We have dog threads, sewing machine thread, how about a watch thread.
#326
Steel is real
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 1,097
Bikes: 40 - accumulated over 40 years
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 368 Post(s)
Liked 1,040 Times
in
294 Posts
Well - you are off a wee bit. More like 1500 to 2000 USD. So - for 30 bucks it actually was a steal!
I used to own a 6105 but sold in a weak moment to a friend some years ago (about 1400 USD at the time)

Regretted it much and I have tried to get the right one back - but no luck as of yet.
The 6105 being such an icon Seiko has made two re-makes of it and I have them both:
The SLA033 "Willard" (expensive)


The SPB151 "Willard" (less expensive)

Last edited by styggno1; 08-19-22 at 04:51 AM. Reason: spelling/grammar
Likes For styggno1:
Likes For Germany_chris:
#328
Junior Member
Been looking for a suitable Military style watch in Titanium for riding. The Hamilton Field khaki in smaller 38mm case in black dial with a nylon strap has appeal. Boccia's are inexpensive but haven't found a style that resonates. For more formal riding attire on a gentle vintage outing, this Mido Commander is quite elegant:

#329
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 275
Bikes: a few
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Liked 321 Times
in
126 Posts
Yeah I feel blessed - I so love the Seiko Diver watches! I have 4 others with 3 of them needing to be serviced and one of them I use daily. This 1972 just got sent in today for service and I hope to have it back by November in time for Thanksgiving! My others will need to wait. I cannot wait to see what the repair shop comes up with - So looking forward to seeing it on my wrist!
#330
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 4,862
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2897 Post(s)
Liked 2,453 Times
in
1,477 Posts
I use either a Hamilton 992 or 992B Railway Special on the railroad where I’m a steam locomotive fireman. My EDC is usually an Islander Flieger type B, but sometimes a Seiko SNZG 13 automatic or even a Pagani Design PD1701 Speedy homage. I’m currently on vacay, so no photos yet.
Likes For streetsurfer:
#332
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 275
Bikes: a few
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Liked 321 Times
in
126 Posts
The 6105 has been serviced and is on the way back with a new crystal but the North Carolina repair was impressed!
"I’ve had a chance to look over your 6105, and I have an itemized estimate ready for your approval. Just, wow! This is a phenomenal example—all original, and in very fine condition. The bezel insert is one of the nicest I’ve seen, and the case is unpolished with crisp factory finishes. Even the crystal is the original, with only very minor signs of wear. The movement is just as impressive. There are no signs of corrosion or moisture intrusion, and service should go very smoothly. "
But then I had a weak moment:
Blew my companies bonus points on this:
Seiko SNJ033
"I’ve had a chance to look over your 6105, and I have an itemized estimate ready for your approval. Just, wow! This is a phenomenal example—all original, and in very fine condition. The bezel insert is one of the nicest I’ve seen, and the case is unpolished with crisp factory finishes. Even the crystal is the original, with only very minor signs of wear. The movement is just as impressive. There are no signs of corrosion or moisture intrusion, and service should go very smoothly. "
But then I had a weak moment:
Blew my companies bonus points on this:
Seiko SNJ033

Likes For tjfastback66:
#333
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,547
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2555 Post(s)
Liked 1,581 Times
in
873 Posts
Likes For The Golden Boy:
#334
Junior Member
The 6105 has been serviced and is on the way back with a new crystal but the North Carolina repair was impressed!
"I’ve had a chance to look over your 6105, and I have an itemized estimate ready for your approval. Just, wow! This is a phenomenal example—all original, and in very fine condition. The bezel insert is one of the nicest I’ve seen, and the case is unpolished with crisp factory finishes. Even the crystal is the original, with only very minor signs of wear. The movement is just as impressive. There are no signs of corrosion or moisture intrusion, and service should go very smoothly. "
But then I had a weak moment:
Blew my companies bonus points on this:
Seiko SNJ033

"I’ve had a chance to look over your 6105, and I have an itemized estimate ready for your approval. Just, wow! This is a phenomenal example—all original, and in very fine condition. The bezel insert is one of the nicest I’ve seen, and the case is unpolished with crisp factory finishes. Even the crystal is the original, with only very minor signs of wear. The movement is just as impressive. There are no signs of corrosion or moisture intrusion, and service should go very smoothly. "
But then I had a weak moment:
Blew my companies bonus points on this:
Seiko SNJ033

#335
Senior Member
As always, this site is an enabler. I've purchased several watches due to this thread. Wearing this one today, a 1975 Seiko Lord Marvel hi-beat. The ticking sound is amazing (10 times a second) and it looks great.

