February 2025 – Watch space

This is an excerpt from a 2014 Post (Get and Forget (2) ) where I flagged 2 x Timex watches I considered at that time – and my views have not changed. But with this update I re-look specifically at the T49967 Expedition Alarm Chronograph, basically as it came up for a battery change recently.

(1) Timex T49967 Expedition Alarm Chronograph *(image 2014)*

I also realised just what a good watch this was, so I’ve revamped the Post accordingly in the light of experience.

Originally I liked this model because of it’s Analog-Digital design which still retains a classic analogue look. The case diameter is 43.8mm across, but including the crown and crown protection it’s almost 47mm, so not a small watch by any means, but conversely it doesn’t seem big on the wrist. It’s 13.6mm (depth) but maybe as it’s light weight, it wears smaller than it is, albeit with a definite Timex Expedition look to it.
The dial is deceptively good, matte background and well laid out in black with contrasting broad white luminous half filled analogue Hour and minute hands plus a yellow centre seconds Hand. Overall it has a really neat functional look. I checked the luminous quality last night and it’s OK (not massively bright, but certainly usable) and I could make out the time.

Interestingly this model also has the Timex Indiglo dial illuminator, a system that personally I’ve never taken to. So often the principle of silhouetting the hands against the lit background rarely works unless the hands are solid black. So, the bonus fact this model also has luminous hands is a real plus for me.
The wide fixed bezel is clearly marked in tens and does not rotate, as it’s not a diver’s watch, though it has a 200m Water resistance. It is however, a pretty tough everyday workhorse that’s easy to live with.

Functions include Day, Date, Month, Alarm, Timer, Stopwatch and includes a Digital time display well positioned @6 and larger than most. Additional function buttons are on the wide bezel @6 including chronograph control such as Stop and Split laps etc. The bezel is influenced by the “shock” range and gives good overall protection to the watch and the recessed glass.

It is also a perpetual Calendar model, so once the Calendar is set, forget about short months and so on, it’s all taken care of.

Four pushers on the case are broad and ribbed and are very easy to use. The crown is @3 as usual and extremely well shrouded.

T49967 Silicon/rubber strap with buckle. — (2) Silicon/rubber strap with buckle *(2014)*

The original strap is a substantial affair in green coloured rubber, fitted to standard case/lug/strap bars. I noted when I first got the watch (10 years ago) the rather thick and slightly stiff rubber felt really quite good and was comfortable. However today I find it just too stiff for my small wrists and tightening it to the correct position is actually quite hard to manage. So, I have swapped it for a ‘wrap strap’ which fits better, is instantly and infinitely adjustable (no holes or buckle) and is very much more comfortable and suited to me now. (see image 4).

This model is a rather understated gem in my opinion, as it’s one of those models that manages to get the basics right and the overall “form” is pleasing. The function are unobtrusive, it fits well to the wrist and does everything rather well.

In fact, I was so taken with it (again) that it’s going to be on my wrist for the next month. Changing the battery was easy (CR2016) and as simple as removing the 4 x screw back, unscrew a small battery keeper tag, swapping the battery and doing it up again in reverse. Took about 5 minutes.

(3) T49967 – *image 24th February 2025* after 10 years use.

(4) Strap change to a wrap strap ‘velcro’ close – no buckle and more comfortable for me.

A point to note –

In the digital display by default it shows the time (as the analogue hands), but if you want to show the Day, Date and Month (the calendar) you push the ST button on the lower bezel and the Calendar will flash up for a second. To permanently show the Calendar display rather than the Time display, push and hold the ST button for at least 3 or 4 seconds. This will show the date, day and month then set – then release the button and the Calendar will stay indicated as the default view. So at a glance you now have the analogue hour, minute and seconds hands on the main dial and the digital display will be showing the Calendar. (and you can reverse the sequence as you wish). For other functions you simply push the Mode button and the display (4) cycles through each one as required.

Also when setting the digital display the Calendar can be selected to show either US or UK style (Day, Date and Month) – something I really wish others would emulate.

What would I like to change on this model? – Well, even though not a diver’s watch, the fact they’ve taken the time to have a really well figured bezel and as the watch is rated at a 200m water resistance – it would be nice if the bezel moved.

But having said that – it is still a very tough ‘Get it, Set it & Forget it’ every day practical watch – it’s also unlike most Timex models today and I am very glad to have it.

Note – images – the varying shades of my photographs, depend on the light at the time. The most accurate in this Post are images (1) and (4).

A 2025 reprise of my Classic Junkers 6060M-5 Bauhaus.

Time, Date, Power Reserve and 24 hr sub-dial from Junkers.

Bauhaus bridging the gap between art and industry by combining crafts and fine arts, this model absolutely fits the bill for me. The Bauhaus movement began in Germany in 1919 and was a style template for great things in all walks of life and a fusion of the practical and the aesthetic.

Here the concept is displayed in a rather stylish model and it has always attracted me and as I already love the Art Deco look, this suits my idea of what I want to wear. With a Stainless Steel 40 mm diameter case and around 11/12 mm height with a cream coloured elegant dial, under a proprietary domed Hesalite crystal, this looks rather good.

