When new releases don’t get your pulse racing….

scapa · Jun 28, 2023

64Wing
@M'Bob

I thinks that's a good way to look at things. Finding myself in the same boat. Sure, there are pieces I've wanted for a long time and still want, but the lack of anything that really shook up my want list just allows me to keep reaching for the aforementioned long-time desires.

I'm not crazy enough to burn cash on the still-inflated GMT II prices (though, I want one).

Thought maybe the Accutron Astronaut reissue would be fun, but the more I looked at it, the less I cared for the lugs.

I prefer the prior iteration of the Navitimer, so no risk of spending on one of those anytime soon. At least, in so far as that I don't want one badly enough to go through the process of finding one.

Then I thought: perhaps an IWC chronograph. But, my flieger is just as eye-catching and a well-trusted companion. The IWC would realistically end up riding the watch box more than my wrist.

I thought: maybe some of the "micro brands" have something to scratch the itch. Didn't find anything there either.

I know! How about a Nomos?!....or I could have a well drilled at my place and the pressure tank replaced at my parents place.

Is this what adulthood really is? Just a bunch of: "I could do this or that... it'd be awesome. But I'll just do this safe thing instead." 😜

This is a terrific post. Sums up my peripatetic watch acquisition process elegantly.

I've gone off some of the main players. Partly it's availability, or pandering, or pricing, or the apparent cynicism of some releases -- "Look! The watch you paid 5k for three years ago, in a new colourway, for only 8k!"

I find myself much more interested these days in vintage or more niche pieces that bring something interesting to the table in terms of design, materials, presentation, even story. I've picked up a few older classic Longines and Sinn pieces, which are wonderful, and still plausibly priced, along with an unloved Cartier and a few other small-scale trade pieces. One in, one out, and focusing on interest and personality.

The only new piece I'm planning on isn't from Omega but has a connection to an Omega non-purchase. A consolation prize as it were for the long sad Snoopy saga.

I came to these forums originally because I inherited a 60s Seamaster DV and was looking for info on it. Then fell in love with the Omega back catalogue and a few of their new pieces.

Now I've moved on all the Omegas I bought since with the exception of the FOIS, which I still think of as one of the great modern Speedies. I'd be delighted to be moved by another modern Omega -- but it ain't this latest crop.

Togri v. 2.0 · Jun 28, 2023

I generally think the torrent of new watches by many of the brands are too much but then again, I am not the target audience and know nothing about selling watches.

Omega and Breitling both strike me as brands where it’s like someone throws a fragmentation granade from time to time and all the fragments flying off in different directions are the new watches.

A couple of weeks ago I took myself in being disappointed that Glashütte Original had only released two or three new watches this year. Then I thought for two seconds and came to the conclusion that that is one of the reasons why is like them so much. I know that they are a very different company than Omega both in scale and approach but it is way less exhausting that the trillion fragments from Omega.

When that is said I quite like to colour of the new PO. I would never buy it but it is not ugly.

flw · Jun 28, 2023

pdxleaf
I'm kindof hankering after this 39mm Zulu

This is exactly the model that's next on my list. I keep going to the website and staring at the screen till my eyes glaze over.

DougPhx · Jun 28, 2023

M'Bob
There’s something always fun as a watch hobbyist when the new releases finally drop during a particular year.

But when they don’t float your boat, are you more disappointed…or relived that you don’t have an itch that needs to be scratched?

For me: This year’s group leave me underwhelmed. So, 70% happy I’m saving money, 30% wishing there was something I had a mad hankering for. You?

90% relieved I won’t be tempted to spend more money.

sheepdoll · Jun 28, 2023

New watch models?

I am still trying to play catch up with the old vintage models. There are too many gaps in the collection. I think the newest watch I own is 25 years old. Although I only got it two weeks ago.

texasmade · Jun 28, 2023

Watches are more of a secondary hobby for me so even if new releases are really cool like Omega in 2022 or pretty mehhh in 2023, I'm still not really buying anything. I don't want to have a watch collection of 20 watches with only 3 getting worn. Now, I'm really only interested in special watches (Snoopy, JB 60th, 321 Speedmaster) or odd shape watches (Cartier Tanks).

Other brands that have really nice releases that I would love to buy are generally out of my price range.

scottychocolates · Jun 29, 2023

90% disappointed. My wife and I were ready to purchase our next Omegas and, since we decided they should be Seamasters, we were waiting with bated breath for the 75th anniversary release. We hoped for sure Omega would use it as an opportunity to refine an already great product that, while technologically and quality-wise was fantastic, suffers from unrefined case dimensions. Surely if Omega is trying to nip at Rolex's heels and move upmarket, they'd focus on refining their designs and making certain models less bulky / more svelte right?

Wrong. They continue to ignore the gaps in their catalogue and the need to slim down SOME of their models. It makes sense for a Planet Ocean to be a big, serious, bulky deep sea dive watch. That is part of its identity. But the SMP 300M? That's always been a smaller, slimmer, more elegant diver. Now it's a big hulking thing like the PO. The Seamaster 300? Also still pretty chunky and although it's technically 1mm smaller than the SMP, it's got a wider lug width... why? And instead of releasing an SMP GMT, we get a bizarrely proportioned AT world timer? The juxtaposition on that watch between the stunning dial design and the grotesque case dimensions is the perfect analogy for where Omega stands right now.

Overall, I'm only 10% relieved that I won't be wasting money. Mostly I'm just disappointed that my favorite brand is trying to move toward Rolex price territory without the refined design language that such a move requires.

josiahg52 · Jun 29, 2023

I just disagree on your assessment of the current Seamaster. I was ready to be overwhelmed but when I tried it on and after six, almost seven, months of wear, it's a great watch. The size issue is absolutely and completely and utterly overblown. Taking my own measurements and comparing them to the vaunted ref. 2254.50.50, for example, borne that out.

padders · Jun 30, 2023

The SMP is now noticeably bigger than the 2531 and 2254 originals, you can’t really argue otherwise but it’s still wearable. I have both. Yes it’s now pretty similar in dimensions to the original 42mm PO, the 2201.50 which is a shame but the current PO and for that matter SM300 heritage are larger still due to the choice of the 8900 base movement which is a bit of a beast.

Don’t be fooled by the SM300 supposedly being narrower than the 42mm SMP, on the wrist it feels much bigger. The reason is the case shape. It’s like how the 38mm straight lug Speedy becomes the 42mm Pro when the case is treated to twisted lugs. It’s the same with the heritage. You’d end up with a 44-45mm twisted lug model based on the SM300 straight lug case. It’s bigger despite seeming smaller on paper, hence the 21mm lugs.

When new releases don’t get your pulse racing….

scapa

Togri v. 2.0

flw

DougPhx

sheepdoll

texasmade

scottychocolates

josiahg52

padders

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