I’ve said it before and no doubt I will again, Fashion Houses are definitely into the watch business. Diesel is one Brand that I quite like and whilst many of their dial designs are perhaps over the top and often over-cluttered for me personally, every so often they come out with a model that is really rather smart.
The Diesel Arges DZ1660 disk date watch.
The Diesel DZ1660 featuring a Japanese Quartz movement is one which shows off a practical dial layout and a decent build quality. The red date wheel idea is quite striking and looks great in contrast to the dark look dial, and is complimented by the colored center seconds hand.
Class detail on this stainless gunmetal finish case
Well proportioned hands and markers again give a pleasing balance to the overall dial layout. The case is Stainless Steel in gunmetal tone and measures at 46 mm diameter by just 12 mm depth. The Tan strap is 24 mm wide with gunmetal stainless buckle closing and again in a nice complimentary tone to the case.
Tan & gunmetal Stainless steel complimentary buckle layout
This watch is also Water Resistant to 10 ATM or 330ft.
I’ve seen it here in the UK recently discounted to £94.49 and if I was looking for a gift watch for someone, this would definitely be on my short list and to my mind looks well above it’s price point. Very elegant and yet has that neat and rather subtle fashion edge with the red accented date wheel and the overall dial color combination really works.
For me this is a grown up Diesel model and not before time – I’m hoping for more . . . .
Now OK I don’t really know what that means either – but this is the Indie Watch from yes you guessed it Hippie Chic of California. I suppose it’s a sort of fashion accessory watch geared towards those Hippie and chic young folk out there, though “hip” for me has visions of a much needed replacement variety and “chic”? – well maybe once upon a time . . . I do remember Woodstock!
Indie Watch by Hippe Chic
Anyway I can certainly see the attraction of this for the young “hippie” style guy or girl and purely co-incidentally, a friend was here recently and her daughter is I’m reliably informed into Goth? – Well whatever, but she had on her wrist amongst other stuff, a neat watch strappy affair and this was it – the Hippie Chic – and I suppose she was just that!
I have to say it looked great and suited her, so this Watch Company seems to have found a market and good luck to them.
Now the watch part is pretty basic I suppose, though it does have a Seiko quartz PC21S movement and the case is 25 mm x 25 mm x 7 mm and located in amongst the split leather strap, wood/alloy/ceramic beads and metal studs. Only has a Water Resistance to 1 ATM (supposedly 10m) , but throwing yourself into the pool probably not the best idea, but hey it’s a fashion thing, so why should it be in the pool with you anyway. The split strap arrangement seems to be adjustable (with snap studs) from around 19 mm/22 mm, though obviously is worn loose bracelet style.
Not the first of these modern young guy/girl things I’ve seen but it looks OK and I like the fact the little watch has a centre seconds hand – and that’s a bonus as many don’t.
Another bonus is the price at around £18.00 here in the UK and that’s cheap enough to be an attractive proposition to any youngster and is also pretty good value for a little piece of Hippie Chic fashion.
Perhaps not for me of course, even though I could look out my old buckskin outfit, with the wide leather belt (with 12 harmonicas in their respective keyed holsters).
Trouble is whilst the Hippie Chic Indie might fit, the flared tight leather jeans certainly would not!
To be more precise it is actually the Nite Icon 201L T100 and certainly lives up to it’s name as a watch you can definitely see in the dark!
Nite Icon 201L T100 Tritium.
As many of you will know I love my Tritium watches, and have a good few of them today and none have ever let me down. In fact I when I used to be on “nights” in military service for 6 months at a time my Tritium light source models were an absolute must. In fact since those day Tritium models apart from some small cosmetic changes have hardly changed ever since GTS Light Source was first introduced, such as the colors available for example or in the basic watch model design.
I’ve always liked Nite watches but never actually owned one, mostly because I preferred other case/watch/dial designs from other Brands and also as price was an issue. However the Nite 201L T100 has the advantage of an updated GTS capability with the altered light source construction feature – flattened Tritium tubes. These spread the light more evenly than the more common round tube design and do away with any surrounding reflector ideas of older design watches.
Flat tube Tritium at it’s very best.
In fact the tubes look very like traditional dial markers but at night appear much brighter, yet at the same time much easier on the eye. There are in fact the more traditional round Tubes on the Hour, Minute and center Seconds hands, where they are ideal with their narrow light line acting more as pointers.
