Just loving the look of the C11 Chrono, and quite happy that its Quartz, as I'm not a big fan of the thought of Auto per se.
However, both the Steel & the PVD Black Manta (soon to be) look fab, and I cant decide !!

Just how durable is the PVD coating likely to be in the long run ?

The other consideration is the straps that would be combineable, - ie the Steel might look equally fab on a Staib Mesh strap perhaps, as well as the multitude of Leather ones available, altho the stock strap looks great.
It might even look good on a decent Black Silicone too.

The Black Manta is perhaps a little more limited in strap choices, ie Leather/Rubber, but I wouldnt like the thought of a Black Mesh.

Any opinions peeps ?

I am a fan of PVD. It is tough as nails in my experience. Of your choices presented, I prefer the PVD with the brown strap.

I do like the look of the PVD, depends how hard you are on your watches, if you bash a PVD against a brick wall or a metal door handle it will probably leave some marks, if you only wear them occasionally as I do with my C600 and my C4 BBMF and are carefull with them it should be fine.

Had my c600 (in pvd) since Aug 10 and wore it almost everyday at work. The coating has remained flawless. I did get a minute dink in it on the bezel but that was from a hard knock so cant complain. Happened on second day of wearing it, too!

Definitely prefer the pvd version myself and have one on my shopping list as well. As far as durability goes, dont worry..I have around a dozen pvd watches and the coating is pretty much perfect still on all of them. You will have to knock 7 bell of s**t out of it to harm it. Go ahead and enjoy!

Torn between the FLE on Brown strap and getting the C11 Chrono PVD on a brown strap..

Only budgeted for one and I figure they're both going to be rare...

wagnetic wrote:Torn between the FLE on Brown strap and getting the C11 Chrono PVD on a brown strap..

Only budgeted for one and I figure they're both going to be rare...

Assuming you mean the 2011 FLE....and like both equally...

Decidedly biased though I may be.....I would opt for the FLE as it has the mechanical movement and offers more flexibility (IMO) between dress and sport attire.

The 2012 Red FLE... is more classic and will stand the test of time a bit better.

However Quartz's are just easier in my experience and the C11 PVD is very fashionable... whether that lasts is a nother question though.

Edit: Are there still 2011 FLEs available?

wagnetic wrote:The 2012 Red FLE... is more classic and will stand the test of time a bit better.

However Quartz's are just easier in my experience and the C11 PVD is very fashionable... whether that lasts is a nother question though.

Edit: Are there still 2011 FLEs available?

I still vote for the mechanical.

As to the 2011 FLEs....see here.

I have to disagree about the quartz. I just get **** every time I have to change a battery on a watch. There is something very solid about a mechanical... especially an automatic. As for the PVD... I hope everyone is right because I just ordered my C8 in the pvd and can't wait for it to get here. You are probably all tired of hearing me say that... but the waiting is killing me.

I used to think the same about changing batteries. Then I found out that mechanicals need servicing which takes longer and costs more.

Agree with Ian, especially after servicing my GO which took 2 months and costing me EUR 420.........

I like the idea of solar quartz. No battery change and a full charge gives it 6 months.

mabotham wrote:I did get a minute dink in it on the bezel but that was from a hard knock so cant complain. Happened on second day of wearing it, too!

That's always what I imagine myself doing when I think about getting a PVD. I just know I will run into something the first week I'm wearing it.

wymore wrote:

mabotham wrote:I did get a minute dink in it on the bezel but that was from a hard knock so cant complain. Happened on second day of wearing it, too!

That's always what I imagine myself doing when I think about getting a PVD. I just know I will run into something the first week I'm wearing it.

Been wearing my C600 70% of time since Nov and I figured I would do same but not a scratch yet even on bracelet and I am not the kind to really care. Course haven't been using a hammer during that time either.

Love them both but want the black