Second Forum LE options.

[Russ-Shettle]

But will the Valjoux 7750 physically fit into the C3 case without having to modify the case to suit, as I very much doubt that altering the standard case for an LE version would be viable.

Daz, look how much room is still available around a 2824! I'm sure it will fit however, I found a reference which indicates that the 2824 can be added with additional complications. See Link! In fact, this is the best stated reference about the 2824 I've ever read and compares the ETA movement accuracy with Rolex. The 2824 has got to be the best little movement there ever was... I mean that! Rolex would do well to use them!!! ha ha! Omega does!

http://www.bernardwatch.com/content/ETA ... -Movements

By the way all; I just got my C5 in the mail yesterday. The accuracy is fantastic! only 4 seconds fast. Read the quick link above. I think it will make you even more happy to own an auto with the 2824 movement.

Russ

[Kip]

How did you do that??

How did I do what?

[Daz]

[Russ-Shettle]

Daz,

I got the C5SSTR. It’s almost too elegant. It’s truly a crowning beautiful watch. The movement that came with it is the “later one” I think. It’s not the gold plated one as seen in so many pictures. It’s silver and the rotor has two cut-outs near the center with CW in the middle. I think I read that this may be an up-scaled movement from the original, I don’t know. I do like it better than the gold plated one.

The only thing I don’t like, as if anyone could find something to dislike, is the thread-on stem. I would prefer it to be without this and the date too. I have a German made auto with the 2824 movement but without the date. On this watch you don’t have to pull the stem to manually wind it and you only have to pull it out one position to rotate the hands. It’s far more convenient to use. With the CW I feel like I’m going to break it. I don’t really care about the date indicator. Don’t get me wrong, it’s OK but because of it, the stem must be operated in 3 positions. I know most 2824 autos come with the date and it was unusual for me to find a watch that didn’t. The stem on my German made watch is much larger as well and I do like that very much. The watch is a Zepplin model from Point Teck. It was about the same price.

Anyway, outside of that, the C5sstr is one beautiful watch and I bought it for that reason and I’m perfectly happy with it. It feels nice on my wrist. Fortunately, due to its accuracy, I won’t have to change it for a good while. I really do think however, that a thread-on stem for any watch like this is completely unnecessary. For a divers watch? Absolutely. Just my opinion so don’t bash me too hard in your reply!

Russ

[Gray C]

How did you do that??

How did I do what?

Those photos

[Kip]

How did you do that??

How did I do what?

Those photos

Check out the topic "C1 Design challenge" under "General Discussion". The joint project with Terminator, and a few ideas from others thrown in, who did a magnificent job on the mock ups was a lot of fun. We think we came up with something different. Would love to see it built by CW.

[Terminator 2]

The only thing I would input myself is that whatever it ends up being then try at least to make it look totally different from anything that Chris has done so far. I am sure those who have bought it are delighted with their purchase but if I may be honest the one thing that totally stopped me from ordering the last forum LE was that to me it looked almost identical to the standard watch with the blue dial. Yes the owner knows a different heart beats inside but to the uninitiated the watch was just a Blue C6. I was amazed that it was not made to look more individual and unique when the opportunity was probably there to do so.

Now I am not criticising the last LE. I am just saying that everyone takes a step back and gives it a little bit more thought to create something really different next time. After all it is not often you get the opportunity so I reckon you should all make the most of it.

[m500dpp]

I really do think however, that a thread-on stem for any watch like this is completely unnecessary. For a divers watch? Absolutely. Just my opinion so don’t bash me too hard in your reply!

Russ I agree!!! My Archimede pilot does not have a screw down crown and its so easy to give it a few winds to keep it running, (I alternate my watches as I now have a few!!) The stem on the Archmede also feels very robust , so I know what you mean........

My Grovana is a right faf, keeps trying to screw down as you wind, but it is a divers, so as you say its excusable.

[Russ-Shettle]

M500ddp

Yes! On professional divers watches it's a must for obvious reasons but for all others it's not. I'm sure screw-down crowns are included on watches for novelty, making the buyer feel they are getting more for their money but that kind of thing is most common with all markets. Few people would be foolish enough to actually take a dressy watch into the water just because it has a moderate water resistant rating. As for diver's watches, I'm sure most people buy them just for fashion, I did! Few people who own these watches ever actually go diving. I had one for years and never went diving and I never wore it swimming either. I had no real need and I didn't want to take the chance because you never know and seals do become warn over time. I bought it only because I loved the looks and because it was a diver's watch.

Russ

[stueyman]

I don't know, for me I'm all for the screw down crowns. I've had a few expensive repairs over the years when crown and stem have got caught on something, and once even lost the entire crown and stem out of a watch!
For me its nice, adds the security that such a thing won't happen, and the unscrewing etc. isn't too much a price to pay for me.

