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A Pepsi and a Smile!2714 views
(16 votes)
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Colorful Faces1436 views
(12 votes)
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Omega Planet Ocean861 views
(8 votes)
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3850 views
(8 votes)
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East meets West1307 views
(14 votes)
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Monster in Yao's Light1668 views
(15 votes)
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19 - Vintage or OOP: Citizen Exceed Quartz Perpetual Calendar5852 views*Movement & Specs: Caliber E510
*Chosen by: Catalin
*Why: it is a truly historic watch since it still holds the record for the MOST ACCURATE solar perpetual calendar EVER (at +/- 10s/year). It was the FIRST solar to achieve that (and today Citizen has another caliber still in production - E780 - at that level, but that is not perpetual calendar). The precision is only surpassed 'out of the factory' by 'The Citizen / Chronomaster' (A660, still in production, +/- 5s/year but not solar) and certain limited-editions Grand Seiko (also 5s, but not in normal production and individually VFA, just like some other older very limited editions from the 80s including the +/- 3s/y Cryston 4 Mega and good ETA TC calibers - that apparently ETA does not really care too much to adjust in the factory or generally guarantee after that).
The Exceed is quite amazing with duratect Ti and coated sapphire crystal, but was a little-known very-hard-to-find Japan-only model which could be bought (well into PMWF territory) around 400 US$ - but with the US$ weakness and the model getting out of production the price for the very few NOS models are now over 500$ (and increasing) - still an amazing price.
(10 votes)
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The Wrist Rover1148 views
(10 votes)
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Up Close with a Glowing Orange Monster!1233 views
(11 votes)
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Seiko Marine Master1596 views
(12 votes)
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Kienzle Atlantis Mechanique1196 views
(12 votes)
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Pas De Deux1151 views
(14 votes)
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Always Ready3905 views
(16 votes)
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Die!2155 views
(17 votes)
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06 - Citizen Diver NY0040 (Black, Blue, Yellow, Lume)10930 views*Movement & Specs: Miyota Caliber 8203, handwinding but not hacking
*Chosen by: Paulc, supported by Chris L
*Why?: The Citizen NY0040 series (in black, blue, the rare yellow, and black dial with two-tone case) comes with the robust and hand-windable 8203 auto movement (mine runs less than a minute fast per week). A true 200m diver's watch, it wears a little lighter than other popular 200m divers due to its slightly smaller, rounder case. Visually, however, it wears about the same as a Seiko SKX (ie, 007/009/A35) due to its dial size. Other nice features include the screw-in crown at 8 o'clock (great for those of us with wrists that get dug by traditional 3 o'clock crowns), inky black dial (on the watch pictured) and applied indices. The lume on this one is also very good. Dimensions are: about 41mm across the bezel, 44mm incl. crown, 47mm lug to lug, 12mm thick and 20mm lug width. At just around the $100 mark on the internet, the NY0040 series offers a great deal for your money.
(21 votes)
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13 - Archimede Pilot15361 views*Movement & Specs: Stainless steel case with satin finish, sapphire crystal, screw down case back with mineral crystal showing the robust ETA 2824-2 inside, 50m WR, optional pilot's crown, diameter 42mm or 39mm (excluding crown), thickness 9.9mm and 20mm lug width
*Chosen by: Paulo
* Why?: A great quality watch with Flieger aesthetics for 245 euros plus shipping (Jan 2007) from a company created by Ickler (a well known quality German case supplier for various companies and also owner of Limes).
(28 votes)
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Breitling Super Ocean 1000m2313 views
(14 votes)
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Omega 41mm Railmaster and Case Brothers peanut1298 views
(10 votes)
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Deep Blue Diver1662 views
(7 votes)
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05- Zodiac Oceanaire Automatic 6719 viewsNominated by Chance:
During their first production run, the Zodiac ZO800x Oceanaire automatic divers were well-regarded for their retro styling (quite similar to the Seiko 6105 divers of yore), Swiss Made pedigree, stout bracelets and excellent build quality. There were a few flies in the ointment, however. Prices were high with little in the way of discounting. Upon discontinuation, prices for used examples skyrocketed beyond what the watches likely were truly worth. And the watch's "Swiss Made" badge found some opposition when it was revealed that the Claro-Semag CL888 movement was essentially a Chinese Sea-Gull ST16, albeit with more refinement and better finishing. Though reports of full-on failure have been quite rare, there were reports of seconds hand jumpiness, sometimes during regular operation and sometimes after starting the watch running after setting the time. Despite these issues, the Oceanaire remained popular as evidenced by their relative rarity on sales forums, as well as how quickly they were snatched up when they did appear.
Earlier this year, it came as a surprise (at least to me) that Zodiac resumed production of the Oceanaire divers. And even more surprising was the fact that prices had come way down. Just over a month ago, Metro Watch Company, Zodiac's eBay outlet, unloaded a bunch of 'em for less than $200 each. Same great watch, great new low price.
At its present price point, both when found new and when found on sales forums, the Oceanaire is a surefire nominee for inclusion on the Top 20 list. If new examples are all like mine, any rough edges on the CL888 have been smoothed out. The seconds hand on my example, a black-dialed ZO8000, is smooth, though it does move two or three seconds when set to run from hacking position. Not a problem, as 2-3 seconds later, it begins running as intended. It's also very accurate, just 5-6 seconds fast per day. Still present from the first run is the wonderful build quality, bold dial/hands/case styling, robust screwdown crown (10 turns worth), and nifty and deeply engraved caseback. My only gripe with this watch is with its bracelet, which unfortunately has links so big and clasp micro adjustments so few that precise sizing is difficult. Luckily, the Oceanaire is a knockout on rubber straps. (see below) Simply put, you will not find another Swiss Made diver with this much presence and such a rich set of features for $200.
(6 votes)
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Orient Star Royal1139 views
(5 votes)
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Mellow Yellow1380 views
(10 votes)
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Casio Oceanus2553 views
(10 votes)
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Glashutte Sport Evolution Ref 39-42-43-03-031987 views
(10 votes)
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Tissot Seastar2020 views
(9 votes)
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16 - Citizen Power Reserve Chronograph 21009166 views*Movement & Specs: Citizen Cal. 2100
*Chosen by: Micha
* Why?: Nine hands, Eco-Drive, awesome lume and all this with a little searching for under $300! Need I say more?
(26 votes)
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Night-Day Orient2453 views
(14 votes)
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Omega Seamaster Professional in its element.1350 views
(8 votes)
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Colors of the season...1917 views
(13 votes)
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I need a vacation...1429 views
(13 votes)
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Oris CC Under the Sea923 views
(12 votes)
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Heavenly Bodies1364 views
(10 votes)
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Rolex Oyster Date1051 views
(10 votes)
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12:01 P.M.3502 views
(14 votes)
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Eco Zilla1275 views
(9 votes)
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Tutima NATO Pilot Chronograph1099 viewsLemania 5100 movement
(14 votes)
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Melting Monster1523 views
(8 votes)
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Vintage Trio1861 views1967 Omega Seamaster 300 - 1967 Tudor Submariner 7928 - 1970 Omega Speedmaster
(8 votes)
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Omega Speedmaster Automatic Date1066 views
(7 votes)
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Ernest Borel1212 views
(11 votes)
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