Like the noob I am, learning is what I can do best.

I have now encountered a problem with my rotary watch, all of a sudden it stopped working, I winded it which should normally make it start working but no, my watch is quite still, can anyone help, it would help me now and in future, much appreciated :D

I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who post unusable images with their listings on eBay. I've seen some with half-a-dozen images yet not a one in focus -- in an age of autofocus that takes real effort.

Here's a stunner from today (one of two photos, the other just as bad).

How do they expect to sell that exactly?

I have always liked the look of some of the watches in the Seiko 'Monster' range and whilst browsing Amazon on Black Friday, my eye was caught by something vaguely similar for silly (i.e. very little) money.  In a fit of Black Friday impulsiveness/madness I couldn't stop the mouse creeping towards the 'Buy Now' button and a few days later found myself in possession of.................a Purple Monster!

Yes, OK, it says 'Shark Army' on the dial,  but I'm trying my hardest to ignore that bit. It was bought with the intention of perhaps modding it at some point, if I liked it enough, so hopefully that will soon disappear. 

Anyway, first impressions were good: It came in a nice metal tin with English instructions and a FREE dog tag!

That's right, a genuine, original Shark Army dog tag.

Who would want to be seen dead wearing said item remains a mystery, but hey, it was FREE!

The claimed specs are:

All stainless steel body....Check; It weighs a TON (almost).

Mineral glass....Check.

Miyota 2315 quartz movement.....Check.

Water resistant to 100m.......Dunno about that and I ain't about to test it. Has a screw back with a seal and another seal in the crown, so possibly.

Case diameter 47mm....Check; its BIG.

Thickness 15mm....Check; it's THICK.

Unidirectional rotating bezel.....Check; Some slop and an odd number of clicks (90), but otherwise nice smooth action.

24mm Nato strap....Check; Nice quality too, but I'm not a Nato fan, which is why it's sporting an old 22mm leather strap. I don't have anything in 24mm.

Lume on hands only.....Check; fairly bright but haven't tested longevity yet.  I won't be able to resist giving it a full a re-lume anyway. That bezel is just crying out for it!

Apart from the bit of play in the bezel, the overall build quality is surprisingly good and I have to say that the Deep Purple colour is growing on me, it has a nice metallic sheen to it that doesn't show up well in photos  - it's certainly different anyway.

The size and weight are the only real negatives for me, but I'm getting used to both and on balance I've decided it's a keeper.

Which is just as well, as it came with a partner.....(did I mention they were cheap?)

This one has a nice sandblasted finish to the case, which I like, but I'm not so keen on the dial colour. Still, the advantage of having two is the ability to mix and match:

That's better, it looks much nicer with the black dial and I don't understand why they didn't sell that combination.

I can't in all honesty say that the cream/purple combo works quite as well though:

Now that really IS different!  

Right, I'm off to track down some 24mm straps and decide what to do with them, mod-wise, and how. 

Hi, 

i am new to this forum and wanted some advice,

I have a Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillion 30 Technique Bi colour limited edition

Brand new never been worn all paper work.

Any collectors interested in this time piece willing to let go for considerable less.

There is a story to be told here about a European watch company that has produced some interesting and decent mechanical and quartz watches, including a couple of iconic designs. However, the deeper one delves, the more impossible it becomes to write a coherent, accurate and simple history about this company and its products, so forgive me if I just say that I will do my best. Also note that I use the term "producer" rather than "manufacturer" for Franchi menotti, and also note that the earlier watches are usually either Swiss or Italian in stated manufacture. My own watch, described below, does not indicate any place of manufacture, and so perhaps some Franchi Menotti products hail from the Far East while being designed in Italy..

