What time is it? Watches and horology

I definitely spent about 2 hours reading this, thanks

• but I also want to know what happened to the Rolex box
  

Coincidentally, yesterday Fratello posted a face-off between the Baltic and the Merci:

https://www.fratellowatches.com/sunday-morning-showdown-baltic-hms-002-silver-vs-merci-instruments-montre-lmm-01-nationale/

I got a Max Bill automatic (38mm, the handwound was too small for me) and it's a really nice watch.

Don't wear it as much as I should due to rarely wearing suits now but would heartily recommend it. Super slim (loads of the newer dressier ones from other brands are a bit hefty) and very distinctive styling.

I have the 34mm handwound version. Lovely thing and fits my small wrist. I do sometimes wish for the Kleine Automatic version due to the crown being so small. It's not the most comfortable thing to wind as it digs into my nail. I end up getting a crown winding tool

34mm probably looks more like a 36mm due to how large the dial is with no bezel.

I'd like one!

Yeah, tiny crowns on hand-wound watches is always a bit of a pain.

Very nice looking watch though.

Tell me about it, gonna put my Paulin up for sales soon for this reason.

I somehow like the Merci, even the limited edition one look great.

1 Attachment

It's a bit of a trend, though, this sort of case - straight out of the CNC machine and minimal finishing. I think it can look a bit odd with some of the dial designs. For a field watch it'd be a non-issue, but I see some dissonance there when you have those polished dauphine hands, for example.

Having said that, I think the price is great and they're good looking watches (despite the too-big nato strap that just looks totally wrong). I'd wear one.

£100 mm for the Bremont brothers.
https://www.ft.com/content/02a7ba9c-64c3-4074-9935-808e47b3aef8

£100 mm

😘

To be honest, those watches aren’t too dissimilar to the watches from the past that’s not from a known brand.

The irony is that they claim their NATO is 19mm, but look like they’re actually 20mm.

ha!

Any recommendation on where to get high quality shorter straps? I have a nice watch I'd like to wear.

Also - the state of OEM silicone straps vs apple watch is farcical.

Also - the state of OEM silicone straps vs apple watch is farcical.

What do you mean by this?

I mean the feel of them seems worse, especially the edges. The apple watch silicone strap is amazingly comfortable for long periods, the touch of it is lovely, the edges are nicely rounded. Real thought went into it. I'm thinking of Breitling and Bremont silicone - other brands may do a good job, but my experience of those was it was a sharp edged slab.

I've been wearing an apple watch mainly the last few years and just thinking about the strap put this into my mind.

Walked past it this morning, have tried a couple of things but can’t get to it.

Looks like other folks have had a shot with no luck too.

Gotcha, thanks for the explanation. I haven't worn an apple watch, but also haven't heard any complaints... Many OEM straps on 'proper' watches do get a bad rep however, so I suppose you've got a point.

Can you dig under ?

Qwaatz

1 Attachment

Everybody’s first “posh” watch.

I had a Tag as my first posh watch which i got as a reward for good GCSE results i was so happy with it. Then i bought an F1 chrono with my first pay packet after graduating and my boss at that job had a Kirium which at the time i thought that was the dream. Despite Tag making more and more expensive watches over the years when did they stop being aspirational?

1 Attachment

I love those late 80’s early 90’s Tag Heuer. Still a solid daily wear.

First posh watch too (bought it over a second hand Pepsi Rolex which was also in the window of the jewellers but four times as expensive, with hindsight that may have been a mistake ).
Seldom wear it nowadays.

1 Attachment

Hydroconquest.. I had one, but the case just did not feel like it was finished by a craftsman. Nasty sharp angles and just no wamth to it. Clearly you'll try on on first, and I hope you enjoy it more than I did.