Overload? Time for change . . .

Overload indeed and in this case it applies perfectly to this Citizen what with the sheer data overload of the JY8035-04E, which I spotted the other day.

Warning - Data overload !!! — Warning – Data overload !!!

Of course it’s that wonderful gadget style Citizen look we all love, but at the end of the day what’s supposed to be practical isn’t really – is it? and be honest. When did you last use the car analogy, fuel and distance, acceleration and slide rule data chapter rings and the like. The sheer amount of information on this dial is as staggering as it’s impractical. Most folk will look at and understand perhaps one set of data and that’s the Time, ‘cos it’s got those big clear hands and that gentlemen is about it.
But surprisingly even the basic information such as the date info is not really readily seen, here depending on whether it’s a positive or negative display. The one featured here for example, clarity wise, I wouldn’t even consider.

Amazing when you think that at the other end of the spectrum, Citizen also produce (still) one of the clearest, practical and easy to read models that exists – and is still one of their very best sellers – the BMB180-03E

and older variations of it such as the BMB8470-11E or the 54E and so on – as there are quite a few of them around. I’ve had mine since 2008 and it is as good today as when I bought it AND still worn as a solid daily beater.

When I got mine it was under £100 and some versions are still seen today at under £70, though the latest incarnation retails at just over the £100.

So it seems to me that the clear to read Eco-Drive Date model is practically about as good as a watch probably needs to be and pretty obvious why it is a best seller. The title of this Post really does illustrate the massively over-populated dial of the Cal U680 JY8035-04E model shown in the first image.

Others too have started to realize, especially with the rise of the Smart Watch, that maybe there is a place for everything and it’s really a difficult if not impossible task to try and get everything on such a small faced item worn on the wrist. Indeed the latest thinking is that the “Smart” gadget will not really be a watch at all – and the Time as such will not actually be displayed on the front page at all – in fact a watch will actually BE required as well and which manages to tell the basics such as Time, Day and Date is now probably needed more than ever. The Smart gadget is only now being understood as something else entirely, though goodness knows when or where it will all settle down, as it’s pretty obvious they are nowhere near that point yet.

The public in the meantime are footing the development costs for a plethora of high tech items that will in their present state be superseded many, many times in it’s creation.

So for me I’ll stick to the wristwatch and forget about the overloaded models, along with the so called “Smart” watches, as I and most of us I fancy are simply not ready for it yet.

Quality & Style

Quality and Style – something that Cartier has always had in abundance and yet many of the models just don’t do it for me. Possibly as the model shapes are now so familiar they perhaps breed “oh it’s one of those again” comments, which is of course rather unfair – but fact nevertheless.

But as always I have a favorite and it’s the Calibre de Cartier model which has a really modern, clean and perfectly structured look. It stands out for me in a few ways, not least that it’s very easy to read, has luminous hands and 4 luminescent points @12, 3, 6 and 9. A clever 3 date view window @3 which is handy if the minute hand obscures the date, just when you want to check it. The dates either side giving an immediate indication as to the actual date is in my view such a simple way of overcoming that slight problem.

This model is in 18ct Pink Gold and brushed Steel with a shrouded classic heptagonal Cartier crown, a decent seconds dial @6 plus a 60 minute chapter ring around the main dial in 5 minute intervals. Interestingly the numerals 4 to 8 are replaced by markers which is a subtle recognition to clarity – the large classic Cartier numerals would simply crown the lower half of the dial. So a neat touch indeed.

Cartier W7100039 view of the Calibre 1904MC. — Cartier back view of the Calibre 1904MC.

Mechanical Manufacture movement with automatic winding calibre 27 jewel 1904-PS MC and water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres /100 feet).

The case dimensions are perfect for me at 42mm x only 10mm depth, so is a very neat and flat fitting model on the wrist. The strap is in brown semi-matt alligator skin, with a double adjustable deployment buckle in steel.

