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Got a new mouse surface for my desk today, old map themed which I think called for a photo session with a suitable watch ;-)
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Flieger Bronze Vintage 36 arrived today!
13
Bear in mind this is only day 1 but I'm confident this is a sure keeper
The leather strap is very nice, thick and soft but a little too thick for my liking not that I'd be wearing it anyway as prefer rubber, so swapped over the bronze buckle to the Hirsch pure natural rubber I had set aside for this.
Initial thoughts after the first day... Certainly a finely made piece of kit. The bronze finish has been done by hand and whatever treatment they give it they say won't further oxidise in normal use but may react a little bit depending on what liquid it comes into contact with. A little annoying the strap buckle did not undergo the same treatment so will have to let that age over time, nothing major.
The movement (Selita SW215-1 Top grade) winding action is nice and well damped although the clicking ratchet sound as you wind is not as loud as the one in the Hamilton (Hamilton H-50). It is a very nice looking movement though as the photos will show and Stowa have removed the ghost position when you opt for no-date which is nice, was fully expecting a ghost position like on the Laco (Miyota 8315) since no mention of its removal online anywhere, unless this is a recent thing.
Even though the lume is old radium for the day colour, it hasn't affected the luminosity of the C3 in darkness, seems to be as bright as the bare C3 on the Laco which seems to last a fair while.
The size and weight is almost perfect for me. Nice having a thinner case.
Interesting observation on the domed sapphire, the way reflections move around on the surface is different to any other domed sapphire I have had or seen on a watch. It's hard to describe but it's very smooth and lacks any sort of distortion/magnification - Looks cool.
Accuracy is supposed to be 0 to +10s a day but will keep an eye on. I've heard watches getting magnetised in shipping as they go through various scanning machines and things as they depart and arrive through countries. I have a demagnetiser anyway though if it does appear to be running fast.
Many photos warning... Kinda funny that my photos below are the only photos online of this model with the hand wind movement and bronze caseback together
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I love the heat blued hands the way they shimmer in the light:
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On the wrist (6.7")
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More photos...
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Size comparison vs the Laco 39m and Hamilton 36mm:
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Lume comparison:
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The leather strap is very nice, thick and soft but a little too thick for my liking not that I'd be wearing it anyway as prefer rubber, so swapped over the bronze buckle to the Hirsch pure natural rubber I had set aside for this.
Initial thoughts after the first day... Certainly a finely made piece of kit. The bronze finish has been done by hand and whatever treatment they give it they say won't further oxidise in normal use but may react a little bit depending on what liquid it comes into contact with. A little annoying the strap buckle did not undergo the same treatment so will have to let that age over time, nothing major.
The movement (Selita SW215-1 Top grade) winding action is nice and well damped although the clicking ratchet sound as you wind is not as loud as the one in the Hamilton (Hamilton H-50). It is a very nice looking movement though as the photos will show and Stowa have removed the ghost position when you opt for no-date which is nice, was fully expecting a ghost position like on the Laco (Miyota 8315) since no mention of its removal online anywhere, unless this is a recent thing.
Even though the lume is old radium for the day colour, it hasn't affected the luminosity of the C3 in darkness, seems to be as bright as the bare C3 on the Laco which seems to last a fair while.
The size and weight is almost perfect for me. Nice having a thinner case.
Interesting observation on the domed sapphire, the way reflections move around on the surface is different to any other domed sapphire I have had or seen on a watch. It's hard to describe but it's very smooth and lacks any sort of distortion/magnification - Looks cool.
Accuracy is supposed to be 0 to +10s a day but will keep an eye on. I've heard watches getting magnetised in shipping as they go through various scanning machines and things as they depart and arrive through countries. I have a demagnetiser anyway though if it does appear to be running fast.
Many photos warning... Kinda funny that my photos below are the only photos online of this model with the hand wind movement and bronze caseback together
I love the heat blued hands the way they shimmer in the light:
On the wrist (6.7")
More photos...
