[Suggestions] - Upgrading my Arctic Parka Watch
Hello, good people from WC!
I am living in Canada and the winter here requires the constant use of Arctic Parkas (and part of autumn and spring too). I have one watch for these occasions that I call, for obvious reasons, my "parka watch".
Requirements for a good "parka watch":
- Bigger case (39 to 42 mm), so I can reach easily under the layers of fabric and using thick gloves;
- Simple 3 handers and easy to read (date windows are allowed), so I can see the time in a glance and then cover back my wrist;
- No bracelets, only straps, avoiding cold metals;
- Not disposable, but easily replaceable, I learned to like a few winter sports, like skiing and ice skating, accidents can happen and I don't want to have a big loss on my collection.
Nowadays, I am using a Seiko 5 sports with a NATO strap to do that but I am looking to upgrade it to something nicer. A candidate is the Flieger Laco Augsburg but the "history" of this watch bothers me a lot. Another option is a Seiko King Turtle but in the end is just another dive watch on the box, not much original.
Do you guys have any other suggestions?
Thanks!
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Dude, if you're up in Cananda, my understanding from Reddit's r/watchescirclejerk is that you need something indestructible with which to battle wildlife.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/r93t8n/tudor_bb58_tw_outdoors_blood_thighlicker_1_bear_0/
You never know when you might run into this when you're heading out to get your Spicy McChicken Value Meal...
Where do you live that you need a parka all winter? I can't use mine most times because it's too warm.
As for watches, a CW C60 or C63 in your favourite colour works well, I have used mine through winter on a leather strap, and if fits nicely under jacket and glove cuffs. If you're willing to spend more a Damasko DS30 is pretty much made for what you want to do, just throw it on an Erika's MN.
To me a white dial to match the icy snow of the Canadian winter just works, so maybe the Baltic Aquascaphe in white is worth a look. A 39mm case and 200m of water resistance, so you don't have to worry about getting some snow on it, at €580 (760Cad).
More upmarket you could look at a Sinn 104 St Sa Iw or for a Canadian link a Marathon SAR maple leaf edition (though they are thick boys)
https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/60th-anniversary-speedmaster/alaska-project-2008
Alaska project for your neighbors to the west.
To me a white dial to match the icy snow of the Canadian winter just works, so maybe the Baltic Aquascaphe in white is worth a look. A 39mm case and 200m of water resistance, so you don't have to worry about getting some snow on it, at €580 (760Cad).
More upmarket you could look at a Sinn 104 St Sa Iw or for a Canadian link a Marathon SAR maple leaf edition (though they are thick boys)
I'm taking my GSAR to the arctic tomorrow... I'm curious how well it will work with gloves, and a jacket while working outdoors.
I live in Sweden where it’s pretty cold to. I recently got this sporty ECA Calypso that is also appropriately Swedish
Otherwise my Victorinox Inox
And Orient Kamasu
Should both be okay when I’m outside but wintertime mostly has me inside, so I’ll probably wear all my watches.
why not the SRP turtle? it's less expensive than the king turtle and still really awesome. Looks great with a parka too. I wouldn't call it just another dive watch, the turtle is a modern classic!
I'm taking my GSAR to the arctic tomorrow... I'm curious how well it will work with gloves, and a jacket while working outdoors.
That'll be some great real world feedback for Thiago.
In Saskatchewan my phone gives me a cold warning when its in my belt holder in winter. Daily temp shifts of 30 degrees is not uncommon. I actually prefer the temp to stay at -20 c all winter because warmer temps are dangerous to drive in. -40 with windchill is also not uncommon and drives the weak to move to warmer climates. Metal watches get super cold to wear when exposed and big watches get uncomfortable under multiple layers. Digital displays don't like really cold temps either.
I agree on the history of fliegers; I like the design but the original use makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I think a Hamilton Interstellar watch might fit the bill. I think my personal choice would be a Nomos Club Sport. Both come on bracelets, but it is easy to swap onto a leather strap. Could also do a Bund strap for extra cold protection.
Where do you live that you need a parka all winter? I can't use mine most times because it's too warm.
As for watches, a CW C60 or C63 in your favourite colour works well, I have used mine through winter on a leather strap, and if fits nicely under jacket and glove cuffs. If you're willing to spend more a Damasko DS30 is pretty much made for what you want to do, just throw it on an Erika's MN.
Ow @KristianG I was not considering the Damasko, and now you mentioned, the Sinn 556 is also a interesting option. Food for thought.
