Still playing with a possible Speedbird 3

[mindbender]

I don't have the time or patience to read through 10 pages of posts at the moment. I'll certainly review them later. Just know that I am very interested in this watch.

[lurch]

I have a both Ur Speedbird and SpeedbirdII, love 'em both but for different reasons.

SBII improved on the original by moving the minute chapter outwards, spoiled by having text on the dial though. It's the very lack of text that gets the questions asked and, to me, is a mark of confidence in the product. No name required.

SB3 looks good, no text is good for me, as would be 40mm. If you want a smaller one, buy an SBII! One thing though, having owned and sold a Yao Quad 10, personally I think silver/rhodium plated hands look cheap, and you've got to get the dial/crystal/case diameters in the same ratio as SBII or it'll just look fat, like the Quad 10 did to me.

Pen poised over chequebook...

[Stokport]

I'm in for one, too. Looking much forward to the arrival of this one. It'll be my first watch from Eddie. Not a bad watch to start with.

Cheers

Henrik

[TimD]

Re the dial. I'd love for the SBIII to be sterile. Couldn't you print Speedbird and a MKIII underneath but in gloss black paint on the matt black dial? This would only show up when the watch was at certain angles to the light but during normal use would be in stealth logo mode.

Cheers,

Tim.

P.S. Was looking at a MKXV at Heathrow on Monday.

[Crusader]

Re the dial. I'd love for the SBIII to be sterile. Couldn't you print Speedbird and a MKIII underneath but in gloss black paint on the matt black dial? This would only show up when the watch was at certain angles to the light but during normal use would be in stealth logo mode.

Cheers,

Tim.

P.S. Was looking at a MKXV at Heathrow on Monday.

While I am neutral on the dial (would love sterile, but would understand if Eddie wanted his brand name on the dial), the glossy black print on a matte dial is a very elegant and subdued solution. Sinn use that on some of their watches, and it looks just great. A thought well worth exploring, if you ask me. :)

[RAF]

Hello,

SB 3 give a chance to improve on SB 1,so here is mho;

No greenish lume,
Bettter finish for the hands,
Bigger case (your stated 39 mm/20 mm is fine to me)
No void around seconds track.

Best

RAF

[redmonaco]

Hello,

SB 3 give a chance to improve on SB 1,so here is mho;

No greenish lume,
Bettter finish for the hands,
Bigger case (your stated 39 mm/20 mm is fine to me)
No void around seconds track.

Best

RAF

didn't the 'old timers' have a greenish lume though..??

[Crusader]

Hello,

SB 3 give a chance to improve on SB 1,so here is mho;

No greenish lume,
Bettter finish for the hands,
Bigger case (your stated 39 mm/20 mm is fine to me)
No void around seconds track.

Best

RAF

didn't the 'old timers' have a greenish lume though..??

Not only that, the lume intensity of C3 lume is far superior to other lume types, including white. Check out the website of Everest watchworks for a lume intesity comparison, and expect to be cured of anything but C3 lume. :wink:

[abraxas]

.
I think C1 looks better on the watchface.

john

[Crusader]

.
I think C1 looks better on the watchface.

john

Actually I like the contrast provided by C3. :wink:

[RAF]

didn't the 'old timers' have a greenish lume though..??[/quote]

Hello,

Lume can glow green in the dark, no problem, but in day ligth green
look cheap imo.

Best
RAF

[swanbourne]

didn't the 'old timers' have a greenish lume though..??

Hello,

Lume can glow green in the dark, no problem, but in day ligth green
look cheap imo.

Best
RAF[/quote]

To appear white in daylight you have to use C1, which is not the brightest in the dark. I always thought that the purpose of luminous was its performance in the dark, not its appearance in daytime.

Eddie

[rfrazier]

To appear white in daylight you have to use C1, which is not the brightest in the dark. I always thought that the purpose of luminous was its performance in the dark, not its appearance in daytime.