This particular model is also very well specified and with some thought gone into regarding the choice of materials etc. The case is a decent sized 44 mm diameter with a good dial diameter of 38 mm and overall though the case is a fairly substantial 12.1 mm depth. It is constructed of 316 Stainless Steel in black PVD and uses K1 Mineral Crystal with enhanced scratch resistance and hardness plus the advantage of Triple Anti-reflection inner coatings, so clarity is very, very good indeed. It is also fairly light weight at 80 g, has a decent sized Screw down Crown @4 and a Water Resistance of 30 ATM or 100 m. Incidentally the screw back has Nitrile Gasket/seals which are manufactured to withstand -40ºC to +60ºC so should last a long time.
Night use perfection = the Nite 201L T100
Movement wise Nite have gone for a sensible choice in the Swiss Ronda Quartz 515, which has a Date window between 4 & 5 and a Battery life of between 3 and 4 years.
The price direct from Nite for this strapped model is £320 here in the UK, though as I often do I’d probably have an silicon/rubber deployment one as an alternative. Easy to fit of course as this case has conventional spring bar fittings. I tend to avoid steel bracelets these days as invariably they’re heavier than the watch and I don’t need that (and more expensive).
The higher price Point is maybe at the top end for a Tritium model, as personally I think high price & practicality could be viewed as a contradiction in terms – but the Icon 201L T100 with it’s considerable advantage of the flat/tube illumination, is definitely worth it and represents very good value.
I’d go further and say that if you’re considering a watch for night use and certainly if you are involved in night work, then in my opinion for what it’s worth, it’s probably one of the best options available today.
Addendum– I note they now have a polycarbonate cased version of the Nite watch – the Hawk. But unfortunately it has a much larger diameter case, which kills it for me personally. Why the larger case I don’t know, but what a shame as it really competed so well against the Casio range of G-Shocks, which of course also tend to have in the main an over large case for me. So the Nite 201L T100 model will still be the model I’ll probably end up with in my collection.
I’ve never had many Italian watches in all the years of collecting, yet with the innate Italian flair for design I’ve often wondered why I didn’t own one. It’s not as if the quality is any less good than Swiss watches as indeed many of the Italian brands either manufacture in Switzerland or use Swiss movements anyway.
Carlo Ferrara Regulator Classic
Maybe it’s the premise, right or wrong, that Italian design and watches don’t go together as well as perhaps shoes or clothes or that their particular slant on watch design never really did it for me.
But of course and as always, these perceptions change and things move on and so it was and is with this particular model from Carlo Ferrara – the Regulator Classic.
Perhaps the whole concept of the “vertical elliptical dials” which fascinate and yet don’t detract one iota from either the readability, or indeed the clarity of the dial. It looks completely different to most other dial layouts and fundamentally it’s like it is this owing to it’s intriguing technical function rather than just an odd dial. The wonderful design element of this watch is in it’s technical movement set up and the use of a vertical linear drive chain.
I love it!
The Classic features a Swiss Automatic Cal.2892.2 movement and the stainless steel case measures just 39 mm which is such a sensible size, mineral glass, a magnifier Date window @6, centre seconds hand and 5 ATM Water Resistance and a very nice stainless deployment bracelet. It’s also available in quite a few different dial layouts based on the same elliptical premise, and all of them are interesting in their our individual manner. I know I’ve seen one like this but with a yellow dial – and it’s awesome!
So an Italian model at last for me and one that’s certainly different – and perhaps I’ll be having another look at Italian design after all . . . .
Perhaps the ultimate GPS watch, but which sadly to my knowledge yet to make a proper appearance. The German made Morgenwerk Precision Mk1 – GPS watch.
Morgnwerk Precision Mk1. GPS controlled watch
Understated full GPS function model with geographical co-ordinates, Compass, Altimeter etc. this is one VERY accurate watch.
No longer using what could well be described as old technology Radio Control, but instead feeding off a multitude of satellites, this model apparently will manage a staggering accuracy of under 1 second – per month!
Wherever you are in the world it will automatically display your Time Zone current time, day, date etc . A travelers dream.
It’s under 14 mm depth, 44 mm diameter, Stainless Steel or Titanium cased, double anti-reflect coated Sapphire crystal, black dial with selectable discrete digital display.
Of real importance and a major breakthrough has to be the Battery life, which is specially enhanced with a reserve of up to 18 months, assisted by the use of a self correcting thermo-compensated quartz movement allowing variation adjustments and allowing amazing accuracy.