My own search for information about Franchi Menotti began when I purchased a pre-owned quartz military style Franchi menotti watch of fascinating design. The watch has basically two cases, hinged together so that the watch case lifts up to reveal a transparent-cased compass and scale beneath. The bezel and the watch caseback are stainless steel while the case is a semi-matt greyish silver plate - possibly nickel plating of some sort - on brass. The watch half of this piece has a screw-down crown and caseback (the latter of which I cannot yet remove) and on the caseback is the following engraved information: 10 ATM, STAINLESS STEEL BACK, MOD DEPOS, FRANCHI MENOTTI MILANO, 100M. WATERPROOF. There is also an FM monogram. The face of the watch is also intriguing since the minutes are given only on the unidirectional bezel, while the dial utilises the main compass points and degrees. There is a circular date window and lume on the hands and main dial points, and the face is decorated with a coloured coat of arms and, at the bottom, a banner which reads, "NEI SECOLE FEDELE".

The lower, compass portion of the watch has a sandwich of mineral glass in which the compass needle sits, and there is a printed scale on the glass, which is fitted using a screw-down rim. The case diameter is 38 mm but is wider at the crown and also at the lugs where the hinge and opposite pull-up point sits. The combined watch and compass thickness is 13 mm, thus in total making this a pretty compact watch.

Black version of the military compass watch in my collection. Notice the decoration and wording on the face also differs from my own example (Picture from kijiji.it)

I have described this watch in some detail for the reason that it reflects part of the Franchi Menotti philosophy of producing watch faces and types that are closely related but which differ in decorative details, especially in terms of the military organisations that the watch is commemorating or reflecting. I have not yet encountered the exact model which I own, although there are many variants of my watch, differing in the coat of arms and banner, and differing as to whether or not they have a compass and compass dial. The key model when it comes to my watch is probably the model that bears the inscription, "MARINA MILITAIRE ITALIANA" rather than a Latin motto, and this compass watch is clearly originally designed with marine aspirations.

The compass watch I have in my collection, and the other design-related (to some extent quality-driven) military watches that were produced by Franchi Menotti in the earlier years of the company's history, are one of the two interesting and iconic products of Franchi Menotti, and some models were actually manufactured specifically for the Italian military. Once we reach the mid 1990s however, Franchi Menotti watches have a mainly civilian audience and the company moved into the fashion watch world. This latter move does not mean that all the watches produced since then are without interest or merit, and indeed, Franchi menotti is known for a particular design, called the Banana. The naming of this collection relates to the actual shape of the watch case, and some of the banana watches are quite striking and, I reckon, collectible. There are still one or two Bananas for sale on Amazon.

Having mentioned the more iconic Franchi Menotti watches, what about the company itself? Here, we really reach the mystery of Franchi Menotti as given in my topic title. There are at least four references to Franchi Menotti on forums requesting information about the company where no real answers are forthcoming. And the research needed to go a bit deeper in order to find any useful historical information is considerable. A poorly written/translated introduction to the company on Montre24 started me off and I then had to take bits and pieces of info from other forum posts and sales sites to fill out the profile. So, this is my best shot:

The story starts in 1974 when Franchi Menotti launched his first line of watches, with the company based in Milan and the watches being design-influenced by the architecture of Italy and with quality and materials being important considerations. Apparently, the Franchi Menotti of the same-named company, was a watchmaker, and his primary aim was to design watches geared for the military. There is a slight problem for me in that I do wonder if the title of the company actually relates to a real person. Silly, I know, but what makes me suspicious is that the General Director of the parent? company of Franchi Menotti was a Paolo Franchi, in 2011, and the latest contact person for Franchi Menotti SRL (in about 2000) was Franchi Alessandro. Also, there are no biographical references to Franchi Menotti that I can find - so it does make me wonder.

Anyway, the main products of the Franchi Menotti company started out as military-inspired watches, including chronographs, and the brand featured watch ranges that were named after historic monuments, extraordinary persons and historical events. There was also the use of even more individual faces by means of decoration that related to different regiments and forces. The top of the range model was the Franchi Menotti Michaelis chronograph which was named after a bulky 16th century fortification in Italy. This Swiss-made solid stainless-steel watch, made in limited numbers, had an automatic ETA7750 movement, a unidirectional bezel and luminous inserts in hands and dial. The diameter of this watch was 42.7mm.

