The (Less intimidating) Watch Thread

[chrisjohnnick]

My Grandfather was a pilot and a navigator in the Navy and Air Forces during WWII. The plane he was on went down somewhere over the Philippines in 1945, and he floated in the ocean for a few days before being rescued. Somewhere over the years, the Type A-11 that he wore (and was wearing at that time) found it's way into my hands. It wasn't working, and is rusted out in areas (obvs) but has always meant a lot to me. I finally found another one from the same maker (Elgin) and the same year (1944) and decided to pick it up. It is also in perfect working order and has a period-correct olive watch band on it! Beyond stoked to be wearing this piece and think of Grandpop every time I put it on!

Here's his original watch, which I have on a shelf on our family gallery wall:

And here is the one I just picked up:

[GraemeE]

This post is deleted!

[Matt]

It must have felt awesome to find the working one. Congratulations.

[IrishHeart]

@chrisjohnnick that’s a lovely watch but the back story makes it very special. Thanks for sharing.

[Mizmazzle]

Anyone ever heard of Jack Sloan watches? Pretty cool. Handmade in Colorado. He rebuilds the movements from old watches. Quartz movements but pretty cool concept. Got Morgan this whitefaced one for Xmas.

https://jacksloane.com/product/the-watch/

[Matt]

That’s pretty cool. I love the concept of recycling movements and the style is very smart. Good find. I’m sure she’ll love it.

[Mizmazzle]

Thanks dude. We saw one at a local shop a few months back and we both fell in love with it. It’s really solid and has nice heft to it.

[Matt]

I prefer heavier watches actually.

Speaking of which, has anyone seen the Spinnaker Picard with the crazy big domed crystal? I think I dig it. Spinnaker seems to pack a lot of watch into a small price tag…

[Mizmazzle]

Dig the Croft Nomad.

[Matt]

I was very close to buying the Hull California in Volcanic Black but it has a mineral crystal and that’s a deal breaker for me. I like the Croft as well.

[Matt]

[goosehd]

@Matt I have looked at the Unimatic’s numerous times…What’s your thoughts? If I recall, @Anesthetist has one as well.

[Matt]

So far so good. It feels good on the wrist, has a nice heft and overall feel of quality. I’ll definitely get another one.

[yannis]

Lorier Neptune. Pretty reliable daily

[tody]

Seeing @chrisjohnnick post a picture of a military watch with a canvas strap, I put away my apple watch and bought some new straps for my other watches.
Here's my Stowa Flieger Classic, I never liked the heavy leather strap. Much better looking with the canvas:

[Cole]

It seems I'm a bit obsessed with the Seiko Willard, because I like the shape of the watch so much. Here is my newest aquisition, a Steedive homage to the Willard, made out of bronze. For 140something Euros, including shipping and avoiding customs somehow, this is quit a good deal and it runs more accurat then the 1.400 € SPB237J1.

[tody]

I equipped another one of my watches with a different strap, this time my Nomos Tangente Sport with a nylon strap. Went for a colourful variant this time.

[chrisjohnnick]

Dig it! And yeah, I love the simplicity and look of the canvas strap these days. The only other watch that I currently have to wear is a Tag Heuer Aquaracer with a steel band, and when I put it on it feels so heavy and chunky!

[Matt]

@Cole i always see those Steeldives pop up on eBay. What do you think so far?

[Matt]

Some of you may have seen my FS listing for this but I’m actually starting to come around to it. It’s just a really nice chunky dive watch with cool colors and great materials.