Happy Friday all


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No chance getting on the list for a Blue Bay so this'll have to do...


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New strap day - Uncle Seiko 1171.

Feels properly vintage with just the right amount of jangliness.

Fits a modern Speedy too for some of the #throwback vibes, but wore a little too large for me so I put it back on NATO.

This post has been edited by Chinoz: Jul 29 2020, 09:53 PM


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2 reasons I avoided getting an Omega 1171 - cost, and some say the 633 endlinks don't fit the SM300 well and needs to be filed down to size.

I also have an Omega 20mm mesh bracelet somewhere at home (apparently even bracelet prices appreciate ) that came with the SM300 which looked good but felt silly on my wrists.

I got a promo code with my US1171 btw, happy to PM you if you're looking at getting a US.

This post has been edited by Chinoz: Aug 3 2020, 06:30 PM

Lockdown means all the automatics go back into the box...


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Probably a function of age as well.

Where before, a souped up Japanese hot hatch might be a perfect daily, we all move on towards Conti luxo barges as we age, since our backs are not getting any better haha.

I did try one some gold/rose gold pieces at the shop before but it didn't match my skin tone well, so I've always stuck with SS (fortunately).

But to answer your original question, I grew up wearing a watch, so I see it more like putting on underwear rather than jewellery.

I tend to go for under-the-radar pieces anyway so not much bling to begin with.

If monetary considerations were taken out of the picture, my vote would go to the 202. It is a THE RO, the E-type, the 240Z, heck even the 2000GT of the watch world.
The right size, the right dial balance, the right proportions.

Downside of the 202 is that:
- service cost tends to be higher (I believe everything still needs to come out through the crystal?)
- movement not as robust as the latest and greatest
- no quick set date and no seconds hand, so depends on how OCD you are about setting the absolute right time/date

With the 400/500, they have their quirks.
The 400 was a right movement shoved into a wrong sized case, and that shows from the strange caseback proportions and date window placement and also the elongated hour markers.

The 500, with its new c4302 movement, fixed that but it has now become thicker.
I'm also not a fan of the new barren-look dial and the seconds hand.

Congratulations on the new piece! I don't think you could've done wrong with either models in any case.

The way I see it, what's good for the brand is good for the collectors as well.
Young blood is always good for a brand's longevity and it greases the wheels to keep churning out good, reliable products down the road.

Yes, some pieces in the range are unobtainium for now, but if you've been collecting for long enough, you'd know that trends come and go so it's only a matter of waiting it out.
It also gives you an opportunity to look at other brands, which you may have previously overlooked because you were silo-ed into looking into any one particular brand/range (this is my own experience).

What's happening today is unfortunate for collectors who might only add one piece every 5-10 years due to having a mature enough stable.
But this lot of people also know what they're after and don't have to go on chasing every other hot model in town.
My personal pet peeve is seeing someone with an arm full of 6-digit SS refs and proclaiming how they've been in love with the brand since like forever

Lazy Sunday afternoon, potatoes gonna potate.


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Yeah, it was all I could afford back then

First saw this combo on WUS by Dixan from way back. I tried but unfortunately I don't think I'm stylish enough to pull it off!

Imo if it's just a regular service, nothing wrong with it being done by a reputable watchmaker.

You hear horror stories of people sending in their watches to rsc with strict do not polish instructions, and it still comes back shiny and new.

Or the one where an all-original vintage goes in and comes out shiny and new with service parts.

If it's a modern 6-digit, I would stick with rsc, since service papers will help with any eventual sale too (although they're still so new, it shouldn't need a visit to rsc yet).
But 4-digits (and 5-digits not far behind) ref, you'll have to weigh up your options.

I say all this on the assumption that you know a reputable watchmaker who knows what they're doing.

This post has been edited by Chinoz: Sep 15 2020, 06:27 PM

1st paragraph - yes and no.
Rsc's service brief is to restore a watch to its optimum working condition.
Lume which no longer works and dials which are on the verge of flaking off are definitely not optimum in their books, so that's why they do what they do.
But then again, today's market puts a premium on things like flat 4 bezels and aph dials, so it does beg to question, who is the irrational one here?

3rd paragraph - apart from ad games, it has probably been like this for the past 10-20+ years now, except that replicas now are probably much much better than the AAA grade from back then.
I remember hearing stories as a kid of how that uncle got his arm slashed just so thieves can get to his gold Rolex

This post has been edited by Chinoz: Sep 15 2020, 11:15 PM

Supposedly some variant of the Snoopy TBA in October.

Aaaaand down the rabbit hole you go

Good thing about Omegas - you can probably even try them on before deciding

I hope the old battery has been removed or it hasn't leaked. If so, should just be a simple battery replacement.
If you're planning on bringing it near water, might be a good idea to do a pressure test as well just to make sure the seals are still up for the task.

I did my battery replacement with a 3rd party watchmaker who was familiar with Omegas, but that was outside of Msia.

Is yours the one with or without the red Seamaster text?

Some say the AP bezel, even you sneeze on it you'll get micro scratches

Bulova RO and GP Laureato are more wallet-friendly alternatives.

"Ms Secretary, cancel all my appointments for the day."