Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

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blowfish89
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by blowfish89 »

After my recent Tropik SS, I have decided against getting any more divers, or even diver-y watches in the future. The Hamilton Pan Europ 3-hander is out (also I have a blue C60). I have also decided against both the Stowas above. As of now, I have the funds and am revisiting the Steinhart Nav B Chrono II (but not enough for the Sinn 103) that I originally wrote about in the first post and it is tempting (the exchange rate is also favorable for me now a days). There are a couple of things I really like with the Steinhart which the Sinn doesn't have - displayback (decorated), bgw9 lume and the presence of all the arabic numbers (the 6 and 9 are particularly well done). think I may take a punt with the size, I have been trying my 44mm Red Line and like the fit, however, being a quartz chrono it is much thinner than the Steinhart will be. I have thought a lot about this and I think I may vote with my wallet on this one, I am not yet comfortable spending 2k on a single watch - I would rather have 3 watches of 700 each.
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by jtc »

I'd have the Steinhart. It's a beautiful piece, especially with those blued hands. Some great photos in the non-CW thread on here.
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by blowfish89 »

Its all coming to a close. One of these two has to be picked.

Sinn 356 Flieger Acrylic bracelet (USD 1.5k used)
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Stowa 1938 Chrono Black blackbrown crocostrap(USD 2k new)
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by Aifo »

Stowa +1
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by agullery »

If you like the Sinn 103 but don't want to spend the money on the Sinn then check these out

http://www.chronotime.ch/7201/48801.html

I found myself in the same situation and I'm impressed with my Mirage III.

Hope this helps [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

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Aifo wrote:Stowa +1
Done :thumbup:
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by Hernan »

blowfish89 wrote:
Aifo wrote:Stowa +1
Done :thumbup:
Good choice. Share wristies when it comes in.
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by blowfish89 »

I wrote about this in the other thread but this one needs an update -

I decided against the Stowa 1938 and canceled my order. I did not like the tall case or the wide polished bezel and always had my doubts if it was too dressy for me. I did like the symmetry and the proportions on that though. Since it was a big purchase and I'm not able to see one to judge for myself I decided against it. I am putting the funds for future use. And my search is still on, but since I also bought a handful of other watches, I am not keen on getting a mechanical chronograph right away.

I will revisit the Speedmaster and its variations. And I will also ponder on whether to make this a starting point towards a Zenith El Primero tricolor chrono.
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by Hernan »

Here is my poor man's tri colorImage
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by Aifo »

That's a nice watch Hernan, I particular like the white tipped hands and the lugs. ML don't get much coverage on this forum but they have released some attractive watches recently, the Ponto S for example. Welcome to the forum btw.

Blowfish, you have done something I couldn't, i.e. to pull away from a pre-order after serious second thought, hats off to that! Will continue to follow your journey to the mechanical chronograph, enjoy the hunt.
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by Hernan »

Thanks. I ran across it while saving up for a Potugese. I have tried on a few IWCs and honestly I think I like the ML more.

Also was looking at the Longines column wheel chrono in the same style.

Image or in th 1973 Heritage,

Image
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by driverm11 »

tikkathree wrote:
gaf1958 wrote:Late to the party here, but from your description it sounds like a Junghans Meister Chronoscope could be right up your street... 7750, 40.7mm, acrylic crystal and ooodles of style...

http://www.junghans.de/en/junghans-coll ... etail.html

Image

Image
Visually that's a beauty. As to spec, I'm not even going to look as the outcome might be painful!
You're not kidding. Beautiful. If only I could blow $2k!
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blowfish89
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

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Aifo wrote:Blowfish, you have done something I couldn't, i.e. to pull away from a pre-order after serious second thought, hats off to that! Will continue to follow your journey to the mechanical chronograph, enjoy the hunt.
Yeah, the Stowa was a relatively big cost for me (about as much as my monthly university stipend) and I wanted to be very sure. I have a G. Gerlach Lux-Sport which has a polished, though not too wide bezel, and a tall case at 14+ mm and I do not like the shape of it. I have bought many other watches when I wasn't too sure (for e.g. yellow Mako, VSA, the recent Halios Tropik SS) that I could have done without, but they have been much cheaper, and I know that in case I need to sell them, I can do so easily with minimal loss.

I will take my time on this one. I did come very close to buying a nearly new Sinn 356 for 25-30% off retail but held back. I'm also looking forward to the release of the new Junghans Chronoscope in anthracite/grey color. Since I had a recent affordable buying spree, I would like to cut back and go for just one or two very nice watches in the future.
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by blowfish89 »

Another one into the mix. I do want a Hamilton someday, I just hope they fix the date window in a new version this year.

Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Chrono
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/a-week-on- ... hronograph

http://wornandwound.com/2013/10/09/hami ... er-review/
Image


How does this Hamilton (street price ~1300 USD) compare against the Steinhart Nav B Chrono II (~900 USD), and against the Sinn 103/356 (~2k USD) ?
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Re: Thoughts for first automatic chronograph

Post by blowfish89 »

I am revising my criteria to a must have displayback (since this is my first Valjoux) and I would like to see the wobble. Also reducing my budget to under 1300 after the Halios purchase. So the Sinns are out - there is a 103 on ebay with bracelet for about $1200 but it is 9 years old with unknown servicing history and loses 10-13 secs per day.

Update on the above - there is a little confusion but I see that Hamilton has the current version (atleast of the beige dial version) with mixed polished/brushed finish instead of the sandblasted finish above - so the watch in consideration would be this - I quite like it though the date window is definitely weird. However, I always prefer having the date to a no date because I use the date function almost everyday. And my last two watches have had date windows at 4.5 o clock :?

Image

Local Hamilton AD doesn't have one for me to see though, but they can order it at a really good price about 40% off retail, bringing it to under $1200 (excl. tax). Also the Steinhart Nav B Chrono II is quite tempting with the current rates at about $900 (incl. everything).
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Pic from first page of google - I see that its taken by downer on tz-uk
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Also, Worn&Wound reports there is a new Hamilton Nav Pioneer Chrono coming out this year.
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