Praesidus A-11 Spec 2 vs The Original Bulova A-11 from WW2 -Watch Review
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- Опубліковано 15 тра 2024
- See Praesidus website for more info on this watch: praesidus.com/collections/a-1...
Or their whole collection can be found here: praesidus.com/
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Hello everyone, I'm Oscar the brand director for Praesidus Watch Co.
Thanks My Watch Reviews for the in-depth review; I appreciate the criticism and I hope you don't mind me bringing a bit more explanation to certain choices.
First off, we also developed a 32mm version of the A-11 Spec 2 which meant we had to get a slimmer quartz movement so as to fit the smaller case size (and explains a bit the empty space in the 40mm case).
As to why we chose a more expensive American movement - this was a project of our since a while; we used to offer more affordable Ronda Quartz collections but wanted to take a leap of faith into the Ameriquartz since the American Watch Industry is intimately linked to the brand's project & universe. I accept that this has brought on a higher price point than is desirable for some and, I'm working on providing more "bang" for the same price in the future. I'd also like to point out that, we're not necessarily proud of the movement is of itself; as pointed out its a rather standard quartz movement from a technical stand point. However, we're proud of what it represents: the start of a rebirth of the American Watch Industry after decades of collapse and de-industrialization.
As a final side note - we do have a much more "authentic" A-11 collection called the A-11 Type 44. We went all in and comes with a swiss manual wind movement, acrylic glass and a choice of either 32 or 38mm much more adapted for those looking for the real thing with modern comforts.
Anyways, if anyone has questions, feel free to ask them here - I'd be glad to answer anything!
Once again thanks for the review & I'm glad for the honesty.
Best,
Oscar
Thank you for commenting sir. Actually quite surprised but pleased the director would watch and comment. Your explanation makes sense and I think I have mentioned this in comments here or in my Facebook group but the opposite that finding a movement for a 32mm case could be more challenging.
I do encourage viewers to check out your other watches as there are some interesting ones in the lineup.
Criticism and opinions always help and it’s again good to know you are active here and reading comments. It will help to learn what people think and want.
Thanks Oscar for allowing me to review your watch in this detail without any direction. The review is my own opinion.
I have also pinned your comment!
Oscar, thanks for the information...and I for one, really appreciate trying to reinvigorate the American watch industry. Sure, I was a little disappointed when Mike opened the back, but before he did, I spent a long time just watching the second hand, and I must say I was impressed with just how well I nailed the minute track around the outside. I have seen much worse performance from more expensive watches, so, it truly was more impressive than many. Anyway wanted to say thanks for the extra information, and best success to you and the company.
This explanation helped enormously in understanding the project. The mechanical version sounds great! Thanks for taking the time to give us your reasoning in going the direction you did.
@@mywatchreviews Thank you for the kind words - I always watch every single review that talks about the Praesidus; it's a great way for me to get a better idea of what some other "watch guys" think about the stories, products & choices. I appreciate you taking the time to review honestly the product. It really is the best way for me to pilot the brand to its best potential!
Keep in touch! ;)
I bought one & I'm 18 years old I love the look and how easy it is to read
Well well... i think that it is actually SUPERB, Praesidus Watch Co. excellent time pieces ,it is absolutely Refreshing to have the Brand Director, Mr. Oscar, extremely active in the comments. hats off to that 💯.
It was nice of him.
In 1972 I was on flying status in the USAF. Before every flight we were issued a few items, among which was the A-11 style watch of that era. In addition it had 24 hour numerals on the dial. We had to return the watch after the flight (I now wish I had "lost" the watch and paid the penalty in order to keep it, but alas).
Indeed, on board the plane during the pre-flight checklist we had to "synchronize our watches" just like in the old movies.
I have my eye on the Benrus DTU-2A/P Field Watch which to my eyes is very similar to my issued USAF watch.
Thanks Mike!
1972 I was born! Sounds like one of those regrets in life. Had you kept that watch the nostalgia attached to it for you would be priceless
As far as age, I’m 35 years old and have been obsessed with these when they came out. There’s a few mechanical models as well.
That’s good to hear.
Nice review Mike….
I liked my A-11 but it was just too small. This watch answers that problem and I actually like it.
Great review nice looking watch like the seconds hand hitting the markers. Cannot wait for the Bulova repair/service.
I’m m looking forward to the Bulova too. I have just got a 100 year old Omega too that is quite special . Put it up on insta yesterday.
