u/Watches-and-Books

So I was not expecting all three of these to show up on the same day, but here we are.

First up, the San Martin SN0121TE white dial. It’s as light as you would expect a titanium watch to be. The on the fly adjustable clasp is great, lots of adjustment. The watch looks great and feels great but there is one thing I do not care for… it’s an ST2130 and as you can see, there is no date window… but it has a ghost date position on the crown. I even heard the date click over when I was setting it. Really wish they had done something different for the white dial version that they didn’t release with a date option

Next up, the Watchdives WD0003C aka the Elementum with a black aventurine dial and the VH31 quartz. Watch is beautiful, finishing on the case and bracelet is really well done as well. The star of the show though, that dial. Wow! I have had a blue aventurine dial before (Venezianico Arsenale) and this black aventurine dial is just outstanding. Love it!

Last up, the Sea-Gull Flywheel that took me literally 6 weeks to get because the first one went missing in Miami and never got transferred to USPS for delivery. Fit and finish is excellent, the dial looks great, the open heart is excellent, love seeing it tick away. The bracelet, while nicely finished, is a butterfly affair with no half-links. So, it was either too big or too small. That’s why it’s on this cheap black leather strap for now.

All in all, quite the haul for the price paid. Tossed the San Martin and the Sea-Gull on the timegrapher already and they are performing quite well. +1.2 and +5.5 s/d respectively both with near perfect beat error. The Sea-Gull has lowish amplitude at 249° but that may improve as it breaks in.

Just got it in today, and it is glorious! The bracelet feels like it’s going to give me tetanus, but that’s what vaccination is for amirite?! Runs like a champ Comrades! Definitely pick one up if you get the chance.

Watchdives, whose lunch are you after?! I have a thing for black dials and when I first saw the WD0016B I was like “okay, if I find space in the watch box, I may have to pick that up.” Well, I have space in the watch box so I ordered one. I have to say, I am extremely impressed with the quality of the watch, the case, the bracelet, the dial, it all just works. It’s also a lot less expensive than a Venezianico Arsenale Ultrablack. The VH31 is cool as always and the finishing is very well done. If there are any imperfections in the pics, it’s probably due to my fingers from sizing the bracelet, which uses screws and comes with a half-link!

This thing is an absolute buy and I am so glad I pulled the trigger.

So back in the day when I first started looking at getting a luxury watch, I wanted to get an Omega Aqua Terra. I travel a lot for work and the time zone hour hand was going to be super convenient. I didn’t end up getting one because they were just too much money, so I got a Grand Seiko SBGN029 instead because it is a Flyer GMT. Fast forward and I found this beauty on Chrono24. White enamel dial, blue indices and hands, 8500 caliber so time zone hour hand, sold. The titanium case and bracelet makes it soooooo light! I am one happy camper. 🥳

Okay, let me start off by saying that if I have ever said anything derogatory about San Martin, I need to recant right now. This is my first watch from San Martin and now I understand why they are so popular. For under $300 this watch is outrageous. Miyota 90S5 movement, gorgeous dial, really nice micro adjust clasp, chamfered edges on the bracelet, great click on the bezel, and came in a nice case with a decent set of tools as well. Oh and the icing on the cake? A freaking timegrapher printout! I have NEVER gotten one of those on any watch I have bought at any price point. Are the results a little higher than I’d like, yeah sure, but at least I know what they are. Super impressed. Will definitely buy something else from them.

I was so impressed with the quality of the Cronos Explorer that I purchased, I ordered this Watchdives WD1969 Pro. I am a huge Tudor fan and have been eyeballing the Pelagos 39 for a long time, but… that is one expensive watch and the titanium is so prone to scratches. Couple that with the fact that I would not be wearing it every day (no date) and I just could not justify spending that kind of money.

Enter this WD1969 Pro. 316L stainless so less scratch prone. VH31 quartz, so no worries about setting it while I don’t wear it for a couple weeks. And, of course, the price. $113 on Amazon. Honestly, this watch has no business being this nice for that kind of money.

All in all, this is two Chinese watches in a row that I have been super impressed with. Stay tuned for my 3rd one… it’s a Sea-Gull. 🙂

I have owned my Pro for several months now and it is my most worn watch by far. I finally decided to zero it and keep track over a month to see the accuracy since putting it on a timegrapher will only really give you a snapshot of accuracy.

So, in the last 30 days I have worn my Pro for 13 of them. The rest of the time it has been sitting dial up in my watch case. Every morning, if I wasn’t putting it on, I made sure to wind it a bit. It has been in several states and timezones and on a lot of flights in that period. Basically, if I was traveling, I was wearing it.

Over that 30 days it has lost 48 seconds for an accuracy of -1.6 s/d. Well within COSC specifications which makes me very happy.

After hearing a lot of good things about Cronos and their Explorer homage I decided to pull the trigger on the 39mm model and I am absolutely impressed. It came very well packed, all wrapped up in plastic with styrofoam between the bracelet and the caseback. The warranty card was actually dated by hand and the little screwdriver they provide to adjust the bracelet is really nice. The Miyota movement it came with seems like it should have pretty solid accuracy once it has some time to break in as well.

In all honesty, I have bought watches from microbrands and BIG brands that did not have this level of finishing quality and visual appeal. I am just sad that I slept on this brand for so long! If you’re thinking about buying one, seriously do it.

I was trying to find a new everyday watch since my Ranger just wasn’t cutting it not having a date. After checking out the Sinn 556, Damasko DS30, and a bunch of other watches, someone pointed me to Archimede. Hardened case and bracelet (1200hv), 39mm with a lug to lug under 46mm, nice bright seconds hand, matte dial, blue lume, 200m of water resistance, a legible date window, and a handwound SW210. Sold!

I ordered it direct from their website and since they are made to order, it took about a week and a half for it to be assembled. Just arrived today and am I ever impressed. I definitely think I have found my daily!

Would it be Space Danger Ranger then?