Page 8 of 9

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:01 pm
by stefs
Forget what I said.
Its got too go back :(

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:51 pm
by tikkathree
stefs wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:01 pm Forget what I said.
Its got too go back :(
Oh blow! Wassup?

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:13 pm
by audio.bill
tikkathree wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:51 pm
stefs wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:01 pm Forget what I said.
Its got too go back :(
Oh blow! Wassup?
See this new thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57029

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:32 pm
by Jcalder68
I like mine.
No, hang on, I really, really LOVE mine!
First off is the titanium case. I’ve never owned a titanium, mechanical watch before and each time I pick it up, each time I swing my wrist I totally adore how light it is. I wear mine on either a NATO or a custom leather strap so I’m looking at about 65g max. I barely notice it. Now, I don’t know if it is my imagination, but it also seems to be less noticeable when temperatures vary - hot days of late have not had it sticking to my wrist and when working in the chilled areas at work have not had it feeling unpleasantly cold either.
Second, is the overall aesthetic. It just seems to suit everything, everywhere with a quick strap change. NATO for very casual /pool times, discrete leather for everyday, and smart black leather and orange stitching for evenings out. Ok, not a fully loaded dress watch, but my need for that is once a year tops!
Third, the crown. Several friends and workmates have asked if it is a smart watch. Sure, I’ve put them right and the pop-out crown blows them away! This might be seen as a gimmick, but it is a useful, functional and very comfortable gimmick that I am delighted to make use of.
Fourth, weight saving. I am still trying to calculate how much weight is saved by machining slots in the dial, but years and years ago my father and I sat down and calculated how much weight Olympic cyclists were saving by (reportedly) inflating their bike tyres with helium rather than air. We worked out that a decent haircut, or trimming their shorts by a couple of inches, would save just as much! Still, I love the idea. The only downside here is that one can see the plastic ring holding the movement from the dial side; I’d rather a more discrete metal movement holder.
Finally is the “Elite” status. As well as my first titanium mechanical watch, this is my first CW Elite model. To me, this has the best-of-the-best status and I love it! Chronometer status, finest construction materials and a unique design are all the boxes ticked for me.

Keep safe,

C

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:05 pm
by tikkathree
audio.bill wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:13 pm
tikkathree wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:51 pm
stefs wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:01 pm Forget what I said.
Its got too go back :(
Oh blow! Wassup?
See this new thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57029

That's disappointing, especially as it wasn't a £50 purchase from Al*Express. :thumbdown:

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:09 pm
by tikkathree
Jcalder68 wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:32 pm
I like mine.
No, hang on, I really, really LOVE mine!
I'm, very happy for you I really am. I only wish I felt a third as positively as do you.

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 11:46 am
by tikkathree
Let's try this: I've surprisingly (or not) few straps which suit this watch but this is possibly the forerunner.
20210610_114159.jpg

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:01 pm
by strapline
Jcalder68 wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:32 pm I like mine.
No, hang on, I really, really LOVE mine!
First off is the titanium case. I’ve never owned a titanium, mechanical watch before and each time I pick it up, each time I swing my wrist I totally adore how light it is. I wear mine on either a NATO or a custom leather strap so I’m looking at about 65g max. I barely notice it. Now, I don’t know if it is my imagination, but it also seems to be less noticeable when temperatures vary - hot days of late have not had it sticking to my wrist and when working in the chilled areas at work have not had it feeling unpleasantly cold either.
Second, is the overall aesthetic. It just seems to suit everything, everywhere with a quick strap change. NATO for very casual /pool times, discrete leather for everyday, and smart black leather and orange stitching for evenings out. Ok, not a fully loaded dress watch, but my need for that is once a year tops!
Third, the crown. Several friends and workmates have asked if it is a smart watch. Sure, I’ve put them right and the pop-out crown blows them away! This might be seen as a gimmick, but it is a useful, functional and very comfortable gimmick that I am delighted to make use of.
Fourth, weight saving. I am still trying to calculate how much weight is saved by machining slots in the dial, but years and years ago my father and I sat down and calculated how much weight Olympic cyclists were saving by (reportedly) inflating their bike tyres with helium rather than air. We worked out that a decent haircut, or trimming their shorts by a couple of inches, would save just as much! Still, I love the idea. The only downside here is that one can see the plastic ring holding the movement from the dial side; I’d rather a more discrete metal movement holder.
Finally is the “Elite” status. As well as my first titanium mechanical watch, this is my first CW Elite model. To me, this has the best-of-the-best status and I love it! Chronometer status, finest construction materials and a unique design are all the boxes ticked for me.

