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Posted: 2/21/2021 9:46:59 PM EDT
Found that I want something different than what I thought I wanted. I’m leaning more towards a submariner look. So far come across the Steinheart, Squale, phobis, and a few others.
Knowing I won’t get to put my hands on most of these before a buy, looking to your all’s experiences and recommendation. Would love a real deal Rolex if I had a money tree, but since I don’t, I would am looking to stay under $600. Thanks! |
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I've got the money but hate paying full retail on anything. And recently Subs have gone up almost $2k and you can't find them. I bought a $700 homage and can't be more pleased it was +7minutes a month and had it regulated down to < -3 minutes month. Heavy, good band and deployment clasp.
https://www.longislandwatch.com/Davosa_Automatic_Ternos_Dive_Watch_p/16155550.htm Attached File |
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For $600 I'd either buy a good quality fake by VSF or a couple of Seiko Turtles.
If you really want a "homage" rather than a fake, Steinhart or a Ginault if you can find one. OK, scratch the Ginault- I guess they're now "collectables" on eBay for $1500..... |
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Steinheart 39mm:
https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/ocean-one-39-black-ceramic.html $437 with todays exchange rate. |
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All great information. I’ll look the Steinheart up and do some more research. 430 vs 570 seems appealing.
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Steinharts have REALLY flat cases / lugs. So much so that I ended up disappointed in the one I bought. I should probably sell it, or strip the movement and trash it.
I’d suggest Squale or Davosa for Swiss movement based. Their cases are much more comfortable. Also, consider some of the mushroom brand Asian stuff. “Just one more watch” on you tube reviews sub clones pretty frequently that are in the 100$ range. Seiko NH35a, Miyota and Seagull movements aren’t fancy, but they can be very functional. |
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Also, while not exactly a 100% homage, I saw the deep blue daynight Mil T-100, the tritium and auto movement for ~360 seems appealing as well.
Thoughts on this option? |
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Quoted: Also, while not exactly a 100% homage, I saw the deep blue daynight Mil T-100, the tritium and auto movement for ~360 seems appealing as well. Thoughts on this option? View Quote When I first got into watches I bought a couple homage pieces including a Sub-type. Eventually got rid of them for various reasons. I don't knock em for anyone else, just for me I'd rather go w/ the real deal or get something unique. Thus I like that Deep Blue model you listed, and going back to Seiko they've got some beauties from the hundreds up into the $1k-$3k range and beyond. |
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Quoted: Also, while not exactly a 100% homage, I saw the deep blue daynight Mil T-100, the tritium and auto movement for ~360 seems appealing as well. Thoughts on this option? View Quote Deep Blues are cool, and have great Tritium. The downside is they're 44-45mm wide and 15-16mm thick. A Sub is 40mm and 13mm thick, which is a much nicer size. Thats what I liked about the Steinhert 39mm. Scurfa makes some nice 40mm Divers designed by a serious diver, at comparable prices, although without tritium: https://www.scurfawatches.com/categories/watches/ |
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Quoted: Steinheart 39mm: https://i.redd.it/t8bqwx7w66w11.jpg https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/ocean-one-39-black-ceramic.html $437 with todays exchange rate. View Quote |
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I picked up a practically NIB Squale 1545 a few weeks back from Ebay. It was originally purchased from Gnomon back in January. I think it's the best watch I've had thus far.
Looks great on NATOs and leather. I was hesitant on the 40mm case size, but it fits my 7in wrist well. I looked at Steinhart, but I read a lot of reviews about the flat lugs and how it didn't allow the watch to fit well for certain wrist sizes. Glad I went with the Squale. |
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https://instagram.com/oneofone.mods?igshid=5weu5avrlpj
Oneofone.mods on IG They’re seiko watches that look like Subs. I kinda want to get one. Attached File |
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Quoted: https://instagram.com/oneofone.mods?igshid=5weu5avrlpj Oneofone.mods on IG They're seiko watches that look like Subs. I kinda want to get one. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/426972/8A3B42AD-78A1-4355-82DC-D7E50C3FF300_jpe-1852104.JPG View Quote https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/What-watch-are-you-wearing-today-WOTD-/178-1276917/?page=176#i91390064 |
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I posted in another thread about these guys, I really think I’m going to pull the trigger on one soon. I stumbled onto them out of the blue, and I don’t want to end up sounding like a shill for the brand but I’m really impressed and their reviews have been positive.
