Soft landing?

It’s amazing how popular these rugged “G” shockproof style watches have become over the years, with their “tough” resin case design and macho looks. When they first appeared I was pretty impressed at this super tough case idea, though at the time wasn’t sure about the digital display. I found previous digital displays hard to read in sunlight so resisted, sticking to my analogue Seiko automatic, picked up in Singapore for a few dollars, which was my daily beater in those days. I did however succumb to the lure of the “G” and today I do have a “G” Shock Casio DW-5600-E, which whilst it has the look of the original, it’s digital module updated by nearly 15 years and with an EL back light, so a little more modern.

However I really want to ask the question of these plastic, resin cased “G-Shock” and other Shock style watches – Are they really tougher? Boy’s toys or Fashion?

The original G-Shock, the Casio DW-5000C first appeared in 1983 – designed by Casio Design Head Kikuo Ibe, with the brief that the new model should meet the “Triple 10 Concept”. Which was a 10 year battery life, a Water Resistance to 10 bar and finally, able to survive a drop of 10m on to a hard surface.
Now it is not as some think, just a resin cased plastic watch. It can have up to 10 layers of protection, urethane rubber outer, applied over a stainless steel case (yes there is one under there), hardened mineral crystal, a “floating urethane cradle” in which sits the quartz module. Even flexible cable connections to both the module and the various button controls are used and all to minimize shock. The original model actually has a screw down stainless steel back, though that changed in later models.

Such was the success of the Casio “G” Shock that over 19 million had been sold by 1998 and it has gone from strength to strength ever since (70 million would you believe). Now I’m not questioning the fantastic success or the undoubted fact that it was and is a great concept, but maybe I have a sneaking suspicion that like every great marketing idea, the market is often “created” and then placed in the minds of the customer. Most of the great products have done just that – Coca Cola, Corn Flakes (Kellogs), Beanz meanz Heinz and so on. It’s all about Brands and making the Consumer want what you have to sell.

CasioDW5600E — I had to have one – so picked the nearest to the original.

Well “G” Shock – is certainly a classic brand – a series of “rugged” and “tough” timepieces, designed specifically for the active man – or so everyone was told. The tried and tested marketing technique, trigger words (Shock, rugged, tough, active man, etc) in the adverts and photographs and showing you the MUST HAVE features. And an awful lot of folk had to have it, then and today.

Now the fact you might not need it at all and dare I say, because you might have a conventional timepiece survivor on your wrist already. Let’s face it – watches are small, usually steel cased and externally already pretty tough. If it’s mechanical as long as it’s movement has Incabloc or similar – you have some shock protection. And if it’s quartz then let’s be honest, with few or no moving parts there’s little to worry about. Add a half decent Water Resistance, look after your watch as best you can and that’s about it.

So is it a case of Technology for the sake of Technology perhaps?

Well No has to be the answer – because things move on, everything improves, techniques, materials, movements, modules – everything – and that’s progress.

I like this version as it gets away from the angular, but still well protected.

However, taking a step back here and from personal experience – my old standard 1970’s automatic Seiko 5 Day, Date (luminous, 5bar?, screw back) had been with me many years and in quite a few conflicts around the world – “muck and bullets” as we used to say, that is “tough” environments – and would you believe, it survived somewhat better than I did. A little scratched maybe (again like me) but still keeping good time and with the same strap it came with (the “resin” straps of some “G” shocks can easily break in a year of 24/7 wear). And I’m not talking of a once in a lifetime “tour”, but maybe over 20 years, where my watch and I jumped from one pile of rubble to another and from jungles to sand and back again. But that’s another story for another place.

What I’m saying is that it was a fairly common steel Seiko mechanical automatic model with analogue hands and a leather strap and yet somehow it managed over all these years and in situations that would test most things.

How would it fare on the Triple 10 concept?

Well 10 year battery – no problem – being automatic.
Water Resistance only 5bar (maybe)- but it managed and although submerged a few times, it never let in water or indeed condensation.
And as to dropping it on to concrete from 10m? Well I did a few “drops” myself, but as the watch was attached to me, you could say that I was the “shock” protection!

And I survived . . . . 😉

And so to the future – this is one of the big case models for 2104 – the GA-310

The Casio GA-310 - still G-Shock, but better access to controls. — The Casio GA-310 – still G-Shock, but better access to controls.

