Good, cheap watch thread.

[accountantpete]

You can't beat some if the Invicta watches for value and quality at that price range. The Rolex Diver's watch homages look great and have the largely dependable Seiko NH35A automatic movement.

The price of these goes up and down like crazy so you just wait until they hit £50 and then buy.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Coming back on jet2 on Thursday and they have got 20% off the list price on the Citizen eco drive making it £83.20.
I know it's a simple face but I cannot stand cluttered faces where you can't see the time.
Worth it?
On the link you have to go to page 68.
https://edition.pagesuite-professio...=0fb999e5-7cfd-4ff0-84ad-efd502ef5e85&pnum=60

 

[AlanW]

I purchased my Seiko Pogue watch back in 1976, I wore it to death for many years until it finally stopped working. After which it has been sat in my office draw for circa 25 years!!

Anyway, I just happened to stumble on an identical watch on ebay, which was fetching an awful lot of money.
This is thanks to Colonel Willian Pogue, a NASA astronaut who wore one during the Skylab 4 mission in 1973-1974. This made the Seiko 6139 the first automatic chronograph to be worn in space, adding a touch of space history to its already impressive resume.8 Jul 2024

So I contacted Seiko UK to see if they could repair it, sadly it was a no, which didn't come as any shock if I am being honest.

However, they did provide me with a number specialists (four to be exact) that repair this particular watch. After contacting them all, I opted for the one that seemed to answer all my questions.

Today I received his report:-
To answer your initial question, is the watch repairable? Yes. But, is it worth it, to be honest, it's a judgement call.

The watch runs, which is always encouraging, but it isn't possible to test the chronograph as there is a problem with mechanism. The reason that the subdial hand has come away from its post (it is rattling around the dial I see), is that the minute counter wheel is broken, which is also why the chronograph can't be reset or fully tested.

In addition to that, as you may have noted, the winding stem has broken. It has snapped off inside the crown. Meaning that I can't test the time setting or quickset mechanisms for the day or date (operated by pushing in the crown). Looking inside the crown tube, the winding gear for the inner bezel is still there, which is good, but the spring is missing. Attached is a picture of a complete stem, to put things right, the stem, crown and spring will all need to be replaced.

The crystal needs to be replaced as do all the gaskets. The pushers currently don't have any gaskets at all, which isn't great - I'm assuming that whoever serviced the watch previously didn't have gaskets in the right size, so just didn't bother trying to replace them. The result is that moisture has got inside, tarnished the winding rotor and darkening the lume in the hands.

There may be other issues, but as I can't test all the functions, I can't say without taking it apart.

I tried to remove the black paint, but it will need thinners or similar as it looks to be oil based. I'll need to experiment on an old bezel insert first to make sure that it doesn't just eat away the original lettering underneath.

So in short, it can be repaired, but it will need more parts than initially thought. I have a minute counter wheel and stem spring, but not the crown or winding stem. These are commonly broken or missing parts with these watches, so should be attainable, but I'd need to look into potential costs.

I'd say, on balance that with the service and additional work required, parts (and potentially more parts when the watch is fully disassembled), the total could easily be over £300, which you may prefer to invest in a new watch instead.

So now I have to make the call, spend circa £300 and get it repaired or just bin it? In my head I had a figure of £300 maximum, but it looks like its going to go past that, but I don't know by how much?

 

[Fastpedaller]

I know I'm a cheapskate, but i bought a Casio MQ24 for 9.99 from Argos today - it tell the time and can't electrocute me if it touches any live wires

 

[Reynard]

If it's a watch you have worn and you love and you still want to wear @AlanW then why not?

Replacing it with a quartz chrono is going to cost that much if not more. Given that my local watchmaker charges £95 for a basic clean & service on a on a two hand hand-winder, I think that's actually a pretty reasonable price. Especially since it involves acquiring parts and doing repair work.

 

[Drago]

I purchased my Seiko Pogue watch back in 1976, I wore it to death for many years until it finally stopped working. After which it has been sat in my office draw for circa 25 years!!

Anyway, I just happened to stumble on an identical watch on ebay, which was fetching an awful lot of money.
This is thanks to Colonel Willian Pogue, a NASA astronaut who wore one during the Skylab 4 mission in 1973-1974. This made the Seiko 6139 the first automatic chronograph to be worn in space, adding a touch of space history to its already impressive resume.8 Jul 2024

So I contacted Seiko UK to see if they could repair it, sadly it was a no, which didn't come as any shock if I am being honest.

However, they did provide me with a number specialists (four to be exact) that repair this particular watch. After contacting them all, I opted for the one that seemed to answer all my questions.

Today I received his report:-
To answer your initial question, is the watch repairable? Yes. But, is it worth it, to be honest, it's a judgement call.

The watch runs, which is always encouraging, but it isn't possible to test the chronograph as there is a problem with mechanism. The reason that the subdial hand has come away from its post (it is rattling around the dial I see), is that the minute counter wheel is broken, which is also why the chronograph can't be reset or fully tested.

In addition to that, as you may have noted, the winding stem has broken. It has snapped off inside the crown. Meaning that I can't test the time setting or quickset mechanisms for the day or date (operated by pushing in the crown). Looking inside the crown tube, the winding gear for the inner bezel is still there, which is good, but the spring is missing. Attached is a picture of a complete stem, to put things right, the stem, crown and spring will all need to be replaced.

The crystal needs to be replaced as do all the gaskets. The pushers currently don't have any gaskets at all, which isn't great - I'm assuming that whoever serviced the watch previously didn't have gaskets in the right size, so just didn't bother trying to replace them. The result is that moisture has got inside, tarnished the winding rotor and darkening the lume in the hands.

