Review of the C65 Chrongraph

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albionphoto
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Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by albionphoto »

There doesn't seem to be a lot of love for the C65 Chronograph recently. I found a review from Fratello which might spark some interest.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/hands-o ... ronograph/

I'm still not sure that it's a watch for me though.
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by tikkathree »

albionphoto wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 2:56 pm There doesn't seem to be a lot of love for the C65 Chronograph recently. I found a review from Fratello which might spark some interest.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/hands-o ... ronograph/

I'm still not sure that it's a watch for me though.

Good read but oh those screw-down pushers.....

Now why have I sought out a review of this watch today? :silent:
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by Thegreyman »

tikkathree wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:47 am
Now why have I sought out a review of this watch today? :silent:
Mmm, there is a NN one on the CW site atm. Tempted?
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by JAFO »

A few thoughts

I am not keen on the colours of the minutes subdial. Just plain silver would be better, I think. You sort of expect to see an hours counter on a chrono. So either an hours subdial, or a minutes and hours hand on the 3 o'clock subdial, rather like the latest Omega Speedmaster Racing. I too dislike screw down anything on a chronograph. I wouldn't take it in water anyway, and it's a real pain to have to screw pushers in and out, (and the crown, come to that). Foe one thing, you can often forget to screw them back in, and that might compromises the WR if you are out in the rain, say, or expose them to damage. I would prefer a different hand style but that's not a deal-breaker in itself. Maybe there are too many minute marks on the watch - they are on the bezel, the tachymeter, and the minute track. Also, do you need both a bezel and a tachymeter? Sorry to appear to be critical, but there is a lot of competition out there. Of the 3 watches in the Fratello article, I am not keen on the Breitling either, for much the same reasons. The Rolex looks much better, I think.
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by tikkathree »

Thegreyman wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:07 am
tikkathree wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:47 am
Now why have I sought out a review of this watch today? :silent:
Mmm, there is a NN one on the CW site atm. Tempted?
I fell to temptation yesterday :oops: :lol: I've never been a screw-down pusher fan and fell out with Big Blue over this at two times of trying. Today I find myself rationalising just leaving the pushers unscrewed when not actually going for full body immersion.

Fancy that, a bloke who says "PAH!" to screw down pushers and "BLECH!" to bicompax dials: this watch might just have some work to do. :lol: :lol:
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by Thegreyman »

tikkathree wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:32 pm
Thegreyman wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:07 am
tikkathree wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:47 am
Now why have I sought out a review of this watch today? :silent:
Mmm, there is a NN one on the CW site atm. Tempted?
I fell to temptation yesterday :oops: :lol: I've never been a screw-down pusher fan and fell out with Big Blue over this at two times of trying. Today I find myself rationalising just leaving the pushers unscrewed when not actually going for full body immersion.

Fancy that, a bloke who says "PAH!" to screw down pushers and "BLECH!" to bicompax dials: this watch might just have some work to do. :lol: :lol:
Worth a try, you might surprise yourself! Definitely a distinctive looking piece :)
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by Thermexman »

Well, lonely as I’ve felt since purchasing my C65 Chrono back on launch day +1, I’ve had absolutely no regrets at all.

In my humble opinion, the watch perfectly lives up to the CW sales blurb regarding what it’s meant to be reminiscent of. Hence, the screw down pushers, 30 min coloured sub dial and tachymeter.

Tikka, I truly hope that you can get past your prejudices against screw down pushers and bicompax sub dials because this is a lovely, well made watch. Mine is also well within COSC spec for accuracy too.
89C7F530-019E-4368-8547-FC569D038791.jpeg
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by Viognier »

Thermexman wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:30 pm Well, lonely as I’ve felt since purchasing my C65 Chrono back on launch day +1, I’ve had absolutely no regrets at all.

In my humble opinion, the watch perfectly lives up to the CW sales blurb regarding what it’s meant to be reminiscent of. Hence, the screw down pushers, 30 min coloured sub dial and tachymeter.

Tikka, I truly hope that you can get past your prejudices against screw down pushers and bicompax sub dials because this is a lovely, well made watch. Mine is also well within COSC spec for accuracy too.

89C7F530-019E-4368-8547-FC569D038791.jpeg
Brilliant picture of your C65 Chronograph! I share your appreciation of the screw down pushers (should it ever be near water or caught in a down pour), love the bi-compass layout and the coloured sub dials. IMO

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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by rkovars »

Well, it is a diving chrono taking design cues from diving chronos from the late 60s and 70s. Criticism for something it isn't trying to be (a racing chrono) is a bit unfair. A rotating bezel and a tach are both prominent features of a diving chrono. The Rolex in the Fratello article shouldn't be there. I can only imagine it is included so that they can get Rolex in the article for SEO. It does have screw down pushers but isn't a diving chrono (it is a racing chrono layout). The Yachtmaster II would have been a more apples to apples comparison.

The sub dial layout is to time the start of a sailboat race, again taking cues from the late 60s and 70s.

Yema, Bulova etc all had very colorful diving chronographs in the same era.

Maybe CW will keep plugging away and we will see more options added to the Racing line that will appeal to people that like that esthetic better. The C65 and C60 lines have seen most of the love lately so it could be possible.

For what it is trying to be, the C65 chrono is a pretty good attempt. If I had more funds available in my watch slush fund one would probably be on its way here now. Make no mistake though, the vintage nature is right in my wheel house. I totally get not being interested on those grounds.
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by exHowfener »

If they hadn't put the screw down pushers on, then every review would be: "it's a dive watch without screw down pushers ..."
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by Kip »

There are several reviews of the C65 Chronograph in the CWArchives.

You can access all the articles reviews etc for any model by going to Publications > Press links and then search for what you are after.

Here are the reveiws/articles on the C65 Chronograph
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by tikkathree »

exHowfener wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:58 pm If they hadn't put the screw down pushers on, then every review would be: "it's a dive watch without screw down pushers ..."
You can't please all the people, all pf the time.
Whoa! So now I can have dive chronos without screw-down and dive chronos with screwdowns? How's that for ticking every box?

And talking of boxes......
20210123_131914.jpg
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by tikkathree »

Well, it looks okay so far....
20210123_133730.jpg
20210123_134515.jpg
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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

That definitely looks top notch Pete, and non too shabby next to your vintage Seamaster Chronograph.

Guy

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Re: Review of the C65 Chrongraph

Post by tikkathree »

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:54 pm That definitely looks top notch Pete, and non too shabby next to your vintage Seamaster Chronograph.

Guy

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Thanks Guy. It's a keeper! Temporarily it's on a C60 bracelet which is "my-size" and sits maybe 0.5mm below the top of the lugs so has a slight stepped look.

How do I feel about the screwed pushers? I'd rather they weren't but it isn't toxic.
How do I feel about the red date details? Funky, it works.
How do I feel about the 30 minute chrono? some times it'll be a bother and sometimes it won't.

I guess that the correct bracelet will get resized this week:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
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