Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Casio DQ-582


What is a horology blog if we do not report or review everything horology related. This is my small review of the Casio DQ-582 Alarm clock. This clock is very old. The current version is the DQ-582D. The difference is the the DQ-582D has a blue metallic body with a grey snooze/ light button. The older DQ-582 is white with a green snooze/ light button.

Basic specification:

12/ 24 hour display
Daily alarm with snooze function
Size: 50 X 100 X 50 mm


I have had this clock for some years now. I did not buy it. It was given to me. The clock is very small, the base being just 50 X 100 mm, height 50 mm. It is very light and is powered by 2 AAA/ R03/ UM4 batteries. These batteries are available everywhere. The battery hatch is at the lower back of the clock case back. The watch is made of plastic and the fit and finish of the clock is good. The clock is made in China.


The clock has a back light and it is a small green LED located on the left of the LCD. Although the coverage of the light is not even as EL back light, it is bright enough. The light button also acts as the snooze button. The LCD is 20 mm in height and the digits are big. Visibility is good.


The clock has a daily alarm and a snooze function. The alarm is loud. The alarm speaker is located at the back of the clock. The holes for the alarm is small compared to the size of the speaker. The snooze function is cool and it repeats every 8 minutes when the snooze button is selected.



The control for the clock is at the top. Adjustment is very easy and the buttons are well labeled. The buttons from left to right, HR for hour adjustment of the time and alarm, MIN for minutes adjustment of the time and alarm. The adjustment is one way, so if you over shoot the time, it is one full circle to get back to the correct time. Next is the time and alarm set selector. Position the selector to TM (Time) and you can adjust the time. AL (alarm) for alarm adjustment and NORM for the normal time display. Then we have the 12/ 24 hour selector, 12 HR and 24 HR. Next is the alarm selection. Position the selector to SNZ and you activate the alarm and snooze function. ON is for alarm on but no snooze. The alarm will sound for 1 minute. OFF, well alarm off.


I like this clock and it has traveled with me to many countries. It has been replace by the Casio GQ-500 G-Shock alarm clock, but I still bring this clock for my travels.


Monday, June 29, 2009

Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200m Omega Co-axial

Omega will be launching some new watches in 2009. Most interesting of the watches is The Seamaster Ploprof 1200m Omega Co-axial. This watch will be made available from 3rd quarter 2009. It will carry the Omega cal. 8500 and will be water resistant to 1,200m.






Photographs: Omega

For more information:

DW-5000SL-1


This is the DW-5000SL-1. This watch was issued as part of Casio G-Shock 25th. Anniversary issued watches. The watch is a collaboration between Mr. Spike Lee and Casio. Mr. Spike Lee is a noted fan of Casio G-Shock and even introduced the G-Shock in his film Clockers. Both started out in 1983, Casio with the DW-5000C-1A and Mr. Spike Lee with Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, hence the DW-5000SL-1 (SL for Spike Lee).

The Original DW-5000-1A


Photograph: Casio

The DW-5000SL-1


Basic Specifications:

Module 1545
Timekeeping Mode: Hour, minutes, seconds, am/ pm, month, date, day of week (time display switchable between 12-hour and 24-hour format)
Calendar System: Auto-calendar from 1995 to 2039
Alarm Mode: Multi-function alarm, hourly time signal
Countdown Alarm Mode (Timer): measuring unit: 1 second, input range: 1 second to 24 hours, auto repeat and repeat function
Stopwatch Mode: measuring unit: 1/100 seconds (first 60 minutes), 1 second (after 60 minutes), measuring capacity: 23 hours 59 minutes 59.99 seconds, measuring modes: elapsed time, split time and two finishes
Size: 48.9 X 42.8 X 13.5 mm
Weight: 78 g

This watch is not small, but it does not look as big as its dimensions suggest. It is heavier as compared to the basic Dw-5600E as the the case is made from stainless steel, like its predecessor which also had a stainless steel body and a screw down case back. What is interesting is that the stainless steel body on the DW-5000SL is polished and better finished as compared to the older DW-5600C and DW-5200. It is no longer a crude chunk of metal. This stainless steel body is tough and is further protected by a rubber case. This rubber case has raised ridges at the top and bottom of the LCD display and this helps to protect the mineral glass used on the case. On the ridges are the wordings 'PROTECTION' and 'G-SHOCK', rendered in white.


