[brgracer]

I may be wrong but heard you can request a bronze caseback on the 40mm but it comes with ss by default!

I had to email Stowa to find out and you are both wrong and right. Haha. It now comes standard with the bronze caseback and I have been informed that the picture on their website is the older version.

 

[Buramu]

Stowa on their site says 50m is safe to shower with and I've washed mine Inc other 50m watches in the shower and under taps without issue.

I would not go swimming with it though as the turbulence pressure may exceed the gasket specs at the crown.

I would not either, but turbulence pressure/dynamic pressure is an often-repeated myth which should just go away

 

[iamsoozie]

Thanks for the post and photos! I've been eyeing both versions and now it's really hard to decide! I like the rubber straps that you've put on it.

 

[mrk]

I have a review up on the reviews section btw for anyone interested! Same views as in this thread with some extra bits and new photos

I had to email Stowa to find out and you are both wrong and right. Haha. It now comes standard with the bronze caseback and I have been informed that the picture on their website is the older version.

Ah that's great, now you know exactly what to do then hah!

I would not either, but turbulence pressure/dynamic pressure is an often-repeated myth which should just go away

Hmm wasn't aware of this! I do know that some WR/50m watches like the Casio F91w people go swimming with and have no issues at all but it's always a risk I guess.

Thanks for the post and photos! I've been eyeing both versions and now it's really hard to decide! I like the rubber straps that you've put on it.

Most welcome! It is my most favourite watch of recent years now I'd say. I actually sold the Laco Aachen as I am 100% certain this will be the only Flieger I wear. I have the Hamilton Khaki Pilot still of course and will wear that since it is unique, and am now looking to add a Stowa Marine Classic 36 at some point this year for something with Nautical history, in blasted/brushed finish of course.

 

[iamsoozie]

Most welcome! It is my most favourite watch of recent years now I'd say. I actually sold the Laco Aachen as I am 100% certain this will be the only Flieger I wear. I have the Hamilton Khaki Pilot still of course and will wear that since it is unique, and am now looking to add a Stowa Marine Classic 36 at some point this year for something with Nautical history, in blasted/brushed finish of course.

I saw your review as well! Good write up! I was also eyeballing the Hamilton Khaki Pilot and decided against it because of the mineral crystal. I figured save for a hand wind Flieger and I'm hoping to be set for some time! I'm trying to avoid similar form/function for watches as I honestly don't want to jump down the rabbit hole of having too many "duplicate" styles of watches. Your side-by-side photo of the Flieger and the Khaki Pilot actually really helped solidify that decision.

 

[mrk]

I saw your review as well! Good write up! I was also eyeballing the Hamilton Khaki Pilot and decided against it because of the mineral crystal. I figured save for a hand wind Flieger and I'm hoping to be set for some time! I'm trying to avoid similar form/function for watches as I honestly don't want to jump down the rabbit hole of having too many "duplicate" styles of watches. Your side-by-side photo of the Flieger and the Khaki Pilot actually really helped solidify that decision.

Ah excellent am glad the photos helped!

I would also say though the mineral crystal is really something you have to see in person to really appreciate it, it's got some really good AR as well and the vintage distortion you get as you move around the light on the dial is quite unique too. Personally I see no issues with the use of mineral really and even if you do manage to scratch it, it's unlikely any scratch will be easily noticed due to the style of the dome and what's going on underneath on the dial!

 

[mrk]

A little video tour looking closer at the watch/strap details. I notice the buckle has started to form a patina layering in areas, The case remains pretty much the same as day 1 though which is expected since it's been treated, maybe some areas like the flat edge of the bezel has areas that have darkened a bit with moisture contact perhaps, hard to say for sure.

 

[platypus16]

A little video tour looking closer at the watch/strap details. I notice the buckle has started to form a patina layering in areas, The case remains pretty much the same as day 1 though which is expected since it's been treated, maybe some areas like the flat edge of the bezel has areas that have darkened a bit with moisture contact perhaps, hard to say for sure.​

Wow, I don't usually like bronze watches, but I love this one. I had no idea treated bronze existed, it's a great idea. Does the treated bronze caseback react with your skin at all the way untreated bronze would?

