Watches in the Wild (Autumnal Equinox, Volume 47)
Disclaimer: A Roadster day, ironically spent in my office.
This is the forty seventh in a semi-regular digest of cool watches I happened to see this week.
Past posts in this series have been hashtagged to #watchesinthewild .
As always, my general policy is that I never ask for wrist shots (because approaching strangers and distant acquaintances to talk about watches is already weird enough) so all pictures below are sourced from the internet. People are mostly cool, I try not to annoy them.
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Astronomical summer has finally ended here in the Northern hemisphere and the sun is beginning to migrate away from the East-West sunrise sunset to more of a North-South orientation. This is notable for me because the sunset has slowed moved out of view from my bedroom and that makes me a little sad.
We are in sweater weather territory (though perhaps not quite yet in Northern California) and I anticipate my long summer of productive watch spotting will soon come to an end.
But not yet.
Some cool stuff here, seen in the typical varied places. Maybe a few more asides too than typical. I hope you enjoy!
GS SBGA415 "Taisetsu"
Seen while at the farmers market on the wrist of a gentleman performing "Cruel Angel Thesis" from Neon Genesis Evangelion on an old Gibson. You can't make this stuff up.
https://youtu.be/QMwfaJpqZfg?si=ttCX01C71gSI9DZe
Now that's what I call Human Instrumentality! Interrupting this sort of thing is like wandering onto the set of Citizen Kane and asking directions to the nearest 7-11. You just can't interrupt a masterpiece like that.
I've been a little tepid on the seasons editions for some time now. Not because they aren't brilliant watches mind you, they are. But there are just so gosh darned many of them. By my count (and according to the Carat and Co website), there are at least 17 separate seasons watches available in the United States, to say nothing of JDMs and other special editions in other geographies. And while I am aware that the traditional Japanese calendar separates itself into 72 micro seasons (this part of September falling into Kaminari sunawachi koe o osamu or "Thunder ceases") , you have to admit that having so many "special" seasonal watches lessens the impact of the whole.
And so it is with a bit of Seikophile weariness that I spotted this winter edition and thought "well, summer hasn't quite ended yet." This is a truly unworthy thought for what is an absolutely killer watch.
That classic 62GS with the crystal cut lugs made of titanium with the brushes grey dial make this remarkably striking on the wrist. More than any of the other Seasons watches, I find this watch to be the embodiment of the season it claims to represent. Foreboding, deadly winter. No wonder everyone likes the Spring one more! @Fieldwalker clearly bought the right one.
And yet. As beautiful as the pale pink of the SBGA413 is, I love the dial that reminds me so clearly of my first blizzard on arriving in college in Massachusetts, endless windswept snow set against a slate grey sky.
Breitling B01 Reverse Panda
Seen on the wrist of the manager of a Costco. Did you know that the average Costco generates $300M+ in sales? Craziness.
Anyway, I did compliment this and had a brief conversation about the appropriate sizes of watches. Being a Breitling guy, he was a 43mm and up kind of guy. Figures.
I could talk about the history of this storied watch, the amazing movement, the resurrection of Breitling as a luxury brand and fashion force.
But no, we are going to talk about logos and lines of text. I was looking at this watch compared to its predecessor.
Now, as far as I can tell, these are functionally identical watches in spec, size, all the gubbins.
And when I saw the more recent one, I immediately thought "oh heck yeah that's such a cleaner dial than it's predecessor."
But when I look at it, really really look at it, the only two differences I can identify are 1) the modern "B" logo versus the historical wings and 2) two lines of text, 1884 and Chronometer.
Seriously is that it? Am I that shallow?
New photos on the Breitling website show yet another dial variation with a variation on the old wing logo and 1884 back in the dial so maybe this is just insanity trying to figure this out.
Longines Hydroconquest (Black)
Seen outside a noodle shop in Oakland Chinatown. No conversation.
I predicted this many moons ago that the Hydroconquest line was up for a refresh because while the aesthetics were a bit confused, the ingredients were there for a thoroughly competent modern dive watch.
