The watch thread.

freddofrog

Likes Dirt
Scored my 90 year old Grandfather's Seamaster a few days ago, not the best of circumstances given he's off to a nursing home but a lovely gift nonetheless. From approximately 1964 and all working except I can't set the date so will be off to the watchmaker for a once over this week.

View attachment 329440
Let us know what the service costs. I was quoted $800. ridiculous.
 

schred

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Could well be, you don't get much choice with premium watch brands now. I'm not across it all but understand since approx 2012 there's been a shift in power exercised by watch companies such as Rolex & Swatch group (who now own the omega brand) who have found legal ways to withhold their parts and movements from suppliers, and other brands (in the name of quality and certification etc etc). In effect has monopolised the service aspect of watches and either ended the business of master craftsmen or relegated them to swapping out batteries in quartz watches as they physically do not have access to genuine parts to perform anything other than a basic service. Of course this also means some watches/models, Tag F1 for instance, are def not economical to service by the factory, but can be serviced by a watchmaker, however may not be economical to repair with genuine parts if required, effectively making them a disposable item sooner or later. So eff you big watch companies.
 

freddofrog

Likes Dirt
Ok maybe that might explain the ripoff.

When I can be ar$ed I might contact the dealer I bought it from in the states. As ridiculous as it sounds, it may be cheaper to send it there for servicing. At least I know I can trust him.
 

rangersac

Medically diagnosed OMS
Let us know what the service costs. I was quoted $800. ridiculous.
Spoke to G. James Robinson of Omega Watch Repairs in Melbourne, he seems to be the go to for Omega if you don't want to go through a Swatch centre. Good bloke with sound advice, turns out this model didn't have a quick set date function, so you just have to wind back and forth through midnight to advance the date. He suggested wearing the unit for a few days and seeing how well it kept time to determine if it needed a service. The answer is with less variation then my standard Seiko 5. Given I never remember seeing my Grandfather wearing this watch and the fact it was kept in a ceramic storage pot with several other watches methinks it has led a cosseted life. So service costs = $0.
:peace::clap2::cheer2:
 

freddofrog

Likes Dirt
Sounds like a great outcome and the omega guys sounds good too. The agent I went to said I'd have to replace the crown and seals. Given my watch was only 2 yrs old I knew immediately he was full of sh*t and left.
 

stinky1138

Likes Dirt
Does anyone know much about Roamer watches ?
Going thru some estate stuff and looking for info on them. Found lots of sites where people collect them....but nothing really to let me know if the watch is worth repairing or if that will outweigh the value of the watch. Yes, I am going to get in touch with a watch repairer as well. Just the second hand has fallen off, the mechanism seems to function well.
It's a rather cool piece, mid-60s Rotodate 44 jewel.
 

schred

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Quick search of watchesuseek forums turns up a bit of info, maybe post a question there of your exact watch with pics. If its from relatives and you like it, why not get a few quotes anyway? Do you still have the second hand?
 

Xavo.au

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Hey guys, long time no post.

I was after some advice on two different watches - hopefully without breaking the bank.

The first is a nice dress watch to wear going out and casually around the place, I don't really know what I'm looking for with regards to specs and things like that, but the Omega Defender was pointed out to me by a mate and it looks pretty good for a nice price. Specifically I was looking at the one with the creamy coloured dial and brown leather strap (although the green and black also looks good).
https://orientwatchusa.com/shop/mens-watches/fet0n002k0/

I'm fairly pale, although work is giving me a hectic farmers tan - which leads me to my next question regarding a work/day to day watch.

I was wondering if there were any GPS type watches that I could use riding/running as well as using for the time etc at work. I'm out in the field most days on a drill rig, so I need something fairly resilient and waterproof for when I get wet logging/sampling core and when it's raining etc.

GPS would be good, but could be a luxury - currently I use my phone when I'm riding or running just to see how I'm progressing.

Any opinions on styles and what to look for when I'm browsing would be muchly appreciated.

