Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

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stueyman
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by stueyman »

I'm with you Joe. The C6 is a beautiful watch and built like a tank. But the monster is a 'beast' to the beauty!!!
How about a something similar to a modified C4 platform for the case (without the chrono buttons) but still polished steel?
The bezel can be modified accordingly, adding depth to width, and the basic straps/bracelets already are in production.
As for the crown, if we drop the date, we can pop it anywhere, but just for the sake of
change how about at 2 o'clock? Just to keep it individual!!
The choice of hands is interesting, sword shaped?

BTW "fae" is a regional expression for from used by the denizens of bonnie Scotland.
e.g. "made in Scotland fae girders"
Now if Barrs were ever to go into watch making and produce a clone of the monster, that would
be a tag line and a half :D
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by bydandie »

stueyman wrote:I'm with you Joe. The C6 is a beautiful watch and built like a tank. But the monster is a 'beast' to the beauty!!!
How about a something similar to a modified C4 platform for the case (without the chrono buttons) but still polished steel?
The bezel can be modified accordingly, adding depth to width, and the basic straps/bracelets already are in production.
As for the crown, if we drop the date, we can pop it anywhere, but just for the sake of
change how about at 2 o'clock? Just to keep it individual!!
The choice of hands is interesting, sword shaped?

BTW "fae" is a regional expression for from used by the denizens of bonnie Scotland.
e.g. "made in Scotland fae girders"
Now if Barrs were ever to go into watch making and produce a clone of the monster, that would
be a tag line and a half :D
Cheers for the translation Stueyman. My concern with the C4 case is the quality of the bezel.
Have - quite a few
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by stueyman »

bydandie wrote:Cheers for the translation Stueyman.
No worries, I'm a Scotsman myself, but living away to see some sun!!
bydandie wrote:My concern with the C4 case is the quality of the bezel.
I hear you on that, the bezel on my C4 is solid, really well fitted, even after almost a
year of abuse, but from the forum I some haven't been so great.
I think the case is a good base, but a chunkier bezel in the style of the monster would be
good.

Other chunky bezel examples:
Image

Image

Image
-----
S.

C4SKS #96, C6LE #36, C9SSK #0239,
Seiko Black Monster,
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by charliebrown »

I have just purchased The Malvern Aviator watch and would be very interested in having an automatic divers watch from Christopher Ward. :D

No ugly monsters please.

Can I put my name down for one now ?


charliebrown

I'm from Scotland - nice to see that other Scots have such good taste in watches. 8)
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by Kip »

charliebrown wrote:I have just purchased The Malvern Aviator watch and would be very interested in having an automatic divers watch from Christopher Ward. :D


charliebrown
Welcome to the "Asylum" charliebrown. So glad you have found your way. How about some input as to Joes idea here... what do you think?
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by joerattz »

stueyman wrote:How about a something similar to a modified C4 platform for the case (without the chrono buttons) but still polished steel? The bezel can be modified accordingly, adding depth to width, and the basic straps/bracelets already are in production.
As for the crown, if we drop the date, we can pop it anywhere, but just for the sake of
change how about at 2 o'clock?
First, the existing bracelets are unacceptable. There have been way too many reported problems with the clasp popping open. Additionally, the double clasp is just not the right kind of clasp for a diver. It is dressy and makes sense on a dress watch (still can't be popping open for no reason though), but just not appropriate for a diver. For a diver, you want a single deployment clasp with a safety clasp. Also, the existing clasp has no diver's extension. In contrast, the Seiko monster bracelet is relatively inexpensive (you can buy the whole watch with bracelet for <$140 US through ebay), is completely solid, has a safety clasp, and a diver's extension. All in all, a supremely better bracelet...all be it less attractive. As I originally mentioned, it could be prettied up a bit. But, none of this plating that wears through, and no compromises to the structural integrity. There is also something else going on with the Seiko clasp. I believe it is specifically engineered to resist opening even when jiggled and the release buttons are pressed. But I can discuss that in another thread.

Second, that's not what I am proposing. I am not trying to turn an existing CW watch into something closer to a monster. Nor am I just trying to create another automatic CW diver. I am talking about an entirely new watch based very closely (as close as possible without legal or ethical trouble that Chris would be willing to do) on the Seiko monster. The point is that the monster is a great, iconic watch. If you look around timezone.com for threads where someone requested recommendations for watches that are affordable but high quality, the monster is THE choice time after time. Here is one example thread:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t= ... v=&reveal=

If you watch TZ long enough, you will see that thread after thread, when someone requests recommendations for watches costing under some dollar threshhold, the monster comes up time after time. In that thread above, the guy's limit was $1000. I can buy a monster for $140 (less actually). So with a limit of $1000, the watch recommended to this guy more than any other in that thread was a $140 monster. That shows the value and quality of the monster. I have two monsters, so I understand that. That is the value, quality, appreciation for, and respect that the monster has in the watch community.

The superb qualities of the monster are its case (which is an incredibly solid hunk of stainless steel), the easy to grip and turn bezel, indestructable bracelet, distinctive appearance, and incredible lume. For many, the monster is THE standard for great lume. Oddly enough, the Seiko sawtooth has even better lume, but because it's quartz, most WIS wouldn't give the watch a shot so they don't know about it.

