I have a, rather old, Submariner, which was passed on to me. My most recent service bill is $1200, so I'm considering getting a "working/traveling" watch.

Any thoughts between a Tsao Torsk, a Luminox Atacama Field Automatic, or a Marathon GSAR? Or, just get the cool Omega Speedmaster, I actually want, but again, I know those services are expensive.

I've heard good things about Marathon.

Omega's is expensive but about half that of rolex.

Just dropped my Omega PO off for service yesterday, they quoted me $575.

And they are running behind so it will be a couple months.

My regular watch is a Rolex "James Cameron" Deep Sea Sea-dweller, but less expensive options are Victorinox or Luminox. I wear these if I'm out hunting or fishing. You may want to look at the "Air Boss" mechanical from Victorinox/Swiss Army, if you're willing to spend a bit more: https://www.swissarmy.com/us/e...tion=0&maxResults=30

Of those you mention I'd go with Marathon. I have one of their original SAR mechanical watches (Oct 2001 military contract) and it has been bulletproof.

Pictured here next to my ~1975 Aquastar Benthos I 1000m diver.

My beater watch, the one I shoot competitions with,do yard work or anything else I could damage or destroy a good watch is a Luminox.
It is a quartz watch.
It was not that expensive so if I destroy it accidentally I would not feel as bad as destroying one of my good watches.

I own automatic/mechanical watches that are every day watches. Right now I am wearing a Breitling Avenger II Seawolf, it is a dive watch built like a tank. It can take a lot of abuse but why subject it to that if I do not have to. The service cost on a watch like this is around 500 dollars. Usually you have this done every 5 to 7 years.
I do not want to accidentally do any thing that would cause it to have to be services any sooner than needed.

I have been eyeing a Seiko 5 automatic as something new as a beater/work watch. Most can be had online for less than 100 dollars.
I hear good thing about Marathon but do not own one.

I guess the big question is how much are you looking to spend?

I've always wanted one of these, and if I needed a tank of a watch for work would pick up a Sinn U1.

My everyday watch has been a Rolex.

I haven't killed it but it needs service every 5 years or so.

My beaters used to be a Seiko.

But every couple of years of diving/sailing they would leak.

After a pile of rusted Seikos I went Rolex.

My two Luninox watches fell apart within a year

Casios are also good but also leak as beaters

I have to second the recommendation on Marathon. Mine has been bulletproof. Another possibility is a Maratac, if you can find them in stock.

quote:

Originally posted by dewhorse:
And they are running behind so it will be a couple months.

I see what you did there.
OR
You might want to reconsider your watch mechanic.

I do not understand these watches needing service. Is there a service interval or are these servicings a once in a lifetime thing?
Pardon my ignorance, I’m not a “good” watch (or even a watch) kind of person.

Thirds for the GSSR. Daily wear for me for several years now. Stands up to every beating Ive given it thus far. Handsome on a bracelet as well as a NATO strap.

My main watch is a GSAR. I’ve worn it about ten years.

I was debating getting it serviced and the tritium redone, but I think I’m going to upgrade to a Jumbo Day Date.

I would absolutely recommend the GSAR.

I would also recommend a Seiko skx007 series. Sports 5 mentioned is also a great value.

Someone recommended Maratac. They helped with the GSAR design. They have a couple of watches available right now (countycomm.com). I like their titanium dive watch, but my eyes are getting older and I prefer a day/date.

there are a veritable ton of sub-$1000 auto dive watches out there. A few to look at... Deep Blue, Glycine Combat, Seiko Prospex or Arnie, Alpina Seastrong, and Squale. Plus, there are a ton of the micro brands like Zelos, Phoibos, etc.

I recently bought a Deep Blue Master 1000 as my beater and love it. It is a Seiko movement and it has about -6 per day over the last month. It was less than $200. If I wanted to spend $500 it'd probably be the Glycine.

quote:

Originally posted by phydough:

I do not understand these watches needing service. Is there a service interval or are these servicings a once in a lifetime thing?
Pardon my ignorance, I’m not a “good” watch (or even a watch) kind of person.

Since they are nothing more than very tiny mechanical devices, there are lubricants and some potential wear items involved. The service is typically a breakdown on the major components of the movement along with an inspection of those, thorough cleaning of the movement and all case pieces, lubrication and reassembly with replacement for any worn pieces (typically seals around stems/pushers, face and back, stem itself if worn, possibly others), regulating the whole assembly to get to acceptable accuracy and then pressure testing to ensure still sealed to rating. That's not a fast or easy process but one that the interval will vary, sort of like cleaning guns.

Some folks will run a watch until it shows problems which is way too long and will result in more wear items since the lube has long since worn out/gone. Some will go with an every-year approach which seems like overkill to most and is a waste of money. Most will go with a middle ground of a few to several years depending on use, watch type, etc. I just had an Omega Planet Ocean serviced for the first time after 7-8 years and had no problems with it, nor had to replace anything other than stem and crystal (which was really just an extra, it wasn't too scratched up).

The time for someone to do this does range from weeks to months due to backlog, not the process itself. In my case I used the OEM service center and it took about 6 weeks, cost was around $650 including the crystal, shipping, etc.

It's not for everyone but like the posts in another thread running now I appreciate the complexity of my watches and the functionality/looks of each one as well. It's not practical and even with a chronometer rated watch won't be any more accurate than +/- a few seconds a day, but that's not the point.

Hint - it's also not practical to have a safe with 10-45 guns in it. But here we are.

Not everyday I see someone mention interest in a Tsao Torsk diver. They are pretty neat. I love that it was designed by a Baltimore MD resident and it is assembled there too.

I love my Torsk Diver. I got a pretty sweet number too #228

For the money they are pretty good watches. The Miyota 9015 movement is quite accurate though the unidirectional winding does take a little time to get used to.

Have you considered a Phoibos watch? Just like Tsao Baltimore they are more of a micro brand that not everyone has heard of but for the money they offer just about the most bang for buck you can get when it comes to tool watches meant to be worn everyday.

Thank you Georgeair. I have taken for granted that something as ubiquitous as a watch is a finely tuned machine that runs every second of every day, unlike a car, gun or my brain. All need maintenance.

Count me in the Marathon fan club. It's a tool watch, built with solid Swiss automatic 2824 movements, and sapphire crystal.

Marathon is neat with the tritium but there are tons of micro brands with ETA 2824-2 movements and similar specs at a MUCH lower price tag. No they don’t have tritium but a few have damn good lume. Having to deal with replacing the Tritium indices after 10 or so years is the main reason I have resisted the urge to get that day date marathon diver that I’ve been tempted by for so long. Well that and the fact that sadly it’s a big watch compared to the rest of their line.

quote:

Originally posted by 71 TRUCK:
I guess the big question is how much are you looking to spend?

Ideally, less than $1500. (Really, less than $1000, but can go to $1500. Obviously, no issue with used.)

Why not something a little cheaper like a Hamilton Khaki?