Size comparison vs the Laco 39m and Hamilton 36mm:
Lume comparison:
41 - 60 of 80 Posts
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I mentioned previously that the case gets a little lighter after it gets wet, here's a few recent phone pics to demonstrate. It only stays this way for a day before settling back to its default factory finish - Kinda cool and I really like that. The buckle on the strap however patinas regardless as it is not treated the same as the case as previously mentioned.
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And after a day:
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And after a day:
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So it's been a year now, how has the bronze fared? Well, largely looks the same still but the buckle is obviously not treated the same as the case because it has extended patination!
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(caseback is an older pic but it looks the same as this now, I forgot to take a pic last night!)
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And still can't get enough of those high polished hands...
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(caseback is an older pic but it looks the same as this now, I forgot to take a pic last night!)
And still can't get enough of those high polished hands...
Hah I wish that was a thing! Truth be told I've emailed Stowa about wanting to buy an 18mm bronze buckle for another strap to put on this Flieger but one time the first email got "lost" then found weeks later, the followup reply asking for further detail has yet to be answered and I've actually lost interest.@mrk Stowa should pay you for marketing photos! Your pics keeps my lust for Stowa super high.
I like the watch for sure but just wish companies like this put more effort into engaging with customers who clearly appreciate the brand and products. If I get little in the way of a response to super simple emails like asking to buy a buckle, then I'm unlikely to buy another watch from them again or post any new photos of their watches if I have one.
Shame really!
Hi and thanks very much!
Good to hear about business as usual and I can confirm my email address is emailATrobbiekhan.co.uk - The last reply I sent was on the 9th February 2022, and this was a reply to Katrin Menold's confirmation that I could indeed buy a buckle and gave me a price. My email reply was asking for confirmation if that price was for the 18mm bronze buckle
Excellent, thank you. You will receive an email reply from us by today.Hi and thanks very much!
Good to hear about business as usual and I can confirm my email address is emailATrobbiekhan.co.uk - The last reply I sent was on the 9th February 2022, and this was a reply to Katrin Menold's confirmation that I could indeed buy a buckle and gave me a price. My email reply was asking for confirmation if that price was for the 18mm bronze buckle
With best regards from the Black Forest.
Your STOWA team
The new strap is here from Watchgecko!
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The bronze 18mm buckle from Stowa is currently on the way, too, so cannot wait to install that on this and complete the look. I think this strap in charcoal colour and the texture etc suits the bronze perfectly vs the plain black rubber Hirsch.
The bronze 18mm buckle from Stowa is currently on the way, too, so cannot wait to install that on this and complete the look. I think this strap in charcoal colour and the texture etc suits the bronze perfectly vs the plain black rubber Hirsch.
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Quick update, the 18mm buckle arrived today and have to say it is fantastic as expected, but I was also expecting it to be untreated with the same finishing that locks in the bronze from further patina like the case does. Immediately it is obvious the new buckle is indeed treated and has the same finish as my watch case!
My original 16mm buckle does not and patinas to the point I reset it as mentioned earlier as I didn't really like the pattern it was forming.
I will email @STOWA1927 and ask about this as I would prefer the 16mm buckle to be finished the same way too, so if new 16mm buckles are indeed finished the same, then it would be nice to get mine swapped out as no idea why mine originally came with an unfinished buckle and it was one of the things I put down as a negative in my original posts here.
Pics:
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16mm original on left, 18mm new on right:
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My original 16mm buckle does not and patinas to the point I reset it as mentioned earlier as I didn't really like the pattern it was forming.
I will email @STOWA1927 and ask about this as I would prefer the 16mm buckle to be finished the same way too, so if new 16mm buckles are indeed finished the same, then it would be nice to get mine swapped out as no idea why mine originally came with an unfinished buckle and it was one of the things I put down as a negative in my original posts here.
Pics:
16mm original on left, 18mm new on right:
41 - 60 of 80 Posts
