Getting into Mechanical Watches: Vostok, Seiko, Tag Heuer, and Tudor. 

I have had this theory that watch and gun enthusiasts are driven by a love of intricate mechanical things, and so they’re not far away from car people, either. Love the collection!!!!

Never thought I'd be watching a video about watches.

Check out the Ball Watches, History, details, and mechanics. Keeps better time than a rolex.

My brother in law was a pilot and air craft mechanic, he passed away and my sister gave me his watch. It is a bulova accutron astronaut. It is beautiful.

“Wrist presence”, “grail watch” and all that jargon hahaha. You really went off the deep end with all that research. Always cool to see others watch collecting journey. I started out with modded seikos and now proudly wear a Tudor BB58 as my daily.

I'm on my 2nd watch already, a Seiko 5 Sports and the Tom Rice with the leather strap and white dial, bought soon after I saw your video on it. So it's all over for me.

I started with Seiko and finally got a new 43mm Rolex Sea Dweller a few years ago. Tag costs more than Seiko, but I’d say Seiko is far and away a superior watch durability wise. And with a few basic upgrades, the Seiko can be made to punch way above its weight class.

Guys like mechanical things and these watches are pretty addictive. I have Seikos and I watch all the RU-vidrs you mentioned.

My first mechanical watch was a TAG Heuer, I now wear a Seiko ($80 Japan SNKL23J1+modified with sapphire crystal) as my daily. I love the Travelers GMT movement, have a Mido Ocean Star on steel bracelet (my favorite so far)

nice collection, thanks for the video. - I have a few Seikos, a Sub, the modern reissue of the Tornek-Rayville, a 6BB style chronograph and always wanted the Zissou Vostok from the Life Aquatic. What has caught my eye recently is the Citizen Promaster NB6021, which looks a bit like your Seiko SBD but in titanium and has some Rolex elements (handset)

Great video. Urban gentry channel was one of the first watch channels I ever saw. Great to see your channel having videos like this as well.

Your collection is very nice. You have a good eye for watches. Thanks for the helpful advice about vetting older watches. You are correct - it is a horrible disease to catch. The Tudor looks balanced and proportional on your wrist - not too small. Must be that good wrist presence. And WOW! Your wife is tuned to your horological frequency! Thanks for sharing your collection with us.

I've got a small but growing watch collection. A few Seikos, an Omega, a few Casios, some Citizens etc. But I gotta say my favorite are my Solar powered watches! Particularly my blue Seiko special edition Solar PADI dive watch. I know many watch guys don't like the solar/quartz, and that anything non-automatic is practically sacrilege to them, but I absolutely love mine! It keeps super accurate time (+/- 3 to 5 sec a month) and only needs a full charge every 10 months or so. Super convenient, good looking and great to just set & forget!

I understand, really enjoyed, thanks

Loving the watch content.

I'm thinking about getting a Seiko Presage (SRPG05).

I rock a Tudor Black Bay GMT, got it after graduating language school. Surf with it, do FTX with it, and my first jumps with 1SFC at Bragg was with it. Tough and elegant watch that'll have a lot of character down the line

I am also new to mechanical watches relatively speaking, and have been shooting recreationally for the better part of my adult life, and my first mechanical watch was a Seiko diver - Seiko Prospex SRP789K1. I swammed and dived with it on saltwaters and freshwaters and never really cared about it much and it still ticks. Men has this fascination for mechanical things, so you can expect a gun guy be also a watch guy or a car guy…or all of the above. Since getting the Seiko diver, I have amassed 2 more mechanical watches, and one coming in today, two vintage (three if you count the oncoming watch) and one microbrand. I just love the mechanics of how they work, as much as I find how gun parts interact with one another fascinating. One day, I’ll get myself a vintage Omega Seamaster, and I’ll be one happy man. Thanks for the video! Glad to see another fellow coming in to the vintage watch collecting and watch collecting in general.

I love my Aqua Terra, but I think I need a Black Bay to add to the mix too. I’ve loved it since it came out.

Great video Jeff.

Yeah that's totally useful sir! Hopefully u can make videos about ya preferred selective fire Kalashnikov variants when u were in Army SF as well as what selective fire Kalashnikov u might want right now?

Great video and awesome collection, Jeff! I'm sure you're familiar with the Wristwatch Revival channel, but if by chance you aren't, I recommend it! Wearing my Seiko Alpinist at the moment!

Awesome collection! I'm very impressed with your vintage collection.

Many Seiko fans have noticed that you have a Pogue and 6138UFO on your wrist.😎👍

Ball watches are awsome Great lume Great video 😊

So in the future might u make video about what thoughts of Toyota technicals (Hilux, Land Cruiser & Tacoma models) as a whole once modified when used by various groups such as current US military SF/SOF operators?

