Simple complication

Odd title I know, but it refers to something that’s sort of crept up on me after many years of watch collecting. Complication, because I quite like the idea of more than just seeing the time and Simple, because I have no wish to check an instructional booklet every time I look at the darned thing, because it might be complicated to operate.

So a bit of nostalgia here, as I refer back to an older Post which I now update. This is for the Casio Lineage model LW-170M-1AER which exactly illustrates the solution to my dilemma – ie: a Simple complication.

Casio Lineage LCW-M170TD-1AER complication dress watch

This watch is so simple, yet provides considerable complication that’s also practical. So, good enough as a daily beater and requiring no input from the wearer at all – in other words – super, super simple.

First thing to say is, it’s a model that’s so understated and almost anonymous, it’s a masterpiece.

It is also rather conservatively stylish. Beautifully made of solid Titanium with subtly sloping brushed sides, polished bezel and a clear analogue dial but also an unobtrusive yet easily readable digital window. Good luminous hands, neat size, very slim and rather elegant – it simply belies it’s technical prowess.

Solar powered (in fact Casio call it “Tough Solar”) According to Casio it can use weak lighting outdoor or even indoor to provide enough charge energy to operate high power hungry features. So not just solar powered – this is one very clever watch – more like I’d call super solar powered.
Radio Controlled – with 6 Bands selectable.
World Time feature programmed to 2099.
Super slim at just 9 mm depth and 39 mm diameter.
So basically and right out of the box after first super simple calibration (push one button – 3 minutes with signal) you then strap it on and forget it – period.

More generally this model features are as follows –

5 Alarms, Hourly Time Signal (selectable), World Time programmed to 2099, a Radio Time Signal check 6 times/day usually overnight (once signal success all other time checks are cancelled), 60 minutes Stop Watch, Countdown Timer (1 minute to 100 minutes in 1 second intervals), LED (bright) night lighting, Battery Power indicator. Power Save function after 60-70 minutes in the dark (second hand parks @12 – display is blank – after 6 or 7 days all hands park @12 and most other functions such as Auto Receive stop, except for internal clock).
As usual with Casio but simpler than normal – the lower left (B) pusher is the Mode, lower right (C) is what I call the “does something” pusher and the top right (A) pusher operates the light mainly, though does have some additional functions. As per usual for me I set the default view in the digital display to show Day and Date – this can be toggled using the (C) pusher.

My own version – easily fits my 165/70 cm wrist.

The watch is also Water Resistant to 5 bar and the Sapphire Crystal is virtually scratch-less. It tends to be supplied with a Titanium bracelet which is good, though care should be taken if removing links owing to the Casio hidden split collars within the bracelet – but that’s another story (I covered removal of links in a previous Post).
I prefer it on a neat black silicon deployment strap as it’s comfortable, easy on and off and it looks good.

But as said at the start – this is a watch with a good many features and does NOT require a degree or constant referral to instructions.

Set it how you want it, wear it and forget it!

My first Post on this watch was back in 2016, but there are still versions of this Lineage series around – and I can see why – because it’s one of those models that Casio are very, very good at. It looks good, it’s really quite simple to use, yet with amazing complications, easy to see, very accurate, neat on the wrist – and it’s very difficult to beat – AND it is VERY affordable.

If truth be known, this is probably the only watch anyone would ever need – I kid you not!

A favourite designer

A few years back I found a series of watches from a German designer, Rolf Cremer and I liked the look of their range of neat colourful watches. One model really took my fancy back then as it was unusual in that it was a small watch but with a large double date window @12.

Rolf Cremer Bogen Gent – Double Date clarity.

Today looking at their current range, unfortunately I don’t see any double date windows this time, so just shows that when you see a model that really takes your fancy, you should buy it – assuming you can afford it. I should have bought this one as it was very affordable at the time. But too late now!