This particular model W7100039 is in my opinion the best looking of the series. Tthe dial configuration is just right and feels right too, which is always a nice feeling to have. And as Cartier models go, this is not the most expensive by any means at around £7000 and is such an attractive model that I feel inclined to save up or perhaps trade in a few older watch models in the hope of getting one!

The elegant watch (6)

Three elegant offerings this week, starting with the 4 model Maurice Lacroix18ct Rose Gold ultra thins.

With delicately curved Sapphire Crystal and simply elegant dials these Automatic models are just what they are – beautiful timepieces and very classic.

Not to be outdone Jaeger Le-Coultre have this addition to the well known Ultra Thin Master Grande with this time round a black dial and either in steel or Rose Gold.

In these days of black divers and luminous requirements these dress watches are rather refreshing to see, especially when produced by these flawless quality makers.

Not to be outdone there are of course the Ladies to cater for and here the new Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Small Second Watch is about as elegant as you can get.

The sheer sensuality of this model with it’s slender curves and oval gold case and wonderful subtlety of Mother of Pearl (I’ve always loved this on watches).

Sensuality at it's best — Sensuality at it’s best

So elegant watches are still around today, though you have to look for them as so many of today’s offerings are large and rather ostentatious. And with the prevalence of digital technologies maybe the style is disappearing from the watch ever so slightly day by day.

And to lose that would be a great pity.

Yimei Classic traditional watches consists of four models, including the 38 mm and 28 mm compact menswear ladies. Beautiful 18K rose gold ultra-thin case, covered with delicate hour, minute, second hand, highlights the essence: Time. The only additional feature is at 6 o’clock date display, pragmatic and low-key. Circular gradient silver or black dial, with rose gold plated hands, fantastic; otherwise black or white lacquer dial model, with gold or black Roman numerals. Such a gorgeous, before your eyes.

Yimei traditional family watches the appearance of calm in the exposed edge, reflecting centuries of traditional art heritage. Slim case, the beautiful simplicity of the dial, highlighting the restrained elegance watch, highlighting the wearer’s taste.

Watches with ML 155/ML 132 (men’s and women’s) automatic movement, shell thin, precise timing, a symbol of reliability, blending classic and modern design style, complement each other. Curved sapphire crystal so all the details at a glance. Decorated with the highest level of traditional crafts decorative corrugated Geneva auto hammer, snail lines and circles pattern plywood, and rhodium-plated oscillating weight, were pleasing.

– See more at: http://watchdiary.com/highlight-the-elegant-taste-maurice-lacroix-watch

Smarter AND fitter?

Whilst checking out all these proposed and often silly phone extension wrist fads and smart watches I came across a very different sort of smart watch – and OK I accept it’s not really the conventional watch, but is anything these days when considering this so called “smart” stuff?

The Fitbit FLEX - Activity & Sleep band. — The Fitbit FLEX – Activity & Sleep band.

This one is actually both interesting and also one that might just get you fitter – but only if you want to. No forcing yourself off to a gym or anything like that, but a system that tracks your daily activity, so giving you the opportunity to maybe gently improve your fitness – whatever your age. Now that should be smart, maybe, and the item is the Fitbit FLEX wrist band.

Just a plain flexible 19.2mm wide band with a few electronic gizmos inside that can monitor your activity – such as the number of steps you take, calories used, stairs climbed, distance you walk or jog (the former for me 😉 ) and an indication of your sleep quality and of course it also tells you the Time. It also can indicate if your goal (yes you can set such a thing) is being met or otherwise with little lights on the screen. It also has a chargeable battery – Lithium Ion no less that manages around 5 days at full charge and a Bluetooth connection to automatically download or is it upload your data to graphical display software on whatever device you happen to have, PC, Mac, Tablet and a whole range of smart phones too.

Within 20ft of your PC etc - check the results — Within 20ft of your PC etc – check the results

It has quite a sophisticated 3-axis MEMS accelerometer that measures your motion patterns to determine the calories burned, distance travelled, steps taken, sleep quality and all that and also has a smart vibration motor, that vibrates when alarms are set to go off.

