First proper watch

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lostguy
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Re: First proper watch

Post by lostguy »

Thanks for all the responses! I've taken every single comment in to account and it has really helped.

The overriding feeling is..."use the 60:60 to your advantage!".So that's what I'm gonna do. The 360 has obliterated any chance the Hamilton had (well...unless Ernest Jones have a half price Christmas sale :lol: ).

My feeling of the C5A MKII was that it was the 'safe' option out of the three and the responses in this thread suggest this too. I have no doubt it's the kind of watch that would suit just about everyone in a different way, but I feel like buying something a little different-- the coin bezel and strangely oversized crown on the Hamilton; the GMT ring, tan strap and difficult-to-read-nature of the C9 GMT, makes these two options a little more distinct.

So I'm going with my initial instinct, helped by the last two posters, Dancematt and jmarchitect, and going for the C9 GMT. Hopefully I wont look like I'm wearing a frying pan but at least I'll be able to rule it out!
jmarchitect wrote:Welcome to the forum. You have set yourself a rare task there, no doubt about it. The Hamilton has the more striking features in the coin edge bezel and the cathedral hands and the C9 GMT and C5 are positively plain in comparison. That is until you take a closer look.

The C9 GMT has silvered numerals, marker detail on the chapter ring, smaller crown compared to the Hamilton and the hands, whilst not as striking as the cathedral hands on the Hamilton, are clear and elegant. 1mm difference in diameter is not enough to make the C9 wear any larger. If you have a close look at the lug design, the C9 appears to wrap around more than the Hamilton, which should make it more comfortable to wear for your smaller wrist. You will never really know until you have tried them on.

My choice, if these were the only three watches available, would be the C9 GMT. Biased? Possibly! 8)

Best of luck with your decision.
You've kinda summed up how I feel.
I didn't notice the curved lugs though. Well spotted. Going for the GMT for sure.
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Re: First proper watch

Post by Dancematt »

Good choice - at the moment it does make the most sense - especially seeing as the C5 mk 1 is no longer available. hope it works for you size wise - just got to pick a colour now :)
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Re: First proper watch

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Dancematt wrote:Good choice - at the moment it does make the most sense - especially seeing as the C5 mk 1 is no longer available. hope it works for you size wise - just got to pick a colour now :)
Thanks.
The black with tan strap it is. Nobody has posted pics of it on this forum yet, but I think that's the one. It reminds me of the interior of an expensive car.

:)
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Re: First proper watch

Post by st-rider »

lostguy wrote:The black with tan strap it is. ...
Will you please post back when received and share your first impressions and views on the watch. Of course pictures will help :D

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Re: First proper watch

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st-rider wrote:Will you please post back when received and share your first impressions and views on the watch. Of course pictures will help :D

Alex
My photography skills are awful, not helped that I only own a camera phone. I'd be embarrassed next to the great pictures on this forum.

I've only ever owned designer watches (this being my first serious watch, as per thread title) so don't hold your breath for any thoughtful insights :lol:

(Edit: Told a family member I'm getting it, response "who buys stuff in September, wait til Christmas..." hmm... not even a comment on the watch. CWL did have a 20% sale last Xmas so maybe they have a point... :? talk about ruining the excitement )
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Re: First proper watch

Post by Dancematt »

lostguy wrote:
st-rider wrote:Will you please post back when received and share your first impressions and views on the watch. Of course pictures will help :D

Alex
My photography skills are awful, not helped that I only own a camera phone. I'd be embarrassed next to the great pictures on this forum.

I've only ever owned designer watches (this being my first serious watch, as per thread title) so don't hold your breath for any thoughtful insights :lol:

(Edit: Told a family member I'm getting it, response "who buys stuff in September, wait til Christmas..." hmm... not even a comment on the watch. CWL did have a 20% sale last Xmas so maybe they have a point... :? talk about ruining the excitement )
If you can save money on RRP its always worth the wait. Please post pics, i feel its one many have our eye on.
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Re: First proper watch

Post by Loddonite »

lostguy wrote:who buys stuff in September?
Impatient people.
Me for instance :)
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Re: First proper watch

Post by lostguy »

Just saw the C11 MSL Authomatic. It's pretty, clean and rugged at the same time.