The resemblance to the original DW-5000 is remarkable. Both watches has the 'brick wall' dial within a red line. There is a love hate relationship with this dial design. The lettering are rendered in gold (original in Silver). The 'Lithium' and the alarm icon on the original has been replaced by 'Illuminator' on the DW-5000SL-1.

The case back is of the screw back design. It is polished. This watch is Made in Thailand (Thailand H). The normal Casio marking are present at the case back, i.e. module number, model number, water resistant, made in data. Instead of the G-Shock logo in the center, the case back is adorned by Mr. Spike Lee's signature. This watch is water resistant to 200 m or 20 bars.



The buttons are a pleasure to use, large, very tactile and very polished. Typical of module 1545, there is a confirmation 'beep' when the mode button is selected. The watch will cycle through time display, alarm, countdown alarm, stopwatch and back to time display. The 'beep' for the return to time display is different (not much) from the 'beep' when cycling through the functions. This helps the user in that the user knows when he is back to the normal time display. The 'beep' sounds softer when compared to the DW-5600E.

Additionally, the watch reverts to normal time display when the mode button is selected once an operation has been selected, regardless of mode. What this means is if you have adjusted the alarm in the alarm mode, when you select the mode button, you return to normal time display instead of having to cycle through the entire function modes. The current time is displayed in all modes except alarm.


As with most Casio, the adjust button is recessed to prevent accidental selection. The back light on the watch is good.

The strap on the watch is supple yet strong. It wears well and is very comfortable. It is made of rubber. It has the non-slip ridges on the inside of the strap along the edges. This ridges also help to keep the the strap cool when worn. It comes with 1 keeper but it is broad enough. There are no markings as to where it is made. The only markings are '444, F4, 16'. The last number, 16, indicates the lug size (16 mm).



The buckle is made in Indonesia and it is well made. It is polished and there are no rough edges. Casio QC can be observed throughout the buckle. The etching/ engraving is one of the best I have seen. There is raised portion where the buckle tang sits on the buckle.


I like the LCD on this watch. You can just see the 40 Acres & A Mule Logo on the LCD. The background of the LCD is gold in colour. The top of the display shows the day, month and date. The lower portion shows the time, either in 12-hour mode (with a 'PM' for afternoon) or 24-hour mode (with 24H indication). In other modes, except alarm mode, the time display will appear in the 'month-date' window.


When the EL back light is illuminated, we can see the 40 Acres & A Mule Logo clearly. The 40 Acres & A Mule Logo is Mr. Spike Lee's production company. Some people have made their reservation about the Logo and how it disrupts the LCD display. I personally do not find it a problem.


The watch comes in an interesting packaging. It comes in a red, black and green tin can with the 40 Acres & A Mule Logo. The outer box is rendered with maps of Brooklyn.


Photograph: Casio

I like this watch as I like watches with some heft. That and the fact that is comes with a screwback, a replica of the DW-5000-1A, makes this watch a winner in my book.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

4 Watch Winder


This is my review of my cheap 4 watch winder. This winder cost about USD 75 and can wind 4 watches. It is brand-less and I purchase it from Formosa Watch Co. They are one of the largest watch chain shop in Taiwan. Actually, this watch winder is the same as the one the watch service department use to wind and test watches being serviced. As you can see from the photographs, the build quality is not that bad. It could be better. The body is made of plastic and finished to look like it is made of wood. The base is made of black plastic. The bottom is made of slip resistant rubber. There is 3 'cooling' holes at the base and 1 on the round body.

The winder itself is not big. It stands 8 inches tall and 7 inches wide. The base is 4 inches in diameter.



