Does this exist or can I mod it to fruition? Please help!

TL;DR - please help me find a modern-ish 100m quartz chronograph with 12 hour bezel OR a quartz dive watch with a travel GMT/local jump hour function. 

The Rant:

Like you, I too have a concerning obsession with watches. Hi, I'm Vince, this is my story. 

For many years I have lusted after the 16570 Explorer II, the quintessential travel watch; or so I believed. Later, I discovered the Aquanaut Travel Time and the VC Overseas Everest Dual Time. I felt such warmth and heated desire to own either, then realized it was merely the embrace of my student loans and monthly mortgage. And let's be real, student and house debt aren't the only things preventing me from attaining these beauties. 

So begins my hunt for a rugged travel GMT with its own design language (among other requirements, I also have a tiny 6.25" wrist). Page after page, dimension and movement analysis, an excel spreadsheet found on WUS, everything. If it met the functionality, it exceeded the price or size requirements. Mido Oceanstar GMT, too large. Seiko Alpinist GMT, overpriced (fetching $1,500 USD at the time), Alpina GMT, not that attractive to me. This goes on for months.

One day, Serendipity approaches me and presents the Seiko Landmaster Kinetic, SBDW005. Research ensues. 40mm case diameter, check. 47mm lug to lug, check. 19mm lug spacing, fine whatever, check. Travel GMT, effing HELL YES, check. Titanium monocoque case, didn't even know I wanted that, check. 14mm height, fine whatever, check. Research complete. Hunted, found, purchased, and loved. 

The Itch comes back. This time not for a travel watch, but one to time my rest when climbing or lifting (something a cell phone can do, but that's not why we're here). This quest came to resolution much quicker. Something that hardly needs attention, can take a beating, small enough to stay out of the way, and can track 3 to 15 minute intervals very quickly. The Seiko Tuna, SUT405. A 38mm solar diver that looks as though it was made for the wilderness. Hunted, found, purchased, and loved.

The Dilemma:

I now have two watches that perform two separate functions, each very good at its respective job. I now want to fuse their powers into one, the Gohanks approach if you will (shout out DBZ fans). The goal is simple: distill the rotation. The reasoning is just as simple: because why not?

The Requirements:         

  • Dimensions: 48mm max lug to lug, 14mm max height, 42mm max diameter, no preference on lug spacing
  • 100m water resistant, doesn't need a screw down crown, but would be nice
  • Sapphire crystal, open to aftermarket mod if I have to
  • Sub $800 USD
  • Quartz, low maintenance, typically low cost, can take a beating 
  • Ability to track a second time zone or at least easily jump the local hour for time zone changes (travel GMT, local jump hour feature, or 12 hour bezel come to mind) 
  • Ability to track elapsed time, down to the minute up to 15 minutes (dive bezel or chrono)

I'm not going into this blind, I've done some of searching. Below are watches that come close but miss the mark for one reason or another (dimensions, cost, aesthetics, movement, etc.). 

Hemel HFT20 VK64 - too large, also kind of ugly to me

Seiko AGS Scubamaster - CHONK

Seiko SUN019 - CHONK 2, and that 4:30 date is yucky to me

Yema Flygraf French Air and Space UTC - smidge large at 49mm lug to lug, can't find any reviews so not sure of QC 

Serica 5303 - cool concept that could do the job, but automatic, and over budget

Dan Henry 1963 - so very close, but only 50m water resist 

Bulova A15 - 30m water resist and long lug to lug

Any watch with a 12 hour bezel and the first 15 minutes graduated.

Other Solutions:

  • find a dive bezel for my SBDW005
  • find a dual scale bezel insert for my SUT405
  • Mods an existing chonograph? 
  • Mods in general?  
  • Wait for someone to cram a Miyota 9075 into a dive watch and trust it can take a beating?
  • Source a GS 8J56 movement and cram it into a Tuna case?
  • Shut up and keep using 2 watches

Photos:

the SUT405 (modded) and SBDW005

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some very attractive watches that I wish met my requirements:

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Reply
·

I think you want a Tsao Baltimore. 

  • 5 colorways
  • 200 m water resistance
  • 41mm case, 10mm thick, 48mm L2L
  • 12 hour lumed bezel with 20 second countdown bezel (I know it is not 15, but still cool)
  • Sapphire crown
  • Seiko mechaquartz
  • $450
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Otherwise, I think the Yema would be a good pick.

·
AllTheWatches

I think you want a Tsao Baltimore. 

  • 5 colorways
  • 200 m water resistance
  • 41mm case, 10mm thick, 48mm L2L
  • 12 hour lumed bezel with 20 second countdown bezel (I know it is not 15, but still cool)
  • Sapphire crown
  • Seiko mechaquartz
  • $450
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Otherwise, I think the Yema would be a good pick.

Wow yeah that’s pretty damn hard to say no to. Thanks for sharing!!

·

Citizen made a functionally perfect tool watch in the BJ7111-86L... 

  • Real diver
  • Traveller's GMT
  • Titanium
  • Eco drive

Then they decided "nah lets make it as ugly and huge as possible".

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·
alt200

Citizen made a functionally perfect tool watch in the BJ7111-86L... 

  • Real diver
  • Traveller's GMT
  • Titanium
  • Eco drive

Then they decided "nah lets make it as ugly and huge as possible".

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Man you’ve pretty much nailed it! They’re so huge and I couldn’t agree more with your assessment.