King Seiko Travelling Pouch - Not Sold but Gifted

I recently bought the limited edition King Seiko KSK SJE083J1 and I was gifted a signed travelling pouch. Nothing spectacular about the material used (faux leather). Nevertheless, this item is not available for sale and hence having it is kind of unique. If you want to know more about the SJE083J1, please click here: https://easternwatch.blogspot.com/2021/04/king-seiko-ksk-sje083j1-limited-edition.html

A Book on Wristwatch Complications

This is an online book about watch complications. Very informative. Please note that the copyright remains with the author. The purpose of uploading this is purely for information purposes.

 

xxxxxxx

King Seiko KSK SJE083J1 Limited Edition (or SDKA001) - First Class and Carries itself Well Beyond its Price Point, A Review (plus Video)

A century is a long time. In 2021, Seiko will be celebrating its 140th years in operations since it was first established in 1881. To mark this momentous occasion, Seiko has in store a number of new and exiting models. One of the most anticipated release is a revival of one of its famous sub-brand and model, the 1965 King Seiko KSK.

The last time Seiko recreated a model under the old King Seiko sub-brand was in the year 2000 with the launched of the SCVN001 as part of the Seiko Historical Collection of that year. Twenty years later, on 8 December 2020, Seiko announced the second official recreation of the King Seiko line.

This second recreation is designated the SJE083J1 (in Japan the reference is SDKA001). Called the King Seiko KSK, it is based on the 1965 model of the same name. KSK is an abbreviation of the name “King Seiko Kisei-Tsuki”. This special limited edition watch revives the 1965 Reference 44-9990, or the “44KS”. I was fortunate to get my hands on one via my good friend at AWG in Mid Valley.

Tissot Heritage 1973 Limited Edition Reference T124.427.16.031.00 - Tissot was able to Capture the Essence of the Original, A Review (plus Video)

The last time I bought a Tissot for the collection was in 2011 when I visited Switzerland for a family holiday. All this while, I have been eyeing a number of its classically designed models under the Visodate range. Unfortunately, these models were never up there in terms of priority. However, in 2019, Tissot launched the Heritage 1973 limited edition timepiece to commemorate its involvement in motorsports back in the 1970s.

In 1976 Tissot entered the world of F1 when the brand became the official backer of young driver called Loris Kessel. Although Kessel isn't as well known as some of his contemporaries, he was a true motorhead. He not only raced, but also created Kessel Classics, a Swiss shop that specializes in campaigning classic race cars in historic races around the world as well as running a Swiss motor racing team under the same brand name. The operation is located in the canton of Tessin, Switzerland. Tissot is currently in partnership with the racing team, Kessel Classics. The Tissot Heritage 1973 was introduced to celebrate the Tissot’s relationship to motorsport and the Kessel branding.

Daiso Military Style Quartz Watch - Cheap but Versatile, A Review (plus Video)

When I got my SeiyaJapan watch recently (see the review here), the package also included a free watch. A cheap watch but a watch nonetheless. It it a watch sold by Daiso Industries Co. Ltd. of Japan. Daiso is famously known as “the Japanese dollar store”, where all items on sale are kept under a certain price. In Japan it is typically YEN100 per item. In Malaysia it is RM5.90. This watch came straight from Japan and is listed for YEN500.

The Watch

Made out of plastic, the watch is 38 mm in diameter with a lug-to-lug length of 41 mm. It comes with a boxed clear plastic window which bumps up its height to 12 mm.  

The crown which happens to be the only metallic on the watch casing is located at 3:00. Although the watch casing is black, the crown has a bright polished steel look to it.

WATCHPOD-Style Single Watch Travel Case by AWG - Fits even oversized watches, A Review

I was given this Watchpod-style single watch travel case by AWG when I visited the store recently. This is part of the company's 60 anniversary commemorative gift to their loyal customers. I don't believe it will be for sale.

Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel “Devil Diver” Reference 98B320 - A Beautiful 1970s Dive Watch Reproduction, A Review (plus Video)

The Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel was given the nickname “Devil Diver” by virtue of its water rating of ‘666’ feet. Launched in 2018, this model was a reissue based on a design made in 1972. Unlike other famous watches in that era, the Oceanographer was not as spectacular. In reality, the timepiece can be construed as a typical basic tool-watch. Nevertheless, it has that classic 1970s vibes that is unmistakably cool and attractive.

