What kind of watches do you have?

[freakshow]

Latest addition

[tomatogunk]

Originally Posted by freakshow

Latest addition

I wish GS made more Spring Drives without the power reserve and put it in a 44GS case

Here'e my newest pickup and the story behind it:





I've always read stories online about people walking into Rolex ADs and by some stroke of luck being able to pick up a steel sports. But never in a million years did I expect to be one of those people. Here's how it happened: Phoned a bunch of ADs in Toronto and asked if they had a Milgauss Z-Blue in stock. All said no but one came back saying they had the black one in stock. I told them that I'd be dropping by to try the watch on for size. Lo and behold, a Z-Blue Milgauss was being put on display as I got there. It even had the bezel condom on it. Apparently they just took delivery of the watch 10 minutes prior to me walking in. Call it fate, seredipity, or happenstance but I consider myself one really lucky dude

[bcrdukes]

Congrats on the Milgauss!

[sonick]

Holla Seiko diver fans, 27 new reissues

https://wornandwound.com/the-seiko-5...27-new-divers/

[racerman88]

Has anyone used the watch repair & service shop on Canada Way just west of Willingdon? Just wondering how the quality of their work is.


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[PuYang]

Originally Posted by racerman88

Has anyone used the watch repair & service shop on Canada Way just west of Willingdon? Just wondering how the quality of their work is.


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Timeco? I will probably be going there in the fairly distant future to service my Speedmaster, since they are an authorized service centre for Omega. Haven't heard any reviews though :[



So, I bought an SKX013 a little while ago with the intention of modding it. I bought all the tools and parts I wanted, but left them sitting there for a few weeks before finally having the courage to sit down and crack the watch open. Surprisingly, removing the hands, dial, swapping day wheel, and reassembling only took me a few hours.

I enjoyed wearing the SKX, and treated it like a beater. (Treating it like a beater watch was liberating, and allowed me to really enjoy it more :O)

Anyway, attached are photos of my completed mod.

Parts used:
-Kanji Daywheel (JDM Street cred yo)
-PADI Sunburst Blue dial
-Lucius Atelier Polished Silver Chapter Ring
-Crystal Times Vintage Top Hat Sapphire Crystal (Super thick crystal!)
-My own designed Bezel: 12 Hr bezel with the 15 minute diver markings. 3D Printed in Sterling Silver, then tarnished with hardboiled egg, and hour markers polished back to silver for contrast.

The tarnish on the bezel is mostly dark gray in most lights, but has rust/warm tones throughout, and even a few BLUE spots!

In one of the photos, you can see I also had one printed in Bronze. But didn't like it as much with the blue dial. I was 'sorta' going for a Rolex Yachtmaster look (blue dial, platinum bezel).

I'm really quite pleased with my mod :P

[SiRV]

Love the teal glow!

[rb]

Originally Posted by racerman88

Has anyone used the watch repair & service shop on Canada Way just west of Willingdon? Just wondering how the quality of their work is.


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What are you looking to repair? Time-Co is decent and they are an authorized repair center for most of the swatch group brands. Good to have for re-sale.

I usually just take my higher end watches to the German watchmaker. He's got a good reputation amongst watch guys so I find that its actually quite easy to sell a watch that has been serviced by Nobert.

[racerman88]

Originally Posted by rb

What are you looking to repair? Time-Co is decent and they are an authorized repair center for most of the swatch group brands. Good to have for re-sale.

I usually just take my higher end watches to the German watchmaker. He's got a good reputation amongst watch guys so I find that its actually quite easy to sell a watch that has been serviced by Nobert.

Who and where is the German watchmaker?
I need to get my Seiko and Movado serviced


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[rb]

https://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-german-watchmaker-vancouver

He's in Yaletown - 1208 Homer St #125

[racerman88]

I had a feeling it was the same person I spoke to before.


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[tomatogunk]

Heads up. There is a Tudor Black Bay Fifty Eight on a nato in Rodeo in Oakrdige as of this afternoon

[PuYang]

So uh, I was a little hesitant to post this, because I don't wan't you guys to think I'm crazy. But let's face it, I'm well past that point of no return...

Picked up my modded Speedy last night.

-Mitsukoshi Panda Dial - Nay, "Reverse Orca Dial" >:P
-Apollo Soyuz hands (Polished steel hands with red tip on chrono/sweep seconds hand).
-Sapphire Caseback - bought this long before I bought the speedy, but never installed until now.

