
What can be said that is really original about the Submariner.
A legendary model for many of us. New Rich Roro for others.
What is certain is that this watch does not leave you indifferent.
For my 40th birthday, I had a Reverso in mind but it was too much of a duplication with my IWC Portofino which I will talk about another day.
I was not necessarily a big fan of Rolex but working in reliability/durability, I had a good opinion of the quality of their products. And the Submariner was a natural choice. But it would be a Vintage because I was not a big fan of the latest productions that I found too massive.
And once on the wrist, this watch immediately won me over.
At Rolex, there are no excessive complications. It is sober, timeless, robust and reliable.
The 16610 that I have, from 1990, with tritium indices, is probably the right compromise between original design, quality of the 3135 mechanism and modernity with its sapphire crystal.
It is the last of the best Submariners for many fans before the 6 digits, the engraved flanges and the thickened horns.
Small downside on the bracelet that I always found a little "cheap" at the buckle level.
A good alternative is to wear it on a Nato strap.
In any case, if there were only one left in my "small collection", it would certainly be this one.

Rolex Submariner 16610



Looking for a so-called "super compressor" watch, but without the budget to go and get a Polaris at JLC, or even the very beautiful reissue of the Longines legend diver, my choice was more surely on a LIP Nautic ski.
French purchase, beautiful watch, in short, I was determined.
And then while browsing the Internet, I came across this English brand. Spinnaker.
Spinnaker has been making a name for itself on the watch scene for a few years with models inspired by the maritime and diving worlds.
And this Bradner model immediately caught my eye.
We are therefore on a steel case called super compressor (EPSA type for connoisseurs) 42 mm in diameter, date window at 3 o'clock and 2 crowns: the one at 4 o'clock is used for the usual functions of the watch (setting the time and date, winding), and the one at 2 o'clock is used to turn a bidirectional inner bezel.
This watch has a NH35 TMI movement, and is equipped with a pretty domed sapphire crystal.
The case back takes on pretty reflections with the light.
I find it ultimately more balanced and more elegant than the Nautic ski.
All for a very reasonable price.
However, note 2 small flaws.
The case is still quite thick. So not suitable for small wrists.
And the supposedly waterproof leather strap has turned black after the first few baths.
So I wear it on a Nato strap.
But overall, it does the job. A tool watch with an undeniable quality-price ratio that is easy to wear.

Spinnaker Bradner

Portofino, a chic destination on the Italian Riviera. It breathes the Dolce Vita all that!!!
This watch has a special place in my collection.
First, because it's an IWC.
And then above all, because it's my engagement watch :-)
And this manufacturer deserves praise in many ways. It knew how to reinvent itself after the crisis of the 70s linked to the arrival of Quartz.
And for that, it bet on its classics and its timeless pieces. In short, the Portofino and the Portuguese.
Sober design, ultra classic some would say, contained diameter of 36 mm on this example ref 3513 (Today exists in 40mm) which allows it to be worn by both Monsieur and Madame.
It is elegance incarnate.
I love to wear it with a beautiful three-piece suit and a shirt with musketeer cuffs.
Round watch with straight horns, simple dials with classic indexes and hands, it's the assurance of not making a mistake.
For me, a superb alternative to the Piaget Altiplano in the "Dress watch" category.

IWC Portofino 3513

This watch is the crush of summer 2021.
When I discovered it with my eldest son, we were both thrilled.
This 70s design, a real killer. Integrated RO-style bracelet, satin-finished case. And this blue embossed background with all these reflections, wow.
On top of that, you have an in-house caliber with 80 hours of power reserve, all for a reasonable price of €695. In short, you have to buy it.
Unfortunately, by the time you decide, the offer is already out of stock. A real success like Tissot has not seen for a long time.
February 2022, my son's 18th birthday.
We want to mark the occasion and I look at the Tudor Blackbay 58, or the Longine Legend Diver, 2 diving watches that I find very beautiful and which could be good candidates for a first Automatic watch for my son.
But his opinion is final, he has not forgotten the PRX and that is the one he wants.
Noted.
Well, I must say that no one regrets it and especially not me who regularly steals it from him.


Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

The IWC brand was created in 1868 by the American Florentine Ariosto Jones in northeastern Switzerland. He founded a watch factory in Switzerland to supply the American market with quality movements and benefit from the know-how of the Swiss workforce. He settled in the town of Schaffhausen following his meeting with Johann Heinrich Moser, watchmaker and industrialist.
<h2 dir="ltr">History of the IWC brand</h2>
Known for its watches in areas such as scuba diving or combat with the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/iwc/aquatimer"> IWC Aquatimer</a>, the house acquired its reputation with watches in the aeronautical sector from 1936. The brand is also recognized in the marine sector with the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/iwc/portugieser"> IWC Portugieser</a> created in 1939 to meet the demand of two Portuguese importers of the brand, Rodrigues and Teixeira.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does an IWC watch cost?</h2>
The prices of new IWC watches change every year, but most IWC models cost between CHF 8,000 and CHF 12,000. For example, a<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/iwc/ingenieur/review/65952649c78129179ad4037b"> IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40</a>, a reissue of the famous IWC Ingenieur SL designed by Gerald Genta, is sold for CHF 12,000, while an IWC Perpetual Calendar in Ceratanium costs CHF 53,000. IWC also offers models in precious materials and set with diamonds for a more feminine clientele.
<h2 dir="ltr">IWC: Much more than aviator watches</h2>
IWC is owned by the Richemont group as<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/panerai"> Panerai</a>,<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/vacheron_constantin"> Vacheron Constantin</a>,<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/cartier"> Cartier</a> and produces around 150,000 watches per year, all models combined. To choose an IWC that suits you best, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.
(Updated January 2024)

This IWC R1210 is the first watch I bought for myself at auction. It is the dresswatch par excellence: thin, 33mm even if it seems larger, beautifully made alligator strap (I haven't changed it because it is so beautiful). Yellow gold case, an immaculate dial (I even wonder if it hasn't been redone because it is so clean). The caliber is a mechanical 401 that works very well. For the moment I haven't needed to service it. I wear it very little because it is still a fairly old watch and not suitable for everyday life. The model also exists in steel if some people don't like yellow gold. At the time I found it for over €1000 at the hammer, but I don't really know its value.

IWC R1210, but Calatrava to me!

La marque SYE [Start Your Engine] a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 2020 par Arnaud Pezeron &agrave; c&ocirc;t&eacute; de Paris en France. La marque inaugure le Sport Tailoring au poignet. Elle propose des montres sport-chic de caract&egrave;re, fiables, ludiques et abordables inspir&eacute;es de l'univers de la m&eacute;canique auto-moto. La gamme comprend deux mod&egrave;les distincts, la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_automatic_24">SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 </a>et la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_chronograph">SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.
Cette marque embarque une innovation sur le changement du bracelet disponible en acier ou en cuir. La montre n'offre aucun espace entre le bracelet et la boite d&ucirc; &agrave; l&rsquo;absence de cornes, ce qui am&eacute;liore son confort et sa portabilit&eacute;.
<h2 class="p1">Combien co&ucirc;te une montre&nbsp;SYE&nbsp;?</h2>
La gamme SYE comporte deux mod&egrave;les disponibles sur le site de la marque : La SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de 750&euro;. La SYE MOT1ON Chronograph est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de 599 &euro;.
SYE est ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines montres par an tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une SYE qui vous correspond le mieux, les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises">Classement des meilleures marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises</a> dont SYE fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2023)

The brand SYE [Start Your Engine] was created in 2020 by Arnaud Pezeron near Paris in France. The brand is introducing Sport Tailoring on the wrist. It offers sporty-chic watches with character, reliability, fun and affordability inspired by the world of car and motorcycle mechanics. The range includes two distinct models, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_automatic_24"> SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_chronograph"> SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.
This brand has an innovation in changing the bracelet available in steel or leather. The watch offers no space between the bracelet and the case due to the absence of lugs, which improves its comfort and portability.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a SYE watch cost?</h2>
The SYE range includes two models available on the brand's website: The SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 is offered from &euro; 750. The SYE MOT1ON Chronograph is offered from &euro; 599.
SYE is independent and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an SYE that best suits you, the Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.
Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">Ranking of the best French watch brands</a>, including SYE.
(Updated November 2023)

IWC Portofino Owner Review : Dressy, beautiful and distinguished

IWC Portofino 3513

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