Reverse engineering?

You could argue that many of the complications you find on watches might well be more accurately described as gimmicks, as basically a watch is a tool to indicate the time – period. What with all the added functionality, boosted by the huge advance in electronics, quartz and all those amazing modules, it’s hardly surprising.

Rotary Gents Evolution - reversing model — Rotary Gents Evolution – reversing model

But there are more fundamental “gimmicks” around and one such complication has fascinated buyers for years – and that’s the reversing watch.

Why on earth would you need such a thing? Well Jaeger LeCoutre of course pioneered the Reverso and not as a gimmick at all, but as a solution to a sports problem. Namely to protect the watch face glass against breakage whilst the wearer played Polo. The watch basically could be turned mechanically within a frame so the dial was hidden underneath with the watch back facing the front and suitably engraved for example. In essence it looked more like a bracelet than a watch. It did however serve it’s purpose perfectly.

The introduction of two watch faces however was the point when that practical solution evolved into gimmickry and fashion, instead of the original purpose of protection. It became quite popular of course, the rationale being a watch face for day and another for the evening – and very stylish too. Possibly cheaper in fact to have two watches, but it is a complication nevertheless has proved very popular.

Others have tried similar ideas not as protection of course, but as a fashion, function gimmick, which has a certain attraction.

Reverse "evening" face — Reverse “evening” face

The Rotary Evolution EGS0007-TZ2-19-06 reversing model appears to manage a passable reversing action and sports two different dial layouts.

I could see me using one in a day capacity as it has the Date window @6 and the other dial with the seconds sub-dial as my evening wear watch, so to speak.

However this model appeared some time ago and now seems to be discontinued, though the reasons are unclear. I’ve seen reports from buyers on Amazon that quite a few models sold had issues with one or other of the movements, for there are two separate ones in each watch and one or the other didn’t work. Apparently this was because the batteries were out of date and owing to the less than sensible watch design, required a return to Rotary for any possibility of replacement.

Rotary Evolution model EGS0007-TZ2-19-06 (note the bezel screws on one face only)

And this is one of the main drawbacks of this two face reversing format – how to replace the battery or batteries? There is no watch back, but instead there are two fronts, so the only access to the inner workings appears to be from the front. (I thought initially that perhaps there was a side sliding access hatch, but seemingly not). So to expect an owner to somehow and without damage, remove the bezel, sapphire crystal and the dial assembly to get to the battery is simply unrealistic. Now OK Rotary operate a Lifetime Guarantee, but the hassle is something that most of us would rather avoid.

I note that access may be via one front only – the one with the seconds sub-dial, as it appears to have real bezel screws, where the other may be decorative only. Even if you managed NOT to damage that high gloss finish, I can also foresee possible problems with the crown stems!

And the most annoying thing is, I like this model as it looks really good and the You Tube video showing the reversing procedure also looks great, so disappointing to say the least. I also note they have some current models, but sadly they appear quite bland against this one and generate no interest in me whatsoever. Perhaps this model was a case of a less than perfect design – almost right, but with a basic flaw – battery access.

So going by appearance it should be a rather clever and intriguing model, but unfortunately it seems to be the “reverse”!

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Now a reversing watch with a different agenda so to speak – this is the Xemex Offroad Cronus Reversible Chronograph Watch 501.03 – where the reverse face is not another watch dial as such (and let’s face it what do you really need two watch faces?) but in fact a stopwatch.
The watch features a 60-minute dial for day-to-day use, while the other reverse side offers a proper stopwatch with both sixty-second and thirty-minute timers.

Lovely little articulated lug stainless steel case at 37mm diameter with a rubber “reversible” 18mm wide strap. A single ETA Swiss quartz movement with Date and Chronograph functions and Sapphire crystal. The black dial on one side has the standard watch function with Date and fully lumed hands. The white reverse dial is pure chronograph and such a brilliantly simple idea to put the chronograph indications on the reverse and allow a large stopwatch style dial to be utilized. Easy to use and easy to read instead of those more common hard to make out sub dials.

The chronograph "reversed" side for excellent clarity. — The chronograph “reversed” side for excellent clarity.

