So. I have gone through the collection, nominated a handful to be sold on over the next few weeks, and noticed that I will be left with one empty spot left. It looks so lonely, seems to be crying out for a military/field watch I think.
My ideal watch will have: a case size no bigger than 40mm (ideally 38/39mm), matt dial, brushed bezel and case, either numerals at 12, 3, 6, 9 and dots for the rest or all numerals, quality/reliable auto movement with hacking and hand wind and a lack of clutter on the rest of the dial. Sapphire, slight dome, water resistance to 100m would be good. Date not fussed. Budget is sub £300.
A few days of searching has come up with some options, but all have short comings...
Smiths Everest - love the looks, love the Britishness, love the price. But acrylic crystal rings alarm bells and I don't know the movement at all. It is also right at the top of my ideal case diameter and a 50mm lug-lug measurement is way, way longer than anything else I have that I find comfortable to wear. Most are 46mm max, unless I am measuring wrong?
Smiths Military PRS-29B - good looks again, better quality movement that I know and love, good diameter. BUT, another one over 50mm lug-lug, really? Am I missing something here?
Seiko SARB007 - good movement, good size, novelty of the internal bezel, but about as easy to find as rocking-horse doo-doo; the few I have seen have also been over £400...
Hamilton Khaki Military - possibly the best option so far, but the dial does look very "busy" compared to the rest of the bunch. Also, I have no experience of the brand at all...
Armida A6 (no Date) - love the looks and really love the ETA movement. Size is right at my max, price is over it by the time I add on customs charges.
Thats what I have come up with so far. Any thoughts or suggestions, especially in relation to the Smiths dimensions? Any other suggestions for alternative models?
J