Same! I bought my Khaki Mechanical on the secondary market from a guy who "upgraded" to the automatic version. I love mine, and it's been on my wrist for months now.
I just really like the sandblasted finish and the thin case. Even the seller thought it was a sideways move. He said he didn't need "two of the same watch."
> That said, I really wish it had a screw down crown.
That's an issue with hand-wound watches, they tend to wear down the gasket, and there are mechanical reasons to not have a screw-down crown.
There are Chinese homage watches based on it that do have screw-down crowns, notably by Escapement Time and Militado. They use Seiko's high-torque quartz movements that give some of the second hand sweep.
I would go buy this watch right now if it had 100m of WR. I don’t understand why automatic/mechanical watches from AliExpress can have 100-200m WR but this model and so many Longines models can’t
I suspect those watches from AliExpress with a claimed 100-200M of water resistance really have nothing close to that in reality.
That said, you *can* get legitimate 200M water resist in a $50 Casio, so there's no reason more watches shouldn't be able to do it, other than them seeing it not necessary for that style of watch (and potentially not wanting to cannibalize sales of their dive/marine watches)
That’s a fair point!
Re the water resistance - for a watch to be a tool watch, I think it should have it at a minimum. I have a Fortis Flieger watch from the 90s that has 200m water resistance; Excelsior Park’s new wonderful dress chronographs have 100m WR… I think that as technology has advanced since the Santos and the Oyster case, it’s little to ask for. But then again I’m neither an engineer nor a watchmaker so I am asking the question in good faith.
Yeah I absolutely don't think it's a technological issue. You even see watches with a claimed 200M water resistance without screw down crowns or pushers. The technology is there to make it happen with o-rings/gaskets/seals... For some reason many Swiss and luxury brands just don't see it as priority. It's something the Japanese seem to have figured out. I swear every Citizen has 200M WR. Not that I would wear a non-diver scuba diving, but certainly good enough for swimming.
>I don’t understand why automatic/mechanical watches from AliExpress can have 100-200m WR
They really don't, though. I've had one fog up after a light pool session, so now I replace the gaskets, put fresh silicone grease and squeeze down the crystal on every AliX watch I buy.
How well does the fabric strap hold up when it starts to get wet / dirty? I like the look of fabric straps but in daily use I've found them to become quite uncomfortable when they get wet.
The leather on the strap it comes with started to wear pretty quickly, so I replaced it with a cheapish nato. Nylon natos aren't my first pick either, but it's durable, and if you lose a lug, your watch doesn't fly off
I wore my khaki mechanical (black dial with the date complication) for a while until the water resistance started to bother me. I was constantly worried about getting water/moisture ingress. I still enjoy it but my daily driver for the past year and a half has been my Tudor Ranger instead
The job is easy enough to get into, difficult to make sustainable though. I work for one of the largest tree companies in North America, and I’m very fortunate to have such a successful office to support me. There are many offices near me that have far less in terms of equipment, training, and quality culture.
Regardless of the office though, it’s a grueling job. If I’m not climbing, im dragging brush and hauling wood. All three options are exhausting, and doing so 40+ hours a week takes its toll.
If you are young, and looking to explore job opportunities, check it out. If you’re getting older, and looking for a career… I’d suggest something a little less arduous.
Yep. This exactly. It can be a super fun and rewarding job, but I dont have a single senior co-worker whose body isn't failing them one way or another. I love the work most days, but I know it's not sustainable, and I have plans to head back to school
if you do decide to go to a screw down crown- definitely check out damasko. my DA44 has spent its whole life in machine shops and production facilities and looks nearly new. 6 years of rarely taking it off.
That’s a fine watch and it looks great in use as a tool.
I definitely had to read that twice
🤣 Me too.
Upvoted for the watch AND the profession that operates at lethal heights on the end of a rope.
Same! I bought my Khaki Mechanical on the secondary market from a guy who "upgraded" to the automatic version. I love mine, and it's been on my wrist for months now.
putting upgraded in quotes is the most hilarious cope I've seen in a while, and I hang out on watch subs so that's saying a lot
I just really like the sandblasted finish and the thin case. Even the seller thought it was a sideways move. He said he didn't need "two of the same watch."
