Fellow enthusiast Klaus Hausmann had made a unboxing video on the Timex Datalink Model 150 watch. This model (sub model number 69721/69737) was used in space missions, eg on the International Space Station about a decade ago.
It is kinda peculiar and interesting to do an unboxing of a Brand New but Old watch, since the watch is around maybe 13 years old, kinda like opening an old present or parcel that has been late for a decade. Everything inside feels so yesteryear and brings realization on how fast and far has technology and the human race progressed. Check it out here:
Thank you Klaus!
Showing posts with label Watches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Watches. Show all posts
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
RED12 STRAPS REVIEW
The best straps are those that are custom made for your needs. I recently received my 2nd Red12 Straps a couple of days ago and I would like to share some photos. When I said custom made, it means I get to choose the leather, the treatment/coating, the stitching, type of threads, color, the hardware stuff like buckle style, polished or brushed, etc. I get to have it my way.
Zack (aka oldskool) also discuss with me the design of the strap, single or double keepers, taper or not, the style of stitching... my wrist size, what type of watch I am using it for, my local weather, ahh the attention to details is simply amazing.
Here it is!
This particular leather was treated to withstand the hot and humid South East Asia weather here. The strap is water resistant. Zack actually soak it water and it took a few hours for it to get wet. I think this is a limited edition run, so if you are in similar climate like me, get it fast.
Despite the thickness, the leather is flexible and supple.
Click on the pictures anytime to view it bigger.
Take a look a the grain and stitching. I love it!
Zack's mark on the buckle.
I put it on my Precista Italian for the moment. It is a tad too thick for the Italian but I am going to see if it improves once the strap conforms to my wrist shape after sometime.
As I mentioned, this is my second Red12 strap. The first one (pic below) which have been on my Marina Militare for the past two years is still going strong. But now I have the flexibility to switch them around to create different looks for my watches.
Thanx for the read!
Zack (aka oldskool) also discuss with me the design of the strap, single or double keepers, taper or not, the style of stitching... my wrist size, what type of watch I am using it for, my local weather, ahh the attention to details is simply amazing.
Here it is!
This particular leather was treated to withstand the hot and humid South East Asia weather here. The strap is water resistant. Zack actually soak it water and it took a few hours for it to get wet. I think this is a limited edition run, so if you are in similar climate like me, get it fast.
Despite the thickness, the leather is flexible and supple.
Click on the pictures anytime to view it bigger.
Take a look a the grain and stitching. I love it!
Zack's mark on the buckle.
I put it on my Precista Italian for the moment. It is a tad too thick for the Italian but I am going to see if it improves once the strap conforms to my wrist shape after sometime.
As I mentioned, this is my second Red12 strap. The first one (pic below) which have been on my Marina Militare for the past two years is still going strong. But now I have the flexibility to switch them around to create different looks for my watches.
Thanx for the read!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
ORIENT WATCH GIVEAWAY WINNER!
The winner is Dan Meinhardt (DJM on the watch forums)!!!
Congratulations to the Orient fan!
Hope you enjoy your incoming new watch!
To everyone, thank you for participating! :)
Congratulations to the Orient fan!
Hope you enjoy your incoming new watch!
To everyone, thank you for participating! :)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
ORIENT WATCH GIVEAWAY
Want a free watch? Yes! Orient Watch USA is giving away the above watch free to a lucky reader of this blog. It is an Orient Automatic watch and its yours free if you win this give-away contest!Commonly known as the Orient 3 Star, this is a 21 jewel Orient movement, (I think its caliber EMZO), which has an interesting day indicator where a disk rotates and shows the current day of the week as a red dot on the dial. Quick set date button at 2 o clock, water resistant is 5 ATM. Stainless steel 37mm watch case with 20mm lugs, mineral glass crystal. I think this watch got a retro, 70s look and will make an interesting addition to any collection.
To participate in this watch-giveaway contest, all you have to do is to check out this hot Orient CFM00003B and then post a comment to this blog post stating what's the one thing you like most about it and what occasions you would like to wear it for? (I personally think it makes a great daily wear watch.)
The selected winner will receive the free watch from Orient Watch USA, shipping cost will be taken care of too!
Important!:
* Your email address must be included in the comment post for purpose of this giveaway.
* Contest ends 2 weeks from now (8 April 2010 GMT time). Comment posts after said date will not be considered.
* Winner will be contacted by a rep/assign of Orient Watch USA for the receiving of the prize.
* This contest is only available to US residents only.
Good luck!
