Watches in the Wild (San Diego Spots, Volume 50)
Disclaimer: A Formex Essence 39 in honor of Windup.
This is the fiftieth 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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Sorry for the missed week there. Work has been absolute madness lately and I've not been as rigorous a spotter lately as I have been. I wonder if we're about to enter a mini dry spell with sweater weather finally here to stay.
Still, I did sneak in a trip to San Diego with my oldest daughter over the weekend for her birthday and much watch spotting was had in the airports and while wandering around the city.
***Beginneth aside***
San Diego Friends. You have the sun, the sand, industry, and maybe the finest tacos in the world. You are a metropolitan area of over 1 million people. You are a city of note and maybe one of the nicest places to live in the entire world.
So tell me San Diego friends, why does your airport suck so much? I think I spent an hour on the flight and two hours trying to leave the gate and getting a rental car. It's also been under construction since the Reagan administration.
***Endeth aside***
There was a good mix as well. Super high end to more ubiquitous luxury to budget. I found the conversations, overall, excellent and I hope you enjoy!
Black Bay 58 (gilt)
Black Bay Chronograph (panda)
BB Ceramic
A passel of Black Bays to whet the whistle, all spotted in the airport. I've covered most of these in the past, save the ceramic.
I am not, as they say, a tacti-cool kinda guy. I own no body armor. Military inspired watches aren't my thing. The knives I do own are used primarily as letter openers. And blacked out anything....well just isn't my thing.
And so a blacked out vintage inspired diver in a maxi 41mmm x 14.5mm case on a leather strap no less was never really going to make the cut on something that I'm intrigued by. And a diver whose primary bracelet option is leather? Sigh.
The most damning thing by far, however is the fact that the MT5602 movement seems to have some durability issues. Uptick Watch Reviews was the first person I am aware of to bring up movement durability when his BB Ceramic broke after just a few weeks of ownership.
https://youtu.be/Tma0uTpPxeQ?si=f9Grltaet5xq55di
A watchmaker friend who has worked on these movements tells me that he's really deeply unimpressed, citing a stamped pallet bride and center wheel (which he thinks was an attempt at slimming the movement) and an unconventional design that he seemed to think would create extra wear.
But I do appreciate that this watch exists and that the House of Wilsdorf deigns Tudor worthy of being its new materials and technology testbed. And this was Tudor's first Master Chronometer, which has set the stage for the next stage of great competition with Omega.
Richard Mille RM005
Seen on the wrist of a petite woman boarding my flight to San Francisco. I asked her if it was what I thought it was and she laughed and said yes. I asked if she was a watch collector and she said yes but this one had been appropriated from her husband for the weekend. I love it and also I want to know you.
I have largely come full circle on Richard Mille. At first, I thought it was very ugly but cool horology. Then, I warned to the looks, thinking it was basically just a pricey Mechanical G-shock. And then I remembered I don't really like the look of G-shocks either. So there we are.
Richard Mille, at the very least, has a sense of humor about who they are. They know they make crazy watches for people with more wealth than I can imagine (well maybe not that much, I do have a very big imagination). But they are, by and large, exquisitely finished for tool watches and the horology itself is excellent. Ultrathin movements, exceptional shock and magnetic resistance. For example, this RM005 has a variable geometry rotor which can be adjusted to the activity of the wearer to prevent unnecessary wear and tear or overwinding.
Speaking of, the RM005 is their entry level piece and, amusingly, is made of white gold (compared to their higher end stuff which is predominantly titanium). It's also surprisingly wearable. I was not so bold to ask to see it but it did look not entirely out of place on her wrist (at 37mm wide, 45mm lug to lug and 11mm tall).
All in all RM is of a similar mold as MB&F, design forward watches with some real deal watchmaking backing them up that I don't really care for aesthetically. And now that I've enraged the nerds in the chat....
