Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 116 conversations about:
Daisy_Cutter
1288
Oct 4, 2017
bookmark_border
Overall, it's got to be the Omega Speedmaster Professional. It looks understated and classy, is comfortable to wear, very reliable, and just has so much history behind it. It's affordable enough that you don't have to steal from the kids' college fund, and respectable enough that even the snobbiest of watch snobs would not mind being spotted wearing one. Omega also has an automatic co-axial version that's highly interesting from a technical perspective, but it ain't the original.
search
Some purists would argue that the only real Moonwatches are the ones with the column wheel 321 movement, but you can safely ignore them. The updated 1861 movement is basically the same, just that it's cam-actuated instead of column-wheel. 1861 Speedmasters are NASA certified for EVAs, and have actually been worn in space (just not to the moon). That's enough street (or space) cred for me, and I actually prefer the snappier feel of the buttons on 1861 models.
Most days though, I wear my Damasko DC66 Si, which runs off a 7750 modified with a Silicon balance spring and various other upgraded bits and bobs. This is much less pretty, but has the practical advantages of being automatic, having a day/date function, a 12-hour bezel (for travel) and Damasko's virtually indestructible ice-hardened steel case and DLC coating. This is my beater.
search

Other than that, most affordable mechanical chronographs are uninteresting, because more often than not they're running on a 7750 - which, make no mistake, is an excellent movement, but a bit too ubiquitous. Much more interesting are the Lemania 5100 chronos with central minutes counters. I think these are just more legible and more interesting, like this Sinn 142. Unfortunately, the Lemania 5100 seems to be out of production, so you'd have to go vintage for this.
search

In terms of affordable, interesting mechanical chronographs that are currently in production, I think a brand to watch is Seiko. It's recently come out with a gorgeous chrono in its Presage line that's notable for having an in-house automatic, column wheel, vertical clutch chrono movement, as well as a hand-painted enamel dial, which are features normally found only in watches many times the price. One drawback though, is that the movement itself isn't pretty. I've handled one with an exhibition caseback, and the only visible moving part is the escapement. It's frankly bizarre that Seiko would manufacture a column wheel chrono movement, pair it with a see-through caseback, and then obscure the column wheel behind various plates and such. This is a wasted opportunity, because a column-wheel chrono movement is a joy to watch in operation.
search
Oct 4, 2017
ltopper
1113
Oct 5, 2017
bookmark_border
Daisy_CutterThis reply is excellent, thank you. That Seiko is sharp, hopefully they take your feedback into account and surface more of the beauty in future models. Massdrop x Seiko would be a dream come true.
Oct 5, 2017
Daisy_Cutter
1288
Oct 5, 2017
bookmark_border
ltopperI would love to see that.
On that note, Massdrop x Omega might actually have a chance, considering Omega's gorgeous Speedy Tuesday limited edition SMP. https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/speedmaster/moonwatch/speedy-tuesday-limited-edition/product/
Oct 5, 2017
c0rnelius
1060
Feb 27, 2018
bookmark_border
Daisy_CutterNice choices! I too like the enameled dial Seiko. I love the way the surface just sinks into the date opening and subdials, like old porcelain.
Feb 27, 2018
Daisy_Cutter
1288
Mar 3, 2018
bookmark_border
c0rneliusApparently an enameled dial is an incredible technical challenge - especially when the dial is contoured like this. It's quite astounding that Seiko can offer it at this price point.
Mar 3, 2018
View Full Discussion
Related Posts
Trending Posts in More Community Picks