Showing posts with label Seiko divers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seiko divers. Show all posts
Monday, November 26, 2012
Seiko 6105-8110 150m diver for sale... SOLD!
6105-8110 150m Diver: On WJean waffle strap. I am not a 6105 pundit, but have been assured dial and hands are original. Strong runner. Price: 500USD.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Impressions of the new "Omega-type" heavy mesh diver bracelet.
Ever since my interest for vintage dive watches started, I have yearned for an Omega mesh. We all know them, but not many of us pluck up the courage to take 300 dollars out of the housekeeping jar to be the proud owner of one. One of the great mysteries of WISdom for me (ranking up there with missing bracelet pin collars and that one screw left over from my last repair) is why no aftermarket mesh with open mesh end links has ever been offered! Webpage after webpage of cyberdrool every time someone posts a diver on an Omega mesh must surely speak volumes about the potential market!
Well, wait no more, they're here - and wjean (http://myworld.ebay.com/wjean28/) and stella (tungchoywatches) have them! I just got one in the post, and I quote: "And it came to pass I beheld them, and they were good":
After fitting the mesh to the Tuna, I thought I would give it a try on the Nighthawk. Now, it was amazing on the Tuna, however the effect of the mesh on the Nighthawk is nothing short of stunning! Somehow the mesh transports the Nighthawk to a watch which you could wear at work, on the beach and still be suitable for formal evening wear. The mesh is amazingly versatile, and seems ideally suited to a large, sporty watch.
Out of the box the bracelet is lighter than I had expected. The mesh is thick and yet very flexible, and the clasp feels sufficiently solid. I have often been disappointed by clasps on after-market bracelets, but the clasps here are appropriate. Fitting is very easy, and the effect of the pin through the links is visually appealing. Note that these bracelets will not accept fat spring bars for divers, but wjean does offer special regular width bars with thicker pins for divers.
The finish on the strap I received is brushed. Each row of links appears to be a spiral or coil of wire, so there is a "free" end at each end of each coil. These free ends have been filed (for want of a better word) and pushed in to make a flush ending - I wondered if they would catch on clothing or hair but I have had no problem in this respect. The links have also been filed or brushed on top to make a flat surface which is very pleasing - a nice detail. There is a good amount of space between the links, and I have noticed that my arm is dry under the bracelet, even though it is humid, while the Monster on my other arm is sticking to a thin layer of sweat. The mesh is definitely a cooler bracelet and will be a sure winner this summer!
Just after I fitted the bracelet to my Nighthawk, a friend of mine (who also has a Nighthawk) dropped by and immediately noticed the new configuration. His eyes widened and he said "That I HAVE to have, would you order me one!". I absolutely recommend these mesh bracelets - get one, you wont be disappointed. I expect these bracelets will be a major posting topic on watch forums this summer.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Seiko SS 6309-7040 “SuperOyster” vs Rolex SS “Submariner” - impressions
I have, for years, lusted after a vintage 60s Rolex SS sub. I am fascinated by a number of factors, including (not in order of performance): history, prestige, toolishness/capability, design and looks.
Unfortunately for me, I will never afford a Rolex sub. Even though I probably have the money, I have other things that have a higher priority. Fortunately for me, I have a collection of Seiko 6309/6306 divers which fascinate me for the same reasons listed above. But I always wondered how the Rolex Sub would compare to the Seiko 6309.
Recently, I had the chance to obtain a very “accurate” Sub fake from a trusted buyer, for comparison purposes. The following is a thus “review” based on stylistic/design criteria, rather than quality criteria (although I am sure the venerable 6309 would fare surprisingly well in the quality stakes!)
