The Year In Perspective - What a Rewarding Year 2019 was to Watch Hobby's Social Medial Presence

I must say that 2019 has been a good year for my social media presence. The following are my social media accounts:

1. http://easternwatch.blogspot.com/
2. http://westernwatch.blogspot.com/
3. http://knifecollectionhobby.blogspot.com/
4. https://twitter.com/watchhobby
5. https://www.instagram.com/watchhobby/
6. https://www.youtube.com/user/63672674

During 2019, I was able to record the following statistics:

Postings during 2019
Blog 01: 55 postings
Blog 02: 0 postings
Blog 03: 12 postings
Twitter: 1,120 postings
Instagram: 686 photo postings
YouTube: 312 video postings

Viewerships during 2019
Blog 01: 455,152 views
Blog 02: 35,250 views
Blog 03: 4,658 views
Twitter: 508.2K views
Instagram: n/a
YouTube: 559,890 views

Followers as at end 2019
Blog 01: n/a
Blog 02: n/a
Blog 03: n/a
Twitter: 3,979 followers
Instagram: 1,641 followers
YouTube: 1,346 followers

Number of Reviews during 2019
Blog 01: 32
Blog 02: 0
Blog 03: 12
Twitter: n/a
Instagram: n/a
YouTube: 66

Earnings during 2019
Adsense: USD164,84
Amazon: USD45.31
YouTube: USD357.20

May 2020 be a better year for all. Happy New Year from me!

Seiko Presage Chronograph 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ031J1 (or SARK015 in Japan) - Nostalgia of the Swinging Sixties, A Review (plus Video)

In 1964, Seiko created another historical milestone for the brand when it launched a mechanical chronograph which also happens to be the first for Japan. The watch in question was created to be in time for the 1964 Summer Olympics which happens to be in Tokyo, Japan (more about this later). This year, Seiko decided to commemorate that occasion with the launch of the Seiko Presage Chronograph 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ031J1 (or SARK015 if you are in Japan).

Seiko actually launched two limited edition watches to commemorate its milestones in mechanical chronograph movements. Apart from the SRQ031J1, Seiko also launched the SRQ029J1. While the SRQ031J1 honoured the 1964 milestone, the SRQ029J1 honoured the 1969 milestone instead. The 1964 milestone is Seiko's first manual winding chronograph while the 1969 milestone is Seiko's first automatic chronograph, the 6189.

I already have the SRQ029J1 in the collection (please click here to go the full review) and the acquisition of the SRQ031J1 completes the collection.

Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face II Auto Chrono Limited Edition Reference H32866781 - Very Unique, A Review

In 2013 Hamilton released something really non-Hamilton-like in so many ways. The Jazzmaster Face 2 Face caught many off-guard with its oval shaped watch casing, its unique double ETA movements powering opposing dials. The opposing watch faces can be flipped between a standard 3-hand watch face or a chronograph face (hence the name of the watch). Unfortunately, the value proposition which Hamilton envisage for the watch and the pricing set was not conducive and put off a lot of people.

Having listened to the feedback, Hamilton tried again in 2016 with the latest rendition, the Jazzmaster Face 2 Face II reference H32866781. This time around, Hamilton's designers have created something more contemporary and utilising the many dead spaces in the original Face 2 Face. More importantly, the value proposition which Hamilton envisage for the new watch and the pricing set is now more grounded in reality.

Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical H76419931 - A Re-craft of the Classic W10, A Review (plus Video)

One of Hamilton's enduring legacy is its connection to military watches. No, I am not taking about "wannabes" military style watches but actual watches endorsed and pressed into actual military service. In the 1960s and 1970s, Hamilton became one of the manufacturers of watches for the British Army. These pieces are very easy to recognise thanks to their “broad arrow” markings on their dials. Hamilton's more famous design was the W10. This went into production between 1973 and 1976. It was made specifically for the Royal British Air Force.

In 2019, the brand announced a re-craft of the original W10. In the press release, Hamilton used the term “exact remake of the W10” which I believe only refers to the dimensions. This in itself is very good as a lot of 'remakes' nowadays do not strictly follow the original dimensions, just the basic shape.

The Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical came at the heels of the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. In Hamilton's website, the expected release date was September 2019. Imagine my suprise to see a few examples already on display in a Hamilton AD in Kuala Lumpur by early November 2019. I had to get it and I chose the nylon NATO strap version.

