Best Vintage Inspired Diver for 6.5'' Wrist
Hey all!,
New to the community and excited to be a part of it!
I'm on the hunt for a solid, vintage inspired diver for a 6.5'' wrist that's at or below $2k. For reference I love the below, but am questioning each for different reasons:
Baltic Aquascaphe: Absolutely gorgeous. Seems fantastic value. Just feel it may be a tad too on the dressy side for me.
Super Sea Wolf 53: Love it in blue, but the thickness/diameter just makes me think it's too big for my 6.5'' wrist.
C65 Aquitaine: Also love it in blue, but the design feels kinda' standard and I wonder if I'd get a bit bored with it after awhile.
Dox Sub 200: Looks great in either sharkhunter or carribiean. Kinda wonder the same as the above with the Aquitaine, and know the lume seems to be pretty useless.
Serica 5303: God. This would be the one if it weren't for all the issues the crown/movement.
Yema Superman Heritage: Just starting to my researching of this one, but definitely hopeful.
Thanks, all. Just starting this journey and hoping a reach out to the community of fellow watch nerds will help in this (hopefully) never-ending search.
P.S.: Holy hell. I've been searching for few months now by myself. I'm realizing I was in a total vacuum. Opening up this thread to the community, I mean, it's already given me a ton of clarity, more options, and educated me on what could look good on my wrist. Feels greedy to say, but keep them suggestions coming! Thank you, all. This has really ramped up my journey for this one.
I have both the Baltic and the Serica. Both are lovely. But for me the Serica is the real keeper, so beautiful: don't believe everything you read about the crown/movement - it's a storm in a teacup IMHO.
I love my Aquascaphe. I have a 6.7” wrist for reference. I wouldn’t say it’s too dressy. It really depends how you dress. It can def be dressed up or down with a leather or nato strap respectively.
I love my Aquascaphe. I have a 6.7” wrist for reference. I wouldn’t say it’s too dressy. It really depends how you dress. It can def be dressed up or down with a leather or nato strap respectively.
That really is such a beaut. Have you experienced any downsides with it?
And thanks for the size ref!
I have both the Baltic and the Serica. Both are lovely. But for me the Serica is the real keeper, so beautiful: don't believe everything you read about the crown/movement - it's a storm in a teacup IMHO.
Super interesting. It's really between those two for me. Did/do you experience anything with the wonky crown? I know people nitpick the bracelet, but that crown is the main thing holding me back.
Oh! And which color did you opt for? They have an embarrassment of riches with their variations.
That really is such a beaut. Have you experienced any downsides with it?
And thanks for the size ref!
It was a Christmas gift, so wrist time is low at the moment. That being said, there is no such thing as a perfect watch. I wish it had screw links and a better threaded (less gritty) crown. My only real issue was a “wobbly“ crown, but after speaking with Baltic and even sending them a video of my perceived issue, I was advised that it was inherent to the movement and not to be concerned. It is my favourite watch in my collection.
My assumption was the 48mm lug-to-lug may be too much? Tough to say, I'm sure, but would that be too long for a 6.5'' wrist?
It was a Christmas gift, so wrist time is low at the moment. That being said, there is no such thing as a perfect watch. I wish it had screw links and a better threaded (less gritty) crown. My only real issue was a “wobbly“ crown, but after speaking with Baltic and even sending them a video of my perceived issue, I was advised that it was inherent to the movement and not to be concerned. It is my favourite watch in my collection.
What a solid Christmas gift. Congrats!
Good to know on the wobbly crown - sounds like a minor thing. Glad to know it's officially a winner.
I have the baltic and the zodiac. I like them both but I'm drawn to the zodiac more. I have a 6.25" wrist.
Have you also checked out the Seiko SPB143?
Tissot Seastar 1000 comes in a 36mm version. Currently, that's limited to quartz, but supposedly an automatic version is imminent.
Try the 38 mm version of the Christopher Ward C60 300. Size wise, I think it will be hard to beat. Only caveat being the color options for the 38 mm were limited to white and black a few months ago but that might have changed.
Certina DS PH200
I have a 16cm (6.2 inch?) wrist.
Check also Squale. They have severa vintage inspired models.
But don't mind about your wrist.