Firstly, up until fairly recently, I was the biggest fan of the original black dial. Afterall, I loved the look so much I bought the Speedy (shared that story in this thread already).

As some of you know, I also have a thing for Panda dials (again, posted about that in this thread before as well. I'm seeing a pattern).

However, when it came to the Speedmaster, I always felt the original Black dial was FAR superior to the Panda. So, I liked the black dial more, and the Speedmaster panda would not have been my favourite panda dial watch either.

SO what changed? A while ago, I saw some very nice photos of the Mitsukoshi, and the look grew on me. Then came the Zenith revival A384 panda dial watch, that made me fantasize selling my speedy to buy. Very quickly realizing I would never part ways with my speedy, I looked into getting the Mitsukoshi dial.

After buying the dial and sending the watch to Norbert, I immediately started feeling some regret. "What if I still like the black dial more?"

All of my doubts were erased when I picked up my speedy. For the first time, I saw that the dial was NOT flat white (seems like every photo I see of the Panda Speedy has a very solid white dial). The dial actually has some... silvery-ness to it. Or, metallic white. Think, white car paint with flakes, or something. The overall look WOWed me, and I can't stop staring at it. Absolutely loving it (although the Black dial is still a stunner).

Side point, with the sapphire caseback finally installed, I saw the 1861 in person for the first time ever. I already knew I liked it from photos I've seen online, but seeing it in person, again, is on a whole new level. The depth, the lighting, and even the sense of scale, totally changes when it is in your hands. The movement is absolutely gorgeous, and it isn't even the more decorated 1863!

Sorry for the long story, enjoy some photos below! (the second photo below sorta captures the silvery metallic white dial I mentioned).

[kkttsang]

Who did the work for you?

[rb]

looking to get a vintage Rolex perpetual date properly polished and the brushed areas restored. It was slightly over polished in the past and brushed areas were removed. Apparently most jewelers will just polish the whole thing but don't know how or bother to restore the brushed finish on the specific areas.

Any suggestions on where to take it and what i should be looking at in terms of cost? thanks

[PuYang]

Originally Posted by kkttsang

Who did the work for you?

I went to Norbert at The German Watchmaker.

I did my SKX013 myself, but didn't want to (nor have the balls to) mod the Omega myself :P

Originally Posted by rb

looking to get a vintage Rolex perpetual date properly polished and the brushed areas restored. It was slightly over polished in the past and brushed areas were removed. Apparently most jewelers will just polish the whole thing but don't know how or bother to restore the brushed finish on the specific areas.

Any suggestions on where to take it and what i should be looking at in terms of cost? thanks

That really sucks to hear. I have no experience with that area, but would recommend to always emphasize NO POLISHING on any watch I get serviced. Wondering if you should just consider leaving it as is, instead of removing even more material?

But I think any watch maker would be able to polish/brush it?

[S1 S2]

Originally Posted by PuYang

So uh, I was a little hesitant to post this, because I don't wan't you guys to think I'm crazy. But let's face it, I'm well past that point of no return...

Picked up my modded Speedy last night.

-Mitsukoshi Panda Dial - Nay, "Reverse Orca Dial" >:P
-Apollo Soyuz hands (Polished steel hands with red tip on chrono/sweep seconds hand).
-Sapphire Caseback - bought this long before I bought the speedy, but never installed until now.

Firstly, up until fairly recently, I was the biggest fan of the original black dial. Afterall, I loved the look so much I bought the Speedy (shared that story in this thread already).

As some of you know, I also have a thing for Panda dials (again, posted about that in this thread before as well. I'm seeing a pattern).

However, when it came to the Speedmaster, I always felt the original Black dial was FAR superior to the Panda. So, I liked the black dial more, and the Speedmaster panda would not have been my favourite panda dial watch either.

SO what changed? A while ago, I saw some very nice photos of the Mitsukoshi, and the look grew on me. Then came the Zenith revival A384 panda dial watch, that made me fantasize selling my speedy to buy. Very quickly realizing I would never part ways with my speedy, I looked into getting the Mitsukoshi dial.

After buying the dial and sending the watch to Norbert, I immediately started feeling some regret. "What if I still like the black dial more?"