And it kinda happened? The new GMT stripped out the Arabics (good!) and replaced them with sticks (fine) but kept the applied lume circles pushed all the way to the chapter ring (sigh).
I have openly speculated that Swatch Group deliberately neuters Longines designs in order to plump up sales for Omega. I am mostly kidding when I say stuff like that (in large part because I don't trust the Hayeks to play this sort of somewhat long term game) but there is a part of me that still wonders if that's actually just how it works.
But it does spawn the inevitable question for me....what is Longines trying to be?
And I think, increasingly as Tudor chases Omega, Longines is chasing Tudor. The military heritage, the reliance on the exceptional back catalogue, the exceptional value for money finishing, the increasingly capable and well designed movements....all of this smacks of an entry level luxury (don't you hate that term?) showdown.
When you look at it in this light, the evolution and development of the Hydroconquest line does round out the Longines collection very well despite my repeated design complaints.
Perhaps the next step is the reintroduction of Longines in-house movement manufacture, long the one big advantage that Tudor can claim over Longines. It is my dearest hope that the Hayeks let Longines loose so they can punch the cadet house of Rolex in the face.
And so, perhaps, I can shelve my complaints about the Hydroconquest for a bit longer. The design isn't for me but it's certainly for SOMEONE and it's really just a broader piece in the great battle between Swatch and the House of Wilsdorf.
The rumble is on.
Seiko Blumo on NATO (SBDC033)
Seen at a kids birthday party. Asked about it, completely misidentified this as a Grand Seiko diver and felt too embarrassed to bring it up further. And he called it a Blumo too....I suspect we could have had a moment.
The Blumo is one of those watches that, on paper, just shouldn't work. It has dimensions that Invcta would blush at (45mm with a 53mm lug to lug and a not inconsiderable 14mm height), dimensions that shouldn't work on anyone who has a wrist smaller than 8.5 inches.
And yet if you ever get this on wrist, it feels remarkably good to wear, despite the big headline dimensions. It;'s a big watch, to be sure but surprisingly compact on wrist. I attribute this to two big design features that are generally overlooked by the broader watch community. First is the rather curved case. The lugs aren't downturned per se, but certainly hug the wrist well. Second, is the female end links which reduce the effective lug to lug even more. I think this is the magic of good design. Proportions that don't make sense on paper suddenly hug the wrist beautifully.
If you can get past the initial dimensions, you have a staggeringly good looking diver on wrist. There's a hint of Marine master in the case shape, but with a bit of a knurled lug, much like the Omega Seamaster. Like my Grand seiko Soko, most of the case is high polish, but there's a beautiful vertical brush on the lugs themselves and an interior high polish chamfer leading into the bracelet endlink. All that for maybe $350 used, with the legendary and durable 6R15 movement and 50 hours of power reserve.
If I had a complaint (and I don't really), the dial and hands don't really grab me all that much. They're fine of course....I don't really have a real complaint, but I do wish there was a bit more pizzazz. For a watchmaker that effortlessly produces such beautiful dials,
Ultimately the Blumo is Seiko at its value oriented best. I can't imagine something that punches in quite this way at this price.
Rolex Milgauss in the blue dial
Seen at a meeting on the wrist of a senior analyst at another hedge fund. I asked him about it and he said he rushed out to buy one right after it was discontinued. He had been meaning to pick one up for years but never got around to it. As is the case with Rolex, sometimes things just get popular after they get canned.
***Beginneth Aside***
I sometimes wonder about the watch collector who specifically seeks out an antimagnetic watch. Like, we are much more likely to encounter magnetic fields in our daily life than 1000m of water so I understand the appeal of owning a Milgauss over say a Deepsea Challenge. But that very ubiquity means that most modern watches already have pretty high levels of anti-magnetic resistance. So what once was a specialist complication for people exposed regularly powerful magnetic fields (the Milgauss famously being developed for CERN employees working with superconducting magnets) is now just mostly table stakes. Note this Fratello review of the Sinn 856, a watch that is as magnetically resistant as the Milgauss, where the anti-magnetic capabilities are mentioned once in passing.
https://www.fratellowatches.com/hands-on-with-the-blacked-out-sinn-856-s-a-stealthy-pilot/#gref
Maybe it's just passe now.