So, it seems smarter and more useful than a so called smart watch that simply means you don’t have to reach into your other pocket to get your phone out! I mean is that unfit and lazy or what?

This FLEX watch should make you think – and might make you just that little bit fitter too!

On the face of it, this appears to be a smart watch I can should to and although it’s not billed as such (smart watch) to me this is far more worthy of such a title and at around £79 (UK) not that unreasonable either. Assuming it continues to work of course – and it’s Water Resistant to 10m.

For me, it could be the “smart” thing to buy – so watch this space! Find out all about it HERE. that is, if I do decide to get one.

Addendum – Well in the event I decided not to get one – basically as at my age “fitness” has sort of morphed into old age – and I’ll just have to accept it!

Budget Fashion

The thing about fashion and designer watches is that often they are accompanied by a price tag reflecting the ego aspirations of the designer.

By Void - the SOND NYG unisex fashion watch. — By Void – the SOND NYG unisex fashion watch.

In other words, just a tad pricey! So it’s very to note a model that not only showcases clean lines modernity, plus chic and cool but also within s sensible price point. Whilst I have noted it in the past, it still holds it’s own and I feature it once again as there is on the face of it – nothing to it, yet it excels in what is perhaps “fashion” at it’s best.

The wonderfully simplistic and refreshing use of color is perhaps for me partly why this model stands out and it is so neat! It is indeed a statement watch, but not one that jars or grates as it can be worn with aplomb with tuxedo or jeans – it simply works. With it’s injection molded one piece construction and unique strap/watch thread system allows an amazing range of colors to be specified – I particularly like the one shown. In fact there are 8 colors available for each component means an astonishing 500 unique color combinations are possible!

The dimensions are 38mm wide by 44mm top to bottom and only 11mm depth with a 22mm wide band. The battery life is around 2 years and can be replaced via the back “hatch” which is stainless steel. This model is also Water Resistant to 3ATM or 30m. The functions of this quartz model are relatively simple but adequate – Time and Date, AM & PM indicator coupled with a back light. A 2 year Warranty comes as standard.

The price – around £50 (UK).

Something completely different (2)

Another one of these fashion watch styles that is a little different from the mainstream – this is from the BillyTheTree Cloister range – model ESM33.

The Cloister ESM33 from BillyTheTree.com

Handmade and painted dial with distressed copper, sterling silver and various metal alloys with a solid nickel free brass one-piece (single block) case. Limited editions of 1000 each, so unlikely that your friends across the way will have one of these. The quartz movement is unstated, though I would guess Asian generic, which in this style of accessory is probably incidental – as long as it works reasonably well – as indeed most quartz movements do these days anyway.

Very unique in that being a hand painted dial face they are all slightly different and this one I particularly like as the hands are infilled white which give added clarity.

My only gripe perhaps is the cost ( £254) which to me seems perhaps a little over what I might consider, especially as it would have to be imported from the USA to the UK with the added costs associated with such a move (VAT and Customs charges).

But for something “fashion” different this certainly is just that – and I quite like it.

They’re not going away . . .

Smart watches I mean, even although the take up has not been awe inspiring from the public. For example the new Pebble in Singapore only managed 1400 sales in the first 3 months of this year, so public demand or indeed even interest seems weak to say the least. Perhaps the concept of having on your wrist a gadget that can link to the smartphone in your pocket isn’t appealing or even seen as any great deal. An additional tool that just maybe isn’t required in the first place.

So speaking of concepts, this one is more a watch that’s smart, than a fully blown smart watch – and there is a difference. It’s the Span Smart watch concept designed and thought up by these clever folks at Box Clever of San Francisco and I don’t know about you but I rather like the whole look of it. It seems to me to be more sensible with realistic limitations, but managed in a very “cool” manner indeed!

"smart" alerts can be shown cross the display and controlled by the bezel. — “smart” alerts can be shown cross the display and controlled by the bezel.

It sort of combines and integrates an analogue style digital watch movement/face with a “jump” hour movement with the hours indicated on the upper half of the dial and the minutes on the lower half. The Date is sneakingly located as a Date aperture at what would have normally been the old 10 o’clock position.

