I like the case. It has a funky retro vibe going but the dial is a bit too busy for my taste.

On the subject of retro style watches I gotta say Longines has caught my attention and for the first time started to tempt me. Longines is very quietly making some cool retro watches.

1968 Ultra Chron (Ultra Chronometer) was one of the first high frequency 36’000 beats / hour divers.

The is the original from 1968


Pictured below is the modern reimagined Ultra Chron. It retains the exact same high frequency 36,000 beats per hour but gets modern enhancements such as a silicon balance-spring.

The clear bezel with painted white numerals and red hash marks creates an optical illusion of sorts that has the markings on the insert float above the dark black bezel insert. It’s a very cool aesthetic design element. I’m surprised the micro brands haven’t tried stuff like this. Geckota and a few have clear or sapphire inserts but Longines design is one of the best out there IMO.

There have been a lot of watch enthusiasts that have also called it a shot across Seiko’s bow which I am assuming means it looks very much like the iconic cushion case Seiko turtle divers.








Here is another recent retro style watch from Longines. I love the stealthy, almost hidden bottom sub dial.

Longines Heritage Diver Chronograph with its red aluminum bezel, 300m WR and hot rodded column wheel calibre L688 automatic movement it is also quite interesting.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: stickman428,

VThoky, I incorrectly assumed it was a smart watch but dang that’s an interesting and very specialized watch you posted.

I suppose if Hamilton can make something to calculate air speed drift while flying it only makes sense someone made a watch to calculate exposure and to assist with photography.

It’s certainly a creative idea.

I was recently reading about Regatta Chronograph style watches and the reason for the 5 minute segmented countdown markings on the minute sub dial. The explanation is that the 5 minute countdown intervals are part of a larger staging countdown to make sure the start of a sailboat race with various classes of boats is coordinated properly.

I think Sinn takes the crown for wildest complication with their “Moonlight hunter” that tracks the moon phase and is more or less designed specifically for nighttime hunting.

On the wrist today. A sterile custom based on a Zeno 485 case and a hacking modified ETA 2846 movement on a grey leather NATO strap. The dial is a Markus Stein MOD (UK Ministry of Defense) number.

I have to thank those fantastic members here who recommended Crown & Buckle straps. A few of our fine members here pointed me in their direction and I finally pulled the trigger on a few NATO straps.

I think I found one of the few straps that perfectly matches the Sinn 206 Arktis dial. I went with a premium NATO in gunmetal grey with brushed buckles. I also really like their textured 20mm straps. I got one for my Steinhart in khaki and a flat gray NATO for my titanium Sinn 203 that looks superb along side a bead blasted titanium case.

Crown & Buckle managed to surprise me with the quality of their product. The premium material is damn soft! Even the buckles/hoops or whatever the metal loops on a NATO strap are called have a very sturdy and well made appearance.

I’ll post up some pics when I get a chance.

Be very careful Stickman!!! These damn straps are addicting (like watches, since they kinda change the "personality" each time you install a new one)! I've got a who bag of NATOs now!!!

stickman428,

FWIW that grey soft leather NATO on my watch above is from https://www.gandcostraps.com/one-piece .
Really like it. Super comfortable.

Bald1, thanks for the link. I have a Seiko turtle on a tan leather NATO that feels great. I might have to look into a gray or black leather NATO for my Sinn 203.



This recent 2019 Steinhart Ocean 39 GMT eBay score would make a great Marlon Brando Apocalypse Now homage watch if I could figure out how to remove the bezel. I think I got a pretty good deal at $335 considering the bezel insert I will eventually install is only $60. It came with a full kit including paperwork where it had been sent back to Steinhart for a regulation!

On my timegrapher it is ranging from -1 second a day to +4 depending on position. Not a bad deal for a watch I could flip for a small profit or take to the beach and enjoy this summer.

There really is something to be said for small and thin watches. At 39mm this Steinhart is sized perfectly for my twig sized wrist.

Any guesses on the 2 bezel insert color combos I have inbound?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: stickman428,

As promised the NATO straps from crown and buckle.

The Steinie Vintage Ocean 39 big crown on that tan NATO strap really looks good. Hell, they all look great.



This titanium masterpiece is the closest watch to being perfect in my whole collection.


206 Arktis II on frost



206 Arktis II on gunmetal

What a difference! The Pepsi bezel insert & blue NATO strap change the look quite a bit.

$395 total spent on a watch that is $700-850 on the fleabay.

Ten or so years ago, my dad bought a matching set of these for both my mom and himself. My mom recently passed away, and my dad gave this to my wife shortly after her funeral service.

Edit: And... now it's gone. Both your post and your photo. Let me know if you want me to delete this.