Update!!! Contest had ended, pending results. Thank you for your participation.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
MOVADO AND INVICTA
The watch itch had struck again. I had been staying away from buying watches but I find my passion reignited when I kept bumping into watch enthusiasts here and there. Recently I was at lunch with an associate of mine and he was wearing this timeless classic.
He told me its a Movado Sapphire series with a Museum dial. So I did a web search and found it: Movado Watches
I must admit that I am predominantly a sports and tool watch guy (watchuseek forum influenced) so I don't have many 'real' dress watches for those formal occasions. So this Movado really attracted my attention with its clean, sleek design. And come to think about it, Movado watches had stayed true to their design for the past 50 years with its 'Museum dial' even today it still look so modern and timeless.
And one thing leads to another. While I was seriously tempted by this watch, I saw another great deal while surfing around; Invicta watches.
The Invicta 6348, Grand Diver GMT. I was attracted by the blue and yellow colors, and the very nice looking mesh bracelet. The bezel is a bit 'omega-seamasterish' and on first look seems to be a SMP homage, but its not. I love the sword hands and how the blue and yellow contrasts on the dial. A great looking watch. I imagine it will look nice on a blue or yellow strap too. IMHO a great candidate for PMWF.com's Top 20 list.
Looking at the specs, it seems to be a great deal at only about $82!
Specs:
Screw down crown
300m water resistant
316L stainless steel
47mm case
22mm lug
Mineral crystal
Swiss Ronda 515 GMT quartz movement
Thanx for the read!
He told me its a Movado Sapphire series with a Museum dial. So I did a web search and found it: Movado WatchesI must admit that I am predominantly a sports and tool watch guy (watchuseek forum influenced) so I don't have many 'real' dress watches for those formal occasions. So this Movado really attracted my attention with its clean, sleek design. And come to think about it, Movado watches had stayed true to their design for the past 50 years with its 'Museum dial' even today it still look so modern and timeless.
And one thing leads to another. While I was seriously tempted by this watch, I saw another great deal while surfing around; Invicta watches.
The Invicta 6348, Grand Diver GMT. I was attracted by the blue and yellow colors, and the very nice looking mesh bracelet. The bezel is a bit 'omega-seamasterish' and on first look seems to be a SMP homage, but its not. I love the sword hands and how the blue and yellow contrasts on the dial. A great looking watch. I imagine it will look nice on a blue or yellow strap too. IMHO a great candidate for PMWF.com's Top 20 list.Looking at the specs, it seems to be a great deal at only about $82!
Specs:
Screw down crown
300m water resistant
316L stainless steel
47mm case
22mm lug
Mineral crystal
Swiss Ronda 515 GMT quartz movement
Thanx for the read!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
NEW WATCH
(Click on pic for full size)Specs:
Model number H64551857
Screw down crown
100m water resistant
Sapphire crystal
Hour, minute, second, day and date function
Swiss Quartz movement - ETA/ESA 255.122-D12D6 (ESA 255.121 is possible but unlikely)
Well this is the same basic quartz circuit board they used in the high end Omega De Ville Prestige, (both Omega and Hamilton being sister companies under the giant SWATCH umbrella). Granted that Omega rhodium coats and modifies the movement further, and thus so they charges 5 to 6 times more. Lume is probably Luminova, it doesn't seem bright enough to be Super Luminova. I like the dial design, hours, military hours, minutes and seconds. The diver styled bezel does not rotate. No problem, ain't using it for diving, not that I know how to dive in the first place!
(Click on pic for full size)Dimensions:
Stainless steel case
Case thickness 13mm
Case size 40mm excluding crown, 43mm including crown.
Lug size 20mm
Lug to lug 50mm
Dial size 31mm
Some quick and dirty pics of the unboxing:
Thanx for the read.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
DW5600C THE CLASSIC G-SHOCK
There some really crazy G-Shock fans out there, you guys know yourself. Fess up! And among this group, some really die hard fans of the DW5600 styles. I personally like the classic DW5600C very much.
The DW5600C was produced from June 1987 to June 1996, it is one of the most iconic G-Shocks, and it is the last basic G-Shock with the screw back and full metal case. In other words, its built like a tank. In comparison, the contemporary version; denoted as DW5600E, uses black composite plastic instead for the case, and the steel back is secured on with 4 tiny screws. While it is still tough, its just no longer the same.
A yellow DW5600C, photo courtesy of Mike (OldHippie on watch forums), used with his kind permission.
The rarer DW5600B-3V (green) and blue DW5600B-2V (blue), photo courtesy of Wah (Wah_Wah_Wah on watch forums), used with his kind permission.
