Berhardt Binnacle GMT

[Wingshooter]

Hey guys,

Well I must start by saying I am a huge Rolex fan and have owned a U-serial Airking and a T-serial Sub 14060. As things happen throughout the course of a life things happen and makes you rethink priorities.

In the last two years I have graduated college, purchased a home, and now as of last Friday I am engaged to an amazing woman. I have been blessed so far and i am only 26yrs into my life.

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With owning a home and now planning on marriage I had a reassessment of my life the other day while shooting sporting clays. I actually realized I do love my Rolex but where does it stand? I am only 26yrs old and I can see myself having the opportunity to own more throughout my life but I want to start my life off with this woman on the right foot and having a little more cushion in the bank seemed more important.

So I sent off my loved 14060 to another fine home and purchased a watch known as a Bernhardt Binnacle.

I received it today and was very impressed. Fred Amos is the man behind Bernhardt and you speak to him every time you call and is a pleasure to deal with. He is a contracted watch maker who builds watches for special ops teams and swat. When he is building non-contracted watch he does so in limited runs and all are assembled here at his place in North Carolina.

The Binnacle is a 39mm GMT made from 316L and is a brushed finish all over. With Rolex being 904L I am curious to see how is compares. I do take very good care of my watches so it probably won’t be a torture test. It is rated for 200m with a sapphire crystal and super luminova on hand and indices.

It has a date, which is nice and it’s not under 2.5 magnification, which is even nicer. It has the ETA 2836 movement but with a mod that adds a GMT hand that can be set independently.

The bracelet is great. Solid links and solid end links. No wimpy tension pins for adjustment, all screws for the removable links. The clasp is great also, I wasn’t a fan of the Rolex clasp at all so this is a great step in the right direction. When adjusting the time the crown pulls are smooth, no where near the feel of a Rolex, but remember this watch comes in at $450!!

The packaging is a nice wooden box with the typical suede pillow and a 2yr warranty which I have heard noting but great customer service coming from other people who have dealt with Fred.

With all things considered, I think it blows the Seiko dive watches out of the water. I have had much experience with Omega, I do like the GMT black dial, but looking at the price and where I am in my life. I will never leave the Rolex brand I am just taking a voluntary, monetary leave of absence.

I mean even my GF..whoops.. Fiancée said, "Baby don’t sweat it, maybe I now I know exactly what I can get you for your wedding gift"

I knew she was the one for me for some reason!!!!

Here at some pics of the watch.

[toph]

looking good!!! i like it
Congratulations on the engagement

[DSJ]

Nice looking watch, clearly influenced by both the Explorer AND 1655 Explorer II, but unique in its own way - I'd call that a keeper - like your lady!

[Dan Pierce]

Looks like a great value.
dP

[Latrodectus]

good looking watch! congrats. you did it for a good reason

[Perdu]

It looks a great tool watch. I think the painted on markers and the shape of the GMT hand give it a vintage look. Your right, you have plenty of time for a Rolex when the time is right.

[Terry Newton]

Looks just like an orange hand Explorer. I like it and I bet it's going to wear well for you. There was a big controversy here the other day about the marketing hype with the Rolex Steel. I think your watch will hold up well.

May your love outlast your lifetime. That is very thoughtful for you to make sure you are on sound financial footing for the start of your marriage.

Congratulations and the best of luck to the both of you.

I sense another few Rolex watches in your future.

Terry Newton

[C. Davidson]

You have your priorities straight.

Sounds like the best $450 watch in its class. Thanks for sharing your detailed report. Congratulations!

[tanndonn]

Great looking watch, I am curious as to what choices of bracelets/ straps you had to choose from. Good Luck.

[zseriessub]

I also own one of these babies (18 out of 50) and I love it!

[esm]

congrates on on the engagement & the new watch.

[rpryan55]

Cool watch, dude. I could tell you why you shouldn't get married but my wife won't let me.

Seriously, congratulations!

[asadtiger]

Congrats Wingshooter..best of luck for your future..may you live a happy, prosperous married life (Amen)