crystalcranium Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Here's the deal. Finally wore my $2500 SMP Chrono into the surf on vacation. Push button clasp is full of sand and making a disgusting noise when I operate it and the bezel got knocked loose by a big wave. It didn't come off but it wobbles and the watch will have to go in for service. For all of those who gave me grief for not wearing this watch into battle......thanks for the advice!!!! Once it's fixed, it goes under glass. My Seiko diver is a rock....$185 and it took everything I could throw at it...but it's not flashy enough for me on the beach. I'm looking for suggestions topping out at $450 for a solid diving watch, automatic or quartz, that I can wear days and evenings on vacation. So far, the Tissot Seastar 1000 line has caught my eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 I'd get one of these: http://www.orsawatchco.com/the-collection.php Swiss Made (Each piece is individually numbered 1 to 50) ETA 2824-2 Automatic movement Unidirectional rotating bezel with 120 clicks Domed hardlex mineral crystal (sapphire optional) 300m/1000ft Water resistant 8mm Screw down crown Date at 6hrs Super luminova coated hands and dial. 316l Stainless steel case Case finish is sand blasted Bezel/case back polished. 22mm lugs with connecting rods Weight: 136g Dimensions: 45mm wide x 54mm length Thickness 16mm Stainless steel movement holder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Why not get a SFSO, get it waterproof tested and seviced, still wont be over $450 and you have a great watch that looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corgi Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Rep Submariner.. serviced and waterproofed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzanooo Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 I like the watch Pugs posted. But I did get the Tissot Seastar 1000 in a Siver dial. Very nice looking on or off the beach. Here`s a pic of it on a bracelet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratedzeus Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Noobmariner did fine for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalcranium Posted August 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Looking at a Seiko Prospex and a Chase Durer UDT Special Ops 1000 on the bay. Looks like the CD will cost about $550...a marriage strainer but it's a beauty..black PVD stainless 27 jewel ETA Quartz...gorgeous walnut display box....great look and size. The Seiko Prospex line is a sold in Japan diving line that utilizes two of Seiko's best automatic movements... 21.6K BPH and a 28.8K BPH, windable, hackable movements...a big step up in quality over the 7S26 in the "Monster" line of diving watches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
predfan2001 Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Spend $150-$200 on a Sandoz Sub and put the rest in your pocket. Mine never leaked and trust me...I tested it. Then again, a rep may be just as good????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italiano17771 Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 i found this website, which has very nice prices for hamilton and tissot watches. this one has a swiss auto with AR!! 46mm wide 15mm thick. looks pretty good. im thinking about getting one, but then i see pics of the IWC CD and i think that will be my next purchase. http://www.bluedial.com/T19159351.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 I too have a Seastar. A little older, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajoesmith Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Get the Seiko Samurai, its a beauty. As you said it only from japan but there are people selling it. Ill be buying the Blue dial in titanium when i go back Here is a link to pictures of the black dial in titanium ref number: SBDA001 http://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/divers/SBDA001.html Here is a link to pictures of the blue dial in titanium ref number: SBDA003 http://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/divers/SBDA003.html Here is a link to pictures of the orange dial in titanium ref number: SBDA005 http://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/divers/SBDA005.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalcranium Posted August 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Get the Seiko Samurai, its a beauty. As you said it only from japan but there are people selling it. Ill be buying the Blue dial in titanium when i go back Here is a link to pictures of the black dial in titanium ref number: SBDA001 http://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/divers/SBDA001.html Here is a link to pictures of the blue dial in titanium ref number: SBDA003 http://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/divers/SBDA003.html Here is a link to pictures of the orange dial in titanium ref number: SBDA005 http://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/divers/SBDA005.html Lookin at all of them....yes they are considered part of the Prospex line. Same movenemt in these as the Monster though...no hacking and manual winding. The one I'm looking at has the 6R15 23J Automatic movement. Pugs,...that Tissot is a beauty but I would never trust such a beautiful piece in the surf. This one has to be bulletproof and not so expensive that it isnt considered disposable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 I'd be the first to admit that I haven't worn my 2220.80 SMP rep in the ocean, but, untested, it has survived several dips in the pool, including strenuous swimming against the current of a wave machine. No hint of leaks at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalcranium Posted August 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 i found this website, which has very nice prices for hamilton and tissot