Watches you wear...

[_Q_]

I recently purchased a Seiko 5 desk diver type watch. The Bay had a huge sale, and I got a $375 watch for $240. It's my first automatic watch, and my God. I'm in love.

I realize it's a cheap watch, but I think this watch has turned me into a "watch guy". I can't wait to start spending too much of my money on watches going forward.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I recently purchased a Seiko 5 desk diver type watch. The Bay had a huge sale, and I got a $375 watch for $240. It's my first automatic watch, and my God. I'm in love.

I realize it's a cheap watch, but I think this watch has turned me into a "watch guy". I can't wait to start spending too much of my money on watches going forward.

Same with me. I'm so happy with my Seiko 5 that I find it hard to believe this is a "cheap" watch because it feels so good to me. I still have never even held a better watch hah. But I am starting to look around at what my next watch will be.

[Sliver]

Next one will have a bigger case and will have numbers instead of lines to make telling time that much easier. Those are the two things I've determined so far. Also, I love the NATO strap...haven't seen another strap type that appeals to me.

Also, not sure if automatic is as cool as I thought it'd be. I think a battery is just a better system. If I don't wear my watch for one day, I have to fata around with it to reset everything and that seems kind of dumb to me.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Next one will have a bigger case and will have numbers instead of lines to make telling time that much easier. Those are the two things I've determined so far. Also, I love the NATO strap...haven't seen another strap type that appeals to me.

Also, not sure if automatic is as cool as I thought it'd be. I think a battery is just a better system. If I don't wear my watch for one day, I have to fata around with it to reset everything and that seems kind of dumb to me.

Which Seiko 5 did you get? I go back and forth with my automatics but I have to be honest, that most sit in my drawer and I only wear them for occasions. For that I appreciate ones that have hacking. I will always stop the watch with the second hand at 12:00 and then put it back in my drawer. When I decide to wear it one morning, I'll just quickly set the time and start the watch again with a shake or wind for good measure.

Otherwise during covid, I haven't worn an automatic at all. I've just been wearing my casio solar watches.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Which Seiko 5 did you get? I go back and forth with my automatics but I have to be honest, that most sit in my drawer and I only wear them for occasions. For that I appreciate ones that have hacking. I will always stop the watch with the second hand at 12:00 and then put it back in my drawer. When I decide to wear it one morning, I'll just quickly set the time and start the watch again with a shake or wind for good measure.

Otherwise during covid, I haven't worn an automatic at all. I've just been wearing my casio solar watches.

This is mine:

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by InglewoodFan

I bought my Speedy for similar reasons, I hit a big career achievement and it was my reward for all the time I put into it. I will eventually buy one more "nice" watch because I have two sons and want to pass one to each. At this point I have no idea what I want though.

I googled that JLC you have DoubleF and that is a goddamn gorgeous watch. As is the brown Rolex above.

Thanks! TBH, I didn't love it when I first saw it, but after a while, I really liked it. I should post a pic. I don't think I've ever put a pic of it in this thread before.

Originally Posted by _Q_

I recently purchased a Seiko 5 desk diver type watch. The Bay had a huge sale, and I got a $375 watch for $240. It's my first automatic watch, and my God. I'm in love.

I realize it's a cheap watch, but I think this watch has turned me into a "watch guy". I can't wait to start spending too much of my money on watches going forward.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Inexpensive is not the same as "cheap". I always enjoy a good conversation with someone who has interest in horology/are proud of their watch vs some ass who is using their piece to look down on others. Go with whatever you like. I love conversations with people who can describe why they like their watch, their purchase process and what the watch means to them.

I met a guy once who literally responded to me that his watch likely was worth a third if not half my yearly salary. He can go suck a spikey cactus and die in a fire.

Someone chased me down from across the room to ask if he could see and hold my cocktail time so he could admire it in person to decide if he wanted to add it to his collection. This dude wore a Rolex Submariner and we swapped stories.

If I met you in person and I was wearing my crown jewel watch, I'd probably let you hold it in person if the circumstances were right. I'd murder you if you dropped it, but I wouldn't lord it over you. I don't think I'm totally unique in that regards either... minus the recent pandemic/germaphobe development.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought both of these for less than $200 each. They retail for just over $300 each. I got in a dad bling mood and chased these two watches when the opportunity arose. At the moment, because kids, I friggen love these two over my automatics. Keep your eyes open for deals, be open to used and you can get something really nice without breaking the bank.



Including gifted watches, only my JLC and my Seiko cocktail time have ever cost more than $300 CAD. More than half were less than $200. The cocktail time was a gift from my wife when I got my designation. I own about a dozen watches and I wear them regularly.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I recently purchased a Seiko 5 desk diver type watch. The Bay had a huge sale, and I got a $375 watch for $240. It's my first automatic watch, and my God. I'm in love.

I realize it's a cheap watch, but I think this watch has turned me into a "watch guy". I can't wait to start spending too much of my money on watches going forward.

Not sure if all Seiko 5s are the same, but I love how on Sundays the day of the week, "SUN" is red (all other days the font is white). Maybe all 5s are like that? Maybe all watches are like that? Either way, I feel like my watch looks its coolest on Sundays.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Sliver

This is mine:

I got the all navy blue one when the Bay had a massive sale a couple months ago. I believe I got it for under 200. I love it. I wound up with too many Seiko's I think.

[Sliver]

Hey is there a certain point (style/quality/brand/price) where a NATO strap starts to be considered a little gauche?

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Sliver

This is mine:

I got this one myself

Spoiler!