Bit of a statement this one, though if I can get past the color, I like the fact the control buttons are not quite so well shrouded and larger, which means that I can probably find them in amongst the protections around the case, without looking at the watch. Something I still find hard to do with my DW-5600E.

Anyway as to the question – Are they tough? well the answer is yes absolutely.
But if I’m honest I haven’t had any of my watches so damaged over the years to have stopped working, though one did fall about 100 feet once from a cooling tower, bounced off this guys shoulder, who was on the ground looking up (he was lucky!) and landed on his kit bag. When I got down, he handed me the watch and said “You was lucky, mate, it’s still going”. It was an old Timex Atlantis and I think my brother’s still got it!

Quite a “shock” soft landing or not!

Out of reach? I’ll wait.

Once again arguably the best Protrek Casio yet is NOT available here in the UK. The model PRW3000 series improves on the current range and uses the Ver 3. Triple Sensor (Altimeter/Barometer, Thermometer & Compass), it’s solar powered and Radio Controlled with Multi-Band 6 Atomic Timekeeping, with a 100m Water Resistance case.

PRW-3000 series from Casio Pro-Tec — PRW-3000 series from Casio Protrek

Owing to the improved and updated modules the direction sensor is smaller (plus improved power consumption) means that the overall dimensions of this model are at last reduced. And if familiar with my web site you well know this is an ongoing issue I have with watches today. At 47mm diameter x 56mm x 12.3 height and only 62g weight, this is at least moving nearer the normal wrist size, without looking like a Marvel comic character.

Accuracy too has been improved with Altitude measured in 1m increments and the display compass readings have 60 seconds of continuous measurement. Added to that there is a Barometric Pressure Tendency Alarm that alerts the wearer to sudden changes in pressure readings – more like GPS units.

As I understand it – can only be purchased from outlets in the Far East and if you need one, then that’s what you will have to do – and run the gauntlet of customs delays, high customs Duty and VAT charges and perhaps an overpriced model at the end of it all.

Of course some will ask if an ABC model is worth all the hassle at all and perhaps rightly so. If into trekking or mountaineering, then you are presumably pretty efficient with map and compass already and maybe have a GPS unit, which after all gives the same data (possibly more accurately as it’s not as confined space wise?) plus a positional indication moving map.
And that’s a valid point – most GPS units are very, very good at horizontal positioning, which is arguably the most important aspect for the majority of recreational walkers, as opposed to serious mountaineering. It actually tells you where you are! The ABC watch of course doesn’t have that function!

And there are the gadget freaks who simply must have the model as it’s the latest high tech wrist fashion. How often have I seen a Tube video of someone showing off his ABC and saying – “Well I know I’m at 400ft, though the watch says 320ft – not too bad is it?” My own thoughts are he’s used the wrong description – not too bad? I think a better one would be “utterly useless”. Or being charitable – perhaps he doesn’t yet know how to calibrate the thing.

And that IS a point. With all ABC watches you have to calibrate them . The Compass and the Altimeter, Barometric pressure and so on, all have to be calibrated otherwise the unit will NOT be accurate. And if as in Scotland where the atmospheric pressure changes often by the minute (our weather is unpredictable to say the least) you might as well forget it, as most readings will be worse than useless.
However if using GPS with a barometric/altimeter and pressure is changing due to weather and not elevation change, at least on some units you have the option of selecting “fixed elevation” mode when it then uses the GPS only for elevation data. But I don’t think you can do this on a wrist watch – yet.

I’ve decided already not to rush to the Far East for one just yet. I’m thinking why do I need one? Maybe I’ll wait for a few UK or USA reviews (not the hype) and consider carefully if I really want one at all.
And when you sit and think about it – time is actually on your side. These units will surely get better and who knows – v4 might just be around the corner – accuracy and calibration factors could improve out of all recognition next week or month!
Imagine Calibration could even be a totally automatic process for Altitude, Pressure and Compass! Carrying around a 90 page instruction booklet is not my idea of fun! The ultimate goal has to be – buy it, strap it on and go!

Now OK just supposition on my part of course and don’t let my hangups stop you rushing out and getting one, from wherever. But personally even with the latest ABC’s, I have to admit to viewing them in the gadget category, albeit a “work in progress” – so I’m quite happy to wait.

Update on Best value Diver

On December 17th last year I reported on the Apeks Dive Watch 200M Professional AP0406 – I was so impressed I bought it for my Christmas. So how is it doing after 1 month?

