Better Than Baltany And Seagull 1963? Proxima Military Chronograph

[@zwerko]

07:42 - That 1-20 scale on the outer ring is a telemeter. It essentially enables you to measure distance between you seeing and hearing something. Say you see a lightning, you start your chrono, and when you hear the thunder you pause it - the telemeter will give you approx. distance, in kilometers. I have it on one of my Citizens as well.

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Ahhh, that makes sense! 343m/s!

[@paulpederson3077]

Awesome dude! Thank you for the information nugget. That makes this watch so much more interesting. (Though knowing the Seagull is only $100 rn is gonna force me to purchase it and not the Proxima).

[@389Lee]

Would you share the model number of your Citizen with the telemeter ring?

[@zwerko]

@@389Lee Sure, CA4559-13A. Next to my Bulova 96K111 (the 'small' Lunar Pilot), it's the largest watch I can still comfortably wear without it looking like I strapped a wall clock to my wrist.

[@zwerko]

@@389Lee YT not publishing comments/replies strikes again 😒So, to repeat, my Citizen with a telemeter is CA4559-13A. It's the largest watch, besides Bulova 96K111 (the 'small' Lunar Pilot), that I can still wear comfortably on my wrist without it feeling like I'm lugging a wall clock.

[@mrstraiban]

Baltany has just introduced their new chrono with a solar movement (Epson VS71). Can't wait to see a review of that model. I'm hoping that solar movements will be used for more Chinese watches in the future.

[@e28forever30]

That would be awesome indeed .

[@themotleycow]

The 20-step outer ring is a telemeter scale in kilometers, it's just not marked as such.

[@WATCHingJames]

I really like it and I’ve heard lots of positive comments about the quality of their watches.

[@rogerweerts7505]

I wear an elastic Nato like this from Zuludiver on my Bulova Lunar Pilot. Great strap!

[@jonathanlavery7279]

Watchgecko do them as well. Really comfortable

[@stephenmorrissey1254]

This channel has the best intro visuals and music. The reviews are pretty good too.

[@adammordo]

I love that this seems to be an original design instead of an homage, doesn’t even look like a bitser. Might be worth keeping an eye on during the sales.

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

That 1-20 scale baffles me also. I’m happy with my choices of a 1963 and my Baltany vertical bicompax ❤

[@Zelma-j4n]

What an amazing outcome for a beautiful watch. Always a pleasure to see MAMACOO work your magic. Thanks for sharing this transformation with us!

[@lordirek1]

Just got my origin 38 purple and a couple straps to put on it. It's just perfect (maybe an extremely slight bezel misalignment, but probably less than a quarter millimeter so I'm good) and I put it on a near-perfect matching purple sailcloth strap and it is just beautiful. Very bold color through and through, especially in the sun. I love it, thanks for knocking it out of the park, Jody! Exactly what I was looking for at a great price.

[@michaelrost3646]

This would have been a good 10 round watch boxing match. Always loved those videos.

[@rickrounds5150]

I immediately thought of the Vario Trench watch when I saw this one.

[@zektron8118]

Discoverd these channel yesterday. Its amazing

[@bozo572]

The Seagull 1963 is one of my favorite watches, my wife hated the NATO strap so I wear it with a brown leather strap, and love it!

[@renngretsch]

These elastic double-pass straps have been a game changer for me. Started buying them off AliX about a year ago and I now have loads...they have made almost all my NATO-style straps and MN-style straps and perlon straps redundant.

[@MichaelB-qx1eh]

Neat strap, but I hope it lasts. Seems like the elastic will stretch quickly and make the pin buckle holes stretch out of shape and place.

[@jaydub9509]

Great comparison review Jody! I think I'll stick with my Red Star 1963, though. Best looking of the three IMO, and one of the few decent quality Chinese watches that isn't pretending to be Swiss. Also, despite the comfort of the elastic strap on the Proxima, I'm not a fan of the excess fabric (one reason I don't like NATOs in general).

[@mattewj1268]

I like this but there's some Sugess watches winning the St19 chronograph game for me

[@victorutomo7244]

The quartz movement of the Baltany is a win for me. But all of them are good. Thank you Jody for giving such a comparison.

[@sharpe8888]

My fave is the Baltany Chrono with lateral sub dials!

[@adk7962]

I’m team Baltany amongst these for sure. Thanks for showing us the watch(es)!

