Just One Watch - Can I survive?

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Jcalder68
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by Jcalder68 »

Well, this has been on my wrist for the whole day, and is still there…
69A0BBD1-8507-433A-9B2C-C6276AC8484C.jpeg
C65 Dartmouth Series 1, today on a handmade, Lyveden leather strap (2.8mm thick, Taupe brown colour and hand stitched)
Now, before anyone responds, “Hey, you’ve already got one of these!” then yes I do, and that is exactly why I bought a second to run this experiment. I will explain…
I wanted something I was already familiar with, a known entity. I did briefly consider another C60 Elite 1000, but having passed my old one on because the case thickness made wearing NATOs (my preferred summer strap type) an impossibility, that was not a real contender. Likewise, an Ombre limited edition was also passed over as I had found my old one a little too stark and monochromatic to be truly adaptable and another Lympstone because that would be too hard to dress up.
So, I wanted something COSC rated for reliable accuracy, decent water resistance and lume, a timing bezel, screw-down crown, easy enough to dress up/down and could go either way on the date/no date option. Another Dartmouth ticks all these boxes.
“Why not just wear the Dartmouth you already have?” will be the next question. Simples - that one is rather unique having been built with a different bezel insert (all silver markings, no patina colouring). From what I understand, only a handful were “accidentally” built like this and all but mine and one other have been returned to CW to fix. My one is immensely precious to me because of this and I just dare not “beat” it as a true daily driver. It is also one of the very first so has just a push/pull crown and I wanted the added reliability of a screw-in version.
So, day one down and all is good. She is ticking along at roughly +4sec so far so I am hoping that will settle more towards zero as she beds in, updates will be posted regularly.
Keep well,
C
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by missF »

Just brilliant. I didn’t realise the Dartmouth was COSC certified. I believe you’ve nailed it - seems ideal for your one watch purposes. Question now is - will the itch for a change get too strong?? I’m betting on you doing this for 6months - please keep us posted! :clap:
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by ajax87 »

That's awesome! I totally understand the reason for the second Dartmouth. Though I will admit this was a little anticlimactic when the reveal was a watch you already owned :lol:

Looking forward to your thoughts and updates on the "one watch" experiment.
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by MiniMpi »

Well done buddy !
I understand your reasonings for getting the second one also.
Enjoy wearing it daily, which will also no doubt help the accuracy too the more you wear it.
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

An excellent acquisition and, in your circumstances, for excellent reasons.

I've had two of the same watch at one time in the past. Mine though were a C60 Chronograph #BumbleBeast with, simply, one on a bracelet and the other on a strap; to suit my mood.

I hope your experiment goes well.

Guy

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Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by blowfish89 »

Enjoy and all the best to you.
I’ve done this for months on end with each of the watches I still own (all 3-4 of them). I don’t even switch straps as much now.
Just one is still incredibly difficult.
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by Jcalder68 »

Ok, one week in and time for a progress report.
This has been the only watch I’ve worn. It has gone with me to work, to the gym, various hobbies, dressy meals out, jogging, walks in the country, cafe lunches and in the shower. I have worn in on several different leather straps, it’s bracelet and a NATO, depending on the event.
Timekeeping seems to have settled. It started off with a daily gain of approximately +4sec but is now more like a daily gain of just +1.5sec for each of the last three days. Auto winding also seems to have been doing its job because when I tried to top it up just now I could hear the clutch clicking on its very first wind.
Positives? Best of all, I’m not bored with it. It has suited all the occasions I’ve needed to for; I rarely go smarter than the meal out last weekend and the bracelet suited it here, getting wet or sweaty just needs a switch to a NATO and daily wear on leather suits both it and me. It also seems robust enough to deal with potential magnetism (I’m still a bit nervous here, but will get braver the more I get to trust the watch) as well as daily abuse. I am also happy to report that the screw-down crown works effortlessly and is as smooth as butter (I’ve heard some can be a bit sticky and fail to pop when unscrewing).
Negatives? The rotor seems a bit noisy. I hoped this would settle as I wore it more, but it has not seemed to. Compared to my other watches, it is quite audible when given a flick on the wrist so I’ll keep an eye on that. Also, the bezel seems to have a tight spot at around 10 o’clock, but it lines up perfectly and I only use it for timing my pasta anyway, so no massive deal.
Weekly posts and updates to follow…
Keep well,
C
CW Watches - Malvern, Dartmouth, Lympstone, Sandhurst, Elite 1000, c60 300 Quartz.
Recently started hand making most of the leather straps you’ll see on my watches, happy to consider bespoke order for forum members.
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

