Afternoon off and planned a bit of research browsing on a new waterproof jacket. I’d also been thinking about a new watch as I’d had a bit of a clear out (currently selling four) so a few gaps in watch boxes. I’d honed in on a chronograph as I like the balance to them (I don’t need the timer) but only have the one in the collection although had previously owned several CW chronographs. On a bit of a whim I wandered up to Time and Tide. Bit of a blink and you miss it doorway but was buzzed in and went upstairs. Nice showroom and friendly and polite staff. I was upfront saying I was browsing with a mind to buying in future. And that I didn’t have any brands in mind aside from having previously considered a Baltic bi-compax or tri-compax. Alas they had neither in and if I’d planned better I could have booked an appointment with Baltic around the corner! I was open on price but wasn’t looking to spend too much. A few were suggested.
First up was the Studio Underd0g. Very nice and did quite like the panda and it felt surprisingly solid. Certainly an option for me. Next were a couple of Furlan Marri. Not a brand I’d come across but nice look and feel to them. Been around for about six years and seem to do retro style watches with designs influenced by the 1950’s. Maybe a tad too much going on with the dial with the 38mm watch feeling a bit crowded compared with the 38.5mm Studio Underd0g. But similar price and I did quite like the first of the two and it came with two leather straps. Next up was the Nevada Grenchen. I’d seen reference to these but this was my first experience. This was the white lollipop coming in at a bit below £2k. I’ll be honest it didn’t have the look or feel of a watch in that price bracket. Although 38mm the dial felt quite small and the bezel is not on a ratchet so is best described at ‘loose’. So the slightest touch and it would move-no good for my OCD! So not for me. Then we had the Hamilton. Really nice looking watch and felt good. Classic and classy! A bit pricier and closer to £2.5k though so not what I was looking for. While I was perusing these the assistant had left another, unannounced watch in the corner of the tray. After trying everything else I had to ask. ‘Oh that’ says the assistant, ‘I really like it but it is a bit pricier’. Junghens. A really fine looking piece but over £2k. Now, I had my eye on something else in that price range (see below) for a future date but this could now be a contender! Now, since I’ve mentioned being in the market for something else too, it was an Aera. Very different to the Junghens but I do like it! I still want to try the Baltic options below but of the ones I saw, the Studio Underd0g is probably the frontrunner.

Interesting selection there. I'm not a fan of 9 and 3 bi-compax but the Junghans 12 and 6 bi-compax seems not to push that same button so a possibilty for me.

I take it the waterproof jacket got overlooked?

Good selection!

I own the Baltic Tricompax Panda model above and like it very much. Good styling and a nice quality, so I would recommend it.

The Studio Underdog Goofy Panda I also owned briefly, but I moved it on immediately after trying it on for the first time. I can't quite place what I didn't like about but it just missed the mark personally. I found it wore a bit small (though I do have other watches that are smaller dimensionally). And while I don't mind a bit of a 'novelty' watch, the color scheme on this model was neither novelty-enough nor serious-enough. And I thought the strap was a bit cheap-feeling. Not meant to put you off - just my personal opinion of course - and they are neat watches for the money (I still have the Watermelon but that itself is still unworn with a view to assessing whether I'm going to keep it or not).

tikkathree wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:23 pm Interesting selection there. I'm not a fan of 9 and 3 bi-compax but the Junghans 12 and 6 bi-compax seems not to push that same button so a possibilty for me.

I take it the waterproof jacket got overlooked?

Ah, well, I ended up popping to Time and Tide first. Ironically a bit of rain in the air so opted to jump on the tube rather than wander around a bit more (plus hadn’t factored in that half-term family outings seem to in include a trip to popular shopping streets…).

^^^^ It's a shame you missed out on the opportunity to see the Baltics, particularly the Tri-Compax; my preference being for the Reverse-Panda.

I did a wee bit of a write up after a Showroom visit end November '23;- Baltic Watches - a Showroom Visit





Mind you the AERA is a bit of a beatsie!

Guy