Well.. what do we think of this then?....
I've been using a "Watch Steward" on my SKX007 for ages and just realised today that the lug size is the same. Most comfortable strap EVER with its elastic webbing. I hate the bulk of NATOs and this solves that. Downside? Not any more secure than a standard strap but you DO get to still enjoy that display case back.
You can barely tell you're wearing the watch with this one. The textured strap material looks great against the knurling!
Last edited by JohnnyE; 9th May 2019 at 11:40.
I'm definitely in for a GTG as there are lots of people I really enjoyed chatting about watches with that I would really like to meet. And it's a brilliant way of figuring out how the Marine Chronometer Company can actually continue to make watches that people really like. Even small things, like logo size, floating or screw down crown, nato/rubber straps etc.
As you might have been able to tell from my appearance in a couple of my last news items, https://marinechronometer.co.uk/index.php/news, I'm currently getting though a bit of what happens to most middle-aged men at some stage (not mid-aged crisis, but things not being quite as jump-back-up and get-back-on-it as you would like). Not overly sure how long this will last, but hopefully not for too long.
At last I’ve joined the club and am proud owner of no 154. I had the pleasure of meeting Lorne a few weeks ago when I placed the order but unfortunately am overseas this week so had to send the long suffering Mrs Draft to Lorne’s salubrious corner of SW London to pick it up. Now I have to wait 36 hours until I get to handle and wear it- have to say I’m excited!
Here’s a quick pic, revealing that mine has a unique feature that no other FEs currently have...
Roman numerals?
The middle sub dial is different
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I believe that's the first time I've ever noticed 8 rendered as "IIX". (Apologies if that's already been mentioned on every page of this thread)
The latter!
If I’m wearing a normal 3-hander I always keep it set to GMT/BST. If it has a rotating dive type bezel I keep the bezel on 11 o’clock. Obviously if I’m wearing something with a GMT hand then that shows CET/CEST.
So Lorne kindly pandered to my whim and after application of heat and gentle persuasion his watchmaker has fixed my bezel accordingly.
Now I’m wondering whether to have the same done to my Explorer 2...
You've reset your chrono hand to zero while the rest of us leave it at 7-8 minutes to avoid setting Lorne offOriginally Posted by draftsmann;5118309
Here’s a quick pic, revealing that mine has[B
Drop me a PM with your nearest town/city and I'll add you to the owners map: https://marinechronometer.co.uk/inde...e-in-the-world
I'm not sure if it's highly persuasive or not, but VIII has too much vertical stuff that means it isn't an 'instant read' for the brain. I know the Romans used it for 8, but given a couple of hundred more years I think they might have adopted IIX as altogether better. Anyway, it's a unique feature that no one else appears to have adopted.
If anyone tells me I can’t have a certain thing in a watch it just makes me want it more. Nothing worse than a watch snob!
Still my first choice every weekend...
I blame Lorne for spoiling my watch hobby. There is simply no point in buying 90 percent of the other watches out there now!
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No 154 on one of its islands- only one on Malta (so far!)
No 154 on my other Island...
That’s so sad. At least he left his legacy behind in his wonderful watches.
RIP Lorne.
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Oh that is shocking to hear, Lorne was a great guy. I was lucky to speak to him on the phone a few times and bought one of his fantastic watches early this year as a result. A gifted and passionate engineer.
For someone I never met, this hits hard. RIP Lorne.
I’m shocked and saddened to read this. I had the privilege of meeting Lorne at his home earlier this year when I ordered my Offshore Professional, which I love and was wearing this weekend. An accomplished yet humble gentleman. Condolences to his family.
Oh my god, that's terrible news. RIP Lorne :(
Sorry it’s taken me a while to find the words but felt I should pass on the news. May Lorne rest in peace and my condolences and thoughts are with his family. Few even knew he was ill. I will think of him whenever I wear his watch, which remains one of the most important pieces in my collection.
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Absolutely shocked..Met Lorne in January, when collecting my watch.
A real gentleman with a passion for getting it right..
I'll wear the watch in memory
Very sad indeed.
Not many of us can say we went out and built a watch.
That is really sad. I only knew Lorne through his posts on here, which I really enjoyed. I hope to see a large number of his watches on this coming Friday thread.
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This is very sad news indeed, my thoughts are with Lorne’s family at this time.
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I'm glad this was posted as I've just seen it on LI.
Can't quite believe a guy so full of life has gone. His story is incredible, the watches being, as well we know, extremely well made and thought out, but only part of his engineering prowess and interest.
Keep your OSP's well good people, and rest in peace Lorne.
