Longines x Hodinkee

[uansari1]

Originally Posted by pbr

It looks like since they sized it to 7" (ish?), it doesn't clasp easily on the pillow.
I'm not sure if it jostled in transit or if it was left in that position. Either way, it's not exactly confidence insporing.

Getting over the 21mm lug width was going to be tough anyways, but the absolute lack of care in packaging really makes me not want to mess with this. And it was purchased directly from Longines.

I like the watch, but I don't think I love it. The bracelet is more comfortable than I was anticipating, though it needs to be sized. It is very light on the wrist. I think I'd prefer it over a BB Pro (rotating bezel), but with the bezel option above, I'm going to give a hard look at the BB GMT. The Longines x Hodinkee has a lot going for it, but likely too much against it for it to be a keeper for me. Longines has a 30-day return policy, so I have time to better evaluate it.

Thanks for posting your initial thoughts…looking forward to what you think after a few days of wrist time. Grade 5 titanium is intriguing.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by pbr

It looks like since they sized it to 7" (ish?), it doesn't clasp easily on the pillow.
I'm not sure if it jostled in transit or if it was left in that position. Either way, it's not exactly confidence insporing.

Getting over the 21mm lug width was going to be tough anyways, but the absolute lack of care in packaging really makes me not want to mess with this. And it was purchased directly from Longines.

I like the watch, but I don't think I love it. The bracelet is more comfortable than I was anticipating, though it needs to be sized. It is very light on the wrist. I think I'd prefer it over a BB Pro (rotating bezel), but with the bezel option above, I'm going to give a hard look at the BB GMT. The Longines x Hodinkee has a lot going for it, but likely too much against it for it to be a keeper for me. Longines has a 30-day return policy, so I have time to better evaluate it.

Does it have a quick adjust in the clasp? Push button, no tool etc

[pbr]

Originally Posted by uansari1

Thanks for posting your initial thoughts…looking forward to what you think after a few days of wrist time. Grade 5 titanium is intriguing.

First, it needs to be new to return, I won't be wearing it, only evaluating. Second (and likely more importantly), the fact that a limited edition of 500 units still has not sold out on either site it was listed on is still available, I'm not optimistic about a resale that would yeild anything close to my initial outlay. If I end up going with the BB Pro, this would be gone ASAP. So it needs to stay in new condition.

[pbr]

Originally Posted by ap1

Does it have a quick adjust in the clasp? Push button, no tool etc

Nope. Five holes of adjustment via spring bar on the clasp.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by pbr

Nope. Five holes of adjustment via spring bar on the clasp.

Gotcha, ty. I think the super fast limited online windows are a thing of the past. Ming, kurono, Hodinkee FOMO definitely in rear view mirror. Do the markers look more white or photina. I like the idea of affordable travel beater and I often work with folks in different zones so it’s appealing. I do have a Breitling caller gmt for that duty now. I had the bb pro,and felt it was too thick. It is a PIA to change in plane.

[pbr]

Originally Posted by ap1

Gotcha, ty. I think the super fast limited online windows are a thing of the past. Ming, kurono, Hodinkee FOMO definitely in rear view mirror. Do the markers look more white or photina. I like the idea of affordable travel beater and I often work with folks in different zones so it’s appealing. I do have a Breitling caller gmt for that duty now. I had the bb pro,and felt it was too thick. It is a PIA to change in plane.

The indices definitely have a fauxtina, but it's definitely more subdued that something like the Omega NTTD Seamaster. I think it's tastefully done and doesn't bother me at all. If there were a change I'd like to see on the indices, it would be dots or dashes vs. arabic numerals.

I think you and I are both looking for something similar...a value flyer GMT. This one has a lot going for it...but I will be comparing it to the BB GMT.

Honestly, if this Zulu Time had 20mm lugs, I think it would be a no-brainer for me. I just like to swap bracelets/straps/bands too much.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by pbr

The indices definitely have a fauxtina, but it's definitely more subdued that something like the Omega NTTD Seamaster. I think it's tastefully done and doesn't bother me at all. If there were a change I'd like to see on the indices, it would be dots or dashes vs. arabic numerals.

I think you and I are both looking for something similar...a value flyer GMT. This one has a lot going for it...but I will be comparing it to the BB GMT.

Honestly, if this Zulu Time had 20mm lugs, I think it would be a no-brainer for me. I just like to swap bracelets/straps/bands too much.

I prefer that this doesn’t have the wings / stars as that’s too much noise for me on the ss model ceramic bez


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[pbr]

Yep. It's definitely clean. And I love the dial-colored date wheel vs. the white of the Tudor (and others).

