Went to my favorite watch store and got the crystal replaced on Big Bird.
It is a huge improvement and it didn’t cost much as well. The watchmaker was kind enough to let me take a look at the movment. It is a jeweled movement with Incabloc on the balance pivots, EB SA. Super clean with no rust. The face is really white looking now, I am very happy with how it turned out.
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Seiko makes some of the best diving watches in the world. At the top of their line is the Marinemaster:
It is an amazing looking watch. It also costs $2,200. Well, I do love a nice watch, but I like eating as well. For about $550, you can get this one:
As you can see, a very close match, but still over $500, which is my psychological limit. The Sumo is a pretty watch.
Finally, you have this guy:
Finally we have the SNZF17K1. A Seiko 5 sports. Overall, very similar looking to its more expensive cousins. The second hand is different along with the bezel. It is not a true diver, just 100M water resistance. On a solid, steel bracelet, it is a little over 150. On rubber, it is about $120. Quite a steal compared to the real thing.
by When I was a little boy, I wore a watch like this:
It’s a cute, boys, mechanical watch. Swiss made by Bradley. I spotted this at an antique store and had to pick it up. It has some cracks in the crystal, but it does not effect the watch operation. It is a handwind and keeps great time so far. No claim on jewel count, so it is probably a pin lever watch. Nothing wrong with that, it makes them very shock resistant, which is great for kids. I just couldn’t say no to it.
Eventually, when Glenn respects things, I will let him wear it. It is on a 16mm band (the plastic original) but that can easily be swapped for leather or nylon. Every time I look it it makes me smile. I wish it photographed better, it looks nicer in real life.
by Here are some Seiko watches that I like, but are a little out of my desired price point. They are all between $300 to $600. Peanuts compared to luxury watches, but more than I like paying.
The SEIKO Prospex 200M Diver 6R15 Automatic SBDC001. Also known as the Sumo. $540 of fun. Large 44mm diameter case, solid link bracelet with solid end links. It also has the new 6R15 movement, which hacks and handwinds. Looks a hell of a lot like a Marine Master at 1/4 the price. Reviews from owners say that it is just as nice or better build quality as an Omega Seamaster or Rolex Submariner. It also comes in blue.
The SBPP001. A brand new chronograph by Seiko’s power design division. 40mm diameter and looks as good or better than a Speedmaster. This is the quartz version, there is also an Automatic version. $450 for the quartz, $2382 for the Automatic.
by Been seeing how accurate my watches are on the wrist. So far I have:
Orient, -1 second after 6 hours, so about -4 seconds a day.
Seiko Green Military, +4 seconds after 6 hours, +16 seconds a day.
Seiko 5 Black PVD, 0 after 6 hours, dead on.
Seiko Kinetic, 0 after 6 hours, dead on.
Seiko 5 Blue, +2 seconds after 6 hours, +8 seconds a day.
As I accumulate more, I will add what the accuracy is. I am using a digital stopwatch over 6 hours to see how far each watch is drifting under normal wearing.
All of the mechanicals are well withing their rated specifications, which are +30/-15 a day.
by I didn’t realized until recently how closely Glenn’s (our Son) watch looked like one of mine watches.
On the NATO strap, the resemblence is striking. Glenn’s watch is on a ‘fast wrap’ nylon band, which can shrink down to his toddler wrists. He is defineatly left handed, he wants to wear the watch on his right wrist.
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Why what do we have here? It looks like my first Orient watch. Who is Orient Watch? They used to be one of the big three watch makers in Japan, after Seiko and Citizen. The quartz revolution almost wiped them out, but they continued to make mechanical watches. Most of their production is still mechanical. Seiko bought a controlling interest a few years ago, but Orient still produces their own calibres in house.
This watch is a CEVAD003W. It is a fairly large watch, at 37x45mm or so. However, it is still quite nice to wear and looks very modern as a result. The fit and finish are no less than amazing for a watch of this price range, less than $80. The case is all stainless steel with a high polish. The crown is signed and the face of the watch is very detailed.
The face has wonderful detailing and swirl patterns. The large arabic numerals and indicators are coated with pure white Lumibrite. The lume works well and is pretty comparable to my Seiko 5’s. The hands are blued and look like they are laser cut, also filled with Lumibrite. The crystal has a magnifier built in, and this is the first time I have seen a magnifier that I actually like. It is mineral glass. The watch also has Day and Full Day of the Week indicators.
I believe it has a 46E40 movement, made in Japan. Accuracy is no less than amazing. I timed it vs. a quartz watch and in 8 hours it has lost about 1 second! This means about -3 seconds a day! This exceeds COSC requirements for chronometer accuracy. It does not hack or handwind, which is typical of entry level movements. 21,600 BPH.
The case back is snap on and appears to be laser etched. The case is all stainless steel, 50m water resistance.
This watch comes on a crocodile pattern leather band. A whopping 24mm lug size! It is about the widest leather band I have seen. It is comfortable to wear and is very nice quality. The buckle is signed, again it looks like it was laser etched.
The watch is very comfortable to wear is looks very impressive on the wrist. I think my only complaint would be is the high polished case is a fingerprint magnet, but that is to be expected on a dressier watch. This is my first Orient, and if the economy ever improves, it will not be my last.
Features:
Case: 37mm x 45mm, stainless steel, 50m water resistance.
Back: Stainless Steel, snap on, Orient makers mark, water resistance and serial number.