@Jcalder68 There was one positive you missed out – you won Photo of the Month! :clap:
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by Jcalder68 »

What?
Wow, I’m flattered! Thanks guys :-)
Time to widen my front door so that I can get my head /ego out…



Keep well,
C
CW Watches - Malvern, Dartmouth, Lympstone, Sandhurst, Elite 1000, c60 300 Quartz.
Recently started hand making most of the leather straps you’ll see on my watches, happy to consider bespoke order for forum members.
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by Jcalder68 »

Fortnight Update:
This has been the only watch on my wrist for a full two weeks now.
I’ve got comfortable with it on three nice leather straps. One in grey and the other two in different shades of tan/brown. I’ve ordered a half-link for its bracelet (I’ve found the bracelet extension to be great, but a comfortable fit means I either have a few full links taken out and the adjustment at minimum or take an extra link out and max out the adjustment. Ideally I need something in between)
Timekeeping has stabilised even further. It is now down to between +0.5sec and +1.0sec a day during the last week. Over the week in total it has gained just 4sec. Over a day on the wrist it gains a bit more (roughly 1sec), but I’ve found that if I leave it dial up over night it loses a bit (roughly -0.5sec) to get it back.
It’s been in the workshop, in the shower, on runs and at the gym. I’ve never felt the need to pull a cuff over it to protect it and I’m getting less nervous around potential magnetism sources too.
I’ve got a couple of cycling / wild camping adventures planned over the next few weeks so I will put it through further paces then.
Keep well,
C
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by WileyECoyote »

I have been testing the idea of just one watch! When I packed for our Kauai vacation, I went with a GMT Sealander on my wrist & a Super Compressor in a CW watch pod. We flew on Monday & the Sealander has been worn daily with this being late Friday. At the moment, I am 3,700 miles from the rest of my rotation. I do expect to wear the Super Compressor at some point as it’s too nice a watch to stay on the sidelines. I will say that GMT function with the 24 hour track has been a nice feature on this trip. The Sealander does check all the boxes of just one watch!

Delmar
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

It’s great to hear that the experiments are succeeding.

@WileyECoyote Some great pictures from Hawaii, Delmar! As you have said, the Sealander GMT is a perfect watch for a holiday. I see your time difference is -4h, so the GMT function is probably useful if you need to stay in touch. Do I see the toe of a Merrells shoe there on the beach? Excellent taste all round.
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by WileyECoyote »

You have a good eye for detail, Steve! I am wearing Merrill’s which are ventilated & comfortable in a warmer climate like Kuaui. I do like to keep track of the time back home as I don’t wish to share photos too late in the day!

Delmar
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

@WileyECoyote I’m a Merrells fan and the design is quite distinctive.

https://www.christopherwardforum.com/o ... ml#p932599
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Re: Just One Watch - Can I survive?

Post by WileyECoyote »

4E66CC21-5E39-4AC5-8EC1-5B74C87B288E.jpeg
A Relaxed Moment with the Sealander at the Beach.
Nearly two weeks later, I can testify that it is possible to get by with just one watch! In our nine nights on Kauai & all the flying afterwards, the GMT Sealander never left my wrist. If I really need to get by with just one watch, this Sealander would be it!

Delmar
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