Here’s a bit of a brain dump about my new watch arriving today....,

‘Everything a watch needs and nothing a watch doesn’t need’.
I think @nbg said this about the Explorer. (My incoming isn’t an Explorer).

For a long time I thought ‘don’t buy what you already own’. Then I wondered - why would you restrict yourself from buying a style of watch you own and really like? Why not have a collection of white dial divers if that’s what you know you enjoy wearing? (My incoming isn’t a white dial diver).

When I did my SOTC at the start of the year I was starting to be very clear about ‘what I like’ - vintage, Matt and muted, vintage leather straps, no bracelets. That was a good summary, but as soon as I made it I got nervous. I don’t want to miss out on exploring watches that might be exceptional just because I’ve decided they don’t fit my box...

I’m so curious about this incoming. I want to investigate where it derives its wrist presence from. I want to know how I respond to my own feelings about the brand and the heritage. This is a watch that I considered, overlooked, considered, overlooked. And by then I was so curious I wanted to explore.

I’m hoping it will be here today. Pics later

Enjoy the watch Lindsey.

If it’s the watch that you have bought from one of my WhatsApp forum friends, I am sure that you will!

Will it remain on the bracelet?

Neil

Looking forward to seeing the photos of your new watch. I’m sure you’ll grow to love it.

nbg wrote: ↑Tue May 02, 2023 8:16 am Will it remain on the bracelet?

Curious about this too! Bracelets have never really lasted long with me but reports say this one is very comfortable. I’ll obviously have to do a strap session at some point though

^^^ Sounds like an interesting watch challenge awaits.

Neil

@missF The longer you spend in this game, Lindsey, the more you realise that there are no universally right and wrong answers about the make up and differentiation (or otherwise) of your collection. If it works for you, it works for you.

I haven’t a clue what’s coming to you, but I look forward to seeing it. Have a great day.

Methinks another twist in the tale.
I've got my popcorn out

so a variation on something you already have but on a bracelet?

It’s here!
Wow, I didn’t expect to be quite so dazzled to be honest! I mean, it’s black and white, sword hands, super legible. I thought it would be a watch to just tell me the time...

On opening the box I was surprised at how big it looks. But then, I’ve been wearing divers of the same size recently so this is a different experience with the lack of bezel. The fit is perfect.
The matte black dial is medicine for my eyes. Yes, I love a bit of matte.
I love the balance end of the second hand - this second hand isn’t an afterthought. It’s there to let you know that the watch is alive.

The bracelet is as slinky, substantial and comfy as everyone said it would be. For my girly sensibilities I like the fact that it’s not an oyster bracelet, which to my mind is a more macho option. I can’t wait to get it resized!

So far there have been plenty of great details to catch my eye. I didn’t really expect that to happen.

All in all it’s a very accomplished little brother to my C11!

Awesome. Looks like a good size and fit on your wrist.

That looks excellent Lindsey I’m not surprised your first impressions are positive. I’m sure this is a watch that the longer you live with it, the more you will grow to appreciate just how well it does what it’s supposed to do.

Regarding resizing the bracelet, that’s something you can do yourself quite easily with a ball point pen and a paper clip. The design is such that this is very easy to do.

And it’s will also suit your every expanding selection of straps and will look good on most of them.

missF wrote: ↑Tue May 02, 2023 1:27 pm It’s here!
Wow, I didn’t expect to be quite so dazzled to be honest! I mean, it’s black and white, sword hands, super legible. I thought it would be a watch to just tell me the time...

On opening the box I was surprised at how big it looks. But then, I’ve been wearing divers of the same size recently so this is a different experience with the lack of bezel. The fit is perfect.
The matte black dial is medicine for my eyes. Yes, I love a bit of matte.
I love the balance end of the second hand - this second hand isn’t an afterthought. It’s there to let you know that the watch is alive.

The bracelet is as slinky, substantial and comfy as everyone said it would be. For my girly sensibilities I like the fact that it’s not an oyster bracelet, which to my mind is a more macho option. I can’t wait to get it resized!

So far there have been plenty of great details to catch my eye. I didn’t really expect that to happen.

All in all it’s a very accomplished little brother to my C11!


DDEF6593-37D4-4C74-82BA-5444CF459B44.jpeg


99C5D697-DAE1-48C6-8764-3E0589026D62.jpeg

Very nice. I like the older Mark series.

What are your thoughts on the Pilot 36mm versions?

Huge congrats its lovely

Emphasis wrote: ↑Tue May 02, 2023 1:36 pm What are your thoughts on the Pilot 36mm versions?

I haven’t given them much thought since I recently kind of dipped out with a few 36mm watches and decided I prefer slightly bigger watches (on my 17cm wrist). I’m not a purist for anything- I don’t think pilot watches need to be huge ‘because that’s how they were when they were ‘proper’, but I think the design is so striking that they deserve to take up a bit of wrist space! So for anyone with skinnier wrists than me a 36mm pilot will be perfect. Maybe if I liked Mercedes hands a bit more I’d have saved for an explorer. But having thought about it I don’t know if it would be 36mm (proper) or 39mm

iain wrote: ↑Tue May 02, 2023 1:35 pm Regarding resizing the bracelet, that’s something you can do yourself quite easily with a ball point pen and a paper clip. The design is such that this is very easy to do.

Is it a pin and collar system? I’m a bit nervous of resizing those. Also, I can’t see how the bracelet attaches to the watch - is it just a regular spring bar set up??

Edit : Paul has just sent me a YouTube clip. What a nifty design!