The DW5600C is most common in black resin, though it's also available in yellow, and the even rarer blue and dark green. And within the black version, there are the 'gold black' version, where everything is essentially the same except for the following cosmetic differences; buttons, screws and strap buckle are gold plated, and on the dial; instead of a silver color border, it has a yellow color border. Lastly, the words on the bezel are yellow instead of white.
The 'black gold' version DW-5600c-9CV, photo courtesy of Wah (Wah_Wah_Wah on watch forums), used with his kind permission.
The standard black version was worn by Keanu Reeves in the 1994 movie 'Speed', thus the watch was later referred to by G-Shock enthusiasts as the Speed model.
It is also known as the NASA model, because its worn by NASA astronauts and it is one of the four watches certified by NASA for space flight missions. The DW5600C on the wrist of astronaut Susan J. Helms, Expedition Two flight engineer, this is just one of the many pictures you can find of astronauts wearing the DW5600C.
Its well known among my watch enthusiast friends that I am a space watch fan, so I focused mainly on the standard black versions used by NASA. I can't see myself wearing the bright yellow version anyway, and the blue and green are too out of reach.
There are different versions of the watch just for the black version alone (this applies both on the standard black and the gold black), and this is what confuses some enthusiasts. The DW5600C is available in two modules; 691 and 901, and both were produced in two factory locations; Japan A and Japan H.
Module 691 were used from 1987 to the early 1990s and module 901 were used from 1990 onwards. The functions of both both modules are identical, though there are some differences. The three main differences between the two are as follows:
1)Module 901 has a slightly brighter light than module 691.
2)Model 691 uses the bigger CR2320 batteries where model 901 uses the smaller CR2016 batteries.
3)The module 691 will always have with mirror polished casebacks while module 901 will have casebacks with a 'milled ring' surface.
Compare them in the following two pictures.
Module 691, Japan H left, Japan A right.
Module 901, Japan A left, Japan H right.
As for factory locations, it appears that Japan A produced better quality. Regardless of module 691 or module 901, the DW5600Cs from Japan A always has a serial number on the caseback, whereas for Japan H, there are no serial numbers on the casebacks.
The lugs of the watch cases are different; Japan A is more refined with the sharp edges flattened and polished, but Japan H lugs remains sharp and unrefined.
And the case shape is different too; look at the sloops from the case down to the lugs, Japan A (left) has gentle and slopped steps, while Japan H (right) has crude and steep steps.
It would seems that Japan A pieces exist in lesser numbers and hence are more sought after by collectors. As for the modules; 901 were produced for only 4 years before Casio stopped making these watches, but the 901s appear more often. It could be that Casio increased production during the period they produced the 901s, or it could be that the 691s are just older and a normal user would probably just dump them after wearing for a few years, thus they got rarer.
These watches are easily availably on Ebay in various conditions, most looks beaten but occasionally a good condition one will appear. Missing strap keepers are common and it seems that the bezel succumb to resin rot more easily than the straps. One thing to note is that condition of the bezel and strap are not important because you can easily purchase a brand new original bezel and strap from Casio or on Ebay (sometimes they are sold with lug screws, springbars and gasket too). In fact many were sold on Ebay without bezel or even strap. What is important is that the watch works, the light is still working, and the four lug screws securing the bezel are intact, because these lug screws can be hard to source.
I hope these information will be useful to fellow enthusiasts.
The DW5600C was produced from June 1987 to June 1996, it is one of the most iconic G-Shocks, and it is the last basic G-Shock with the screw back and full metal case. In other words, its built like a tank. In comparison, the contemporary version; denoted as DW5600E, uses black composite plastic instead for the case, and the steel back is secured on with 4 tiny screws. While it is still tough, its just no longer the same.A yellow DW5600C, photo courtesy of Mike (OldHippie on watch forums), used with his kind permission.
The rarer DW5600B-3V (green) and blue DW5600B-2V (blue), photo courtesy of Wah (Wah_Wah_Wah on watch forums), used with his kind permission.
The DW5600C is most common in black resin, though it's also available in yellow, and the even rarer blue and dark green. And within the black version, there are the 'gold black' version, where everything is essentially the same except for the following cosmetic differences; buttons, screws and strap buckle are gold plated, and on the dial; instead of a silver color border, it has a yellow color border. Lastly, the words on the bezel are yellow instead of white.
The 'black gold' version DW-5600c-9CV, photo courtesy of Wah (Wah_Wah_Wah on watch forums), used with his kind permission.
