Lee's Watch Thread for MM'ers of Impeccable Taste

[Ken]

With any luck, no one will see it.

:lol:

[WRXtranceformed]

Oh man, Joey done did it....I'm sure he will post up some pics here shortly

I forgot to post this here. I knew I wanted to pick up something new to celebrate getting my job offer, and I was looking at stuff all over the map as far as price range. A Seiko Presage for close to $1k, a Steinhart diver for ~$500, and some Zeppelin/Junkers pieces in the $500 range.

When it came down to it, I'm just not quite into the hobby enough, or rich enough, to really want to spend that much on a single watch, at least not when there's so much interesting stuff out there in the sub-$300 range.

I ended up ordering the Orient Ray II in Black (I originally wanted blue but figured black was more universal) on Amazon for $170, and then promptly picked up this Strapcode Endmill/President's style bracelet with solid end links which makes the watch a lot more comfortable, less rattly, and IMO looks a little more classic and reserved. The OEM bracelet has little polished sections to contrast against the brushed and I just didn't really like the look of it.



Surprisingly it's pretty much become my daily wearer. It looks great with everything, and you can do pretty much anything with it, if it gets dirty you just wash it in the sink. It's got a fantastic weight to it and could probably double as a self defense projectile weapon if you were really in a pinch. That being said its a 41.5mm case so it wears really well on my little manlet wrists. I definitely wouldn't want to wear anything bigger.

It has an in-house Orient movement that has both hacking and manual winding which is pretty rare at this price point. I haven't been keeping an eye on it lately, but during the first 10 days of ownership I only lost 10 seconds of time, which si absolutely insane for a watch this cheap. $5,000 Grand Seiko Spring Drives use an electronic regulator to get that sort of accuracy. I'm super happy with it and it's just sold me even harder on the Orient brand. My next purchase might very well be another one of their models, maybe the Bambino or the open-heart Esteem that Ken has.

If I was really pressed to find a complaint about it, it'd be that the day indicator doesn't 100% perfectly line up in it's window, which seems to be common around this price point. I'd also love if it had a ceramic (or just high gloss) bezel, and a sapphire crystal, but you just don't get those things in a sub-$200 watch.

I actually reached out to that Yobokies guy that does all the crazy SKX modifications about bezel options, but the only thing he can do is sell me a modified SKX bezel which would allow me to use a wide range of aftermarket inserts, but the SKX bezel sits much higher and doesn't slope down towards the edges of the case, which is one of the reasons I bought the Ray over the SKX in the first place, so w/e.

:thumbup: :thumbup: Love hearing your experience so far with the versatility and awesomeness of divers. It's amazing how well a nice bracelet completely changes a watch, I'm glad you pulled the trigger on that!

I have really enjoyed wearing my Aurora, it's getting a lot of wrist time lately. It seems to be settling down to about +/- 10s a day depending on how I rest it at night which is on the better end of its expected specs.

The beastly Deep Blue is still out getting warranty serviced for a broken crown so I haven't had the chance to install my Yobokies' Beads of Rice bracelet. I am REALLY excited to see that go on though:



My big SKX 2.0 mod build was put on hold as I waited on a clear caseback from Poland, but over 4 weeks later and a PayPal refund and I've kind of given up on it getting here. It probably got lost in the dark void of customs somewhere. It's not the end of the world but it annoyingly threw off my timeline for getting it completed by the end of this month (my birthday). Pics to come when that is finished in about a month

[WRXtranceformed]

To say I am stoked is an understatement. Teaser pics from Northeast Watch Works last night:





OEM pic for "before" reference:


What was replaced:
- Stock Hardlex crystal with Yobokies double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Stock hours, minutes, seconds hands with Yobokies C3 Superluminova Type S chrome hands with orange/lumed tip seconds hand
- Stock bezel insert replaced with "Planet Ocean" style lumed bezel insert
- Stock non-hacking, non-winding 7S26 movement, stem and crown replaced with OEM Seiko hacking, hand-winding 4R63 movement / stem / crown

Looking forward to getting this back on a bracelet and a first review!

[.RJ]

Down the rabbit hole you go....

[Apoc]

Needs more plastidip.

[WRXtranceformed]

Needs more plastidip.

