C1 Grand Malvern Preview

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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by reggie747 »

gestalt wrote:
ill-fitting muffin top?[/quote]

I've never seen a Muff in top ? Muff on top yeah but not the other way round ! :lol:
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by ProfGlenn »

I've read all the posts with interest. I was saving for an Omega de Ville Presitige black face but have decided to go for the black face C1 instead. I'm surprised by the degree of negativity for the watch here. I think you have to appreciate the watch for being a very good version of what it is supposed to be - that is an accessible, unique and dressy power reserve chronometer which exhibits the individuality of the company and which is very versatile in its look and in its dimensions. They have clearly worked hard to tick lots of boxes. It's a job well done even if not to everyone's liking. But it is a good version of what it is supposed to be. And they have made an effort with the C on the power indicator etc and balancing the dial. I can see a lot of thought has gone into it.

I have the slimline, but have worn a red bezel C60 with a tux, and a JH 43mm as well. These form part of my outfits. When I teach and wear a suit daily they are proudly on display and not hidden under my shirt.

The reality is that if you are happy enough with your look within, you can pull off a thicker and more conspicuous watch no problem. Life is too short to overanalyse the thickness and the cuff. I attend a lot of black tie events and I recently have seen a trend in good looking young fit students wearing chunky battered antique watches clearly handed down by their grandfathers and that is a confident and great look.

The watch needs to have presence. It needs to have panache. But it mustn't be in your face. This watch has done that. I think it deserves a bit more credit.

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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by albionphoto »

The watch needs to have presence. It needs to have panache. But it mustn't be in your face. This watch has done that. I think it deserves a bit more credit.

I know I'm selectively quoting but I think Glenn makes a good point here. The watch does deserve more credit and I hope that Pipesmoker enjoys his prize.
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by fishman »

gestalt wrote:I'll add my two cents about a dress watch...

My dress watch is a gold C5 Malvern Mk II and I find it a tad too big to be a dress watch. This was my first real watch purchase so I didn't know too much about anything at the time, but have since learned and lived with it for four years on my wrist.

I think when men wear suits or more formal wear, the goal is to generally dress understated and have the fit, finish and just some well done flashes of colour and style work for the wearer. I think from this understatement comes a sense of confidence, which is ultimately what makes someone attractive in a suit. I find that if my watch doesn't fit under my cuff, I lose confidence and I do not feel as well put together as I should.

More importantly, my watch should in no way be the centrepiece of my appearance when I wear a suit or a tuxedo, so it is critical that it always stay under the cuff unless I want to bring it out, in which case it can be seen as something that blends seamlessly into what I am wearing and accentuates the suit itself. If it is any more than that, it doesn't do its job well.

What this means in terms of size and complications is that a dress watch should be small and understated because it will blend better with the suit. A watch with complications is usually larger and more flashy - something that takes away from the overall fashion of wearing a suit or tux, in my opinion.

Of course it does appear as if styles have changed and that larger watches and watches that don't fit under a suit are becoming more accepted, and that is fine. I am sure, however that we all remember the 70's in terms of fashion.
Some excellent points on the role of the dress watch that are spot on. I would add that the watch should also be masculine which allows for a larger diameter. So the watch can still be thin and without excessive complications,but be larger,appropriate for the wrist size, which gives a more masculine look.
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

I think we must beware of confusing unfavourable criticism with negativity. Several members, myself included, have expressed both positive and negative thoughts about the watch. I don't think my saying that on balance it is not for me is being overly negative. And, for me, it IS too thick for a watch of its type.

Any thread of this type that becomes a panegyric quickly descends to the inane but this one has been interesting precisely because, in horological terms, we reflect the dining habits of Mr and Mrs Spratt. Which can only be good news in terms of keeping a wide range of options available, albeit not necessarily under the same commercial roof.
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by smegwina »

You guys are waaaaaaaaay over thinking the concept and requirements of a dress watch!

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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

smegwina wrote:You guys are waaaaaaaaay over thinking the concept and requirements of a dress watch!

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Guess you use your Sea Dweller as a dress watch.

