Another Casio G Shock “in your face” style is this professional Divers model (not camouflage this time!) the GWFT1030E-9 30th Anniversary FROGMAN ISO certified 200mm Titanium.
Casio G Shock 3oth Anniversary FROGMAN Titanium
This is a dive specialist model which features ISO Certified 200M Water Resistance and a titanium case wrapped in tough yellow colored resin, screw-lock case back and Tough Solar power, so no battery issues.
As usual with many of the Casio models this has a very comprehensive feature set – Auto back light, Tide Moon Graphs, Data memory up to 10 logs and World Time for 48 cities, 1/100 sec Stopwatch, Countdown Timer etc. Unusually this case is an asymmetric design and the offset case and larger than usual band allows much better fit against the skin or over a wetsuit, especially in swimming situations.
Multi-band Radio Control is also included, so is very much a world traveler style watch, with dive times and surface intervals measurement by use of the multi-timers within the digital function set.
I suppose being a bit of a purist still, I tend to think of a divers watch as one that has broad luminous hands and absolute ease of clarity underwater in poor light situations and I sometimes wonder about any digital only display in these circumstances. Casio however have addressed that issue certainly in part by the Full Auto light feature, which means that by turning your wrist towards you, the dial should light up – hence the value of Solar power! But is that as clear as bright analogue hands? For me the jury’s out on that one, but also it might be I’m too old fashioned and set in my ways and this is the way forward and just brilliant . . .
The G Shock toughness however I do accept with Casio’s G Shock testing clearly showing just how good these are in any given and specified circumstance and with that in mind here is the Water Test as done by Casio –
One thing is certain is that even at most depths with this vibrant yellow case color on your wrist, you should be easily spotted by your fellow divers and that’s always a good thing.
Note – whilst this is a big watch at 58.3mm x 52.8mm x 18.0mm it’s only 115g in weight – I have to say I’m really impressed with it. I like the asymmetric case and the whole look of the watch – it’s a winner for me – and I don’t even dive! 😉
Another small selection of the best design and fashion influenced models around, though the first one, the Raymond Weil is actually a few years old now –
Raymond Weil 7730-STC65021
Interesting silver dial with it’s sapphire anti-reflective coated crystal, with a Day and multi-date aperture ‘3. Blue sub-dial hands and the center sweep seconds hand set off a neat color scheme and a well balanced dial layout. The case is stainless steel and 42mm x 14mm with a calfskin 20mm wide strap. The movement is automatic and Water Resistance is 10atm or 100m.
The second choice is from the Parisian jewellery house Chaumet is the Dandy dress watch Big Date with it’s interesting chocolate brown sun-ray dial.
The Chaumet “Dandy”
The blue small seconds hand is complimented by the blue stitched brown strap and the brown shade duplicated by a matching cabochon on the crown. As a dress watch it is in the same mold as the Briston I reviewed a few weeks ago, though a difference price range obviously, but it has that modern man about town look that seems to be favored by today’s young business set.
The third model is quite different and reflects the retro look of a 1940’s Observers watch – this is the Bell & Ross WWII Régulateur Heritage.
Bell & Ross WWII Régulateur Heritage
Unusual dial layout and I love the large center minute hand which for me is so reminiscent of a stopwatch, which of course it basically once was.
Sometimes called a “scalloped” case or “pastry cutter” it is so shaped to make it easier for a gloved hand as is the large onion crown (though for me this is on the wrong side) unless I wore it on the right wrist. The case is in stainless steel with a smart gunmetal finish.
As noted the hand layout is a little unusual as it is a “regulator” style where the sub-dial @6 shows the hours and the main sweep hand, the minutes. Seconds is the sub-dial @12.
I also particularly like the articulated lug arrangement that makes for easier wearing from large to small wrists.
However in regards this selection the design of the first is quite classic and on the second, modern and clean. The third Bell & Ross is less about fashion and more about the influence of the original observers watch, but I would never get used to wearing it on the right wrist and so that nice onion crown is wasted. But maybe that’s just me.
