coltstrong wrote:
What about a Crosswind / Special or an OG Chronomat? Beautifully capable watches, very clean, sporty and dressy.
No right or wrong....
Thks for contributing
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| Author: | Chronomat01LE [ Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | List of All-Rounded Watches |
I have always liked watches that are all rounders, especially if I have to pay a premium for them. In general, an all rounded watch must: -be able to go with any outfit and suitable for all occasions/activities -be able to get wet(not to the extent of deep diving since I am not a professional diver but at least for some day to day activities like bathing, swimming or scuba diving up to 30m) -be durable and long lasting, that u can pass the watch eventually to your descendants. -be timeless looking that u will never get tired looking at(can be subjective cos tastes differ from individual. IMO to be timeless looking every design/color choice/detail on the watch must be necessary and not just for beautifying purposes. Whether company changes the design/outlook of the watch from time to time is not within control and can change, therefore that does not affect my view towards a timeless watch) Below are examples of what I classify as an all-rounded watch: -Breitling Chronomat 01 LE and some Chronomat 44/41 with Pilot Steel Bracelet -Breilting Chronomat 44 Flying Fish with Pilot Steel Bracelet -Breitling Chronomat BlackBird with Pilot Steel Bracelet -Breilting Chronomat GMT LE and some of the versions with Pilot Steel Bracelet -Rolex Sub C -Rolex GMT Master II(not sure if I can bring it for swimming or normal scuba diving though) Please help to add to my list those you think are good all rounders worthy of adding to your collection. It will serve as good reference for me/others on what to add to our collections in future;) |
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| Author: | Driver8 [ Thu Jan 17, 2013 6:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
Obviously the one that immediately springs to mind is (as you have already mentioned) the Rolie Sub C. Hard to think of a more utilitarian, all-things-to-all-men-and-in-all-situations, timepiece. That said, I would say the Superocean Steelfish needs to be on there as IMO it matches your criteria quite nicely....., unless of course people don't like the look of it enough to consider it a timeless design. With that in mind, I personally don't fully agree that the B01 Chronomats are truly timeless as I think the bezel font will date them quite quickly, but as you've said in your original post, aesthetics are very personal to each individual. |
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| Author: | Scott [ Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
I'll add: Omega Seamaster. (In particular, the 2254 with black dial and a touch of polish on the bracelet. Breitling Headwind. (Completely unbiased choice, though maybe a bit big) Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2 |
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| Author: | Chronomat01LE [ Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
Driver8 wrote: Obviously the one that immediately springs to mind is (as you have already mentioned) the Rolie Sub C. Hard to think of a more utilitarian, all-things-to-all-men-and-in-all-situations, timepiece. That said, I would say the Superocean Steelfish needs to be on there as IMO it matches your criteria quite nicely....., unless of course people don't like the look of it enough to consider it a timeless design. With that in mind, I personally don't fully agree that the B01 Chronomats are truly timeless as I think the bezel font will date them quite quickly, but as you've said in your original post, aesthetics are very personal to each individual. IMO reason for the choice of font on the bezel is for better vision especially during diving since that can be used to gauge the amount of time spent in the water in order to know when the oxygen tank will run out which is important. As water can get milky that affects vision, they need to make the numbers easily visible even under such conditions. The width of the bezel is limited so to make the numbers bigger and more visible they gotta enlarge the size of the numerals by extending their width. However when they do that certain strokes within a number cannot have the same thickness or else the numbers will be illegible. Adjusting the thickness of certain strokes in the numbers helps them to be legible but resulted in a "dated looking" font. They are also engraved big and deep to maximize clarity that helps the diver visually for quick reference. They did the right thing of not coloring the numbers cos doing that will unnecessarily distract the main focus of the entire watch and make it appear over busy. Those who have B01 will see that the engraved numbers have a different texture as compared with the bezel, so a little light can cause reflective differences that helps the numbers to standout easily and legible. I think it's proven that they are quite successful with the fonts because the fact that they polarized opinions easily means that the numbers are very obvious and distinctive. With function and justification for use of such fonts in mind I would feel that the timeless appeal is there since the fonts are not meant to improve the watch's aesthetic appearance but more on vision functionality. B01 Chronomat is Breitling's first model to house their very first in-house movement so they must had been extremely serious about the design and gone through plenty of debates and research before finalizing on the design by the management team. Therefore I strongly believe that the font was chosen for good reasons and not really to make the watch look dated cos Breitling aims to produce timeless looking and not fashion watches. To what I understand Chronomat 01 is a pilot styled watch but Breitling must have also taken diving activities into consideration when designing it. Being Breitling's flagship I guess an all rounded form is the image that they are trying to project about the watch so that's why I feel that B01 is certainly worthy being classified of one. However I disagree with some B01 versions due to color choice that affects the legibility so that's why I only classify some B01s as timeless looking(eg, the LE). |
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| Author: | sco [ Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
In my opinion, I can't stand the bezel font on the chronomats with the 01 movement. Not only do I think it's dated, not so attractive, and overall goofy looking, but the important thing to me is that you cannot accurately gauge the minutes in between the marked numbers. I want to know to the minute (quickly and without using my chronograph) how much time has elapsed. On the older style Breitlings with rider tabs this is a simple task. That's the biggest flaw... function. As for timeless that's a hard question to answer. Something with classic lines, ultra versatility, low key color balance, attractive design etc. are all factors to take into place. If you ask me... The Omega Aqua Terra 8500 has it all. |
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| Author: | Chronomat01LE [ Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
