Wolbrook/Douglas
I have a question Crunchers. What is the consensus on Wolbrook/Douglas watches? I see the adverts but for the price, I see nothing special. And the insistance on Hesalite/Acrylic crystals is really offputting. I own a vintage Seiko and Vostoks with acrylic crystals and I am forever buffing scratches out of them. For anything over $100 US, I expect mineral glass at least, the exception being the Speedy, for historic reasons only.
17 comments
Sort by
Agree to disagree.... 😂
This is exactly what I want in a hard use tool watch. Shock/Mag resistant, LHD, Countdown bezel, Acrylic, affordable, regulated.
Benefits of acrylic, less smudges, less glare/reflection, scratches are a non issue for me.
I'd get it away from the sand, if you want to have a crystal you can see through.
I'd get it away from the sand, if you want to have a crystal you can see through.
😂, I realize I'm the minority here, but meh, if I want to I can Polywatch it.
The real world benefits to acrylic outweigh the downside to me.
I also have PLENTY of other micros with sapphire, and have nothing against them at all mind you.
But some of my favorite watches have acrylic. Lorier (Neptune, Hydra, Falcon), HVD (Spectre), Vostok Retro Driver, and Timex Q GMT.
YMMV of course.
Wolbrook does offer sapphire too, same everything else, and a very attractive price.
As I said, I own a few Vostoks and a vintage Seiko, all with acrylic. Having to become a stockholder in Polywatch every time I wear them has worn me out. As you said YMMV. Enjoy!
I’m actually a fan of acrylic crystal. I’ve had my Vostok for years and it’s perfectly fine. But that’s just like…my opinion dude.
I’m actually a fan of acrylic crystal. I’ve had my Vostok for years and it’s perfectly fine. But that’s just like…my opinion dude.
I get that many are fans of acrylic. I am not but YMMV.
The Douglas branded watches have acrylic crystals, but the Wolbrook branded watches have sapphire.
I think the watches look good, but I think they are a bit overpriced.
The Douglas branded watches have acrylic crystals, but the Wolbrook branded watches have sapphire.
I think the watches look good, but I think they are a bit overpriced.
That is my feeling too. For that money I can get a watch with genuine horological history.
Wasnt Wolbrook Neil Armstrong's "other" watch? That'd be why they're pricey & why they kept the historically accurate crystal.
FWIW I'd never buy anything other than a Speedmaster with a plastic crystal - been there done that, didn't like 'em. To each their own.
Great watch with a great history, have 2 on the list👍
😂, I realize I'm the minority here, but meh, if I want to I can Polywatch it.
The real world benefits to acrylic outweigh the downside to me.
I also have PLENTY of other micros with sapphire, and have nothing against them at all mind you.
But some of my favorite watches have acrylic. Lorier (Neptune, Hydra, Falcon), HVD (Spectre), Vostok Retro Driver, and Timex Q GMT.
YMMV of course.
Wolbrook does offer sapphire too, same everything else, and a very attractive price.
I have also come to love, an even prefer, acrylic crystals from my vintage love. Just like with smaller sizes, being into vintage watches sort of forced this love onto me. For me, the benefits of never shattering as well as the ability to polish put scratches, which helps with odd shaped crystals which are usually a nightmare to source, is super appealing. I don't normally scratch my watch crystals (shocking, right?) but polish the bad scuffs out once or twice a year. I think it's because my watches are on rotation so much, and that I am so careful with them, that they don't see much wear. Plus, a piece of plastic is a lot cheaper (my watchmaker has a lot of stock) than a piece of sapphire.
Great watch with a great history, have 2 on the list👍
I am not so sure about the history. They are a brand that went out of production in the 70's and only recently revived.
I have also come to love, an even prefer, acrylic crystals from my vintage love. Just like with smaller sizes, being into vintage watches sort of forced this love onto me. For me, the benefits of never shattering as well as the ability to polish put scratches, which helps with odd shaped crystals which are usually a nightmare to source, is super appealing. I don't normally scratch my watch crystals (shocking, right?) but polish the bad scuffs out once or twice a year. I think it's because my watches are on rotation so much, and that I am so careful with them, that they don't see much wear. Plus, a piece of plastic is a lot cheaper (my watchmaker has a lot of stock) than a piece of sapphire.
I get that. I am not a fan, because I am hard on my watches. YMMV.
I am not so sure about the history. They are a brand that went out of production in the 70's and only recently revived.
Started in America in 1949-1966 To France from 1966-67 then the "quartz crisis". Revived in 2019 for the purpose of adding to my box
Started in America in 1949-1966 To France from 1966-67 then the "quartz crisis". Revived in 2019 for the purpose of adding to my box
If that is what you want, great. By the way, there are examples of Douglas watches out there from the 60's that appear to be imported and have a mixture of various movements and markings. Wolbrook may be a different story. I am just not impressed and was honestly looking for people who own them and wear them on a regular basis. One persaon besides you think they are decent. Great. YMMV.
Just in case anyone is wondering about hard use and acrylic, my Lorier has been out of Helo's, through firearms courses, all over aircraft with hung ordnance, several field training exercises and a few training schools. It's also been in close proximity to several breaching charges. And while not close, due to safe separation, worn it during monthly demolition qual.
Only issue I've encountered this far is some magnetization. I'm not kidding when I say I use my tools. I don't go out of my way to purposefully bang up my watches, but they get worn.
And by the specs my Wolbrook/Douglas is far more hardy due to the shock and anti mag resistance they use. YMMV.
This with zero Polywatch, purchased in '21.
My Douglas Skindiver II Professional's crystal will prolly look the same this time next year.
Just in case anyone is wondering about hard use and acrylic, my Lorier has been out of Helo's, through firearms courses, all over aircraft with hung ordnance, several field training exercises and a few training schools. It's also been in close proximity to several breaching charges. And while not close, due to safe separation, worn it during monthly demolition qual.
Only issue I've encountered this far is some magnetization. I'm not kidding when I say I use my tools. I don't go out of my way to purposefully bang up my watches, but they get worn.
And by the specs my Wolbrook/Douglas is far more hardy due to the shock and anti mag resistance they use. YMMV.
This with zero Polywatch, purchased in '21.
My Douglas Skindiver II Professional's crystal will prolly look the same this time next year.
This has not been my experience with acrylic crystals and I doubt I am alone. I don't worry abiut banging my Omega or Stowa or even Orients up a bit but the Vostoks and my vintage Seiko? I swear if I look at them funny, they get scuffed or scratched. And out comes the Polywatch.