Watches

[TheSanDiegan]

On 9/27/2022 at 4:07 PM, Stealthlobo said:

Those bracelets scare me a bit honestly, so tell me how it wears. Im not super hairy (Spanish and a little Asian blood in me), but I'm worried thos mesh bracelets will pull arm hair left and right.

Do you think it's worth spending extra on a runberB or Everest rubber strap, or is it just extra spending for brand name?

Those bracelets were OEM on the Ploprof - I trust them every bit as much as an H-link. Think about grabbing a whole bunch of small twigs and bundling them together - it's impossible to break. The massed strength of the individual links (8 per row) interlinked with both the eight links above and the eight links below makes for an incredibly strong bracelet. And the smaller links allow it to conform better to the shape of one's wrist. My biggest concern is there are a lot of catch points to snag arm hair. 

Re: the rubber bracelet, I would spare no expense for your BB58. However I have no experience with either rubberB or Everest.  I do think you'll find either one will likely provide more comfort than the OEM bracelet tho.

[TheSanDiegan]

Speaking of mesh bracelets, I have a story about mine. It was advertised as stainless steel. And I've handled enough watch bravest to have developed a well-calibrated 'feel.' And this one felt a little light in the hand. So on a. hunch, I grabbed a magnet off the refrigerator. Nothing. It flopped like a Mexican soccer player.

So then I decided to measure its density. Got a value under 6g/cm^3 - well under the range of values for stainless steel. Disputed the charge; waiting to see what happens.  

[Stealthlobo]

On 9/27/2022 at 11:57 AM, NMpackalum said:

Its been more than 10 years but as I recall, there were lots of fish and big grouper. Dive sites weren't very far off the resort, maybe 5-10 minutes.

Such a cool spot and very affordable too. Just got Nitrox certified so we're gonna do 10 dives in 4 days hopefully. Then just relax and eat lion fish for the rest of our trip.

Was the sloth sanctuary around when you went? So cool, but one of the monkeys messed up my favorite Tshirt last time we were there.

[Stealthlobo]

Interesting watch from a NASA and Kojima (Metal Gear Solid) cooperation for less than $1k:

https://www.fratellowatches.com/new-release-kojima-productions-x-nasa-x-anicorn-space-ludens/

[Stealthlobo]

On 9/27/2022 at 8:17 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

Speaking of mesh bracelets, I have a story about mine. It was advertised as stainless steel. And I've handled enough watch bravest to have developed a well-calibrated 'feel.' And this one felt a little light in the hand. So on a. hunch, I grabbed a magnet off the refrigerator. Nothing. It flopped like a Mexican soccer player.

So then I decided to measure its density. Got a value under 6g/cm^3 - well under the range of values for stainless steel. Disputed the charge; waiting to see what happens.  

Was it just a random bracelet you found online? Or was it a legit company selling you a bogus product?

[TheSanDiegan]

On 9/28/2022 at 6:54 AM, Stealthlobo said:

Was it just a random bracelet you found online? Or was it a legit company selling you a bogus product?

After birddogging that photo in the 70-odd Hydroconqyest thread on WUS some time ago I went hunting for one. The older HC has a 21mm lug width, so my options were limited. I found two - one out of Canada and one out of China - the former was $40-something, the latter $27. So I ordered the $27 one - this was a trial, after all... not sure if it will look as good on the wrist as it does on "the hanger."  But I really like the look of the flat shark mesh - it's vintageAF.

I've had it sitting around for a while and just recently decided to swap out the OEM bracelet due to its weight, which was exacerbating carpal tunnel issues. It was only after my recent discovery it was not made of stainless steel that I ordered the Canadian one, which is yet to arrive.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 9/28/2022 at 6:47 AM, Stealthlobo said:

Interesting watch from a NASA and Kojima (Metal Gear Solid) cooperation for less than $1k:

https://www.fratellowatches.com/new-release-kojima-productions-x-nasa-x-anicorn-space-ludens/

Idk man... seems like a novelty to me - all form, not enough function. It violates Rule #1 of any watch: being able to easily read the time. 

[Stealthlobo]

On 9/28/2022 at 11:32 AM, TheSanDiegan said:

Idk man... seems like a novelty to me - all form, not enough function. It violates Rule #1 of any watch: being able to easily read the time. 

I bet you love the new $1.2 million Richard mille then:

[TheSanDiegan]

On 9/29/2022 at 5:08 PM, Stealthlobo said:

I bet you love the new $1.2 million Richard mille then:

F*ck me running... If I had FU money I'd buy one just to kill it with fire. 

