Wrist shot of my first real watch: A bargain if I am to say so myself

Hi guys,

So 1,5 months ago I decided that it was time to give up the cheap dress watches that I have been wearing for years (I know that its pretty uncool, so let's just say that many of them came from a brand starting with D, ending on aniel wellington..).

I am the kind of person who, when hooked on someting, can spend hours researching to learn everything there is to know. I am glad I did and in my research I came across this watch which ended up being the first ever mechanical watch that I have owned and I thought that I would share it with you.

It's a Seamaster 600, ref. 135.011, cal. 601 stainless steel from 1962. It has a screw-in back with the classic hippocamp engraved in it.

I paid 215 euro for it and after having my watchmaker do a cleaning of the balance wheel for 35 euro (it was literally all it took) the watch is now running perfectly, keeping time within a few seconds a day. I have put it on a burgundy leather strap which in my humble opinion looks so good.

I think the watch was quite the steal at that price in this condition and I enjoy wearing it as my everyday watch. Let me know what you think and what your first "real" watch was.

Cheers and thanks for a great place where greenhorns can get to know all the basics - and beyond.

Congratulations- you are off to a good start.

Yes that is a sharp and clean winner for sure and I have always been partial to stainless watches with gold hands and markers.

Great watch!

this is a very dangerous and expensive trait in this hobby. Super buy with killer Art Deco numerals

Thanks for the question.

My watchmaker opened the case to have a look. From the start he recommended a service. As the price of such was 200 euro (which, even in Denmark where labour prices are high, is very fair). We had a talk and I said that as I am a student, paying 215 for a watch and almost the same for a service at the same time was impossible.

He then said, “well, you will never get me to say anyhing other than it should have a service.”

He then looked at me as if to say this was to remain between the two of us

“But I think I can get it running for less than that.”

Since he had no warning that the rest of the watch looks to be in danger when using it, I decided to go for it. I will then give it a full service when I have saved up the money.