Tool watch recommendation sought

[barbusg60]

Hi all,
After trying lots of different styles recently I seem to have settled on fairly large, legible tool type watches as my favourite.
Im not into having a large collection, just 2 at a time, and maybe a beater just in case.
My current watch is an A13-A pilot watch and I absolutely love it. So now I’m looking for something to partner it.
In an ideal world it would be the below, but understand that some of them may not work.

Chunky, tool type watch
42mm plus with dive style bezel
Black, no date dial
20mm lugs
No date complication
Stainless, although I quite like the idea of bronze
Under £450, ideally used

I’ve been looking around and haven’t really found anything that fits the bill yet so was looking for ideas please.
I was recommended a Dreadnought in the past which looks very foolish but there don’t seem to be many on the second hand market.
Thanks in advance,
Rob

[xellos99]

Steinhart

[Idontgram]

The no-date stipulation does limit choices, otherwise you could have the pick of entry-level Seiko divers.

[whatmeworry]

Steinhart

I think the 42mm Steinharts have 22mm lugs. Might be wrong though.


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[TimeThoughts]

Any preference on mvmnt ? Quartz or Auto ?

[wileeeeeey]

Under £450....

[TimeThoughts]

Rolex explorer

I reckon your days are numbered on here lad.

[Lampoc]

How about a bargain basement Vostok Amfibia Reef? Bigger than your normal Vostoks at 42mm and a pretty decent price at less than £150:



Or you might find a 2nd hand Squale 1521 in your budget - probably need to splash out a little more though.

[barbusg60]

Hello all,
Thanks for your input.
The only Steinhart I’ve found with 20mm lugs is a bronze 42mm Flieger which could be an option?
There is a 42mm Steinhart Military for sale on SC which does look nice, not a dive type but I do like military watches, they just feel too small.
I know both of the above are not dive types but I am open to ideas!
It could have a date if it was unobtrusive (like the Dreadnought) and I say 20mm lugs so I can use my existing straps on it.
I quite like the Marathon search & rescue watches as they have nice slim bezels but the Tsar is too small and the Jsar is too big!
Cheer,
Rob

[TimeThoughts]

Ha ha, scootnfast was exposed and now having a meltdown. Class.

[barbusg60]

Any preference on mvmnt ? Quartz or Auto ?

No preference, I wouldn’t mind something with an interesting movement though.
My A13-A has a ETA movement with the chronograph hands in the centre (I’m not technically minded lol) and I quite like the idea of a mecha-quartz like in the Seafire, just something a bit different.
Or an ETA auto would be fine.
The watch I want probably doesn’t exist and I don’t fancy a modded Seiko as I do like the idea of the micro brand too.
My A13-A below to show the style/how I wear them etc.
Cheers,
Rob



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[barbusg60]

scootnfast, I tried to send you a message but your inbox is full.
Please dont spoil my thread.
Thank you,
Rob


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[TimeThoughts]

Probably just out of your budget but the CWC SBS diver is a lovely job. I like the CWC heritage also.

[neebsta]

No preference, I wouldn’t mind something with an interesting movement though.
My A13-A has a ETA movement with the chronograph hands in the centre (I’m not technically minded lol) and I quite like the idea of a mecha-quartz like in the Seafire, just something a bit different.
Or an ETA auto would be fine.
The watch I want probably doesn’t exist and I don’t fancy a modded Seiko as I do like the idea of the micro brand too.
My A13-A below to show the style/how I wear them etc.
Cheers,
Rob



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Strap looks great Rob.

[Onelasttime]

Probably just out of your budget but the CWC SBS diver is a lovely job. I like the CWC heritage also.

He wants no date so the RN Diver would be a better bet. In fact, it fits the spec perfectly.

[MADDOG]

Timethoughts and Scootnfast this is not your thread, so WHY spoil it for the OP. Get a grip of yourselves and stop acting like to little girls.

[barbusg60]

How about a bargain basement Vostok Amfibia Reef? Bigger than your normal Vostoks at 42mm and a pretty decent price at less than £150:



Or you might find a 2nd hand Squale 1521 in your budget - probably need to splash out a little more though.

Thanks for he input, not quite what I’m after but cheers
Although I’ve often fancied a Vostok or two to mod/tinker with so if I can’t find what I’m after I may try that sometime

[barbusg60]

He wants no date so the RN Diver would be a better bet. In fact, it fits the spec perfectly.

Thanks both,
Although the CWC’s are foolish and fit the bill in some ways I think they are only about 40mm?
But I will have a read up on them.
Cheers

[Onelasttime]

Thanks both,
Although the CWC’s are foolish and fit the bill in some ways I think they are only about 40mm?
But I will have a read up on them.
Cheers

41mm and plenty big enough for even the hairiest gorilla wrists

[RustyBin5]

Ok this has a date but they do no date versions. No better tool watch imho you can get a damasko for only a little more than your budget

[markrlondon]

I've been thinking about this and the no date requirement does make it quite difficult I think.

