[asingh1977]

Originally Posted by Abhinav V

While sifting through the wardrobe my mom found some old watches that my grand father used to wear. I saw a Titan, 2 other watches which he had bought when he had gone to Singapore and then this caught my eye.

I went to the nearest neighbourhood shop and he said he would do complete servicing, greasing and what not for 600 bucks.
This got me thinking, "if it can be serviced, why not restore it?"

Any resources that you have to share, are highly appreciated as I am eagerly looking forward to learning!

Honestly, there could be 'anything' from 'many where' in that watch. It already has a Ricoh bracelet which is not Favre Leuba. From the late 60's till around late 90's brands like: Ricoh, Favre Leuba, Enicar, Fortis, Henri Sandoz, Allwyn, HMT, (and Seiko) did the rounds of sales and services. These watches were Franken in nature, induced by watch makers. That is why the inner parts (specially the mainspring, canon pinions, and balance wheels, at times the escape wheels) were interchanged, or sourced from locally made manufactures. Since the movements were pretty standard in nature, the watches worked, but lost their original parts. For sure the rotors (mounted on the automatic assembly) were too changed out too. Mostly leaving the case, chapter, hands true to nature. The glasses cracked, and were replaced (or glued) in with after market plexi-glass.

I would advice to let a local watchmaker asses the innards, and you decide what is original or not. An official service center may not accept the watch. It is like asking Mahindra to service an old Jeep found, just because they manufactured it eons ago. Of course since the watch holds sentimental value, get it checked (even if locally) and fully serviced. For sure the mainspring and balance wheel will probably be out, and need changing. Along with lubrication. Since it ticked when shaken the assembly is fine, and probably not rusted due to water ingress.

Best of luck!

[brownkaiser]

Originally Posted by Abhinav V

If anyone's from Bangalore, who has previously undertaken a restoration project of their Vintage watches, please shed some light on finding the right specialist.

The timing couldn't have been better:

https://m.economictimes.com/industry.../117179746.cms

[VWAllstar]

Looking for some thoughts on Automatic watches. Not looking for the Fashion brands but true watchmaking companies.

1. Found this India Specific Seiko (1100 units only) and with the white dial, it does look good. Rs. 28,800/- with the ongoing sale.

Seiko Limited Edition India Exclusive Off-White Dial Men's Analog Watch, Stainless Steel Band, with Extra Silicon Strap- Srpk83K1, Band Color:Silver

2. Seiko Stainless Steel Analogue Orange Dial Men Watch-Srpk35K1, Bandcolor-Silver. I saw one with 36" case dial and it felt perfect. Not able to find it online though. It was costing me around Rs. 30,000/-

Are there any open heart automatics with Seiko or any other watch making (except Titan) under Rs. 35,000/- ?

[SithDefender]

Originally Posted by ts1506

That said, today on the wrist is my green waffle dial Tissot PRX 40mm.

Originally Posted by haskelerator

First Automatic was a Tissot PRX.

I had a look at the PRX series. Really loved the simple, classy three handers (some variants have additional complications) and the choice of both quartz and automatic options. And the myriad number of dials - blue, green gold, etc. And man - the gold is a looker indeed !

The steel strap has a very neat yet timeless look. There is something very Gerald Genta-esque about this sports design.

I liked the white rubber strap, though it is an unconventional choice. The strap feels very good against the skin, and is a nice change from leather/steel/mesh straps. The SA claimed that this is the only PRX with a full lume dial, the others are restricted to just luminous hands and markers.

Now I see why the PRX is so well-loved in the community !

[SithDefender]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Are there any open heart automatics with Seiko or any other watch making (except Titan) under Rs. 35,000/- ?

My friend, have you considered the Citizen mechanical range ? The blue is particularly appealing!

[asingh1977]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Are there any open heart automatics with Seiko or any other watch making (except Titan) under Rs. 35,000/- ?

Maybe if you stretch a bit or look around. Open heart, GMT, power reserve, and 200M diver class (and Helium safe) automatics will always be a bomb. But worth it!

[omranga98]

1. Found this India Specific Seiko (1100 units only) and with the white dial, it does look good. Rs. 28,800/- with the ongoing sale.

Seiko has been trying to sell this for the last 2 years. Not many takers because in person it looks very OK. Also, it should be around 25k MAX at your local AD after discounts.

