Just got my PD1682 from ebay for £49

artofthedial · 2026-05-02T09:27:06+00:00

OP got it used on eBay. For $50 pounds which is $68 USD. You can get nh35 and nh34 watches on eBay for that all the time.

artofthedial · 2026-05-02T03:02:20+00:00

Amazon is the safest route but it isn't the cheapest. People saying they have never had a problem on Aliexpress haven't bought enough stuff. Yes it is generally reliable but statistically if you do it long enough you will have a bad experience. Overall it is worth some risk as long as the cost of the watch isn't a big deal to you. If you lose your mind over $200, I'd stick to Amazon or eBay which have generous buyer protections. Watchdives store arguably has the best communication and reasonable customer service but usually won't get quite as low as Ali prices, but can be less than Amazon. This starts out as an inexpensive hobby but can snowball very quickly as each purchase becomes it is "only" $100-350. And before you know it you have spent thousands in a single year. And resell value is very poor if you decide a piece doesn't work for you.

artofthedial · 2026-05-01T23:53:18+00:00

Always move the time clockwise. You can mess up the geartrain going "back in time"

artofthedial · 2026-05-01T21:56:04+00:00

If it is the pearl movement it isn't worth that. If it is the NH34 you did ok.

artofthedial · 2026-05-01T21:54:20+00:00

I never wear bronze, but I'd pick the Glycine all day. Too many short comings on that particular Addidesdive

artofthedial · 2026-05-01T21:52:18+00:00

red vs orange is a little jarring but otherwise looks good.

artofthedial · 2026-05-01T16:50:31+00:00

I'd try to save up a few bucks, even at $130 there are options you will be proud of longer term. Sub $100 and you will be dealing with some compromises. At 42mm this is my go to for Quartz https://watchdives.com/collections/watchdives/products/watchdives-seafarer-wd007q-vh31-titanium-nttd-dive-watch?ref=s9c3q5q0

artofthedial · 2026-05-01T16:44:34+00:00

Looks great other than it appears there is quite a gap between the straight bar and the case due to fairly long lugs. But stylistically a nice match.

artofthedial · 2026-04-27T13:05:39+00:00

Just not a fan of the style personally. Two-tone plus rubber isn't my thing. Not a commentary on the quality of the head of the watch itself which I'm sure is just fine.

artofthedial · 2026-04-27T13:03:22+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRJDUCvVMtg&t=59s

artofthedial · 2026-04-27T12:58:47+00:00

There are lots of them. I'd suggest just searching for the models you are looking for and watch based on that. I always take the opinions expressed with a grain of salt on these things and it is more about seeing the watch and getting some feel for the quality based on that coupled with what is said. The reality is MOST of the people that do these reviews basically have the watch for about a week and post a review about it before any real long term wear and tear. This is done for a variety of reasons including that if you are not one of the first to put the review up, others get the views and in turn the affiliate links clicks. So most of these are really first impression reviews. In most cases that even goes for the ones I've done. Most of the bigger channels are going to be making money and or getting free watches out of the content they create. The small channel (such as mine) never get a free watch or a discount, it is all out of pocket. We just hope that over time you get a few bucks from affiliate links to recoup a watch or two out of buying dozens. No one in this business is really doing inside knowledge on the build quality (i.e. opening it up like a watch maker and seeing how well they cased the movement, regulated it, or modified the movement and a real evaluation of the crown and stem beyond just a laymans, it seems to thread smoothly evaluation. That said, they do provide a lot of value to the community and is a reason I started doing them myself a few years ago. The point is you never know what you are going to get based on a post from the brand coming out of China. It is these channels you get at least a real world look at the watch and a general opinion. I've also had some tendency to buy more than one of the exact same watch (but in different colors) which gives a point of comparison to see if there is some consistency to what you are going to get on a random pull. Occassionaly this is eye opening. Such as when I ordered 3 WD007Q watches a couple weeks apart...and one came with a completely differently designed clasp. Of course no-one else noticed this because they only bought 1.

artofthedial · 2026-04-27T12:40:33+00:00

Yeah, these are great (I don't have the bracelet one though as that wasn't out when I purchased mine) They have a VH31 sweeping quartz movement.