There may be other issues, but as I can't test all the functions, I can't say without taking it apart.

I tried to remove the black paint, but it will need thinners or similar as it looks to be oil based. I'll need to experiment on an old bezel insert first to make sure that it doesn't just eat away the original lettering underneath.

So in short, it can be repaired, but it will need more parts than initially thought. I have a minute counter wheel and stem spring, but not the crown or winding stem. These are commonly broken or missing parts with these watches, so should be attainable, but I'd need to look into potential costs.

I'd say, on balance that with the service and additional work required, parts (and potentially more parts when the watch is fully disassembled), the total could easily be over £300, which you may prefer to invest in a new watch instead.

So now I have to make the call, spend circa £300 and get it repaired or just bin it? In my head I had a figure of £300 maximum, but it looks like its going to go past that, but I don't know by how much?

View attachment 741164

I'd love a Pogue. A good friend of mine, older than m3 and now sadly deceased, had on in the late 70s and I was well impressed as a young spode.

 

[Kingfisher101]

I'd get that one repaired even if you dont want it.
You could sell it and get well over a grand for it.

 

[Drago]

You want a good cheap watch?

Then allow me to introduce to you the 1967 pattern Vostok Amphibia.

Nominally Russian, so out of fashion due to Blat Puking and prices have tumbled so these highly robust 200 metre timekeepers can be had for about £100. In actual fact the factory is in Lithuania.

A very interesting story. In the 60s the Soviets wanted to develop a watch for navy divers, Spetznaz operators, etc. but didn't want to infringe upon Rolex's patents. Of course today they'd just say "f*&% Rolex" and made a clone.

They gave to job to two engineers and they came up with some clever solutions.

During WWII the US had gifted a watch factory to the USSR, so they nabbed an updated version of the movement the factory produced, so it wears a movement that can trace its origins back to the States.

Instead of a screw on case back it rests in place and a lock ring sits atop it. This is actually superior to Rolex and the like as no shear forces are put through the seal.

Quartz glass is expensive and, again, the best patent solutions all belonged to Rollocks. The engineers Instead used Plexiglass and a clever design that permits the glass to deform under increasing pressure and actually increase the effectiveness of the seal. It also means minor scuffs can easily be polished out at home.

The final design was released in 1967, hence the name, and little has changed since. Actual 1967 special editions with all the face and markings are expensive, but versions like mine - physically the same watch but with different faces and straps - are about half the price. Original early examples go for a grand or more. A very interesting period piece with some good talking points for those of an engineering bent. For those of my era (b.1968) it resonates as a period piece of similar vintage to myself, at least the origins.

 

[Drago]

 

[Drago]

Look at this beauty.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vostok-Amp...ec63cbf3142adbfd37c67fee46d&th=1&gad_source=1

 

[T4tomo]

You want a good cheap watch?

Then allow me to introduce to you the 1967 pattern Vostok Amphibia.

View attachment 741226

Nominally Russian, so out of fashion due to Blat Puking and prices have tumbled so these highly robust 200 metre timekeepers can be had for about £100. In actual fact the factory is in Lithuania.

A very interesting story. In the 60s the Soviets wanted to develop a watch for navy divers, Spetznaz operators, etc. but didn't want to infringe upon Rolex's patents. Of course today they'd just say "f*&% Rolex" and made a clone.

They gave to job to two engineers and they came up with some clever solutions.

During WWII the US had gifted a watch factory to the USSR, so they nabbed an updated version of the movement the factory produced, so it wears a movement that can trace its origins back to the States.

Instead of a screw on case back it rests in place and a lock ring sits atop it. This is actually superior to Rolex and the like as no shear forces are put through the seal.

Quartz glass is expensive and, again, the best patent solutions all belonged to Rollocks. The engineers Instead used Plexiglass and a clever design that permits the glass to deform under increasing pressure and actually increase the effectiveness of the seal. It also means minor scuffs can easily be polished out at home.

The final design was released in 1967, hence the name, and little has changed since. Actual 1967 special editions with all the face and markings are expensive, but versions like mine - physically the same watch but with different faces and straps - are about half the price. Original early examples go for a grand or more. A very interesting period piece with some good talking points for those of an engineering bent. For those of my era (b.1968) it resonates as a period piece of similar vintage to myself, at least the origins.

I like the look o that, a bit different and also a decent metal strap you can adjust, My "beach" watch a Skagen piked up in TK maax has a similar type. I hate this type of strap:

It does look quite chunky though, I cant imagine the Drago wrists are particularly small or slender.

 

[Drago]

My wrist is 20cm, so just on the high side of medium.

The strap I bought later. It's an accessory Milanese job with the Vostok B embossed on the clasp, was only 15 quid or so if memory serves and it's very comfortable.

I too hate that large link metal strap type. I thi k they look good, but the only one that doesn't pinch my hairs is the one on my Tudor. All others I've ended up replacing.

 

[presta]

Seiko Pogue watch

Is that the one with Shane McGowan's fizzog on the dial?

 

[fossyant]

I know I'm a cheapskate, but i bought a Casio MQ24 for 9.99 from Argos today - it tell the time and can't electrocute me if it touches any live wires

That will do me for my bike packing trip. Not taking the smart watch as it needs charging every day.

 

[T4tomo]

I know I'm a cheapskate, but i bought a Casio MQ24 for 9.99 from Argos today - it tell the time and can't electrocute me if it touches any live wires

I have the Casio F-91W (now £10.99, but I think I paid £9.99 or less) as my umpires stopwatch. It does the job!