Always on the lookout for “something different” and this week it’s the turn of two rather standout models from Android.
The first one is the rather unique “Rotator” 50 Auto AD739BKR, which as you see wears it’s rotor on the outside and pretty stunning it is too. Every turn of the wrist sets the brightly red colored Rotor spinning around the gray dial and the broad Hour and Minute hands are infilled with Superluminova.
Android Rotator 50 Automatic AD739BKR
The large 50mm diameter watch case is of IP coated brushed stainless steel with a Japanese SII NH35 automatic 24 jewel movement. The crystal is hardened mineral and screw down crown means a 10ATM 100m Water resistance.
Android Impetus Double Escapement
The second model from Android is just about as stunning as the first choice, which is the “Impetus” Double escapement Automatic AD546AS, which being part skeleton has a similar “mobile” feature which is quite eye catching. Smaller case this time at 41mm diameter (mid size) with mineral crystal and a genuine Lizard strap with push/pull clasp buckle band. This model features the Shanghai SHS Automatic 21600, 40 jewel movement.
No doubt that Android produce some interesting models and I particularly like the ones that feature “movement” which certainly gives added interest to what can often be a dull business of telling the time. The gold colored escapement wheels once again give this model a real “visual” something different, which lifts it above the normal.
BandGenuine LizardMovementShanghai SHS-05 automatic 21600 vph 40 jewels movementCrystalMineralCrownPush/PullClaspBuckleBand Measurements9.5″L x 22mmCase Measurements41mmWater ResistanceFunction – See more at: http://www.android-usa.com/product-p/
It’s almost unbelievable that when the name Seiko is mentioned by some of the modern kids today (and many adults I might add), there is almost a dismissive shrug of the shoulders – as if the Seiko brand was just another Japanese run of the mill quartz watch maker, when to do so couldn’t be more wrong.
They’ve certainly been around a long time and I remember back in the early 1970’s when on the Far East, these were the thing to have. That amazing quartz concept for example and then later the incredible LCD watch and I’ve still got my AGS Auto Generating Quartz of 1988/9 – and today – well they’re as inventive as ever.
Seiko – modern classic retro Kinetic!
But often as not we only see a fraction of the models they produce, so many are country specific, but without doubt there are many wonderful models out there. This is one such model that I’m not too familiar with – the SRX007P1 5D88 a perpetual Kinetic Direct Drive Moon Phase. A little retro perhaps but with a very cleverly designed presentation area allows the wearer to (like mechanical watches of the past) as an added feature, to wind and add power and see the reserve. And within another unique sub-dial @6 it also shows the Day and 24hr time very clearly. The Date is shown more conventionally on a sub-dial @3.
Also the dial has conventional analogue Hour and Minute hands plus a center seconds hand, plus of course the wonderful Moon Phase @12.
The Kinetic Direct drive of course means this model is powered by the movement of your wrist, so about as Automatic as you can get. So no batteries to think about. It has a 1 month Power Reserve (and that hand wind capability too), a Sapphire Crystal, 12 jewel Quartz movement with 100m Water Resistance and a black leather strap with fold over push button clasp, it’s pretty much got it all and so much more than the “standard” common quartz watch.
So the best of all worlds as they say – Automatic, no battery worries, tells you virtually everything you need to know in one view – Time, Day, Date, 24hr indication (am & pm) the Moon Phase and the Power remaining – certainly NOT a brand to take for granted.
To illustrate this very point – take a look at their achievements web site HERE – it’s impressive to say the least.
There’s always something comforting about many of the watch models from the German manufacturer, Junkers.
A classic Junkers G38 6944-4 Quartz Date date.
Something classic and almost old worldly that just seems to say, this is a decent old fashioned piece of quality that’s still available today – and at reasonable cost. Not that these models are old fashioned at all, but they do give an air of respectability that’s often lacking with modern timepieces.
This Junkers model G38 6944-4 quartz Date & Date watch is one such watch.
