Often when I become interested in a brand I want at least two watches of different styles and wear them quite often to determine if they are long term keepers. I am having trouble figuring out which two CWs I want even though the brand has so many models to offer.

At first, I thought it was the Dartmouth v2 and Cranwell v2 but they are both military style and may have limited use. I also worried the 38mm Cranwell v2 looked too small on my wrist.


A few months passed and I started to lock in on the Aquitaine and Aquitaine GMT. I really like them both but thought the vintage style of both watches might be too much and again limited in actual daily use. Also, they look very similar which might get boring over time.


A few months ago I finally purchased a Trident Pro 300 white dial 42mm which I am keeping. I recently purchased a Sealander Dagger 39mm but am not sure about it. Do these work as a CW two watch collection? Are they different enough? Do they cover enough uses? Is the Sealander too dressy?


Edit...As of today, this is my current very slimmed down collection though I will probably be adding an Explorer II Polar 42mm 226570 this week. I got the call from my AD. Now that I have the Trident Pro 300, I will probably sell all three Seiko divers shown in the pic below.

nycWATCHnerd wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 5:46 pm Is the Sealander too dressy?

No.

First, the Cranwell looks fine.

Is the Sealander to dressy? No. It is in the middle. Leave it on leather to dress it up, throw it on rubber or a bracelet to dress it down (or up if you get a Consort).

I don't like the radial lines on the bezel of the Dartmouth. The Cranwell also to some extent. I haven't seen an Aquitaine in real life so I'm not sure. I'm not so keen on the silver dial. Of the ones you included, my preference would easily be the white dial 300,

That's not damning with faint praise though. For me the white 300 would be up there against most CWs. I always liked the Anthropocene which is similar. Hard to go wrong with the 300.

Enjoy.

FWIW, I've approached my collection based on variety - differing colors and styles of dials, bezels, cases, straps, and complications. This way, I don't get bored with them. While I am a big fan of the GMT complication (I currently have three), I also have a chronograph and a traditional datejust style watch, and each finds its way on my wrist at least once a week.

As a side note, I've kept my collection small as I want to enjoy them and want them to be uniquely different.

Since you asked, I think the Trident Pro 300 you currently own and one other of a different dial/bezel/color type may be the way to go. Two similar types on the dial may be where the boredom creeps in, or it would be for me.

Have fun!

I edited my OP and added a SOTC picture at the end for reference.

rkovars wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:23 pm Is the Sealander to dressy? No. It is in the middle. Leave it on leather to dress it up, throw it on rubber or a bracelet to dress it down (or up if you get a Consort).

I think the Consort bracelet will definitely make it too dressy (or fancy) so leather and rubber straps for now.

JAFO wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:39 pm I'm not so keen on the silver dial. Of the ones you included, my preference would easily be the white dial 300.

I have the TP 300 already. I actually liked the silver/dagger Sealander more than the others because it is monochrome and thus more versatile.

WxManMike wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:10 pm I've approached my collection based on variety - differing colors and styles of dials, bezels, cases, straps, and complications. This way, I don't get bored with them. As a side note, I've kept my collection small as I want to enjoy them and want them to be uniquely different.

Since you asked, I think the Trident Pro 300 you currently own and one other of a different dial/bezel/color type may be the way to go. Two similar types on the dial may be where the boredom creeps in, or it would be for me.

I agree with all of it. Slimmed down collection in 2024 and now trying to be more mindful of new purchases making them more different.

@nycWATCHnerd Now that I see what you have, may I suggest C65 Aquitaine Bronze COSC 41mm Marine Blue/Blue Automatic Brown Vintage Oak Leather?

I have a Glycine Combat Sub GMT in bronze, and it has turned into my ultimate blue jean watch. I love it!

I’m terrible for these kinds of narrowing decisions because I don’t really have any direction, discipline, or purpose motivating my watch acquisitions other than do I like it, and do I think I will wear it. I like the flash of the dagger Sealander. It feels a very versatile watch. As I have a C5 mk1 with a silver dial there is overlap among my watch accumulation. Kinda silly, but that’s for me to enjoy regardless.

