Watches with One Critical Flaw
I'm curious about examples of watches that you would have absolutely bought without a doubt if it weren't for one nagging, critical deficiency or detail (price and availability notwithstanding). For me, it's most commonly when everything about a watch is great but it comes with a solid caseback. As a general rule, I want to see the movement! But the most nagging example are the pushers on the IWC Pilot Petronas Edition. The polished steel pushers and crown just look so off against the titanium case. I haven't seen one in the metal though, so I am hoping that it's not as big a detail as it feels like it is in pictures.
What's your almost perfect if not for one awful detail watch?
Happy to talk about watches, hockey, politics, or what you ate for dinner last night.
How about the Tudor black bay pro and it’s girth?
Man... I got a ton in this category!
1. Rolex Sub - Iconic, but the "super case" just makes it come across to me as a big slab of slabby metal!
2. Fifty-Fathoms - A true enthusiast's watch! The first! Except, man, as the famous line from "Full Metal Jacket" goes, it's "too beaucoup" at 45mm
3. Zenith Chronomaster Sport - This thing is just gorgeous! And "el primero." But, man, I don't want a central chronograph seconds hand that spins around the dial every 10 seconds!
Lots more, but that's it for now!
Fully polished cases. Look beautiful, but I’m too anal to stare at giant swirls and finger smudges. Literally almost bought his SBGM221 until I tried on in person. Too bad, it’s really beautiful.
I guess along those lines my neurosis also prevented me from picking up the BB GMT and Pro because of the side polishing. I‘m not a fan of large polished sides on tool watches. I know, I know… I need therapy.
A lot of Citizen watches. Very nice utilitarian look and all but why must you make watch that's almost no bezel at 45mm that's not a flieger?
Really killed the mood.
Also Orient Star's obsession with putting the power reserve at 11 -1 position. What da eff, mang?
I think we’re all coming to the realisation that the perfect watch doesn’t exist (mostly, and within reason). I think the tipping point is finding a watch with flaws that aren’t exactly deal breakers that you can put up with until eventually you no longer see them, or you can see past them.
Alternatively, you continue to see them and nothing else about the watch. And then you flip it.
Also - the SPB143 - the thickness of the bezel burnt the deal for me. Following the more vintage proportions would have been an instant deal but instead it looks a little too far removed for me.
That being said I bought it anyway and sold it after a month.
Max Bill Chronoscope. It ticked almost all the right boxes for me until I noticed it had no second's hand.
Nomos watches with those too long of lugs, IWC le petit prince blue face slightly to large at 41 mm for such a Skinny case, most Grand Seikos with 44 GS case, due to the non taper of bracelet. Just to name a few.
Most of my fatal flaws are size related. I have a small wrist so diameters over 41mm or thickness over 14mm (not including crystal) are kind of no goes for me. Design wise I have a few. I don’t like the helium escape valve on the Seamaster Pro and I don’t like the indices on the Aqua Terra. Other watches have other flaws for me too. Most are pretty petty but for me to spend a ton of money on a watch it has to be comfortable and speak to me design wise. I want to buy watches to keep for my lifetime and to hand down. Maybe I’m too picky but it has kept me from spending too much money so it’s not all bad lol
I was waiting for someone to mention the HE valve on the SMP. Surprised they haven’t. It doesn’t bother me at all and I hardly notice it on mine as I wear it on my right arm. So most of my attention falls on the crown side 🙃
Okay first the Black bay 58 I love this watch and I think It wears awesome and is amazing for the price but I don't think I can do without a Date. Same goes for the new Serica GMT its so cool I can't even handle it but who in their right mind thinks a GMT doesn't need a date.
Then there is the GMTs by Tudor and this is almost worse. I find the Date cut out hideous and it looks like an afterthought. Just not very well integrated with the Design.
Also the Longine Chronograph is such a beautiful Watch but these cut of Numerals give me Nightmares