But this was a real, enduring genre of watches that a lot of legacy watch brands made with lines that continue today. I kinda love how varied the outcomes were.
The Omega Railmaster was pushed into the Seamaster line and has slowly declined into the odd little field watch of the Omega toolwatch lines.
The IWC Ingenieur went into obscurity for years before being relaunched as a Genta fever dream of a luxury watch.
The Tissot Antimagnetique ultimately morphed into the Tissot Heritage Small Seconds. I don't think this is actually an antimagnetic watch anymore.
The JLC Geophysic was originally conceived as a durable tool watch with a lot of antimagetic resistance. They released an limited edition in steel in 2014 that was largely true to the original's intent (with more WR even). They also made it in rose gold and platinum.
The Rolex Milgauss was discontinued for a while then launched again in 2007 and then discontinued again in 2023. Any bets on this coming back in 2040?
***Endeth Aside***
Did I forget to mention that I like the Milgauss? I think it's a funny and beefy tool watch with a dash of rare Rolex humor. Thunderbolt hands anyone?
What cool watches did you see this week?
By day, investor and father. By night, Seiko nut. #justgooutsideandtouchgrass
This, just now, on the World Trade Center bound E train:
Maaaan I ain’t got the time to be reading your Kings Scroll 📜! Take this heart I’m out 😂 I’ll read this when I’m on the bowl tomorrow
This, just now, on the World Trade Center bound E train:
One of my favorites! I love the SuperOcean Hertiage and also how tastefully they do the two tone!
Fantastic spot!
Maaaan I ain’t got the time to be reading your Kings Scroll 📜! Take this heart I’m out 😂 I’ll read this when I’m on the bowl tomorrow
You know, I've been told I should write less to get more engagement.
Not that I listen!
One of my favorites! I love the SuperOcean Hertiage and also how tastefully they do the two tone!
Fantastic spot!
It’s going to be harder when the season changes and people won’t roll on to the train with rolled up sleeves.
You know, I've been told I should write less to get more engagement.
Not that I listen!
Lol nah I’m joking do you boo-boo. Plus I have an attention span of a pea…what where we talking about again?!
Drat - in reading the post I dropped to 3rd.
Great reading and thanks for the shout out.
Breitling = boring, Longines = WTF, circles, squares, ‘snowflake’ hand, lollipop seconds… aaaahh! A design more confusing than the Swiss Icons from Moser.
Anyhoo - on to the subject I’d rather discuss 😍 yay Seiko and GS!
I’m totally fine with 72 micro seasons, and reading through the list of them makes me feel nostalgic for small town Japan, and happy. So guess I’m an odd duck not bothered by the endless season watches, but can understand why many people are put off
Quick aside: ‘taisetsu’ means “important” in regular Japanese
Yes, there are some obscure Kanji that can be pronounced tai setsu that mean ‘heavy snow’ , but it’s uncommon enough that my native speaker wife was quite confused why a winter ( fu-yu) or gray sky (kumori) watch is called ‘Taisetsu’. End Aside
Despite my love for the 413, I was quite tortured to choose it over the Winter.
I was born in, and grew up in Vancouver BC, which is dark and rainy (sometimes snowy) for 8 to 9 months per year.
Long ago, When travelling abroad for many months in a hot climate, flying into dark grey cold Vancouver made me smile widely, rather than feel sad. For me, rainy and dark grey feels like home.
So wtf- how did I justify spring? Thankfully I’ve got rock solid cherry blossom credentials as well (and I love watches with ‘pop’) so it felt equally justified going for the 413. 😌
(I try to collect watches that connect well to my personality and story)
For my weekly sighting:
Yet again, more of the evil crown - another Rolex Submariner!
I even tried it on! It’s a Starbucks , I think. The Kermit is a Alu bezel, right? I don’t know Rolex at all, other than the basics.