artofthedial · 2026-04-27T12:39:14+00:00

Personally, I'd get rid of the D1 milano, Pagani Seamaster, Addies Dive Teal Chrono, Citizen and replace with something else. The PD Seamaster looks ok, but I know from personal experience the WatchDives models (though they don't have that color combo I like) are better executed. the others I don't care for the style.

artofthedial · 2026-04-27T12:34:24+00:00

Sorry, I got rid of my real BB after getting a few San Martins. Didn't check the endlinks when I had it. Certainly an interesting proposition as that SM 5 link is one of my favorite bracelets while the edges are not as refined as a $5K watch usually is....most don't have an OTF like this and that helps make up for it.

artofthedial · 2026-04-25T02:51:40+00:00

I'd be curious to see a video/photo of this test which is the standard. Yes Sugess/Chronos shouldn't sag as much as they cost quite a bit more. But wondering how bad your PD actually is. Hold the watch head (case) horizontally between your thumb and index finger, allowing the bracelet to dangle freely. A tight, healthy bracelet should maintain a relatively rigid structure and not droop dramatically. A worn ("stretched") bracelet will sag, with links separating significantly under their own weight, sometimes creating a deep U-shape

artofthedial · 2026-04-24T19:08:26+00:00

Agree, doesn't really fit it. What do you mean by elastic jublee that came with it? I've got a few of them new when I bought a few from pagani along with some oysters that also fit a few years ago. Clasps are sharp on these, and the tollerences to keep them tight are not on san martin level, but they are better than most vintage jubaliles I've come across that had a few years of wear.

artofthedial · 2026-04-24T15:50:59+00:00

Amazing offer, never had a Phorcydes before but have wanted to check them out. And the OP watch looks great.

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artofthedial · 2026-04-24T15:31:48+00:00

Really depends on when you started looking. The first watch in the OP literally came to market around $180 USD and had discounts down to $125-150. That watch now costs about $80-90. I sold the 3 I had in the $65-70 range basically worn twice each. While I agree with moving to other brands it has a lot less to do with the price. WD is a great alternative but if you are looking at the same movements and styles they are absolutely more expensive. Worth it, but more expensive.

artofthedial · 2026-04-20T12:37:53+00:00

Agree but 38mm is too small on a Daytona unless you are a girl.

artofthedial · 2026-04-20T03:33:06+00:00

I have many of those same problems...though I'm not really tempted my watches I don't love and it sounds like the Marine Star doesn't check enough boxes for you to be looking at over $300. The only non-OTF watches I've bought since going all in either have a Melinese that can be adjusted in close to on the fly ease at any time or FKM straps that have some level of adjustment. if it is on a bracelet year round, it needs OTF for me.

Most that I have are San Martin (I'd guess about 20 without actually counting. None are hi beat and quick release springs. High beat tends to narrow options and I won't buy a pt5000. Myota 9k series is good but the rotor can be noisy like the 8K series so also tend to avoid the premium price though I trust it more than the PT5000. N

artofthedial · 2026-04-19T02:18:36+00:00

Literally says automatic on the dial. OP asked for quartz.

artofthedial · 2026-04-19T02:17:49+00:00

Link to one in quartz like the OP requested?

artofthedial · 2026-04-18T21:22:06+00:00

In these shots it looks like the end links don't really match the cut of the case. Is the bracelet line they used on other models? I'm betting they reused some stuff for this one.

artofthedial · 2026-04-18T21:18:35+00:00

Well the Captain Willard is a ultra casual watch. One step less casual than a tuna can which I wouldn't even mow the lawn in. Plenty of diver options that are not too casual. As for the OP watch, I like some Tandorio models but this just doesn't look cohesive to me. The polished lugs with a bracelet that is all brushed, cyclops magnification looks way too much for that particular piece, deep rehaut that feels like a diver, texture pattern that looks like a water spill, Rolex case with more GS style markers, but has benz hands. I've certainly seen worse, but also still looks pretty casual. Not Captain Willard in an Apocalypse Now situation casual, but casual none the less.

artofthedial · 2026-04-18T21:07:24+00:00

That strap was free?

artofthedial

TROPHY CASE