Stowa Marine Automatic - Which Movement?
Discussion
I'm getting married next May, and the future Mrs West has very kindly agreed to buy me a Stowa for my wedding gift!
Perusing the site, there are 3 movement options:
1. ETA 2824-2 BASIC (deliverable from June 2014) from EUR 570.- (incl. V.A.T.)
2. ETA 2824-2 TOP (deliverable from january 2014, extra costs Euro 80.-incl. V.A.T.)
3. ETA 2824-2 TOP with blued screws (deliverable from january 2014, extra costs Euro 130.- incl. V.A.T.)
My question is, which one? The movement listed appear to be the same, so can anyone please explain to me what the difference is between the 3?
Is the difference between option 2 and 3 really only the blued screws, for an extra 50€?! I really admire the design of this watch and have been a long time admirer so I'd be happy with just the 'basic' movement. But having an interest in watches and given the significance of the watch, if I got the basic one I'd perhaps feel that it compromised.
One last question, I have a Tissot Visodate. I like the look of the dark brown croc strap but will the Stowa strap look too close to the Tissot? If only I could pop to the shop and try before I buy!
I know there are quite a few Stowa fans here, so if anyone has first hand experience I'd be grateful to hear it.
Thanks.
ETA: link. http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,1382789770241...
Perusing the site, there are 3 movement options:
1. ETA 2824-2 BASIC (deliverable from June 2014) from EUR 570.- (incl. V.A.T.)
2. ETA 2824-2 TOP (deliverable from january 2014, extra costs Euro 80.-incl. V.A.T.)
3. ETA 2824-2 TOP with blued screws (deliverable from january 2014, extra costs Euro 130.- incl. V.A.T.)
My question is, which one? The movement listed appear to be the same, so can anyone please explain to me what the difference is between the 3?
Is the difference between option 2 and 3 really only the blued screws, for an extra 50€?! I really admire the design of this watch and have been a long time admirer so I'd be happy with just the 'basic' movement. But having an interest in watches and given the significance of the watch, if I got the basic one I'd perhaps feel that it compromised.
One last question, I have a Tissot Visodate. I like the look of the dark brown croc strap but will the Stowa strap look too close to the Tissot? If only I could pop to the shop and try before I buy!
I know there are quite a few Stowa fans here, so if anyone has first hand experience I'd be grateful to hear it.
Thanks.
ETA: link. http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,1382789770241...
As you correctly say the basic movement is the same in all cases , but the finishing and (potentially) the care that has been taken over the assembly will differ.
Personally I would strongly advise you to consider the non-auto version of the Stowa Marine as it has a *much* nicer movement. The 2824 is a very robust, reliable movement but it ain't pretty. However, if you are set on the auto then, tbh, I would go the whole hog and get the Top calibre with blued screws. Not much point in a display back if you don't have much to look at.
The extra 50 euros will soon be forgotten.
Personally I would strongly advise you to consider the non-auto version of the Stowa Marine as it has a *much* nicer movement. The 2824 is a very robust, reliable movement but it ain't pretty. However, if you are set on the auto then, tbh, I would go the whole hog and get the Top calibre with blued screws. Not much point in a display back if you don't have much to look at.
The extra 50 euros will soon be forgotten.
As above, get the blued screws for all the extra, and you can buy croc straps for less than the €100 difference, if it turns out the ordinary leather strap is not to your taste.
I'd also suggest the rotor engraving for the extra €49 with just the full date of your wedding on the periphery.
I'd also suggest the rotor engraving for the extra €49 with just the full date of your wedding on the periphery.
Thanks for the replies, chaps. My knowledge of PH posting is poor so I'm not even going to try multi-quoting so I'll address each point from memory.
I think all 3 options come with a display back.
I do really admire the look of the Marine, but I think the Original is the one for me. Although one day I would love to have both in my collection, among others!
I didn't know about the rotor engraving, that would be a really special touch. Although the rotor isn't that big so realistically, how much text can be engraved on it? But I think if I went for the rotor engraving along with more case back engraving, it would have to be with the blued screws.
Out of curiosity, are the blued screws the same material as the non-blued which have been heat treated to reach that colour? Are there any 'performance' differences?
Regarding the attention to detail of the the build between the 3 options, I would hope that regardless of option the level of care would be the same.
Thanks again for the advice and opinions, please keep them coming.
I think all 3 options come with a display back.
I do really admire the look of the Marine, but I think the Original is the one for me. Although one day I would love to have both in my collection, among others!
I didn't know about the rotor engraving, that would be a really special touch. Although the rotor isn't that big so realistically, how much text can be engraved on it? But I think if I went for the rotor engraving along with more case back engraving, it would have to be with the blued screws.
Out of curiosity, are the blued screws the same material as the non-blued which have been heat treated to reach that colour? Are there any 'performance' differences?
Regarding the attention to detail of the the build between the 3 options, I would hope that regardless of option the level of care would be the same.
Thanks again for the advice and opinions, please keep them coming.
Build quality will be the same irrespective of screw colour and decorating of the movement bridge, base, and rotor.
As for the engraving, you can see the option here – http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,1383398784760...
I'd go for the periphery rather than the mid-section, but both will easily accommodate 'XX th/rd/st May 2014'
Blued screws are ones which have been heated so that the steel turns a certain colour dependent on the temperature – exactly the same as titanium exhaust tips.
As for the engraving, you can see the option here – http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,1383398784760...
I'd go for the periphery rather than the mid-section, but both will easily accommodate 'XX th/rd/st May 2014'
Blued screws are ones which have been heated so that the steel turns a certain colour dependent on the temperature – exactly the same as titanium exhaust tips.