However as with most designers, they don’t stand still and they have plenty of new designs on their web site

I like this one. This is the Rolf Cremer Tower Automatic Date watch in red and black, which has a great modern look. The lightning yellow sweep seconds hand is quite striking. The Date window @between 4 & 5 is unusual with the triangle background, again giving it a ‘look’ which is both interesting and clear. The crown is in keeping and is also triangular, with a colour insert in co-ordinating red. The leather strap is in dark red antique finish and compliments the overall look with a stainless steel buckle as is the case which is 42mm diameter.

The movement is a quality mechanical automatic Miyota (can be seen via the clear glass back) which is a highly reliable workhorse and well suited to the Tower and Mech series of models.

Rolf Cremer Tower automatic 1 of 7 versions

There are 7 versions of this Tower model, all slightly different, but all very interesting and quite unique. I show here another version, this time with a combination of numerals and markers and whilst in the same manner, has a quite different and individual look all of it’s own.

Suffice to say the range is wide and varied, the use of colour and shapes paramount to the look of this collection, from angles dials to offset faces and so on, it’s always refreshing to see. One thing is certain, with such a range of diversity, it allows you to choose a model that matches with your own particular persona. And that’s not an easy thing to manage. Indeed a Rolf Cremer is immediately identifiable, but never boring.

Which is why they are always on my “Watch List” – Note – they also have quartz models too at a lower price-point. They can be viewed HERE.

Double Date

There’s always something special about a double date window, especially for those of use whose eyesight is weakening. Too often over recent years even with spectacles, I sometimes have to squint a bit to see the tiny date windows that many models seem to have today.

It’s even nicer to find a watch, however, that’s just a little bit different, such as the Kienzle K Spirit K801 1503011 featured here. And different in a good way and not just owing to the large split date aperture. The fact is, this is a quite large watch at 42mm diameter, which is about my maximum for comfort, but this model is conversely very wearable even to the medium wrist, because of its slimness. The case depth is a very neat 8mm – (9 mm including crystal) and that makes all the difference.

It comes with a leather deployment strap, though it’s one of those add on types that fits to a standard strap minus the pin buckle. I always find these to be quite clumsy, so I removed it and replaced it, first with an old spare blue leather buckle strap, to see how it looked, then finally for a proper silicon deployment strap in orange. It is now a much neater fit for me.

The watch dial is also round, but the case, not quite so and overall it is clear to

read. Add this to the large effective Date indication @6 and what we have is a really nice watch. Well specified with its Stainless Steel polished case with a brushed finished upper surface, Luminous hands and markers, red centre seconds hand and K1 Mineral glass. It is powered by the Swiss Ronda 6003B quartz movement (374 Renata battery) and finally has an impressive 100m Water Resistance. Note too that the crown has a neat red coloured indented line decoration.

I well remember the first Kienzle watch I owned was one of the very first Radio Controlled ones, which at the time were really well priced against the upcoming Japanese models. It was relatively plain, but it did the job very well indeed and never let me down. I still have a Kienzle Radio Controlled alarm clock, which I remember buying back in the 1990’s I think, which is still in use today.

Re-strapped with Silicon deployment – neater than original

Of course Kienzle have been around a long time, with origins from 1822 according to their web site, with clocks, then clocks and watches – in fact they were the largest producer of watches in Germany back in the 1970’s. Had a foreign investment take over for four or five years, but then back in German hands since 2002 I believe and today their main and very successful range is produced in Hamburg.

Note – I find the dial hour numerals a little unusual. Unlike most watches the main hour numerals here are all read as if from the dial centre, which is interesting – as most watches tend to change the hour numerals orientation to upright on the lower half of the dial. Using the same centre reading logic, one could be forgiven if you read the date as 80 and not 08 – but of course you don’t.

Odd, isn’t it. . . .?

Note – I added a final image with an orange silicon deployment strap fitted – so much better than the original retro-fit type – slimmer and neater on the wrist.

