[Gansan]

My quartz watches are all Titan and I replace batteries at the showroom only. I remember paying around Rs 160 a couple of months ago. Quite reasonable as a new battery lasts a couple or three years.

Apart from quality of battery, the worry with small watch repair shops is they may not have proper tools for opening watch cases and removing batteries. Mostly it will be "one size fits all" type, and may cause invisible damage to the case back compromising the water proof nature. Water incursion in to the watch may happen. In places like Chennai, even sweat incursion will happen.

[Amrik Singh]

Originally Posted by Aroy

I have also experienced using the Rs.10-30 watch batteries. They are pretty bad most of the times and may or may not last.

You seem to have missed the point.
The price of these batteries in wholesale batteries from *wholesale shops* cost is so low. The shopkeepers buy from the same places, add to their profit while replacing batteries.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Amrik Singh

You seem to have missed the point.
The price of these batteries in wholesale batteries from *wholesale shops* cost is so low. The shopkeepers buy from the same places, add to their profit while replacing batteries.

I agree to some extent. Some batteries manufactured in China cost a pittance (Rs.10 or so), but their quality is extremely variable. In contrast batteries from reputed manufacturers do cost more, have better QA and come with warranty.

Apart from the battery cost there is cost of labour, and most watch repair shops charge between Rs.100 and RS.200 for any sort of job, be it battery replacement or adjustment of mechanical watches.

Regarding tools, most of these watch repair shops are decades old from the days of mechanical watches and have proper tools to open and close the backs. They also source seals for the watch back from OEM's, so water leakage is generally not there unless they do a really sloppy job.

[aadya]

I am on the look out for a well engineered Swiss watch for my personal satisfaction and as a conversation starter in social gathering(show-off). I have zeroed in on this watch https://favre-leuba.com/watches/raider/harpoon.

Any suggestions or pointer for Eminent Bhpians?

[Gansan]

^^ It used to be a popular but inexpensive brand long ago, during my boyhood. I understand currently the brand is owned by Titan, but have not seen any of the latest watches.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by aadya

I am on the look out for a well engineered Swiss watch for my personal satisfaction and as a conversation starter in social gathering(show-off). I have zeroed in on this watch https://favre-leuba.com/watches/raider/harpoon.

Any suggestions or pointer for Eminent Bhpians?

Depends on what level is show-off in your social circle. In some circles even a Seiko (20K) will do the job, while in others even an Omega Seamaster (250K) or Rolex SS (500K) will not even get a notice.

There are good Swiss mechanical watches starting from 25k (Tissot), on to 1L (Tag , Logines etc), to 5L (Rolex SS) and all the way beyond 1cr. Just visit Ethos watches
https://www.ethoswatches.com/

and choose what takes your fancy.

[PPS]

Gifted my wife a Seiko watch this Diwali! Got 15% off at Ethos. Happy that she selected a proper watch making brand rather than a fashion brand like Micheal Kors,Armani,etc.

[Torq]

I was gifted a Armani watch for my birthday this year making it my second OG "branded" watch in 10k+ INR category. Although a fashion brand, I do love the looks.

As return gift for my wife, picked up an all-black casio sheen watch for her with Swarovski crystals.

[Chetan_Rao]

Where can I source a replacement strap for my F-91W? This one has sentimental value, so don't want to toss it out and get a new one.

[Electromotive]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Where can I source a replacement strap for my F-91W? This one has sentimental value, so don't want to toss it out and get a new one.

I would suggest you go for a NATO style strap instead of the resin band. NATO straps look better, are more durable and also more comfortable.

Sample NATO band on Amazon.
Note: lug width is 18mm for the F91 w.

Resin band on Flipkart, just in case.

[dk7729]

My new acquisition - Seiko SRPE53. Wears perfect on my thin wrist.



Never been a fan of steel bands and swapped it with a black silicone strap.

[raaj.bhalla]

Looking to replace strap on this one! Any leads?

[sridhu]

What is a good place to buy NATO straps in Bangalore or a reliable place online?

I want one with an orange stripe for my Tissot T-Touch

TIA

[curiosity]

After reading about it and watching a lot of youtube videos went ahead and got myself a Citizen Satellite Wave CC9015-54E. I felt it is a technologically advanced watch even though this is an old model. To think of it, it does what a watch is supposed to do, show accurate time always and autocorrect without any manual intervention. The fact that it relies only on light for charge is a bonus. Similar tech from Seiko was costing nearly double.

Attaching an image from the web because I couldn't capture the details of the dial.

[trammway]

New Watch Alert

After evaluating so many watches, I have recently selected Zenith Pilot Doublematic Ref.03.2400.4046/21.C721 as my next big one in to the collection.



In the last couple of weeks I have been visiting numerous stores, boutiques and shops evaluating my next best watch. I have nearly touched all the great brands and seen price ranges from 3 digit to 5 digit figures(USD). After so much of reading and experiencing it in first hand I’m convinced that Zenith is an undoubtedly a best watch maker that offers the best feel of luxury and value for money while not compromising any bit of quality.



For the most part of my evaluation I was trying to avoid triggering my purchase of another Zenith only because already have some iconic Zenith watches in my collection.



But this discontinued Pilot Doublematic watch having World time, Alarm, Chronograph, Big date and Time complications with the Zenith caliber 4046 automatic El Primero movement that is made up of 439 components 41 jewels and manages to have an over 50 hour power reserve like a monster of horology in the 45mm case. So I couldn’t say no and pulled the trigger Nonetheless, Zenith Pilot Doublematic is a collectors dream.



In another post I will share all the beautiful watches I encountered during my evaluation.