Versatile, Casual, Under $7k

atdegs · Post by **atdegs** » Tue Apr 02, 2019 12:11 pm

I'm looking for something to compliment my Railmaster as part of a two watch collection (with a possible third as a dress watch). Here are my criteria:
- 38-41mm, lug-to-lug at or under 50mm
- Not flashy, more brushed than polished
- Black/dark grey dial
- Not too thick (Black Bay 41 for example)
- Not Rolex
- Up to $7k, new or used

As you can see, I appreciate vintage inspired modern pieces, but that's not a requirement. Here are a few of my favorites so far, but I feel like I'm missing some good options.

JLC Polaris No-date
[img]https://www.ablogtowatch.com/wp-content ... tch-16.jpg[/img]

Oak & Oscar Sandford (if I can find one)
[img]https://static1.squarespace.com/static/ ... 536399079/[/img]

IWC Spitfire
[img]https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/iqj ... 000x-1.jpg[/img]

Seiko SLA017
[img]https://k8q7r7a2.stackpathcdn.com/wp-co ... tion-3.jpg[/img]

synequano · Post by **synequano** » Tue Apr 02, 2019 1:31 pm

Might not fit all the criterias set but it works as dress watch too

It’s pam 338,a 42mm titanium watch with 48mm l2l,fits more like 40mm,the dial is dark charcoal,the hands are gold colored

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... b08924.jpg[/IMG]

You can only get it pre owned now as it was launched in 2010 for only a year,only 700 made,I don’t follow the current price but it used to cost around 6-7k

yinzburgher · Post by **yinzburgher** » Tue Apr 02, 2019 2:08 pm

Judging by your other examples I'm guessing you're looking for something newer than this watch from 1990 but I saw it recently, think it's a great looking watch and it mostly fits your criteria. I'll try to think of others but this is what came to mind first.

Girard Perregaux Vintage 1960 Chronograph 2598

https://www.chrono24.com/girardperregau ... 747624.htm

[img]https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2018/ ... 2f7f58.jpg[/img]

Robotaz · Post by **Robotaz** » Tue Apr 02, 2019 2:43 pm

JLC Master Ultra Thin
JLC Master Control
Zenith Captain Power Reserve
Or, wait for Zenith to release a grey or black Defy Classic.

Post by **TheJohnP** » Tue Apr 02, 2019 2:53 pm

Saw one of these at an AD and thought it looked very sharp.

Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic

https://www.baume-et-mercier.com/us/en/ ... -date.html
[img][/img]
[img][/img]

Hodinkee article about the release
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/baume ... ntroducing

Sporkboy · Post by **Sporkboy** » Tue Apr 02, 2019 3:16 pm

I don’t have a watch from Mark II, but a buddy of mine has one and can’t stop gushing about it. They came out with a 39mm A-11 type in date and dateless varieties. Understated stealth branding as to not detract from its simplicity. Seems like a really well executed field watch, not entirely unlike that IWC.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 984736.jpg[/IMG]
All of the MkII watches are vintage military inspired, so worth a look

Boourns · Post by **Boourns** » Tue Apr 02, 2019 3:35 pm

You may be looking for something more up-market, but Max Bill Chronoscope, Heritage Ranger, and 856 UTC all come to mind.

[img]https://www.tudorwatch.com/statics/imag ... 0-0011.png[/img]

[img]https://www.junghans.de/typo3conf/ext/j ... 501.00.png[/img]

[img]https://www.sinn.de/bilder/uhr/960x1280/856-UTC_V.jpg[/img]

yinzburgher · Post by **yinzburgher** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 3:05 am

+1 for the Sinn 856 UTC.

I imagine this Longines Heritage Military L2.832.4.53.0 is too polished but I think it otherwise fits the bill.

The 38mm Bathyscaphe

The Montblanc 1858 if you're OK with bronze and steel two-tone.

This Bell & Ross is 38.5mm. I think there are probably several models from B & R that could work. Same goes for Sinn.

