Watches - another OCD problem
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For those of you who're wanting a GMT watch, but either think that the Rolex is ugly, or haven't got to your dealer quick enough to secure delivery before the heat death of the universe, there is an alternative.
This is the Grand Seiko Blue Ceramic Hi-Beat GMT 'Special' Limited Edition.
It's made of titanium and ceramic, is very blue, and has a high accuracy 5 Hz movement regulated to +4/-2 seconds per day. (Yes, I know Rolex is +/- 2 seconds per day…) It's limited to 350 pieces worldwide, and will cost $14,800, or $6,000 more than the GMT Master.
More at Hodinkee.
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That is indeed very blue. Grand Seiko is very good at making interesting dials, and I like the GS guilloche pattern on this one. Sadly, I suspect I will not be one of the 350 owners…
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I believe it's about the same ~9k USD
The increased power reserve is a nice upgrade on top of the aesthetics. It's up to 70hrs now.
I guess I'm in the minority liking the Pepsi GMT…I have a couple of black watches, a blue diver and a silver dress watch, but this GMT is kind of fun without saying "don't take me seriously" or "someone puked up a roll of Jolly Ranchers on my Daytona"
you and i both. i've actually been waiting for this for quite a few years now. ever since i've started looking at rolex the gmt has always caught my eye compared to the rest. i would definitely appreciate the extended power reserve.
i'd definitely consider getting an upgrade to this version if i can find a pair somewhere.. 9k USD. but i wonder what the SGD prices from the hour glass would be. my guess is probably about 13/14k at RRPactually, the half gold version doesn't look too shabby as well.
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I think the watch industry is trying to bring back two tone, there have been a lot of two tone releases the last couple years.
Personally, I remember when two tone looked really dated. I'd be concerned that a watch with two tone would go through periods where it has lost some of it's "timelessness"
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Question for those that visit AD's regularly: do you guys notice a shortage of steel Rolexes? I hear pretty regularly on forums/YT videos that there is a shortage of them.
Whenever I ask my AD how long it would take to get a steel Sub/Explorer/GMT I always get the response of "a couple hours from our main store in Ellicott City".
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My local Rolex dealer has the Air-King, Explorer, Explorer II, and possibly Milgauss in stock, but no GMT, Sea Dweller, or Submariner.
I think that this is (in part) a way of driving customers to the precious metal models. I saw a couple of gold Daytonas last weekend, but the chances of getting a steel one are slim. Similarly, there was a white gold "Smurf" Submariner in the window of one shop.
The other possibility is that it's a way of faking demand. I've seen a few posts on forums where someone was told it'd take eighteen months to get a watch, only for a cancellation meaning one was available a few weeks later.
The fact is that Rolex produce more watches than anyone else in Switzerland, so there shouldn't be a supply shortage. I can find most things from other brands, apart from really in demand limited editions in Melbourne, so it's probably a case that they're playing games with customers or dripfeeding pieces to the dealerships.
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Longines have brought out a couple of dive watches. Up first is the HydroConquest, which is steel with a ceramic bezel. More at aBlogToWatch.
There's also the Legend Driver in black, which is pretty cool. More at Monochrome.
Both these watches use an exclusive, modified ETA movement with a 65 hour power reserve.
Seiko have a clutch of new dive watches, my favourite has to be the Prospex SLA025 with a 5Hz movement. See aBlogToWatch for more.
Lastly, Nomos have the Autobahn range. I love the graphics on the dial. More at aBlogToWatch.
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I love reading your watch news. Looking forward to seeing what Blancpain drops. I will be watching this space. I enjoy fine watches vicariously through others.
@browniemcghee look away now…
Blancpain have come up with a Bathyscaphe Annual Calendar, which is either a really stupid idea (Does a diver need to know that today is Friday 23rd March?), or really cool. I'm in the latter camp.
There hasn't been much coverage of this, because everyone wants to know about the non-blue GMT, but I saw it in this video.
What the presenter is doing with an upside down pair of sunglasses on his head is beyond me.
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The SLA025 is 15.7mm thick!
It's a bit of a fatty, then! :o
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Day Date with meteorite dial. This is the second interesting watch that I've seen from them, but their PR sucks as none of the usual suspects seem to be covering their releases.
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The price of secondhand Daytonas is getting ridiculous! :o
This is one of the watches in Phillips Auctions Daytona Ultimatum, a sale of rare and unique examples. Just don't look at the estimates.
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So what watches have caught your eye at Basel this year? For me, it's the following:
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The Aquanaut Chronograph - probably can't afford it though
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The Buglari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon - definitely can't afford it
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The Urwerk AMC - I'll never be able to afford this.
