Poor man's watch thread

[ljl]

Going through my watch collection and I think I came up with a box worth of “keepers”. I might put together one more box of keepers, or at least watches that aren’t a priority to sell.

Other than the Speedy (which I don’t think I’m 100% committed to), it’s sort of interesting that most of the ones I really want to keep are squarely in the “poor man’s” price range, particularly the Orange Monster, SBBN007 Tuna, the G-Shock, and Marathon TSAR.

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Awesome collection here @Michigan Planner! Thanks for sharing. Curious about your take on the Sinns..

And those Helsons look cool, have always liked what I've seen online.

 

[ljl]

Brown Alpinist with a Ratio Clothing cord shirt.

 

[New Shoes1]

I'm pretending that I did not see that Sinn EZM3 in @Michigan Planner 's short timer picture.

 

[Michigan Planner]

Awesome collection here @Michigan Planner! Thanks for sharing. Curious about your take on the Sinns..

And those Helsons look cool, have always liked what I've seen online.

I’ve had a bunch of Sinns over the years and the quality is always top notch. They’re generally on the chunkier side of things but always very well made and next to indestructible.

The U1 was my entry into Sinn, and the first higher-end watch I ever bought, and I always loved it. It definitely has a unique look, with its LEGO-looking hands, and while I held onto it for years, I eventually started wearing it less and less. My tastes changed and it was just a little too big and too heavy. When they introduced the U50 though it was a no-brainer. Sold the U1 and bought a U50. Much more wearable size for me but with the same great look. Both are still great watches though.

If I had a complaint though about the Sinns it would be that the lume is always a little weak - doesn’t matter if it’s a diver or a pilot watch.

 

[Michigan Planner]

Speaking of Sinn, here’s an old photo of my 356 with a copper dial. This one might be the most unique dial I’ve seen on a Sinn I sold it in ‘15 or ‘16 and it’s definitely one of those sales I regret more than others.

 

[Jazzmenco]

Zimbe 15

 

[ljl]

Speaking of Sinn, here’s an old photo of my 356 with a copper dial. This one might be the most unique dial I’ve seen on a Sinn I sold it in ‘15 or ‘16 and it’s definitely one of those sales I regret more than others.

That looks pretty cool!

 

[Nealjpage]

A recent project was this Bulova Royal Clipper from 1960. Cost me $25. On the original expando bracelet. My servicing was the first time it had been worked on. Sadly the crown leaked and the dial has some water damage.

Original cost was $59.50 ($69.50 in some advertisements).

Adjusting for inflation, that Bulova would cost approximately $600 today, something I certainly couldn't afford.

 

[Nealjpage]

Odds and ends including some vintage divers. There are a few in here that would be low priority to sell. I really like the all metal G-Shock and a couple of the Helsons, but most of the rest… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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That Citizen on the green strap is 🤌

 

[Nealjpage]

My “fancier” watches I should start selling off to fund that Rolex Explorer I’ve always wanted…

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That Doxa!

 

[Pandaros]

Visited my parents last weekend and had a look through some of my now long deceased grandfather's things.

I didn't think to take it with me, but he had a Seiko 5. I can't find out a lot about it, but it's this model and this colour iirc:

How is it as a watch? Obviously won't be thrown away, but I wonder whether I should have brought it with me to include in the rotating collection.

 

[Michigan Planner]

@Pandaros - Seiko 5 watches are pretty solid. They may not be the most accurate watches out there but I recall reading that they are pretty easily and inexpensively regulated by a competent watchmaker to get some better accuracy out of them if you wanted to. The bracelet is probably trash but tons of replacements out there (and I think an inexpensive leather strap works on that one pretty nicely).

I really like a lot of those older Seiko 5 watches (before the switch to the current logo) and had one for a long time. I actually still have it but it's in a bunch of pieces since I used it to try my hand at watch modding... I was not successful.

 

[Jazzmenco]

Green Zodiac today

 

[Nealjpage]

Visited my parents last weekend and had a look through some of my now long deceased grandfather's things.

I didn't think to take it with me, but he had a Seiko 5. I can't find out a lot about it, but it's this model and this colour iirc:

How is it as a watch? Obviously won't be thrown away, but I wonder whether I should have brought it with me to include in the rotating collection.

If you're looking to learn watch repair, those older Seikos are excellent places to start. I have a half dozen and like them a lot.

 

[Nealjpage]

In fact, here's a Seiko 5 Sportsmatic from 1965. It needs a new crystal but those are rarer than rocking horse ****.