Speedbird 3

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jack
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Re: Speedbird 3

Post by jack »

@ bydandie; The SB 3 is very similar in appearance and spec to the IWC I agree..but the bracelets are really not the same. The SB 3 bracelet is much heavier and more robust than the IWC which I'm familiar with - check them out - they are not similar in the metal. I massively prefer the SB 3 bracelet and I'm an IWC fan and owner. It is more in keeping with what is essentially a watch of military origin. The date window difference is also significant in my view. Homage or not, I'm not too bothered tbh. :)

My point re SB 3 v Ocean 1 as homages is that the Ocean 1 would probably, instantly and inevitably be mistaken for a rolex by many, not just us guys. The SB 3 is not going to be recognised anything like as much as a possible IWC, because IWC are not as universally subject to mass appeal or aspired to in the way a rolex is, if you get my drift with that? So many people who know nothing of watches know what a rolex sub or GMT look like, don't they? I personally would find it a huge pain in the a**e to have people constantly asking if my steiny' was a rolex and having to explain etc.

For all that, I think the Ocean 1 looks a great deal for anyone who can get past this and wouldn't dissuade anyone from taking the plunge :) .

Cheers,
Jack.
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bydandie
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Speedbird 3

Post by bydandie »

jack wrote:@ bydandie; The SB 3 is very similar in appearance and spec to the IWC I agree..but the bracelets are really not the same. The SB 3 bracelet is much heavier and more robust than the IWC which I'm familiar with - check them out - they are not similar in the metal. I massively prefer the SB 3 bracelet and I'm an IWC fan and owner. It is more in keeping with what is essentially a watch of military origin. The date window difference is also significant in my view. Homage or not, I'm not too bothered tbh. :)

My point re SB 3 v Ocean 1 as homages is that the Ocean 1 would probably, instantly and inevitably be mistaken for a rolex by many, not just us guys. The SB 3 is not going to be recognised anything like as much as a possible IWC, because IWC are not as universally subject to mass appeal or aspired to in the way a rolex is, if you get my drift with that? So many people who know nothing of watches know what a rolex sub or GMT look like, don't they? I personally would find it a huge pain in the a**e to have people constantly asking if my steiny' was a rolex and having to explain etc.

For all that, I think the Ocean 1 looks a great deal for anyone who can get past this and wouldn't dissuade anyone from taking the plunge :) .

Cheers,
Jack.
I saw a Mk XV in flesh in one of the jewellers in Guildford yesterday. I prefer it to the SB3, as it feels more refined than the SB3. Both feel very good quality, but the IWC bracelet feels far better to me than the SB3 one. I'd trust the SB3 to last through a war and Mk XV to plan one if that makes any sense. Is the Mk XV worth that much extra? Not sure, but I'd have it over another SB3 anyday of the week! ;)
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Re: Speedbird 3

Post by Macca »

alphajet wrote:I must say that this watch has become one of my favourites and has caused me to rethink my previous small watch prejudice. :D

Image

Still not keen on 18mm straps though, maybe I need to get something vintage to work on this. :?
Thats the same as mine, its a beauty isn't it!
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jack
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Re: Speedbird 3

Post by jack »

bydandie wrote:
jack wrote:@ bydandie; The SB 3 is very similar in appearance and spec to the IWC I agree..but the bracelets are really not the same. The SB 3 bracelet is much heavier and more robust than the IWC which I'm familiar with - check them out - they are not similar in the metal. I massively prefer the SB 3 bracelet and I'm an IWC fan and owner. It is more in keeping with what is essentially a watch of military origin. The date window difference is also significant in my view. Homage or not, I'm not too bothered tbh. :)

My point re SB 3 v Ocean 1 as homages is that the Ocean 1 would probably, instantly and inevitably be mistaken for a rolex by many, not just us guys. The SB 3 is not going to be recognised anything like as much as a possible IWC, because IWC are not as universally subject to mass appeal or aspired to in the way a rolex is, if you get my drift with that? So many people who know nothing of watches know what a rolex sub or GMT look like, don't they? I personally would find it a huge pain in the a**e to have people constantly asking if my steiny' was a rolex and having to explain etc.

For all that, I think the Ocean 1 looks a great deal for anyone who can get past this and wouldn't dissuade anyone from taking the plunge :) .

Cheers,
Jack.
I saw a Mk XV in flesh in one of the jewellers in Guildford yesterday. I prefer it to the SB3, as it feels more refined than the SB3. Both feel very good quality, but the IWC bracelet feels far better to me than the SB3 one. I'd trust the SB3 to last through a war and Mk XV to plan one if that makes any sense. Is the Mk XV worth that much extra? Not sure, but I'd have it over another SB3 anyday of the week! ;)
:lol: I like it! Yes, I get you, a planning watch...I know what you mean. The IWC bracelet is more reined and lighter.
I must admit I'd jumop at the chance of a Mk XV too :)

Cheers,
Jack.
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Re: Speedbird 3

Post by Lavaine »

I'd trust the SB3 to last through a war and Mk XV to plan one if that makes any sense.
Good analogy. I would add that I could afford to wear the Speedbird into battle, and trust it to do its job admirably. I would never know if the Mk XV was up to the task, because it would be safely at home, tucked away in it's watch box, along with all its too expensive siblings (of which I only have one, but I wouldn't wear it into battle either).
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Re: Speedbird 3

Post by jrpippen »

I wrote this comparison of the Prs 22 to try and give some perspective. I have owned two chronometer versions (first 50 made) but flipped both as im a gmt addict.

Anyway, have a read if your interested. I apologise in advance for the photos. Embarrassingly i actually used my camera and not iphone. Should not have bothered probably.

http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?2 ... edbird-GMT

The prs 22 is a winner. No two ways about it!
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