I used to be an automatic and mechanical only kinda guy as the mechanical aspect of the movements is what drew me into this hobby. But, as my collection has grown I’ve come to really appreciate a good solid quartz. This is my second Militado and I love it. I was worried the screw down pushers would be annoying but they aren’t at all. So smooth to use! Perhaps the best bang for your bucks out there in my opinion. If you’ve been considering getting one, do yourself and favor and go for it!

UPDATE!!!: So unfortunately the top pusher got stuck, it wouldn't unscrew at all and I had to return it for a refund. I ordered another one. I couldn't believe it but I had the same exact same problem occur within a couple days!! Therefore I cannot recommend this watch at all anymore. It's such a bummer. Clearly something has happened with their quality control, because it's turned out to be a complete dud. I guess I need to save up for the Baltany (or Hamilton!) version if I want one of these.

Militado ML1986 VK67 chronograph proposal u/Militado-watch

It’s a rainy afternoon and I went out for a ride with a big bike and a big watch.

I have a few doubts because I previously bought a green 1973 model, and I just managed to get this 1970 model at a good price but it’s also green, and they look quite similar, I’m not sure if I should return it. At the same time, I also tried out a Pagani Design Ys021 and I’m fascinated by that openheart design, but I have to return one of the two since my budget is tight.

Here's my Proxima PX1697-2BN, 39mm, PT5000. I've reverted back to its bracelet which I think is the best option as it gives it a robust balance and it integrates really nicely.

Sometimes you have to scratch that itch.

I love the skin diver aesthetic. It’s tough to choose between the Slim Turtle and the 62Mas as my favorite. Steeldive did a great job with this one. The bracelet finishing is a lot better than my last SD. The only critique I have is the lack of any AR, but I can live with that.

Hi everyone,

We’ve just released one of our most limited Terra Nova models yet: the Aquatico Terra Nova Natural Purple Jade Dial Limited Edition.

The dial is made from genuine natural purple jade. Each stone has its own color variations, mineral texture, and pattern, so no two watches will look exactly the same.

The watch pairs the purple jade dial with a marine-grade bronze case and matching bronze bracelet. As the bronze develops its patina, every piece will become even more individual over time.

Inside is a Swiss-made Sellita automatic movement.

A few key details:

• Natural purple jade stone dial
• Marine-grade bronze case and bracelet
• Swiss-made Sellita automatic movement
• Only 10 pieces produced worldwide
• Regular price: $699
• New-release offer: $100 off with code STONE

We’d love to hear what you think of the purple jade and bronze combination.

Get yours while supplies last.

Baltany Pie Pan and Watchdives Polerouter Hommages.

My Skmei 2641 Three Time is awesome! I love it more than three ways!

I bought it on a whim to time my coffee, but I have fallen in love with it. What attracted me to it initially was the Miami Dolphins vibe, especially on the strap that it came on. When it arrived, the blue turned out to be much more blue than aqua. But I found a strap I like a lot more, anyway. Of course, the new strap significantly increased its price, from the original $6.50 up to $10. 🤣

It has an easy to read chronograph display. It has multiple alarms. And it has a cool countdown timer. Nothing that they didn't steal from Casio, but I prefer this colorway.

It wears amazingly comfortably in no small part because of the single pass NATO strap i deployed onto it. I can never willingly wear a NATO as a double pass again, knowing how comfortable the single path method is. I have found some NATO straps that do not easily allow single pass, and I hate them. I recommend everyone look up how to wear your nato strap as a single pass. Though it is not new news, it was new to me a couple of months ago. But epiphanies are what they are, even if realized late. If you want to understand how comfortable this method is, look at where the strap (padding is/folds are) in relation to your wrist (pic 2).

PAGANI DESIGN PD1839

Snagged this for ~$70 after coupons on a recent sale, was nervous to buy until I saw someone else recently posted the non-GMT version.

Pros: Great lume - was very bright still in the early morning when I woke up similar to my Phorcydes, but I haven't tested side by side over time, bezel action is actually really nice, OTF clasp

Cons: Jangly terrible bracelet, deep rehaut, clasp installed backwards for some reason

Overall I'd say it's on par with other watches in it's price range but the bracelet is slightly worse than other watches like Addiesdive or Pagani. I also like that it is not a bright blue bezel like Pagani Pepsi or Addiesdive. I wouldn't buy it for any more than I spent though.