I have worn this watch every day since from 3pm till 9am the next day, every day. I alternate with the Seiko orange Monster (as it’s automatic I like to keep it going) and have to report that it is a joy to wear.

For me the size is perfect and the only alteration I’ve made is to cut about half an inch off the length of the strap, which allows the strap end to sit flat (see image).

Timekeeping wise I can’t fault it as against my Radio Controlled clock here it is only 11 seconds slow after 1 month, which is certainly good enough for me. The watch has and is performing in my opinion as good if not better than any quartz watch I have – considering the price this has to represent extreme value for money. There is simply nothing I don’t like about this model and usually there is always something that perhaps you find after owning for a while, is not quite as you would like.

Strap end cut short to sit flush before the rubber "waves" — Strap end cut short to sit flush before the rubber “waves”

From a technical or practical point of view, if being really picky, I might question the luminous dot on the bezel. It sits slightly proud of the bezel and maybe should have been recessed, but OK a very picky point indeed.

But it’s almost impossible to find anything anything negative to say about my favorite Divers watch, which has exceeded all expectations. It also makes me wonder at the prices of other Divers watches – I mean some are really quite expensive and looking at the current alternative 200m models, I simply don’t see anything out there that are any better – or even dare I say – as good.

The Apeks Diver range also includes 500m and 1000m depth rated models, though for me, unless you really need that depth rating, this Apeks Dive Watch 200M Professional AP0406 is the best buy. Not that they’re much more expensive – we’re only talking a few £’s, so they also represent great value, but the overall design of this model in my opinion is better and if 200m is sufficient, is very difficult if not impossible to beat.

Note – On the luminous quality of this watch. In use it is better than the Citizen BN0000-04H (December 12th 2013 review) both in terms of brightness longevity (how long it stays visible in the dark) and in the better definition of the hands/markers ratio.

Apeks low light capability is excellent. Note the Luminous arrow second hand.

So there we have it. One month with the Apeks Dive Watch 200M Professional AP0406 and definitely one of my best ever purchases.

I think I’ll have this watch for a long, long time . . . . .

Which Reverso?

Have been toying with the idea of adding to my collection and the Jaeger leCoultre reverso is perhaps the model I wish to purchase. I already have a few Jaeger LeCoultre watches but they are all round case models and mostly vintage. If I manage to find a Reverso it can be either pre-owned and/or vintage as long as it is in good condition and at the right price.

I thought it would simply be a case of picking a good condition model and that would be it – BUT – what I hadn’t bargained for was the sheer variety of Reverso models that there are. Couple that with my personal preferences feature wise and you will quickly see my dilemma. There are literally dozens of versions available currently and each year something different appears, so including vintage models, the choices are pretty daunting.

Advert for the original Reverso (www.timeandwatches.com/p/jaeger-lecoultre-reverso-history.html)

Now I’m not about to do a piece on the history of the Reverso, firstly as there are a few versions (a bit like their watch) of the story and there are dedicated sites for that subject. Suffice to say that back in 1930/1 in India at a polo match, watched by Watch Collector César de Trey, a player broke his watch glass and wondered if there was watch that would withstand a polo match. That conversation soon got to the ear of Jacques-David LeCoultre and following on from that – Jaeger SA made the case in conjunction with French designer René-Alfred Chauvot and the slide and flip mechanism was born. And they’ve been making this watch ever since.

There are what I call the basic ones, where the watch dial is only on the front, the back being reserved for engraving etc. Then there are dial faces front and back which I suppose rather defeats the whole point of the watch, which was to protect the glass dial, but as most of us don’t play Polo, who cares! Some folks like to have a day watch and a night watch, or dial at the front and skeleton back or/and goodness knows what else – suffice to say – there are lots of different ones!

Another favorite – a Triple Date Calendar

Now when you consider that the original model in 1931 just had an hour and a minute hand, and the back was plain stainless steel for engraving or such like. It flipped over and protected the dial – as required. In 1934 a small seconds counter was introduced @6. Since then it seems to me that almost anything was and is possible.

And this is by no means an exhaustive list of dials and versions, as apart from all those I’ve missed, there are of course anniversary limited editions, Tourbillons and ultra complication models (with matching price tags), then there are the Ultra Thin models, Repetition Minute models, Grand Complications and so it goes on. . . .

