Amazingly affordable horology

 

As I am holding (handling, photographing, pulling apart!) this lovely ALBA Pepsi, I am simply amazed by how cheap this watch really is. This has to be the best value for money from the ‘Seiko stable’. Obviously, the reason for such ‘affordability’ is because of Seiko’s manufacturing power: Seiko is a multibillion dollar business that covers every segment of the watch market – from the humble entry level ALBA, to mid stream Seiko, to the super grand Grand Seiko models. If there is one thing you should take from today’s newsletter it is this: you simply cannot go wrong with Seiko. You will be getting exactly what you’ve paid for; Seiko will exceed your expectations, and your watch will serve you for many years to come. No hype. No bull. Just as it is.

So why should you invest in ALBA Pepsi? The top reason: your $1,000 SEIKO is not really a watch to be worn around the house, on an overseas holiday, while ‘outdooring’ or fixing your lawnmower. For that, you need a second watch: a robust ‘shitter’. If you are new to this newsletter: a ‘shitter’ is an endearing compliment. It means that a watch is sweet, genuine, authentic, and non-pretentious. It also means that the watch has ‘won you’ in a special way, for simply being what it is. In the unfortunate case that watch is lost, damaged beyond repair or stolen, you can always say: “Well who cares, it was just a shitter.” Let’s just get straight into it. Price: $149

I mean – wow. Stainless steel case and bracelet. Plus, I am throwing in a genuine leather strap from our Rebelde line. 44mm case size.  Strap replacement Simple. All you need to remove the spring bars, is a 1mm screwdriver and bit of a patience. Or – simply bring it to us and we’ll do it for you, while you wait, in less than 60 seconds. The spacing between the lugs is 22mm so there are literally millions of straps that would fit the ALBA Pepsi. The choices are endless.

Battery replacement Super easy. Yes, the watch is fitted with a screw lock case back, but literally any tool with ‘prongs’ spaced 35mm will get the back off. Make one yourself! Or get yourself a rubber case back removal ball. Once the back is off, remove the plastic case spacer and you’re in.

Too lazy to make a case back opener? How about this one, for just $2? A perfect tool for a shitter, but hey, if your nearest watchmaker is 200km away, then why not?

The battery required is an SR621 – the most common watch battery in the world, which costs $2 or less. Or $7.90 for a packet of ten.  Yes, you can do it yourself – say goodbye to Mister Minit or Mister Watchmaker.

The worst case scenario: your ALBA shitter is DEAD! "OMG. It's dead, beyond repair and ready to be thrown away! It's an electronics problem, and we can't fix dead electronics!" - says your favourite watchmaker. What a load of rubbish. Don't listen to shonk. There is no such a thing as a 'dead' ALBA. For just $9.95 USD (or less than $20 Australian) you can get yourself a brand new mechanism. Simply re-use the existing stem, dial and hands - and your ALBA is as good as new. Movement calibre: VJ42B.  Seriously, show me another watch brand out there that makes such fantastic looking watches in this price range! And YES, just in case you prefer a less sporty version: there is an ALBA Irish black and green as well.  Same price, same deal: bracelet + rebelde leather strap for just $149. Please be quick, only a handful of watches in stock, never to be repeated offer.