[Stealthlobo]

On 9/29/2022 at 6:43 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

F*ck me running... If I had FU money I'd buy one just to kill it with fire. 

Lol, right? Just because you can, doesn't mean you should ...

[TheSanDiegan]

On 9/29/2022 at 6:53 PM, Stealthlobo said:

Lol, right? Just because you can, doesn't mean you should ...

The phrase, "taste the rainbow" comes to mind, if the rainbow was made out of giant technicolor penis. 

I mean. mechanically, they're all works of art - haute horlogerie for sure - but some of them (first and foremost this one) are f*cking utterly useless as timepieces. 

[TheSanDiegan]

So that last piece of nouveau riche frivolity has me wanting to balance the scales with far more functional - and obtainable - entry-level luxury. I know I haven't posted this one before. If anyone is considering or contemplating their first luxury watch purchase in the dress diver category, here's one that merits serious consideration - the Longines Hydroconquest. 

Longines has a rich heritage dating back nearly 200 years - their winged hourglass trademark is the oldest trademark still in use by any watchmaker in the world. They are also one of the more decorated watchmakers in the history of horology, having won more Grand Prix World's Fair awards than any company in the world and multiple Observatory Chronometer accuracy competitions. It's no wonder then they are the third most-recognized name in Swiss watches, behind only Rolex (of course) and Omega (ditto).

The Conquest line debuted in 1959. The Hydroconquest is their professional dive watch model, available in 39mm, 41mm,and 43mm, all with 300m WR. Mine is the 41mm version, with blue gradient dial and matching bezel insert, and a bracelet I'd put on par with a lot of OEM bracelets on watches costing less than five grand. The center-polished links and the brushed H-links, while not uncommon on dress divers, is executed exceptionally well. It has wrist presence in spades. 

The watch is heavy - the case alone weighs a metric f*ckton. The bracelet does as well. Together they weigh - you guessed it - two metric f*cktons. Which is why I almost never wear it and it remains relegated to a back-up role to my Aquis, which fills the exact same role as the Longines and weighs considerably less on its OEM rubber bracelet. However, if I can get those end links off without scratching the case, I plan to put it on the Ploprof shark mesh bracelet shown above.

Nothing special about the casework - simple brushed surface here, polished there - nothing to write home about. The indices and the snowflake hour hand, however, make the HC at least somewhat distinctive in appearance. @Stealthlobo, you might be interested to know that Longines was using the snowflake hand prior to Tudor's relaunch and subsequent re-introduction of them (Tudor originally had used them for about 15 years before dropping them in the 1980s). The lume is nothing special - well behind the Aquis or [pick your Japanese diver] in luminosity. 

Where the watch shines is it's price. The watch retails for between $1700 and $2000 depending on which model you opt for, with the ceramic bezel versions accounting for the price difference. However, it may be found through mainline grey market dealers for around $1,000. And I would put this in contention for best value dress diver in both its retail category and its grey market price category.

Shown here with a 1st-gen Mako for comparison:

[retrofade]

The Crossroads from Trafford Watch Co. (small Austin based watch company) is going on Kickstarter in November. I'm really hoping to be able to get one.

 

https://www.traffordwatchco.com/crossroads

[Stealthlobo]

Just had a really cool gentleman come in for a vaccine wearing a James Cameron Deep Sea (first time I've ever seen one in the wild). Apparently his son bought him a fake a few years ago. He decided to go a wait list for a real one and got it after a 7 month wait without his son knowing. He is going to surprise his kid when he gives him the real and fake one back in his inheritance.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 10/2/2022 at 10:53 AM, Stealthlobo said:

Just had a really cool gentleman come in for a vaccine wearing a James Cameron Deep Sea (first time I've ever seen one in the wild). Apparently his son bought him a fake a few years ago. He decided to go a wait list for a real one and got it after a 7 month wait without his son knowing. He is going to surprise his kid when he gives him the real and fake one back in his inheritance.

Great story. Great dad. 

[Stealthlobo]

On 10/2/2022 at 1:28 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

Great story. Great dad. 

I thought so too. The son just thinks he is wearing the fake everyday

[TheSanDiegan]

The following email exchange between graphic designer and author David Thorne and his wife Holly took place in 2011 and was published on his website shortly thereafter (it has since been deleted). 

David and Holly are now divorced.