Another range, this time specifically requested or commissioned by the Italian armed forces, was the Sciabecco collection, which included water resistant chronographs that featured 100 metre water resistance, screw-down caseback and crown, mineral glass, stainless steel case, and Swiss ETA 251.272 quartz chrono movement. Other ranges included the Swiss-made Cap Martin sports collection, dedicated to the world of the Cote D'Azure, with 100 metre water  resistance and swiss movement, and the Oceano range, with its bold design and dedication to marine uses. This Oceano range used stainless steel cases, sapphire crystal and the watches had a two-year guarantee and were sold in wooden boxes.

It seems that the military and military-style watches were the mainstay of the company until about the mid 1990s when Franchi Menotti morphed into a fashion watch concern, still producing nice watches but perhaps not of their former quality and robustness. Interestingly, there also seems to have been something of a switch in terms of the origin of the movements used. Instead of Swiss movements, the watches now tended to feature Japanese movements, in particular, movements - both mechanical and quartz - from Miyota. The banana watches, for example, contain Miyota GP10 quartz movements, which in my experience are reliable though quite inexpensive.

It is not clear what the current status of Franchi Menotti Watches is. The company is still listed on an Italian company directory site as being in existence as "Franchi Menotti SRL," headquartered at  Via Fontana 15, Milan. However, the site gives no indication of the nature of the business being conducted, and when one gets up the listed Franchi Menotti website, one is informed that it is still under construction. I do have a 2011 reference that gives Franchi Menotti "Brand 1974" status under the heading of P.F.O. Paolo Franchi Orlogi, in the Via Parini, 64021 Giulianova (Te), with Paolo Franchi as the general Director. It seems likely that Franchi Menotti is no longer an independent producer of watches.

Iconic Franchi Menotti "Banana" watch - red face, with numbers. Still available from Amazon (picture from Amazon.com)

As a final paragraph, something just needs to be said about the availability and price of Franchi Mennotti watches. Forum opinions, where they are expressed, differ widely, and while a post on the Rolex Forum talks about the watches as being utter rubbish, this view is not shared by others. As a conclusion from sources available, I would say that Franchi Mennotti watches are actually pretty good, and do make an alternative to other, more common, military and fashion watches. In keeping with my opinion that the company is no longer very active as a producer, most watches available to purchase are either pre-owned or end of line stock. This means that a bargain may be had, though one should note that original prices for the watches were rather high, making them overpriced when they were new and in stock.

Who has ventured into the world of Kickstarters and with what results.

Any recommendations, pics, tips 

The only one I have is this Blenheim. It is sufficiently good for me to have bought one for myself and one for my arm wrestling offspring....     

It's in the shallow end but sports sapphire glass, Miyota movement and solid bracelet.

Who has what to say about Kickstarters, any Kickstarters.

Cheers 

Just received this today from the other side Chinese military watch  (with a pinch of salt) 44mm came with the three straps but I like a bracelet so will have to buy a 24 mm one its PVD black the hands and numbers are like a beige has lume but not like Seiko supposed to be sapphire glass  seagull automatic movement I need a cyclops for the date window for my eyes but is easy to read. and I like it.sorry about the quality of pictures I am on night shift.

I must have been one of the biggest castigators of this sort of thing during the last 3 years and time here...and during that period i've had everything from Omega to Longines to Tudor to Zenith to Seiko...I'm eating my words...withstanding the experience of watches at well over a thousand pounds a piece...Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon...Longines LLD...to name just two...these 60 quid a piece homages are just too damned good...Why...well take a look. Sapphire Crystal, ceramic bezels, miyota 21 jewel automatic movement, faultless case finish, solid link bracelet, forged clasp, lovely dials, perfectly hardened screws in the bracelet, 120 click bezel devoid of free play. Forget any protestations...these really are by any reasonable standards totally amazingly made never mind the price...if they had been 600 each i'd have still been impressed...sixty quid lol...

btw the pictures?...they really don't do them justice I've been wearing a £300 seiko for the past 5 months...these? They leave it standing...

