My next watch, a diver
Now that the summer is here I was thinking about getting a dive watch in a future and probably complete my collection.
I'm looking for an actual diver not a desk diver, something I can take to the beach or the pool and get it wet. My price range is about 200€.
Some of the ones I've looked at are:
●Seiko 4205-0140 fully restored by a watchmaker, but I will definitely take it to my watchmaker to see if it's fully functional and water resistant.
●Seiko 2625-0010 offered by an uncle who bought it in the 80s, unfortunately doesn't work even after installing a new battery. Definitely a good summer project to tinker and learn. In the worst case scenario I need a modern made replacement movement due to pieces, corrosion or short-circuit I will also have to take it to the watch shop to test the waterprofess.
●Citizen EP6051-14L classic eco-drive dive watch in a compact 34mm size and ISO certified, unfortunately the 36mm one is not available here and I don't know the lug to lug measurement also quite pricey.
●Tandorio SKX013 homage with a case size of 37mm but a short 40mm lug to lug, combined with a price of 70€ will fulfill the role of the homage watch as a cheap entry level diver.
What do you think about this options.
If you think like I'm excluding something let me know it or if you have any recommendations under 38mm with a lug to lug smaller than 41mm.
Cheers!
Edit: I have been trying watches in a local jewelry and from the small collection of my father and apparently my maximum lug to lug is 47mm but they need to be quite curved as you can see in these images. But even then I feel like they overhang a bit.
Not sure if this Vostok Amphibian 420 (39mm×46mm) or this 62mas case (37mm×46mm) will fit in my 5.9in wrists with a rubber or NATO strap
Just a young chap who is starting, with a passion for vintage watches
Only one I've had in my hand is the Citizen and I can say it is quite comfortable on the wrist, size isn't too large, the Eco-Drive movement means you won't have to worry about power reserve or battery change, and the seconds hand on mine hits the markers everytime, so for what it's worth this one gets a vote from me
I did pick up a Tandorio Willard homage last year and so far have not found anything major to complain about, only slight annoyance is the top heaviness with the included rubber strap
Only one I've had in my hand is the Citizen and I can say it is quite comfortable on the wrist, size isn't too large, the Eco-Drive movement means you won't have to worry about power reserve or battery change, and the seconds hand on mine hits the markers everytime, so for what it's worth this one gets a vote from me
I did pick up a Tandorio Willard homage last year and so far have not found anything major to complain about, only slight annoyance is the top heaviness with the included rubber strap
Thanks for your answer, that's why I was looking for the Citizen in 34mm as for the Tandorio I'm going for the "SKX013" in a more compact size than the Willard, not sure how heavy is but at that price and the compact lug to lug is quite appealing.
Thanks for your answer, that's why I was looking for the Citizen in 34mm as for the Tandorio I'm going for the "SKX013" in a more compact size than the Willard, not sure how heavy is but at that price and the compact lug to lug is quite appealing.
Citizen just released a smaller version of the diver earlier this month, reference EO2028-06L for the blue colorway, the case size is listed at 36.5mm, it's new so the prices are still gonna be on the high side, but worth considering
Citizen just released a smaller version of the diver earlier this month, reference EO2028-06L for the blue colorway, the case size is listed at 36.5mm, it's new so the prices are still gonna be on the high side, but worth considering
I saw it a couple of days ago, they look good especially the blue model, like you said the prices are quite high and is not available where I live at least not now. My main concern is the lug to lug, if it's larger than 41mm it will unfortunately overhang.
I saw it a couple of days ago, they look good especially the blue model, like you said the prices are quite high and is not available where I live at least not now. My main concern is the lug to lug, if it's larger than 41mm it will unfortunately overhang.
Yeah, I couldn't find any tip to tip measurements either, I did find a fairly decent price on Jomashop for $250 USD but this is still over your budget
Casio Duro or Seiko5 Divers
The best choice for a real diver in your budget range:
The best choice for a real diver in your budget range:
Just looked at the specs which are quite good, unfortunately the 40mm case size and the almost 48mm lug to lug measurement it's just too big for my 5.9in wrists. Also I'm based in Continental Europe so the shipping plus import taxes put it way above my budget. They are also out of stock at the moment.
I got mine during the Truss reign. Pound was super low against the dollar. I guess Brexit finds all kinds of ways to make a mess of things
I got mine during the Truss reign. Pound was super low against the dollar. I guess Brexit finds all kinds of ways to make a mess of things
Not Brexit, I live in Spain so anything that comes from across the pond (either the Atlantic or the Canal) is meet with heavy taxation and inefficient bureaucracy. Also shipping companies that doesn't give in easily in the fact that some of us can fill that same paper in the Tax Office for free instead of paying then a fee plus taxes, to the point is not possible to fulfill any papers if it's not above 150€ and even then is quite difficult.
