Diver Death Match: 3 will enter. 2 will leave.

[torifile]

Some of you may have been following my thread about the MM300 v the BS100. If you've read to the end, you'd know that I did what many WIS I suspect would do - bought both. So, to carry the thread to its conclusion, I thought I'd post my observations in this thread, including my thoughts about the U1T since it's fair game to be on the chopping block.

The rules are simple. There is only one "loser". The winners are the other 2. So, in each round, I'll be selecting the loser of the set. Not that any of these watches are actually losers. They're all great.

Round 1: Packaging



The Sinn and AD win this category. The Seiko box is paper and cheap foam. Nothing plush like the others'.

Loser: MM300

Round 2: Aesthetics

We all know what these watches look like, but I need to post my own shots. Pardon the awful photos. It's been a while since I used my real camera. I'm also lacking a good macro lens so I couldn't take very good close up shots.AD BS100


Sinn U1T



MM300



Loser: hell if I know. They are all beautiful in their own ways.

Round 3: Lume

I tried to capture the lume shots on "film" but, again, I'm out of practice and didn't have the patience to get a good exposure. I did, however, get to see each of them side by side. The MM300 was the clear winner in this category, followed by the AD, then the U1. That said, the AD doesn't have a lumed pip, so deduct 1 point.

Loser: AD BS100, by a hair because of the unlumed pip.

Round 4: Wrist presence

It's undeniable. The AD BS100 is a unique watch. It makes a statement. From the retro look of the case, to the distinctive hands, it stands out. The Sinn, with its incredibly stark dial contrasted with the bright white on the hands also makes a statement. The MM300, with it's smaller size and less stark contrasting is sort of a conservative choice here. But the taller than expected height and contrasting brushed and polished surfaces, it also makes an appearance.

Loser: push

Round 5: Bezel

With the U1 only having a 60 click bezel, it would seem obvious that it would lose this category. But not so fast - the tension/resistance in the U1 is quite a bit better than the others. The MM300 has a nice firm resistance and 120 clicks while the BS100 has a nice easy to move 120 clicks. Maybe too easy but I'm not a diver so it's not a big deal.

Loser: U1. All other things aside, I like the clickiness of the 120 click bezels.

Round 6: Cases

The U1, well, it's a monster. Every day wear with 2 rambunctious kids with nary a scratch on it. Frequent strap changes by a novice with shaky hands, no marks at all. There's no contest for the winner here. The MM300 is beautiful but I'm afraid also fragile. I think it'll show its age quickly. I've only had the BS100 for about 8 hours so I don't know about it yet.

As far as crown position goes, I think I prefer the 4:00 crown. It feels more comfortable.

Loser: TBD

Round 7: Crown

Speaking of the crown, wow, until I got the MM300, I didn't know what a real crown should feel like! It's smooth as butter and so incredibly sound. I love it. The BS100 also has a great crown feel. The U1 feels rough and like I might at some point slip the threads.

Loser: U1

Round 8: Time keeping

The U1 has lost 12 seconds in 2 weeks. Less than -1s/day. The MM300 has gained ~7-9s/day since I got it. Like I said, I only just got the BS100, but ceebee, the person who sold it to me, said it's within 1s/day.

Loser: MM300

Round 9: Movement

I'm no movement expert but as far as I can tell, the U1 and BS100 both use ETA movements, correct? The U1 uses a ETA 2824-2 while the BS100 uses the 2836-2. Also, as far as I can tell, the U1 has a top grade while the BS100 has an elabore grade, correct? The MM300 has a 8L35 which is an undecorated Grand Seiko. So, by the numbers, the MM300 should win. But it's the worst time keeper of the bunch, so what gives there?

Anyway, based on the movements in the watches, not on their performance...

Loser: BS100 (Again, I'm no movement expert so correct me on this one!)

Round 10: Bracelets/straps

The MM300 has a much maligned bracelet, but I've found it perfectly comfortable. It seems easily scratched but that's what you get with SS. The U1 has a very nice tegimented bracelet but the clasp is hard to open relative to the MM. The BS100 has an ISOfrane. The best rubber I think you could get. However, both the U1 and MM300 have rubber straps included and in my mind the extra versatility wins out over the ISO in the BS100. But my BS100 came with a smokin' hot orange ISO so...

Loser: push, TBD

Bonus round: What did I reach for without thinking when cleaning up???

Guess before you read on!








The MM300.

I was shocked that the MM300 was the watch I reached to put on. Honestly, I was. What does that mean for me? Nothing yet and maybe nothing at all because it was the watch I was wearing all day so it's probably just that. I'll give the BS100 as fair shake over the next few days and revisit.

Thanks for reading!

[arutlosjr11]

Great read. Do remember that the movement in the BS100 has been adjusted by a master watchmaker in 5 positions, which gives it it's killer timekeeping.

As far as the lack of a lumed pip, they have since changed that. My bs300 came with a lumed bezel.

I'm sure you'll make the right choice as they are all winners!

[torifile]

Do the new BS100's get the lumed bezel? It's not a big thing but definitely stood out to me as I was doing the comparisons.

[Spring-Diver]

Great idea, this going to be fun....popcorn is ready

Cheers
Shannon

[Ottovonn]

Just keep all of them, man!

Also, my 12 year old MM300. I say it's aged quite nicely.

[ManMachine]

Glad that I don't have your problem Surprised to hear that the AD you got doesn't have a lume pip - wonder if owners of these could get an improved version, or if newer BS100s would have full lume bezel like the new 300 got.

Anyway, since all three are great, I'd say keep the two that are the best of its respective brands.

[Hamsik]

thanks for nice posting!!I think all these watchs are very great.If i should sell one, maybe it is AD.ps. MM has GS movement, but accuracy is hell!! it's so nonsense

[torifile]

This may just be my sleepless self talking but this morning I'm leaning towards the previously assumed shoe-in getting the boot - selling the U1! It occupies a difficult spot in this discussion if I'm talking about keeping two watches. If one aligned the watches on a continuum from tool to dressy, it's obvious what would go at the far ends. The U1 is between the BS's tool look and the MM's dressiness, if that makes any sense. If I'm going to get 2 unique divers out of all this, it's best for me to pick the ones at the far ends of the continuum and the U1 is right in the middle.

It would also be the easiest for me to replace cheaply if I decided to - I have a very good friend who goes to Frankfurt often for work and would be able to buy direct from the factory store. I could possibly buy a new one for less than I would sell this one for due to the very favorable exchange rate!

Anyway, those are my thoughts this AM before my coffee. what am I wearing right now? The BS.

[Klesk]

I agree with your thinking, that you should get 2 ends of the continuum but I disagree with your conclusion. I think the Aquadive and MM300 are similar in their look and intent - the AD by design, the MM300 just by being around so long. I see the AD and MM300 at one end, the U1 at the other. So, for me, it would be the Sinn and either the AD or MM300. The MM300 is classic, well, because it IS classic. Also, the dollar is not going to pick up against the yen any time soon, if ever, so the MM300 is only going to get more expensive and more difficult to get. My opinion (for what little it's worth ): the Sinn U1 and Seiko MM300, no question.

BTW: one of the coolest post titles ever. How could I not read it?

[nam6869usmc]

l. Dress, Vintage, & top notch quality > the BS100 stay...