OK You experts - give me suggestions

[lowdrag]

Right, I've had my Breitling Navitimer for 15 years and my Superocean about the same time but I have a problem and that problem is age; not the watches but me. Without problem I can read the Superocean at night but I am having difficulty in reading the time on the slimmer hands of the Navitimer. Advancing years brings on sight change, and while my long sight is 20/20 I need reading glasses for short distance. What I am looking for is a chronometer (for motor racing) which is mechanical, costs under £3,000, which is of a recognised make, is a swiss certified chronometer (or equivalent), and which I can read either by day or night.I read with interest the thread on U-BOAT but they aren't chronometers it seems. I am open to suggestions to makes I might not otherwise consider but just bear in mind the above requirements. Over to you! A date is imperative too.

[tertius]

lowdrag said:

Right, I've had my Breitling Navitimer for 15 years and my Superocean about the same time but I have a problem and that problem is age; not the watches but me. Without problem I can read the Superocean at night but I am having difficulty in reading the time on the slimmer hands of the Navitimer. Advancing years brings on sight change, and while my long sight is 20/20 I need reading glasses for short distance. What I am looking for is a chronometer (for motor racing) which is mechanical, costs under £3,000, which is of a recognised make, is a swiss certified chronometer (or equivalent), and which I can read either by day or night.I read with interest the thread on U-BOAT but they aren't chronometers it seems. I am open to suggestions to makes I might not otherwise consider but just bear in mind the above requirements. Over to you! A date is imperative too.

Can I just confirm you need a chronometer (ie an accurate watch) and not a chronograph (ie a watch with a stopwatch function which may also be accurate)?

[Freddie von Rost]

What ho ld,

Omega is your friend. My short sight is going too and the luminosity of my speedie is excellent.

Links:

Speedmaster Broad Arrow

www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=938&details=1&ref=35813000&no_cache=1

Speedmaster Day Date

www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=304&details=1&ref=32205000&no_cache=1

Both self winding. Omegas are very accurate too. Added bonus: plenty of of change from 3k.

Pip pip,

F.

[lowdrag]

quote]Can I just confirm you need a chronometer (ie an accurate watch) and not a chronograph (ie a watch with a stopwatch function which may also be accurate)?
[/quote]

Effectively I need both - a chronometer I don't have to reset every week and an accurate stopwatch with it. My Navitimer has fulfilled these functions for years.

PS Yes, it happened again - woke up, looked at my watch and got up. It's bloody 6am not 7am! Now you know why I need to change!

Edited by lowdrag on Thursday 17th May 05:24

[tertius]

In which case Freddie's Omega suggestions are good ones.

You might also look at an IWC Pilot Chrono Automatic, which might stretch the budget.

Edited by tertius on Thursday 17th May 13:43

[don1]

Lowdrag - you're not the only one having trouble reaading his Breitling. I'm always an hour out, and I've got perfect short-range vision! It is a beautiful thing though, so I live with it.

[tertius]

Another idea, what about a Sinn 356, which you can get with COSC certification if you want:



Available here though Neil doesn't mention COSC certification, if you look here you'll see it.

ETA: and way, way under £3k

Edited by tertius on Thursday 17th May 21:57

[lowdrag]

Keep the idea coming please. I like the look of the iWC but I can't wear leather (no sniggers please - oh go on!) since my acid skin destroys a strap a year. I expect they do steel bracelets anyway. In the meantime the Navitimer is in the drawer and I am back on the Superocean. It'll be a wrench to sell it but Ebay will for a short time be my friend once again I guess.

[tertius]

lowdrag said:

Keep the idea coming please. I like the look of the iWC but I can't wear leather (no sniggers please - oh go on!) since my acid skin destroys a strap a year. I expect they do steel bracelets anyway. In the meantime the Navitimer is in the drawer and I am back on the Superocean. It'll be a wrench to sell it but Ebay will for a short time be my friend once again I guess.

They do, ditto Sinn.

[epoch911]

Ikepod. Unusual and distinctive. They went bust a couple of years ago and this has pushed second hand prices up but they are back in business now, albeit with a limited v. expensive range.

For your budget you're probably looking at eBay. Bought my Hemipode Grande Date there and love it...certainly unlikely to see anyone else with one. They also do the Megapode which is essentially a top end pilot's watch. All COSC rated etc.

Oh and they have natural rubber straps (or metal) - scented with vanilla. Yum

www.ikepod.com