Cheap pilot style watch?

Eoin

As I've 4 chromos on SS bracelets, I'd like something a bit different on a leather strap.

A while ago I was all set to get something this Sottomarino, but when I saw the photos, it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I can't put my finger on it, but it felt too modern or something. But I don't want anything too classic either!

These seem a bit closer to what I want, but I've no idea of what the quality is like.

Parnis


Flieger


This is about as close as I'd want to get to my other chronos.



Main criteria are around E120 and at least 40mm. Smaller watches just don't suit me. Do I have any chance of getting anything half decent for that price?

Bullseye1

How about this Russian/Swiss?
http://www.m-watches.com/catalog/aeronavigator-moscow-classic-automatik-241604031003-p-233.html?language=en&cPath=26_34&osCsid=a2be7d25a124ebe30e3326d0c8793b66

Eoin

Thanks for that. I wasn't too sure about it initially, but this colour combo looks quite well.

Maybe "pilot" isn't the right term, as they mostly seem to have quite a vintage feel to them. It's hard to explain what I mean

peasant

I take it you don't mind a quartz movement?

If you also don't mind a sketch of an aeroplane on your watch, you might want to check e-bay for "Messerschmitt" watches (made by Aristo)




alternatively, check out the quartz range from Junkers



They've got shedloads of Flieger/Pilot thingies in your budget

Zagato

How about this one (It's a quartz)




Or if you definitely want an automatic, you could have a hunt for a Laco with one of the Miyoto movements which aren't too pricey

Eoin

Great stuff, thanks. The last Junkers and the Aristo ones are pretty close.

@peasant, quartz is fine.

peasant

And then of course, there is the Vostok Komandirskie (auto), which is neither Flieger nor Pilot, just different and now available for a cool 100 euro from here
http://www.ebay.de/itm/RUSSIAN-WATCH-VOSTOK-AUTO-WINDING-MILITARY-NEW-SERIE-/160670294599?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2568b22247

Bullseye1

I have the one I recommended Eoin. It wears pretty big at 47mm. It's a nice simple watch. They also produce Chrono's.

Bullseye1

For €850 you can have a New Steinhart Aviator watch
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/de/Nav-B-Chrono-II-black-DLC,458.html

Bullseye1

How about a square one?
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/de/Aviation-GMT-automatic-black-DLC,454.html

Eoin

Bullseye1 wrote: »

How about a square one?
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/de/Aviation-GMT-automatic-black-DLC,454.html

Would probably get one of their divers watches if I was going to get a Steinhart, but that's way above budget anyway.

peasant wrote: »

And then of course, there is the Vostok Komandirskie (auto), which is neither Flieger nor Pilot, just different and now available for a cool 100 euro from here

Not for me, but thanks.

I know I'm an awkward fecker! And to top it off, the original Sottomarino one is starting to grow on me again

Bullseye1

I know one of the members has the Sotto maybe they can chime in with a review. It's a fine watch.

Eoin

Yep, that's what got me thinking about it originally. I remember at the time thinking it was much bigger than I was thinking - but then again, having been very disappointed with the 38mm Tag I bought, maybe that's not a bad thing.

peasant

You've got sub-dialitis

Four chronos already and still drifting towards another one.

Eoin

I know, I know! I'm nothing if not consistent I suppose.

I'm just not sure about the slightly vintage look of most of them, and I find normal "dress" watches a bit dull.

Homer

I have the Sottomarina Italia and it has got little or no wrist time since I got it.
I can't argue with the quality of the watch in any way, I've just gone a bit mad in the last 6 months and it hasn't seen much if any daylight. It will probably go up on adverts as a flip the way things are going. Think I put some pics up in the "post pics of your watches" thread.. will try root them out for you as there are a few variations of the flieger they do.

edit.. here's my original post with some pics http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=73853097&postcount=487

Deep Thought

I have a Torgoen and its fantastic

Mine is has a cream dial but they are available in black and white and they also have chronos as well



I know there is a guy on fleabay selling the T10 (mine) in black for about
E190

Am looking to buy one in black if I can sell my Steinhart

peasant

Have you seen the Moscow Classic handy-windies on the m-watches page?

(under the 3602 / 3603 tabs) ...the lovely ticking sound of (my beloved) Molnija movement alone is worth having



slightly over budget at 170 euro ...but should be worth it.

(plus it would wean you off at least one sub-dial )

Deep Thought

I think it was Peasant who pointed me in this direction aswell

Eoin

Deep Thought wrote: »

I have a Torgoen and its fantastic

Mine is has a cream dial but they are available in black and white and they also have chronos as well

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff435/garlawless/KGrHqUOKpQE5VDw0whSBOW-3rEIbw60_3.jpg

Very nice - that's what I'm thinking of.

peasant wrote: »

Have you seen the Moscow Classic handy-windies on the m-watches page?