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by ap1

Thinner than black bay pro…..I think looks pretty good.

I agree. Tudor is just way to think and chunky.

[Dynamite_Kid19]

They need to bring the adjustable clasp of the new Hydroconquest GMT to the Zulu line.

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[pbr]

So the LxH is growing on me.

I tried on a Tudor BB GMT today at a local AD. I liked it enough, but know I'd change the bracelet to the Unclestraps Jubilee immediately so should I go that route would likely take a hard look at the strap instead (less expensive and would also have the option to use that). The case thickness is obviously a downside and the weight difference between the BB and the LxH is noticeable (steel vs. titanium).

Combine that with the fact that I already have a couple of Rolex watches and the Tudor just seems to be too similar aesthetically (largely the dot indices vs. the arabic numerals of the LxH). Add to that the Unclestraps bracelet and Steel Reef bezel and I'm adding $400 to a watch that's already $300 more than the LxH. I'm more or less indifferent between the 39mm and 41mm diameters. My ideal size is 40mm, so anything around that is perfectly acceptable.

So after looking at the BB GMT, I opened the LxH back up. The weight difference on the wrist is immediately noticeable and reminds me of the Omega Seamaster NTTD, except that the bracelet feels more comfortable and better conforms to my wrist than the titanium Milanese from the NTTD. The bracelet needs to be properly sized and while it doesn't feel quite as comfortable as a Jubilee, or even the Speedmaster 3861's offering, it seems at least close to the latter.

The hue of the titanium is definitely appealing for a travel/GADA-type watch that I'd like to fly under the radar. I definitely prefer the domed sapphire crystal of the LxD over the box sapphire of the Tudor. My Speedy is probably my favorite watch to wear for when staying away from water, and the domed hesalite is such a good look. This isn't quite as warm, but it's not bad.

I just wish the LxH had a 20mm lug width so I could use the straps (mostly nylon/perlon) that I already have. I could also do without the Hodinkee partnership, but it's not a deal-killer. I definitely prefer the titanium over steel of the regular model. I've had an aversion to silver bezels, but the darker titanium helps with that and it's growing on me.

So while not perfect for what I'm wanting, it seems to be a better fit than the Tudor GMT. I'm still not convinced, but it's growing on me.

I'll likely remove the plastic, resize the bracelet and wear it and give it some wrist time. I'm not convinced it's a keeper but I'm leaning that way. More pictures to come if that happens.

[enjoythemusic]

Seiko 5 Sports Field Sports Style GMT
Ref. SSK023 (steel)
Ref. SSK025 (black-coated steel)
Movement: Cal. 4R34
Water resistance: 100 m
Availability: At Seiko boutiques and select retailers starting January 2024
Price:
SSK025: US$400 (strap)
SSK023: US$430 (bracelet)

[pbr]

So I ended up keeping the Longines x Hodinkee. The darker tint of the titanium makes this one a bit more of a tool watch look than similarly-designed options from Rolex or Tudor...and that's a good thing in my mind as I want this one to be more subtle when traveling. The weight (again, thanks to the titanium) is wonderful. Legibility of the 24 hour markers on the bezel can be an issue for me in low light but isn't anything I'm going to complain about. The titanium is definitely a bit warmer than chromed steel and really picks up hues from clothing and ambient light. At times it has more of a bronze tint than silver and I look forward to more wrist time in different environments to really let the metal shine.

The washed black dial doesn't come off as a true black, especially with the creme-ish indices on the dial. I mocked it up with a brown (woodland) Chevron strap from C&B and it definitely works well with that strap.

If I was going to complain about anything, it would be the clasp. Easy adjustment without tools or the risk of losing a springbar is always welcome. Moreso for me, the sizing of the bracelet on my 7" wrist either has me adding a link and moving the clasp to it's shortest/tightest setting or removing a link and setting it to it's longest/loosest. That gives me the most comfortable fit, but really not much room to work with when temps change and my wrist fluctuates a bit in size during the day/seasonally. Otherwise, the bracelet is great. Lightweight, comfortable, nice taper and minimal markings on the clasp.

This leads to a relative lack of strap options. Longines offers a few leather ones with the interchangeable system, but none in rubber. They have rubber options, but with standard spring bars. They're out of stock but once they're back in I will try those. I'm going to try a Crown & Buckle strap in obsidian (black with charcoal mixed in), but strap options aren't going to be nearly as many due to the lug width.

I doubt this is a watch that I'd ever wear with a sportcoat or suit, but a watch like this definitely has a place in my connection and I feel it better addresses that need than anything else I've seen (Tudor, Rolex, Omega, etc).

Anyone else pick one up?