How could I . . .

Just thinking the other day how could I manage to sell on my old Citizen Navihawk and realizing afterwards what an idiot I was. Maybe it was the fact that I was still looking for new things and it wasn’t being worn as much as I liked. Or maybe it was the technology at that time and maybe it was me that wasn’t ready for it, or it had too busy a dial or whatever – I simply don’t know and that of course was as I now realize – regrettable in the extreme.
For it was a classic of it’s time and I should be wearing it now – but alas not to be . . .

My old "techno 3" - or what I thought were the greatest. But only one remains! — My old “techno 3” – or what I thought were the greatest. But only one remains!

Today of course fortunately there are models that are now the offspring of that great watch and fortunately they have improved them and not messed around with that amazing dial construction, which let’s face it was the attraction that so many of us felt at the time. My old model for example didn’t have Eco-drive and didn’t have Radio Control and it was stainless steel, though in fairness it was very neat on the wrist, as most watches were smaller than today’s counterparts.

So I thought OK I messed up last time and today I’m going to make amends for passing up a classic of it’s era. Yes I’ve decided I’m going to get myself a Citizen Navi or Sky something and it’s going to be a keeper! And there are a few around, though some don’t have that “look”and some seem larger, not as neat, so I’m being careful here because it’s important to me – this time.

At one time I had what I called my techno 3, that is the models I thought were the latest thing. The Navihawk, the Attesa and the Breitling – and would you believe of the trio I only have one remaining and it’s not the Citizens, but my Breitling.

But and it’s a big but – what Citizen model will I choose?
Well there are quite a few models to pick from and they all have little differences and at the end of the day it’s about personal preference. It’s about the one that “says” it for you and I remember so well that my old one did just that and for whatever reason. So after a lot of looking and examining and thinking how I feel and so on I have a choice of two.

Either the Citizen Skyhawk model JY0110-55E Red Arrows Titanium AT or the JY0005-50E Skyhawk Radio Controlled, Eco-Drive AT model.

Latest classic for me. The Citizen Skyhawk JY0110-55E in Titanium

Why I picked these two versions over others is just the feeling that they have the “look” of the old one with that curved bezel look, the short round buttons as opposed to the T shaped pushers others have, and just two not four plus an added crown, which eases World Time changing over the older model.

Citizen JY0005-50E A-T RC, Eco-Drive in IP stainless

I also like the different bezel grips, elongated in the first one and dot protrusions on the other which reflect the original bezel grip idea and I prefer that both hour hands are NOT skeletal (my only dislike on my old model). Functionality wise they are both identical and both models are now Eco-Drive, so no battery concerns ever and being Radio Controlled there are no accuracy issues when changing time zones, each of which is an improvement. One is Titanium and the other is IP Stainless Steel so one is lighter on the wrist, and both have short case lugs, which are wrist friendly and they’ve improved the water resistance from 100m to 200m.

The indices on both I note are heavier which aids clarity and both digital displays are slightly different in layout and smaller on the right side, but with larger digits than the older model, and with the addition of better quality anti-reflection coating inside the glass these should have better overall clarity. All good and yet without compromising that indefinable element of what attracted me in the first place.

They both in their way look right.

Which will I finally pick is down to how I feel and at this moment I’m favoring the JY0005-50E owing to dial coloration in and on the dial and maybe the bezel grips? I also note that the IP Stainless model is considerably cheaper by around £100, which is important especially as functionality is the same. Though on the other hand I do like Titanium! I also like the fact that one of them has marginally less dial text (no Red Arrows). Yikes! this is NOT easy!

It’s also true to say, that whichever one I choose, that this is one of the classic Citizen milestone models which basically has hardly changed cosmetically from the day it first appeared. Always a good point in any design is when they get it right from day one – and that’s a feat in itself.

It was a winner then and it’s a winner now.

But hey! whatever one I do pick – this is definitely a keeper for me – this time! 😉

Addendum –
The model I’ve picked (yes I’ve made my selection) will be featured as a more in depth subject of a near future Post.
One thing is so obvious when the watch is in your hand and that’s the fact it is a Citizen Classic. The wonderful analog/digital dial layout (which some said would never work) and function combination, heralded a new age in digital watches and Citizen to my mind came of age with their introduction. The addition of Radio Control and Eco-Drive to the range is a logical extension and will ensure the popularity of the Navihawk and Skyhawk to a new generation.

