Cool Wall of Watches #2 Affordable edition

Hello all, and welcome back to the Cool Wall of Watches (CWoW) You join me here today with an issue....what affordable option would be best to lead off on our wall? Curiously, I turned to my own collection, which is all budget-level, and I thought what better way to start off with "flighty." The subject today is the Seiko SNA411 "flight-master". This Seiko has been featured in many a youtube video over the years, garnering praise and ridicule alike. I do not have a picture of my own that is sporting an NDC strap and sapphire crystal mod, so we have a stock amazon pic to give you an idea of the watch. Known for its busy dial, slide rule bezel, alarm, and solid water resistance due to its three (3) screw-down crowns, the SNA411 can be divisive about its looks vs. its practicality. I myself have listed it for sale a few times but always took it off after a few hours of listing for some indescribable reason. So dear reader and Cruncher, what say you? How do you rate this, dare I say, icon of the budget watch world?
199 votes ·
Reply
·

It is cool that it exists but not cool in a "I wouldn't mind owning one of those" sort of way.

I'd be afraid that if someone asked for a demo of the functions I would end up showing how to convert US gallons to knots of altitude.😜

·

For reference:

Image
·

It's trying way too hard, and I've got a better chance of using 200m WR than figuring out what all those numbers are about.  It's not "uncool" so much as I don't like it.  Which actually makes it uncool.

·

Come to think of it, I'm a little surprised that Casio has not adapted a calculator watch to do all the things the Seiko does but digitally and with illumination and at a quarter the price.

·

Wow, this is like my Citizen Nighthawk suggestion, which I suggested so I could voice how seriously uncool I find it to be.

·

This is a cool watch, I love its short lug to lug

Image
·

Dial clutter for days when 99.9% of the time you only want the time of day. Digital is far simpler and more accurate which can be had for under $20.00 in any F91. It only implies the owner knows how to use all the scales.

·
Mister_T

Come to think of it, I'm a little surprised that Casio has not adapted a calculator watch to do all the things the Seiko does but digitally and with illumination and at a quarter the price.

They would have, but everybody was busy whipping up this monstrosity

Image
·

I voted for uncool.  Theres just too much information on the dial and I really like busy dials!

I guess I'm glad it exists but this is most certainly watch as tool rather than watch as aesthetically pleasing. And while fine as a backup tool for pilots, I think I'd rather have a cheap digital to tell me airspeed rather than this analog absurdity.

·

21mm lugs, quartz, and too hyped by TGV bring it down to barely cool(almost uncool.)  Personally the Nighthawk is the better option.  The problem with both of these watches is that you have to explain that the reason they are so busy is that they are pilot watches, but in reality pilots don't use them.  If you are down to using a slide rule in 2022 to calculate fuel burn, you need to land. 

·

Far too busy to be useful as a navigational tool.

·

Can I recommend tagging these posts with a unique hashtag like #wallofcool so we can track them over time? I'm curious which watches are the most polarizing - high % think sub-zero or seriously uncool 😀

·

It's cool, like owning a Tesla when you live outside the grid cool, aka unless you fly it's as useless as, well, anything useless I guess.

So, cool to look at, seriously either compensating for something or a nerd in general in addition to being a watch nerd most of the time.

Overall, uncool to the general public, cool to watch nerds.

·

It’s got Breitling Navitimer feels…

·

It’s cool and becoming iconic.  I’m glad it exists, just won’t be on my wrist. 

·
Tunokies

It's an okay watch, but just okay. Please don't call it the 'Flighty' again 😅 is TGV on this forum? I got banned from his FB forum by the guy who makes NDC straps 😂

Hahahaha it was not my plan to gross people out with the nickname lol. 

·

If I was still in my teens I would think it cool. I even own a Citizen Red Arrows watch which also has far too much going on! I bought that when I knew very little about watches. I can see the appeal however and to each his own, but I voted uncool sorry!

·
Guvnor64

If I was still in my teens I would think it cool. I even own a Citizen Red Arrows watch which also has far too much going on! I bought that when I knew very little about watches. I can see the appeal however and to each his own, but I voted uncool sorry!

You never need to apologize for calling a monstrosity like this less than cool. 

·

Like the SKX, I'm glad that this affordable version of the pilot's watch exists. I just think Citizen did it much better, which is why I ultimately gave it "uncool."

·
Guvnor64

If I was still in my teens I would think it cool. I even own a Citizen Red Arrows watch which also has far too much going on! I bought that when I knew very little about watches. I can see the appeal however and to each his own, but I voted uncool sorry!

Don't apologize! That's the point of the poll. I put my watch on the line hoping that it would get people talking and feeling one way or another. I can see how and why you see it that way.

·
K.evin

Can I recommend tagging these posts with a unique hashtag like #wallofcool so we can track them over time? I'm curious which watches are the most polarizing - high % think sub-zero or seriously uncool 😀

From now on, you got it! Great idea.

·

Come on people...I kinda want you to vote it uncool just to make it more interesting lol.

·
MMerc5

Come on people...I kinda want you to vote it uncool just to make it more interesting lol.

I tried man, I tried 😂

·

@MMerc5 Would you mind chiming in your thoughts on this watch? What’s your opinion on the dial and does the odd lug width bothers you at all? Also, is it really a TGV hype thingy? I’m not experienced with pilot’s watch at all. Lol

In fact, anyone can feel free to add in. 

·
divefroggy

@MMerc5 Would you mind chiming in your thoughts on this watch? What’s your opinion on the dial and does the odd lug width bothers you at all? Also, is it really a TGV hype thingy? I’m not experienced with pilot’s watch at all. Lol

In fact, anyone can feel free to add in. 

I think it is a cool watch that offers a Breitling Navitimer feel but is tougher. That said, it is one of my least worn watches as it is woefully impractical and a bit over the top in design. The lugs bother me, but I am not changing the straps on it ever again, so I guess I am fine with them now. As for the TGV hype...personally, I really don't mind the guy or his videos. I can see why people may not be fans, but I have never really been bugged by him. I don't think it's a hype thing. I think he just likes his watch and has made a few videos about it over the years. Overall, it is a bit silly but fun, and that really is what I love about the hobby.

·

I agree it’s a cool watch but the dial is too busy for me. I don’t know where to look. Lol. I watch his videos and I don’t mind him too. 

We all love our watches don’t we? This is a fun, frustrating and emotional hobby we got going here.  

·
MMerc5

Hahahaha it was not my plan to gross people out with the nickname lol. 

Could we call it a "Flide-rule"?

·

It may be simpler and cheaper to attach a Jeppeson CR3 or similar to your forearm:

Image

Pro tip: since it is only 6 inches in diameter, you could paint an Invicta logo on it and nobody would question it. The time? That is what the other wrist is for.

·
Mister_T

It may be simpler and cheaper to attach a Jeppeson CR3 or similar to your forearm:

Image

Pro tip: since it is only 6 inches in diameter, you could paint an Invicta logo on it and nobody would question it. The time? That is what the other wrist is for.

You win this comment section. Congratulations! 

·

That dial is just way too busy for me. It's a deal breaker.