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Post by carl on Jun 26, 2016 4:36:42 GMT -6
Well, I was going to certainly order the stainless steel bracelet at some point. When I stopped in at Time & Gold today - where I bought the watch - I learned that they just received a few of the bracelets. Soon as I saw one, it was a done deal, and was also offered a good discount which is unusual for watch accessories. Just as beautifully crafted as any bracelet I have seen on any make or model. And it is all brushed, not a single polished bit, which I find very appealing. Very finely brushed as well, and again the brushing as fine as any I have seen, matching the quality of the watch case. I am still very impressed with the quality of the fabric strap that my watch came with, and being non-tapered it has a completely different effect. This bracelet has a taper from 20mm at the lugs to just 14mm at the clasp and is a look that I really like. It is not fancy, but beautifully in keeping with the vintage appeal of the watch. Old fashioned friction pins holding it together, and five micro adjustments on the clasp, which opens and closes very soundly. The end links are an absolutely perfect fit with the lugs. This watch continues to exceed my expectations in every aspect, moreso than many far more expensive pieces I have owned. There have always been small details on any other watch - things that I would have liked to see changed - with the exception of the Grand Seiko, a brand to which I hestitate to compare the Oris, although I find absolutely nothing lacking in the craftsmanship of this Oris. I feel that this watch makes absolutely no compromises in any aspect. This watch often brings tears to my eyes when I look at it!
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Post by rw16610 on Jun 26, 2016 8:34:02 GMT -6
Wow, that's perfect. Good call getting the bracelet.
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Post by shawndl5 on Jun 26, 2016 11:12:40 GMT -6
The bracelet really changes the whole look! Great choice!
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Post by carl on Jun 26, 2016 11:18:47 GMT -6
The bracelet really changes the whole look! Great choice! It actually makes the watch case look bigger as well, because of the quite large taper.
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aquajoe
WWF Veteran
Posts: 5,693
Since: Jan 17, 2013 20:13:30 GMT -6
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Post by aquajoe on Jun 26, 2016 14:27:52 GMT -6
I like this watch more each day....
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Post by dsimon9 on Jun 26, 2016 17:59:43 GMT -6
The bracelet sure compliments the watch very nicely.
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Post by carl on Jun 26, 2016 18:07:37 GMT -6
A couple of pics showing the clasp details:
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Post by rw16610 on Jun 26, 2016 18:13:23 GMT -6
It's a nice clasp too. Bonus points for offering micro adjustments. So much easier to get that perfect fit.
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Post by carl on Jun 26, 2016 23:49:42 GMT -6
It's a nice clasp too. Bonus points for offering micro adjustments. So much easier to get that perfect fit. Yes, I wouldn't think that it is a big deal to engineer that on a bracelet clasp. Annoyingly, my Speedmaster has only two, and there are no half links available for it. I have had a devil of a time trying to adjust it, but it seems that there will never be a satisfactory solution. So if I decide to keep it, then I will put the leather strap back on. And this is the latest model of Speedy bracelet, with screws instead of friction pins to hold it together. The bracelet on it's own is/was $750.00 when bought separately. Due to the seamless nature of the small clasps on my Grand Seikos, there are no micro adjustments on those either. However, there are half links provided, and in addition the bracelets use screws instead of friction pins. Nevertheless, it is a hassle unscrewing and taking out links when the need arises. None of the above are real problems, however, but is does get to me that the one watch I have which costs much less than half of any of them, is the one which most adequately serves me and has no such issues. Not only that, but the Oris is far more accurate than the Speedy or any other Omega or Rolex I have owned, except for the Air-King. And the accuracy of the Oris is almost, but not quite, the accuracy of my Grand Seiko Hi-Beat and Automatic. Granted it does not have the power reserve of the others, but that is a very small price to pay.
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Post by rw16610 on Jun 27, 2016 16:25:51 GMT -6
I feel your pain there, Carl. After having the Rolex Explorer II on my wrist for half a decade (pretty much daily) it was SO hard going to an Omega again without the micro adjustments. The half link(s) helped, but hardly. Removing the one in the bracelet now would make the watch too tight. The guy at the store who sized it for me got it just right almost BUT it still could use 2 - 3 micro adjustment holes. The "updated" models surprised me they didn't have this. The clasp is far too compact to accommodate such a feature which is a true shame. All of the new Seamaster watches should come with that PloProf / Mark II style clasp in my opinion: From - ablogtowatch.com Instead of this: Source on image From - Tommie85 This one's my favourite, of course: From - omega-addict.com From - omega-addict.com Oris makes exceptional watches perfectly suited for their intended function and daily use. That being said, it comes as no surprise to me how good of a watch yours is. At the same time, don't hold it against the Speedmaster too long: Not many watches on the market have that sort of history and soul to them. Since you're really into straps that's an easy fix but as far as the bracelet goes, I totally get it.
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Post by muckymark on Jun 27, 2016 20:49:41 GMT -6
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Post by carl on Jun 27, 2016 21:55:58 GMT -6
Gotta throw my .02 in here. I have the adjustability issue with my Aquaracer. Even though it has 1/2 links I just can't get the right fit. It's a bit too loose at the 3rd position on the clasp and if I remove the 1/2 link and go to the first position, it's too tight. While the diver adjustment is a nice idea who's really going to dive with one of these? It would be better if they made it shorter, say 3-4mm. On the other hand the clasp on the Explorer only offers 2 micro-adjustments but the Easylink adjustment saves the day. 5mm is perfect for me on those hot days. Not to loose that it slides over the wrist bone. I guess between the micro adjustments and the Easylink you are pretty well covered. I had the Easylink on my Milgauss, that was about six years ago. I don't think it was the fault of the Easylink, but I could never get that watch to fit comfortably. The little 36mm Explorer and 34mm Air-King were excellent, though, just the Oyster bracelet with 4 or 5 - can't remember exactly - micro adjustments. Funny how annoying these small issues can be. I guess that is one reason why it takes so many tries to find a watch that fits just right.
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Post by rw16610 on Jun 28, 2016 16:11:26 GMT -6
muckymark It's something I never fully understood about those divers expansions. A lot would be totally useless on recreational dives in places like the Caribbean where no wet suit is needed really. Even so, I can't imagine most being so thick. These watches seem to be equipped with expansions to fit over a dry suit. www.evo.com/guides/wetsuit-thickness-and-temperature-chartAnyhow I was to go on an aquatic adventure requiring such gear it would be something between 0.5mm to 5mm in thickness. The only thing 7mm thick that could be found by me just now was a pair of round toe dive boots. That being said maybe more companies will follow suit and do something similar to what Rolex has. They too used to have those old style expansions but got rid of them for a good reason. Not every dive suit will be the same (wet or dry) so there should be some form of micro adjustments available. This can also be helpful to the folks using these watches on a daily basis.
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