Then and Now

[T-Bro]

I fell in love with dive watches when I was around 11-12. My grandparents returned from a trip to Japan with a cheap Seiko dive watch. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Kept great time and was a real tool watch that continued to work while I surfed and skated wearing it. In high school, got distracted with digital watches and had a bunch of Casio g-shocks and other cheap plastic watches.

Then, when I turned 21, my folks bought me a Seiko 5h26. Definitely a step up from the digital watches and seemed to feel a lot more solid than the first diver I received.

Over the years, I have grown to like larger watches and went through Breitlings, Tags, Panerai and then Bell & Ross. My wife gave me a Pepsi GMT II for my 15th wedding anniversary that I wound up giving her to wear.

After 10 years of starting to buy increasingly more expensive mechanical watches, I was delighted to find JDM Seiko divers with quartz movements. Great weekend watches and nice to be able to pull one out of the drawer and not have to set the time. Bought Marine Master SBBN 013 and 017 and have enjoyed them greatly.

Around this time, I found the old beat up 5H26 from 1988. Took it in and found a new hardlex crystal and a black bezel to replace the original Pepsi one. New strap, hands, and new battery. Going to give it to my son for camp this summer and as he starts high school in the fall. Kind of fun to be able to pass on an heirloom, even one that cost more to retrofit than it probably cost originally.

Dont worry about me. Still love divers and finally found a Rolex that looked correct on my wrist. SD43, which like me celebrated turning 50 in 2017, will keep me happy until I find something cooler and then it goes into the stack to hand down to the boys.

Thought you might appreciate a photo showing the beginning point of my dive watch obsession and the current high water mark.

Best,

T-Bro

[genkifd]

im kid of the same but my journey is rather short in comparison. love dive watches (tool watches in general).

[GMT Fan]

Funny. I basically have two watches. A Seiko 7002 from late 80s. I bought it in the ship's store on a USN aircraft carrier. I found it in a drawer a few months ago right after I bought my first Rolex (BLNR). The Seiko dive watch still works like a champ all these years later (though I have not taken it into the water - seals may have disintegrated)

[watchwatcher]

Yeah, after my initial foray into the brand with a DJ, dive watches pretty much got me into this mess...I mean hobby.

[schoolboy]

Awesome story OP, thanks for sharing :)


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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Yeah, after my initial foray into the brand with a DJ, dive watches pretty much got me into this mess...I mean hobby.

I think dive watches got a lot of us into this mess.
Plus the TV shows way back in the day.
Sea Hunt with Loyd Bridges comes to mind and others like Magnum
James Bond movies didn't help much either

[Kelex]

great story.. thanks for sharing.

[TickTockChuck]

Thanks for sharing your journey so far. Seiko makes great watches and I have some that have served me well. I went through the progression of Timex, Seiko, Oris, Omega and finally Rolex. I know there are more exotic, expensive and exclusive brands, but I'm happy where I'm at. Hope your Son enjoys his 5H26 and you your SD43. Cheers!