Crisis over. Got my despatch confirmation this evening!
Very good news, hopefully be with you tomorrow.
Still waiting patiently here but seems to be getting closer so fingers crossed we hear something by Monday.
Just ordered a new strap for my order; prefer conventional buckles over deployant clasps, particularly on a daily wear.
Yay... it's here.
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Thanks for sharing all of your photos, the watch looks absolutely stunning. Do you find the dial sits close to the crystal? Or at least appears to? I love watches like that. There's a Breitling chrono like that on SC and various Zenith appear the same. For me it looks so much better up close. Must have me a Navigator at some point.
See what Eddie managed to achieve with his Navigator:
Wonderful work.
Brane
Ah, the original, and after a quick comparison, great work indeed Eddie.
Can't wait for mine.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
That's how it looks like, a dial that sits pretty close to the crystal. I even like the way the milky ring of the sapphire covers that dead space on the outside of the dial.
My only concern is with the lug holes, that were placed too high on the lugs IMHO.
Otherwise, a perfect watch.
This is probably the single biggest reason that I love vintage watches so much, and the effect that acrylic crystals have on the ‘floating’ dial. But I find I just bring myself to wear any of my vintage watches regularly for fear of damaging them! Fingers crossed the Navigator can fix that and become my daily wearer. Plus it’s a birthday present from the misses - so thats always goodDo you find the dial sits close to the crystal?
Just need to wait for UPS now!
Last edited by Neil.Ldn; 13th November 2020 at 10:13.
Did no-one buy the ivory dialled version? We needs pics
D
First impressions:
Quality. Really solid, chunky for a 36mm and weighty - excellent heft! It really does feel like a far, far more expensive watch - especially with the new/old Smiths logotype which gives it a understated touch of class. Feels like a proper, serious watch where some new/modern watches I've experienced (coming from someone who is a mostly into vintage, and with a military bent) can feel a bit toy-like.
The dial and hands are perfect - can't fault them.
Casework - really lovely. Lugs are a lovely shape especially when glimpsed from the side. Lug holes are possibly not in *quite* the right place, but it's a very minor point. Crown is perfect. Winding is silky smooth and no wobble in the stem. The dial sits quite high in the case - very good.
Crystal. Something I'm going to have to get used to as I basically don't like anything other than acrylic! But that's a personal thing. Actually the box profile does work with this watch. Lets see how we get on.
I really like it a lot - everything is just kind of 'right' about it. I recently played around with the new "Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer" which is the W10 reissue - and while it is a very nice watch, this feels like a whole level up. Best TF watch I've had yet. Good job Eddie
Last edited by Neil.Ldn; 13th November 2020 at 12:31.
I've just made a note of the timekeeping of mine over the last 24 hours, it hasn't deviated at all! It's still within 1 second.
Attachment 18488Attachment 18489
What a beauty! It’ is a joy to wind the big crown and I am really loving how proud the crystal stands from the case. The deployant is really well done too. The strap is very tough, in time it it will soften up nicely. Not sure if the strap needs the big keeper it’ is kind of getting in the way and hard to position.
Anyone have any pointers on uploading good quality images from mobile?
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Last edited by Nastadon; 13th November 2020 at 17:28.
It's alright I suppose, if you like watches and stuff.
;)
Those black dials really like catching a reflection..
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What strap is this? The texture is great
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Allan is asking what I am thinking too.
First time with mechanical, what is the best daily practice regarding winding this one up?
At my PRS-29AM the winding stops if its fully wound.
I have had the ETA 2801-2 and Sellita SW210 and both watches wind until you come to a stop unlike automatics with hand winding that have clutch that lets you keep winding the crown after the main spring is fully wound. I find that once fully wound I then wind it in the am and the pm, not because it is necessary but because I enjoy winding my watch which is why I much prefer a hand wound watch. You can wind it once a day or if you have like the Hamilton modified 2801 called the H-50 with a 80 hour power reserve then you would only need to wind it every couple of days.
Congrats on your purchase, and I couldn't think of 2 finer examples of a first mechanical watch than the Navigator. If you find that you really like the size and the military/field watch aspect of the Navigator then I would suggest the Smith's Military PRS-29a also available from Eddie at TimeFactor coming back in stock in March 2021. enjoy the watches.
Last edited by kneadking; 16th November 2020 at 08:08.
"The whole purpose of mechanical watches is to be impertinent." ~ Lionel a Marca, CEO of Breguet
Would also add hold the watch firmly in your left hand for winding, not wearing it, sounds obvious but I've seen this asked before and either wind it away from you only, or some prefer a forward and back motion, the latter is what I was taught as a nipper when I got my first watch; in the days before quartz.
Mine is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. I have large wrists and hope the awesome strap that comes on it works for me.
+1sec over past 3 days but since winding (not setting) this morning it is now bang on.
Cheers Eddie.
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The Navigator on my tiny wrist. My sweet spot is around 33x40mm so I'm pushing out of my comfort zone here...
But oh, so worth it. Such a charming case in the flesh. And that box crystal! Character.
Does the movement have a ghost date? I feel a subtle detent when pulling out the crown.
While I didn't think the supplied strap would fit I at least wanted to try it out. However I couldn't figure out how to pass the leather through without mangling it so I didn't even try.
Going with the strap pictured for now. Nothing quite as light and aero as Perlon. It does however make the watch top-heavy and a bit unnerving to take off. If you've worn it, you know what I mean.
The lug hole placement does make one-piece straps sit awkwardly but there could be a good reason for that. Minor gripe.
If you're interested, I started an Instagram account for small watches that fit a bit large on my wrist: @less.than.six
Lastly, thanks Eddie. The Navigator is a winner.
Apparently my Navigator arrives tomorrow
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
I was order number RC24161216. Had the two emails at the time of order. The Sagepay one confirmed the payment was pending. I’ve now checked my bank account and the pending transaction has disappeared. My card hasn’t been debited, either. If it pans out that I’ve missed the cut on this occasion then no problem. Some you win, some you don’t.
My Navigator arrived on Friday. I think it makes a great pairing with my CW C65 Sandhurst.
Last edited by DennisK; 17th November 2020 at 00:24.