Enjoy! 

***********

Spoiler

From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.16am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Amazon order

Did you order something from Amazon with the credit card for $3,280 on Tuesday?


Holly 



From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.22am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Amazon order

I'm offended by the question. How irresponsible do you think I am?
 

From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.31am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Amazon order

I'm at work, I don't have time to write the ten page elucidation that question demands. It was charged to the credit card on June 7. If you didn't order something, I will call the bank and find out what's going on. Did you buy something for $3,280 or not?




From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.42am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

Yes. But I blame Amazon's 'Buy with 1 click' button. Evaluating the consequences of clicking it takes longer than clicking it and you know how little patience I possess.


You experienced first hand the button's seductive propensity last week when you were browsing for books about glassblowing and purchased a kayak.




From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

The kayak was under 300 dollars and you bought a model of the space shuttle and an orange NASA jumpsuit at the same time. At least we can both use the Kayak. It's good to try new things. What the hell did you buy that cost $3280?




From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.59am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

It's not a jumpsuit, it's a flight suit. Discovery doesn't jump into orbit. 


I purchased an Omega Speedmaster Professional. Apparently it keeps terrible time, can't get wet, has to be wound daily and its Hesalite crystal face scratches in a mild breeze, but it was the first watch worn on the moon.


Buzz Aldrin wore the exact model during the Apollo 11 mission and it has the words 'Flight qualified by NASA for all manned space missions' stamped into the back. It also has a tachymeter. 



From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.14am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

Fantastic, that will come in handy the next time someone asks "Has anybody got a tachymeter?" I don't care if it was the first watch worn on the sun, $3,280 is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for a watch. Even if it has a tachymeter.


We're supposed to be saving money, not buying everything that has ever had the NASA logo stuck on it. I'm going to get home one day and find a space shuttle in the driveway and you sitting inside wearing your jumpsuit. When I didn't finish my food at Jalisco's last night you said "There are children in Africa who would kill for that taco." How does a $3,280 watch fit in with your newfound altruism?




From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.33am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

I'm pretty sure the kids in Africa would want me to have the watch. And given the choice between a watch and a taco, I doubt any African child would choose the watch. It's not as if they have business meetings to attend or need to know when it is dinner time. They could probably use a kayak though. When asked "what's the time?" by passersby, they would reply, from beneath the shade of their new kayak, "Why? Are you late for a business meeting?" and the passersby would respond "Sarcasm is the lowest form of... is that a taco?"


The passersby would then continue on their way which is what passersby do.


I'm also fairly sure that if I showed the African kids the watch and asked "Should I have sent you a cheque instead?" they would reply "No, charity is detrimental unless it helps the recipient become independent of it. Besides, I'd rather have a taco.” They would probably then ask what the tachymeter is for and I would have to admit that I have no idea.


While I am all for altruism, it shouldn't entail exclusive concern for the welfare of others over one's own needs. It is all about balance; I ate all of my tacos so I get a watch. Which, incidently, was actually only $3,100. As it retails for nearly $4000, this means I have effectively saved us nine-hundred dollars. If I were to do this every week, by the end of the year we would have saved 1.7 million dollars. We could purchase as much altruism as we want with that kind of cash. And jetpacks. It's good to try new things.



From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.41am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

You're terrible, Muriel. And 1.7 million? Even with a space watch I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for NASA to call as they probably like their astronauts to be capable of basic math. If we were in space and ground control asked you to plot the trajectory for re-entry, we would burn.


If the watch was only $3,100, what did you buy with the other $180? And does it also have a NASA logo on it?



From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.44am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

No, the extra $180 was for a pair of pants.



From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

Did Buzz Aldrin wear them on the moon?

 

[Stealthlobo]

On 10/4/2022 at 9:31 AM, TheSanDiegan said:

The following email exchange between graphic designer and author David Thorne and his wife Holly took place in 2011 and was published on his website shortly thereafter (it has since been deleted). 

David and Holly are now divorced.

Enjoy! 

***********

  Reveal hidden contents

From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.16am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Amazon order

Did you order something from Amazon with the credit card for $3,280 on Tuesday?


Holly 



From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.22am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Amazon order

I'm offended by the question. How irresponsible do you think I am?
 

From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.31am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Amazon order

I'm at work, I don't have time to write the ten page elucidation that question demands. It was charged to the credit card on June 7. If you didn't order something, I will call the bank and find out what's going on. Did you buy something for $3,280 or not?