Timex Expedition North Tide Temp Compass
Seen in my parking garage on the wrist of a gentleman and complimented it. He looked surprised for a moment and then identified it and then mentioned he got it on Amazon and then immediately switched the band and loved the complications. We got to watch collecting and he bemoaned the fact that his wife was beginning to hassle him about his thirty plus watch collection and how he didn't really know how to get rid of a bunch of relatively budget watches. I suggested running a charitable auction at a place like WatchCrunch. You might be surprised at the turnout.
Anyway, this was a cool conversation and also a surprisingly cool little watch. I admit, my inclinations as a watch nerd don't really trend towards Timex. The aesthetics are a little bit or miss for me, I am tepid on quartz, and I hate history and American timepiece manufacturing (just kidding).
But this was a striking watch to me, if only because the layout reminded me of a Seiko Land Kinetic GMT and the finish was very Sinn with a touch of circular brush on the bezel and a heavy bead blasted on the case.
And, to be frank, it is a rather attractive watch. I like the colored pushers and the combination of subdials. It screams tool watch in all the right ways to me, even with the slightly above average sizing (43mm x 13mm).
For $150, I think you can't go too wrong.
Swatchpain Pacific Ocean
Seeing on wrist of it dude while I was stopped at a stoplight in El Cajon. I complimented it from the car, he looked extremely confused and also very pleased that someone recognized it. He definitely had matching yellow sneakers, so I'm guessing he was a little less watch nerd and a little more hypebeast aficionado.
I am glad I have finally seen one of these in person because it has allowed me to test a pet theory of mine. I believe that Swatch designed these watches entirely to photograph with with color saturation turned to max.
Like in the photos, they look like they could almost be ceramic. Like look at this Rado True square and tell me that you couldn't squint and feel like they had a similar construction.
But in reality the Swatchpain looks like this.
I suspect the real difference is that full ceramic (even frosted ceramic) has a lustrousness to it that you only get when you have a glass like substance underlying it. Plastic, wonder substance though it is, has none of these wonderful attributes. Reflection yo! Maybe this is why we like acrylic crystals (clarity) but find even high quality plastic watch cases somewhat flat colored.
Anyway, oddly enough I find this Swatch collab to be an improvement on the original. It's a decently capable sports watch with classic good looks and a pretty okay movement. Disposable, too hyped, and annoying to buy? Absolutely. But also not terrible.
Which is about as close as it gets to me complimenting a Swatch collab.
What cool watches did you see this week?
By day, investor and father. By night, Seiko nut. #justgooutsideandtouchgrass
As a resident of San Diego, on behalf of San Diego, you are correct about the airport we apologize! I am sure in around 4 years when the construction is finished it will be much better 😀.
Heading to SD in a few weeks for a cruise and will be hitting up Tacos El Gordo. Went to the one in Chula Vista before and it’s the best tacos I’ve ever had…and I’ve eaten a lot of tacos in my life. I went there with my friends and scared them on how many I devoured. Not to mention I ate brain taco too.
Anyways, what are people’s initial reaction when you ask them about their watch? Is it shock that anyone would notice or is it scared that you’re going to rob them? 🤣
I’ve gotta sit down somewhere and do more watch spotting. All I see is Apple Watch. Maybe I have to strategically sit in a from aisle of the plane and have a direct line of sight of people’s wrists as they walk to the back of the plane. 🦄
Nice write up. Thanks.
Saw one: on the wrist of a patron sitting to my left at a gastropub. Never got a look at the dial. I really need to get out more…🤦🏼♂️
A kid at the local Italian restaurant saw my Monta Noble and remarked about how nice it looked. He showed me his Geckota and was really proud that it was his first automatic. It was this one. We bored the people on line behind me trying to get their order. lol.
As a resident of San Diego, on behalf of San Diego, you are correct about the airport we apologize! I am sure in around 4 years when the construction is finished it will be much better 😀.
2035! That's what they said about the expansion. Come on guys!
It's a single runway that gets covered by fog every night!
Sigh. I love your city so much, but it hurts getting there.
Heading to SD in a few weeks for a cruise and will be hitting up Tacos El Gordo. Went to the one in Chula Vista before and it’s the best tacos I’ve ever had…and I’ve eaten a lot of tacos in my life. I went there with my friends and scared them on how many I devoured. Not to mention I ate brain taco too.