That all said, the monster has two known weaknesses, the movement and the crystal. I am proposing a case/bezel/bracelet as identical to the monster as possible. Those are the monster's strong points. But with the finesse of a CW on the inside. An Eta/Selita movement. A sapphire crystal. A CW dial, but with loads of lumibrite lume to equal a Seiko sawtooth.

That is the watch I am proposing. One that can leverage all the monster's best points, and improve on all its weak ones. That is the watch that the next time someone asks for the best watch under $1000, the answer will be the CW Kraken!
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by charliebrown »

Kip wrote:
charliebrown wrote:I have just purchased The Malvern Aviator watch and would be very interested in having an automatic divers watch from Christopher Ward. :D


charliebrown
Welcome to the "Asylum" charliebrown. So glad you have found your way. How about some input as to Joes idea here... what do you think?
I would like the crown at 3 and a date only watch along with a fully adjustable rubber strap for myself. The rest of the details I'll leave to Chris.

Namewise how about a Scottish name like Oban, Crinan, Craignish, etc. 8)


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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by joerattz »

charliebrown wrote:Namewise how about a Scottish name like Oban, Crinan, Craignish, etc. 8)
Are any of those monsters from the sea?
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by Daz »

:)
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by Kip »

How about the CW Perseus? It was Perseus who rescues Andromeda from the sea monster sent by Posieden.
The Perseus could rescue us from Seiko..... never mind , sounds to corny. Go with Kraken.
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by Yoda »

Aegir was a giant and king of the sea in Norse mythology. The a and e are linked letters but I cannot find a suitable symbol for them.
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by Yoda »

Kronos was the god of time.
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by rygel16th »

joerattz wrote:
First, the existing bracelets are unacceptable. There have been way too many reported problems with the clasp popping open. Additionally, the double clasp is just not the right kind of clasp for a diver. It is dressy and makes sense on a dress watch (still can't be popping open for no reason though), but just not appropriate for a diver.
I couldn't agree more. I love my Kingfisher but I had to return the first one as the bracelet was badly scratched. The replacement was also slightly marked but I decided to keep it as I realised it wasn't up to snuff anyway, scratched or otherwise, and would have to be replaced. I've bought £20 watches with better straps. I now have it on a brown leather Di-Modell Jumbo, and it's one of the most comfortable watches I own. I honestly can't find much fault with the watch itself, although I wouldn't normally buy quartz; I'd definitely be interested in an auto diver.

I'm not convinced about the need to copy (or whatever) the Monster, as I think that will affect the CW brand's perceived individuality. I already have an Orange Monster and wouldn't be interested in buying somebody else's take on the same watch. There are numerous guys out there who will mod your monster to the various degrees mentioned above, so a CW monster would be redundant IMO. I would like to see a more substantial CW diver, but for me it would have to look like the CW "Whatever" rather than a clone of something else. One day I'd like to own a Rolex Submariner; in the interim I won't be buying a Grovana or one of the many other similar looking watches just because they're more affordable.

We also need to remember that the Monster can be produced so cheaply because of the sheer scale of Seiko as a manufacturer. Remember that there is nothing in a Seiko watch that isn't produced either by Seiko directly, or by a subsidiary company; that even includes the oil used for lubrication. CW isn't in that league, and never can be. The essence of the CW brand is one of exclusivity at an affordable price. The ubiquitous nature of a watch like the Monster is at odds with this marketing approach.

I think the C6 is a good watch that looks like the CW Kingfisher and nothing else; as all divers watches riff on the same theme there will always be elements that one can recognise between competing brands. The truly iconic watch is the one that can do this but still appear fresh and stand out from the crowd. The C6 is a good step towards this but doesn't quite manage it, but as a starter I think it bodes well for the future.

In summary (phew!) I would like another CW auto diver, something that feels substantial and weighty, with a good steel bracelet that matches up to the quality of the watch. And please let's get away from all this bead blasted nonsense and have something nice and shiny.
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by CFK-OB »

I agree with rygel16th - both in regards to the CWL bracelets and the requirement for a monster. I don't think Chris should be copying any other watch but should stick to his own designs. That said, there is always room for another diver and to complement the C6 I would like to see a tool diver. The C6 is a very attractive watch and like all of my other divers, it seems too 'pretty' to be used as a real dive watch. I've always been on the lookout for a real tool diver that I like, but they are very hard to find as they tend to be quite ugly watches. The closest for me is really either the Rolex Submariner or Seadweller, but for numerous reasons I take issue with these watches.

I would love to see CWL produce an auto tool diver, but I'd really like it to be of his own design.
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Re: Seeking Support For A New Automatic Diver

Post by Yoda »

I don't see a problem with the Kingfisher as a 'tool' watch. I prefere the term 'working watch' as it means a bit more ie a railway watch is a working watch and has to be accurate. It is more than a tool. Other watches are for casual or dress use.

Most companies have a track record of producing really scary and nasty divers watches and I think that Chris has designed a really good divers watch. I see the natural extention of this range to be a yachting watch, another wet working watch.

The use of an auto mechanism on a working watch is not such a good idea. The corruption of the seals when resetting the time and date has to be taken into consideration. However as a Forum LE watch an auto is a very good idea. I have written fully on this subject on the Kingfisher LE section.
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