recommend a chrono watch

[sparkyhx]

Must be metal strap
Must do minimum 100m waterproof
Must be sapphire crystal
must have date
Max 3k new or second hand is ok

Also.....
No Tag's
No Breitling - used to be an owner but I don't like the latest designs - too fussy
Omega Seamaster - everyone has one these days
Omega Speedmasters either are not waterproof enough or those that are (broad Arrow) use the damned 33xx movement which is known to have issues.
Love the Planet Ocean but it uses the 33xx movement

I'm running out of ideas.

[Wadeski]

sounds like you want something different...how abouts...

save a few quid:
http://kseiya.zoovy.com/product/S-SBDX001

mid-budget:
http://kseiya.zoovy.com/product/S-SBDB001

top of budget:
http://kseiya.zoovy.com/product/S-SBGE001

the workmanship (hand of course) on the SBGE001 is extraordinary - its a really, really beautiful watch in the metal.

Edited by Wadeski on Sunday 27th May 15:40

[Murph7355]

Blancpain Flyback - extremely well made. You rarely see them around. Possbly the best bracelet out there IMO. Would almost certainly have to be used.

IWC Fleiger - not overly keen on their metal bracelets though.

Zenith Class El Primero - would have to be used for me as the new stuff is a bit gauche. Again, wasn't keen on their bracelets.

I've not seen many Omega Seamaster Professional Chronos around? Very chunky watch and a great sporty look with great details. Good bracelet too.

Can't think of too many others. Breguet are interesting, but you'll be lucky to find one used I suspect. GP have done the occasional nice watch, but not sure they are big on bracelets. Same with Panerai...

Check out timezone.com if you haven't already...

[apache]

http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/for_sale.htm is your friend

[GreenV8S]

sparkyhx said:

Must do minimum 100m waterproof

must have date

Just *how* long are you planning to stay down there?

[Pesty]

$4450 ratings* waterproof (20 atm/660 ft with crown and push pieces locked);



http://www.koboldwatch.com/products/phantom_ti.htm

[Civpilot]

Pesty said:

$4450 ratings* waterproof (20 atm/660 ft with crown and push pieces locked);



http://www.koboldwatch.com/products/phantom_ti.htm

Interesting that they claim "waterproof" yet on other sites I have seen it listed as "water resistant". Very big difference, but I guess the manufactuer knows the true.

Very nice watches Kobol, and you know your getting something pretty rare considering they only make about 2500 watches a year.


ps. The only other true "water proof" watch I know of is the MTM Extreme ops, which is actually filled with fluid and pressure tested to 6600fathoms (obviously they do this in a chamber, not on a dive ). I'm sure there are loads that can claim water proof, but can't for the life of me think of them now.

[tertius]

This "water resistance" business is pretty misleading anyway, since it always seems to refer to a watch being entirely stationary in still water at that "depth".

Actually wearing a watch at any depth in real life will multiply the "actual" depth manyfold, since moving it about in water increases the pressure on the watch significantly ...

Hence a watch "water resistant to 100M" is probably only good for 10 real metres (I'm just guessing I don't know what the real conversion rate is before I get pulled up for this).

Though unless you are actually going to dive in it ... who cares?

To the OP I suggest a Zenith Class Sport .. gorgeous watch, in-house legendary movement ...

[Pesty]

Yeah the difference between water proof and water resistant seems to vary from watch maker to watch maker. Not sure I'd want to go diving in a 3k watch anyway

how about this for another suggestion to the original poster.
ulysse nardin marine crono ticks all his boxes so to speak. I am assuming he meant cronograph when he put crono in the title. Or did he mean cronometer?

http://www.blitzwatches.co.uk/productdetail.asp?pr...

Edited by Pesty on Sunday 27th May 22:49

[GreenV8S]

tertius said:

Actually wearing a watch at any depth in real life will multiply the "actual" depth manyfold, since moving it about in water increases the pressure on the watch significantly ...

I think you'd struggle to show that the hydrodynamic load is significant beyond the first few inches.

[tertius]

GreenV8S said:

tertius said:

Actually wearing a watch at any depth in real life will multiply the "actual" depth manyfold, since moving it about in water increases the pressure on the watch significantly ...

I think you'd struggle to show that the hydrodynamic load is significant beyond the first few inches.

Well, its not me that's saying it (I know eff all about the subject), for example ...

http://www.europastar.com/europastar/watch_tech/wa...