The actual GPS receiving system (between the lugs) is programmed to pick up 6 satellites and auto select the 3 with the strongest signals as the time source. The synchronization and reception process takes anywhere from 8 to 90 seconds.
What I love is the fact that the watch is both understated and really easy to read and on wrist, seen to be just another “daily beater” albeit with great looks, but function wise does so much. It appears to me that if the brief functional detail is true, it will out perform just about anything else on the market.
However the burning question is – where is it?
The first intimation of it was way back in 2012 and the latest information I have is that their web site is currently in the build stage. One has to hope that once completed, the final watch details will be highlighted and models will be available for sale, especially as the price point quoted back in 2012 was from around $1100. And that could be a real winner.
I hate to say the phrase “ultimate watch” – but it could well be – IF it hasn’t died a death along the way. And that would be a real shame . . . as it could be my final “grail”.
BUT – and here I float down to earth after being initially blown away with all this technology. Yes it’s that old chestnut! Battery life! I mean let’s face it 18 month? Come on . . . . I was hoping for 10 years MINIMUM – with all this super tech stuff – it should be 18 years!
Ah well back to reality . . . . .
I suppose this model from Garmin really IS Smart – what with all the stuff it can do.
Garmin Vivoactive GPS Smart Watch
Will definitely suit the “wannabe” fitness freak, Golfer, Swimmer, Runner and Biker and general Health Nut (heart monitoring and all that).
It also tells you the Time, pairs with your Smart Phone for calls, texts and emails, takes widgets from the ConnectIQ store, has watch face options and has a 3 week battery life in Watch Activity mode (10 hours golf mode).
And it goes without saying this is a GPS enabled watch and it actually looks pretty good – and that’s praise indeed from me.
It’s the slimness that does it as it’s just 8 mm, easy on the wrist and I would suppose if you’re involved in any of the activities described, then this is the only watch you will ever need. And I thought the Tom Tom Golfer watch was the business, but this is something else! And I don’t really like “Smart” watches either – but . . . Wow!
In fact there’s so much in it I can’t even start to explain it all, except to say that it appears that Smart and GPS are here – perhaps to stay AND at a price that is actually affordable. £199 ish from everywhere . . . . . .
I’ll direct you HERE for all the information you need – so get healthy and fit and . . . . whatever.
Personally I’m going for a lie down! (mmm wonder what my heart rate’s doin’ . . . .?)
Note –Whether anyone would need all the functions is of course highly debatable, but the miniaturization of the modules within such a small footprint case is pretty impressive. So whilst I mentioned the Tom Tom Golfer Watch in the text, it is of course hardly comparable. The Tom Tom is designed purely as a GPS Golfing function watch and as that it is ideal for the Golfer – and not all golfers are into the fitness – and I’m definitely one of them!
Another Smart watch but this time connects to the phone operating systems of Android, Windows, including iPhone. Smart use of monochrome LCD displays means longer battery life at around 30 days – with charge point at rear. Classic watch look in a decent steel case at a sensible size, conventional strap/bracelet fitting and with a good clear non touch screen face. Operated by use of the conventional watch pushers – looks good too. Does the smart basics and is more costs effective than many of the big mainstream boys – so this is good news.
Vector Luna Smart watch with classic dial layout
Supposed to be available soon at around $349 or thereabouts and there’s also a square version, the “Meridian”. I prefer the strap version on the Luna above and the fact you can change to a different color strap can really show the watch off to best advantage.
Definitely going in the right direction and good to see a non Apple product with such a sensible approach. Hopefully this is only the start.
One thing Casio has certainly got going for them is their uncanny knack of making watches to suit everyone. And if you’re not a great fan of their “G” shock stuff, then what I call their hybrid plastic/resin & stainless/metalized look models could be for you. One thing is definite, they sport some great electronics, are easy to use, tough as any and make ideal “do everything” daily beaters.
Affordable value Casio World Time Chronograph – the AQ-190W
I actually have a “hybrid” model already, the Casio Tough Solar WVA-470, but more of this later, as here I want to major on the Casio AQ-190W model shown above which is my newest affordable Casio to date. I like this for all sorts of reasons and not just the price, but for having none of the over muscular lumpiness and often less than easy to use pushbuttons of a “G” shock. This particular model is easy to use, easy pushers and easy intuitive functionality and pretty good dial clarity. As I said this is all at a very affordable under £40 price tag – and function for function is very decent value indeed.
