Yeah, put an aftermarket exhaust on that v12! They sound gorgeous (only haven driven the Jags pre catalytic converter). I've gotten addicted to OEM performance exhausts from Chevy and BMW - they are very well designed. But Tom makes a good point below - a lot of the aftermarket exhausts tend to drone a lot, and that gets old. But these days a naturally aspirated V12 is a unique and rare aural experience.
Tien: I have the bronze Zelos bracelet. It makes a bronze watch look stunning and unique. I have the fitted end links, but unless you have the matching Zelos you want the straight end links (not the one James linked to). It has the advantage of being stainless on the underside, so no green wrist cheese with this one. It also has quick release springbars – making it so much easier to change. It does look amazing my bronze german flieger or my diver. It does patina faster than some bronzes (by design) and has a coppery look to it (vs some bronze that looks more brassy). I found the edges of the clasp a little rough and filed it down so it was comfortable on my wrist. Generally, for a $200 bracelet, I would expect higher quality, but it is a unique piece, so I cut it some slack. Keep in mind that just over a year ago, there were no bronze bracelets.
As far as aftermarket exhausts go, I've had a few and grew very, very tired of the sound. My 4Runner TRD Pro came with the performance exhaust on it (much to my dismay), and sure the added growl is fun tooling around town to the coffee shop, but the highway drone and making it impossible to have an effective phone call under acceleration were just too much. When I ordered a stock exhaust (for more than the aftermarket costs!) the parts guy goes "Gee... we've never had someone downgrade to the stocker!". Guess that's what being in your 40s does to you.
I kinda feel this way about the magnaflow I put in the Jeep, it sounds way better but the 6th gear drone at 110-130kph is genuinely annoying. I dont think it will stay on through next year's cottage season. Thankfully, I can yank it off in my driveway.
RE: Dual Crown Divers - I absolutely love my Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor. The bezel is a uni-directional ratcheting bezel which you don't see too often on watches at this price point. The ratchet crown does not screw down but the main crown does. They marked the crowns in the old school manner with cross hatching on the bezel crown. They did a really good job showing off the compression spring in the display case back (yes, it is a real super compressor, a novelty for sure but it is cool!). I have the light blue dial and every time I look at it I am reminded of flying low over the Caribbean watching the flats and reefs roll by. Definitely one to look at in my opinion.
Great episode. The scary stories at the end brought to mind a couple for me that I guess I haven’t successfully repressed. Both were rock climbing, and both were at Joshua Tree. The first time, I was leading up a crack climb rated at about my skill limit and pulled out a piece of protection with my toe as I climbed past it on the crux moves. That set me up for a 50’ (15m) ground fall if I didn’t make the moves. Very scary, but over quickly - with no fall thank goodness.
The second time was worse. It was another crack climb at Joshua Tree - a single 50 meter pitch climb. In this case, what looked like a nice crack from the ground turned out to be a bottoming seam from about 50’ (15 m) up with no way to place protection. The climbing was sketchy thin face and friction in the seam. Really hard to down climb so I just kept going. I ended up climbing about 100’ (30m) with an “I’m going to die” feeling of existential dread in the pit of my stomach. Clipping into the bolts at the belay was probably the biggest relief of my life.
In regards to the nickname question, I remember Jason from Halios calling James' gen1 Seaforth configuration the "Stacey". That would directly apply to the question no?
Does anybody in the US or UK have a mesh strap they like on Amazon? I see quite a few options but not the Maker that James linked. Ideally brushed but happy to sandpaper it. I am also looking for a nice army green canvas strap for my U1-DZ. I like what I see from Drunk Art on IG but rumor has it they are tough to come by. So far Barton and Straps Co are the ones I have thought about. Cheers, folks.
UTE straps are the best and I am sure they have a green that would work for you. I think they are only sold in the Hodinkee Shop now. They also have a new two piece model.
Yeah, put an aftermarket exhaust on that v12! They sound gorgeous (only haven driven the Jags pre catalytic converter). I've gotten addicted to OEM performance exhausts from Chevy and BMW - they are very well designed. But Tom makes a good point below - a lot of the aftermarket exhausts tend to drone a lot, and that gets old. But these days a naturally aspirated V12 is a unique and rare aural experience.
Tien: I have the bronze Zelos bracelet. It makes a bronze watch look stunning and unique. I have the fitted end links, but unless you have the matching Zelos you want the straight end links (not the one James linked to). It has the advantage of being stainless on the underside, so no green wrist cheese with this one. It also has quick release springbars – making it so much easier to change. It does look amazing my bronze german flieger or my diver. It does patina faster than some bronzes (by design) and has a coppery look to it (vs some bronze that looks more brassy). I found the edges of the clasp a little rough and filed it down so it was comfortable on my wrist. Generally, for a $200 bracelet, I would expect higher quality, but it is a unique piece, so I cut it some slack. Keep in mind that just over a year ago, there were no bronze bracelets.