Seiko values

My latest trawl through Seiko watches show just how this Company are climbing up the price ladder and somehow the attraction of Astron and GPS enables models isn’t as great as they’d like to think, for me at any rate. I’m of the old school and still expect that wonderful yet innovative value from Seiko as I do from the other two – Citizen and Casio and yet looking at their web site I see some unexpected prices for Seikos . . .! Seems to be a contradiction in terms through my old peepers.

Take their Hi-Beat range at £5000 to £23,000 (yes I kid you not!) or their GPS Solar models from £1495 – £2995. And bear in mind that the technology used in these babies is advancing so fast that whatever you buy today will be out of date almost before you’ve got it out the box! OK I kid a little, but you know what I mean. So are they actually worth that kind of cash?

Anyway I brought myself down to earth (and my blood pressure) and thought – where’s the Seiko value for money?

Seiko SMY139P1 with the Kinetic module 5M83 — Seiko SMY139P1 with the Kinetic module
5M83

And I came up with this – the Seiko SMY139P1 5M83 Day and Date, Kinetic movement, Ion plated and with sensible dimensions of just 41mm x 10mm and with a bracelet. Black dial, Hardlex crystal, super clarity and lovely broad full Lumibrite (Seiko) luminous hands with a sweep center seconds hand. 100m Water Resistant case and the classic uncluttered Seiko look.
For those not familiar with Kinetic, this movement responds to the action of your wrist. It is NOT an automatic mechanical model, though it’s as close as you can get I suppose but it’s also a quartz movement. The action of wearing the watch operates a tiny electrical generator that in turn generates electricity and charges the battery. Note the battery is a special rechargeable one unlike the standard watch battery.

So you buy the watch and once out the box it may or may not be ticking. If not just wave it around a few times and it will start. An idea of function is that when you wear the watch and walk for around 750m, the battery will charge and easily last about 2 days, so this gives you the idea that as you wear it, you charge it.

On this model there is a discrete Power Reserve Indicator, not at first visible on the dial as you use the push button @2. Press that and the Second hand will move round clockwise to indicate certain positions. If it stops at the 5secs this denotes around 1 day, at 10secs will be around 10 days. The further it goes the higher the power reserve state of the battery. At 30secs for example the reserve is around 6 months and so on. And if really well charged and you don’t wear it for a year, take it out the drawer give it a waggle and it will start up again.

Note – this is not like a digital module watch which will resume the correct time using step motors and so on, as this is purely a charging system analog watch and you will have to manually set the Day, Date and Time again in the usual manner with the crown.

But what this is, is a proper value Seiko in my opinion. The technology is amazing (there is a video somewhere) and it’s all contained in a neat sized watch, which is easy to read in all light situations. It indicates the big three as I call them – that’s TIME, DATE and DAY, which for most of us is all we actually need. It can be drowned in the pool and worn under a cuff and never needs a battery, so what else do you need.

It costs around £200 and there are three versions I think – This one here is the black Ion Plated version, there’s a Stainless Steel version and one with a textile strap at £20 less.

I’m glad I found it as for a minute or two I thought Seiko had lost the plot!

Hip Hop – bit of fun . .

If you’re one of those guys into fashion, you’ll always be on the lookout for a watch that you can mix and match colors and so on, just so you’re in the groove so to speak. And the Italian Brand Hip Hop is probably a good choice.

Hip Hop HWU0177 - BLACK TIE from the Sportsman collection — Hip Hop HWU0177 – BLACK TIE from the Sportsman collection

The model I prefer out of the whole range is this one – the Hip Hop HWU0177 Black Tie model. It’s larger than most of their range at 42mm with the usual plastic/rubbery case with attitude and this has the Calendar analog module Miyota Quartz movement, so is pretty good in operation. It shows Time, Seconds, Date and Day of the week with it’s sub-counter dials. Color scheme is interesting and the hour and minute hands are bright white infilled with touches of blue reflected in the Crown and the 12 numeral. Water resistance is 5 atm.

Where it scores fashion wise is that the complete movement is held within a secondary strap/case which can be popped out of the surrounding rubbery one, allowing it to be fitted into another outer case. The case/straps are interchangeable so this is really a fashion accessory as much as a watch. Been around in Italy since 1984 and still here so they’re obviously doing something right.

Now OK this is perhaps not what serious watch collecting is all about, but it’s a bit of fun and with the Miyota movements inside are as solid and reliable as you’ll get – so why not?

