Watches - another OCD problem
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With this threads recent posts regarding the fabulous Speedmaster series of watches, I thought I could share my daily driver that I use at work the Mark1, X-33. Like @Anesthetist I find this watch a really comfortable versatile daily wear watch. Must admit I have been eyeing up the current version with the black dial, super nice!
The really loud alarm through the use of a second amplifying caseback is a really neat piece of design in the X-33 series watches.
I have been trying to get the 321 calibre Ed White Speedmaster since they were released, no joy yet. The movement on that watch is beautiful.
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That X-33 has some stories….
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@Kingsselvedge The Nautilus is a lovely watch to wear, the bracelet is very comfortable despite lacking any micro adjustment. It does feel more delicate than an Oyster bracelet though.
The dial can look quite different in different types of light from black through to a silver blue gradient.
I have since taken some better pictures of the watch. I still find the workmanship and details on the movement mesmerising.
Thanks @ddtrash for the extra pics. It really is stunning. Love the open case back and the integrated bracelet. Had my head turned recently by the new Vacheron with the integrated bracelet. Does the Nautilus become a scratch magnet? I tend not to baby my warches but had a steel bezel Daytona for a while and even just grabbing some chamge from my jean pocket would leave micro scratches. I seem to have setteld on ceramic bezels as my sweet spot.
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@Kingsselvedge The Nautilus is a scratch magnet and it is not a daily wear for me. Like you I have settled on a ceramic bezel Rolex for daily duties when not at work, 124060 Sub takes care of this.
I have seen pictures of Nautilus that have been worn daily and they can stand being used normally and are mechanically sounds but with all those polished and brushed surfaces it is impossible to keep them box fresh for too long.
Everyone will have a different opinion on how to treat and wear watches, some folks beat the crap out of everything they wear and give no special consideration to any watch regardless of cost / finish. I fall more into the other camp where I have daily drivers and more special pieces which do get worn but less so. I quite like this approach as it you still get that "best watch" feeling when you wear the more special pieces.
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@Bored:
That X-33 has some stories….
@Bored In Breck I have enjoyed an interesting career to date that has taken me to some weird and wonderful places around the world and I have been in a few scrapes both literally and metaphorically. The X-33 has been a great travel watch.
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There are very effective treatments to surface-harden steel such that a case would be resilient to scratches, but I have not seen it done on a shiny finish. My Damasko field watch has such a treatment and it's a dull grey. I haven't heard of a sport luxury watch with a surface-hardened steel case.
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@ddtrash I am definitely in your camp. I wear my watches but definitely wouldn't want the scratched up look. My current trio is the batman, starbucks (green sub) and SD43. My daily for a while was the 16600 seadweller on a James Bond nato. Grail for me is a daydate platinum but not sure if I can justify the uplift vs gold/wg/rg.
Also, when you get into the upper echelons of Rolex pricing you are spoilt for choice with PP, AP etc.
I considered a speedy as a daily but it is one of those watches that looks amazing in photos and on others but never made my heart sing.
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Yep, PM model Rolex's are a more difficult sell when you consider the quality of other brands offerings at the same price point. SS Rolex models make perfect sense but the PM models less so.
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There was a guy who bought a Tiffany signed Nautilus every day for eight years, until it got stolen. The full story is at Hodinkee, but here's a shot of the watch with its patina. I think that it looks good, though I don't think that @ddtrash is that brave!
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No I would not be that brave with mine.
A chap on the TRF forum has an original 3800 model from the 1970's and all the blue paint has come off the dial showing the gold dial material beneath, he is debating what to do with his watch at the moment, what level of refurb to go for.
Having seen the Patek factory and their repairs centre, some of the work they can do is amazing. They have brown paper packets with hand written labels from the 1850's onwards with replacement parts for some of their very early watches. They can also hand manufacture cogs and bushings to retrofit to older models and dial renovation is also something they can do with remarkable results.
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There was a guy who bought a Tiffany signed Nautilus every day for eight years, until it got stolen. The full story is at Hodinkee, but here's a shot of the watch with its patina. I think that it looks good, though I don't think that @ddtrash is that brave!
This was a beautiful read, thanks for sharing!
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@ddtrash if that 3800 was mine, I'd look at going for a mechanical refurbishment, fix things like loose links in the bracelet, and try to stabilise what's left of the paint on the dial. Essentially it would be the horological equivalent of a rat rod.
It would be possible to get it looking as new, and I've no doubt that Patek could do a full restoration, but it would lose its charm in the process.
@T4920 glad to share it. Shame he lost his watch, but I'm glad it was well worn before then. Too many pieces are investments that are locked away in safes.
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@Graeme The owner of the old 3700 with the blue/gold tarnished dial has decided on what he is going to do with the piece. Full service on the movement. Case, dial and hands remain untouched. Bracelet to be repaired and polished.
Not sure why he is choosing to polish the bracelet when the case and dial are remining original? Repair the bracelet yes this makes sense, but if I were leaving the case unpolished I would probably keep the bracelet unpolished also.
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The new London Seiko / Grand Seiko store opened on Bond St today.
A very low key event compared to how other brands would celebrate a new boutique opening. Looking forward to checking the new store out when I am next down there.
https://www.watchpro.com/grand-seiko-takes-up-residence-on-new-bond-street/
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That is a lovely thing, I am truly envious! That being said, I’m relieved I wont be getting one as I would spend all my time admiring that dial.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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One of my favorites they’ve done. Great score!
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Agree, a beautiful dial. @JDelage very pleased you managed to snag one. I must check out that London boutique store version next chance I get. I suspect with only 50 available they will be gone soon.