Crystal: Hardlex, domed, with magnifier.
Movement: Automatic, 46E40, Orient in-house design and manufacture.
Complications: Full Day of Week, Date.
Other: Genuine leather band, Luminous Hands and Markers.
As a bonus, here are a few wrist shots:
_
by Got a set of watch tools in the mail, thanks to my lovely wife. A nice assortment of tools including:
A pin remover, which is great for resizing most metal bracelets. It is easy to use and works well.
A hammer with nylon tip. Used to put pins back into place
Jeweler’s screwdrivers. Handy for many reasons.
A springbar tool. Makes removing bracelets and bands a breeze.
A caseback opener. Now, I don’t need to stop at a jeweler or Wallyworld to change a battery. It is used for screw on casebacks.
A case knife. Opens cases that snap on.
A nylon band holder. For knocking out pins.
So, all in all, the basic tools for resizing bracelets and changing out batteries and bands. If you have a small watch collection, especially if it is quartz, the tools will pay for themselves in no time at all. If you like to swap out bands a lot, it is really necessary.
Also, in more important news, I am getting a watch in the mail today. Yes another one. I what has become a tradition, I picked out several watches and let Tiffany pick one out in secret so what I am getting is a mystery. I shall see what it is this evening. All I know is that is probably an Orient and an Automatic.
by A couple of weeks ago, I picked up my first NATO style strap from one of my favorite watch stores. What is a NATO strap? It was originally designed for, shocker here, NATO. It is a long nylon strap that can be used under or over clothing, due to it’s length. It can also be worn for diving and used on watches with fixed bars. (As opposed to spring bars, which most watches have.) I picked up a Speidel version of a NATO strap with 3 rings. I first had it on my Pepsi diver, but I discovered it looked much better on my newest watch:
It really makes the compass lettering on the bezel pop and gives it a more military look.
It really hugs the wrist and reduces the overall weight of the watch. It can be worn all day with little irritation. If you are sensitive to metal against your skin, it is a good band to wear, since it covers the back of the watch. At $10 it was a good investment and gives an already nice watch a different look.
by As Christmas approaches, I am reminded that I have only been wearing automatic watches for just over a year now. Overall, I am very happy with my automatics. They have been reliable, accurate, and look different from your typical quartz watches. All of my watches I wear in pretty much even rotation, I was wearing my first yesterday:
Over the year, the accuracy has gotten better, from about +20 seconds a day to less than +5 seconds a day. It is a great day to day watch, light, accurate and does not get caught up on long sleeves. It was a gift from Tiffany.
I have gone from zero to 7 automatics in one year. So, lets take a trip down memory lane and see what else I have acquired in the last year. The first was the miliary 5 you see above. Next came my Orange Bullet:
This is my first and still my only true diver. It has always remained one of my favorites. It is bold, solid, and incredibly well made. Whenever I know I will be getting wet, this is the watch to wear. Always been pretty accurate, never was fast enough for me to notice. Next came my blue 5:
A nice, semi casual watch. Fairly light with good accuracy and great lume for a non diver’s watch. I bought this one and don’t reget it an instant. Next came my first PVD watch:
A surprisingly dressy watch. It is an elegant, understated watch. It does go well with casual or dress clothing. The plating has held up perfectly. It is a Japan made Seiko 5, and the accuracy has been excellent, as dead on as I have seen with a mechanical watch. Soon thereafter came my Pepsi:
A dressy, yet practical watch. Seiko’s only submarier homage, along with it’s all black bezel brother. The lume is very good and I have worn this to high end watch stores looking at Rolexes and have been stunned how good the quality is on this little Seiko. It is currently not on the stock bracelet, which is about the only disappointing thing about this watch. The presidential bracelet from my Orange Bullet looks great on it. Next is my ‘Speedmaster”:
My Speedmaster homage. A nice looking watch. Maybe if I make it big I will buy the real deal. I wish it was labeled Alpha instead of Omega, whom I am sure who originally made this watch. The accuracy was terrible from factory -45 seconds/day!. I had to fiddle with it until now it is at about +3 seconds a day! I wear this one when I don’t want to risk any of my other mechanical watches. Finally is my most recent acquisition, my full lume faced Seiko 5:
A sweet looking watch. Solid, well made on a great bracelet. Almost too nice of a bracelet, since it is solid links. It is my first 7S36. I now have it on a NATO nylon strap, which gives it a great look. Winding efficiency is crazy good. Wearing it for 5 hours will keep it wound for 2 days!
So, there you have it, from nothing to seven mechanical watches in a year. They have been good to me so far and I enjoy wearing them all. All Seiko’s are worn about equally. The Speedmaster a little less than others and I seem to wear the green military and the Orange Bullet more than others, but not too much. I really don’t have a favorite. They all are very different from each other and I try to coordinate with what I am wearing. A little vain? Yes, but what other jewelery can a man get away with? It is not the cheapest hobby, but it is more satisfying and cheaper than drinking or smoking, that’s for sure.
So what is ahead? I am trying to round out the color gamut:
I like this little brown guy. Nice bracelet that can be swapped for leather, if needed. Cheap too.
Bold, yellow and unique. My only concern is how legible the hands are against the yellow face.
The Seiko Alpinist. My grail watch. At over $400, I think it will stay a grail a while.
With the craptastic economy, I am hesitant to add too much more to my collection until things start to look up again. For now, I am happy with what I have, so I will stick to just band swaps to satisfy my watch urges.