So after all that, what am I going to do? Difficult I know, though common sense and my wallet will dictate at the end of the day. I’m favoring the Triple Date or Triple Date and Calendar style, as these give me the data I want when reading a watch. Do I want 2 x dials? – well maybe I do – it would be handy to have one with luminous hands for night use – simply by flipping it over. I mean how neat is that!

And I know that Jaeger LeCoultre have a bespoke service . . . . .

Wow!

On reflection I think I’ll see what’s available on the pre-owned front and hopefully find one that suits me, within reason. . . . of course. . .

Maybe a gold one –

A Triple Date in Gold - this I like! — A Day and Date in Gold – mmmmm – nice!

César de Trey

The elegant watch (1)

Elegant – simple enough word to say, but not quite so easy to see – I mean what’s elegant to me may not be to you and as a description of a watch, well it then becomes wide open to interpretation and even ambiguity, so say the least. What about “refined” or “sophisticated” or maybe “tasteful”. Perhaps “delicate” would describe it or even “graceful” and so on and on . . . . .
Not so easy is it? Can this definition actually be defined – Wow, that’s deep, but there lies the conundrum and can it be applied equally to a Dress watch or an everyday Practical watch?

I hope to post 4 models each month that maybe meet my “elegance” criteria and here are my interpretations on what I think is elegant and see if you agree – first up . . . . The wonderful IWC Portofino

The beautifully elegant IWC Portofino Moonphase.

Perhaps what I’d personally call “simply” elegant, the IWC Portofino – and yes “delicate” even “graceful” and certainly “sophisticated” – oh yes it ticks a good few boxes for me and if elegance is a combination of so many different impressions, it certainly fits the brief I’d say.

A sleek Lemania from the 1950's — A sleek pink Gold Lemania from the 1950’s

A beautiful 18ct Pink Gold cased Lemania (supplier to Brequet) from the ’50’s, with sunken engraved sub-dials at 38mm diameter and only 8.5mm depth, is indeed rather slim and elegant. Proportionally it is a very pleasing watch and one that I think meets the criteria pretty well.

Not sure if this Ebel automatic 9303F61 is entirely “elegant”, but it has a certain “refinement” about it that I personally like. Definitely “sophisticated” and even complicated showing the Day and Date in retrograde style and all contained in what they call their Classic Hexagon model – 45.4mm diameter x 11mm. I love the description of this particular dial configuration which is called the “wink and smile”. Ebel tend to be a little below the radar here in the UK, but they do produce some very sweet and very high quality watches, which is unsurprising as Movado group are involved, so need I say more.

Followed by a Seiko GS automatic, just to show that Gold doesn’t have the monopoly on elegance. Seiko are masters of stainless steel design and this model is no exception. Beautiful shaped curve of the GS and it’s balance between refinement and practicality, the perfect matching bracelet says it all and i think a worthy member of my “elegant” selection.

Note – Another 4 watches will feature next month on or around the same time, same place . . . . . .

The Ultimate

I suppose it’s inevitable that when you collect watches for a few years, you at some point come across a model that simply takes your breath away. And for me it has to be the F.P. Journe Quantieme Perpetuel Watch.

F.P. Journe Quantieme Perpetuel Watch - Wow! — F.P. Journe Quantieme Perpetuel model- my ultimate Watch – period!

So what can I say about this remarkable watch. For me as I say this is the ultimate watch – it is simply stunning – and very complicated. It has a most beautiful and simply executed dial, which displays the Date, the current Day and Month. A true Triple Date Calendar watch display if there ever was. The Day and Month are visible through two windows at 12 o’clock. The 6 o’clock double window shows the current Date. The aperture/window sizes are quite large so readability is near perfect. Note that the Date change is virtually instantaneous, so if the time is for example 11:57 the Date will still be correct, it doesn’t slide slowly over as most watches, so that you’re not sure if it’s today or tomorrow!

The F.P. Journe Quantieme Perpetuel Watch is of course a true Perpetual Calendar and one of the most difficult of all complications to master – and being a true complication can be incredibly awkward to reset if you let your watch stop for a few days. It is not impossible that such complications may have to be returned to the Manufacturer for this to be done – which is both expensive and inconvenient in the extreme! However not for François-Paul Journe, as he strives always to make any watch he designs, simple enough even for a child to operate – there is an answer – using the center single crown which has 3 positions. Using it you can set the Time, the Day and the Date. Setting the Month however is managed by another control, hidden beneath the top right hand case lug. The reason for this separate corrector control apparently is that within the movement there is a tiny Leap Year wheel connected to the Month wheel and separate from any crown intervention. The Leap Year indicator by the way is almost unnoticeable at the center of the dial with 4 small indices and indicator.

