Have I missed anything ? Deep Sea vs IWC Ingenieur.....

[SJW]

OK - I've done a fair bit of reading and trying on.......but have I missed anything ?!

I'm looking for a 40th Birthday 'forever' watch that is being bought for me as a present I'm quite a big guy and although a Sub was obvious initial choice it just looks and feels too small for me. I currently rotate a Tudor HC, Union Glashutte Pilot, and Breitling Avenger Seawolf (titanium and grey faced so although big nicely understated). I am looking for something rugged but also classy & flexible - needs to look the part in the office as well as a long way away from it ! Functionality isn't a real factor - tough, reasonably waterproof and perhaps a date ! A rotating bezel might be nice but not a major consideration.

I was then hoping that the 42mm Explorer would do the trick and although beautiful the bezel didn't sing and not quite chunky enough !

I have given the Black Bay and Pelagos a try - out of the two, the Pelagos had the edge but not quite fitting the forever and classy briefs. Planet Oceans look and feel great but again not quite forever and quite a few of them around (I'd probably prefer the pre-ceramic model which feels a bit more timeless).

She who holds the purse strings isn't a PAM fan and AP out of my league !

So at the moment I am left with a Deep Sea vs IWC Ingenieur Mission Earth. Both feel great and although I really did want to prefer the Deep Sea, the height and 'flashyness' caused a bit of doubt. The IWC obviously misses out on the bezel but is more than waterproof enough and comes with a cost advantage (albeit with faster depreciation but I will have no plan to sell)....but it's not a Rolex....

So - in the absence of a 42mm Sub / classic Seadweller has anybody out there come across any other contenders ? Has anybody out there lived with the IWC or ever done a similar comparison ?

Ahhhh but not a bad problem to have in the big scheme of things

[vette boy 52]

Deepsea all the way. I am also a big person and the fit on my wrist is just right. I have gotten many copliment on this watch.

[Psmith]

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

45 mm and wears beautifully. Should tick most/all of the boxes, and looks sensational whether diving in the ocean or out for dinner

Great pedigree, classy, and you don't see many in the wild

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

A stunning diver indeed!

[77T]

I'd give the Ball Engineer Master II - Aviator Dual Time.

Larger case like you want
Lower cost like the wifey wants

I love mine. It gets 75% of available wrist-time and I have a Root Beet, YM, DJ, Omega SMP Chrono and Omega Auto.

The permanent lume from gas tube technology is stunning...

[superdog]

Prefer the iwc. But as stated the BP is a total winner as well.

[travisb]

I'm guessing most will say Deepsea.
The DS is an awesome watch and I love it as much as the next guy but I will say that the Mission Earth is right up there. I find it more comfortable and just fun to wear. Looks great dressed up or down even with a rubber strap but you can always add the bracelet if you want.
Good luck. Both are great options.

[Mat Allston]

The IWC looks great, that's my vote.

[john333]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

45 mm and wears beautifully. Should tick most/all of the boxes, and looks sensational whether diving in the ocean or out for dinner

Great pedigree, classy, and you don't see many in the wild

Totally concur. The FF would be a fantastic option.

[MrNanni]

IWC products are excellent. I had a IWC aqua timer TI that I bought in 1999 I loved the watch. The problem is that if you nicked the ti case you can't fix that. But IWC finishing it better than the Rolex.

[BCNJ]

Ap roo?

[strafer_kid]

Take another look at the Explorer 42mm - Awesome watch that has the tool watch look, with modern updates! Was conidering a Deepsea myself (and still might in the future) but like you, felt that size and possibly some 'flash' was putting me off, so I picked up an Explorer 42mm with black face .

You could not really go wrong with it!

[kilyung]

Save for the AP.

[penfold]

I own a DSSD and a 3227-01 Ingy. The 3227 is big and heavy enough so imagine this Mission Earth must be massive. The IWC quality is absolutely superb and the dial is stunning. Tough call.

[SJW]

Thanks so far - it's not going to be easy this !

[Cru Jones]

FF or PAM 305.

[JGX]

I love IWC but the Mission Earth is just a bit too, well, "Breitling" for my taste.

[Ardalan]

Rolex Deepsea all night long.

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by 77T

I'd give the Ball Engineer Master II - Aviator Dual Time.

Larger case like you want
Lower cost like the wifey wants

I love mine. It gets 75% of available wrist-time and I have a Root Beet, YM, DJ, Omega SMP Chrono and Omega Auto.

The permanent lume from gas tube technology is stunning...

Ewwwwww on IWC

But Holy shat I love that Ball
I'm going to definitely look into it , How sturdy are they and how well built are they ? I'm not aware of this brand,

[psv]

Only you can make that call. I do agree to add the Blancpain Fifty Fathom into the mix to make it even more challenging for you.

If you have no issues with the size, hard to beat a DSSD in sheer quality though and classic good looks. Keep in mind, you have to live with it for decades and decades.

[springbar]

If you're entertaining the giant DSSD, how about an Aquatimer instead?

The standard black-and-yellow one is most similar to your two choices, though a white-and-orange boutique edition would be nice.

[SJW]

Thanks...not sure that the Aquatimer hits the 'smart' brief ? The Fifty Fathoms is definately now on the list although would need to be a used buy I expect - need to track one down to try on

[karmatp]

I much prefer the IWC Mission Earth to the DSSD. With that said, the new Explorer II's beat them all, it is flat out the best modern day Rolex on the market.

[How]

Hublot Big Bang?

[How]

Take another look at the Omega PO 45.5mm 8500.

Ceramic Bezel, beautiful and dead-accurate double-barrelled 8500 Co-Axial movement, can switch from its S/S bracelet to factory rubber strap (which can be purchased separately), IMO is also classy (and less flashy than a DSSD as you feared) with a suit, and it's a lot less thick than the DSSD which was also your concern. Not to mention at a cost advantage too. IMHO I think this is a great 'forever' piece!

What's not to love about it?

Or you could go for the Chrono 9300 version, but this is unfortunately thicker than than the DSSD (PO 19.1mm high vs DSSD 17.8mm).

[Robbie68]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

45 mm and wears beautifully. Should tick most/all of the boxes, and looks sensational whether diving in the ocean or out for dinner

Great pedigree, classy, and you don't see many in the wild

X2, I'm 6'4" 220 lbs the FF is the perfect size for me plus it flys under the radar when you want it too but gets loads of attention from those in the know. Throw in the rarity, history, 5 day power reserve and antimagnetic cage and I personally wouldn't choose anything else in that price range. That being said, given the choice again I would probably go for the Aqualung Tribute.

[George Ab]

DSSD is just too fat for a "only one for life" watch. IWC Ingenieur Mission Earth is just a comfortable and great watch... timeless yet modern.

[TimeOnMyHands]

Had the DSSD and loved it for the six months I owned it. Truly comfy for the size and weight - kudo's to ROLEX for that portion of the engineering. Downside IMHO is the crowded dial/rehaut and small date window. The Omega and Ball are both MF's which I would consider if I was looking for a 40mm+ sized watch.