HALP! A WATCH DILEMMA.
I have a 6.75* inch wrist. For the longest time it was a 6.75* inch wrist like Britt's husband, Mr. Gringa. That meant that sometimes it's 6.5 and sometimes it's 6.75. A few weeks ago, I measured my wrist and the measuring tape said "7."
At first I thought I measured at the wrong place, I like to wear my watches above the wrist knuckle, but no, I measured at the right place. Measured the next day, and it was somewhere in between 6.75 and 7. So my wrist is still 6.75* inches, but I can round up instead of round down.
My upper body workout regimen (READ: RAISING YOUNG CHILDREN) seems to have paid off.
I need to revisit my assumptions on how watches fit me.
Long ago I tried the current generation of the SMP300 at an AD, and I felt that the watch was too big for me, especially on bracelet. I was a little crestfallen as I felt that the bracelet is very much a part of the SMP300's design.
So I made peace with the fact that unless Omega revives the mid-size SMP300, that watch is not for me.
Since I re-measured my wrist I visited a Seiko AD and tried on all of the dive watches. To my surprise, even the MM300 fit me, though a bit heavy. At that moment, I knew I needed to make a trip to one of the Omega ADs or boutiques in Manhattan.
So the other day, took a long lunch and did just that. And guess what? The current METAS SMP300 fit me... on bracelet no less.
Salesperson gave me the hard sell (the white dial is one of the more popular options, "it retains its value," "we have a special summer financing deal"). It is funny how you receive better customer service and more attention when you walk into a fancy watch dealer wearing a Grand Seiko compared to a regular Seiko.
The SMP300, a current version and not a neo-vintage Brosnan-era version, is a now an option for me.
I now have a set of extremely first world problems.
PROBLEM ONE:
I have spousal approval, and (more importantly) encouragement, to buy a different watch. A few weeks back, I talked about Longines Spirit Zulu Time and my wife was enthusiastic. Never seen her be enthusiastic. I went to a boutique and tried it on and it's awesome. I cannot screw up an instance of spousal approval and encouragement so the Zulu Time 39 must be my next purchase and I will gladly make that purchase.
PROBLEM TWO:
I've spent years convincing myself that, no matter how much I liked the watch, the SMP300 is not for me. The facts have now changed and my prior conclusion about the watch no longer hold up. Still, it feels weird to go from "the SMP300 is not for me" considering purchasing one at long last. What if I lose weight and/or muscle tone and the watch is too big for me again?
PROBLEM THREE:
I still want a SPB313, the white dial Slim Turtle. Does it make sense to own two white dial divers?
Anyways, I think my plan is going to be Zulu Time 39 (because I want my wife to be excited about a watch purchase for once), and if I can save the money (or my annual bonus is bigger than I anticipate), the SPB313 as well.
I'll punt on the SMP300 and will have a dilemma when I'm ready to buy that Omega, because I still want a Speedy (while my wife wants me to get a Navitimer or some other Breitling chrono).
Other than getting the Longines as my next watch, I feel like I'm in a little bit of a watch collecting pickle. How you other Crunchers handle this?
Watch collecting Californian living in NYC. A Seiko and Timex guy struggling to move upmarket.
It’s much less simple when each watch costs well in excess of $1000.
I’m not fully updated on the MSRPs but couldn’t you squeeze in the Zulutime AND the SPB313 for less than the Omega? And you doesn’t seem 100% comitted to that anyway.
I’m not fully updated on the MSRPs but couldn’t you squeeze in the Zulutime AND the SPB313 for less than the Omega? And you doesn’t seem 100% comitted to that anyway.
With the Omega price increase, yes.
Zulu Time 39 on bracelet + SPB313 = $4300~
Over the course of years, I’ve convinced myself out of the SMP300, trying it once isn’t going to unconvince me.
If wrist size is the issue, why not try the SMP300 on a strap?
Personally, I've given up entirely on bracelets
Clasps are bulky and uncomfortable, and get in the way of desk diving - I don't want to scratch up my lovely 10 year old laptop
No matter how much micro-adjust there is in the bracelet, with 300M WR and solid links, modern stainless steel dive watches are always going to be too heavy and cumbersome and unwieldy
Straps allow you to dress up and dress down any watch, they're lighter, and they conform much better to the wrist
That way... you can get the watch you've been secretly lusting after all this time!
If wrist size is the issue, why not try the SMP300 on a strap?
Personally, I've given up entirely on bracelets
Clasps are bulky and uncomfortable, and get in the way of desk diving - I don't want to scratch up my lovely 10 year old laptop
No matter how much micro-adjust there is in the bracelet, with 300M WR and solid links, modern stainless steel dive watches are always going to be too heavy and cumbersome and unwieldy
Straps allow you to dress up and dress down any watch, they're lighter, and they conform much better to the wrist
That way... you can get the watch you've been secretly lusting after all this time!
But the bracelet is a part of the charm of the watch.
I have no solutions but 1000% of everything you've said is relatable and has happened to me recently.
I read Kclouis’ post several times sincethere is so much to unpack! Based on his wrist size and my personal ownership experience with a SMP300, that watch will fit him just fine. However while I think the bracelet design is congruent with the head of the watch do not feel it is the best option. I always buy bracelets with my watches for the best package value but have switched to an OEM rubber strap was tempted by the steel mesh from Omega but it seems to be an overly popular trend, I was also discouraged by the 1k cad price which is better spent on another watch. I have no experience with the Seiko discussed or the Longines GMT but support both brands in theory.
I do not love the new Breitling Navitimers but his wife is a goddess for encouraging him to consider a watch from their catalogue. I was keenly interested in the re issue Chronomat with the new bullet bracelet until I tried on a Super Chronomat 44mm iteration. There is an ice blue dial, platinum bezel 42mm Chronomat that might be the best model to consider but since these are truly 1st World problems for both Kclouis and me it is wise to being cautious before spending genuine dollars. I dislike the term 1st world problem since a problem is a real problem.
I am new to WC but sense many well adjusted married couples amongst the membership which encourages me since I have always believed the watch hobby to be special.
After further reflection, if you and the wife are both bought in on the Longines, then that's pretty clearly the next step. Milk that wonderful new watch feeling for a bit and maybe continue to try on the SMP.
If you're anything like me, a watch purchase shifts mapped out future watch purchases. Buying a JLC Master Geographic largely choked off my desire for another high end travel watch. Buying a SBGA429 has largely slowed my lust for more GS GADA watches.
It's made me realize that I have to make one purchase at a time.
After further reflection, if you and the wife are both bought in on the Longines, then that's pretty clearly the next step. Milk that wonderful new watch feeling for a bit and maybe continue to try on the SMP.
If you're anything like me, a watch purchase shifts mapped out future watch purchases. Buying a JLC Master Geographic largely choked off my desire for another high end travel watch. Buying a SBGA429 has largely slowed my lust for more GS GADA watches.
It's made me realize that I have to make one purchase at a time.
Yes, a watch purchase alters the future timeline, like the MCU or any time travel storyline in Star Trek.
And yes, the next watch is the Zulu Time 39.
The SMP300 is definitely going to be a “for later” watch. Need to check off the METAS movement box.
Yes, a watch purchase alters the future timeline, like the MCU or any time travel storyline in Star Trek.
And yes, the next watch is the Zulu Time 39.
The SMP300 is definitely going to be a “for later” watch. Need to check off the METAS movement box.
But I also need to be absolutely sure I want this before dropping several grand on this, even if I save some pennies going grey market or second hand.