A new angle on collecting - Steinhart arrival
Discussion
Ever since I first saw the picture of the new Ocean One Vintage I thought it was one of the nicest looking pieces I'd seen in a while at any price. I stuck my name down for one in February and it arrived today a couple of weeks earlier than expected (as the first batch sold out). Without trying to sound like a dick here, I don't usually buy watches at this level, so this was something of a leap into the unknown for me, albeit one that if I decided I didn't like it, wouldn't cost me much money to get out of.
Picture of it with the Deepsea - has a good presence without being absurd (like the Deepsea)
Packaging - fine, really nothing special which I am glad of, means the money was all spent on the watch
Then I actually got to the watch and my first thought was 'wow'. It's actually really, really nice. I'm not going to be hyperbolic and claim it's as good as a Rolex or Omega, it isn't but you wouldn't expect at to be at 1/10th to 1/15th the price. For what it is, I might have expected rough finishing, a poorly aligned bezel, graunchy crown and bezel action; there is none of that, it works like a watch would be expected to at may times its price - which is an indicator more than anything that we are being frequently overcharged elsewhere The closest analogy I can think of is a mid-level brand like Breitling or TAG about 10 years ago. Solid watches but missing that last detail which keeps them from the top tier - this is what this watch is like, but you wouldn't expect that level of perfection as it's only a 400 odd quid watch. It's lovely.
The dial is grey (unexpectedly) and the painted numerals and indices are 'old radium' coloured which adds a huge amount of character - false character of course, but who cares. The sapphire crystal is hugely domed like my old Sea-Dweller plexi Tropic 19 and distorts in the same way - again, a bit of vintage character like the big crown and the red triangle at 12 on the (120 click) bezel. Perhaps it's all a bit contrived but it has a really good feel about it.
Clasp and bracelet - again, another wow, I thoight it's be cheap folded metal. I bought a Doxa last week which would have cost 3-4 times this new and it is not in the same league - in fact it's embarrassing by comparison (the bracelet, the watchhead is great). This is on a par with most premium brands, very impressive, screwed together so easily adjusted and fits in the lugs well - not perfectly but close enough you wouldn't notice a gap.
As for wearability - it's 42mm which is a nice size for me - not so big it draws attention to itself but comfy and very legible. Has a good weight to it. Winding, setting the time and watching it run are all you would expect of the workhorse ETA movement, a nice smooth sweep. I am a terrible movement snob, but at this price, this has an excellent movement, I only moan when Breitling are trying to charge 6 grand for the same thing.
Obligatory wrist shot. I'll try it on the brown leather strap they sent tonight and take a snap too.
So the Doxa was my first foray into a 'microbrand' market watch followed by this. I am also having the last ever Schuhren to be sold and that will be on the way shortly. There is an awful lot to recommend watches at this level - they are just very good and come with none of the hype, celebrity endorsement or pseudo-crap to make you feel better about yourself. Will I be selling my 'higher-end' collection; no. But I now see that if I had to, I could still be very happy collecting and enjoying watches. This is suddenly a lot of fun and it's easy to buy, try and flip them for losses of a few tens of pounds at a time rather than thousands. What's not to like.
Picture of it with the Deepsea - has a good presence without being absurd (like the Deepsea)
Packaging - fine, really nothing special which I am glad of, means the money was all spent on the watch
Then I actually got to the watch and my first thought was 'wow'. It's actually really, really nice. I'm not going to be hyperbolic and claim it's as good as a Rolex or Omega, it isn't but you wouldn't expect at to be at 1/10th to 1/15th the price. For what it is, I might have expected rough finishing, a poorly aligned bezel, graunchy crown and bezel action; there is none of that, it works like a watch would be expected to at may times its price - which is an indicator more than anything that we are being frequently overcharged elsewhere The closest analogy I can think of is a mid-level brand like Breitling or TAG about 10 years ago. Solid watches but missing that last detail which keeps them from the top tier - this is what this watch is like, but you wouldn't expect that level of perfection as it's only a 400 odd quid watch. It's lovely.The dial is grey (unexpectedly) and the painted numerals and indices are 'old radium' coloured which adds a huge amount of character - false character of course, but who cares. The sapphire crystal is hugely domed like my old Sea-Dweller plexi Tropic 19 and distorts in the same way - again, a bit of vintage character like the big crown and the red triangle at 12 on the (120 click) bezel. Perhaps it's all a bit contrived but it has a really good feel about it.
Clasp and bracelet - again, another wow, I thoight it's be cheap folded metal. I bought a Doxa last week which would have cost 3-4 times this new and it is not in the same league - in fact it's embarrassing by comparison (the bracelet, the watchhead is great). This is on a par with most premium brands, very impressive, screwed together so easily adjusted and fits in the lugs well - not perfectly but close enough you wouldn't notice a gap.