For me it’s the relative simplicity of this model that’s interesting and 3 points stand out –

1) No need for any fancy reversing mechanism as the watch is simply worn upside down to use the full stopwatch chronograph. Super simple!
2) Being mechanical there is of course no requirement for battery changes and so on. The only reason for internal access is servicing – and that I would leave to Xemex anyway.
3) The chronograph pushers/controls are on the left side and out of the way, when wearing the watch on the normal time side as they are not needed. When inverted/reversed to the chronograph dial however, they are now on the right and perfectly placed to use. Another so simple but cleverly thought out feature.

I already have a Xemex XE 5000 and have been delighted by it over a number of years now. Great value, excellent quality and timekeeping and the articulate lugs means absolute wrist comfort too, so it bodes well for this model.

The only question for me is – Do I actually need a chronograph? The answer sadly is no – as I can’t actually remember the last time I used the chronograph functions on any of my watch collection, but if I did I think this model would definitely be on my short list.

Tissot – a light touch!

And about time I’d say – Tissot at last updates it’s “Touch” series with this very stylish offering – the T Touch Expert Solar.

As the title this is now solar powered and not just any old ordinary Solar, but able to power the watch for an astonishing 1 year with just 1 hour of sun applied to the face! The model is also fair bristling with functions, some 25 in all, from the ubiquitous compass, Altitude reader (they don’t call them altimeters anymore!), Timers and Weather Forecast/Predictors and goodness knows what else.

I can also forecast that the instruction booklet will be many, many pages and will have to be studied carefully if you’re going to get the best out of this machine. And of course not forgetting the “T touch sensitive screen dial that starts it all off. Case wise it’s titanium so it’s nice and light weight.

The dial for me is one of the best features of this new Tissot, as it’s the cleanest I’ve seen, not that they were too cluttered before, but here their designers have surpassed themselves and really come up with one of the best faces I’ve seen for a long time on any ana-digi model! In fact the entire watch, case and dial design is quite exceptional in my opinion, though I have no data on the dimensions as yet. I understand it is around 45mm diameter, so large but not excessively so and I note the back is very tidy in comparison to it’s predecessor, so it could well be thinner, which would be very good indeed.

Here is a video of the model in action – it shows pretty well and I for one am looking forward to this model – could bring my Birthday forward for this one!

Don’t know when it will be here and available here in the UK or the price, but here’s hoping it’s not too long or too much.

Round up

Some of the models I’ve spotted that make me stop and have a closer look – and two images here just brief glimpses of each. The watches featured may or may not be new or current models though most probably within the last year or so.

The first model gives me a great deal of satisfaction as it has come down in size from last year – this is the Ralph Lauren RL67 Chronometer – now a neat and sensible 39mm instead of the quite unnecessary 45mm it was offered at last year.

Cased in black “aged” stainless steel with a mechanical COSC-certified Automatic Swiss Sellita RL300-1 movement, with 42 hours power reserve. The matte dial features luminescent Hour and Minute hands plus red colored Second hand with numerals.
The diameter is actually 38.7mm and the watch height just 10.4mm, so a very neat watch.
AR coated slight dome sapphire crystal plus a Water Resistance rating at 100m with screw down RL logo Crown.
The overall look is further enhanced by an Olive Green “weathered look” canvas strap with a black leather lining.

The fact RL can now source movements outside the Richemont Group, allows them to offer their excellent watches at a more reasonable price point – this is a good thing as I’ve often admired their watch designs. Personally the only thing I’d like to see added is a date or day/date window and it would then be just perfect.
It should be interesting to see where they go from here on as I’m always open to a Ralph Lauren watch in my collection – IF it’s the right price.

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Another model that interested me is the Baume et Mercier Clifton 10052 – and this represents serious Swiss quality for under £2000.

Baume et Mercier Clifton range — Baume et Mercier Clifton 10052

Again a sensible size watch in stainless steel and 41mm diameter, the Clifton 10052 with an automatic movement featuring small seconds and date function and delivered on a leather strap. A real classic, simple design, but cleverly presented with blue hour and minute hands and a seconds sub dial hand, complimented by the subtle blue accents of the minute marker index, within a silver dial, really gives this watch an elegant presence. The date window @3 is small but adequate for what is after all a dress watch.

So two very different but very stylish models this week that are currently available, both sensible in size, style and price. And frankly after the onslaught of brash oversize digital offerings around today with their often unnecessary over functionality, these are a welcome breath of fresh air.