It has their competitor’s Citizen Navitimer familiarity about the dial set up, though actually clearer to read and with similar separate digital displays, and it functions in in the same manner. The contrasting background layers, clear digits, contrast and clever use of tones makes this rather good clarity wise, considering the functions shown, though the sub dial is perhaps a little reflective – a matt finish would have been so much better – but perhaps I’m being over critical.
Features – Casio Module 5082
As expected with Casio the feature list is long and mostly useful in this particular model and for those who like chronographs, the 1/1000 sec stopwatch analogue counter is a bit special at this price range.
Resin Glass / curved Spherical Glass
100-meter water resistance
Case / bezel material: Resin / Stainless steel
Stainless Steel Band
One-touch 3-fold Clasp
LED light
Selectable illumination duration, with some afterglow.
World time
29 time zones (48 cities + coordinated universal time), daylight saving on/off, Home city/World time city swapping
1/1000-second stopwatch
Measuring capacity: 99:59’59.999”
Measuring modes: Elapsed time, lap time, split time
Other: Speed (0～498 unit / hour), Selection distance input (0.0～99.9), Best lap indicator
Countdown timer
Measuring unit: 1 second
Input range: 1 minute to 24 hours (1-minute increments and 1-hour increments)
Other: Auto-repeat
5 daily alarms (with 1 snooze alarm) – though one is enough for me!
Hourly time signal
Full auto-calendar (to year 2099) – always a great feature.
12/24-hour format
Regular timekeeping
Analog: 2 hands (hour, minute (hand moves every 20 seconds)
Digital: Hour, minute, second, pm, month, date, day
Accuracy:±30 seconds per month
Approx. battery life: 2 years on CR1220
Size of case: 50.1 × 45.4 × 13.7 mm
Total weight: 98 g
The amazingly bright orange/yellow back light is at 3 o’clock and being just above the 3 marker, it reflects right across the dial and manages to illuminate both the analogue hands and the digital windows, which is a surprise. Certainly bright enough to read the time in the dark and maybe even to find your way to the bathroom at night! and better than expected, especially compared to some other Casio models. Note that the analogue hands and markers are also luminous and pretty decent in their own right.
The World Time feature is about as good as it gets and again very Citizen like. This makes it really easy to adjust, without continual reference to instructions, so is a practical watch for travel.
It’s easy to set the time or to select another Time Zone or indeed change from your current time to your destination time. As the digital and analogue times are linked, you first select World Time and set the destination Zone you want, then “Swap” the digital time you’ve just set on to the hands – simply by pressing buttons A and B at the same time (that is the two upper buttons ) and the hands immediately move quickly round to the new digital setting. Your previous analogue time will now show on the digital screen. On your return journey again select World Time, press both buttons A & B simultaneously again and job done – the times will revert once again. Very simple in practice.
However, whilst the functionality of this model is commendable, inexplicably the quality of the band is let down by rather sharp edges, which can cut into the wrist slightly and this is a real shame. Perhaps this was just on my one.
I say this because in other aspects the bracelet is good, specifically in how it fits to the watch case, via a standard 18 mm spring-bar and is not a moulded Casio only affair.
Because of that you would think that it could be changed for a standard 18 mm wide strap or bracelet. Well it can, but it’s not quite as easy as it sounds and in any case you really shouldn’t have to, and that’s the point.
The reason for my caution here is that whilst the spring-bar fitting is 18 mm, the actual width of the bracelet at the case is around 24 mm, so an 18 mm strap will look much too small in proportion to the watch. I managed to get round that by fitting a modified 24 mm silicon deployment strap, which wasn’t too difficult to do and it looks absolutely fine (when I get a photo of it, I’ll post it here). The watch now has the comfort it should have had at the start!
However, bracelet apart, in terms of price, functions, features, intuitive ease of use, size, weight and style, this is a very, very good buy and it even manages a 100m Water Resistance as well – So it’s really got quite a lot going for it. A friend of mine has a rubber strap version of this model he picked up in India, where it seems to be very popular (Oh had I known!).
AQ-190W (left) and WVA-470 Waveceptor (right)
I’ve done a brief comparison of the two Casio hybrids I have and if pushed as to which I like best – well I’m stuck – both different, but both VERY good.
My WVA-470Waveceptor (Radio Control), Tough Solar, World Time with it’s 5053 module overall marginally might have fractionally better build quality and whilst the bracelet certainly is better, it’s let down by being a Casio fit only.