There are a few mix and match fashion watches around, but this one for me is one of the better efforts – I like it especially as it is a decent size.

A single watch like this costs around £30-£40 ish and you can add to this of course, so watch how far you go before it becomes unfashionable wallet wise!

Timex – better or worse?

Every so often I check out what the latest is at Timex and have they brought out actual new models or rehashes of older ones. The ones I’ve spotted so far are not really what I wanted to see, because they are basically rehashes of older models and not only that, in my opinion they are not real improvements.
The first one I noticed is a “shock” model and is the Vibration Alarm T49984SU.

Timex T49950XL Vibration Alarm with bespoke strap.

This is basically an update my older Expedition Vibration Alarm Chronograph – Model T49854J but with added “shock” protection.
However that added shock protection doesn’t do a great deal for me as the old model was already tough as old boots and function wise they’re very similar with 3 alarms, 3 time zones, chronograph, timer etc etc. and of course the vibration feature, which I have to say is excellent and surprisingly useful on my older model.

Older model T Vibration Alarm - Note standard strap & lugs. — Older model T49854J Vibration Alarm – Note standard strap & lugs.

The downside for me however, stops me even considering purchasing the new model, because even though it increases the Water Resistance from 100m to 200m, it is not as good when it comes to the strap/bracelet arrangement. Once again and disappointingly, Timex have now built-in a bespoke strap arrangement. They’ve narrowed the lugs from the older model, which prevents the use of any standard watch strap and yes you guessed it, you’ll have to buy another one from Timex when it breaks. It might be possible to add a normal strap, but it would be a narrow one to fit the lugs and wouldn’t look so good.

So disappointing for me but very glad I got my older model when I did, because it has been excellent in every way.

As regards straps, I note their standard Expedition Base Shock models still have standard strap/lug arrangements, Dual time zones (two is ideal), 100m WR (no vibration) but much better value price wise. Indeed I have one myself (Timex Expedition T49976) in camo and found nothing to better it from any Brand – see my review – HERE

Timex also have a shock World Timer model, the T49971SU which seems impressive with some 62 cities and 30 Time Zones represented and 100m Water resistance.

Timex T49971SU World Time with 62 cities

I Like the fact it has 3 quick set Time Zones so you can prepare the watch before travel as it were, which is useful in addition to the full World Time function.
The downside for me again is this business of the non standard strap/lug arrangement, narrowed lugs and a bespoke resin strap affair. And whilst a nice watch and a good standard module function set which I expect from Timex, I sometimes have to question and this is not just about Timex, but with any World Time watch, if it’s really necessary. In practical terms Dual or maybe 3 Time Zones to me makes far more sense and rather pointless carrying all the Time Zones of the world around with me.

When I went to Brazil via Madrid from the UK, the 3 Time Zones on my old model was perfect. Before I left the UK, I simply keyed in the different times for London, Madrid and Brazil as T1, T2 and T3 – job done.

I do like the fact that Timex introduced the concept of 3 settable Time Zones, as this seems to me to be a very practical World Time arrangement, though I wouldn’t be surprised if many Timex owners didn’t realize they had it.

Sorry if I’ve rambled a bit and perhaps got off the plot here, but that’s the thing with Timex. They have so many models which appear so similar, confusion rules and you have really got to look very carefully at each model to be able to fit a particular model to your particular likes – and it’s tricky!

Indeed I thought – Ha! new models from Timex! – but after checking carefully, I have decided to stick with the ones I have – for now . . . .

100 years Zeppelin, but . . .

Having a soft spot for German watches, this one from Zeppelin should be a really nice addition to anyone’s wrist, but note I say “should”, as I have reservations.

Zeppelin 100 years Dual Time - Swiss Quartz Ronda 6203.B — Zeppelin 100 years Dual Time – Swiss Quartz Ronda 6203.B

The Zeppelin Men’s 100 Years Zeppelin Dual Time Brown Leather Strap Watch – 7640-1 is certainly one of the most handsome models around that doesn’t break the bank at under £150 discounted.

The classic dial has a Big Date window @12 and a Dual Time sub-dial @6 which is freely adjustable. It’s powered by the excellent Swiss analog Quartz Ronda 6203.B Normtech jeweled movement with a specified 40 months battery life.
The silver colored dial has in contrast black steel hour, minute and center seconds hands and dot markers with the tachometer figuring look good and about as traditional as you can get.