watches. this one has a swiss auto with AR!! 46mm wide 15mm thick. looks pretty good. im thinking about getting one, but then i see pics of the IWC CD and i think that will be my next purchase. http://www.bluedial.com/T19159351.htm You can find them for <$370 on Amazon if you look hard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalcranium Posted August 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 I'd be the first to admit that I haven't worn my 2220.80 SMP rep in the ocean, but, untested, it has survived several dips in the pool, including strenuous swimming against the current of a wave machine. No hint of leaks at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 This has to be a no question water ninja. Like I said, my Seiko Diver performed beautifully but with a yellow dial and a black rubber strap, it just doesn't have enough flash for me. It'll be great for diving around the 37' Carver Aft Cabin Cruiser out at sea, but not for the surf at the beach. I want steel, great design and no questions as to performance. This experience confirms my previous conclusion that plain old diving is cake for a diving watch....surf play and major wipe outs at the surface are the best test for WR. In that case, I'd suggest getting an SMP like mine (that kind of price range) and taking it into a friendly watchsmith for independant pressure testing and waterproofing. I took my 2531.80 and 45mm Planet Ocean in for waterproofing, as the dealer said that they were likely only shower proof. My 2220.80 accidentally got submerged in a bath, but, as it didn't leak, I've gradually 'upped the tests', from long submersion in a bath, to paddling around in a pool, to extreme exertion against a wave machine, and it hasn't leaked at all. The only reason I suggest an SMP (other than my bias towards Omega) is that you mentioned evening wear, and the SMP is a watch which can handle evening wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajoesmith Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Lookin at all of them....yes they are considered part of the Prospex line. Same movenemt in these as the Monster though...no hacking and manual winding. The one I'm looking at has the 6R15 23J Automatic movement. Pugs,...that Tissot is a beauty but I would never trust such a beautiful piece in the surf. This one has to be bulletproof and not so expensive that it isnt considered disposable. Sorry but the movement in the seiko samurai is automatic! your right that it doesnt hack but its definitely an auto EDIT: sorry you meant no manual winding, you are correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tag Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 How about: Steinhart Triton: 400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalcranium Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Wow...thank you. More confusion!!!! last night, I had switched back to the Tissot as a sure thing. Now....hmmmmmm! Doxa makes a 300M diver??? Where can I find it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Pugs,...that Tissot is a beauty but I would never trust such a beautiful piece in the surf. This one has to be bulletproof and not so expensive that it isnt considered disposable. Yeah, it's not waterproof until I get a replacement crystal anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Oh, and I'm sure you'll have seen these pictures before, but even a new Seiko may not be as waterproof as advertised. Make sure you get a warranty if you want a tool watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnBeever Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Here's the deal. Finally wore my $2500 SMP Chrono into the surf on vacation. Push button clasp is full of sand and making a disgusting noise when I operate it and the bezel got knocked loose by a big wave. It didn't come off but it wobbles and the watch will have to go in for service. For all of those who gave me grief for not wearing this watch into battle......thanks for the advice!!!! Once it's fixed, it goes under glass. My Seiko diver is a rock....$185 and it took everything I could throw at it...but it's not flashy enough for me on the beach. I'm looking for suggestions topping out at $450 for a solid diving watch, automatic or quartz, that I can wear days and evenings on vacation. So far, the Tissot Seastar 1000 line has caught my eye. How about these from Bill Yao $495 or custom built to you spec. http://www.mkiiwatches.com/CategoryProduct...=Custom+Watches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swdivad Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 I'd highly recommend Marcello C... Best quality divers watch under $1000 IMO: http://www.marcelloc-watches.com/watches/index1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalcranium Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 I'd highly recommend Marcello C... Best quality divers watch under $1000 IMO: http://www.marcelloc-watches.com/watches/index1.html If I could find one for around $500...I'd go for it. They look rock solid. I'm just a little gun shy about buying a Submariner cousin. Wouldn't want to flaunt "Rolex wearer" only to have someone smirk on close inspection....but this is strictly a flash/function watch...oh my...I don't know what I want! No MCs on the bay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tag Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Wow...thank you. More confusion!!!! last night, I had switched back to the Tissot as a sure thing. Now....hmmmmmm! Doxa makes a 300M diver??? Where can I find it? Hmm... you're right, they produced a limited edition in 2002 (1000 p.) but it seems that it is not available anymore... Didn't they revive the 600T recently? And how about the Bathys? Well the more I look at it... but definitly hard to get in Europe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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