[@zektron8118]

What would you say is the best 36mm datejust from these Microbrands? I am personally thinking about thinking to buy the san martin one. But i am open for other sugestions!

[@glitchedoom]

I thought I was done with Chinese specials but that telemeter is just cool enough to tempt me...

[@the5th2000]

Me too on both counts

[@P_Ezi]

It is interesting, but one could also just remember to divide seconds by 3 to get km... or by 5 to get miles. Admittedly, that is less fun than having a special dial. Another commenter mentioned that the citizen ca4559-13a has this feature on an Eco-drive Chrono.

[@SagaSynthetics]

Only thing I dislike about Chinese watchmaking is that they do some of the best-looking ones, homage or not, with decent movements, but when you see the level of dirt and possible rust at 4:11 that makes me really sad. Yes, they are most likely paid with cents to the dollar assembling these movements, but I wish they stepped up the game here. This could be a Seagull problem and not a Proxima problem. I have ordered a Proxima PX1722 and will be doing an inspection and re-lubing the seals when getting it. This is a model no one seems to have gotten around to acquire yet!

[@davidcooper8621]

I prefer the Proxima Pulsometer chronograph which comes on that strap which is ace and a dial that is really interesting. Proxima are doing a well made range of watches at an affordable price point, particularly in the sale.

[@martinkavanagh196]

Well - at least it's not another 'Dive Watch'.

[@TCL_Dasler]

Fascinating video Jody, really cool.

[@pauloliver6813]

It really is like a symbiosis of the Baltany and the Seagull. Baltany for me represent fantastic value watches and looks. Personally I'd change the strap out to leather (I know you seem to love it!).

[@artswri]

Another great presentation and comparison, thanks hugely!

[@kaledev]

I'm so tempted for the 1963 at that price...

[@JolynDehne]

Picked up a amzwatch's watch as my first watch last month and I’m absolutely in love with it. Perfect size, looks elegant, very comfortable. Now my only problem is holding off from buying more watches so quickly!

[@chillausmc]

Proxima lookn pretty good as a brand. PX1703-1A avocado? nice. I cant wait to see new line up for next year

[@DonaldJoeKennedy]

Very fun movement to watch in action.

[@vitmat7779]

Excellent review Mister , great presentation

[@SteveOSpielberg]

That looks like a nice 3 watch collection.

[@RonsTremoloHarmonica-lh4fq]

I really like the arabic numerals, very much a nod to many of the original WW1 field watches.

[@mercster]

Interesting, thanks Jody!

[@slaphead2965]

Hey Jody, You're not fooling us with that elasticated NATO strap mate. Next, you'll be telling us to wear elasticated pants! Great review btw Proxima is a bit too expensive as I already own the Baltany and Seagull thanks to you. Cheers 👍🙂🇬🇧

[@empierce8337]

Wouldn't the 1-20 scale equal 3 second segments? I might be overlooking something & totally wrong but anyhoo.....This video is serendipitous, I was just about to pull the trigger on a Seagull 1963 this weekend, this has given me food for thought BUT at the price the Seagull is currently selling at , add to that its heritage and provenance, hands down it's gonna be the Seagull! For me it remains number 1 still, it's gonna be difficult for someone to deliver an alternative at a similar price point and overall execution.

[@P_Ezi]

Others have pointed out that this reads km distance when you time from flash to bang. This is based on speed of sound in km/sec.

[@empierce8337]

@@P_Ezi Ah!!!! Interesting, that would certainly be useful on a military field watch, making this proxima even more tooly in nature and function. Thanks so much for the insight.

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

The double pass NATO strap saved my Omega Seamaster when it caught on the door parachuting. It broke a spring bar but I landed with the watch hanging by the remaining spring bar. I like this watch but I just ordered the parts to build a big dial pilot watch.

[@rodiow369]

I do like Proxima and that one is aesthetically pleasing but I think I've seen enough ST19 iterations, if you want or like the movement I would just stick to the Seagull 63,

[@michaelhargis7036]

Are the spring bars removable or permanent? NATO straps aren't my jam. Bracelets or leather straps only for me. Great looking watch. Im interested.

[@paulpederson3077]

Hey Jody, What strp do you have on your 1963 and would you recommend buying a new strap after following your link to buy the red star 1963?

