Steinhart Ocean One Vintage - First impressions

[Travelller]

Playing with time...





(1s exposure)

[GradyPhilpott]

I really like the military model.

[GsurgBM]

New strap

[watchmainspring]

So the steinhart has a case that is 2mm larger than the 40mm submariner case? I'm not a big fan of the oversized watch trend, as my wrist is rather small. The rolex submariner is my size limit.

Did their tudor heritage-like model have a 40mm case too?

[mailman]

There's a Matte DLC version too. Not done from Steinhart but from an authorized retailer.

http://www.gnomonwatches.com/

[Travelller]

More than two years on, still enjoying it

[kilyung]

Mine doesn't get much wrist time with all my watches but I enjoy strapping it on now and then (exclusively on NATO).

[GsurgBM]

On a rubber nato it's a nice change up.

[topcat30093]

Great article and very informative.

I have looked at these on many occasions.

Love the vintage look and the reference to mil subs

[RustyBin5]

I own 7 Steinharts in various guises and can safely say they are great watches in their own right. No problems with any of them. I won't go into the whole debate of whether homage's are evil etc. Suffice to say the ones I have are homages to much older rare and very expensive watches. I'm sure I read that the milsub was a very low number Rolex run for UK navy officers and they fetch £100k now - to have a watch like that is - lets face it - not going to happen, so the Stein OVM is as close as I will get - but I love it. Others in the collection I have include Christopher Ward who also put their own spin on things but even they are relatively blatant in their homage-ing. They just don't call the watch the same thing as the original lol - http://gearpatrol.com/2013/06/11/wan...ward-c20-lido/

[Travelller]

My humble watch collection is now three Steinharts strong, but this is still "the one"

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by Travelller

...just got their OVM (Ocean Vintage Military)... without a doubt another excellent build by Steinhart...

One more joins the collection, the O1B (Ocean One Bronze)! Same case, outer bezel, crystal, hands as well as movement (ETA-2824-2) as the OVM.
The dial appears to be a mix of the O1V & OVM and as a twist has a "brushed" finish that looks black in all but hard angles where it's more grey-silverish, thanks to the finish.

[Travelller]

The O1B on duty today...

[Greg5512]

Love these watches

[slorollin]

Had to have one......an itch that had to be scratched. Just sealed a deal yesterday for a pre-owned OV1, inner/outer boxes, warranty card, original receipt, extra links.......the total package. Supposedly, it will be shipped today.
I'm going to go sit by the mail box.

[slorollin]

Got it! I'm very impressed and I feel like I got a good deal too. I am enjoying a very nice post-deal-afterglow.

[08M6]

Have tried to swap the crystals between O1V and OVM?

[Blackdog]

I've been looking at these watches for a while now, those vintage looks and that sexy crystal ! Finally, this past week, I pulled the trigger !

I opted for the O1 Legacy Limited version instead of the normal O1V. I like the mixture of 6204 Sub and early Fifty Fathoms attributes of this one.



But this is not my first Steinhart. When the O1 Bronze came out this Summer I had to have it !



I have to say that the quality of these watches is quite remarkable and well above what the price would suggest. Enjoying mine quite a lot !

I would recommend them without hesitation Very solid watches at a very attractive price point.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by slorollin

Got it! I'm very impressed and I feel like I got a good deal too. I am enjoying a very nice post-deal-afterglow.

Congrats I hope you are still very much pleased with it

Originally Posted by Blackdog

... I opted for the O1 Legacy Limited version instead...

That is indeed an awesome look! Congrats - one of the best-looking Steinhart divers

p.s. have a look at the 6204...

[slorollin]

On the mesh........

[RXAPPP]

if they could manufacture smaller and darken that dial a little I could be sold. Brilliant value for money no doubt

[rootbeer7]

Thinking about one right now. Are straps easy to change like on Rolex?

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Thinking about one right now. Are straps easy to change like on Rolex?

Unlike the OVM, the O1V has the fortune of having lugholes

[rootbeer7]

Looking right now!!!

[kilyung]

Update: O1V mainspring broke. I've disassembled the movement for a full cleaning while I'm repairing it. Only 3yrs since I got mine. Oh well at least it's easy to work on.

[Travelller]

OMG!
T4S - great photos!
So what is your opinion of the movement compared to Steinhart's go-to ETA (2824-2)...?

[scarlet knight]

Like them. I like their faux patina. It's mild, not overly yellow. Plus, it's an homage, not a fake, and they salute watches not generally available. A fun choice.

[Jeffwb65]

Any idea why the mainspring broke? I wore my Ocean 1 daily for nearly 10 years, with no issues, and great accuracy. Never serviced or even opened. I have nothing but praise for the ETA 2824-2 movement.
Since retired, as I got a Seiko SRP775 "New Turtle" from my Son this past Christmas, and it's the only watch I've worn since.

IMG_0994.jpg

[kilyung]

Nothing unusual about a broken mainspring. It's a part under tremendous strain. Luckily it's an easy fix. The 2824-2 is a proven movement that's as robust as any from Rolex. I love the availability of ETA parts - hope that doesn't dry up in the future. Inspecting the parts, it's quite evident that this isn't a top grade ébauché (or even mid grade). The finishing is very rough and the movement was over oiled. Despite that, it functioned flawlessly before this break. Beyond that, nothing really interesting to speak of. I've run out of L&R cleaning solution so I've got to order some (or I could go old school and use lighter fluid and isopropyl alcohol) before reassembling. I'll report back when it's back together.

[itsmekevin]

Been eyeing that O1V model for quite some time now. But I also want to put that money towards a Grand Seiko....first world problems... lol.