I think the C63 pairs well with your choice of C60. The white dial and black bezel also feels flexible but in a different way from the silver Sealander. Straps can always freshen up the look. The suggestion of the bronze Aquitaine is a good one as well. The material differentiates the watch from the rest of the SOTC. I love the look of bronze but as I can’t deal with the patina, I own none. I acquired a C65 Black Gold for that look without the maintenance.

WxManMike wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:08 pm Now that I see what you have, may I suggest C65 Aquitaine Bronze COSC 41mm Marine Blue/Blue Automatic Brown Vintage Oak Leather?

I love Bronze watches but do not have the patience to keep them all shiny and new. I heard the cleaning routine to "restore" them is easy but can be time consuming. I may also have issues with bronze on skin even with the stainless caseback. Allergies and allergic reactions run strong in my family (not something I am proud of or happy about) so it may not be worth the risk.

thomcat00 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:56 pm I’m terrible for these kinds of narrowing decisions because I don’t really have any direction, discipline, or purpose motivating my watch acquisitions other than do I like it, and do I think I will wear it.

I like the flash of the Dagger Sealander. It feels a very versatile watch. I think the C63 pairs well with your choice of C60.

I think your method of watch acquisition (bolded above) is simple yet a good one.

I find the Sealander Dagger to be one of the best looking and unique in the current CW lineup and it seems to fill a nice niche in your thoughtful collection… a lot of crossover potential from dressier to casual, maybe some of the same range as your awesome 1926, but with a different tone. All, this from someone who loves his Orca Black Aquitaine GMT. I’d never discourage its consideration, but between your 55 Fathoms and a hopefully incoming Explorer II Polar, maybe some of that territory is already covered? I hope we get to see the Explorer II in the Non-CW of the Day thread!

Agree with what others have said - the Sealander would work well as a compliment to your 300.

Congrats on the Rolex, too. Collection complete.

UncleLoco wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:05 am I find the Sealander Dagger to be one of the best looking and unique in the current CW lineup and it seems to fill a nice niche in your thoughtful collection… a lot of crossover potential from dressier to casual, maybe some of the same range as your awesome 1926, but with a different tone. All, this from someone who loves his Orca Black Aquitaine GMT. I’d never discourage its consideration, but between your 55 Fathoms and a hopefully incoming Explorer II Polar, maybe some of that territory is already covered? I hope we get to see the Explorer II in the Non-CW of the Day thread!

I agree and really like the C63 Sealander Dagger/Silver. My wife hates the Tudor 1926 41mm and says it is too big even for my almost 8" wrist so I am hoping she likes the smaller 39mm size of the Sealander. The 55 Fathoms mod might stay as I had similar ones built for two of my brothers. As you see from my OP, I love the Aquitaine Orca Black GMT but would want it with the original white date wheel which they no longer offer.

Here are my previous Explorer II Polar watches so the next one 226570 would continue my 30 year history with the model:
1994-2019 Explorer II Polar 16570 40mm (foolishly sold but paid for the 216570)
2019-2024 Explorer II Polar 216570 42mm (never loved the Maxi case but the newer one wears better so I am hopeful I will like it more)

@nycWATCHnerd

I appreciate you said you wanted two watches. Personally I would have the white 300, but possibly none of the others based on photos.

I am undecided about the Aquitaine as I haven't seen them in real life. I think I like the blue better than the black though.

JAFO wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 10:47 am @nycWATCHnerd

I appreciate you said you wanted two watches. Personally I would have the white 300, but possibly none of the others based on photos.

I am undecided about the Aquitaine as I haven't seen them in real life. I think I like the blue better than the black though.

So far, owning the TP300 white dial has been a good experience. As to the others in the photos above...

That is the old conundrum: want versus need. I do not need any watches but I want lots of they to try out. I never know if I am going to like a watch by the pictures or a short try-on at a store. It takes me weeks/months to decide if a watch is a keeper so I often have to purchase them and then take a loss when I move them on. The upside is this has kept me from purchasing many watches that I probably had no business owning in the first place.

MomentsNotice wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:51 am Agree with what others have said - the Sealander would work well as a compliment to your 300.

Congrats on the Rolex, too. Collection complete.

Is a watch collection ever truly complete?