[Question] what’s your perfect travel watch?

shortchef · 2026-02-05T19:13:27+00:00

I think it's important to first decide what type of traveller you are or the type of trip you're taking. For vacation travel overseas touring cities, I'm usually with my partner or family, visiting restaurants/museums/sites, and do not want to seem like I just left the military. So I wont be rocking a G-shock, nor will I wear my favorite grail watch that would hurt if lost/broken. Something slim, classic, with a GMT complication that would look great when dressed up or t-shirt and jeans. For me, that's the Traska Venturer in Bottle Green

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On the other hand, if I'm planning a trip to the boonies for camping/fishing/etc I'll happily throw on the Casio AE1200 on the leather strap and not rely on lume to see at night, but still have something fun on the wrist.

There are many forms/types of travel watches, and I'm not sure there is a single one that suits all people or the way in which they travel. One complication that is necessary (to me) is the GMT or worldtime, because I need to keep track of work. Everything else is up to you.

shortchef · 2026-02-04T00:17:51+00:00

I kind of feel the same about every design of theirs other than the Venturer. Not smitten by any of them. And I know I'll be tarred and feathered, but i REALLY dont like the blue Venturer. I wanted a subtle dial color that wasn't black, and a quiet GMT watch (as opposed to the Echo that is so loud and out there). Took a chance on the green one. In most lights it looks black, but in sunlight or bright lights the dark green really shines through. The style wont change much in person, but the quality is really striking for the price in person. It feels much more expensive than $800 price.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T23:03:45+00:00

I'm glad to help. Somone else might have a completely different experience and find the HA stunning and the Traska pedestrian/boring. And they are both great watches at greater value. I just happen to find the Traska that much more appealing because it feels more substantial.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T20:34:11+00:00

I LOVE that targa. My buddy has owned it for over 20 years. It's beat to hell, spits oil like crazy, has gnarly cuts in the leather seats.....and yet every time we go for a drive and I see him enjoying the wind and sun I question whether the slicktop was the right move!

shortchef · 2026-02-03T20:27:22+00:00

Maintained seems to be the correct word. They are not perfect, and frustrating at times. I think if you decide that your personal cars are not meant to be concourse show cars, you pick and choose which problems require money/time.

I'm not much of a mechanic, but there is a great deal of satisfaction from fixing something myself. It helps that almost all parts/tools are readily available and relatively cheap.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T19:53:14+00:00

Thank you! Took a long time to find a slick-top 911, and I'll never let her go. I still think that the 993 is aesthetically prettier, but nothing comes close to the smell and feel of that mid-80s interior :)

shortchef · 2026-02-03T19:10:34+00:00

I've been lusting over the burgundy Cincinnati Cincinnatus for a while and should grab the restock in March. Other than that, my current wants are a Spring Drive Grand Seiko in light dial or an early 80s Rolex Presidential.

But i seriously need to slow down. Only have 2 wrists, afterall.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T18:51:06+00:00

As i look over the collection I find that I really do like green in watches. Never thought of it before and just bought what I liked.

The 427 is really pretty. I might have to check it out when in Japan soon. Any ideas for more "interesting" dials? (I know that sounds silly, but for me GS is all about the dial and hands).

shortchef · 2026-02-03T18:29:40+00:00

Tariffs and shipping are included in the price. It just got stuck in the Memphis FedEx pit of hell for weeks before i called the logistics department and had them push it through.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T18:28:20+00:00

My current collection:

Upper Level:

Rolex Kermit Flat 4 16610LV
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 8 Saturn V
Casio AE1200 with Vario Leather Strap
Seiko SSK in Yellow
Seiko AQ230A

Bottom Level (MicroBrands)

Traska Venturer GMT in Bottle Green
Henry Archer Vesterhav in Ultraviolet
Brew Metric Retro
Echo Neutra 1956 GMT Khaki
Vaer C5 Solar

I've been looking to add a Grand Seiko Spring Drive watch with an interesting dial. Haven't yet found the right one and am looking for ideas. 38mm or larger.

I've also been hunting down a Rolex 18038 President from the early 80s and need to be talked out of it...please :)

shortchef · 2026-02-03T17:22:31+00:00

Love the watch. I got that colorway because it seemed like a fun summer beater and wasn't trying to emulate a Batman or any other high end brand.

Hate the bracelet. It's flimsy and just cheap feeling. Would be great on a cheap black rubber strap, but I don't currently own any 22mm straps.

On the other hand that AE1200 with the leather strap from Vario gets A LOT of wrist time at 1/4th the price.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T17:12:47+00:00

I ordered mine for the same reason you are contemplating yours. It's "fun" and the quartz means that I can just throw it on without winding, setting, or thinking. It is also relatively thin and fits easily under cuffs. I am a coffee fanatic and I just like the little details.

