NOW I Love it!
I'd seen and admired the Baby Alpinist online - thought it was great. And I kept thinking about it - the way some watches kind of burrow into your brain. Eventually I started looking around for one at a good price (you know, to justify getting another watch... "I HAD to get it, it was such a good deal!") I finally came across one in near-new condition at a good price - and got it!
Immediately started wearing it. But it just wasn't clicking for me. Maybe it was the strap? While the strap was handsome enough, the deployant kind of sat on my wrist wrong... Digging in just enough that I'd feel it after a couple of hours.
So I started looking for a bracelet for it. The oyster-style OEM by Seiko was expensive... And just wasn't calling to me. There were some options that seemed to heavy/chunky for the watch. So I set my sights on the Uncle Seiko jubilee.
And as soon as I got it on, the whole thing just popped for me. NOW I loved it!
Do you have a story about a watch that you just weren't connecting with... Until you found the perfect band or bracelet? Tell us your story!
Always loved the idea of mechanical watches. But in the last few years I've spent more time learning, enjoying and diving into the more shallow end of the watch pool; building up a tidy (and growing)...
Nice watch, nice story ....... and they lived happily ever after.
I posted the full story on this quite recently. But I also had a problem with a Seiko strap (I really think they need to look at that), and also went with a jubilee. In my case it was the Speedtimer SSC817 and I eventually went with the Strapcode Jubilee.
Nice watch! The dial is very nice.
I know 100% what you are talking about. Had the same situation with my Sinn 556. I fell in love with the watch and bought one with the original silicone strap from Sinn. But it looked weird on my wrist and I had the feeling that it wasn’t the right watch for me. But then I changed to a grey Nato strap and I immediately liked the look, the feel, everything…
It is so interesting how much the strap influences how a watch wears and looks that it is strange that most people never change the strap on their watches.
Same thing happened to me with the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Roberto Clemente. The leather strap it comes with didn't jive with me. The nato it also comes with is awesome, but dresses the watch down too much for work. I ended up buying the OEM bracelet and I haven't changed it out since. That was March of last year.
I got the same story!! I think it rests better on the wrist with a bracelet and that makes a big difference when the watch is so thick.
I posted the full story on this quite recently. But I also had a problem with a Seiko strap (I really think they need to look at that), and also went with a jubilee. In my case it was the Speedtimer SSC817 and I eventually went with the Strapcode Jubilee.
That looks fantastic on the jubilee! I had looked at the Strapcode, as they make one to fit, but it seemed to substantial for the Baby Alpinist - like it might unbalance the relatively small watch head a bit. But on that chrono...*chefs kiss*! Thanks for sharing!
Same thing happened to me with the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Roberto Clemente. The leather strap it comes with didn't jive with me. The nato it also comes with is awesome, but dresses the watch down too much for work. I ended up buying the OEM bracelet and I haven't changed it out since. That was March of last year.
That makes sense to me. I sometimes find that... for me at least... a watch can have a kind of Platonic ideal of a strap/bracelet - the "right" combo if you will. There's probably a whole post in that :). I don't tend to swap my bands out that often... I find a combo that I like and that tends to stick.
Got a pic of the Oris on it's bracelet?
Nice watch! The dial is very nice.
I know 100% what you are talking about. Had the same situation with my Sinn 556. I fell in love with the watch and bought one with the original silicone strap from Sinn. But it looked weird on my wrist and I had the feeling that it wasn’t the right watch for me. But then I changed to a grey Nato strap and I immediately liked the look, the feel, everything…
It is so interesting how much the strap influences how a watch wears and looks that it is strange that most people never change the strap on their watches.
Totally agree! That Sinn is kind of known for it's versatility - but it's funny how sometimes a particular combo just doesn't work for us.
Would love to see a pic of the 556 on that grey Nato. Is it anything in particular that you can put your finger on for why you like that setup? Or does it just "feel" better to you all around?
Nice watch, nice story ....... and they lived happily ever after.
Ha! A storybook ending to be sure!
That makes sense to me. I sometimes find that... for me at least... a watch can have a kind of Platonic ideal of a strap/bracelet - the "right" combo if you will. There's probably a whole post in that :). I don't tend to swap my bands out that often... I find a combo that I like and that tends to stick.
Got a pic of the Oris on it's bracelet?
Here you go!
Versus…
Yeah I know how you feel but I do love my watches but giving it new straps makes them more versatile and fun… here’s a few I changed recently…
Every one of these was a problem on my wrist. Tried several bracelet types. Jubilee better, not perfect. Sailcloth was an improvement. NATO perfect for all tool watches.
Here you go!
Versus…
FWIW I think it looks fantastic on the bracelet. It just works. Enjoy!
Think the dial looks incredible and better than many watches much more expensive. Not pulled trigger due to strap, quality control and movement concerns which applies to most Seikos ! Really tempted by this though
Totally agree! That Sinn is kind of known for it's versatility - but it's funny how sometimes a particular combo just doesn't work for us.
Would love to see a pic of the 556 on that grey Nato. Is it anything in particular that you can put your finger on for why you like that setup? Or does it just "feel" better to you all around?
I have the feeling the thickness of the silicone strap was too thick. The Nato is way slimmer and the overall feel wearing it is nicer.
I attached an old picture since the Sinn is currently at Sinn. 😂