 

[Buramu]

Ah excellent am glad the photos helped!

I would also say though the mineral crystal is really something you have to see in person to really appreciate it, it's got some really good AR as well and the vintage distortion you get as you move around the light on the dial is quite unique too. Personally I see no issues with the use of mineral really and even if you do manage to scratch it, it's unlikely any scratch will be easily noticed due to the style of the dome and what's going on underneath on the dial!

Indeed, I am also slowly getting more comfortable with mineral. On <€1000 retrostyle watches I'm fine with it if it adds to the vintage aesthetic (not if it's too obviously done as a cost saving decision). The visual distortions and light refraction effects when changing the angles of the watch can be very beautiful

 

[mrk]

Wow, I don't usually like bronze watches, but I love this one. I had no idea treated bronze existed, it's a great idea. Does the treated bronze caseback react with your skin at all the way untreated bronze would?

I have not noticed any issues with skin reaction from the case back! Remember also that the lugs would come into compact with your wrist anyway even with a stainless steel caseback so being treated means there's no transfer of patina etc over time which I find most appealing. I will have to see how the buckle goes though as that doesn't appear to have the same treatment but could be wrong, it is visibly forming a nice patina though so will keep an eye on it over time

Indeed, I am also slowly getting more comfortable with mineral. On <€1000 retrostyle watches I'm fine with it if it adds to the vintage aesthetic (not if it's too obviously done as a cost saving decision). The visual distortions and light refraction effects when changing the angles of the watch can be very beautiful

Yep that's it, I can't help but think it's a purposeful decision from Hamilton rather than one to save costs as the watch is quite pricey compared to a Khaki Field as it is anyway and what's an extra £50 for a Sapphire crystal!

 

[leemik]

I just bought one of these as well.. I absolutely love the watch but absolutely hate the leather strap. It's very thick and stiff and at the end of the day my wrist is sore from it cutting into me. If I go one hole up it's too loose on my wrist.. I'm experimenting with different straps. Tried a NATO but I don't like the look on such a small case..

 

[mrk]

I just bought one of these as well.. I absolutely love the watch but absolutely hate the leather strap. It's very thick and stiff and at the end of the day my wrist is sore from it cutting into me. If I go one hole up it's too loose on my wrist.. I'm experimenting with different straps. Tried a NATO but I don't like the look on such a small case..

Honestly just pay the premium and get a Hirsch 18mm Pure Natural Rubber strap and swap the buckle over It is such a comfortable strap and perfect thickness.

I have updated my review with some new photos having now washed the watch properly and some notes on how the case has changed hue slightly but eventually returns to its original out of the box look in a few days.

Stowa Flieger Bronze Vintage 36 review

Firstly, can I just say how much I like the heavy wooden box Stowa watches like this come in? IT is absolutely plain and otherwise rather boring, but it feels and smells nice, substantial in weight, too. It's a nice change to all the fancy folding boxes and masses of manuals and papers you get...

www.watchuseek.com

 

[Skoghen]

That bronze alloy is the best I've seen (on pictures/videos at least) on any watch ever.

 

[mrk]

It really is a thing of win

 

[mrk]

Sat working from home today when the sun hit and noticed the dial reflects Predator lasers lol...

 

[eric27]

Nice purchase, Congratulations

 

[Roningrad]

Awesome looking Bronzo! Love the upgrade they did in the caseback.

 

[mrk]

Few new pics, I still can't get over how classy this looks with a combo of vintage and modern all at the same time. Looks far beyond its price point I'd say!

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ @mrk :

Thank you for the images posted above.

They do emphasize how elegantly modern it is.

Lovely!

Tom K.

 

[mrk]

Thanks! I believe my work here is now done 😁