Hello everyone. I thought it was about time I made my first post here. Rewind back to the middle of 2024 and I was pondering a new watch. At this time I had no idea about mechanical watches. I think I assumed a Rolex was just a madly overpriced quartz. Anyway, I had a look round the Citizen website, as you do, and spotted the Tsuyosa. This in retrospect was fortuitous, as reading reviews made the comparison to the style of the Datejust, and then I was off down the rabbit hole. The Seiko Presage models looked nice, but there was talk of Swiss movements being better. After a while I had decided that the Tissot Gentlemen might be the way to go, but a review search led to a comparison with the CW Sealander. This reminded me that a few years ago I had seen a CW advert on TV. At the time I thought it was odd that a "luxury" watch brand would be advertising on TV, plus the "Do your research" slogan seemed quite frankly a bit rude at the time. But that review suggested that the Sealander was a better watch, and better value than the Tissot. So after much thought, I decided on a Sealander 39mm, blue face with the blue hybrid rubber strap. Stock was due within the month, so I kept an eye on the website, and when it was available about ten days before the expected date, I placed my order. Six days later and it was here. Nice box I thought, and the watch looks very smart. Found a good YouTube vid on how to correctly set up a 3-hand plus date mechanical, and we were up and running. I wasn't much bothered about accuracy. The stated +/- 20s per day seemed fair enough, and I wasn't even going to bother checking, but I did, and for the first month it seemed to be about -2s per day, which was a surprise. One day I saw -9s, and I then read how this happens at the bottom of the power reserve. Okay, no problem, I started to walk some more each day to give it some extra charge. It then settled down to about -0.5s per day. Zoiks!

A while later I was pondering some new straps. I looked at a lot of third party brands, but decided that the CW straps were likely a better bet. CW's own vid on how to change a strap seemed simple enough, and indeed it came off easily, but then it took about half an hour to get it back on. Hmmm, okay, maybe I won't get any new straps then. I had another go a couple of weeks later, and found that if I used my thumbnail (rather than first fingernail) to compress the QR pin, it was much easier, and indeed pretty quick. So it's now December, and I ordered 3-for-2 straps and a watch pod. Aquaflex blue, Fine Italian Leather Bader and Seta Kingfisher. I really don't like contrasting stitching on a watch strap, so it took a while to choose. Delivered and then put away for Christmas despite temptation to open and play. The Bader deployant on the FIL is very well thought out, and nicely finished. I was surprised at how supple the Aquaflex is. A very noticeable difference to the Hybrid, which is somewhat less supple due to the Cordura. The only minor issue I have with any of these straps is that I find it impossible to get the end of the Hybrid strap through the captive loop. I end up going over the top of the captive loop and then into the second loop. This seems to work better than releasing the first loop from the captive clips so both loops are free.

A more recent topic that I was looking into was servicing of the watch. This is definitely another rabbit hole if you're not careful. I've concluded that if the watch shows no signs of time loss or gain, I will send it back to CW for servicing when it is 7 years old. I was leaning more towards 5 years, but Kalle Slaap (in one of his Chronoglide Watchmakers YT vids) suggests that this is probably more often than necessary, unless the watch is getting a lot of abuse.

So, for anyone still reading, it's been a good experience so far. I am glad that I chose CW and am happy with my purchases. I've learned a lot about mechanical watch movements since buying the Sealander, and have even got hooked on the Wristwatch Revival YouTube channel.

On a final note, the value aspect of CW has really become more evident. Compare a Sealander to a Tag Carrera. Similar design (3-hand plus date at 6), both using the SW200, but the Tag is more than 3 times the price. And don't even get me started on Swatch group using a plastic pallet fork and escape wheel in some of their movements.

Happy New Year!

Richie

Hi Richie

This is really interesting and thanks for sharing your experiences. In particular the decision-making journey you went on, and how different things influenced you. I hope someone in CW marketing takes a look as this kind of thing is surely useful for them too (not least how an advert you found rude - a sentiment frequently shared on the group - still "did its job').

Tim

Glad to hear you’ve chosen well and are pleased with your selection. Also good to hear you are enjoying learning about watches. Your below quote tickled me; your transparency is commendable.

“At this time I had no idea about mechanical watches. I think I assumed a Rolex was just a madly overpriced quartz.”

Des

Welcome to the forum /asylum, Rich. That's an excellent write up & review; you're sounding like a seasoned veteran already.

You're absolutely right on a fully wound, regularly worn watch keeping its best time.

On the servicing front, I've learnt to adopt the 'if it ain't broke, why fix it' mantra advocated by @iain.

Finally, on the value front, I had a similar experience. 13 years ago I was looking for a 'proper' watch and considered the TAG Monaco. Fortuitously, I discovered CW, and found I could buy several of their watches for the price of the TAG. The rest, as is said, is history.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

Thanks for sharing your experience on the Sealander. The GMT version is what I'll be going with. Just waiting for stock to arrive as I don't feel the need to pre-order.

Hello again everyone. Thanks for the replies above. It's good here. I think I will hang around.

I picked up a blue Vacona Leather Bader strap in the CW sale. Ordered on the Weds and arrived on the Fri.

I've only seen the black one on the website previously, so I assume they found some discontinued stock at the back of the broom cupboard.

Think it was a bargain at £35 considering the black one is £100.

Richie

@RPV69

Is that the light blue Vacona, as here on my Elite 1000, Richie?



Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

Hello. No, it's the second in from the right in this image.

Left to right:
Aquaflex blue
Hybrid blue (original strap with the Sealander)
Seta Leather Kingfisher
Vacona Leather Bader blue
Fine Italian Leather Bader dark blue

Richie

Ah ha; got it.

That should go pretty well with your Sealander. I'd not realised that it came with the Bader deployant.

Mine has a regular, Titanium, buckle as it's aimed to be used on one of the Bel Cantos.

Enjoy wearing it.

Guy

Ah yes, that's one of the new 22mm range isn't it, of which there are quite a few colours.

Took me a while to get my head round the strap and bracelet range to begin with, but all makes sense now.

I was looking at a Nearly New Consort Bracelet last night, wondering if it would be an as-new bargain, or if I'd be disappointed due to scratches/marks, but it's gone this morning anyway.

Richie

Welcome. An enjoyable write up. I’m glad you’re enjoying the C63. I’ve had the GMT version for over three years and it’s both smart and reliable. Great watches!

Thanks. Yes, I'm very pleased so far. The only concern I have at the moment is that the watches described on the Drawing board page in editions 33 and 34 of the Loupe magazine sound very interesting, which means my one-and-done plan may go out the window in 2025.

Richie