Hey folks, just wanted to go over the options to go from here:
The Sub was my daily wearer for like 5 years or so when it was my only watch. But this past year the Air King has been the daily. So light on the wrist and the blue dial plays with light beautifully.
The Reverso was last year's purchase; couldn't resist the case-flip complication.
The Carrera was an impulse buy; I missed out on the black with daytona rings while travelling, saw this white one and pounced on it. I've been pushing this around for sale, waiting for the right conditions.
The Connie I liked the pie pan dial, bought while traveling as well.
As you see my pieces are relatively small because my wrist is only 6" in circumference (add or give a few points on wet/hot day).
As many of the WUSers here I browse, read, and lust on watches daily on the net, but with such a small wrist I feel the options are very limited.
The watches I've given some strong thoughts this past year have been the following (sorry if some don't qualify as HEW, or even blasphemies..more on that as you read on :-d)
A few criteria in selection: again size of the case, but also I dress very casually everyday in year-round humid weather. Very rarely do I wear long sleeves so the watches I wear will be on display in the open. It will be prone to the elements, dings, knocks, and all shinyness and blinginess will be out in the open.
JLC Tribute to Geophysic 1958
Classic design, clean dial, robust movement, 800 pieces available in steel. The Haute version of the Explorer, if you will. Drawback is it is limited edition so probably the only way to get it is through special order channels. Will explore on this to see if any nearby ADs/boutiques carry it. 38.5mm may or may not fit.
Alternative: IWC Mark XII.
The popular pilot, the one that IWC now tries to return to with the Mark XVIII. JLC automatic ebauche inside. Friendly size in 36mm.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15450
(not my wrist)
Waited all year for the black dial version but AP didn't do it in the SIHH 2016 catalog. Probably the only current Royal Oak that fits me.
Drawback: bracelet finishing can look like a disco ball on my wrist
Hublot Classic Fusion, Titanium or Ceramic
I know, I know...but one can have guilty pleasures. They come in rubber for the humid days and also a 42mm size which don't look terribly large. The AD gives a pretty big discount on them too.
JLC Perpetuals, old or new
What I love about JLC is how they can present complications like perpetuals, ultra thin, to the more affordable spectrum of HEW. There are some preowned pieces of previous models, but they are coming with this steel black this year.
Size on new one is a bit big in 39 vs 38 of old, and I always felt getting a perpetual means cutting on the rotation. Afterall, what's the use of the perpetual if you don't wear it, right? It's also on the most expensive compared to the ones I've listed.
The Sub was my daily wearer for like 5 years or so when it was my only watch. But this past year the Air King has been the daily. So light on the wrist and the blue dial plays with light beautifully.
The Reverso was last year's purchase; couldn't resist the case-flip complication.
The Carrera was an impulse buy; I missed out on the black with daytona rings while travelling, saw this white one and pounced on it. I've been pushing this around for sale, waiting for the right conditions.
The Connie I liked the pie pan dial, bought while traveling as well.
As you see my pieces are relatively small because my wrist is only 6" in circumference (add or give a few points on wet/hot day).
As many of the WUSers here I browse, read, and lust on watches daily on the net, but with such a small wrist I feel the options are very limited.
The watches I've given some strong thoughts this past year have been the following (sorry if some don't qualify as HEW, or even blasphemies..more on that as you read on :-d)
A few criteria in selection: again size of the case, but also I dress very casually everyday in year-round humid weather. Very rarely do I wear long sleeves so the watches I wear will be on display in the open. It will be prone to the elements, dings, knocks, and all shinyness and blinginess will be out in the open.
JLC Tribute to Geophysic 1958
Classic design, clean dial, robust movement, 800 pieces available in steel. The Haute version of the Explorer, if you will. Drawback is it is limited edition so probably the only way to get it is through special order channels. Will explore on this to see if any nearby ADs/boutiques carry it. 38.5mm may or may not fit.
Alternative: IWC Mark XII.
The popular pilot, the one that IWC now tries to return to with the Mark XVIII. JLC automatic ebauche inside. Friendly size in 36mm.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15450
(not my wrist)
Waited all year for the black dial version but AP didn't do it in the SIHH 2016 catalog. Probably the only current Royal Oak that fits me.
Drawback: bracelet finishing can look like a disco ball on my wrist
Hublot Classic Fusion, Titanium or Ceramic
I know, I know...but one can have guilty pleasures. They come in rubber for the humid days and also a 42mm size which don't look terribly large. The AD gives a pretty big discount on them too.
JLC Perpetuals, old or new
What I love about JLC is how they can present complications like perpetuals, ultra thin, to the more affordable spectrum of HEW. There are some preowned pieces of previous models, but they are coming with this steel black this year.
Size on new one is a bit big in 39 vs 38 of old, and I always felt getting a perpetual means cutting on the rotation. Afterall, what's the use of the perpetual if you don't wear it, right? It's also on the most expensive compared to the ones I've listed.