Anyways, what are people’s initial reaction when you ask them about their watch? Is it shock that anyone would notice or is it scared that you’re going to rob them? 🤣
I’ve gotta sit down somewhere and do more watch spotting. All I see is Apple Watch. Maybe I have to strategically sit in a from aisle of the plane and have a direct line of sight of people’s wrists as they walk to the back of the plane. 🦄
Honestly? If you ID the watch and are wearing a mechanical yourself, it generally doesn't get that weird. Mechanical watch wearers are a weird bunch and if you talk to a microbrand wearer, you are talking to a fellow enthusiast 90% of the time.
Of course, if they're wearing a Rolex, it's a complete crap shoot.
Nice write up. Thanks.
Saw one: on the wrist of a patron sitting to my left at a gastropub. Never got a look at the dial. I really need to get out more…🤦🏼♂️
I feel like I should do a watch identification MasterClass or something. I see watches everywhere but maybe I'm just broken.😜
A kid at the local Italian restaurant saw my Monta Noble and remarked about how nice it looked. He showed me his Geckota and was really proud that it was his first automatic. It was this one. We bored the people on line behind me trying to get their order. lol.
Excellent spot (and excellent wear!). I wish I knew more about Geckota, I mainly think of them for their watch accessories!
I feel like I should do a watch identification MasterClass or something. I see watches everywhere but maybe I'm just broken.😜
Much like @SpecKTator, when I have looked recently, all I see are Apple Watches. Everyone on staff at that gastropub had an Apple Watch, one of which was an Ultra. 🍎
Last year, I went to a wedding in Barcelona, and while visiting the Sagrada Familia, had a conversation with a Barcelona native, who commented that there was one thing that we Americans truly sucked at... corruption.
"When you build freeways, it only takes 4 or 5 years. How much money can you steal from taxpayers in only 4 or 5 years?" he asked incredulously. "Here, in Spain, we know how to suck taxpayers dry!"
And he pointed to the Sagrada Familia itself.
"It's been 'under renovation' for a century! THAT'S how you make corruption really pay!"
Well, I guess we should rejoice! We're finally catching up to the Europeans on taxpayer funded boondoggles!
Much like @SpecKTator, when I have looked recently, all I see are Apple Watches. Everyone on staff at that gastropub had an Apple Watch, one of which was an Ultra. 🍎
I see a lot of apple watches too! Nothing to be done there but it makes the actual watch spot all the sweeter!
Great post, sharp eyes and cool watches! From SD, house and friends still there and yes, our airport is a construction zone shit show … but the landing is cool! I agree with @ChiefIlliniwek on the 4 years 😆
Last, are you saying my Rado looks like a Minion? 🤙❤️😂
Last year, I went to a wedding in Barcelona, and while visiting the Sagrada Familia, had a conversation with a Barcelona native, who commented that there was one thing that we Americans truly sucked at... corruption.
"When you build freeways, it only takes 4 or 5 years. How much money can you steal from taxpayers in only 4 or 5 years?" he asked incredulously. "Here, in Spain, we know how to suck taxpayers dry!"
And he pointed to the Sagrada Familia itself.
"It's been 'under renovation' for a century! THAT'S how you make corruption really pay!"
Well, I guess we should rejoice! We're finally catching up to the Europeans on taxpayer funded boondoggles!
I mean you guys definitely need a bigger airport! Your airport is smaller than the airport in Omaha, NE and you have 3x the population!
Anyway, still a lovely trip!
Great post, sharp eyes and cool watches! From SD, house and friends still there and yes, our airport is a construction zone shit show … but the landing is cool! I agree with @ChiefIlliniwek on the 4 years 😆
Last, are you saying my Rado looks like a Minion? 🤙❤️😂
No, your watch looks like an Apple watch with personality! 😂😂😂
Low key, I love the true square! It's so much fun and the Tej Chauhan design is awesome.
