Let's talk about watches...

[yuppie]

Fell upon good times a while back, got myself the Explorer II and got my Dad the Sea-Dweller.

[Chibearsv]

7 hours ago, PirelliCndms said:

I treated myself to a getting out of the Navy after 10 years gift. Some might call it cliche but I just think it’s one of the most perfect watches ever. 
 

My AD had it on my wrist within 8 weeks. Gotta love it when you have a friend who is a sales rep 😁

Beautiful watch. Were you a submariner as well? Doubly cool if you were. 

[yuppie]

6 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

Beautiful watch. Were you a submariner as well? Doubly cool if you were. 

The no-date without the cyclops hits different. Awesome piece!

[PirelliCndms]

6 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

Beautiful watch. Were you a submariner as well? Doubly cool if you were. 

Maybe

[El Presidente]

For some reason I love the simplicity of this vintage Cuervo. One of the nicer ones I have seen. 

[ShaazK]

On 6/27/2025 at 6:17 AM, El Presidente said:

For some reason I love the simplicity of this vintage Cuervo. One of the nicer ones I have seen. 

Really cool. Clean and simple. Wouldn’t imagine myself collecting one but lovely to appreciate.


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[zeedubbya]

Kind of a strange thing happened to me yesterday. I wore my watch on my opposite hand (right hand for me) and it messed me all up. I felt like I was driving in the wrong lane, seemed like I could barely write or type. I felt like I was just “out of sorts” in general. Driving was actually kind of hard. I had no idea this would/could happen. Anyone else ever give this a go? If not, you should try it! Odd experience, for me at least.    

[Ryan]

A friend found this for me a few months ago. I picked it up last month in Havana. Love this, Longines for Cuervo y Sobrinos, mini seconds and the hands shine iridescent blue in the light.

[BrightonCorgi]

My wife says I am getting old. Always complaining how expensive stuff is now. I sent out a watch for an overhaul thinking it would be $500-700. Estimate is $1000! Anyone get sticker shock on recent watch service?  

Granted it was like 6 years since I had any watch service done.

[my happy place]

9 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

My wife says I am getting old. Always complaining how expensive stuff is now. I sent out a watch for an overhaul thinking it would be $500-700. Estimate is $1000! Anyone get sticker shock on recent watch service?   

Granted it was like 6 years since I had any watch service done.

Unfortunately that sounds right. Add any complication to the watch and the price jumps from there.

[MagicalBikeRide]

I recently paid in the region of €1k (~$1.2k USD) for a service on a simple three hand Rolex diver. Watch purchased new in 2016 but not serviced since and running a bit funky. No new parts needed. 

[BrightonCorgi]

3 hours ago, my happy place said:

Unfortunately that sounds right. Add any complication to the watch and the price jumps from there.

Day Date Chrono that needed a few parts. Was told it was a lot less expensive than going to the manufacturer repair site. Factory trained watch makers and factory parts FWIW.  

[Rhinoww]

11 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Day Date Chrono that needed a few parts. Was told it was a lot less expensive than going to the manufacturer repair site. Factory trained watch makers and factory parts FWIW.  

I had an Omega automatic date chron overhauled recently. It was around $600 from my local guy who oddly has the largest collection of Patel parts in the US. Two fulltime techs that train w Rolex and omega annually. He has a crappy looking storefront but has a booming vintage business and lots of interesting vintage stuff. 

Cost of overhaul is one of the reasons I will be digging in to do some overhauls myself. Tools have mostly been acquired. I have a stable of mostly early Seiko automatic chronographs ready for me to take apart clean and rebuild, although I’ll start on a few of the day dates. Overhauls on those from a reputable vendor is also around $500, plus gaskets and mineral crystal. Quite a cult following on these movements and a few solid websites to learn tricks of the trade. Also planning on taking a week long course or two when I retire, but those focus on hand wound with no complications - but they Goni to the “why” and the “how” so likely worth my money.

First the home renovations I have been promising my wife. Then I’ll start to tinker with movements. 
But yes overhauls are expensive.

[LLC]

14 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

My wife says I am getting old. Always complaining how expensive stuff is now. I sent out a watch for an overhaul thinking it would be $500-700. Estimate is $1000! Anyone get sticker shock on recent watch service?  

Granted it was like 6 years since I had any watch service done.

Have a Tag Grand Carrera GMT and after having it for 10 years sent it in for a complete service. That was 2022 and it was $730 Canadian so I’m sure closer to $1000 now.

