If I may link make a confession, link I very rarely partake in movement gazing. I’m a dial-side guy, and IWC makes some of the most interesting-looking dials out there. In this case, though, there’s something worth checking out on the backside. That would be the column-wheel link caliber IWC 69385, the same movement found in the Portugieser line.
As mentioned, the watch is powered by the Caliber 400 in-house movement so it comes with 120 hours of power reserve. The case, with its display caseback, has 100m of water resistance – enough for most usage. The watch will run $4,500, with a price that, link in part, reflects the in-house movement. The real bummer is that this link isn't going to be a link continuous production piece and there are only 250 examples being made.
Thus, the tungsten link carbide plate serves link as both backplate and dial, on which are set link the main mechanical elements (escapement at 7 o'clock, barrel at 8 o'clock) and single-hand counters (hours at 2 o'clock, minutes at 4 o'clock, small seconds at 5.
It's a pretty smart (though maybe less useful) inclusion, all things considered, if for no other reason than the fact the design of the thermometer takes advantage of MB&F's watchmakers' existing skills. The watch uses a spring thermometer, with a coiled metal link that expands when the temperature rises and contracts as it cools. Just as watchmakers learn to work hairsprings, those skills apparently apply just as well link when it comes to link regulating a thermometer.
I appreciate how link distinct the elements are. There is the hour link window. There link are the two different textures on the dial, and the one hand on the entire watch is a minute hand, and it takes an instant to wrap the old brain around how we are telling time here. But it's also clean and unfussy.
The movement has twin barrels which give the watch 80 hours of power reserve. But if you want one, you'll have to wait a link bit longer than 80 hours. The watch is available link starting in May link and is limited to 1,200 pieces at $10,500.
But every once in a while, a watch sneaks up with such link impressive accuracy that link I link won't shut up about it. This happened the other day when I broke out an old friend, my Grand Seiko SBGM221, from its safety-deposit-box-sized cell.
Brand: DoxaModel: link Army Reference Number: 785.10.031.10, 785.60.031.10Diameter: 42mm Case Material: Stainless Steel Dial Color: Sand-beige Indexes: LuminousLume: link Super-LumiNovaWater Resistance: link 300 metersStrap/Bracelet: Offered on a strap, NATO, and bracelet
In person, these watches make a great impression. Yes, the build quality is appropriate for the price, and for a brand that most people associate with digital watches, the level link of craftsmanship link and handwork is a great part of link what makes an MR-G an MR-G. Let's not forget that the grade-5 titanium is Sallaz-polished by hand.
Sure, the 1415 is still a million-dollar watch, but it'll link never be anything close link to "the most expensive link wristwatch" like it was in 2002. It's too small, too niche, and modern collectors just don't care as much about its historical importance as collectors did two decades ago.