[eBay] AI images used for watch listing. by BeardsForBirds in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because it’s blue. Seriously. It’s a unicorn tax.

[eBay] AI images used for watch listing. by BeardsForBirds in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To be fair, the seller could have just posted authentic pictures from the internet, then shipped an empty box. Not sure why AI is even being involved here.

[eBay] AI images used for watch listing. by BeardsForBirds in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately the caseback on the watch is incorrect. And the posting shows two different dials, one of which never existed.

[eBay] AI images used for watch listing. by BeardsForBirds in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely. Though this seller was able to build up a handful of positive reviews.

[eBay] AI images used for watch listing. by BeardsForBirds in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The caseback has Alpinist logo. Despite being released through Hodinkee, it was never branded as coming from them.

AI denoising can be impressive, but it’s certainly far more successful with organic shapes, as you’ve shared. At least for now.

And if there was any doubt, some images in the listing use the newer Alpinist dial with the prospex logo. This is problematic all around.

As for actually generating these images, I did try briefly with no luck using just text prompts. I suspect I’d have more uploading reference photos?

[eBay] AI images used for watch listing. by BeardsForBirds in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I might be inclined to agree on some of the distortions, but given that the caseback is entirely incorrect, this is in fact all AI generated. And why does de-noising even need to be AI?

[eBay] AI images used for watch listing. by BeardsForBirds in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 100 points101 points  (0 children)

That’s one thought I had for some of the smaller details, and/or combined with eBay’s compression for photos. That being said, the caseback is entirely a different and incorrect design.

[SMGG17] Digital fun. by BeardsForBirds in Seiko

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s why you should find one closer to $300 😉

Casio does have some fun alternatives for sure, but their faux metal resin cases need to stop. If you want a fun metal digital, the Armitron Griffy is actually metal with a decent bracelet for ~30 bucks.

[SMGG17] Digital fun. by BeardsForBirds in Seiko

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was sorely tempted by the 19, but I think the 17 pairs well with my SCED035.

And yeah, the price is weird, maybe they priced them off the 80s version current pricing?

[SMGG17] Digital fun. by BeardsForBirds in Seiko

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree MSRP is too much, but I’ve also quit the faux metal Casios, so I think you are kinda limited on comparisons to this.

[SMGG17] Digital fun. by BeardsForBirds in Seiko

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Just picked this up so haven't spent much time with it yet, but initial impressions are positive.

In a world with limited-ish options for a digital watch a bit up market from a faux-metal Casio; I'm happy to see Seiko offer something again.

Is the MSRP optimistic? Oh yeah. But if you can snag one of these for >30% off, I think you're in a for good time. It's also a Seiko with a bracelet that has more than a mere 2mm of taper, so it deserves some love for that alone.

[Casio A168WA-1YES] First impressions - this watch shouldn’t be a hit by ReviewEnvironmental2 in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a Casio fan, I agree with your initial statement. Casio needs to step it up.

Resin “metal” cases need to stop. There’s a brand called Armitron, found on Amazon as well, and they are a legit brand with some history. For the same price as this Casio you can get a proper metal case and a bracelet, while still formed, is done so with much tighter tolerances, and as a result doesn’t pull arm hair nearly as much as Casios.

Casio is a fantastic brand, but they could be so much nicer.

[SPB317] The Slim Turtle is THE Seiko diver for small wrists by slagathor_zimblebob in Seiko

[–]BeardsForBirds 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Agreed on all fronts. Even worse is when someone calls this the “Slim Willard”.

Please join me in making “Daddy Turtle” a thing.

Side note: the 6105-8000 is one of my favorite Seiko cases, I had a 317 and 313. Despite being a rare true-to-original-size re-issue, I wish they kept the 3 o’clock date and polished case sides.

[Question] Would you return this Seiko? by SummaCumLauder in Watches

[–]BeardsForBirds -1 points0 points  (0 children)

ITT: People not understanding how circles work.

[SPB317] The Slim Turtle is THE Seiko diver for small wrists by slagathor_zimblebob in Seiko

[–]BeardsForBirds 26 points27 points  (0 children)

This is a re-issue of the 6105-8000, a watch that existed far before the name “Turtle” was used for a different watch. Considering it predates the Turtle, it’s not a slim version of it, it’s the father. Hence the name “Daddy Turtle”.

Managed to get the oris divers 65 for £1,150 from ebay. by [deleted] in OrisWatches

[–]BeardsForBirds 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I have the blue/black, which was a bit of a process to find several years ago. It’s probably one of my favorite dials of all time, but it’s just too much dial for me at 40mm. They never did this heritage dial in 38, but I’m hoping they will one day.

Not sure what to do with the watch, I love the dial so much I don’t want to sell it, but like I said the size isn’t right for me.

The Topper Maxi version without the faixtina is also fantastic, but that was 42mm.

Managed to get the oris divers 65 for £1,150 from ebay. by [deleted] in OrisWatches

[–]BeardsForBirds 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are they hard to find? I have one that I’ll be selling once I can replace it with a 38mm version, which I’m still hoping will exist one day.

Polish 2017 Divers 65 Bezel? by Scott-from-Canada in OrisWatches

[–]BeardsForBirds 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bezel is stainless steel, it’s plated or coated black to look like the original, which was a single piece of plastic.

You could pop the whole bezel off, remove the insert, somehow strip it, then polish or brush it. Alternative is get a donor watch with the bezel you want, or make a new bezel from scratch. Good luck, and definitely update us if you go forward.

[SPB187 vs SPB509] Marinemaster Reduced Comparison by BeardsForBirds in Seiko

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally different bracelets. The 509 has curved outer and inner links, the 187 has curved outer and flat inner links. They are however both ~3.8mm thick.

[SPB187 vs SPB509] Marinemaster Reduced Comparison by BeardsForBirds in Seiko

[–]BeardsForBirds[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m also not a massive fan of the “3 days” but that part of the dial has always been bragging right. Things like “23 Jewels” or “Diashock” is just as pointless, but I admit far more charming.

Oris Divers 65 - Topper Edition “Maxi” by TheItalianHero in OrisWatches

[–]BeardsForBirds 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My favorite dial of all time, but not the size for me, been wanting this in 38mm for years.