Event report – 24 hours of Spa with IWC and AMG

Last weekend we found our way to the Belgium Ardennes for the 70th edition of the Total 24 hours of Spa-Francorchamps. This circuit which is surrounded by forests is rated as one of the most iconic tracks in the world. And it’s always a pleasure being here as it brings back memories dating back to the 1990’s when I used to go there regularly to experience the F1 from up close.

Going to Spa-Francorchamps in good company, soon more!

24 hours of Spa

Upon arrival at the paddocks, we are welcomed by IWC at the stand of their automotive partner AMG. During the event, we get to explore the track from different positions and get a behind the scenes view of the 24 hours of Spa. Apart from the obvious there is just so much going on during a race weekend. Just as an impression some numbers from the official tyre supplier Pirelli: bringing a whopping 24 trucks to the track with 12.000 tyres for the GT races. They have 111 people with 15 nationalities working during the weekend to keep the teams supplied with fresh rubber.

We expected most services being available at the circuit, yet we learned that pretty much everything is brought here and installed prior to the race. An immense logistic challenge when you think about all the work that goes into the organising of just one race weekend. For all those involved, job well done! When the entire circus has left the track massive concrete structures remain. 

Mercedes AMG GT3

Some hours before the start of the race we visit a few teams which are racing in the Mercedes AMG GT3. First stop is with Team Black Falcon who have 3 cars participating. Depending on the racing class each car has a different amount of drivers with a minimum of two. In total there are 4 classes which are best explained here.

At team Black Falcon we meet up with pro-driver Maro Engel who explains all about the car while taking place in his shared office for the race. The number 4 car has a special ‘320 Changes Direction’ livery in of support people with mental health issues.

Number 4 Mercedes AMG GT3 with special livery

On his wrist is the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph. After going around the car with Maro we meet up with Prince Abdulaziz sporting a Mark XVIII tribute to MKXI, the minimalist version of the IWC Mark XVIII which is one of my favourite models of IWC.

Prince Abdulaziz Turki Al Faisal sporting a Mark XVIII Edition Tribute to Mark XI

As time is ticking away towards the start of the race we continue with an inside look at the AMG support during the race. They bring trucks full of spare parts which range from simple bolts to complete engines and anything in-between. They manage to supply teams with nearly any part which they could possibly need during the race. Through an online portal which is available 24/7, any team can order their spare parts, get support or information. Like live data which is collected in the next mobile office.

Inside the AMG support where all data is being monitored

Live data on display

Just before the start of the 24 hours of Spa, we visit team Strakka which is one of the most respected and successful privateer teams in professional motorsport. Here we meet up with Maxi(milian) Götz who we’ve had the pleasure of meeting last year at the AMG Winter Experience in Sweden. Again we get an explanation of various race-related subjects. He explains about details such as the technical limitations of the car such as reduced air-intake and added weight. In the back of the pit-box, he shows us some of the spare parts made in lightweight carbon fibre.

Maxi Götz behind the wheel sporting an IWC Ingenieur in Carbon

In the background, the cars get a final check-up for the race. The alignment of the wheels is carefully being checked and the lights are corrected to make sure the drivers have a good visual of the track during the dark hours of the race.

The tension before the start of 24 hours of Spa

With less than an hour to go before the start of the 24-hour race all cars are parked on the circuit which is open for the ‘grid walk’. Our last chance to see the cars from up close accompanied by the lovely grid girls who are still here unlike at the F1.

It also gives us the opportunity to stand at the bottom of the ever impressive Eau Rouge / Raidillon corner. It’s hard to imagine what it must feel like going through this corner at full speed. Going slightly downhill first, turning left and right shooting up some 40 meters at nearly full speed without the vision of what’s behind the corner.

The corner of all corners

Minutes before the start we leave the grid after which the cars make their way to the start of the endurance race. During the following hours, we got to see the race from various locations around the circuit. As darkness takes over it gets harder to distinguish the cars. That’s why they are equipped with various coloured lights and lit numbers showing their class and position. This makes them somewhat easier to recognise, even at high speed.

As with any endurance race, time takes its toll. Try concentrating to do lap after lap at maximum speed in a car which heats up to ultra tropical temperatures. Changing conditions including darkness, showers and close racing make sure it’s a spectacular event.

If the experience of the 24 hours of Spa-Francorchamps wasn’t exciting enough, driving back home in a Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63s Estate (which also got us there) sure was the cherry on the cake for this amazing race event. Big thanks to IWC and AMG for making this possible and their great hospitality.

Mercedes AMG E63s Estate

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Forbidden Fruit: Hands-On With the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005

Sitting by the ocean somewhere along the coast of Menorca, I glance down at my wrist and spy the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005, a watch that’s not overly typical of anything that I’d choose to wear due to its method of displaying the time. Still, due to the inclusion of a shroud, I felt the need to track this JDM-only piece down and add it to the collection. It’s an oddity, but it’s a watch that’s been making waves online for a lot of reasons. Let’s get into it, talk about what it is, what it isn’t and my overall impressions.

The Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005 is one of three regular production versions of an all-digital Landmaster within the Prospex line of watches (an SBEP001 with silver hardware and detailing is available along with the SBEP003 with Pepsi bezel – ah, and there are 2 more limited editions being sold at specific Japanese retailers). I chose this variant because I like the gold theme for my non-mechanical Seiko “divers” and thankfully have a friend in Japan who helped with the purchase. Designed in conjunction with Japanese design firm “lowercase”, it’s meant to be a bit funky. Still, it brings the goods.

Even though the instruction manual tells us to avoid pouring water directly onto the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005, it’s still good down to 200 meters and features a bi-directional rotating bezel to help with the timing of tasks. It’s a solar-powered watch using the S802 caliber that runs for 5 months when fully charged and can “hibernate” for up to 20 months when switching to power reserve mode. At nearly 50mm all the way around, it’s not small, but it’s relatively slim (all things considered) at 14.1mm thick. The silicone strap is 22mm in width and the Digi Tuna contains handy spring bar tool holes to aid changes.

Interestingly, the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005 is fitted with a “scratchproof” plastic shroud affixed with four black-coated hex-key screws. The bezel and mid case are seemingly made of the same stuff. The crystal is simply described as “glass” and includes a function that lights up the non-backlit display when tapped while the watch is on the wrist.

It’s not until one flips the watch over on its backside that steel is found. In this case, it’s a basic cover that’s held on with four screws. Info is sparse with only the Seiko name, Prospex “X”, serial number, water resistance, the fact that the watch is made in China and a duplicate retelling of the button functionality presumably to ensure the caseback is put back on correctly.

With four buttons, the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005 contains some typical digital watch functionality such as alarm, 44-city world time function (2 time zones are programmable and displayed – they can be toggled to the center or lower portion of the screen by using the 9:00 button), and stopwatch. The mode can be adjusted with the button at 4:00. That button’s location, by the way, allows the watch to maintain a very Seiko-esque profile.

Many are referring to the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005 and its brethren as Seiko’s opening salvo against Casio and its vaunted G-Shock line. I get that and it’s nearly impossible not to make that comparison, but I think that’s assigning a bit too much responsibility to this piece. First of all, the display for this watch isn’t backlit and, functionally, that makes it a bit dubious as a watch you’d depend upon in low-light situations. The tap function works and the sensitivity can be adjusted, but it only lights things up for a second or so. When it comes to the actual display, I love the simplicity and the fact that everything is tucked into a traditional round case (the G-Shock I’ve worn running and to the gym for roughly 10 years is a JDM piece with analog hands that gives off a similar vibe). Plus, the minutes are also displayed along the edge analog style, which then enables the use of the friction fitting rotating bezel as a timing tool. It’s all very cool, pretty darn simple, and a bit kitschy.

Some have decried the use of what feels like lightweight, somewhat brittle feeling (read: non-rubbery) plastic for the shroud on the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005. After all, Prospex watches are supposed to take an ass-whipping and then come right back for more. More likely, though, I’m sure there are also the Seiko faithful who recall mid-80’s H558 “Arnies” with their easily fractured plastic shrouds.   Preconceived notions aside, the watch feels stout, but admittedly not as bulletproof as a Casio. Perhaps the fact that the Casio has a rubbery feel or comes off as one solid block helps the matter. All in all, though, the construction of the Seiko is consistent with their typical level of fit and finish. The buttons exemplify this with some cool radial and crosshatch finishing. They’re light to the touch but not at all sloppy.

When I travel for an extended period, I always bring my Casio for running and for workouts alongside some mechanical pieces. I decided against it this time and opted solely for the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005. On Day 1, I strapped it to my wrist and brought it along on a sweltering mid-30’s Celsius run. I’m picky when it comes to running with watches because anything with any weight feels like an anchor in such temps.

Thankfully, the Seiko is as light as a feather and the soft and pliable silicone strap makes it a good athletic partner. I hardly noticed that it was on and that’s a good thing. Some complain about the fact that the strap and buckle go unsigned, but it felt really nice to me. The same can be said for the Digi Tuna as a pool/beach watch. The watch felt airy and never seemed like it was stuck to my wrist or trapping any sandy debris.

The Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005 isn’t a true Tuna of course, but it is a seriously fun watch that plays on the theme. It marks a bit of a return for Seiko to this market – yes, I know they’ve been making digitals for years – with the introduction of this semi-tactical piece that likely has just enough going for it looks-wise to draw in fans of the brand along with some casual browsers. Plus, at 30,000 Japanese Yen, it’s not overly expensive. Detractors could argue, somewhat rightfully, that there’s a tough too much style over substance with its lightweight plastics and dark screen, but I really like the different “not so nerdy” digital look. Now, we only need to hope that Seiko decides to offer these cool pieces throughout the world.

