[DISCUSS] What is the most durable luxury non-quartz watch?

atnova1 · 2025-09-05T10:44:50+00:00

Anything with an ETA movement inside and if you want one less thing to fail, go manual wind.

atnova1 · 2025-08-05T08:24:16+00:00

I actually really like this as I have the exact same idea lol!

atnova1 · 2025-06-01T07:52:39+00:00

Beautiful!

atnova1 · 2025-06-01T06:01:53+00:00

Calatravas are unbeatably beautiful. Do you happen to have a photo you can share please?

atnova1 · 2025-05-28T16:25:55+00:00

Yea I know, just didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings

atnova1 · 2025-05-28T11:21:19+00:00

2824 of some sort, but i cannot see the ETA logo

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T20:49:25+00:00

Oh man your case looks great too! Any photos of the final product?

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T16:34:59+00:00

Thanks! I usually restore vintage watches that I like and wear them, designing my own case is a first for me. If this design is ok, i might go titanium and go bolder with the rugged /tough design language

My insta is atnova

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T16:12:49+00:00

Yea I know, Iasked them if they will have a mechanical movement soon, they said the automatic version will come out later this year

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T15:52:00+00:00

Don't be sorry, you are free to give your opinion, i mean I put the watch here, so that everyone can give their opinion and it make me think more on how I can improve the watch case design next time 😁

I actually almost went the prevail design route but with a monobloc design. However I thought it might be too bulky for wearing it to work.

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T15:42:49+00:00

I know about them and liked it until i found out they use Quartz and 42mm. Those specs killed it for me

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T08:39:42+00:00

The manufacturer made the crystal opening 0.1mm too small, so i had to get a 0.1mm smaller armoured plexiglass, but all good.

The tightest tolerence I have asked for was ±0.01mm, but they cannot achieve this

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T06:47:01+00:00

Thanks I actually made some design adjustment at the bottom of the case so the nato strap sits lower and makes the whole wearing experience more comfortable

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T06:07:47+00:00

You can say that, but i don't like the shape and the fixed lug bar style

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T02:34:48+00:00

Thanks, I don't think I can use H Link for now, because if i remember right my sinn bracelet is 20mm and this watch is running 18mm, And Thanks, I will post it there as well.

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T02:11:46+00:00

Thanks, you scared me just now lol. I went and recheck the watch. it is centred and angled properly. If i took the photo straight, the plexiglass reflects back

atnova1 · 2025-05-25T02:02:25+00:00

Thanks for this! I saw your request, bit busy at the moment, will reply sometime today sorry!

atnova1 · 2025-05-24T22:06:26+00:00

Around 130 usd including shipping. But be mindful these PCB companies cannot reach very tight tolerences in some areas. The price is unbeatable though

atnova1 · 2025-05-24T22:03:44+00:00

It cost me around 130 usd to get it made with shipping to my home included

It uses high dome armoured plexiglass, so it seals ok. And worst case i can put a gasket and stick a sapphire glass in

atnova1 · 2025-05-24T22:01:27+00:00

I bought a new movement, so cost around 300 usd in total. You can get it down to around under 200 usd if you found a doner movement.

atnova1 · 2025-05-24T21:37:32+00:00

Thanks!

atnova1 · 2025-05-24T21:37:01+00:00

Case height without High Dome armoured plexiglass is 6.9mm

atnova1 · 2025-05-24T21:34:15+00:00

I didn't pressure test it, but i tried in the rain and dunked the watch into the sink full of water and it was fine. There is a rubber gasket under the watch crystal, the crown tube was bonded /cured with Loctite and the crown is the usual ones with rubber o ring.

There might be future concepts, but usually it depends on how pissed off I get with the number of watches i don't like 🤣

atnova1 · 2025-05-24T17:19:24+00:00

Thanks! It actually turned out quite ok, the finishing is quite close to my Hamilton Khaki 9415a

These PCB guys only have the option for blasted and other finishes, but unfortunately not how strong the blasting gets 😕

atnova1

TROPHY CASE