On wrist of my work colleague who I’m happy to learn is a newly minted watch collector (he’s up to 4).
He bought it in Toronto via a friend who had an AD that the friend is close with.
Our Van city AD (Palladio) gave him the same rude cold shoulder they gave me, but he still wanted a Rolex, so he looked further afield.
Not speaking native Mandarin puts you at a serious disadvantage to getting a Rolex in Vancouver. 🙄
Oh, I forgot - cool roadster! I’ll try on one next time I get the chance!
Dude, you ever been to Alice's in Woodside?
Went there with my sister for her co-worker's vintage clothing pop-up sale. The bar was filled with locals - some obviously farmer-adjacent, while others were multi-multi-millionaire tech folks, but it was impossible to tell which was which by looking at them! There was one dude at the corner of the bar, eating his chili fries, enjoying a nice evening with his golden retriever at his feet, when I noticed this on his wrist...
When I complimented him on the watch, he said that he had some Rolexes, but that this was his favorite watch. Turns out he's not a farmer, but a retired-at-age-40 tech entrepreneur who now spends his days hanging out at the bar at Alice's.
Also spotted this on the wrist of my sister's co-worker's friend...
Me being significantly older than everyone else there - all my sister's and her co-worker's friends - my job was to keep the bar tab open and allow everyone to order food and drinks on my dime. It was an absolutely awesome evening. There was a local farmer's chicken that hung out on the bar all night. There were lots of friendly dogs hanging out in the grassy area. The sunset was gorgeous. And I may have had one blood orange margarita too many. Now, the issue is that I become too charming when I'm drunk. By the end of the evening, the co-worker's friend was inviting me to go skiing in Tahoe! That's when all the fun came to screeching halt. I mean, that's when reality hit...
I felt like Bill Murray in Lost in Translation when Scarlett Johannson's character orders a drink and sends it his way early in the film, and the scene cuts to him looking at himself in the mirror, obviously very flattered, thinking to himself...
But, there be dragons! Best not to hang out with good-looking twenty-somethings, drinking too much, when they're all like half your age, and you're a happily-married man and want to stay that way!
Finally, saw this on my Southwest flight this morning...
At least, I think that's what I saw! On the wrist of a software sales guy. How did I know he was in software sales? Because he was dressed in a suit - and who wears suits nowadays? But, more importantly, he had that unmistakable air of someone who'd made a lot of money by being a fast talker and jumping on opportunities. Also, he was on his cell phone as everyone was getting seated, talking to someone about software, and said, and I quote, "Yeah, that's me! I'm Mr. Johnny on the Spot. I'll get it done for you." Who else talks like that, but software sales guys???
Drat - in reading the post I dropped to 3rd.
Great reading and thanks for the shout out.
Breitling = boring, Longines = WTF, circles, squares, ‘snowflake’ hand, lollipop seconds… aaaahh! A design more confusing than the Swiss Icons from Moser.
Anyhoo - on to the subject I’d rather discuss 😍 yay Seiko and GS!
I’m totally fine with 72 micro seasons, and reading through the list of them makes me feel nostalgic for small town Japan, and happy. So guess I’m an odd duck not bothered by the endless season watches, but can understand why many people are put off
Quick aside: ‘taisetsu’ means “important” in regular Japanese
Yes, there are some obscure Kanji that can be pronounced tai setsu that mean ‘heavy snow’ , but it’s uncommon enough that my native speaker wife was quite confused why a winter ( fu-yu) or gray sky (kumori) watch is called ‘Taisetsu’. End Aside
Despite my love for the 413, I was quite tortured to choose it over the Winter.
I was born in, and grew up in Vancouver BC, which is dark and rainy (sometimes snowy) for 8 to 9 months per year.
Long ago, When travelling abroad for many months in a hot climate, flying into dark grey cold Vancouver made me smile widely, rather than feel sad. For me, rainy and dark grey feels like home.
