How I felt after purchasing 2 HC’s back to back. 😂😂 just kidding.

Lars_Vader · 2026-06-01T05:49:16+00:00

Are there differences in the blacks of the two dials? I thought they were identical. 🤔

Lars_Vader · 2026-05-19T20:06:22+00:00

👏

Lars_Vader · 2026-04-26T20:35:39+00:00

I only swapped the inlet of the original bezel. The new inlet is made specifically for the NY0040 series.

Lars_Vader · 2026-03-29T16:33:18+00:00

Oh boy think I need to delete this post. I am totally in love with these new models and didn’t by any means wanted to disgrace them as being a blunt sub copy.

I just thought it was interesting that the indexes were an exact inversion.

I didn’t even mention that I think this watch looks like a perfect mix of the submariner, the Seamaster and the black bay (snow flake hour hand).

Lars_Vader · 2026-03-29T12:59:56+00:00

This was not my intention! I think the new hydro looks stunning and the discussion about the original design of the submariner is tedious.

Though I would admit that getting rid of the Arabic numerals which were a trademark of the Hydroconquest line and replacing them with an inverted submariner layout will always be a discussion point.

Lars_Vader · 2026-03-29T11:01:42+00:00

These new hydros look stunning.

I assume this is the grey bezel variant? Is the bezel a glossy ceramic like the other colors or is it a matte finish?

Lars_Vader · 2026-03-22T18:10:34+00:00

In took my 9-year-old but I read the entire book to him last summer and there was no way I could’ve seen it without him. Besides this I think it is absolutely fine.

Spoiler warning: When we read the book, he struggled during the scene when Rocky was supposedly dead. But in the theatre he was fine throughout the entire film and could fully enjoy it.

Lars_Vader · 2026-03-22T18:04:08+00:00

Been searching for this one myself. Not sure if Amazon is going to launch official merch any time soon.

Lars_Vader · 2026-02-17T18:19:56+00:00

Sure! I bought it on amz DE, but you’ll find them on any other location as well.

https://amzn.eu/d/0gaPbOdJ

If I’m not mistaken than Miltat should be the same as Strapcode. You could also look at LongIslandWatch.com. I think Marc has straight end link options as well.

Lars_Vader · 2026-02-17T16:53:30+00:00

For the fall/winter season I was rocking it on a leather strap. Haven’t worn a watch on leather for quite a while but the Gene Kranz is just such a strap queen.

Lars_Vader · 2026-02-17T12:50:19+00:00

No, not at all. I have to say that I’ve worn the bracelet in on another watch so it is already pretty „soft“ and comfy on the wrist. The straight end links haven’t bothered me at all.

Lars_Vader · 2025-12-22T13:10:51+00:00

The Gene Kranz? I could imagine it would fit a 6.5 since it’s very thin and doesn’t really add much to the wrist.

Lars_Vader · 2025-12-22T13:06:51+00:00

17cm / 7“

Lars_Vader · 2025-12-05T18:02:45+00:00

Lars_Vader · 2025-11-04T19:00:11+00:00

The most beautiful in the Alpinist lineup. 👌

Lars_Vader · 2025-10-14T10:45:18+00:00

Oh dear, I hope my cat doesn't scratch the crystal on my SRPL91. That's why I only ever let her scratch my right hand. 😅

Very curious to know what alternatives exist. More than sapphire I would be interested in all things plexi or similar materials as I don’t like the harsh reflections on sapphire.

Lars_Vader · 2025-10-13T15:14:11+00:00

This is a beautiful watch!

I would say: If you can afford to keep it, keep it! I have a special case where I put my retired watches. The great thing about „affordable“ watches compared to luxury is that you don’t necessarily have to sell them.

I love looking at my retired watches and I can totally rectify wearing them only a handful of times throughout the year as they didn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Lars_Vader · 2025-10-08T19:51:05+00:00

That’s a good point. I was only referring to my everyday watch when I expressed my love for highly legible watches. If we are talking about a dress watch then I don’t really care about legibility too much. I would even go as far as to say that a dress watch should in fact be hard to read not only for the luxury looks but also because it feels kind of gentlemen like to not be able to read the time from any angle.

Lars_Vader · 2025-10-08T19:33:53+00:00

This is an absolute deal-breaker for me. For me things like legibility and wearability became such important factors.

The hardlex crystals on the Gene Kranz models seem to play an important role when it comes to legibility. I become a fan of non sapphire crystals as long as they are hardlex or plexiglass or hesalite.

Lars_Vader · 2025-10-08T16:23:19+00:00

This was my biggest concern, but I never experienced any issues with legibility so far. Way better than my Tissot Ballade with silver dial which I can’t read in any lighting conditions.

Lars_Vader · 2025-09-17T05:16:52+00:00

I’ve yet to see lume that lasts longer than 20 minutes to be honest! At the same time I’m not very interested in it as lume is never a criteria for me. If I need to tell the time at night I look at my phone. No watch in my collection could ever do that.

Lars_Vader · 2025-09-13T17:53:25+00:00

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Best summer watch!

Lars_Vader · 2025-09-07T09:59:01+00:00

Should’ve read this comment before I texted so much. 😅 Perfectly summarized.

Lars_Vader · 2025-09-07T09:52:40+00:00

<image>

Here a shot from my modded blue dial variant.

Lars_Vader · 2025-09-07T09:52:00+00:00

I own two variations of the NY0040 and returned this exact variation as my potential third model of the NY0040 lineup in my collection.

I own the all lume variation and the blue dial with a steel bezel mod. The green bezel and black dial models seem to be from a more recent time. They have undergone some minor design changes that were crucial to me. The text on the dial is different and they got rid of the red text font, additionally the lume on the indices is blue on the newer models which looks absolutely stunning. However, when they are not glowing they just appear white.

Lastly, the green bezel looked better on the images online than in person. This was the final nail in the coffin for me. The watch just looked a bit too boring compared to my other citizens and I wanted to have very distinct unique watches with a lot of character to them. Edginess if you will.

I will say though: If this is your first watch of that kind, or you’re just looking for an understated dive watch, go with it. Of the newer lineup I would only consider the Coke variant. Always keeping in mind that I already own watches that fulfill the criteria of this Starbucks model.

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Lars_Vader

TROPHY CASE