u/Dull_Key1617

In my random accumulation of watches I like every new watch to offer something original - in design, complication or colour (or a combination).

For some time I’ve been looking for a watch with a purple dial - I initially thought that box would be ticked by a Lavender dial Oyster Perpetual, but then I saw the GO Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition https://www.glashuette-original.com/en/watches/vintage/sixties-chronograph-annual-edition-1-39-34-08-22-04/

The standard strap is black, but this is a “large” in green. I used the inverted commas on “large” since it’s barely bigger than the standard strap, but at least I can wear it on the last but two hole, whereas the standard strap is still a bit snug on the final hole. I’m awaiting delivery of a Delugs custom strap in purple leather which I’m hoping will be perfect.

The gold hands and indices look amazing against the textured purple dial - the overall effect is extremely elegant and classy.

Downsides? Only two that I’ve discovered , but neither are deal breakers:

1. The synthetic straps are fine, but they just look a bit cheap against such a refined watch. I think it’s a shame that there’s no bracelet or leather option, forcing you to look to other manufacturers. I feel the same way about Omega woven nylon straps, and they’re of higher quality than the GO synthetic straps, but at least Omega can supply alligator straps in various colours, or a superb mesh bracelet.

2. The chronograph can only time up to 30 minutes whereas my others (Speedy, Navitimer) have a third subdial that counts up to 12 hours. This isn’t a disaster (first world problems!) but it limits its use ability - fine for timing coffee brewing, but not enough to time dog walks!

Another thing that isn’t really a downside but is slightly annoying is the Subdial layout - in every other chronograph I’ve seen the running seconds is at 9 o’clock, with the chronograph 30 minutes counter being at 3 o’clock, whereas they’re the other way round on this. This is very minor though, and in reality you adapt very quickly.

So overall I’m extremely pleased with my first Glashütte Original - I just wish there was a GO boutique where it’s possible to see and try on the entire range; my nearest AD has a pathetically small selection and a ridiculous bureaucracy in getting one in to try on (ten days after requesting one the request had still not got to GO, despite GO offering to expedite things, it was stuck at “I’ve asked my manager if…”)

Oh, and as an afterthought, for those relics like me who actually use a watch for telling the time, it’s timekeeping is excellent!

Describing something as “fire” never really resonated with me - until I saw the dial on this “Scintillante” limited edition version of the Bel Canto. Sometimes orange, sometimes pink, always red, the way the light catches the guilloché pattern of the dial is mesmerising, especially in sunlight.

I also have the titanium Consort bracelet that I’ll usually wear it on, but for now the white leather strap looks absolutely stunning.

I’m taking it for a walk on the common now to show it off to the local wildlife and dog walkers.

I love the look of the Navitimer, and last year I finally bought one; a B01 46mm reverse panda.

I generally prefer wearing a watch on a bracelet rather than a strap, but I really dislike the Navitimer bracelet, so I bought it on an alligator strap, and added a white alligator strap from Delugs.

Last week I had a brain wave (goodness knows why it took me so long to think of it!) - I phoned the Breitling boutique and they had a 24mm lug mesh bracelet in large size so off I went into central London to buy it and I think it looks fantastic - soooooooo much better than the “official” Navitimer bracelet. As an added bonus I didn’t get either robbed or murdered by scooter gangs!

I don’t know how long this will be feasible since it’s the old-style mesh bracelet for the SuperOcean Heritage line; the latest models come with a curved, case-hugging first link, so the days of this bracelet are sadly numbered.

I absolutely love my Milano Cortina in white ceramic and titanium - although it’s a special edition for the Winter Olympics, in many ways it’s the perfect sunny day watch. The only thing I don’t like about it is the integrated rubber strap - it looks good, and will be fine if the watch ever goes swimming, but:

(A) it’s not very wrist-shaped or comfortable

(2) it looks a bit cheap and cheerful.

Enter the white alligator - it’s more comfortable and looks sooooooooo much better - especially with the matching white ceramic buckle.

Short version: it’s amazing, close to perfection, especially on the mesh bracelet.

TLDR version: I absolutely fell in love with this version of the new Observatory range as soon as I saw it. I tried it on and it was even better on wrist - easily the best of the range imo (although they’re all excellent). I also tried on various DeVilles, but this was still my favourite. The only problem was that the strap was a bit small so I waited until a large strap was in, and I got a call from the boutique a couple of days ago (small or large straps can take a while on new models).

While in the boutique today, almost as an afterthought, I asked if they had a large sized mesh bracelet. I thought it probably wouldn’t work as the bracelet is a bit sporty and the watch is a bit dressy, but wow! They go soooooo well together I don’t understand why the mesh isn’t promoted by omega as an official alternative.

As well as the general aesthetic of the watch, what I particularly love is the simplicity of its dial - last year I would have been in the critics’ camp saying I couldn’t do without a second hand, but then I got a couple of watches without second hands and I realised that I didn’t miss it at all; in fact without the second hand the dial has a clean elegance that I love. The reality is that the only second hand I regularly use is the one on a chronograph for timing things, and I virtually never look at the actual timekeeping seconds. The same goes for the date function - I thought I’d miss it but never actually notice its lack.

The other criticism I’ve read online about the Observatory models is that they’re “too thick”. This is nonsense. I can only assume that the people criticising the thickness have never tried them on; when I first tried them and fell in love with the white / rose gold model I had no idea of the actual dimensions of the watch, but not once did it occur to me that it was a bit chunky, let alone too thick. A wise man once said that size is important but dimensions aren’t - it lies on the wrist beautifully, and it’s only downside that I can think of is that now most of my other watches will get very little wrist time!

Whilst the precious metal versions are amusingly overpriced, I think the stainless steel variants are priced more reasonably - that is to say I’ve not seen a better looking watch for less money. To be fair I’ve seen precious few better looking watches at ANY money, including the precious metal variants of the same watch.

So, if you’re interested in an elegant, simple, highly legible and beautiful watch, you should add this to your shortlist.; it wears beautifully on my wrist, it might on yours as well. And check out the mesh bracelet!