I will be placing an order for a no logo Flieger Classic, but am a bit torn on the blued hands of this watch. I am strongly leaning towards ordering this watch with black hands instead.
Looking for the forum's opinion on if:
1) This is blasphemous...pilots watches historically have blued hands, it's a signature mark, and a sign of craftsmanship, etc...
2) The actual aesthetic impact of swapping out the blued hands, and whether it will detract from some of the appeal of the Stowa Flieger. I will admit there is something attractive about the very dark Navy, almost black look of the blued hands under certain light conditions (based on pictures I have seen).
Is anyone able to opine on the frequency/light conditions under which the hands look royal blue almost? This is a look that does not appeal to me personally.
I don't own a Stowa w blued hands so I can't comment on that.
Not that I want to steer you away from Stowa, they're beautiful watches and I love mine, but Laco makes a flieger with black hands for $400 less than the Stowa.
Dependent on angle and light condition I tend to say thatnthe hands most of the time look black and/or dark blue. In direct sun light they will shine in a brightly blue.
Here's an older version of a no logo Flieger with hands black coated.
Maybe its due to the angle, i see it everytime / most of the time as blue (ya dark blue if little light, and light blue if in strong light) as long as light is around, when its no light off course it look black.
The logo is very discreet with the light grey colour barley noticeable ( to me anyway ). The blue of the hands is really a dark navy. Will the black hands that you are going to order have the same lume? I am on my third change of strap. It came with black leather, I then put on a brown leather and I recently got the black rubber from them that now comes as standard on the classic sport. I have to say the rubber strap is one of the most comfortable straps I have ever worn and highly recommend it.
Go with what you prefer. Sure, the blued hands are a signature of the STOWA Flieger and are what make the watch special to myself and many others, but all that matters is what makes the watch special to you. The black hands look great and you'll have a more unique piece. If you're on the fence, you may want to ask about purchasing a set of the blued hands on the side, so you have them in case you want to change the black hands out.
I had a beater flieger that had blue hands that were not thermally blued. They were always a bright blue and it wasn't my preference.
I found the Stowa to be much different though, and agree that the hands usually appear dark blue. Only at certain angles or light level do the hands appear bright.
That said, reading the original post I don't think you'd be upset with black hands. And MAY be unhappy with the blued hands. Good luck, it's a great watch!
re: Mike Stuffler's 2801...when first considering a Stowa Flieger years ago, this model was always a favorite. One of the reasons I actually prefer black hands.
I'm going see if Stowa will allow me to purchase the black hands as an extra, and have them swapped into the watch. Then I'll have the spare blued hands in case I like them in person. Should be an easy enough job for any competent watchmaker to change them out later on.
Thanks everyone for weighing in, pics to come whenever it arrives! |>
re: Mike Stuffler's 2801...when first considering a Stowa Flieger years ago, this model was always a favorite. One of the reasons I actually prefer black hands.
I'm going see if Stowa will allow me to purchase the black hands as an extra, and have them swapped into the watch. Then I'll have the spare blued hands in case I like them in person. Should be an easy enough job for any competent watchmaker to change them out later on.
Thanks everyone for weighing in, pics to come whenever it arrives! |>
I like blue, but black would be cool, too. I say go for it.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
WatchUSeek Watch Forums
22.5M posts
576.4K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to watch owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about watch collections, displays, watch winders, accessories, classifieds, and more! We welcome all manufacturers including Casio G-Shock, OMEGA, Rolex, Breitling, Rolex and Tudor, Seiko, Grand Seiko and others.