“Watches as watches should be” as my old Dad used to say, who had the same 18ct Gold Roamer since the day he started in a Law Office in the 1930’s till he passed away a year or two back. And isn’t it nice to see that some watchmakers at long last, just maybe, are seeing the light regarding “size” and actually reducing diameters and producing models to suit average wrists!

Maybe things are looking up . . . .

Omega – classic update

Always nice to see an update managed in the most responsible manner – such as the 1969 – now 2014 Omega Speedmaster Mk11 – an iconic watch model if there ever was one.

2014 Omega Speedmaster Mk11 - brilliant revamp of the original 1969 model — 2014 Omega Speedmaster Mk11 – brilliant revamp of the original 1969 model

Whilst the older model sported the calibre 861 the new Speedmaster 2014 Mk11 model uses the automatic coaxial 3330 movement with silicon balance spring and column-wheel chronograph. Good to see the old “tonneau” case has been retained which was so much part of that “look” in those days.

1969 original Omega Speedmaster Mk11 classic

One of the most recognized classic models the Speedmaster Mk11 is one model that I bought myself back in the early ’70’s and still one of my favorite models even today. However with the introduction of the new update Mk11 tugs pretty hard at me to rush out and get one, such is the pull of this classic watch.

Absolutely no doubt about it when you have a winner such as this, then keeping the “look” is absolutely essential in my opinion and I’m sure this will be a much sought after classic Omega once again and not just from me – IF I can afford it!

A Golfer’s view!

A bit different today in that I’m looking at a “watch” I’ve had for some time – prompted by a friend to do a quick review, so for all you Golfers out there here is the Garmin Approach S3.

Garmin Approach S3 GPS golf aid. (easy read )

Now I’m not about to explain all the features of this model except to say some basics. It’s water Resistant, battery life around 20 hours, has a good touch screen and high contrast so easily seen. It has around 27,000 golf course plans in it, a scorecard feature and doesn’t look overly big on your wrist and weighs next to nothing. The image shows how easy it is to read – Hole Number 1, Par 4, Big number is 360yds to pin, top number to back of green, bottom number to front of the green – super simple even for me. 😉

So before I start I admit this is a uniquely personal and perhaps cynical viewpoint from a golfer who started back in 1957 – played off Scratch at one time to playing my age today.

The Garmn S3 Approach Golf watch is a piece of golf assistance kit that seems to pretty much do what it says on the tin. Nothing fancy about it, but for your average golfer it works very well. It is obviously a GPS enabled unit with a database of all the courses (Europe model has 27,000 courses) you could ever want to play – I play two maybe with the odd holiday trip adding another couple at most. Though basically like most golfers I play mostly at my home course and that’s it.

So how does it perform and what does it do for your average player? Now I’ve heard and read all sorts of guff about the accuracy – Oh! it’s a yard or so out – or it doesn’t agree with my Course Planner – as if a yard or two for most of us honestly makes a difference! Let’s face it WE are not machines!

And talking about honesty, this unit should be renamed the “Honesty Meter” especially if we really start from basics – like – Do you know how far you drive the ball?

Now come on – be honest – of course you don’t – you think you do, but you don’t as there are far too many factors to consider. Did you hit the ball in the middle of the club, was your swing good, did you slice, fade, hook or draw, is there a wind, downwind or up, across etc. is the ground you hit off flat or sloping, is the landing point flat or sloping, what’s the altitude, temperature humidity, dampness and so on and on . . . . .

Now you might reckon on a good day, you can hit say 240 yards? – that’s a maybe, a perhaps – because golf is NOT exact – as I said, just too many variables (here in Scotland with our cold, damp weather – fantasy golf is out!), and this is where the Garmin comes into it’s own. It is a reality check!

OK now you’ve driven the ball and it lands on the fairway and the green is within reach. Now how many amateur golfers reach that green? I’ll tell you – the fact is that 80% of them are more often than not, short of the target, mostly because they think they can hit that 6 iron easily 180yds – and the sad truth is – they can’t.

NOW the Garmin comes into it’s own as once you hit your drive, you simply press a button and walk towards your ball and guess what – it counts the yardage.

And what a surprise to find you’ve driven the ball – err – 202 yards. But it also tells you that you’ve now got a 173 yard shot to the pin – and 160 yards to the front of the green and 190 yards to the back. Depending on pin placement, you can actually move the pin on a small image of the green on the Garmin screen, just to make it a little more accurate – IF you need to do that. I never have.

