Reply With QuoteVery nice little collection there. I really fancy that Orient, a lovely thing indeed.
I wanted to do this for a long time. Here I present you with the pick of watches that have made it through years of flipping watches.
I have been a watch lover from when I was a small kid. I would longingly stare at watches through windows for a long time when my mum would take me shopping for clothes. I always had a fascination for these things that 'work' and you can wear on your wrists. I was particularly impressed by the water resistant ones. I must have ruined at least 20 cheap kids watches my mother bought for me as I would do my bet to get them wet, swim in them etc..
I started 'collecting', buying/selling on forums at least 7 years ago.I am now 29 years old, a graduate mechanical engineer, diver, boxer and a very active person. I have still not lost any interest in watches...particularly dive watches. I must have had at least 150-200 dive watches. I started with sub 200 Euros Automatic Seikos then gradually built my way up to the swiss brands Tag, IWC, Rolex, Omega etc...I consider myself lucky to have owned many nice watches even if for a short period of time. A few years ago I decided that I will only have 5-6 watches I REALLY like and wear in my collection. This required careful consideration...as being limited to that small a number is no mean feat.
My tastes have 'matured' over time and I am now fairly convinced that I like smaller (40-42mm) sub 180 grams watches that are fairly simple in design and function. I was the kind that would never go for a 42mm PO when I knew that they made one in 45.5mm...well we all change I guess.
These are watches I have now had and kept onto for years and I seriously doubt that any one of these will be going anywhere. I am more impressed by the technical capabilities and engineering design rather than huge depth ratings and huge marketing. They are all special to me for various reasons. I will try and summarize the story of each one in a few words.
1- Seiko SBBN015
This is the watch I consider as the most professional out of my collection and the best dive watch (that I know of) on the planet. The 7C46 movement is specially made and reserved for the professional shrouded Seiko divers. Jeweled, metal gear train, high torque motor and no exposed circuitry means that this watch is particularly resistant to shock & temperature variations. I like that it is steel finish and has one of the most comfortable bracelets around. I had 3 SBBN007s but always thought it can be made better. When the 015 was announced I instantly felt that it was almost as if the Seiko engineers read my mind. All the changes I wanted to see on the watch where there! In fact I sold this watch a 3-4 years ago to buy the TiN/DLC Reissue Golden Tuna but I never felt that it was superior in any way and I am a bracelet guy. I felt I made a mistake and asked the buyer to let me know first if he ever decides to let it go. A few months later he e-mailed me that he was considering selling the 015 and If I was still interested. I bought it back instantly! I had a few Tunas from Autos to Quartz...but for me the 015 remains the most wearable and versatile.
2- Omega SMP-c
This was a graduation gift from my family. I always liked the Seamaster and have had a few different versions. I never liked the wave dial much though and was very looking forward to get this version when it was announced. I must have been one of the very first to get my hands on one. I was in Amsterdam on holiday and bought it new from a store and WUS watch sponsor for a small discount. It has seen plenty of action (diving, climbing, biking etc...) and it remains the most accurate mechanical watch I have ever had. On the wrist it runs at around +3 seconds every 10 days. I remain impressed whenever I sync it and give it a check. I like its size and comfortable fit.
3- Orient 300m He-Gas diver
This is the most serious auto dive watch I have ever handled/owned. It has many features that put it head and shoulder above the competition for me. Its only downside is that it is a heavy watch. I weighed it at 224 grams sized for my 6.75 inch wrist so its the watch I wear the least. I had 4 other Orient Stars 300m and always moved them on because of their weight. However its screwed down crystal, special Seiko L shaped crystal gasket, 5mm A/R sapphire crystal, robust in house movement, shock proof movement holder and a few other fatures means that I trust it more than most on my underwater adventures.
4- Casio G-Shock Frogman
This is my go to watch when there I feel like I wanna play, give my wrist a break from my other watches or when I need the functionality of a digital watch. At 88 grams on this Nato it is my most comfortable watch. I have had plenty G-Shocks and many Frogmans but this series Frogman remains my favourite due to its light Ti case construction, simplicity and easy to use functions. I like the dive timer and surface interval function above all else. A G-shock was my first serious watch I bought from my own money when I must have been 12 years old or so. I foolishly sold that watch many years ago. I will always have a G-Shock in my collection.
5- Sinn 203
This is my latest acquistion. I bought it last month while on work in Frankfurt. I have been looking for a nice dive chrono long and far. I always seemed to search for 'special' functions like central minute hands, 60 minute totalizers etc. I liked my Tag Aquagraph but I never liked the idea of it having a piggy back mounted chrono module and the useless 24hr dial. I really liked the UTS 600m I had but it was way too tall and heavy to ever be comfortable for me. This is the very last 203 to roll out of the Sinn factory. My example has a decorated 7750 Top grade ETA. Ar filling & Copper Sulphate capsules that should keep the watch dry in our 90%+ humidity and during the hopefully numerous dives I will expose it to. Apart from its excellent enginnering I like its matte dial, size & weight, its simple hands, finish & industrial look. I also happen to think that a 30 min totalizer is better for my uses of timing short intervals (5-15 minutes) as the minute markers are more 'open'. I also really like its different German day wheel.
Hope you liked the summary of my journey. I wear ALL of these watches anywhere 24/7 & every watch in my collection shall have the ability to dive (I dont own a computer).
I honestly dont feel like I'm not missing on anything just because I dont have seadwellers or several multi thousand watches in my collection anymore. I feel like any new watch will simply be an addition to all the bases that I have covered with these.