F.P. Journe Quantieme Perpetuel Watch with 22ct Gold Rotor

The fact that this wonderful complication Octa Calibre 1300.3 mechanical movement with it’s huge 120 hour reserve, is hidden within such an elegant case with the most simple and logical dial is nothing short of astounding. Of course this is no surprise to those who know F.P.Journe as he starts every new design with the dial and the aim of perfect readability. Also note that to achieve the proper visual balance of the dial, the Power Reserve Indicator with it’s retrograde hand is placed @9 – surely a feat in itself!

Anyway, there you have it – my absolute ultimate watch, that unfortunately I will never manage to own unless of course I win the European Lottery! – and even then with such a limited number produced the odds against being a proud owner are just about nigh impossible!

But I can dream!

The elegant watch (2)

Another collection of “elegant” watches from around the world. First from my own cabinet is this, now vintage, made in France, Michel Herbelin Classic with a Swiss ETA movement.

Michel Herbelin Classic Swiss ETA quartz, sapphire crystal, 100m WR.

Followed by a delicate but classic form of the Romanson of Korea model, not often seen here in the UK, but nevertheless a popular watch around the world. This model certainly has an elegance and worthy of including here. I particularly like the perfectly matching bracelet which also has a delicacy of form I find very pleasing.

From the £300 range we move upwards to the classic Swiss Chopard Luc XP Automatic 65hr reserve with micro-rotor.

What sets this apart is the beautiful formed case at 39.5mm which is delicately thin 7.3mm. 18ct of course and powered by the use of a superb micro-rotor.

Now off to Germany for this wonderfully elegant Junghans Meister Kalender model. Featuring the automatic J800.3 mechanical movement, rhodium case and a convex hard Plexiglass with SICRALAN * coating which allows much better scratch resistance, excellent UV and chemical resistance.

Junghans Meister Kalender Triple Date Moon phase — Junghans Meister Kalender
Triple Date Moon phase

I love this Triple Date Calendar and Moon Phase model so much that I have included another image – surely one of the most refined Triples around at the moment.

For such a lovely watch you would be forgiven if you thought it far out of reach price wise – however it may surprise you and could be worth checking it out! I spotted it at €2000 Euros just the other day.

That surely has to be one of the best elegance to value ratio models I have seen in a long time.

Triple Date Calendar (with Moon)

And no it’s not a mistake in your social calendar unless you’re VERY optimistic! It does of course refer to the description of my favorite type of watch, which shows “at a glance” (and that’s important) not only the time, but additionally, the Day, the Date and the Month – and crucially all at the same time. An example of a quartz Triple Date Calendar is the Dugena Moon phase shown here –

For me the Triple Date Calendar function really means I should look at just two types of watch – Quartz Analogue and Mechanical. The true Triple Date Calendar model was of course a term used to describe this complication in mechanical movements, but technical advances mean quartz can now also provide the same function. However regardless of watch type one of the important aspects of triple Date is the dial, because that must be clear enough to allow you to glance at it and quickly determine Triple Date information. Just one glance and you should know not only the Time, but also the Day, the Date and the Month – instantly. However, this is most certainly not always the case and if nothing else the Triple Date function shows up who can or cannot design a watch dial.

Android Ambassador Triple Date Calendar - with sub-dials — Android Ambassador Triple Date Calendar – with sub-dials

The quartz Android Ambassador model as shown above is a most stylish modern model. It doesn’t however use apertures, using sub-dials instead, which I’m pleased to see are a decent size and very clear to read. The sub-dials show the Day and Date, the Month this time being indicated by the center pointer to the outer Month track. In addition and unusually this also indicates the year/week number. The hands may obstruct sometimes, but this is a consequence of analogue hands and these are particularly good, as they are luminescent, which I’ve discovered are in fact surprisingly rare in a Triple date Calendar watch.

