Seiko Presage 2020 Limited Edition SPB127J1 Tribute to the 1964 “Crown Chronograph” (similar to SPB129J1 and SPB127J1) - Well Sized, Fairly Weighted and Comfortable to Wear, A Review (plus Video)

In October 2019, Seiko launched Seiko Presage Chronograph 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ031J1 (or SARK015 if you are in Japan). This special model was made to commemorate the brand's first mechanical hand-wound Caliber 5719 chronograph movement in 1964. This movement was paired with the 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph, Seiko’s first mechanical chronograph watch.

A lot of write-ups about that limited edition timepiece advocate that Seiko was 'commemorating' the 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph. However, it was the movement that was being recognised (for more, visit this article I wrote). I was actually surprised that a lot of people got that wrong. Even the design of the SRQ031J1 looks different when compared to the 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph.

This time around, Seiko launched three specific models with different dial colours to commemorate the 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph. These models are limited editions and only 1,964 units of each model will be produced. Visually, these new limited edition models have more in common with the 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph than the SRQ031J1. Nevertheless, these new models are not chronographs unlike the 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph.

Seiko Prospex 4th Generation Monster SRPD25K1 (or SBDY033) Dive Watch (similar to SRPD27K1/SBDY035 and SRPE09K1/SBDY045) - The Quintessential Tool-Watch, Review (plus Video)

In 2019, Seiko released the fourth generation Monster dive watches. In the initial release, three models were launched, the blue dial with bracelet SRPD25K1, and the black dial with silicone strap SRPD27K1, and the wavy blue dial special edition with bracelet SRPE09K1 (In Japan, the references are SBDY033, SBDY035 and SBDY045, respectively).

In my collection, I already have a model under each of the earlier generation. Gen 1: SKX779K1 Black Monster; Gen 2: SRP311K1 Sunburst Black PVD Monster; and Gen 3: SZSC005 Jade Monster. Although I should have made a decision back in 2019 to get one, I had to re-prioritized my acquisition plans as a number of other timepieces took precedence.

During the current unpleasantness of the Covid-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to re-look at my original plans and I decided to get the SRPD25K1 to complete the Monster family.

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.

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.

Homage	Icon
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.

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 Diver	Seiko 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.

Head-To-Head: Citizen Promaster Tough BN0211-50E versus Citizen Promaster Tough Chronograph CA0720-54H

This is a head-to-head between the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough Black Dial Bracelet Watch BN0211-50E and the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch CA0720-54H. Both watches are part of the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster series that has the designation of "Tough".

Homage Series: MWF-Gruppo Gamma LE Watch => Panerai 1940 Radiomir 1940 Case

The MWF-Gruppo Gamma limited edition watch was based on the design of the famous G Series by Panerai which was issued in 1940. Made for The Royal Italian Navy, the Radiomir 1940 Case is a simple design with a sandwich dial and two hands.

MWF-Gruppo Gamma	Panerai Radiomir 1940 Case
Made out of 316L stainless steel Screw down solid case back It is 44 mm diameter A lug width of 24 mm Miyota 8215 automatic movement	Made out of stainless steel It is 47 mm diameter Produced in 1940

Although the size of the homage is slightly smaller (44 mm versus 47 mm), I can more-or-less get a sense how the watch wears.

Marathon GSAR Government Diver Automatic - Rubber Reference WW194006 - A Lot to like and Very Little to Fault, A Review (plus Video)

When I first started my deep-dive into the world of watch collecting, the Marathon Watch Company was one of the first few brands on my radar screen more than a decade ago.

The genre that started the interest in this hobby was the diver and military styles watches. As such, Marathon's Government-issued Search And Rescue (GSAR) Diver’s Automatic watches are some of the most practical mechanical tool watches around. These watches are akin to the PROSPEX line by Seiko. Unfortunately, there wasn't any authorized dealer in Southeast Asia and I wasn't that comfortable to buy online for the amount being offered.

A decade later, Gnomon Watch of Singapore got the dealership from Marathon and I was instantly hooked. Currently there are only two models on offer on Gnomon's website (at the time I made the purchase on 20 March 2020), the bracelet version and the rubber strap version. An introductory price to celebrate the new dealership arrangement between Gnomon and Marathon was also on offer.

Rado Captain Cook 42 mm Automatic Green with Bracelet Reference R32505313 - Green Goodness, A Review (plus Video)

Rado started as The Schlup & Co. in Lengnau, Switzerland. It was founded by the brothers Fritz, Ernst and Werner in 1917. The company began selling watches under the Rado brand name in the 1950s. After coming out with a number of iconic series such as the Golden Horse collection (1957) and the Green Horse collection (1958), the company came out with its first proper dive watch collection, the Captain Cook series. From 1962 to 1968 Rado produced the Captain Cook series with a patented case capable of 200 meters of water resistance.

Rado reintroduced their iconic Captain Cook line in 2017 with an reproduction. That model was very close to the original in terms of size (37 mm wide), material (steel) as well as the small touches like the red numerals on the date wheel and spinning anchor in the logo present at 12 o'clock. The watch also came with Old Radium SuperLuminova paint to complete the vintage look. Nevertheless, Rado did distinguish the new from the old with "HYPERCHROME" added to the name.  At the same time, a bigger brother, 45 mm wide and made out of titanium was also offered.