Finally scratched my watch itch this morning

[vavavroom]

The required watch strap/bracelet length depends on

wrist circumference, potentially adding length for wearing over a sleeve (wetsuit/flight suit)

whether this is a one or two-part strap or a bracelet. Bracelets usually have removable links or more links can be added. There may be a micro-adjust or a diver's extension on the clasp

lug-to-lug distance in case of a two-part strap (the lug-to-lug distance must be subtracted from the total strap length or the strap will be too long. With any strap, you want an excess length beyond the last useable strap hole so that you can tuck the tail end into the strap keeper(s). Usually, 1.5" past the last hole is sufficient. You don't want the tail end to protrude too far.

On NATO and ZULU straps you want 2 inches past the last hole. The length must be sufficient for the style in which you tuck in the strap end. I like to fold mine over and tuck the tail in so it doesn't stick up.

This is one of my NATOs folded over and tucked in on itself. Just enough length to not slip out of the keeper and short enough to not stick out awkwardly.

 

[Pablo]

After digging holes while wearing watch

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Not necessarily, it depends on the watch. For example I find the Miyota 9015 movement to be more reliable and consistent than some of the Swiss movements such the ETA 2824.

It get a chuckle when I think about the fact that only Swiss movements are eligible for the Swiss Chrono certificate. Seiko has had some great movements over the years as well.

 

[vavavroom]

After digging holes while wearing watchView attachment 214709View attachment 214710

The strap's a bit narrow. Look at that gap! I think you need a 22mm strap. Looks tight. Can you breathe?

 

[Pablo]

The strap's a bit narrow. Look at that gap!

Amazon

 

[Hermann]

Quit wearing watches after retiring.

that's when i restarted

 

[vavavroom]

Amazon

Yes, no, not GAP, yes, Amazon.

 

[Pablo]

The strap's a bit narrow. Look at that gap! I think you need a 22mm strap. Looks tight. Can you breathe?

I could go another notch! I think it's just the angle, anyway I ordered some 22mm's. Supposed to be a 20mm fits, but the gap is crazy, agree.

I thought you would comment on how much the bezel turned while digging. And my right arm (no pic) is filthy.

 

[PWMDMD]

It get a chuckle when I think about the fact that only Swiss movements are eligible for the Swiss Chrono certificate. Seiko has had some great movements over the years as well.

I have a Seiko 5 automatic that was in the $250 range that I really like but the power reserve is low and the time lost is in the area of 7 or 8 mins per week range. I get it though, it was $250, and I still think it's a great value. Of course, Grand Seiko is a whole other story.

My 2001 Tag L ink loses about 4-5 mins over a week and I believe it has a ETA movement. That has not been serviced in 15 years now but even after the last service it lost 4-5 mins per week.

The 1987 Rolex Datejust was serviced two years ago and it loses 1-2 mins per week

The Tudor remains to be seen...it is COSC and METAS certified so it should theoretically be the most accurate.

I'd have absolutely no problem owning a Grand Seiko without a Swiss Chronograph cert.

 

[vavavroom]

I could go another notch!

Blood restriction training is beneficial. But not all day long!

I think it's just the angle, anyway I ordered some 22mm's. Supposed to be a 20mm fits, but the gap is crazy, agree.

A Duro requires a 22mm strap. At least it doesn't require a 21mm strap. The availability of aftermarket straps in 21mm used to be extremely limited but has been getting better.

I thought you would comment on how much the bezel turned while digging.

Weren't you timing a pot roast while digging up Candian dollars in the backyard?

And my right arm (no pic) is filthy.

You may want to have your doctor check that out.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I have a Seiko 5 automatic that was in the $250 range that I really like but the power reserve is low and the time lost is in the area of 7 or 8 mins per week range. I get it though, it was $250, and I still think it's a great value. Of course, Grand Seiko is a whole other story.

My 2001 Tag L ink loses about 4-5 mins over a week and I believe it has a ETA movement. That has not been serviced in 15 years now but even after the last service it lost 4-5 mins per week.

The 1987 Rolex Datejust was serviced two years ago and it loses 1-2 mins per week

The Tudor remains to be seen...it is COSC and METAS certified so it should theoretically be the most accurate.

I'd have absolutely no problem owning a Grand Seiko without a Swiss Chronograph cert.

The Seiko spring drive was interesting.

 

[Elkins45]

I have a real love for watches with tritium tubes on the hands and markers. I sleep with a watch because without my glasses it’s hard to read the clock on the nightstand. With a tritium watch I can always tell the time even in complete darkness.

About a month ago I bought an Aragon tritium automatic. It has a Seiko movement and T100 (bright) tritium tubes. They are still on sale for $145 plus shipping if you use the discount code 55. There are still four different colors available. https://www.aragonwatch.com/ARAGON_Parma_T_100_Tritium_Automatic_p/a417tea.htm

I’m not a shill, it’s just that this is about the best deal that exists if you want a tritium automatic. The only thing I don’t like about it is that at 43mm it’s a little bigger than I would prefer.

 

[Hermann]

The recent watch I bought has lume that rivals tritium. This morning after 10 hours on the wrist it was easily readable in the dark without my specs.