Eddie

The only thing that matters is how intensely it glows in the time it takes to take the picture after turning out the light. ;)



Best wishes,
Bob

[TimD]

I love the green lume. The MKXI had green lume as do both my Speedbirds. I think white lume on the dial looks too austere which is why I'd never buy a Quad 10 or Damasko for that matter.

Cheers,

Tim.

[Crusader]

I love the green lume. The MKXI had green lume as do both my Speedbirds. I think white lume on the dial looks too austere

Spot-on, Tim! :D

I am having the Yao Type 48 dial of my Mark MCXLVIII relumed in C3 precisely because I think, a.o.t., that the original color scheme(green/white/black) is much more fetching than the stark black and white color scheme in the vein of IWC.

[nextcube]

What about a Speedbird 3 with a titanium case (or a Precista PRS-14 for that matter)?

- Michael

[Dave E]

What about a Speedbird 3 with a titanium case (or a Precista PRS-14 for that matter)?

- Michael

Personally I much prefer steel to titanium, I'd rather have a bit of weight to my watches. With the PRS-14, wouldn't a titanium case remove much of the Anti-Magnetic protection and knacker one of the main features of the watch?

[Crusader]

With the PRS-14, wouldn't a titanium case remove much of the Anti-Magnetic protection and knacker one of the main features of the watch?

I don't think so. But an antimagnetic inner case would degrade the stealthy quality of the titanium of not providing a disturbance to outside magnetic fields, but that is no concern in the SB3 (it would be a factor in the U-series of watches).

I believe the Sinn 244 combines a titanium case with an antimagnetic inner case.

[Dave E]

I believe the Sinn 244 combines a titanium case with an antimagnetic inner case.

Ah, good point!

Comments entirely based upon half-remembered things I read on WUS...

[Stokport]

I believe the Sinn 244 combines a titanium case with an antimagnetic inner case.

So does the Bell & Ross Demineur???

Cheers

Henrik

[Crusader]

I believe the Sinn 244 combines a titanium case with an antimagnetic inner case.

So does the Bell & Ross Demineur???

Cheers

Henrik

I wasn't trying to say that the Sinn 244 is unique in that particular combination, just that it was a proof of the concept. I am sure there may be more watches built in the same combination.

What antimagnetic rating does the Demineur have, by the way?

[Stokport]

Don't know about the B & R. Even the homepage doesn't say.

Cheers

Henrik

[Crusader]

Don't know about the B & R. Even the homepage doesn't say.

Cheers

Henrik

Frankly, my hunch is that it is the bog standard 4'800 A/m ... :twisted:

[JohnF]

Hi -

Saw this rather late, but here's my two cents' worth:

I have a lovely 24-hour Elgin WW2 military watch that is drop-dead gorgeous and perhaps is the highlight of my modest collection.

Elgin is marked on the face, but it's glossy black paint on dead flat black face, which means that sure, you can see it, but you really have to look for it.

That might be a very elegant solution for any sort of labelling requirements for this watch: you could put "England" down below the 6 in a glossy black and you'd not intrude, visually, on what would at first glance appear to be a sterile face.

Like I said, just an idea... :-)

JohnF

[Crusader]

Hi -

Saw this rather late, but here's my two cents' worth:

I have a lovely 24-hour Elgin WW2 military watch that is drop-dead gorgeous and perhaps is the highlight of my modest collection.

Elgin is marked on the face, but it's glossy black paint on dead flat black face, which means that sure, you can see it, but you really have to look for it.

That might be a very elegant solution for any sort of labelling requirements for this watch: you could put "England" down below the 6 in a glossy black and you'd not intrude, visually, on what would at first glance appear to be a sterile face.

Like I said, just an idea... :-)

JohnF

I am familiar with John's Elgin, and I can only reiterate that the glossy black print on a matte black dial is both an elegant and inobtrusive solution serving the needs of both the sterile fraction and those proud of the name and the specs on the dial (I am torn between the two positions myself). :)

[a.tan]

Hi Eddie,

It looks like having the right balance, dial, font, case etc. Woth a try.