No, I haven't been doing anything naughty. I was rushing through a quick strap change this morning before leaving the house, stabbed my finger with the spring bar tool and unbeknownst to me got blood smudged on the inside of a brand new leather strap! After swearing at the goldfish (the dog was hiding) I just had to leave and I've been wondering all day if I should have put it in cold water or something.

Any tips on getting off - now dried in blood - of the inside (wrist side) of leather strap..?

I have a challenge for you all! 

I would like to see your selections for a quality watch using quality parts for £250 or under! 

Im after one for Christmas! 

No particular style in mind, simply after a watch built with quality parts and not something with a designer name on however been imported from China! 

Mens btw! 

Thanks! 

Bought it from Fraser Hart. Managed 10% off and free first service. Went for the blue one as I already have black faced watches. It is bloody fantastic! It wears a lot smaller than I thought it would. The blue isn’t as vibrant as I feared and is really nice. The quality of the case and strap is really really good. Very comfy on the wrist as well. The deployment clasp is something else. The micro adjustments available give you that bit more of a perfect fit and I love the way it functions from an opening and closing perspective. The bezel sounds and feels lovely to use as does the crown. The lume is also incredible. A very very nice watch indeed. I can now leave it over the weekend knowing when I come to use it on Monday it will still be running. It’s also very accurate so requires far less frequent alteration compared to my longines it replaces as my daily. Sorry for the poor images.

Alright ladies and gents. I'm having another blind giveaway, in which I won't be telling or showing you what the watch is. Just one watch this time.

I'll give it a business week from now. That's 5 days to get your submissions in.

Simple rule, guess what I'm giving away and the closest wins, based on what I deem to be so by a point system I've come up with. IMPORTANT DETAIL: You have to submit a picture for your guess, simple words will NOT suffice.

I'll give you a few helpful hints.

1. It's not my typical cup of tea.

2. It's one I've had the second longest in my collection.

3. Major brownie points if you submit a picture you've taken, of your own watch, be it something you currently own or from the past. (Be sure to notate such in your post, working on the honor system here so I'll take you at your word.)

And...... Go!

I am not sure how I feel about F P Journe, a quality brand but I don't like their scews where nobody else can get inside their cases... without doubt they make some pretty movements and try to push horology along.

Saw this for the first time today... not sure what to think of it to be honest.  Opinions?

I believe Bulova have discontinued the Accutron Snorkel although there are a few colours still around.  To mark the demise of the Snorkel how about an Accutron thread.......old ones, new ones, any Accutron 

Any to add?

Cheers

Tag Heuer Aquaracer. Ref.WAB.IIII. BA0801. Swiss Ronda.

The centre of the faces of some three handers does look a bit bare IMHO.

Not a lot going on.

What's the best way to fill the void?

A sub seconds dial 

Lots of descriptive writing........." Superlative Chroograph Water Resistant 200m."

If they are Russian a Tank, Plane, or Submarine.

24 hr numeral ring.

Any ideas? Examples 

Cheers

Mac or duty Mod could you move this to Watch Discussion , please 

What kind of cool and/or interesting gizmos have you seen on watches?

I've had a couple. Like the Bulova Catamount with it's bezel lock, which I recently sold to a member here. And my Oris Flight Timer BC4...

That of the Catamount was much simpler functioning lock, but still, both very cool, in my eyes. Not as if I've actually ever used either, other than to keep the bezels perfectly aligned at all times. Lol

What other kinds of doodads and gizmos have you seen on watches?

Any white straps out there?   Bit impractical imho but

Anyone else 

Cheers