Seiko 5 Sports "Fifty Five Fathoms" SNZH53J1 - The Perfect Beater Watch, A Review (plus Video)

My hunt for iconic watches continues.

People used to say, “Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery”. However, in the business world, it is shunned as it carries some negative implication to branding. The SNZH53J1 is one such product from Seiko that could fall into this trap but did not. This is its story….

Arguably, Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms is the first dedicated diving watch. It was designed to cater for the needs of the French military. First released in 1953, it preceded the famed Rolex Submariner by a few months. The various specifications were not unique on their own but collectively, have never been aggregated into one package. The requirements such as unidirectional rotating bezel to calculate diving time, bold large markers for easy of reading, illumination on the markers for underwater and low light condition usage, water resistant up to fifty fathoms (or 91 meters/100 yards), automatic movement and anti-magnetic frame to protect watch from disturbance with military equipment makes the Fifty Fathoms the first progeny of a new watch genre.

Casio G-Shock Black Out Basic Series GX-56BB-1DR – A Brute with Limited Flexibility, A Review (plus Video)

The Casio G-Shock series have been around since 1983 and have a very strong cult following due to its ability to withstand battering. Despite being a watch collector that tends to collect watches with significant contribution to the world of horology, I have yet gotten a G-Shock in collection thus far. However, today a new chapter has dawned and the collection has a new member in the form of the Casio G-Shock Black Out Basic Series GX-56BB-1DR.

The GX series are typically called the “King of G-Shock" models. These are the biggest G-Shocks ever produced by Casio. The company launched the first back in 2010. It has the classic 5600 G-Shock design but in a size that is close to twice the size. The over-sized design is its call to fame. Unfortunately, for some people, the size could be a bit overwhelming.

I got the watch from the Watch Style of Mid Valley Megamall. The MSRP was RM809 (with GST). I was able to get it for RM680. Although I believe I could get it cheaper elsewhere, I still decided to get it from this brick and mortar shop due to the personal service rendered.

Life Hack: Making a Solar Cabinet Drawer – Safe, Secure & Neat, A Review

Once you start to collect solar powered watches, a problem of maintaining sufficient amount of charge in the batteries becomes apparent. If can wear them all often, this may not be a problem but if this is not possible, is there a solution? Yes, you can leave it out on the dressing table to absorb any kinds of light, natural or artificial but this opens up another problem: security of the watches when you are away from home.

You can put it under the sun but the effects of UV rays on dials, non-metallic materials and painted surfaces would be damaging in the long run.

A rather simple solution is to create a watch cabinet with artificial light. Although there are countless ways of making a really proper “solar cabinet”, I’ve decided to re-purpose an existing drawer with a light bulb.

SeiyaJapan Original Watch Automatic A167-A (Dial Type A) – Simple Yet Complete, A Review (plus Video)

When Seiya-san of SeiyaJapan started the project of creating his own version of a military watch back in early 2016, I followed with interest the development via his Instagram account. With the design specification finalized in the first half of 2016, production commenced and the first complete examples were ready for sale by the end of the year.

I took my time and finally I made the decision to get one. There are two models to choose from. The Type A and the Type B. The former is more traditional in the hands and dial design while the latter has a contemporary design. I chose the Type A or officially known as the SeiyaJapan Original Watch Automatic A167-A.


The reason I chose the Type A is because I believe this is Seiya-san’s favorite design. Based on his blog postings, he often brought up the subject of vintage military watches from bygone eras. He spends a lot of time researching and writing about these watches which has a similar design to the Type A. Although I am just making an assumption, all indications seem to point to that fact. If Seiya-san is reading this blog, do drop a comment on this at the end of the posting.

Replacement Strap for my Seiko Prospex Emperor Tuna SBDX011 direct from Japan: Reference R01X011M9 - So Expensive

I got my replacement strap for my Seiko Prospex Emperor Tuna SBDX011 direct from Japan. This particular strap is usually paired with the latest iteration of the Emperor Tuna SBDX013. Instead of rubber, it is made out of silicone which should give it more durability. Read my previous posting on the event that forced me to get this item: http://easternwatch.blogspot.my/2016/09/omg-moment-seiko-prospex-emperor-tuna.html

The metal parts are all made out of titanium.
 

Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual Time White Dial SBXB047 (SSE047) Titanium with Ceramic Bezel Watch – Excellent timepiece with real world applications, A Review (plus Video)

After the Astron was re-launched back in 2012, I finally got myself an Astron for the collection. The delay in getting one was due to the fear factor I get with new technologies – will they actually work? Moreover, when the first batches of Astrons with the 7X Series Calibers installed were on sale, there were a number of issues highlighted by owners. Predominantly, problems surrounding the power usage and the lack of battery capacity were reported. These feedbacks from consumers prompted Seiko to redesigned the GPS module and come out with the latest 8X Series Calibers which eliminated issues that were brought out.

Before we go straight into the review, it would be good to clear up the reference codes used for this series. The Astron is a Made-In-Japan watch line. However, it is not strictly defined as a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) as it is sold globally. Nevertheless, in true Japanese manufacturing quirkiness, this series has been earmarked with the “SBXB” code when in Japan while the rest of the World has been allotted the “SSE” code. The numerical part of the overall reference code remains the same. Therefore SBXB047 is in fact the SSE047.

Seiko Prospex Blue Lagoon Samurai SRPB09K1 Limited Edition – Its simplicity is its strength, A Review (plus Video)

Seiko has re-crafted another of its iconic designs of yesteryear – the Samurai.

The original Samurai was launched back in March 2004. However, the production run was only a few years. Within those few years, only a few dial colours either in stainless steel or titanium were offered. For reasons that still remain murky to this day, the Samurai suddenly reached cult status which caused prices at the pre-owned market to sky-rocket.

My interest in this particular model is just to complete my collection of iconic models under Seiko. When it was announced in late 2016 of a limited run of just 6,000 units will be made available to the public, I had my doubts whether I could get my hands on one. Considering the extensive fan base for Seiko watches in Asia as well as the rest of the world, plus the fact that the watch will be at a price point that is very affordable to the vast majority (MSRP is USD550 in the US or RM2,427.40 in Malaysia), it would fly out of stores as quickly as lightning.

Bonia Silver Tourbillon Cuff Links Ref: PBNG0015 - Utulising a mechanical watch movement balance wheel module to celebrate the beauty of horology, A Review (plus Video)

Back in June 2016, I acquired this set of cuff links from a shop in Mid Valley. What caught my eyes was the horological theme designed directly into the fashion accessory. Made by Bonia, a fashion house from Malaysia, it utulises a mechanical watch movement balance wheel module to celebrate the beauty of horology.

ORIENT Automatic MAKO II (or 2) Diver FAA02002D9 (similar to FAA02001B9) – The watch wears well, the size is just nice as to not overwhelm any wrists, A Review (plus Video)

Finally, an Orient MAKO 2 in the bag. I have been searching this model for some time and finally I got it. It will make a fine edition to my earlier MAKO 1 and MAKO XL.

I got this watch at Solar Time in Mid Valley. The MSRP is RM1,100 but I was able to get it for RM770. Quite pleased with the acquisition at it means my MAKO collection is currently up-to-date.

The specific model that I got is the FAA02002D9, the blue dial and bezel version (the other option available is the FAA02001B9 with the dial and bezel in black). This is the latest iteration of the MAKO 2 launched in mid 2016. This latest version comes with a new Cal. F6922 in-house movement with winding and hacking capabilities (more about this later).

Face to Face Comparison: The Citizen NY0040 200m Promaster Diver versus Citizen NY2300-09G 200m Diver - The flashy versus the Sedated

The Citizen NY0040 200m Promaster Diver and the Citizen NY2300-09G 200m Diver are two iconic dive watch designs by the Citizen Watch Company. Both were designed as professional dive watches catering to scuba divers within a 200 meter diving limit. However, there are some peculiarities in the watches that gives an advantage (or disadvantage) to one watch over the other. I will attempt to summarise the differences so that you, the readers, can be better informed to make the right choice based on your own specific requirements.