What time is it? Watches and horology

The Seiko will feel like a step down from the 1521.

I tried the grey version of that Seiko. It just didn't feel good to me. Didn't sit well on the wrist. Think because it's still quite a tall watch it felt poorly balanced.

It is tall, shorter lug to lug, but like he said; way better with rubber/leather strap.

Definitely felt a bit easier to wear than the 1521.

True, I was specifically after a diver with bracelet and I think there's much better options. Pity I couldn't try it on a strap though. The best ever in terms of wearability was my glycine combat - that was thin with turned down lugs. It hugged the wrist. Just wish it was designed a little better and didn't have an awfully logo on the dial.

Thanks i think i need to try one on to see how it wears. The Squale hugs my wrist nicely but feels a little bulky maybe it's not just the height but the Seiko is slightly thicker. So unless i can find a sub 13mm X 40mm diver i might just be better off getting the case brushed on the 1521. The new semi brushed version is almost 1k more than i'd likely get for mine. Any ideas fitting the breif. Either kinda fun with a pop of colour maybe a Doxa sub 600t although i think that'll be too thick or proper tooly like a Sinn 556i? Around 1k as this will be a daily wearer

Maybe i should have just bought the blasted case Squale?

i think this is the answer, I think it suits the watch way better and the polished one is just too shiny

The SPB 62MAS lugs are short but quite straight. One of the things the 1521 case has going for it is the lugs really dip down and make it wear better than you’d expect a 42mm diver to. The 1521 case is just a classic design in general to be honest. And there is a Swiss-ness to them that you definitely don’t get with a sub-£1000 Seiko.

I’m not really a fan of how the Doxas wear on my (17cm) wrist. They’re not bad (and they do look good) but they don’t really “settle”.

The Seiko SPB313 / 317 line (see attached pic) are the best wearing Seiko divers in that price range. They have some nice details too. I really like them.

You could also look at the newer Super Squale models which are quite a bit smaller and thinner than the 1521, but they do feel like less of a serious divers watch than the 50 Atmos. Some nice colours though.

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The blasted case (and rehaut) makes a huge difference to the watch. My matte 1521 was my first nice watch and the fact that it wasn’t a shiny jewellery piece was part of the appeal for me. It definitely works.

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Thanks I've just been on a 30 watch round trip on Hodinkee that took me back to the 62 mas re interpretation i did like the look of the spb333 glacier i guess that's the same case as the 313/317? I've checked out the super squales when the came out and a bit too far the other way for me almost look delicate. Read a couple of reviews on the sub 600 and in certain it will sit like a brick on my 6.5 inch bony wrist. Oris keep popping up but then the budget starts going up. I don't mind second hand so may see if an Aquis or something might fit the bill or a 37 mm captain cook

I recently bought a citizen NB6021-68L. It wears quite well and the adjustable clasp is great. There's many things I don't like.... The bezel is too chunky and the polished the outside so it has zero grip and is too shiny. The way the bracelet integrates is poor. And the screw down crown feels flimsy, like the threads will easily strip. I paid aud $890 for mine which is acceptable... But not much more. However it does functional perfectly and gets worn in the surf. Also supreme comfort and the titanium really does feel like nothing when I'm wearing it. Might be your style, might not be

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It does look nice in that bottom picture but similar to a 20 atmos which will be cheaper. I'll check out citizen properly as they are making some good looking models at the moment

the spb333 glacier i guess that's the same case as the 313/317?

Yes indeed. Definitely the best wearing of the midrange Prospex divers IMO.

Interesting that they put a machined/textured bezel insert on the 333 (the standard ones are old school anodised aluminium), that’s a nice looking watch.

Also worth pointing out that the end links on the bracelet are multi-piece machined items, a lot better than you usually see at the price (though the clasp is still partly stamped). Bracelet is good overall on those models. I was expecting to ditch it for a rubber strap (and it is a strap monster) but I’ve ended up keeping it on the steel.

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Thats the one i like the birch like dial even though it says glacier. The shape should work for me the Doxa sub 300 was too much like a saucer on my wrist. I think that's current top of my list. I'm try to be strict on the price point for this. I've got a mate going to Japan in a couple of weeks but I'll only ask her to pick something up if its a japan only limited edition something a bit different rather than for any savings. Watch Nation have the 333 10% off same as most places online but with a free Wolf winder which does seem like a good deal. Looking at the aquis date it looks nowhere near as nicely finished as my Squale. I definitely don't want to spend money on a step down in quality. If only Squale had done the brushed/polish cases last year or offered the sunray dial on the fully blasted case.

What were the requirements again? Would something from sinn work, like a 104?

Or even a certina ds ph200m

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A used white dial could fit the bill.
The breif is Ideally something sub 40mm
Definitely nothing highly polished
20mm lug width as I've got loads of straps about a grand but can be used. To wear anytime i don't want a nice watch. A dive watch with a fun detail or bit of colour would be my preference but would consider a field watch. I can't justify a proper tooly watch and a fun watch. The dial doesn't need to be coloured as the colour can come from a strap. Like my sunray blue 1521 but a little smaller and less shiny would be perfect.

556A is not very funky, but works in every scenario.

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If that didn't have that date window I'd probably already have one

At least it’s not at an angle 😂

I'm biased obviously but I'll throw two. I like the first and the second meets your sizing.

https://www.christopherward.com/watches/c65-dartmouth-series-2/C65-41A3H3-S0BB0-B0.html

https://www.christopherward.com/watches/c63-sealander-automatic/C63-39ADA3-S00W1-B0.html

My everyday abuse watch is the Colchester C63. But that said I haven't broken the Aquitaine yet and I do manual labour in it. I could ask if a discount is possible.

Thanks i did think Christopher ward might do something just need a proper look with fresh eyes. After a couple of hours looking everything starts looking the same but that white C63 could work i like the gmt version as well with a bit more going on so that could be the one. I'll try and shift my Squale this week and try and make a firm decision then.

Anyone needs a nice strap?
22mm lug width, tapers down to 18mm at the buckle.
Worn it for less than couple of hours, but it’s been in a watch box on a pillow for a bit. Dark green colour, lovely soft leather. £30 posted?

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who makes it and does it have the buckle and stuff? Interested for my alkin

Made by Broscolors. Retail was somewhere around £70-80. No buckle included, but got the original box for it.

Post Fred Witton tanned arm and late Friday post!

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anOrdain x Hodinkee