Someone post some photos in the gallery section quickly please :D
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Re: First proper watch

Post by Kip »

lostguy wrote:Just saw the C11 MSL Authomatic. It's pretty, clean and rugged at the same time.

Someone post some photos in the gallery section quickly please :D
They need to be shipped before we can get photos! :)
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Re: First proper watch

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Kip wrote:They need to be shipped before we can get photos! :)
I know, I know.. i was just looking at some other threads. I'm sure they'll be posted soon!

Edit: un/fortunately i have just gone and ordered it...60:60 and all that. It's 42mm so might actually fit me ok. It's £150 cheaper than the GMT, and smaller than that other lovely watch called the C8 Pilot that I admire, so I took the plunge. Budget-wise it's in the middle of the C5A and C9 GMT so I *think* I did the smart thing (trying to convince myself :D )
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Re: First proper watch

Post by lostguy »

I like this Lum-Tec Combat B3 but its not available anymore. Any suggestions for an alternative? It's got the Hamilton bezel :)

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Re: First proper watch

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lostguy wrote:I like this Lum-Tec Combat B3 but its not available anymore. Any suggestions for an alternative? It's got the Hamilton bezel :)

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^^ My favourite Lum-Tec. You can still (maybe) pick up a B12...

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$795
43mm width excluding crown.
22mm. Lug width.
316L Stainless Steel.
100 meters/330 ft. water resistance.
LUM-TEC MDV technology®.
SII NH15J Japan made automatic movement with handwinding.
Thick sapphire crystal.
Double side anti-reflective coating.
Threaded caseback.
Screw-lock crown with double diamond sealing system.
2 heavy guage nato nylon straps included (green and black). 22/22 size.
1 year limited warranty.
Limited numbered series of 100.
Free lifetime timing adjustments.
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Re: First proper watch

Post by lostguy »

Yep that one is nice too but the design is very different. I much prefer the B3, in particular the numerals. Why do they make limited editions. It was pretty popular from what I gather, why would a small company choose to make so few. It would be quite exclusive anyway, lum -tec is hardly a mainstream make.
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Re: First proper watch

Post by downer »

lostguy wrote:Yep that one is nice too but the design is very different. I much prefer the B3, in particular the numerals. Why do they make limited editions. It was pretty popular from what I gather, why would a small company choose to make so few. It would be quite exclusive anyway, lum -tec is hardly a mainstream make.
I think the low volume production keeps demand strong. Lum-tec (as well as lots of other small makers like Benarus, Steinhart etc) re-use the same case for many, many series. I imagine the heavy investment is for case tooling, and after that, changing dials or other details is relatively less expensive.

I agree the B3 is a lot nicer than the B12..
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Re: First proper watch

Post by lostguy »

So just recieved my first ever CWL (or should I say Chr.WARD) watch.
I can't believe I'm wearing a 44mm watch.

My first thought when I opened the box was, "this watch is too big", because the face was quite large. I put it on my wrist and thought it looked a bit better proportioned but slightly big...but I've asked several people and they all say it looks good. So maybe I'm being over critical? I have it on the last hole on the strap. I've worn it an hour now and am already getting used to it.

The watch is quite obviously awesome. If it were 2mm smaller it would be a clear 10/10 for me, but I still like it very much. All signs are good so far and I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping it!

Oh, only one slight issue. The sweeping hand is a feature I like in these sorts of watches, but it isn't silky smooth as I expected. If I look closely it's juddering as it moves around. Is this normal?

(so what do you think, fits ok? excuse the hairy arms!)
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