring are misaligned. The pictures below are one click difference.

If it was a watch from a local dealer I would simply return it and ask for a replacement with better alignment. But I had this one send over from Japan and even though the seller is willing to pay the return shipping cost, I allready payed Import value added tax and custom fees and the german custom agency is not know for giving back money willingly.

This sucks, since the watch realy is beautyful, but this misalignment can not be unseen.

[IrishHeart]

@Matt definitely the top one for me, but depending on how ‘budget friendly’ they are, they are different enough to get both, and put one away for Christmas!

[IrishHeart]

@Cole that’s frustrating. 99% of people will never notice, especially on the wrist, but it’s the type of detail that can drive a watch geek mad once you have spotted it.

[goosehd]

@Cole On some watches that ring can be removed and then installed so that it will align correctly and from my understanding a fairly simple fix. Might want to check with a local watchmaker to see what can be done before giving up hope.

I have a watch with a similar issue and it drives me a bit nuts…It is on my list of things to fix when I send it in for a service.

[Matt]

@Cole that would frustrate me as well. I like @goosehd’s idea though. Failing that what do you want for it?

Agreed on the vintage model. It seems to be I. Pretty good shape as well. And @IrishHeart getting both would still be under a grand so that’s not been ruled out either.

[Anesthetist]

@Cole not to be a downer but Seiko is almost famous for rough crowns and misaligned bezels.
It’s still a phenomenal watch, I would just wear it and enjoy it myself.

[Anesthetist]

Case in point, here is a listing for one on Chrono24 w the same issue.

[Cole]

@Anesthetist Yes, I was looking for solutions an YouTube and one guy fixed his and the best comment was: "Now no one is going to belive you that it is a real Seiko".

Admittedly I entertain the thought to just keep it, because it realy is a beautiful watch. The pictures I took don't do it justice.

When I visited the Seiko botique near our office today, they said something about acceptable tollerances, that made me shake my head. The swiss guys from Omega would rather throw themselfs into their swiss chees knifes then tell me something about acceptable tollerances if my Seamaster bezel was misaligned like that.

[Matt]

I made an offer on the 71 Speed Timer and the seller countered with a fair price so it’s on its way to me!

[IrishHeart]

@Matt congratulations. That’s a nice watch.

[Matt]

Thanks! I’m very excited. I fear this may be the start of a moderately priced watch collection. I’ve got a few other ones calling to me as we speak.

[Matt]

I really dig these Brew watches from NY. I’ve been reading some great things about them.

[Anesthetist]

@matt Congrats on the SpeedTimer, it is a lovely watch.
@Cole for what Omega costs they damn better be as perfect as a mass produced watch can be! If the Willard were mine I would wear it a love it.

[WhiskeySandwich]

This is my “fancy” Orient. Not sure why I don’t wear it as much as my other, maybe because the Ray II is already scratched up.

[Cole]

I followed your advice, @Anesthetist.