So wtf- how did I justify spring? Thankfully I’ve got rock solid cherry blossom credentials as well (and I love watches with ‘pop’) so it felt equally justified going for the 413. 😌
(I try to collect watches that connect well to my personality and story)
For my weekly sighting:
Yet again, more of the evil crown - another Rolex Submariner!
I even tried it on! It’s a Starbucks , I think. The Kermit is a Alu bezel, right? I don’t know Rolex at all, other than the basics.
On wrist of my work colleague who I’m happy to learn is a newly minted watch collector (he’s up to 4).
He bought it in Toronto via a friend who had an AD that the friend is close with.
Our Van city AD (Palladio) gave him the same rude cold shoulder they gave me, but he still wanted a Rolex, so he looked further afield.
Not speaking native Mandarin puts you at a serious disadvantage to getting a Rolex in Vancouver. 🙄
Oh, I forgot - cool roadster! I’ll try on one next time I get the chance!
I'm not against the micro season thing but it does mean that I have to start referring to things as the "2020 Grand Seiko seasons Autumn but not the Soko Light and Shadow Ones."
I do like the 413 a lot...funny how certain colors trigger memories and emotions for us.
Nice spot on the Starbucks!
Dude, you ever been to Alice's in Woodside?
Went there with my sister for her co-worker's vintage clothing pop-up sale. The bar was filled with locals - some obviously farmer-adjacent, while others were multi-multi-millionaire tech folks, but it was impossible to tell which was which by looking at them! There was one dude at the corner of the bar, eating his chili fries, enjoying a nice evening with his golden retriever at his feet, when I noticed this on his wrist...
When I complimented him on the watch, he said that he had some Rolexes, but that this was his favorite watch. Turns out he's not a farmer, but a retired-at-age-40 tech entrepreneur who now spends his days hanging out at the bar at Alice's.
Also spotted this on the wrist of my sister's co-worker's friend...
Me being significantly older than everyone else there - all my sister's and her co-worker's friends - my job was to keep the bar tab open and allow everyone to order food and drinks on my dime. It was an absolutely awesome evening. There was a local farmer's chicken that hung out on the bar all night. There were lots of friendly dogs hanging out in the grassy area. The sunset was gorgeous. And I may have had one blood orange margarita too many. Now, the issue is that I become too charming when I'm drunk. By the end of the evening, the co-worker's friend was inviting me to go skiing in Tahoe! That's when all the fun came to screeching halt. I mean, that's when reality hit...
I felt like Bill Murray in Lost in Translation when Scarlett Johannson's character orders a drink and sends it his way early in the film, and the scene cuts to him looking at himself in the mirror, obviously very flattered, thinking to himself...
But, there be dragons! Best not to hang out with good-looking twenty-somethings, drinking too much, when they're all like half your age, and you're a happily-married man and want to stay that way!
Finally, saw this on my Southwest flight this morning...
At least, I think that's what I saw! On the wrist of a software sales guy. How did I know he was in software sales? Because he was dressed in a suit - and who wears suits nowadays? But, more importantly, he had that unmistakable air of someone who'd made a lot of money by being a fast talker and jumping on opportunities. Also, he was on his cell phone as everyone was getting seated, talking to someone about software, and said, and I quote, "Yeah, that's me! I'm Mr. Johnny on the Spot. I'll get it done for you." Who else talks like that, but software sales guys???
Amazing stories and even better spots.
I'm always here for a gold AP, a Spring Drive diver, and a deep descent into existential angst about one's age.
Mr. Johnny on the Spot is pretty much every software sales guy I've ever known.
Like you I have a soft spot for the Milgauss. The second hand the green glass make it perhaps the easiest to ID. I saw one on an attorney enthusiast that I encounter frequently. He has about six watches all of equal or better quality. He has nothing obscure or quirky. Solid choices, but not inspired choices. Still, I liked the Milgauss.
I saw the Roadster again on another attorney in court. I said "nice Roadster." He had forgotten that we had discussed it a year ago. I don't forget a travesty of a watch like that. It is a war crime.