Great score pulicords! I'm shocked to hear that you were able to just walk into a Rolex AD on a whim, with no prior relationship, and walk out with your grail watch. I don't have any personal experience with Rolexes, and never will, but from what I've read/heard about Rolex ADs they basically never sell anything but basic entry-level Rolexes to people with whom they have no prior relationship. (Some folks see that lengthy "vetting/cultivating" process as a part of the luxury experience, while other see it as pretentiously unnecessary.)

Also, your photo link is broken. Let me help:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RogueJSK,

My wife turns 40 next week so I went looking for a nice watch for her. She is not a "watch person" but she had expressed interest in a Cartier Ballon Bleu. I have always liked Cartier styling, especially in ladies watches. Talked with a few jewelers, including Dave Truong, who was great of course. He had a couple but I was really looking for one with box and paperwork. I ended up finding a 2013 model with box and docs in excellent condition. Wife absolutely loves it. Simple and elegant and dresses up or down.

Wow, that's a beauty! As is the pullicords Explorer II!

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Wow, that's a beauty! As is the pullicords Explorer II!

Thanks. I had some trouble downloading pics on my end and deleted the post until I could get home, but here it is again:

A week ago, my wife and I arrived at Aruba, while enjoying our first cruise since the COVID debacle. As some of you may know, I've been searching for my "grail" watch for about three years now, the Rolex Explorer II (Polar version). I love the look of these, especially the "low-profile" all steel "tooley" nature that doesn't scream ROLEX and is perfect for everyday carry as well as travel, where I'm particularly found of the GMT (multiple time zone) feature.

Like many high demand Rolex watches, these are very difficult to find for sale new at Authorized Dealers (ADs), in part because "flippers" will buy them when they find them and sell them on the grey market for $3-4 thousand dollars above retail. If found new at an AD, they will always sell at the set retail price and I refuse to encourage the flippers by doing business with them. I've been on a list for this watch with my local AD for over two years and during that time, walked in to at least seven different ADs hoping they'd had one in stock, without success.

Well, last Monday was our first and only day in port at Aruba and while on a tour of the island with my wife, we passed the local AD and I decided to give it a shot. When the excursion ended, my wife returned to the ship and I took a bit of a walk. They've got several nice jewelry stores in the area around the Renaissance hotel and after visiting a few others, I attempted to enter the Rolex AD without initial success. The doorman politely pointed to a couple that was standing outside the locked front door and asked if I'd wait with them. It took about ten minutes, but after some other customers exited, the three of us we admitted to the store and I met a very pleasant sales associate, who asked if I was looking for something in particular. I said I was trying to find an Explorer II "Polar", but wasn't very optimistic about success as I'd been trying to find one for over three years. She showed me the display sample (these don't have the movement inside) and she asked how long I'd be in town. When I told her that our ship left in just a few hours, she asked if I'd fill out a form with my personal info on it, so I might be contacted if they came up with one. Hmmm... My "spidey sense" told me something might be up, because she did NOT definitively state they didn't have THE WATCH.

After I handed her the completed form, my sales associate asked if I'd wait a few minutes and I eagerly complied. When she returned, the SA had a Rolex box in her hands and told me: "Today is your lucky day!"

What followed was the "typical" Rolex AD buying experience and I loved it. After showing me the boxed watch, the lovely lady led me to their private showing room and introduced me to the sales manager. I was offered a glass of Prosecco (which I gladly accepted), I provided my credit card, driver's license, and passport, the SA fitted the watch to my wrist and had the extra link installed for a perfect fit. My only question was how much sales tax is charged in Aruba and I was pleased to learn it's actually a bit less than I could expect here in Arizona.

After a second glass of Prosecco, pictures of me posing with the SA, and completion of the paperwork, I left the shop wearing my new watch and carrying the box in a "stealthy", unmarked bag which the AD provided at my request. Yes, my wife wasn't too pleased about my purchase, but she got over it quickly and actually admitted she likes the way it looks. Anyway, here it is and I'll be wearing it exclusively for the near future.

Beautiful watch! Did you have to declare it on your Customs Form upon return to the USA? Asking for a friend

Great story and beautiful watch! Glad you finally landed it!

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Beautiful watch! Did you have to declare it on your Customs Form upon return to the USA? Asking for a friend

No! In fact, for whatever reason(s) we weren't even given a form to complete. When we arrived at port, our only contact with CBP was stepping up to the device for a facial scan (ID Confirmation) and that was it! I was extremely surprised by how efficient entry was and though I'd prepared to notify Customs of the purchase, it wasn't necessary.

Thanks! "My friend" will be glad to hear that.

Rolex ADs always sell for MSRP? If so, I never knew that.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
What a difference! The Pepsi bezel insert & blue NATO strap change the look quite a bit.

$395 total spent on a watch that is $700-850 on the fleabay.

That Pepsi Steinhart is a stunner!!! Congrats.