Citizen Ray Mears Tough Watch - Are they really tough?

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Magentus

Settler
Oct 1, 2008
915
39
West Midlands
I've had my Citizen Eco-Drive for many years now and worn it every day - Very tough, no probs with water (showers, swimming on a few occasions). Cost me £50 from Argos about 10 years ago.
 

Duggie Bravo

Settler
Jul 27, 2013
532
124
Dewsbury
Plenty of indie servicers for Seikos, just have a look online.

I’ve asked quite a few. Apparently there is a disc inside, something to do with the automatic drive, that needs to be replaced. This is the bit you can’t get anymore, some repairers use a poor part that knackers the watch, so as it keeps good time and works fine I was advised not to get it serviced.


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Duggie Bravo

Settler
Jul 27, 2013
532
124
Dewsbury
I wouldn't trust those spring pins one bit, i have busted about 5 G shocks because of the spring pins just bending and pinging out. some have even pulled the plastic case apart too making it completely useless. at the moment my suunto vector is surviving really well.

if i had the spare cash then i would go for a CWC G10 or i had a bit more a CWC GS SAPPHIRE WATCH BLACK.[h=1]https://www.cwcwatch.com/products/cwc-gs-sapphire-watch-black[/h]
if you are looking for a nice watch at a reasonable price have a look at this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NIXGPU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

bought one for my dad and its really nice for the money, again my only gripe being spring pins......

It may have been a dodgy watch, but the last time I used a G10, it failed on day 1 of a 7 day jungle patrol. So I handed it in at the end of the patrol and bought the Seiko Diving watch.
Don’t know if it was a dodgy battery or faulty case, but I won’t use a quartz for a watch when I need to know the time/passage of time, only for a dress watch.


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Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
12,330
2,294
Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
Do nor forget, if you want extra protection for your watch, you can buy one of those leather protectors, basically a copy of what they used in WW1 and WW2.

The German manufacturer Sinn make some really strong watches.
 

hughtrimble

Full Member
Jan 23, 2012
467
81
UK/France
I’ve asked quite a few. Apparently there is a disc inside, something to do with the automatic drive, that needs to be replaced. This is the bit you can’t get anymore, some repairers use a poor part that knackers the watch, so as it keeps good time and works fine I was advised not to get it serviced.


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If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Naturally that doesn't apply to some movements, but for something like this is certainly does. Carry on until its time keeping its noticeably poor or stops entirely.


Edit: btw if you're going to rely on it being water resistant to a reasonable degree then a case rebuild (seals, maybe new crystal etc.) would of course be advisable every so often. But that doesn't have to entail a movement service, contrary to what many high street jewellers and indeed manufactures may claim.
 
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IamRon

Member
Oct 26, 2017
15
0
'Straya
Can't help you with your particular watch but one thing I do know: G-shocks survive more than most weekend warriors. Plus they are cheap to replace and no crying over sentimental value IF they do break.
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
9
Brigantia
I had one the original one. Nice, but for what they are priced at now. You want better mechanics. Or a far superior watch. Back then, when they were £280. They were expensive. Now. For £600-£700-no. They wont hold their value.

Its a solar cell watch. And old. There should b better tech out there than one from 1990's/. A sunnto core would be a much better choice and cheaper. [Our special forces use them] And on sportspursuit they sometimes come up half price.

I have an omega, which is automatic. Expensive, but at the time had a bit of dosh. Mind you at £300 a service, i never get it serviced!

Or a nice CWC

Or just a timex exped.
 
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Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
12,330
2,294
Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
Your Omega, which model/year is it?

I have a small collection of Antique and Vintage watches, been collecting for decades. Mainly WW2 era Pilots watches. German, Czech, Swedish, British.
I only service the more modern ones, the ones I wear.

If you do not wear a watch it does not have to be serviced, but it should be if you start wearing it. The oils move away/dry out, and the stems will wear out rapidly.

I love watches, little marvels of mechanics!
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
9
Brigantia
Your Omega, which model/year is it?

I have a small collection of Antique and Vintage watches, been collecting for decades. Mainly WW2 era Pilots watches. German, Czech, Swedish, British.
I only service the more modern ones, the ones I wear.

Its an omega seamaster pro, 2254.50, 2006. Its been serviced and had a couple of pins replaced, and also had the spindle replaced.

Have you still got it?

Nope. Traded it. Sorry
 

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