My thoughts on various watches I've owned across and the value they bring to the table across the affordable and entry level luxury brands. And not so much on reading and quoting specs.
Please like and subscribe! You can also follow me on IG @watching_mike
It was something similar to this set here www.ebay.com.au/itm/355151228955?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=xhztn8vaqr2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=48WX7qNBRM-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
The finishing looks surprisingly good for a cheap-watch. If i didn't knew the background or brand i would think this is a 500+ € watch Looks good i will give it a chance for 72€ you can't do much wrong
I am a bit late to this video, but so far I have two Steinharts: Ocean one blue ceramic 39 and Adventurer Classic 39. Ocean One GMT ceramic 39 looks awesome and I consider to get it. But I also really want the "Pepsi" version as well. Steinhart is addictive!
In January 2021 I got the quartz chronograph, but the one with the day of the week, much thinner hour and minute hands And it’s 21 mm lugs. I was able to find an archer brand rubber silicone strap in 21 mm on Amazon and I also got an expansion bracelet for it which both fit beautifully. I do wish I had the thicker hour and minute hands like yours because it’s very hard to discern the sub dial hands when they’re pointing toward the Piñon. It makes time telling rather confusing at times.
Yep 21mm straps are harder to find but curved ended rubber straps look great on most watches. As for telling the time, as long as it looks good u can always use your phone haha.
I have the blue version, had it for about 2 years now.. unfortunately the band is shredding apart and the hour hand is off by a half an hour.. so when it's 12 o'clock the hour hand sticks out, the pin fell out of the band at the case.. it still works though. Mine actually has lume on the outer Basel.. but it's poor. Hopefully you have better results than I have. Great video regardless !
Thanks for watching! Yep my straps are already fraying but the watch movement is still keeping good time for now. Unfortunate for yours, should last for more than 2 years but it's always a gamble on quality control when u buy from Aliexpress!
Thanks for the review. I've been thinking about getting this watch for months and luckly I found the seller in my city! It will be on my wrist tomorrow. from south korea:)
Funny to see: Tissot (another ETA user) recently released a very very similar watch, the movement inside is a pure ETA 7750 with a much lower power reserve. Your version of the modified movement is much much better. Would you have an idea of year of production & model number. Thanks again for your review 👌❤️👍, John
The model number is L2.780.4.18.2 and production year 2012. I wouldn't mind checking out the tissot since I really like these spiral tachy style designs but pricing seems a bit high. And yes the column wheel chrono movement on the Longines is much better in comparison. A relatively affordable alternative to the tissot if you can find it is the Alpina 130 Heritage chrono which has a lovely box sapphire crystal and SW500 movement.
Thanks for the video In your opinion how does this watch compare to the Casio Edifice EFR-S108D? I'm mulling between the two. Which do you think is a better buy?
The edifice is a technically superior watch, and I expect material and finish would be a step above the Timex given the higher price. If you like the casioak style then definitely go for it!
@@watchingmike1487 Yup! I love the Casioak aesthetics of the Edifice The thing that's holding me back after seeing it in person though is how flimsy the hollow link bracelet feels. It's the integrated type as well so it's almost impossible to swap it out for a better bracelet
Yes I feel that at this point there are too many BB variants that are just a flippers market like the 58 was when released to the silver and dark ceremic versions.
I've been doing this same comparison in my own head for the last month of my old 2531.80 blue vs a BB58 blue I just picked up. Glad to find I'm not the only one! It's a really relevant comparison for those willing to cross shop new and used. Really surprises me how the BB58 wears a little thicker than the dimensions, whereas the SMP wears thinner. And my Early ETA powered version even thinner. I think you've nailed the basis for the conclusion: personal preference. These days I like simplicity and the SMP has a lot more going on from a design and execution perspective, which I find too much at times. Question for you about the 1st gen ceramic: is the lume blue or green? The green lume on my 1998 example glows green so strongly that the lume pips are tinted a sicly green all the time on bright days. Drives me a little crazy because the crisp white lume contrasts so perfectly with the dial, on the few chances I have to see it that way. Does your generation suffer from the same effect?
The design of the cases do make a large difference i think. The Tudors have a nearly uniform monoblock case profile whereas the seasmasters cases are more sculpted on the sides curving inwards which makes it feel thinner. The lume on the SMPc is blue with a green pip and minute hand and yes on brighter days there is a tinge of blue on the lume dots but not really obvious.
Excellent and very informative review. I just can't narrow down my choice between Steinhart's GMT, Ocean 39 Submariner lookalike and the Vintage Red. Regarding the Vintage Red, and I've inquired, Steinhart, Germany will NOT sell the Ocean Vintage Red in 39mm form from their website - they insist it is only available from their Asian collaborators - which means about 25 per cent import tax on top of net cost for EU and UK based purchasers. Or settling for the larger and bulkier 42mm version direct from Germany.
I personally like the extra splash of colour that comes with a red gmt hand. I assume you mean Gnomon which Steinhart often do exclusives with. Unfortunate if you want a Red 39mm, maybe look up the secondary market as I've seen a few for sale there.
Good afternoon. I just unpacked my first watch - Seiko 5 srpe61, immediately noticed that when I turn the wrist, I hear a quiet sound like light clicks. I understand this is how the rotor moves? Should such a light "tsik tsik tsik" sound come from this?)
@@watchingmike1487 Thanks for the answer. They go +30 secs in 24 hours. But now i have another problem. i started the watch manualy, about 20 turns crown and put it on the shelf. they were without any motions and they stopes after 9 hours. Is it normal? Im worried because in the instruction says that they must run 41 hours.
I have the brushed bezel and prefer it over the polished bezel. I swapped out the gray NATO and installed an Uncle Seiko president-style steel bracelet. It looks awesome and definitely is the best bracelet for the SRPE61K. I feel that a polished bezel would draw a little attention away from the beautiful sunburst dial.
I disagree. The best bracelet for the SRPE61 is the new Seiko silicone 20mm bracelet. Not only is it the most comfortable option, but it looks amazing with the double domed sapphire mod. The sunburst Grey against the dark black silicone bracelet looks stunning. Too much silver and Grey with a steel bracelet. Not enough contrast.
Just goes to show how versatile this watch is to suit a variety of personal preferences ! I enjoy mine on a simple two stitch dark brown leather strap.
The SRPE's bezel finish (polished vs. brushed) is not so much a matter of taste but of bracelet vs. strap. If worn with a brushed bracelet the brushed bezel version tends to blend into the bracelet, leading to a very dull look. The polished bezel provides some direly needed pop and contrast to make the watch head stand out. I think Seiko got it exactly right. I love the watches stark, almost industrial look, so I got the SRPE61 with its brushed bezel. Awesome watch!
What? No pip?? Steinhart has the best movement and bracelet, but they insist on getting they're dials as grey as possible. The complete black like the Rolex gilt dial is by far the best.
The newer version with the engraved bezel does have a lume triangle at 12. But yes if your looking for a lacquered gloss black dial u need to look at other brands.
@@watchingmike1487 I have an OVM 39 That does have a pip and is very black. As a submariner homage, the ocean 39 you reviewed must have a pip. I don't understand Steinharts thinking.
Mike, I picked one of these up on Ebay about 3 years ago and love it. Do you remember when these were originally sold as I'm wondering how soon to have mine serviced. Thanks, Larry
Hey Larry, I think these came out around 2010. I've probably owned mine for 6-7 years without servicing and it runs well at +/-10 seconds. Wouldn't be too concerned with servicing unless it's losing minutes per day or gets difficult to wind.
