Didn’t know that…

One of my favorite watches is my Orange Bullet, a Diver’s watch.  What does it mean to have Diver’s indicated on your watch:  You have to meet ISO 6425 standards:

  • The presence of a unidirectional bezel with at least at every 5 minutes elapsed minute markings and a pre-select marker to mark a specific minute marking.
  • The presence of clearly distinguishable minute markings on the watch face.
  • Adequate readability/visibility at 25 cm (9.84 in) in total darkness.
  • The presence of an indication that the watch is running in total darkness. This is usually indicated by a running second hand with a luminous tip or tail.
  • Magnetic resistance. This is tested by 3 expositions to a direct current magnetic field of 4,800 A/m. The watch must keeps its accuracy to +/- 30 seconds/day as measured before the test despite the magnetic field.
  • Shock resistance. This is tested by two shocks (one on the 9 o’clock side, and one to the crystal and perpendicular to the face). The shock is usually delivered by a hard plastic hammer mounted as a pendulum, so as to deliver a measured amount of energy, specifically, a 3 kg hammer with an impact velocity of 4.43 m/sec. The change in rate allowed is +/- 60 seconds/day.
  • Chemical resistance. This is tested by immersion in a 30 g/l NaCl solution for 24 hours to test its rust resistance. This test water solution has a salinity comparable to normal seawater.
  • Strap/band solidity. This is tested by applying a force of 200 N to each springbar (or attaching point) in opposite directions with no damage to the watch of attachment point.
  • The presence of an End Of Life (EOL) indicator on battery powered watches.

When you add it all up, you really need a tough watch.  I didn’t know about the shock and magnetic resistance.  I now have even more respect for my Diver’s watch.  These are all very tough standards that most watches would roll over and die if they were subjected to these conditions.  I guess it really matters if your life depends on it.  And I thought the cool second hand markers was just for show, it is a real standard.  By the way, 200N is 45Pounds!

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Watch strap ideas

Here are some possible combinations for watches that I own.

That watch:

My Seiko “Pepsi”.  It is a Rolex Submariner inspired watch, so it should look great on a NATO “Bond, James Bond” strap:

This is the traditional Black and Grey version.  There is also a red striped version as well:

I think it would bring out the red of the Bezel.  About $20 on eBay or web retailers.  The Pepsi is a 22mm lug width watch, so it is pretty common.

The next watch, my Orange Bullet, currently on Italian Leather with deployant clasp:

Lets start simple, genuine Seiko Diver’s strap:

Hard to see in the photo, but the end tang has the Seiko Tsunami stamped into it.  Rated to 200 meters with pressure venting.  $24.95 on Amazon.  22mm, so it can also fit the “Pepsi”.

How bout some Carbon Fiber?

Pretty cool look, would go well with the Orange Bullet or Pepsi.  About $20 on ebay.

The next watch, my first Automatic, my Seiko Green Military, currently on the original nylon strap:

For this one, something wild, a Bund strap:

What the heck is a bund?  Well, it is a watch strap design the German’s came up with in WWII.  It keeps the metal of the watch from directly touching the skin.  As always, it is shown with a Submariner attached.  So, it would work with the Pepsi or my Green Seiko.  Though, the little green Seiko is only 18mm lugs.   Goes from $20 to $45 depending on the color and quality of leather.

That’s it for now, I am still looking for something for the Two Tone  Kinetic and Speedmaster.

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