[penpavan]

Hi experts, looking to buy a Seiko Astron. Can you please help with where I should buy. How much negotiation/discount would be possible. Thanks in advance.

[Sankar]

Casio and Casio G-Shock were/are remnants of childhood wants that linger on inside the subconscious mind. The digital watch was a thing when I was in school not just any digital but either the steel cased Seiko digital or the Casio Gshock. Even after these many years the digital itch doesn't seem to fade away. This lead me to buying the ubiquitous Casio F91W sometime in the distant past and then got the G-Shock every one has, the G5600E. The timepiece part of the watch is ultra reliable. But both of them have the resin strap issue. The strap of the F91W disintegrated a long long while ago (and I don't have that watch anymore) and the strap of the 5600 have started to disintegrate. I wonder whether its due to the resin formula Casio uses or is only limited to my piece. If its the former I wonder how durable their new Biomass resins would be because I get reminded of the story of an eastern european car which goats used to feed on.



So forgetting that I have only two hands and a watch is usually worn on only one hand and that I have more watches than I have hands for I start off once again to fulfill the GShock desires. This time the heart desired the then new Mudmaster GWG1000 and ended up with it sometime later. The ultimate tool watch which can be actually useful if one goes trekking with it, like a Protrek but only more encased. I haven't used the compass part of the watch much but the altimeter/barometer and the temperature sensor was kind of useful. But truth is I am not too fond of the watch because 1)it wears too high off the wrist and 2) I should not have bought the stealth variant because its too black and 3) recently without glasses reading anything off the dial is difficult. I will probably let it go. The new GWG B1000 is... not going there The digital itch should fade away!

[Gazole]

What a great thread!

I am sharing my collection here.

Grand Seiko (Snowflake) - Spring Drive. I love the gliding second hand movement unique to the Spring Drive movement which is a mix of mechanical and quartz movements.

The Tudor Black Bay GMT - great GMT movement with a rotating dial what can do 3 timezones in theory. I am however using the rotating dial to deal with the 0.5 hr IST timezone anomaly. The case is heavy and thick, so not really for light / slim watch preferring enthusiasts.

The Longines Master , love the complications and finish on this watch , has made me respect Longines a lot more. This one with a grey sailcloth strap - came originally with a dark brown crocodile strap.

The Oris Big Crown Bronze Pilots watch. Love the beautiful Bronze patina , the unique Arabic numerals on a black dial (esp. number 4!) and the beautiful clasp (looks like a airplane seat belt clasp. The bezel and crown also themed on an airplane jet engine type style. It came with a green/olive sailcloth strap but I have replaced with a black with grey stitch sailcloth strap.

The Breitling B09 Chronograph 40 (Pistachio) , hand wound mechanical movement. The Green dial is truly unique and works great with the yellow / brown alligator strap. a very smart dress watch.

The Rolex Explorer 2 (Polar)- ref 226570. I really like the steel watches from Rolex - and when this showed up used, I could not resist. Love the White Dial with the GMT orange hand with the oyster bracelet combination! Feels very wearable everyday too.

thanks!

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by Gazole

What a great thread!

I am sharing my collection here.

Grand Seiko (Snowflake) - Spring Drive.

The Breitling B09 Chronograph 40 (Pistachio) , hand wound mechanical movement. The Green dial is truly unique and works great with the yellow / brown alligator strap. a very smart dress watch.

Nice collection.

These two were the standout highlights for me. I just love that green dial from Breitling - have seen it recently. Looks very classy when seen up close. And the GS spring drive watches are absolutely beautiful in my eyes. Pics can’t do enough justice to them compared to how they look up close in the hand.

I like the Oris big crown range too - some really nice watches in that family. I quite liked the Cervo Volante ones in the big crown (smaller 38 mm dial though).

[Gazole]

Absolutely right - the photos do not do them justice
see more closeups of just those 2 ....

thanks!

[Jaguar]

Folks, please suggest some good watch cases. I ordered a couple from Amazon and returned them because the quality was bad and the watches didn't even fit properly.

[Gazole]

I am using this case from Amazon :

INOVERA (LABEL) Glass 10 Slot Watches Display Storage Box Case Holder Organizer with Transparent Window - Black and Light Grey https://amzn.in/d/85IYzAr

It’s not the best and I have to undo the clasps on my leather strap watches that have deployment clasps to make them fit around the cushions , but overall works for me.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Folks, please suggest some good watch cases. I ordered a couple from Amazon and returned them because the quality was bad and the watches didn't even fit properly.

https://www.modernquests.com/product...12180eb2&_ss=r

I’ve picked this one up by Stackers (sold online via Modern Quests). I’ve bought stuff from Modern Quest before (a Tomtoc sling bag earlier and now this watch double case) and found them reliable.

This case fits the watches comfortably - here is a pic of the watches inside for reference. If you want you can also check out Nappa Dori. I’m pretty sure they have some stuff too although it might be more expensive not sure.

[pranavmichael]

Visiting the forum after a while! Love the watches posted by the members and good to see some fellow watch enthusiasts here.

Posting one from my collection-

[Impala59]

Wore it for the first time. A lovely Omega Constellation from the mid-1980s

[SithDefender]

Originally Posted by Sankar

Casio and Casio G-Shock were/are remnants of childhood wants that linger on inside the subconscious mind.

True, and not just the nostalgia. I have an AW500 and it's truly one of the most comfortable watches I've ever had. I strap it on and just forget it's there. Big hands and clean design ensure great legibility too.

[wheeledwanderer]

I am looking to buy the ROLEX GMT Master II. For some reason, it is not available at the Rolex dealers, either in the UAE or Europe.

Used watch retailers and some private owners are asking for exorbitant prices.

Any help from the forum on where I could get it at a realistic price would be appreciated.

Pic for attention only!

[avira_tk]

Originally Posted by wheeledwanderer

I am looking to buy the ROLEX GMT Master II. For some reason, it is not available at the Rolex dealers, either in the UAE or Europe.

Used watch retailers and some private owners are asking for exorbitant prices.

Any help from the forum on where I could get it at a realistic price would be appreciated.

Pic for attention only!

This watch is sold at insane markups, supply is tightly controlled and wait lists run into years unless you buy a few explorers and datejusts to make the AD consider you a serious buyer. You might get lucky if you're an existing Rolex owner, youtube is full of videos on how to get one.

Steel versions sell at 50%markup in the used market, ADs who want a cut of the action make you buy a model you don't want, or in some cases AD specific "warranties". AD - authorised dealer.

[penpavan]

Picked up the Astron 5x. I am loving its light weight. The GPS and Solar features are really functional. I guess it looks good on the wrist too!

[ballfry]

Originally Posted by wheeledwanderer

I am looking to buy the ROLEX GMT Master II. For some reason, it is not available at the Rolex dealers, either in the UAE or Europe.

Any help from the forum on where I could get it at a realistic price would be appreciated.

I finally got a GMT Master II BLNR (Batman) after waiting for approximately a year in Hyderabad from the AD. I can assure you that it wouldn't have been the case if my wife had not purchased a lady datejust for herself in the past.

"Purchase history".

I got it at cost price, no discounts offered and paid whatever the Rolex India website asked for. Overall, glad I didn't go Grey Market.