A friend of mine was wearing an Orient Kamasu. His girlfriend must have bought it for him. He usually wears a Timex or Rolex. The red dial was really quite nice. He is a big guy and can wear it with a suit with no problem. I was surprised how it dressed up.
I did a hearing this morning with a state's attorney. As we were wrapping up I spotted this. This attorney is a scion of one of the premier legal families in our town. He is a really nice guy and very unassuming. It had been a wedding gift. That was why he liked it. He was oblivious to why someone had selected that watch for him. Nothing wrong with that.
I have no attraction to Junghans. I think most Bauhaus is a tired fraud at this point. The rest of their line, like the Form A, look like drop shipped watches. Vintage Junghans are quirky, the way old Porsches are quirky. Modern Junghans is punishing us with boring watches that we are supposed to love. No, it is not an important watch. It is the functional equivalent of the Movado Museum watch. You can tell me it's pretty, but don't tell me it's art.
Like you I have a soft spot for the Milgauss. The second hand the green glass make it perhaps the easiest to ID. I saw one on an attorney enthusiast that I encounter frequently. He has about six watches all of equal or better quality. He has nothing obscure or quirky. Solid choices, but not inspired choices. Still, I liked the Milgauss.
I saw the Roadster again on another attorney in court. I said "nice Roadster." He had forgotten that we had discussed it a year ago. I don't forget a travesty of a watch like that. It is a war crime.
A friend of mine was wearing an Orient Kamasu. His girlfriend must have bought it for him. He usually wears a Timex or Rolex. The red dial was really quite nice. He is a big guy and can wear it with a suit with no problem. I was surprised how it dressed up.
I did a hearing this morning with a state's attorney. As we were wrapping up I spotted this. This attorney is a scion of one of the premier legal families in our town. He is a really nice guy and very unassuming. It had been a wedding gift. That was why he liked it. He was oblivious to why someone had selected that watch for him. Nothing wrong with that.
I have no attraction to Junghans. I think most Bauhaus is a tired fraud at this point. The rest of their line, like the Form A, look like drop shipped watches. Vintage Junghans are quirky, the way old Porsches are quirky. Modern Junghans is punishing us with boring watches that we are supposed to love. No, it is not an important watch. It is the functional equivalent of the Movado Museum watch. You can tell me it's pretty, but don't tell me it's art.
The Milgauss is the only regular production steel sports model that has personality. Everything else is just so colorless.
Your roadster prejudice has never abated. I think some influencer needs to wear one so we can resurrect this timeless classic to the forefront of watchdom's hype cycle again.
Love the red Kamasu. It's a remarkably competent watch, probably the best starter watch there is.
On Junghans, I am reminded of a conversation with the now absent @roberto about what constituted good Bauhaus minimalism versus bad. Frankly, I still can't tell.
In my opinion, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time 39 matches and surpasses the Tudor GMTs in every way except the movement
In my opinion, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time 39 matches and surpasses the Tudor GMTs in every way except the movement
💯
The Zulu Times are absolutely fantastic watches. Class leading even.
I'd take a Zulu Time 39 over a BB GMT any day of the week.
You know, I've been told I should write less to get more engagement.
Not that I listen!
Nah, you're one of the few long reads. Keep it!
The Milgauss is the only regular production steel sports model that has personality. Everything else is just so colorless.
Your roadster prejudice has never abated. I think some influencer needs to wear one so we can resurrect this timeless classic to the forefront of watchdom's hype cycle again.
Love the red Kamasu. It's a remarkably competent watch, probably the best starter watch there is.
On Junghans, I am reminded of a conversation with the now absent @roberto about what constituted good Bauhaus minimalism versus bad. Frankly, I still can't tell.
F yeah, roadsters unite!
I did a bit more macro photography and here's a teaser of the roadster
Went to a Zenith event tonight and saw, lots of...chronomasters. Tried on the Original, 38mm dial, nice but not at USD 11k or whatever it was.
A few other interesting pieces were a Schumacher Speedy! First time seeing it! Quite bold. Looked nice and you can get these for quite cheap! 3k?