Straight end links: https://zeloswatches.com/collections/accessories/products/bronze-bracelet-20mm?variant=39373383368793
Thanks so much for this reply and for the more useful link to the straight end links.
Definitely going to try this out! Thank you so much for the info.
If throwing a dive watch on a leather bund is the "Heaton", then cutting the under-keeper off a [grey] NATO is the "Stacey" =D
As far as aftermarket exhausts go, I've had a few and grew very, very tired of the sound. My 4Runner TRD Pro came with the performance exhaust on it (much to my dismay), and sure the added growl is fun tooling around town to the coffee shop, but the highway drone and making it impossible to have an effective phone call under acceleration were just too much. When I ordered a stock exhaust (for more than the aftermarket costs!) the parts guy goes "Gee... we've never had someone downgrade to the stocker!". Guess that's what being in your 40s does to you.
I kinda feel this way about the magnaflow I put in the Jeep, it sounds way better but the 6th gear drone at 110-130kph is genuinely annoying. I dont think it will stay on through next year's cottage season. Thankfully, I can yank it off in my driveway.
RE: Dual Crown Divers - I absolutely love my Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor. The bezel is a uni-directional ratcheting bezel which you don't see too often on watches at this price point. The ratchet crown does not screw down but the main crown does. They marked the crowns in the old school manner with cross hatching on the bezel crown. They did a really good job showing off the compression spring in the display case back (yes, it is a real super compressor, a novelty for sure but it is cool!). I have the light blue dial and every time I look at it I am reminded of flying low over the Caribbean watching the flats and reefs roll by. Definitely one to look at in my opinion.
Great episode. The scary stories at the end brought to mind a couple for me that I guess I haven’t successfully repressed. Both were rock climbing, and both were at Joshua Tree. The first time, I was leading up a crack climb rated at about my skill limit and pulled out a piece of protection with my toe as I climbed past it on the crux moves. That set me up for a 50’ (15m) ground fall if I didn’t make the moves. Very scary, but over quickly - with no fall thank goodness.
The second time was worse. It was another crack climb at Joshua Tree - a single 50 meter pitch climb. In this case, what looked like a nice crack from the ground turned out to be a bottoming seam from about 50’ (15 m) up with no way to place protection. The climbing was sketchy thin face and friction in the seam. Really hard to down climb so I just kept going. I ended up climbing about 100’ (30m) with an “I’m going to die” feeling of existential dread in the pit of my stomach. Clipping into the bolts at the belay was probably the biggest relief of my life.
In regards to the nickname question, I remember Jason from Halios calling James' gen1 Seaforth configuration the "Stacey". That would directly apply to the question no?
Another great and varied Q&A episodes fellas. Something that amused me…
James:
Pull out a little and all black face dive watches are the same.
Wives, partners and significant others, all exclaim:
That’s what we’ve been saying for years!
Going back to the question of Coupe vs Coupé Pronunciation, I’m sure you wouldn’t say Cafe instead of Café so by the theory it’s Coupé
Does anybody in the US or UK have a mesh strap they like on Amazon? I see quite a few options but not the Maker that James linked. Ideally brushed but happy to sandpaper it. I am also looking for a nice army green canvas strap for my U1-DZ. I like what I see from Drunk Art on IG but rumor has it they are tough to come by. So far Barton and Straps Co are the ones I have thought about. Cheers, folks.
This looks essentially identical to the Maker: https://www.amazon.com/EACHE-Stainless-Release-Adjustable-Straps/dp/B08CY3MYYR/ref=sr_1_6?crid=28CDFB9DOPILK&dchild=1&keywords=mesh+watch+bracelet&qid=1635519289&sprefix=mesh+watch+bracelet%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-6
Thanks! I'll get one of those on the way as well to test them out. I ordered one of these last night: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081SJXCVG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
UTE straps are the best and I am sure they have a green that would work for you. I think they are only sold in the Hodinkee Shop now. They also have a new two piece model.
Thank you. I love their natos. I only have one of theirs (in grey, of course) but I like it a lot. As my spec bands that came with my Unimatics wear out UTE will likely be the ones I buy to replace them. In this instance, I am looking for a canvas strap a little more like this which I found last night: https://www.etsy.com/listing/736469885/20222426mmhandmade-vintage-military?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=canvas+watch+strap&ref=sr_gallery-1-5&organic_search_click=1