First thing they’ve done it right is the second hand hit the hash marks precisely each tick.
Yes. I can’t remember saying if it did or not. It did one one take but some parts the voiceover does not always roll off the tongue
In this watch. I have seen another video review of the last 32mm A-11 Spec2 with American quartz and the second hand doesn't hit the marks.
Great review
Thanks Mike for bringing another watch to us enthusiasts that might otherwise have gone un noticed. I really like this watch, enough to buy one, I like simple uncomplicated watches and this one really hits the spot. I like the way the second hand hit all the markers in the outside video shots. My only concerns are the long term availability of replacement crystals with it not being sapphire and obtaining a suitable tool to remove the caseback for battery replacement. Think I might be buying one of these, it would look great on a distressed leather strap. 👍
I'm a huge fan of the A-11 (and it's Korean War descendant, the A-17). I truly appreciate the Spartan utility if these watches and the overall practicality of a hacking 3-hander with no bells or whistles.
I've been toying with the idea of picking up a Praesidus, as they seem to be well made with above average QC for the price range (that seconds hand was striking the hashmarks on the railroad track with military precision,pun intended). I am becoming increasingly fond of quartz watches as well, since the accuracy is better than all but the most expensive, and thereby unobtainable, mechanical watches. The seconds tick is just something you have to either learn to accept (for watch nerds) or don't really care about (for the other 99.99%of the population), but the set-it-and-forget-it nature of quartz watches makes them relatively hassle free, and that's not a small consideration. Sure, the movements aren't sexy to look at, but neither is the A-11, at least not in any traditional sense. These quartz field watches just ooze sensibility and practicality and that's a pretty good "Jeans and T-Shirt" aesthetic in and of itself. And watch collectors tend to have plenty of showier, shinier automatics to wear for showier, shinier occasions. This watch is a workhorse that you can wear to a blue collar job and not worry about. Try wearing a Rolex GMT Master II to the oil rig. Your anxiety level would be through the roof (metaphorically, of course. Even if I could afford a $20,000 watch, I could hardly justify the expense, nor would I want to. The pricing and hype seem predatory to me).
Sorry. Long post just to say I kinda dig the watch.
Don't apologise for a long post as I enjoyed reading it and you make a valid point. I have liked this Preasidus and yes the second hand hits the markers perfectly but I could not say with any certainty that every watch from them would. Its also quite a high price for a quartz watch too. If its your thing then you would not be disappointed for certain.
The second hand is perfectly lined up! I've noticed a lot of watches are always off a little bit.
Indeed. It’s easy to do with a bit of patience so clearly someone put a bit of care fitting it .
Thanks for the video. Liked the watch.
A great, professional review as ever Michael. I think for the manufacturers to name this a an A-11 and try to draw any parallels to the original Bulova A-11 is wrong on all levels in my humble opinion. If I was given the selling price as a budget, I could buy some good quality components on eBay and finish up with a mechanical watch of similar nature. Just my opinion though.
I completely get that Darren. Thing is most guys are not like us who can create our own watches or buy a nice vintage and look after it.
If you want the look of a military watch but with the reliability and sizing of modern watches then watches like these fill the gap
I really like the watch. Thanks for the review. Personally I prefer a quartz movement, purely for the accuracy. I have Omegas and a Longines from the 80's & 90's which still only gain about a min per year, with minimal servicing.
If you haven’t already taken a dive into the Bulova 10AK, it’s quite a robust movement, and the hack mechanism is, in my opinion, superior to others of the time. Oh, and if you have the means, getting one cased in silver is especially cool.
Regarding the Praesidus homage, congratulations Oscar. Love that you’re breathing new life into American watchmaking. Hope your venture is successful.
The Bulova will be filmed on the main channel , possibly the next video
Nice, I like the band too :)
Love the styling and the callback to history. I'm honestly shocked by how much empty space there was around that quartz movement, but I guess if you want that chunkier modern look, that's what it takes. I think given the choice I'd rather an original (or a dirty dozen), but I think Praesidus have done a good job here, one which will appeal to those that want the look with the convenience of quartz.
I’d choose an ETA or a Ronda quartz that has a bigger movement . I worked on an Omega quartz on the main channel years ago, said Omega all over it, yet under the cover plates it was just an ETA , nice one all the same but a replacement cost I think £20 and that was to me at full retail.
For a watch like in this review you could stick a cheap Sea-Gull hand wind movement with hacking and recreate the authentic feel of the original.