The winder is mains powered and it is not universal. It uses 120V 50/60 HZ. It provides 5/6 RPM 3.8W dual rotation motor. To change the direction of rotation, the winder has to be switch off (via a red toggle switch) and wait 10 seconds. Switch the winder on and it rotates the opposite direction. There is no provision for the winder to use batteries.



The watches are held in place by spring tension of the watch mount. The mount itself is rubber lined (central section only) to prevent scratches to the watch case back. This is very useful if you have watches with display back as it will not scratch the crystal. I have mounted watches up to 46 mm on the winder and it rotates with no problem. I would not mount metal bracelet watches on this winder as the watch mount can scratch the inside of your bracelets.


It is very utilitarian in its look. It does look like something that would not be out of place in a Transformer movie. The watch mounts does provide a limited amount of adjustments. It can be adjusted slightly along the vertical and horizontal plane via the screws positioned all over the winder.


Overall, for about USD 75, I cannot fault the winder. It can wind 4 watches and can take 4 watches up to 46 mm in size. It may not have the looks of more expensive winder but it does what it is suppose to do. It would be great if it had a universal powered motor and if the entire watch mount was rubber lined. But as it stands, it is great value for money.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Benrus 763 Military Watch


This particular watch, the Benrus 763 series watch is a homage to the Benrus Military watch issued in the early 60s and 70s. Sadly the watch is only available in Japan. It comes in 2 models, BR763 Olive and BR763 Black. The watch is Swiss made.

Basic specification:

Case: Plastic
Size: diameter 35 mm, height 8 mm, lug width 16 mm
Water resistant: 3 ATM
Movement: Swiss Quartz cal. 763

I guess if you are interested, I am sure our friendly Japanese watch guy, Seiya san would be able to help.


Photographs: derongi.com

Friday, June 26, 2009

BRITISH G10 WATCH MARKINGS


This blog entry is on the markings on the case back of the G10 field watch issued by the British Ministry Of Defense. This is based on my readings and on the case back of my small collection of G10 watches. I have G10 watches made by CWC and Precista.

Typical British W10 markings:
W10-6645-99
541-5317
(Pheon/ Broad Arrow)
14234/82


The first of characters indicates that the watches were ordered by the respective branch of the military, i.e. they paid for it but the watches were not exclusive to the branch. A 0552 watch could and can be issued to the Army or Royal Marines.

The Codes:

W10: Army (photograph above)
0552: Royal Navy


0555: Royal Marines


6B or 6BB: RAF


The second set of characters:

6645 is part of the NSN. It is the NATO Supply Classification identifier for timekeeping instruments.

The third set of characters:

99 is part of the NSN. It is the country code.

The Country Codes:

00 United States
01 United States
11 NATO
12 Germany
13 Belgium
14 France
15 Italy
17 Netherlands
18 South Africa
21 Canada
22 Denmark
23 Greece
24 Iceland
25 Norway
26 Portugal
27 Turkey
28 Luxembourg
29 Argentina
30 Japan
31 Israel
32 Singapore
66 Australia
98 New Zealand
99 United Kingdom

The second line of characters, 541-5317, are the rest of the NSN. This is followed by the Pheon (Broad Arrow) and the last line will be the serial number/ two digit year.

Location of the Pheon. Generally in quartz watches, the pheon will point towards the crown and in mechanical, it will be between the second and third line. But as can be seen in the first photograph, on the Precista, the Pheon is between the second and third line.

There are variations. Look at the 6BB photograph.

6BB/ 6645-99-5415317
Pheon
29382/84

The NSN is all in one row and there is no hyphen between 541 and 5317. The location of the Pheon is between the first line and the second. This is on a CWC thick case.

Both the 0552 and 0555 have the same markings,

0552/ 6645-99
5415317
44519
89

where the third line is the serial number and the forth is the two digit year. The Pheon is pointing towards the crown. The photograph below show a 6BB in the same configuration.


