Victorinox Alliance Chrono – $206.46 w/ ALOCT2 | Orient Aviator – $105.26
($290)
And these would not be the classy & sleek Bambino from yesterday. These are the thicker guys. The ones that should be able to take a beating. Those after work watches you wear and don’t freak out about (too badly) if they pick up a scratch or two.
The Victorinox is obviously a quartz, but it’s Swiss Made, the crystal is sapphire, and it certainly has that black and tan thing going for it. It also seems to be one of the last of this model out there. Sierra Trading Post has it at just under $300, but the very kind 30% off $200 code ALOCT2 brings it down to a price level similar to the Seiko Compass. Also available with a black strap.
$105 for the Orient Aviator direct through Amazon is freakishly cheap. This one is even the ideal leather band setup. Dial is extremely luminous, and the watch is built like a tank. Screw down crown, great feel to the bezel, etc. Mineral, not sapphire crystal on this one. Full review over here. And yes, it’s an automatic.
…Or is everyone waiting for the Maratac Pilots to get back into stock? Doesn’t look like they made it back online on Friday. UPDATE: They’re back. Meanwhile, note that the Sierra Trading Post code ALOCT2 is also good for 25% off $125, while ALPUMPKIN2 is good for 20% off no minimum. Both codes expire today, 11/7.
Waiting for the mid sized pilots watch!
The standard sized Maratac Pilot was back in stock yesterday and, currently, still appears to be available. It’s a bit big for me but I know plenty around here love it.
Link: http://www.countycomm.com/maratacpilotlarge.html
I’m not a watch snob and don’t mean to start a whole thing here, but I don’t get some of the lower end automatic watches. If you want an automatic because it can run forever and you can pass it down to your son someday then that’s awesome, but that mineral crystal is going to be all scratched up by the time Junior is ready for it. If you’re fascinated by the automatic workings then that’s cool, too, but without an exhibition window in the back you can’t see any of it so it’s just some theorectical comfort you’re taking, and in that case I’m not sure why it’s different having it on your wrist versus just knowing the technology exists. To me it makes more sense to save up a little more money and get a slighly higher end auto, or to ignore the auto versus quartz question altogether at the low end and just think about styling and price. Just my two cents, but I’m curious about others’ thoughts.
Big fan of Victorinox watches.
You can use code EB110812B to get the Victorinox for 191.72+shipping.
Man, that Victorinox blows the Orient outta the water!
I know some guys that think any automatic is better than the fanciest quartz. Not me. I own both types. Only hassle is having to set the time on the autos since i dont rotate regularly enough to keep them going. Minor issue.
I understand your quibbles with the autos and were well stated, but there is one reason I have to ignore the quartz… I will stop a quartz movement cold in less than 3 months time. My body chemistry/magnetism alters the quartz’s oscillations. my grandfather had the same issue. So, all watches for me are automatics.
While I am fascinated with watch movements, it can be automatic, quartz or hand wound I think they are all pretty cool to watch (haha) Me personally I have an affinity with Invicta watches (primarily because I’m 6’5 and 250 so I need a bigger watch). I may catch a lot of crap for saying that (especially among the watch snobs) but everyone I have owned has been awesome. In fact right now the one I am wearing has the Rhonda 5040.d movement which is the same that is used in several Maurice Lecroix watches (and they range from $1-5,000 dollars)