Reply With QuoteSinn 356. 38mm, £960. Lovely classic dial.
Picture : Chronomaster
Hi,
Could anyone help me with this?
I am looking for a mechanical chronograph watch that meets the following criteria:
1. Smallish: say between 38-40 mm
2. Black or very dark dial
3. Good legibility
4. Good chronograph readability
5. Has an hour totaliser
6. Not overly expensive, say under GBP 5000.
I have been looking at several brands, but the key problem is that most are quite big. Any help would be appreciated.
Born
Sinn 356. 38mm, £960. Lovely classic dial.
Picture : Chronomaster
:shock:6. Not overly expensive, say under GBP 5000.
For that you can get a Daytona on SC.
iwc 3706
Breguet Type XX?
356 or 3706 were my thoughts. An older Breitling Chronomat would also fit - mine's 39mm I think.
Or perhaps an older Zenith - Rainbow Flyback, or a Prime.
I can't think of anything new though.
Some chronos from the Blancpain Leman range may fit the bill, but may be over budget (new)
Zenith Class Sport:
You may as well have said "but, must be less than a million quid" :shock:Originally Posted by Born T
Breguet Type XX for me too, given that sort of money.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
My Zenith El Primero Rainbow is 42mm and was under £1500, used, from a dealer ( Austin Kaye) - has a Zenith in-house movement unlike all the modified ETA 7750 jobs - and is available in black. Bracelet is superb and comfortable.
Cheers
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Thanks very much for all your suggestions.
Having seen the pictures of some of the watches suggested, I have decided that a straight military/sport type (e.g. Sinn, IWC) is not for me; there will be very few occasions for which such watches are suitable (I don't even have a single pair of jeans in my wardrobe!). A casual-formal style will probably suit me better.
The Breguet Type XX Transatlantic seems a good choice, but the hour counter is eclipsed by the date window in such a way that it jeopardises the readability at around 5-7 hrs. The Aeronavale is more legible, but I'm not sure I like the painted (plastic?) hands. I prefer the metal hands of the Transatlantic.
Blancpan Leman seems the best choice, and is my favourite, but it will probably cost me over GBP5000, I think. :cry: I will have to investigate further....
All IWCs are too big (42+ mm), and the Portofino in black is just illegible.
The black Zenith looks great as well, but is it still in production?
Thanks again gentlemen, and let me know if you have more ideas.
Um... we do want photos when you've made your choice. :)
For £5000 you might be able to design your own and have it made? Maybe by a custom watch house.
Cheers
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Look at the prices of mass-produced quality watches nowadays I think that's probably impossible. VC do it but imagine how much they would charge me! Would love to though!
OK, I know this doesn't have an hour totaliser, and not sure whether that is a dealbreaker for you, but this watch here meets all your other criteria and should come in within your budget (just): a Glashutte Original Senator Sixties Chrono - awesome looking piece:
http://www.lussori.com/glashutte-origin ... -8922.html
Edit: gah - just seen it's 42mm (certainly doesn't look that big in the metal - I was drooling over one earlier today) - so scratch that one I guess....
Slightly bigger than 40mm though :wink:
Respect the past, live the present, protect the future
Blancpain Leman Flyback as these are also a lot thinner than many other chrono's and the more expensive bracelets are also very comfortable for those with smaller wrists. You should be able to get a good preowned one for about £3 - £3.5k if you're patient. I've got an old one which is currently away being serviced/refinished so I know how comfortable they are to wear.
Graham
There's been a GP WWTC on the SC for ages at about £3.5k. Over £9k new :shock:
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