Reply With QuoteI can't resist - here's the back of the Dorn.too.
I've been interested in mechanical watches since I was a teenager. When I settled down to a proper job in my 30s I started climbing the brand ladder in a typical way peaking in around 1999.
Since then a family has come along and I have nowhere near the same level of disposable income. In the end I sold all my watches and ended up with a new bathroom and a DornBluth (Oh and a vintage IWC).
I commute to work daily on a bike and shower when I get there none of which really suited the Dorn. So I have been in the market for quite some time for a reasonably priced robust and waterproof watch.
Earlier in the year I came across the TZ PR-5 and bought one. It fitted the bill very well. This summer I was very surprised to receive a bonus at work and even more surprised to negotiate to keep enough to buy the LRRP - the rest as they say is history.
There is a fair amount of info. on the caseback which is where I prefer it rather than on the dial. Apologies I did have a rotated version but that doesn't appear to have made it to the hosting site
Comfort is as good as anything else I have worn. No sharp edges. Fairly hefty at around 90 grammes but sits flat on the wrist with a NATO strap.
Nicely textured matt black dial which hasn't rally come across in photos. The dial layout takes quite a bit of geting used to and threw me more than I thought it would. After a couple of weeks I am used to those extra markers now.
Accuracy straight out of the box this watch has been running consistently at plus 3 seconds a day on the wrist worn 24/7. In my experience of buying mechanical watches over the last 20 plus years. this is extremely good and no doubt reflects that fact that Bill was personally regulating my watch when I was in conversation with him just prior to shipping.
Size is 41.75 by around 13. Note the size is actually taken form the bezel and the case is very slightly narrower so maybe around 41 Mil. perfect size for me.
I didn't pick a particularly good time to buy this watch given the current exchange rate. I would say that the LRRP represents very good value for money especially compared to the big name brands.
Having owned a Sinn 656 which now retails at around £650 I would rate the value of the LRRP highly in comparison. It certainly has the presence of a significantly more expensive watch. But then there is little brand hype/presence except among the WIS community.
Overall Impression is that of a substantial item of high quality with great design largely borrowed from Rolex of course.
I was always taken with the Rolex original and appreciate the changes which MKii Have made which are all significant improvements for me, these are
Cyclops removed
Domed crystal
Size increased
Helium valve - not that I'll ever need it but I think it looks great.
With self winding and the degree of accuracy to date the crown will remain firmly screwed down which is perfect for a water proof watch.
So that's about it lots more info on the MKii website if you want it.
While I'm at it here's the lovely Dorn 04.0
PRS-5
And my Patek Calatrava substitute the also very lovely IWC Cal 89
TTfN
I can't resist - here's the back of the Dorn.too.
Nice write-up, love that Dornbluth though! If I ever come into some serious money, I'd be very much after one of those.
Dave E
Skating away on the thin ice of a new day
Great mini review.Thanks for sharing.Lovely Dorn BTW.
I have shot a few too.
http://www.watchwallpapers.com/lrrp.htm
I hope you like them.
Jocke
BTW. Great Dornblüth you got there.
Gorgeous pics Jocke as ever!! Now going to get one.
Thanks.Originally Posted by escyman
Will you please tell Bill to send my sales commission. :D :D :D :D :D
Jocke
Jocke - I recognise several of those PICs as being the ones which tipped me over to buying the LRRP - I did pass that onto Bill as he has no large Hi res. pics on his site.
Cheers!
Enjoyed that, and great pics to match.
Daddel.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
very interesting post,enjoyed reading & looking.
The LRRP is a cracking piece,no doubt!
cheers
miro
Very interesting review and pics Zeke (and Jocke)..thanks for posting :)
Those Dornbleuth are, to use a much overused word, 'stunning' :)
:)
Alan
Good to see an LRRP for "real" - Looks pretty good - cheers for posting.
Also love the Dornbleuth, but then who doesn't.
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
Nice watch and nice post. Thanks.
Thanks for the review, it's a watch I' interested in although the waitng time at the mo for one of this is quite a few months
i just read this review, thanks Zeke! I'm curious, what made you choose the screw pin attachment over the push pin version (as only the second option works with the bracelet)?
Tamas
Fantastic photos Jocke
I see you like this watch so much you got 2 of them!
Just replying very late to the point on the screw bars.
basically I was not interested in having the bracelet and I did really like the helium valve so I simply went for that alternative case option.
that's a fantastic pared down little collection- something for every occasion and enough to rotate a little. perfect!
The thing I like about these MKii's is the 'customability' - but they just are a little pricey...still nice though!
Sorry, need to ask, does your user name relate to IJLB Shorncliffe?
Super watch, have been thinking of ordering one myself, Bill's not the easiest guy to pin down for an email conversation!
Did you get clobbered on Import Tax?
yes it does...September 1986 to August 1987...67 started...23 finished...
I was there from September '81.
Salamanca Coy.
No idea who started and who finished, but certainly a few SNLR and PVR's.
Was Ten Pence Tina still about then? :lol:
Looks like the MKII fits your needs perfectly....enjoy
I was Salamanca coy as well, ten pence tina was still going - although I reckon the mantle hand been handed down - and slags alley was still in full flow as was the rotunda and hospital hill, oxygen hill and of course (you can see it from the motorway now) summerhouse hill - remember that bastard?
Nice review - I like your taste in watches.
The LRRP seems like just about the perfect sports / casual watch, and the Dornbluth... well... you know. :bounce:
this is the best MKII watch, besides the Kingston! Great!
I really like MKII watches. Homage or not, the quality is awesome. COCS territory without any problem. Even the prebuilt ones are perfect. And yes, I own a LRRP too. A 'standard' one, with the capstone bezel.
But there's one LRRP caught my eye a few months back. Bill Yao showed his work space on the WUS forum and on the work bench was a LRRP he was building for a customer. And man, what a great looking watch it is. Well, at least it ticks all the boxes for me.
Menno
Here's a pic of the watch. Pic by Bill Yao, posted on the MKII pages of the WUS forum. I hope it's allowed to post it. If not, please remove.
Can I just ask those in the know, as I am thinking of getting an LRRP with Capstone. Am I right in thinking that you can't have an LRRP with a steel bracelet and a MKII rubber strap because there is a different case depending on which strap you go for?
Cheers
Things are a little different. It all depends on your choice: a Non-HRV case or a case with a HRV. In short:Can I just ask those in the know, as I am thinking of getting an LRRP with Capstone. Am I right in thinking that you can't have an LRRP with a steel bracelet and a MKII rubber strap because there is a different case depending on which strap you go for?
Cheers
- HRV case: comes with a rubber strap, or nato; a steel bracelet will not fit.
- non-HRV case: comes with a rubber strap, or nato; you can order a steel bracelet with the watch (about +$85)
(HRV stands for Helium Release Valve)
Menno
It looks that LRRP is a good watch and not too blingy for my liking...
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