John:

Thank you for sharing these impressions and the beautiful photo. I agree with all that you have written, except that the clasp doesn't bother me at all.

Stay tuned, and soon I will also share a few impressions (and amateurish photos).

Jeff

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: So, after a couple of days on the wrist I thought I would take the
: time to write down a couple of thoughts on my new, re-edition
: Autavia. As I said in another place, this is the first watch I
: have ever bought new from a jeweler. I have bought a lot of
: pre-owned new edition watches but never thought I would the guy
: who couldn’t wait and just had to have the brand new watch.

: First let me put in a plug for the jeweler from whom I bought the
: watch. Reis Nichols in Indianapolis is a dealer for just about
: all of the major grail brands from Rolex, Patek, AP, to TAG and
: Breitling just to name a few. They also usually have a
: well-stocked pre-owned and vintage display and a team of
: top-notch in-house watchmakers. However, the best thing about
: the Reis Nichols is the store manager, Vladimir Dzeletovic who
: is as knowledgeable and helpful a watch guy as you are likely to
: find. I have known Vlad for years. We have bought and sold a few
: watches to and from each other and I suppose if I was ever going
: to buy a new watch it would have had to have been from Vlad.

: I did not go into Reis Nichols with the intention of buying this
: watch. I simply wanted to see it in the metal. When I saw it in
: the case it looked great. Frankly it stood out from its TAG
: Heuer display neighbors. I thought that even next to the several
: blue Monacos, it looked like a real watch. It looked solid and
: substantial. It reminded me of the first time I saw the new
: editions of the Fifty Fathoms in a case full of Blancpains…a
: real watch among a bunch of pretty jewelry.

: Vlad took the Autavia out of the case and handed it to me. It was
: heavier than I thought it would be. The weight felt right. I
: knew the bracelet would be more substantial than an old BOR but
: it felt better, more solid than I expected. I put it on my wrist
: and fastened the clasp and it was a bit too big. This never
: happens. I have big wrists. Watches are never too big right out
: of the box. Vlad adjusted the bracelet and the watch fit
: perfectly. It felt balanced and comfortable. It stayed in the
: right place on my wrist with just the amount of slack I like.

: I walked around swinging my arms. The watch kept its place. I
: looked at myself in the mirror. The watch looked like it was
: meant to be on my wrist. I walked back to the counter. Vlad
: handed me a scrap of paper with a number on it. I plunked down
: my card. I put the watch I had been wearing in the TAG box and
: the Autavia has not been off my wrist during waking hours since.
: It still feels as good as any tool watch I have worn.

: What do I like about the watch? I like the attention to detail. The
: case is substantial and well finished. The bezel is very well
: made and has a firm but easy click in both directions. The crown
: and the pushers are nice and well proportioned. The bracelet is
: cool and comfortable. I am not necessarily a view back guy but I
: find I like being able to look at the nicely finished movement
: when I take the watch off. Starting, stopping and resetting the
: chrono mechanism happens with firm and easy pressure and a sure
: responsive click. I like the layout of the “face”…the dial
: and bezel look balanced and well thought out. It is not, as many
: vintage fans point out, an old Autavia. It is a new take. I even
: like the tiny but easy to read date window. So far the watch
: keeps very good time. I doubt it will be as accurate as the new
: model Rolex Daytona but I think it is easier to use, looks
: better and feels better on the wrist.

: What don’t I like? Although I can’t really find a mechanical
: fault, I don’t really like the bracelet clasp. It works and
: seems to be solid but it isn’t up to the standard of the new
: Rolex clasp. I know the Autavia costs about a third of the new
: price of a Daytona so I am probably expecting too much. That’s
: about it for the negatives for now.

: As I said, this is my first new watch bought new. That said, I
: spend a lot of time looking at new watches online and in stores.
: The new Autavia is an homage to one of my favorite vintage
: watches but it is a thoroughly modern watch. I think that, for
: the money, it is as good a value as I have seen. I still want a
: Fifty Fathoms but now I think I can be my usual opportunist self
: and wait until a pre-owned example comes my way.

: JohnCote

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