But for me they have missed out on a most important aspect and that’s night time use. I see no luminous hands or markers to this dial, which in my opinion is a real let down as once it’s dark – you too are in the dark as far as reading the time (and in a balloon high in the sky at night? – Zeppelin?)

I thought when I first saw it that the well shaped hour and minute hands had luminous infills, but to my dismay these are simply skeletal and even the markers are silvered dots, so it appears there’s no luminous anything on this watch face and that’s disappointing.

The case is a nice hand finished Stainless Steel and at 42mm diameter and only 11mm in height it’s well proportioned and yet, here again it is, perhaps marginally, let down by what is a relatively modest Water Resistance of just 5ATM.

I mean for me the whole concept of Zeppelins and aircraft and scenes of these great Zeppelins hanging in the night sky and flying, and all that entails, surely means practicality and being able to see in the dark is one element that to my mind is absolutely essential. So to have what I would consider a must have functionality missing, is a great disappointment.
Indeed it’s stopped me from adding this model to my affordable collection, which is a shame as I was looking forward to enjoying it.

But hey, that’s life and one thing I have found over the years is that when it comes to watches, it’s always tricky to get just what you want.

Note –
It does show that you should be careful when checking images on the internet. It’s very easy to assume that the hour and minute hands in this second image are luminous infilled – and they’re not. The first image is much clearer and shows the true picture.

Moving on (part 2) – complications

The trouble with complications is that once you have these squeezed into a watch, there are usually two distinct problems. The first is Size and the second is user friendliness. Regarding the first problem – often the watch is physically just too big, the lug to lug distance resulting in overhanging the average wrist so much that it simply doesn’t fit the average wrist at all. An excessive diameter measurement even though large, might be acceptable, but coupled it with a large Height or thickness, the entire watch becomes unwieldy and looks pretty silly if we’re being honest.

The second problem of User friendliness or ease of use is another matter and a direct result of the added complications factor. How does the Manufacturer enable all these extra functions without having more buttons, pushers and so on and expect the user to remember what on earth to do, to action a particular function. Do the instructions make sense, easy to follow and above all are they intuitive?

Casio GW-1000-AER – big watch with complications

A for instance is this Casio GA-1000- 1AEF model that has a respectable functionality with analog hands showing the time, plus a digital set up that also can show the time (not linked) and also a Timer, Chronograph, Alarms, World Time, Thermometer and a Digital Compass for good measure. It now becomes complicated and it doesn’t have Solar which is a pity as the Solar function doesn’t require any input from the user at all!
It has 4 pushers plus a large Compass pusher too but no crown. To adjust the analog time takes a fair old bit of push buttoning (is there such a phrase?)and digital sequence of events and to get both digital time and analog time to agree is even trickier. And you might well have left the instructions at home – silly boy!
Casio has however made compass calibration simpler? than usual, by using the 180º method, which means you only turn the watch 180º and the watch does the calibration automatically – sort of . . . . . and no I don’t understand it either! and I still need the instructions to remember how to manage it . . .

One other thing to say about this watch – for a twin sensor model it is a brute and just far too big!

Many models today maybe digital only and any and all adjustments are managed by a sequence of pushers and buttons and a good user memory. Add in an analogue function or two as in ana/digi models and there are more choices perhaps for the introduction of Crown usage – or not – in the case of some Radio Controlled models. With these why have a crown at all as the time should always be correct via the Radio Signals?
There are some models however that have thankfully decided that even with Radio Control functionality, maybe a Crown is a darned good idea. It’s another and importantly a familiar control that users could certainly appreciate.

The trouble was I wanted a model with a Digital Compass. Don’t ask why – I just did, perhaps the geek in me and funnily enough apart from making the watch very large the Compass is the easiest thing to work on the Casio GW1000 watch. Simply push the big button and Bob’s yer uncle! And I like the watch, but surely I thought there must be an alternative? Something sleeker, more user friendly and without frequent referral to that darned instruction booklet.

However today I think I’ve found it at last! My Holy Grail – maybe . . . .

EQW-A1200B-1AJF Japan domestic version - RC, Solar, World Time, Digital Compass etc. — EQW-A1200B-1AJF Japan domestic version – RC, Solar, World Time AND Digital Compass.