The standard black version was worn by Keanu Reeves in the 1994 movie 'Speed', thus the watch was later referred to by G-Shock enthusiasts as the Speed model.
It is also known as the NASA model, because its worn by NASA astronauts and it is one of the four watches certified by NASA for space flight missions. The DW5600C on the wrist of astronaut Susan J. Helms, Expedition Two flight engineer, this is just one of the many pictures you can find of astronauts wearing the DW5600C.
Its well known among my watch enthusiast friends that I am a space watch fan, so I focused mainly on the standard black versions used by NASA. I can't see myself wearing the bright yellow version anyway, and the blue and green are too out of reach.There are different versions of the watch just for the black version alone (this applies both on the standard black and the gold black), and this is what confuses some enthusiasts. The DW5600C is available in two modules; 691 and 901, and both were produced in two factory locations; Japan A and Japan H.
Module 691 were used from 1987 to the early 1990s and module 901 were used from 1990 onwards. The functions of both both modules are identical, though there are some differences. The three main differences between the two are as follows:
1)Module 901 has a slightly brighter light than module 691.
2)Model 691 uses the bigger CR2320 batteries where model 901 uses the smaller CR2016 batteries.
3)The module 691 will always have with mirror polished casebacks while module 901 will have casebacks with a 'milled ring' surface.
Compare them in the following two pictures.
Module 691, Japan H left, Japan A right.
Module 901, Japan A left, Japan H right.
As for factory locations, it appears that Japan A produced better quality. Regardless of module 691 or module 901, the DW5600Cs from Japan A always has a serial number on the caseback, whereas for Japan H, there are no serial numbers on the casebacks.The lugs of the watch cases are different; Japan A is more refined with the sharp edges flattened and polished, but Japan H lugs remains sharp and unrefined.
And the case shape is different too; look at the sloops from the case down to the lugs, Japan A (left) has gentle and slopped steps, while Japan H (right) has crude and steep steps.
It would seems that Japan A pieces exist in lesser numbers and hence are more sought after by collectors. As for the modules; 901 were produced for only 4 years before Casio stopped making these watches, but the 901s appear more often. It could be that Casio increased production during the period they produced the 901s, or it could be that the 691s are just older and a normal user would probably just dump them after wearing for a few years, thus they got rarer.These watches are easily availably on Ebay in various conditions, most looks beaten but occasionally a good condition one will appear. Missing strap keepers are common and it seems that the bezel succumb to resin rot more easily than the straps. One thing to note is that condition of the bezel and strap are not important because you can easily purchase a brand new original bezel and strap from Casio or on Ebay (sometimes they are sold with lug screws, springbars and gasket too). In fact many were sold on Ebay without bezel or even strap. What is important is that the watch works, the light is still working, and the four lug screws securing the bezel are intact, because these lug screws can be hard to source.
I hope these information will be useful to fellow enthusiasts.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
BANG FOR BUCK PILOT CHRONOGRAPH
A good looking mechanical pilot chronograph watch for only USD300/- new? Yes, its possible if you forget the Swiss and German brands with four figure price tags and go Russian instead. Poljot is known to make lookalikes of many famous Swiss and German watches and this one looks just like Fortis' awarding winning Flieger Chronograph.
In fact, many of Poljot's Aviator series watches resemble models from Fortis' Flieger line. So much so that Fortis took Poljot to court, with the results of the lawsuit being an injunction prohibiting Poljot from selling their Aviator line of watches in Switzerland and Germany.
Of course, we are not comparing the USD300/- Poljot to the Fortis Flieger (retail USD2050/- street USD1400), but we'll just take a look at an example of what a Poljot's Aviator watch got to offer.
The watch came with a rather nice leather box. This actually varies from seller to seller and you don't always get the box, but who needs the box anyway?
The dial is very legible with a military look. The indexes are marked with arabic numbers in both hours and five minutes/seconds increments. The chronograph hands are in red, while the normal hands are in white. The size of the hands are very well balanced and suits the dial very well. In addition to being very functional, it is also very attractive. Well, who designed it in the first place? :D
The original Poljot strap (not shown) doesn't look very promising. I switched it to a Di Modell Chronissimo immediately. I feel that the Chronissimo strap enhances the look of many pilot watches and chronographs.
The crown is big enough for a handwind watch and its signed with the letter A, which probably refers to 'Aviator'. The chronograph buttons felt tactile enough even with gloved hands.