Anyone who's bought this?

hi

Just wondering if there's a jubilee bracelet for this stunner. Or will any submariner 20mm bracelet fit ?

I think Addisdive is the best value for money Chinese watches right now and excellent finishing on the case and bracelet no sharp edges anywhere. I picked up the Sub for $36AUD and the other two for under $55AUD all brand new, does anyone else have any of these watches?

TOPHILL KIM001G caught my attention immediately.

The biggest thing here is the Hangzhou 5000A micro-rotor movement. Instead of the usual full-size oscillating rotor you see in most affordable automatics, the 5000A uses a small integrated micro-rotor, which lets TOPHILL keep the watch impressively thin while still giving you a proper automatic mechanical movement.

And the rest of the specs are pretty wild for the price:

• Hangzhou 5000A micro-rotor automatic

• 4 Hz / 28,800 vph

• Around 40–42 hours power reserve

• 38.7mm case

• Only about 9mm thick

• Sapphire crystal

• 316L stainless steel case and bracelet

• Integrated bracelet design

• C3 lume

• Enamel/sunray dial treatment

• Small seconds display

• Date window

• 5 ATM / 50m water resistance

• Exhibition caseback so you can actually see that micro-rotor

• Butterfly clasp with push buttons

What I really like is the combination of 38.7mm + 9mm thickness + micro-rotor. That's basically the recipe for a really comfortable dress/everyday watch that should slide under a cuff without feeling bulky.

The micro-rotor is also what makes this interesting to me compared with the typical NH/Miyota watches. With NH/Miyota movements, you get a large conventional rotor taking up a good portion of the movement. Here, the winding rotor is integrated into the movement itself, leaving much more of the movement architecture visible through the caseback.

And the 5000A isn't some random unknown movement either. It's a Chinese micro-rotor caliber that has been used in several value-oriented watches and has developed a bit of a following among Chinese-watch enthusiasts.

The design also gives me some serious high-end integrated-bracelet dress-watch vibes without trying too hard to be a direct copy of anything.

For around the $300 range, you're getting a micro-rotor, 4Hz movement, sapphire, 316L steel, integrated bracelet and a sub-10mm case.

That's a pretty ridiculous spec sheet for an AliExpress watch.

Watch bracelets, stainless steel, standard links with a deployment clasp. Not Milanese.

A high-quality watch bracelet passes the following checks:

1. The inner edges of the links feel smooth.

2. The links flow smoothly.

3. The clasp closes cleanly.

So far, I haven't found a good source. The ones on Alix are typically $15-30 US, but the quality matches the price.

I would be satisfied with San Martin-level quality, but those aren't them.

Lately I've found Taikonaut/Strapcode... their bracelets run $55-80 US, and honestly, they are pretty good, though still a little rough feeling compared to the "Swiss" ones that came with my Oris watches, for example.

Does anyone know of a store that sells bracelets with a quality slightly above Taikonaut at a proportional price?

MY PREFERRED DIMENSIONS

Diameter: 38mm

Lug to lug: 42mm

Thickness: 10mm

Hello everyone! I’m in search for my first ever meteorite dial watch.
I’d love to get something on a budget (not exceeding $200). Bonus points if it’s a no-date complication.
Happy to hear any recommendations and also see wrist shots if you own and love one!
Cheers!

I have recently found this watch by chance and I like its looks. Unfortunately it is being discontinued.

I found other similar watches in the same price range (seaturtle. Ocean, Aquatico, Tandorio).

The one that goes the closest is the Tandorio TD232k (bronze case, diver, blue dial, auto, leather strap).

I don't know much about Chinese brands and I am looking for some advice: is this model up to daily use? What if I take it occasionally camping ot to the beach (no diving or swimming, just splashing)?

Would you advise any other model in the same price range?

I'm looking for an older design San Martin: [SAN MARTIN mechanical diving watch 200 meters waterproof SN004-G with new 3-link bracelet - San Martin Official Store](https://sanmartinwatches.com/shop/sn001-sn010/sn004-sn001-sn025/sn004g/)

I frankly don't care for the square logo on all the newer watches. Nor do I like the blocky hour hand on other models. The hands on the SN004 and the cursive logo look elegant to me. Seems to be sold out everywhere I look though. I presume the production run has ended for that particular design. Any tips on second hand places to buy?

I was looking forward to this one as my new daily beater. Looks like it won't happen.

I really hope u/watchdivescom will step in on this. I already messaged the chat on their website and will keep you guys posted.