I introduce the EQW-A1200B-1AJF from Casio – and note this is a Japan domestic model and on the face of it – it looks a nice smooth watch. Doesn’t even look complicated. But it is . . .

This model has not only the same functionality as my previous watch, but has additional ones, such as Radio Control and Solar Power. That means it’s always correct time wise and you forget about batteries. And yes this model also has a Digital Compass which is only noticeable because it says so on the dial! This is something I wasn’t expecting – a rather understated refinement and an almost elegant watch from Casio. Isn’t that nice . . . .
The watch dimensions are also rather good at 44.5mm diameter, a commendable lug to lug of just 52mm (I think my “G” shock above is something like 58mm) and a very slim and compact 12.8mm height. So very wearable for anybody – and about time I’d say!

The dimensions are very encouraging indeed, so it appears the Size issue has been resolved here. What about the second issue – User friendliness.
Important especially when you consider this model has not less but more complications than my big Casio – have they addressed this too?

Slim model at only 12.8mm height - with a compass! — Slim model at only 12.8mm height – with a compass!

Well things are looking good as this model doesn’t have a digital display and does have a Crown and that to me is a very good sign. Note too that it’s got just 3 pushers plus the Crown – so how will Casio manage with what appears to be less?
Well they manage very well with the Module 5325 as it happens and I give a quick run down on the different aspects of control with this model –

1) World Time and setting your own Home Time – this is as about as easy as it gets. Unscrew the Crown, then pull out the Crown. The Second hand will move and point to the City code the watch has been set to previously. Simply turn the Crown to move the Second hand around the city codes to the one you wish to set. Then push the Crown in – the hour and minute hands, perhaps the date and 24hr hands will move to reflect the time of that city. If OK screw the Crown back in – Job done! You can also swap Home and World cities and that’s easy too.

2) The lower dial – shows the mode the watch is set to – such as Timekeeping, World Time, Stopwatch, Countdown Timer, or Alarm. And note the same dial on Timekeeping points to the Day of the week. And also note that push button [C] (lower left) is the mode selector control so each press will cycle through the available modes. Note this dial also shows Receiving state and battery state too.

3) The Digital Compass – couldn’t be simpler as it has it’s own control at [A] push button (the buttons are lettered clockwise from [A] upper right). Unlike the digital display Casio GA1000 model this watch does not display any digital angular degrees. It is just like a standard North indicating compass. The bezel is fixed but does have some (sparse I’d have to say) degree markings on the inner blued ring which may be useful. So turning the watch around with Compass mode activated so that the North pointer lines up with the N on the bezel, then checking the bezel against your direction of travel and you’ve got some idea where you’re going. To use practically, I suppose the tried and tested “sit it on a map” alignment procedure is about as good as you’d get.

4) The Timer – this is up to 60 minutes only. Again use button [C] to select TR (Timer) on the lower dial. Unlock the Crown by screwing it out, then pull out and turn to set the Timer duration. In this operation the Minute hand will be the pointer – set it at 12 for 60 minutes and clockwise to any other time less than that. Press [A] to start. An Alarm will sound for 10 seconds on completion and button [B] will reset.

A similar idea for the Chronograph operation, select via [C] and [A] to start and [B] to reset and so on – you’ll soon get the hang of it. And the Alarm is more of the same and here you can see the value of this Crown and in use a pattern is quickly established that you can remember – Select with [C]- set with the Crown – start with [A] and reset with [B].

Interesting lug/strap fixing to resin strap. Possible alternatives if required? maybe . .

It all reminds me so much of my older Citizen analog Radio Controlled, Solar and World Timer model, which used the crown in exactly the same way, though a simpler and less complicated model of course. I love it and wear it often and I can see the same thing happening here even with all these complications.

Other features are a very good night “Neobrite” illumination on hands and indices, good Water Resistance at 10BAR or 100m, Date, Day and Time continuous indication (always a good thing), a fully automatic Calendar to 2099, light weight steel and aluminum case & bezel resulting in a weight of only only 92gms.

I’d say Casio might have just about got it perfect this time – though as always until you have it on your wrist for a week or so – you never know!

Moving on (part1) – technology’s march

I suppose “moving on” is about as good way to describe how Quartz technology has transformed watches of today from when I started collecting. I also belies just how fast this movement was and still is. I well remember a great quartz model I bought a considerable number of years ago that I thought was about as good as it got.

