Sunday, May 17, 2020

Seiko Presage SRPE15J1 Cocktail Time "Mockingbird" Green (similar to SRPE17J1 and SRPE19J1) - A Beautiful Dress Watch, A Review (plus Video)

Since Malaysia instituted a lock-down strategy to stop the Covid-19 on 19 March 2020 (known officially as the 2020 Malaysia Movement Control Order or commonly referred to as the MCO), all shops were required to close. Watch shops suffered financially as they cannot sell products the traditional way. Even online watch merchants faced the heat as buyers prioritized spending habits to basic necessities only.

After many weeks under the MCO, the Malaysian authorities started to ease some restrictions. On 4 May 2020, shops were allowed to open subject to a set of crowd control measures that must be instituted by the businesses. To support my favorite AD, I decided to visit and buy at least one timepiece to help.

I was eyeing the SRPE15J1 when it was announced earlier this year. The dial is so mesmerizing. I bought this piece when I found out it was available.

I actually got something similar. The SRPB41J1 has a blue dial and is nicknamed the "Blue Moon" after the cocktail recipe (Blue Moon consist of ice, gin, Creme de Violette and lemon juice). It was bought in 2017. For more information, please click here.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Homage Series: Citizen Automatic NY602151E Diver => Rolex Submariner No-Date


This is the first of the series where I present a famous iconic watch and its homage. If you are into dive watches, a famous iconic dive watch is the Rolex Submariner Steel Black Reference 114060. The Citizen Watch Company made a homage to this watch is the form of the Citizen Automatic NY602151E Diver.

HomageIcon


Citizen Automatic NY602151E Diver

Rolex Submariner Oyster Reference 114060
Specifications

Case Material: Stainless steel 316L
Crystal: Sapphire
Bezel: Stainless steel with aluminium insert
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with push-button
lock and safety latch clasp
Complications: Day & date
Water Rating: 200 meters
Production: Made in Japan
Weight: 163 gm
Width: 43.5 mm
Length: 49.5 mm
Height: 13.4 mm
Lug Width: 20 mm
Movement: Caliber 8203 automatic with hand winding but no hack function
Jewels: 23
Accuracy: -10/+20 seconds per day
Power Reserve: Approximately 50 hours
Specifications 

Case Material: Stainless steel 904L
Crystal: Sapphire
Bezel: Cerachrom insert in ceramic
Strap: Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system
Complications: None
Water Rating: 300 meters
Production: Made in Switzerland
Weight: 155 gm
Width: 40 mm
Length: 48 mm
Height: 12.5 mm
Lug Width: 20 mm
Movement: Caliber 3130 automatic with hand winding and hack function
Jewels: 31
Accuracy: -2/+2 seconds per day
Power Reserve: Approximately 48 hours

The Citizen Automatic NY602151E Diver was introduced to the market in mid-2011. I got the watch in 2013.

Based on the specifications, the Citizen Automatic NY602151E Diver is a relatively low end homage to the Rolex Submariner 114060. In fact, one can safely wager that one is not a homage to the other.







Head-To-Head: Bracelet Square G-Shocks - Composite (GW-M5610BC-1JF), Stainless Steel (GMW-B5000GD-1ER) and Titanium (GMW-B5000TCM-1JR)

In this short article, I will highlight the specifications of three square Casio G-Shocks made from three different materials. The watches are (from L to R): the Composite GW-M5610BC-1JF, the Stainless Steel GMW-B5000GD-1ER and the Titanium GMW-B5000TCM-1JR (click on the underlined to go to the full review of the specific watches). Although they look generally similar, there are a number of subtle differences.



Saturday, May 2, 2020

Homage Series: Athaya Vintage AV002 Lamafa Diver => Seiko 6105-811X Diver

Since the Seiko 6105-811X dive watch (either 6105-8110 or 6105-8119; both are exactly the same, the last digit in the reference number indicates in which market the watch was originally sold) was introduced to the market in 1970, the design has been widely copied. Athaya Vintage, an independent watch company in Indonesia has made a homage to this icon. Its interpretation is the Athaya Vintage AV002 Lamafa Diver.

Athaya Vintage AV002 Lamafa DiverSeiko 6105-811X Diver
Width - 44.3 mm
Length - 48 mm
Height - 13.5 mm
Lug width - 20 mm
Complication - Date (hidden)
Movement - NH35A; 24 jewels
Material - Stainless steel
Strap - Rubber
Crystal - Domed sapphire & AR coating
Water rating - 200 m
Crown - Screw-down
Bezel - Unidirectional 120 clicks
Weight - 107.4 gm
MSRP - USD350
Produced - 2015
Width - 44 mm
Length - 47.5 mm
Height - 12.5 mm
Lug width - 19 mm
Complication - Date
Movement - 6105B; 17 jewels
Material - Stainless steel
Strap - Rubber
Crystal - Dual-curved Hardlex
Water rating - 150 m
Crown - Twist-and-lock
Bezel - Unidirectional 60 clicks
Weight - 70 gm
MSRP - USD75
Produced - 1970

As you can see from the specifications, the AV002 Lamafa is closely aligned with the 6105-811X in terms of dimensions. Athaya Vintage does provide options of a watch with date aperture or otherwise. I chose not to have a date window (the date wheel is still there nevertheless). If you would like a real likeness to the original, you can order one with the date window as per the 6105-811X.

If you are a collector but may have problems getting an original 6105-811X. The AV002 Lamafa is an excellent proxy to the original.






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