Frugal Seamaster 300 Alternative

Tennyson

As much as i love the Omega Seamster 300 (even if it never appears in SPECTRE), I am not in a position to purchase one yet, so was looking for alternatives - i could buy a rip off omega from Alibaba for $35, but felt an alternative was a better option and came across this - Seiko Sports 5 SNZH55 - not made anymore, but can still be picked up for around US$100 new on eBay and amazon.

Ha a nice weight, self winding, decent crystal and that vintage dive feel - i think it looks smart on a NATO as well.

The nice thing about the Seiko 5's is that there are lads of user interchangeable parts, so getting a better bezel will be easy

SFPROPS

Those Seikos are great watches. Probably the best "bang for buck" when it comes to a quality watch that won't break the bank.

UNCLE27

I'd say, with that strap, you've found a decent quality watch with all the style at a fraction of the cost! Nice find! -{

Tennyson

and there is a Seiko/bond Pedigree with some of the Roger Moore Films too!

The_Commander

The SKX007 range is a good alternative too. Also look out for the 4R36 movement - slightly better made and most watches using this calibre come with transparent case backs too.

Perhaps an Aqua Terra alternative is more your thing?

http://www.seiyajapan.com/products/seiko-automatic-presage-sary059

Not CASC standards, but not bad for that price.

Higgins

Hello Tennyson,

I aplaud you for your choice.
Going the Seiko route is definitely better than the usual Omega/Rolex fake route that so many go.

These Seikos, particularly the SKX007 range give an incredible bang for the buck and are not slavishly copying classic elements from the well-known Toolwatches.

And, The Commander, it's COSC :v

The_Commander

Higgins wrote:

And, The Commander, it's COSC :v

Yes, brain freeze this morning - of course I wasn't referring to Community Amateur Sport Clubs, but Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres

http://www.cosc.ch/chronometre.php?lang=en

Disappointed to only get a :v - was hoping for at least a

James Brosnan

Tennyson wrote:

As much as i love the Omega Seamster 300 (even if it never appears in SPECTRE), I am not in a position to purchase one yet, so was looking for alternatives - i could buy a rip off omega from Alibaba for $35, but felt an alternative was a better option and came across this - Seiko Sports 5 SNZH55 - not made anymore, but can still be picked up for around US$100 new on eBay and amazon.

Ha a nice weight, self winding, decent crystal and that vintage dive feel - i think it looks smart on a NATO as well.

The nice thing about the Seiko 5's is that there are lads of user interchangeable parts, so getting a better bezel will be easy

Looks like your choice became even better if this is in fact the watch he wears:



That got me to look into the Snzh57:



Unfortunately, the gold tint is on the bezel insert too. I know it is common to make mods to Seiko watches, but have never got one done. I was thinking of buying the Snzh57 and changing out the bezel insert with the Snzh55's, or maybe an even closer 0, 1, 2, 3... bezel insert. Not good at doing mods myself, so I was gonna get a company to do it for me. Seiko said they wont do it, so I am wondering if anyone knows any good online sources to get a decent mod done. And, if anyone knows of a good place to get quality bezel inserts.

Also, thought I would try and revitalize this thread as the "Spectre watch alternative" thread. If anyone knows of any other good, frugal options for this watch or the AT, I would love to see other options as well.

Arbogast 777

Saw this in Macy's the other day but didn't get a model number as it was in the case and I was in a rush. Switch out for a NATO strap and it's pretty close...

genericguy

This looks quite a decent alternative.


Around £100, there is a metal band version for a bit more.

James Boldman

genericguy wrote:

This looks quite a decent alternative.


Around £100, there is a metal band version for a bit more.

Link?

genericguy

This link looks fine:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rotary-Watches-Analogue-GS02694-04/dp/B00TDSBV6W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440277111&sr=8-1&keywords=rotary+ocean+avenger

genericguy

Here for a nice nato:
http://www.monkeyswag.com/straps/nato-mod-phoenix/mod-watch-strap-james-bond.html

Jellyfish

This is from the same line as the Rotary mentioned above, but without the orange lume and with a metal bracelet, which I swapped with a (non-SA) NATO strap:




Apologies for the poor photography. It was taken with my phone with the flash on and I have no idea why it's gone sideways.

genericguy

Looks good. Nice to have a metal bracelet to change it up but I do like the colours on the leather strap one.

James Brosnan

James Boldman wrote:

genericguy wrote:

This looks quite a decent alternative.