This was the Citizen Eco Drive BM8180-54E

which featured a more or less conventional set up, but sported Solar Power, a Day and Date display and great lume visibility in the dark and is still as good as it gets for what it does and amazingly still around in various guises today. I mean Solar Power simply transformed the thing into another realm. No more battery issues though not quite set and forget – allowing for the +/-15 secs/month accuracy of course, as the end of month date was still something you had to sort out. But that aside . . .

That end of month issue was eventually sorted out or bypassed by the introduction of digital displays – the module took care of the date as it was programmed to a date well in the future and probably longer than you would have the watch for. However as I like the traditional Day and Date window idea, technology today has come to the rescue again and even with mechanical disc Date windows, these can be what they call Perpetual Calendars – or until 2099 or some-such, so good news. Such as the Citizen AT World Time – image below.

But that said with the introduction of digital displays and the newer hybrids showing both analog and digital displays things really took off. Just look at Casio, Citizen or Seiko, who between them probably account for the bulk of the watch quartz revolution and how their models have multiplied in sheer technological functionality. Not only do we now have Solar Power, we can add in World Timers, Chronographs, Alarms, thermometers and now ABC’s or Altimeters, Barometric Pressure, Forecasting and Digital Compasses.

The Citizen AT World Time - the very best for traveling. — Citizen AT World Time – center crown control – so easy!

Unfortunately there is always a down side and as I’ve said before, this is usually SIZE – yes to shoehorn all this technology into a watch is difficult and as a consequence watch sizes have got bigger.

Whilst efforts are made with every new model to reduce module and sensor sizes. This adds another problem because they’re smaller. What happens can defeat the object. I can hear them already – “Wow, we can put even more into the watch” and so the watch size is still perhaps larger than ideal. Couple this with the incredible rise of “tough” watches or in the case of Casio, the “G” shock phenomenon, for that’s what it is. It is a fact that a quartz watch in a standard stainless steel case is already pretty tough, and be honest, probably tough enough for most of us. So a cult and fashion thing perhaps, but add this “tough” aspect of a physical case shroud to more functions, more sensors etc. that “tough” protection swells the watch size again and perhaps out of proportion.

So we saw the rise of super tough models which were and are “macho” perhaps, but also were the models featuring all this “boys own” technology – and let’s face it, no matter how much fun, much of it is superfluous.

So it’s refreshing to see the same Watch Brands addressing that issue in another way. Here they’ve taken much of this new technology and started incorporating it into more traditional looking watches. And without tough case shrouds the watch sizes reduced from diameters of 50mm+ back to 40’s and importantly slimmer too from 16mm down to 12mm or 13mm. It proved if nothing else that it was “Shock” watches that were and still the main culprit for the rise in watch sizes, and not actually the technology.

Which brings me to my latest model from Casio – The Casio Edifice EQW1200B-1AJF.

It’s a conventional looking model with Solar Power, 44.5mm diameter and just 12.8mm height. It has World Time, Chronograph, Timers and Alarms plus a perpetual Calendar (till 2099) with a conventional style Date window and a Digital Compass, which is also relatively slim and sleek and for what it contains, definitely understated (similar crown control to the Citizen AT).

For more detail on the Edifice EQW model – see Part (2) next post.

And here I think at last our Watch technology is finally fitting into it’s rightful place. A bit like the old Computers that used to fill an entire room and now you carry in your hand!

Tissot T-Touch Solar - my new Daily Beater! — Tissot T-Touch Solar – hidden functions!

Here’s another non Shock but though not quite a conventional watch – the Tissot “Touch” Solar. Perhaps the ultimate ABC classic at the moment which has a similar functions but operationally unique, with Digital Compass, Barometric Pressure, Altitudes and weather forecasting, Chronograph, Timers, Alarms, Dual/Swap Local Time (what I call practical World Time – so many are a catalog of city codes) etc. – great luminous properties and night light and all in a very plain dial background. And that’s it’s particular secret – that dial is virtually empty and only shows what is selected and even the digital display hides away when not required. Once again an understatement if there ever was and yet hiding an amazing range of functionality.

How much of all this stuff you would find useful is anyone’s guess and we’re all different of course, so for some a must have and for others – well like me. However I love the EQW Edifice here simply as it is so understated and the quite unexpected bonus of the Digital compass?

Well I was a boy once and it just appeals . . . but importantly the core value functions are all there too and it doesn’t look like science fiction at all – but of course it is . . . it really is!

