The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[ChicagoRon]

Quadruple Post?!?!?!

 

[ChicagoRon]

Leap Year

 

[in stitches]



Leap Year

yes.

 

[Belligero]



Well executed ferris wheel:

Badly executed ferris wheel:

I think it is the font of the 9 that is the problem... if you are going to ferris wheel, you have to have a font where a nine is clearly a nine.

I much prefer the charm of the hand-lettered style in the second example. The nine on the first dial is equally indistinguishable from a six, and Times New Roman is not something I actually want to see anywhere on a watch. Its presence is by far my least favourite feature of my Reverso GMT.

 

[no frills]

I actually do prefer a certain amount of "flipping" on numerals as I refer to the date function often and would like it to be "right side up." Of course this is just a matter of training your brain, just like you have to kind of teach yourself how to read the subdial layout of any multi-subdial calendar anyway. Most ferris wheels flip between 23 and 25, for example, and that doesn't bother me. It's just the "9" that looks so much like a "6" that niggles, just a wee bit, especially since you could have flipped it at "11" and it would be fine.

 

[in stitches]



I actually do prefer a certain amount of "flipping" on numerals as I refer to the date function often and would like it to be "right side up." Of course this is just a matter of training your brain, just like you have to kind of teach yourself how to read the subdial layout of any multi-subdial calendar anyway. Most ferris wheels flip between 23 and 25, for example, and that doesn't bother me. It's just the "9" that looks so much like a "6" that niggles, just a wee bit, especially since you could have flipped it at "11" and it would be fine.

i think that would be a lot better.

 

[no frills]

Quote:
I think so - especially if the font used for "11" basically renders the flipping "irrelevant" (it won't even look like a flip if the 11 looked like this - "II" - as it does in the Patek 3970 and many others).

 

[suaviter]

hesalite is the only way to go on a speedy.....of course just my opinion.

Go on ....

(I just want one with an open caseback that shows off the awesome movement.)

 

[RogerP]

Go on ....

(I just want one with an open caseback that shows off the awesome movement.)

I don't know of a model (outside of maybe one of the numerous limited editions) that uses a plastic crystal but still offers a sapphire display back, but then again I am no Speedmaster expert, and I prefer a sapphire front crystal in any event.

 

[Newcomer]

They made the hesalite sandwich speedmaster for quite some time. Hesalite on the front with a sapphire display back. They are pretty easy to pick up on the second hand market.

 

[no frills]

Quote:
Me too. Yes, doesn't remain true to the original, but sapphire crystal is just not as easily scratchable (although hesalite scratches can apparently be polished out pretty easily). As discussed in this forum a few (hundred?) pages ago, hesalite was essential to the original purpose since it doesn't shatter - sapphire crystal shatters and that would not exactly be good in zero gravity. But since I have no plans to go to the moon or wear a timepiece in zero gravity anytime soon I'd like the scratch proof benefits of the sapphire crystal. Just my personal preference.

 

[RogerP]

Me too. Yes, doesn't remain true to the original, but sapphire crystal is just not as easily scratchable (although hesalite scratches can apparently be polished out pretty easily). As discussed in this forum a few (hundred?) pages ago, hesalite was essential to the original purpose since it doesn't shatter - sapphire crystal shatters and that would not exactly be good in zero gravity.But since I have no plans to go to the moon or wear a timepiece in zero gravity anytime soon I'd like the scratch proof benefits of the sapphire crystal. Just my personal preference.

I have been a certified watch nut since circa 1991. Since then I have managed to shatter a sum total of exactly zero sapphire crystals. But I have scratched plenty of plastic crystals. So I am with you on scrtach resistance trumping shatter resistance. I'm not at all sure how "easily scratchable" plus "easily fixable" nets out to a positive in a contemporary sports watch, but people like what they like. One thing Speedmaster shoppers are not lacking is choice.

 

[Cylon]

I recommend seeing both in person. There is a wonderful warmth to the hesalite crystal that is hard to describe; and on the other side there is a cold serene look to the sapphire.

I know I sound like an idiot, but see for yourself

 

[no frills]

Quote:
You don't sound like an idiot at all! Then again I write stuff like this all the time too... But seriously, there's nothing like actually seeing the watch and putting it on your wrist to settle doubts, questions, etc. Absolutely +1,000 for this advice.

 

[in stitches]

getting these breitlings ready today.