Who Watches the Watchmen (Our Chit Chat Thread)

Hotblack Desiato · 20-09-2025 09:52PM

My dad was forced to retire from the Army aged 60 in 1980 and his comrades gave him an engraved Buler digital watch… is this brand still in existence?

Much fun was had over the next few days with a series of relatives pressing buttons willy-nilly and making the situation worse, it was beeping frequently at random times and none of them had any idea 🙄 finally 9-year-old me was let have a go at it and I READ THE F'KIN MANUAL and within minutes tamed the thing. I've no idea what happened to it when he died five years later but the "base metal bezel" was already showing severe signs of wear by then. Stainless steel all the way for me, no plating or any of that nonsense

As posted on the pics thread, I'm quite a bit hairy but have been wearing stainless steel watch bracelets since I was 12 (I started with Casio 👍️ ) and don't think hair nippage is a problem, maybe my ape hairs are too coarse to fit in the gaps 😃

Lorddrakul · 21-09-2025 07:01PM

Hardly surprising…

Swiss watch exports to US take tumble amid high tariffs

Swiss watch exports went into a tailspin in August, after surging in July in response to tariffs imposed by the United States. Shipments of timepieces to the US plummeted by almost a quarter, following a 45% jump in July.

Overall, Swiss watch exports fell by 16.5% in monthly terms to CHF1.64 billion ($2.08 billion), according to statistics published on Thursday by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Over the first eight months of the year, the drop was 1%.

Customs duties of 39% on Swiss products imported into the United States came into force on August 7. In anticipation of their introduction, watch brands experienced a surge in demand in July in the US. But in August, shipments to this market plummeted by 24%, to CHF245.1 million. The United States remains the sector’s main market, with a share of around 15%.

Full Story - SwissInfo.ch

Hotblack Desiato · 21-09-2025 10:18PM

They'll have to resort to US brands like Hamilton 😉

furiousox · 22-09-2025 04:31PM

Thinking of picking this up as a daily for workwear.

What's the verdict on these, never owned one before.

Wibbs · 22-09-2025 09:50PM

Imho you really can't go wrong with a G-Shock. Light on the wrist, a multitude of models to suit many tastes, bombproof, well bolted together and at very reasonable prices(outside of tiny Special Editions© hand fettled by Bushido masters).

fonecrusher1 · 22-09-2025 10:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840607#Comment_123840607

Have almost exactly the same watch.

My one has the bluetooth function which is kind of a gimmick imo excluding the find my phone function. At first I was thinking whats the big deal with these? Its just a fairly large plastic watch. Yet it does actually grow on you. I changed my strap to a blue one which lifts it a bit. Its a hardy watch you dont have to worry about banging off something. And despite seeing lots debate on the size of it, it doesn't actually wear that big at all.

One piece of advice: If you intend on taking it apart to change the indices or dial you'll need a watch glass removal tool you can get for pretty cheap online. Also I got some condensation on the inside of the glass a few days later so I had to take it apart again to make sure the rubber gasket was sitting perfectly in the groove.

Seems ok since.

All in all, yeah I like them. Its worth the money.

Cyrus · 24-09-2025 09:36AM

is there some sort of illuminati watch cabal im not part of on adverts, few nice pieces i have been watching (at the higher end of the scale say) get marked as sold and two days later another one of the 'dealers' lists the same watch at the same price?

Homer · 24-09-2025 10:35AM

the first rule of illuminati watch cabal 😜😄

H_Lime · 24-09-2025 10:37AM

Ah yes the adverts illuminati! That's me on the left wearing the casio.

H_Lime · 24-09-2025 10:47AM

What an eejit I'm after putting this in the wrong thread....

Lorddrakul · 24-09-2025 11:38AM

Just wanted to give a shout out to @H_Lime of this parish.

Not only does he do excellent work, he is a thoroughly decent chap too.

Cheers, mate!

H_Lime · 24-09-2025 03:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123846591#Comment_123846591

Cheers LD, real nice dive watch which you could dive with!

furiousox · 25-09-2025 02:30PM

A few "pre-loved" watches in Rocks Stillorgan.