The watch is powered by the Poljot 3133 movement. The 3133 movement is based on the Swiss Valjoux 7734 movement and in fact its made with Swiss tooling. In the 1970s the Russians bought the machine and tooling over from the Swiss and made modifications to it, raising its thickness from 7mm to 7.35mm, adding 6 jewels to the original 17, and increasing the beat rate from 18000 bpm to 21600 bpm.
It is a very reliable movement that was eventually used for space flight missions. Although its rated for a power reserve of 42 hours, I am getting over 60 hours actually, which is pretty common. Accuracy is constant and very good, I am getting about +15 secs a day for this watch.
The watch came with both glass display back and steel back options. Mine came with both, here's the glass case back showing the P3133 movement; raw, unrefined, undecorated, but reliable and tough like a soldier.
With the steel case back, the water resistant is 50 meters instead of 30 meters. Oh yeah, Poljot often made 999 pieces of each model.
Lume is not something the Russian watches are good in. The application isn't very good nor consistent and the glow is weak. It also does not last long. I never had high expectations for Russian lume in the first place so I'm not really disappointed. This watch comes with white lume paint, there is another version with green lume paint, though both glows green however.
Here's a wrist shot of it on my 6.5" to 6.75" wrist. The case size is 39mm without crown, but actually wears bigger because its all dial and bezel-less. Someone with large wrists can always boost its size with a BUND strap if desired.
Here are the specs:
Case size 39mm without crown, 44mm with crown
Lug to lug 46mm
Lug size 20mm
Dial size 35mm wears big coz its all dial.
Case height (thickness) 12.5mm
Water Resistant 30meters with glass display back, 50 meters with metal case back
Mineral glass crystal
Sandblast stainless steel case with a pearly finish
In my humble opinion, this is an ideal watch for those in service. How many active servicemen wear expensive USD2000/- Swiss watches out there in the field?
Russian watch prices had been raising crazily in recent years, so I find these are really good buys before prices soar further.
Thanx for the read!
In fact, many of Poljot's Aviator series watches resemble models from Fortis' Flieger line. So much so that Fortis took Poljot to court, with the results of the lawsuit being an injunction prohibiting Poljot from selling their Aviator line of watches in Switzerland and Germany.
Of course, we are not comparing the USD300/- Poljot to the Fortis Flieger (retail USD2050/- street USD1400), but we'll just take a look at an example of what a Poljot's Aviator watch got to offer.The watch came with a rather nice leather box. This actually varies from seller to seller and you don't always get the box, but who needs the box anyway?
The dial is very legible with a military look. The indexes are marked with arabic numbers in both hours and five minutes/seconds increments. The chronograph hands are in red, while the normal hands are in white. The size of the hands are very well balanced and suits the dial very well. In addition to being very functional, it is also very attractive. Well, who designed it in the first place? :D
The original Poljot strap (not shown) doesn't look very promising. I switched it to a Di Modell Chronissimo immediately. I feel that the Chronissimo strap enhances the look of many pilot watches and chronographs.
The crown is big enough for a handwind watch and its signed with the letter A, which probably refers to 'Aviator'. The chronograph buttons felt tactile enough even with gloved hands.
The watch is powered by the Poljot 3133 movement. The 3133 movement is based on the Swiss Valjoux 7734 movement and in fact its made with Swiss tooling. In the 1970s the Russians bought the machine and tooling over from the Swiss and made modifications to it, raising its thickness from 7mm to 7.35mm, adding 6 jewels to the original 17, and increasing the beat rate from 18000 bpm to 21600 bpm.It is a very reliable movement that was eventually used for space flight missions. Although its rated for a power reserve of 42 hours, I am getting over 60 hours actually, which is pretty common. Accuracy is constant and very good, I am getting about +15 secs a day for this watch.
The watch came with both glass display back and steel back options. Mine came with both, here's the glass case back showing the P3133 movement; raw, unrefined, undecorated, but reliable and tough like a soldier.
With the steel case back, the water resistant is 50 meters instead of 30 meters. Oh yeah, Poljot often made 999 pieces of each model.
Lume is not something the Russian watches are good in. The application isn't very good nor consistent and the glow is weak. It also does not last long. I never had high expectations for Russian lume in the first place so I'm not really disappointed. This watch comes with white lume paint, there is another version with green lume paint, though both glows green however.
Here's a wrist shot of it on my 6.5" to 6.75" wrist. The case size is 39mm without crown, but actually wears bigger because its all dial and bezel-less. Someone with large wrists can always boost its size with a BUND strap if desired.
Here are the specs:Case size 39mm without crown, 44mm with crown
Lug to lug 46mm
Lug size 20mm
Dial size 35mm wears big coz its all dial.