No, your watch looks like an Apple watch with personality! 😂😂😂
Low key, I love the true square! It's so much fun and the Tej Chauhan design is awesome.
Haha someone did ask if I was wearing a Apple Watch prototype. It was a total love-at-first-sight and the yellow, quilted (!), leather deployant strap sold it for me 🤙
Love your posts as always.
I won't cheat and share watches I saw at the microbrand event or the Only Watch exhibit, but here's one I'll sneak in there because it's a SICK watch +- the Krayon Anywhere. It can tell the sunrise and sunset anywhere in the world. I also love the pointillism style, monet-like painting.
I saw the coolest BB58 ever. It's one made for the Google watch club! Right at the bottom of the dial under the swiss made text, there are the Google colors. It's really subtle and easily missed. Google apparently has done several collabs before - v cool.
Saw the biggest Odysseus in the world at Harrods
I was in a temple open house on Saturday where you get to see the temple before it's dedicated & mostly closed to the general public.
During 45 minutes of being in a constant line of hundreds of people that sometimes doubled back on itself, I saw 4 actual watches, but was moving too fast to properly ID any of them.
Smartwatches outnumbered them probably 50-1.
This is the plight of the watch nerd. We're an endangered species.
Great post as usual 🍻 Thank you for taking the time to put these together ❤
Also, we are Formex twinsies now!
The Formex looks fantastic on you. Twwwwiiiiinnnnnssssiiiiiieeeessssss.
I've owned a lot of watches over the years and I have done a lot of reflecting on why certain watches feel like they punch above their weight and why others don't. I frankly still don't really know how to express it.
But I reach for the Formex often and in many different situations.
It scratches an itch I never knew that I had.
Wait, so you got the white dial formex over the MOP and sky MOP? Either way it's, super classy and clean!
It's actually the white MoP! It has a beautifully subtle dial which can look white in some lights and then you get all the blues and greens in others. I will get the better camera out soon and get some better pics up 🙂
Love your posts as always.
I won't cheat and share watches I saw at the microbrand event or the Only Watch exhibit, but here's one I'll sneak in there because it's a SICK watch +- the Krayon Anywhere. It can tell the sunrise and sunset anywhere in the world. I also love the pointillism style, monet-like painting.
I saw the coolest BB58 ever. It's one made for the Google watch club! Right at the bottom of the dial under the swiss made text, there are the Google colors. It's really subtle and easily missed. Google apparently has done several collabs before - v cool.
Saw the biggest Odysseus in the world at Harrods
The very first watches in the wild (wedding edition) featured a Krayon Anywhere, though in the far more pedestrian blue 😉 It's one of the craziest watches I've ever seen.
I did know about the Tudor collabs! They did a really good job with almost all the ones I've seen!
Man, when did that mega Lange go up? That's super cool!
The Richard Mille is a cool spot! I like RM. If I were a billionaire I'd get one.
I'm back to work at the wine shop on Saturdays and spotted this Sinn 756. Very exciting for a Sinnguy like myself. A chronograph with 200M water resistance!? Had a nice chat with the owner. We exchanges Sinn watches for a moment and I gave his a shake to feel the Valjoux wobble.
On the wrist of an employee at my local grocery store. I've written about her before in this column. We do a wrist check whenever I see her, so now I have to carefully select a watch before I go to the corner for more beer and cat litter.
The Richard Mille is a cool spot! I like RM. If I were a billionaire I'd get one.
I'm back to work at the wine shop on Saturdays and spotted this Sinn 756. Very exciting for a Sinnguy like myself. A chronograph with 200M water resistance!? Had a nice chat with the owner. We exchanges Sinn watches for a moment and I gave his a shake to feel the Valjoux wobble.
On the wrist of an employee at my local grocery store. I've written about her before in this column. We do a wrist check whenever I see her, so now I have to carefully select a watch before I go to the corner for more beer and cat litter.
Excellent spots! That 756 is a unicorn...not just a chronograph but a chrono-GMT!
And a beautiful Seiko Recraft too!
You had a great week and seems like a great conversation too!