Regards

Alex

[sundial]

There have been a few posts about sterile dial preferences ... Cartier manage to incorporate their name into one of the Roman dial numerals ... maybe a future PRS model could consider this type of hidden signature ... and what about an 'onion' crown?

Dunk

[abraxas]

... and what about an 'onion' crown?

Dunk

Pardon?

john

[Crusader]

:shock: Onion crown on a Mark-11 homage? :roll: :?

[sundial]

:shock: Onion crown on a Mark-11 homage? :roll: :?

Was a suggestion for a future PRS ... not a Mk XI homage ... and the suggestion for a sterile dial with logo hidden in the numeral (Cartier style) was also for a future PRS ... not a MkXI homage ... it would not work on a black background.

Dunk

[Crusader]

:shock: Onion crown on a Mark-11 homage? :roll: :?

Was a suggestion for a future PRS ... not a Mk XI homage ... and the suggestion for a sterile dial with logo hidden in the numeral (Cartier style) was also for a future PRS ... not a MkXI homage ... it would not work on a black background.

Dunk

Phew, I am relieved! 8) :)

[th6252]

I'm looking at 39mm with 20mm lugs.

Eddie

first time poster, long time lurker here. big fan of your watches eddie.
any updates on this project? is it a go?
i'm really liking the looks of it, especially with a fitted bracelet.

[davide]

Hi and welcome. This is an eagerly anticipated watch :)

[swanbourne]

Welcome to the forum th6252. Yes, it's definitely a goer but I could do with a good oblique and profile shot of the MkXV.

Eddie

[th6252]

Welcome to the forum th6252. Yes, it's definitely a goer but I could do with a good oblique and profile shot of the MkXV.

Eddie

ok, anyone got an mkXV and a good camera? eddie needs some help!

[Steven]

not my site, but here's some shots here :
http://www.minutemachines.com/watches/IWC/MarkXV.html
some older marks
http://www.minutemachines.com/watches/T ... Marks.html

I am still hoping we can keep this one no larger than 38.5mm :)
thanks.

[abraxas]

.
There's a few here but none of them are spot on:

http://www.timetunnel-jp.com/IWC_markXV.html

http://cgi.ebay.de/IWC-SCHAFFHAUSEN-MAR ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/IWC-REF-3253-MARK-X ... dZViewItem

From what I can see, it's (very-very) similar to the PRS-53 ... only it's a tad bigger (39mm?) ... the bezel is a tad higher ... the case a tad thinner but the back drops lower ... and the crown a tad bigger and better made.

john

[swanbourne]

There are quite a lot of differences John if you've got the right pictures. I've been looking for ages but nobody seems to take detailed oblique or profile shots.

I suppose I could always buy the original, which is what I've done with the PRS-17 & 18, CAF and Omega Seamaster Pro GMT plus a couple of others for future projects. It's one way to build a collection. :wink:

Eddie

[cricketer]

There are quite a lot of differences John if you've got the right pictures. I've been looking for ages but nobody seems to take detailed oblique or profile shots.

I suppose I could always buy the original, which is what I've done with the PRS-17 & 18, CAF and Omega Seamaster Pro GMT plus a couple of others for future projects. It's one way to build a collection. :wink:

Eddie

Good idea Eddie, you could start the MkXV pass around club! (put me down for that one :) )

:)

Alan

[thenikjones]

There are quite a lot of differences John if you've got the right pictures. I've been looking for ages but nobody seems to take detailed oblique or profile shots.

I suppose I could always buy the original, which is what I've done with the PRS-17 & 18, CAF and Omega Seamaster Pro GMT plus a couple of others for future projects. It's one way to build a collection. :wink:

Eddie

Good idea Eddie, you could start the MkXV pass around club! (put me down for that one :) )

:)

Alan

£100 per member with a chance to win?

