WCT Precision 200m Diver by O&W

[cf1323]

.

[cf1323]

I apologize for the less than stellar photos, I did the best I could using my phone camera.  My Nikon SLR with macro lens is in storage.

This is my new WCT Precision 200m diver watch manufactured by Albert Wajs of O&W produced for Howard M. Marx of West Coast Time in California.  As you can see it is a very good rendition of the Rolex 5513 in appearance. Its design, materials, fit, and workmanship is excellent. Its polished finish is superb and Rolex has nothing on the WCT regarding that. Its movement is the venerable sock resistant Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic that hacks and is also capable of manual winding.  It has a screw-down crown and screw-down caseback.  I LOVE its dome sapphire crystal for a dome crystal makes all the difference in the world for a sub.  I also love the matte black dial with large luminous 12-hour markers.  And the luminous 12-hour markers are sharp-edged with no chapter rings. From a purist point of view, there is nothing more inappropriate on a sub than a high-gloss black dial with bright chrome-looking chapter rings around each 12-hour marker.

The 24-hour numbers on the dial in red just below each of the 12-hour markers are a very nice inclusion indeed, it sort of pays homage to the classic Rolex red subs a little I think.  Tritium paint is used on the dial and hands.  It glows strong all night long.  Nice!  This watch being thinner and narrower than a Rolex sub, such as my Rolex 16800, and not weighing as much, makes the WCT Precision Diver a pleasure to wear.  I’ve been wearing my Rolex 16800 for the past 27 years, so I know.  The WCT is so comfortable I forget I am wearing it. Its accuracy is outstanding. It loses almost no time at all per day, perhaps only a mere couple of seconds.  

There are things I like much better about the WCT over my Rolex 16800.  Overall the WCT is smaller therefore more elegant, the 12-hour markers are larger (like a maxi dial), no calendar, smaller winding crown, etc.  I now see that my Rolex 16800 12-hour markers are too small in proportion to the Rolex 16800‘s 40mm dial for a 40mm dial the 12-hour markers should be ‘maxi dial’, whereas the WCT is nicely balanced looking due to its 39.5mm dial with larger 12-hour markers.  But with the WCT I wonder why they made the 3, 6, and 9 rectangle markers thin when they should be thicker, and in contrast, the 12 hour marker is extra wide.  This point makes the WCT look 'slightly' out of balance with the rest of the watch's large 12-hour markers.  A Rolex 5513 in comparison has its 3, 6, and 9 markers nice and thick, in other words, in proportion with the rest of its 12-hour markers.  The WCT has, obviously, a different look than my Rolex 16800 and it will take a little while for me to get used to its look being I have worn my Rolex 16800 almost every day for many years.  But I say, I love my new WCT.  I find it amazing that it costs so little for what it is, I can see much of the original Rolex 5513 design in it, aesthetically, that is. For $385 the WCT is an exceptional value, a rarity in today’s world. This watch is truly beautiful. It’s not a Rolex 5513, but I’ll take it, especially at this low price as an every day beater.

Thanks very much to Howard Marx of West Coast Time for going above-and-beyond to ensure I received a perfect in every way WCT Precision Diver, and quickly.