Update on big “G”

Had this guy for a few months now and decided to update the experience so far. A BIG watch for me this Casio “G” Shock GA-1000-1AER from their G-Aviation series, but nevertheless a serious piece of kit with very little in the way of gimmickry I have to say.

Might look cluttered - but not so! A quick glance and you know the time - whatever the light conditions. — Might look cluttered – but not so! A quick glance and you know the time – whatever the light conditions.

Not least because unusually it is NOT an ABC watch, though it looks like it – and it’s not Radio Controlled nor Solar powered model, though again it looks like it should be. This is a battery powered model, pure and simple. I understand this is the first watch in this series to have twin sensors. It also looks as if this big and bold dial should be cluttered – but it’s not and in fact is one of the easiest and clearest Casio “ana/digi combo” models I’ve seen that manages great analogue clarity and I mean “quick glance” stuff. A quick glance in any light conditions and you can instantly read the time without fail.

The secret is in the detail of the dial construction, multi-layered with great white, almost 3D like indices and markers, in bright white plus great big hands for the analogue function, with plenty of luminous qualities to boot. The watch is also amazingly light weight, so big as it is, with the ultra thin silicon/resin strap and flat buckle arrangement it manages to fit even my average wrist at 170mm. Not a dress watch of course and not intended to be but it manages better than many surprisingly.

Multi-layered dial construction is the key to clarity. Big markers, big hands!

And for night use, it’s pretty good and maybe one of Casio’s better efforts, which is also a real plus, as NOT being a dress watch, it could well be worn in situations where reading the time in the dark is exactly what you want. A slight issue perhaps is the fact the digital displays are not illuminated and whilst a negative point about which others have commented, it appears in their respective reviews no-one’s marked the watch down because of it. So I assume like me, they find as long as you can tell the time at night or in the dark, then that’s good enough.

The interestingly figured Seconds hand doubles as the compass. That is the Digital Compass pointer – and in this respect it is excellent. The bright white arrow head pointer is cleverly counterbalanced by the long double split pivot overhang, so making this a very clear and easily read pointer for compass North. Nothing in the background distracts seeing the pointer at North, the digital upper window shows the general E,W S and North heading and the lower one the degrees of the watch head @12. Super simple and very clear to read (however if you need to use a compass at night, then this is not the best watch for you).

For me it hardly matters as I rarely use compass much today anyway, but the other watch features – Alarm, Timer, chronograph and the really excellent World Timer all work fine and are easily used – and this is where the large dial seems justified somehow.

It’s probably the biggest watch I have and I doubt I’ll ever get another this size, but it’s amazingly light, it works really well and I can easily read the time anytime, anywhere and once on the wrist it’s forgotten – until you need to know the time. So it’s a bit different, but the best part is simple – and I mean “simple” – it’s simple to read and amongst all that “apparent” dial clutter, it’s simple to tell the time – and that’s got to be good!

So basically I’m pretty satisfied with this model, though in all honesty today I suppose there is one function that maybe I’d like to see added. Namely the watch needs to be Radio Controlled. I say this as to change the analogue hands to the correct time, if inaccuracy creeps in as it will, requires you to go through a push button sequence. You have to press button A (top left) until ADJ comes up, then use button D (lower left) to cycle through the options. You then get to the time options which will flash in turn and adjust accordingly, which of course is no great hardship, but is time consuming and you have to remember which buttons to use etc. IF it was simply a case of pulling out a center crown and adjusting the hands it wouldn’t be an issue at all, as there would be no trying to remember what to do.
As I say a minor matter perhaps, but it should borne in mind when considering a model without the center crown controlling analogue indications. There will always be a digital sequence to go through to manage what should be a quick and simple operation.

But I still like this big watch and I wear it quite often – and that’s usually proof of a good buy.

My original feature is HERE for further information.

Something different (2)

Very different but also for the experience, something of pretty good value too. It’s the Dietrich OTC-A01 or the Organic Time Chronometer A model , version 02 and I think personally that it’s one of a very special breed that thinks it’s skeleton and yet still manages to be easily read. And that my friends is no easy feat believe me!

Dietrich OTC or Organic Time Chronometer 02

The movement that is seen in part skeleton form is the enhanced Automatic mechanical Miyota 82S7 with the escapement visible in the dial and the time indication is by the wonderfully sculpted Hour and Minute hands in night bright luminescent Superluminova, a small seconds and 24 hour hand in addition. Note the amazing seconds indicator at 4 o’clock which is the hexagonal star shaped disk in a polished yellow gold tone that rotates continually which gives a wonderfully fascinating “automaton” mobile effect to the watch wearer.