The Sinn caught my eye so I went in for a look.

It's a 2016 Governor, price is 1996 euro.

EDIT: Staff said the model is a "Governor"

I've looked online but can't find it anywhere, can someone identify the model?

Cyrus · 25-09-2025 05:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123849799#Comment_123849799

is that an omega NTTD? what were they asking for that?

furiousox · 25-09-2025 05:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123850186#Comment_123850186

It is, I didn't enquire on the price.

Just had a quick look at the Sinn.

NIMAN · 25-09-2025 06:08PM

I know its only a TA on my part, and it must be my OCD, but I hate that the rotating bezels are misaligned!

furiousox · 25-09-2025 06:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123850377#Comment_123850377

I reset it before I left the shop! 😃 😀

The model is a 757, not sure if the price is good or not at 1996 euro?

https://www.bachmann-scher.de/en/sold-watches/sinn-chronograph-757-police-helicopter-for-bavaria-limited-880.html

NIMAN · 25-09-2025 06:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123850392#Comment_123850392

Did you reset the Omega too though?

Wibbs · 25-09-2025 08:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123846591#Comment_123846591

Can confirm "thoroughly decent chap" mode is set to on. 🙂

Wibbs · 25-09-2025 08:57PM

A good friend of mine is just like you. And he's not even into watches, at all. Sports a "well loved" quartz Raymond Viel, a gift from his better three quarters(that I've replaced the batteries on). But the bugger spots if I'm wearing anything with a bezel that's "off". To the degree that it's become something of a running joke. Otherwise he appears normal. Just like you. 😁

fonecrusher1 · 26-09-2025 08:48AM

Thoughts on the new Timex Atelier Marine gents?

https://timex.eu/products/timex-atelier-marine-m1a-41mm-swiss-made-automatic-stainless-steel-bracelet-tw2y72500?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2024_Abandon_Browse_T1&nb_klid=01JZKAF9SH5JAJPD05MH501Z21&_kx=f7qddm8CYGvGJBr-3vPnQllKC5r7LjQN1lTKEtd7GpE.SmBtvn

1000 quid on a Timex??…….

Not sure on the hollow parts of the watch myself. Love the bezel and dial combo.

NIMAN · 26-09-2025 08:50AM

THats a lovely watch, just not sure if its a €1k lovely.

fonecrusher1 · 26-09-2025 08:58AM

Not sure about these gaps. Definitely a try before buy watch. Even though its out of stock anyway it seems

fonecrusher1 · 26-09-2025 09:05AM

Also while I'm here what do you think of these Alpina watches I'm seeing on Gnomon? Some of them look very nice but not familiar with the brand. https://www.gnomonwatches.com/products/alpiner-4-grey-40mm-ref-al-525gs4aq6b

OmegaGene · 26-09-2025 09:56AM

From experience I find that if someone likes a watch it’s best not to ask opinions of others because something will be pointed out and ruin the watch for you

The timex is nice, would I spend a grand on it ? No but I would always go for pre loved myself

fonecrusher1 · 26-09-2025 11:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123851535#Comment_123851535

Yeah look you're dead right in fairness. Sure afterf i bought the Steinhart someone jumped in to say basically how crap they we're 🙄

But didnt ruin anything for me. Love it I do. Its my top watch in what is a very small collection of mostly cheap watches.

☺️

H_Lime · 26-09-2025 12:13PM

I shall be having a proper poke around two Steinhart models at some point shortly for a chap who wants some bits and pieces done. Initial thoughts are good!

Ian OB · 26-09-2025 01:40PM

Okay @Wibbs, could you clarify the battery changing please?

CalamariFritti · 27-09-2025 10:13AM

Steinhart are very good quality IMO and they look good too.

I 'outgrew' them (euphemism for I went bonkers enough to spend way more money on a watch) and thats why I sold, but I really really liked my one.

Wibbs · 28-09-2025 08:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123852240#Comment_123852240

OK I'm lost. As usual. 😄

Who Watches the Watchmen (Our Chit Chat Thread)

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