[girishv]

Originally Posted by amvj

I just ordered the White dial pilot with Blue hands. It looks exactly same as the limited edition White dial pilot, which I was looking for years.

I checked second hand of the same watch many months ago and sellers were selling them for Rs: 10K - 20K.

You mean this? Switched from blue dial to this for nostalgic reason as I remember my dad using a similar watch.

BTW, I paid 3366 for the watch at the store.

[amvj]

Originally Posted by girishv

You mean this? Switched from blue dial to this for nostalgic reason as I remember my dad using a similar watch.
Between paid 3366 for the watch at the store.

Yup, this one. Looks gorgeous.

Search google for HMT limited edition Pilot and it looks same as yours. I believe only 500 White dial with blue hands Pilots were made.

In my humble opinion that this is the crowning jewel of the HMT Pilot range. Looks utterly beautiful.

Please post a close up shot of the Blue dial Pilot (Same as above). Thanks in advance.

[avi550m]

I’m a digital watches kinda guy, so my collection has mostly been Casio’s.

[amvj]

An interesting read about this limited edition Pilot:

https://www.thetimebum.com/2013/10/c...t-limited.html

https://www.thetimebum.com/2013/10/i...lks-about.html

[avi550m]

Originally Posted by Lambro

Am a sucker for all things Casio, got a new Seiko SKX Pepsi recently ... good to see likeminded folks here

Can I know your wrist size. I am really interested in picking up a Casioak but am unsure if it will be too large, since I have a 6.25 inch wrist. I normally wear the 5600 squares and they fit perfectly.

[arindambasu13]

Originally Posted by avi550m

I’m a digital watches kinda guy, so my collection has mostly been Casio’s.

Nice collection. The next one to fill that empty slot should definitely the Casio G-Shock GBX 100. Possibly in the teal and black colour. It looks fab and the screen clarity and level of detail is really something else. Would encourage you to consider it when the time comes to upgrade!

Here is the link - https://www.casio-intl.com/asia/en/w...ail/GBX-100-2/

[poloman]

My HMT collection. All of these were acquired around 5 years back. The Janata on the left is my favorite and the most beautiful watch I ever owned. It is extremely difficult to find this model now a days. Even the devanagiri model on the right is not available any more in this avatar.

[girishv]

Originally Posted by amvj

An interesting read about this limited edition Pilot:

https://www.thetimebum.com/2013/10/c...t-limited.html

https://www.thetimebum.com/2013/10/i...lks-about.html

Thank you, it is a nice read.
After going through the links, I checked the back of my pilot and found that it's not part of the 500, but was made only last year.

Will post the blue one once I reach home tomorrow.

Need to change the strap as the strap that came with the watch is very hard. Any pointers?

[amvj]

Originally Posted by girishv

Thank you, it is a nice read.
After going through the links, I checked the back of my pilot and found that it's not part of the 500, but was made only last year.

....Need to change the strap as the strap that came with the watch is very hard. Any pointers?

I bought few NATO straps from https://www.cheapestnatostraps.com/. I find the quality is good, but since they are shipped from Sweden, it takes 2 to 3 weeks to get.

[AZT]

Originally Posted by avi550m

I’m a digital watches kinda guy, so my collection has mostly been Casio’s.

Whats the model number of the bottom row left most and top row third. I'm tempted to pickup another G shock looking at these Haha

[avi550m]

Originally Posted by AZT

Whats the model number of the bottom row left most and top row third. I'm tempted to pickup another G shock looking at these Haha

Bottom row left most is A168WGG-1A, top row middle is A168WEM-1DF

[amvj]

I just got my HMT watches today, which I have ordered online. One Janata and two pilots (one with leather strap and other with metal strap) but same dial. I love this white dial Pilot so much I bought two. Call me paranoid, even if I accidentally damage one, I will have another. I prefer simpler, cleaner dial over busy ones with multiple concentric circles which I never use them. Even I don't want the date, day function. They never seem to function properly.

I don't know how long HMT will exist. From what I heard, they are making watches out of spares which they were made before. There are no "new watches". So in a few years there will not be any new HMTs.







Apologies for my terrible photography. I should have taken the photo in daylight and not under tube light. The Janata might appear ugly, but you should see the same watch (with different strap) in watchuseek forum. It is absolutely gorgeous. I will change the strap on my Janata as well.



Source: https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/h...901336/page-66
---------------

HMT is now sending the watches with tissue paper wrapped around the watch dome to prevent scratches. Also, there was a cling film type polythene sheet was applied to the watch dial to prevent scratches. Still, I have never seen any company go this much low to attach the tissue paper on watches. Looks terrible. That said, previously, one of the Pilot I got came with scratched dome glass and it didn't had the tissue that time. So it is definitely better than a scratched watch.

[noopster]

Serious question: apart from woolly sentimentalism is there any value to collecting HMT watches? Do they, for example, appreciate in value and are they perceived as collectibles with some long-term value? Asking because I see so many posts here about HMT.

[arindambasu13]

Originally Posted by noopster

Serious question: apart from woolly sentimentalism is there any value to collecting HMT watches? Do they, for example, appreciate in value and are they perceived as collectibles with some long-term value? Asking because I see so many posts here about HMT.

This is an interesting question and one which I myself have been seeking an answer to. Short answer is probably yes, but specifically for certain segment lines, like the Pilot and Janata which are popular because of their classic, Bauhaus styled clean designs which stand the test of time. Within those ranges, there are again specific models which collectors seem to be after more than others.

That said, in my personal experience, I have bought and subsequently sold two such HMTs in the last year or so, each at a decent profit percentage ( because these models are only sporadically available on the website and therefore subject to artificial scarcity). Further,the watches themselves are not of great quality, if I were to be completely honest. As compared to my mainstream collection which consists of various modern mechanical watches, HMTs seemed very flimsy and with tons of rough edges and lack of finishing. I am told that they last a long time though (at least the vintage ons do, not sure of the modern products). I overlooked these shortcomings since they were inexpensive watches to purchase. There is definitely a collectors market for them in India. I however did not like them enough to wear and keep them as part of my collection, and sold them very quickly.

It is a bit of a gamble, but that is how it is with watches. The Rolex Daytona for instance was a complete flop when launched decades back. Today, it is one of the most sought after watches in the world and even vintage pieces sell at INR 30, 50, 70 lakhs depending upon the variant, and its provenance. But these cases are few and far between, and not the norm.

[AZT]

Originally Posted by arindambasu13

I have bought and subsequently sold two such HMTs in the last year or so,

Can you tell me any forums or facebook groups where you can find reliable sellers for other watches.