You would think that with over 20 watches in my collection, I would have almost every type of watch out there.  In order of wanting, this is what remains on my wish list:

The Marathon Search and Rescue Automatic.  Probably the most hard core tool watch ever made.  Designed for the US and Canadian military.  Meets military specifications for divers and weapons fire.  Plus, it looks bad ass.  The US versions are hard to come by, since they are built in lots for the military.  This is the Canadian version, which is legal to own and order.  Inside beats a Swiss Made 2824 automatic movement.  It is 300M/1000Ft water resistant with Tritium tubes for luminous material.  The case is a reasonable 41.1mm, so not giant, and actually smaller than several of my watches. It should glow for at least 10 years with no exposure to light.  Gotta love the radioactive symbol on the dial.  It isn’t decorative, it is to warn operators to dispose of it properly as nuclear waste.  About $650.

Men’s Uzi® Protector Nylon Strap Tritium Watch Black:

The poor man’s version of a Marathon SAR. Quartz, but very tough, with a stainless steel case. About the same size at 42mm and has Tritium tube markers.  200M water resistance means it makes a great camping and outdoors watch.   Nice, rugged look, and only costs $80 on amazon.  Glow guaranteed for 25 years.

Seiko 6138 based Chronograph:

This is the Seiko 6138-8020 Chronograph.  Possibly the best chronograph movement from the 1970’s.  In several ways, the 6138 is a better movement than the Valjoux 7750.  It is a true column wheel, vertical clutch movement.  What the heck does that mean?  The chronograph is fully integrated into the movement, not an add on module, like most movements.  The 6138 is also Day and Date, and has a bidirectional winding system, that all Seiko’s have and the 7750 lacks.   It is also a very handsome watch, with a 40mm stainless case and super easy to read hands and layout.   About $200 to $300 on eBay.

Riki AAAA101

Riki Watanabe is one of the most famous industrial designers in Japan.  He worked with Seiko/ALBA (yet another division of Seiko) to create this watch:  It’s the Riki AAAA101.   The lines are so simple, yet elegant.  It is also powered by Seiko’s 7S26m which really makes it a very fancy Seiko 5.  Modern, but not too big 37.5mm across.  It is modeled after Riki’s industrial clock designs, with rectangular hands and easy to see across a room markers.  It also comes in black and a rose gold face.  About $200.

by

I don’t usually look at vintage pieces, but this one is just calling me:

It is a Seiko 6138-8020 “panda’ automatic chronograph.  It has nice, clean lines, a 12 hour chronograph and day and date.  To get these features in a new watch would cost you thousands.  On e-bay, examples are going for less than $500.  It looks really sharp on a leather band with white stitching.  It is 40mm across as well, so a modern, but not too big size.  I really like the 6138 movement.  It is as good or better than any modern movement.

by

Here are 5 watches under $500 that I really like (and don’t own):

Orient 2ER00004D

This one is just calling to me. I know it is a Rolex Submariner homage, but it is a pretty one.

It is an Orient 2ER00004D, a hair over $100, just $110 on Amazon.  It looks remarkably like the Rolex 16613.

As you can see, on the wrist, they look almost identical.  For your bank account, the Rolex list price is $9300, on-line price is $7626.  The list price for the Orient is $220, most on-line sellers have it for $120 to $130, saving you about $7500.  Both have in house movements.  The Rolex is a true diver’s the Orient, just 100M water resistance.  It is about as close an homage can be without being a ‘replica’ aka fake watch.  It has a bit of bling, but I like two tone watches.

By the way, the photos of the Orient are from this site.  Very nice blog about Orient watches.

Alba Riki AAAA101

It’s the Riki AAAA101.   The lines are so simple, yet elegant.  It is also powered by Seiko’s 7S26m which really makes it a very fancy Seiko 5.  Modern, but not to big 37.5mm across.  It is modeled after Riki’s industrial clock designs, with rectangular hands and easy to see across a room markers.  It also comes in black and a rose gold face.  About $200.

his one is just calling to me. I know it is a Rolex Submariner homage, but it is a pretty one.

It is an Orient 2ER00004D, a hair over $100, just $110 on Amazon.  It looks remarkably like the Rolex 16613.

As you can see, on the wrist, they look almost identical.  For your bank account, the Rolex list price is $9300, on-line price is $7626.  The list price for the Orient is $220, most on-line sellers have it for $120 to $130, saving you about $7500.  Both have in house movements.  The Rolex is a true diver’s the Orient, just 100M water resistance.  It is about as close an homage can be without being a ‘replica’ aka fake watch.  It has a bit of bling, but I like two tone watches.

By the way, the photos of the Orient are from this site.  Very nice blog about Orient watches.

by

I am looking for a nice cream or white faced watch.  I don’t have any ‘nice’ watches right now that fit that bill.  Here are a few I like:

SNZE85

A Seiko 5 Sport SNZE85K1.  A really nice looking watch that is not too big (40mm), has a 22mm lug width, so it can share bands with my other divers,  and has two neat features I like.  The face is luminescent and it has a compass bezel!  It is a very rugged looking watch and I love the hands.  It also comes on a solid link bracelet, which is a nice touch.  A little pricey at $160 shipped, but it is a new favorite of mine.

SNKE57

A Seiko 5 SNKE57K1.  Nice, clean watch with luminescent markers and numerals.  37.5mm diameter, similar to most Seiko 5’s.  The hand design is very nice as well.  Folded link bracelet, but it can be swapped for leather.  I like the look of the bracelet, looks like an Omega Seamaster bracelet to me.   Less than $75 on ebay, shipped.

CEV09001W

An Orient CEV09001W dress watch.  40mm in diameter, not too large.  Clean, dressy look, with some of my favorite hands.  I like the full day of the week.  Less than $90 shipped on ebay.

SNK797

Another Seiko 5, the SNK797K1.  Another full lume face, 37.5mm diameter.  Clean looknig watch, but the hands are little plain for me.  Less than $80 on ebay, shipped.

That’s it for now.  I’ll have to add these to the “watches I really and kinda want later.”

by

Most watch collectors have one (or a few) “Grail” watches. This is the watch you really really want, but for one reason or another, usually money, you usually don’t have that watch. For me, it is a rather modest watch, compared to a Rolex or an Omega, it is a Seiko Alpinist, SARB017.

It is a quite stunning watch. It looks like a little like a vintage Rolex Explorer. It does have the cool compass feature as well, and it is water resistant to 200meters. It uses the new 6R15 movement, which is very similar to the 7S26, but hacks, handwinds, and has a 50 hour power reserve. It also has a sapphire crystal, which is nice touch on a watch at the $400 price point. All the photos I have seen of it are very impressive. It is a Japan only model, but Seiko seems to keep its best watches at home. Someday.

by