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Side-by-side comparison
The recent post by m2 celebrating the arrival of his Odysseus gave me the idea to make this side-by-side montage of 10 of the most well-known blue dial integrated bracelet sports watches.
NB 1: I decided to stick to models available in the current catalogue of each brand.
NB 2: concerning the Laureato, I chose the 38 mm variant instead of the 42 mm: a debatable choice, of course.
NB 3: I have added the ref. numbers and dimensions and water resistance data below the two images.
Any thoughts?
Best, Emmanuel
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin, ref. 16202ST.OO.1240ST.02 (caliber 7121) - 39 x 8.1 mm - Water resistance: 50 m / 5 bar
- Patek Philippe Nautilus, ref. 5811/1G-001 (caliber 26-330 S C) - 41 x 8.2 mm - Water resistance: 30 m / 3 bar
- IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40, ref. IW328907 (caliber 32111) - 40 x 10.7 mm - Water resistance: 100 m / 10 bar
- Chopard Alpine Eagle 41, ref. 298600-3001 (caliber 01.01-C) - 41 x 9.70 mm - Water resistance: 100 m / 10 bar
- Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-Winding, ref. 4520V/210A-B128 (caliber 5100) - 41 x 10.69 mm - Water resistance: 150 m / 15 bar
- A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus, ref. 363.179 (caliber L155.1) - 40.5 x 11.1 mm - Water resistance: 120 m / 12 bar
- Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto Blue, ref. LCF040.T1.C1GC5 (caliber LF270.01) - 41.5 x 12.70 mm - Water resistance: 120 m / 12 bar
- Girard Perregaux Laureato 38 mm Midnight Blue, ref. 81005-11-3460-1CM - 38 x 10 mm - Water resistance: 100 m / 10 bar
- Bulgari Octo Finissimo, ref. 103431 - 40 X 6.40 mm - Water resistance: 100 m / 10 bar
- Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222, ref. 4200H/222A-B934 - 37 x 7.95 mm - Water resistance: 50 m / 5 bar
Side-by-side comparison
The recent post by m2 celebrating the arrival of his Odysseus gave me the idea to make this side-by-side montage of 10 of the most well-known blue dial integrated bracelet sports watches . NB 1: I decided to stick to models available in the current catalo...
From the front side, I would choose the AP over all the others.
Back side is a tougher decision, and I would choose one of the others.
Frankly, I don't know what to think, personally.
I own a grey dial Alpine Eagle, but wear in the summer only. In fact, this type of watch isn't really for me. One thing I really like about the RO is that it's the only one with no seconds hand. Best, Emmanuel
Interesting! For an elegant sports
watch I would be leaning towards thinner models, so my choice would be the AP Jumbo for aesthetics and starting this whole game and the PP Nautilus for wearability and reliability.
It's absolutely true that the AP and the PP are the only ones below 9 mm thickness.
What I like about the AP is the absence of seconds hand. Very minimalistic. I would like it even more without the date. Best, Emmanuel
The only one without a seconds hand.
I would like it even more without the date. But this type of watches isn't really for me anyway. I own a grey dial Alpine Eagle (wasn't attracted to blue) but wear it only in summer. Best, Emmanuel
Great picture!! It seems as if standing in front of a distorted mirror. The same adopting different, distorted forms. Like those “apps” (?) that distort faces. Even the dials. Some…
…with vertical lines, others with horizontal lines, some with both. Upon seeing them all together I don’t like any of them. Truly. It all seems like a lazy exercise in design, as if I were playing in the computer. I’ll go back to my 36mm Explorer. Just my...
I understand your feeling so well!
This type of watches isn't really for me either. I own a grey dial Alpine Eagle, though, and find it very nice, but I only wear it during summer. The RO has no seconds hand, which is nice, imo, but I would like it more if it didn't have a date. Best, Emma...
The Jumbo is so classic, I cannot now imagine it any other way.
Maybe this tells more about my imagination ability than about the watch, of course!
Strange effect
Putting them all side by side, my first revelation was that I wished there was a better choice. And I was surprised that my eyes went to the LF which I found superior to the Patek.that surprised me as the PP was always an acquired list item till the price...
I'm glad if this side-by-side proves useful, even if it is by producing this strange, revealing effect.
Even if I own a grey dial Alpine Eagle, I wear it only during summer and don't deeply care about this type of watches. Best, Emmanuel
I agree
In the sense that side by side, the sports bracelet watch is sort of underwhelming. Interesting.
I showed these to my wife, she pointed to the LF immediately
FWIW, of course. I don't wear this genre, it doesn't make sense to me, but I appreciate and refer to my wife's opinion when in doubt
She has great taste! You do well to consult her!
Best, Emmanuel PS: I’m not too fond of this genre either.
I really like dressy sport watches on a bracelet. Ignoring exclusivity, cost or retained value I like them all! Evidently to be sporty and elegant you'll need to know the date where the ALS is in it's
own category and of the rest I prefer Chopard's approach. For dial color and texture I like the IWC, the LF and the VC, probably in that order but seeing them in person might change the order. For integration of bracelet and overall style of the piece mos...
I didn't think about the Piaget Polo, but it's a contender, of course.
I own a grey dial Alpine Eagle, but wear it only during summer. This kind of watches isn't the one I car about the most. For me, the RO, which is the only one without a seconds hand (and which started the trend), remains a cornerstone but would be better ...