For travel you basically have to set a new Home Time, but that said, it’s actually very easy to do – press button A (top left) to first see the transmitter selection, then toggle button C (lower left) to the City code – once selected press button A twice. The hands will move to the new Home Time, so pretty fast and easy to manage. It’s a deceptively simple and understated looking watch and it’s also very comfortable to wear and use. Any downside – NONE if you’re happy with the Casio fit bracelet.
And back to the AQ-190W model (module 5082) whilst it doesn’t have Solar or Radio Control, it does have great functionality, especially regarding the World Time feature – and I like the fact you can instantly “swap” any digital Time Zone to the analogue hand indication which is perfect for traveling. Whether the 1/1000 sec chronograph is necessary, depends on personal preference. Personally, I don’t really need such accuracy. Any downside– The sharp sided bracelet on my model is really inexcusable from Casio and whilst a strap could used in place, this is hardly the point. Also after wearing this model for a while, I note the grey coloured hour and minute hands, in certain light lose some contrast against the background. These would be so much better if coloured white. This is something that I didn’t expect, but noticeable after use for a bit and whilst not a sale breaker, should have been avoidable.
24 mm wide alternative Silicon deployment strap – fitted to 18 mm spring-bars.
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As regards Analogue/Digital models, I was starting to think these were on the decline – but far from it. Casio alone have literally dozens of variations on a theme, from the more expensive right down to the incredible under $20 models and each with varying degrees of functionality. It’s a mark of their remarkable strength in depth that almost all of them are pretty good with just a different emphasis here and there, as to the actual featured function.
Unlike their totally resin cased range, where Casio’s quality is near unsurpassed, the composite build models are a different matter. You really do have to carefully check build quality. As seen here with the AQ-190, whilst the watch/case etc is fine, the add on bracelet in my case was not so fine. But it varies with each model and perhaps influenced by where a particular part of the hybrid make up was produced and/or assembled. Some like the WVA-470 for example are about as good as you’ll get and yet model wise only marginally more expensive than the other.
A selection of Casio Ana/Digi’s – AQF1000WD-9BV, AQ160WD-1BV, AE1000WD-1AVCF, AMW700V-1AV, W89HB-5AV, ERA201BK-1AV
There’s no question in my mind and fortunate for my wallet, that in general with Casio, I find the low to mid range priced models represent best value. I invariably find the more expensive range such as Edifice and so on, are not best value.
The model featured in this Post and more so with it’s pal hybrid Wave-ceptor model both represent really good and affordable value.
Also getting away from the grey resin only cased models, I like the look of the composite resin/steel case structure, which effectively lowers the overall price point and they are each a sensible size and whichever one you prefer in this Post, both have exceptional functionality. And they are two of a wide selection from Casio that manage to get the balance just right, and yet I also note are rarely if ever advertised highly. Casio’s marketing hype tends to be geared towards their more expensive models, which I suppose is par for the course.
But don’t be fooled. Really good value Casio models are there, but usually just under the radar and you may have to actively seek them out.
But if you do, I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it.
Note – The WVA-470 Waveceptor,AQ-190W was featured here in my “Watch of the Week” as it still represents a great value watch. I also note there are quite a few variations of this watch (mine could be replaced by now) such as the WVA-105H, the WVA-M630D, the WVA-M640 to name but three . . . . so it appears it was and is still a winning combination and popular.
One of the Smarties I find myself having “time” for is the old (did I say old?) Pebble watch. It seems to have been around for ages and maybe because in “smart” terms it has, but it has also had the chance to be upgraded and refined in line with customer reaction.
Pebble Time and Pebble Steel – Smarter updates at last.
In one of it’s latest guises the Pebble Time model seems on the face of it to be quite decent effort and outdoes Apple in my opinion. It does what it does and seems to do it pretty well.
I particularly like the new display – using color E Ink technology, which makes perfect sense and stretches out the battery life accordingly to something like a week instead of a day, which has to be an improvement.
It also has a microphone, so you can send voice messages or take notes I suppose and the operating system has had something of a major makeover. It uses the “timeline ” idea that lets you see events or notes in chronological order, via 3 side buttons – so a simple idea that makes a lot of sense.
There’s more to this voice microphone stuff than appears at first glance however – you can apparently answer an email immediately by voice or optionally translate that to text. You can also send an audio file, which is great if you’re really busy or in the middle of a noisy crowded street for example. It all sounds a bit more practical than some to me, being a bit of a Neanderthal, so personally it’s looking promising.
