Caveman's Watch Forum
Avatar New combo and fresh photos hot off the camera.

Ricky Lee
December 15, 2008 08:12PM		 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 18,033 (2012-03)

As much as I love the Balmer Commander on the Staib mesh bracelet, I couldn't help but wonder how some of my other watches would work with it. You might even say it's been gnawing at me. Wink, wink ...

Well, it finally got to the point where I just couldn't resist. I am smiling... Looking over my 22mm-lugged watches, the choice was obvious;

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for supersized photo


Note to Colby - you'll note that I was careful to keep it synched to GMT for you this time. Wink, wink ...

Alas, it didn't occur to me 'til after I'd pulled the crown that my accuracy test, started on Fall Back Day '08, was now kaput. I am sad... Ah weel, I'm pretty darned sure that the accuracy level of this watch is acceptable, in any case. Laughing!

Had to shoot one in Portrait Mode..

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for supersized photo


Also note that, bored with the same ol' 10:10 photos, I went with an alternate setting. I reckon 9:40:13 works tolerably well...

Zoomed in a bit closer...

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for supersized photo


I even attempted one of my patented Depth Of Field Foto Farkles© where I shoot two photos, one focused on the clasp and the other on the caseback, then stitch them together.

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for supersized photo


I'm not real happy with the result - the seams are pretty darned obvious. I am sad... But perhaps that's because I know the history of the shot, and am looking for the seams? What say you? Is this concept worthwhile? Or should I give it up? Or, alternatively, perhaps I should just replace my vintage digicam with something that truly can achieve the DoF I'm after? Wink, wink ...

And yes, of course I shot a Wrist Shot for you fellers. Laughing!

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for supersized photo


Feels Grrrrrrrrrr8! on the wrist! Thumbs Up!

OK, I know you're asking yourself "That's all well and good, Ricky. But what about the Balmer?" Glad you asked! It's back on the..

Balmer Commander Unitas 6431


..navy blue 22mm NATO, my 2nd-favorite combo for the Balmer. I think that's because, while putting my most VRM watch on my most VRM bracelet makes sense, it also tends to subtly steer the focus away from the watch itself. Not something that I'm keen on for my most expensive watch! The generic sub-$25 NATO focuses one's attention more keenly on the watch, I think, and I see that as A Good Thing. Does that make sense to anyone else?

As always, t'anks for lookin'!

-Ricky

p.s. - I gotta 'fess up. I first shot this photo sequence with a totally different backdrop. A hunk o' beige carpet remnant...

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for supersized photo

I was totally discouraged with the results, though, for two reasons. A} I didn't like the way the leading edge of the watch sunk into the pile of the carpet and B} the color match just seemed wrong somehow. So I basically scrapped it and repeated the entire shoot from scratch. Did I do good? Or am I ?
Messages In This Thread

New combo and fresh photos hot off the camera. Post contains pictures (views: 115)
Ricky Lee -- December 15, 2008 08:12PM
Looks very daggone nice -- Good combo! Thumbs up for that watch! (n/t) (views: 2)
Riddim Driven -- December 16, 2008 02:48AM
I am drooling That works! You got me adding the cost of a mesh to every wish-list watch I have I am smiling (n/t) (views: 3)
Brian Uziel -- December 16, 2008 12:21AM
A bad influence, am I? Wink, wink...  I confess I find myself trying to justify another... Crazy! Loco! (n/t) (views: 0)
Ricky Lee -- December 16, 2008 02:22PM
Wow... that looks fantastic Thumbs up for that watch! (n/t) (views: 2)
PaulGeo -- December 16, 2008 12:01AM
Great combo and pics! Thumbs up for that watch! (n/t) (views: 3)
Dave Murphy -- December 15, 2008 10:03PM
Thank You! Dave! I'm happier'n a slopped hog with it, I must say. Post contains pictures (views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- December 16, 2008 12:52AM

-Ricky Lee December

Watch-Idiot-Savant Of The Month (December 2008)

Lookin' good Ricky. Thumbs up for that watch! Thumbs up for that watch! (n/t) (views: 2)
Mark C. -- December 15, 2008 09:43PM

Avatar

One of me favorite watches gets a new Summer Combo


Ricky Lee
April 17, 2010 10:18AM
 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 18,033 (2012-03)

As much as I enjoyed the Mondaine Watch Co. Big-Date GMT on the Staib mesh bracelet, I bought that bracelet for the Balmer Commander, and 'tis (IMHO!) the perfect combo for the big guy. So after I got it repaired last fall, the Staib went back on, and I've been wearing the Mondaine on the OEM black leather strap ever since.

