Second Watch

[Carl]

My daily wear watch for many years now is a trusty TT rootbeer 1675. However, the dial's luminescence has all but disapeared. I recently returned from overseas swearing again that I had to find a watch with reliable no-kidding luminescence. Fortunately, through this forum, I found the factory option of swapping out the old dial/hands with one marked with Superluminova. (Thanks Brendan!) This option is very attractive to me, since I can't seem to part with my GMT. The second option would be to purchase a second, more night-readable watch to wear. My question is, what other respectable watch would a Rolex owner wear own his wrist?

[President]

Seiko Monster?

[Hotrod64]

Try a Breitling Superocean, Superocean Steelfish, or Colt Quartz. I believe each of these to have good night-time legibility.

[President]

Panerai.

[Scooby]

Well, just speaking about redialing your 1675, don't do it. As somewhat of a purist, and the proud owner of a 1675 myself, I love the patina on the dial markers and would never replace it. Also, and I'm sure Mike will be here to possibly discuss this, it hurts resale value, as these vintage models are very popular these days.

As far as another watch for the lume, I'll let someone else answer that. I imagine there is a wide selection of modern watches all of which have great lume effects.

[Alex Stylianou]

blue monster

[Solo118]

[Carl]

I share some of the same sentiment on not swapping out the dial... However, I'm still on the fence. Some excellent suggestions on a second watch. Sol's Omega Seamaster looks like a good fit. Thanks again guys.

[mrbieler]

Swap it out and don't look back. Then again, I'm an owner/user, not a collector. I like my stuff to function the way the factory intended. They intended that you could tell the time in the dark. Send it to Rolex and you'll get back a "good as new" watch. :)

Tons of other options. I like older watches (vintage Seikos, Tudors, etc.)

Good luck.

[Prince]

I have to agree with Prezzie - the SEIKO Black Monster is the Lume King!!! Its like a friggin' searchlight!!!

I have one, and wear it on the job all the time, swapping out with a CASIO Diver's watch. Here are some pics of my Black Monster:







Oh, and BTW, I also own four Rolex watches, including one you might recognize:



so trust me on this one!

[santaclaus2100]

I agree with the President, Seiko Monster.

Carl, have a look around the Net. My everyday beater is an Orange Seiko Monster, runs well too.

[Alex Stylianou]

Love the rootbeer

[mike]

Originally Posted by Carl

I share some of the same sentiment on not swapping out the dial... However, I'm still on the fence. Some excellent suggestions on a second watch. Sol's Omega Seamaster looks like a good fit. Thanks again guys.

Well,... if it were me, and the dial is in good shape, I would NOT change it.
Your 1675 is a bit of a collectable, and changing the dial will hurt the value.

Certainly I would service the watch, keep it in good shape, and wear it, but for those times when lume is a necessity another piece might be a better choice.

Now, as far as another choice, how much do you want to spend?

The Seiko gives about the best lume I've seen. I'm not sure in any price range there's a better watch for lume.
Moving up the food chain, the Omega SMP with it's large painted markers and sword hands is a great piece for both readability and looks.


If you want to stay with Rolex (and pay the freight) the LV gives IMO the best lume you'll find and can be a good "yin" to the 1675s "yang".

[Carl]

You guys are great! I'll keep you posted on my decision/selection.
I'm new to the forum and inspired to take some pics after seeing your personal favorites. I've also noticed references to model-specific clubs (Date Just, Rootbeer, etc.). Are these related forums?
BTW, nice rootbeer Allan!

[Ragu]

Mike,
your LV pic looks like the dial is also green...beautiful.
also if I may ask, in your vast collection I don't see a YM of any type any particular reason or just outside your collection family

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Carl

You guys are great! I'll keep you posted on my decision/selection.
I'm new to the forum and inspired to take some pics after seeing your personal favorites. I've also noticed references to model-specific clubs (Date Just, Rootbeer, etc.). Are these related forums?
BTW, nice rootbeer Allan!

Thanks for the kind words, Carl. No, they are not actually separate forums. They are just graphics that we use to denote the watches we own and the unspoken and unofficial congregation of members who own these watches. Grab the graphics that are a reflection of YOUR watches and put them in your signature line.

Follow these directions to make it work for you:

1) Go to User CP.

2) Click on "Edit Signature" on the left of the next window.

3) Place the cursor in the location in the text box where you want the pic to be located.

4) Scroll down to the bottom and click the button labeled "Choose File".

5) Navigate to the Clubs.gif file on your desktop.

6) Click the button labeled "Save Signature" at the bottom of the Edit Signature window.

[tonelar]

Is the Rootbeer one in the club tags thread? That's lovely by the way...

[Prince]

Originally Posted by tonelar

Is the Rootbeer one in the club tags thread? That's lovely by the way...

No, Tony - Brendan created it. Go to my thread of photos of my root beer GMT and scroll down on the first page to his first post there. Here's the link: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=14048

Cheers, Tony!

[roadcarver]

Seiko sport watches are reknowned for their bright lumes! I would go with a Seiko for a secondary watch.

If you're looking for a swiss movement watch, the Omega SMP 2531.80 is a good bet as well.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Ragu

Mike,
your LV pic looks like the dial is also green...beautiful.
also if I may ask, in your vast collection I don't see a YM of any type any particular reason or just outside your collection family

Thanks! In reality I think the YM is a great watch. I've had several on and they just "melt" into your wrist. I've considered the Plat/SS model. So far the vintage pieces have had the priority but who knows.

[redsrover]

I have a variety of "nice" watches. The GMT II I've had the longest. The SS Sub/Date I got in September 2006. The Speedy Pro in January. The Breitling in September also. The watch I wear most of the time though is the Hamilton Field Watch "Khaki" No. 9931.

It's 36mm including the crown, stainless steel with screw on back, 40mm lug to lug and takes a 20mm strap. Drilled lugs too. Matt face with 12-hour numerals and 24-hour numerals, hack second hand, and it's bright bright bright. Even has a swanky "alligator" embossed leather strap.

I love it since it's light weight, I can't break it, and it's a "no worries" watch for any time, any place.

I actually have two of these. The one pictured below, and the another one I've had for years manufactured for L.L.Bean with their logo on it instead of the "khaki" on the face. I love these watches on brown or black skin straps (the LLBean version has a brown alligator strap off an old Rolex DJ I used to have complete with crown buckle...tres chic!). These also look great on military nylon straps in OD Green or the one that came with the LLBean version which is tan. Pics later for anyone who cares...

[Launch Mini]

This one lights up quite well too.

[mikey]

Try this

[redsrover]

Here's some "2nd" watches for you... My GMTII is in Dallas for service, the Hammy Khaki is on my wrist, and the Breitling is on the nightstand serving as my alarm clock these days.

[A. Jacobs]

How about another Rolex?
You can never have too many.