However, it's possible that the Precista PRS-82 might be a close fit (although it's currently sold out at Time Factors).

Chunky, tool type watch
42mm plus with dive style bezel
Black, no date dial
20mm lugs
No date complication
Stainless, although I quite like the idea of bronze
Under £450, ideally used

It's chunky, 40mm not 42mm, black, no date, 20mm lugs, stainless, was £425 new, second hand around that if you can find one.

https://www.timefactors.com/collecti...y-diver-prs-82


** edit **

Ah, there's one on eBay but it's got a BIN+BO price of £550!

[Bonny Marco]

Hi,

I just saw this review of Tool Watch Company on Fratello as a new brand trying to get off the ground. The name of the brand seems relevant...

https://www.fratellowatches.com/tool...-watch-review/

https://toolwatchco.com/

Fratello's review is generally positive, but it is a new Kickstarter venture so might not happen or there might be an extended delay in receiving it.

The other options could be a:

1) Scurfa diver
2) Certina DS Action diver.

[sweets]

Have a look at the alkin model 2.
Hits the spec square on, with the proviso that the bezel is internal.
Bristol designed too, if that makes a difference

[Lampoc]

Have a look at the alkin model 2.
Hits the spec square on, with the proviso that the bezel is internal.
Bristol designed too, if that makes a difference

Never heard of Alkin before. I have to say I really like this watch.

[markrlondon]

^^^ Nice.

[Merod]

Never heard of Alkin before. I have to say I really like this watch.

I was just ‘skimming’ this thread until I got to this. What an interesting piece for the money - very vintage IWC-like with the internal bezel. I’m not sure I could get on with the clasp though … for whatever reason friction fold over clasps always seem to ‘over cheapen’ cheap watches for me. It suspect it will look great on a quality NATO or ZULU though.

[markrlondon]

for whatever reason friction fold over clasps always seem to ‘over cheapen’ cheap watches for me.

Unless I'm missing something, it seems to have side buttons and a safety flap, so pretty safe surely.

[Merod]

Unless I'm missing something, it seems to have side buttons and a safety flap, so pretty safe surely.

My bad for the poor explanation. I have a negative ‘thing’ for safety flaps on cheaper watches. I’m NOT saying it’s the case for this one but the safety flaps on watches of this price are usually (in my experience) ‘loose’. Winds me up! Anyway - the watch itself is very nice … and the bracelet my be also.

[markrlondon]

My bad for the poor explanation. I have a negative ‘thing’ for safety flaps on cheaper watches. I’m NOT saying it’s the case for this one but the safety flaps on watches of this price are usually (in my experience) ‘loose’. Winds me up! Anyway - the watch itself is very nice … and the bracelet my be also.

Ah, ok.

[Seal-Dweller]

Have you considered one of the Elliot Brown pieces? I had my eye on one of the Holton Professional models a while back but still haven’t taken the plunge…

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk//colle...RoCrnQQAvD_BwE




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[barbusg60]

Thanks again to everyone who has offered ideas, it is much appreciated.
Some nice offerings, and I do quite like the look of the alkin but none of them are quire there.
One problem is I really, really like my A13-A, maybe I should just get another and get it cerakoted black lol.
I have just had a thought though, its not a diver but how do the 40mm Smiths Everest wear?
I have a wanted ad up for a quartz PRS-40 as Ive alays wanted to try one but forgot about the Everest!
Cheers,
Rob

[Stanley637]

Marathon GSAR or TSAR


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[levkov]

I too would go with the CWC RN diver, just fits the bill in every way

[julian2002]

Have a look at the Steeldive range. You could get 2 or 3 for your budget and they are the definition of tool watches being cheap, well built and reliable.

[Merod]

How about .... https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/men/acc...tch/p/76441626

[Boxsash]

I'd second the CWC RN diver. I had one for a while and there so comfortable and totally built! Great sword hands / greta history and look great when you have a machete between your teeth.

[barbusg60]

I do think the CWC is definitely worth a thought, thanks for the tip.
I’ve been searching myself and came across a couple which, although no longer in production may be available through a wanted ad.
PRS-3 LE in black. Has a date but at least it’s in the 6’oclock position, has 22mm lugs though
Smiths PRS-68. Has 20mm lugs and looks a good size for my wrist but has a date although the diver it’s based on did too.
Would anyone know roughly how much examples of those would cost?
And thanks again for any input/ideas all.
Cheers,
Rob

Although I don’t know if either of them can be classed as tool watches? But I do like them, especially the 68

[RobDad]

41mm and plenty big enough for even the hairiest gorilla wrists

I beg to differ - wears pretty small on my nearly 9 inch wrists, in fact I saw a photo of me wearing mine recently and it’s now on SC as a result!!


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