Any good chronographs if you don't love the daytona

[blown5.0]

Which Glashutte is this? Really nice!

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

[trippinjimmy]

Since I haven't seen it said yet, I'd check out the IWC spitfire...although my first vote would be tied b/w a sapphire sandwich (which I see you don't want) and the el primero.

One unique thing about the EP is it beats at 36,000 vph...so it's a super smooth, almost spring drive like second hand rotation.

Good luck!

[SeikoBake]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

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This

[pbubsy]

I have a Breitling Avenger 45 that I really like. It's simple and understated. Not flashy like a lot of the Breitling line. Don't like everything to be high polish. Prefer brushed like they've been doing on the Avenger 45 and 43 specifically. Easy to service workhorse Valjoux 7750 is actually a bonus to me. Love that movement. I've got a few watches with it and they've ranked among the most robust, reliable and accurate movements I've experienced.

You also can't go wrong with a Navitimer or of course as others have mentioned: the storied Zenith El Primero.

Eta: I owned a Speedmaster and thought it was very cool. Was veeery accurate and a beautiful watch. I don't know why but I just never really connected with it. Ended up selling it when it sat in the safe too long without attention. I haven't been able to really connect with anything Omega. It's odd because they make a fantastic watch and I know it. I've had three different Seamaster variants and one Speedmaster. All dead nuts reliable/accurate but none of which really excited me.

[supersam80]

Another vote for the AP ROC but I'm biased

If you want something more sporty then look at a royal oak offshore 44mm. It really is the ultimate sports watch imo

Vacheron is very nice too, it's a little more bulky than the ROC but less so than the offshore

[ninjin]

I have to second a zenith. I have a varied collection of watches yet if anyone was to ask me which is my favourite, without a doubt it's my zenith I bought in 2011. Understated and amazing value for money in this age of crazy prices. I do also own a SS Daytona C w/black dial but it can't compete with my love for the zenith.

[daOnlyBG]

OP, what is about the Daytona / Speedmaster that you don't like/want? Knowing that would probably help us pick better recommendations.

FWIW, here's what's on my lifelong to-do list (excluding the Daytonas/Speedmasters):

1. 1940s/1950s Breitling Chronomats (only that period!) ($$)
2. Zenith El Primero De Luca ($)
3. Breitling Duograph, Ref 766 ($$$)
4. Patek Philippe 5004R ($$$$)
5. Breitling Navitimer, Ref 8808 ($)
6. Longines Type A-7 ($)
7. Heuer Autavia GMT ($$)
8. Basically any Heuer-made chronograph for Abercrombie & Fitch ($$$)

[El-Duderino]

Originally Posted by IR201

And don't want to go the speedmaster route either

Actually, I didn’t ask the important question: what don’t you like about the Daytona? That might help narrow it down a bit.

[exador]

I’d be all over this if I had a spare 19k.

[Megalobyte]

The new 41mm IWC Spitfire with in house column wheel movement.


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[Batmannr1]

Lots and lots of options.
Too expensive for me, but this is my chronograph grail, the Lange Datograph

[Claymie]

Breitling Premier is a great watch that can be had reasonably. It’s an updated classic. Many dial and strap options to enjoy.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

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Where the Daytona wins is at the beautiful symmetrical dial. Not many chronographs offer that. A date wheel is usually the culprit. If you must have a date wheel, this is the best implementation and a gorgeous watch in every aspect.

[OmaniRolex]

IWC or AP

[OmaniRolex]

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[Yaz]

If money is not a problem, I would go for a VC Overseas Chrono, amazing. (over PP Nautilus or AP Royal Oak which I rather prefer the simple date one).
Otherwise, Zenith El Primero is an absolute classic or IWC Portuguese (classy) or Pilot (more casual).
These are the one I would go for if the Daytona was not my first choice.

But there are plenty of beautiful watches ou there...

[LawMan]

Maybe one of these


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[OmaniRolex]

Sorry. Had an issue posting my pics earlier.

These are my 3 chronographs. And I really enjoy them all.


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[IR201]

Thanks guys! A lot of great options to consider. I'm really feeling some form of a Zenith.

