Alternatives to Smiths Everest PRS-25 and Timefactors....gone in less than 3 minutes

I tried, in vain again like so many others to try and snag one of the Smiths Everest PRS-25 1016 watches on Timefactors.  It is early here in San Francisco, and they opened the store and everything was sold in less than 3 minutes. I had my cart, was putting in my payment info and was told it was sold out. What kind of racket is this.  Sorry ahead of time for the vent, but this is rubbish and I want  to find an alternative. So far, I've found that San Martin makes a homage and one other smaller Hong Kong based outfit.  Does anyone have any suggestions? Because I'm done with the grey market flippers getting these watches and I'm sick of attempting to deal with the timefactors website which looks like it can only handle traffic patterns and business from 5 people.  

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Another satisfied customer.  Any thoughts @chronotriggered ?

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I've heard these guys make a homage to Smiths.  And the crazy thing is, they actually went to the peak of Everest on the very same trip as the Smiths watch!  Only, I've heard that this watch was kept in the pocket, while the Smiths was the one that was actually worn on their wrists.  So, at least it's got some small claim to heritage.

Rolex Explorer Black Dial Stainless Steel Oyster Bracelet Automatic Men's  Watch 214270BKASO m214270-0003 845960028448 - Watches, Explorer - Jomashop
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There is this new Steinhart. But it’s based on the more modern Explorers and it’s 39mm. 

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Mr.Dee.Bater

I've heard these guys make a homage to Smiths.  And the crazy thing is, they actually went to the peak of Everest on the very same trip as the Smiths watch!  Only, I've heard that this watch was kept in the pocket, while the Smiths was the one that was actually worn on their wrists.  So, at least it's got some small claim to heritage.

Rolex Explorer Black Dial Stainless Steel Oyster Bracelet Automatic Men's  Watch 214270BKASO m214270-0003 845960028448 - Watches, Explorer - Jomashop

Well nut I get that, but it's not financially viable right now. Maybe years down the line when family responsibility isn't a factor and there are more funds. 

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fedoragent

Well nut I get that, but it's not financially viable right now. Maybe years down the line when family responsibility isn't a factor and there are more funds. 

Ha!  Okay, all joking aside, here are some of my "straight out of my a$$" thoughts:

Why limit yourself to "off the shelf" stuff?  I mean, the Smiths is great and all, but clearly a) they don't care about customer experience, b) I've heard that customer service is atrocious, and c) per Max's video, they're a brand that was simply bought by some dude, who is now doing homages of the Explorer!  If you want something that looks awesome - like the Explorer - why not get something truly unique?  Why not get something "made to order" from a modder?  No one else will have the same thing as you!

Here is a list of folks right off the top of my head, here on WC who do mods:

I'm sure there are a ton more folks who I've failed to mention, but now that we live in a world where parts are plentiful, you can get something custom that perfectly matches your desires, while also having that thing be truly one-of-a-kind!  And...  you don't deal with a 60 second purchase window!  Ha!

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Mr.Dee.Bater

I've heard these guys make a homage to Smiths.  And the crazy thing is, they actually went to the peak of Everest on the very same trip as the Smiths watch!  Only, I've heard that this watch was kept in the pocket, while the Smiths was the one that was actually worn on their wrists.  So, at least it's got some small claim to heritage.

Rolex Explorer Black Dial Stainless Steel Oyster Bracelet Automatic Men's  Watch 214270BKASO m214270-0003 845960028448 - Watches, Explorer - Jomashop

They bought the Smiths name and make a Rolex homage. Really cool watches but people act like it's better than other homages, more legit? I dunno 🤔

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Aurelian

Another satisfied customer.  Any thoughts @chronotriggered ?

Nope - no thoughts at all. None whatsoever. Absolutely zero. Diddly-squat. Null. Nil point. Nothing. Nada. Nien. Nein.

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San Martin 60s Explorer Homage seems like one of the best on the market. The 39mm is the only thing that turned me off it.

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I'm actually interested in the PRS-29 homage to the W10 military watch, but I've heard enough negative things about Eddie to make me concerned about buying from Timefactors.  I've been looking at #christoperward C65 Sandhurst, but there's too many differences in the design to make me happy.  I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

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aliexpress 65 bucks

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Buy a Sinn 556. Short of the Explorer, you aren't going to find a better made watch in the price range. 

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OldSnafu
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aliexpress 65 bucks

How long is the waitlist?

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At least we would be able to get one. Man this just feels like the MoonSwatch go-to market strategy. I'm other words, make it so difficult after hype cycle so that you give customers and potential customers a reason to go-to competitors and sour their enthusiasm for the brand. Dreadful. Just dreadful. 

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I was so close to them -  l could taste the bio-ceramic. So not disappointed how underwhelming this was.

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Porthole
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I was so close to them -  l could taste the bio-ceramic. So not disappointed how underwhelming this was.

china has clones of the moonswatch for a week now. around $100.00

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OldSnafu

china has clones of the moonswatch for a week now. around $100.00

Neither shocked nor surprised, but equally amused and satisfied. 

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OldSnafu

china has clones of the moonswatch for a week now. around $100.00

Quelle, quelle surprise.

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There is the Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic.

There is the Atticus Daedalus no-date.

There is the Steinhart mentioned above.

I feel like these are good options in the Explorer homage market, although the Steinhart is more like a copy.  

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OldSnafu
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aliexpress 65 bucks

FYI, I went your way. Miyota 8215 and it will all be here on June 11th. Awesome. Thank you for this. This is going to be fun. 

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I got one and it just came in the mail today! The bracelet is good, not great, so I took that off and put it on a vintage leather racing strap. i Was worried as I have big wrists and typically don’t venture below 40mm, let alone 36mm, but I think it’s great!

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Mr.Dee.Bater

I've heard these guys make a homage to Smiths.  And the crazy thing is, they actually went to the peak of Everest on the very same trip as the Smiths watch!  Only, I've heard that this watch was kept in the pocket, while the Smiths was the one that was actually worn on their wrists.  So, at least it's got some small claim to heritage.

Rolex Explorer Black Dial Stainless Steel Oyster Bracelet Automatic Men's  Watch 214270BKASO m214270-0003 845960028448 - Watches, Explorer - Jomashop

And let’s not forget the resl watch actually looked nothing like this design!

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Porthole

How long is the waitlist?

One month of shipping

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Zulu6ix

One month of shipping

Clearly missed the joke there…

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No I didn’t Miss the joke. I was playing off it saying the month shipping is like a waiting list.

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I have one of the 37mm San Martin homages and it's an absolute stunner.  I was shocked by the fit and finish. I wouldn't hesitate to get one. 

*edited to add that the one I got has the applied indices.