Or £10/member, with the lucky winner taking full pwnership ~2012 :lol:

[Gruntfuttock]

Just out of interest, what is the longest thread on this forum? This one has to be a contender. :?:

[Born T]

Just out of interest, what is the longest thread on this forum? This one has to be a contender. :?:

Thank You Crusader aside, I think mine in Born's Gallery should be up there somewhere; it's longer than this one. :D That's the reason why I keep posting onto just one thread... :D

[nyc_paramedic]

Eddie


I think for it to be successfull it will have to offer somthing extra. Most of the Mk11 homages arround are only hommages, not the real article in terms of spec. If your watch was true to the original spec, ie Antimagnetic (as you have stated), chronometer rated, negative pressure rated crystal, fixed bars, then I think you will have created somthing very special. Anything else and you would just be coveriing old ground.

I have to agree here. But please allow me to introduce myself first:

My name is Nick. I'm new to the forums, but have been browsing them for the last week or two. I'm a paramedic and I have been working in the New York City 911 EMS system for the last ten years. I'm still on the lookout for the perfect professional work watch: high quality steel case, thick saphire crystal, accurate quartz with 7-10 year battery or chronometer grade automatic, a GMT bezel for a second time zone, and last but not least, fixed bars. A decent price is also most welcomed, as it would make this dream watch very accesible to people in my income bracket.

I was considering the PRS 17 and 18 until I realized that the watch has springbars (in the photos they looked fixed) In the past, I heve managed to rip off sprigbars on my watches on more than one occasion during the course of my duties. I can honestly say that EMTs and paramedics can be very brutal on watch wear.

Example: The other day, my partner and I were carrying a 275lb cardiac patient down five flights of stairs. She became slighty nervous on the way down (it's not very pleasent for sick people to be strapped in a stair-chair device and be carried) and shifted her weight trying to grab the hand rail. My left hand (the watch hand) smacked into the concrete wall pretty hard trying to compensate. Now there's a nice fat scratch on acrylic crystal of my Marathon Navigator, and the bezel feels a bit loose. Not too mention the corwn is not screw down, and it's painted brass quickly losing it's color.

Has any discussion ever come up about making a watch for the true professional that incorporates some of the best elements of the best military watches? That would inclued fixed bars of course. Another idea would be to keep the face sterile, or minimal in lower case letter, something to the effect of: "professional 200m".

One can dream though... I would be curious to hear other people's suggestions for a watch like this, especially if the work for EMS, law enforcement or other outdoor or demanding occupations.

Nick

P.S. I was really tempted, for the longest time, to buy a Bell & Ross Professional Type Demineur watch. Minimalist face, great hands, 10 year battery quartz. Alas, spring bars, no GMT bezel, and a 1200 USD price tag. I don't feel like paying for someone's slick marketing and advertising.

[Ron Jr]

Any good watchmaker can solder in fixed bars.

[nyc_paramedic]

Any good watchmaker can solder in fixed bars.

I did not know that. Thanks for the info.

Any recommendations on where to get this type of work done? Could the same said watch maker make a custom bezel? Something along the lines of the Marathon Navigator style with engraved numbers?

[Ron Jr]

[quote=nyc_paramedic]

Any good watchmaker can solder in fixed bars.

I did not know that. Thanks for the info.

Any recommendations on where to get this type of work done? Could the same said watch maker make a custom bezel? Something along the lines of the Marathon Navigator style with engraved numbers?[/quote:366dhdo1]

My watchmaker here on LI would have no problem with the fixed bars. The custom bezel is doughtful but I won't say impossible.

[Crusader]

Bill Yao offers engraved 1-12 custom bezel inserts ... perhaps they can be made to fit other watches, too.

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/

[Gruntfuttock]

Pepe,

Welcome to the forum. I beg to differ with your ideas for the text on the dial of the Speedbird 3. The words 'Automatic' or 'Quartz' are utterly superfluous on any watch. The cleaner the dial, the better.

[Kamraj]

The cleaner the dial, the better.

I second Gruntfuttock's motion.

Kam

[flieger]

Pepe,

Welcome to the forum. I beg to differ with your ideas for the text on the dial of the Speedbird 3. The words 'Automatic' or 'Quartz' are utterly superfluous on any watch. The cleaner the dial, the better.

Can´t agree more.