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A long time ago I was a member of (and worked for) an ISP with a community forum-like system. There were many meetups and we identified each other by walking into the pub while holding up a sign up CD.Originally Posted by magirus
A member here from Abingdon once asked if anyone locally had a Voyager they might be able to show him as he was thinking of buying one. By chance I was dropping the bairn off at Uni in Oxford that weekend and staying in Abingdon, and we arranged to meet in a pub for a natter and perusal. "How will I know you?" he asked. "I'll be the only person in the pub wearing a Damasko" I replied. Worked a treat. I doubt anyone else in there had even heard of Damasko, never mind be wearing one. A little like being in a private club and wearing a discrete badge.
F.T.F.A.
A long time ago I was a member of (and worked for) an ISP with a community forum-like system. There were many meetups and we identified each other by walking into the pub while holding up a sign up CD.
Breitling Aerospace
My choice too.
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
Grand Seiko SBGN007.
I get asked relatively frequently whether it is a Rolex. Which I think is because people can tell it's high quality and they associate Rolex with that.
The watches I have or have had thatstand out and qualify me as WIS are my BLNR and my AP RO 15300.
Before these examples are brought into question there has to be an appreciation of when they were purchased.
Currently many would argue they don't count but both have been (to a degree) less popular in times gone by than they are now.
Anonimo...
Tutima...
Eberhard & Co.
& lastly, a Fortis.
I pretty sure these all qualify as WIS watches, left out my Bremont as it's too contentious, ha-ha.
Glycine...
Last edited by Nealywheelie; 24th April 2022 at 10:37. Reason: Added watch.
I was going to say flightmaster as well, a well known brand but not often seen and has looks only a WIS would love. It’s the watch other watch lovers comment on at work or in the pub.
For new watches, as already said it really has to be a watch that is not easily available in high street shops and to obtain one would take a bit of effort and research, not just putting the CC on the sales desk.
Sinn, Fortis, Damasko, Tutima all fit the bill I would say, GS did single out the wearer as a true WIS but I think they are becoming more well known to the general public, they are definitely in more stores now.
Most micro brands would indicate an interest, the recent Synchron has a back story straight out of eastenders and homages a watch that very few people in the watch world know about, this would be a good indication the wearer is not normal. Sorry I mean a WIS.
Last edited by Sinnlover; 24th April 2022 at 10:31.
Breguet pilots watch .
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I think most of mine would qualify but for certain (in my opinion and in decending order of seeing in the wild) -
Schofield Black Lamp
JLC Navy Seals Diver
Zenith Rainbow Flyback
This is probably my 'least likely to be spotted on another's wrist' and I think GS is suitably WIS
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Ploprof.
Sent through the ether by diddling with radio waves
US accent: “Hey, great question!”
It is, though. I’d suggest tuning fork watches: hardly anyone knows what they are, relatively high maintenance, liable to fail irreparably at any time, and hardly anybody can fix them.
I think I have several in my collection which will be recognised only by those in the depths of WISery: Stowa, Moser, Benzinger, Grossmann . . . . .
. . . . . but the one which most fits this thread would have to be . . .
.
Oh, Ok then
But what about other mad electromechanical offerings?
Great thread, OP!
Here's three that come to mind as my 'WIS' watches, in this particular order below.
SeiyaJapan A167-A
Because... Seiya.
Seiko SNE096*
Nope, you won't find this reference in catalogues, it's one I had combined out of SNE095 and SNE097.
Fortis Official Cosmonauts 610.10.11 M
My first 'serious' automatic watch, bought on the 100th anniversary of Fortis, which was a factor together with the connection to the 'famous' Lemania-based chrono.
As for the Polerouter, it's inside the case that's so special:
Carlton-Browne is up to four at the last count.
In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.
Almost anything German.
300m+ Tuna
Anything from Eddie
Oh and a Doxa
A thing of beauty - have you set the "home port"?I'll go with this.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Cheers. I currently live about as far from the coast as is possible in the UK, but do visit seaside spots fairly regularly and have now mastered the art of setting it to the local tide tables. I suppose that emphasises the WISness, a bit like having a watch depth rated to 5,000m and rarely diving below 18m.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Panerai 721. Or 213. Or 243.