It has an excellent and reliable Swiss Ronda Cal. 517 movement within a nice sized 42mm diameter round stainless case, which very commendably is only 10mm high, so a neat and elegant watch indeed. Good luminous markers and numerals on a clean uncluttered dial with a Day and Date aperture @3, plus broad luminous infilled hour and minute hands edged in black for clarity and a black center seconds hand.
A hardened mineral crystal, 100m Water Resistance and a classic high quality leather strap, there’s plenty to like about this particular model.
Nothing fancy, but it does show the time, Day and Date clearly and eloquently, day or night and does it well – AND it does it all at a very reasonable price of around €179 Euros.
What else can you say? (I’ve probably talked myself into getting one now . . . .!)
I love it when a watch is born out of a need by someone in the business – and this is such a one. The Aegir CD-2 Diver Watch.
The Aegir CD-2 Dive Watch
The specifications are as follows –
A German manufactured 316 stainless steel case, brushed finish with a Helium relief value and well protected (shrouded) 7mm screw down crown. The movement is a mechanical automatic Soprod A10 Swiss caliber with 25 jewels. The dial has applied hour markers, filled with Superluminova BGW-9C1 and the dimensions are 42mm diameter, 50.5mm lug to lug and 14mm height. The crystal is sapphire, domed and anti-scratch with inside anti-reflect coating. Strap width is 24mm, the bezel is unidirectional 60 clock with engraved minute markings in black and the Water Resistance is 701 metres.
What else can I say – except to quote directly from Aegir’s web site –
“Ægir Watches CD-1 concept was born in the mid 90′s on a quay in Fort William Scotland, on a rainy summer’s day, but at the time I never realized it. It stayed in the back of my mind, and it was not until early 2007, that I decided on the design while waiting in the dive bell for the divers to return. And refined the idea over subsequent dives and many long hours of decompression before eventually handing it over to a designer.”
Always a fascination, this Fashion and Design business especially when you consider that without either one, not only would the watch world be a dull place, but so would much of the rest of the planet. I put the two disciplines together intentionally here, as one without the other often doesn’t work and regarding watch models I think that’s certainly true.
Digital Grande from Normal Timepieces
The design concept is important here – some new designers go out of their way to produce a “new” way of reading time itself, though in my experience this rarely works. The results invariably clash with what I call the basic “law of the watch”, which is – you have to be able to read the darned thing – at a glance!
So I’m not going to feature these (in another Post perhaps), but concentrate on those Designers and Brands that often use the most basic digital or clock displays, but add around them a design or fashion statement of their own. The price point can’t be too high, as the technical aspect of the watch is quite low, though that said, they can command a “designer” premium, which like reputation can often see surprising prices.
Projects watch (Fredi Brodmann) – Folly
The models I’ve featured here are in what I consider the low tech, high design category and I like each of them. They also meet my simple criteria of clarity, pleasing form, sensible cost and versatility too, perhaps of color or style.
Take the Digital Grande from Normal Timepieces. Designer Ross McBride has produced a rather elegant plain round watch with a simple stainless almost seamless case incorporating a simple digital one line display. The difference here from say Bosch who produce a similar minimalist piece, is that the display black ground is indistinguishable from the black dial background, which shows the reverse digits perfectly. The glass is also quite non-reflective, so clarity is guaranteed. It’s also a good size at 38mm diameter so fits all as it were and is fitted with a black plain leather strap. The price in the UK is around £125
The Nixon Atom
The second model is this time is using the conventional clock with hands style, but reminiscent of the Art-Deco age with it’s choice of hands, number fonts and colors. The Project watchdesigned by Fredi Brodmann. The Folly.
Here the designer has incorporated touches that appeal to his love of art-deco and aviation – the dial set up is reminiscent architecturally of old clocks and that red second hand with it’s large overlap is matched almost suddenly by the red button which when operated lights up the dial center so it can be seen in the dark. I particularly like the inner chapter and white dial space that reminds me very much of the old clock era. I also like the fact that the stainless watch case measures just 36mm diameter and is only 7.35mm thick, so is much neater then it’s image. A suede leather band is fitted and the watch has a Water Resistance of 3 ATM. The price is £115 here in the UK.