Bremont Airco or S300. Both 40mm.

I know you have some $ to spend but I'm not kidding about this one. H69429931

atdegs · Post by **atdegs** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 10:49 am

Thanks for all the great suggestions, especially yinzburgher. Many of you have suggested many watches I've been eyeing for a long time, although some of them are a bit flashier than I'm looking for. I'm really after more of a tool watch. The Bathyscaphe has been on my list, not sure I can get into one for the price I want though. Owning a Blancpain has been a dream for me as long as I've been into watches though. The Bremonts and B&R have also been on my short list.

I think right now the top contenders are the new IWC Spitfire, the JLC Polaris, and the Blancpain.

Boourns · Post by **Boourns** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 10:56 am

Honestly of everything that's been posted, if I were in the same situation I'd get the Polaris, though in blue.

yinzburgher · Post by **yinzburgher** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:11 am

Obviously we're talking about your favorites here [mention]atdegs[/mention], but my favorites of the bunch are the JLC, the IWC, and both of the Bremonts. It's a shame most Blancpains are so big. They also made a Limited to 30 pieces 38mm Bathyscaphe with Revolution Magazine that doesn't have the flashy indices that might be even more up your alley. Reference BLA0853.

[img]https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapus ... 639488.jpg[/img]

Post by **watchpalooza** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:18 am

Personally I would spring for the Blancpain. And since you're on THE deals site, perhaps we can help you find a deal. For starters here's a beautiful vintage one with original box and papers for $7141.

https://www.chrono24.com/de/blancpain/v ... ETCURR=EUR

And a new one in blue for $7220:

https://www.chrono24.com/de/blancpain/f ... ETCURR=EUR

Or a new in black fir $7195:

https://www.chrono24.com/de/blancpain/b ... ETCURR=EUR

Just sayin'...

atdegs · Post by **atdegs** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:33 am

That's awesome! It fixes the few things I don't love about the standard model. I want one but nobody seems to be selling them.

yinzburgher wrote: ↑Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:11 am Obviously we're talking about your favorites here @atdegs, but my favorites of the bunch are the JLC, the IWC, and both of the Bremonts. It's a shame most Blancpains are so big. They also made a Limited to 30 pieces 38mm Bathyscaphe with Revolution Magazine that doesn't have the flashy indices that might be even more up your alley. Reference BLA0853.

[img]https://storage.googleapis.com/pubzapus ... 639488.jpg[/img]

atdegs · Post by **atdegs** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:34 am

If I'm not here for people to enable my addiction, I don't know what I'm doing here. Thanks!

FTE wrote: ↑Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:18 am Personally I would spring for the Blancpain. And since you're on THE deals site, perhaps we can help you find a deal. For starters here's a beautiful vintage one with original box and papers for $7141.

https://www.chrono24.com/de/blancpain/v ... ETCURR=EUR

And a new one in blue for $7220:

https://www.chrono24.com/de/blancpain/f ... ETCURR=EUR

Or a new in black fir $7195:

https://www.chrono24.com/de/blancpain/b ... ETCURR=EUR

Just sayin'...

atdegs · Post by **atdegs** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:37 am

As to your other comments, thanks for your opinions. I think Bremont would be further up my list if not for the two-tone triptik case. I actually owned an S301 briefly, and just didn't love it.

[img]https://www.watchreport.com/wp-content/ ... ne-hev.jpg[/img]

I strongly agree about the Blancpain case sizes. Not sure why they can't make a 40mm diver.

yinzburgher wrote: ↑Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:11 am Obviously we're talking about your favorites here @atdegs, but my favorites of the bunch are the JLC, the IWC, and both of the Bremonts. It's a shame most Blancpains are so big. They also made a Limited to 30 pieces 38mm Bathyscaphe with Revolution Magazine that doesn't have the flashy indices that might be even more up your alley. Reference BLA0853.

MoT's WDF