Problem will be when you get down to the 32mm model as you might struggle to find an off the shelf movement to fit the case easily.
Personally think Praesidus have got too caught up in the American thing. That quartz movement is not what I call watchmaking at all. It will be completely machine made and assembled without a watchmaker in sight .
@@mywatchreviews Completely agree tbh. As an aside, my wife bought me the black "my retro watches" tee, and the green "retro" hoodie as part of my birthday haul. She's a gem :)
@@mywatchreviews I think it's worth noting that Ameriquartz are all-metal and jeweled (albeit this one has only two). I've checked out the Fine Timepiece solutions page and was fairly impressed with their overall strategy. The American Made aspect of everything is important to American watch livers not simply out of patriotism, but from a genuine desire to see a real domestic watch industry thrive again. Wristwatches have had a resurgence in popularity worldwide, but the once robust US watch industry is a shadow of its former self. Waltham is Swiss owned now, Elgin is a tacky discount watch mill, and the Mighty Bulova, for all it's cutting edge innovation, is a subsidiary of Citizen. Smaller companies opting for the American made movement is an important first step in long term rebuilding of a watch infrastructure.
Personally, I have always felt that modern watches have become comically too huge. They look like desk clocks with watch straps! I prefer the smaller sizes of watches from the middle of the last century. And yes, I intend to buy a 32mm version of this A-11 watch. Very well done, Praesidus.
I get what you are saying . I think times are changing though but they won’t go much past 38mm but it’s better then 42-45
I am yet to see a 32mm A11 from Praesidus. They said they would send one to compare with the original but it didn’t happen
Thanks for posting Mike. I'm curious, is there different types of lume that last longer than others?
There are different qualities and types. For all the watches I have reviewed on this or my other channel this watch faded way to fast so it’s either poor quality lume or a very thin application.
I have a Bergeon kit of lume and some powder I bought on eBay and both last longer than what I saw here
Nice video
on a side note, is it possible to do a disassembly of a steeldive sd1970 full teardown and oil up?
I'm curious to see how to remove the bezel and repair it...
One day I will do a tear down of a NH35 but I’m sure it’s been done by many other Tubers already. I do have the service manual on my site for that movement too which will show you all oiling and greasing points.
Bezels in general I just pry off. Tape up the case to protect it from any slips and then just use my Bergeon knife to pry it off.
@@mywatchreviews I tried it, and it didn't work, either I'm to clumsy or the bezel is a very tight fit
Dial design, very nice. Quartz, understandable if a little disappointing as a choice. Appeal, probably nostalgia and history buffs. Size is too big for me.
I think 38mm would be a sweet spot on this other than the 32mm they have made to match the original .
The quality of lume on it is *exactly* the same as that of this century's discontinued Seiko 5 generation, even if Seiko rebranded it.
These were like 114 a piece on black friday. Buy one get one free! Just have to sell a friend on it.
Like the looks of this one Michael. I like military watches and "look a likes". Have they had that size case designed to fit bigger movements into? It never looks good with a big piece of "white" plastic jumping out at you when the back is removed. If the plastic spacer was olive green it may reduce the shock! I think I would buy one ..... mmmm ..... would I?... not if a beat up CWC G10 was about for the same money. Decisions, decisions. Good review Michael, well done!
Hi Clive. It was a shock to me too disappointedly but I didn’t want to be harsh in the review, as much as it’s my opinion they have tried to do this “All American “ thing which personally does not work for me.
From what I can see on the case it looks like all or most of their other models be it quartz or mechanical seem to be using the same one for all models.
It a watch with all the aesthetics but it has no heart and soul powering it.
Personally if it was me I would be using a hand wind movement only in all of them to keep it as authentic as possible.
@My Watch Reviews hopefully they send a mechanical type to review.
Look forward to seeing the original video.
All the best.
Reminds me of the S. African CWC military copies - utter junk, but at least you have somewhere to keep your loose change!
That quartz movement would, however, have made a very affordable A-11 Type 44, but instead they've done it with a Swiss mechanical movement and stuck a £454 price tag on it. The obvious thing to do, therefore, is keep looking around for an original.
That sort of price for a modern copy is a mickey take.
I agree this is expensive for what it is. I have just posted a video on the Baltany A11. It’s cheaper and has an automatic NH38 movement . Actually a very nice watch in my opinion.
Nice looking watch shame about the movement! Thanks Mike keep safe fella
Thanks Darren.