Swatch watch

After having been asked about a Swatch watch a friend bought the other day, I thought I’d have a look at what is currently on offer from Swatch this week. I used to check them every so often, but what with the problems over the past year, I missed out managing it.

I should add here that my views haven’t changed much over the years regarding what Swatch is all about, and the quick look-see at my friends new Sistem51 watch, confirmed my opinion. Because, checking over the watches around, it more or less cements my thinking, that at the end of the day the Swatch philosophy of “Second Watch” is still absolutely what they are all about, despite some of their latest ideas.

The original idea of simplification of manufacture, product and cost and using the cheap medium of quartz power, coupled with snazzy “modern” and often just printed dial interpretations, caught the public’s imagination and managed to appeal to those who wanted a cheap throwaway second watch, but one that could also show off their persona – and still their main attraction.

Their foray into automatic mechanical watches and associated hype, for me, is a departure from their core – I mean a cheap quartz powered second watch, ie: the classic Swatch watch as the ultimate disposable throwaway, with its cheap prices is one thing and a great idea, but a mechanical automatic at around the £200 mark – as a throwaway? I really don’t think so.

So, the models I’ve highlighted here are classic Swatch, practical, affordable and the real Swatch deal to me – snappy design dials, cheap quartz movements allowing all sorts of permutations and looks, sizes, colours and styles and is obviously still the way to go – they sell!

The models I’ve chosen because of their ‘look’ plus their practicality – in that these have my preferred Day & Date indications, for I reckon that’s what’s actually useful – personal choice I know, but it is handy and so practical to know the Time, the Day and the Date, with a quick glance. And of course, these are all cheap – and affordable is a bonus.

The black mirror dial Ligne De Fuite, Quartz

The first one is the GAET Highlands Mix with it’s easy read good contrast Day Date, centre seconds hand with its highly coloured two layer silicon strap, black dial. Plastic cased model 41mm diameter and with just 9.85mm case depth. Quartz powered. 30m Water Resistance and around £60-£70.

The second one is the striking coloured Blue Blend bio-sourced model Day & Date watch. The bio-sourced case, strap and clasp – dimensions of 41mm diameter and 9.85mm depth ideal, a printed metal dial, 30m Water Resistance, again at somewhere around £65.

The third choice is the Ligne De Fuite (line of force) model with it’s mirror black effect dial in a matte white plastic case, gives decent definition, so very readable. White/Orange stiped lines silicon strap, Quartz powered, 30m Water Resistance again. Dimensions 41mm diameter and 9.85 depth.

In fact, all of these have the same sensible dimensions and ideal for almost any wrist. All have the standard Swatch battery hatch on the back, accessed so simply by a simple quarter turn with a small coin and the battery pops out to easily replace, so no special tools needed.

Anyway, that’s my current selection of the more Classic Swatch watches that for me, are the real attraction of what Swatch is, or should be all about. They are affordable, colourful and come with lots of variety. Every day watches that don’t break the bank and that so bizarrely and successfully can reflect whatever the wearer wants their persona to reflect. And when you think about it, there’s not many watches can manage that trick.

But I’ve probably already got my favourite Swatch watch – the Irony Green Wink – I know – silly name – But I Posted it way back whenever – I link it HERE

Interesting finds – Ladies

Sometimes the ladies can get a mention now and then – so many watch sites are virtually men only – but this time I found a great modern girl watch. None of the tiny vintage dial models that Granny or your Mother used to wear that often used to twist around with little silly bracelets, but a really decent and classy watch.

Junkers South America 6539-5 Quartz Ladies Date watch

This one is from the well known German Brand and is the Junkers F13 – or South America 6539-5, which I think you’ll agree would not be immediately thought of as a Ladies models – but it is – and looks really good.

This is a quartz powered watch, so wear it and forget it for a few years easily before the battery needs changing. Accurate too, as quartz these days is about as good as anyone needs. Great gold coloured case with an off yellow dial and VERY clear to read with those large hands, small seconds index and actually a pretty decent size date window @3. (some of their Gents models don’t). It’s also got a really good sized crown, so very easy to set the time on those non 31 day months.