"The different levels of water resistance as expressed in meters are only theoretical. They refer to the depth at which a watch will keep out water if both watch and the water are perfectly motionless, says Scott Chou, technical director at Seiko Corp. of America. These conditions, of course, are never met in the real swimmer's or diver's world. in real life, the movement of the wearer's arm through the water increases the pressure on the watch dramatically; so it can't be worn to the depths indicated by lab testing machines."

[Pesty]

From the link above

"According to guidelines issued by the Federal Trade Commission, watch marketers are not allowed to label their watches "water-proof." Even watches designed for deep-sea diving cannot claim to be water-proof."


Yet Kobold clearly state waterproof on their website

anyway one thing I have learned from this thread that MTM special ops fluid filled watch is cool and I want one. another to add to the ever growing list

[sparkyhx]

ok this is getting a bit anal, water resistent to 100m. I do not dive anymore only swim/snorkel. 100m is minimum std for what I want - I won't risk 30m or 50m watches for swimming and snorkeling.

[Mr. Ice]

sparkyhx said:

Must be metal strap
Must do minimum 100m waterproof
Must be sapphire crystal
must have date
Max 3k new or second hand is ok

Also.....
No Tag's
No Breitling - used to be an owner but I don't like the latest designs - too fussy
Omega Seamaster - everyone has one these days
Omega Speedmasters either are not waterproof enough or those that are (broad Arrow) use the damned 33xx movement which is known to have issues.
Love the Planet Ocean but it uses the 33xx movement

I'm running out of ideas.

Yea, not many chronographs with a decent WR rating.

However, check out the Doxa T-Graph. Its pretty beefy and chunky, but its also pretty cool and very robust.
- http://www.doxawatches.com/collection.htm


If you actually plan on going in the water with one, I'd recommend atleast 300m WR. I personally would not feel comfortable even showering in something 100m, let alone swimming/diving with one.
You should really look into TAG. I'm not a big fan of TAG either, but if they did one thing right, its chronographs. Check out the Aquagraph, its got 500m of WR and was the first chrono which could be used underwater.

However, I think the IWC Cousteau comes in a chronograph version. The Cousteau doesn't have as beefy a WR rating, but it does satisfy your requirement of 100m.

In addition, check out the Glashutte Sport Evolution, its nice.
There are actually a decent amount of chronographs with a WR rating of around 100m, but I wouldn't let anything less than 300m near the water.

Edited by Mr. Ice on Monday 28th May 01:34

[sparkyhx]

cheers - I like the kobold.

I had a Breitling colt chrono with 100m for 5 years and was never an issue swimming/ sauna/ steam room , snorkeling. So I am willing to take the chance on 100m.

[sparkyhx]

Murph7355 said:

Blancpain Flyback - extremely well made. You rarely see them around.

IWC Fleiger - not overly keen on their metal bracelets though.

Zenith Class El Primero

Omega Seamaster Professional Chronos around?

GP have done the occasional nice watch, but not sure they are big on bracelets. Same with Panerai...

Check out timezone.com if you haven't already...

The IWC Fleiger isn't water resistent enough

All the Zenith El Primero's are only good for 50m with the exception of the Defy, otherwise I would be queuing up at their door with a fistful of money, I adore their range.

Panerai are out of my price bracket I think even second hand - and metal bracelets are like rocking horse droppings.

The Seamaster I'm not struck with the scolloped dial and like I said its like loads of people have them - the moment you see a 'flash' of blue on someones wrist - ahhh omega.

Thanks anyway - keep up the suggestions.

[GreenV8S]

You seriously intend to go swimming / snorkelling / diving wearing a piece of jewellery costing up to three thousand pounds?

[Maxf]

GreenV8S said:

You seriously intend to go swimming / snorkelling / diving wearing a piece of jewellery costing up to three thousand pounds?

Better than leaving it on the beach!

[johnfm]

GreenV8S said:

You seriously intend to go swimming / snorkelling / diving wearing a piece of jewellery costing up to three thousand pounds?

Why not? Are you suggesting we should all leae our cars in the garage too, in case they get damaged?

Watches are designed to be worn - why on earth would you not wear a water 'proof/resistant' watch while swimming? Surely, you don't just sit at home polishing the bloody thing!!

[Wadeski]

a £200 Seiko Divers maybe, but perhaps not a top Seamaster...

perhaps its closer to asking whether you would take a £50k rangie for some serious off-roading...