But back to the task at hand – what about this approach shot? What iron will you use to hit 173 yards? Duh – I dunno! A 6? – well it’s a guess.

And here you start to see the benefits of this unit. Because with a bit of “real” practice with this Garmin on your own some evening, it can actually measure any shots you hit with any club – you then build up real knowledge
of just how far you hit, not just the driver but every club in the bag! And most importantly you finally accept that you might need a 4 iron to hit that yardage (previously you belted the cover off the ball with a 6 or 7 – and would you believe it – short – again).

But this time you hit the 4 iron, without blasting it and as if by magic you are on the darned green! Probably the irst time since you were 17 years old and one of the leading big hitting Juniors in the club! Now OK the trajectory was a little lower than before, but who cares – you are ON the green. Is that good or what!

THIS is the value of the Garmin Approach S3 – it very simply gives you each hole’s yardage, tells you how far you have hit each shot and tells you how far to the pin. It’s taught you how far you can actually and truthfully
hit every club. It even can tell you the distance to that stream, or dogleg turn, so you can hit short and not overrun it, or know you can hit your 5 wood over it. Short or over – it’s your informed decision for once.

It’s very easy to use after a few holes and you soon get the trick of just glancing at it as you reach your ball to play the next shot. You don’t need one of those that talks to you (I can think of nothing worse!). And you really don’t need one that tells you about every little hazard on the course, with width, depth and all that value added gimmickry – because you KNOW the essentials – the distance to go, the distance you can hit and which club will do it FOR YOU.

It should really help your game. As now you know pretty well how far you can drive (honestly), you know how far you can hit every iron you have, from a full out shot to a three quarters easy shot and so on and this probably for the first time in your golfing life.

Now that for me is as accurate as it needs to be – honestly. So in my book the Garmin Approach S3 is pretty good value for money AND it can tell you the time too . . .

Elegance lost

Sometimes a Watchmaker known for the wonderful elegance of their creations, maybe once in a while loses that elusive magic ingredient.

Jaquet Drox Grande Second SW - minus elegance! — Jaquet Drox Grande Second SW – minus elegance!

And surprisingly makers Jaquet Droz, for the first time I can ever remember in my experience, has done just that – with the introduction of their latest 2014 Grande Seconde SW. Which is a great pity as the original Grande Seconde was without doubt the most elegant of models and the model variation I also show here, the Grand Seconde Quantieme, a perfect example. Fortunately it is also currently available so all is not lost.

The new SW seems to me to pander to the bolts and metal look of the science fiction blockbuster, rather than any semblance of “elegance”. The Côtes de Genève panels transferred to the front dial and in anthracite gray to me look more like steel shutter blinds than the delicate gold shading we’re used to seeing on the movement. Now OK the watch has been dare I say, “sportified”- if such a horrible word exists, but in my opinion it doesn’t work and ends up being neither one thing nor the other. And this is regardless of how good the watch is – and don’t get me wrong, it is fantastic as always, but this time somewhere in all this modern packaging that elusive “elegance” was lost!

My favorite - proper Jaquet Droz elegance - and as it should be — My favorite – proper Jaquet Droz elegance – and as it should be

So the SW not for my collection then! I’ll just have to settle for “Seconde” best – the Quantieme – what can you do?

Why the “Sub” is not for me.

Well it had to happen, someone asked me that perennial question: Why don’t you have a Rolex?

The Submariner - but not for me. — The Submariner – iconic, expensive – but not for me.

The answer is complicated, though I hasten to say that I actually DO have a Rolex, a vintage one from around 1928 – a Rolex Oyster, plated case, 15 jewels, bi-metallic balance, Breguet hairspring and in mint condition. I bought it many years ago as a vintage piece and funnily enough not because it was a Rolex, but mainly as it was a highly water resistant cased model of it’s day.

In fact I bought 3 other models with regards to water resistance – a super old Seawolf Zodiac and a Movado and another one that now escapes me – I must have sold it on.
But these and the Rolex were bought for what they represented in technical terms and of a period and not because I had to have a Rolex.

So the question I suppose is in relation to the fact that in my “modern” collection, it is quite correct, I don’t have a Rolex represented at all.

The problem for me is that the questioner was talking specifically about the model that dominates the Rolex look – the Submariner – and the trouble here is that I really don’t and never have liked the styling of it at all and ever since it appeared all those years ago, this model is synonymous with that “look I’ve got a Rolex” persona.