__________________
#GCVintageBicycles for pics of C&V bikes and parts.
#GCVintageBicycles for pics of C&V bikes and parts.
Likes For Shrevvy:
Likes For tjfastback66:
#337
Junior Member
Likes For theofam:
#338
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 275
Bikes: a few
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Liked 321 Times
in
126 Posts
This one is probably less traveled on the 6105 but it caught my eye,
Made by Uncle Seiko, they call it the "Tire Tread Strap"
www.uncleseiko.com
Made by Uncle Seiko, they call it the "Tire Tread Strap"
www.uncleseiko.com
Likes For tjfastback66:
#339
Junior Member
Love fine watches, yet for mixing bike riding and watches, became a bit obsessed to identify a suitable tool to wear while riding. Developed some criteria: must be very readable on the road, durable, comfortable, stylish, not very big, not very expensive, oh and weight weenie! Decided that Titanium would be the best case material for durability and satisfying the weight weenie criteria, and also pretty cool. Watch band nylon "NATO" or silicone or rubber of some sort for comfort and a sporty style. Military style dial for easy reading. And while riding, don't need to know what day it is, or what the date is, or pretty much anything else other than what the dang time is! Found this boutique brand out of Singapore that makes titanium case watches, RZE, and this 38mm Valour model just came out. Sports a trusty Seiko NH38A automatic movement. With the NATO nylon band and 57gram weight, it disappears on the wrist, yet is highly readable, and the "Arrowhead" yellow dial is fun to my eye (there are several other color choices). Waterproof to 100 meters, Ultrahex hardening coating on the titanium case, screw down crown, sapphire crystal make for what I hope is a durable piece. Found an unused one on ebay for about $200 US.
Review for more detail (note, I've no relationship with RZE, am not trying to sell or market, just a happy customer is all):
https://watchclicker.com/rze-valour-38-review/

Review for more detail (note, I've no relationship with RZE, am not trying to sell or market, just a happy customer is all):
https://watchclicker.com/rze-valour-38-review/


Likes For VRJAKE:
#340
Junior Member
Man, you guys are killing me with these cool vintage Seikos! Love the detail on your dial.
Likes For theofam:
Likes For WaveyGravey:
#342
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,290
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,203 Times
in
699 Posts
I like this thread, so I’m giving it a bump. I recently went down a rabbit hole when my wife hid my watches in our recent move. She squirrels them away as a theft deterrent, but when I don’t know where they are, it’s a me deterrent. She assures me she knows where they are.
As a gentle protest, I bought a handful of cheap mechanical watches from ebay, including a couple of Indian HMTs, a Seiko automatic that is most likely a fake but looks nice nevertheless, and this 1970 Timex Sprite. None of them cost more than $20, so yes, a gentle protest. I guess the Timex will break that once the strap arrives.
As a gentle protest, I bought a handful of cheap mechanical watches from ebay, including a couple of Indian HMTs, a Seiko automatic that is most likely a fake but looks nice nevertheless, and this 1970 Timex Sprite. None of them cost more than $20, so yes, a gentle protest. I guess the Timex will break that once the strap arrives.