[Russ-Shettle]

I don't know, for me I'm all for the screw down crowns. I've had a few expensive repairs over the years when crown and stem have got caught on something, and once even lost the entire crown and stem out of a watch!
For me its nice, adds the security that such a thing won't happen, and the unscrewing etc. isn't too much a price to pay for me.

I have to admit, good point! You must be tough on watches. In that case, you would be well to do with a divers watch, made for rugged abuse.

Russ

[El Tiempo]

I'm with Stuey, I def consider screw down added value. I'm not always in control of circumstances. The business meetings I go to can be a little unpredictable. Water balloon fights have broken out, people have ended up in the pool, you get the idea. The screw down gives me a little extra piece of mind.

[stueyman]

I don't think I'm hugely tough on watches. For the last few years before I moved to Oz, I did a large amount of flying in my job and found that when you've got laptops (record was 3) rucksacks and cases, things can get in quite a fankle! I've had two or three watch accidents when travelling, and that just leads to more watch buying (evil ploy on behalf of watch manafacturers). I just feel the screw down crown is a nice value add, gives me at least peace of mind.
Must admit I've never ended up in a water balloon fight in the office, snowball fights and chopstick fights yes but waterballoons... must try harder

Back to the original theme of the thread, for me if the C2 doesn't come as an auto, the a C2 auto would be nice, and boring as it sounds the silver face looks nice to me, perhaps with a blued second hand?
Failing that an auto chrono would be nice as a fall back, but the issues we have there is
that the C4 runs on ISA 8154-220 which is has a diameter of 25.6 and a height of 4.6, and the C3 runs on the Ronda 5040.D which has a diameter of 28.6 and a height of 4.4. The Valjoux 7750 has a 30mm diameter and a height of 7.9mm. I guess there would be challenges in fitting that into the existing chrono cases.
The C3 spec says it has a case height of 10.3 so (10.3-4-4) = 5.9 spare whereas (10.3-7.9) = 2.4 to play with.
The C4 spec says it has a case height of 13.0 so (13.0-4-4) = 8.4 spare whereas (10.3-7.9) = 5.1to play with.
Given that the spec gives case height, which includes bezel etc. I'm not convinced that a 7750 can be slapped into either case easily, I stand to be corrected though.
Finally, I would like to see a GMT diver, and I think the appropriate ETA models are similar in size to the auto in the LE, so that isn't an issue, but it would require a new bezel, which could prove to be a deal breaker.

I'm really basing my negative thoughts on the auto chrono and gmt on the additional cost above movements that CWL would have to pick up. The previous LE's that CWL have run, the Red C4, the Canadian Air Force Models and the Kingfisher LE were all minimal modifications to the existing watches, colours, body/strap finish, movement and logos on the face. Do we have to keep within the minimal change parameters when we are looking at an LE?
Hans, any idea on that front?

[Russ-Shettle]

Hi Stueyman,

I'm sure the 7750 with it's 30mm diameter will fit just fine if the case is cut for it. All of CW cases are at least 38mm and the Chronographs I believe are 40mm. I've see plenty of watches with the 7750 movement that look no bigger than what Chris sells. Anyway, I think the big issue should Chris ever use the 7750 would be cost, taking it out of the affordable range, so to speak.

Russ

[stueyman]

Hey Russ,
I wasn't disputing the diameter of the 7750 would fit, probably using a different spacer ring, but the main issue would really be the depth of the movement. Then following that, whether the currently produced face is spaced correctly to match the new movement, or if a custom face is also required - not just in terms of colour but altering the spacing between the various complications.
Then we would need to consider the 7750 has the following complications:
Day/date - both on wheels
Small seconds
30 minutes and 12 hour counters.

Now the 30 minute counter and small seconds work with the C4 and I guess the existing day complication could become the 12 hour counter, but the day complication would lost unless an additional window was cut.

On the C3 it's different again as it has small seconds, 30 minute counter and a tenth of second counter. Again the face could be altered to accomodate the 12 hour counter rather than the tenths.

It ultimately changes the core watch, as the existing complications don't truly match what the 7750 provides, although some subtle changes would still allow everything to hang together.

For me, an auto C4 would be lovely, if not desirable, but I suppose we have to look a the cost / benefit on this one. The additional costs of the movement, altering the face to suit the available 7750 complications etc. And finally, the C4 sports a button for an alarm function, which the 7750 certainly will not supply! This would mean alterations to the case, which I think on limited run of 100 is going to make this idea a even harder to run with.
The C3 might be a runner though, as the case doesn't need altered, depending if the depth of the movement can be accomodated.

Lastly, Chris had listed another GTi / Sports watch in the future, perhaps this will be our auto chrono?