My journey this year towards proper watch enthusiasm
Discussion
Despite having worn a watch pretty much every day for over 40 years, I'm fairly new to proper watch enthusiasm.
To help me on my journey, I bought six quartz watches between January and March this year and I've been wearing them in daily rotation for a good few months now, which has helped clarify which types of watch I like more than others, and what direction(s) I might go in next.
Here they are:
The Farers are my favourites - in terms of size, shape and dial. I still like the Roue watches and they are excellent quality for the price, but I don't expect that I'll buy any more Roues. Also I'm pretty sure that I prefer a round case rather than the tonneau style of the Roues, or the rectangular style of the LIV.
The Seiko is really good for the price paid. The lume on it is fantastic and the bezel action is really nice. But it's a thick watch (to be expected for a fully ISO certified diver's watch with 200m water resistance) and because the case size is pretty small at 37mm, it wears a bit bulky. And also it wears a bit small - the 37mm case width measurement includes the bezel, and the dial itself is petite. I'm still pleased to have bought it, but if/when I move further up the price range for a diver's watch, I think 39-40mm would be my sweet spot. Trouble is, most of the upmarket/higher quality dive watches are bigger. I like the look of the new Omega Seamaster Coaxial with the black wavy dial, but it's 42mm and probably too big.
Talking of big watches, the LIV is big and also chunky. I like it because it's something different, but it has done a fairly good job of talking me out of buying a Heuer Monaco. Now I love the Monaco, have saved up the cash and even tried one on a couple of weeks ago, but I really don't think I'd wear it very often because it's not an easy watch to wear, especially if you are of average/slim build with average/slim wrists. I've read up on all the 50th Anniversary Limited Editions too, but none of these works for me either.
So I have taken a deep breath and spent the Monaco money on not one, but two, proper automatic watches. I will post them up when they arrive, which should be during the course of the coming week. My plan is to enjoy wearing these two newcomers for decades to come
Based on the above - any guesses as to what these two incoming watches might be?
To help me on my journey, I bought six quartz watches between January and March this year and I've been wearing them in daily rotation for a good few months now, which has helped clarify which types of watch I like more than others, and what direction(s) I might go in next.
Here they are:
The Farers are my favourites - in terms of size, shape and dial. I still like the Roue watches and they are excellent quality for the price, but I don't expect that I'll buy any more Roues. Also I'm pretty sure that I prefer a round case rather than the tonneau style of the Roues, or the rectangular style of the LIV.
The Seiko is really good for the price paid. The lume on it is fantastic and the bezel action is really nice. But it's a thick watch (to be expected for a fully ISO certified diver's watch with 200m water resistance) and because the case size is pretty small at 37mm, it wears a bit bulky. And also it wears a bit small - the 37mm case width measurement includes the bezel, and the dial itself is petite. I'm still pleased to have bought it, but if/when I move further up the price range for a diver's watch, I think 39-40mm would be my sweet spot. Trouble is, most of the upmarket/higher quality dive watches are bigger. I like the look of the new Omega Seamaster Coaxial with the black wavy dial, but it's 42mm and probably too big.
Talking of big watches, the LIV is big and also chunky. I like it because it's something different, but it has done a fairly good job of talking me out of buying a Heuer Monaco. Now I love the Monaco, have saved up the cash and even tried one on a couple of weeks ago, but I really don't think I'd wear it very often because it's not an easy watch to wear, especially if you are of average/slim build with average/slim wrists. I've read up on all the 50th Anniversary Limited Editions too, but none of these works for me either.
So I have taken a deep breath and spent the Monaco money on not one, but two, proper automatic watches. I will post them up when they arrive, which should be during the course of the coming week. My plan is to enjoy wearing these two newcomers for decades to come
Based on the above - any guesses as to what these two incoming watches might be?
OK, here's what I have chosen:
Farer Lander Chronograph
https://wornandwound.com/introducing-the-lander-ch...
Nomos Tangente Silvercut
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/nomos-glashutte-...
Interested in the PH collective's views!
Farer Lander Chronograph
https://wornandwound.com/introducing-the-lander-ch...
Nomos Tangente Silvercut
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/nomos-glashutte-...
Interested in the PH collective's views!
It's about time I posted some pictures of the new arrivals.
Nomos Tangente Neomatik 39 Silvercut on the left, Farer Lander Chronograph on the right:
The respective case backs - very nicely finished:
And the current collection in full - cheapest on the left, most expensive on the right:
L-R:
Roue HDS One
Roue SSD One
Seiko SKX013
LIV Rebel DDC
Farer Frobisher II
Farer Ainsdale
Farer Lander Chronograph
Nomos Tangente
The Tangente is very light on the wrist, you barely know it's there. It's very slim for an automatic mechanical watch. Despite it 'only' having a 38.5mm case, it looks like a flying saucer on my relatively slim wrist, since it's all dial. I know this watch won't be to everybody's taste but I like it very much and it certainly has its place if you have several different watches to wear. I wouldn't choose it as my only watch, though.
The Lander Chrono feels much more sturdy and substantial, even though it's not particularly big for an automatic mechanical chronograph (the case width is 39.5mm and 12.5mm thickness). The dial is really nicely finished and looks really different under different lighting conditions. I would indeed prefer a more blue version of this watch (it's a little bit more green in real life than it appeared on the website) but I like how it looks and feels, and that it's a little bit different from the norm.
Thoughts and opinions welcome, positive or negative
Nomos Tangente Neomatik 39 Silvercut on the left, Farer Lander Chronograph on the right:
The respective case backs - very nicely finished:
And the current collection in full - cheapest on the left, most expensive on the right:
L-R:
Roue HDS One
Roue SSD One
Seiko SKX013
LIV Rebel DDC
Farer Frobisher II
Farer Ainsdale
Farer Lander Chronograph
Nomos Tangente
The Tangente is very light on the wrist, you barely know it's there. It's very slim for an automatic mechanical watch. Despite it 'only' having a 38.5mm case, it looks like a flying saucer on my relatively slim wrist, since it's all dial. I know this watch won't be to everybody's taste but I like it very much and it certainly has its place if you have several different watches to wear. I wouldn't choose it as my only watch, though.
The Lander Chrono feels much more sturdy and substantial, even though it's not particularly big for an automatic mechanical chronograph (the case width is 39.5mm and 12.5mm thickness). The dial is really nicely finished and looks really different under different lighting conditions. I would indeed prefer a more blue version of this watch (it's a little bit more green in real life than it appeared on the website) but I like how it looks and feels, and that it's a little bit different from the norm.
Thoughts and opinions welcome, positive or negative
blueg33 said:
These threads always remind me how subjective watch choice is.
As long as you like them they are the perfect choice for you.
Indeed it does, I think they are both lovely. I really like the Farer chronograph in that colour. I was thinking of buying a Stowa Antea KS a while back which is very similar to the Nomos.As long as you like them they are the perfect choice for you.
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