NEW ARRIVAL

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ItsAliveJim
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NEW ARRIVAL

Post by ItsAliveJim »

Got this delivered yesterday:

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Box is a nice glossy black, like the plumage of it's avian namesake.

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Inside is a fabric bag…

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… with a roll-up packet inside that

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It also comes with brown leather NATO, black and grey stripe Zulu, as well as the SS bracelet, warranty card, etc.

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The bracelet is well made in the oyster style, with screw-in pins and a four-hole micro adjustment clasp with the Raven log stamp. The clasp flip buckle was a bit lose but some gentle pressure with the pliers (wrapped in a towel of course) sorted that out. I bought this as worn once from fleabay and the bracelet was a perfect fit already so no need to get the loupe and Burgeon out :lol:

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The 40mm case is brushed steel with drilled lugs (always a plus in my book), while the crown is stamped with the Raven logo. The crown has a nice smooth action when winding and adjusting the date, and was easy to screw back down. I also love the lack of crown guards, although it will need caution not to knock it as it protrudes about 5mm from the case.

The bezel has a lovely solid clicking action with no play either side, and lines up perfectly with the markers. The 12 o'clock marker is a red triangle with a lume pip.

The dial is clear and uncluttered with only the Raven logo and the legend '200m/660ft' and 'automatic' in tiny font. The C3 Superluminova markers are bright and clear but I haven't taken a lume shot yet.

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It's the hands where this watch really comes alive. I'm not a fan of gold, but knowing that it was only the hand outlines that were gold I wasn't worried and thought they made a pleasing contrast to the black and steel. Most of the time you can't really tell and they look like a standard steel, but when the light catches them it looks fantastic. They really sing out :D

The only thing that isn't superb is the acrylic dome. I know it's 'authentic' but it does look a tad hazy compared to a sapphire crystal, and it doesn't seem to have any AR (can AR be applied to acrylic crystal?), but this is only a minor gripe and it does look good when you see the dome protruding from the bezel :)

It's only been a day but I'm really pleased with this new member of the collection. The 40mm size is my sweetspot I think, and after wearing my blue Artego 45mm giant yesterday, the difference is marked. So far, after setting the time with Emerald last night, the Miyota 9015 movement has only gained 1 sec, but I’m going to wear it for a few days and see how it goes.

Finally, the wrist shot. Thanks for reading, and all comments welcome

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scooter
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by scooter »

Nice package you have there and interesting write up to boot.

Certainly ticks a lot of boxes.

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jmarchitect
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by jmarchitect »

That looks great. Give the acrylic a while and I reckon you may grow to like it as much, if not more, than the sapphire or mineral crystal on your other pieces. Acrylic does mark but it is easy to buff out a scratch or scuff and the optical qualities are more attractive, in my eyes at least.

Thanks for the write-up.
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by gwells »

very nice.
the "g" is for Greg...
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Andyshall
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by Andyshall »

Congratulations, very nice indeed.
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by Kip »

Congratulations! Thanks for the nice write up. :thumbup:
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Ceegee
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by Ceegee »

It looks great and sufficiently different from other divers out there. And what a pick up from Ebay. It pays to be constantly trawling to see what's available. Excellent pics too, you can really see the hints of gold on the hands. I like it. When you get a chance I'd love to see it on that leather nato.
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ItsAliveJim
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by ItsAliveJim »

Ceegee wrote:It looks great and sufficiently different from other divers out there. And what a pick up from Ebay. It pays to be constantly trawling to see what's available. Excellent pics too, you can really see the hints of gold on the hands. I like it. When you get a chance I'd love to see it on that leather nato.
A lot of people knock eBay but I've had some great buys from there.

I'll be trying different straps this weekend and I'll post a lume shot too :D
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andyg
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by andyg »

Made my mind up to place an order at the weekend! :thumbup:

Thanks
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alphajet
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by alphajet »

Nice watch, very happy with mine welcome to the club. :D
No more Quartz (except when I cannot resist).
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ItsAliveJim
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by ItsAliveJim »

andyg wrote:Made my mind up to place an order at the weekend! :thumbup:

Thanks
:lol:

This watch business will be the ruin of us :shock:
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ItsAliveJim
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by ItsAliveJim »

alphajet wrote:Nice watch, very happy with mine welcome to the club. :D
Thanks alphajet. It's a good club to be in :thumbup:
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andyg
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by andyg »

It'sAliveJim wrote:
andyg wrote:Made my mind up to place an order at the weekend! :thumbup:

Thanks
:lol:

This watch business will be the ruin of us :shock:
You are not bloody wrong mate! :shock: :problem:
Andy

Each of us will face this question at least once in a year.

"Why do you have so many watches? You can only wear one at a time!"
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by theaub »

Like that they ship the watch with the extra straps. Nice touch.
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Viognier
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Re: NEW ARRIVAL

Post by Viognier »

Excellent review and I have to give due to Benarus, very cool packaging and branding on the watch. Look forward to your thoughts after you've enjoyed it for a few more weeks and really get to know the watch.
Small collection of timepieces that I enjoy
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