The crystal is hardened mineral glass and there is a good brown leather strap with tang buckle. A neat little diamond stud @12, just sets it off and dimensions are ideal at 36mm x just 8mm case depth, so really slim. It is powered, as I say with Quartz, but this is a Ronda Swiss movement, so should be pretty decent. And to cap it all it has a decent 50m Water Resistance, which you don’t often get with say a ladies fashion watch.

I also noticed the little decoration in the background centre of the dial, which is another subtle feminisation of this piece.

So, a rock solid model from Junkers, but this time for the ladies and certainly for the modern girl, not your granny.

I like it so much I have to admit to being quite tempted myself and I’m in two minds whether I should let my Wife read this Post, as this is a watch size that she really likes, (my mistake for showing her my old Patek at 36mm) so there’s no question she’ll quite fancy this.

And it’s definitely affordable, it really is, as I’ve seen it for under £200 after Customs charges.

Note – This Post can also be found in the Ladies section PAGE.

Interesting finds (1)

Occasionally whilst trawling the Net, you come across watch making Brands that for whatever reason are quite unknown to you. Perhaps these are lesser manufacturers or models sold in other parts of the world and not so well known in your own Country.

Elysee Priamos 77015 Automatic Date watch

But noticed because for some reason their style, look or quality perhaps, says these are worth a further look.

Incidentally, this Post entitled “Interesting finds” I plan to be a recurring monthly feature, where I hope to Post a model/Brand that I think has merit and worth a mention.

The first is this rather nice traditional looking German model – the Elysee Priamos 77015, from yes, you’ve guessed it – Elysee.
And they have been around for a little while, founded in 1920 by Jaques Beaufort with the Elysee brand – though newly acquired in 1991, they now produce in Dusseldorf – ‘Made in Germany’ mid range quality watches, with quite a selection of models, both Gents and Ladies.

The featured model is a mechanical automatic (with Miyota movement), white dial with Power Reserve indication, small/medium seconds and an incorporated Date widow @3. Sapphire crystal, stainless steel case and a quality black leather deployment buckle strap.

Dimensions are a neat 11mm case depth and 41mm diameter and it’s water resistant to 50m.

It has the typical German traditional style, luminous hands and applied markers and overall, for my taste has a good look . However and especially for a Quartz model, being priced at around £300, it’s maybe a little high against its competition. It comes complete with a 2 year Warranty.

However, overall I was quite taken by the look of this one, partly because I like the German watch style, and I have quite similar ones in my collection, such as Bruno Sohnle, Junghans, Bauhaus, Nomos, Junkers and others – suffice to say I just find them to be fine watches and I like wearing them.

Note – on the pricing, I’ve found that most Germans models featuring Quartz movements, are very competitive and often under the £200 mark. And make no mistake, in general they are very good watches.
Upgrading to mechanical Automatics, if using Japanese movements, the price is up to twice that figure and for Swiss or in-house Automatics, maybe three times the price.

Now OK, that’s a rough and perhaps over simplification of pricing, but basically that’s my general experience. Of course there are exceptions depending on Brand name and so on. Though with the speed of change today, it may well be that watches for everyday wear will very much be at masses prices. Good for us, yes?

Swatch SISTEM51 for me?

A young friend asked me the other day what I thought of his new Swatch SISTEM51 Automatic watch, which he was wearing on his wrist when we met. Swatch of course is about as well known as Coca-Cola and I’m sure I own a couple myself, though not SISTEM51 automatic models.

Swatch Sistem 51 Automatic – the Unavoidable

The very first thing I noticed was the fact his particular model (the Unavoidable) was really quite thick at nearly 14mm coupled with a large diameter case at 42mm, makes this a big watch on the wrist – perhaps too big for me. In fact, when I checked my own Swatch models, not one of the three were as large. (in fact one of my Swatches – the Pounds & Squares quartz is only 10mm thick and 41mm diameter).

