Battle of the 40mm Tool Watches - EZM3 vs. 856 UTC vs. 756 UTC - TO THE DEATH

[starter]

I almost titled this thread "Battle of the 40mm Tools", but then I realized it sounded like an adult movie featuring unfortunate men.

Anyway, cue the crazy Star Trek gladiator fight music (Star Trek Best Fight Scene EVER - YouTube) and let's begin:


EZM3

+ The best looking of the three, in my opinion.
+ Crown positioned on the left makes for a very comfortable watch I've found.
+ Best water resistance at 500m. I would actually find this useful. I dive a lot, and while 200m is fine, it's really just on the cusp for a diver.
+ Despite the non-tegimented case, the reports I read make it sound like a beefier, more durable watch than the other two. Accurate?

- No tegimented case.
- No UTC hand.
- The most expensive. Let me explain: due to how long it's been out, and the non-tegimented case, I'd probably be buying this one new.


856 UTC

+ Tegimented steel case and bracelet.
+ UTC hand.
+ Easiest to read of the three in my opinion. Like picking the easiest to read sports stadium Jumbotron though. All three are very legible.
+ Lightest of the three, while still maintaining a substantial weight.
+ Least expensive of the three.

- Least attractive of the three in my opinion, but again, a little like picking the least attractive Victoria's Secret model.
- Thinnest of the three... I worry it may look unsubstantial on my 7" wrist.
- Only 200m water resistance.


756 UTC

+ Second best-looking in my opinion.
+ Tegimented steel case.
+ UTC hand.
+ Second easiest to read in my opinion.
+ Chronograph. I'd actually use it a bit. Not a ton, but it's nice to have.

- No running seconds hand. I have mixed feelings about this. I might grow to like the simplicity. Or it might drive me nuts.
- Only 200m water resistance.
- Second most expensive. A used one in good shape on the bracelet might run me nearly as much as the EZM3 would new.
- Valjoux 7750 might be slightly more susceptible to shocks than the 2824 or 2893, due to more moving parts and it's trademark massive rotor? Or no?


Other bits and bobs to consider or throw out:

My girlfriend hates the look of the 756 and 856. That said, she only thinks the EZM3 is "fine"... And besides, she's had her eye on a watch for herself from a company called "Glam Rock"... So whatever.

While the tegimented cases of the 756 and 856 pick up less scratches than the EZM3, I've heard reports that when a mark shows up on the darker tegimented surface, it's pretty apparent... While everything kind of blends after a while on the EZM3.

[gr8sw]

I've owned all three of them and enjoyed my times with them all... each a great watch in its own right... but whatever floats your boat... hard to choose a clear-cut winner

happy hunting!
cheers,
Peter

[Doctorsti]

I would also add that service costs will be significantly higher for the 756 then the other two but if I had to choose one as a "only" tool watch it would clearly be the 756. The only reason you really need a seconds hand besides setting the watch to the exact second of the atomic clock (which it will deviate from in less then 24 hours) is to time things that are only going to last a few seconds or a couple minutes. timing things when the second hand starts at 17 seconds is a little cumbersome so you could wait 43 more seconds for it to come to 60 or you could just push a chrono button. Rarely do I need to know which minute and official second it is in a day and if I am ever in dire need of this on some task then I will just bring my atomic G-Shock. I time things with the second hand and rotating bezel, but both are more cumbersome then a true chrono. I say go with the 756!

[petethegreek]

If you don't need UTC and can spring for the extra bucks go with the EZM3. I have never owned one of these but I wouldn't worry about scratches on the bracelet. Not having a second hand on the 756 would drive me nuts. If you feel the 856 is the least attractive, don't go there. That said, I just picked up an 856 and like it a lot. The thinner case and teg bracelet are great. I don't plan on swimming with it, but if it gets wet while doing dishes it will be fine.

Good luck!

[Kurt Koerfgen]

"BATTLE...TO THE DEATH"???
Awfully big words (even without the capital letters).


I very much prefer a peaceful coexistence that has place for several Sinns; all living together in perfect harmony.

And as for your girlfriend "hating" one model or the other: girlfriends come and go, a well maintained mechanical watch can stay with you forever and one day you may even be able to pass it on to your children.
Unless you are Oedipus, try that with a girlfriend....

[gaopa]

""BATTLE...TO THE DEATH"???
Awfully big words (even without the capital letters).


I very much prefer a peaceful coexistence that has place for several Sinns; all living together in perfect harmony."

Kurt speaks for me! I have an EZM3 in a collection of several other Sinn watches and mine all live in perfect harmony! Cheers, Bill P.

[stockae92]

I think it really depends, EZM3 sounds like a good "compromise"

UTC hand is good to have, but if you remember the time difference between your current and target time zone, then the time can easily be calculated.
And the chronograph is nice, if you rough "guess-timate", I can use the timing bezel to point to the hour hand that would allow me to guess the time elasped over 60 min.

I would imagine EZM3 is the toughest of the bunch because of the anti mag, and added WR and less complication on the movement.

The only thing I worry about the EZM3 is the bezel, I think there were very few reports about the bezel popping off or losing the lume triangle. But they don't happen very often.

One complain from me about the bracelet of EZM3 is that its right in between sizes for my wrist size. Its either a bit tight or a bit lose, I can never size it right. :(

[vintage navitimer]

Actually, I have been looking at your 856 UTC that you have in the for sale forum. I'm trying to keep myself from making another purchase right at the moment. I have also owned an EZM3 and sold it to a WUS member that has posted on this very thread. The EZM3 is a great watch . . . but do to the red date wheel I had trouble reading the date. I would'nt mind a second go round with an EZM3 . . . specially since I have a Sinn rubber strap with the small deployant clasp that would look great on that watch. Good luck with your battle.

[watchnoob313]

Don't look to your girlfriend for watch advice. She likes a fashion watch company that I have never heard of and sounds like a CVS brand(so all of the brand value is gone right there) that makes 46mm watches for WOMEN(the dial will be falling off of her wrist and forget about the lugs) at > $1000

It's a travesty. Please, for the sake of the watch gods, tell her to stop this madness!

[kgriner]

All 3 are great...and if your girlfriend hates something, it's probably the one to go with!!!