Attached File Attached File I think they nailed the vintage Milsub look. Usually I hate faux patina, but these ones look pretty good. I also like the fact that they assemble them in here in the US. They also do Swiss made ones if that’s more your speed. But sapphire crystal and case back, ceramic bezel, awesome lume and they’re using proven movements, so I’m impressed. I have a couple I’m eyeing up. If I can’t get my hands on the new green dial Marinemaster 200 I think I’m going for one of these. |
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Interesting suggestions. I am struggling, I would like to buy one new watch - started with the explorer look, transitioned to the submariner look, and now I’m down the rabbit hole of Marathon GSAR. All totally different, they all work it just what scratches the itch. I typically wear one watch for a 5-7 year period, not that I have a few mid-end models I’m thinking something of more character is fitting.
Choices choices |
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Quoted: Squale 1545 - Gen 1 Nereus watches. NTH ETA: for $600 I’d hunt for a CWC Diver, legit milsub heritage (name) and is it’s own thing. Mine is my favorite even over the sub. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/164007/DSC_8528_JPG-1556339.jpg View Quote That is a solid looking watch. Really cool share. |
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Squale 1545 is what I bought. It's pretty nice. ETA 2824 movement. And if you look at most of the homage watches they use the same movement so don't overpay.
Attached File |
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The Squale is a solid choice. I have about 15 watches I’m watching on eBay at the moment. Who knows which will win.
The Vaer is very tempting too as I have started to look into them more too. |
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Two thumbs up for Deep Blue here, love mine, its a tank, heavy and solid, the way I like them. I have a Master 2000 10 Year Anniversary. It has a Swiss ETA movement. Super bright lume...
About to buy another, the Master 1000 II Pepsi homage...a Seiko NH-35 movement, but price reflects that. Looks great with the Pepsi bezel and very red hands... They are big, 44mmx15mm, but again, I like them bigger. I have a cool Yema Navygraf, but at 39 or 40mm, its seems dainty to me... |
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Well after all of the tire kicking I ended up picking the Yema Superman 39mm.
Different enough, nod to the homage sub look and I got it for a wonderful price. Almost that I can still get a Depblue Tridiver with the savings. Thanks to all for the suggestions, really tempted by the squale and others. Not my picture, but will update when mine comes in. Attached File |
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Quoted: I posted in another thread about these guys, I really think I’m going to pull the trigger on one soon. I stumbled onto them out of the blue, and I don’t want to end up sounding like a shill for the brand but I’m really impressed and their reviews have been positive. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/503570/A882B989-937A-4A12-94A3-FD140BB98AF0_jpe-1852186.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/503570/036BA785-E330-441F-98F0-87B58F316BB9_jpe-1852189.JPG I think they nailed the vintage Milsub look. Usually I hate faux patina, but these ones look pretty good. I also like the fact that they assemble them in here in the US. They also do Swiss made ones if that’s more your speed. But sapphire crystal and case back, ceramic bezel, awesome lume and they’re using proven movements, so I’m impressed. I have a couple I’m eyeing up. If I can’t get my hands on the new green dial Marinemaster 200 I think I’m going for one of these. View Quote I'm holding off until they drop more colors since I have enough black dive watches already. I confirmed through their sales contact that they will be releasing new ones later this year, was turned onto Vaer by a buddy from the Denver Veteran Writing Workshop and have been very impressed at the price point. |
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Quoted: I posted in another thread about these guys, I really think I’m going to pull the trigger on one soon. I stumbled onto them out of the blue, and I don’t want to end up sounding like a shill for the brand but I’m really impressed and their reviews have been positive. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/503570/A882B989-937A-4A12-94A3-FD140BB98AF0_jpe-1852186.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/503570/036BA785-E330-441F-98F0-87B58F316BB9_jpe-1852189.JPG I think they nailed the vintage Milsub look. Usually I hate faux patina, but these ones look pretty good. I also like the fact that they assemble them in here in the US. They also do Swiss made ones if that’s more your speed. But sapphire crystal and case back, ceramic bezel, awesome lume and they’re using proven movements, so I’m impressed. I have a couple I’m eyeing up. If I can’t get my hands on the new green dial Marinemaster 200 I think I’m going for one of these. View Quote Done! MM 200 green |
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It is a flat for sure, but my impressive 6.5” wrist really helps to highlight it.
