"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/28/2019 at 19:00 • Filed to: watchlopnik, horology, watches
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"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/28/2019 at 19:00 • Filed to: watchlopnik, horology, watches | 0
| 10 |
Over the past year or so, and especially in the recent process of moving and going through all my belongings like a Marie Kondo acolyte, I reevaluated my watch collection and decided to get rid of everything that didn’t really sing to me. I work in an office but rarely have to wear a suit, and like to be active on evenings and weekends, so I prefer to wear sportier watches that still look nice enough for the office, and save a dress watch for when I really need one. So I’ve sold or given away a bunch of things that were either too dressy for my taste or too casual for work, replaced a few with new attempts, and then sold or given away several of those second attempts. I’m finally feeling pretty good about the balance of the collection now. But this post is about one type of watch in particular: the oft-attempted but rarely-perfected murdered-out look.
In theory, I like blackout watches but have struggled to find one I really like—at various times I’ve owned an Orient Esteem (too dressy for my taste), a Glycine Combat Sub “Stealth” (great watch but too casual for work— !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ), an Orient Ray Raven II (also nice, just didn’t quite click), and an Orient Masquerade (only looks good with a tux). Enter the Steinhart Ocean One, in black DLC with an unusual three-dimensional ceramic bezel and a mother-of-pearl face. It’s a German-designed, Swiss-made desk diver that seems very well made and superficially resembles the classic Rolex Submariner but has a style of its own. I think I found the one.
Below: a slideshow of pretty promotional shots of the aforementioned candidates.
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arl
> RPM esq.
05/28/2019 at 19:35 |
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I like the Orient.
But I say go big or go home!
E90M3
> RPM esq.
05/28/2019 at 20:39 |
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We must have differing standards, because wouldn’t consider that Glycine Combat Sub to be too causal for work.
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RPM esq.
> E90M3
05/28/2019 at 23:03 |
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It’s a great watch but the stealth version on an olive drab NATO strap is pretty casual/tacticool for a law firm. Someday I might get another one in a different color on a bracelet, which would be fine.
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E90M3
> RPM esq.
05/29/2019 at 06:42 |
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I had no idea you worked at a law firm, that makes more sense now.
adamftw
> RPM esq.
05/29/2019 at 06:55 |
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I daily an Orient flight in black and 10/10 recommend.
StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
> RPM esq.
05/29/2019 at 08:41 |
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Different straps are where its at. Nice leather would look good on that watch too.
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StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
> RPM esq.
05/29/2019 at 08:41 |
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Good looking watch. I just kind of hate that their entire brand is a knock off of Rolex. Clearly going for the Yacht Master look on this one. Good looking piece for the price though.
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RPM esq.
> StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
05/29/2019 at 11:29 |
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That’s true , but I kind of hate that Rolex’s profit margin on every watch it sells is something like 95%...as a wiser man than me once said, if James Bond had worn a Glycine (a more plausible choice for a Royal Navy veteran in the ‘60s, even a spy ) an Airman would cost $10,000 and Invicta would own Rolex.
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StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
> RPM esq.
05/29/2019 at 12:42 |
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Oh I totally agree. I honestly don’t see the reason (except for that they can) of most of Rolex’s prices. Only watch I really want from them is the Sky Dweller, which is WAY more of a watch from the technical side than a Sub and only a few grand more.
Tudor all the way, they make a killer blacked out Black Bay as well.
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RPM esq.
> StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
05/29/2019 at 13:43 |
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I really like the Black Bay. Were I a wealthier man, the Fifty-Eight version would be on my list.
ETA: the only Rolex I really like is the Daytona, and even then there’s at least one other heritage motorsport watch I’d rather own for a quarter of the price.