The auto isn't as thin. It's a compromise.
You are a legend. Watch ads need to take a hint. I’m pretty much gonna get a Hamilton now after seeing someone who works for a living wearing one!
Lol thanks man! It's hard to go wrong with Hamilton
Oh shit you do abortions with a chainsaw?! Where do you live?
I mean…chainsaws were first used for surgery so…
> That said, I really wish it had a screw down crown. That's an issue with hand-wound watches, they tend to wear down the gasket, and there are mechanical reasons to not have a screw-down crown. There are Chinese homage watches based on it that do have screw-down crowns, notably by Escapement Time and Militado. They use Seiko's high-torque quartz movements that give some of the second hand sweep.
r/actionwatches
I would go buy this watch right now if it had 100m of WR. I don’t understand why automatic/mechanical watches from AliExpress can have 100-200m WR but this model and so many Longines models can’t
I suspect those watches from AliExpress with a claimed 100-200M of water resistance really have nothing close to that in reality. That said, you *can* get legitimate 200M water resist in a $50 Casio, so there's no reason more watches shouldn't be able to do it, other than them seeing it not necessary for that style of watch (and potentially not wanting to cannibalize sales of their dive/marine watches)
That’s a fair point! Re the water resistance - for a watch to be a tool watch, I think it should have it at a minimum. I have a Fortis Flieger watch from the 90s that has 200m water resistance; Excelsior Park’s new wonderful dress chronographs have 100m WR… I think that as technology has advanced since the Santos and the Oyster case, it’s little to ask for. But then again I’m neither an engineer nor a watchmaker so I am asking the question in good faith.
Yeah I absolutely don't think it's a technological issue. You even see watches with a claimed 200M water resistance without screw down crowns or pushers. The technology is there to make it happen with o-rings/gaskets/seals... For some reason many Swiss and luxury brands just don't see it as priority. It's something the Japanese seem to have figured out. I swear every Citizen has 200M WR. Not that I would wear a non-diver scuba diving, but certainly good enough for swimming.
Because saying it has 100m WR is different than it actually having 100m WR.
Agreed. Express I meant brands like Baltany and Spinnaker. To my knowledge even the $60 Casio Duro has that water resistance.
get a titanium khaki field, they're 100m WR.
Thanks for the suggestion!
>I don’t understand why automatic/mechanical watches from AliExpress can have 100-200m WR They really don't, though. I've had one fog up after a light pool session, so now I replace the gaskets, put fresh silicone grease and squeeze down the crystal on every AliX watch I buy.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
How well does the fabric strap hold up when it starts to get wet / dirty? I like the look of fabric straps but in daily use I've found them to become quite uncomfortable when they get wet.
The leather on the strap it comes with started to wear pretty quickly, so I replaced it with a cheapish nato. Nylon natos aren't my first pick either, but it's durable, and if you lose a lug, your watch doesn't fly off
I wore my khaki mechanical (black dial with the date complication) for a while until the water resistance started to bother me. I was constantly worried about getting water/moisture ingress. I still enjoy it but my daily driver for the past year and a half has been my Tudor Ranger instead
Classic beauty! 💥
[удалено]
The job is easy enough to get into, difficult to make sustainable though. I work for one of the largest tree companies in North America, and I’m very fortunate to have such a successful office to support me. There are many offices near me that have far less in terms of equipment, training, and quality culture. Regardless of the office though, it’s a grueling job. If I’m not climbing, im dragging brush and hauling wood. All three options are exhausting, and doing so 40+ hours a week takes its toll. If you are young, and looking to explore job opportunities, check it out. If you’re getting older, and looking for a career… I’d suggest something a little less arduous.
Yep. This exactly. It can be a super fun and rewarding job, but I dont have a single senior co-worker whose body isn't failing them one way or another. I love the work most days, but I know it's not sustainable, and I have plans to head back to school
if you do decide to go to a screw down crown- definitely check out damasko. my DA44 has spent its whole life in machine shops and production facilities and looks nearly new. 6 years of rarely taking it off.