Silver dialled 'sports' watch

[Fullook]

I've been looking around for some months for a silver dialled (pref sunburst silver or light grey) watch to add to my collection.

All my current watches bar one have black dials and I wanted a bit of variety.

I want something I'm happy knocking round in - I'm not looking for a dress watch, but something (and I know some people get a little over-excited by the use of the phrase) a bit more in the 'sports watch' style and ideally something that will work OK on a rubber or sailcloth strap rather than a bracelet.

Also I'd prefer something without a rotating bezel, I've got plenty of those already.

Prefer Auto to Quartz

Budget ideally < £1000.

The closest things I've seen so far are these from Longines and Certina respectively, but both are bit more dressy than ideal and will require aftermarket straps (not a deal-breaker).

Longines Conquest 41mm



Certina DS-1 Powermatic 80




Anybody got experience of either of these two models they'd like to share, or suggestions of other options I may have overlooked?

Thanks in advance.

Edited by Fullook on Friday 2nd October 14:16

[richthebike]

Answered the same question with a slightly higher budget and it's now my most worn watch.

[r159]

I’ve got a silver faced Certina ds chrono auto and I’m very happy with it if that helps...I know it’s not the same as the one you are looking at but quality wise it’s up there. The leather strap on mine was a bit short.

I did try on a Conquest, it was very nice too. The only -ve was the butterfly clasp, it does have half links and you can fit the Hydroconquest bracelet... but if you’re putting a different strap on that doesn’t matter. Size wise not having the big bezel made it seem like a size above if that makes sense.

Edited by r159 on Friday 2nd October 14:37

Edited by r159 on Friday 2nd October 14:40

[r159]

Raymond Weil might be worth a look...maybe a bit too dressy
https://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/4109945/r...

Or definitely not dressy

https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Watc...

Edited by r159 on Friday 2nd October 14:47

[Fullook]

richthebike said:

Answered the same question with a slightly higher budget and it's now my most worn watch.

I like GS a lot (already have a spring drive diver in my collection) and I think these ones are lovely looking (the case shape is exactly what I'm after) & I agree it's a good fit to the brief (at least as good as the two I've identified), but...

...I'm a bit fixated on the metallic / machined steel type look you get with a sunburst finish and these have a matt grey finish, and while I know it's not rational, I do struggle with the stepped movement of a quartz powered second hand vs the sweep of an automatic.

It is a great looking watch though

[bristolbaron]

Does it have to be new?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124352472863

[wisbech]

Damasko DS30?

https://www.damasko-watches.com/en/models/three-ha...

[richthebike]

Fullook said:

I like GS a lot (already have a spring drive diver in my collection) and I think these ones are lovely looking (the case shape is exactly what I'm after) & I agree it's a good fit to the brief (at least as good as the two I've identified), but...

...I'm a bit fixated on the metallic / machined steel type look you get with a sunburst finish and these have a matt grey finish, and while I know it's not rational, I do struggle with the stepped movement of a quartz powered second hand vs the sweep of an automatic.

It is a great looking watch though

To be fair, thats more a problem with my photography! The dial has a horizontal brush silver and is definitely not matt in most lights. Very industrial steel (but not radial).

I do understand the quartz point, but I'm also fascinated by the 9F so its swings and roundabouts.

The problem with this watch for me is the high finishing makes me less inclined to be rough with it.

Doxa do a great silver dial (Searambler) if you can live with a dive bezel. 300T or 200T best bets.

[Fullook]

Funny, I've been looking at the Searambler, both the 300T and the new 300 (very similar but has domed sapphire and a couple of other small differences) - where I got to with that path was that if I'm going to get a vintage style diver in that mold I prefer the Aquadive Bathysphere 100 GMT which only comes with a black dial...

I've followed a similar loop before when on the hunt for the silver dial etc etc I found the Alpina Alpiner 4, went and had a look, quickly decided I far preferred the blue dial version to the silver and came away with a blue dial watch in my possession that was the answer to a question I really hadn't asked.

Edited by Fullook on Friday 2nd October 22:09

[Ed T]

[Fullook]

IWC Ingineur - great shout, very much yes.

Does rather fail the auld budget test though...

[romeodelta]

I think that Longines is a winner to be honest.

But on the other end if the budget scale to the IWC, what about a Seiko Presage?

Maybe this one?
https://www.seikowatches.com/global-en/products/pr...

[T6 vanman]

Seiko have a few models depending on budget
seiko-prospex-the-alpinist-spb155j1



seiko-prospex-street-series-sne545p1-1



Would a basic Seiko 5 scratch the itch? seiko-5-sports-srpe61k1



Not launched yet but the Boruto & Naruto range has a few that may appeal

[Fullook]

Bit of closure for this thread.

I ended up going for the Certina I asked about in the original post, ordered from Jura who had it on sale (£460 vs RRP of £770) and it took about 5 weeks to arrive - took delivery today.

I took it off the metal bracelet it came on and put it on a sailcloth instead.

I'm quite pleased with the result - it's not a special watch but will make a change from the predominantly black & blue dialled watches I currently wear the most.

Here it is on the bracelet:




and on the sailcloth:



Thanks to all those who weighed in with suggestions higher up the thread.