Remember what I said about dial design. The two models illustrate this pretty clearly – both may show the same information but the Android is certainly much easier to read. Had the Dugena larger apertures it would have been so much better. I have to hand it to Android though as there are not that many good quartz Triple Date Calendar models around the low £100’s which it is (or was).
The concept of the Triple date is all about information – what do we want to see on our watch? or maybe what do we need to see? The answer for me is a practical one really and Time, Day, Date and Month just about says it all. If I don’t know the year, then maybe I have other issues to worry about and my General Practitioner may be able to help! 😉

Here’s some Triples that I personally like –

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Calendar vintage

An absolute Classic Triple Date Calendar is this Jaeger LeCoultre and this is a vintage one – as I said these are easier to come by than modern, though you will be surprised at the high prices these can command. This is a mechanical movement of course, so the workmanship required to manufacture such a complication is considerable and Jaeger LeCoultre are in a class of their own.

Interesting Mercedes Chronograph Triple Date Calendar

Another rather rare vintage model is the Mercedes Benz Chrono and for me one that I dearly love to own. Mechanical of course with an automatic caliber Valjoux 7751 with a full Calendar (perpetual). Looks like a sub-dial Triple Date until you spot the 2 apertures in the sub-dial @12, a Date pointer center driven, 24hr time, Moon phase etc. and yet totally readable – one of my favorite models.

Classic vintage Movado Triple Date Calendar

One of the most iconic Triple Date Calendar watches in my opinion is this classic vintage Movado, which is as good as they come. I actually had two some years ago, but sold one on – (I know I was ill at the time!) and now these are becoming more difficult and more expensive to find.

So what type of watch can be called Triple Date Calendars –

Digital? – No – not strictly Triple Date Calendar of course – but today with the digital revolution, to find a model that displays all this information and almost anything else you want to know is common. Most Digital models do show the 3 basics, such as the low priced Timex AE1200W (shows time, Day, Date, Month in standard view AND features a Perpetual Calendar till the year 2100). Radio Controlled quartz models of course are Perpetual by default. But Digital models in general can be the cheapest option of all if what you want is data overload.

Quartz – Yes – Analogue models are becoming more common now especially from mainstream Brands such as Casio, Seiko and Citizen. But on modern analog models, unlike the classic vintage models must be looked at carefully for good dial design, which is paramount. All too often they seem tempted to display in a “new” way – often with silvered hands and indices, poor layout and poor clarity as a result.

However there are a few decent ones around including the Dugena and the Android already featured. Quartz Ana-Digi may models again have the data, but not always presented simultaneously and a push button selection may have to be made, such as Calendar. More often than not the standard view will feature a 24hr time sub-dial (goodness knows why?) World Time, a selector dial and so on, which for me just adds to the dial clutter. The whole point of Triple Date Calendar dials is their readability.
And that is a real bugbear of mine – so many quartz analog models seem to go out of their way to make the dial cluttered and virtually unreadable. And if we’re talking about Triple Date Calendar “at a glance” – then forget it!

Mechanical – Absolutely – When it comes to mechanical Triple Date Calendar watches however, these are not quite so common, and in fact there are more vintage models than modern ones. And this is simply because technology overtook the very skilled and technically difficult process of manufacturing them and offered a cheaper electronic alternative. It’s all about cost and also whether the Brand has the technical skill even to make such a model.

So all that said, foe me the Mechanical Triple Date model is almost the ultimate – almost – except for one small problem. Most models don’t have compensation for the short months. In other words – they don’t have a Perpetual Calendar – So every so often unlike the digital models, you have to reset your Date depending on the month (also on leap years). UNLESS of course you start looking at the very best classic Brands.

Wonderful Patek Philippe 2499 Triple Date Perpetual Calendar

As in the case of the Patek Philippe shown above, it also features a Perepetual Mechanical Calendar as well. BUT unfortunately these are really NOT common – no Sir! And if you do see one, you’ll need to make a choice between it and that new car! I think the Patek Philippe models starg at around shown is around $15k to “the sky is the limit” – so not your everyday model.
Here are a few more models I like –

Unusual Jaquet Baume Triple Date vintage model

Vintage Eloga Triple date Calendar model

This Eloga model is particularly special and rare, in that it has incorporated a disk with the Date printed. The crown @10 is used to manually align the day against the date and the progressing pointer then reads the Day and date correctly – a wonderfully elegant solution (I’ve also seen a Landau with the same dial system).

Then there is the classic 3 sub-dial configuration of the Blancpain above, one of my favorite Makers and kept just about as simple as possible to aid clarity – I love it.