The Nixon Atom in green
The third model is a more mainstream brand – the Nixon Atom – a model that’s been around for a while, but has a certain design flair that incorporates a fairly basic digital movement with a very modern yet stylish case and strap combination. This model comes in many different guises, colors, materials and prices, so much so that it can match most occasions. From high quality leather double straps to steel bracelets and so on.
Here we see two versions which show the versatility of the model range quite clearly.
Also with a 50m Water Resistance, 9mm thin case and 37mm or 39mm case width (it seem to vary according to some sellers), and around 45mm lug to lug it should fit small wrists. The wide band is 32mm band and features a double pin buckle, which makes sense owing to the width. I understand there is also a back light for the display.
Being mainstream it also can be available for around £50 in the UK, though I note there are various prices being offered, some of which are considerably higher.
So just a taste of fashion and design and how these two disciplines don’t have to mean silly almost unreadable models or over the top prices.
Always nice to see an update managed in the most responsible manner – such as the 1969 – now 2014 Omega Speedmaster Mk11 – an iconic watch model if there ever was one.
2014 Omega Speedmaster Mk11 – brilliant revamp of the original 1969 model
Whilst the older model sported the calibre 861 the new Speedmaster 2014 Mk11 model uses the automatic coaxial 3330 movement with silicon balance spring and column-wheel chronograph. Good to see the old “tonneau” case has been retained which was so much part of that “look” in those days.
1969 original Omega Speedmaster Mk11 classic
One of the most recognized classic models the Speedmaster Mk11 is one model that I bought myself back in the early ’70’s and still one of my favorite models even today. However with the introduction of the new update Mk11 tugs pretty hard at me to rush out and get one, such is the pull of this classic watch.
Absolutely no doubt about it when you have a winner such as this, then keeping the “look” is absolutely essential in my opinion and I’m sure this will be a much sought after classic Omega once again and not just from me – IF I can afford it!
A bit different today in that I’m looking at a “watch” I’ve had for some time – prompted by a friend to do a quick review, so for all you Golfers out there here is the Garmin Approach S3.
Garmin Approach S3 GPS golf aid. (easy read )
Now I’m not about to explain all the features of this model except to say some basics. It’s water Resistant, battery life around 20 hours, has a good touch screen and high contrast so easily seen. It has around 27,000 golf course plans in it, a scorecard feature and doesn’t look overly big on your wrist and weighs next to nothing. The image shows how easy it is to read – Hole Number 1, Par 4, Big number is 360yds to pin, top number to back of green, bottom number to front of the green – super simple even for me. 😉
So before I start I admit this is a uniquely personal and perhaps cynical viewpoint from a golfer who started back in 1957 – played off Scratch at one time to playing my age today.
The Garmn S3 Approach Golf watch is a piece of golf assistance kit that seems to pretty much do what it says on the tin. Nothing fancy about it, but for your average golfer it works very well. It is obviously a GPS enabled unit with a database of all the courses (Europe model has 27,000 courses) you could ever want to play – I play two maybe with the odd holiday trip adding another couple at most. Though basically like most golfers I play mostly at my home course and that’s it.
So how does it perform and what does it do for your average player? Now I’ve heard and read all sorts of guff about the accuracy – Oh! it’s a yard or so out – or it doesn’t agree with my Course Planner – as if a yard or two for most of us honestly makes a difference! Let’s face it WE are not machines!
And talking about honesty, this unit should be renamed the “Honesty Meter” especially if we really start from basics – like – Do you know how far you drive the ball?
Now come on – be honest – of course you don’t – you think you do, but you don’t as there are far too many factors to consider. Did you hit the ball in the middle of the club, was your swing good, did you slice, fade, hook or draw, is there a wind, downwind or up, across etc. is the ground you hit off flat or sloping, is the landing point flat or sloping, what’s the altitude, temperature humidity, dampness and so on and on . . . . .