I have been eyeing the watch ever since it was introduced to the market in 2018. Unfortunately, the Bulova brand is not well covered in Malaysia. It is only via Amazon US that I was able to acquire one. As Malaysia is currently in a lockdown due to Covid19, I was apprehensive in making the order but thankfully, the package arrived safely and earlier than originally scheduled by Amazon.

This is the first Bulova to be part of the collection.

(Very) Short History on Bulova and its Dive Watches

Bulova is an American watch brand founded in 1875 and owned by the Citizen Watch Co of Japan. It is based in New York City. Some of the famous lines under the brand are the Accutron, the Computron and the Apollo 15 watch. I decided not to provide more information about the brand as the same information is already available elsewhere. For more, please visit www.bulova.com. 

SeiyaJapan Original Watch Automatic Prototype 15pcs New - The Ideal Design By The Brand Owner Himself, A Review (plus Video)

Back in 2017, I ordered SeiyaJapan's first designed watch, the SeiyaJapan Original Watch Automatic A167-A (Dial Type A). The watch was officially offered to the public in the later part of 2016. SeiyaJapan has two options available, the Type A is more vintage in appearance while the Type B is more contemporary. The major differences are in the style of hands and the design of the time scale. For more information about the watch, please refer to this link.

In 2020, SeiyaJapan came up with another option but with a few tweaks based on feedbacks received as well as personal preference by the owner of brand itself, Mr. Seiya Kobayashi. To be honest, I did not noticed this new offering by SeiyaJapan until I received a personal email from Mr. Seiya.  

After reading the listing on SeiyaJapan's website, the SeiyaJapan Original Watch Automatic Prototype 15pcs New (let's call it the Prototype from now on) was designed based on Mr. Seiya's own personal preference. There are a number of departures from the two earlier models.

Within a week of the email, the watch arrived in Kuala Lumpur courtesy of Mr. Seiya Kobayashi.

YEMA Digidisc Black YDGD2020-AM (similar to Yema Digidisc Brown YDGD2020-UM) - The Bracelet is a Disappointment, A Review (plus Video)

Today I would like to introduce the second watch brand from France into the collection (the first was Bell & Ross). YEMA is a French brand established in 1948 in Besançon, in the Doubs, the cradle of French watchmaking. The model in question is the Digidisc Black, a 1970s throwback design.

The period between this purchase and the last is about three months. This has been a longest time I have not indulged in getting a watch for the collection. I suppose the current Covid-19 health pandemic has taken a toll on my hobby. Nonetheless, I opened 2021 with a purchase of an interesting design that represent a time when 'groovy' was a thing.

Futurism was chic during the 1970s. The space race and the rapid advancement of technology in everyday life made it 'cool' to be futuristic. Art and design embraced the modernity wholeheartedly and watch styling was no exception.    

The YEMA Digidisc Black YDGD2020-AM has a time display using discs that rotate instead of moving hands like most contemporary watches. This styling is just so 1970s.  

The Year In Perspective - What a Bittersweat Year 2020 has become

The year 2020 is about to come to an end. What a year it has been. The world faced a pandemic while I faced an important question about my watch collecting future.  

Historically, I started collecting watches (as a serious hobby) back in 2010. Since then, I have accumulated 222 watches into the collection. I took the hobby seriously and I made it a point to write a blog posting on every watch I got; a sort of owner's review.

Since the pandemic hit, it was difficult for me to visit my watch dealers. It was also difficult for me to buy watches online as my office is not operating normally (I decided against sending it to the house as no one is there constantly as well). Hence, I was forced to curb my buying cycle.

After many months of this self-imposed shopping freeze (I did get some watches but it was not as consistent as before), the urge to acquire watches started to fade. 

 

Oh well, I suppose this is a Covid-19 symptom for watch collectors. Hopefully, this is temporary.

Anyway, just want to wish all of you a Happy New Year and may all troubles disappear in 2021.