[ShaazK]

On 7/1/2025 at 8:05 PM, Ryan said:

A friend found this for me a few months ago. I picked it up last month in Havana. Love this, Longines for Cuervo y Sobrinos, mini seconds and the hands shine iridescent blue in the light.

Really beautiful piece.

On 7/1/2025 at 9:39 PM, BrightonCorgi said:

My wife says I am getting old. Always complaining how expensive stuff is now. I sent out a watch for an overhaul thinking it would be $500-700. Estimate is $1000! Anyone get sticker shock on recent watch service?  
Granted it was like 6 years since I had any watch service done.

Yeah man, tell me 'bout it. Recently sent my wife’s JLC for a service and repair because the repeater chimed 1 hour less each time, almost 8 months and just a hair over £5k


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[BrightonCorgi]

I heard Swatch now has a repair facility in the US. Should make fixing brands under their umbrella a little easier for US based consumers if they want factory repair or warranty work. Past Omegas I had took 6 months to get back.

[Rhod]

Been rotating in my Stowa Antea Creme Museum Ed lately. Got a new strap from Stowa and am loving it. 

[El Presidente]

Cuervo Y Sobrinos defines 1930s Cuban elegance with the cigar-inspired Espléndidos Heritage

• Historic Cuban firm Cuervo Y Sobrinos has unveiled its latest collection, the Espléndidos Heritage, named after an iconic Cuban cigar, and celebrating the vibrant legacy of Havana.
• Featuring an unmistakable curved rectangular case shape that harks back to designs of the 1930s, the new model blends vintage charm with the unique characteristics of the brand.
• The collection features two unique variations: one regular production model with a black lacquered dial, and a version with a light cream dial and rose gold accents, which is limited to just 82 pieces

CONTINUED

[SCgarman]

On 7/2/2025 at 7:59 AM, BrightonCorgi said:

I heard Swatch now has a repair facility in the US. Should make fixing brands under their umbrella a little easier for US based consumers if they want factory repair or warranty work. Past Omegas I had took 6 months to get back.

Omega had no service centers in the USA? I'm sure there are plenty of independent CW21's that can service Omega if they have a parts account. 

[GP012]

I prefer NATO straps in the summer, so this was a fun combo.

[TheFez]

14 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Cuervo Y Sobrinos defines 1930s Cuban elegance with the cigar-inspired Espléndidos Heritage

• Historic Cuban firm Cuervo Y Sobrinos has unveiled its latest collection, the Espléndidos Heritage, named after an iconic Cuban cigar, and celebrating the vibrant legacy of Havana.
• Featuring an unmistakable curved rectangular case shape that harks back to designs of the 1930s, the new model blends vintage charm with the unique characteristics of the brand.
• The collection features two unique variations: one regular production model with a black lacquered dial, and a version with a light cream dial and rose gold accents, which is limited to just 82 pieces

Thats really pretty. There's something special about a beautiful rectangular watch like that, not too many nice ones nowadays. Brings to mind the Cartier Tanks and the JLC Reversos which I love, with a touch of FP Journe style. I should get another reverso at some point but I'm too busy chasing a much gaudier and less classy rectangular watch🤣

[Puros Y Vino]

On 8/6/2025 at 2:51 AM, El Presidente said:

Cuervo Y Sobrinos defines 1930s Cuban elegance with the cigar-inspired Espléndidos Heritage

• Historic Cuban firm Cuervo Y Sobrinos has unveiled its latest collection, the Espléndidos Heritage, named after an iconic Cuban cigar, and celebrating the vibrant legacy of Havana.
• Featuring an unmistakable curved rectangular case shape that harks back to designs of the 1930s, the new model blends vintage charm with the unique characteristics of the brand.
• The collection features two unique variations: one regular production model with a black lacquered dial, and a version with a light cream dial and rose gold accents, which is limited to just 82 pieces

Beautiful.  Rectangular styles are my favourite.  At $3500USD, it's a no go for me.  I'll wait for the Teemu version.  

[looseleaf]

If I wore a watch I think it would have to be a Gérald Genta design: Aquanaut, Royal Oak, or Ingenieur.

[chasy]

3 hours ago, looseleaf said:

If I wore a watch I think it would have to be a Gérald Genta design: Aquanaut, Royal Oak, or Ingenieur.

I wear a watch and wish it was designed by Gerald Genta…

[my happy place]

On 8/6/2025 at 9:21 AM, GP012 said:

I prefer NATO straps in the summer, so this was a fun combo.

Swatch and Omega really nailed this collaboration, and looks great with that strap!