What Watch Are You Wearing Today?

Good value watches by all accounts, there is a good video on YT by Richard Perritt watchmaker where he makes some beefed up parts and fits them to that watch to make it work better and last longer. Well worth a look.
I enjoy Richard's YT content as well (y)

Just an FYI as is seems to be little spoken about but there are two 1963 models available, those sold by the Sea-Gull factory themselves which is the official one sold for around £500 and those sold by a 3rd party called Redstar which is sold under licence for around £150. The official one is all tickety-boo but the Redstar models are hit and miss with occasional poor QC on movements and poor chrono pusher integration leading to premature failure.

Have chatted to Julian of Strela about this as most of the parts for his watch originate in the Sea-Gull factory. He says that contrary to what Redstar claim and hobbyists believe, the ST1901 movement comes in different grades and is priced accordingly (ETA always did the same with their 2824 movement.) He only uses the top grade and reports a vanishingly low failure rate. The cheap one's are good value if you get a good one but from I've seen the odds are 50/50 at best.
 
Yes. I own 5 of them. Great watches to wear and own. Just as well made as any premium watch. They usually have the Selita Sw200-1 movement, not the best, not the worst movement either. One thing to be aware of. They do not hold their value, at all. Don't buy new unless you have to. Ebay has lots of them virtually new. All mine were bought from Ebay and I've never had a problem with any of them, you'll get the watch you want and pay half, it'll still be in warranty too.
Hope this helps?
 
Yes. I own 5 of them. Great watches to wear and own. Just as well made as any premium watch. They usually have the Selita Sw200-1 movement, not the best, not the worst movement either. One thing to be aware of. They do not hold their value, at all. Don't buy new unless you have to. Ebay has lots of them virtually new. All mine were bought from Ebay and I've never had a problem with any of them, you'll get the watch you want and pay half, it'll still be in warranty too.
Hope this helps?
thanks mate
yes iv seen plenty on ebay even the Bel Canto which i like but wouldn’t pay £7000 for it.
I did own a trident a few years ago & got rid of it which i regret.
I reckon £500 is a good second hand model
although as i say the Sapphire is my favourite at the moment,
i can get it in blue but the black seems quite rare at the moment.
i normally use Chrono 24
 
thanks mate
yes iv seen plenty on ebay even the Bel Canto which i like but wouldn’t pay £7000 for it.
I did own a trident a few years ago & got rid of it which i regret.
I reckon £500 is a good second hand model
although as i say the Sapphire is my favourite at the moment,
i can get it in blue but the black seems quite rare at the moment.
i normally use Chrono 24
I own two Trident Pro's in 42mm, a gorgeous Black diver and the limited edition Yellow face, I have a white faced Sealander (dress watch) and a Green faced Sealander, I also have the Bronze Trident pro in 38mm with blue face but it's a little too small for my liking so that one is getting moved on soon and I'll buy the 42mm version. I have never used Chrono 24. Something about it seems dodgy but hopefully you can enlighten me further. I wouldn't be bothered to use it for a CW as no one, to my knowledge copies them, but for a perceived higher spec watch I'd feel uncomfortable using that site.
 
I own two Trident Pro's in 42mm, a gorgeous Black diver and the limited edition Yellow face, I have a white faced Sealander (dress watch) and a Green faced Sealander, I also have the Bronze Trident pro in 38mm with blue face but it's a little too small for my liking so that one is getting moved on soon and I'll buy the 42mm version. I have never used Chrono 24. Something about it seems dodgy but hopefully you can enlighten me further. I wouldn't be bothered to use it for a CW as no one, to my knowledge copies them, but for a perceived higher spec watch I'd feel uncomfortable using that site.
Definitely very underrated watches,
Chrono is fantastic mate iv bought a few watches from them Although my Planet Ocean was new from a jeweller in Edinburgh.
There’s many good points to Chrono and iv yet to find a negative.
When you list a watch Chrono tell the owner exactly what time to put for the picture to authenticate it.
Also when you receive your watch the seller doesn’t receive any money until your 100% satisfied.
So for instance get it checked out properly.
i’m off to singapore in the next couple of weeks and i’m going to get a couple of old Timex delivered to my hotel,
all from Chrono.
Definitely a first class site for me
 
Definitely very underrated watches,
Chrono is fantastic mate iv bought a few watches from them Although my Planet Ocean was new from a jeweller in Edinburgh.
There’s many good points to Chrono and iv yet to find a negative.
When you list a watch Chrono tell the owner exactly what time to put for the picture to authenticate it.
Also when you receive your watch the seller doesn’t receive any money until your 100% satisfied.
So for instance get it checked out properly.
i’m off to singapore in the next couple of weeks and i’m going to get a couple of old Timex delivered to my hotel,
all from Chrono.
Definitely a first class site for me
Cheers Mike
Good to know mate.
 
Hand re lume update.
The project to re lume my Glycine Airman hands has been hampered because I can't yet remove the movement from the case. I took off the back, removed the Crown and Stem and expected the movement to just pop out, a la Seiko, Rolex etc. Sadly not, it appears the movement is held in with 3 half head screws. I have now ordered a set of watchmakers screwdrivers and loupes. Hopefully it is just a case of turning these half head screws to allow the movement to clear them and hopefully then drop out. Even though this is not a cheap watch, around £1000 new I am literally prepared to chuck it in the bin if It all goes wrong. That is how unbothered about it in it's current state I am.
 
Hand re lume update. My Lume kit arrived today. I got on it when I got home from work. The hardest part was trying to think of a way to suspend the hands securely and allow me to work on them. I came up with a tooth pick and a blob of Rodico that would stick to the Hand. This worked well. I made a tool from half a tooth pick and a sewing needle with the point removed and sanded smooth. Usually a watch oiler is used and this makes a very similar tool for free. I mixed the Lume which is a powder mixed with a matt pva adhesive , or so it seemed, I do not actually know what it is made from possibly varnish or nail top coat. I tested it in a dark cupboard and it lumed well. The Lume is then spread across the rear of the hand and held in suspension with Capillary action. It then sets hard. I was anticipating all kinds of Shenannigans but surprisingly it went well and it was completed first go. I'm delighted so far. Onwards to the hand fitting, then re casing the Watch. I hope it works. IMG_0351.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Gents. For those interested I have completed this project this morning. For those not, I apologise for the space it has taken up. A few hairy moments setting the second hand but I did it and I am delighted with the result. If you are a Rolex Watchmaker reading this from a Lab in Switzerland, you'll probably pick holes in this but, for the common Man like myself, it is perfectly acceptable. I can now read the time on this watch in any light and without my glasses. Total cost from Glycine £300 inc postage. Cost to DIY it, £32.00. For the small outlay and a bit of time and effort it's a win for me. Every day is a learning day. Never tell yourself you can't do something. IMG_0361.JPG
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom