Caveman's Watch Forum

ALPHA Explorer Post about a GMT or 2nd Timezone watch Long-term Update. Post contains Picture(s) >

Posted By: Ricky Lee McBroom
Date: Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 1:26 a.m.

I'd been wearing 'er on a black NATO and, while I loved that combo, I began to miss the OEM bracelet. It's a nice bracelet, after all: solid links, screw pin adjustment, with semi-solid cast end pieces and a smooth-working diver's extension. So I swapped the bracelet back on:

Click to enlarge.
ALPHA Explorer GMT

WIS Honeymoon!

The bracelet's just as nice as I recalled.

Click to enlarge.
What a sweet watch!

WIS Honeymoon! WIS Honeymoon!

Pret' near the perfect perfect all-around size, at 38mm, and surely one of The All Time Great Classic Watch Designs. Kudos to ROLEX for this one, they got it exactly right!

However, after wearing it for a couple of days, I remembered why I'd put it on the NATO to begin with. The OEM bracelet, as delivered, is sized for an 8" wrist. As I'm 8-1/8th, it became slightly uncomfortable as the day wore on. Especially on a hot, sticky day (which have already arrived in the mid-south!).

Clearly, I require an extra link. I briefly considered a WTB post on the PMSF. I feel sure I could have scored on there, popular as this watch is with the WIS cognoscenti. But I've been wanting to test Alpha's customer service, so I fired off an Mail me! to them, instead.

Somewhat to my surprise, I recieved a reply within minutes. Seems ALPHA doesn't sell individual links for their bracelets. No, they only sell them in pairs. Smiley Two links, with pins, are $6 including shipping. A quick Paypal transaction, and 8 days later a wee package arrives in my mailbox:

Click to enlarge.
ALPHA Explorer Post about a GMT or 2nd Timezone watch w/ +1 link

The scew pin links made the mod a cakewalk, and as it turns out an extra link made the fit too loose. That's OK, though, 'cause the clasp has fine-adjust. I tightened it up one notch and..

Click to enlarge.
YeeeeeeHAH!

Perfect fit!

A big Thumbs Up for this Watch for the Explorer, and for ALPHA's customer service.

-Ricky

p.s.- To qualify as a Long-Term Update, I reckon I need a few more lines.

First of all, I'm happier'n a slopped hog with the watch, overall. Yeah, I know it's a shameless ROLEX clone, but that's OK by me. Like I said, 'tis a Classic design which I enjoy, and I will not apologize for my decision to go for the look and feel at 3% of the price.

Second, the watch continues to run flawlessly. It's currently holding steady at aprox. +15 secs/day.

On another and related happy note, the one real nit I had with the watch, the tight/imprecise action of the screwdown crown, has improved vastly. Guess it just needed a few dozen cycles, and at +15 sec/day, it's guaranteed to get 'em. In any case, it now feels fine.

Thumbs Up for this Watch Thumbs Up for this Watch Thumbs Up for this Watch Thumbs Up for this Watch Thumbs Up for this Watch

Messages In This Thread

ALPHA Explorer Post about a GMT or 2nd Timezone watch Long-term Update. Post contains Picture(s) > (views: 203)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 1:26 a.m.
Ooops! Forgot the Lume shots or luminosity discussion shot! Post contains Picture(s) >> (views: 47)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 9:06 p.m.

Really quite decent lume...

Not particularly long-lasting, but it's brighter than this mediocre shot would lead you to believe.

-Ricky

Re: ALPHA Explorer Post about a GMT or 2nd Timezone watch Long-term Update. Post contains Picture(s) > Post contains Picture(s) (views: 50)
fmcat -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 2:00 p.m.
Yeah, I don't think I'd put mine on a NATO, though.
Re: I don't think I'd put mine on a NATO, though.. Post contains Picture(s) >> (views: 23)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 2:42 p.m.

Why not? You don't like NATOs in general, or don't like the specific combo? Or maybe you're just a 'bracelet guy'?

Inquiring minds want to know! Laughing out loud!

Me, I really enjoyed the Explorer on the NATO...

-Ricky

Re: I don't think I'd put mine on a NATO, though.. Post contains Picture(s) >> (views: 19)
fmcat -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 3:24 p.m.
I don't really like the combo.. it works all right on some watches (though I generally don't wear them)
I think this watch looks classier on the bracelet
Re: I don't really like the combo.. Post contains Picture(s) >> (views: 19)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 5:05 p.m.

Fair enough. To each his own, and a'that.

} ..it works all right on some watches
} (though I generally don't wear them)

See, I think a NATO works on nearly any watch, save an out-and-out dress watch. And I've been known to make exceptions, even then...



Smiley

} I think this watch looks
} classier on the bracelet

Can't argue with you there.

