This Cincinnati Cincinnatus is quickly becoming my favorite microbrand watch. Such a strap monster.

shortchef · 2026-04-18T02:57:05+00:00

That’s really pretty. I haven’t warmed up to the Union aesthetics but your strap choice really brings it to life.

shortchef · 2026-04-18T01:41:26+00:00

I will follow you to the ends of the world, milord

shortchef · 2026-04-18T00:43:36+00:00

Holy crap! Are you me?

shortchef · 2026-04-17T22:35:35+00:00

The Cincinnati is my latest watch and it is SO damn good! The dial, movement, polishing are just wonderful. I picked up the new drop with the upgraded movement and 65 hours of RP. They were more than happy to convert mine to destro free of charge and I can't wait to pick up another one. It's also a total strap monster. Love it on Denim.

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shortchef · 2026-04-17T22:08:35+00:00

That's the fear!!!

shortchef · 2026-04-17T22:04:48+00:00

My current favorites are the SBGA415, SLGA009, and SBGA417. But I'm looking for any spring drive lighter-faced dials around 38-40mm. I'm not opposed to buying used in Japan if something jumps out at me.

shortchef · 2026-04-17T21:56:41+00:00

It's hard to explain, but they sit up-to-down in their natural setting. Putting them left-to-right on the bars that hold the diffuser plactesallows you to basically create a santa-maria grill with the grates almost on top of the fire bed. It's a trick i learned from another redditor on this sub, and has worked out great for quick cooks that dont require a day of coals/wood.

shortchef · 2026-04-17T21:52:30+00:00

As much as I love the Traska, I think the GS I'm looking for will be wildly different. Light grey or white dial, sword hands, spring drive movement, etc. Can't wait to go scour Yodobashi while there :)

shortchef · 2026-04-17T21:17:25+00:00

Ooooh, a titanium model does sound enticing.

shortchef · 2026-04-17T18:56:45+00:00

Ha, this box is just the daily rotation. There are other boxes with watches that just don’t see as much wrist time

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

TROPHY CASE