You can weare up to 43 easyly as long the lugs are not too long. But don't go under 39. It would look ridiculous and you wrist, as long as you are not a smaller than 1,70m.
I am right around the same wrist size as you. there are other color variants but this is the one I went for. Available at great prices grey market or preowned. I purchased mine locally from an AD and was able to get it discounted down to $2k.
Oris divers sixty-five glow
Gotta 2nd the Seiko SPB14x recommendation, I also have a ~6.5” wrist:
Maybe Squale ? Or SPB143? @surferjohn had a great 1967 on today. Here is his pic post
Gotta 2nd the Seiko SPB14x recommendation, I also have a ~6.5” wrist:
Thanks for this! Really good pic, and you're all opening my eyes more towards this line.
(Sorry for delay)
Once in a blue moon my Serica won't hack when the crown is fully extended, so there is an issue but just how much of a show stopper that is, is up to you.
No worries! Thanks for the pics of each. You really got two stunners (congrats). Also, really nice to hear your Serica is doing just fine. Here I had totally written it off, and now you've got it back in the mix.
I also 2nd the Seiko SPB14X suggestion. I then throw the SPB31X into the mix.
I really need to look more into these lines. I think I saw I originally saw them as a bit "plain" or overpriced for a Seiko. But seeing some of these pics, and looking at how everyone's bumping up the suggesting, has me rethinking things.
Might I suggest the Bulova Devil Diver? That, and the Longines Legend Diver are my favourite underwater tickers.
Oh, and there's always the Amphibia, if you really want to get the thing wet :)
Really love the Devil Diver! That was another I wrote off though as being too big for my wrist. Some reviews I read up were saying anything below a 7'' wrist would look a bit wonky. But that green Devil Diver really is something else.
Seiko has done several reissues of the 62MAS if you don't want to look for a vintage piece. The modern reissues are available with a bracelet option as well.
Super good to know. The pic of your 1967 is definitely enticing. Looks like it fits perfectly, and the design just seems super versatile.
I am right around the same wrist size as you. there are other color variants but this is the one I went for. Available at great prices grey market or preowned. I purchased mine locally from an AD and was able to get it discounted down to $2k.
Oris divers sixty-five glow
Had been looking at these for awhile. Really love the looks of them and how they wear. If I could find one a decent bit below $2k in solid condition, think that'll definitely give me pause.
Oris 65 is what initially came to mind.
What about a different DOXA, 300T, maybe? It might be worth trying one on if that's a possibility. The aspect ratio makes them wear uniquely; my 750 (45mm * 47mm) wears smaller than a lot of 40-41mm divers that I've owned.
Super interesting per the Doxa. Have been looking at the Sub 200, but didn't realize the 300T wore that way. Will take another look at them, as they're definitely an interesting option. Thanks for the heads up on this!
Take a look at Sinn , you will be surprised how much bang for your buck around 2K
The "Super Squale Sunray Grey Leather" is a great option too!
38mm diameter, relatively short lug-to-lug of 45mm and not too thick at 12mm. Also, I am a huge fan of the vintage design :)
Take a look at Sinn , you will be surprised how much bang for your buck around 2K
Totally agree. Actually looking towards a 556i for my every day.
The "Super Squale Sunray Grey Leather" is a great option too!
38mm diameter, relatively short lug-to-lug of 45mm and not too thick at 12mm. Also, I am a huge fan of the vintage design :)
With all the suggestions of Squale on here, definitely gonna start investigating their line-up.
Thanks for this! For some reason, your pic of the Zodiac looks like it wears much nicer than in a lot of ones around the web. Definitely making me think again.
Here are some different angles to give you a better idea of the fit.
Again, I have a 6.25" wrist.
Here are some different angles to give you a better idea of the fit.
Again, I have a 6.25" wrist.
Thanks for this! Really helps give a better idea. More compact than other pics I’ve seen.
Funny you say that. Was looking at the Sinn 104 for awhile, but opted out for the same reasons I did for the zodiac.
Your pic of the mido though has gotten me more down that rabbit hole. As you said, even though it’s cheaper, feels like it contends nicely with pricier options (SPB143/SPB297/Seawolf/etc) and in a size I like
Totally agree. Actually looking towards a 556i for my every day.
Very satisfying watch to own , I also desire that watch in the Mocha dial :)