Horological Meandering

docsnov
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A few watches for consideration

A lazy relaxing Sunday here in the south US, thought I would show some of the watches I have picked up over the past 4-5 months.  As 2 of the watches do not have dedicated forums, I thought that HOME would be the correct place to post.

1.  Blancpain Fifty Fathoms -- This is probably my favorite of the group.  It is simple, yet it just looks great.  Good pictures do not do this watch justice, so these pictures really don't do it justice!  It is 45 mm, but it does not feel that big.  This is due in part to the dial being only a portion of the overall diameter.  A much smaller area on the back sits on the wrist, making it more comfortable.  I did not think I would like the sapphire bezel, but it actually looks great and it does not scratch.  I did not understand the idea of a sunburst black dial until I got the watch.  The way light plays on the dial and bezel in different conditions is fantastic, which pictures cannot show.  I like the solid caseback with the engraving, but I wish the back had a brushed finish.  The portion of the back that contacts my wrist is covered with superficial scratches.  I did not know my wrist was so abrasive!  One mechanical problem I have noticed is the date occasionally gets hung up and does not switch completely.  I thought that it was just occurring when the power was low, but it has happened when the watch has been wound fully.  I don't know if this is an issue with this movement or if it is just this one in particular.  I know there are some negative opinions about gold dive watches.  I do not dive, and if I did, I would not use this.  For me this is just an attractive sport/casual watch that happens to have a rotating bezel.

2. Longines Heritage Retrograde -- I haven't had this one that long.  This is the first watch for me with retrograde functions.  I like that the indices for the various functions are on the periphery.  There is a symmetry to it, and it is easy to read.  I also like that only the 6 is missing from the hour indicators.  I do not mind if a few hour markers are covered over by other functions, but I do not like dials with the majority of the hour marks missing (this is why I bought the base fifty fathoms instead of the chrono, the chrono subdials cover so much of the original dial that it loses some attractiveness IMO).  The solid caseback is nicely engraved, and it has a brushed finish, thus not scratching as easily.  When viewed next to the Blancpain and the UN, one can see that the quality of the finish is not as good ( I cannot quantify it, but you can hold two watches side by side and one just looks and feels like it is better made.  You wouldn't see it in these pictures, because they suck, ha ha).  The L698 movement is a base ETA that Longines claims was made exclusively for them.  I do not know if the movement has been modified or just renamed (since Longines is in the Swatch group I am sure they can just rename the movement making it appear that it is an 'in house' movement).  I will say that it is a very accurate watch, and overall it is great looking and reasonably priced considering the gold case and retrograde functions.

3. UN 42mm Dual Time --  This is a very nicely finished watch that is very comfortable and the dual time function is easy to use.  What I like most about this one is the dial.  I do not know what it is called (sunburst?, striped?, whatever), but it looks great and gives the watch a different look in different lighting conditions.  I also think the case is attractive, especially because I like crown guards.  I don't think a crown really needs guarding, but in most cases I think it looks good.  The display back shows a nicely finished rotor, but the movement is not as nicely finished as some other brands that are similarly priced (Glashutte, lower priced Langes).  It has a manufacture movement (I think), UN-24, and is very accurate.  The Blancpain is the least accurate of the 4 ( it picks up about 1 minute per week, a bit fast).  The polished bezel scratches easily ( I have never banged or hit these watches on anything, yet scratches materialize on all of them, a mystery ), but they are only noticeable when looking at the watch close up, which I do too much.  In general I really like the design of UN watches and will certainly buy others in the future.

4. Hanhart Primus Racer -- This is a big, heavy watch that I can wear when doing just about anything.  It is 44mm, one less than the Fifty Fathoms, but it actually looks much bigger.  The dial is bigger than the FF, as are the indices, and the bezel is small when viewed from the top.  I think this is why it looks bigger.  The sides of the case have a brushed finish, again not showing scratches as easily.  The flexible lugs are interesting, but do not add to the comfort of the watch IMO.  The case tapers down on the back so that like the Blancpain, a much smaller area sits on the wrist.  This is what makes it comfortable.  The dial is not as nicely finished as the UN and FF,  but I love the dashboard design.  I think I have used the chronograph once (not very necessary, but is the only way it comes).  The best feature of the chrono is the red tip of the seconds hand and the red start/stop pusher.  Both of these accents add alot to the overall look of the watch.  The movement is a modified Valjoux 7750 (HAN38), which is visible through the sapphire caseback.  The skeletonized rotor looks great, and there is no finish or embellishment of the movement (not much to look at).  I guess this fits with a watch that I don't think is intended to be dressed up, fancy, etc.  This is the most accurate of the bunch.  I have never had to reset it other than when the movement stops due to not wearing it.  I guess I would consider this one a 'daily beater', as it is more rugged than the other 3.   

There you have it, four different brands, three with additional and different functions.  I think the pros outweigh the cons in all four, and I enjoy wearing all of them (they are all worn at least once a week).   I would love to hear any thoughts/opinions you all have about the watches, just no opinions on the pictures ( there is no need to comment, the quality or lack there of is evident ).   Thanks for looking.

Stewart

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