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Some nice watches posted in this thread.
Of the watches I own I’d suggest the GS Snowflake, but I think GS are the obvious ‘under the radar’ option.
The first time I wore it to the office a colleague came up to me and seemed excited to see one! Maybe they aren’t as under the radar as I was expecting.
Vostok Amphibia
Apart from an old Citizen and the obligatory G Shock, these are the only watches I own so I’d have to say CWC.
The only time anyone has ever commented on a watch was when I was hanging from a rope on the side of a mountain and was joined on a ledge by a Slovakian climber. He commented on the SKX I was wearing and we had a 5 minute chat about Seiko watches before we parted ways.
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Fair point. I hadn't realised that TBH, I'm not much of a shopper... Though I should have taken their lack of popularity on here as a clue.
Yup a watch only a WIS could love.Vostok Amphibia
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
I would say my CWC Mellor 72. I was asked what watch I was wearing and replied CWC… silence followed and a change of subject.
Any watch which is referred to by its reference, is a WIS watch eg SKX007 or just 007. Or is available on the odd Sunday at 2.00pm for an hour or so.
Nearly any MRG but especially this one.
Mitch
A 600 - definitely a WIS watch, unless you owned it from new when you were a sat diver in the 70`s and wondered why it gets so much attention from weirdos down the pub.
I`d like one, it`s probably the only watch i covet at this time.
Sinn seem a popular choice..
For me, I guess it is the PRS9; very niche - hand wound, vintage looks with a "nerdy" back story ;-)
A
Haven't seen another of these in the wild, or anywhere else for that matter
Thanks Jason. This watch says many things, but you need to be in the know to recognise them!
Last edited by Scrubnut; 24th April 2022 at 16:58.
Ulysse Nardin, one of the most important watch brands no one has ever heard of. Beloved of almost every navy on the planet, pushing the boundaries of material science in watchmaking and constantly refining existing complications or inventing new ones I really struggle to understand why they are so unknown… well their design is probably why although it’s become slightly more mainstream lately. Hopefully the recent management buyout will lead to a renaissance of awareness for the brand..
Owning one signifies a person of knowledge, taste and WIS-ardry.. here’s one of mine.
Casio F-91W, on a NATO strap
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Has to be one of Eddie’s. I’ve never seen one on anyone else’s wrist (apart from the photos on here).
Don't be so hard on yourself!
I think you fell over with your first comment (given the current norm).
As to your question, none of my watches would be marked as WIS. I buy what I like, which so far has been mainstream brands (albeit Oris wasn't that mainstream when I started 15 years ago).
It’s hard being this humble.Don't be so hard on yourself!
Probably this one from my current collection. To the non-WIS the 4500V looks like any three hander with date. Though the blue may give it away…
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Damasko DS39, Heuer 510.503 and a Black Series Seiko Turtle. All 3 I have never seen out in wild other than on my wrist.
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The one that strikes up the most conversation and always has with me is a Speedy.
As I cannot say that, I am a pretty big Sinn, Damasko & GS fan. Suppose these from my current crop.
Dornbluth, Sinn and Tunas seem like safe bets. SKX007 as the WIS starter watch :)
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You've had all them?
No, sadly not! My mistake - I'd forgotten the "in your collection" bit.
Tuna and 007 only for me. Often a Gas Gas Bones strap on the 007 for a few extra points.
Actually, Seiko Cocktail Time pre-UK release (without the Pressage logo) might count too?Sent from my SM-G973F using TZ-UK mobile app
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
i second that. God awful but brilliant
Interesting thought.. I reckon my Seiko SLA033J1 Willard . Only watch nerds seem to know about them otherwise they are just a squashed Seiko to joe public .
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Last edited by Stilgoe1972; 24th April 2022 at 20:41.
I never understood the interest in these.Interesting thought.. I reckon my Seiko SLA033J1 Willard . Only watch nerds seem to know about them otherwise they are just a squashed Seiko to joe public .
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More of a Film nerds choice, surely?
M
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Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
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