OT: Q for the watch enthusiasts

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by benb

This is such a cool idea. I worked in the repurposed Waltham watch factory for a year. It's not worth traveling but if were in the area and are a watch fanatic there's a very small museum inside the factory.

In the mid-2000s it was rehabbed into office space. It's a very neat building. The museum is unlocked during business hours but IIRC you can't walk through the rest of the building without a security badge.

And for foodies...there are a number of very good eateries in the area, mostly on Moody Street! My favorite is Sweet Basil Waltham (although it looks like Dave has shifted his menu from the unique Waltham offerings to his steller Needham menu!)

[berserk87]

Originally Posted by Ozz

As long as we are talking watches....just found out about this youtube channel....the restores watches: WristWatchRevival

Cheers!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[theboucher]

Dredging this one back up, just for fun and since I've fallen deeper and deeper into the watch rabbit hole...

Collection now includes the Vaer I initially purchased (a pastiche of the original Rolex explorer, and perfect everyday watch), an Omega Speedmaster date (blue dial, slightly smaller, with the subdials at 6, 9 and 12 instead of the standard configuration) and a metal G-Shock from the 5600 series (again, slightly smaller size, classic G-shock but with updated aesthetics).

Am now on the lookout for another Speedmaster date in a different color configuration to complete the collection (I hope...).

[KJMUNC]

There are also some interesting Speedmaster Michael Schumacher versions out there if you're so inclined....the Racing Pro Japan version is on another level but I love the colors.

and of course, you either love or hate them: but I think the Swatch/Omega Moon Watches are awesome. I'm still waiting on them to actually produce more so the 2nd hand market cools off...prices are still $100-$200 more than retail.

Another one to check out that few know of: RESCO Instruments. Used to be made right here in San Diego, but moved to a more business friendly state. Anyway, it was started and is still run by an active duty Navy SEAL. While Luminox might claim to be the official watch of UDT, many personally buy RESCOs. The Black Frog is on my list.

https://rescoinstruments.com/collections/the-blackfrog

[berserk87]

It's a deep rabbit hole, this watch hobby. I've held off on purchasing anything new since I got myself a Hamilton Khaki Field for Christmas. It has not been easy.

I've had my eye on several brands and some discontinued pieces:

*Ball Trainmaster GMT Titanium Blue Dial

*Dryden Heartlander 38mm

*S.U.F. Helsinki 180G

*Hamilton Murph 38mm

*Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 2503.33 39mm Auto

*Traska Venturer

*Seiko Baby Alpinist 38mm

*Farer Resolute 36mm

*Christopher Ward Sealander GMT

*Sinn 556IR

Lotsa potential on this list. I'm trying to hold off until Christmas. My head may explode.

[gt88]

Originally Posted by berserk87

It's a deep rabbit hole, this watch hobby. I've held off on purchasing anything new since I got myself a Hamilton Khaki Field for Christmas. It has not been easy.

I've had my eye on several brands and some discontinued pieces:

*Ball Trainmaster GMT Titanium Blue Dial

*Dryden Heartlander 38mm

*S.U.F. Helsinki 180G

*Hamilton Murph 38mm

*Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 2503.33 39mm Auto

*Traska Venturer

*Seiko Baby Alpinist 38mm

*Farer Resolute 36mm

*Christopher Ward Sealander GMT

*Sinn 556IR

Lotsa potential on this list. I'm trying to hold off until Christmas. My head may explode.

Great list. I had a Sinn 556A and a baby alpinist - both were excellent. Also just got a Ball Fireman and the tritium tubes are crazy bright. Especially helpful in sweater/coat season since they don't require external light to charge.

[IJWS]

I love it when things get out of hand!

[buddybikes]

Originally Posted by benb

This is such a cool idea. I worked in the repurposed Waltham watch factory for a year. It's not worth traveling but if were in the area and are a watch fanatic there's a very small museum inside the factory.

In the mid-2000s it was rehabbed into office space. It's a very neat building. The museum is unlocked during business hours but IIRC you can't walk through the rest of the building without a security badge.

It'd be interesting to hear more about this. One person in my family still has a Waltham grandfather clock that works well.

Waltham tall cases are beautiful, and the insides are are good as outside, friend has a 8 ft'er from 1890s Lost art :-(.

[jimcav]

seems pricey for a sw200 and 300m water resistance, but if someone has a a murdered out black dodge charger/challenger toyota tundra etc or really goes down range, maybe it speaks to them. I'd go quartz down range though, and then it is stupid money, and it would need to be far tougher, so would have a G-shock.

To each their own, but if buying an SW200 movement dive style, I'd want something with more design and execution like a Christopher Ward C60 Trident Pro 600

Originally Posted by KJMUNC

Another one to check out that few know of: RESCO Instruments. Used to be made right here in San Diego, but moved to a more business friendly state. Anyway, it was started and is still run by an active duty Navy SEAL. While Luminox might claim to be the official watch of UDT, many personally buy RESCOs. The Black Frog is on my list.

https://rescoinstruments.com/collections/the-blackfrog

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by benb

This is such a cool idea. I worked in the repurposed Waltham watch factory for a year. ...

In the mid-2000s it was rehabbed into office space. It's a very neat building. The museum is unlocked during business hours but IIRC you can't walk through the rest of the building without a security badge.

I might be working for a company with offices in the Watch Factory buildings starting next month...waiting to hear now...

[Louis]

Originally Posted by berserk87

*Sinn 556IR

The 556I has been on my short list for years. A while back I came this ll close to buying one, but couldn't decide between the red second hand or the basic. Ended up getting a Stowa Black Forest flieger.

I think I've now settled on the white second hand, but they have some other nice ones with applied indices that have also caught my eye. But the fancier stuff goes against the "tool watch" vibe, so I'll probably stick with the simpler model.

[berserk87]

Originally Posted by gt88

Great list. I had a Sinn 556A and a baby alpinist - both were excellent. Also just got a Ball Fireman and the tritium tubes are crazy bright. Especially helpful in sweater/coat season since they don't require external light to charge.

That sounds pretty cool. What size in the Ball Fireman? I've heard good things.

[gt88]

Originally Posted by berserk87

That sounds pretty cool. What size in the Ball Fireman? I've heard good things.

I have the Fireman Enterprise which is 40 diameter. A little long lug to lug at 48 but works for me. Height is about 11.5mm.

[RFC]

This thread needs a little Tuna.

IMG_6365r by Robert Copple, on Flickr

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by RFC

This thread needs a little Tuna.

Lovely.

Most people don't know about the higher end Seikos. They are reasonably enough priced that you can have a sampling rather than just the one $olex SpeedDialMaster (for instance). I had three Sumos for a while (the bottom end of the higher end), still have the orange dial one.