A Watch Befitting 007
As my closest friend here alluded to in my previous post - @HotWatchChick69 friend? acquaintance? potential leak? - I've put this watch through paces some would consider "unnecessary" to put it lightly.
Earlier this year, I was overseas doing some work that would lead to the first couple pictures posted. 1 springbar failure led to a makeshift toothpick-bar. 2 springbars gone led to a hairtie-NATO strap combination that would make MacGyver laugh.
If anyone had doubts about the capability of this watch let me put that to rest. The watch itself didn't miss a beat throughout whatever tumbles may have occurred. The mechanics handle recoil through various calibers and platforms, impacts up to your imagination of "rough and tumble," and if you want to argue scratch resistance between grades of titanium or even the aluminum used? The third picture is her back home, replacement bars and original bracelet on, of which she'll keep for the foreseeable future. Admittedly, it's just a phone camera and the watch has more scratches than it lets show. The bracelet is just so good, but who knows, maybe the NATO mood will strike again haha. That being said, I'm pretty subconsciously aware of taking care of things so your mileage may vary.
As an aside, I know us watch lovers have a penchant to nit-pick details of details. Grade 2 Ti vs Grade 5 Ti honestly comes down to "pure" and "alloy," the latter being more resistant to scratching. As a user of tools utilizing both, it is not a factor for a watch other than aesthetics - 2 has a darker/more grey metal. It fits this watch and most watches going for the "tool" designation.
I know what you're thinking, "... but did this do any diving?" No. Plenty of wet work but none at depth 🤣. Rain was as much of a non-issue as mud or any variant of wet/gunk.
If you're thinking about snag points, well 1. that's a discussion for different forum and purpose lol and 2. I'm sure I don't have to explain how the springbars broke. The springbar failures were, hold your breath, probably due to the mechanics of a NATO strap. Hear me out as an end-of-the-train physicist, I have yet to experience such a failure when a strap has one pressure per side to contend with compared to both simultaneously, if that makes sense. If that's your issue with this watch, then it's an issue for (almost) anything you wear on your wrist.
All that said, I figured I would share as much as I could about a watch that continues to mean more to me.
If you have any questions, I will happily share as much as I can! Thanks for reading if you make it this far.
Just an enthusiast of many other arts. Held off for a long while but I took the dive and now I can't stop ticking.
It is such an awesome watch and thanks for the stories, though you should spoil it with some higher end spring bars! I have never seen a toothpick used, but good on you for creativity In a pinch.
The Nato giveth and taketh. The only spring bar failures I have ever had were also Nato related, as such, I have a bin full of them. I do really like the mesh bracelet it comes with, but as you said, very versatile watch either way.
It is such an awesome watch and thanks for the stories, though you should spoil it with some higher end spring bars! I have never seen a toothpick used, but good on you for creativity In a pinch.
The Nato giveth and taketh. The only spring bar failures I have ever had were also Nato related, as such, I have a bin full of them. I do really like the mesh bracelet it comes with, but as you said, very versatile watch either way.
Glad I'm not the only one with NATO troubles. I had thought I was doing something wrong Iol
Glad I'm not the only one with NATO troubles. I had thought I was doing something wrong Iol
I think the natural thing to do is to make the Nato feel snug, putting all the pressure on the spring bar. I like the idea of Nato’s but after a couple failures I stopped trying. Yes, I could wear it looser, but I’d rather not. :-).
Speaking of wet work...
Turns out John went out on several operations supporting Delta, and one of the Sargent Majors invited him to come try out. He ran it by his wife. Later she Googled it, and ended up throwing a dish at his head when she figured out what it was, so... law school and private sector for him!
Speaking of wet work...
Turns out John went out on several operations supporting Delta, and one of the Sargent Majors invited him to come try out. He ran it by his wife. Later she Googled it, and ended up throwing a dish at his head when she figured out what it was, so... law school and private sector for him!
Whew, man hustles! Respectable to say the least
Nice review of a great watch. I love mine. It feels durable and looks good, particularly the interaction of the crystal with the dial face.
I think the spring bar failures come with the territory for NATO. The Omega NATO is thick. I have my NTTD on a titanium, love it and a Moonphase chrono on a Crown and Buckle single pass NATO, called a Chevron. I got the watch with a leather strap and one Omega NATO, but like the C&B better, as the good quality, but thinner material helps the watch sit lower on the wrist and I think puts less strain on the spring bars.
My NTTD:
Moonphase on the Omega NATO:
Moonphase on the C&B
Keep enjoying and thanks for the post.
Love your story. If it works for 007, its supposed to work for most of us here.
love the look of the bracelet. Does it articulate well around your wrist?
Nice review of a great watch. I love mine. It feels durable and looks good, particularly the interaction of the crystal with the dial face.
I think the spring bar failures come with the territory for NATO. The Omega NATO is thick. I have my NTTD on a titanium, love it and a Moonphase chrono on a Crown and Buckle single pass NATO, called a Chevron. I got the watch with a leather strap and one Omega NATO, but like the C&B better, as the good quality, but thinner material helps the watch sit lower on the wrist and I think puts less strain on the spring bars.
My NTTD:
Moonphase on the Omega NATO:
Moonphase on the C&B
Keep enjoying and thanks for the post.
The NATO I was using for this was a Bark & Jack grey NATO. They are exquisite straps so I'm not calling them out, just an observation on limited experience this time around.
That moonphase chrono is gorgeous! Both of those NATOs fit it very well, especially considering the moonphase is usually attributed to dressier styles.
Love your story. If it works for 007, its supposed to work for most of us here.
love the look of the bracelet. Does it articulate well around your wrist?
The bracelet definitely looks and feels as quality as it gets in this category. My wrist is roughly 6.75 inches or 17 and some change in cm. It fits me well but I think I'm on the cusp of it conforming whereas any smaller it would just feel stiff. I understand the complaints of the buckle portion under the wrist being too thick but the titanium almost negates that for me.
The NATO I was using for this was a Bark & Jack grey NATO. They are exquisite straps so I'm not calling them out, just an observation on limited experience this time around.
That moonphase chrono is gorgeous! Both of those NATOs fit it very well, especially considering the moonphase is usually attributed to dressier styles.
Thanks, the OG strap is a beautiful and comfortable blue leather. I’m using the NATOs for summertime wear. I’ve been happy with how good they look.
This is the seamaster. Wish I could stretch a bit more to pick one up!
This is the seamaster. Wish I could stretch a bit more to pick one up!
Anything worth it is worth waiting and saving up for!
Good luck, this piece is worth it but I'm obviously biased hehe