At a watch auction recently I saw literally dozens of them, all very similar models and after an hour or so watching these amazing and in my opinion unjustified prices – it was frankly – boring!
I mean marketing aside which is brilliant of course, Rolex have turned a fairly ordinary watch by today’s standards into an iconic fashion statement, which is pretty much unsurpassed by any other product I can think of. If you want to be noticed get a Rolex. It shouts a certain status, though completely fashion and celebrity driven, but it’s that sameness and the sheer numbers that are around that by the same token actually puts me off.

Now don’t get me wrong here, I don’t dislike Rolex as a brand, it’s just that ubiquitous “Submariner” that always, always typifies Rolex. It’s also been copied by almost everyone and his dog at some time and do I want one on my wrist – well no is the answer. And as to the “are they any good?” question, well my personal opinion is, they are OK and quality and technically I would estimate mid range, nothing more. Status wise and fashion wise, well that’s another thing altogether and in that game, they are the high flyers.

Another Cellini Rolex - and so unlike that submariner — Another Cellini Rolex – and so unlike that submariner

Prices of course are status fed and from a technical viewpoint somewhat overinflated to say the least – and of course these prices are like paintings, they are driven by the movers and shakers of this secretive world of market manipulators and little to do with real value at all.

Nothing wrong in that (well there is actually but that’s another argument) but I have never bought any watch because of the name – I buy because I like it.

In regards to owning a Rolex, today I might be interested in something that doesn’t start with “sub” – the Cellini range for example and there are other models too – ones that have sort of broken away from that boring and obvious Rolex look and instead have an elegant and individual style of their own and surprisingly there are quite a number around that are really much more interesting.

To get past the usual Rolex advertising and hype is also quite a challenge and not helped by one comment I read recently. One advocate of Rolex implied that a Timex would be lucky to last 25 years unlike his Rolex – which says to me the writer is a little overexcited as to ignore simple facts. Now I’m not a collector of Timex as such, but in my collection of well over a hundred watches I have (and this was a surprise to me) actually 4 vintage Timex models ’63, ’67, ’74 and 1982 and 3 or 4 modern models. And not a problem with any one of them. Of course the commenter omitted to mention the slight price differential between the brands – and neither will I. 😉

However it’s all a bit of a shame as there are some Rolex models around that are very different and do look good, but you rarely if ever see them. Instead you’re fed the same old diet of that boring Submariner this and submariner that.

I’ve included some of the models I do like here in this Post –

So no I won’t be buying the ubiquitous Rolex classic “Subby” model any time soon, nor will I reach the age (I’m well past it!) as some say where I’ll feel I’m ready for one – have you ever heard such pretentious claptrap – used of course (and why not) by those clever marketing people perpetuating the Rolex myth.

But as I say, the Cellini and a few selected others are a certainly worth considering.

And not because of the name but because I rather like them and OK they’ll say Rolex on the dial, so I’ve satisfied the followers, but at least not with that iconic boring same old model I see day in and day out and worn by the “look at me I’ve made it brigade”.

They should perhaps change the marketing blurb and try highlighting individuality – I mean we don’t ALL have to wear blue denim do we?

Of course at the end of the day, what do I know? Rolex have carved out a fantastic iconic product and made the name synonymous with style, ambition, status and wealth. The fact they’ve managed this successfully for all those years basically on the merits or otherwise of one particular model, has to be admired, though for me, Rolex should be and actually is more than that, but you’ve actually got to look hard to see it.

Fit for purpose

Nice to see watch models that are made for a specific function and not just called by a descriptive marketing term, such as Commando for Commandos.

Jaermann & Stübi Stroke Play Eagle Heart EH1

This rather intense looking model is from Jaermann & Stubi watches. The Stroke Play Eagle Heart EHI model. Made in Switzerland and with it’s patented anti-shock (Shock Guard) system is absolutely ideal for GOLF. Built in to this model is an automatic clock used to count the number of strokes played and show retrograde indication of the number of holes played – very clever. It can even manage players handicaps, so a truly bespoke function model indeed.