I think I prefer the aperture display system I suppose owing to age – the older you get sub-dials become tricky to make out, whereas windows with words within them are certainly easier – if large enough of course. And this year I hope to get myself 2 Triple Date Calendar watches – or that’s my aim anyway – as I believe these are the most wonderfully artistic of all the models out there, especially if mechanical and include the Moon phase as well. And of course they tell you what you really want to know – “at a glance”

What else?

Casio – just goes on and on . . .

So Casio – again! And not for the first time featured and I doubt it will be the last time either that I feature this amazing Company’s range of even more amazing watches, because there’s no question that for watch models for everyday and for you and I, they are probably unsurpassed. The fact is Casio is virtually a household name to many of us and certainly over the past 50 years. From that amazing Calculator you used to smuggle into school (they weren’t allowed in the good old days (1960’s & 70’s), then that snazzy Wrist Watch that had Digits and you were the first in the street that had one, to Cameras, Musical Instruments and so on – if it was to do with pushing the boundaries of miniature Electronics – then Casio was right there. And I’m pleased to say – still is!

What prompted this Post was that I took out of my display cabinet the other day, a spotless as new and pristine Casio AW80 Telememo 30 (Japan 2427 module, China case) and wore it for the first time in ages. The time after a few years was not quite right, so I had to try and remember how to set it. Fortunately the 2427 module is a clever and quite intuitive. I basically used the Mode (lower left) to select LON & time and set the digits to the current time. Then used Mode to reach H-S which is hand setting mode. Pushing the lower right button moves the hands (clockwise only) and in my case I had to move them quite a long way. Pushing both upper and lower left buttons starts the movement of the hands – take you fingers OFF the buttons – once you are within a minute or two, stop with the lower button, then each press moves it one minute – to the correct time.

I noted too that the last time I changed the battery was nearly 13 years ago, which is considerably over the 10 years stated. Good eh?

And this is one of the major points about Casio watches – they simply go on and on! And I’ve seen this same watch for sale, new on Ebay today at around $19 – talk about value! (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Casio-AW80V-5B-Mens-30-Page-Data-Bank-Analog-Digital-Watch-10-Year-Battery-50M-/231108284017). It even uses the same 2747 module, so that’s got to tell you something about quality.

But what’s new at Casio and do they even need anything new, I hear myself say – so I had a look . . . . .

Of course there are many new G Shock models around and these can command almost non Casio prices, such as the Premium 30th Anniversary model MTG-S1030BD-1AER which costs around £1000. Featuring Radio Control, Solar and so forth, the range continues down to the more affordable G Shocks we all know and love. But I’m more concerned with the smaller dimensioned non G Shocks which I find more interesting. Such as this classic round dial Casio AE1000W-1A – World Time, Alarm etc. at a very affordable £20. Great resin hard case with softer fixed bezel and a see what you need to see ‘at a glance’ dial – and so easily readable.

Casio SE1000W-1A World Timer, Alarm Watch

But this new model (to me at any rate) Casio AQ-190W-1A, World Time, Alarm etc. is reminiscent of the wonderful Citizen Skyhawks, but amazingly affordable at around £40 is a real surprise. Featuring analogue Neobrite luminous hands etc, high contrast digital displays, a 1/1000 sec stopwatch, 5 Daily alarms, Timer, Auto Calendar and unusually a rounded glass, 100m Water Resistance and a stainless & resin case. It’s also a neat size at 45mm x 13mm and so light weight, wearable by almost anybody.

And finally in my little round up of Casio is this rather elegant MTF-117L-5AV which is a more conventional style from Casio. It is an analogue model with no digital features with a stainless case, aluminium bezel, mineral glass Day and Date watch with a quartz movement at +/120secs per month. The dimensions are a very neat 39.5mm x 9.9mm so is a slim model and there are 9 Gents versions and 6 Ladies versions and a nice addition to the Casio range.

A slight departure from the more classic Casio look, but a very nice watch and I particularly like the day indicator, which does not reply on the more usual pointer, but rather a red dot indicator, on a vertical scale, which is both neat and visible. I have to admit I quite like the look of it and rather impressed they’ve managed to get away from the stereotypical Casio image – nice one!

That’s it for Casio for now, but I leave this Post with a montage image of a few of the Casio models featured or mentioned over the past few months on this site – – it’s quite a line up. I will however, every so often trawl the Casio sites to see what’s new. So, as ever “Watch (this) Space.

Lotsa votches - and everyone a Casio! — Every one different – and every one a Casio!

