What time is it? Watches and horology

Also Helson, certainly have presence.

Personally I'd say Timefactors are the best bang for your buck in that price range.

Nelson, Armida, Seiko also. All of the above do a good watch for your budget.

Strap? £10 for a decent one from Cousins. Crystal around £2. Price in a shop probably something like £40.

American pocket watches are very, very well made. Circa turn of the century - look at Waltham, Elgin, etc. Aim for 15 jewels or more.

But I presume removing the Omega buckle etc is another cost. I think the watch should retain the buckle.

Am I wrong?

Yes, you would swap the buckle over to a strap with the correct width at the buckle end. Would only take one minute.

Just as a side note, I chucked a few quid at the Kickstarter for these guys. I love the legible dials. Obviously haven't handled one yet but they could be cracking watches for the money.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-alkin-model-one-automatic-watch#/

Cheers. By American pocket watches is that the country, a brand, a style?

Turn of the century I guess you mean 1900, not 2000?

The buckle is a minute of a job. There's a spring bar in it that lets you just take it out and put it on the same size strap.

Yes, something like 1880 - 1920. And USA-made. A bargain because they made so many. If buying a gold coloured case, pay attention to the number of years guaranteed for rolled gold - the longer the thicker.

Thanks. I always overcomplicate things!

what would you buy if money was no object, and why?

Then perhaps hive mind will be able to offer some suitable alternatives.

Thanks all!

Particularly for suggesting Straton, who are new to me: everything in budget appeals and I'm digging the Seventies vibe.

Are Helson and Armida connected? The similarity between the websites is striking.

Apart from Straton (especially Syncro and Speciale), a Steinhart Ocean One green (39?) and Laco Aachen Blaue Stunde are on the shortlist: it seems I'm drawn to a bit of colour.

Nothing from Timefactors is striking enough for me. And apart from the overwhelming choice, I'm don't think Seiko is "special" enough (and I have a BFK). An Armida A10 would be in the running If it weren't for the big date and I'm not sure about quartz, for the occasion. I haven't ruled out an A1.

what would you buy if money was no object, and why?

That's a rabbit hole I don't have time to explore: I've only got until December! :)

Helson and Armida use the same factory in Hong Kong but are otherwise unrelated. Armida uses solely catalogue parts, Helson has a few custom parts in some of their watches.

I'm a bit of a sucker for Helson.

Straton ay? I'll just put this here...

Which I believe is a nod to the Movado Datron.

Thanks.

The bronze cases are quite striking...

Definitely "on theme", but trying a bit too hard/too much going on for me.

Thanks all the same.

New Hamilton being released in the next month or two.

I think they've nailed it. Even the giant crown.

@ejay2.0 Do you stock Hamilton?

love it. the older one is great as well

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I'm a sucker for a pretty black face... Still think chronos are silly tho'...

Panda Hamilton swoon

chronos are useless, but they look good and give you a sense of justification for the money you paid because you have a complication!!

I'm not certain, but I think that version was a fairly limited edition. Think I read somewhere that they're not easy to find.

Not bad at all. 😎

Have the opportunity to get a Black Bay 36 for a bit of a discount through work (with the downside of it having a work-related embossing on the bezel).. kind of tempted..