But the weather's done got hot 'n' sticky here in the North Mississippi hills Eek!, and I'm not a fan of leather under such conditions. Obviously a strap change was called for. What to do, what to do? I am confused

If you know me, it's probably obvious..

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Yup, a brand-new It's a happy day, a new watch arrived 22mm Ricky Standard NATO (aka Bond NATO) from Watchrick*. WooooooHOO! WIS Honeymoon

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

So soft, so supple, so totally impervious to the %#$@ Mississippi heat! WIS Honeymoon

Mondaine Big-Date GMT

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

I admit that the looks haven't clicked with me to quite the degree that I expected Crazy! Loco!, probably because I wear the Mondaine so often, and I got so used to it on the bracelet, and later on leather. I mean, I do like it, but can't help but think that a black NATO might work better. I am confused What say you, me Brothers? Let's put it to a Thumbs up or down? Your vote is required!

Cheers! y'all!

-Ricky

Ricky Lee McBroom

* No affiliation, just a satisfied customer. But with a name like WatchRick, you just know he's a great guy! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off
Messages In This Thread

One of me favorite watches gets a new Summer Combo Image Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 411 April 17, 2010 10:18AM

Re: One of me favorite watches gets a new Summer Combo

That's cool!
 DELAURIAN 1000 86 May 10, 2010 07:29AM

It's a bit busy with the stripes, get an all-black NATO.

I think it comes down to the fact that the dial takes simplicity to the point of art, and having stripes on the strap detracts from that. smile
 Chris L 109 April 17, 2010 05:44PM

Re: ..the dial takes simplicity to the point of art, and having stripes on the strap detracts from that. Smile

Well said! Clapping!

I've got to agree. Trouble is, I don't have a black 22mm NATO. So it's either a Navy 22mm, or I "understrap" it with a black 20mm.

Hmmmmm... Smile
 Ricky Lee 130 April 18, 2010 10:08AM

I like the mesh best. (n/t)

 greg honeycutt 119 April 17, 2010 12:03PM

Re: One of me favorite watches gets a new Summer Combo

I think it would look good with a black/red NATO (to pick up the color on the second hand and dial). I've seen Bond-like NATOs with two red stripes instead of the gray ones, and also ones with three narrow red pinstripes down the center of the strap; I think either would work well.
 regnaD kciN 122 April 17, 2010 11:38AM

Thumbs up! I like it, Ricky, but I think Nick's got a good point here! (n/t)

 Nuvolari 121 April 17, 2010 05:36PM

Sounds good on paper, but I'm leaning more towards Bro. Chris' POV. Smile Gif Attachments

I'm thinkin' that any stripes whatsoever will detract from minimalist nature of the dial. Solid black it is. Thumbs up!

Mind you, it does strike me as a bit odd to call a dial with Big Date and a GMT subdial "minimalist". I am confused But IMHO the Mondaine Watch Co. pulls it off. Laughing
 Ricky Lee 106 April 18, 2010 10:17AM

Your instincts are honed my friend. I'd definitely try a black NATO. (n/t)

 DJM 136 April 17, 2010 11:31AM

Hello Ricky ! Smile Thumbs up!

I say Thumbs up! , although we are not used to see such watches on Nato, but why not ? Looks O.K. to me !Thumbs up!

I hope you will be O.K. too with the Mississippi heat . We already have heat here too. ( Unfortunately in many ways and for many reasons !!! Frowning )
 IF 122 April 17, 2010 10:24AM


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