I scratched my itch with a Seiko blue alpinist. Looks good, nice dial especially in sunlight, has gaskets behind the screw down crown, and its just a really nice piece. Looks good with everything!

Tag Heuer is on the way back. I’ve got a Formula 1. I’d love a Grand Seiko from the Evolution 9 collection. The dials are inspired by a grove of white birch trees. So Japanese. Your’s is a very nice collection.

Like most folks I started out with digital watches, etc. Then I discovered automatic watches, and for the most part that's about all I've bought since then. I have several Vostok manual wind watches from back when you could buy them for $18.00, and they all still work great. Never got an Amphibia yet - hope to if the politics between us and Russia ever return to normal. I discovered that there is a brand of watch under the same corporate roof as Seiko, but is kind of an upgrade over Seiko but still not very expensive. It's the Orient brand. I got one from my son for Christmas a couple of years ago, a replica of a WWII "Navigator" watch. Really like it. Do you know that there are people, educated people too, who have no concept that there ever was such a thing as a wrist watch that doesn't take a battery?

Someday I'll get that gilt Rolex with a pocketwatch case

Thank you for the video. I’m glad I’m not the only “watch nerd” gun guy. As far as automatics go, I also have a Tag Aquaracer, but my current primary wear watch is a Marathon GSAR. I’m trying to decide if my next watch will be a Tudor Pelagos or Seiko Marine Master.

Watches, firearms, and colognes my costly pleasures LOL. Back in 07 we had a new 2ndLT, I guess he could sense that I didnt like him, long story short after a while he earned my respect and he gifted me his Tag Heuer Formula Watch in return, I dont remember the actual full name of the watch but it was reliable and accurate. It was on my wrist 24/7 during our deployment as part of The Surge. I wasnt big into watches back then so once it stopped working i threw it away in the grassy fields of Ft. Riley.... ( if I knew then what I know now) moment

I was hoping to see your collection but never found the video. I enjoy all mechanical watches. But My favorite brands are Sinn, Grand Seiko and A. Lang and Söhne. All three brands punch way above their weight for their price. I also have quite a few Seiko watches. I enjoy buying watches, cars and guns made during my birth year. Makes collecting more fun. My wife also bought me my daily wear tool watch which is a Sinn U1 fully tegimneted. It’s bullet proof and have worn it for years, it still looks new and I work with my hands. You have a great collection.

I was literally looking for the lasted video so I could ask you in the comments what’s that yellow dial watch you wear. Guess I don’t have to now lol thanks for the great videos

Really enjoyed the video been trying to get into watches for awhile just can’t pull the trigger on one yet

My first mechanical was a vostok too. I wore the casio dive and gshock for a long time and then wanted a hardier dive watch and my brothers professor was a huge watch nerd and put both of us on to vostok. And i feel you on the only other watch nerds will notice. Its like motorcycles, guns, and lifting in that way isnt it?

Seiko fan too!

Ah yes. I've been waiting for this

I have a TAG AquaRacer Calibre 5, an Omega AquaTerra >15'000 Gauss (2013 limited edition), and just refurbished a 70s "root beer" Rolex GMT Master I got from my dad. For years Ive only been wearing Garmin Instinct, now an Insinct Solar Tactical rev 2. I only bust out the "nice" ones on special occasions. But They'll keep ticking after an EMP, at least the Omega. The TAG would gain 3-5 minutes a day when I'd wear it to the engineering lab at work

That Tudor suits you phenomenally, noticed it on the pistol reload video before i even saw this one.

MACVSOG Seiko should join your collection my friend!

About 3 years ago, I saw a thread on that goofy dysfunctional gun forum about Soviet watches, I bought a VOSTOK Komandirskie. I like it and have it on right now

Great video! Given your history in SF have you had any interest in any of the 3 MACV-SOG seikos from the late 60’s? A bit smaller than your preferred size but they’re pretty cool and not impossible to track down.

I want an original Willard but very hard to get for a nice price

Orient Mako 2. Blue dial

My dream watch: Rolex Sub. Finally was afford one when I was stationed overseas. My current collection: Seiko "Willard" turtle diver (had to have one after seeing "Apocalypse Now" as a kid); G-Shock DW-6600; Omega Seamaster 300 GMT on a Bond NATO strap; and a Sangin Instruments Kinetic (cuz I bought into all the hype). So many people don't even wear timepieces anymore opting for their phone or an Apple Watch. I always believed a man is not fully dressed without a proper watch.

Been watching your videos for a while now, but never commented and was surprised to see this watch video on your channel. I've been a mechanical watch aficionado for a long while now and if you're not yet aware of the Seiko SKX series (SKX007, SKX009, SKX011) you may want to check them out. The parent Seiko (I don't recall the model no.) to the SKX line apparently established a reputation during the Vietnam war and General Schwarzkopf is believed to have worn a Rolex on one wrist and an SKX on the other towards the latter part of his career. Perhaps, if you're inclined, you can do a little research on Vietnam / military automatics and shed some more light on this area. Thank you for your videos.