How about a PVD coated Rolex? (Should be a crime)

[WRXtranceformed]

Squeeeeee!

Who likes unboxing?? THIS GUY like unboxing!

Arrival pics:

OEM and watch case very carefully packaged, always appreciated:








Lume all of the things!


I really like how the elevated lumed bezel gives it a 3D look in the darkness. It's a subtle effect but really cool:


Before cleaning:




After cleaning with Veraet Watch Spray and dry with Veraet Drying Cloth / wipe with HD Cloth. I still need to take a Cape Cod cloth to the sides of the case and caseback area at some point and maybe use a small toothbrush to fully clean inside the jubilee links, but I will say that spray is incredible...a few sprays and wash under running water and it took out most of the crud that had built up:





I am super pleased with the work that was done. The movement winds and sets super smoothly. I went ahead and logged its first data point in WatchCheck so I will report back at some point with it's measured accuracy. I just really appreciate being able to hand wind and hack the movement!​

I kind of took a flier on the bezel / crystal combo and while I loved how it turned out, it would be interesting to see how this would look with a "bubble boy" / thick bubble domed sapphire crystal. It would probably bring the glass up more flush with the bezel and make it a little easier to keep clean. The gap doesn't bother me, I actually prefer the sapphire to be protected and to let the bezel / bezel insert take the hit if I ding something.

So yeah I will post back some thoughts after living with it for a week or so!

[WRXtranceformed]

Deep Blue Daynight diver came back in the mail from service today! Can't say enough about DB and their customer service. I shipped out just the watch case (no bracelet) and they shipped it back to me in flawless condition (no marks at all on it) and even included a free DB travel case and fitted it to a free green / black DB nato strap! Wow



Fitted the Beads of Rice bracelet I've had waiting on it almost immediately (this thing is a PITA to size btw)






This is the most beastly watch I own but that bracelet really set it off and makes it wear more comfortably...probably the most comfortable metal bracelet I own.

The SKX mod is settling in to -1.5-2 sec/day so far, not bad after some minor wear!!

[WRXtranceformed]

So as part of a fun birthday weekend, wifey and I stopped by a pre-owned luxury watch dealer here that has gotten really good reviews. I like to window shop for stuff I am too frugal to actually buy, but I also like to track resale markets when I get really involved in a hobby like this. If you remember, I had been keeping an updated Google doc with pricing on several different models of interest (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vab6WhskfiRmQVKEi8kX2ZDx2_iqIgcqm1Z-hOZSUSE/edit#gid=0">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0</a><!-- m -->) as well as my own personal trade tracking history but I wanted to also see what the more traditional retailer / high end pawn market looks like. Plus, there's no substitute for actually trying something out that's really expensive before you buy.

I tried on a few Breitlings (there are only a few models I really like of theirs), a few Omega planet oceans, and then came the Rolex case. Tried on an anniversary-edition green bezel Submariner:


It's nice but carried a hefty premium ($10k+ even used) because it's a sought after model. Also tried on a DSSD out of curiosity because I am used to wearing bigger/thicker watches:


It was way thicker than it looks though and is just weird, did not wear comfortably and is definitely more of a "tool" watch as far as expensive watches go (ie something James Cameron would take down with him filming underwater trenches)

I noticed a few of my "grail" watches in the case, several older GMT Master IIs in both stainless and two tone but the older models don't stand out as much, they look more primitive. Then the guy says they have a back room with more Rolexes and asked if I wanted to see them. Sure I said. Big mistake that was. I try on the newer green hand and Batman:




Instantly I became drunk with power. I was transported to a place where I could smell exotic old lady perfumes and the oil-drippings of the restored classic cars in the six car garage, hear the inner-office whisperings of the hedge fund manager trying to weasel more money out of retired investors for his ponzi scheme. I felt like I had just tried on the dang Ring of Power and was mentally transformed into a shriveled, withering Gollum.

It did not help that my wife was like "um that looks amazing on you, go ahead and get it". Thank God my sensibility and pragmatic nature took over as I was mildly shaking when I pried them off my wrist. It was then and there that the GMT Master cemented itself as the top spot on my list; there is no Navitimer Blue Sky, there is no orange bezel Planet Ocean XL, there is no Submariner...there is only The One.

