The (Less intimidating) Watch Thread
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@neph93 I'm pretty certain you'd be fine with a 44mm watch. Provided the lugs don't reach past the edge of your wrist, it'll work.
The best thing to do would be go down to your local dealership, try on things at a similar size, and see what sort of fit works. I quite like Hodinkee-approved 36mm pieces, but also get on with something huge like the Omega Ploprof. For some reason, 39mm is the diameter I like least.
If I was going for an everyday piece, I'd be after one that's not too big, and not too thick. Say a 40mm with no more than 12mm thickness. It'll be easier to wear, and not snag on cuffs.
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If I was going for an everyday piece, I'd be after one that's not too big, and not too thick. Say a 40mm with no more than 12mm thickness. It'll be easier to wear, and not snag on cuffs.
This is good advice. Over the years, I've come to the realization that the watches that annoy me aren't the ones with the largest diameter, but are the ones that are the tallest on the wrist. Constantly catching on sleeves, banging into doorways and counters, that's what causes me to not wear one.
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The height is less of a problem on watches that present a smooth, rounded profile to the shirt cuff, or a series of steps (as is the case with a box domed crystal). I find that even a reasonable height of 13mm will be a pain in the neck if the watch presents a flat "cliff".
Aggressive dive bezels can also be a problem.
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@Graeme apologies mate, I've asked about this before due to my lack of knowledge regarding watch sizes before and you wrote the same considered, sensible response then. This was more of a selfish whine caused by too much internet watch interaction and not enough real world experience. Sorry to have wasted your time.
That being said, the discourse about height that it engendered has been useful to me, thank you @JDelage @Chris . Everything I'm interested in is around 10-11mm, with the exception of dressier watches that come in around 8mm and that last Hamilton I posted that goes to 13mm (and isn't really on my list anyway).
I'm going to get something around 40-42mm I think. My wrist isn't small but I wear jewellery there so the watch will have company.
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The distance between the top and bottom lugs generally is a better measure if a watch will look "too big" on your wrist.
The SKX seems smaller on the wrist than a Seamaster, even though it's 1.5mm larger in diameter side to side.
Personally my sweet spot is 40mm for a watch without a diving bezel, 42 with a diving bezel.
A 42mm+ without a diving bezel on my wrist starts to look like a pie pan.
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No worries @neph93, you're just obsessing.
That sort of 40mm sized watch should be fine. Don't be worried about going up or down a size.
If I was getting one watch to do it all, it'd probably be one of the Omega Railmasters. They're in that 38 to 40mm size, would dress up reasonably well on a strap for the rare formal occasion, and are slim enough to fit under a cuff. Plus they're a little quirky, have an accurate movement, and are resistant to magnetism.
One of the Hamilton field watches would work the same way. Though not as cool, the Baume et Mercier Clifton Baumautic does everything the Railmaster can, but at less than half the price. Or maybe a Tissot Powermatic.
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Still one of the best deals in the business.
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Internal rotating bezels remind me of that ride in the carnival when it spins around and you stick to the walls.
Man I used to love those things when I was young! There was one at the amusement park near my hometown called The Oaken Bucket, because it was wood paneled. I could ride that thing forever. Probably puke after one go round now…
If I was getting one watch to do it all, it'd probably be one of the Omega Railmasters. They're in that 38 to 40mm size, would dress up reasonably well on a strap for the rare formal occasion, and are slim enough to fit under a cuff. Plus they're a little quirky, have an accurate movement, and are resistant to magnetism.
One of the Hamilton field watches would work the same way. Though not as cool, the Baume et Mercier Clifton Baumautic does everything the Railmaster can, but at less than half the price. Or maybe a Tissot Powermatic.
You're never going to be able to settle on just one watch, are you?
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Internal rotating bezels remind me of that ride in the carnival when it spins around and you stick to the walls.
The "Waltzer" ?
or "The Cage" ?
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I think he means…
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You're never going to be able to settle on just one watch, are you?
I'm way too indecisive to ever settle on one, so I probably won't own any.
Personally, I like the purity of a "one watch collection". I don't see the point of owning half a dozen similar pieces, I've seen people with a number of Speedmasters or Rolexes.
The one exception would be to own an everyday watch (such as a Railmaster), and a dress piece (probably something like a Vacheron 1972, Patek Golden Ellipse, or LUC XP Skeletec).But I don't wear a suit very often, and I haven't been to a formal event in years, so spending a fortune on one doesn't strike me as sensible.
@DougNg embrace the lack of a date. That's what your mobile phone's for.
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I'm toying with the idea of a bronze watch collection…
Anonimo Epurato Bronze, via Monochrome. Due to be launched as Baselworld, with an RRP of around $3000.
Gerald Genta also did some interesting bronze watches, aBlogToWatch reviewed one five or six years ago. The pre-Bulgari models aren't too expensive on Chrono24 either.
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I looked at Anonimo. I liked the design of the Militare. Apparently the brand shares some history with Panerai. It was based in Firenze when independant. It was purchased by a Swiss group a few years ago and has been going +/- sideways since (according to the brand's fans on Watchuseek…).
There was a BNIB blue sunray Militare that popped up on Chrono24 2-3 weeks ago for less than $2,000...
The "Firenze" pop up regularly on eBay and seem to do pretty well in the after market.
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That Gerald Genta is sexy. But reading that review reminds me how terrible a writer Ariel Adams is. He can call it "conversational writing style" all he wants, but it's just not good.
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@Chris the thing that most annoys me about aBlogToWatch is when Ariel Adams lectures the watch industry on how to fix their problems.
I agree that the Genta watch is cool. Bulgari have a few unsold ones, but when I spoke to them, they weren't keen on doing much in the way of discount.
@DougNg I'm surprised to hear that it's an affordable Cabourn piece.
Also, Heddels have Five (Plus One) Pilot Watches under $500. I like the plus one, which is the Ventus Black Kite B-02, it has an interesting carbon fibre case with a wood grain effect.