On the nato supreme from Crown and Buckle, it is hands down the most comfortable watch I have had. Attached File Attached File |
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@Flyskate
That's a handsome watch band can you post more pics? Also where did you get it? |
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One more vote for Steinhart; I have three, a bunch of old and new Rolex (and replicas) AND the Steinhart still find me amused.
Great watches; My "vintage red" Steinhart Vintage Red - Bond by SoloDallas, on Flickr ETA this Ocean One is also fantastic. Ocean One Walther P5 by SoloDallas, on Flickr |
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Quoted: https://instagram.com/oneofone.mods?igshid=5weu5avrlpj Oneofone.mods on IG They’re seiko watches that look like Subs. I kinda want to get one. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/426972/8A3B42AD-78A1-4355-82DC-D7E50C3FF300_jpe-1852104.JPG View Quote That's a fantasy model... the only factory Seiko part is the movement. I found the dial on ebay for under 20$ shipped... ordered a blue one and a have blue Steeldive clone with the ceramic bezel. I think I should be able to just swap the dials. Hopefully the lume matches dial to bezel. |
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I have one these coming in on their bracelet.
Attached File Should be here tomorrow and I'll post a review. |
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Quoted: Scurfa makes some nice 40mm Divers designed by a serious diver, at comparable prices, although without tritium: https://www.scurfawatches.com/categories/watches/ View Quote I have this quartz Scurfa and love it. |
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Quoted: Nice. They have a very interesting history. Solid offerings during that wonderful 50s/60s era, The equivalent to watches in my mind as, say, 1964 to 1974 was for cars in the US. Typical ass kicking taken as with most during the 70s, 80s. Seiko owned them for quite a bit, But seem to be determined to kick ass on their own again. I gave their maxi dial a try. https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu220/ramairfour/DDC35C61_7228_4C39_8962_D234FA35254A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds Edit- It would be neat, I think, to take a couple of days and drive from the major German, Swiss, and French watchmakers. Maybe go Glashutte, Frankfurt, Basel, Geneva, Besancon. View Quote How’d you get rid of that absurd bezel lock? |
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Quoted: I have one these coming in on their bracelet. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/423578/D7-Arctic-Tropic_686a7b1a-faa4-4e74-a445-1883910.JPG Should be here tomorrow and I'll post a review. View Quote Updates on the Vaer? |
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Quoted: How’d you get rid of that absurd bezel lock? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Nice. They have a very interesting history. Solid offerings during that wonderful 50s/60s era, The equivalent to watches in my mind as, say, 1964 to 1974 was for cars in the US. Typical ass kicking taken as with most during the 70s, 80s. Seiko owned them for quite a bit, But seem to be determined to kick ass on their own again. I gave their maxi dial a try. https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu220/ramairfour/DDC35C61_7228_4C39_8962_D234FA35254A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds Edit- It would be neat, I think, to take a couple of days and drive from the major German, Swiss, and French watchmakers. Maybe go Glashutte, Frankfurt, Basel, Geneva, Besancon. How’d you get rid of that absurd bezel lock? Remember that back in the classic era of dive watches, many bezels were friction vs click ball. So they could become moved and through off the timing. (It could happen with click ball, etc. also, just not as easily.). Locking a bezel was seen as a feature. Think of it as something like a vent window, 8 track player, bench seat, hi beam switch on the floor, etc. you don’t see on cars anymore. But they are putting on some historical re-releases reverently. Regardless, Yema does make models, like mine, that do not have it. |
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The D7 Arctic is absolutely gorgeous and is currently at +4 spd. The crystal is the star of the show, right in front of the ceramic bezel, which feels better than my Tag and Seamaster 300. It’s a strap monster for sure and the supplied bracelet is better than expected. I would say buy with confidence, but hurry, their current stock is all they’ll have until mid summer.
Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Quoted: The D7 Arctic is absolutely gorgeous and is currently at +4 spd. The crystal is the star of the show, right in front of the ceramic bezel, which feels better than my Tag and Seamaster 300. It's a strap monster for sure and the supplied bracelet is better than expected. I would say buy with confidence, but hurry, their current stock is all they'll have until mid summer. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/423578/94D38926-192D-47CD-844C-35F065232BE7_jpe-1912981.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/423578/4040B3A4-2DDA-4CDD-B9F0-CC457036C843_jpe-1912982.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/423578/6F514333-C07A-44C2-A7AE-6E78294EB0CA_jpe-1912983.JPG View Quote Now, what is the real difference between a D5 and a D7? D7 Arctic (Arctic being the one to go for imo) is out of stock on vaer.com |
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