#344
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 4,862
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2897 Post(s)
Liked 2,453 Times
in
1,477 Posts
Check out Pagani Design homage watches. They're a steal but come with features that are pretty incredible for their price. I have their version of the Omega Speedmaster, with sapphire crystal, Seiko movement and 100M water resistance. Will never be able to afford an original, but the copy actually has some better features.
#345
elcraft
Yeah I feel blessed - I so love the Seiko Diver watches! I have 4 others with 3 of them needing to be serviced and one of them I use daily. This 1972 just got sent in today for service and I hope to have it back by November in time for Thanksgiving! My others will need to wait. I cannot wait to see what the repair shop comes up with - So looking forward to seeing it on my wrist!
#347
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,402
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 907 Post(s)
Liked 2,095 Times
in
885 Posts
I like this thread, so I’m giving it a bump. I recently went down a rabbit hole when my wife hid my watches in our recent move. She squirrels them away as a theft deterrent, but when I don’t know where they are, it’s a me deterrent. She assures me she knows where they are.
As a gentle protest, I bought a handful of cheap mechanical watches from ebay, including a couple of Indian HMTs, a Seiko automatic that is most likely a fake but looks nice nevertheless, and this 1970 Timex Sprite. None of them cost more than $20, so yes, a gentle protest. I guess the Timex will break that once the strap arrives.

As a gentle protest, I bought a handful of cheap mechanical watches from ebay, including a couple of Indian HMTs, a Seiko automatic that is most likely a fake but looks nice nevertheless, and this 1970 Timex Sprite. None of them cost more than $20, so yes, a gentle protest. I guess the Timex will break that once the strap arrives.


__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#348
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pico Rivera, CA
Posts: 4,256
Bikes: 1983 Basso Gap...2013 Colnago CX-1...2015 Bianchi Intenso
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1174 Post(s)
Liked 1,229 Times
in
681 Posts
My new watch arrived. When the wife says "I know you clean up well" this is the watch I'm wearing.

__________________
2015 Bianchi Intenso
2015 Bianchi Intenso
#349
Full Member
I picked up an SPBD109 (Japanese market Captain Willard reissue). Currently on a Crown & Buckle Chevron strap for summer, it came with the bracelet.

Likes For Warbird21:
#350
TeeOhPea 2tha DeeOhGee
Short story... This is the prettiest face I ever saw before or since I bought it.
Fall of 2005 I had been shopping for a nice watch for a couple of years when I spotted this in a shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan where I lived at the time. Nothing could compare, and I couldn't get it out of my mind. Still, at $1,800 bucks it was kinda expensive for me at the time.
I landed a new job and decided to celebrate by treating myself to the Limited Edition Alfred Hammel World Timer I had been eyeing. Got #87 of 300 and had my name and the date I bought it engraved on the inside of one of the links; "11-19-05." I loved it.
Sadly the love affair has been fraught. I've probably paid for the watch twice over in repairs in the nearly 20 years I've had it. My watch guy in Times Square told me the guts are standard Swiss anyone can purchase and slap a face and brand name on. I don't know. Insight appreciated from experts here. There is precious little on Alfred Hammel watches of any kind on the web.
My watch guy in his little Diamond District cage booth is approaching 90 and tells me he'll retire soon. I've resolved if it fails again I won't fix it, but still wear it on special occasions as jewelry. A few years ago I commented on a nice watch a work colleague was wearing. Married with kids, he confided in me it didn't work, but that repair wasn't a priority so he just wore it for looks. This will be my path.

Fall of 2005 I had been shopping for a nice watch for a couple of years when I spotted this in a shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan where I lived at the time. Nothing could compare, and I couldn't get it out of my mind. Still, at $1,800 bucks it was kinda expensive for me at the time.
I landed a new job and decided to celebrate by treating myself to the Limited Edition Alfred Hammel World Timer I had been eyeing. Got #87 of 300 and had my name and the date I bought it engraved on the inside of one of the links; "11-19-05." I loved it.
Sadly the love affair has been fraught. I've probably paid for the watch twice over in repairs in the nearly 20 years I've had it. My watch guy in Times Square told me the guts are standard Swiss anyone can purchase and slap a face and brand name on. I don't know. Insight appreciated from experts here. There is precious little on Alfred Hammel watches of any kind on the web.
My watch guy in his little Diamond District cage booth is approaching 90 and tells me he'll retire soon. I've resolved if it fails again I won't fix it, but still wear it on special occasions as jewelry. A few years ago I commented on a nice watch a work colleague was wearing. Married with kids, he confided in me it didn't work, but that repair wasn't a priority so he just wore it for looks. This will be my path.