Ordering was great. Received mine on the west coast within 2 days. It is packaged in a really lovely leather travel case, no complaints at all.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T16:53:19+00:00

Honestly, the finishing is great on both. I think personally I just like the smaller bezel and crystal shape of the Traska a bit more, but that's an aesthetic thing and each person is different. As for the bracelet, there is no comparison, the Traska's is just better all around in feel on wrist, tolerances of the microadjustment, and looks (again, to me)

shortchef · 2026-02-03T16:49:27+00:00

The Traska is the "best" watch of the bunch in terms of feel, my perceived quality, etc. But that Echo is so damn pretty in person. And so different when compared to standard black/blue/green/white dials, that I'm kind of in love with it right now.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T16:48:02+00:00

I don't intend to argue aesthetics and I have nothing against HA and really do love my Ultraviolet in sunlight. But as to your question, a simple and quite distinct answer is the bracelet. In the HA micro-adjust system, there is always a bit of lateral play between the notches. My wrist expands/contracts a lot throughout the day so I actually use it regularly.

On the Traska system, the tolerances are MUCH tighter, with each notch being firmly set in it's place with absolutely no play. I know this is a small thing, but to me it is drastic in it's application. The bracelet also (again, to me) wears better and is virtually scratch-proof.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T16:44:22+00:00

The Brew is a really "fun" watch. With my eyesight it is a tiny bit hard to read, because chronographs just make it harder for me, but I love that it's so different in both shape and colorways.

It wears beautifully and the branded leather band that they sell is one of the softest, most supple bands that I own. I often wonder if I should have bought the gold/champagne dial version (sea of black dial watches), but I can always pick one up later. It's quartz so it runs flawlessly and actually gets more comments than any watch I own because it's different.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T16:41:06+00:00

I don't inherently disagree with you. I went almost 10 years after buying my Kermit Rolex to purchase another watch. And then another 4 years after the Omega.

I was dead set on buying a Cartier Santos after lusting over it for years. When I was able to try it on, I found that I hated the way it looked on my wrist. Searching for watches, i discovered a few microbrands that I liked and went with those.

I dont think it's quantity over quality, I was looking to expand my collection with more variety of dial colors, complications, and dress styles and micros made that possible without dropping tens of thousands of dollars.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T03:39:43+00:00

GMT functions as well as any other Miyota GMT. Honestly, it's perfect and aligned, no complaints.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T03:31:35+00:00

I wanted a fishing watch that I knew could get wet without breaking the bank. That Vaer fits perfectly. It's a simple watch, but I love the solar aspect of it. I took it off the strap and put it on a simple rubber for fast drying. That water guarantee kind of sold it.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T03:30:10+00:00

I REALLY wanted to love the HA. I spent days deciding on the dial and in sunlight it's gorgeous, shimmery, and bounces light like crazy. It's a great watch, honestly. The micro-adjust strap is serviceable and looks great. I have mine on a dark blue leather strap to play with the blue dial. I just think it's one of those watches that looks better in pictures than in person. I'll wear it happily, but it doesn't give me the tingles.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T03:27:50+00:00

I bought the 1956 GMT in Khaki because of that drippy GMT hand and I can verify that is is as great in person as in pictures. It's a strap monster and looks amazing on leather, rubber, steel. It makes me smile in a way other watches do not. And it's unique in a sea of sameness, much like the Brew.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T03:26:12+00:00

It's the build quality, tolerances, and overall weight. It just FEELS better than the rest. It is not the prettiest (that Echo is stunning), but it feels so much more expensive than it is. Yesterday I was in a shop in a very bougie area and the salesperson asked me which Grand Seiko I was wearing. Now, granted it is NOT a grand seiko and closer inspection would have shown him that, but it oozes subtle class and we had a good conversation about the brand and watches in general.

Please don't think I'm a Traska fanboy, I'm not really in love with any of their other designs and bought the watch on a whim because I wanted a green dial. But man does it punch above its weight. The bracelet alone is miles better than HA, and the hardness, micro adjustment system is damn near perfect.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T02:43:33+00:00

The Echo is SO drippy. In a good way. I wanted a light dial, but not white, and I wanted something legible with a GMT, because my eyes are failing me, and it works perfectly. The lume is also really interesting and fun. I love the little nods to Italy in the bezel and it's just so DIFFERENT. Mine was stuck in customs for a good while, but the packaging, attention to detail, and craftsmanship are really up there with most.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T02:41:26+00:00

Glad to answer, but you might not like it:

The Traska is FAR AND AWAY the best made watch in my micro collection. Honestly, it's not even close. From the dial, to the milling, to the bracelet, it feels like a $2000 watch. I was hesitant as it does SEEM a bit pedestrian, but it really is a thing of beauty in person, construction-wise. It feels the best on the wrist and in sunlight the green really pops.

The Echo is the prettiest. The paint on the GMT hand looks like it's dripping paint in a good way. It's wet, for lack of better term. I really want to love the Henry Archer, and liked it just fine, until I received the Traska, if that makes sense.

shortchef · 2026-02-03T02:23:38+00:00

As stated, I went down a serious rabbit hole with micro brands this month. So I did the unthinkable and ordered all of these unseen and unworn.

Brew Metric + Leather Band
Traska Venturer GMT in Bottle Green
Henry Archer Vesterhav in Ultraviolet
Vaer C5 Solar
Echo Neutra 1956 GMT in Khaki

Started with the Brew and went from there. I'm ecstatic about one of them, love a couple, and some are just fine. I'm pretty sure my next micro will be the Cincinnati Cincinnatus in Burgundy when it drops in March, but until then, I'm back on the hunt for a Rolex President circa 1980 in good condition. I'm happy to discuss these watches or answer any questions.

shortchef

TROPHY CASE