Watch lovers?

[Ferg]

Hey Chaps, where would I go to get replacement spring bars for a Tag Carrera in Edinburgh? Any recomendations? I've inherited the watch but it needs new spring bars before I'll stop worrying about it escaping from my wrist.

[GregR]

My 30th next year and have an idea of finding a Sea Dweller from my year of birth, 1981.
Any of you watch nuts (Greg?) know where I could source one? Any idea on price?

1980/81 was as far as I'm aware a transitional period for subs so watches are thin on the ground. For subs, you'll be looking for an early/mid 6 million serial number.

Depending on condition, box, and whether or not it comes with original punched papers, original (i.e. non service-replacement) dial, hands, bezel, bezel pip, crown and bracelet you should budget £6k. The other thing to remember is, that Rolex are the kind of company that don't want to leave bits and bobs lying around - so some 1981 serial number cases might not have been put into watches that were sold until 1983 - do you want a watch dated by sale or manufacture?

As you can probably guess, its a minefield and only those really in the know (i.e. not me!) would be able to properly authenticate the original bits and bobs set out above. Plus, with an old watch like that you'll have trouble servicing it at Rolex as they'll want to replace any of the old bits with shiny new ones. You'll also not have too much water resistance to the originally certified depths.

So, in short - unless you (a) really know what you're doing; and (b) are really desperate to have a 30 year old watch strapped to your wrist - then I's say take your pot and buy something contemporary that's yet to 'make its money' - i.e. in 30 years time it'll be worth x times what you paid for it. a 1981 Sub would have cost no more than £280 for example.

So, if you're still interested, I actually do know a guy with a SD that might even be a 1981. If you're interested I can dig deeper for you. Another man to get in touch with to source you one is Mike Wood - info@theoldwatchshop.com

[Gareth]

Greg, guess I'd be going by papers, 1981.
My concern is the SD is so similar to the Sub.
My Mum is in London this weekend and went into a shop that only sells vintage Rolex's. They had a 1981 Sub for £10k!!

[DJ]

Hey Chaps, where would I go to get replacement spring bars for a Tag Carrera in Edinburgh? Any recomendations? I've inherited the watch but it needs new spring bars before I'll stop worrying about it escaping from my wrist.

I would suggest Laings in Frederick St

[IanD]

My watch collection (in descending price order I think)

Tag Carrera twin time -Bought for me 4 years ago primarily after seeing a picture of an original 1960's Carrera in an evo magazine a few years beforehand and cos I reached 40.


Everyday work Tissot watch which must be around 20 years old now.


My other everyday work wear watch. Bought for me in a wee jewellers in Strathaven over 25 years ago. Expect it isn't worth anything but still working and worn every week.
   

My casual watch and probably about 6th or 7th Swatch. Only 4 months old and face already has a large crack in it.
 

All done on my iPhone and has taken ages to type and upload. Got a question about omega's but will post seperately.

[IanD]

Saw a used seamaster professional mid size in a Hamilton jewellers at weekend while getting a watch battery but I didn't get model number.
Style like pic below but probably not same model


Was priced at £600 which sounded cheap irrespective of model but as the watchmaker wasnt in Saturday they couldn't tell me anything more about it. Don't know much about buying used watches or Omega's so what would be key questions to ask about the watch if I was interested apart from the obvious model, age, last service ?

[GregR]

What is your wrist size? the mid-sized Seamaster is generally considered to be a, "smaller," watch. 600 pounds is not particularly cheap for a mid-sized seamaster especially if its a quartz.

Check out http://www.watchfinder.co.uk, http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk for prices.

[a4drk]

I've eventually bitten the bullet & put my Tag Kirium in for a service.
The battery went the other day
and it needs a new screw down crown.
Sent it to "Chealwatch"

apparently they will polish it up as well & it comes back like new.......

David

Got the watch back after 2 weeks and i noticed the chronograph buttons were quite stiff.
I just thought that this was part of the service, tighten everything up etc....
a month later the chronograph stop/start button broke. !
10 years i have had this watch & its been perfect all that time.
then someone tinkers with it.........
anyway, it's got a years guarantee with it - so i sent it back 3½ weeks ago ....... still waiting......

7½ weeks now !
Should I be asking for some of my £140 service money back ?
David

[IanD]

What is your wrist size? the mid-sized Seamaster is generally considered to be a, "smaller," watch. 600 pounds is not particularly cheap for a mid-sized seamaster especially if its a quartz.

Check out http://www.watchfinder.co.uk, http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk for prices.

Not got big wrists so wouldn't want anything bigger (or feels bigger) than my Tag Carrera although know oversize watches are the style at the moment. Tried on a couple of new ones in Glasgow the other week to see how they felt and was happy enough with feel of full size ones although still found the chronographs and ocean planet a bit too thick. Was considering used as I was initially looking at new £200 citizens watches then (as you do) starting surfing and seeing £600 to £850 omega ones then by coincidence saw that one in local jewellers and thought a quartz bought locally for similar price to eBay prices where I could check it out fully, maybe reduce price slightly and get some kind of guarantee might be worthwhile.
Want watch for everyday use as well so don't expect it would stay mint and unscratched and definitely not considering the extra spending of £895 to £1100 on a new one, so any advice or thoughts welcome.

[neilj37]

I have just ordered myself a Hamilton GTM Air Race but went for the one with the stainless band which is a special order



and whilst I was looking saw a nice IWC which I might have to buy too

[DDtB]

I was very, very tempted by that IWC... but why the feck did they ruin it with the Top Gun logo on the side.

It's not even the logo the USAF use... it's a bloody film logo! I'm a fan of the film ffs... but I don't want it stamped on my watch if I'm spending £1000s on it.!! That logo would be fine on a £30 Swatch, but not on an IWC.

[jj]

Went into watches of switzerland on Tuesday and saw this. Stormer of a deal on it, so called back Wednseday morning to ask them to put it aside. Picked it up tonight and love it, have admired them for a while. Totally different style to the other clocks I have which was kind of the point.

24hr dial taking a bit of getting used to, the guy in the shop set it wrong (nice attention to detail there eh )

[Gareth]

Nice!

[H8OAG]

JJ
I have never overcome the difficulty in Reading a 24 hr face and my Breitling remains the least used in my s
small collection
It will look fab on your wrist though

(awaits rant from the ghey leather clad biker wankR about jewellery for men

[jj]

That was my worry Iain, but so far so good. I quite like the fact you have to "read" the time, and I love the design. As you`ll know they seem to have a bit of a following (24hr watches) and its cool to have something different. Less likely to see another person with a 24hr nav.

We`ll see how it goes