The real clever bit is the odd mesh “bridge” across and above the dial, which is a perforated metal grill which back lights as an OLED screen for notifications. The controls for it;s use are incorporated into the rotation bezel – as a jog dial – isn’t that smart? The screen can also show the digital Time, reminders, alerts, call details and all that “smart” stuff and there’s also a push button to confirm any actions. The watch can be recharged with the micro USB port on the base of the watch.

Of course the main issue with this super cool watch is that it is just a concept and has not yet been put into production, which would be a tantalizing prospect if it did – for me it makes the Moto 360 look perhaps a little pedestrian and much more exciting to even contemplate wearing.

This is the video of it showing the conceptual idea working.

For me this demonstrates a much “smarter” approach to the idea of smart watch technology as it’s innovative and clever and involves the actual watch rather than some plastic screen like cell phone extension pretending to still be a watch, though it isn’t at all. This on the other hand IS a watch with smart ideas built in and what’s more – it looks modern yet stylish and techy too but most of all it looks really really cool!

Moonstruck!

Isn’t is nice to come across a British watchmaker that really excels in making you wonder just that little bit and able to produce a watch that infinitely intrigues you the first time you clap eyes on it.

Blacklamp Carbon Schofield - Made in England. — Blacklamp Carbon Schofield – Made in England.

Such is the power of the Blacklamp Carbon Schofield –

A year of research has gone into creating a proprietary material called Morta®. This is a unique mix of hand-laid and formed carbon fibre small billets. One billet then creates one Blacklamp watch case and as such each watch model is subtly individual from the next. Plus the very highest machine specification of every watch case a showcase of world class English precision.

This model uses the very elegant and robust Unitas 6497-2 movement with a custom hack. Decorated with broad Geneva stripes and heavy rhodium plating.

Incsribed with individual Lighthouse data from around the UK. — Inscribed with individual Lighthouse data from around the UK.

Within the crown of each Blacklamp Carbon wrist watch lies a Tritium gas light. Emitting a low level glow unseen in daylight gives superb luminosity at night, but the fascinating part for me is around the rim of the dial just underneath the crystal, where lies a ring of Moonglow, (developed by NASA) an amazing strontium aluminate GLTD material that illuminates the dial in the dark. And amazingly effective it is too.

The watch is one of a limited edition of only 101 pieces and each one is named after an Englisj Lighthouse, from the Wof Rock in the South West to ST Bees” on the Cumbrian coast. Each one has the tower coordinates inscribed on the case back and description of the flash format.

It will set you back just under £10,000 this fascinating timepiece, so perhaps outside my personal budget at this time, but I certainly wouldn’t mind having one of these on my wish list. For more information check out their web site – HERE

The wonder of "Moonglow" (NASA) — The wonder of “Moonglow” (NASA)

ABC – ups and downs

It’s a funny old business – height and the measurement thereof. I mention this in passing only as the ABC model watches that are around at the moment all feature an Altimeter. Though in actual fact they are to all intents and purposes Barometers which are used to indicate height. The question of course has to be – are they any good? Are they as good for example as my car Garmin GPS? Which begs another question – is the car GPS any good ?

Well I played around with both items this weekend and found some odd little quirks.

First I decided to calibrate my Casio ABC watch here at home. I duly checked the Barometer which was 995mb this morning as indicated by the Casio. I then had to find out the height above sea level of my house and I checked Google maps and found it was 116m, so I used this as my datum point. I then duly set the watch to read 116m at 995mb – so far so good.

Casio showing 995mb Barometric pressure. Note the graph showed better weather yesterday but over the last 20hrs or so no change history. Also note the trend icon @3 which also shows no change. Each dot indicates 2hr intervals and 1mb up/down values

But when I checked my car GPS it told me the altitude here at my house was 108m – now that’s 8m difference or around 26ft and yet just 35m down the road (not up, you notice) it read 114m.