 

[vavavroom]

SuperLuminova BGW9 (blue) and C3 (green) fully charged after entering a dark room can be seen below. Remains legible in the dark for >12 hours with liberal application. How bright and how long the lume glows depends on what kind it is and how many layers were applied. SuperLuminova (RC Tritec AG, Switzerland) and Lumi Brite (by Seiko) are the most notable lume brands. Unlike old radium and tritium luminescent paint, SuperLuminova does not turn yellow/brown over the years, withstands humidity, and maintains the ability to glow.

Tritium tubes (I think they are all made by MB-Microtech, Switzerland) glow without external excitement and after 12 years they still reach half of the original brightness. The tubes limit design options to the tubes lying flat or standing up, meaning they can look like lume plots or batons. If you don't want to stand out while hiding in a bush at night you must cover up your tritium-lumed watch because people and animals will notice it from tens of feet away.

SuperLuminova

 

[Hermann]

It depends. To qualify as "Swiss Made" at least half of the movement parts must be made in Switzerland, the watch must have been assembled, cased, and tested in Switzerland by the manufacturer. Most Swiss manufacturers source movement parts as well as cases from other countries. There are very few manufacturers left that make every single component in-house and one of them makes their own alloys. That does not necessarily mean they are better or superior but they can lay claim to "all in-house."

Seiko does.

 

[UncleDave]

The good thing about good craftsmanship watches is that they don't cost you anything to wear/own them.

I have a 2000 model date sub that I've wor

Some time ago I posted about wanting to get a nice watch for myself. I'm certainly not an aficionado but I have been reading and watching a lot of content about watches in the last year or so. I've always really liked the Tudor Black Bay but I really preferred the 5-link "Jubilee" bracelet and that was only offered with the red bezel...that is until Watches and Wonders this year! Tudor released a 41mm Black Bay with a black and white bezel on the 5-link/T-Fit clasp and it was too good to pass up. The case has been slimmed down too and this is METAS-certified as well. Just picked it up this AM for MSRP and I love it! This is my new daily.

Picture is on my 8" wrist.

View attachment 214514

She's a beauty enjoy it. Congrats.

 

[opus1]

I have a real love for watches with tritium tubes on the hands and markers. I sleep with a watch because without my glasses it’s hard to read the clock on the nightstand. With a tritium watch I can always tell the time even in complete darkness.

About a month ago I bought an Aragon tritium automatic. It has a Seiko movement and T100 (bright) tritium tubes. They are still on sale for $145 plus shipping if you use the discount code 55. There are still four different colors available. https://www.aragonwatch.com/ARAGON_Parma_T_100_Tritium_Automatic_p/a417tea.htm

I’m not a shill, it’s just that this is about the best deal that exists if you want a tritium automatic. The only thing I don’t like about it is that at 43mm it’s a little bigger than I would prefer.

View attachment 214727View attachment 214728

Wing/Aragon really knock it out of the park. They're not for everyone since he tends to make larger watches, but he's listened to customer requests and started releasing smaller watches. Some of his sale prices make me wonder how he makes any money.

 

[Pew]

Does the wrist band ever snap and pull on your guy's arm hairs???? I don't have any arm hair but my headphones pull on my hair when I take it off and it hurts!

 

[vavavroom]

Seiko does.

Sort of. They have factories in China and Malaysia where the majority of their watches are made. Is everything down the last screw made by Seiko? I simply don't know. There's is zero need for that in affordable watches, Some models, including Cedor and Grand Seiko are made in Japan with all parts made and hand-finished by Seiko. Even with those high-end products I don't know if Seiko have their own foundry for alloying the metal for the cases they make. Again, it's really not important as smelting your own metal or even making your own case does not imply superior quality. Even JLC does not make their own alloys. As I said very few manufacturers make every part themselves from scratch.

Take the most ubiquitous and common NH35 movement that was designed by Seiko. It comes out of Seiko factories in Malaysia and China. It is unbranded. Nowhere does it say Seiko on the movement. Go figure. Compare the unbranded $50 caliber NH35 to the 100 percent identical $80 Seiko caliber 4R35. The only difference is that the 4R35 is made in Japan, it says Seiko on it, and it is used by Seiko in the watches they manufacture in Japan. Both movements are 100% assembled by robots. if there is any difference it's in QC.

You may have heard the term 'in-house movement' being bandied around. The term lost its credibility when manufacturers began buying base movements from ETA, Valjoux, etc, modified them a little, refinished parts, added some decorations, wrote their own name on the rotor, and used other similar window dressing. Not that there is anything wrong with using an existing caliber and putting it in your watch case. The problem is when a manufacturer calls a movement they didn't design and manufacture 'in-house.' A true in-house caliber warrants a higher price based on merit and pedigree, and that's why unethical advertising is a problem. If you bought a $8,000 Panerai 25 ago to find out this watch had a roughly finished $200 ETA or Unitas base movement in it you probably would not have been delighted. Panerai has cleaned up their act since getting caught and they now have a full line of in-house movements.

 

[Elkins45]

Wing/Aragon really knock it out of the park. They're not for everyone since he tends to make larger watches, but he's listened to customer requests and started releasing smaller watches. Some of his sale prices make me wonder how he makes any money.

Unfortunately there are only a few of his watches I like because most of them are so darned big. Who wears a 50mm watch?