[@megamega362]

I feel Chinese mid range watches have the swiss, Japanese on the ropes in terms of quality and finishes some truly superb watches for the money

[@artphotodude]

This is lovely! BUT the one thing ALL of these get wrong, is that hour/minute hands are TOO BIG and often block the chrono registers - meaning you often have to wait 10 minutes or so for them to get out of the way - should you actually want to use the chrono.

[@karlsenula9495]

Smartest move Proxima ever did was get rid of that unicorn logo - ok on the dial ... apparently it is still on the warranty card.

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

Thought it was a Zebra wearing a party hat.

[@SkysaxonDragonslayer]

I know it would make the watch even thicker, but when they choose the ST 19 automatic, they would have a real standout feature.

[@Plexcom60]

Another nice little watch.

[@AlexanderB.]

The Baltany is the best watch but the 1963 is the most charming watch out of these three.

[@anthonydevono8833]

Looks pretty good

[@rich5408]

Yo, just got an orient SEL0A001B0. Sickkkkkk!!! Thanks man!

[@jamesblonde2271]

Yeah, my brother stole my '63 but im more tempted by the San Martin 62 Mas chrono than this although it's quite pricey too.

[@zwerko]

I'm not sure if it's really a 'new contender', got mine more than a year ago. Even at that price, it's awesome. The only minor niggles I have with it is that the red indexes don't really work well with that yellow, would probably look even better if the hands and the hour marks were deep orange.

[@Yoshikaable]

Nice and readable! Love it

[@allrightknight]

If this was a mecaquartz with a slimmer case and at a lower price I’d get it! I was hoping you would have the answer to the mystery of the #20 unit outer ring too!✌🏼🇺🇸☺️

[@drnick40]

These Chinese watches are getting dangerous. Good and cheap.

[@jamesdupuch2944]

Like the Japanese in the beginning of their journey?

[@dl703]

Not another wanna be watch brand taking the easy way to making some easy money …yucks.

[@WATCHMEGOPOOR]

Facts..too bad they're communists cause I love their watches

[@TheGrenadier97]

And the swiss themselves too.

[@jozsefizsak]

Mechanical watches are a glorious expression of human ingenuity and brilliance, just as the later quartz movements are. My computer has no vacuum tubes but it's far better than the ones that do and to me, it also has a soul. Well, probably not but it isn't a requirement for things to discuss spiritual matters with us anyway so we can let all of that go. Good technology is a gift from the best of us to the rest of us. I just made that up.

[@jojiikeda5495]

Oh yes! Nice watches.

[@artieshell9205]

Looked at your link for the 1963. Then clicked on the 40mm with bracelet. Only $14,000+. 😆 go have a look, just for fun.

[@AbdulRWatches]

The Chinese Watches are already better value for money than the Japanese, not long before they compete with the Swiss entry level watches.

[@bobyoutube4037]

Morning jody, this looks great, so I have 1000 euros to spend on a chronograph, any recommendations? Anyone, anyone....

[@DonaldJoeKennedy]

"Price is always very important to me. But I'm not gonna talk about the price quite yet." Uh oh, so it's thaaat expensive then... 🤑😄

[@NotoriousK_I_T]

Proxima also do a chronograph with the same case but a standard 1963 dial, which looks nice

[@Spectrecontrol]

I like it but I am still going to get a Vario which I think looks better

[@DadgeCity]

Proxima are great, but I'd like this more if they didn't copy the text on the watchface.

[@LymanPhillips]

It's a nice stsrt, but with that weird, huge, shiny under chamfer and that weird 20 segment outer track, it makes too many missteps to tempt me.

[@johnjones928]

The Seagull would be my emotional, YOLO purchase, the Baltany my pragmatic daily driver. The Proxima doesn't really fit either role IMHO.

[@brianmccord7387]

So if they didn’t want to use the third register of the 1902, why didn’t they just use the 1901? Am I missing something?

[@RodrigoBarbosaBR]

Is it me, or do the 1 and 2 of the 12 are misaligned? The 1 looks a bit taller/higher than the 2.

[@MrOceanus]

Yes AND the 10

[@nauticski]

If I buy a Seagull 1963, is it worth spending the extra $25 to have a swan-neck regulator?

[@kaledev]

I've always heard it's a gimmick and you wouldn't be able to personally regulate it anyway, but that could be wrong.

[@gregtolley3455]

Down to about $160 in this sale, whatever it is. Is it just Mr or is there a sale every other week now?