Gee thanks, another pricey hobby that I didn't need XD In all seriousness, great video! I may have ordered a Vostok watch after seeing it.

Seiko SARB017 was my choice.

Are there any watches completely made in the USA? I think RGM is close, but I think they use Swiss movements.

To quote the late, great Colonel Vladimir Sobichevsky: "If you want a watch to impress women, get a Rolex. If you want a watch that keeps time, buy a Seiko."

Did you mod your Vostok scuba dude? It is very rare to have a Pepsi bezel Vostok.

I only wear Seiko watches. I just make sure they're genuinely Japanese made ones. My latest has been with me for three years. The predecessor has been with me since I was 16.

I fell back into watches in my 40s and long after I was NZ Army. So I've been curious as to the influence/impact of recoil on accuracy. Do you have an opinion on this? Is it better to wear the watch on the non trigger wrist, or is it not an issue? And your so right: only other watch geeks care what's on your wrist.

I love my vostok

Im a gun guy and im heavily into mechanical watches... do an update on anything you get... Bertucci makes a good watch ( not mechanical though ) i have a few Seiko mods too

In Europe you can't talk about tactical watches without including Sinn from Germany. The Sinn UXS actually survives dives to the Titanic. It is waterproof to 12000m. The Sinn dive watches are made from submarine steel or titanium.

I tried the mechanical watch thing, but got to be careful with picking good watch repair person, etc. Staying with G-Shocks. Lol....

TGV / MTS crossover! Make it happen!😊

No Ball? They are hot where I am (not sure why).

There are several advantages of mechanical watches in military use

Do you think the mechanical watches will be damaged due to recoil from wearing the watches while shooting? Good videos as always. Cheers!

I could not help noticing that lots of gun people (me included) tend to like nice wristwatches as well.

I have been wearing Casio G-SHOCK DW-6600 and DW-6900-1Vs, DW-6900MS-1s for many decades and never got into mechanical watches. These models of G-SHOCKs are bulletproof and nearly indestructible. They are also preferred by U.S. Military and Spec Ops. I haven't found anything remotely comparable in over 30 years.

Which mechanical watch do you wear the most?

Vostok means East in Russian. HTH. Any opinion on Tissot? Got my first last Christmas. (PRX)

Looks about like mine collection which is big just don’t wear them since I wear the Apple Watch

Seiko gang.

It all started watching RU-vid videos about_______________. Fill in the blank😅.

I'm not sure if this will get read, BUT I have to say that my Rolex Sub with date was by far the WORST watch I ever bought. After four trips to NY, for $500 repairs, plus one for $1500 because the crystal chipped. Lol , it would have never chipped if the stupid bezel wouldn't have fallen off... oh course, if I sent the the parts, then it would have been free. Unfortunately, I never noticed until removing it after just 3 to 4 hours, shifting my SRT8 Challenger. If you sneezed wrong, the bezel would fall off, over and over and over. Yea, sold that piece of junk. I bought it as my dream watch when I contracted as a team medic. Saw my first at Campbell, 5SFG doing 1SFG validation after 5 SFG had just moved, and 3 SFG stood up. I was in the old SOCOM Electric Horse late 80s. Oh, but a young Bteam.medis SSG, Im sure a knockoff from PI or Thailand, lol. Sure, MSG Sweatman and Chief Brick thought the same. Mot to be totally unfair, I was wearing it when I git smoked and blown out of the room in Afghanistan Fob Gamberi 04/16/11. It did survive. My Seiko, Bulova have been the BY FAR BEST, and yes, I was rocking my Seiko dive out the door of both 130s and 141s in the 2/187th and 1/508th both Panama. My, Bulova got at least 50 plus jumps on it while at Bragg. Funny you mentioned it as a young Airborne medic mid 80s, I also wore the old GI watch can't remember the make, BUT took a but load of beating jumping out of 130s. The green fabric band would stink to high heaven from life in the jungle. Great show. Keep it up. Charlie Mike brother

Why you got hairy arms?

promo sm 😞

Thanks now I will be up until 3am researching diver dudes. Oy vey

Who still wears a watch lol.

you need to make a fresh channel if you want to do it correctly. we all came here to hear about sf stuff. not watches. you could have the new channel have the military spin; but you aren't doing yourself any favors by posting watch stuff on this channel.

I have a few G-Shocks I rotate through. They’re extremely tough, water resistant deeper than I go and mostly priced really well. They won’t impress a watch aficionado but that’s not my prerogative. I’d love some vintage Seiko’s. Very nice. It just takes $$$. 🤌🏽