Now you might reckon on a good day, you can hit say 240 yards? – that’s a maybe, a perhaps – because golf is NOT exact – as I said, just too many variables (here in Scotland with our cold, damp weather – fantasy golf is out!), and this is where the Garmin comes into it’s own. It is a reality check!
OK now you’ve driven the ball and it lands on the fairway and the green is within reach. Now how many amateur golfers reach that green? I’ll tell you – the fact is that 80% of them are more often than not, short of the target, mostly because they think they can hit that 6 iron easily 180yds – and the sad truth is – they can’t.
NOW the Garmin comes into it’s own as once you hit your drive, you simply press a button and walk towards your ball and guess what – it counts the yardage.
And what a surprise to find you’ve driven the ball – err – 202 yards. But it also tells you that you’ve now got a 173 yard shot to the pin – and 160 yards to the front of the green and 190 yards to the back. Depending on pin placement, you can actually move the pin on a small image of the green on the Garmin screen, just to make it a little more accurate – IF you need to do that. I never have.
But back to the task at hand – what about this approach shot? What iron will you use to hit 173 yards? Duh – I dunno! A 6? – well it’s a guess.
And here you start to see the benefits of this unit. Because with a bit of “real” practice with this Garmin on your own some evening, it can actually measure any shots you hit with any club – you then build up real knowledge
of just how far you hit, not just the driver but every club in the bag! And most importantly you finally accept that you might need a 4 iron to hit that yardage (previously you belted the cover off the ball with a 6 or 7 – and would you believe it – short – again).
But this time you hit the 4 iron, without blasting it and as if by magic you are on the darned green! Probably the irst time since you were 17 years old and one of the leading big hitting Juniors in the club! Now OK the trajectory was a little lower than before, but who cares – you are ON the green. Is that good or what!
THIS is the value of the Garmin Approach S3 – it very simply gives you each hole’s yardage, tells you how far you have hit each shot and tells you how far to the pin. It’s taught you how far you can actually and truthfully
hit every club. It even can tell you the distance to that stream, or dogleg turn, so you can hit short and not overrun it, or know you can hit your 5 wood over it. Short or over – it’s your informed decision for once.
It’s very easy to use after a few holes and you soon get the trick of just glancing at it as you reach your ball to play the next shot. You don’t need one of those that talks to you (I can think of nothing worse!). And you really don’t need one that tells you about every little hazard on the course, with width, depth and all that value added gimmickry – because you KNOW the essentials – the distance to go, the distance you can hit and which club will do it FOR YOU.
It should really help your game. As now you know pretty well how far you can drive (honestly), you know how far you can hit every iron you have, from a full out shot to a three quarters easy shot and so on and this probably for the first time in your golfing life.
Now that for me is as accurate as it needs to be – honestly. So in my book the Garmin Approach S3 is pretty good value for money AND it can tell you the time too . . .
Yes, sorting out which watch model to buy in amongst a huge range can be daunting and often compounded by what your particular preference may be. What you want from a new watch etc. This is always the problem I have when looking at the big lads, Seiko, Citizen and Timex. Because they really make models for just about everyone, so it’s very difficult.
Timex Expedition Chrono T49895
I tend to check out the ones I like, not because of the number of functions they squeeze in, but for the model that manages to combine a certain simplicity with function, if that doesn’t sound silly. By doing this, I gradually out of many dozens of disparate models, manage to pick maybe a couple or so that make sense and manage to fit my simple requirements.
The first one to appear out of the crowd is the T49895 Expedition Chronograph model. With it’s ion plated steel case and black dial, luminous analog Hour, Minute hands and center Seconds hands it is very conventional. No superfluous fly back features that to me are unnecessary complications. 3 sub dials for the chronograph function and a multi-date window between 3 and 4 are well defined and clear to read and not a chrome edged reflective numeral in the place! Note this model also has a back light. Chronograph bezel outer rings are neat and unobtrusive and the well knurled crown and pushers are just about perfect. The dimensions are a decent 45mm x 13mm and Water Resistance is 100m.
