So I’m pretty new here. Big fan of the vintage dive aesthetic that C.W has. Currently only own a Steinhart. I like the idea of the the Dartmouth and the V1 is very nice but I’m curious about the new version 2 and I know the use of faux lume has been divisive. I’m wondering if there are any on wrist photos of it yet? Has it shipped out? And what is the general consensus of it compared to the V1?

I’m new here so if this is in the wrong place feel free to redirect me to the write place.

You're in the correct place for this discussion Mr.Gruff.

The trouble is, I'm not sure how much there is to discuss about the V_2 Dartmorth as I've not, that I can recall, seen one 'out in the wild'; although they ought to be out there somewhere as CW have all versions (dictated by the choice of strap / bracelet) currently in stock and therefore available to ship.

I was tempted to get one in the Blue Friday promotion, as I quite like the idea of the full lume dial and would get it on a bracelet, but held back.

Faux lume? What's divisive about it? It's lume and a specific colour designed to give an aged look; it's fine by me.

Guy

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Thu Dec 08, 2022 1:09 am
I was tempted to get one in the Blue Friday promotion, as I quite like the idea of the full lume dial and would get it on a bracelet, but held back.

Guy

I've also been quite tempted by this new Dartmouth V2, which is saying something because I wouldn't ordinarily buy a watch from another service... however, I'm quite taken by the fully lumed dial, lovely sapphire bezel marking and that it's effectively a COSC certified Aquitane (without the blob markers)

I am still considering it, but would likely get a strap, as I've heard the Aquitaine bracelet is a pain to resize... assuming it's not been upgraded to the new single screw style ?

Temptation was too great in the end

I love the Aquitaine for that lovely sapphire bezel, but was 50:50 on the dial, possibly the “blob” markers. I bought an Orca GMT, but moved it on quite quickly, as it just didn’t seem to work for me

I hadn’t really paid much attention to the new military range, as I already have my Cranwell Mk1, love it, and being ex RAF and graduated from RAFC Cranwell, it was the perfect choice. I’m also not a fan of the new style Cranwell either, particularly the dial markings and size

Up until now, I’ve avoided buying watches from other services, just because it felt “odd”… but then I was browsing CW a few weeks ago and spotted the new Dartmouth MkII. It has Aquitaine style bezel (but with “better” markings), those lovely Dartmouth dial indices, great handset and it’s COSC too

So basically, I’ve gone and bought one… just been delivered, so here’s just the “in the box shot” to start with

Oh and it also has a fairly unique feature… the whole dial (and bezel) are lumed. I’ve taken a quick shot of that too, but the photo makes it look much brighter than it is in reality… normal lume is fine, the dial/bezel lume is subtle and very well executed

Both photos still have the plastic wrap on the watch, as I'm literally heading out the door for a two day business trip, so haven't even tried it on yet

However, I think I might be liking this watch… a lot

That looks great. The lumed dial is really fun I think. This exactly the kind of photos I was hoping for, it’s always hard to tell the real colour and finish from the pro-mo pics I find.

Mr.Gruff wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 7:19 pmit’s always hard to tell the real colour and finish from the pro-mo pics I find.

It's impossible from any pic - even if the colour is captured by the camera as you would have seen it it will be messed up by the screen you view it on.

That lume shot looks great though

Thanks... I'll try and take some photos wearing it very soon... and also in daylight too

Bear in mind the lume is not as bright as you see it here... phone camera are very sensitive. The normal indices/hand/numerals lume is normal and the dial does have a very noticeable glow, but I'll use it in real world conditions and report back

JasperCat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 9:18 pm Bear in mind the lume is not as bright as you see it here... phone camera are very sensitive. The normal indices/hand/numerals lume is normal and the dial does have a very noticeable glow, but I'll use it in real world conditions and report back

Actually, slight correction... the dial lume brightness is actually pretty close to this level, when illuminated again with an LED torch and viewed in a darkened (not pitch black) room

That glow in the bezel isn't as strong as shown in my photo, but it is "just" visible and interesting they've lumed the bezel underlay

Finally got round to wearing this new acquisition today… so here it is, the C65 Dartmouth Series 2

And a lume shot, taken after only a few minutes outside, returning into a (slightly) dark hallway

I’ve enjoyed following this thread. I’d not looked twice at the Dartmouth, but this thread is making me do so.

There is a lot I like about the Aquitaine, but I find the bezel a but sparse. This model solves that problem. I’m not looking to buy any more watches just now (how often have I said that!!), but this might have to go on the “if I get one at a good price” list.

I agree that these real life pics are making me reconsider the Dartmouth Series 2 in a way I didn't expect to.