Going to get myself a Pilot type watch. Thinking of either a Steinhart 44mm no logo or a Stowa 40mm also no-logo.
The Steinhart comes in at £330 and the Stowa £550. Is there much difference in quality? Does the history matter?
Which one do you chaps think is the better overall choice?
Steinhart:
Stowa:
Thanks.
I have just purchased a 47mm Steinhart, the quality is exceptional.
So given the £220 difference what would you be getting extra with the Stowa apart from a different name ?
Do they use the same movement ? if so, what would you be getting for the extra £220 ?
Also have a look at Archimede, they do a good range and variety of this type of watch.
http://www.archimede-uhren.de/EN/Pilot-family.htm
Pilot H model has no brand on the dial
They both have the same movement; an ETA 2824-2 automatic.Originally Posted by nesima
Added link to my original post for the Archimede watches, have a look at the Pilot H for a sterile dial.
The Archimede is also 42mm, halfway between the Steinhart (44mm) and the Stowa (40mm).
40mm is a little small for a watch of this type in my opinion, and a little small for a man's watch.
what size do you prefer?
that´s the point,if you like big suckers & money matters take the steini!
hagwe
Go for the Stowa. It's got more history and is one of the original b-Uhren brands.
The smallest watch I have is a Strela at 39mm, a really lovely watch but too small for me really, I still wear it on occassions as I love it and I have it
on a gorgeous 9 band bracelet.
I am not a small chap, XXL can be a bit small and I am well over 6' and 'big boned' as they say.
42mm is about the smallest size watch that looks right on me, I have some nice dive watches that size.
I have a 44mm Gagarin that really fits me, and now we have the 47mm Steinhart, which is a big watch but once you get used to the size, does not
stand out as big. I wear it quite loose as otherwise the IWC Big Pilot style crown can dig in the back of my hand, when you are doing heavy work.
I think a Pilot watch is supposed to be big, that is the style for instant and clear reading of the time, so if you are undecided between two sizes I would go for the bigger of the two.
Stowa were one of the suppliers of watches to the Geram air force during the war, so from a historical perspective and the fact that they are still made on a small scale in Germany, I would go with the Stowa. Also they provide faultless customer service and after care.
I'm loving messing around with my new camera! :D
I have an airman 40mm from Stowa- just a gorgeous watch. Mrs Goat rarely wears anything else. I have visited the factory and met them. Every good thing you hear about these folks is true in my experience.....I hear the archimede is also good, but I'll stick with Sowa,thanks I also have their Seatime watch and will look to add a marine original at some point.
Great little watches!!
Goat :D
Go Stowa, they produce quality items at good prices. The customer service is also on a par with their product. If you want something a little larger, they have a replacement lined up for the short lived FO which will have their own Durowe handwinding movement (based on a Unitas) with centre seconds. Be prepared for a long, long wait thought :cry:
Neither,
I know it's not really much help, but it would have to be one of these for me :D
Thanks
Paul
They both look like a Timex or Pulsar Quartz from Argos to me.Neither,
I know it's not really much help, but it would have to be one of these for me :D
Thanks
Paul
:roll:They both look like a Timex or Pulsar Quartz from Argos to me.Neither,
I know it's not really much help, but it would have to be one of these for me :D
Thanks
Paul
You've obviously had a look up close, then. This is a typical pilot's watch size; German navigator and observer watches were larger but much more uncommon. Pilots obviously had better eyesight than the average semi-blind consumer of today!
Anyway, huge, cheap watches are what Argos specialise in, aren't they? :lol:
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Stowa for me, because its not too big, but I would have a smaller Steinhart.
You could always be a little different and go the Tourby route...
Phil
It all depends, do you want the real thing or second best? Stowa wins all the time for me, I really like Steinhart, but is it really a watchmaker building it or a person who builds watches?
I would go with the Stowa.
+1 for the Stowa!
It is an assembler, not a designer. Nothing wrong with the quality, for the money, popular with people who like Really Big Watches. The Steinhart/Debaufre bother leaves me a bit cold, though.
Or, go with a cheap Timex. Here's a picture of one I found earlier ;)
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
44mm Steinhart is the way to go. The Stowa sits very low and seems small, imo at least.
Had one for a little while but sold it, and got the Tourby Fleiger pictured below.
I went, and waited, for the Stowa. It was worth it. It's got the heritage, those blued hands, and the incredible lume, which always makes me smile even during the day. The only thing it lacks IMO is a solid case back, which I don't think Stowa offer.
