HELP finding my next watch

Check out Formex! The essence 39 sounds right up your alley 😁

Longines Spirit is definately something you should check out. It is marketed as an aviation watch, but has serious field watch vibes with Arabic numerals. Comes in a variety of dial colors.

37 or 40mm case with 47 and 49mm Lug to Lug respectively.

Date at the 6:00

100m WR with screw down crown

COSC certified.

Under 2000 pounds

For another 1000pounds you can get the Longines Spirit Zulu time featuring a travelers GMT movement with jumping hour hand and 24 hour bezel. The new model is 39mm w/ 47 mm L2L. All other aspects are unchanged.

Hi Jason. Thank you for your suggestion. I completely forgot to mention I already own the Zulu Time! Otherwise, the Spirit would be the obvious choice.

The Monta Triumph is another must view microbrand field watch with exceptional finishing that meets all your requirements.

Hi Quinn. Thank you for your suggestion. I considered the Formex Essence collection. It gives me Omega Aqua Terra vibes which is not necessarily a bad thing. But no numerals 😢

Used Aqua Terra 👍🏻

Sinn EZM 3f. Simple 3 hander with date plus a very useful countdown bezel - you time stuff far more than you go diving (probably). And it’s bomb proof!

Great suggestion, Jason; this was not on my radar. The design and overall specs look great, and the value for money looks attractive. I am just a bit concerned about the movement. I understand it can be either an ETA 2892 or Sellita SW300, but they have recently moved closer to Sellita? I think they quoted +-5s PD, which is quite good. I will definitely shortlist this one.

Seems like the IWC Mark 20 would be perfect. It’s 40mm diameter but it checks every other box for you. Can buy used around $3k if you look in the right spot.

Thanks, Steve. The Aqua Terra is an amazing watch, but I would prioritise a watch with numerals.

The Hamilton Khaki titanium in 38mm seems really appropriate to your taste.You just have to go to an horologist and make that H80 regulated in COSC.

The Promaster land could fill the needs except it's a solar quartz (I'm sorry I can't stop speaking about that extraordinary watch)

Great suggestion, thanks. I will add this one to the shortlist.

+1. Might stretch the budget a bit but the size is perfect and the 120 hour power reserve is very nice if you have a rotation. There are discounts to be had if you only want new; I was able I got mine for about $3500 gbp. Add about 1k if you need the bracelet though.

explorer1

Thanks for the suggestion. The Khaki Field Auto with date certainly fits the profile. You made a good point that I can always have the watch regulated aftermarket.

I have an oris pro pilot and no issues so far though I haven't had it too long. It's currently running great though.

I'm pretty sure some of them are still selita sw200 based

That 3,000 budget would generally put it out of top tier or swiss made territory but there are still good choices left from tudor, nomos, longines, tag, seiko and the rest of the watchmakers or microbrands using èbauche or off the shelf movements.. the possibilities are almost endless

I get it... I was thinking about their caliber 473, which seems a bit more reliable from what I found online, and it did feel very nice when I handled the watch in person, not to mention that its caseback is very appealing... In any case I look forward to seeing your next acquisition!

I’d suggest a Black Bay 58 as it would be comparable to this. Usually sells for ~£3000 new too, except it has no numerals. Maybe a Longines Hydroconquest?

Check out the Nomos 750 Polar. I know it has no date but I find it great. Also, I’d recommend you to reconsider the Tudor Ranger, I just love it, so robust, and the bracelet IMO doesn’t get much better, even at higher price points, that was my obvious choice (and the Spirit pf course)… good luck and enjoy this moment man! Cheers

+1 for iwc! Here's mark xx little brother pilot 36mm 👌

The ProPilot is powered by the SW 220-based Oris 751, right? Those are good movements, from what I've gathered. My worries are about their in-house calibre 400 series, which you can find, for example, in the Big Crown Pointer Date. Not as much about their accuracy or precision but some glitches, such as the minute hand jumping around when you push in the crown, etc. I suppose it's still a new, untested movement, and I hope these hiccups will be ironed out in the future.

Oh, I see. It does look like a nice watch, but the 473 is a manual, right? Not sure if I am ready for the hand-winding lifestyle xD

Thanks, Joh. I can expand the budget if the value proposition is interesting.

Thanks, Jorge! I love the Nomos design language and its proprietary movements. You look at that display case, and you can easily imagine an extra digit on the price tag. But I found that the Nomos pieces I really love (with date and automatic movement) feel too big on my wrist :(

Manual indeed! The 120 hours of power reserve kind of make up for it in the sense that you can leave it be without winding it for five days and still pick it up on the go, but at one point you'll have to use that crown 😅

The black bay 58 doesn’t have Arabic numerals or a date, which was the core ask. Great watch, but doesn’t meet the OPs requirements.

Hence why I then suggested the Hydroconquest

The Christopher Ward C65 Sandhurst has numerals and is COSC but unfortunately no date.