Originally Posted by Sliver

Not sure if all Seiko 5s are the same, but I love how on Sundays the day of the week, "SUN" is red (all other days the font is white). Maybe all 5s are like that? Maybe all watches are like that? Either way, I feel like my watch looks its coolest on Sundays.

Yup, mine also does Saturday in blue. The one thing I don't love, however is how easily the Hardlex crystal scratches. I was seriously considering a Seiko Cocktail time as my next watch, however, after seeing how easily I scratched up my 5, I'm reconsidering.

I might get a more rugged, field watch next like the Hamilton Khaki King

Spoiler!

Or the Seiko Alpinist

Spoiler!

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I got this one myself

Spoiler!

Yup, mine also does Saturday in blue. The one thing I don't love, however is how easily the Hardlex crystal scratches. I was seriously considering a Seiko Cocktail time as my next watch, however, after seeing how easily I scratched up my 5, I'm reconsidering.

I might get a more rugged, field watch next like the Hamilton Khaki King

Spoiler!

Or the Seiko Alpinist

Spoiler!

Crazy. My Seiko 5 hasn't scratched at all and I don't baby it. Just bad luck with some bad bonks for you, or else I've been lucky.

I like Hamilton Khakis a lot, but are they all 40mm case (or whatever it's called)? I've got big hands so have to be careful with smaller cases as they can look a bit silly on me, I think.

[Sliver]

I really like how our turny dial is at 4 o'clock on our Seiko 5s. I'm worried with a dial at 3 o'clock it would annoy me when I bend my hand back. I just don't have enough watch experience to know a bunch of stuff I wish I knew.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Hey is there a certain point (style/quality/brand/price) where a NATO strap starts to be considered a little gauche?

Let's just say that there are people who put a Nato strap on an Omega and it works just fine. I've seen Nato strap work well with a suit and it obviously can match with other styles of clothing. It's very versatile.

The only time I can recall a Nato strap look out of place is obvious color and pattern clashes and when the strap is obviously dirty and frayed/ratty.

You mentioned a comment on you previous post. There's something about the smooth sweeping movement of the second hand that's soothing vs the stop and go ticking of a quartz/solar/kinetic watches. It's often the one thing I'd really want to add to these watches.

Originally Posted by _Q_

I got this one myself

Spoiler!

Yup, mine also does Saturday in blue. The one thing I don't love, however is how easily the Hardlex crystal scratches. I was seriously considering a Seiko Cocktail time as my next watch, however, after seeing how easily I scratched up my 5, I'm reconsidering.

I might get a more rugged, field watch next like the Hamilton Khaki King

Spoiler!

Or the Seiko Alpinist

Spoiler!

One thing I will say about the Cocktail time is that the domed glass is pretty amazing to behold. Entry level for domed glass is probably the Orient Bambino (Can be had for <$200). Keep your eyes out on the Amazon fashion sales. Stuff goes on sale for like 20-40% and watches get included in those discounts.

Preventing scratches is a hard thing to do for watches. Somehow, it just happens. All I do and can really do is to prevent impacts and major damage. I've successfully buffed out scratches on some straps before, but I've never tried for the glass.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

One thing I will say about the Cocktail time is that the domed glass is pretty amazing to behold.

Ya it is pretty nice. Picked this up from one of the Bay sales, not sure how i feel about the blue band but it's a very nice face and the crystal is pretty cool.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Sliver

This is mine:

I bought the Seiko 5 Pepsi (also from The Bay during a sale). I really shouldn't have since I have an SKX 007 but I really wanted a hacking movement while the SKX 007 does not hack.

Unfortunately, I banged the crystal into a quartz table in the office kitchen and now there's a huge chip in the middle.

I've been putting off getting a domed sapphire crystal for it but maybe I'll swap crystals this winter.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

One thing I will say about the Cocktail time is that the domed glass is pretty amazing to behold. Entry level for domed glass is probably the Orient Bambino (Can be had for <$200). Keep your eyes out on the Amazon fashion sales. Stuff goes on sale for like 20-40% and watches get included in those discounts.

Preventing scratches is a hard thing to do for watches. Somehow, it just happens. All I do and can really do is to prevent impacts and major damage. I've successfully buffed out scratches on some straps before, but I've never tried for the glass.

I have a Presage Cocktail time but I find it's too big at 40mm. I might end up selling it. It's the same problem with my Orient Bambino.

I think the sweet spot is around 36-38mm.

I have used a dremel and diamond polish to buff out scratches in a watch crystal and I've also used it with metal polish to buff out a scratch in a titanium watch. It's not for the faint of heart through! I find Seiko hardlex the worst offender as its easily scratched compared to Sapphire and it's just so that Seiko can save some money. For watches with softer acrylic crystals, some polywatch or even cheaper - brasso from walmart does the trick.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Hey is there a certain point (style/quality/brand/price) where a NATO strap starts to be considered a little gauche?

Sean Connery as 007 wore a nato strap on a Rolex starting the Bond Nato cliche in the hobby.

[Winsor_Pilates]

I have the Bond nato for my Omega Speedmaster. I like wearing it in the summer for a more casual look for T shirt season.
Don't think I'd pull it off with a white tuxedo though.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I have the Bond nato for my Omega Speedmaster. I like wearing it in the summer for a more casual look for T shirt season.
Don't think I'd pull it off with a white tuxedo though.

Have you even tried though?

[_Q_]

Just a heads up, looks like The Bay has a sale on all their watches again.

I'm seriously considering picking this watch up.

https://www.thebay.com/product/seiko...BoCL04QAvD_BwE