To cap it all this model has a leather strap fitted to standard lug bars, so alternative straps or strap replacements are not an issue down the road.
This is a model that is sensible terms of Form, Function and Fit and without the added corporate style trappings of being something it’s not – it is what it is.
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My second choice from Timex’s vast arsenal of watches is the T49967 Expedition Alarm Chronograph.
Timex T49967 Expedition Alarm Chronograph
I like this model as it’s of Analog-Digital design but not overpoweringly so. Whilst it’s supposedly 43.8mm across, I measured mine (I already have one in my collection) and the width to the crown is in fact almost 47mm, so not a small watch by any means. It’s only 13.6mm (depth) and wears smaller than it is, albeit with a definite Timex Expedition look to it, but is relatively uncluttered and not over-functioned.
Once again the dial is excellent, matte and well laid out in black with contrasting broad luminous infilled analog Hour and minute hands plus a yellow center seconds Hand. It has a nice overall balance.
Large clear numerals and markers in white and yellow mean good clarity and the Day, Date, Month, Alarm, Timer, Stopwatch plus Digital time display is well positioned @6 and is larger than many, but does not get in the way of the analog functions. Additional chronograph buttons are on the wide bezel @6 for chronograph control such as Stop and Split laps etc. The bezel is influenced by their “shock” range and gives good protection to the crystal.
Note this is a perpetual Calendar model, so once the Calendar is set, forget about short months and so on, it’s all taken care of.
Four nicely figured pushers are on the outer edge of the case and are broad and easily accessed, the crown is @3 as usual, well shrouded but accessible. Once again we have an Indiglo back light, so this is well equipped for low light situations and has a 200m Water Resistance.
T49967 Silicon/rubber strap with buckle.
This model comes with a green colored rubber strap and once again if not to your liking it’s an easy matter to replace, as the case/lug/strap bars arrangement is about as standard as you can get – many thanks Timex! In practice the strap is actually very good and I have not changed it myself – and I’m really picky when it comes to straps and wrist comfort!
This model once again manages to get the basics right and the overall “Form” is pleasing, Function is unobtrusive and it Fits well to the wrist and it does it all rather well.
T49967 Expedition Combo – on the wrist
Both models above are around the same price (approx £85 in the UK) and for me represent excellent value for money without gimmicks and are two of the most practical and sensible Timex models I’ve seen for a while.
True Get and Forget watches = Form, Function and Fit. (I can see a slogan coming. . . . . 😉 )
Note – I see that many Timex models now come with a generic instructional manual and often these do not relate at all to the watch model you may have bought. The model above (T49967) is such a model and I note the following additional instructions in case anyone purchases one.
The pushers are labelled and self explanatory, but when setting the digital time (first push the “set” pusher and hold it) and you go through the sequences – hours, minutes etc etc. and once done – push the “set” again, the digital display is then set by default to the Time indication.
However to display the Day, Date and Month (the calendar), you must push the ST button on the 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, now as the permanent digital display. So at a glance you now have the analog hour, minute and seconds hands on the main dial and the digital display will be showing the Calendar. (you can reverse the sequence as you wish).
Also when setting the digital display the Calendar can be selected show either USA or UK style (Day, Date and Month) – something I wish others would emulate.
Timex Expedition Vibration Alarm T49854J – Great daily beater!
Finally I’d add to this selection my other Timex Digital Expedition. Quite similar to the ana/digi here, but digital only and once again a really sweet watch to wear – I show an image just for comparison.
It’s interesting to note that out of my collection of Timex watches, the one shown here on the left (T49854J), the ana/digi above (T49867) certainly get the most wrist time. For methey encapsulate everything that Timex in my opinion does best. Really excellent low cost daily beaters – true “get and forget” models, that are a perfect balance between “Form, Function and Fit”.
What really and honestly could be any better?
Well to answer that I am looking at Casio next week and as they’re in the same business and “get and forget” is money in the bank! – I’m betting they’ve got something to offer too!
Watch space 
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