It seems that GPS altitude is maybe not as accurate as I thought for all sorts of reasons and boy are they complicated! Now I’ll not go in to Ellipsoid Earth calculations or altitude measurements that actually indicate height above WGS84 as opposed to barometric above sea level indications, or quality vertical measurement, because frankly I don’t understand it all either! BUT suffice to say that in general a GPS car unit requires at least 3 preferably 4 satellites and a clear sky above to get a meaningful altitude reading and even more preferably including connection to a satellite that’s “under” you – which you won’t get as the earth is blocking it from you.

Anyway playing around further I drove a route that swung by a particular crossroads and it was interesting to check the reading at the crossroads, but driving in from two different directions. On the first run the crossroads altitude was indicated as 70m by the car GPS, but on the second run when I approached it from another road it now indicated 96m – quite a discrepancy. Since reading up a bit I now know that the GPS was not managing to get the required signal reception, as there was a little tree cover on the second road. Hence the difference.

In contrast my Casio ABC watch on both runs indicated the crossing was 72m above sea level. My Casio also indicated the barometric pressure was now 998mb, so both figures had changed from my house location. This was fine as the crossroads are definitely lower than my home, so as expected, lower altitude meant higher pressure and vice versa. The weather hadn’t changed in the 10 minute drive. Indeed when I returned to my home location the pressure was 995mb again and the altitude was as before 116m.

Note – In town today I stopped at local supermarket and both car GPS and Casio indicated 28m. It was wall to wall clear sky so the GPS managed it’s maximum efficiency and nice to see they both agreed with one another.

But practically the Casio barometric Altitude versus the car GPS altitude is the clear winner, which I have to say did surprise and please me no end! I also note that the better hand held GPS units also use Barometric Altimeters, so GPS direct read is not the favored system and remember the aviation industry still use pressure Atmospheric/Barometric systems and for quite a few good reasons.

The fascination of the Barometric system of course (as far as Altitude is concerned) is that also changes with the weather. For example had I gone off in the car and a nasty weather front blown in, the atmospheric pressure will have dropped. When I got to those crossroads my Casio Altitude reading could easily be incorrect by 40m and indicating an Altitude of something like 115m or higher! So basically as long as the barometric (atmospheric) pressure remains fairly constant, then your Altitude readings will be reasonably accurate. If not then you really need a decent map with height indications on it, so you can recalibrate your ABC watch with the correct height at that pressure. You see?

There are lots of things you can do with the ABC watch if you are a hiker or climber of course, with recording of ascent/descent altitudes and so on and it can get pretty involved, but always remember weather change means pressure change so calibration is the key – so if doing these pursuits my advice for what it’s worth – TAKE A MAP (with co-ordinates/height indications and all the rest of the data).

As far as the Casio PRW3000T is concerned it is proving to be quite brilliant, Altimeter, Compass and Barometric Pressure being uncommonly accurate. It is VERY clear to read (makes Suunto, Garmin and some others look poor in comparison – the display is streets ahead of them all, it’s light to wear, not too big at all and I’ve yet to take it off. However I do at night so it can receive it’s Radio signal (though I forgot one night and it received without any problem at all). Power save is interesting when it’s dark – after a time the display goes off and even when receiving a signal the dial is blank. Any light at all comes near and it’s instantly on again – fascinating!

So my older compass watches are relegated to the drawer, though the odd one is a reminder of technological progress so will be in my display cabinet – the rest will be on their way to auction no doubt.

Ah the ups and downs of the watch collector! 😉

Size matters

Whilst I have recently featured Casio G Shock models and of course applaud them for all sorts of reasons, not least the “tough” movement protection and functionality, I still have one main concern and that is “SIZE”.
For me and many others they are just that little bit too big.

