C63 Colchester

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Maxian7
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Maxian7 »

JAFO wrote: Wed Nov 03, 2021 7:42 pm How does carbon fibre wear? Does it scratch?
I have several Casio Gshocks with a carbon monocoque frames, most “scratch’s” can be just rubbed off, but I have knicked one with a sharp knife.
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Ukyo »

I'm also surprised this was cheaper than the original titanium version. I'm glad I held out on getting the original elite as while I'm not a military fanatic and have not served, I like my dark colored watches. I have the Lympstone and love it but a wee bit too big for my puny wrists. Hopefully, this would fit better. Plus I love the maroon tide strap. I ordered it not knowing they increased the lug size... lol. Also, I JUST got my C63 GMT, literally yesterday. Had I known this one would be coming out, would've bought this one only. I had already held out on ordering the GMT. Should've held out longer... lol
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Leon O »

How does the Colchester case material differ from those of Lumonox or Casio?

I don't want to make any snap judgements witout being informed.

Thank you,

Leon
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Mikkei4 »

Ukyo wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 6:12 pm I'm also surprised this was cheaper than the original titanium version. I'm glad I held out on getting the original elite as while I'm not a military fanatic and have not served, I like my dark colored watches. I have the Lympstone and love it but a wee bit too big for my puny wrists. Hopefully, this would fit better. Plus I love the maroon tide strap. I ordered it not knowing they increased the lug size... lol. Also, I JUST got my C63 GMT, literally yesterday. Had I known this one would be coming out, would've bought this one only. I had already held out on ordering the GMT. Should've held out longer... lol
C63 GMT can be sent back if you haven't worn it.
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Kip »

Leon O wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:47 am How does the Colchester case material differ from those of Lumonox or Casio?

I don't want to make any snap judgements witout being informed.

Thank you,

Leon
I am certainly no engineer or chemist, but it appears to me, in super simple terms, that carbon fiber is carbon fiber. The differences, within the watch industry appear to be how the case is actually made. There seem to be several different methods such as molding, injection, layering etc. The differences have more of an effect on the finished appearance. All certainly produce a lightweight and durable finish.

There are certainly more technical aspects such as how much carbon fiber is within the polymer mixture, but I am not certain that under normal circumstances that it makes much of a difference with watch cases.
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Ukyo »

Mikkei4 wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 10:10 am
Ukyo wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 6:12 pm I'm also surprised this was cheaper than the original titanium version. I'm glad I held out on getting the original elite as while I'm not a military fanatic and have not served, I like my dark colored watches. I have the Lympstone and love it but a wee bit too big for my puny wrists. Hopefully, this would fit better. Plus I love the maroon tide strap. I ordered it not knowing they increased the lug size... lol. Also, I JUST got my C63 GMT, literally yesterday. Had I known this one would be coming out, would've bought this one only. I had already held out on ordering the GMT. Should've held out longer... lol
C63 GMT can be sent back if you haven't worn it.
Yup, I know but I already sized it and I'm enjoying the explorer ii vides but in a cheaper and smaller package... lol
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Mikkei4 »

Ukyo wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 11:55 pm
Mikkei4 wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 10:10 am
Ukyo wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 6:12 pm I'm also surprised this was cheaper than the original titanium version. I'm glad I held out on getting the original elite as while I'm not a military fanatic and have not served, I like my dark colored watches. I have the Lympstone and love it but a wee bit too big for my puny wrists. Hopefully, this would fit better. Plus I love the maroon tide strap. I ordered it not knowing they increased the lug size... lol. Also, I JUST got my C63 GMT, literally yesterday. Had I known this one would be coming out, would've bought this one only. I had already held out on ordering the GMT. Should've held out longer... lol
C63 GMT can be sent back if you haven't worn it.
Yup, I know but I already sized it and I'm enjoying the explorer ii vides but in a cheaper and smaller package... lol
:thumbup:
Enjoy both.
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by albionphoto »

Kip wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 10:55 am
Leon O wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:47 am How does the Colchester case material differ from those of Lumonox or Casio?

I don't want to make any snap judgements witout being informed.

Thank you,

Leon
I am certainly no engineer or chemist, but it appears to me, in super simple terms, that carbon fiber is carbon fiber. The differences, within the watch industry appear to be how the case is actually made. There seem to be several different methods such as molding, injection, layering etc. The differences have more of an effect on the finished appearance. All certainly produce a lightweight and durable finish.