I am here in Toronto, I know -18/-20 is not much but still, it is cold ok! 😂
To me a white dial to match the icy snow of the Canadian winter just works, so maybe the Baltic Aquascaphe in white is worth a look. A 39mm case and 200m of water resistance, so you don't have to worry about getting some snow on it, at €580 (760Cad).
More upmarket you could look at a Sinn 104 St Sa Iw or for a Canadian link a Marathon SAR maple leaf edition (though they are thick boys)
Marathon is an interesting option! I know that having a series of tritium gas tubes on my wrist for hours is safe but you know what is safer? Not having any radioactive isotope close to my body! 😂
But the Baltic is interesting, I will consider this one.
Thanks!
https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/60th-anniversary-speedmaster/alaska-project-2008
Alaska project for your neighbors to the west.
Ow thanks but this one is in a entirely different league for me.
I live in Sweden where it’s pretty cold to. I recently got this sporty ECA Calypso that is also appropriately Swedish
Otherwise my Victorinox Inox
And Orient Kamasu
Should both be okay when I’m outside but wintertime mostly has me inside, so I’ll probably wear all my watches.
I liked that ECA Calypso, reminders me a Chopard Alpine Eagle!
My previous Parka Watch was a Victorinox Maverick. That was a heavy chunk of metal on my wrist 💪.
I liked the new-new Kamasu, interesting!
Thanks
why not the SRP turtle? it's less expensive than the king turtle and still really awesome. Looks great with a parka too. I wouldn't call it just another dive watch, the turtle is a modern classic!
Yeah, that is an idea!
Thanks!
That'll be some great real world feedback for Thiago.
Ow guys I am just in Toronto 😂. Just -18/-20 in average during the winter... not as cold as other regions...
I agree on the history of fliegers; I like the design but the original use makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I think a Hamilton Interstellar watch might fit the bill. I think my personal choice would be a Nomos Club Sport. Both come on bracelets, but it is easy to swap onto a leather strap. Could also do a Bund strap for extra cold protection.
Hamilton Interstellar is a fantastic option! I am more inclined to sporty options but this is beautiful:
Thanks!
I liked that ECA Calypso, reminders me a Chopard Alpine Eagle!
My previous Parka Watch was a Victorinox Maverick. That was a heavy chunk of metal on my wrist 💪.
I liked the new-new Kamasu, interesting!
Thanks
I agree that the tough Victorinox models are generally quite heavy including the INOX. This one’s in titanium though so it’s quite comfortable.
Ow thanks but this one is in a entirely different league for me.
If you want to spend short money, Scurfas are excellent. I've had several, highly recommend!
To me a white dial to match the icy snow of the Canadian winter just works, so maybe the Baltic Aquascaphe in white is worth a look. A 39mm case and 200m of water resistance, so you don't have to worry about getting some snow on it, at €580 (760Cad).
More upmarket you could look at a Sinn 104 St Sa Iw or for a Canadian link a Marathon SAR maple leaf edition (though they are thick boys)
This is my Marathon GSAR. Very tough watch and very legible.
Hamilton Interstellar is a fantastic option! I am more inclined to sporty options but this is beautiful:
Thanks!
I always forget that one exists lol, this is the one I was referring to:
I always forget that one exists lol, this is the one I was referring to:
I have one, they are very nice, and thin for the diameter.
On a leather strap they transfer less chill in the winter.
I am such a big fan of the Turtle, I´d definitely go with a Turtle, however, I ran into this Hamilton and I loved it. I believe it will match your requierements
https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-int/h77825331-khaki-navy-frogman-auto.html
Greetings from Norway!
My parka watch is the Seiko SNJ025.
Big, tough, rubber strap and ana-digi display, so easy to read the time.
Have to agree what others have suggested, a Prospex with a rubber strap and call it a day. Perhaps join the SBDC167 cult. It basically already has ice on the dial.
Hey Thiago!
I'm in my hometown of balmy YVR, but I lived several years in YYC. Being an all weather insane bike commuter I was often out in the -20 to -30 that happened for weeks at a time. Cross country skiing, winter running, and hiking also frequently put me in temps like that.
If you want to cold proof yourself I'd very strongly suggest avoiding a metal watch. I found metal got dangerously cold and very painful to the touch in those temps. My fix was going to a plastic garmin watch, which suited slightly poor me just fine.
If moving Eastward now, I'd go for something like carbon or ceramic which has next to no thermal conductivity.
Formex has a sweet carbon model and I like my Rado ceramic, both have pretty low price of admission for those high tech materials.