Movement
The Rolex movement hacks, but more importantly, it hand winds! The Rolex date (even on the fake) changes at precisely midnight. I like that. Otherwise, the Rolex is a tried-and-trusted tractor, capable of excellent accuracy. 10/10
The 6309 movement is also a tried-and-trusted tractor, capable of excellent accuracy (although not as stable as a Rolex), but lacks a handwind capability. I would love to wind my 6309s once a week. 8/10
Dial, hands and crystal
The Rolex dial is very busy (lots of text), and a little blingy with the white-gold bordered indices. I am not a fan of the much-copied Mercedes hands, which I consider too thin for a tool watch. Both the Seiko and the Rolex have sapphire crystals (aftermarket for the Seiko), although the Cyclops in the Rolex is not my cup of tea. I would change the Rolex hands for MOD hands, and fit a new crystal. 7/10
The Seiko has day/date (a very important plus for me) rather than the date of the Rolex, the hands and dial are immensely readable and toolish, and in my opinion the Seiko-trademark arrow hands are aesthetically the most pleasing of any diver. The only thing I would change is to fit a black day/date and, of course, the sapphire upgrade. 9/10
Strap
The Rolex Oyster strap has solid endlinks (even on the fake) and a simple yet effective flip clasp with diver’s extension. I am a sucker for Oyster straps. 8/10
The Seiko is fitted with an aftermarket Super Oyster with solid endlinks from Harold (Yobokies). The clasp is more solid and detailed than the Rolex, with great pushbar opening. This strap has no dive extension. 9/10
Case
The Rolex case is a much-copied classic; it sits well, looks purposeful and has stood the test of time. The crown and crown protectors are a bit dominant. 9/10
The trademark Seiko cushion case is another design classic, the crown protection offered by the case is nothing less than genius. The contours of the case mould to the wearers arm, making the Seiko hug the wrist. The case looks more balanced on a rubber strap than on steel. 9/10
Prestige
The Rolex Sub is the epitome of prestige, in my neck of the woods. It is capable, dependable and bloody expensive. I would so love to own a vintage Sub (pre-“bling” model from the 60s), albeit with the mods suggested above. 10/10
The Seiko 6309 is also a prestigious watch – among divers and soldiers of my generation (40+), and increasingly among WIS tool watch enthusiasts. 7/10
I have given the Rolex a slight edge (44/42). The Rolex is about 10-15 times the price of a top-restored Seiko 6309. If you consider that both watches will resell for their original used buying price, then the pricing / value-for-the-buck issue diminishes. If there where no issues of price/prestige, and I could evaluate both watches as the capable, well designed and historically significant tool watches they are, I would be hard pressed to choose between modded Seiko 6309 with a handwind movement, or a modded (crystal and hands) vintage Rolex Sub. Unmodded, the vintage Sub would (by my criteria) narrowly beat the 6309, while the 6309 would beat a modern Sub hands down.
Unfortunately for me, I will never afford a Rolex sub. Even though I probably have the money, I have other things that have a higher priority. Fortunately for me, I have a collection of Seiko 6309/6306 divers which fascinate me for the same reasons listed above. But I always wondered how the Rolex Sub would compare to the Seiko 6309.
Recently, I had the chance to obtain a very “accurate” Sub fake from a trusted buyer, for comparison purposes. The following is a thus “review” based on stylistic/design criteria, rather than quality criteria (although I am sure the venerable 6309 would fare surprisingly well in the quality stakes!)
Movement
The Rolex movement hacks, but more importantly, it hand winds! The Rolex date (even on the fake) changes at precisely midnight. I like that. Otherwise, the Rolex is a tried-and-trusted tractor, capable of excellent accuracy. 10/10
The 6309 movement is also a tried-and-trusted tractor, capable of excellent accuracy (although not as stable as a Rolex), but lacks a handwind capability. I would love to wind my 6309s once a week. 8/10
Dial, hands and crystal
The Rolex dial is very busy (lots of text), and a little blingy with the white-gold bordered indices. I am not a fan of the much-copied Mercedes hands, which I consider too thin for a tool watch. Both the Seiko and the Rolex have sapphire crystals (aftermarket for the Seiko), although the Cyclops in the Rolex is not my cup of tea. I would change the Rolex hands for MOD hands, and fit a new crystal. 7/10
The Seiko has day/date (a very important plus for me) rather than the date of the Rolex, the hands and dial are immensely readable and toolish, and in my opinion the Seiko-trademark arrow hands are aesthetically the most pleasing of any diver. The only thing I would change is to fit a black day/date and, of course, the sapphire upgrade. 9/10
Strap
The Rolex Oyster strap has solid endlinks (even on the fake) and a simple yet effective flip clasp with diver’s extension. I am a sucker for Oyster straps. 8/10
The Seiko is fitted with an aftermarket Super Oyster with solid endlinks from Harold (Yobokies). The clasp is more solid and detailed than the Rolex, with great pushbar opening. This strap has no dive extension. 9/10
Case
The Rolex case is a much-copied classic; it sits well, looks purposeful and has stood the test of time. The crown and crown protectors are a bit dominant. 9/10
The trademark Seiko cushion case is another design classic, the crown protection offered by the case is nothing less than genius. The contours of the case mould to the wearers arm, making the Seiko hug the wrist. The case looks more balanced on a rubber strap than on steel. 9/10
Prestige
The Rolex Sub is the epitome of prestige, in my neck of the woods. It is capable, dependable and bloody expensive. I would so love to own a vintage Sub (pre-“bling” model from the 60s), albeit with the mods suggested above. 10/10
The Seiko 6309 is also a prestigious watch – among divers and soldiers of my generation (40+), and increasingly among WIS tool watch enthusiasts. 7/10
I have given the Rolex a slight edge (44/42). The Rolex is about 10-15 times the price of a top-restored Seiko 6309. If you consider that both watches will resell for their original used buying price, then the pricing / value-for-the-buck issue diminishes. If there where no issues of price/prestige, and I could evaluate both watches as the capable, well designed and historically significant tool watches they are, I would be hard pressed to choose between modded Seiko 6309 with a handwind movement, or a modded (crystal and hands) vintage Rolex Sub. Unmodded, the vintage Sub would (by my criteria) narrowly beat the 6309, while the 6309 would beat a modern Sub hands down.
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