Not sure I like the quartz movement. Like homage electric guitars, I wonder when someone will “rough it up” to look old… definitely won’t pay 200 US plus tax and shipping for a quartz watch. nice review!
Usually these watch straps/bands are way too short, so it would be nice if it is long enough :)
Probably would be for you pal.
I agree, it's a little too large, 37mm would be better. Praesidus has done a good job recreating the original and it looks great until you put it next to the Bulova and then ... well, I'm biased towards vintage! Although £175 is pricey for a quartz, you get a faithful tribute to a remarkable generation of watches (and men).
We've got the exact same design but on a 32mm case size (original 1940s size) if you're looking for something smaller - but anything in between we've yet to have! We do have a couple other collections that feature a 38mm case size though if thats more suited to what you're looking for ;)
Oscar - Brand Director for Praesidus Watch Co
I did say to Akshay that he should of sent the 32mm but this was after I had found the Bulova on eBay to make the comparison video.
The Bulova will be restored on my main channel My Retro Watches where your watch will make an appearance in that video too.
@@Oscar_PraesidusWC Thanks for the reply! I am very tempted by the 32mm and will follow the link Mike left to take a look.
@@mywatchreviews Interesting - thanks for telling me this; I'll make sure we send you a 32mm version of either collection soon so that you can take a look at it (and review it but only if you feel like it). I'd be glad to just send it to get personal feedback on it from a vintage watch collector such as yourself!
32mm with a mechanical movement & you've got a deal.
I could not agree more. I think an early model might have been that spec but I would have to check. Their feedback to me is finding a suitable off the shelf movement to fit a small case.
Yeah. Small mechanical movements of the kind of quality they want are probably not just falling out of the trees. But they did it with their 32mm Type 44. I love mine.
좋아요
So about €200,- I guess. That's a lot of money for a quatsch watch..., still it looks nice.. I have a 1,50 € watch, one and a halve €...Found it in the recycle shop, two of them actually. New it was 49€...I has the same kind of stuff inside :) and OOZOO. Bought a NATO with it and a battery, un-stitched the NATO and made it longer... So now it is a 2€ watch I guess. It looks great white dial with black numbers, and the date it has too, that's why it was 49€ new I guess.
I do agree that the price of this for a quartz and especially how awful looking that quartz movement is.
Really taken aback that a homage watch is quartz. Seems somewhat silly
For this model, I think the reasoning is to make it more affordable. If you take a look at their website and all the other versions there are mechanical available.
To me they should all be only hand wind movements to match the original feel.
I like the "style" and design of the watch however, the price for the size of the quartz movement, besides the obvious similarities with Japanese quartz movement that is sold for less then 2€ , I bet that "American" made could easily be replaced by a run of the mill Chinese copy quartz...
with that said, this watch is a hard "you shall not pass" from me...
The movement is it’s Achilles heal in my opinion. There is no stone unturned with my review, whatever is under a caseback good or bad I am showing it.
They are proud of this all American movement but to me it’s nothing to shout about at all.
@@mywatchreviews I agree
But £240?
Hmmm……
£175 bud was earlier on anyway A-11 Spec 2
My bad…
175 still seems a lot!!
Nice seiko automatics aren’t too much more
:)
An expensive price point for a quartz watch. no way!!!! IF that was mechanical like the original. yes I could justify paying over $200 for that
I have to agree with you on the price. Watch my Baltany A11 video to see a mechanical at 1/2 the price
That Baltany looks much more worth the money over the Praesidus@@mywatchreviews
OMG 😳! What a let down! I was slightly critical of it half way through the video, but by then end all I can say is that I am not a fan. Sorry Mike.
Of the watch or my review?
@@mywatchreviews Hi Mike, not your review, that was, as always, great. Just the remake of the watch. My first point was the crown, then the case finish, and finally the movement. I was in the middle of writing about the crown when you compared the movements. That just sank my interest. I like quartz movements,but if you are going that far with a historical timepiece, go all the way and use a mechanical movement. I do see the method for its use in meetings a targeted price point. But all this is just my over inflated opinion. Cheers!
Thanks and you do raise many points I totally agree with .
expensive as fuck
All that wasted space inside the case. Very gimmicky! I prefer a mechanical watch. Maybe a little less accurate than a quartz, but it is a lot more accurate than a quartz with a flat battery!
I can appreciate quartz, maybe not this movement as it has no soul at all. Fortunately this brand does make some mechanical versions which in my view are much more authentic to the original it’s taking its inspiration from.