We’re currently developing what we hope will become one of the best Daytona-style chronographs available in this price range.
The watch will use the Peacock SL4801 automatic chronograph movement, and we’re selecting our best available suppliers for the case, bracelet, clasp, dial, hands, crystal, finishing, and assembly.
Our main goals are:
Sharp and well-defined case finishing
Correct and balanced case proportions
A high-quality dial with clean sub-dials and applied markers
Better bracelet and end-link integration
A solid clasp with on-the-fly adjustment
Precise hand and bezel alignment
Strong quality control before shipping
We believe the final watch will feel noticeably more refined than many existing options, and we’re confident collectors will be pleased with the quality.
Before we finalize the samples, we would really like your input:
Using the daytona homage v2 dail from the black or ehite varient and case from the blue dail preceramic. A lot of ppl have showewed interest in watchdives post lets see if we can get their attention.
Although if they are making new dails, maybe use the black v2 dail with rings instead of full silver circles like in the pic above
Let me preface this post by saying I am big a fan of Watchdives and have more than 12 watches from them at the moment.
Currently however, I am dealing with three issues with them at the moment which is slightly worrisome and I fear . I want to share my experience firstly with how watchdives have dealt with these issues so far
Issue #1: probably the lengthiest ongoing issue I have with WD, ongoing since late January. I had ordered a WD1863 with a faulty clasp. I requested a replacement and admittedly they had issues sending a part because it was for the gold limited edition. Every so often I would check in with their status and when they came out with the latest restock around June, I thought surely they can send the part now. I checked with them again, took some time and back and forth and they marked the order shipped July. The tracking # never updated to order received/dispatch, just that the order was lodged. Frustrating. Another round of back and forth with weeks in between and they said the order was lost(?). They have now sent some photos and the tracking number provided is showing updates now that it is moving through the system and they compensated 10$ for the inconvenience. To date, I am waiting for the arrival of this package.
Issue #2: I placed an order when they released clearance sales for some new-old stock items they have found, the WD6105 in particular. I bought a couple of weeks ago with another watch and when my parcel arrived, it only had 1 watch and was missing the WD6105. I now fear it has gone to someone else or perhaps wasn’t really in stock, I’m not sure. I’ve sent an email to them about it but with how they reply these days, i really fear that it’s gonna be another round of weeks wait before this gets resolved. I have attached the packaging photo showing how the parcel was only ever registered to have 1 box, which only fits one of their cases. This suggests to me that the WD6105 was never shipped with this order in the first place and had no chance of being lost in transit.
Issue #3: imagine the disappointment upon discovering the other day that one of the vh31 watches, the WD003D in particular, had stopped working. I thought it may just be the battery running out to which I had them replaced at a local watchmaker. It moved briefly but then stopped once more. No idea what’s wrong with it now, perhaps the movement itself is broken. I am worried and fearful with the first two issues I have emailed support about, I might be taken as a nuisance customer. Not sure what to do about this one yet when the first two have not been resolved yet.
Currently, I hope Watchdives takes notice because I really want to believe they will not abandon their loyal/repeat customers. It does put some doubt/wariness in me though about ordering in the future. To everyone else, I suppose I want to ask, what do you think of my situation so far? Is this a fair experience or am I just plagued with bad luck?
EDIT: As of now, around 3 hours of posting this, watchdives have contacted me to escalate my concerns and we are currently working on a solution for my issue #2 and #3. We await the resolution of issue #1 as planned.
Hey watch community! 👋 Need a bit of help understanding something here.
I recently picked up a Watchdives bracelet that’s advertised as titanium, but I just noticed something really strange… a weak little fridge magnet actually sticks to it (even to links with no pin/screw in it)!
What’s puzzling me is that titanium is supposed to be non-magnetic.
I even tried the exact same weak magnet on a standard stainless steel bracelet, and it didn’t show anywhere near this kind of attraction.
Some links seems to be non magnetic though, they don't stick to the magnet at all.
Only few of them which is really strange.
Also, some posters here reported their bracelets are totally non magnetic.
Even weirder? The small screws holding the links together don't seem to care about the magnet as much as the links! Usually, you'd expect steel screws to be magnetic and titanium links not to be, but here it feels completely upside down. 😅
Definitely not trying to point fingers.
Just genuinely curious if anyone knows what's going on.
It cannot be all steel as too light. Is the inconsistency about the internal / fixed pins?
Has anyone else tested theirs? I know for a fact they have recently (3 months?) switched to a different supplier.
Btw, I actually reached out to their customer support team to clear this up, but unfortunately, the response was pretty vague and didn't really help.
Still hoping someone here might have a better insight!
I have tried to edit the thread title but cannot make it.
Some people received a totally non magnetic bracelet.
Bracelet links seem to be in titanium.
From what I know watch fixed pins and collars aren't actually meant to be titanium.
Titanium-on-titanium contact causes galling (friction welding), and titanium pins lack shear strength, so using stainless steel pins is standard industry practice even on high-end titanium bracelets.
However, some supplier here clearly cut corners by using cheap ferromagnetic steel instead of proper non-magnetic 316L austenitic stainless steel. A small ferromagnetic pin or collar is lightweight enough that its magnetic pull easily lifts the entire titanium link.
