Although I check in daily, I'm still pretty new around here and finally have something worth sharing. After hesitating for years, I finally jumped off the fence and landed a Watchco SM 300. Actually, I was pushed off the fence by a friend who found it, bought it, then shipped it to me with a note that said, "Don't get too excited, you still owe me $xxxx." I'm so glad he did! Let me also just say how glad I am about this forum's rational policies toward the discussion of Watchco Seamasters. It is irrational heresy elsewhere.
After the paralysis of new vs vintage, fake vs real, put-togethers vs what's real vs what's not real, etc. I am here to say that the Watchco is the perfect answer to this dilemma for me. It glows like a son of a gun at night, all night, the size and weight are perfect for me,
and the fit and finish are quite nice at this price range. Mine was fitted with a sweet see-thru sapphire caseback from Archer Watch by its previous owner, which I at first thought was just wrong, but now I love it too. I put it on a rustic-looking strap I made for it out of Natural color(less) Horween shell (a piece I wouldn't use for a customer's strap -- please don't judge ;-) and it feels like it's been mine since 1965. Except, let's see, I can read it, nothing's rusted or flaking, the bezel insert isn't cracked, the crystal isn't trashed, I don't care if it wasn't born this way, it keeps great time, the question of originality is moot, etc.... I really like my vintage watches, but this might be the best of all worlds.
So, if you're reading this and my story sounds familiar, I am here to encourage you to buy one for yourself. You will not regret it.
Kind regards to all,
Myron
PS, please forgive the bezel position. The watch was in use as a tea steep timer when I took it off for pictures.
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