Other than that I like the look of the Archimede, which is off the shelf, 3 or 4 :?: different sizes and solid case back option.
A testament to both watches is how rarely they come up on SC.
The Sinn 656/556 are more modern pilot, but nonetheless for it. 556 is on my wish list.
Nothing wrong with the Timex lookalike - correct size for the type, go for the 656. A lovely little copy, not anywhere as good as the real deal Timex, but you do get all that Sinn/Fricker soap opera as a backstory.
If money is not a problem, I would go for the IWC Big Pilot watch. IWC is one of the original five companies that produced watches for the German Air Force, so if you can afford it, go ahead and get an IWC. If not, then go for a Stowa. I even tried out the Ticino Big Pilot, a great watch, but crown dug a little bit in my wrist. This is just my opinion. Thanks and take care.
Why not one of our host's best... the Speedbird III.
Some great pilot pics in this thread. Great that the Archimede watches comes in all those different sizes - something for (almost) every one.Or, go with a cheap Timex. Here's a picture of one I found earlier ;)
I like the watch above. It has always been one of my favourite ....ahem....Timex watches. Without the date, it would have been perfect. Just my opinion ofcourse.
Cheers everyone,
Lots of good suggestions, not sure about spending £7,000 on an IWC makes sense when I was asking about 2 watches for £550 and £320!
Not heard of Tourby watches, but I have now so thanks. Another watch manufacturer for me to look at. Not sure I want a Pilot from them but this movement is lovely:
Also, why are people referring to Sinn as Timex. I love Sinn watches - 556, 756, U1. Are they not held in high regard here?
Think I'll go with the Steinhart, but not 100% sure yet....
I do like the Speedbird III, but the date window kind of ruins it for me. I do like the original, but I'm thinking they are kind of dificult to get hold of now? Anyway that would be in addition to the Steinhart/Stowa.
Cheers People.
Tourby look good:
http://www.tourbywatches.com/shop/catal ... hop_param=
Room for abit of customisation and they have good reviews. Current models are all manual wind but they have auto coming out this year. They also seem to be introduting a marine classic which looks great.
I'd go with the Steinhart. They are of excellent build quality, and their customer service is second to none.
It's also half the price, leaving the remaining budget to be spent on another watch!
Sounds like a good idea to me.
Another vote for the Steinhart, at 44mm it's still wearable on a slim wrist.
The straps on the steinhart are very good as well.
Go for the Stowa, history and great company to deal with too. When I needed some strap changing tools for my Prodiver they simply said "don't worry we'll send you some".
It's a little small for someone enormous, granted, but as a blanket statement that cannot possibly be true.
Originally the B-Uhrs were 55mm in diameter. Anything less than that is "smaller" and all you've got to argue about is the degree to which it's smaller, which isn't much to get excited about.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
I would have to agree with Steinhart, although I have heard very good things about Stowa I have never handled one. I had a 44mm Nav-B and was really impressed with the quality and craftsmanship at that price. The lume was very bright! For their price point you can't go wrong.
Steinhart 47mm
I hesitate to suggest it, but have you considered a Dievas Vortex?
It's not strictly a pilot, probably more a cross between pilot/diver/tactical I suppose (whatever those terms really mean).
A *little* bit over your budget at $880 but not ridiculously so. But it certainly looks like good value, so much so that I have one on order.
I've not had a Stowa and believe they are nice. It'd have to go a long way to beat the Steinhart Nav.B-Uhr II that i have though.
The 44mm version used to belong to Gasgasbones of this parish. Serial number 0002, it was bead blasted, had the lume aged and gained the 'aged' strap seen on it here. I usually dress it in a DiModell Tornado though.
Of course, i'm biased. I sold this particular example and missed it so much, i bought it back a few months later. I love the unmarked dial and it's big enough but not too big. Always draws favourable comments and questions. I love it and would highly recommend a Steinhart, quality! :wink:
Just reflecting on this because there are several arguments going on at pil-mil forums here and there about the "worth" of Steinhart. In essence, if the history "mattered" full stop, no other manufacturer would be in business, so obviously it doesn't. Whether it matters to you is entirely a different question.
I like the Stowa watch but not the price or the silly wait. If the OP must have a watch from an original manufacturer, look at Laco. The factory often has watches in stock and there are several approved online retailers. Prices are lower than Stowa (hey, that rhymes!).
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Here is my favourite pilot watch
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