For more on the Seiko Digi Tuna SBEP005 and other variants head to the official Seiko site here.

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A Week On The Wrist: The Tudor Black Bay GMT

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not,” and while he was speaking of travel at large, I think the same can be applied to a good travel watch as we carry it with us. Your shoes, your luggage, your clothes, your phone, all those bits that you you take with you will eventually wear out. But a watch like the Tudor Black Bay GMT could easily keep pace with a lifetime of travel and wondrous adventure. Am I perhaps being a bit too romantic about a watch that can simply show other timezones? Yes, entirely. But within that admission, what a GMT simplifies is something that I find deeply rewarding, endlessly fun, and undeniably romantic. It’s travel, and from adventure, to misadventure, and the general calamity of exploring all that the world offers, a solid GMT is without question the tool for the job. 

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You Asked Us: Longines HydroConquest or MAEN Hudson 38

This week we’re answering a question we received from Joost in The Netherlands. With a budget of around € 1.000,= he wants to buy a stainless steel watch and asked us to give an opinion about the Longines HydroConquest and MAEN Hudson 38 Jet Black. He has read our reviews, however, now asks us to give a personal opinion. Which one of these watches would we buy?

You Asked Us: Longines HydroConquest or MAEN Hudson 38 Jet Black

Gentlemen,

To start with, with much pleasure I read your well-written reviews. [Thank you Joost, we love to hear that!]

I have a question about two watches which I consider buying, and I hope you would be willing to share your opinion about.

I want to buy a nice stainless steel watch, and have a budget around that of the Longines HydroConquest (red. € 1.070,=). And I love the look of that watch and like what I read in its reviews as well.

However, the MAEN Hudson 38 Jet Black, which is about to be available, attracts to me very much as well. Both got good reviews on your website, but which one would YOU buy if you had to choose?

Regards Joost.

These are the watches to compare

Let’s start finding our reviews of the Longines HydroConquest and MAEN Hudson 38 watches. They’re here and here respectively.

And then follow this with a disclaimer. While our reviews, the above mentioned as well, are written not much opinionated and with many facts, this write-up will be very much opinionated. Personally opinionated, because that was the essence of Joost’s question. No right or wrong, no good or bad, just which watch I personally should choose. Of course, I will explain my choice thoroughly.

The Longines HydroConquest is available in various sizes. Our earlier review was mainly about the 41mm version, here I will compare the 39mm version as it’s closer to the size of the MAEN Hudson 38. Compared to our review MAEN changed the sapphire crystal from double-domed to domed, and the ETA movement will be a 2824-2 Elaboré. And compared to our review of the Longines, the movement has been meanwhile updated.

Unfair?

At first, it might seem a bit of a dishonest comparison between the Longines and MAEN altogether. The mentioned HydroConquest retails for slightly over € 1.000,= while the Hudson 38 will be sold for less than half of that amount. But then the latter will only be sold directly online, which of course cuts lots of the costs involved in retailing, however, prevents potential buyers to feel and try the watch on in a physical shop as well. And then, various differences in specifications, which might influence our choice, might explain the difference in price as well. We’ll see…

How to compare them?

When comparing watches, I always start to get the specifications and features clearly visible. Pressure rating, type of glass, type of movement/caliber, luminosity, practical features, and extra options like a glass back or bracelet clasp extensions. Although there are many similarities in the specifications between these two watches, there are quite some differences as well. Differences which would matter to me. Some specifications matter much, others not at all. The overall feel I get from a watch matters most to me. How does it appeal to me in real life? History of a brand, continuity, and very important, esthetics and balance as well.

Specifications compared

The general appearance of the Longines HydroConquest is more modern than the semi-vintage look of the MAEN Hudson. To me, that’s one point for the Longines. I love vintage design, however, more in vintage watches than in modern produced ones. Although I must say that the vintage design of the MAEN is very well carried out. For the sporty and quite heavy looks and construction of the Longines to me, the crown protectors are a good point. They would have been a bit misplaced on the MAEN, so I don’t see it as a negative point that the MAEN doesn’t have them.

With vintage or vintage-inspired watches, I love double-domed acrylic crystals. In fact, if acrylic crystals are domed they’re always double-domed – which means inside and outside – so nobody mentions that. Next-best to me is double-domed sapphire crystal. We know that for instance from a more luxury version of the Omega Speedmaster Professional. Extremely expensive though, and therefore – I guess – MAEN chose to use just (single) domed sapphire crystal. Domed on the outside, flat on the inside. The Longines has an all flat sapphire crystal, I think correctly adapted to the more modern look and straight lines in the design of the watch.