However, I can guarantee you one thing. A NATO would definitely remedy your 'cheap clasp' complaint. Smiley Laughing out loud! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off!

Or a nice black leather strap, for that matter...

In any case, enjoy!

-Ricky

Thumbs Up for this Watch Nice to see us guys with big wrists don't get left out of the party Smiley Post contains no message text (views: 6)
Tom P -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 2:46 a.m.
That's nice looking. BTW, how do you track time in a second timezone. Bezel or GMT hand adjustment. Post contains no message text (views: 10)
John S. -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 2:03 a.m.
Thank you! John! GMT is via the independently adjustable 4th hand... Post contains no message text (views: 15)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 12:51 p.m.
And the bezel is fixed, non-rotating... Post contains no message text (views: 6)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 1:10 p.m.
Ricky, I've got one too, it often lands on my wrist, it coordinates easily with just about anything. Thumbs Up for this Watch Post contains no message text (views: 10)
GA400 -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 1:53 a.m.

Poor Man's' Watch Forum

ALPHA content! accuracy report.. Post contains Picture(s) >>

Posted By: Ricky Lee McBroom
Date: Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:04 p.m.

Still WIS Honeymoon! after 2 weeks & 4 days...

Alpha Explorer
ALPHA content! Explorer GMT

I set her against the atomic clock on Sat. morning, May 28th. I checked it this morning, and it was 2 min. 42 seconds fast. Not bad over a two week period! Just under +12 sec/day...

Also, the GMT hand is still perfectly synched. A relief, that, as my Marina Militare GMT has an annoying tendency for the GMT to 'drift' away from local time...

Big Thumbs Up for this Watch for ALPHA content!!

-Ricky

Messages In This Thread

ALPHA content! accuracy report.. Post contains Picture(s) >> (views: 98)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:04 p.m.
a similar result. Thx for the post. Post contains no message text Post contains Picture(s) (views: 33)
Kent Betts -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 4:55 p.m.
+8 Out of the box
Thumbs Up for this Watch That watch has a truly classic look! Thumbs Up for this Watch Hmmmm.. >> (views: 3)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 9:27 p.m.
..you know, I'm a little short in the white-dial department. Maybe I need to be browsing the 'bay instead of reading PMWF... Rolling on the floot laughing my ass off!
-Ricky
Hard to beat that accuracy over two weeks for that little money! Thumbs Up for this Watch Post contains no message text (views: 4)
Mike D -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 4:41 p.m.
....and looks great too!!! Post contains no message text (views: 4)
Jammer -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:35 p.m.
Thank you!, Jammer! I'm kind partial to it, too.. Smiley Post contains no message text (views: 4)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:45 p.m.
My wife has been wearing hers constantly for a month, still within a minute. Smiley Post contains no message text (views: 4)
Jeff Hargrave -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:21 p.m.
Don't get much better'n THAT! Thumbs Up for this Watch Thumbs Up for this Watch Thumbs Up for this Watch Post contains no message text (views: 3)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:46 p.m.
The ? has come up about their durability over time. We'll (views: 26)
Larry -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:12 p.m.
just have to wait and see. At the last check mine was +3/24 hrs. so for the most part their accuracy in the short term at least is Thumbs Up for this Watch, esp. considering price, features. fit and finish, etc. Smiley
My take on that is.. >> (views: 22)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 4:03 p.m.
..that the durability will most likely be OK over the first few years. The real problem is apt to surface when it comes time for the first routine cleaning & service. This is a mechanical watch, after all, and you can't expect it to run forever without servicing!

Are the Alphas designed with servicability in mind? Dunno. Are parts available? And, even if the answer is 'yes' to both, will the Average Joe be able to find a capable watchmaker? One who can do the job at a reasonable price?

That last question worries me, I admit. The last watch service (a ca. 1982 Seiko 5) I had done ran me $65. Many will have a hard time parting with that kind of cash to service a watch that cost < $50 to begin with! I suspect that most Alphas will be treated as 'disposable'...  Frown

Anyone out there had an Alpha serviced? If so, let's hear about your experience!

-Ricky
I thought mine died the other day (views: 36)
Jeff Stanley -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:15 p.m.
It stopped and I shook it to get it running and nothing.... till I noticed I'd left the crown out, forgot it hacks
That's prejudice! Laughing out loud! If it was Swiss you'll never had the thought that it died before checking the crown! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off! Post contains no message text (views: 10)
Paulo -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:19 p.m.
Yeah, profiling is just wrong! Laughing out loud! Post contains no message text (views: 5)
Mike Lipphardt -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:23 p.m.
you know what you are right, I wouldn't (views: 18)
Jeff Stanley -- Saturday, 11 June 2005, at 3:21 p.m.

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