Watches - another OCD problem
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I had a clear plan for my 40th birthday watch for this year. I was dead set on a Rolex DJII with a blue dial. I almost ordered one about a month ago when I found a good deal on one. However I decided to wait over the next weekend so I could try it on in person during my vacation in Lisbon. When I finally got it on my wrist I felt nothing. Nada. It's a beautiful watch and would compliment my Steelfish well in a rotation if I decided to keep two watches but nope.
Decided to try on some other watches I've been curious (but not serious) about since the boutique had good stock. Tried on the GMT Master II in black and the Sub C Date but felt that the cyclops felt way too big and blocky on the dial. I had always thought (or imagined) that a 40 mm watch would be way to small for me but both watches felt very good on the wrist. So I gave the no date Sub C a go - BAM! When I got it on my wrist I told my wife that this is it.
Fast forward to yesterday when I was delivered this:
I absolutely love it! The size is perfect, it feels sooooo good on the wrist (it's a good 80 grams lighter than the Breitling), the ceramic bezel is awesome and I love the simplicity of the dial. Crown action is amazing and the bracelet is a revelation in comparison to the old submariner number. Mind you, even though I like the looks of vintage watches, I'm not a vintage watch guy. I know many have criticized the maxi case and the lugs and crown guards and looking at pictures they do look quite disproportionate but IRL on the wrist they don't stand out at all. And it definitely does not feel like a 40 mm watch. I don't know how but it doesn't. Feels more like a 42 mm one and just the perfect size for me.
I'm afraid the Breitling is in a lot of trouble right now
I do love it but it is quite big and bulky and even though it's a quality watch in many ways the Rolex is just so much more. And, maybe more importantly, less. I tried to describe to my wife (don't know if she was listening though ) that the Rolex felt like Iron Heart and the Breitling like Polo Ralph Lauren in the '90s. Subdued vs loud (but still appealing) - simple but done very very well and with that feeling of bulletproofness.I'm quite happy right now
Edit: Nothing that appealing at Baselworld this year, the blue Black Bay does look nice, as does the Pepsi GMT.
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Great choice and indeed a great watch. Congrats!! If I'm going for a rolex its either this or the milgauss.. I love the simplicity in terms of look of a milgauss and yet you can't deny the innovations that comes with it. I like something that does not stand out that much but you know its a special one. Just like Iron Heart… hehehe...
Whoever wants to trade theirs with my PAM you are most welcome..
copied from the net -
Time to sell the Breitling, Jii.
Congratulations on finding a watch that you really love.Normally, I'm not a Rolex guy- absolutely excellent quality watches, but the company's design aesthetic just doesn't move me. That said, I love the Milgauss with the green crystal. It's probably the only Rolex I'd ever consider buying. Something about that orange lightening bolt second hand, I think.
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well i love the vintage pepsi gmt master too. it's the kind of thing where it's 'same same but different' in a sorta way.
but this new one i can say it has been foreseen especially after last year's basel world gmt with the black and blue. i read somewhere that when they first did the cerachrom, they weren't able to do colours. but after last's year's black and blue gmt, i can't say i did not see this coming. not too sure about the white gold on it though. stainless steel as normally would've been better. -
Congrats on the new Sub Jii, you made a good choice!
So I was excited when I first heard about the Ranger release, but now not so much. It's oversized, doesn't have the Ranger name anywhere, and is priced high for a base watch. I'm a big fan of Tudor but for me this misses the mark. It's a shame because I wanted a little brother for my Explorer.
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Time to sell the Breitling, Jii.
Congratulations on finding a watch that you really love.Thanks. Yeah, I guess it's in the cards to sell the B, but I'll think on it for a week or two since it really was my dream watch at the time I got it and selling it inevitably means I'll lose serious money. No point in having two similar watches though. Gonna have to get a beater then because I just sold my Benarus Sea Devil today too. That watch was just beastly big and when I last had to use it while the B was serviced I just realized that I'm so over big watches. Guess I'm one of those middle-aged conservatives now regarding watches haha. But seriously, I didn't even know what "top-heavy" felt like before putting the Steelfish back on after trying on the Sub
Getting used to having no date display on the wrist as well, I seem to need it quite a lot. Usually when I do I have a wall calendar, phone or computer at hand so I'll probably manage. What feels really relaxing with no date is that there's really no need to touch the crown that often. That's kind of a peaceful feeling too which is hard to explain.
Didn't expect the Sea Dweller (or whatever it's called) from Baselworld but I have to say Rolex took the easy way out with it, and it's way too similar to both the Submariners. Same case and all (at least at a quick glance). But I guess it'll be a great seller anyway.
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Normally, I'm not a Rolex guy- absolutely excellent quality watches, but the company's design aesthetic just doesn't move me. That said, I love the Milgauss with the green crystal. It's probably the only Rolex I'd ever consider buying. Something about that orange lightening bolt second hand, I think.
They've just unveiled a version at Basel with a blue dial and green crystal. Like yourself, I'm not a Rolex fan, but it's probably my favourite model in their range.
That said, the new Red Grape dial on the Oyster Perpetual looks good. I'd probably put it on a strap (much to Rolex's displeasure :D), which I think would dress it down slightly.
Anesthetist, the Oyster Perpetual comes in a 36 mm case, so might do Little Brother duties.
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I like blue dials in general, and Rolex does a beautiful one in particular, but for whatever reason, that Milgauss just doesn't grab me. Maybe the real watch will look better than the rendering, though.
Not digging the red grape dial either…
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Tool watches made out of gold?
This is the Jaeger LeCoultre Extreme Lab 2 Bling Edition. It's got an incredibly complicated movement with all sorts of tricks (including a jumping minute indicator on the chronograph), antimagnetic (maybe not on the gold version), shock resistant, water resistant, etc.
It's also incredibly large…
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All the things that make it the exact opposite of tool watch. Sometimes I wonder wtf JLC is thinking…
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All the things that make it the exact opposite of tool watch. Sometimes I wonder wtf JLC is thinking…
JLC also did a run of the Extreme Lab in titanium, and that probably could go toe-to-toe with your Explorer.
There's a piece on it at Hodinkee if you feel like indulging your inner watch nerd.
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yeah white gold is just too "soft". my wedding band from cartier is made from white gold and it's full of scratches, now to think of it, should've gotten their platinum version..
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yeah white gold is just too "soft". my wedding band from cartier is made from white gold and it's full of scratches, now to think of it, should've gotten their platinum version..
Wabi sabi!