Automatic Swiss movement, Stainless Steel PVD coated case 44mm x 12mm, black dial with sapphire glass and a 100m Water Resistance, with strap and deployment buckle. A directional bezel plus handicap function and luminous hands and markers certainly make this model look the business and will surely get some looks in the clubhouse. However whilst this model might upstage the cheaper option such as the Garmin Approach golf watches, it doesn’t have the GPS capability to really assist in your golf game. Incidentally I’m actually reviewing one soon and I tend to take a quite personal viewpoint on these after some of the reviews I’ve read.

However if you’re not into Golf with your aspirations set a little higher, there’s this impressive piece of kit! Specially for high flyers! The Scheyden True Aviator (Steam Gauge) Watch. In Stainless Steel and Water Resistant to 100m, bracelet dials to 66ft (pity about the discrepancy) and a heavy duty tri-fold locking bracelet. It’s also has Chronograph, Alarm and Count down Timer and other flying related gizmos.

Specifically designed for pilots, this watch feature three separate instruments for use on the ground and in the air.

First – the Upper bracelet dial is a liquid filled magnetic compass.
Second – the lower bracelet dial is a special multi-feature digital IFR Timer ( calculates time to way points, fuel changes, holding turn timings etc).
Third – is a rather well featured ana-digi multi-function watch with day, date, dual time, Global Airport Identifiers, Time Zones plus a bi-directional rotating ATIS bezel, Super-Luminova hands and numerals, Swiss ETA movement and a sapphire crystal.

Note –
The bi-directional ATIS Bezel is a reminder of the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) recordings.
The multi-feature digital IFR timer can be used for timing instrument procedures or assisting with timed checklist items.

Not too sure about all that lot on my wrist, but it sure looks impressive and some of the write ups I’ve seen suggest this is quite a unique watch and a hit with pilots – and it’s certainly different!

Smart news – and stuff

Further to my Post regarding “Smart” watches I see that Motorola are soon to be coming out with what I hope is a proper “watch” but with added smartphone technology. If appearances are to be believed it will look like a conventional watch and be a sensible size.

The new Moto G smart watch - coming soon! — The new Moto 360 smart watch – coming soon!

Motorola apparently are saying they are committed to making it like a conventional watch, circular, very few if any buttons or pushers. It connects via Google Now assistant with email alerts, phone calls and when messages etc arrive – so this is definitely looking good.

Dial can show various displays as well as conventional time.

I can do no more than point you to their rather brief (at this stage) web site ( HERE )as a tester perhaps of things to come – soon and sometime this summer? I’m very interested in this as if they get the size right and a decent functionality without too much complication, then they may well have a winner.

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I also note the Citizen one of our most well known mainstream makers is touting the Bluetooth smart watches TM84-0351V and TM84-0352V. Other Smart Watch new boys in this game watch out (sorry for the pun!)

No prices yet or availability for world sales, but definitely interesting and ones to watch for 2014 – 15?

Presently only available and connecting to certain Japanese domestic phones, it does bode well for the “smart” set in that one of the big 4 is now in the game.

Round up (Fossil)

As usual I’ve been checking out some of my favorite watch brands, to see what might interest me and the first brand I looked at was Fossil. Plenty to choose from perhaps but only one was of any interest, the rest doing nothing for me this time. My solitary choice is the Fossil Aeroflite 3 hand date watch.

Fossil - my choice from the current crop — Fossil – my choice from the current crop

Still a relatively large case as is the Fossil tendency at 44mm diameter, but as they also often manage, just 12mm in height, so I’ll forgive them, with a decent Water Resistance of 100m. Crown @4 and a 22mm wide strap. This is a new model and at a simple price of £105 is good value. Excellent finish stainless Steel and leather buckle strap give it an everyday watch appearance and I like the crown @4 just to be different and there is a small date window @3. The Hour and Minute hands are nice and broad, hopefully with some decent luminescence both to the hands and the large green tinted numerals (poor luminescence a failing of some Fossil models I’ve found). At least on this model the hands are broad with white painted infills so should have good clarity during the day. There is also a centre seconds hand in white.

One of a number of watch models appearing recently that are moving away from the “let’s make it look complicated” look to a more simplistic expression. A wysiwyg approach or “what you see is what you get” idea that if managed properly always strikes a chord with those of us who are looking for a watch that has got the basics right.

So a little disappointing to find only one Fossil model of interest to me, though there are obviously folks out there who’ll have different tastes and so on, but I’ll check in to Fossil every couple of months just to see what’s new. If one comes up that I like I’ll post it here.