Of all the watches I had I hope I had held onto these...but well you grown and learn:
- IWC AT Stainless Steel Tritium 3536
- Rolex 14060M
- My first G-shock
If I would add 1 more watch it would have to be the extra special, baby of the collection. There are a few interesting watches out there but the ones I'd like to own. I have liked the Blancpain Fifty Ftahoms for many years but I see it as a few classes well above my pay grade...same with a JLC MAster Compressor Dive chrono. I REALLY like the new Rolex SD 4000 but am not sure I'll ever spend that amount of money on a Rolex ever again. I guess that for the moment I'll be perfectly happy with what I have. We'll see what the future brings.
Thanks for watching.
PS: Sorry if the misaligned bezels annoy you. I have luckily grown past that stage and dont give a rats ass where the bezel pip is.
Very nice little collection there. I really fancy that Orient, a lovely thing indeed.
Nice collection, the Sinn is my personal favourite there.
Nice collection and it's good to see someone putting a dive watch to it's intended use.
lovely collection,i really like the Sinn and the Seiko.
I used to dive in my Breitling colt superocean professional and my sea dweller.
I love tool watches to be used for their intended purpose.
Great post and review. A lovely little collection and fair play on wearing the SMP for every occasion
A really nice collection and write-up. Thanks for posting.
Do you have a wrist shot of the Orient?
lovely collection and a nice write up. Those bezel positions though - they're messing with my bezel OCD. ;-)
Great collection,love the orient saturation dude
Thanks for the kind comments :)...
It was nice sharing with you why I feel all these watches are 'special' (to me) in their own way. Wearing the 015 today as we speak! Have a good day peeps.
Nice looking collection you have there. Be aware though, Sinns tend to reproduce in your watchbox ;)
Great collection. I really like the Sinn............very cool and lovely looking watch!
Personally.....I don't like G shocks.......I know many people do (lots of my friends wear them as well!).
I think they just don't look right! on my "odd shaped!" wrists.
Very nice collection.
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
Very nice collection indeed
Very nice write up and a lovelly collection. I remember reading your post when you got your SMPc, and i also saw your 203 on Sinn subforum. Great collection of dive watches you have there
Terrific write up and many thanks for showing us your collection
The SMP is my personal favourite in your collection. As you say the Blancpain would make a great addition.
You just not slightly tempted to get a bit of colour in there somewhere.........?
Humble ? By no means!
That's a great collection, nice to see the focus on a particular style of watch.
Nice collection. I mostly like the Sinn !
Good post and nice collection Etienne
Cheers
I enjoyed reading that at Lunchtime today in work. Thanks for sharing :)
Hi buddy,
Thanks for taking the time to post details of your lovely collection. It's quite different to what I imagined it to be.
But I'm glad that you decided to sell your Sub C ND 114060 to me last year. It is still the pride of my small collection along with my Vintage Omega Constellation (1968) which is still as accurate as ever after 46 years and a beautiful watch as shown in the photographs I sent to you.
You'll be glad to hear that the Sub C is being well looked after and keeps excellent time. It is a purchase I have never regretted.
Nice to hear from you again
Kind regards
Trevor
Thanks again for kind replies guys! Never thought you'd like my collection so much...especially knowing that many of you have tens of beautiful watches from great brands.
I think I managed to prove that you can still have fun on a budget having only a handful of very carefully selected watches. I honestly think that no one but a WIS like us will understand the effort taken to come down to this selection right here. I hope I can afford to add 1 high end piece as the crown jewel someday and I'll be pretty much done.
Haha no worries mate...Originally Posted by mwurliinkomeg
The 114060 is a great watch and to me is the best Rolex dive model produced today! I am honestly proud that it gives you so much pleasure...with that and the beautiful connie you have you're well and truly coevered ;)...
Haha...yes I know that I'm pretty boring when it comes to watches :)...Terrific write up and many thanks for showing us your collection
The SMP is my personal favourite in your collection. As you say the Blancpain would make a great addition.
You just not slightly tempted to get a bit of colour in there somewhere.........?
I have been eyeing the Blancpain for many years. Once I was very very close to buying one...I was going to sell a Rolex SD and Submariner to afford it. But then commone sense dug in and I was pretty convinced that I'd be afraid of wearing that amount of money on my wrist anywhere to well and truly enjoy it. In my small collection that doesn't make too much sense. Hope I'll be able to pick up one comfortably one day...one can only dream :)....
A very nice collection, and I particularly like the review of the SBBN015.
People on here (including me) tend to ignore quartz. This is indeed a great diver.
Congratulations on a very nice collection :-)
Nice collection and write-ups. Thanks for sharing. Hadn't considered a Sinn before but may do now.
Great post. Really enjoyed reading that :-)
Great write up, enjoyed reading it. You've experienced some nice dive watches and have a great current collection. Thanks for sharing
Lovely collection, I could easily live with all of them, besides the G-shock that is, just not my cuppa.
Used to have the Seiko and exact same Sinn, still have the Oriënt. All solid pieces to really enjoy wearing.
Cheers,
Daddel.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
A cracking collection. Love the Orient and the Sinn.
love them all,,,,great choices
That's one good looking collection, thanks for sharing!
I love the Seamaster and the SBBN015 (I have the same, it's a killer).
No dressy watches that you fancy? That would complement the collection to perfect IMHO.
Like the Sinn, have been looking at these in the last week, has a bit of 'Breguet Transatlantique' about it
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