Aquadive BS100, Seiko SBDX001 or Stowa Prodiver + Halios Laguna?

[torifile]

I had no idea what type of reactions I'd get from this question! I've never heard the argument that the MM300 is a Sub clone or generic. I think it's got beautiful lines and has its own design language. Just look at the way the circles on the dials are perfect and the way the second hand reaches just to the outer perimeter of the circle. Not only that but the way the straight part of the second hand is exactly the diameter of the circle so it will bisect it perfectly as the hand makes its sweep around the dial. And I haven't even held it in my hands. If the proportions of the weight are given the same consideration of the proportions of the hands, I'm sure it feels great.

All that said, the AD is beautiful in its own right. The 120 click bezel sounds remarkable when it's turned. The case is a thing of beauty (and anything but generic). The case looks remarkably comfortable and the fact that it's adjusted in 5 positions makes me very satisfied with the watchmakers' workmanship. I am a touch hesitant about the elabore grade ETA rather than a top grade but it is what it is.


So what did I just talk myself into? It sounds like both. But that won't happen. So, back to square one....

[Ottovonn]

I haven't read most of the other posts, so I'm just giving my biased opinion:

Go with the MM300. It'll be the perfect partner for your Sinn. :)

[bedlam]

Love where this thread is going, lol

AFAIK, aquadive justify their price by the German quality manufacturing, the all cnc machined case with no stamped parts, not by their history. Amazing quality piece, of all my watches, only the new ploprof has that quality finished case feel.

To me the MM300 is an icon, great movement with loads of high tech built in, but it's all stamped stainless steel case is a major draw back to me. In terms of history, most of the Swiss brands share the same resurrection story. Scary....

jack

In a comparison, the MM300 is made completely in-house in Japan and has a Grand Seiko movement. The Aquadive uses a mix of parts from various locations including China and has a basic movement in comparison. IMO there is no comparison in the quality of the two watches. Its not even close.

Seiko have a continuous history of watchmaking since 1913. Aquadive is made by a company who recently bought up a bunch of old trademarks and is re-releasing products which trade on previous histories and contain a wide spread of quality in the parts (Aquadive eventually admitted they source asian parts after being challenged about the Swiss and German made claims when they were first released).

As a side bar; Synchron WG (Huston) appears to own Bathyscaphe and Isofrane trademarks. Synchron UM (Austria) make the Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 and sells it all over the world, including into the US. Yet on its website Synchron UM claims to have no relationship with Synchron WG. Interesting.

This information is relevant as the OP is trying to make an informed purchase an appears unaware of these issues. IMO you buy the company as much as you buy the watch.

[pyiyha]

Go with MM 300.
It will compliment Sinn U1 very nicely with its more dressy style.
It also has a great in-house movement with great horology pedigree.

... But is it just me or the minute hand of MM 300 tend to seem just 2mm short?

It would be a perfect watch if the minute hand would just reach the minute markers.

Still I would pick MM 300 over other watches...

Just my 2 cents.
Peter

[roo7]

Shall I make it harder for you ?





The AD gets more into rotation than the MM300, the only reason, I felt that MM300 is meant for special occasions.

[torifile]

My thinking right now is that I've got a nice tool watch in the U1 and the MM300 would definitely be a nice complement to it. My concern is that I don't find reason to ever dress up at all. Seems like the niceness of the MM would be lost on me.

[torifile]

Go with MM 300.
It will compliment Sinn U1 very nicely with its more dressy style.
It also has a great in-house movement with great horology pedigree.

... But is it just me or the minute hand of MM 300 tend to seem just 2mm short?

It would be a perfect watch if the minute hand would just reach the minute markers.

Still I would pick MM 300 over other watches...

Just my 2 cents.
Peter

Then it would be too long. As it is now, the hands are arranged in order of shortest to longest: hour, minute, second. As they should be. I haven't seen measurements but I'm willing to bet that the minute hand is exactly between the hour and second hands. When they all line up, I bet it's very aesthetically pleasing.

[arutlosjr11]

IMO, it is non of your frigg... business.

Jack. You're right, it's non of his business but I'm glad I was able to answer it honestly and with integrity.

In reality it only strengthens my various points. I AM a paying Aquadive customer as I AM a paying Omega customer.

What watches you see have been earned through hours of sweat and not in any way, through the good graces of others!!!




Sent from my iPhone

[pyiyha]

I, then, feel that the minute and the seconds hands are BOTH 2mm short.
Look at the pics by roo7.
I think the AD BS100 hands are just the right length at seconds hand sweeping across the minute markers, the minute hand just short of the minute marker.
The MM 300 hands, especially minute hand, seem a bit short not even close to the minute marker IMO.

However, overall style and quality of MM 300 is indeed top class and very capable watch dressed up or down.

Peter

Then it would be too long. As it is now, the hands are arranged in order of shortest to longest: hour, minute, second. As they should be. I haven't seen measurements but I'm willing to bet that the minute hand is exactly between the hour and second hands. When they all line up, I bet it's very aesthetically pleasing.

[davec]

Forgive me but I'm a working stiff as well. And when I continually read stuff like this "The best...? This one is truly Swiss made, unique German Case, DLC brown coating ect. Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, none come close.", it really reminds me of those late night infomercials where the host/shill lists the amazing details/bargains of the pocket fisherman, chopamatic, hair in a can, dices anything latest wondermatic all for the low price of ....".

I've never heard of anyone talk like that about a watch but a paid shill. Forgive my confusion. I'd still pick the MM 300.