M.A.D. 1 RED. First time seeing one in the flesh. Quite tall, very striking. Unique of telling the tone from the bottom side of the case. Would be a discreet way of telling the time in meetings if it weren't for the loud red color with a quickly spinning rotor where the dial should be 😂.
Reminded me that I hope I win the lottery to be selected for the upcoming green one!
An older Pepsi with a nicely faded pink bezel. I like it better than the fuschia version.
Nah, you're one of the few long reads. Keep it!
Not gonna give up on this one any time soon. I like writing and I like watches and somehow some subsegment of you folks like it too.
As long as I see interesting watches and have something to say, I will be writing.
Went to a Zenith event tonight and saw, lots of...chronomasters. Tried on the Original, 38mm dial, nice but not at USD 11k or whatever it was.
A few other interesting pieces were a Schumacher Speedy! First time seeing it! Quite bold. Looked nice and you can get these for quite cheap! 3k?
M.A.D. 1 RED. First time seeing one in the flesh. Quite tall, very striking. Unique of telling the tone from the bottom side of the case. Would be a discreet way of telling the time in meetings if it weren't for the loud red color with a quickly spinning rotor where the dial should be 😂.
Reminded me that I hope I win the lottery to be selected for the upcoming green one!
An older Pepsi with a nicely faded pink bezel. I like it better than the fuschia version.
Some excellent watch spots! I wish my local watch togethers had MBFs!
I think the entire Zenith Chronometer line is so close to being amazing for me but for whatever reason I don't find the case shape compelling on my wrist. The Chronomaster Sport is close but I do find that it wears it's full height. A personal flaw to be certain.
Some excellent watch spots! I wish my local watch togethers had MBFs!
I think the entire Zenith Chronometer line is so close to being amazing for me but for whatever reason I don't find the case shape compelling on my wrist. The Chronomaster Sport is close but I do find that it wears it's full height. A personal flaw to be certain.
The case shape seems quite similar to lots of watches like the Daytona. Try it on again. I tried the original on last night and on the bracelet, it looks very long lug to lug, however the SA said it's bc the stickers are still on it and it "pulled" the first end links too taut and made the case look longer than normal. Maybe the same for you?
I want to own a zenith at some point too. I like the blue sub dials of the sport and the white and new black dial, but it's too similar to my panda Daytona. Instead, I tried on the chronomaster original, which has a more vintage look. I really liked that 38mm size.
When I was at the Longines museum, they had this entire section about when Longines was the official timekeeper of the Olympics and the pioneering tech they created for the Games. My guide (coyly and somewhat reluctantly, for fear of getting trouble I suppose) mentioned that Longines isn’t allowed to bring this up publicly because that’s Omega’s territory now.
When I was at the Longines museum, they had this entire section about when Longines was the official timekeeper of the Olympics and the pioneering tech they created for the Games. My guide (coyly and somewhat reluctantly, for fear of getting trouble I suppose) mentioned that Longines isn’t allowed to bring this up publicly because that’s Omega’s territory now.
Amazing. I should expect nothing less from Swatch.
I often wonder if this is just a crazy Swatch culture thing. Like they can't conceive that the pie can expand and that proper design and investment into Longines could long term BENEFIT Omega.
I know not every conglomerate is like this. Richemont has half a dozen brands in similar price ranges that seem to all have different niches and all seem to be doing decently. Its just baffling to me.
Also, you often remind me why you're an actual journalist and I'm just a crank on the internet.
Amazing. I should expect nothing less from Swatch.
I often wonder if this is just a crazy Swatch culture thing. Like they can't conceive that the pie can expand and that proper design and investment into Longines could long term BENEFIT Omega.
I know not every conglomerate is like this. Richemont has half a dozen brands in similar price ranges that seem to all have different niches and all seem to be doing decently. Its just baffling to me.
Also, you often remind me why you're an actual journalist and I'm just a crank on the internet.
Oh, no no no. I’m not a journalist, just a writer on the internet (and sometimes print).