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Time for a new watch

AimlessWanderer

Remember to forget me!
... or two. :redface-new:

The last time I bought a new watch, I bought three. Cheap ones of course :lol1: That was eight or nine years ago when I was still working. Two of them have survived, and one bit the dust, working on the boat I had at the time. I traded for a G-Shock sometime after.

I've been quite content since then, but the Timex Watches thread got me looking at affordable watches again.

My cheap Casio, and the G-shock have been great everyday watches. They're both solar too, and so I just need to leave one one the windowsill for a day or two while I wear the other if the level drops. Not particularly dressy for socialising in though...

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The other cheapo is the Sekonda chrono that I'm wearing today. Simple uncluttered face, that's easy to read, but also shows how long my dinner has been in the oven... useful things, chronographs.

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Aside from my gold plated Half Hunter, it's also my dressiest watch. These are all the wristwatches I have. The strap has seen better days, and so I have ordered a replacement, but the Timex thread had whether the appetite for something new. At nine years old, that Sekonda could march on for another decade, or it could just as easily conk out as soon as I've put the replacement strain on it...

New watch justified, I reckon. Just a simple clean faced watch on a leather strap, in case the Sekonda decides not to be a watch anymore. :)

I saw a couple of simple Times watches that I liked the look of ... and bought neither. There were a couple of others I liked the look of more. A similar chronograph in brown, which only cost about double the price of the replacement strap for the other :001_tongu and another solar watch, but on a stainless strap.

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That should keep me punctual for another decade, I reckon :biggrin1: They should be here by the middle of next week, and I'll get pics up when they land.
 

Flintstone65

Imagining solutions for imaginary problems

AimlessWanderer

Remember to forget me!
I absolutely love chronos; but as a man with a few years behind him, I would have to have the top pick to be able to use it as a timepiece (i.e., be able to read the time at a glance).

I totally agree. I would struggle to read those second two.

My tick list sequence for a watch, is along the lines of...

1) Can I read it?
2) Is it under £40?
3) Is it actually a watch company, or just a fashion company? (Higher margins to share between more companies)
4) When would I wear/not wear it?
5) What else does it do?
 

AimlessWanderer

Remember to forget me!
Get yourself a Timex , as some others suggested.

Not this time, Bill. The above alternatives have already been ordered.

I usually get at least 5 to 10 years from budget watches, so it could be quite a while before I need another. I'm not sure if the cheap chrono will be as good (reliable) as my Sekonda, but I certainly have high hopes for the Pulsar.
 

I have that exact same Watch. Love mine keeps Time Great. I put a stainless steel Bracelet on Mine.
One of the most Comfortable watches I Own.
 

AimlessWanderer

Remember to forget me!
In that price point-Casio

The Tough Solar S800W in the opening post, has been excellent. At the time, I couldn't justify a G-Shock, but wanted something that wasn't too fragile. It's a little lightweight but has handled everything I've thrown at it.

In the sub-£40 range, I've had stuff I've been happy with from Casio, Timex, Sekonda, Limit and Lotus. Typically, single function watches in what would today be the £20-£25 range, but occasionally a few quid more, if added features or specific looks caught my eye.
 

AimlessWanderer

Remember to forget me!
Big fan of Citizens here. For about $100USD, you can get a pretty rugged (and good looking) Eco Drive solar watch that will last for decades--maintenance free.

I got a modestly priced Citizen automatic in my late 20s (around the turn of the millennium), and the only thing that was consistent about it, was its inconsistency. On a good day, it would be +/- three or four minutes of where it should be. That was the last Citizen I bought, and also the last automatic. Since then, all my everyday watches have been either replaceable battery or solar.

The only mechanical (hand wound) watch I own is my Rotary pocket watch, which is on the whole quite good at keeping time, but is worn more as an accessory in formal wear, than a timepiece.

Aside from often being easier to read, cheaper quartz watches (in my experience) are both easier to read, and function completely reliably, until the day comes when they will never work again. No servicing costs, no "Oh, it's running slow/fast today", no stopped for a bit then started again. It either works it it doesn't, and if it doesn't (and a battery doesn't fix it), I get to treat myself to a new thing. :biggrin1:
 

AimlessWanderer

Remember to forget me!
That was quicker than expected. Two parcels arrived today. One with the watches, and a replacement strap from a different shop.

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Happy with both watches. Both watches, the replacement strap, plus shipping, all came to less than £75. I only ever paddle in the shallow end of the pool with watches. I also managed to get the strap swapped over on my Sekonda without too much hassle. The Pulsar Solar needs a good charge now, as it is currently doing the second hand skip.

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Sorry, these aren't particularly great pics, but my camera and eyeballs don't always capture true images. :)

Just one more thing to resolve, which you guys might be able to help me with. How do I remove links from a bracelet that doesn't have visible pins?

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Is there anything on the inside of the bracelet that could be used to remove the links? I've not seen one without visible pins. I've got a bad feeling about re-sizing options...
 

AimlessWanderer

Remember to forget me!
Is there anything on the inside of the bracelet that could be used to remove the links? I've not seen one without visible pins. I've got a bad feeling about re-sizing options...

Yes! It appears (once again) that I am a moron! I haven't tried it yet, but these seems to be a removable cover plate on one side.

Thanks for the prompt :thumbup:
 

AimlessWanderer

Remember to forget me!
IMG_20211019_190922.jpg


Not sure how clearly the pic shows it, but there's an imprinted arrow, next to a hole through which to poke out the plate. I assume the other side plate will be affixed to the pin... or something like that.

I'll give it a whirl over the next couple of days.
 
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