Watches - another OCD problem
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I agree that the helium escape valve is pointless. I think that it's become a bit of a box-ticking exercise.
I used to have a Breitling, and that had a flush mounted, automatic one. Given the watch was water resistant to a thousand metres, I'm sure that Omega could engineer something more elegant.
Hasn't Omega decided that this is a design signature for the Seamaster line, pointless and ugly though it may be?
And I have a Dievas watch that also has a flush mounted, automatic HEV. It's only water resistant to 500 meters, but it also retails for less than half what an Omega or Breitling does, so I guess that's acceptable.
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Clearly.
Here's an alternative I prefer: SBEX005
Not sure I'm sold on the screws on the bracelet at the case though.
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@mclaincausey - I hate to do that to you, but look at the date window and tell me whether it's correctly centered between the 4 & 5 o'clock markers…
This being said, I like it too...
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@mclaincausey - I hate to do that to you, but look at the date window and tell me whether it's correctly centered between the 4 & 5 o'clock markers…
This being said, I like it too...
Also not sure I like the black BG on the blue face, but excellent point. A surprising miss for a company who usually pays attention to detail.
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I've always liked the Planet Oceans, but that one is especially nice looking. I'm not thrilled with the decision to print a novel on the face, copying one of Rolex's worst design choices.
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Like Chris, I like the PO. I'm not bothered by the He valve. Yes, it's useless, but then again, a mechanical dive watch is an exercise in anachronisms and & pointless over engineering…
I do like the steel and Ti models better than that one, and I find the GMT a bit too ... well ... over engineered and a tad busy.
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The HEV doesn't bother me either (obviously). I actually don't get why people get so hung up on it. You already have an almost identical crown at 3 o'clock…?!?
"I have an ugly crown at both 3 and 10 o'clock but I only hate the one at ten because it's a second one.."
The PO GMT is almost as tall as it is wide...wore it for two seconds before saying "NOPE"
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My dislike for the HEV is more that it's become a design statement rather than an engineering solution. I find rotating bezels more annoying because they get knocked out of position all the time, and that bothers my OCD tendencies.
To be fair I'm not a fan of divers watches for that reason, plus I'm not allowed to go scuba diving on account of my asthma, so they seem pointless.
As for Omegas, they tend to be quite thick watches. The Planet Ocean is typical of this.
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The He valve carries cost in terms of initial outlay and maintenance and does nothing but weaken the case for a diving use case that will never be realized for 99.999% of these watches, when better case engineering would solve the problem. We didn't have the materials when these were pioneered that we do now. It is wholly an obsolete and pointless feature.
It's also ugly but that's not the main issue. It's not "just another" crown, it's asymmetric and throws off the balance of the watch.
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My dislike for the HEV is more that it's become a design statement rather than an engineering solution. I find rotating bezels more annoying because they get knocked out of position all the time, and that bothers my OCD tendencies.
To be fair I'm not a fan of divers watches for that reason, plus I'm not allowed to go scuba diving on account of my asthma, so they seem pointless.
As for Omegas, they tend to be quite thick watches. The Planet Ocean is typical of this.
At least with the bezel there are non-diving use cases as well as being a backup to a diving computer. I use my bezel to time things occasionally, which is why I also like chronographs.
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I disagree with that. Everything on my watches has a function that I use. There may be MORE practical options but they are practical.
Practicality is A, not THE, priority for me. Aesthetic balance is too.
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"I have an ugly crown at both 3 and 10 o'clock but I only hate the one at ten because it's a second one.."
Actually, yeah. That pretty much sums it up. I dislike watches with internal rotating bezels for that reason, too.
The one at 3 is necessary, and regularly used, so that makes it acceptable. But ideally, a watch would have no crowns. That's why I like the Pita Barcelona Oceana. I'd like it even better if it weren't so damn tall, though. -
My issue with rotating bezels is that they typically get knocked from being aligned with 12 o'clock to a couple of clicks anticlockwise a few times per day. Then my OCD tendencies cause me to reset it, which means turning it through 350° as it only rotates in one direction.
Further the rotation bezel makes a diver's watch a bit thicker.
I think that something like a Rolex Explorer, JLC Geophysic, or Omega Railmaster is a more sensible option for day to day wear. They're slimmer, so fit under cuffs, don't have an annoying bezel, and are tough enough to stand up to whatever life throws at you. Plus you're not making out that you're a rugged diver. Unless you're Jason Heaton, who actually takes his swimming!
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