Oh, so another 99.4 ( mine is s/n #162)
The packaging, box, manuals and paperwork are all lovely quality. The wooden box is unique in my collection because of the quality, but it still shows touches of craftsmen made as opposed to production line.
I ordered two straps, I think XL is too big for my wrists. I usually take a longer strap but these are long. The leather is so thick its like the animal is still wearing it ( whatever animal it was, I don’t recall what they are made of). The fit between strap and case is tight, so tight that I didn’t explore changing strap until I could examine without risk of damage.
The case is lovely size, diameter and height with perfect proportions for the lugs.
The crown is in perfect proportion, the pusher for date setting is slightly countersunk and offset reflecting the very occasional use. Date changing is simple press to advance the hand to the next day.
The rear is a pleasure to stare at, it’s generous in proportion. I’m still in two minds if I should have asked for engraving.
The blued hands are stunning, simple, clear and they just touch the minute rail.
The sunken sundials are really clear. I keep using the word proportion but they really are the correct diameter, they are sunk the perfect depth and do not detract from the overall dial.
The font is classic and the engraving crisp and sharp.
The second hand seems to sweep more than a click.
Yep this will do.
I second all of that. The case size and shape are perfect.
Sorry I meant 99.3, I sold my 99.4 to buy the 99.3 that was on here last year. I keep getting those around the wrong way. I think they look best on medium-dark brown straps with white stitching, just the right compromise between sporty and more formal which is about where the watch sits to my eyes.
They really are exceptional watches.
New arrival for me - my first Panerai, a Luminor Due 42mm. Love the size of it, perfect for me really. The legibility is spot on too, as you'd expect. Feels like a definite long term keeper!
Last edited by ctafield; 17th January 2023 at 14:33.
New arrival today. The "thinning the herd" plan not going well in 2023
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Back in Spring Drive territory - just received this beautiful condition late 2018 Spring Drive Tuna SBDB013 from Maseman in response to a WTB. Sold mine last year & missed it’s elegant blackness and smooth sweep of hand..
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Just home from picking this up, my second one as I missed the first as soon as I had moved it on. I just need to get over not being able to wear it on a bracelet.
Shame I didn’t get in before the price increase though!
New arrival today. An SC purchase earlier this week.
New incoming from David. Prompted me to do a bit of research into Tunas, catching up on the evolution ... it's 20 years or thereabouts since I had a proper quartz Tuna (SBBN007) and it seems while much has changed, the essence definitely remains. This SBBN045 is really nice and I'm very happy with it .. prior to sale David fixed the commonly reported issue with the loose bezel and also replaced the hex screws with torx ones, the result is a faultless piece.
Interestingly when the wife saw it she said something like 'nice watch, quite vintage looking ... but smaller than your usual'. Which is an odd way to describe a 47mm watch, but in some ways she's right, it wears quite small, though on the stand next to the other biggies, it's physically larger in terms of diameter. Weird optical effect on the wrist not really captured by my poor photography.
Last edited by kk; 19th January 2023 at 13:49.
Collected yesterday over a couple of drinks and great catch up.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
My first IWC.
(OK I admit it came with the car and is only a digital version)
Got this the other day
Given that the kickstarter for this was in late October/November, I am very impressed it was already arrived.
I am also very impressed with it as a watch. 300m WR, applied indices, sapphire bezel, He release valve, BGW9 lume (which is excellent), colour on the dial, hands, chapter ring and bezel, plus lots of differential case finishes give this a look way way beyond the price (which was well below £300, delivered).
Well done Farquhar.
D
My Friend will be dropping this of later.
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San Martin milsub homage, quite
impressed and glad I got this over Steinhart’s versions. Sapphire crystal is gorgeous.
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I've always liked Seiko's and cushion-cased divers but none of them seem to stick around, I've had many over the years, turtles, tunas, and nearly every offering from Aquadive but I always move them on due to the significant size on the wrist.
Seiko has definitely hit it out of the park with this SPB317 slim turtle though, it's positively dainty for the type of watch it is and this one even aligns at 12 o'clock.
I was lucky to pick it up with a large discount otherwise I wouldn't have taken a punt at RRP.
Picked this up today for a half decent price. Alt1-ZT/51.
I loved this when it was released as it had a P51 look about it.
A very underrated watch but it's so well built. Louis Erard Heritage Sport Chronograph. Black dial. Blue sub-dials. 42mm. ETA/Valjoux 7750.
Last edited by j111dja; 21st January 2023 at 14:07.
These two arrived. A couple might go…
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This came today, been lusting after it since the summer and absolutely loving it!
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124060 and the D-Blue are the best in the catalogue IMO. A great incoming.
Hood, you are married to the 4 and 5 digits. No 6 digit will compete.
If I had slimmer wrists the 16600 would probably be my ultimate instead.
I’d completely agree for Steel watches that you’ve mentioned but you have to add the Daytona 116500LN to that list.
And if we’re throwing in Precious metal Rolex too I’d make a strong case for the Day Date 40 in White Gold with the 60th anniversary Olive dial. And yes I’m biased as I LOVE mine to death…