Embodying the thought “if it aint broke dont repair it”, the 200 meter FLX003 shares the identical proportions and specs as its predecessors in Fleux’s assortment. With an on paper diameter of 38mm (39mm together with the overhanging bezel), it seeks to comfortably measure in smaller than the 41mm Omega it attracts inspiration from. Whereas the 14mm thickness (together with the domed crystal) prevents the FLX003 from carrying small, downward sloping lugs (which occur to function properly polished chamfered edges) paired with an inexpensive lug to lug distance of 47mm enable for a noticeable however comfy carrying expertise you’d count on from a midsize diver. Just like the Seamaster 300, the FLX003 has a 20mm lug width that’s paired with a sailcloth strap. The inventory SEAQUAL strap options fast launch spring bars and is surprisingly pliable out of the field regardless of being made out of recycled ocean plastic.
Past the case, the FLX003 is outlined by a collection of deliberate options that set it aside out of your common homage. And sure, I used the H phrase. By definition, homage means to pay honor and present respect, and that’s precisely what this watch does for the Large Triangle. Displaying respect and honor is usually thought-about a very good factor in almost all points of life, however someplace alongside the best way, homage grew to become a unclean phrase within the watch neighborhood. To be clear, I don’t subscribe to that mentality. Fashionable watches have traditionally drawn inspiration from watches of the previous. Manufacturers began pairing black dials with rotating bezels within the 1950’s, a profitable open-source mixture that has been saved alive just because it appears actually rattling good. To out of the blue reject the custom of recycling aesthetics as a result of a phrase grew to become stigmatized on boards appears a bit foolish to me. A few of that stigmatization lies in inaccurately conflating homages with replicas. And I get it- replicas are unhealthy and hurt actual individuals, be they customers or model homeowners. However except a watch maliciously pretends to be one thing it isn’t, I don’t see a motive to attract an imaginary line within the sand to find out what design traits can and may’t be borrowed. Frankly, that sounds exhausting. I’d a lot quite spend my time geeking out over precisely how fashionable watches are creatively paying tribute to watches of the previous.
For the FLX003, that tribute facilities on the enormous triangle at 12:00. Aside from this apparent star of the present, you is perhaps onerous pressed to guess its inspiration from the dial-alone. Just like the Seamaster 300, the Fleux encompasses a lumed 3,6,9 format and a model title at 12:00. Not like the Seamaster 300, it distinguishes itself with a diving flag at 6:00 together with two traces of textual content reminding us that that is an automated watch with 200 meters of water resistance. I’m hardly ever a fan of utilizing restricted dial area to tout specs and suppose the flag alone would have offered aesthetic equilibrium, however general the addition is profitable in contributing each steadiness and an authentic factor. Providing legible distinction to a black dial, fauxtina lume within the type of Tremendous-Luminova C3 “Previous Radium” (find it irresistible or hate- I feel it really works right here) is utilized in wholesome, puffy quantities to the arms and baton markers which might be notably thinner than these discovered on the Seamaster 300. This identical lume tone is expertly matched to this bezel markings, together with a glowing luminescent inverted triangle.
Backing up the 200 meters of water resistance marketed on the dial, the FLX003 encompasses a screw down crown (embellished with a diving flag to match the dial). However past this, Fleux admirably opted to not go the “spec monster” route, as a substitute prioritizing classic attraction over fashionable robustness. The selection to make use of a period-correct double-domed hesalite crystal not solely offers proof that your watch was designed by a fellow fanatic, but in addition offers heat hues and pleasing distortions that sapphire merely can’t compete with.
Like acrylic crystals, aluminum bezel inserts just like the one on the FLX003 are as vulnerable to scratches as they’re to flak from some spec-blinded consumers. Whereas not an ideal match to the unique bakelite, I feel it’s an applicable fashionable different for mimicking classic attraction on a finances. Fleux even opted for a friction-fit bi-directional bezel- a nod to the unique Large Triangle and a favor to our vital others which might be sick of noisy bezels ruining film evening. As ultimate reminders that the FLX003 isn’t your common homage, it deviates from the Seamaster 300 with countdown markings as a substitute of the extra widespread elapsed time and encompasses a extremely legible broad arrow (as a substitute of the unique sword) hour hand- a selection that retains that general design within the Omega universe with out sacrificing performance.
Remaining Ideas
Irrespective of in case you name them homages or desire the time period “impressed”, after years proudly owning and having fun with watches that remember basic designs, I’ve discovered they typically fall into two classes: people who prioritize specs and worth over distinctive interpretation, and people created with fanatic impressed tweaks to have fun the designs we collectively cherish. Each fill an in demand area of interest, however Fleux decidedly fall into the latter. In reality, enterprise to Fleux’s web site and also you’ll discover an “about us” web page that tells a narrative of founder Edward Cho’s childhood fascination with mechanical actions and discovering pleasure in interacting with them. It’s a easy abstract many people can relate to, and admittedly, the type I need from the individual designing my watch.
Classic impressed designs, starting from look-alikes to unfastened interpretations, have turn into more and more prevalent within the fanatic neighborhood, and it’s straightforward to see why. Acquainted designs supply one thing for everybody, irrespective of if you wish to take a look at out a design till you lastly win that public sale, or in case you’re a budget-conscious collector like me that’s about as prone to spend 10K on a 50 12 months previous watch as you’re to persuade a room of fanatics that the Patek Philippe Cubitus is a well-designed cut price. Because of the FLX003, these unfavorable odds don’t want to face in the best way of experiencing a considerate interpretation of one of the crucial iconic designs of the previous half century. Fleux
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