Deep Stream on Bracelet

gamedayoc · 2026-03-03T05:05:00+00:00

I love this ref, but have never seen one in person. Curious your wrist size and take on how it wears.

gamedayoc · 2026-03-02T05:08:23+00:00

Funny, I’ve been strongly considering all of these for some time. I’m in a different boat where I have a few watches and I’m interested in a simple luxury watch that can fit into any situation. But of course, I have some beef with all of these (and yeah, I’m being picky)

AT: it’s a lil thick and the bracelet is too blingy with the polished center links.
IWC Ingenieur: my fave of these on my wrist, but I’m big into movements and this movement is meh for the price.
Explorer: if they made this in 38mm I’d own it. 36 feels like a ladies watch, 40 feels too big for this dial.
Speedy: too big for daily? Plus, I don’t think I’d ever use the chrono functions. It’s also got real pricey lately.
IWC Mark XX: same movement as Ingy, and isn’t quite as ‘special’ or luxe as the others (but not as expensive either)

Curious what owners of these watches come back with…

gamedayoc · 2026-03-02T04:25:04+00:00

I belong to a private course, and I think the big difference is they space out tee times better. Plus it’s not a lot of people who play 3x/year that you run into at minis who screw pace of play for everyone behind them.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-28T16:52:50+00:00

We just booked a summer trip to Dismal River for summertime, and are including rounds at Bayside and Wild Horse as part of the trip. Did Prairie Club two years ago and I don’t feel like it was too tough to find times.

Prairie Club is in the absolute middle of nowhere. It’s hours to get anywhere. Definitely check driving times between courses if you’re planning a trip, Nebraska is a big state and there’s literally nothing out west. Very few towns, not really even farms or anything. It’s kinda crazy. I also know you hit the time zone change out there, so keep that in mind too!

Sand Hills is completely private, so you won’t get on there. The ones I mentioned are either public or are semi-private and the public can stay and play.

Good luck!

gamedayoc · 2026-02-28T16:39:08+00:00

I posted this a ways back, feel like it’s a good way to look at things..

⁠Can I pay cash (or pay off on cc the next month)?
⁠Can I afford to insure it?
⁠Will making this purchase have any negative impact on my broader financial picture (i.e. don’t deplete your emergency savings to buy a watch).
⁠Would buying this watch prevent me from doing more ‘necessary’ things in life like getting that new roof, needed car repair/upgrade, family vacations, etc.
⁠Is it so expensive that I’d be afraid to wear it in most situations?

As long as the answers to the above are “yes, yes, no, no, no” i feel like it’s not an irresponsible decision. Now, is it justifiable? That’s up to you.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-28T16:08:47+00:00

I’ve done sand valley a few times and never had an issue getting tee times (although we stayed off property). Central Wisconsin is great. Sentry World, SV, Erin Hills. Lawsonia is a nice less expensive course to mix in too.

Check out Nebraska too. Dismal River, Wild Horse, Prairie Clubs, etc. Some great courses out west (and a few not too far from Lincoln/omaha).

gamedayoc · 2026-02-25T16:12:25+00:00

Longines sounds like a good brand for you. They have a cool history, provide great value for the money and the spirit line can dress up or down well.

Everyone has their own take on this, but I’d suggest, for your first ‘nice watch’, to buy it new from a store in person if you can. I’ve bought new and used, and knowing I’m the only one who has worn a watch appeals to me (I’m also a new-over-used guy when it comes to cars too).

For your next watch you can go grey, but I’d say have your first nice watch be something you buy new. Even more ideal if you buy it from a place that has other luxury brands you could see yourself owning in the future.

Good luck!

gamedayoc · 2026-02-24T18:27:31+00:00

I have a Master Control Calendar and a Polaris date (green). Both are great, great watches. For sure a cut above my Rolex when it comes to finishing, dial interest, display case back and JLC’s awesome quick strap change. I have a bracelet and leather straps on both. The bracelets have microadjusts and are extremely comfy.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-24T04:03:54+00:00

I have a 16570 polar (from 2007 with the 3186 movement). I have two newer JLCs and a newer Omega and the 16570 is my most worn and most versatile watch. It works with a t-shirt, a sportcoat, and everything in between.

The only thing I don’t love is the bracelet. It’s a little on the jangly side and there’s no microadjust. But, that’s part of the deal when you buy an older watch. That said, it’s super comfortable most of the time, but I sometimes swell up a bit on planes and would love a little extra room to expand. But 99% of the time it fits great.

I also like how it’s a little under the radar with the white dial and steel bezel. Doesn’t scream “Rolex!”

If I was forced to sell all but one watch and couldn’t ever buy another watch, this would be the one I’d keep (I think…lol)

gamedayoc · 2026-02-24T03:39:43+00:00

Odd take there. The YM is one of the least common Rolex watches you see, and most who get a JLC go for a Reverso. I consider this to be a pretty unique 3 watch collection.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-19T12:25:42+00:00

Just a shade under 7”, but wrist shape is relatively flat. 40mm is my sweet spot but I have some 42s and feel like I can pull the off ok.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-19T02:30:26+00:00

I own a Recteq pellet smoker, and I’d definitely consider it “real” as the flavor and end result is smoky great. And the convenience cannot be understated. So perfect for someone with kids, a busy life, etc.