GW9400-1 Triple Sensor G Shock – 55.2 x 53.5 x 18.2mm – oversize

And this is right across the range of over 190 Casio styles. Even the more basic function set models are somewhere in the order of 50mm across and basically the reason for the size has to be the additional outer protection resin profiling.
I also have to accept with the ABC models and Triple Sensor technology the older Sensor module sizes dictated the overall dimensions. However, that said I’m really pleased to note this has been addressed recently, albeit on a non G Shock Pro-Trek model. I would add that even some of the non G Shock models with this kind of functionality have also been very much on the large side.
So perhaps a start of a size reduction trend? and interesting to note that Casio now admit watch size was and is an issue. Their own sales blurb on the Pro-Trek 3000 series says as much, so I’m hopeful with the new and smaller 3rd generation Sensor modules coming in, perhaps size reduction is now seen as a good thing.

The model shown above is the Casio Rangeman GW9400-1 which is a Triple Sensor ABC model G Shock, with a very comprehensive function set including Tough Solar, World Time, Radio Control (6 receivers), shock and mud resistant, 200m Water Resistance, plus Sunrise and Sunset indications and the ABC features of Altimeter, Barometer/Thermometer and Digital Compass – so is about as full featured as you can get. I mean this has the lot – BUT – it is big!
Now don’t get me wrong here, it is big, but not impossibly huge like some silly watches that are out there, but for the world average size 165mm circumference wrist – it is just too big for comfort.
I’ve always been of the opinion that Casio tend to get away with this large size basically because they have very light weight case designs, so the watch never feels heavy on the wrist. (the model shown for example is only 93g).

Another model which is possibly more relevant here is the Protrek PRG270-1 – this has a less protected design that the G Shock, though still has a dimension of 50mm across, which is still substantial. It does however have my preferred dial as does the following model I have picked as my best Casio yet.

Casio PRW3000 series – reduced case dimensions

So OK all that said, I also said they do have a model now that is smaller with all the bells and whistles – though not G Shock – and as shown on the last image – this is the Casio Protrek PRW3000 series. (introduced in 2013).

Again without the G Shock characteristics and following on from the PRG271, this model does have a case size that should fit anybody and a dial that’s much cleaner and uncluttered than G Shock, so clarity is much improved, especially when considering compass bearings and so on. Note the main digital numerals are also larger. Another point is that on most G Shocks with combination digital and analogue displays, the clarity is never great, as the dials are just too cluttered and with too much information jostling for position.

Dimensions wise the width of this PRW3000 is reduced down to 47mm and only 12.3mm thick, so sits snugly on just about any size of wrist with ease. The top of the range model (as shown) has what’s called an aluminum toned resin case plus a full Titanium bracelet and weighs just 100g . The reduced size is even more remarkable when you consider this model is also Radio Controlled.

Each model shown here share the same upgraded v3 sensor set, so I have to assume that the extra case protection of the G Shock model still prevents any size reduction – which is a pity.

So it seems when considering any G Shock model you may have to accept that size is always going to be an issue – in this case a width increase of 6mm or 0.5″ extra. So unfortunately a trade off at the moment, though with Casio acknowledging that size is an issue, it would not surprise me if they suddenly introduced a smaller G Shock with everything on it too.

And as to supply – a problem is that many new models or variants never see the UK shores and if you want to keep up, then a frequent check on the domestic Japanese market is the route to go. And on that subject there are now luckily a few Japanese Internet traders (genuine Japan based retailers with physical shop locations) where you can buy with confidence. Just remember you may have Customs and Tax liabilities to consider before you take the plunge.

I personally recently purchased the Casio PRW3000T model – it’s sort of taken top spot in my Casio collection at the moment, so I hope to feature it in some depth in a future Post. I personally think this model is a small milestone as it features the smaller and more efficient updated Sensor modules and a reduced overall size.

There is no doubt these Casio models are really terrific watches and a testament to their progress over the years, from what were once regarded as digital gimmicks by some, to the wonderful, innovative technical icons we have today. And even though having a watch collection and being around watches for many years, I find myself on a monthly Casio watch now – in anticipation of what new masterpieces they come up with . . . Oh yes!

Just a note – It is of course fact that there is competition in the world of Triple Sensor and the Swiss Tissot T Touch Expert Solar model is announced and on it’s way – it is stylish, sleek and with a 45mm width case could be the one that beats them all . . .