Edited by PJ S on Saturday 2nd November 13:32
PJ S said:
Build quality will be the same irrespective of screw colour and decorating of the movement bridge, base, and rotor.
As for the engraving, you can see the option here – http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,1383398784760...
I'd go for the periphery rather than the mid-section, but both should easily accommodate 'XX th/rd/st February 2014'
Thanks for that, I'll definitely be going for that option! I can't believe how long the lead time is. But I guess things like this can't be rushed. As for the engraving, you can see the option here – http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,1383398784760...
I'd go for the periphery rather than the mid-section, but both should easily accommodate 'XX th/rd/st February 2014'
tertius said:
Blue-ing can be done on two ways - heat treating (more expensive) or a chemical process. Not sure which Stowa* will use, but I suspect it will be a chemical blue.
Thanks tertius, knowledgable as always. - it won't really be Stowa, they will order the finished movement in the required spec. from ETA.
A quick update.
I plumped for the basic movement with rotor engraving and croc strap. But it turned out that lead time was too long and I wouldn't have the watch before my wedding day!
Therefore I was forced to go for the more expensive movement. Never mind! I didn't go for the blued screws, though.
This morning I had an email off Stowa requesting payment and my watch should be with me within 2 weeks of payment.
Excited would be a major understatement! I know it's unlikely, but I really hope I'm not underwhelmed by it.
Payment will be made tonight, it's going to be a loooooong 2 weeks...
This will soon be mine!
I plumped for the basic movement with rotor engraving and croc strap. But it turned out that lead time was too long and I wouldn't have the watch before my wedding day!
Therefore I was forced to go for the more expensive movement. Never mind! I didn't go for the blued screws, though.
This morning I had an email off Stowa requesting payment and my watch should be with me within 2 weeks of payment.
Excited would be a major understatement! I know it's unlikely, but I really hope I'm not underwhelmed by it.
Payment will be made tonight, it's going to be a loooooong 2 weeks...
This will soon be mine!
JohnWest said:
Andy, that looks divine. I can't wait to get mine.
PJ S, I do sometimes think, 'I've gone this far, I should go the whole hog'. But then if I am disappointed and regret not getting blued screws, well, I'd just have to get another Stowa!
Yeah, but for the sake of £40, you won't have to. Seriously, contact them asap and ask if it's too late to do so. You're in for this much, £40 is going to make no difference whatsoever.PJ S, I do sometimes think, 'I've gone this far, I should go the whole hog'. But then if I am disappointed and regret not getting blued screws, well, I'd just have to get another Stowa!
And, if you ever do have to sell it, it'll be more desirable to buyers.
SVS said:
John, I'm guessing you're married and the Stowa finally arrived. I hope neither proved underwhelming! Did you live happily ever after with the Stowa?
SVS, correct on both counts; happily married and the Stowa arrived. It turned up on my birthday (late Feb) but had to be put away until the big day (end of May). I did manage to unbox it and try it on before putting it away. I was seriously impressed with the watch. Well packaged and the watch well finished, it was perfect. I had some slight reservation about buying a watch I hadn't even tried on, let alone seen in the flesh. But from the photos I'd seen and the many reviews I'd read, that hesitation didn't last long.
I'd gone for the engraving which PJ S told me about but not for the blued screws. I don't regret not going for the coloured screws, as good as they look. Andy Tims watch does look great, perhaps my next Stowa will be a manual with blued screws.
Here's a gratuitous photo, enjoying a pint in the evening sun a few months ago.
Married life is going well, a bit odd referring to the OH as 'my wife' though!
Edited because stupid autocorrect and lack of proof reading. Thanks PJ S for pointing this out!
Edited by JohnWest on Sunday 19th October 19:31
John, I think your Stowa looks gorgeous in that photo 
Congratulations on getting married too!
How big does the Marine Automatic wear? Because of the plain white dial, combined with no real bezel, I wondered if you felt it wore (too?) big.
For those who like this style of watch, there's a Steinhart Marine 38 on eBay at the moment.
Congratulations on getting married too!How big does the Marine Automatic wear? Because of the plain white dial, combined with no real bezel, I wondered if you felt it wore (too?) big.
For those who like this style of watch, there's a Steinhart Marine 38 on eBay at the moment.
Thanks for the kind words. I absolutely love this watch; I find myself just starting at it just watching the second hand sweep round and watching the minute hand slowly follow it around. It's mesmorising, I can't explain why I enjoy doing it, but I just do!
In terms of size, I think it's just perfect. I like slightly larger watches (despite having a pretty puny wrist). In my collection I have a Mondaine Evo Giant which I think is 42mm and similar to the Stowa in that it's a plain white dial with a thin bezel. Although the hands and markers are bolder and bigger so they fill the dial more than the, what I consider to be more dainty, Stowa.
Despite my puny wrists, the lugs don't 'overhang' the sides of the wrist, which I know is a cardinal sin to some here.
Are you thinking of adding one to your collection?
In terms of size, I think it's just perfect. I like slightly larger watches (despite having a pretty puny wrist). In my collection I have a Mondaine Evo Giant which I think is 42mm and similar to the Stowa in that it's a plain white dial with a thin bezel. Although the hands and markers are bolder and bigger so they fill the dial more than the, what I consider to be more dainty, Stowa.
Despite my puny wrists, the lugs don't 'overhang' the sides of the wrist, which I know is a cardinal sin to some here.
Are you thinking of adding one to your collection?
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