Tornek-Rayville TR-660 vs. CWC 1983 Royal Navy Divers Quartz Reissue

Just one thing swayed me.  The simplicity of the bezel.  The CWC was too busy for me.

TR watches are interesting. Definitely design focused. They actually offer two different bezels on the TR-660 if you win the lottery to buy one (photo is of the acrylic with lumed Arabic numerals and 5 minute indices).  

That one's on my radar now.  I like the specs.  And it looks good.

The TR goes live again tomorrow. 50 pieces. The next batch of 50 goes live in the end of October. I would pick the TR. I think the history is more interesting. Plus, while both brands have sort of been resurrected, I think the build and quality of the TR surpasses the CWC. I’d absolutely love a TR and hope to get one soon. But the choice is hard and this was an excellent head to head match. 

Is CWC also resurrected?  I know about TR being just a name/ brand revived from the long dead (which I still love) but didn't realize CWC also doesn't have a direct line to its historical roots.

Definitely temping!  

CWC 100%. 

An accurate, reliable quartz diver built to more modern specs.

Also, unless new information is available, CWC have been in continuous operation so unlike TR, they are legitimately RN/MOD watchmakers. 

As I understand it, CWC was sold to a military supply company called Silverman’s in the mid 1990s. see here and here. not quite a resurrection in the same way that Mkii resurrected TR. But a bit of a second life Nevertheless. 

CWC. 👍

CWC for me , just like it better than the other one which is similar to a couple I have already. 

Same here 😆

Thanks for sharing the links! Great reads. 

CWC for sure.  I love mine and it is still built to the same MOD specs.  The Tornek is awesome and I will end up with one but the Monnin cased CWC wears like a dream.  

CWC for me.  I'm sure things are different now, and from interviews the owner seems like a good dude, but I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the crazy MKII wait times of the early-mid 2010s.

You are welcome! I’ve come this close to pulling the trigger on a CWC several times. They just look so rugged and cool. 

Actually buy my CWC so I can justify the 1983... haha. 

Gorgeous watch

40 years is a milestone to mark and celebrate!

Its also my birth year....

For myself, as I huge fan of Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms, it would have to be the TR. There is such a great story behind the original TR's that it's nice to be able to at least get a replica of the original. The vintage TR's are impossibly rare and expensive, so smart move for someone to reissue the design.

Surprised there hasn’t been much talk about the watch movements (mechanical vs. quartz). 
 

Am I the only one who can’t look at a quartz watch the same way after seeing a satisfyingly smooth sweep?

Tornek for me - seems cleaner, sharper, and has a more crisp appearance. This all comes down to personal taste of course. Good luck choosing 👍

Not so much choice as fun watch conversation with other enthusiasts about two great watches. 
 

…you also have to win the lottery or write a script to buy anything from Mkii 🤷‍♂️

Curious to know why you went with an automatic vs. quartz CWC?

Looks 50/50 to me. No wrong choices!

I prefer autos. I’ll add the SBS quartz eventually tho. 😊

Same. 

AFAIK for military purpose, the idea of having all the minutes and hours markers is because in some situations it’s easier to read the time with the bezel than with the dial. 

I’m British, so CWC. A friend of mine just bought one of these, so I can vouch for them still being obtainable and desirable.