The cost.

[Keith_Beef]

For the past few months, I've been wearing my Seiko automatic again. It was a gift from SWMBO, probably around 1998 or so. On holiday in Martinique, my then year-old son grabbed it from a table and threw it across the room (throwing things was his favourite game at that time). It landed on the tiles floor, and the bezel around the date window popped out and jammed the hands.

A little watch and jewellery shop in Le Diamant fixed it for me in a few minutes for not much money.

About three or four years ago, the bezel popped out again, and also one of the two little bars marking the 12 o'clock position came unstuck. Probably vibration from opening and shutting the drawer is was kept in. But it was in the drawer because I almost never wore it, preferring my Packhardt wind-up... But then the mainspring broke on the Packhardt, so I took that and the Seiko to be repaired at a shop in Paris, where it cost me quite a bit more, and took three weeks.

Before taking it in for an estimate, I had a look around at the price and availability of spares for Unitas calibres, and casually dropped the price of a mainspring into the conversation when I was dropping it off to have the repair cost estimated. I'm sure that if I hadn't shown that I knew a little bit about it, the shop would have charged me even more.

So I'm back to the Seiko... A lot like the SNKL23 on Amazon, but slightly different marks on the face. The back is marked 7000-3170; I suppose this identifies the case and movement, while SNKL23 is the retail designation covering case, movement and bracelet or strap.

 

[Tiley]

It's interesting that the thread has morphed from ruminations about brands, and particularly branded clothing, to watches via opinions expressed about the (evils of the) capitalist commercial economic model, re-using, recycling and the environment.

The possession and use of a wristwatch is, perhaps, the ultimate expression of individuality and status. Being independent of the chimes of the village or town clock has meant that people enjoy greater freedom to roam farther and wider. The type and model of watch you wear can then establish your wealth, the image of yourself you wish to project and, in a dwindling number of cases, your profession.

I only expect my watch to tell me the time and, occasionally, the date. I also do not like it when the battery dies on me. So, I wear an automatic watch which has a pleasingly clear face and a certain amount of durability and water-resistance engineered into it; the fact that it happens to be British is, for me, the icing on the cake.

It always used to amuse me that only Rolex would declare their 'Oyster Perpetual' watches to be waterproof; all other manufacturers would only ever describe their products, some of which are specifically made to deal with great depths, as 'water resistant'. There's a certain, rather pleasing chutzpah about Rolex's bold assertion which has, I'm sure, contributed to the brand's allure.

 

[Janne]

Which British watch is that? Bremont?

 

[GuestD]

There's a certain, rather pleasing chutzpah about Rolex's bold assertion which has, I'm sure, contributed to the brand's allure.

Rolex are a marketing company that happen to make watches.
This front page headline from 1927 was paid for advertising.

True British watch ? Vintage Smiths, Robert Loomes, Roger W Smith, George Daniels, plus a host of other now defunct brands. Way too much smoke and mirrors surrounding some of the modern stuff.

 

[Billy-o]

A while back I suddenly found myself a bit flush and had just discovered Wyynchester. Most of you will have seen the lovely but pricy Aussie Swag.

https://www.wynnchester.com/product/patrol-pack/

£75 looks like a good deal for that thing

 

[Corso]

They do seem to be more expensive on ebay these days - terrible pack mind the leather strap cut you to pieces

The swedish version is much better

 

[Billy-o]

I keep looking at canvas packs, kind of dementedly really. I have a relatively recently acquired Duluth Scoutmaster in white, which I like alot and which I also thought was going to kill the bug. But no. Still I keep looking and longing. I am about to buy some beeswax and give it a good soak, in the hope that'll see off the itch. Might work; not holding my breath though.

 

[Nice65]

£75 looks like a good deal for that thing

He’s not too bad really. I paid £50 for the holdall. It’s a fair bit for ex military, but washed, waxed, new zip, and stitching I don’t begrudge it at all. There’s no way anything modern would have that glorious distressed, worn look to it. I just recently used it for a stay in the hospital, I probably had 5 people ask me about it and I wasn’t exactly tarting it about either. I’ll do a pic later, it’s a splendid scruffy thing.