As for wearability - it's 42mm which is a nice size for me - not so big it draws attention to itself but comfy and very legible. Has a good weight to it. Winding, setting the time and watching it run are all you would expect of the workhorse ETA movement, a nice smooth sweep. I am a terrible movement snob, but at this price, this has an excellent movement, I only moan when Breitling are trying to charge 6 grand for the same thing.
Obligatory wrist shot. I'll try it on the brown leather strap they sent tonight and take a snap too.
So the Doxa was my first foray into a 'microbrand' market watch followed by this. I am also having the last ever Schuhren to be sold and that will be on the way shortly. There is an awful lot to recommend watches at this level - they are just very good and come with none of the hype, celebrity endorsement or pseudo-crap to make you feel better about yourself. Will I be selling my 'higher-end' collection; no. But I now see that if I had to, I could still be very happy collecting and enjoying watches. This is suddenly a lot of fun and it's easy to buy, try and flip them for losses of a few tens of pounds at a time rather than thousands. What's not to like.
I like the vintage model a lot, it looks sweet. I am a bit tainted when it comes to Steinhart, my Ocean 44 let in water, not really what you want when diving off a reef. Their customer relations where brilliant and did every thing asked of them. I hear that the build is a lot better now, so might just have a gander
NeMiSiS said:
These cheaper looky-likeys are all well and good until you put your hand in your pocket and the PIP falls off, or you exit the swimming baths with a foggy crystal, I hate to be the harvenger of doom but they won’t last.
You might well be right, only time will tell! However don't confuse it with a fake Lolex or some Chinese tat; it's a VERY solid feeling watch, tolerances seem very tight. I'll certainly be the first to squeal if it goes pop though 
Surprisingly little like any realistically avaialble Rolex - I know it looks a little more like a 6538 with Explorer dial but nothing like anything recogniseable... Comparison for fun 
And on the Steinhart strap with a very nice butterfly clasp. It'll probably stay on the strap actually while the 1665 stays on its bracelet.
And on the Steinhart strap with a very nice butterfly clasp. It'll probably stay on the strap actually while the 1665 stays on its bracelet.
Used to own a Coke bezelled Ocean GMT, bought pre-owned and sold for the same price, probably not quite the same value as a couple of TF watches I've tried but certainly enough to make you think about the deminishing returns of spending more. Liking your new accusition, and it'll certainly be better put together than Mr NeMiSiS would say
ETA that crystal
ETA that crystal
Edited by CardShark on Thursday 13th March 21:37
NeMiSiS said:
Nice write up, did you take the 2nd photo at that time to purposely to pi55 me off.
These cheaper looky-likeys are all well and good until you put your hand in your pocket and the PIP falls off, or you exit the swimming baths with a foggy crystal, I hate to be the harvenger of doom but they won’t last.
But saying that look at that mega money - state of the art JLC that has just failed, I suppose you just never know.
I've had an Ocean 44 for a few years now, worn it swimming, sauna, steam room and in the sea no issues at all, great watch for the money...These cheaper looky-likeys are all well and good until you put your hand in your pocket and the PIP falls off, or you exit the swimming baths with a foggy crystal, I hate to be the harvenger of doom but they won’t last.
But saying that look at that mega money - state of the art JLC that has just failed, I suppose you just never know.
pete a said:
NeMiSiS said:
Nice write up, did you take the 2nd photo at that time to purposely to pi55 me off.
These cheaper looky-likeys are all well and good until you put your hand in your pocket and the PIP falls off, or you exit the swimming baths with a foggy crystal, I hate to be the harvenger of doom but they won’t last.
But saying that look at that mega money - state of the art JLC that has just failed, I suppose you just never know.
I've had an Ocean 44 for a few years now, worn it swimming, sauna, steam room and in the sea no issues at all, great watch for the money...These cheaper looky-likeys are all well and good until you put your hand in your pocket and the PIP falls off, or you exit the swimming baths with a foggy crystal, I hate to be the harvenger of doom but they won’t last.
But saying that look at that mega money - state of the art JLC that has just failed, I suppose you just never know.
Looks great Yeti, especially on the bracelet!
I'm really starting to like the look of these vintage-esque Steinharts!
Every review I read seems to sing their prices at orders of magnitude less cost than equivalent manufactures' watches!
It is, however, clearly too big for your delicate, lady-like wrists so please let me know when it's leaving your collection
Wear in good health
I'm really starting to like the look of these vintage-esque Steinharts!
Every review I read seems to sing their prices at orders of magnitude less cost than equivalent manufactures' watches!
It is, however, clearly too big for your delicate, lady-like wrists so please let me know when it's leaving your collection
Wear in good health
yeti said:
Not until it's 'finished'. Hopefully soon, have a LOT of watches to sell which Dom Hackett is helping me out with. Can't make a move on what I want until they've gone...
Still making way for the PP Nautilus?My quest has ended for a few weeks as I just sent the former Mrs9 some money as she was in trouble - don't ask!
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