sco wrote: In my opinion, I can't stand the bezel font on the chronomats with the 01 movement. Not only do I think it's dated, not so attractive, and overall goofy looking, but the important thing to me is that you cannot accurately gauge the minutes in between the marked numbers. I want to know to the minute (quickly and without using my chronograph) how much time has elapsed. On the older style Breitlings with rider tabs this is a simple task. That's the biggest flaw... function. Good point. However the purpose of the bezel is not for precise elapsed time but more for quick reference. Take diving for example, I don't think a diver needs to know so precisely the minutes between the markers because he will not likely wait till the last minute before emerging from water. He just needs the bezel as an estimated guide in order to know roughly the time for exit. Therefore legibility is more important than precision on the bezel since the user needs to know the estimated time taken quickly even in situations when visibility is affected(eg, when water gets milky during diving). The chronograph is meant for precise timing while the bezel is for quick reference so I find the B01 makes better sense because you don't need 2 tools to perform the same function on a watch. I find the older style with the rider tabs a little unnecessary as they are less legible for quick reference and the chronograph can simply do the job of precise timing without them. I find the rider tabs more necessary on non-chronograph watches like SF. The rider tabs also makes the watch look too rugged aesthetically that can't really compliment a formal outfit, unlike the current B01 that portrays a sense of elegance that goes well with formal wear too. The thing I hate most about the older Chronomats is the way they positioned the sub-dials, I personally hate a sub-dial being positioned at 12 O'clock cos the Sec Hand Sweep overlaps and blocks it visually when not using. It loses the functional appeal visually IMO. That makes the current B01 perfect again. Well I guess tastes differ.... Just like how majority likes the Sub C but just couldn't convince me despite making multiple trips to an AD to try it on. I have been trying to appreciate the strengths but maybe too many people are having it that left me cold, as I prefer to own something that not many has. To me Sub C is safe in looks that most will accept(but also means so-so and not unique), technical specs are so-so, just gives me an overall feeling that it is just average in all aspects. I have seen many people wearing it and just gives me a "so-so" impression. Maybe that's the plus point and the intention about the watch that tells people that it is an all rounded everyday watch and not meant to impress or standout in anyway. Would still hope to accept and own it one day as I want to experience having it myself before flipping it. Quite sure that it wouldn't be my main holy grail watch... I am not familiar with Omega but the one you mentioned is quite nice and one of the nicest looking among all Omega pieces that I have seen so far IMO. Timeless looking is definite but most importantly it has a more sense of identity as compared to some models that gives me a "Rolex Wanna Be" kind of impression. This looks nicer than most Rolex models. |
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| Author: | Leonidas [ Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
Breitling Superocean Heritage, Transocean (either), Panerai 312-351-177-112-111-000..., Omega Aqua Terra, IWC Portuguese 7 day auto |
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| Author: | kellyfell [ Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
The post is very good,tanks for the share. |
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| Author: | Chronomat01LE [ Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
Leonidas wrote: Breitling Superocean Heritage, Transocean (either), Panerai 312-351-177-112-111-000..., Omega Aqua Terra, IWC Portuguese 7 day auto Gotta disagree with those Transocean variants with only 5 bar water resistance cos can't really bring them for most water activites like swimming to what I understand. I am not familiar with Panerai but seems that their straps are salt water, abrasion and UV tasted. So if that's the case then they can be all rounders too. |
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| Author: | Leonidas [ Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
Chronomat01LE wrote: Leonidas wrote: Breitling Superocean Heritage, Transocean (either), Panerai 312-351-177-112-111-000..., Omega Aqua Terra, IWC Portuguese 7 day auto Gotta disagree with those Transocean variants with only 5 bar water resistance cos can't really bring them for most water activites like swimming to what I understand. I am not familiar with Panerai but seems that their straps are salt water, abrasion and UV tasted. So if that's the case then they can be all rounders too. Hmmm Transoceans are both 100 meters. Good enough to do most any water activity. |
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| Author: | Chronomat01LE [ Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
Leonidas wrote: Chronomat01LE wrote: Leonidas wrote: Breitling Superocean Heritage, Transocean (either), Panerai 312-351-177-112-111-000..., Omega Aqua Terra, IWC Portuguese 7 day auto Gotta disagree with those Transocean variants with only 5 bar water resistance cos can't really bring them for most water activites like swimming to what I understand. I am not familiar with Panerai but seems that their straps are salt water, abrasion and UV tasted. So if that's the case then they can be all rounders too. Hmmm Transoceans are both 100 meters. Good enough to do most any water activity. Transocean Chronograph QP and Transocean Chronograph 1461? Their water resistance is only 50m. |
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| Author: | Roffensian [ Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
Chronomat01LE wrote: Transocean Chronograph QP and Transocean Chronograph 1461? Their water resistance is only 50m. But the 'normal' TOs aren't. I hardly think that a watch that is only available in gold with a perpetual calendar (the QP) would be many people's definition of an all rounder! |
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| Author: | Chronomat01LE [ Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
Roffensian wrote: Chronomat01LE wrote: Transocean Chronograph QP and Transocean Chronograph 1461? Their water resistance is only 50m. But the 'normal' TOs aren't. I hardly think that a watch that is only available in gold with a perpetual calendar (the QP) would be many people's definition of an all rounder! Ya fully agree... |
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| Author: | coltstrong [ Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
What about a Crosswind / Special or an OG Chronomat? Beautifully capable watches, very clean, sporty and dressy. |
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| Author: | Chronomat01LE [ Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: List of All-Rounded Watches |
coltstrong wrote: What about a Crosswind / Special or an OG Chronomat? Beautifully capable watches, very clean, sporty and dressy. No right or wrong.... Thks for contributing
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