Considering a Stowa - any thoughts?

sinner · Post by **sinner** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 1:44 pm

Just sold off some stuff and have some funds burning a hole in my PP account. Anyway, had a Stowa Seatime a while back, which I really liked, and am considering a Stowa Prodiver (maybe the limited ed blue version). Looks like the watch hasn't changed at all since conception (although is now made of titanium). Wondering if anyone has any thoughts/personal experiences with the brand. Mainly interested in any CS experiences and if the brand will be around for a while.

Post by **CGSshorty** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 1:55 pm

I'm not really helpful other than to say that blue titanium Prodiver looks fantastic and I'd love to have one.

Post by **logan2z** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:26 pm

Never owned a Stowa but have handled one on a couple of occasions and they seemed very solid and good value for money. Tasteful designs, real history, and they apparently have excellent customer service. I've often thought about buying a Marine Original or 1938 Chronograph but something else always jumped to the front of the queue.

tattoo chef · Post by **tattoo chef** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:04 pm

They will def be around. Don't see them going anywhere.

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dukerules · Post by **dukerules** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:31 pm

Agree, they're a very old company, and I think they make excellent watches. I've also heard very good things about their customer service.

andrema · Post by **andrema** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:36 pm

One of my favorite brands. Jorg is badass

hoppyjr · Post by **hoppyjr** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:36 pm

I've owned a ProDiver, a TO1, and a Flieger Klassik Sport. Loved them all. A very high quality feel (think: Sinn) but a much more reasonable price point. They are willing to make some custom modifications to stuff you order new and they provide a decent customer service experience.

I wouldn't hesitate to own another.

mattcantwin · Post by **mattcantwin** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:37 pm

Have this at the moment...

these in the past:

Never had any issues with the movements; good timekeepers; solid crown action.

I prefer the look and fit on a strap over the bracelet, but not the easiest strap changing set-up (2 screwdrivers).

Can't recall coming across anything other than positive CS comments.

Solid choice for a tool-like diver with a unique design.

Chocodove · Post by **Chocodove** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:40 pm

The Prodivers are great watches (I've owned two of them) and my experience with their customer service through the ordering process has been phenomenal. I can't speak firsthand to after sales service, but everything I have read indicates they will take care of you.

The blue LE Prodiver is gorgeous. I preordered one but ended up cancelling it unfortunately, which they accommodated no questions asked and refunded me immediately. I found the Prodiver wore better than the Seatime for me on my 6.5" wrist. Both wore larger than specs would suggest, but the raised case back on the Prodiver made it very comfortable for me. I found the Seatime to be too flat.

In general, I think their watches punch way above their cost and are a great value. Much of their case finishing and other production is done in-house. As others have said, they are hitting their 90th anniversary this year. They aren't going anywhere.

There's a really cool post on WUS where someone did a factory tour that I can't find at the moment. It's worth the search to see how they go about things.

hoppyjr · Post by **hoppyjr** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:47 pm

I did have a stripped crown on my stainless steel ProDiver. It may have been user error, but not a big deal as they handled it quickly and at minimal expense.

1954Selmer · Post by **1954Selmer** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:44 pm

Top notch watches. I Love them.

sinner · Post by **sinner** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:12 pm

And ordered. Appreciate the "push"...

sierra11b · Post by **sierra11b** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:40 pm

I've never handled a stowa but often find myself wanting a flieger being it was one of the original brands. Being that I'm not too keen on the new logo I might opt for a sterile dial. It will happen, though... Such a bargain for a small slice of history. And yes, their diver looks great, too. Congrats!

dnslater · Post by **dnslater** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:24 am

I had this blue Seatime years ago. Such a solid, well made watch for the money. It wore a little blocky and long on my wrists, especially with the end link design, but such a lovely watch.

Aaron Shapiro · Post by **Aaron Shapiro** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 5:06 am

I wore a Flieger for a longtime and loved it. Great watches.

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Chocodove · Post by **Chocodove** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 5:33 am

sinner wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:12 pm
And ordered. Appreciate the "push"...

Congrats. If you plan on swapping out the strap at anytime, it's helpful to ask them not to apply loctite to the lug screws. It can be a real pain to get them off when they're tight. They'll do it no problem if you ask.

andrema · Post by **andrema** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 11:53 am

dnslater wrote:I had this blue Seatime years ago. Such a solid, well made watch for the money. It wore a little blocky and long on my wrists, especially with the end link design, but such a lovely watch.

The bracelet isn't offered any longer, so that helps with the L2L issues

MDF · Post by **MDF** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:12 pm

I like the ProDiver quite a bit, a long time ago I had the Rodium dial with a black bezel and I just sold a black dial black bezel. I will buy a Ti version fairly soon I'm sure. The lume is great and like others have said the quality is great for the price and I've had a good sales experience with Stowa also!

Chocodove · Post by **Chocodove** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:15 pm

andrema wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 27, 2017 11:53 am

The bracelet isn't offered any longer, so that helps with the L2L issues

They are coming out with a new titanium one to match the new cases. It's been delayed several months at this point I beleive.

I agree these the PD's wear way too large on bracelet due to the endlinks.

apnk · Post by **apnk** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:56 pm

dnslater wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:24 am
I had this blue Seatime years ago. Such a solid, well made watch for the money. It wore a little blocky and long on my wrists, especially with the end link design, but such a lovely watch.

I had one like this but with a black bezel, no idea why I sold it. I'm kinda liking the Flieger Ikarus, only $587ish us dollars.

sierra11b · Post by **sierra11b** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 3:56 pm

apnk wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:56 pm
I'm kinda liking the Flieger Ikarus, only $587ish us dollars.

I've tossing around buying one for awhile.

dnslater · Post by **dnslater** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 4:54 am

andrema wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 27, 2017 11:53 am
The bracelet isn't offered any longer, so that helps with the L2L issues

Bracelet is on their website and it lets me put in my cart. Such a nice looking watch.

https://www.stowa.de/en/Prodiver+Titan+ ... dition.htm

andrema · Post by **andrema** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 4:57 am

The bracelet is horrible IMO

dnslater · Post by **dnslater** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 5:05 am

andrema wrote: ↑
Tue Feb 28, 2017 4:57 am
The bracelet is horrible IMO

I've always been a bracelet guy, but that watch certainly is better on straps. The bracelet awkwardness is one of the reasons I sold it. Didn't help that the bracelet was brushed and the watch is blasted.

mattcantwin · Post by **mattcantwin** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 5:43 am

Canvas works.

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