Wooden Display Stand for Wristwatches, A DIY Project

I want to display my watches by making my own wooden display stand. From the internet, I was able to find a few ideas to make on my own. The photo below is one such idea that I would like to make. I need a jigsaw, a drill, wood glue and some screws or nails. I was able to get the plans and hopefully something nice will come out of this project.

Seiko Prospex Automatic Chronograph 50th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ029J1 (or SBEC005 in Japan) - A New Panda is Born, A Review (plus Video)

I was able to acquire another heritage timepiece from Seiko. This time it is the Seiko Prospex Automatic Chronograph 50th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ029J1 (or SBEC005 if you are in Japan). This watch was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Caliber 6139. When launched in 1969, it was the world’s first automatic chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch. Today, the principle design of the 6139 is used in most high-end chronograph movements.

When the watch was announced by Seiko back in early October 2019, a number of famous watch reviewers mentioned about the 50-year confusion regarding the SRQ029J1. They concluded that Seiko have taken a 1970 design as a basis for this re-craft which definitely makes the 50-year claim somewhat overstated.

However, I disagree with this conclusion as the title for this watch relates to the movement and not to a particular historical wrsitwatch, unlike the SLA017J1, SLA025J1 and the SLA033J1. Since the 8R48 movement used in the SRQ029J1 is a direct descendant of the 6139 movement, what Seiko did was not wrong.

Head-To-Head: Casio G-Shock Full Metal 5000 GMWB5000GD-1ER Black versus Casio G-Shock GWM5610BC-1JF JDM Multi Band 6 with Bracelet

The square Casio G-Shock series is an icon. Since 1983, this particular G-Shock series has become a cult classic, a must have piece for any serious collector. In my collection, I have the Casio G-Shock GW-M5610BC-1JF JDM Multi Band 6 with Bracelet (left in the photo below) and the Casio G-Shock Full Metal 5000 GMWB5000GD-1ER Black with Bracelet (right in the photo below).

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough Chronograph Stainless Steel and Titanium Watch CA0720-54H - From Citizen's School of Hard Knocks, A Review (plus Video)

I starting to focus more on Citizen designed watches in the last year or so. My previous biasness against non-mechanical timepieces shielded me from exploring this branch of the horological tree. After braking through the 'quartz' barrier I realised that there are a lot of incredible technologies and applications that can be found in this realm. My paranoia of serviceability as well as the possible deterioration of unique components appear unfounded as a number of quartz timepiece since the early era of the quartz timeline remain in operation without a care in the world.

Earlier this year I purchase the Citizen BN0211-50E Promaster Tough. I was very impressed with the build quality and its capabilities. When I noted that Citizen also came up with a chronograph model under the Tough series, I decided to get one.

There are two models under this sub-group. A bracelet version and a strap version. I decided on the bracelet version with reference CA0720-54H as I am intrigue with the bracelet design.For more information about the series and history, please refer to the special section at the end of this review.

The Ohuhu 12 Slot Watch Box - Adequate for Most Watches, A Review

Got myself another watch box via Amazon. This time a Ohuhu branded 12-slot Watch Box. It is a black faux-leather with glass display top and a metal lock catch. It has a beige velvet interior and pillows. No logo is printed anywhere.

Seiko 5 Sports Sense Style with NATO Strap SRPD85K1 - A Fresh Injection of Style, A Review (plus Video)

Seiko was the brand that brought good mechanical watches designed from the ground up for the masses. The launch of the Seiko 5 sub-brand 1963 was the key turning point that made Seiko a major world player in wristwatches. Despite kick-starting the quartz watch tsunami of the 1970s with the launched the world’s first quartz watch in 1969, Seiko mechanical watch division was able to comfortably weather the storm and strive. Established brands did not react at all or in time and within 15 years later, almost two-thirds of all Swiss watchmakers closed shop.

The name Seiko 5 actually signifies the the number of key attributes which Seiko adheres to; self-winding automatic movement, resistance to water, a day-date in a single window, a recessed crown, and a durable case. All this ns a package and manufacturing quality that defies the price point of a Seiko 5 which very few manufacturers can match. As such the Seiko 5 brand has won respect, affection and loyalty of people from all around the world.

Seiko 5 Sports is a branch of the Seiko 5 dedicated to more sporty and tool-like designs.