Scurfa is in England
Casio Duro or Seiko5 Divers
Unfortunately I tried the Casio Duro it's too big, about the Seiko 5 divers are either too big or way above my budget at least from the authorize shops selling them here, they also don't have a screw-down crown and just 10bar water resistance
Scurfa is in England
Yes, just notice that but like I explain in my previous comment they put heavy taxation on English goods.
Citizen made some really good well-made watches, so if you can get an Eco-Drive with a 34mm (which is quite rare, since they really like to make gigantic watches), just go with it!
Citizen made some really good well-made watches, so if you can get an Eco-Drive with a 34mm (which is quite rare, since they really like to make gigantic watches), just go with it!
I'm holding to see what other thinks of the different options such as the Seiko 4205-0140 or the Tandorio or propose. If all fails I will have to go for the Citizen. Also I'm interested to buy it in a couple of months, so there is no hurry.
I been trying to, for now my best bet is Amazon cheapest of the bunch at 199€. But I would definitely look for something if I decided to go for the Citizen.
I see larrabe.com doing that Promaster on rubber for about 220 Euro.
I see larrabe.com doing that Promaster on rubber for about 220 Euro.
Amazon still is the cheapest at 199€, but I found this store in the Netherlands? selling it 10€ cheaper lucasdivestore
Amazon still is the cheapest at 199€, but I found this store in the Netherlands? selling it 10€ cheaper lucasdivestore
Some differences there; the primary one being the Netherlands one is a solar quartz, and the one I've suggested is an automatic. Also, a difference in size, too. Both things to be sure of, before buying.
I don't doubt it, but I just find out these Tandorios are not as water resistant as they claim and unfortunately I don't know another Chinese brand that do a homage to the SKX013 a bit smaller than the now overprice original.
The other two Seikos are from the 80s one is fully restore and the other needs restoration but they definitely will see a watchmaker if I ever decided to buy one or to put it water just so can be swim with.
Hey check out Islander watches. Based in the US and they offer a lot of SKX based divers reasonable prices too!
Some differences there; the primary one being the Netherlands one is a solar quartz, and the one I've suggested is an automatic. Also, a difference in size, too. Both things to be sure of, before buying.
The one I looked up is the solar quartz in a 34mm as the 44mm solar quartz model or in this case the 42mm automatic model are quite big in case and lug to lug
When I was in your boat I ended up with the SNE575.
It's awesome!
https://youtu.be/EhanDvJHPX0
Hey check out Islander watches. Based in the US and they offer a lot of SKX based divers reasonable prices too!
I look at then, unfortunately the watches offered similar the SKX are quite big in case diameter and lug to lug. Also the postage plus fees and taxes put them way above my budget.
My though with the Tandorio was a compact SKX013 not one with a similar size to a SKX007.
When I was in your boat I ended up with the SNE575.
It's awesome!
https://youtu.be/EhanDvJHPX0
A good looking watch, but way above my budget of 200€ at almost 500€ and a lug to lug too big for my 5.9in wrists.
I see, the 36mm makes it tough. Glycine combat sun is about all I’ve got then, but that’s probably too expensive to fit the bill.
It might not be worth the effort, but I found this on eBay. You could buy it or similar and use the movement out of it.
Almost forgot there is the option of the Seiko 4205-0140 which was fully restore even the seals were check. At around 140$ for a mechanical watch is quite a bang for your buck.
Almost forgot there is the option of the Seiko 4205-0140 which was fully restore even the seals were check. At around 140$ for a mechanical watch is quite a bang for your buck.
Also a good option. I’m a big fan of vintage Seiko, so I really think you can’t go wrong with one.
Check Orient too
Check Orient too
I already checked them, that red dial Kamasu looks good and is the pop of color a diver needs without standing out much. It's really a shame they don't make it in a more compact size as the 46mm lug to lug will make it overhang.
Also a good option. I’m a big fan of vintage Seiko, so I really think you can’t go wrong with one.
The good thing about it is they keep a bit of the water resistance even without service (at least the old ones) but considering the fact that this was restored probably can be submerge it will be worth to take to a watchmaker to be fully safe.
Also in this model the movement can be replaced with a NH05 so even if the watchmaker runs out of spares it can be replaced for modern made alternative.
If not, well the Citizen EP6051-14L has similar looks and size.
A good looking watch, but way above my budget of 200€ at almost 500€ and a lug to lug too big for my 5.9in wrists.
I got that thing brand new for just shy of 230 euros, but I feel you on the LTL. Happy hunting!
Yeah, I couldn't find any tip to tip measurements either, I did find a fairly decent price on Jomashop for $250 USD but this is still over your budget
Well now the 36.5mm model is available here at the somewhat reasonable price of 220€ or 240$ with a lug to lug of 42mm is quite compact. Just need to try on to see if it works, will have to wait until Amazon decides to sell them to "buy it" and return it if I don't like it.