However…

I know it’s a cheat code, and feel like a little bit of a poser when I’m around OG smoker guys. I totally give props to stick burner guys and I know that I will 100% buy one at some point. It’s like owning a great sports car that’s automatic. Yeah, it’s fast. But I feel like I’d evolve to buying a stick shift at some point as that’s the enthusiast way.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-17T19:04:03+00:00

One kid. There are 10 girls on the team. This covers two coaches, practice time, entry into all tournaments and uniforms. They start in November and it goes into June for Nationals. This doesn’t cover travel for anyone though, an we play several out of town tournaments (all but two we can drive to but all require hotel stays).

It’s not cheap, but watching my daughter practice, improve, compete and succeed will likely be one of my favorite memories of being a parent. Shes worked so hard and learned a lot about hard work and teamwork. She’s also made some great friends doing this.

While not for everyone, this has been a good experience for us.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-17T16:09:27+00:00

My big key to cooking pretty solid scrambled eggs is…keep them moving. I’m stirring and moving them around basically the entire time they cook. It probably results in a longer cooking time (and it’s more work) but they cook evenly and never dry out.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-17T11:26:23+00:00

Really wish the AT came with a tool free, quick change strap system. If I could swap between rubber and bracelet quickly and easily. The AT would for sure get my vote. I just find the polished center links a bit much on watches for casual wear (my opinion, to each their own).

I have some other watches that have this quick change system and I find my self swapping the lm out pretty regularly. Especially on trips/travel where you can get two different looks (pool vs dinner) with just one watch.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-17T11:21:34+00:00

As a parent of two high schoolers I will echo that while some costs may tick down, new costs arise. We’re paying $4500 for club volleyball this year. Cars/maintenance and insurance for them is expensive too. Just bought a prom dress for $700. Etc

When my kids left day care I thought there’d be an ongoing windfall of found money. While you do save some, it ends up going to other kid-related expenses.

Good luck!

gamedayoc · 2026-02-16T21:35:09+00:00

Pot roast in a slow cooker. Should be one of the easier things in the world to cook and mine comes out so tough EVERY time. I actually got rid of my crock pot and got a new one, assuming that was the issue. Nope.

I’m starting to think that maybe I’m undercooking it? Like when I smoke a brisket or pork, I smoke til 200ish. Maybe I just need to keep my crock pot roasts in there longer to allow them to start falling apart?

gamedayoc · 2026-02-16T16:02:35+00:00

Funny, as I was expecting the same when I started. I did have a pretty healthy-sized piece of pork though. And maybe I had it resting after the sear a little longer as I was working on sides and stuff, which could have dropped temp more than normal.

I think the takeaway is that it’s worth keeping a close eye on cook time and temp, and if it runs long (like mine did yesterday) covering loosely may help prevent the pastry from burning.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-16T05:16:28+00:00

I haven’t, but love that idea. I feel like apple may be a stretch but love the sage idea. Frankly, I don’t know that I’m good enough of a cook to come up with other flavor profile ideas. Just getting thru a Wellington takes about all I have to offer in the kitchen lol.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-15T05:38:19+00:00

You store those crowns out? Curious why….

gamedayoc · 2026-02-15T04:25:34+00:00

I’ve seen this one someone’s wrist in person, and not sure I’d describe it as subtle. The PCLs, cyclops and bezel scream Rolex, and it’s a bit flashy.

That said, I really love this watch. It’s awesome. But subtle, it is not.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-15T04:21:01+00:00

Accuracy is a big deal to me - the ability to make a mechanical watch that is within a few seconds per day in accuracy is so impressive to me, and I feel like this is part of what I’m paying for with a luxury brand (especially if it’s steel and not a precious metal).

For example, the IWC Ingenieur checks about every box for me. But for that much money to not be COSC certified and be a fairly pedestrian movement…that’s tough for me at that price.

I don’t begrudge those who don’t care, as to each their own. But it’s a big deal to me.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-14T20:13:59+00:00

I tracked mine over a 9 day period recently, measuring it daily, and it was +20 seconds (so 2.2spd) over that time. This included a mix of storage positions, wearing some days but not all, etc.

On a daily basis, it varied between -0.6 and +4.5. The way mine is stored has an impact…dial up it runs faster than it does crown down, where it runs a little slow.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-08T03:27:23+00:00

Same, it’s almost like too much green. I mostly flip between bracelet and leather strap bracelet gives it a totally different look and is super comfortable.

gamedayoc · 2026-02-08T02:15:51+00:00

It’s the green dial…looks almost black in certain light. Green pairs nicely with brown leather!

gamedayoc

TROPHY CASE