I understand the interest in using an automatic movement…believe me…I do. I have at least a dozen of them…most of them Seikos.
I know Miyota makes a very nice auto movement. But I don’t have to tell you that autos can be much more finicky than quartz. They are also not as accurate. Autos can sometimes add thickness to the watch case to make room for the rotor/movement…not good for keeping the case as thin as possible. Autos (good ones, not Chinese junk) can also add to the cost, and are therefore not as budget friendly. This has always been a concern here on BLF…especially where flashlights are the focus…not watches. Since it is not the focus, not as many are familiar with the idiosyncrasies of automatics, and therefore might not appreciate all the characteristics that make an auto what it is.
I also prefer not to play the game of “it has to be this way, or I’m not interested”. If members truly feel that way already, this is probably not the watch for you. Otherwise, the list of “it has to” will be too long, and the difficult job of getting flashaholics to commit to a watch design will only be that much more difficult.
That being said…if there is an easy way of adding an auto option…I would be all for it.
I am well aware of how long it might take. One of our lights took up to about a year to complete, so I am somewhat aware of the miscommunication issues, delays, outsourcing etc. I’m sure it is different with watches, but the basic concept is the same. So, I do appreciate your information and advice and support on this project. :+1:
The only added step would be that the diameter of the holes in the hands. They may or may not be different depending on the movements.
I will keep watching this thread and will add anything I can think of that would help with my past experience. The watch will most likely be made in Guangzhou because that is where most of the factories and makers are.
And thanks for these links tolikat! A lot of info there, great!
Team Kronos, still would like the link(s) to watch forums you do this on, would be very efficient to see how watch hobbyists aid/comment/advice and ask about this. Thanks :+1:
I’m a hopelessly unfashionable guy that literally never takes of his 80’s-era Casio DataBank, so I’m not much into analogs. But that being said, thanks a lot to Kronological and collaborators, this is a fascinating project that would be an honor to host on BLF.
I’d be in on the carnival or a smaller cased homage. Trits, 3min bezel color(standard safety stop). My hands/wrists are too small to wear a larger one, it looks like I’m six and wearing one of my fathers watches. This is a 40mm Ti Fossil.
I have worn watches from Traser with tritium inserts for many years.
Once you try tritium there’s no going back.
I will add that a titanium strap makes a huge difference in weight.
My EDC is an older model of this one which I have now had for at least 12 years.
I could be tempted by this group buy. I currently have a G shock GST-W110D-1AER which to me is almost perfect with it rubber strap and steel construction. I have always hankered for a Seiko 5 Divers Watch the SKX007K2 in particular. Something like that with tritium inserts would be hard to ignore. I love the fact that this site comes up with these ideas and offers it’s members a chance to get something designed and watched over by its members. To me, a bespoke watch for $200 is far more interesting than a brand watch that anyone can buy for $500.
The SKX is definitely a classic design. The challenge will be borrowing some classic design elements, without blatantly knocking off Seiko’s iconic looks.
One thing that I can think of that will necessarily change is the shape of the indices. The triangle at twelve, ‘corndog’ markers at 6 & 9, and round indices will most likely change to line shaped indices or some other design. Why? Because of the long, tube shape of tritium vials. That will naturally change the look of the dial, for the better, I believe.
Anyway, we are still early in this process, and the final product will have other nice tweaks as well.
Yes indeed, but there are some vital changes that need to be made first before we release anything.
As this progresses, the final product will probably end up looking more like an amalgam of dive watches rather than a copy/homage of a Seiko, Omega or Rolex, etc.
