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Chronograph for a small wrist? Non vintage
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Professor
·Lug-to-lug is still substantial, 47mm, I believe, so probably won't be that good on a smaller wrist due to that.
When I bought a factory refurb Caravel chronograph awhile back the case was over 42mm with extensions that made it even larger. it still rode very nicely on my semi small left wrist, which is undersized due to a childhood injury.
The factor that made it comfortable was that the lugs were turned down , letting the band take a more curved shape.
While I liked the look and feel of that watch I gifted it to a nephew for Christmas. That model has a sub seconds stop watch and the sub dial was way to small and obscured by the hands.
The dial itself was also smaller than it should have been for such a large watch.
The Citizen Eco drive Chronograph I recently got to replace it is a semi vintage styled 40mm and fits my left wrist okay but not as nicely as the larger Caravel.
I've taken to wearing the Citizen on my right wrist. Its actually more comfortable and handy that way than I'd thought it would be.
I'll be reserving the left wrist for my vintage dress watches, from 25mm to 35mm, and when I wear the chronograph it will go on the right wrist.
Only thing I'd change about the Citizen is I'd prefer if the case were thinner, but i suppose there is just too much machinery and electronics inside for a truly thin case.
I can't recommend the Citizen more highly. Its a solid and beautiful high tech watch. The Vendor of these factory refurbed Citizen/Bulova products is a licensed Bulova dealer with a 100% approval rate after years of selling thousands of these watches with zero complaints.
Mine has a deep brown dial with coppery highlights, gold markers and gold crown and pushers. Very nice contrasts .
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerBaltic is superb on customer care. They use Grand Central Watch in the USA. I’m sure they have set up a repair network globally. I had a problem, it was a total of four weeks from my e mail to its arrival back home. Any questions are answered quickly, often by Entienne himself.
I'm not referring to repairs of defects under warranty, but servicing when it's needed. I am familiar enough with Grand Central Watch that I know they aren't cheap...from their web site chronograph servicing starts at $550. That's actually not bad to be honest.
I'm not criticizing the company that makes these watches, or who they may use for repairs. I'm only pointing out the reality that when one of these needs servicing that you as the owner are going to pay for, it's going to be close to what you paid for the watch, if not more. Now if the company is offering maintenance service cheaper that's great, but if so they aren't saying so.
Cheers, Al
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MaxChu2020
·I'm not referring to repairs of defects under warranty, but servicing when it's needed. I am familiar enough with Grand Central Watch that I know they aren't cheap...from their web site chronograph servicing starts at $550. That's actually not bad to be honest.
I'm not criticizing the company that makes these watches, or who they may use for repairs. I'm only pointing out the reality that when one of these needs servicing that you as the owner are going to pay for, it's going to be close to what you paid for the watch, if not more. Now if the company is offering maintenance service cheaper that's great, but if so they aren't saying so.
Cheers, Al
The movements used by Baltic are Chinese (Seagull ST1901 for the bicompax I think) so perhaps that may influence the service costs to be lower depending on where he were to service it of course--perhaps doing some research and sending it to Hong Kong would be considerably less since the movement is prevalent in China.
My thinking is, if you're going to use a seagull movement, might as well buy a seagull branded chronograph or something made by red star...about $300 bucks or so brand new for the same movement. 😀
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Professor
·My thinking is, if you're going to use a seagull movement, might as well buy a seagull branded chronograph or something made by red star...about $300 bucks or so brand new for the same movement.
It depends mainly on whether you like the military styling. I almost ordered one before spotting the great deal on the refurbished Citizen, around 80 USD,less than one third list price, with five year factory warranty.
So far I've seen only high praise for the Seagull 1963. Its a revival of a older Mig Pilot's chronograph.
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MaxChu2020
·The 38mm Seagull 1963 can be found on Ebay new for as little as 180 USD.
It depends mainly on whether you like the military styling. I almost ordered one before spotting the great deal on the refurbished Citizen, around 80 USD,less than one third list price, with five year factory warranty.
So far I've seen only high praise for the Seagull 1963. Its a revival of a older Mig Pilot's chronograph.
