Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

I know. Its' me. Mr. "I don't do divers" :oops: :oops:
Thing is, I'm probably going on a "normal" holiday this year and not a single one of my watches is suitable for the beach or pool, so I'm looking for one. Must be mechanical, and I think I'd prefer a bit of colour to a black faced one.

So, I've seen "sister" sites owned by the same company (GMT and Russia4u) and the contenders appear to be:

1. Orient Mako (Yellow or Blue)
2. Various blue Vostok Amphibia

Any advice would be appreciated. NB This will have to be a relatively small purchase and my last one for some time, thanks to Herr Schwertner and the Nomos Co.! :lol:
Steve
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by shrink »

The orient looks good... looks like a fairly close copy of the Longines Hydroconquest
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by highway62 »

Going to be boringly predictable and suggest a Seiko as a possible alternative to the Mako (though tbh I would probably just stick with that! heheheh). Check out somewhere like 21 Jewels for a multitude of choices.
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by footycrazy »

As Highway has stated, a seiko (orange monster) would be my choice by far. Built to last and virtually indestructable :thumbup:
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by nathanclarinet »

Also worth checking www.longislandwatches.com to get a flavour of different types. I would go for the orient.
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by ianblyth »

Remember you do not have to have a diver style watch just one that is at least 100m WR.

What is your budget? And what is your max size as you seem to be going smaller.

As well as Seiko Citizen make some good diver watches.
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Thanks, guys!
JAG, the Yellow Mako was the one I really liked the look of. I might well jump in for one! 8)

Ian - 40 to 42. I think the OM is 45 so a bit big...also not sure I'm quite ready for orange! :lol:
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by mikepj »

The OM is 42 & whilst it doesn't wear large, it wears.... erm.... ORANGE

Be bold, you're on holiday :D
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by Richard »

Shame you're not ready for orange, SKX011 is one of the usual suspects :lol:

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Also there is the deep navy blue 009.
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by highway62 »

OM's going @ approx £115 on 21 J's site. Cheap for an icon! :wink:
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by redd »

Yellow Mako
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

JAG wrote:You could always down the road of Deep blue this i think is a awesome holiday colour if your bold enough :thumbup: :thumbup:

Image
That is beautiful! Do you have a link to the actual site?

EDIT - found it - sorry! :thumbup:
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Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by highway62 »

hmmm no sign of that one on the Watch Obsession site. Think an auto Deep Blue might be a bit more than you want to spend anyway.
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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by downer »

Get some pepsi in your life - SKX009..:)

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Re: Cheap auto diver - recommendations please?

Post by Loddonite »

How many times can I get away with posting this photo?
Image
The Mako is a cheapish, fairly well built and very pretty 100m diver. It is conventional in it's styling and the non-winding non-hacking movement annoys some people. The date change is conventional, but the day is changed with that extra crown at 2. The bracelet is OK for the price but the clasp is a bit tinny. I like it so much I have three - I still want to get the all blue.

... but I also have, amongst these Russians, an Amfibia/Amphibia ...
Image
I think it is the "Admiral" model. Probably made out of scrapped Ladas, the 18mm lug gap is a bit small nowadays but it works for me, the bezel doesn't click, it just twists, the screw down crown feels very flimsy and the way the crown flops around when unscrewed is disconcerting. Changing the date is a PITA - forward to 12, back to 9, forward to... all with that floppy crown. It has twice the depth rating of the Mako and costs half (or less). The bracelet is bloody awful - replace immediately.
I love it, I'm wearing it now having worn it (on a rubber strap) to work today - suit, tie, double-cuffs, Amfibia - sorted!

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