But, back to this model which is called the Unavoidable (perhaps owing to it’s size?) it has a small seconds @6 and a Date window @3 and a buckle strap, but my overall impression on first seeing it, was all a bit clunky on the wrist.

Now, I have a whole collection of conventional automatic watches, some of which are vintage even, so an automatic watch with winding rotor is nothing new. Some are what you’d call high end, some not so and they are all accurate enough for me (some very accurate indeed). And I doubt any of them are larger than around 12mm case depth.

But importantly – and I allude to the fact this watch has a totally sealed movement – all are repairable should anything go wrong. Now OK, it’s fair to say and certainly in my experience, very few do go wrong and those that might, would probably or possibly rather, be ‘complication’ models, chronographs and the like.

I do note that Sistem 51 Automatic models are mostly simple time keepers with few complications, save the Date, so I assume Swatch are hedging their bets, by minimising the possibility of anything going wrong. In fact, you could be forgiven in assuming these might even be viewed as disposable throwaway watches, which at £200 I believe this one cost, is some throwaway!

Swatch SISTEM51 chunky case – diameter 42mm and case depth of 13.8mm

Would I personally buy one? Well no, being honest probably not this model. The case thickness and the overall diameter doesn’t do it for me.

The SISTEM51 features, such as the reduction of movement parts, theoretically less to go wrong, the re-designed transparent rotor wind, whilst OK, frankly are substantially little different from conventional automatic models.

In other words, personally, I don’t see much of an incentive to have one. And if I wanted a throwaway watch, I’d surely be better with a cheap Quartz model, which could well give better accuracy plus many hundreds of styles, sizes, some amazing complications, looks and features to choose from and so on.

It’s as if they’ve over innovated – updated to transparent rotor – OK but why?, made entirely by robot machine – OK, then sealed it up in a non-opening case? Welded components – so basically it’s un-repairable. Maybe it’s a case of trying to re-invent the wheel? I don’t know, but it doesn’t give me a buzz at all.

However, my young friend likes it, this is his first automatic, so maybe he was unaware autos existed? You never know with the youngsters of today. It could be the mechanical movement fascinated him, as everything else he owns is electronic, modular and solid state (goodness even the latter words are out of date).
Anyway the plus side, for me is, he’s seen some of my watch collection now and is hooked! So much so that he has since bought another automatic watch (not Swatch this time) with an exhibition back, just to wonder at the movement.

So, maybe these folk at Swatch know more about young potential customers than I realised – a little bit of marketing & fashion hype, whilst not, as I say, re-inventing the wheel, managed to convert a young lad brought up on “cell phones and wearables” – to the good old mechanical, wear and forget, battery-less watch.

He’s from birth – in a world of “throwaway” anyway – I mean today if it don’t work – bin it – right?

I’m writing this and thinking – sad! I was brought up in a world where things were made in a way that allowed them to be fixed – in fact when I was younger I used to make transistors – Yeh Yeh Yeh – I know – what on earth is one of those?

Searching the site

With this new theme web site layout – it is now very easy to SEARCH for articles and/or references to much more data than before. The old site – once I’d Posted an article it was more or less buried and then forgotten, replaced by something new. Not now . . . . .

So with that in mind –

If you use the “SEARCH” function you’ll be amazed at the number of “finds” you will pick up. I tried it myself and was really pleasantly surprised.

For example typing in Casio returned some 140 articles, with each page showing around 10 Posts per view and it was actually a nice way to randomly spend a half hour or so reading through them. Typing in digital was no less impressive – just amazing what I’ve written over the years. You’ll should find some stuff you’ve probably not seen before that hopefully might grab your interest for a while.

In fact so impressed was I that I found quite a few things I didn’t realise or forgotten I ever knew – and I wrote them!

My next Post is more or less an opinion – asked of me by a young friend – about his first watch buy – did I like it? About Swatch SISTEM51 watches.