Who Watches the Watchmen (Our Chit Chat Thread)

banie01

unkel wrote: »

"What you selling?", asked the vultures :pac:

Nothing until I have the Accutron bought and in hand

But probably my B&R, just can't wear it without getting a rash from the crown

Thirdfox

Cienciano wrote: »

The minute repeater. A €150k party trick :pac:
Ok, I can appreciate the workmanship and engineering that goes into it.

Noisy lume - but something I can definitely appreciate

And a Sólás minute repeater is out of the question now - but a 5 minute repeater as model no. 7-8 isn't actually completely out in cloud cuckoo land. I think it wouldn't make business sense from a risk taking perspective however. It might mean if one day Sólás heads into "haute horologie" the original Starlight models will be more than a fun collectible

banie01

banie01 wrote: »

A Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT with coffin link has been added to all my alerts.

The bloody watch rabbit hole strikes again!

So I will be on the hunt for the above, with a 214hn movement and that is the "goal", not a grail but a definite goal.

Then I discovered Bulova have released a line of mechanical astronaut watches running a 2893-2 with some Buzz Aldrin editions.

2 of which stand out to me at least as "I want 1" watches

The Astronaut re-release has a black over white bezel similar to the Omega Tai-chi, that is IMO quite lovely.


Then there's the tacti-cool "Eagle-pilot" with coffin link style bracelet that's very nice too!
Theres a stainless white dial version too.

dinorebel

That Astronaut Re-release is a stunning looking watch

banie01

Some of the more experienced weird watch hunters might be able to help me with this one.

What are the best aggregation websites for hunting for watches?
I have chrono24 and liveauctioneers, I'm a member on watchuseek but is there anywhere else I should be adding to the search pool apart from eBay?

Thirdfox

watchrecon is one that can be used too.

blue5000

watchcharts.com is another one too. Just have to register.

Thirdfox

I saw on the buy/sell thread that someone mentioned you should take off 8% for the Chrono24 fee if you're going to buy via bank transfer - could I ask why 8%? I thought Chrono24 only charges 6.5% fees?

banie01

A '67 Accutron non-running is up for auction stateside with a coffin-link bracelet!

What are the odds it just needs a battery?

So tempted to risk it.
Auction premia is 28% tho!!!

Wibbs

Even if the movement is fecked B, there are a fair number of accutron specialists out there and parts are easy to source.

banie01

Wibbs wrote: »

Even if the movement is fecked B, there are a fair number of accutron specialists out there and parts are easy to source.

You are an enabler my friend!
But....
Thanks

Budget set, and bid made!

micks_address

Don't see Grand Seiko often on adverts

http://www.adverts.ie/20352824

eljono

micks_address wrote: »

Don't see Grand Seiko often on adverts

http://www.adverts.ie/20352824

That's a stunning piece, have been watching it myself.

CarProblem

25% off retail he quotes

What kind of discount would an AD give you (actually have a vested interest in this question as I want to buy a GS when things get back to normal!)?

CarProblem

CarProblem wrote: »

25% off retail he quotes

What kind of discount would an AD give you (actually have a vested interest in this question as I want to buy a GS when things get back to normal!)?

And related to this, posted a while back that I wanted a GS Skyflake. Tbh I'm not prepared to drop that kind of cash without trying it on so realistically looking next year if I can visit a boutique in London.

In the mean time to scratch the itch I'm looking at some divers at reasonable prices. Not mad expensive ones but the Longines Hydroconquest really caught my eye (can't post links - model L3.781.4.96.6)

Just looking for people's opinions and possibly some alternative models (Rolex Sea Dweller is nice but a little outside budget )

unkel

CarProblem wrote: »

Rolex Sea Dweller is nice but a little outside budget

I fancy the James Cameron myself

893bet

I think those GS are lovely......but.....seriously is there a need for them all to be 14mm thick.

