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Postscript: I want to buy a new 36mm automatic watch

Walrus
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I like that’s Baltic’s you picked they look nice. Someone posted that presage which I also like but the new line of the presages are around 37.5mm although I need to verify that. They definitely have more of a vintage size feel though. I only have one several of them in that size were “limited” to 3,500 or less but I’ve read they have some stand alone models. Even the non limited dials are are still very nice looking.
 
VinceFR
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Why you're not looking to a vintage Omega or LIP ? I think you can find your happiness in this price range.
 
VinceFR
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I've offered this watch to my father for example, with new strap it coast me around 150EUR.

DAE3D0E4-8DAA-41F3-93E6-0D69D48BB32D.jpeg
 
Spruce
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VinceFR VinceFR
I've offered this watch to my father for example, with new strap it coast me around 150EUR.

DAE3D0E4-8DAA-41F3-93E6-0D69D48BB32D.jpeg
And a very nice and reasonably priced watch it is ... I hope your dad appreciates it 😀
 
Spruce
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Observer Observer
Get it. 40.5 is the new 38, which is practically 36.

upload_2021-3-16_18-13-36.jpeg


So, I bought it - lovely watch and, new at £90 plus tax, just what I was looking for ....... until it arrived. At 40mm diameter, it was like strapping a saucepan lid on my skinny wrist.

So, I’m in the throes of returning it for a refund.

I think that even 38mm, like those nice Baltics, is going to prove to be larger than I want.

I did learn a valuable lesson though - 40mm is too big and I'll resume my casual search.
Edited:
 
Spruce
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VinceFR VinceFR
Why you're not looking to a vintage Omega or LIP ? I think you can find your happiness in this price range.

Yours is a very good point but my logic is:

I have a nice collection of Omega & Longines all perfect for my taste - no numerals, no sub dials, no extra buttons - all classic 50s & 60s watches but all are worth around £500 -1,000 and if anything goes wrong I’d need to spend £120-150 for a service.

I wanted a watch that I liked the look of but didn’t care too much about so that if it got damaged, walking the dog or in the country, I wouldn’t be too upset.

I’d recently bought a cheap 1960s Certina but my repairer said it was beyond repair. A 1960s Seiko I bought stopped and so I returned it.

So, I thought, I’ll look for a new 34.5-36 mm watch, in the style I like, in stainless steel and probably a black, blue or grey dial, costing around the price of a service of one of my better watches.

So, that’s why, and where I am at present.
 
Spruce
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imfagent449 imfagent449
This is a great looking watch. I wonder what this will look like in person. I love the use of the Venus chronograph movement.
It certainly is.
 
VinceFR
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Spruce Spruce
And a very nice and reasonably priced watch it is ... I hope your dad appreciates it 😀

My dad loved it, he had the same model when he was younger, it's a late 50s watch
 
VinceFR
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Spruce Spruce
Yours is a very good point but my logic is:

I have a nice collection of Omega & Longines all perfect for my taste - no numerals, no sub dials, no extra buttons - all classic 50s & 60s watches but all are worth around £500 -1,000 and if anything goes wrong I’d need to spend £120-150 for a service.

I wanted a watch that I liked the look of but didn’t care too much about so that if it got damaged, walking the dog or in the country, I wouldn’t be too upset.

I’d recently bought a cheap 1960s Certina but my repairer said it was beyond repair. A 1960s Seiko I bought stopped and so I returned it.

So, I thought, I’ll look for a new 34.5-36 mm watch, in the style I like, in stainless steel and probably a black, blue or grey dial, costing around the price of a service of one of my better watches.

So, that’s why, and where I am at present.

Buy a G-Shock ! 😉
Buy a new quartz watch, a swatch ? I've one for same reasons like you.
Baltic are good watches; Yema too but I think prices are over the budget.

Seriously, why are you looking for a mechanical movement if you don't want to be scared by a repair ?
I think in this price range you're going to pay the brand, the marketing for an ETA (I've nothing against this movement 👍) it's too bad but it's my opinion dude.
 
