Watch Collectors' Club - April general meetup pt2 (gifs)
These dials were some standout highlights from the event last night.
The Formex switches from a deep burgundy, almost like a red wine to a bright red cranberry shade. There's a suspension system between the case and lugs. This moves the case up and down against your wrist. Apparently, it's more comfortable. Seemed a bit odd/gimmicky to me. The dial and bracelet look great though.
Next up, a vintage Waltham. The dial on this is really interesting. Once you get halfway through a wrist roll, two bright bands of light make their way across the dial, meeting in the middle.
To close, a very special vintage Seiko. Another member called it perfectly when she said, "It looks like a peacock blue!" It changes from deep blues and purples to bright teal. Every time you move your wrist, it sparkles away. The peacock comparison is more accurate than anything I could come up with. It's exactly what you'd see on the plumage as they trot about!
Irish watch enthusiast in London.
That Seiko is absolutely gorgeous
That Waltham is awesome!
Agree with the case suspension being a little gimmicky. It's got some history behind it, as in some of their older watches had the tech, but I can't imagine there could be much "shock absorption" from those super tight springs. I can see the case (pun intended) being made that it makes the watch more comfortable if you prefer a very tight fit, however, as it allows some "give" when you bend your wrist down (I've personally never felt the case needing to shift when on wrist). All that said, I don’t hate the aesthetic and don't think it takes away from the look of the watch (disclaimer: I own the Essence 39 and think it might be the single best-looking watch out there).
Agree with the case suspension being a little gimmicky. It's got some history behind it, as in some of their older watches had the tech, but I can't imagine there could be much "shock absorption" from those super tight springs. I can see the case (pun intended) being made that it makes the watch more comfortable if you prefer a very tight fit, however, as it allows some "give" when you bend your wrist down (I've personally never felt the case needing to shift when on wrist). All that said, I don’t hate the aesthetic and don't think it takes away from the look of the watch (disclaimer: I own the Essence 39 and think it might be the single best-looking watch out there).
Yeah gimmick sounds a bit harsh maybe in hindsight. I was being shown the feature and it was explained that it’s a pretty big proprietary feature for Formex. I just kept wondering when the switch would flick for my brain understanding why it was a benefit!
Definitely keen to see more of them now, it really impressed me.
That vintage Waltham is pretty cool looking. Do you know any more about? I am guessing from the wording on the dial that it did mot come on a leather strap.
That vintage Waltham is pretty cool looking. Do you know any more about? I am guessing from the wording on the dial that it did mot come on a leather strap.
Good spot! I’m not 100% sure but the owner did have a few funky looking bracelets from some 1970s Seikos. It’s got a Waltham stamp on the back of the case and a sort of pseudo-Cartier blue synthetic jewel on the crown.
Reminds me of the Cartier Ceinture without the recessed crown.
Apparently it was around the £100/$125 mark!
Good spot! I’m not 100% sure but the owner did have a few funky looking bracelets from some 1970s Seikos. It’s got a Waltham stamp on the back of the case and a sort of pseudo-Cartier blue synthetic jewel on the crown.
Reminds me of the Cartier Ceinture without the recessed crown.
Apparently it was around the £100/$125 mark!
I can see the similarities. That price does not seem unreasonable to me and no matter on the strap/bracelet question as it still looks good but it makes one wonder. 🤔