I had a few messages with Lorne ,proper decent bloke ,really shocked
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Awful to learn this today. Clever, warm, and amusing guy who will be missed by many.
Thoughts with his nearest and dearest.
Went to edit my earlier post to correct a typo but it got deleted.
We are lucky to have known Lorne. A true gentleman.
Only last week, he emailed me with instructions on what to do regarding his website. As ever, joking and laughing, remarking on the irony of being home with days to go... And sitting there doing his tax!
He had plans for more models. A GMT travellers watch in the same unmistakable style. Designed with minute detail all thought out, all based on his own travelling needs as an offshore/sub sea engineer.
I'll keep my OP Field Engineer with pride. Much more than just a watch. A life story. One for the Friday thread as said above.
Respect is due and rest in peace. A legacy to leave for all who enjoy horology.
This is very sad news, my thoughts are with his nearest and dearest.
There is something inherently commendable and coolly competent about someone who feels there isn't a watch that meets his design brief, so he simply gets on with getting one made, and does so with such aplomb.
RIP Lorne
Dave
Very sad news. I never met or spoke to him but had a huge amount of respect for what he achieved and for his technical knowledge. RIP Lorne.
I will mirror the comments already made, Lorne was a real gent when dealing with him before, when collecting the watch and afterwards. I knew that he wasn't a well man but he seemed quite happy with his lot and didnt complain when I met him.
A very great shame and loss and proves again that we should all live our lives to the full.
Keith
I’m totally shocked and deeply saddened by this news. During the process of acquiring Field Engineer #131 I had many exchanges with Lorne but never managed to actually meet him (despite multiple invitations from him to sample ‘the best coffee in London’!)
As the message from his family indicated, I like others had no idea he was unwell.
My heart goes out to his family and friends - they have lost a gentleman and a man of extraordinary talent and vision.
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 13th September 2019 at 07:04.
Truly sad to hear - I’ve been following this thread and Lorne’s watchmaking progress. He came across as a true enthusiast. Rest In Peace.
In memory of a real gentleman, today I'm wearing Field Engineer No.67 bought personally from Lorne at his home on 08th August 2014, it looks as good today as it did then.
We shared many an email afterwards and he even tried to help me find work, bless him.
His passion for his family, watches, cars, life and coffee was abundant he was a genuinely lovely person and will be missed by many.
I, like many had no idea Lorne was poorly.
RIP Lorne and condolences to your family
How exceptionally sad. I didnt know Lorne personally but always enjoyed reading about his endeavours. My condolences to all who knew him.
terrible news, always admired his creations and mean to try one some day. rip.
ktmog6uk
marchingontogether!
I just was informed of Lorne's passing last night. I'm so so sad to hear this news! I knew that he was battling cancer, but I had no idea that he was so critical. I had just exchanged e-mails and shipped him a couple of straps at the end of August! Andrea and I are both so distressed. He was a good man and I really enjoyed working and chatting with him over the past nearly 2 years. I had not had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but we had exchanged many kind e-mails over these years and I'm very sad to think that our correspondence and collaboration have come to an end.
My heart goes out to his family and also his watch world family and customers as well.
Lovely to hear from you John - I sent you a message on Instagram when the news broke, but messaging on Instagram is a bit useless it would seem, unless you are following each other.
It looks like #160 was Lorne's last serial number to get dispatched to a customer.
I'm waiting to hear what Wendy wants to do regarding the website, but if you need to chat to her, just send an email to Lorne's address. She's picking them up ok
Oh... and thanks for the WONDERFUL Teju straps that a lucky few of us are enjoying. They are a credit to you.
Last edited by JohnnyE; 15th October 2019 at 00:59.
I can only echo Johnny's comments, it's nice to hear from you John. Your straps are indeed fantastically constructed things. You made a contrast stitching version for my FE which Lorne was particularly pleased with as am I.
Like many of Lornes customers, I was completely unaware that he was ill. I only bought my FE in February and he seemed full of life and enthusiasm in the few chats I had with him. He was one of those rare 'do'ers' who follows his passions and that is infectious. It must be tough for Wendy to decide what is best for the company Lorne created.
My strap experimentation rolls on..... this time, a GasGasBones SPV2. Its my 1st strap from Carl and its a great bit of kit.
Some terrible night time phone pictures:
The case is held similar to a Bund strap - on a sewn in pair of springbars. I went for ths SPV2 as it only has one loop of strap under the case. Keeps the thick case as close to the wrist as possible.
Couldn't help myself.... OP#130. I hope Lorne would have approved, although his firm favourite with these was the curved end leather.
While I'm here - just to say, #160 was the last one made.
Last edited by JohnnyE; 31st January 2020 at 23:31.