The very first watches in the wild (wedding edition) featured a Krayon Anywhere, though in the far more pedestrian blue 😉 It's one of the craziest watches I've ever seen.
I did know about the Tudor collabs! They did a really good job with almost all the ones I've seen!
Man, when did that mega Lange go up? That's super cool!
I will at some point go thriugj all of your WITW posts, love them. Some like people watching, I love watch watching. Krayon is nuts, but as you said, unnecessarily nuts, which is exactly why it's so cool.
I went to harrods in early October and it was there. I was just visiting. It's awesome if you didn't see it at W&W.
It's actually the white MoP! It has a beautifully subtle dial which can look white in some lights and then you get all the blues and greens in others. I will get the better camera out soon and get some better pics up 🙂
Congrats! I'd love a MOP dial at some point. The iridescence is something I'd stare at all the time. Someone had an amazing Sinn black-ish MOP - it was sleek.
Was on a course with work last week. Spent four whole days trying to see any good watches, then on Thursday two came up. First a Bremont MBII on a pale blue rubber strap.
I had a very short chat to the guy, I explained i'd visited their manufacturing facility back in August. He said he got the watch from there. And that was it. No follow up, nothing.
The next one was even worse.
I saw a guy wearing an Aqua Terra, 41mm green dial. I say to him "That's a really nice Aqua Terra"
He replied with: "Oh, no, it's an Omega."
Ah, right you are then. I'll be off now.
Wow! Thanks for BB ceramic heads up! I liked that watch despite its dumbness (I dig big black divers for some reason 🤷♂️) .. But will stick with my bomb proof spring drive for now!
RM are as you describe, bonkers and silly, but cool engineering.
But MB&F ?? How dare you! I feel enraged! (I’m a fanboy of Max and his company )
No watch sighting this week 😒, but loved hearing about your sightings
I’ve got a couple meetups in the cards (Seattle, then LA) so should be more to talk about soon !
BTW - I’ve owned ceramic watches and love the tech
was in a swatch store a few weeks ago and the plastic watches look nothing like ceramic, in person
I think you hit the mail on the head with that swatchpain description 👌
The very first watches in the wild (wedding edition) featured a Krayon Anywhere, though in the far more pedestrian blue 😉 It's one of the craziest watches I've ever seen.
I did know about the Tudor collabs! They did a really good job with almost all the ones I've seen!
Man, when did that mega Lange go up? That's super cool!
I saw a Tudor MBandF special edition on the wrist of the staff at MB&F Singapore!
Sadly - I couldn’t really tell what made it different from any other Tudor. Too subtle and I’m no Tudor expert
Kudos if you can spot what’s different 🤷♂🤔
Wow! Thanks for BB ceramic heads up! I liked that watch despite its dumbness (I dig big black divers for some reason 🤷♂️) .. But will stick with my bomb proof spring drive for now!
RM are as you describe, bonkers and silly, but cool engineering.
But MB&F ?? How dare you! I feel enraged! (I’m a fanboy of Max and his company )
No watch sighting this week 😒, but loved hearing about your sightings
I’ve got a couple meetups in the cards (Seattle, then LA) so should be more to talk about soon !
On the one hand, I like that BB ceramic is as weird as it is. On the other hand, I knew there was going to be a compromise somewhere the way that the House of Wilsdorf works and I guess the movement is it.
Keep that spring drive, it's a superior watch and I don't think it's really close.
I stand by my RM comments. Haters come at me!
https://youtu.be/4KTv93Fx_Ws?si=TDd3Q2RLqNmPbjUj
I saw a Tudor MBandF special edition on the wrist of the staff at MB&F Singapore!
Sadly - I couldn’t really tell what made it different from any other Tudor. Too subtle and I’m no Tudor expert
Kudos if you can spot what’s different 🤷♂🤔
The normal RHD Pelagos says
Pelagos
Chronometer
Officially Certified
Rotor Self winding
500m-1640 ft
In white text.
I have read that this is a special edition for a Singaporean watch dealer and has an hour glass motif on the back but I've never seen one in person.