The proportions of this model entirely suits it’s Classic look and it looks great on the wrist. And this is not the first model I’ve had with Hesalite crystal which is actually quite good, glare free and extremely shatterproof, though conversely soft enough to scratch. The upside is that any scratches you do pick up can easily be polished out (if not too deep).

This Junkers Bauhaus version comes with a modified Citizen 9132, 26 Jewel Automatic movement,

Citizen 9132 Automatic with +40 hours reserve

beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with Date aperture @3 and a decent Power Reserve of over 40 hours. An ultra smooth running centre sweep Seconds hand in black and a 24 hr sub-dial featured @6 with a Date aperture @3, plus a Power Reserve indicator @12. The Date is adjusted by the centre crown and features hacking (the watch stops whilst the crown is out to the second position) so accurate time setting is easy. Dot markers at 3, 6 and 9, are green luminescent, as is the infill area on the small Logo @12. The fine gold coloured stick Hour and Minute hands are also luminous filled. Overall the dial is as Classic as you can get. The modified Citizen movement is a good choice in my opinion and in my experience can be remarkably accurate. Some reports indicate the rotor can be noisy, but this particular movement is no better or worse than my other automatics. This model features an exhibition back through which you can see the silver textured rotor movement and gives that little bit of added interest.

Chunky look accentuated by the Hesalite crystal.

The watch appears to have a close resemblance to the Max Bill series that I also like in that it shares the elegant yet simple dial layout which is uncluttered and practical. The 20 mm strap is slightly thinner than my previous Junkers and is of amazingly good quality, being of a high quality soft leather. Regarding the holes available and my smallish 165 mm wrist, it’s a neat fit on my smallish 165mm diameter wrist.

Wearing the watch –
Super comfortable with this strap and case dimensions (at 40 mm diameter the ideal dimension for this style of watch). The watch being rather chunky can look a little larger than it really is once on the wrist. Due mostly to the height of the case and also owing to the quite thick and rounded Hesalite crystal, easily 2 mm above the case (my wife thought it rather like the icing on top of a cake). Personally I love the Classic Bauhaus look of the watch and pleased it does not have the rather large Shield Logo as some, instead having just the name @9.

Luminosity –
With green luminous paint applied just to the Logo @12 and the dot markers @3, 6 and 9 plus the infill on the very slim hands you would be forgiven thinking the watch was not so good at night. And you could not be more wrong. It was, in fact excellent and I found I could still read the time in darkness some 5 hours later and this was managed without artifice. Watch sitting under my bedside light table while I got ready for bed – perhaps 10 minutes? In other words in a very normal situation. I was very impressed.

Automatic in use –
As an automatic mechanical model the Citizen 9132 is very efficient and takes very little wrist movement to wind it. Basically as soon as you put it on – it starts and unlike some movements, does not require any winding to set it off. I’ve found that once it’s on the wrist the power reserve very quickly indicates it’s fully wound.

Just to go back to the quietness of this movement –
I’m pleased to say that I don’t hear it at all on the wrist and only when pressed against my ear and I also don’t feel the rotor moving in normal wear. The movement itself via the exhibition back actually looks quite refined and not as utilitarian as some.

So any down sides?
None whatsoever – it is a Classic watch, perfectly proportioned and after a few years on my wrist the entire ensemble feels smooth and part of me.

Accuracy report –
As I guessed with the Miyota 9132 movement, it lives and has lived (over the last 10 or 12 years) up to expectations for an alternative to the Swiss ETA 2824 calibres.

In fact the Miyota 9100 series was introduced as a successful and affordable alternative a while ago and as the Swiss maker ETA policy was to cease supplying movements/parts to all and sundry, somebody had to fill the vacuum. As for time keeping this Junkers Miyota movement manages between 3 and 5 seconds (fast) per day and that’s straight out of the box (today some 10 years later it’s settled down to better than 3 secs). Unsure whether Pointec (Junkers Agency) have time adjusted it at all, but I’d say it’s easily as good practically as the old ETA 2824 and certainly in this limited complication.

Can’t help but think ETA made a bit of a misjudgement (even suicidal) with this Policy, as it was inevitable that the Asian/Japanese brands would step up to the plate and produce not only a movement to rival ETA, but at a fraction of the cost. In my view the customer benefits tremendously, certainly on new models. My sympathies go out to pre-owned collectors and existing owners regarding the cost of repair and replacement parts for original ETA movements.

Quote –
Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.

Quote – Nancy Pearcey

And I have to agree 🙂

And this is it today Feb 20th 2025 –

Junkers Classic Auto Bauhaus – *Image taken 20th February 2025 at the time shown*.

As good today as when bought and still one of my favourite watches. A lot cheaper when I bought this one back then and although the model has hardly changed, it will cost a bit more today – around £840 in the UK.

And after 10 or 12 years ownership I reckon even at todays price, it is a bargain and very much worth the money. And note what I said about the auto movement. The power reserve is showing maximum so even at my age I’m moving well enough to have the watch run at peak performance.

When I bought this I thought it might be a little big on my smallish 165mm wrist – but this picture taken today rather disputes that idea. Looks pretty good to me.

And if it’s showing that, it means that I’m not doing too badly either! 😉