Lum Tec newbie here. I'm tempted to get a B-1. If given a choice, would you get the older discontinued manual wind or the new "Super Combat" with auto movement and why? :confused1:
hoser
There are no Super Combats with "auto movements."
The SuperCombats are available in manual wind, only. They feature ETA 6498-1 movements, which are adapted from "pocket-watch" movements, originally, and they must be wound every 1.5 days, or so, to maintain their accuracy. They also feature lightweight titanium cases, with "gun-metal" colored, PVD-coated cases. I think the SuperCombat B2 version is already sold out, but there are some SuperCombat B1s left. The B1 version has the "60-minute dial."
The SuperCombats are available in manual wind, only. They feature ETA 6498-1 movements, which are adapted from "pocket-watch" movements, originally, and they must be wound every 1.5 days, or so, to maintain their accuracy. They also feature lightweight titanium cases, with "gun-metal" colored, PVD-coated cases. I think the SuperCombat B2 version is already sold out, but there are some SuperCombat B1s left. The B1 version has the "60-minute dial."
If you can get your hands on an original manual B1....not the current Super Combat B1....I'd suggest you do so. Great watch, and very collectible, IMO. So, too, are either of the Super Combats
I have an SC B2 and it definitely has a screw down crown and a manual wind 6498-1 Swiss movement. It is my favorite Lum-Tec. I have nothing else like it in my collection. The manual wind and no date makes it an easy to set, grab and go watch.
My SCB2 is my watch-of-all-watches. I LOVE the fact that its winding mechanism is manual (as opposed to auto). Not only is it an accurate and rugged timepiece, it also makes a striking statement when on the wrist. The fact that it has a screw-down crown is an absolute non-issue for me, and I suspect that is the same for all SCB2 owners. The mere act of winding this watch each morning is like watch-Xanax. There is something very soothing and comforting about it, kinda like the purr of a cat. If I had to narrow my watch collection to only one timepiece, the SCB2 would be it.
OkeefenokeeJoe
OkeefenokeeJoe
Countach,
I'm ambivalent about the need to unscrew the crown on my SCB2.
You have me thinking though, and what you say makes a LOT of sense, especially the example of having to wind your watch, outside, during inclement weather.
What's interesting is that Lum-Tec offers another watch -- the BULL A16H -- with an almost identical movement (ETA 6497-1), and it has a diamond-seal crown, but lacks the additional screw-down feature. The AI6H's "glamor shots" are distinctively nautical, and feature it perched atop driftwood and dressed up in a rubber drive strap.
Both watches are rated "water resistant" to 100 Meters.
I'm not sure why the SCB2's screw-down crown wouldn't provide enhanced water resistance, but -- now that I think about it -- it'd probably be nice not to have to bother with threading and unthreading the crown, particularly if what you say is true about that causing wear to the sealing system.
Maybe Chris or Bes can clear up these questions??
I'm ambivalent about the need to unscrew the crown on my SCB2.
You have me thinking though, and what you say makes a LOT of sense, especially the example of having to wind your watch, outside, during inclement weather.
What's interesting is that Lum-Tec offers another watch -- the BULL A16H -- with an almost identical movement (ETA 6497-1), and it has a diamond-seal crown, but lacks the additional screw-down feature. The AI6H's "glamor shots" are distinctively nautical, and feature it perched atop driftwood and dressed up in a rubber drive strap.
Both watches are rated "water resistant" to 100 Meters.
I'm not sure why the SCB2's screw-down crown wouldn't provide enhanced water resistance, but -- now that I think about it -- it'd probably be nice not to have to bother with threading and unthreading the crown, particularly if what you say is true about that causing wear to the sealing system.
Maybe Chris or Bes can clear up these questions??
Hoser: The hand wind has an advantage for certain people; if you work all day at a desk, as many do, you don't have to worry if the watch is getting enough movement to keep it going. Once it's fully wound & set, it's good for over a day. You can hand wind autos, too (most of 'em) but you don't get that "there, it's done & ready" sensation of the SCs. I thought it was going to be a feature I was going to have to put up with; but like sooo many others here, it's become my favourite watch. Which makes next year's limited edition that much more drool-worthy (yeah, it's a word).
Oh, and if you do want a combat w/ an auto, the bronzebats will have 9015s in 'em.
Oh, and if you do want a combat w/ an auto, the bronzebats will have 9015s in 'em.
My very personal opinion is also I don't like the sub seconds dial, especially on a military watch. As far as I see, most military applications, the second dial is all important whether for navigation or military ops. Take the flieger style pilot watches which are pretty similar to the Super combats. Originally they were designed by the Germans for navigation, they had a huge dial so you could get exact second navigation. Nowadays you see fliegers with tiny sub seconds dials you can hardly read, certainly not accurately. They seem like neither fish not fowl. At least on a dress watch with no screw down crown, sub seconds and manual wind makes sense.
But hey... That's just me. Enjoy your own tastes.
But hey... That's just me. Enjoy your own tastes.
I have a original B1, but with the upgraded movement (ETA 6498-1). It really is a special watch IMO. I had it serviced a few months ago and it is fantastic.
Just a few weeks ago I got a B16 model, which has the Miyota 9015 automatic movement, while it is nice to not have to wind the watch - I still prefer my B1.
Hopefully I'm not sounding too silly here, but I cannot figure out how to manual wind the B16 watch, with crown is unscrewed by going anti-clockwise. When I do this, then I can bring it to two positions. The middle position does nothing that I notice, and the full out position is for changing the time. But I could not figure out how to add some extra juice to the movement by a manual wind. I'm also being very gentle with the watch as it is new, but I would appreciate if someone could chime in on how to do it correctly. Thanks.
Just a few weeks ago I got a B16 model, which has the Miyota 9015 automatic movement, while it is nice to not have to wind the watch - I still prefer my B1.
Hopefully I'm not sounding too silly here, but I cannot figure out how to manual wind the B16 watch, with crown is unscrewed by going anti-clockwise. When I do this, then I can bring it to two positions. The middle position does nothing that I notice, and the full out position is for changing the time. But I could not figure out how to add some extra juice to the movement by a manual wind. I'm also being very gentle with the watch as it is new, but I would appreciate if someone could chime in on how to do it correctly. Thanks.
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