Case height (thickness) 12.5mm
Water Resistant 30meters with glass display back, 50 meters with metal case back
Mineral glass crystal
Sandblast stainless steel case with a pearly finish
In my humble opinion, this is an ideal watch for those in service. How many active servicemen wear expensive USD2000/- Swiss watches out there in the field?Russian watch prices had been raising crazily in recent years, so I find these are really good buys before prices soar further.
Thanx for the read!
Monday, September 15, 2008
WATCH MOVEMENT CUFFLINKS
Like many WISes, I had always been fascinated by watch movements. Its amazing how these tiny parts work together to keep time. As a photography enthusiast, I am even more attracted by the intricate details presented in micro scale. Probably one of the reasons why watches with display back sells well.
Take a look at this cufflinks from watch-cufflinks.com. Vintage watch movements were converted into cufflinks and other accessories.
Omega.
Jules Jurgensen.
Bulova.
Elgin.
Lucien Piccard.
Wittnauer.
These are also available as necklaces, rings, tie clips and tie tags. The necklaces and rings would probably please the wife or girlfriend. Buying a ring version for the spouse gives one excuses to buy a matching set of cufflinks for yourself! :D
Necklace pendant made from a vintage Waltham pocket watch movement.
Ring made from an Anton Schild vintage movement.
Elgin movement made into a tie clip.
Waltham vintage movement made into a tie tag.
These nostalgic little trinkets will definitely made great gifts for any watch aficionados.
As a clumsy person who frequently break things, I was wondering if I can use such delicate artpieces. Since I am contemplating to buy a pair someday, I thought I ask the designer herself. Ricky Wolbrom replied that there is no glue used in her work, instead she used two-part industrial clear epoxy, the same formula used in steel work and the airline industry for bonding, one probably gotta use a hammer before weakening the bond.
She also assured me that the movements were savaged from non working time pieces that no longer serves their original purposes. Every piece is handmade, with many hours of work put behind each piece.
Above photographs used with permission from watch-cufflinks.com.
Take a look at this cufflinks from watch-cufflinks.com. Vintage watch movements were converted into cufflinks and other accessories.
Omega.
Jules Jurgensen.
Bulova.
Elgin.
Lucien Piccard.
Wittnauer.
These are also available as necklaces, rings, tie clips and tie tags. The necklaces and rings would probably please the wife or girlfriend. Buying a ring version for the spouse gives one excuses to buy a matching set of cufflinks for yourself! :DNecklace pendant made from a vintage Waltham pocket watch movement.
Ring made from an Anton Schild vintage movement.
Elgin movement made into a tie clip.
Waltham vintage movement made into a tie tag.
These nostalgic little trinkets will definitely made great gifts for any watch aficionados.As a clumsy person who frequently break things, I was wondering if I can use such delicate artpieces. Since I am contemplating to buy a pair someday, I thought I ask the designer herself. Ricky Wolbrom replied that there is no glue used in her work, instead she used two-part industrial clear epoxy, the same formula used in steel work and the airline industry for bonding, one probably gotta use a hammer before weakening the bond.
She also assured me that the movements were savaged from non working time pieces that no longer serves their original purposes. Every piece is handmade, with many hours of work put behind each piece.
Above photographs used with permission from watch-cufflinks.com.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
WATCHES' DAY WHEEL LANGUAGES
Ever bought a watch that comes with a foreign language day wheel that you can't read? When I bought my first Sinn, I personally have a problem reading the German days of the week. It was Tuesday and the watch shows DIE! Then I remember when I was looking around for Lemania 5100 watches, I chanced upon a watch photo with the word SEX in the watch's day window. I kept wondering why was that until I later learned it was the Portuguese abbreviation for Friday.
Seiko 5 watch with Portuguese day wheel; photo courtesy of Mike (OldHippie1968 on watch forums), used with his kind permission.
Seiko movements are especially known to come with bilingual day wheels, the common being English with Spanish, and of course Japanese Kanji, targeted at their own Japanese market, and even Arabic. Oris is known to be very Thai friendly and many interesting Chinese watches are also showing up in enthusiasts' collections. Thus I made a list below for quick reference and I hope to add to the list.
Please inform me if you know more and correct me if there's anything wrong below. Thanx in advance.
