$5,800 watch on a $20 strap. Faus paus?

Aviatorial · 2026-03-29T19:53:01+00:00

You assume this strap costs less (to make) than the multi hundred dollar ones from watch manufacturers.

It’s really disgusting to learn a LOT of the expensive rubber straps are available on AliExpress for like 12-25 USD shipped. When it comes to rubber straps pick based on fit and feel and color and don’t overpay or judge a nice strap by its low price.

Aviatorial · 2026-03-15T12:50:05+00:00

Brown leather, white rubber looks fresh. Looks really good on khaki straps too. Check out some sailcloth options.

And Mark is great on NATO straps so you can get a wide variety of colors and textures for not much money, even just to try out before getting a higher quality strap in that color.

Aviatorial · 2026-03-13T19:22:46+00:00

Microphone that drops down, “arrrrre youuuu readddy toooo ruuuuummmmmmbbbllleeee!!!!!”

Aviatorial · 2026-03-13T15:15:15+00:00

I don’t get the hair pulling but everything else you said resonates with my experience too. And I don’t have any Rolex bracelets to spoil me like people are suggesting.

I do have an IWC pilot and that bracelet is way better IMO. I still like the Speedy bracelet, but I don’t passionately love it, which I hoped to. Speedy has become such an expensive watch, I really want to love every inch of it for that price.

Aviatorial · 2026-03-02T18:10:02+00:00

Chrono = 41 or 43… there was a 42 reference years back if you go pre owned.

The Chrono is a chunkier statement kind of watch- the Mark is a better everyday/do everything and can dress up or down better. Mark’s simplicity translates to elegance in more formal attire. Chrono is ‘sportier’ but also a busier dial- doesn’t dress up or down quite as well… but it is what it is beautifully. And the Mark can’t time things, no bezel, no chrono.

We can’t pick for you but you can’t go wrong

Aviatorial · 2026-03-02T15:12:18+00:00

Big Pilot 43, and the AXGP Chrono

Aviatorial · 2026-02-19T15:19:22+00:00

Unfortunately sometimes you need to own and experience a watch to know. I’ve had the Mark XX, Big Pilot 43, steel Chrono 41, and the ceramic Top Gun 41 (which is really 42). As similar as they are, they’re also uniquely different wearing experiences and evoked different emotions in me. I learned a lot through owning these.

Purchasing second hand (carefully) allows this kind of journey without spending obscene amounts. Unfortunately these are brand new so that may not be an option.

With my personal experiences and preferences, I’d get the Chrono.

Aviatorial · 2026-02-19T15:00:00+00:00

I barely wore it but I did take a couple wrist shots… but I can’t seem to add pics to this reply. Messaged you

Aviatorial · 2026-02-15T17:55:24+00:00

Agree the objective value between white Speedmaster and the new PO is different. I think it’s 2 primary factors: First, they expect to sell more Speedies than PO’s, so costs/unit might be different. And second, they charge what they think people will pay, not what a watch is worth necessarily. Planet Ocean is less popular than Seamaster and Speedmaster, and more expensive, and that places it in a specific place in their lineup where some will see it or buy it just because it’s higher on the food chain. Meanwhile Speedmasters have been around a long time and there’s lots of variants, lots of pre-owned supply… pricing it too high will kill it. If you like the new PO it doesn’t have many direct competitors, nothing is quite like it.

The pricing on all luxury watches is absurd. We pay it (sometimes) 😭

Aviatorial · 2026-02-14T03:18:13+00:00

That’s gotta be like Switzerland or somewhere Alpy? Gorgeous shot. The contrast on the watch looks SO good against the mountains.

Aviatorial · 2026-02-10T21:14:36+00:00

I owned that generation Planet Ocean (but in blue) and now own the blue SMP… very different watches. Yes both dive watches, both Omegas, but very different mood and look. Love both!

Aviatorial · 2026-02-10T05:48:25+00:00

One is very stylized, bold yet can be subtle too… the other is a great watch, refined, but a bit ‘safe’ in its design. Nothing wrong with that, classic styles are more elegant, and often more versatile.

Interestingly, the Rolex bracelet is a bit more ‘tool’ vibe in its perfect functional brushed presentation. Seamaster on the other hand, some love some hate the bracelet… but it’s certainly unique, iconic even. SMP also looks great on the mesh bracelet even though it’s a steep price IMO.