[@mattsmiley8156]

Definitely a looker. Best of these Ali dual registers. But that movement is just DOA. Loud junk. And to me it’s so roughly machined, not worth it to have an open caseback.

[@nickfoster3637]

Be it quartz, mechanical or automatic they are watches. None of them have souls! Great video as always, but as far as the watch. Meh! Cheers 🍻 P.S that doesn't mean you can't put some soul into your watch! Too many cocktails tonight. Peace out everyone!

[@thomasgregory1918]

I thought it was a telemeter...thought many/most/all? telemeters were gradated to 20 kilometers. I have a Zenith Pilot Big Date Special with a telemeter, and I think it goes to 20 like that.

[@franciscozaragoza7193]

You like it because it looks just like a 1963.

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

Glad Proxima ditched the Zebra-wearing-partyhat logo.

[@andreleverettejr3747]

9:51 incorrect Jody, high rise trousers make you look slimmer and elongate your legs. --Master Tailor

[@nooclue00]

good design, but i fear thoose chineese movements, i'd rather also pick meca quartz

[@e28forever30]

And what about Chinese movements?

[@BR81-iv6lt]

4:11 are those rust spots?

[@kaledev]

Oof, I don't think it's rust but it looks like gunk zooming in...

[@BR81-iv6lt]

@@kaledev it doesn't look, that's for shure...

[@kevinbarnbrook4728]

The Simon Cowell of watches, trousers pulled highly above its chunky waist.

[@danielleavitt5411]

I bought a few of those straps from Vario several years ago. They do not last long. Even with sintered pin holes, they fray very, very quickly. The buckle on the Vario was also too beefy for the thin strap and made it feel a bit awkward when wearing it. Interesting watch though. I like it. Nice to see an original design mechanical chronograph at this price range. I think someone else pointed out that the 20 scale is a km telemeter.

[@thomaslinton5765]

Solar? Radio or GPS-corrected?

[@e28forever30]

That would be nice!

[@ctxrider7585]

They should experiment with other color combos, polish the whole side of the case, and lose the Chinese characters. I still like it though!!

[@geisonsilva]

Dois modelos top

[@johnsrabe]

Hasta la proxima, baby.

[@svbskarp1434]

1-20 scale for telemeter

[@peterfoskett]

Hi Jodie, great review. Does the gooseneck spring device make much difference to the accuracy of the 1963?

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

All it does it make it easier to adjust if you do need to tweak it. Cheers!

[@johnleonard3951]

Looks like who ever put the case back on it went into a sneezing fit before they put the back on. I have seen that movement in other watches a lot cleaner than that one is.

[@michaelgreenhalgh3369]

I don't get that nonsense about a mechanical watch having soul.

[@DaFox13]

I recently got a Proxima watch and I am amazed with the quality. Quickly became one of my favourite watches.

[@gregtolley3455]

Both your subdial hands have counterweights, OG should just be one. I like it better on both but...

[@pascaldelaunay4740]

Expensive, to shinny and big, Baltany 100%

[@e28forever30]

to shinny? Too shiny.

[@Robban.D.Jonsson.]

Less than 30mm thick doesn't seem like a particularly high bar...

[@handsomewong2469]

Another stunning watch

[@kyledriscollmusic]

I'll take mecha quartz all day

[@neli5p]

Gorgeous ... can't wait for the mens version.

[@J0hnny8ravo]

😂

[@e28forever30]

👍

[@craigphillips3154]

The Proxima is a nice looking watch. But its just a nice looking watch. Id rather have the 1963 for the history. And id rather have the Baltant for the no fuss quartz movement and the price. For me, the Proxima is just meh. There are plenty of other chronograph and field watches id rather have for less money.

[@JS-ev4xc]

Definitely a good welcome for a non 1963-Me-Too. 1963 originality is getting muddle that as long as there is 1963, Tianjin Watch Factory, Seagull or China Air force labels, it becomes a nightmare. By the way, there is no history for 1963, it is merely a make-up of a virtual history, no one has worn any 1963 in 1963.

[@lilchaparro9126]

Prox-E-Ma (Spanish)

[@danim5373]

Can you tell them to drop the Studio Underdog watermelon copy?

[@grahamcawthorne3720]

I like that watch, however, they stole the 3 and the 9 so I can't forgive them for that.