[tfar]

I'm a big fan of the monocoque/unibody watch cases. For the newbies, these are watch cases that are made of a single cup/recipient into which the entire movement and dial assembly is set. Onto that cup a glass is set which is then held in place by a bezel of some kind. Famous monocoque designs are the original AP Royal Oak, the PP Nautilus, the Chopard St. Moritz.

There are also pseudo monocoques like the Seiko Ananta or the Seiko Landmaster. Those are nice, too, but shouldn't be figured in the list.

The advantages of monocoques are:

- more rigid
- less openings for water to come in
- often totally flat caseback thus comfortable to wear
- low height thus elegant

The disadvantages are:

- rather expensive to machine, though monos are available for around $500 from Citizen
- a bit of a pain to adjust the movement or do repairs because you have to get the entire movement with dial and hands out of the watch.

I'd be interested in compiling a good list of monocoque watches with the help of my WUS brothers and sisters. The market is so big I couldn't possibly know them all and have already discovered many new ones thanks to you. :thanks

As usual, pics and brief reviews are more than welcome!

Till

 

[ulackfocus]

Are we doing just modern watches? If not, Omega made unishell cases for the Seamaster De Ville line in the 60's and Longines employed them in some of the Admiral, Grand Prize, and All Proof lines during the same era.

inside view of a '64 Seamaster De Ville 166.020

 

[Watchbreath]

<| That's a 'pop-top' like my Lucien Piccard. It's on it's fifth cystal and crown, I'll pass.

 

[tfar]

That's interesting. I didn't know that this was started so early. I think it would be very nice to have some historical examples for perspective. Discontinued but relatively new models would be OK, too. Sometimes one can hunt those down. I mean even the AP RO isn't really monocoque anymore which is a crying shame!

Till

 

[enough]

Tissot, Midos . . .

 

[Eric L.]

Among divers, these include the Seiko MM300, original Omega ploprof/SM1000, and upcoming Helson Sharkmaster.

 

[tfar]

I had seriously hoped some monocoque owners or connoisseurs would chime in to enlighten me with some cool models.

I can't be the only one who likes this style of watch.

Till

 

[Caraptor]

Citizen BN0000-04H

I really enjoy this watch.

 

[John MS]

Numerous Seiko watches from the 1960's and 1970's used single piece cases that necessitated removal of the crystal to get access to the movement. Also, many Citizen Eco Drive watches use that case design.

 

[LouS]

late 1970's Breitling Sprint (ref 2016), I think. And the monocoque was fiberglass. I'm not a Breitling expert but I think I've got that right....

 

[tfar]

Ah, very nice. Love the Citizen. Super cheap, too. Good size. Really great sports watch I'd say. Will look up the the other tips, too. Many thanks. Keep'em coming.

It would also be great to see pictures of monocoque owner's watches.

Till

 

[jason_recliner]

Citizen Crystron 600 m

 

[sharkfin]

Seiko MM, 6159-700x, 6159 tuna, Aquadive/Jenny divers, Helson sharkmaster
Omega Ploprof, SMP1000
Citizen Robert Swan edition, I think?

Off the top of my head,
Dave.

 

[jason_recliner]

'Ray Mears' Citizen

 

[Ochiman]

i'm trying to picture it in my head but I'm coming up blank as to what kind of watch you're trying to describe.

 

[tfar]

i'm trying to picture it in my head but I'm coming up blank as to what kind of watch you're trying to describe.

Must be my bad explanation! ;-)

Try looking at this:
http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-BN0000-04H-Eco-Drive-Professional-Rubber/dp/B000EQS1RO

See the case back? There is none. The entire watch case is a single piece, like a cup (coque in French means hull). You will the hull with the movement and dial, then top it off with a crystal and screw the crystal down. Thus you eliminate one more seal and give better rigidity to the watch which makes the other seal work better.

Till

 

[Peahi]

Seiko Marinemaster 300

and the Seiko Darth Tuna SBBN011 are a couple of the newer ones amongst other seiko models.

 

[tfar]

OK, but what about watches that actually profit from the opportunity of extra flatness that monocoques offer? So far I've only seen the Citizen Ray Mears and the BN0000 in that category. I think I'm going to buy one of those 0000s. Really cool watch.

Any dressy Seikos that apply?

Till

 

[jason_recliner]

There are a bunch of old Seiko business / dress watches that used monococque cases. I can't recall for sure, but I think they mainly used the 5606 calibre. Small and thin. It's quite a nice movement, too, with hacking and handwinding.

 

[odgreen]

Citizen BN0000-04H

I really enjoy this watch.

Wow. Best looking Citizen I have seen for a long time. :-!
And not bad price.

-OD