I decided that I would start building a "kitty" for that type of watch (as Mike Brewer calls it in Wheeler Dealers) with any pieces I have that are not currently getting wrist time or that I had on the docket to trade, so my TAG is up for sale (if anyone is interested, I give you special MM love you long time price: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-tag-2000-professional-blue-dial-recently-serviced-lightly-restored-4285402.html">http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-tag ... 85402.html</a><!-- m -->). I justified it to myself that if I set money aside little by little eventually I will get there and not feel bad about the big purchase. The things we do for love!

[SlimKlim]

I vote for the green hand Master II. Then come to NOVA so I can try it on.

[DavidL]

I vote for the green hand Master II. Then come to NOVA so I can try it on.

Agree. Annnd agree.

I sat next to a guy on a flight a couple of weeks ago who happened to be wearing one of my grail watches (Polar Explorer II). I made the mistake of asking him about it and he let me try it on.... oh lawdy. In talking about how nice it feels on wrist he says, oh if you like this one you will have to try on my Panerai too....

[WRXtranceformed]

I vote for the green hand Master II. Then come to NOVA so I can try it on.

Agree. Annnd agree.

I sat next to a guy on a flight a couple of weeks ago who happened to be wearing one of my grail watches (Polar Explorer II). I made the mistake of asking him about it and he let me try it on.... oh lawdy. In talking about how nice it feels on wrist he says, oh if you like this one you will have to try on my Panerai too....

Very good choice! That is one of my old bosses favorite daily drivers, he loves it. I'm a big fan too, would definitely rock one regularly if I had the means

[BLINGMW]

I try on the newer green hand...

So from what I can see, the second hand is green. Am I missing something else? I mean, that's incredible. It's GREEN.

[WRXtranceformed]

I try on the newer green hand...

So from what I can see, the second hand is green. Am I missing something else? I mean, that's incredible. It's GREEN.

Generally it's really hard to describe how high quality a Rolex is until you feel and see one in person. It's kind of like looking at a picture of a Picasso on the internet and being like "meh my 4 year old could do that".

Perfection is the one thing that separates them from every other watch maker (and recently gave them the best brand reputation in the world out of all companies: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.rankingthebrands.com/The-Brand-Rankings.aspx?rankingID=248&year=1144">https://www.rankingthebrands.com/The-Br ... &year=1144</a><!-- m -->). Every single inch of a Rolex watch is finished to absolute perfection, the edges, the weight, the feel, the little touches (like the perfectly applied green color on the GMT hand and green lettering) just like you would see on a high end sports car. I could sit here for the next hour and type out paragraph after paragraph about why the GMT Master II is an absolute masterpiece but it's one of those things you have to experience in person, if you have any inkling of appreciation for hand-built, incredibly precise and durable machinery.

[SlimKlim]

It sounds stupid but it's also a *really* pretty green when you see it in person.

[WRXtranceformed]

For you gentlemen who like thin watches, a brand I've had on the radar for a while is having a 35% off sale:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.torgoen.com/watches/slim.html">https://www.torgoen.com/watches/slim.html</a><!-- m -->

Use code SLIM35, makes it about $279 shipped. Sapphire crystal, accurate Swiss Rhonda movement, Richard Bronsons watch of choice if the star power matters to you

[davej]

For you gentlemen who like thin watches, a brand I've had on the radar for a while is having a 35% off sale:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.torgoen.com/watches/slim.html">https://www.torgoen.com/watches/slim.html</a><!-- m -->

Use code SLIM35, makes it about $279 shipped. Sapphire crystal, accurate Swiss Rhonda movement, Richard Bronsons watch of choice if the star power matters to you

They've got some nice looking stuff, but I'm going to go back to pretending you're not selling a Tag I've been wanting for years.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[SlimKlim]

Hey Derecola, did you get your Undone watch(es) yet? How are you liking them?

[Apoc]

Hey Derecola, did you get your Undone watch(es) yet? How are you liking them?

Not yet. They got way more Kickstart backers than expected and had a gasket production problem, so orders were delayed. They asked everyone to wait until the end of April before emailing, which I did a few days ago. Supposedly, my order will ship next week. They've been pretty communicative over the last few months, which is a rarity with KS campaigns, so I've got no complaints.

[SlimKlim]

Gotcha, not so bad for a KS I suppose.