 

[Broch]

I feel naked without my watch...

You should wear it on your wrist like everyone else

 

[Tiley]

Which British watch is that? Bremont?

Yes - a Supermarine S500.

Having tried most of the 'big name' brands in watches over the years - IWC, Omega, Rolex, Breitling - I think I've finally found a watch that I like, with no thought to the brand or its cost.

 

[GuestD]

A few years ago "Planet X" a bicycle seller started stocking Frost River packs etc, they ended up discounting them heavily. I bought some packs from them, just in case. It often pays to do a Google image search when you are looking for a specific product, as possibly a bicycle shop wouldn't be the normal place to look for "bushcraft" bags.

 

[Tiley]

You should wear it on your wrist like everyone else

!

 

[GuestD]

the fact that it happens to be British is, for me, the icing on the cake.

Yes - a Supermarine S500.

Does this not contain a modified ETA 2836-2 movement ?

 

[Janne]

Yes - a Supermarine S500.

Having tried most of the 'big name' brands in watches over the years - IWC, Omega, Rolex, Breitling - I think I've finally found a watch that I like, with no thought to the brand or its cost.

Nice.
Their detail quality is outstanding.

Sadly, I collect watches. Have a few modern ones ( less than 15 year old) but my main interest is WW2 era pilots and navigators watches. Mainly German, Austrian and Czech.
Searching now for an Hanhart that is not stupidly expensive and the IWC B-uhr.

Yes, Bremont use modified ETA's, but the modifications are extensive.
A bit like some Sinn watches.

Good 'tractor' movements. Hugely underrated.

 

[Broch]

Sadly, I collect watches. Have a few modern ones ( less than 15 year old) but my main interest is WW2 era pilots and navigators watches. Mainly German, Austrian and Czech.

Ooh, just the man

The two watches below were given to me when I was about seven. I was told they were both 'pilot's' watches from WWII. The one on the right is obviously a Bulova, the one on the left doesn't have a makers name on it and is in a silver case. Interestingly (to me as a total ignorant) is the you adjust the time by pressing a little tiny protected button under the winder (just visible in the photo). It has hand painted luminous dots and the '12'. Any idea what it is?

I have a second hand to fit to it but, because I don't think it's original, I'm in two minds whether to put it on or not.

They both work by the way



Sorry, we've drifted way off topic but seen as the OP is playing along I guess it's OK

 

[Nice65]

Yes - a Supermarine S500.

Having tried most of the 'big name' brands in watches over the years - IWC, Omega, Rolex, Breitling - I think I've finally found a watch that I like, with no thought to the brand or its cost.

Cripes! Lovely watch, price caused a sharp intake of breath. Good on you

 

[GuestD]

both 'pilot's' watches from WWII.

the one on the left is earlier, a picture of the movement could help identify its age. The Bulova of the period. Again a.picture of the movement would help identify its age.

If it was issued by the British armed forces it would probably have these, or similar markings on the caseback.

 

[Janne]

The Bulova looks indeed like an A-11 issued watch.
I need to see a good photo of the case back, and the movement. There should be an inner caseback oo, but those are usually missing.

The right hand one looks like a converted (ladies) pocketwatch, this was done quite a lot a end of WW1 to the early 1930's.

Again, a picture of the movement and I can try to find out more, including dating.

Watch manufacturers AND watch makers did these 'conversions'.
The German Beobachter ( Navigators) watches have high precision pocket watch movements.

Happy day today, my wife is returning on the BA flight, she had to sort out her passport, and she is bringing back a handful och watches I had restored/serviced/refurbished by watchmaker master Buse in Germany.
An very early (A dial) Laco and an early Lange also with an A dial.
Hen's teeth.
I was lucky.

 

[Janne]

Deekin, you are a collector too?

Nice Omega! Ex RAF?

 

[Broch]

Ta both; I will investigate further