(under the 3602 / 3603 tabs) ...the lovely ticking sound of (my beloved) Molnija movement alone is worth having

http://moscowclassic.com/stock/duze/3602-05031165.jpg

slightly over budget at 170 euro ...but should be worth it.

(plus it would wean you off at least one sub-dial )

I like the first one a lot - nice colour options too.

The Junkers ones are calling out to my partly German blood too!

Anjobe

Deep Thought wrote: »

I have a Torgoen and its fantastic

Mine is has a cream dial but they are available in black and white and they also have chronos as well



I know there is a guy on fleabay selling the T10 (mine) in black for about
E190

Am looking to buy one in black if I can sell my Steinhart

These are €169 from www.timestore24.org

Deep Thought

Anjobe wrote: »

These are €169 from www.timestore24.org

Thats a nice price am looking at getting black one aswell

Eoin

What about this Molnija?



This one might be a little too busy?

peasant

Eoin wrote: »

What about this Molnija?

Molnija never made wrist watches (well, they did ...but they were called Ural and had different, smaller movements)

So all the bumpf that goes with these watches about them being "military" and whatnot is just made up.

These are Molnija pocket watch movements (good!) in a different case (dubious) with new dials and hands (a matter of taste)


I've never seen or handled one in real life so wouldn't want to guess what the case and dial quality is like ...but on the other hand they can be got rather cheaply (if you don't buy the first one you see), so you might be getting your money's worth or even a bargain.

Eoin

Great info as always - thanks very much. I might take a pass on them for the time being. What search terms should I be using on eBay, do you think?

The German aviation/military ones are growing on me quite a lot.

peasant

Any search that I ever did on ebay always brought up tons of stuff I wasn't interested in:D

BTW ...nobody mentioned Seiko military watches yet ...do a search for those, you might be pleasantly surprised.


One example ...55 quid from Singapur and a proper automatic

Eoin

Nice one, will give that a go. This one you posted earlier is really growing on me.

At least I think I have a better idea of what I want now, thanks for your patience

peasant

Eoin wrote: »

This one you posted earlier is really growing on me.

Just to be clear, this one has the 3602 movment that has no shock protection.

That shouldn't really pose a problem for normal wear and handling, because this being a large pocket watch movement with bigger parts it should be quite sturdy.

I wouldn't want to use it as a "beater" though or wear it while breaking down rocks with a sledge hammer

Eoin

Thanks, I will bear that in mind. I just checked - I have 5 chronos, not 4, so I think it's definitely a good idea to get one with as few sub-dials as possible this time!

I like the idea of ones with some sort of German military/aviation heritage, so will keep an eye out.

Edit:
The more I look at this, the more I like it:

Bullseye1 wrote: »

How about this Russian/Swiss?
http://www.m-watches.com/catalog/aeronavigator-moscow-classic-automatik-241604031003-p-233.html?language=en&cPath=26_34&osCsid=a2be7d25a124ebe30e3326d0c8793b66

but probably in this colour combo:

peasant

Another potential candidate from Orient:



134 Euro from here:
http://www.orientuhren.de/orient-automatic-sporty-cem7a002r-p-290.html?osCsid=uqqtg7kq5f963o8on4mmnmtf54


moar pics:
http://forum.chronomag.cz/index.php?/topic/34974-orient-cem7a002r/

Eoin

I've actually something similar winging its way to me at the moment!

Eoin

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I eventually found something very similar to this one and it's on its way to me now. It's in the US, but hopefully won't be stung for customs.

It has a Molnija SU-3105 movement with a choice of an engraved SS or display back. Will post better pics when it arrives, but here's a sample:

Bullseye1

Very nice. I'm wearing my Stur at the moment. Bought it from a seller on amazon.co.uk

Bullseye1

Just noticed I'm a day fast LOL.

peasant

Eoin wrote: »

It has a Molnija SU-3105 movement

It's a Molnija 3603 actually. 36 stands for 36 mm diameter, the 03 indicates the additional shock protection (which the standard and more common Molnija 3602 doesn't have)

3105 would be a Poljot movement (a stripped down 3133 chrono movement to be precise)

Eoin

peasant wrote: »

It's a Molnija 3603 actually. 36 stands for 36 mm diameter, the 03 indicates the additional shock protection (which the standard and more common Molnija 3602 doesn't have)

3105 would be a Poljot movement (a stripped down 3133 chrono movement to be precise)

Great info as ever

Eoin

FFS, yer one only posted it this morning. Two weeks after I won the sodding thing on eBay.