A somewhat busy dial for the Longines

Something which bothers me a bit is the hoo-ha in the dial of the Longines. To my taste, there are a bit too many index dots, markers, and numerals. Certainly in addition to the markers on the rotating bezel. I’ll show what I mean in the picture below, and I show as well how it could have been cleaner to my ideas. In this matter, the MAEN scores the better points for me. Their dial is very clean with only very nice high rise markers and very little printing. And, design-wise it might look nice that the Longines rotating bezel has a ribbed edge on only two sides of the bezel. I’m not sure how handy this is when the bezel has been turned 90 degrees and you want to operate it with gloves on…

Slightly too many index markers on top of each other for my taste

And here’s my take on the dial (right) without the inner row of markers in the dial. Making it much cleaner and better to my taste.

The original Longines dial with markers and dots on top

A more cleaner dial, without the inner markers in the dial

Both ETA based movements, but different

Next up are the movements to compare. Both the Longines and  MAEN use proven movement designs. MAEN decided to provide an ETA 2824-2 Elaboré as its standard movement, while Longines relies on a movement originally based on the ETA 2892-A2.

Extended power reserve

Originally. Because since 2016 The Swatch Group made some changes to this old, more or less prestige ETA 2892-A2 workhorse. The main difference was the frequency of the movement, which was lowered to gain power reserve. The beats went down from the regular 28.800/h to a quite rare 25.200/h, thus gaining power reserve from 44 to 64 hours. When wearing an automatic watch on a daily basis this might not be very important. But it could be the difference between a stopped watch and one still running when a watch isn’t used during weekends for instance. I could see this as a positive point.

How important is MAEN’s Elaboré movement for me

MAEN’s Elaboré ETA 2824-2 execution of the caliber is mainly nice because of its better looks. It’s nicely finished, much nicer than the regular 2824. But then, this would only become important if one should choose for the watch with a sapphire glass case back, and I wouldn’t. For a divers watch, I’m not a great fan of a glass back. It means extra gaskets and a back which is more prone to damage than a solid stainless steel back. Certainly in the case of the MAEN Hudson 38, where the glass back version provides a pressure rating of only 10 bar (100 meters). For a dive watch that’s not very adequate in my book. The version with solid stainless steel back has a rating of 20 bar (200 meters), and I would certainly prefer that one making the Elaboré execution of the ETA caliber quite useless for me.

What’s left for the Elaboré movement

Except for the esthetics, technically the Elaboré version is equal to the standard version of the ETA 2824-2. What is left is that the Elaboré version has been regulated somewhat more accurate. In three instead of two positions, to a maximum gain or loss of 7 seconds a day, instead of + or – 12 seconds per day. Not something I would write home about.

The Longines HydroConquest offers just a solid stainless steel case back with a nice inscription and embossed logo. Providing a pressure rating of 30 bar (300 meters) this would have my preference between the two watches. I’m not sure about the accuracy of the Longines movement, but I’m sure and have enough confidence in the brand that it will satisfy me.

A very important point, the bracelets

When I want to use a watch on a stainless steel bracelet, this is one of the major aspects I take notice of. I know that a good stainless steel bracelet is a very expensive part of a watch, and often it’s here where manufacturers in the lower price segment lose it.

For our review of the Longines HydroConquest, we specifically asked for a version with stainless steel bracelet, and we received a stainless steel bracelet with the MAEN Hudson as well.

I can imagine that the stainless steel bracelet for Longines was much more important than it was for MAEN. A leather or NATO strap will very well suit the MAEN Hudson 38 with its vintage looks. A steel bracelet will fit very good as well of course, however, because of its vintage image, it can’t be as sturdy as it should be for the more modern and overall more sturdy constructed Longines.

Longines solid folding claps construction

And that was exactly what we learned. The MAEN bracelet’s construction is with push-in pins instead of little screws, like the Longines bracelet. As well, the deployant clasp of the MAEN is much lighter constructed than the Longines. The Longines has a flip-lock-like folding clasp and even sports a diving extension to fit it over a neoprene suit. On bracelet quality and construction, the Longines for me wins hands down. A very important point to me, when looking for a watch I want to wear on a steel bracelet that is of course.

The verdict

So, in the end, it seems that the difference in price did make my decision, as its lower price caused the main concerns I have with the MAEN Hudson 38. The price of these two watches was probably a bit too far off to make an honest comparison. It points out that the MAEN’s price certainly isn’t only lower because they don’t sell through brick & mortar retailers. The Longines is the more expensive watch because it was constructed more expensive. If I had the possibility to spend that € 1.070,= I would do so and buy the Longines HydroConquest in 39mm.

You’ll find more information on both watches through their official websites. The MAEN Hudson 38 can be found here, while the Longines HydroConquest webpage is here.

Do you have a question for us as well? Don’t hesitate to drop us a line via this form.

 

 

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