I always seem to have around a dozen or so Casio models, bought over the years since the 1970’s – very few of them expensive apart from my Oceanus and so far they all seem to share a common factor – they still work!

Latest –
Well when I got my Oceanus, I though it was the last Casio I’d ever buy. BUT whilst expensive and clever and all that, it simply didn’t give me the same buzz as the ‘cheap and cheerful’ resin hybrids packed with nice little last for ever modules – AND you could swap and change them at little cost, which was fun.
So, in the event I sold on the Oceanus to someone, like me, who (at the time) thought it was the best thing out there. I wonder if he’s still got it?

Clear or not so clear!

So, Clarity – What’s all that about? Well it’s about the number of watches you bought over the years, not over the counter, but over the Internet. The models that seemed, on screen, so clear to read with their high contrast hands to dial looks, only to find out later that the hands were silver/chrome and taken very cleverly by the photographer. That other watch with the gold coloured hands against the gold dial and when you turned on the lights in the house, the hands disappeared into the background. Then there are the ones with those little sub dials that in the picture seem so clear, but in reality the reflections and their real actual color makes them so difficult to even see, let alone read.

Airforce inspired? The Invicta 1514l Force Collection.

The reason I bring this here as a post is that a friend the other day, who buys as many new watches as food (sorry, talk about calling the kettle black!) complained to me that so many of his watches ended up in his drawer, never to be worn again. He said he couldn’t pin it down, the reason that is, but just fancied something new. Intrigued I asked to see the old watches and after looking at them for a bit, realized that what was missing from virtually all of them was – yes – you guessed it – clarity! I don’t think I’d seen such a collective heap of models with the worst hand/dial contrast ratio in the one place at the one time! And some of them, and I checked, looked pretty dire even on the online clever photographic adverts.

Here is one that’s still around I believe – the Invicta 1514l Force Collection Gents Chronograph. Now I don’t know about you but I for one struggle to see the time on this, as the hands are just about merged into the background. Inspired from the Airforce it may be, but they forgot the basics – you have to read the thing! He did point out to me another thing he initially thought was great, but once in his hands not so – and that was the fact the crown and pushers are on the left side of the watch. Now he’s right handed as are around 85% of the world’s population and he wear his watch on his left hand so operating anything was difficult to say the least. So yes he should have thought of that and not one of his greatest purchases.
Now OK a left handed guy with exceptional eyesight might think this is a beauty and I can only congratulate him. But let’s be honest – for clarity – it really could be better!

And here is another one I struggle with, as again the hands which are also part skeletal are in a colour that just doesn’t do it for me and I really struggle to read clearly. It is also quite a “busy” dial with all the tacho rings and so on around the perimeter. So another model he wore for a few days and consigned to that bottom drawer.

However this problem is not the sole preserve of my friend as I spotted the other day this expensive and quite rare Chopard Jackie Ickx Limited Edition 24 hr Chronograph totaliser model.

Chopard Jackie Ickx Limited Edition - not the most legible per $ — Chopard Jackie Ickx Limited Edition – not the most legible per $

The silvered hands against the white/silver dial background really compromise legibility, though I note that Chopard allegedly promise that in poor light its analogue display readout will be perfect thanks to the Super Luminova coated hands and hour indices! Well that’s just great – a night time only watch!

I’ve heard everything now!

As I said to my watch buying nut of a friend, not to worry as he’s in good company and at least he doesn’t spend that kind of money each time. Anyway he’s trawling around in my watch cabinet at the moment and has already selected a few that seem to appeal to him. However – and I’ve locked the door at this point – he’s not getting his hands on any of ’em!

But seriously this is an important point to bear in mind, re’ the images on the internet. If they have those 360º images of the real watch, that of course is preferable to just the art enhanced images, but if you can actually see the watch in real life – then so much the better.
Also read the descriptions (if accurate – another bugbear I have) and if it says “gold coloured hands” and they’re shown black because the photographer has used best contrast angles, then think about it. They’re not black are they! And if the indices or numerals are described as silvered or chromed highlights etc – again think carefully about just what you are looking at. These may be difficult to read in daylight and may have reflections.

Otherwise you’ll join that happy band (I think my friend is a founder member) of guys who have a bottom drawer full of these nice looking, but ultimately poorly designed watches. You will also probably see one or two even in your own circle – you know, you ask your friend the time and who’s now squinting at his watch . . . . . .

You could of course have a sneak peek first at his watch and then ask him the time on purpose. 😉