Trying to scratch an itch on my wrist....

CB0012

With a grail being a Rolex and my Explorer vs. Submariner debate (and of course SWMBO has a liking for a Datejust too) I was eyeing the Orient Mako II as a holdover as it has both characteristics of the Exporer and the Sub plus the Omega PO.


Until I saw this....the Orient Sentinel


It's like my other grail, the Aqua Terra and the Explorer produced an offspring.

Still have my eye on the Mako as well.....although would probably pop that one on a strap


Decisions, decisions.... anyone with experience with any of these?

UNCLE27

Never heard of them.
If you want a good quality automatic to hold you over until you can get your Submariner (or Explorer), take a look at Steinhart...
https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/?___from_store=de

Peppermill

This might not be what you want to hear but until you get the watch you really want there is little use in buying "look-a-likes". Better to wear a simple Seiko (or comparable) that has it's own look and feel and save up for that grail watch. I know people who have spent a lot of money on placeholders that could have been put to use to save toward the watch they actually wanted.

canoe2

In the U.S. at least, Orient has a good reputation for producing affordable, relatively well made automatics with attractive designs. I've never owned one, but know plenty of guys who do and they've been happy. The Mako series is especially popular as an entry level dive watch. I have heard of issues with the crystal scratching easily (not sure what material Orient is using). I think as long as you go into the purchase with the right expectations (obviously this ain't a Rolex or Omega), you should be satisfied. Hope that helps!

CB0012

Peppermill wrote:

This might not be what you want to hear but until you get the watch you really want there is little use in buying "look-a-likes". Better to wear a simple Seiko (or comparable) that has it's own look and feel and save up for that grail watch. I know people who have spent a lot of money on placeholders that could have been put to use to save toward the watch they actually wanted.

I hear you there. I'm aiming more towards getting my wife hers as she's never flipped over a watch like the one she saw and with our 10 year anniversary next year I'll be happy to put my grails on hold to get her something.

canoe2 wrote:

In the U.S. at least, Orient has a good reputation for producing affordable, relatively well made automatics with attractive designs. I've never owned one, but know plenty of guys who do and they've been happy. The Mako series is especially popular as an entry level dive watch. I have heard of issues with the crystal scratching easily (not sure what material Orient is using). I think as long as you go into the purchase with the right expectations (obviously this ain't a Rolex or Omega), you should be satisfied. Hope that helps!

-{ Many thanks!

always shaken

I totally agree with pepper mill , it's much better to get the best of a cheaper watch , than waste your hard earned bucks on something that's a division 4 version of your premiership league model , I'm sure our esteemed and much respected member Thunderpussey purchased a Roger Moore era Seiko for under £30 , ping him a message I'm sure he will point you in the right direction

Thunderpussy

Westward_drift, posted about a deal for a Casio. Known to
Many as the "Casio Royale" it's not a copy but very similar
To the watch Roger had in Octopussy, but it's only about
£15, or so. A great little watch, no real Bond connection but
I enjoy wearing it, and it looks very Retro, I've had a few
Compliments about it looking " old school "

Peppermill

https://youtu.be/RjjAt8-QoUA
A nice review on the Casio Royale.

Miles Messervy

+1 for a Seiko. The much-lauded SKX007 can still be had brand new for sub-300 prices. I’d go that route before buying an Orient or Steinhart sub knockoff.

frommeyer

Peppermill wrote:

This might not be what you want to hear but until you get the watch you really want there is little use in buying "look-a-likes". Better to wear a simple Seiko (or comparable) that has it's own look and feel and save up for that grail watch. I know people who have spent a lot of money on placeholders that could have been put to use to save toward the watch they actually wanted.

This all day. If you end up with two or three $350 homage watches you're gonna look down unhappily and realize that that's a quarter of the way to the real thing. The only reason to pursue an homage is because you actually love the homage watch or you want one to wear as a beater. I'm only considering a Steinhart because I go to the beach a lot with my dog and I'm getting worried about all the sand scratching my Omega SMP.

Cheverian

I generally agree with the suggestion that it's better to save for a grail watch, especially if "making due" means buying a couple of $500 USD placeholders in the interim. I learned that lesson the hard way before finally buying my Planet Ocean and Seamaster Professional.

That said, if you lead an active life, you need a beater watch. The Orient Mako II and Seiko SKX007 are both inexpensive, well-built timepieces that you can wear to the beach, on the trails, in dive bars, etc. God bless the guys who wear their $6,000 Rolex Subs snorkeling. It's their money to risk. But my Casio Frogman does the job fine, thank you.

Steinhart makes good products, too, but the company seems to suffer among watch people for having gotten its start creating look-alikes of famous Rolexes, IWCs, etc. Too bad because some of Steinhart's original designs are quite nice these days. But I think you're better off avoiding midrange watches, at least as far as Bond homages are concerned.

The most important thing I'd add is that a watch needs to please you. I am happily wearing my Seamaster Professional on my wrist at this moment, but my Seiko and I have been through some great adventures together, and it's never let me down.

always shaken

I think this is Roger Moore era watch Thunderpussy purchased they have them in Argos

danjaq_0ff

always shaken wrote:

I think this is Roger Moore era watch Thunderpussy purchased they have them in Argos

So you are saying that a 1983 era watch is selling in 2018 or do you mean slightly similar ?

Thunderpussy

It's similar to the OP Seiko, not a copy. Although for a cheap watch it
Is very well speced ... 5 alarms, stopwatch, timer, 100m water proof.
Also you wouldn't believe the gadgets it hides .........
( in my imagination at least ) )

danjaq_0ff

Thunderpussy wrote:

It's similar to the OP Seiko, not a copy. Although for a cheap watch it
Is very well speced ... 5 alarms, stopwatch, timer, 100m water proof.
Also you wouldn't believe the gadgets it hides .........
( in my imagination at least ) )

Looks good for a look a like -{

UNCLE27

I had one of those Casios for a while but gave it away as didn’t really use it. It was a cool little watch though and certainly has the retro vibe.

frommeyer

The only Moore digital watch I still don't have is the Octopussy Sports 100. But I've bought two or three of the G575 siblings from the era. Dropped maybe a total of $250 on 'em. All while this wonderful Casio Royale was out there unbeknownst to me. I ordered one from Amazon yesterday because of this thread. It just arrived and I gotta say I *really* like this little thing. I prefer it to the from-the-era Seiko G575s.

Though it still baffles me as to why Seiko wouldn't go for the easy cash grab and re-release a 1:1 copy of the Sports 100. They came close with the Metal Gear watch. But it's not the same.

CB0012

Just pulled the trigger on an ebay score of a SKX007. This had been on my wish list too for some time but never came about but it appears this was at the right place at the right time.

Gentlemen all of your advice has been greatly appreciated -{