All of my doubts were erased when I picked up my speedy. For the first time, I saw that the dial was NOT flat white (seems like every photo I see of the Panda Speedy has a very solid white dial). The dial actually has some... silvery-ness to it. Or, metallic white. Think, white car paint with flakes, or something. The overall look WOWed me, and I can't stop staring at it. Absolutely loving it (although the Black dial is still a stunner).

Side point, with the sapphire caseback finally installed, I saw the 1861 in person for the first time ever. I already knew I liked it from photos I've seen online, but seeing it in person, again, is on a whole new level. The depth, the lighting, and even the sense of scale, totally changes when it is in your hands. The movement is absolutely gorgeous, and it isn't even the more decorated 1863!

Sorry for the long story, enjoy some photos below! (the second photo below sorta captures the silvery metallic white dial I mentioned).

My god that looks gorgeous, I am always against modding a speedy but for a panda dial...

[tru_blue]

for those who have bought high end watches in Vancouver like Rolex, omega etc, how much are you usually able to negotiate off the selling price ? or do you ask for 2 services free etc ? What would you say is a fair number to knock off ?

**the main stream rolex or omegas, not the limited edition or rare ones**

[DJ Milk]

For Rolex no discount on anything because they have nothing to sell LOL. Maybe if you buy two Day-Date then they will probably knock a bit off the price

[tru_blue]

Originally Posted by DJ Milk

For Rolex no discount on anything because they have nothing to sell LOL. Maybe if you buy two Day-Date then they will probably knock a bit off the price

what about other brands like Omega, tudor etc ? Any wiggle room on those ?

[bcrdukes]

How you pay has a huge factor into the level of discount you can garner. Cash is king, and I don't mean Interac transfer or anything. I am talking about cold, hard cash, or a bank draft, or bank transfer. Throw your discount out the door when you use your credit card. Discount can range anywhere from 5 to 25% off. 10 - 15% off is about the norm on an Omega or Tudor.

Rolex is tough, unless you buy something obscure like a Cellini. Forget about the Submariner to get a discount. There's more demand than supply. For a DateJust, maybe 5% on a lucky day.

[tomatogunk]

Originally Posted by PuYang

I went to Norbert at The German Watchmaker.

Interesting how Norbert agreed to mod your Speedy. He's done work on some of my watches in the past but I asked him to do the same Mitsukoshi conversion and he didn't want to work on it saying the cal 1861 is hard to work on, etc.

I ended up having mine modded at Otto Friedl

I like how the tip of your chrono hand is painted red. Did you buy it like that or did you have him paint that?

[Spoon]

Originally Posted by DJ Milk

For Rolex no discount on anything because they have nothing to sell LOL. Maybe if you buy two Day-Date then they will probably knock a bit off the price

Had no problem getting a discount on my wife's date just at Montecristo. I was a first time customer and wasn't even trying that hard. Ended up paying an amount that was symbolic for the occasion. Won't surprise me if it could've went lower.

[PuYang]

Originally Posted by tomatogunk

Interesting how Norbert agreed to mod your Speedy. He's done work on some of my watches in the past but I asked him to do the same Mitsukoshi conversion and he didn't want to work on it saying the cal 1861 is hard to work on, etc.

I ended up having mine modded at Otto Friedl

I like how the tip of your chrono hand is painted red. Did you buy it like that or did you have him paint that?

I contacted him prior to purchasing my parts. I wanted to make sure he would do it. He said ok without hesitation, and charged me a lot less than I've seen quoted online. However, the day of, when I brought my watch in, he was a little more hesitant, claiming there is risk of bending the sub register hands (I've heard that before from other Omega watchmakers too, so I wasn't surprised). He ended up asking for a tiny bit more than his original quote, and I agreed (still significantly less than I've seen online).

Norbert also said he can service the 1861 movement and source replacement parts if needed for servicing.

That being said, Timeco? in Burnaby (Authorized Omega service centre) also said they are willing to do mods if I bring in my own parts (they will not sell omega parts).

As for the red tipped hand, it is from the Apollo Soyuz model (Meteorite dial Speedy), which has the silver hands with red tip chrono seconds.

[HonestTea]

Any suggestions on where I can bring my SKX007 to get fixed? It stopped working suddenly

Is the place in Richmond next to LD and above TD any good?