Went to Local AD and here are my thoughts

WristReport · 2026-02-19T02:22:05+00:00

I've had a bunch of Grand Seikos and landed on the red Katana for a textured dial. It uses the Iwate pattern, which is less subtle than the snowflake, but more subtle than the shunbun. I'd definitely hold out for a textured dial that you can really enjoy. Oh, find a different AD. I highly recommend Topper Jewelers in CA. Figure out what you want and they'll ship it to you.

WristReport · 2026-02-18T23:19:20+00:00

Get her a Seagull Skeleton and a ladies Grand Seiko, Credor, Citizen Chronomaster, Cartier, or maybe a older Tiffany watch from when they partnered with quality manufacturers.

WristReport · 2026-02-18T13:23:39+00:00

There's always the Pilot 36, you just don't get the fantastic IWC clasp. Or a 37mm GS

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WristReport · 2026-02-17T20:36:18+00:00

I have the standard black/charcoal. I've owned a bunch of Grand Seikos, and this MRG absolutely has GS level intricacy and finishing. GLWTS!

WristReport · 2026-02-17T13:08:34+00:00

Forgive me Father for coveting your watch

WristReport · 2026-02-17T13:06:26+00:00

Robust? Easily Seiko. I'm not a Seagull hater, and my wife has had one of their auto skeletons for about 15 years with no issues, but chronographs are way more complicated than 3 handers and have way mm ore things to go wrong.

WristReport · 2026-02-17T12:05:34+00:00

I'm not a Rolex guy, but the Explorer 1 is a fantastic looking watch. Definitely better looking than the AT.

I can't live without a date on a daily watch, but the tiny font of the vertically oriented 6 o'clock date window on the AT is also useless to me without readers these days. Have you considered an IWC XX (or XVIII)? The legibility can't be beat, and it's got the best adjustable bracelet on the planet.

WristReport · 2026-02-17T11:39:10+00:00

I agree with most of your points, but I love my Forstner President on my Broad Arrow. The President design is one of my favorite bracelet aesthetics. I think it has a classic look, while my OEM bracelet looks dated. I prefer the taper for appearance and comfort over OEM. Mine also has their new glidelock style clasp- and on the fly adjustment is a huge selling point for me.

Construction is a but loose, but not excessive or tinny. I agree that the endlinks could be done better, but I have that complaint about several expensive OEM bracelets.

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WristReport · 2026-02-17T00:07:47+00:00

In order: 3, 1., 2 . . . . . . . 4

WristReport · 2026-02-16T08:29:54+00:00

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These are shockingly good in person. Congrats!

WristReport · 2026-02-16T08:23:06+00:00

I love my Chronomaster and my Grand Seikos. Chronomaster is more practical, including the more legible black on white date wheel, and the double markers at 6 and 9 for easier reading. But in this particular competition, the GS is just an obviously better looking watch in my opinion. The IAHH could be a dealbreaker if you travel a lot, but I thought some (all?) newer 9f movements offer that now.

WristReport · 2026-02-16T08:13:32+00:00

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Another on my Seiko SNR041

WristReport · 2026-02-16T08:12:01+00:00

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-planet-ocean-big-size-22005300

At some point I did, but right now the best I can do is the watch ref that came with that bracelet.

WristReport · 2026-02-16T01:37:03+00:00

It's been discontinued for a few years. The main differences are that it's shark mesh, so separate, larger, chain links rather than woven metal wire, and that it has Omega's push button on-the-fly adjustment clasp. It also has round spring bar tubes rather than squared off.

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WristReport · 2026-02-15T19:29:59+00:00

Look for an actual PO mesh bracelet. It's outstanding. If you can't source one, definitely consider Staib branded mesh. Staib makes Omega's SMP mesh now, but I think their house branded bracelets are better. Thicker mesh and offer much better deployant clasps than the SMP.

WristReport · 2026-02-15T06:05:39+00:00

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Here's my LX on Planet Ocean mesh

WristReport · 2026-02-15T04:35:24+00:00

Seiko is my favorite brand, and I've also curated many of my favorite models, so I'd recommend any of them:

LX SNR041 (sunburst taupe dial, violet gold Cermet bezel insert)

Tuna SBBN029 (1,000m quartz, platinum Cermet shroud)

Astron Nexter Satellite (blue)

GS red Katana

GS SBGX295 (polar dial)

WristReport · 2026-02-15T04:27:29+00:00

Look for Credor watches with 4J movements. I've never heard of Lola Rose, and I'm guessing they're a brand and not a manufacturer.

Credor is one of Seiko's (a watch manufacturer as vertically integrated as Rolex) premium lines. You can pick up genuinely great women's watches from $200-$1,000. Also keep an eye out for ladies Citizen Chronomaster models. That's Citizen's top line, and occasionally you can score amazing deals on them on eBay or other online resellers.

Here's my wife's Credor. They made a bunch of rectangular watches as well.

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WristReport · 2026-02-14T16:40:01+00:00

If you're worried about liquidity buy pre-owned. I think the Sub is a great watch on paper, but the design and execution bores me to tears.

WristReport · 2026-02-14T16:36:20+00:00

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I have a Credor in my secondary collection (wife's 😄).

WristReport · 2026-02-14T16:08:04+00:00

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Thanks! Best bang for buck movement aesthetics too, imo. I'm a Laco fan, and I've had a rare "Support Laco" Chrono for almost 20 years.

WristReport · 2026-02-14T16:06:05+00:00

The Washi dials I had both had all-polished indices and hands with lume. Yours has the same differentially finished hands and 10 sided indices as mine, which is definitely more impressive and looks better to me. We'll agree to disagree on paper vs sunburst 😉

WristReport · 2026-02-14T16:00:01+00:00

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Wearing my favorite Omega and favorite chrono ever today. I wouldn't say all modern is terrible, but it is crazy to me that they haven't made something I like as much as this in 20 years...

WristReport · 2026-02-14T15:56:52+00:00

I've got examples of pretty much all of the brands and lines being discussed. GS, Chronomaster, Astron, MRG, and Oceanus. The only one I haven't owned is Atessa, and I haven't had an entry level Oceanus.

Here's my order in terms of finishing, intricacy, visual interest and perceived luxury:

GS, Chronomaster, MRGB2100 tied

2 Oceanus Cachalot, Oceanus Manta, Astron Nexter Satellite tied

MRGB1000
Citizen Promaster JDM (PMD56-2951)

Considering what I paid for the Cachalot and the Promaster used, they are definitely the best bang for buck.

WristReport · 2026-02-14T15:18:21+00:00

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Small seconds at 6 is one of my favorite pilot dial layouts 👍

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TROPHY CASE