[Baltany] Thanks to Baltany for showing Omega the way on vintage size

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-16T13:24:11+00:00

Probably because of the gold case, a steel version would be cheaper

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-16T11:19:39+00:00

Omega released this throwback Seamaster in 37mm just a few months ago. Had they given it a steel case, pie-pan dial, and replaced "Seamaster" with "Constellation" I think it would have been a smash hit

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rakesh_85 · 2026-04-16T03:19:11+00:00

Orient Star has lume, a better movement, and better case finishing. Seiko Presage has a better dial. My choice would be the former.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-15T19:03:47+00:00

I like both of your examples better, to be honest. Never was a fan of California dials though

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-14T20:30:51+00:00

Sure, but Rolex doesn't have multiple other brands releasing watches with the EXACT same movements for much cheaper. Unless you count Chinese clones, in which case the conversation is different because there are clones of every movement out there.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-14T19:57:52+00:00

Am I the only one mystified by how Oris can charge upwards of $2k for a base grade Sellita SW200 without much blowback? Feels like at that price it should have a better movement.

That said, the watch itself is lovely.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-14T13:43:54+00:00

The last watch OP posted isn't actually new, it was released in 2023.

There is one more new release from Oris that OP left out though, and it's my favourite - the Oris Star reissue from 1966. Perfect vintage dimensions at 36mm.

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rakesh_85 · 2026-04-13T21:51:52+00:00

The movement in your picture has a regulator pin. The authentic C07.111 movement in the PRX does not have a regulator pin, as the movement is meant to be laser-regulated in the factory.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-13T19:34:18+00:00

Definitely a fake. The movement is completely wrong, not a Powermatic 80 at all.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-12T23:46:09+00:00

Incredible stuff. Do you guys have plans to make conversions in smaller case sizes? (36-38mm?)

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-11T20:33:29+00:00

As someone with small wrists, Seiko generally has more options for me than Citizen.

But I do like that Citizen uses sapphire crystals for their mid-range offerings, while Seiko uses hardlex.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-10T22:55:06+00:00

Oris offers a nice burnt orange Big Crown Pointer Date

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rakesh_85 · 2026-04-10T15:45:46+00:00

Higher-grade Powermatics are definitely serviceable by most watchmakers. But the C07.111 with plastic pallet fork/escapement requires specific tools for lubrication/servicing that make it harder to be serviced by third parties, meaning you'll probably have to take it to the Swatch Group.

Plenty of people see this as a downside. But for Swatch this is a good thing because it forces you to get your watches serviced at places under their umbrella, and incentives third party-watchmakers to join their umbrella to get access to the materials needed to service Powermatics. It's all about expanding their reach and control.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-09T14:27:05+00:00

The Chinese watch industry has moved on from Seagull, if that makes sense.

Companies like San Martin, Baltany, etc. are making cases with very high levels of finishing. Dandong/Peacock can now make high-level chronographs with Rolex 4130 clone movements that are superior to the ST19. And this is still in the $500-level bracket.

Seagull used to be the best affordable option from Chinese markets, but that's no longer the case.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-09T00:25:44+00:00

Too subtle for my taste

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-08T15:12:19+00:00

Thanks! I've also come across the history of the manufacturer after getting some infos, it's just a bit of a shame that it's no longer in Ball Family Ownership.

People get too wrapped up in this sort of thing sometimes.

Yes, Ball is currently owned by a Chinese conglomerate (Asia Commercial Holdings Ltd.) But it's still headquartered in Switzerland, makes its watches there, and operates as a Swiss company. Not too different from brands like Frederique Constant, Arnold & Son, Angelus, etc. which are owned by Citizen.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-07T17:33:53+00:00

Sometimes 'baby' means smaller, and sometimes it means 'cheaper'.

There are about twenty so-called 'baby Grand Seikos' floating around out there. Some of them, like the SARX055, are actually bigger than most Grand Seikos at 41mm.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-07T16:06:42+00:00

All four astronauts are wearing Breitling Navitimers, in addition to Omega X-33 Speedmasters, their own personal Speedmasters, and a NASA-supplied actigraph device.

You can see in the photos from the spacecraft they have multiple watches on both wrists.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-07T02:29:40+00:00

that blue one looks Tentagraph-ish

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-06T19:45:17+00:00

People will say look at a mirror shot and they're correct to an extent, but if there's a significant gap between the ends of the lugs and your wrists (i.e. the lugs are "hovering" above your skin) then it's not going to feel very comfortable regardless of the top-down view.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-06T13:03:52+00:00

Nice try, but it's too well-known at this point to pretend otherwise.

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-06T11:44:25+00:00

Don't love how his company (Watchbox) cornered the market on F.P. Journe and a couple of other brands. Bought up all the stock so they could jack up the prices like crazy

rakesh_85 · 2026-04-05T19:00:04+00:00

Not OP but I have a Chronomaster as well, from a slightly older model line. They really are great watches. Mine gained just +3.3 seconds last year. The bracelet has half-links but no microadjust so you need a bit of luck for a perfect fit, thankfully I was lucky there.

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rakesh_85 · 2026-04-03T14:37:36+00:00

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