Alternatives to the CW C8 Pilot

[Hoddo]

As per the title really. What alternatives are there to the CW C8 Pilot Vintage. Click for link

To give you an idea of what I own and like, I have a Sinn 656 S on bracelet and Stowa Marina Original. Open to broad ideas but I do prefer the clear and simple design usually offered by aviation watches.

I do not usually pay close attention to these things but when did CW drop the ETA movement from the C8? It looks like only the new and faaarrrrrkkkiinng expensive C1000 Typhoon ( << when did they get so expensive?) is carrying the ETA movements these days in their aviation watches.

Edited by Hoddo on Thursday 3rd October 12:11

[rich85uk]

They had a price increase of around 17% as of Monday iirc, and they have been slowly swaying away from ETA movements for a while now (they still used them, but what pot luck if you got ETA or the SW200)
I get the impression they are trying to become a more premium brand which is fine, as every new watch they have released doesn't seem to come in under 1k now so they are no longer the value for money brand they once were

Most obvious place i would look is Steinhart as i view them as direct competition to CW but are a fair bit cheaper:
Aviation vintage (£365)
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/Aviation-Vintage...
Nav B premium (£415)
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/Nav-B-Uhr-44-aut...
Ocean military (£300)
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/OCEAN-vintage-Mi...

For something abit more dressy i would look at something from the Seiko SARB range:




http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-japa...

[SVS]

rich, I hadn't noticed that until you posted. You're right and that's crazy!
www.christopherward.co.uk/new-arrival.html

All the new CW arrivals are priced at 1-1.5k Sterling. That puts CW up against some serious competition.

As CW is British, I wish them luck!

[RS404]

How about this? http://www.creationwatches.com/products/hamilton-w...

[Hoddo]

What are people's views on Steinhart Watches? I'm not overly familiar with the brand.

The limited edition JG47 looks lovely. Click for link

[rich85uk]

Hoddo said:

What are people's views on Steinhart Watches? I'm not overly familiar with the brand.

The limited edition JG47 looks lovely. Click for link

Have done a fair amount of research on the brand and main issues were they ran out of official boxes for a while and customer care went abit patchy at the same period but believed this has been resolved. Also worth noting 95% of Steinharts are big watches so check that first

that aside they are probably the best value well made swiss made/swiss movements brands at the moment thanks to CW handing this to them and hiking prices by 17% and not making any new watches under 1k it seems

Steinhart are young but very popular even with Rolex owners, so i suspect they will not stay this cheap in 5-10 years as they become better known

[jackwibble]

Slightly left of field how about a Timefactors Speedbird III ?

http://www.timefactors.com/speedbird.htm



Now fitted with ETA2824-2 25 jewel automatic "Top" version

[SVS]

Good call on the Speedbird III. Well worth considering, IMO.

[TheJimi]

rich85uk said:

Steinhart are young but very popular even with Rolex owners, so i suspect they will not stay this cheap in 5-10 years as they become better known

Good point actually. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but Steinhart haven't been as aggressive as CW in terms pricing.

[rich85uk]

TheJimi said:

Good point actually. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but Steinhart haven't been as aggressive as CW in terms pricing.

Nope, if there has been a price rise on Steinharts its been very small and several years ago as i randomly check theirs and CW's website(also on their email list)

For £415 you can get a premium line with a decortated Soprod A10 movement! which is normally found in far more expensive watches (CW's basic polit watch range starts at £450)
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/Nav-B-Uhr-44-aut...

All Steinharts basic auto movement is elaborated grade ETA, where CW use Sellita SW200

CW 60 Trident GMT is £625, Steinhart GMT divers start at £360

Fancy a watch with an ETA 7750 movement on a bracelet?CW C700 is £950 where Steinhart Nav B chrono is £710...Its not like Steinhart watches are less quality either, infact many reviews seem to suggest that their watches are of a slightly higher quality

Anyway O/P i think you know which brand i would be looking at spending £450 with

[CardShark]

New they're higher than the budget mentioned but a pre-owned Stowa Fleiger might be worth hunting down, if you can find one.

The Speedbird is a good shout, used to own the GMT version myself.

[Hoddo]

CardShark said:

New they're higher than the budget mentioned but a pre-owned Stowa Fleiger might be worth hunting down, if you can find one.

I own a Marina Original and want to broaden the collection otherwise I would have been all over that.

Edited by Hoddo on Thursday 3rd October 12:12

[rich85uk]

This one?
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-kemmner-pilot-...

nice choice by the way, picked up a Laco pilot watch this afternoon which i am very happy with. Shame the seller thinks its too big though as would of said it was a perfect size for this type of watch

[Hoddo]

It arrived:

[RobCh]

Archimede? Saw one of their watches in the metal recently and it was extremely impressive. This one has ETA 2824 and comes in at Euro 520.

http://www.archimede-watches.com/archimede-watches...

[stevewak]

Hoddo said:

It arrived:

How do you order them? No website? Was the strap included? Looks nice!

[Hoddo]

stevewak said:

How do you order them? No website? Was the strap included? Looks nice!

The watch came with two straps. The one you see here and a darker brown.

You order direct with Roland Kemmner, I will PM you his contact details.