There are certainly more technical aspects such as how much carbon fiber is within the polymer mixture, but I am not certain that under normal circumstances that it makes much of a difference with watch cases.
Using long strand, randomly oriented carbon fibre and a resin is commonly known as forged carbon fibre. It is less expensive to make and doesn't require an autoclave to cure. If you want ultimate strength then you'd go for the automotive (think F1 or aeronautical approach) and use woven carbon fibre pre-preg mats. Let's face it you don't need the engineering certainty of woven carbon fibre in a watch case. The use of forged carbon fibre will mean that each case and dial is also different in appearance. I think a lower price and having a unique appearance for each piece means it's a good choice for watches.
Just ask Oris. Their TT3 Williams watches had to be cured in Williams Racing's autoclaves and then CNC machined...
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C63 Colchester

Post by ciclismosam »

This really intrigues me. I haven’t tried a carbon cased watch before. Although I collect military and arches and enjoy case back engravings/markings this one puts me off a bit.

I kinda feel like unless I was part of the mission/unit or myself or someone else had a caseback engraved to mark a moment in a military career that it’s a bit odd. I’ve worked with both 51 Sq and SAS gents at different points in my career but never the parachute regiment (nor 82nd Airborne on my side of the pond).

The rest of the watch looks so killer though so idk how I feel. It’s a really looker and on the whole really appeals to me. Most likely one I’ll appreciate from afar.


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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Noush »

I'm on board with the broad opinion here. I love the look of this and it is sized and shaped like a C65 which I have and wears just fine on my skinny wrist.
That said, the Walter Mitty aspect says no for me. Put an Elite-style exhibition case-back on it and I'd get twitchy. Put an SH21 in it and I'd pull the trigger.
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by dipidyy »

albionphoto wrote:
Kip wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 10:55 am
Leon O wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:47 am How does the Colchester case material differ from those of Lumonox or Casio?

I don't want to make any snap judgements witout being informed.

Thank you,

Leon
I am certainly no engineer or chemist, but it appears to me, in super simple terms, that carbon fiber is carbon fiber. The differences, within the watch industry appear to be how the case is actually made. There seem to be several different methods such as molding, injection, layering etc. The differences have more of an effect on the finished appearance. All certainly produce a lightweight and durable finish.

There are certainly more technical aspects such as how much carbon fiber is within the polymer mixture, but I am not certain that under normal circumstances that it makes much of a difference with watch cases.
Using long strand, randomly oriented carbon fibre and a resin is commonly known as forged carbon fibre. It is less expensive to make and doesn't require an autoclave to cure. If you want ultimate strength then you'd go for the automotive (think F1 or aeronautical approach) and use woven carbon fibre pre-preg mats. Let's face it you don't need the engineering certainty of woven carbon fibre in a watch case. The use of forged carbon fibre will mean that each case and dial is also different in appearance. I think a lower price and having a unique appearance for each piece means it's a good choice for watches.
Just ask Oris. Their TT3 Williams watches had to be cured in Williams Racing's autoclaves and then CNC machined...
There are plenty of ways how to do carbon. And CW is using forged one. Now it has nothing to do with weave. Normally carbon comes unidirectional, 3k or 12k (usually).
You apply the cloth, add resin and mould it. This is how most of the carbon parts are made.
CW uses forging and it’s compressed afterwards unlike normal cloth carbon.

Downside is that strength/weight is suboptimal so this isn’t used F1/aero/bike applications. Nor you cannot make different layers or variable thickness areas.
So this is why other applications tend not to use forged carbon. But it will be tough as nails and take a beating.


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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by DaveDaRook »

One thing is clear to me with the Colchester, the price-value ratio is outstanding in my eyes
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by albionphoto »

I will add that for small parts like a watch case the forging/injection molding process makes a lot of sense. "Forged" and injection molded seem to be used interchangeably which is mostly true and in practice the end result is similar.

As dipidyy said, for large parts like an aircraft wing, monocoque or under bonnet shield using carbon fibre cloth of a given number of filaments per fibre (that's your 3k, 12k, etc) and given weave is the better solution.
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Dilbert »

While the Colchester's price-value ratio is outstanding, the regimental badging is Walter Mitty. CW's marketing – which is usually excellent – made a mistake by associating the watch with an individual regiment.
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Re: C63 Colchester

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

^^^^ Surely there is little difference between the C63 Colchester being associated with The Parachute Regiment and the C60 Lympstone being associated with The Royal Marines.

They are both 'Walter Mitty' pieces (your description, but not one I will subscribe to) associated with a particular unit/regiment.

Or do you reckon that CW have got it wrong with the Lympstone too?

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