ARABIC
الأحد or يوم الأحد - Sunday
الإثنين or يوم الإثنين - Monday
الثُّلَاثاء or يوم الثُّلَاثاء -Tuesday
الأَرْبعاء or يوم الأَرْبعاء - Wednesday
الخَمِيس or يوم الخَمِيس - Thursday
الجُمْعَة or يوم الجُمْعَة - Friday
السَّبْت or يوم السَّبْت - Saturday
CHINESE
日 or 星期日 or 礼拜日 or 周日 or 星期天 or 礼拜天 - Sunday
一 or 星期一 or 礼拜一 or 周一 - Monday
二 or 星期二 or 礼拜二 or 周二 - Tuesday
三 or 星期三 or 礼拜三 or 周三 - Wednesday
四 or 星期四 or 礼拜四 or 周四 - Thursday
五 or 星期五 or 礼拜五 or 周五 - Friday
六 or 星期六 or 礼拜六 or 周六 - Saturday
DUTCH
FINNISH
SUN or Sunnuntai - Sunday
MAA or Maanantai - Monday
TII or Tiistai - Tuesday
KES or Keskiviikko - Wednesday
TOR or Torstai - Thursday
PER or Perjantai - Friday
LAU or Lauantai - Saturday
FRENCH
DIM or Dimanche - Sunday
LUN or Lundi - Monday
MAR or Mardi - Tuesday
MER or Mercredi - Wednesday
JEU or Jeudi - Thursday
VEN or Vendredi - Friday
SAM or Samedi - Saturday
GERMAN
SON or Sonntag - Sunday
MON or Montag - Monday
DIE or Dienstag- Tuesday
MIT or Mittwoch - Wednesday
DON or Donnerstag - Thursday
FRE or Freitag - Friday
SAM or Samstag - Saturday
HINDI
रवि or रविवार - Sunday
सोम or सोमवार - Monday
मंगल or मंगलवार - Tuesday
बुध or बुधवार - Wednesday
गुरू or गुरुवार - ThursDay
शुक्र or शुक्रवार - Friday
शनि or शनिवार - Saturday
ITALIAN
DOM or Domenica - Sunday
LUN or Lunedì - Monday
MAR or Martedì - Tuesday
MER or Mercoledì - Wednesday
GIO or Giovedì - Thursday
VEN or Venerdì - Friday
SAB or Sabato - Saturday
JAPANESE
日 or 日曜日 or にちようび - Sunday
月 or 月曜日 or げつようび - Monday
火 or 火曜日 or かようび - Tuesday
水 or 水曜日 or すいようび - Wednesday
木 or 木曜日 or もくようび - Thursday
金 or 金曜日 or きんようび - Friday
土 or 土曜日 or どようび - Saturday
PORTUGUESE
DOM or Domingo - Sunday
SEG or Segunda-feira - Monday
TER or Terça-feira - Tuesday
QUA or Quarta-feira - Wednesday
QUI or Quinta-feira - Thursday
SEX or Sexta-feira - Friday
SAB or Sábado - Saturday
ROMAN NUMERAL
I - Monday
II - Tuesday
III - Wednesday
IV - Thursday
V - Friday
VI - Saturday
VII or Red Square - Sunday
RUSSIAN
ВСК or Воскресенье - Sunday
ПНД or Понедельник - Monday
ВТР or Вторник - Tuesday
СРД or Среда- Wednesday
ЧТВ or Четверг - Thursday
ПТН or Пятница - Friday
СБТ or Суббота - Saturday
SPANISH
DOM or Domingo - Sunday
LUN or Lunes - Monday
MAR or Martes - Tuesday
MIE or Miércoles - Wednesday
JUE or Jueves - Thursday
VIE or Viernes - Friday
SAB or Sábado - Saturday
THAI
อา or วันอาทิตย์ - Sunday
จั or วันจันทร์ - Monday
อั or วันอังคาร - Tuesday
พุ or วันพุธ - Wednesday
พฤ or วันพฤหัสบดี - Thursday
ศุ or วันศุกร์ - Friday
ส or วันเสาร์ - Saturday
*Added on 13 September 2008:
Some folks might have difficulty reading the non-Latin alphabetical characters due to web browser incompatibility, so I added this picture for Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Russian and Thai.
Seiko 5 watch with Portuguese day wheel; photo courtesy of Mike (OldHippie1968 on watch forums), used with his kind permission.
Seiko movements are especially known to come with bilingual day wheels, the common being English with Spanish, and of course Japanese Kanji, targeted at their own Japanese market, and even Arabic. Oris is known to be very Thai friendly and many interesting Chinese watches are also showing up in enthusiasts' collections. Thus I made a list below for quick reference and I hope to add to the list.Please inform me if you know more and correct me if there's anything wrong below. Thanx in advance.