Cheers
 

MasterOfReality

After forever
Just had an overhaul on my grand carrera done by tag in sydney. It suddenly stopped working and would not keep time or wind all that well. I put it down to 7 years of getting bashed around on mine sites and not being serviced in that time.

Total cost was $352 which was pretty good I thought. Took them 3 months to complete and return though!
 

scblack

Leucocholic
I'm going to resurrect this thread. I am looking to find a nice watch. I'm looking at Tag Heuer, Breitling or Uboat.

Probable targets:
Tag Heuer - Formula One Calibre 16 or Carrera Calibre Heuer.
Breitling - Avenger Hurricane 12H.
Uboat - less likely but I like their Steampunk ideas.

Taking my time to check them out. Its fun to look around.
 

dancaseyimages

Mountain bike pornographer
I'm going to resurrect this thread. I am looking to find a nice watch. I'm looking at Tag Heuer, Breitling or Uboat.

Probable targets:
Tag Heuer - Formula One Calibre 16 or Carrera Calibre Heuer.
Breitling - Avenger Hurricane 12H.
Uboat - less likely but I like their Steampunk ideas.

Taking my time to check them out. Its fun to look around.
Anything specific you are after in a watch?

Theres also SevenFriday, a local company if your after something different from the Norm.
 

Boom King

downloaded a pic of moorey's bruised arse
Anything specific you are after in a watch?

Theres also SevenFriday, a local company if your after something different from the Norm.
Are you in Switzerland?
 

Oddjob

Merry fucking Xmas to you assholes
I'm going to resurrect this thread. I am looking to find a nice watch. I'm looking at Tag Heuer, Breitling or Uboat.

Probable targets:
Tag Heuer - Formula One Calibre 16 or Carrera Calibre Heuer.
Breitling - Avenger Hurricane 12H.
Uboat - less likely but I like their Steampunk ideas.

Taking my time to check them out. Its fun to look around.
What are you after in a watch?

If you want a dress watch Patek Phillipe, followed by Baume & Mercier and Longines.

Dive watch for diving, just don't. Get a cheap Suunto dive watch.

Sailing. Secondhand Omega seamaster professional with the quartz movement and preferably a fabric or rubber band. These watches will outlast your grandkids and will vary less than 5 seconds per month. It will also appreciate in value.

Showing off to your buddies. Patek Phillipe, Piaget, Bruguet.

Being a philistine wanker. Rolex, Hublot.

The future/I mean business. Garmin, Apple.

Out of the watches you mentioned. I feel like Tag irreversibly damaged their brand with the plastic bezel models, why not save the money and get a Swatch? Bretlings are a 'meh' brand for me: they don't have the history, don't look the best, don't really stand out. Don't know much about Uboat.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
 

Plow King

Little bit.
I really dig the Avenger Hurricane. Relatively subtle, great build quality but enough presence to garner attention without looking like a bit of a cocksucker. (IMO)

I'm not a huge fan of Tags if I'm honest. Every second person seems to have one (me included) and they're just not that special (IMO) The U-Boat is pretty big and screams "Look at me I'm an expensive watch"

I guess it comes down to what you want it for and when you're going to use it. I'd imagine the Breitling would tick all the boxes for reliability,build quality and just a great all rounder. It's not really out of place anywhere.
 

scblack

Leucocholic
I am nearing a decision, its going to be either a Breitling or Tag Heuer. I have appointments with each boutique in Sydney this weekend. Probably Breitling. :)
 

mas2

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I have a couple of quick questions - how do you store your nice watches? what is a nice way to store them to look at?
 

scblack

Leucocholic
I have a couple of quick questions - how do you store your nice watches? what is a nice way to store them to look at?
I dont really. My bedside table has a shelf and the boxes sit there, with watches in the box. The Edifice has a good battery saving feature, when it is in the dark power turns off so I would not like to leave it on display and run battery down.
 

poita

Likes Dirt
They aren't nice watches, but I printed this up that is pretty slick. I take no credit for the actual design.
 
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