Timepieces

[bbattle]

Those Islanders are great, dgaddis! I bought one a few months back as an SKX replacement.

[NYCfixie]

I picked up an Islander, my first dive watch and first mechanical. I like it. The lume is BRIGHT.

Those Islanders are great, dgaddis! I bought one a few months back as an SKX replacement.

I had a few SKX watches modded and spent between $500-$600 so in comparison those Islander Watches are an amazing deal. I had one of the first black dial diver IS-2 models but sold it before I even took the stickers off because I had too many black dial diver watches. Unfortunately, this new version ISL-18 has me considering a purchase.



Similarly, I sold the Hamtun Kraken H2 Diver as soon as I got it (several months late) because I was already over it but this new Hamtun Kraken H3 GMT watch has me considering another purchase but at $650 it might be more than I want to spend right now (and it is not a true GMT since you cannot set the hour hand independently).

[dgaddis]

I had a few SKX watches modded and spent between $500-$600 so in comparison those Islander Watches are an amazing deal. I had one of the first black dial diver IS-2 models but sold it before I even took the stickers off because I had too many black dial diver watches. Unfortunately, this new version ISL-18 has me considering a purchase.



Similarly, I sold the Hamtun Kraken H2 Diver as soon as I got it (several months late) because I was already over it but this new Hamtun Kraken H3 GMT watch has me considering another purchase but at $650 it might be more than I want to spend right now (and it is not a true GMT since you cannot set the hour hand independently).

That’s a good looking watch and I was considering getting in on the latest Kickstarter but the way they use semi-erotic models in their marketing kinda turned me off to the brand. And I don’t need to drop another couple hundred bucks on a watch right now (tho I do have my eye on some eBay listings...).

[NYCfixie]

That’s a good looking watch and I was considering getting in on the latest Kickstarter but the way they use semi-erotic models in their marketing kinda turned me off to the brand. And I don’t need to drop another couple hundred bucks on a watch right now (tho I do have my eye on some eBay listings...).

nice euphemism.

i think one of them is actually a friend (or friend of a friend) of Hamtun's owner but yeah its tacky/slimy/childish/inappropriate/etc.

[dgaddis]

My Islander apparently had a bad seal or something and suddenly got some condensation. Emailed Marc at Long Island Watch on Monday, and today a new one showed up along with a return label to send the old one back.

I had already decided to modify it just a bit. I can't leave anything alone... and the parts arrived while waiting for the new one to show up, so as soon as it did I removed the stock bezel and installed the new one and a new bezel insert, which is ceramic and lumed like the stock bezel. I like the new look a lot, and the coin edge bezel has better grip making it easier to turn.

And. I got a deal (I think) on the ol' eBay, picked up a great white Seiko Samurai for $225. It didn't come with a bracelet, which I didn't want anyways, but came on a cheap nato, and I have some other straps inbound. Other than few inevitable marks on the bezel it's in pristine shape. I'll put a sapphire crystal in it once I bang the stock one up a bit but don't plan on doing anything else to it.

And that's not, no more watches. Besides the Kickstarter one whenever it shows up. And once it does show up, I may end up selling one of the divers off.

Condensation.


Replacement with the aftermarket bezel and different insert.


Samurai. I love the dial on this one.

[dashDustin]

Been thinking about a black bezel for my SKX, but couldn’t find a lot of pictures. Seeing yours makes me dig it, though. So I might pull the trigger. Finally.

[choke]

Been thinking about a black bezel for my SKX, but couldn’t find a lot of pictures. Seeing yours makes me dig it, though. So I might pull the trigger. Finally.

I have a black bezel on my Yao SKX and I really like it. It's been bead blasted so it won't look quite the same but maybe this will help....

[SeanEasley]

Took the plunge into the MKII 'benchcrafted' pond with this used Key West. I guess these are sort of polarizing in the world of watch snobbery, but it's so well-executed that it's hard to fault it for my purposes. Besides, if I get tired of it they seem to hold their value pretty well. NATO strap is called 'valour' by wrist candy watch club. Nothing super-lux but does the job and is very comfy for the $15 pricepoint.

[GonaSovereign]

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[dgaddis]

If I ever get a Rolex, it will be an Explorer.

For now, I'm enjoying the Save The Ocean Samurai I picked up for a deal on the eBay.

CheapestNatoStraps - don't bother. Not bad for the money, but the BluShark AlphaShark straps are way better.

[NYCfixie]

...I'm enjoying the Save The Ocean Samurai I picked up for a deal on the eBay...

When you are ready to mod it:
Seiko Mods - Bezel Inserts – dlwwatches
Sapphire Double Dome - Seiko Prospex SAMURAI – dlwwatches

[deano]

Looks great, Dustin. I really wanted one of those for a bit. I can't remember why I didn't get one. Maybe I got scared off by the size. Speaking of, I'm getting the itch again. Thinking about getting my yema Navygraf onto the Bay. I always wanted a squale. Going to try to pull off the switch a roo.

[dgaddis]

When you are ready to mod it:
Seiko Mods - Bezel Inserts – dlwwatches
Sapphire Double Dome - Seiko Prospex SAMURAI – dlwwatches

I actually like the bezel insert, it doesn't come up in photos well but it's pretty cool. It'll scratch up (already had a few marks when I picked it up) but I'm okay with that.

The crystal will get swapped out as soon as it gets its first scratch.

[mnoble485]

If I ever get a Rolex, it will be an Explorer.

For now, I'm enjoying the Save The Ocean Samurai I picked up for a deal on the eBay.

CheapestNatoStraps - don't bother. Not bad for the money, but the BluShark AlphaShark straps are way better.

Way off topic but are you using ultra violet lights in your HVAC units?

Mike

[dgaddis]

Way off topic but are you using ultra violet lights in your HVAC units?

Mike

I'm in the plumbing group (that's a gas piping sketch for a renovation project, gas piping falls under my scope) so I'm not on the up-and-up with exactly what the HVAC group is doing. But I know we have done some UV units in the past, mostly at hospitals and nursing homes I believe.

[dashDustin]

The ol' Black Bay with Smarty End Links, BandR waterproof band, which I'm officially a fan of, and an RHD deployant, which I'm also a fan of. And my thumbprint. I like this watch. It think it's going to get more wrist time than anything else. Surprisingly it has taken a little bit to get used to no date function.

[GonaSovereign]

The ol' Black Bay with Smarty End Links, BandR waterproof band, which I'm officially a fan of, and an RHD deployant, which I'm also a fan of. And my thumbprint. I like this watch. It think it's going to get more wrist time than anything else. Surprisingly it has taken a little bit to get used to no date function.

The BB looks really good on that strap.

[Gattonero]

Quite happy with this chunky piece of russian steel, so far has been on an average of 15-18 seconds over two days, not too bad for a £70 automatic watch.
The bezel lets down the nice finish of the 710 case type, will replace it in future. The dome glass shows every little bit of dust or fingerprints, but apparently is meant to flex and give the watch a good resistance to water.

[deano]

Those red Black Bays look great. I never "got" Tudor" until recently. And I don't mean the brand or market position, just the intangibles of wanting a watch. Among the submariner style divers that has to be one of the best. They have the je ne sais quoi.

Speaking of intangibles, I couldn't help myself. The Squale Von Buren case is calling my name. Cain't hep it. Got my Yema on the block. I will almost certainly miss it, but that might just be how watches work when you can have only one at a time.

[theflashunc]

Omega Speedmaster Mark II Reissue on a leather strap. Have a hard time seeing how chronos get any better than this. Do I time everything needlessly to the latest fifth of a second? Of course.