Sistem 51

[Dsmith1974]

Thinking of getting a ‘second watch’ that I don’t mind losing or damaging (got a general anaesthetic coming up).

G-Shock seems a popular choice but can’t say I relish the thought of changing batteries or pressing buttons to set the time.

The Swatch Sistem 51 looks pretty good at ~£200. Has anyone tried one yet?

TIA

[Junior_]

Those are not bad. Seiko, of course, has tons of inexpensive mechanicals in sport and dress. Orient, too.

[eco8gator]

Seiko Persage or Prospex is where I'd put my money for a beater...

[Zakalwe]

It seems you’re set on not getting a G-Shock. I will nevertheless point out that the solar versions don’t require a battery change - though the module might die after 20-odd years - since they’re powered by light. Many (all?) versions also have automatic time calibration, where the time is updated once a day via RF, so you won’t ever need to adjust the time.

[enjoythemusic]

Know the 51 and variant faces.... Seiko imho is a better choice than plastic Swatch. Of course Swatch is about style, so if you love the style of one of the many 51s.... enjoy.

[GerardoG]

LOVE mine! A technological marvel and a VERY comfortable watch!!!!

[T.Mas]

A Sistem 51 is my preferred beater. I like mine a lot.

[Likestheshiny]

I haven't yet seen a Sistem 51 I like the look of. For a mechanical in that price range, I'd personally go straight to Seiko. I find that nicer Swatches tend to look like they should cost less than they do, while cheaper Seikos tend to look like they should cost more.

[Dsmith1974]

Thanks all. I’m a big Seiko fan and do have an old Seiko 5 somewhere but don’t think I’ll be able to lay my hands on it in time. Will have a shop around at the weekend and see what’s available. The 51 appealed as was hailed as a breakthrough in simplification of a movement.

[torifile]

I’ve got one my son bought me for Father’s Day last year. He has one as well. It’s a fun little watch. It’s also quite tough - it’s stood up to over a year of abuse from a very active 12 year-old boy. Fun pieces.

I’d recommend checking ebay for them, though. MSRP is too much for them.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Thinking of getting a ‘second watch’ that I don’t mind losing or damaging (got a general anaesthetic coming up).

G-Shock seems a popular choice but can’t say I relish the thought of changing batteries or pressing buttons to set the time.

The Swatch Sistem 51 looks pretty good at ~£200. Has anyone tried one yet?

TIA

Why do you need a watch for a

general anaesthetic

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

It seems you’re set on not getting a G-Shock. I will nevertheless point out that the solar versions don’t require a battery change - though the module might die after 20-odd years - since they’re powered by light. Many (all?) versions also have automatic time calibration, where the time is updated once a day via RF, so you won’t ever need to adjust the time.

Cheers, I hear you and I’m not a techi-phobe (and work in IT) but I do like watches to be as simple and reliable as possible.

I’ve got a Solar Casio Waveceptor here that’s flat because it hasn’t seen the sun for a little while. If I do charge it, it has completely the wrong time (not just off by DST/GMT) makes no effort to correct itself ever (despite the promises) requires resetting (some complex key sequence I can never remember without looking up in the manual that I can never find).

I’ve had Seiko Kinetics that beat two seconds at a time no matter how much movement they get because the capacitors are shot.

My girlfriend bought a Seiko Astron that still needs to be told about DST by another complex key sequence that needs to be remembered or looked up.

When tech let’s you down it really sucks. At least with a mech watch you know where you are - worst case is a quick wind and set (via a universally understood system - pull out the crown and turn it). Happy Days!

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Why do you need a watch for a

If I can’t keep my eye on it, I’d rather wear a watch that I don’t mind if it goes walkabout because someone else had their eye on it. 😂

[Kamen]

Or just don’t wear a watch on that day? Seems like a waste unless you put it in for regular wear.

[wfc3]

I suspect they will require all jewelry to be removed. They consider watches in that category-at least in the last 3 surgeries I had they did.


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[77T]

You won’t need it since there won’t be a minutes rest afterward. Nurse will have one on and you can always ask the time.


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[Pauln]

I would leave the watch at home...a Seiko diver is always a great choice.

[3581512]

I haven't seen the Sistem in person but I've been interested. I've always wondered how big of a watch it was based on the 42mm and 13mm thickness, I thought it would be smaller like the other Swatches

[Starwalker]

i love them. go for it.

[osamu]

I got one as a souvenir from Switzerland, but I never wear it. I think it just feels a little too much like a toy. Similar with the cheaper G-Shocks.

If buying a cheaper watch now, I'd probably go with a Seiko 5, Seiko Diver, or G-Shock GW-5000.

I guess you could go with the Irony line if you want a Swatch with some heft, but I was not impressed with the case finishing when I saw them in person.

[glamorama]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Thinking of getting a ‘second watch’ that I don’t mind losing or damaging (got a general anaesthetic coming up).

G-Shock seems a popular choice but can’t say I relish the thought of changing batteries or pressing buttons to set the time.

G-Shock GW-5000 is a prefect beater watch imao. Wear mine more and more.

* The iconic square case of G-Shock 5600 series
* Black design with positive LCD display
* A more luxurious rubber than standard version
* Same 'movement' as the GMW-5000 full metal series with screw down back
* Solar charge
* Automatic radio setting of time

[1968scode]

Sistem 51 has a wide variety of cases/colors to fit most every personality and a pretty neat watch for ~$100. I love the simple 'whir' sound when being wound. Mine is a basic black/white version and I'm actually thinking of picking up another with some color. I think it's a great travel watch for the very fact that the plastic models do look like toys and don't attract unwanted attention.

[Jay (Eire)]

I bought a Sistem51 at launch and had added several since then. My wife and I share them.

Comfortable, light on the wrist (might feel like what a RM would in terms of feather weight on the wrist), fun colours and so on.

Case is large as someone mentioned but there are no lugs and so it wears smaller than you'd expect.

I also own countless Seiko but for a pool, beach or mountain day I take a Sistem51. I also thrown a few in my bag when traveling, just to have another watch for change as I don't traveling with more than one valuable watch.

[Andad]

Go For a Seiko.

[Dsmith1974]

Thanks to all who replied in this thread. I’ve already got a few Seikos so in the end I decided to break ALL of my own rules and went for the G-Shock. Pretty happy with it too. Even won the Grand National which paid for it




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[asiparks]

Ha ! excellent choice in the end, it's hard to say a bad word about that G.

[imperfiction]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Thinking of getting a ‘second watch’ that I don’t mind losing or damaging (got a general anaesthetic coming up).



G-Shock seems a popular choice but can’t say I relish the thought of changing batteries or pressing buttons to set the time.



The Swatch Sistem 51 looks pretty good at ~£200. Has anyone tried one yet?



TIA

I have a couple of Sisten51’s and I love them tremendously. They are fun, colorful, and have a good story to tell when someone asks about them.

You also can’t go wrong with a g-shock especially the metal one. I think you have two very differently styled watches.


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[mongrelnomoad]

I have an S51 and to be honest it pisses me off. It’s not that cheap, and for the same or similar money you can pick up a Seiko SKX or a Seiko 5 for much less - watches that can be regulated and repaired and are designed to survive for a long time. I also dislike the idea of watches designed to be disposable and made from plastic from an ethical environmental perspective.

[mongrelnomoad]

Ah - just saw the G-shock. A plastic watch I have far fewer issues with. Congrats and enjoy in good health.