New Arrival: Steinhart Nav B Chrono II

[sys12345]

This Fedex package arrived on Wednesday morning (from Germany), after i've placed an order with Steinhart Watches on Saturday.







Opening the package reveals a white box ...







and a 22mm strap with a signed Steinhart buckle (courtesy of Mr. Gunter, thanks! ) This is a handmade true carbon black strap and Steinhart claims that they are one of the first manufacturer to produce it. The back of the strap is made with leather.







Removing the lid off the white box reveals a nice oak wood finished watch box (i didnt even get one with watches retailing many times more ) ...







that houses the Nav B Chrono II with a stainless steel bracelet.







This is what the watch looks like, complete with the tag, wrapping and crystal protective film fresh out of the box.







The watch comes with a solid caseback.







The SS bracelet uses screwed links (solid) with brushed finishing. A quality piece that should hold up well with use. This is very much a tool watch if you like, without the need to worry about smudging up any shiny portions of the bracelet. It should also be relatively easy to maintain. I'm also glad to find that the bracelet is easy on hairy arms, a PIA experience for some badly constructed ones.

[sys12345]

Here you can see the push-button release butterfly clasp (hidden type, great for reducing scuffs associated with desk diving).








The watch has a case size of 44mm and comes with an internally coated AR sapphire crystal. The blue hands on a black dial offers a nice contrast. The use of black day/date wheels to match the black dial and the position of '6' and '9' shows the attention to detail used in the design. :-X Another nice feature is the presence of numeral '3' despite having a day/date aperture.







With a case thickness of 16mm, this watch can be a little chunky on the wrist. It comes with a large (but non obstrusive) Steinhart signed crown. A screwed down crown was not used and its possibly one of the factors for restricting water resistance to only 50m. The upside is the ease of winding, without the need to unscrew and screw the crown each time. I'm getting used to the large crown and its really easy to grip and wind. :-X








Beneath the watch is a Swiss ETA 7750 chronograph movement. There is very little slack in the hands when setting time. There's no need to turn the minute hand forward and back to take up the slack. It will synchronise with the seconds hand without any issues. The winding is smooth and setting time, day and date is easy as the crown pulls out with positive stops. Its no doubt aided by having a larger crown. The chrono buttons operate with a positive click as well. The familar 7750 wobble is noticeably present, along with a high pitched wheeze when the rotor turns. Its a cool experience. :-X As i've only had the watch for half a day, i'll be updating this thread later on its accuracy.





The dial must have a used generous coating of superluminova. It really comes alive in low light surroundings. Window lighting is sufficient to get the lume charged up. This one has the brightest lume among my watches. :-* The sub dials & hands are lumed as well. The lume is still usable 2.5 hours later. It is indeed one of the better examples of a watch using SL lume IMO. Not forgetting, the use of an electric blue lume is way cool! :-X







Initial impression:

I've heard about many positive comments on Steinhart watches but it is only when you get to hold one up close will you be able to truly experience the quality and attention to detail that the watch maker has put in. Fit and finish is up there with many of the other established Swiss makers. The watch feels a little hefty on the wrist but its not to the point of being uncomfortable. The polished bezel and chrono buttons helps to dress this one up a little, without making it too bland or tool-like that can be associated with a full brushed finishing. The dial is clear and legible, which is more than i can say for many other smaller chrono dials. As with any other time pieces however, its not perfect. I noticed that the edge of the lug is a little sharp and it'll be great if a slightly slimmer case is used instead. That said, i'm very pleased with this one, considering that i did not have to pay an arm and a leg for a quality automatic chronograph time piece. :-X

[sys12345]

Due to the limitations imposed, i had to break up the review into 2 postings. Apologies for some of the incorrect icons, couldnt edit after the 5 min expiry time! For more info, pics, etc., have a look at this thread: http://watchtalkworld.proboards.com/...ay&thread=5703

[dacky]

HI SYS,

Very nice timepiece! Congratulations!
Beautiful photos too.

btw how much did you pay for it?

[icliff00]

Nice pictures!
Care to share how much you pay in total?

[Triumph]

It's nice. Can guide me where n how to buy one like tis? How much? Pls dun give me foreign currency hor, thks.

[westcoastbay]

Watch Link:

http://www.steinhartwatches.de/index...d=67&Sel_ID=27

Currency conversion:

www.xe.com

you should get how much it is by then.

[sys12345]

Thanks for the comments. For those interested in getting one, this is how u can go about doing it:

1) Visit Steinhart Watches website, as per link provided by WCB above. Select English language and proceed to use their online shopping cart.

OR

2) Email Mr. Gunter at info@steinhartwatches.de and make your enquiry. Payment will be by paypal and shipping via Fedex from Germany to Singapore.

3) Price of this model (SS bracelet) is 810 Euros. Since we are ordering from Singapore, he'll be giving us close to 16% VAT rebate. We cant get the full rebate as the rest of the VAT will be used for covering paypal service fees.

4) Shipping is another 30 Euros.

5) Remember to factor in an additional 7% GST

Please use any online currency conversion svc to compute the equivalent amount in SGD. Remember though, Paypal's exchange rate is usually pretty bad.

Hope that helps.

[Oceanklassik]

Beautiful watch . At first glance I thought it was the IWC Pilot chrono. I thought it is available at Gnomon watches, Beach Rd?

[westcoastbay]

The 7% GST is based on converted SGD or original Euro I wondered.

That said, a good watch to own for SGD$1500+.

[Oceanklassik]

Beautiful watch . At first glance I thought it was the IWC Pilot chrono. I thought it is available at Gnomon watches, Beach Rd?

Here's comparison:

http://www.gnomonwatches.com/images/...BChronoIIL.jpg
http://www.gnomonwatches.com/SteinhartNavBChronoII.html

http://www.watcharena.com.sg/details.php?id=97&cat=IWC

[psee]

Very nice! Love those lume markers! Congrats & enjoy!

[sys12345]

Gnomon is only selling the leather strap version AFAIK.

Beautiful watch . At first glance I thought it was the IWC Pilot chrono. I thought it is available at Gnomon watches, Beach Rd?

[sys12345]

Thanks! My preference is still with H3 lume but if i have to stick with a SL lumed piece, this is the one that i'll choose.

Very nice! Love those lume markers! Congrats & enjoy!

[sys12345]

I had the watch regulated as it was a running faster than what i'm comfortable with. I've posted the update at http://watchtalkworld.proboards.com/...ay&thread=6790 (couldnt update my 1st post here)