Hi Josh
A man of impeccable taste I see!
This is mine and has been for the past two years, and my daily. I personally feel it is one of the most stunning watches at any price point. I appreciate you are more into the titanium version - I have tried this on and it wears great and is very light - My fear is it is so light I would always forget it was on ( especially on the rubber strap as it is very comfortable and I have to check if the steel is on sometimes) and I like the original blue as for me it fits the narrative of the watch.
I will try to be as unbiased as possible:
Pros:
- Very comfortable
- Effective in its purpose
- One of the most accurate movements I have owned
- You don’t see it as often and when you are around watch enthusiasts, they will ask questions. Definitely a talking piece although mine sits mainly under the cuff.
- Stunning dial - I frequently catch myself looking at it. Although try not to this in business meetings!
- My opinion is my version wears beautifully up, or down and this can too. I also have a leather strap. I think bracelet and leather strap are great in a suit and rubber for more casual although the rubber is textured which looks more suitable than most rubber.
- 150 metres water resistance ( thus seamaster) and built like a tank. I am notoriously clumsy so I do knock and scuff my watches. So far I have snorkelled, windsurfed, swum in the pool, showered, done diy, moved furniture out of an old home and generally put it through its paces.
- One of the only worldtimers that I know of that has managed to make the place names right side up around the whole dial without compromising the look of the watch ( instead of inverted on the lower half on most).
Cons:
- 43 wears larger. I have a 7 inch wrist for scale.
- It is a busier dial and so those who prefer simpler watches would likely not go for this.
- My version has different colours re: daylight savings. This has been removed on the titanium and subsequent versions. I have understood this is because they made a mistake with my version and Puerto Rico does not have it. Rio then subsequently changed their mind. The titanium will not be outdated as a result.
- Unless fixed which I do not think it is in this movement, the date starts to change around 11.20 and changes fully at midnight. This isn’t a problem for me however I can appreciate some will see this as undesirable.
- The legibility of the place names can be difficult to read for some. I think it may be improved in titanium as not as contrasting
- The wearability changes drastically between rubber and bracelet. Bracelet does feel like a lot of metal and wears much larger. On rubber it actually feels similar to a SMP in size. I have recently ordered the bracelet to complete the set but in my opinion the rubber wears better and it will usually stay on this or leather.
- My version the bezel can scuff easier which I think will be much less on the titanium.