From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.42am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

Yes. But I blame Amazon's 'Buy with 1 click' button. Evaluating the consequences of clicking it takes longer than clicking it and you know how little patience I possess.


You experienced first hand the button's seductive propensity last week when you were browsing for books about glassblowing and purchased a kayak.




From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

The kayak was under 300 dollars and you bought a model of the space shuttle and an orange NASA jumpsuit at the same time. At least we can both use the Kayak. It's good to try new things. What the hell did you buy that cost $3280?




From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 10.59am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

It's not a jumpsuit, it's a flight suit. Discovery doesn't jump into orbit. 


I purchased an Omega Speedmaster Professional. Apparently it keeps terrible time, can't get wet, has to be wound daily and its Hesalite crystal face scratches in a mild breeze, but it was the first watch worn on the moon.


Buzz Aldrin wore the exact model during the Apollo 11 mission and it has the words 'Flight qualified by NASA for all manned space missions' stamped into the back. It also has a tachymeter. 



From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.14am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

Fantastic, that will come in handy the next time someone asks "Has anybody got a tachymeter?" I don't care if it was the first watch worn on the sun, $3,280 is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for a watch. Even if it has a tachymeter.


We're supposed to be saving money, not buying everything that has ever had the NASA logo stuck on it. I'm going to get home one day and find a space shuttle in the driveway and you sitting inside wearing your jumpsuit. When I didn't finish my food at Jalisco's last night you said "There are children in Africa who would kill for that taco." How does a $3,280 watch fit in with your newfound altruism?




From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.33am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

I'm pretty sure the kids in Africa would want me to have the watch. And given the choice between a watch and a taco, I doubt any African child would choose the watch. It's not as if they have business meetings to attend or need to know when it is dinner time. They could probably use a kayak though. When asked "what's the time?" by passersby, they would reply, from beneath the shade of their new kayak, "Why? Are you late for a business meeting?" and the passersby would respond "Sarcasm is the lowest form of... is that a taco?"


The passersby would then continue on their way which is what passersby do.


I'm also fairly sure that if I showed the African kids the watch and asked "Should I have sent you a cheque instead?" they would reply "No, charity is detrimental unless it helps the recipient become independent of it. Besides, I'd rather have a taco.” They would probably then ask what the tachymeter is for and I would have to admit that I have no idea.


While I am all for altruism, it shouldn't entail exclusive concern for the welfare of others over one's own needs. It is all about balance; I ate all of my tacos so I get a watch. Which, incidently, was actually only $3,100. As it retails for nearly $4000, this means I have effectively saved us nine-hundred dollars. If I were to do this every week, by the end of the year we would have saved 1.7 million dollars. We could purchase as much altruism as we want with that kind of cash. And jetpacks. It's good to try new things.



From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.41am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

You're terrible, Muriel. And 1.7 million? Even with a space watch I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for NASA to call as they probably like their astronauts to be capable of basic math. If we were in space and ground control asked you to plot the trajectory for re-entry, we would burn.


If the watch was only $3,100, what did you buy with the other $180? And does it also have a NASA logo on it?



From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.44am
To: Holly Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

No, the extra $180 was for a pair of pants.



From: Holly Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 June 2011 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Amazon order

Did Buzz Aldrin wear them on the moon?

 

Me and the miss do it right. We keep all our money separate so if I wanna save and buy a $3k watch I can. If she wants to work extra and buy a $3k Burberry trench, she can. No animosity towards the other for their spending habits.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 10/4/2022 at 10:21 AM, Stealthlobo said:

Me and the miss do it right. We keep all our money separate so if I wanna save and buy a $3k watch I can. If she wants to work extra and buy a $3k Burberry trench, she can. No animosity towards the other for their spending habits.

Out of curiosity, are the two of you married? Own or rent? Both can significantly impact how much 'fun money' must be commingled.

Either way, that exchange was f*cking classic. Much more likely to occur between a married couple tho. 

 

 

 

ETA: "I'm pretty sure the kids in Africa would want me to have the watch" is my siggy on WUS. 

[Stealthlobo]

On 10/4/2022 at 11:36 AM, TheSanDiegan said:

Out of curiosity, are the two of you married? Own or rent? Both can significantly impact how much 'fun money' must be commingled.

Been together for almost 12 years, but not married. We rent, but are thinking of buying this year (might decide to move to NZ instead). For bills, going out and travel I pay about 2/3rd of expenses, her 1/3 because I make about twice as much as her.