What time is it? Watches and horology

I've emailed about at starp, I want to be part of the crew.

Definitely in stock on the website:

http://www.timefactors.com/smiths.htm

It's about half way down. Yes, it's an awful website. I have no idea how he sells anything.

I'd love a super compressor with internal rotating bezel. I'd like automatic, because automatic.

But, I want something that can survive actual use in water so a lot of the beautiful vintage options are out of the question and often command dollar anyway.

I would like something quite large on the wrist, was thinking about G Shocks to satisfy that though. The Stendardo quartz, Seiko Arctura and Citizen7 are all well sized on my thin wrist, my couple dress watches also sit nice and subtle. I'd love something 40-odd across and big like the Garmin forerunners. But that said if there is a nice small diver like the Arctura's size then I'd wear it every day.

I like the way that Vostoks seal, but their designs (albeit customisable) are a bit too kitsch and the longevity/watertightness is questionable.

Of course, show me an external rotating bezel on a ridiculous 50mm case, totally wearing that.

Seiko Prospex SRP777 ? or if you want to spend more money the SPB051?

I changed my mind in the end. It's a little too big and tall for what I'm after.

I want 34-37mm, 10mm thickness, stainless steel, screw down crown/water resistance and a clean face with either 12,3,6,9 or just plain markers.

So basically a 214270.

given all the love for vintage reissue and if you can stretch to it, it might be worth saving up for a Rado captain cook

But what watch should I get as a junior analyst?

Bizarrely, you get some options when you Google 'junior analyst watch' - vary from Rolex to Apple watches and some others.

The Sharkdiver 45 seems to meet most of those criteria, although maybe a bit pricier at ~ £300.

Or an Orange Monster, still a Seiko but they don't seem as popular as they used to so stick out a bit more

Ha, just realised I'd already suggested this to you for that list of criteria
https://www.lfgss.com/comments/13702393/

My black monster is one of my favorites in my collection. Probably just beats the Smiths Everest in the value for money stakes. It is a marmite watch though.

If you like the Everest but it's too big, get the watch that it's basically a scaled-up copy of. The whole concept of the Smiths Everest was to make a bigger Zeno Explorer:

£350, from here.

36mm, correct bracelet end-links style for a 1016 homage, nicer movement. I'd buy one if I didn't have the Everest.

^ delurks Zeno noted, ta v much.

That reminds me of something... Nice tho.

A few watch related questions -

On eBay there are Seiko watches for sale from India - are these real?

I am looking for a replacement for my day-to-day watch - a Timex Ironman. Has anyone any suggestions? It needs to be waterproof and the three alarms are very useful; at the least, I need two alarms. Visibility at night is also important.

How difficult is it changing a watch strap, are any special tools required?

Richard

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There is a tool to remove spring bars used on the majority of watches. For the sake of £3 it avoids unsightly penknife scratches. Incredibly easy once you have the knack.

As per a previous post, buy the Seikos from India at your peril. The one I bought was not as described and runs about 200 hours fast every day (actually, more like 4 hours. After adjustment I got it down to +40 minutes, epic struggle) and has damage to the dial unseen in photos.

Thanks for suggestions. Seiko monster/similar was definitely on the list if I fail to find a supercomp with internal bezel.

The guy behind monsterwatches stocks and sells lots of fairly priced Seiko's

I always liked the Aevig Balaur, as a modern budget(ish) supercompressor.

Or the Magrette Regatarre 11? Only seems to be available in PVD versions now:

Edit: just occurs to me these probably aren't actual supercompressors, just internal bezel divers.

Very nice but not really worth the £££...

So much this

Mmm I suppose my problem is I love this one off that French ebay seller that I posted before, way more classic than the contemporary offerings... pretty much want this, but guaranteed water resistant not just for show. And at >£200 I'd prefer to see it for real.

It's a plexi crystal. Wondering if possible to replace with mineral/etc, and if it really would survive 10atm of pressure (ie swimming, snorkel).

My other concern is wearing anything I can't replace, as much as the more expensive options could be within reach, I don't like to break expensive toys.

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Seiko watches for sale from India - are these real?

Yes I have one, the dial was superglued on, broke off and rotated. I'd be annoyed if I'd had cost anything.

Thanks for the Seiko advice - i'll be avoiding the Indian ones.

Any suggestions about a replacement for the Ironman? It is possible I may just re-order another one as it has lasted well but I would like a change.

Richard