Spruce
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Yeah, I know .... me again, but it is my thread ::stirthepot::

I travelled the Seiko 5 path what seems a long time ago (but thanks for the suggestions).

This is the only one I’ve kept and the dial is a great colour and the case is pretty but it doesn’t get a lot of wear because, from my perspective, it has three design defects:
It can’t be wound, which can be a nuisance if you rotate watches,
It shows the day - not a big problem but it spoils the face,
The case is nice but oh, so thick.
B2712E2B-5FAA-4236-B1AC-60B94DEF8011.jpeg C06591BA-CB77-4211-9523-E63D00B31F58.jpeg
 
Spruce
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Mind you - I have found this automatic watch, case diameter is 34mm, so an ideal size and only USD 125.00 ......... 😉

74263F89-D81B-4F5B-B62B-97EF70FC1ABF.jpeg
 
JwRosenthal
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For me, anything larger than 37 in a bezel-less design is just too big, even chronographs. With a bezel I can push to 41, beyond that and it feels like a dinner plate (yes, my speedy is huge- hence why I don’t wear it much anymore).
I still think the 34mm mechanical Marathon would fit your needs. Timex also has a few mechanical offerings, this one looks good

https://www.timex.com/mk1-mechanica...h/MK1-Mechanical-36mm-Fabric-Strap-Watch.html
 
JwRosenthal
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Spruce Spruce
Mind you - I have found this automatic watch, case diameter is 34mm, so an ideal size and only USD 125.00 ......... 😉

74263F89-D81B-4F5B-B62B-97EF70FC1ABF.jpeg
It’s like I don’t even know you anymore...
 
Larry S
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Can’t go wrong with Baltic, Orient or Timex. You might take a hard look at the Timex Marlin reissue. It’s a great little watch. 34.5 mm.
0E370569-A55B-4AE1-AB5E-91270C76C00D.jpeg
 
Spruce
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
For me, anything larger than 37 in a bezel-less design is just too big, even chronographs. With a bezel I can push to 41, beyond that and it feels like a dinner plate (yes, my speedy is huge- hence why I don’t wear it much anymore).
I still think the 34mm mechanical Marathon would fit your needs. Timex also has a few mechanical offerings, this one looks good

https://www.timex.com/mk1-mechanica...h/MK1-Mechanical-36mm-Fabric-Strap-Watch.html

I really appreciate your input. If you can’t think of a new $150 automatic (classic styling in black, blue or greasy dial) then I may have to put this project on a back burner.

I’m not seriously considering the above Rolex [the replica Seamaster heritage is much nicer 😉]

I had a look at Timex. I liked the Marlins but, again they’re too wide. The handwind Marlin is a better size but I was specifically looking for an automatic.

Timex and Hamilton do field watches with nice cases and a proper diameter and windable crowns/movements but I don’t go for numerals (apart from a CWC W10 I rarely wear) and I never go for sub dials or multiple crowns/pushers.
 
Spruce
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Larry S Larry S
Can’t go wrong with Baltic, Orient or Timex. You might take a hard look at the Timex Marlin reissue. It’s a great little watch. 34.5 mm.
0E370569-A55B-4AE1-AB5E-91270C76C00D.jpeg
It’s a cute watch - if only they’d done the automatic in the same size I’d have swooped on the black dial.
 
Observer
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Spruce Spruce
upload_2021-3-16_18-13-36.jpeg


So, I bought it - lovely watch and, new at £90 plus tax, just what I was looking for ....... until it arrived. At 40mm diameter, it was like strapping a saucepan lid on my skinny wrist.

So, I’m in the throes of returning it for a refund.

I think that even 38mm, like those nice Baltics, is going to prove to be larger than I want.

I did learn a valuable lesson though - 40mm is too big and I'll resume my casual search.
Well, now you know. Next time trust your instincts. 😁
 
Larry S
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Spruce Spruce
It’s a cute watch - if only they’d done the automatic in the same size I’d have swooped on the black dial.
Baltic designs from a vintage perspective. You might find that their three handers wear perfectly. They are wonderful to do business with. I own the Aquascaphe and the BiCompax.
 
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