2. Seiko Stainless Steel Analogue Orange Dial Men Watch-Srpk35K1, Bandcolor-Silver. I saw one with 36" case dial and it felt perfect. Not able to find it online though. It was costing me around Rs. 30,000/-

Check out SRPD line instead. It is essentially the same watch but with a curved case. SRPD line can be bought for as low as 18K right now. I got mine a few years back for 16. It is wild how they have increased the prices across the board.

Are there any open heart automatics with Seiko or any other watch making (except Titan) under Rs. 35,000/- ?

Check out Orient open heart You will either have to buy from Amazon Japan and import it here or ask a friend who is flying in from US/Japan to get this. Orient has wonderful quality, lovely for the price!

[SS-Traveller]

It's been a long while that I had been hunting for a reliable & reasonable horologist in Delhi to repair some special hand-wound watches, and finally found one by chance. He managed to repair this watch with a 14k gold case, which belonged to my maternal grandmother. Many other watch repairers had said earlier that it cannot be repaired. The bill, too, was much less than I expected. I'm now hoping he manages to procure a crystal to replace the original one that has developed micro-cracks.

[PPS]

Bought this Seiko Presage SRPB41 recently. Costed about 29k. Placed an order on longislandwatch.com , had it shipped to a relative in the US who flew down here earlier this month. Currently enjoying the watch, especially the blue dial. Had been longing for this watch since half a decade! Glad its on my wrist a few times a week now.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

. He managed to repair this watch with a 14k gold case, which belonged to my maternal grandmother. I'm now hoping he manages to procure a crystal to replace the original one that has developed micro-cracks.

Attachment 2721083

This is a West End Watch. These were some lf the original Field Watches worn by the Military. In this case, British Army issue in the first quarter of the 20th century.

A 125 plus year old brand with a lot of history attached. In fact the legend goes that T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) wore one. This must have been one of the original Sowar 1916 watches. They’ve been sold in the Middle East and India for many years.

https://www.westendwatchco.ch/

I had one of these in a black enamel dial and gold case and those unique lugs with a black leather strap, which I bought that one in Dubai a decade ago or so after visiting Jordan - particularly the Wadi Rum and Aqaba, the port city which was then held by the Turkish Empire and which Lawrence stormed after uniting the Arabs. Sadly that watch got stolen. So I got a replacement a few years ago, in a steel case, brown strap and white enamel dial.

These watches are going strong still (as a brand) and traditional watch retailers like Kapoor &Co in Delhi, CT Pundole in Pune etc are still authorised dealers. And Ahmed Seddiqui & Co in the MENA region are authorised dealers.

My suggestion is to keep this watch as original as possible. Let it retain its patina. Thats one of the things that makes it retain and appreciate its value.

[VWAllstar]

Wanted to check with you folks on the review of Britime Watches. It does not mention which automatic movement it uses. The one below, looks good in person.

[RM Motorsports]

Complete watch guide. From entry level to ultra luxury. Wondering why Richard Mille is missing?

[omranga98]

Barely into 2025 and i have already crossed the limit of number of watches i told myself i would get this year. Casio has to be blamed for it!

From left to right:

1) Casio AE-1200WH-1BVDF.

2) Casio G-Shock DW-5600UE-1DR.

3) Casio AE-1200WHD-1AVDF. AKA Casio Royale.



Was eyeing DW-5600 for a while, what a timeless watch! Glad to finally have it in my collection!

[shankar.balan]

Toying with the idea of a Grand Seiko. Or a Chopard Mille Miglia. Or a Cartier Santos. Or a Cartier Roadster.
Watches are an addiction. Watch collecting is a dangerous and expensive hobby.
Best to sleep over these things and mull it over before pulling the trigger.

[shankar.balan]

The beautiful Seiko Presage Cocktail Time watches sitting neatly together.

1. The Midnight Mockingbird with Power Reserve and that deep green sunburst dial.
2. The Acacia with GMT with its phenomenally classy gold and cream parchment sunburst dial.
3. And the Maroon and Rose Gold Cocktail Time with its rich sunburst dial.

Truly these are gorgeous watches and all of them have such beautifully detailed and elegant dials that in my view they are worthy of ‘Grand Seiko’ status.

And Seiko watches keep perfect time…