Baltic & Lorier are both quite nice, great looking, built well, but with cheap movements (microbrands)
I think I need a dive watch, specifically a vintage styled dive watch and by vintage I mean 1960's. I'm interested in something that can be a regular wearer, take a bit of a beating and not worry me too much, so real vintage is out. I'm also not looking for a homage, or at least not an obvious homage so a milsub styled piece is also out.
Automatic preferred
On a bracelet but also open to a tropic or a nato, although I'd prefer a single pass.
40mm or smaller.
Sapphire or acrylic.
Budget is sub £1000 either new or second hand.
This isn't a sneaky want to buy. I've bough two watches in the last two weeks, so this will be something for the summer. The research will keep me busy. The first thing that comes to mind is the Oris 65, specifically the version with the quarter arabics, that is now end of sale.
So give me some suggestions, or better yet show me yours.
Baltic & Lorier are both quite nice, great looking, built well, but with cheap movements (microbrands)
Newmark 71 if you can hunt one down.
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The Certina DS PS200m nearly fulfils your criteria:
https://www.certina.com/gb/watch/ds-...c0364071105000
But the remake is 43mm, not 40mm.
One of the Gnomon/Steinhart special editions. About £500 gets you the explorer dial sub on a choice of oyster or Jubilee. Really nice. Have a look at the Gnomon website.
This was the first thing that came to my mind - 40mm; slim case; interesting dial and robust swiss movement.
There are other variations. But I was surprised to learn they'd been discontinued. Are you sure?
Chris Ward do some nice divers/skin divers. I'd look there first. Not looked at prices but I would imagine within your price criteria.
How about one of the Zodiac divers? I had this delivered yesterday and am really impressed with it, love its look and the flash of colour, 40mm too.
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/produc...8caed308&_ss=r
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Last edited by Seal-Dweller; 14th February 2021 at 12:54.
Or the Helson turtle, Crepas has some interesting things too.
How about a Dan Henry 1970 automatic. 60s supercompressor style case, sapphire crystal, 40mm diameter, 200m water resistant, some nice colour variants. Seems like an excellent summer watch and well below budget.
A WMT Sea Wolf:
Plenty of styles to choose from, and you can even design our own via the WMT website.
Last edited by senraw; 14th February 2021 at 13:15.
Farer's Aqua Compressor range come in a shade under a grand:
https://farer.com/collections/aqua-c...sor-automatics
Last edited by Bondurant; 14th February 2021 at 13:07.
Another vote for the Doxa Sub 200, does wear smaller than the 42mm as has been said.
Doxa Sub 200 by iaintookey, on Flickr
I would look at either Helson or Crepas, both make fantastic quality watches for the money and their designs are vintage inspired.
Whilst not 60s the CWC diver reissues might be in budget second hand, they are a 80s watch but with the defence design standard firmly from the 60s
Have a look at the rado captain cook
Another vote for Steinhart , you can get milsub style or the older style . I occasionally wear a gnomon 39mm ocean 1 on a nato as a beater.
Actually have a 42mm I’ll probably sell soon as I’ve never worn it.
Thanks all, some great suggestion and a number of watches I hadn't heard off. I like the look of the Doxa, but I'd need to try it on, not sure I have enough wrist for it. CWC is always a consideration. I've had a Farer (different model) previously and loved the colours and build quality, but for some reason the fit wasn't for me. The Zodiac and the Newmark also look great, the latter reminds me a little of the Oris 65. I need to research the other suggestions too.
As well as those mentioned above, a few microbrands that are worth a look:
NTH
Evant
MKII
Helson
Seals
Nodus
Raven
Halios
Meraud
There is a tonne of choice for vintage inspired divers at this end of the market but I've seen favourable reviews on all the above, though some more so than others.
It may be less retro than the others mentioned, but the Maen Hudson Mk III at 38mm might be worth a look:
https://www.maenwatches.com/pages/hu...tic-collection
mentioned in your first post, the 40mm version oris 65 diver on the tropic strap is as good as it gets
Why would real vintage be out. Movement wouldn't be any different than some current watches. 17 jewels is 17 jewels
Vintage Caravelle
Something newer
Bulova Sea Devil
DON
The Yema superman sounds like it would be with considering. It’s a watch I’ve been tempted by recently.
What's the quality like on these? I've read mixed reports about the 200 with a number mentioning the quality is quite a bit below the 300 and other Doxa series.
It put me off to be honest even though I like them and the fact they are from a well established brand with diving heritage.
Squale
I’ve had a lot of sub £1k divers through my hands over the years, and this one is as good as any I think.
There is zero slack in the bezel action, and everything lines up perfectly. The case is well finished, reminds me of an Omega Moon watch, screwed links and solid end pieces on the bracelet, well finished hands with no rough edges etc. Mine appears to be very well regulated as well, within +1s a day, and a lovely winding action.
I think the caribbean version on bracelet brings out the best of the design, and it certainly compares very well to my Doxa 300T which was twice the price.
This is definitely not a Doxa ‘Aquaman’, it looks like a properly finished watch. I’m certainly happy with it anyway, I’ve owned it for over a year now, so it must be doing something right! :-D
Seiko SPB143
Not a great bracelet, but works so well on rubber or NATO.
Thanks for this suggestion, Its a loverly size, colour and great detailing too....very tempting.
QUOTE=SplitSecond;5674086]It may be less retro than the others mentioned, but the Maen Hudson Mk III at 38mm might be worth a look:
https://www.maenwatches.com/pages/hu...tic-collection
[/QUOTE]
So, it isn't 1960s, but the gaffer's PRS-82 is nice.
https://www.timefactors.com/collecti...y-diver-prs-82
Looks better on the wrist than it does in the photographs.
Sorry to bang the Zeno drum but....
These are great value. Look fab on a NATO... bubble acrylic crystal and a few different options of bezel and dial.
https://shop.time-design.co.uk/army-...e-dial-4-p.asp
And there is a TZ discount code. 10% off too
Last edited by James.uk; 18th February 2021 at 23:44.