Cyrus

unkel wrote: »

I fancy the James Cameron myself

have you ever handled one,

will make your 214270 look like a kids watch

unwearably thick imo,

first time i saw one i thought it was a joke

and ive had my share of panerais

micks_address

All the writing would annoy me on the dial... i know im boring...

banie01

So...
I just bought this @$720 including premium and delivery. That's the SR-71 watch I never knew I needed until this bloody thread got!

Wibbs

Nice one B! That's a pretty good price for one too. They're very much sought after both among space/flight watch buffs and accutron collectors. The latter are big in the US and some of the prices for some of the models would make many wince. I suppose because it was an American company and "of the future" in its day, so a whole generation was exposed to them.

And they've a history at the actual sharp end of spaceflight as most of the internal timers on craft from Mercury on were Accutrons.

banie01

Wibbs wrote: »

Nice one B! That's a pretty good price for one too. They're very much sought after both among space/flight watch buffs and accutron collectors. The latter are big in the US and some of the prices for some of the models would make many wince. I suppose because it was an American company and "of the future" in its day, so a whole generation was exposed to them.

Hammer price was $550 and was a little more than I'd budgeted but feck it!

My mind was made up, and it's a forever piece for me tbh.
There is a lad in the UK who seems well regarded for Accutron overhaul but I'm really, really hoping it just needs a battery.

That liveauctioneers website/app is brilliant.

banie01

p.s

When my Mrs finds out I've bought another watch, I'm dead!

I keep forgetting I'm a bloody semi-retired, student pensioner! :pac:

Cienciano

banie01 wrote: »

p.s

When my Mrs finds out I've bought another watch, I'm dead!

I keep forgetting I'm a bloody semi-retired, student pensioner! :pac:

Just don't tell her the price. Tell her it's broken so you got it for €80

micks_address

Cienciano wrote: »

Just don't tell her the price. Tell her it's broken so you got it for €80

It reminds me in the steinhart ocean vintage gmt or the explorer 2 from 70s

The company I used to get a Seiko delivered to Vietnam seems to have gone out of business because of Covid-19 before it came back in stock and got delivered.. Only 120dollars down but would love to have it now. Was really looking forward to it.

I guess I'll put mechanical watches back on the shelf with many other things as a welcome hobby in a couple more years.

Darwin

So I picked up a Seamaster for my milestone birthday from an AD in the UK that I have done business with before. The usually use DHL Express, but this time sent it by post for some reason. I wasn't too pleased as I don't think post is a very secure way to send such things - not to mention the massive backlog Royal Mail have. I'm half thinking I should open the box (if it arrives at all) while the postman is standing there as a witness.
I've received an empty watch box once before in the post and it was a nightmare dealing with paypal, had to go the chargeback route in the end.

banie01

I think the stars may well have aligned for me regarding the Accutron buy.

I was in the midst of arranging pick up and shipping to Ireland for the watch and it dawned on me that any of the insured services were going to result in a VAT bill here as it UPS or DHL only.

Then I'd be shipping it off again for overhaul/restoration. So I had a look for US based Accutron specialists, and there is a highly recommend guy in the same state as the watch and he will overhaul the lot, restore if needed and then return the watch to me manifested as a repair!

So the money I'm saving on tax can go to a crystal and handset :pac:

Wibbs

Ya jammy bast....

redlead

CarProblem wrote: »

25% off retail he quotes

What kind of discount would an AD give you (actually have a vested interest in this question as I want to buy a GS when things get back to normal!)?

I'd also be interested in knowing this. I'm increasingly getting drawn towards GS for my next big purchase. I find their dials mesmerising and the overall finish on them just seems a cut above anything else in the same price bracket. I haven't seen a skyflake in the flesh so am really keen to have a good look at it. I'm kind of fascinated by all things Japanese so my dream would be to buy one in Japan but I can't see that happening for a long time unfortunately. A shady grey market dealer in Spain called Carlos is the most likely... :—P