Agreed, it's a robust movement and originally swiss (venus) so you're definitely getting bang for your buck 😁
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llvhhui
·Unless you have a watchmaker willing to work for next to nothing, servicing of this would likely be close to, or as much as, a new watch. Just something to keep in mind.
I looked on their web site and there wasn't a section on servicing, and the only reference was in the FAQ's about getting watches "repaired":
Where can I get my watch repaired?
If you have any problems with your watch, please don't hesitate to contact us at the following address: [email protected]
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sonicosa
·Dan Henry 1964 is 38mm and less than 45mm lug to lug:
https://danhenrywatches.com/collect...an-turismo-chronograph?variant=30878531321938
Edit - Wrist shot for reference (7.25”):
Can’t find anything to complain about for $260.
https://danhenrywatches.com/collect...an-turismo-chronograph?variant=30878531321938
Edit - Wrist shot for reference (7.25”):
Can’t find anything to complain about for $260.
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sonicosa
·Now if the company is offering maintenance service cheaper that's great, but if so they aren't saying so.
I have one of Baltic's Bicompax chronographs and have been wondering what will happen when it's time to service it.
I'm hoping Baltic will still exist as company at that point and will be offering service to owners. If that's the case, do you think it's possible they would just replace the movement? I'm assuming that would cost less than paying a competent watchmaker time to service the watch. Doesn't Omega do something similar with the Speedy reduced?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerThe movements used by Baltic are Chinese (Seagull ST1901 for the bicompax I think) so perhaps that may influence the service costs to be lower depending on where he were to service it of course--perhaps doing some research and sending it to Hong Kong would be considerably less since the movement is prevalent in China.
My thinking is, if you're going to use a seagull movement, might as well buy a seagull branded chronograph or something made by red star...about $300 bucks or so brand new for the same movement. 😀
Less expensive movements are not necessarily less expensive to service. These movements would take no less labour to service than any other similar chronograph. There’s nothing unique about this movement, so there’s really no benefit to “familiarity“ as you suggest, but possibly with very cheap labour. In fact to get a less expensive movement running well, it often takes more work than with a higher quality movement.
Most likely the cheapest way of “servicing“ one of these would be to perform a movement swap. But knowing how poorly some of these Chinese movements perform out of the box, that might not be a great solution after all. The fact that these guys out these through multiple quality checks doesn’t inspire confidence...
“As Etienne explained to us in our podcast interview, the movements are QC’d three times by the brand including once in France, making sure they are “good” movements.”
It’s fairly common to find that Chinese movements are poorly lubricated, or not lubricated at all.
If people want to buy these, I’m not suggesting they don’t. I’m only saying that if you become attached, it’s going to cost you quite a lot to service one in relation to the initial cost. They are nice watches, but even doing the work myself I would find it hard to justify buying one, when in a way it is sort of disposable. Even if it is, it’s cheap on an annual basis...
Cheers, Al
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Larry S
··Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.I'm not referring to repairs of defects under warranty, but servicing when it's needed. I am familiar enough with Grand Central Watch that I know they aren't cheap...from their web site chronograph servicing starts at $550. That's actually not bad to be honest.
I'm not criticizing the company that makes these watches, or who they may use for repairs. I'm only pointing out the reality that when one of these needs servicing that you as the owner are going to pay for, it's going to be close to what you paid for the watch, if not more. Now if the company is offering maintenance service cheaper that's great, but if so they aren't saying so.
Cheers, Al
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerAll I can atest to is my experience as an owner of a BiCompax and Aquascaphe. I am impressed by their quality, design and customer care. Long may they thrive.
I hope they thrive too. It’s just a matter that people are going in understanding the potential future costs involved in keeping one of these going long term.
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64Wing
·Could grab an affordable little fun from Lorier.
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YY77
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GuiltunderGlass
·Zenith El Primero is 38mm and channels vintage vibes as it's a reissue
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NT931
·
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Socks
·What about a TAG Heuer CS3111 re-edition. 36mm. Wears quite small on the wrist.