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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by MiniMpi »

A very good post Glenn.
Looking forward to seeing your C1 Black dial when you get it.
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by asqwerth »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote:I think we must beware of confusing unfavourable criticism with negativity. Several members, myself included, have expressed both positive and negative thoughts about the watch. I don't think my saying that on balance it is not for me is being overly negative. And, for me, it IS too thick for a watch of its type.

Any thread of this type that becomes a panegyric quickly descends to the inane but this one has been interesting precisely because, in horological terms, we reflect the dining habits of Mr and Mrs Spratt. Which can only be good news in terms of keeping a wide range of options available, albeit not necessarily under the same commercial roof.
Once again, I will have to +1 an AVO post.

My view was that the design was an overall win for CW. I also pointed out (rather obliquely, I have to confess) that if you compared like watch for like watch, certainly the Grand Malvern is very favourably priced. People were saying it was expensive when compared to Nomos Orion or Ludwig but those were handwound, no-complication models (and their power reserves are nowhere near 5 days) so IMO those price comparisons were unfair.

But I thought in my personal view that it was still thick for a dress watch. Although the new C1 case reduces thickness by 1mm when compared with the older C9 case, my main point was that there is no real way to make any SH21 watch much thinner or smaller due to the size of the movement itself.

I did say however that some people find Nomos watches too small or thin, so personal preference comes into play here.

My impression from this thread is that most people are at least reasonably impressed with the the design and look of this watch. The logo didn't elicit that hostile a reaction.

The main negative points come down to whether they would personally buy one at that price or whether it is too thick for a dress watch. Since those are subjective matters, I think the overall response is pretty good.
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by Crossi »

Practicality of height combined with cuffs aside, I think the whole debate around what was acceptable as a dress watch was killed off in 1962 when Mr Connery wore his no-date sub with a DJ
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by smegwina »

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote:
smegwina wrote:You guys are waaaaaaaaay over thinking the concept and requirements of a dress watch!

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Guess you use your Sea Dweller as a dress watch.

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I must admit I do! I was in the hunt for a dressier type watch, and still am to a degree, but the last few times I wore a tux it was with the DeepSea, the MBii (on a smart leather strap) and this weekend I wore the Bremont Americas Cup with it.

To me, steer clear of bright coloured dials, bright coloured bezels rubber and NATOS, stick it on leather or bracelet and there is very little that cannot be worn with a tux.


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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by nbg »

Overall this seems to me to be the most positive thread about a new CW release since the change in branding.

I also think the cleverly designed case shape will ensure it looks thinner in wear than it is. In much the same way that the design of most GS cases means they "wear slimmer" than their actual thickness, which is anything but slim. :)

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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by Kip »

^^^I would agree on both points. :)
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by fishman »

Once again, I will have to +1 an AVO post.

My view was that the design was an overall win for CW. I also pointed out (rather obliquely, I have to confess) that if you compared like watch for like watch, certainly the Grand Malvern is very favourably priced. People were saying it was expensive when compared to Nomos Orion or Ludwig but those were handwound, no-complication models (and their power reserves are nowhere near 5 days) so IMO those price comparisons were unfair.

But I thought in my personal view that it was still thick for a dress watch. Although the new C1 case reduces thickness by 1mm when compared with the older C9 case, my main point was that there is no real way to make any SH21 watch much thinner or smaller due to the size of the movement itself.

I did say however that some people find Nomos watches too small or thin, so personal preference comes into play here.

My impression from this thread is that most people are at least reasonably impressed with the the design and look of this watch. The logo didn't elicit that hostile a reaction.

The main negative points come down to whether they would personally buy one at that price or whether it is too thick for a dress watch. Since those are subjective matters, I think the overall response is pretty good.[/quote]
Another excellent post on this very interesting and helpful thread. The pricing comments are very useful and have helped me understand the value of the C1 GM. And I agree with AVO and Asqwerth that the watch is too thick to be considered dress. It's been pointed out that the thickness of the automatic sh21 movement is the main reason for the 12.5mm case thickness. I believe there's a manual wind version of the sh21 as well. My question is would a manual wind version of the C1 allow for a substantial reduction in case height or not?
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Re: C1 Grand Malvern Preview

Post by Kip »

My guess is a manual version of the C1 could be 1 to 1.5mm thinner.
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