ARABIC
الأحد or يوم الأحد - Sunday
الإثنين or يوم الإثنين - Monday
الثُّلَاثاء or يوم الثُّلَاثاء -Tuesday
الأَرْبعاء or يوم الأَرْبعاء - Wednesday
الخَمِيس or يوم الخَمِيس - Thursday
الجُمْعَة or يوم الجُمْعَة - Friday
السَّبْت or يوم السَّبْت - Saturday
CHINESE
日 or 星期日 or 礼拜日 or 周日 or 星期天 or 礼拜天 - Sunday
一 or 星期一 or 礼拜一 or 周一 - Monday
二 or 星期二 or 礼拜二 or 周二 - Tuesday
三 or 星期三 or 礼拜三 or 周三 - Wednesday
四 or 星期四 or 礼拜四 or 周四 - Thursday
五 or 星期五 or 礼拜五 or 周五 - Friday
六 or 星期六 or 礼拜六 or 周六 - Saturday
DUTCH
MA or Maandag - Monday
DI or Dinsdag - Tuesday
WO or Woensdag - Wednesday
DO or Donderdag - Thursday
VR or Vrijdag - Friday
ZA or Zaterdag - Saturday
ZO or Zondag - Sunday
FINNISH
SUN or Sunnuntai - Sunday
MAA or Maanantai - Monday
TII or Tiistai - Tuesday
KES or Keskiviikko - Wednesday
TOR or Torstai - Thursday
PER or Perjantai - Friday
LAU or Lauantai - Saturday
FRENCH
DIM or Dimanche - Sunday
LUN or Lundi - Monday
MAR or Mardi - Tuesday
MER or Mercredi - Wednesday
JEU or Jeudi - Thursday
VEN or Vendredi - Friday
SAM or Samedi - Saturday
GERMAN
SON or Sonntag - Sunday
MON or Montag - Monday
DIE or Dienstag- Tuesday
MIT or Mittwoch - Wednesday
DON or Donnerstag - Thursday
FRE or Freitag - Friday
SAM or Samstag - Saturday
HINDI
रवि or रविवार - Sunday
सोम or सोमवार - Monday
मंगल or मंगलवार - Tuesday
बुध or बुधवार - Wednesday
गुरू or गुरुवार - ThursDay
शुक्र or शुक्रवार - Friday
शनि or शनिवार - Saturday
ITALIAN
DOM or Domenica - Sunday
LUN or Lunedì - Monday
MAR or Martedì - Tuesday
MER or Mercoledì - Wednesday
GIO or Giovedì - Thursday
VEN or Venerdì - Friday
SAB or Sabato - Saturday
JAPANESE
日 or 日曜日 or にちようび - Sunday
月 or 月曜日 or げつようび - Monday
火 or 火曜日 or かようび - Tuesday
水 or 水曜日 or すいようび - Wednesday
木 or 木曜日 or もくようび - Thursday
金 or 金曜日 or きんようび - Friday
土 or 土曜日 or どようび - Saturday
PORTUGUESE
DOM or Domingo - Sunday
SEG or Segunda-feira - Monday
TER or Terça-feira - Tuesday
QUA or Quarta-feira - Wednesday
QUI or Quinta-feira - Thursday
SEX or Sexta-feira - Friday
SAB or Sábado - Saturday
ROMAN NUMERAL
I - Monday
II - Tuesday
III - Wednesday
IV - Thursday
V - Friday
VI - Saturday
VII or Red Square - Sunday
RUSSIAN
ВСК or Воскресенье - Sunday
ПНД or Понедельник - Monday
ВТР or Вторник - Tuesday
СРД or Среда- Wednesday
ЧТВ or Четверг - Thursday
ПТН or Пятница - Friday
СБТ or Суббота - Saturday
SPANISH
DOM or Domingo - Sunday
LUN or Lunes - Monday
MAR or Martes - Tuesday
MIE or Miércoles - Wednesday
JUE or Jueves - Thursday
VIE or Viernes - Friday
SAB or Sábado - Saturday
THAI
อา or วันอาทิตย์ - Sunday
จั or วันจันทร์ - Monday
อั or วันอังคาร - Tuesday
พุ or วันพุธ - Wednesday
พฤ or วันพฤหัสบดี - Thursday
ศุ or วันศุกร์ - Friday
ส or วันเสาร์ - Saturday
*Added on 13 September 2008:
Some folks might have difficulty reading the non-Latin alphabetical characters due to web browser incompatibility, so I added this picture for Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Russian and Thai.
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