The Dive Watch Connection

I have not been remotely interested in micros for years, but lately find myself eyeballing the Resco Black Frog.

Anyone have brand experience. I like that it's buying from US and service member, very much like buying from Terry. Keep monies at least in a US business.

Appreciate any history or experience.

This pic is haunting me

Well built watches with good customer service, but new prices are high and they take a beating pre-owned. They are tall on the wrist and I always thought the 20mm lugs were too small for the case size. You pay alot for the operator connection. That said, I'll have another sometime.

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I had one years ago, think I bought it from nick. It was very well built and I liked the case, crystal and the 20mm lugs. Classic look. Bad lume.



I just looked, they have shot up in price. I may be wrong, but pretty sure I paid under $1000? Looks like people are asking near double now.

Yeah, new Black Frog is $2K ish after the summer 10% discount. They are none too frequent on the resale market I see as well. There's a UDT on eBay, but I don't want color. Either the stealth or black out.

Never heard of these before some really nice watches in the ranges...Prices seem a bit salty though...

I go back and forth on the prices. Sure it could be cheaper if they were all catalog parts, but these seem to have unique components which would assume is subject to minimum runs. Small business...special parts...higher price?

I wouldn't pay over 1k for one. They are tall and a little unstable with the 20mm lugs imo. My buddy tells me their cs has been great. For the same amount cash I would buy a Aegir which is a better quality honestly. I was super underwhelmed and he paid over 2k for his for the connection.

LumTec makes them. Not that is bad though. They make a lot of good watches.

Oh and their prices have gone up faster than Rolex.

Man, 2k for one of these is really pushing it. Nice watches- but I'm not sure they are that nice.


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toxicavenger wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:18 am

I wouldn't pay over 1k for one. They are tall and a little unstable with the 20mm lugs imo. My buddy tells me their cs has been great. For the same amount cash I would buy a Aegir which is a better quality honestly. I was super underwhelmed and he paid over 2k for his for the connection.

LumTec makes them. Not that is bad though. They make a lot of good watches.

Oh and their prices have gone up faster than Rolex.

Okay I would do 1200 max for one.

BBK357 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:24 am

Man, 2k for one of these is really pushing it. Nice watches- but I'm not sure they are that nice.


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Over 1k for a basic quartz is crazy.

I like the Hooper, just not the bracelet on it.

You can get a nice used Omega 2254 AND have money for the hotel bars and hookers (Moke)


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BBK357 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:30 am

You can get a nice used Omega 2254 AND have money for the hotel bars and hookers (Moke)


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Had that several times...not the hookers part.

Mike honestly before I bought one of these new I would try a used version. Resell is tough, and you like to sell watches. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=542884

I wanted that black frog but he sold it. Finding a BF used seems to be a challenge. As I said, there is a UDT with red logo and second hand on eBay, but I'd be wanting to change stuff. I've also learned not to buy "close" to what I want anymore. Either buy it right or not at all.

I've owned a couple and thought they were decent watches. I wasn't a fan of the "Val 24" movement because it seemed like a cheap motor in a mid-priced watch, but it seems they went back to ETA recently. Both Smitty and his wife seem like good people.

I wouldn't mind one of the new "reissue" versions of the Gen 1 Patriot. These are supposed to have an improved bezel, lume, and the aforementioned ETA motor.

The Gen 2 (which I believe includes Black Frog) uses a case that I find odd. Look at some photos of the caseback and you'll notice it's a funky multi-piece case. See photo.

The good news is Resco seems willing to do custom stuff, so you could get the Gen 1 case with Black Frog hands and dial.

Cool watches but the prices are insane. The SEAL connection would have to mean a lot to me to spend what they are asking.
There is a nice PO on DWC for $2600, or get another Doxa.

Go SAS...

I've had a couple of Resco Patriots over the years and still have one of the Gen 1/second runs. Mine have been really well built and although I've never needed much, the CS and responsiveness of the folks at Resco has always been good and helpful. They haven't changed too much but I like that they are still (to me) different than most of the micros in the fray today. I've been considering a Blackfrog as well for a long time and can confirm they rarely pop up pre-owned. Here's a couple of pics of mine just for fun:

As far as black frog availability is concerned, I've seen them on eBay several times. They never sell for more than $1500.

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Let me know next time you see one. I've been looking over the last month and have struck out!

JDC222 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:34 am

Go SAS...

Love the owner, but the style isn't my bag.

I was eyeballing the Resco Hooper a few weeks ago - I think they are pretty cool, especially on that bracelet.
they do an orange dial also.

https://rescoinstruments.com/collection ... /stainless

demer03 wrote:Let me know next time you see one. I've been looking over the last month and have struck out!

Will do.

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mfxr wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 10, 2017 10:00 pm

I was eyeballing the Resco Hooper a few weeks ago - I think they are pretty cool, especially on that bracelet.
they do an orange dial also.

https://rescoinstruments.com/collection ... /stainless

Matt, I like the bracelet also. But if I recall a bunch of people couldn't get it to fit their wrist. I think it will only work if your wrist is bigger than 7.5 inches. Also the clasp on it was super long.

I had one of the originals with the Slava movement--it was a nightmare. Movement had to be replaced twice. Lume pip didn't line up with 12 and always bothered me a bit; bezel movement was pretty sloppy, too. They seemed like nice folks, but my c/s experience was not good. They originally wanted me to pay shipping BOTH ways for warranty work. After it came back the second time there were scratches on the bezel. I complained and they said they couldn't possibly have done the damage. I decided to bail at that point and ended up taking about a 50% hit on it (which seems to be the norm) and never considered another. I thought they were quite expensive for what they were, but will admit that I liked the look. Will only take a thin NATO strap, and with the 20mm lug width and tall height it do move some. YMMV.