Keep safe,

C
Isn't that great to see such a satisfied customer. It all sounds very encouraging for those that are waiting nervously on their order. Given that someone else on the forum has a very genuine QC gripe with their watch, it might be worth giving it a very detailed look over if you haven't already? I highlighted your remark about the visible movement holder. Why do cheap here, certainly when it is visible through the dial front? It wouldn't have ramped up the cost to put a metal housing in. Still...it's great that you're so pleased. Wear in the very best of health.

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:12 pm
by tikkathree
Now I think I'm making progress with an alligator strap which matches the orange dial highlights A TREAT!!!

But what's with the really funky cashback bolts? Them I like.
20210610_140812.jpg
20210610_140511.jpg

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:32 pm
by Bahnstormer_vRS
^^^^ The star case back bolts are far less prone to the opening tool slipping

Guy

Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk


Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:53 pm
by welshlad
strapline wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:01 pm I highlighted your remark about the visible movement holder. Why do cheap here, certainly when it is visible through the dial front? It wouldn't have ramped up the cost to put a metal housing in.
Just to give an extra perspective, I can't see the movement holder from the dial side on mine. There might possibly be the hint of something through some of the cut-outs if I look very closely, but it's not in the least bit noticeable, especially on the wrist. And if what I might be able to see is the movement holder, there is no way to tell if it is plastic or metal from the dial side. So this isn't really an issue in practice.

Also, I guess plastic is used to keep weight down, which is one of the defining features of the watch.

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 3:11 pm
by tikkathree
welshlad wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:53 pm

Just to give an extra perspective, I can't see the movement holder from the dial side on mine. There might possibly be the hint of something through some of the cut-outs if I look very closely, but it's not in the least bit noticeable, especially on the wrist. And if what I might be able to see is the movement holder, there is no way to tell if it is plastic or metal from the dial side. So this isn't really an issue in practice.

Also, I guess plastic is used to keep weight down, which is one of the defining features of the watch.
Agreed. It is visible as a light contrast grey so maybe actually it's either carbon fibre or titanium? You really can't tell.

Also ISTR fitting steel movement holders in Vostok Amphibias in place of the standard polymer movement holder AND YET the polymer holder is more shock absorbent - I'll leave that thought there.

You do know I'm keeping this watch don't you? :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 3:27 pm
by desmodue
Of course it's a gimmick. Mechanical watches are a gimmick by simple analysis.

A quartz watch is both more accurate and reliable, inexpensive and can be designed to look exactly like any watch currently available.
So why do mechanical watches even exist? Because people want them because they are mechanical and delicate and unnecessarily complicated...because it's a gimmick.

The problem, if there is one is that we tend to scoff at gimmicks we don't agree with and rationalize the ones we enjoy.

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 8:42 pm
by tikkathree
Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:32 pm ^^^^ The star case back bolts are far less prone to the opening tool slipping

Guy

Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk
So they're separate bolts to be tightened/loosened individually? Cool.

Re: C63 Elite - innovation or gimmick?

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 11:42 pm
by Bahnstormer_vRS
tikkathree wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 8:42 pm So they're separate bolts to be tightened/loosened individually? Cool.
Very much looks like it. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Guy