I also like the fact they’ve reduced the size of the watch – so important in my opinion – who wants a great square lump on the wrist? It’s smaller and thinner than before at under 10 mm and the case is curved slightly to fit the wrist better. The case is made of a combination of polycarbonate/steel and the glass is super tough “Gorilla glass, so no worries there and it’s water resistant too.
The Pebble Time has a silicon strap which is not molded into the case, but fitted sensibly to a standard bar fit with 22 mm width, so you can easily change it for any standard 22 mm watch strap – and for me Pebble are certainly going in the right direction and refining as they go, which I do like!
And did I mention the proposed price – well it’s around $179 and that’s about as far away from the Apple idea as you can get. And I like that too . . . . 😉
Now whether the whole concept of Smart watches is right or wrong, they seem to be here to stay. Albeit maybe not in their current form as this sort of technology has a way of directional change determined by public reception as much as anything. Personally I think that the mainstream watch manufacturers will eventually offer “proper” watches with their inherently long battery lives of 5 + years and/or solar power maybe, but with the additional functions, such as Bluetooth and “Smart” features as modules that can be used as and when (and if) the wearer requires such connection. Let’s face it nobody asked whether we the public actually wanted or needed a device that “talked” to our cell phone, which can be accessed within a couple of seconds anyway?
Talk about creating a market where it’s a moot point whether there even should be one in the first place – it’s a good trick if you can get away with it!
For me personally I’d be very happy with my normal watch + additional functions, that I can use or not, in preference to what, if I’m honest, I still don’t consider a watch at all, which includes most of the so called “smart” wearables on offer so far. But as Pebble have shown here, the gap between the two disciplines appears to be narrowing – so as ever – Watch this Space.
Sometimes you see a concept in a watch that is a little different from the normal. And even though this idea has been around for along time, this particular model strikes a chord with me I suppose as it has the small button compass, which is far easier to hold in your hand than on your wrist.
Dakota Clip Watch Model 37252
This is the Dakota Watch Men’s Green Angler 11 Ana-Digi Clip watch, which is quite a mouthful to say but actually quite a neat device. The idea here is to “clip” this little item to your belt or pack or whatever is to hand when trekking or hill walking etc.
The watch itself is pretty decent and with a good set of features and a great “not on your wrist” size at 48 mm x 48 mm x 18 mm, which is just about ideal for what essentially is a hand held unit. The speedy carabiner clip is a snap to use – easy off the waist band, hold in left hand horizontally (no twisting of the wrist) use the compass level bubble, take your heading and you’re away. Probably every bit as good as any digital compass watch.
The movement is Japanese Quartz, no details and features Alarm, Date display, Digital display, Dual Time, and a three hand analog dial layout in black orange. Mineral glass crystal and a Water Resistance of 30 m and the case in made from aluminum and stainless steel.
Note the hands are skeletal orange colored and the digital display is well defined in the background and overall looks pretty decent. Four pushers and a Crown and I have to confess I rather like the overall layout as you can see a lot of information at a glance.
Analog Time plus seconds, the Day, Date and the Month plus the time digitally with am/pm indication and or Dual Time. It also features a back light.
The small and separate liquid filled button compass is just below and affixed to the carabiner and there is also a key ring style ring at the side.
Knife and scissors carabiner style Dakota Watch
There are I understand around 5 other variants of this, one of which features a knife blade and scissors – see image inset, though the watch dial is not as good in my opinion and the clip is not the classic carabiner.
However this one is a good idea and a neat watch – I like it and the price even quoted here in the UK isn’t too bad at £56.00
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You can even go digital with this offering from National Geographic – The Altitech 3 Clip Watch
Altitech 3 Clip Watch and Travel Tool
You can apparently get your bearings with this Digital Compass, which also has an Altimeter, Chronograph and Alarms (3) and it even gives you Sunrise and Sunset times – Wow! Must be a backpacker thing – me – I’m too old for all that, but I like it anyway!
Bedside Alarm too
Things like an 80-log memory for total ascent and descent – does this make sense to you folks?
However I particularly like the way it can sit up and be used as a clock, that is really neat. It’s around the same price as the Dakota and as I’ve discovered there are literally dozens of these “clip” watches around – it’s amazing and maybe shows how out of touch I am these days – Ah well . . . .
Anyway interesting items and there seems to be no shortage of them, some good and some not so good. These two I quite like as they show a couple of different approaches tech wise in a small way and at the end of the day – you takes your pick!
Watch space 
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