Around £100, there is a metal band version for a bit more.

Link?

I like that! It's got a real PO look to it too.

Skippy

Tennyson wrote:

As much as i love the Omega Seamster 300 (even if it never appears in SPECTRE), I am not in a position to purchase one yet, so was looking for alternatives - i could buy a rip off omega from Alibaba for $35, but felt an alternative was a better option and came across this - Seiko Sports 5 SNZH55 - not made anymore, but can still be picked up for around US$100 new on eBay and amazon.

Ha a nice weight, self winding, decent crystal and that vintage dive feel - i think it looks smart on a NATO as well.

The nice thing about the Seiko 5's is that there are lads of user interchangeable parts, so getting a better bezel will be easy

That is a really good looking watch, with some real nods to the SM300 in its style. Plus Seiko's are great solid little workhorse watches. Had mine near 25 years

Chri360936

Liked the way it looked, so I bought one myself and bought a NATO strap for it, also.

ReSpekt1116

Great alternatives - I haven't seen that rotary watch before!

I was just about to start a post on this!!

There's the Zeno Sea Hunter but these are super rare right now:



Here are a couple of excellent watches that have that "modern/vintage" feel:

Ticino Sea Viper - the one with the vintage-style lume - http://sizzlinwatches.com/proddetail.php?prod=ticino-sea-viper-diver-watch - though this reminds me more of a Rolex Explorer dial - nice domed sapphire crystal and high end Miyota 9015 movement for only $240 USD



Steinhart Military Ocean Vintage - Swiss made, super solid vintage Rolex homage - purportedly too big for folks with smaller wrists due to the lug to lug length and a little on the pricier side (but obviously much less than the Omega itself) - http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/OCEAN-one-Vintage-Military,909.html



OR you can do what I did and get in touch with Yobokies and Dagaz for a modded Seiko 007 and then purchase some vintage patina watch lume from watchlume.com and slap it on yourself (not the cleanest looking lume job but it gets the point across). Got kinda expensive fast but turned out fantastic, if you ask me, especially when the light hits it right and the bezel and hands shine (something you can't see in the pictures).





I am actually looking to sell this, so if anybody in the CONUS is interested, feel free to PM me. It's a tad big for me (I'm used to wearing a Zeno Explorer).

For all of you out there with the Bond budget to afford the real thing...cherish it on our behalf. We thank you in advance

guss

How about this one then it's a Steinhart
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/OCEAN-one-Vintage-Military,909.html

UNCLE27

Steinhart make great watches!!
I love mine. B-)

genericguy

Not looked at Steinharts before but very tempted by that Ocean One Vintage.

Ebay has the metal bracelet Rotary for £100 now
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111751754179?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Enjoying Death

Anyone ever buy anything from this website or heard positive things? Omega and Rolex watches are out of my price range right now so I'm looking for alternates.

http://www.perfectwatches.cn/

Theundeadkennedy

I like Aevig's watches and think their Retro Diver has a nice classic look without looking like an homage piece to another brand.

http://aevig.com/product-category/huldra-retro-diver/

jalcon

Here is my Seiko Sumo SBDC001 on a few different straps.. Absolutely amazing fit and finish for the price. It's JDM only, and with Yen being so weak right now, it's under $400 USD.. Good movement as well.

James Brosnan

Very nice watch!

genericguy

I would like one of the Steinharts but in the meantime I bought the Rotary.
The domed glass and bezel are absolutely lovely, but the hands and markers are much more orange than the nice faded yellow they looked originally.


Had it on a new style Nato but prefer the more tradiotional Bond strap

esk1020

Thanks to some advice from this thread, I got the Seiko SNZH57 and put on a NATO strap. I really like the look and think that it makes for a good budget friendly alternative to the Omega.

Thunderpussy

Looks fantastic -{ congratulations.

RedDawn289

esk1020 wrote:

Thanks to some advice from this thread, I got the Seiko SNZH57 and put on a NATO strap. I really like the look and think that it makes for a good budget friendly alternative to the Omega.

This looks great!

MrBeech

Maybe off the mark to match exactly the seamaster, but certainly an excellent Bond-style watch is the Hager Commando Professional. It's a little more pricey than many of these alternatives($600 to $700) but is still not at that super-steep Omega price point. Hager watches have gotten really great reviews thus far. I just got mine and absolutely love it! Definitely getting a nato strap for it soon.