What time is it? Watches and horology

The bronze or brass one is the clear winner for me.

Nth-ing Timefactors; I've got two of Eddie's watches (Speedbird III and PRS-18Q), and they're both incredible VFM and lovely in their own right. Of the watches in stock there at the moment, the Precista PRS-82 is a pretty cool reissue of a service dive watch. Or the Smiths PRS-29 if you want a field rather than a dive watch?

This

+1

@Tenderloin

I'm besotted with my prs42. He only has one left out of the fifty he made.

Have you got a wrist pic? Always curious how these whopper pilots watches wear...

The long lugs arent to everybody's taste.

The zero hour hacking mod is pretty special in a geeky way.

The center seconds mod to the United is awesome in its own way...nice to have a spidery second hand rather than a smooth movement.

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Thanks for all the pointers here. I had a look on Timefactors and they have a lot of nice stuff, however most of it seems to be sold out or discontinued. The Smiths PRS-29 is a nice looking watch but it's too similar in style to his CWC G10. The Precista PRS-82 is a really nice looking piece as well but I'm not sure if, snobbishly, I need to get him something from an "established" manufacturer. I know these look great, are made in GB and are limited run for the most part. I know that they use similar if not the same quality of ETA or japanese movements that things like the Hamilton uses but I'm not sure if it has the name. I know that sounds both snobby and pretty stupid when I don't have the budget to get an Omega or a Breitling etc but with it being a milestone gift, I want it to be something that he can be proud of. It's also hard not being able to see these in the flesh before I bite the bullet.

That's fair enough; though FWIW Timefactors have a rock-solid rep among watch nerds, so they'd be a good hipster/insider choice from that POV.

If you want a more established name I'd maybe be looking at Sinn or Stowa. Or maybe something like a Seiko Prospex SRP775? One of those is on the shortlist for my next watch, alongside a Zeno Explorer; a Speedy would be nice, but is out of my budget for the foreseeable.

Gotta love these startups. A lot of aching Vintage references but also so many doing it. Tough game.

Can't argue with really. As a collector I value my Timefactors watches in the same bracket as my Rolexes and Omegas (for example) but I totally get that the general appeal is not the same.

Using the PRS42 for an example, only 50 were made and to my knowledge no other watch has been made with that movement with the centre second and zero hacking customisations.If I compare that to the Rolex Submariner which sells one million units per year (!) and costs £9k more (in Rolesor config) I know which watch is more valued in my collection.

Yes must be tough to carve a living out of it. I'd no idea about this sub culture in watch making until a couple of months ago when Magrette was mentioned on another bike forum.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-OMEGA-GENTS-MECH-9CT-WATCH-BOX-PAPERS-CAL-266-1956-11TH-APRIL-1958/232456674577?hash=item361f7f5d11:g:KPwAAOSwNYRZmfSt

A bit over your budget but a good anniversary watch

That is lovely!

I love a subdial!

I'm not sure about this watch. I'm not an expert in this period but the pictures are terrible and that makes me suspicious. The hour markers don't look look consistent with anything else I can find on the internet and nor does the logo. Also, compare the movement with this cal 266 and note the placement of the "SWISS" and "17 JEWELS" inscription. Might be fine but again, impossible to tell if it's a fake from these pictures.

I would find a better seller (who accepts returns) if buying on ebay and tread carefully with vintage!

Yeah I thought some of that might be the case :(

Hmmm

Meister Telemeter

There's an unworn one for €1425,- for sale here but I can't afford it :)

Thanks for the pointers again Stonehedge & Thrustvector. I'll definitely look more into the Timefactors stuff.

Tenderloin - This looks like a good shout (warranty card is dated 5 days after my dad was born!) but the points brought up by Freddo are the same things I worry about all the time when looking at vintage stuff. It's making me think that I might get better piece of mind buying something new unless I can find something at a dealers that fits the bill and has a bit of security to it (unlikely at my budget but I live in hope!). I have a bit of time to figure this out so I'm not going to rush. Thanks again for all the help though! No doubt I'll have more questions soon.

#drool

https://www.visionvintagewatches.com/

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Cheers for the flick, doesn’t actually look too dinner plate. Crown is cool, a lot of watch for the moula.

Timex has released a $200 mechanical watch, apparently with Chinese movement and reeeally nice classic design.

Not for me, but I really appreciate it. Nice work Timex.

DS30

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