To answer the Qs, the Daytona just doesn't sing to me. It's nothing obvious I guess. Also I have no realistic shot at getting it at MSRP, so basically it would be at the grey price, and in that case there's a lot within the Rolex family I'd rather put my money in (and indeed I have). There's also the size issue. I tend to like ~40mm watches, and when I tried on the Daytona (pre-owned) it felt small to me, even compared to my 39mm explorer. Though I'm sure I could adjust to that.

In terms of the speedmaster, I love the look. I've bought it twice, but I've also sold it twice, so I'm looking for something with a little more staying power for me. I think ultimately the no micro adjusts on the bracelet bothered me. Could never get the right fit. I wound up getting a different omega clasp for it, but then the purity of the watch felt wrong to me having "modded" it. On top of that, the whole space mission thing is a little over the top for me in a way that say diving is not for the submariner family.

Money is an "issue" for me here as to be honest chronographs are not my top choice, so not somewhere I want to park a lot of $. But I've already got subs, gmts, explorer, yachtmaster, and sea dweller, so I'm looking to sort of round out my collection with a chrono (and maybe I'll be surprised and wind up loving it more than I think).

Ideally it would be a white/silver option as that is a color need, but I'd rather get the watch I like best no matter the colors.

[ts3]

The IWC 3706 pilot chrono with the fabulous pyramid bracelet or the IWC 3707 GST chrono in SS or Ti are two pretty pieces that can be had for a bargain, preowned of course. Make sure you can live w the rotor noise and wobble of anything based on the Valjoux 7750 though.

[simpleman]

Originally Posted by IR201

Vacheron I love the look but something about it feels more religious or something.

So? The caltrava cross from Patek is associated with slaughtering muslims, yet muslims don't shy away buying watches with bloody vibes.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by IR201

…

Money is an "issue" for me here as to be honest chronographs are not my top choice, so not somewhere I want to park a lot of $. But I've already got subs, gmts, explorer, yachtmaster, and sea dweller, so I'm looking to sort of round out my collection with a chrono (and maybe I'll be surprised and wind up loving it more than I think).

Ideally it would be a white/silver option as that is a color need, but I'd rather get the watch I like best no matter the colors.

If you like Zenith, then you could look at the Velocissimo from Bvlgari's Octo range.

Liking this one – https://www.chrono24.com/blancpain/a...id13264377.htm

https://www.chrono24.com/ebel/le-mod...id13228616.htm

https://www.chrono24.com/chopard/luc...id12020856.htm

[GB-man]

Keeping price in check the navitimer would be my choice.

Otherwise the Octo finissimo chronograph gmt is a great watch as is the APRO offshore 44 line.

[pepsiretail]

Zenith A384 revival is phenomenal.

Also like the 38mm regular version from them.

[IR201]

I think I'm leaning the classic 43mm black Navitimer with the white sub dials.

[El-Duderino]

Originally Posted by IR201

I think I'm leaning the classic 43mm black Navitimer with the white sub dials.

Great piece. I have the A23322 which is 41mm and same dial scheme. Sinn also licensed the look of the Navitimer and the 903 is waterproof. Learning and playing around with the slide rule bezel is pretty fun, too.

The bracelet is pretty flashy and I swapped mine over to some buffalo leather and think it is just about perfect if you want to dress it down.

[HogwldFLTR]

Monaco, the first automatic chronograph...

Mine had the right side winding crown. The tradition is to have a left side crown as a reflection of the fact that it's an automatic and doesn't need to be wound.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by IR201

I think I'm leaning the classic 43mm black Navitimer with the white sub dials.

Great choice. I tried one on a while back. I loved it. It doesn't wear much bigger that my 40mm Sub.

[Justindo]

If you're looking for a sporty chronograph and you don't want a Daytona or a Speedmaster, both of which would be at the top of my list, the Zenith El Primero or a Bretiling Navitimer would be my other two recommendations. These four watches are standard recommendations in this category but there's a reason for that.

[IR201]

Thanks guys! Am trying to zero in on which of the 43mm black Navitmers to get in terms of the newest release versus earlier models. I guess the main considerations are do I want the wings or the plain script B as the icon on the dial, and also whether the lug to lug wears differently (i.e. did Breitling make the same 43mm case fit differently across model updates).

Any experts in here on this? I think the newest version offers the shortest lug to lug, but the older versions have the wings. And I'd like a shorter lug to lug + wings combo!