50WR or 100WR for a German pilot watch with ETA 6498-1?

In a Pilot watch the water resistant rating is not important to me

To me Migma looks better. Also, in my opinion, water resistance of 100 meters is not worth $500.

Does the Migma have blued steel hands? That would be more important to me on a pilot watch.

I have an Archimede Outdoor, and also an Autran & Viala (also Ickler brand) Nightflight. Both of those have really well manufactured cases, as you’d expect. I think that’s worth paying for.

The Migma doesnt have the blued steel hands. Why is it important to you if you dont mind me asking?

IMO, if you're not going to be swimming with the watch, WR really doesn't matter: just a nice to have. Other features and aesthetics should be more important.

Do you plan to ditch your He 111 while crossing the channel? 😂 But seriously, I don't think the WR will make that much of a difference. Personally, I like Ickler cases, and I know they retail around 250-300 EUR.

But more than anything the price difference between the two watches is quite obvious. I personally like the Migma dial just a little better, but the case of the Archimede is nice.

Then again I shouldn't talk with my $70 watch. (ST36, no-name case and hands, and a single pass nylon loop from CNS. 50m WR would be surprising. 😉)

I'd pay 3x more just to not have a watch called "Migma"

Plus the website doesn't say much about the brand.

Im so paranoid man! its insane how my head works. But for some reason the fact that i know that my watch can withstand something gives me some peace of mind haha. Will i ever need to use my 300-500 WR watches for diving? absolutely never in my life haha. But the fact that i know that they are there, protected of whatever happens,,, too much overthinking, right? haha

I just love the look of blued-steel hands. The glint you get when they catch the sunlight. IMHO it elevates the dial and shows extra care and attention in the assembly of the watch. In short, I think it looks classier!

I have blued steel hands on my Laco Pilot watch (Kiel 2 Chrono) and my Stowa Marine 36, and never tire of seeing the glint of blue.

I’ll confess, I have no idea whether blued steel makes it historically accurate as a flieger.

That's right, I found that the name MIGMA comes from the founders names MIchael - MArcus - Gschrey. Not the most elaborated name out there i have to say haha

Im assuming is not that common? As said, just assuming because Archimede sells those hands for 120€,,,!

Well I think most of the Stowa fliegers have them, as well as the Laco fliegers, apart from the cheapest (eg Augsburg). Maybe that then is part of the reason for the difference in price - I note that it is included as standard on the Archimede 42mm small seconds you mention above.

The other thing I noticed is that it’s not necessarily a screw down crown on the Archimede. It doesn’t say so on the website. My Laco isn’t, but is still 100m wr.

Here's a guide I recently put together about water resistance with sections that specifically talk about screw down vs. push pull crowns. Hopefully this gives you some insight to help make an informed decison.

https://www.watchcrunch.com/wsjp007/posts/a-mythbusting-guide-to-water-resistance-292279

Right. Unless you plan on going swimming with your watch the WR is not likely going to matter. I'm with @foghorn that the name of the Migma brand and the somewhat boilerplate website are a factor.

After 5 years they all lose their wr because seals fall apart about then. It takes that long for neoprene to die. Actual rubber would last longer

As a principle, water resistance above 3 or 5 bar doesn't really matter with non-swimming watches.

For these two in particular, I'm not a fan of either, I don't know them, though that Migma looks more interesting than any random B-Uhr design.

I couldn’t justify paying this much for a design is that basically in the public domain, unless I was given a really goo reason such as special coating, certain other things, or just overall very very good build quality, or maybe a even a special movement. Basically it would really have to stand out.

I guess you could say it’s like a T-shirt with a picture on it. Unless the print and the material quality is really good, I need a reason to not go for a generic

See… if you’re paying 1k €/USD I’d go for a Laco Original.

Although it isn't a given option at $1000 you can get a Laco classic flieger which is from one of the 5 original brands.

from what ive seen their watches doesnt have exhibition back case! (which i love!) its a big plus for me to have it !

I would pay no attention to the depth rating of these watches and choose the one that you just LOVE the look of. They’re both very good watches! Have fun!

To me water resistance has more to do with use & lifestyle than the style of watch. If it’s a showpiece, Migma is the way to go. If it’s a tool watch that going to be worn hard, the extra 50m can’t hurt.

I'd pay more for the case treatment, but mostly I'd just buy the one that I liked the look of more, assuming equivalent wear/case size. Definitely not for WR alone.

You are paying for one of the best cases in the business (Ickler) with Archemedes. Case alone is $250 retail. Truly a situation of you get what you’re paying for.

For an additional premium Stowa have exhibition casebacks 👀

Unless you're planning on taking it swimming WR is not important on a pilot watch. And if you slip or get pushed into a pool 50m of WR is more than enough to survive a quick plunge. If you're looking for a good pilot watch, take a look at Laco. They offer really good value for money.

I think it's VERY important to note that it's not just the WR you're paying extra for. Archimede is an historical German watch brand. Migma only popped up in recent years and has no history. So there's that. You're comparing a "real" German brand which has been around for a century to a microbrand that hasn't existed long at all. Personally, I think you should shop between the Archimede and something like the Preventor9 from Hanhart. Similar watches with small seconds; historical German brands, etc. Fairer comparison.

I can certainly recommend the Hanhart... 😉

On this style of watch I don’t consider water resistance as important.