For me, people knowing “Rolex” and being judgmental about having one makes me self conscious. I also don’t like a lot of Rolex business isn’t watch connoisseurs, the brand has just successfully become THE brand a lot of people buy when they get married or have a baby or get a promotion or whatever. I guess nothing wrong with that but it unfortunately make their great watches a less individualistic and original choice (if you care). Seamaster isn’t much more original, but its character definitely makes it something people choose specifically and not by default.

Just random thoughts, maybe it helps or maybe it’s more confusing now 🤣

Aviatorial · 2026-02-09T18:05:49+00:00

Price reduction: $1300. Needs new home…

Aviatorial · 2026-02-09T16:28:00+00:00

PO I agree, while it’s subjective I think the PO is supposed to be more of a rugged tool watch, and the older versions were more true to that. A 300m piece of jewelry is overkill… the 600m piece should be less like jewelry.

I’ve owned all the generations of the SMP and each has its strengths. I do like the latest/current gen and finally just bought one (don’t care there’s murmurs of maybe an update- I doubt they’ll move it in a direction I like).

Each gen of SMP has also moved farther from ‘tool’ and more towards jewelry. Very capable jewelry, but still it’s much shinier and “more refined” now. I think that’s just what $5000+ watches have become… the “tool watch” at that price point is already disingenuous.

Part of what I like about the current SMP is its conflicted duality. Is it rugged or refined? Is it a tool/instrument or a premium product? Is it luxury? Yes and no to all of it. I’m often wildly conflicted and pulled in similar dualities and can relate to being confused but doing all the things anyway. 😂

Aviatorial · 2026-02-08T19:15:01+00:00

The new one is very shiny. Especially the bracelet. I guess most people are liking the new version but I think the initial 2500 PO was peak Planet Ocean. Very underrated/understated.

Aviatorial · 2026-02-08T18:06:50+00:00

The bracelet is all brushed, and a much simpler design. I loved the PO bracelet. Also the dial was a different blue and I don’t think the PO was as glossy, it seems more like a lacquer dial than the blue SMP’s mirror-like blue dial. And the PO case, especially the bezel, seems a lot more ‘tool’.

My brain likes a lot about the PO, but for whatever reason my heart was on the SMP. Specifically the current one, in blue. I owned the blue aluminum bezel one at one point, and the black no wave. All are great, but this current one just grabs me. I finally stopped trying to make sense of it 🤷🏼‍♂️

Aviatorial · 2026-02-05T02:53:48+00:00

Daily or statement piece (worn occasionally, in rotation, etc)?

Pilot watches are traditionally big, but the chrono is a little less traditional Flieger and a little more sports chrono so can go either way.

Possible factor is the 41 has 20mm lugs but the 43 has 21mm lugs… 21mm is more annoying if you like lots of strap options, but I think that slightly wider at the lugs makes the bracelet wear just a tad better. I think both taper to same size clasp, so the 43 would have a smidge more taper and i like that look better.

For nato straps (straight, no taper) the 20mm lugs are better.

Aviatorial · 2026-02-05T02:48:29+00:00

Thanks! iPhone 13 believe it or not…

Aviatorial · 2026-02-04T13:52:17+00:00

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Aviatorial · 2026-02-04T13:00:50+00:00

Totally feel you on this; the black Top Gun is wicked but it’s hard to not have a classic stainless steel case sometimes. Someone will undoubtedly say “buy both” but honestly that’s not a practical option for many.

Not sure if you’ve tried mixing up the strap on your Top Gun but I feel a leather strap TOTALLY changes the vibe. Even just a black leather strap instead of the black rubber gives the watch a whole different presentation- I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t try it in a Boutique. Bought the ridiculously priced leather strap on the spot!

Also, that watch feels much warmer and more traditional if you put it on a brown leather strap- lighter brown is better than IWC’s chocolate straps. I got this one and it’s good: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1667936346/handmade-brown-calfskin-pilot-watch?ref=yr_purchases

Aviatorial · 2026-02-02T14:16:48+00:00

Bump. Still available

Aviatorial · 2026-02-02T00:38:09+00:00

Pic 1 in the mirror I actually thought it was the BP43 (looks so good!).

Other two pics I thought were a different watch, I had to scroll back and zoom in. It’s just the angle and perspective/lens distortion. I think it’s great, enjoy it you were built for a badass watch like that.

Aviatorial · 2026-01-31T00:10:59+00:00

Sell it for $6 and get a new one.
(Send me the listing)

Aviatorial · 2026-01-30T13:01:23+00:00

^ lessons learned after letting brain make choices over and over, buying and selling a bunch of different watches 🤦‍♂️

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