The case, frame are made of 316L Stainless Steel micro-bead blasted with black DLC coated bead blasted stainless polished bezel on top. The glass is Sapphire with anti-reflection coatings applied on the under surface along with the Superluminova coated indices.

Note the interestingly sculpted case and strap arrangement - it wirks! — Note the interestingly sculpted case and strap arrangement – it works!

The Water Resistance is a healthy 50m or 5ATM and the Crown is sealed with a double O-ring and the case back is an engraved screw back. Dimension wise it appears at fist glance to be quite large with a width of 49mm (including the crown), though this is tempered by a much smaller than anticipated lug to lug measurement of just 48mm. The height is also smaller than at first appearing at just 13.7mm, so a deceptive piece of construction in my view. The strap is a NATO style nylon and there is also a carbon finish strap available as an option.

The color scheme I selected here is the more subtle Red (02 model)as it comes with the dark finish case which I prefer. There is other more sudden color scheme (the 01) with bright fluorescent green being the most popular I understand.

The options - 01, 02 and 03 — The options – 01, 02 and 03

The dial of course is the most striking element of this model and has a unique 4 layered black dial, which allows the wearer to see everything and more, very easily. In fact as I alluded to in the first sentence, this watch only requires a “quick glance” to be able to tell the time quickly, something that some watches even with plain dials can’t seem to manage.

Luminous background for the 24hr dial - so clever and so effective — Luminous background for the 24hr dial – so clever and so effective (image from the Arab Watch Guide)

And finally as I said, this watch is not as big as it first appears owing to it’s rather unique design with the underneath strap carrier being curved to the wrist and the top to bottom dimensions being to compact.

Fits the wrist easily! (image from the Arab Watch guide)

Here you can see it fits rather well on the wrist and doesn’t look large at all. Perhaps something that other watch makers should look at, as they often have real trouble making a watch fit a normal wrist. Dietrich though have no such issues and it’s even more amazing when you consider the cost of this technical, individual and yes “organic” marvel is under, yes under £1000.

I love it.

I’ve got to get one – it’s as simple as that – it really is . . . .

Limes Neptune series

The German made Limes Endurance series of watches has been a favorite Divers/Sports watch for some time and here I feature the Neptune 1 model U8777-LA2.2. One of it’s main features of course is the fact that it is a 100atm Water Resistant stainless steel cased model – and that’s 1000m for those into figures.

Limes Neptune 1 - a 1000m Water Resistant Sports/Diver — Limes Neptune 1 – a 1000m Water Resistant Sports/Diver

The second feature I like is the fact that it manages this incredible Water resistance with a case measuring only around 41mm diameter and just 12.6mm thick, so is also very wearable without being a large chunk of metal and on almost any sized wrist.

A deceptively simple dial arrangement in black/white with orange luminous indices and white/orange luminous hour and minute hands plus a conservatively sized Date window between 4 and 5. Note there are quite a few scales within this dial, not obvious at first but useful. There are in this range other configurations of hand/indices colors and so on but basically they are quite similar.
The well defined bezel is uni-directional and I particularly like the separate definition metal finish on the 10, 20, 30 ,40 50 and 60 bezel marks making for really good visibility. The large protected and easily gripped crown is of course a full a screw down type. Powered by the Sellita SW200 standard Automatic movement it is also therefore a very reliable and solid performer. This version comes with a good quality leather strap with contrasting stitching and stainless steel bracelets are also available.

Compact Limes Neptune Diver – solid construction

It’s another one of those rare watch models that looks so much larger than it actually is – not an easy feat in itself, which I personally think a subtle but no less valid sales point.

The other good aspect of this range is the pricing, which for the Neptune 1 here is around €740 and you certainly get a great water resistance pretty unmatched by others at this size either and for me could easily end up as a “daily beater” with no worries about where it ends up.

So yet another one of those German made watch models that you don’t see so often outside of Germany and perhaps the USA.

Their web site is HERE. and well worth a look as they also produce the Pharo and Chyros series models which are quite different in looks and function. My favorite of the others is the Chyros 3 Hands/Date – Silvered / black leather strap – Ref. number: U6017-LA1.5 but that’s another story.