I know this isn’t an exhaustive list, but the Speake-Marin Ripples is another one that I’d put on this list for consideration.
It’s a very hard choice, especially when you take all the hype out of the picture🤔
Yes, of course, Speake-Marin. Also Christopher Ward Twelve, etc.
Beyond 8, the image became too difficult to make... I personally think that each of these brands has done so much better and more attractive timepieces than these "hyped" ones... That said, the RO started it all and, without a seconds hand, I tend to thin...
There is the 222 reissue…
Also without a seconds hand 😊👍🏻 And there used to be an Urban Jurgensen but I believe that is no longer in the current catalog 🤷🏻♂️ Lots of choice… but like for you this is not a category that particularly appeals to me 😊🤷🏻♂️ ...
Yes, my selection is definitely
too restrictive and a bit arbitrary... 🫣 Anyway, the immediate attention this post gets confirms how popular integrated bracelet sports watches are!
I finally managed to add both the 222
and the Octo Finissimo to the comparison. Several could still be added though: exhaustivity is definitely out of reach.
This is nice 👌🏻👍🏻
And adds two references several here might seriously consider 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Ha, yes, very nice improvement of my montage!
Thanks! There are many others I left aside: Piaget Polo, C. Ward Twelve, Speake-Marin Ripple, etc. Best, Emmanuel
Yes, I knew that from the beginning, unfortunately...
The thread I care the most about don't always get the attention I think they deserve... Best, Emmanuel
Enticing lineup , especially in blue!
Thanks for this comprehensive side by side pic 👍🏻 I’ve owned the GP 38 and 42 mm, and also the IWC 40. Of those, the GP 38 was the one that lasted the longest. I’ve tried on some of the other ones but could never justify the price, even when pre-owned. ...
Yes, only 3 here are "reasonably priced": GP, IWC and Chopard.
And I could/should probably have added the Octo Finissimo Automatic. I own a grey dial Alpine Eagle and like it in its own right, but I only wear it during summer, because I'm just more attracted to dress watches. Best, Emmanuel
The iris-pattern dial is very attractive, indeed!
I scratched that itch with this charming Chinese watch - enamel dial plus hand-engraved rotor. ...
Very affordable for what's included and the quality is very decent!
A lot of horologically interesting things are coming from China these days, including some notable high-end stuff (Fam Al Hut, etc.).
My selection is obviously debatable. Apologies.
No Octo Finissimo, Christopher Ward or Speake-Marin either... Thanks for sharing yours! Best, Emmanuel
The OG and only one without seconds hand.
Would be even better without date, imo. Best, Emmanuel
Don't get me wrong...the others are great too...
...but the size to me is perfect. The bracelet is really nice. It's simple and legible. And the movement looks great. And it will hold its value better than most...
Thanks for sharing your beautiful 5711.
The Nautilus and RO are the only one below 9 mm thickness. And the RO is the only one without seconds hand. It would be even better with no date, imo. Best, Emmanuel
Yes, many elements are in favor of the ALS.
I understand your preference. Best, Emmanuel
Of these AP 15202/16202 and ALS for me
By the way, I wonder how blue dial Rolex Submariner Smurf would do in this comparison.
Ha, yes! I didn’t think about it!
Not integrated bracelet, but definitely blue! Best, Emmanuel
A very popular blue-dialed white gold 40mm bracelet Rolex.
Not in production since 2020, replaced by blue-bezel black dialed 41mm version.
You are asking the question of the questions, which is the nicest of all
And this while I am sitting in the train to Munich with an appointment at Vacheron Constatin for looking After a 222 and wearing a RO. So much to my preferences, but of course i would like to mention the Czapek Antarctique and the Romain Gauthier Continuu...
My selection is definitely incomplete and debatable!
Thanks for mentioning the Czapek and the RG. The Jumbo, with no seconds hand, is a true cornerstone. The 222 is also devoid of a seconds hand, which I like. Minimalism. I would even prefer a no date version of both. I’ve tried on the gold 222 and was disa...
I finally managed to add the 222 as well as the Octo Finissimo!
The 222 definitely makes a nice duo with the 16202. I hope you’ll be able to get one, Martin! Best, Emmanuel
So interesting, thanks.
Despite everything, I'd like to say that I'm surprised to know the water resistance of Lange and Laurent Ferrier, which shows that it's not just a matter of design but also of functionality. It's curious that these two were among my favorites, to which I ...
Thank you, Alex.
I also like it that VC, ALS & LF have made a true > 100 m water resistance. And, as far as movements and finishing are concerned, ALS & LF are clearly in a class of their own. Best, Emmanuel
For me…
I love how aggressive the AP Royal Oak looks. It’s perfect other than the weak WR. Unfortunately, I’m not really comfortable wearing one in public for the same reasons I don’t wear Rolex. Although I still have an offshore because it’s kind of funny. So be...
Yes, the RO remains a true cornerstone.
Among the alternatives you mention, the only one I personally dislike is the Octo Finissimo: I don't respond to the design. Best, Emmanuel
It wears a little too flat for me
Owned one for a bit, but do appreciate that it’s at least different. IE the zenith defy is trying too hard to be an Ap.
Yes, clones aren't interesting, of course.
The Octo F is too large and square for my wrist.