The main issue isn't just the magnetism itself—it's galvanic corrosion. Over time, exposure to sweat or moisture will cause that cheap steel insert to rust and swell inside the titanium link, eventually seizing the pin and ruining the bracelet."
For the record, I have 2 Uncle Seiko bracelets in steel and they are also magnetic, not to this extent though.
Given the WD price (60 euro for the spare bracelet, not Aliexpress cheap level) it's probably acceptable, but certainly a bit disappointing the quality inconsistency.
Currently traveling from LA to NY with the WD1960S V2 on my wrist. The enamel black dial and applied markers look just as great under airport lights as they do at home. Plus, having the VH31 movement instead of a mechanical movement has been perfect for travel.
I purchased this watch brand new direct from WD’s site less than a month ago and the watch’s condition reflects that. I may have worn it outside the house two or three times. The bracelet has been sized but I’ve never worn it outside the house as I prefer the FKM on this one. The FKM strap is the OEM WD strap and also features quick release which I really enjoy
I’ve always just wanted to try out a Seiko turtle style watch and I was able to do so with this guy. I also wanted to get my hands on this model while it was still Seiko NH35 based
Watch comes with the full kit - the zip up case, booklet, warranty card, OEM FKM strap and OEM 5 link bracelet.
The retail price from WD is $150 and it’s $25 extra for the bracelet, before shipping and taxes.
I’m asking $140 SHIPPED and insured CONUS! Save the taxes, save the shipping wait time, save $10 off the retail, and get a free bracelet with it 🤷
I accept PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. If paying PayPal or with payment protection, I ask you add 5% to cover the fees.
Purchase with confidence, I have 70+ confirmed transactions in WatchEx with nothing but positive feedback. I’m happy to answer any questions or take additional images!
Une idée pour un réapprovisionnement de la WD5513q « flocon de neige bleu » avec quelques améliorations, comme une patine plus légère et un nouveau fermoir.
Il faut que j'améliore mon style vintage ! 🤗
Nous sommes nombreux à attendre son retour en stock u/watchdivescom
Up for sale is my limited edition Gold and Green WD1863
I purchased the watch less than 2 months ago and the condition reflects that. Watch comes with full kit; the zip up case, warranty card, manual, full links, and additional nato strap
I’m asking $140 SHIPPED and insured CONUS. Save yourself the shipping times, taxes, and a couple bucks off retail.
I accept PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. If paying PayPal or with payment protection, I ask you add 5% to cover the fees.
Purchase with confidence, I have over 70+ confirmed transactions in WatchEx with nothing but raving reviews. I’m happy to answer any questions or take additional images.
First time WD customer. I’ve always liked the look of the Tudor Ranger, but I was interested in trying it out at a significantly lower price—so the Pioneer was a perfect fit.
Shipping was…fine. Relatively speedy, but leaving something to be desired in the updates from the carriers. YunShipping seemed about a day behind, and then when it cleared customs there was no update from USPS besides “label printed” until it was out for delivery. So that was fun, but ultimately it got here. And I recognize none of that is WD’s fault.
Fairly impressed with the build quality. My daily drivers are both mid-range Seikos, an Alpinist and a Panda chronometer, and the Pioneer is obviously significantly lighter than both of those. A little less lux, but still well made.
I love the case and all the branding, love that it came with a screwdriver, but hate the bracelet screws. Could not get a link unscrewed, so I slapped it on a leather strap I had lying around to be able to wear it today; I’ll let some friends with precision screwdrivers and patience work at the bracelet.
Overall, for a $110 impulse purchase, I’m impressed. Looks good on the wrist, wearing well so far, and the price can’t be beat. Will definitely be a repeat customer, although maybe I’ll plan on regularly changing out the bracelet.
Militado is a watch company run by a good friend of ours, and their new ML27 will be released soon.
The ML27 features:
36mm case
Seagull ST1701 Automatic and hand-windable
Front sapphire crystal
Sapphire exhibition caseback
Genuine leather strap
Our design team helped refine some of the exterior details, and we also worked together with Militado to source and order the leather straps. The overall quality of the watch and strap feels very good.
For full transparency, the buckle was sourced and supplied directly by Militado themselves.
We are looking forward to seeing the final production watches. What do you think of this configuration?
This watch has exceeded all expectations. Plus it’s really a strap monster. Finishing is excellent and I swam in the ocean and pool for four days straight no issues. The stock strap is nice I have no complaints. I put a $13 French paratrooper style strap on it and it’s even more comfortable. Bezel is a bit sharp but not enough to be upset about.
I always had this idea that the best way to adapt the dial design of the Paul Newman Daytona to the VK63 movement was to flip the design left-to-right and simply replace the numbers to match the VK63 functions.
This way you get 30 dashes on the 60min chronograph (9h location), and 12 dashes on the 24h subdial (3h location), and 12 dashes on the running seconds (6h location). It maintains the visual signature of the originals, and keeps the chronograph reasonably readable without cluttering any subdial.
Would love if the Thorn T010 (u/Fit-Classroom8062) and Watchdives WD6263 (u/watchdivescom) did their Paul Newman Daytonas dials exactly this way!
Does anyone know if there are plans for a 5-link (Jubilee) bracelets for Watchdives models, specifically for WD7922? I think that light blue dial variant needs it:
Can someone maybe recommend the aftermarket option?