Photograph: Anchor Supplies

Other variations:

W10/ 6645-99
5415317
XXXX 97

There is no slash between the serial number and the two digit year. Pheon pointing towards the crown.

W10/ 6645-99
5415317
XXXX/XX

There is a slash between the serial number and the two digit year.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Cartier Santos 100 Mysterieuse Watch


This is indeed an interesting watch from Cartier. It is the Cartier Santos 100 Mysterieuse Watch. Many knows about this version of the watch. It is made of Palladium and set with round diamonds. As I understand it, about 100 pieces were made and all pieces have been sold.

Why Mysterieuse? Well it has to do with the fact that the hour and minute hands appears to 'float' with the watch case. The hands are actually mounted on sapphire crystal discs. What makes this watch unique is that unlike other manufactures of Mysterieuse watch, the mechanical movement is built around the disc, thus making the dial see-thru. Other manufactures (Omega, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget and Montblanc) mount the movement under dial, thus the dial is not see-thru. I do know that Quinting builds their movement around the dial as well, but Quinting uses quartz movement.


However, last year Cartier launched another 40 pieces. This time, the watches were not adorned with diamonds. Other differences includes the size of the watch. The first watch comes in at 34 X 34 mm. The new non diamond version is 42 X 42 mm. The diamond version is fitted with a hand wound Manufacture 9600 cal. The non diamond version carries the hand wound Manufacture 81003S cal.

The shared basic specifications:

Hand wound Manufacture, 19 jewejs, 21,600 A/h
Power reserve: 38 hours

The non diamond version sells for about USD 70,000



The movement.


Photographs: Watch Critics (Mr. Alain Chung)

DW-5600VT(TDS LIMITED)


The DW-5600VT (TDS LIMITED) Mickey Mouse collaboration watch is currently available from a Japanese website. The retail price is about USD 280. It comes with a special Disney gift box. The watch will carry the Module 1545.

Basic Specifications:

Module 1545
Timekeeping Mode: Hour, minutes, seconds, am/ pm, month, date, day of week (time display switchable between 12-hour and 24-hour format)
Calendar System: Auto-calendar from 1995 to 2039
Alarm Mode: Multi-function alarm, hourly time signal
Countdown Alarm Mode (Timer): measuring unit: 1 second, input range: 1 second to 24 hours, auto repeat and repeat function
Stopwatch Mode: measuring unit: 1/100 seconds (first 60 minutes), 1 second (after 60 minutes), measuring capacity: 23 hours 59 minutes 59.99 seconds, measuring modes: elapsed time, split time and two finishes

It is unsure if there is a special background for the EL backlight.


For more information:

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

deLaCour Watches


This is an interesting brand with some very interesting timepieces. The deLacour brand, based in Switzerland, was founded by Mr. Pierre Koukjian. Mr. Koukjian is a noted painter and sculptor. The brand was officially launched in 2003. The brand is noted for their BiChronograph watch which carries 2 automatic chronograph movement.

As a participant in the Watch 09 function, deLaCour has presented the BiChrono S3 Asphalt Graphite watch. This watch is a homage to the Monaco Grand Prix. As it is part of the BiChrono series, it has dual time (2 chrono movement) and date indication. The rehaut is rendered with the F1 chequred flag motif. The interesting aspect of this watch is the dial is rendered in asphalt. It is textured like the F1 track. The case is titanium and both the front and display back crystal are sapphire crystal.

Basic specifications:

Movement: Automatic DC 241 (X 2, based on ETA 2094)
Function: Dual time, dual chronograph, tachymeter
Case: 55 mm X 53 mm, height 14 mm
Water resistant: 3 ATM


For more information:


Other watches by deLaCour



The technical expertise at deLaCour




Photographs: deLaCour

Casio Quolomo DW-5600Q009-7JR


Casio and Quolomo have collaborated to launch the DW-5600Q009-7JR G-Shock. This watch will carry the Module 1545. It is white and black in colour and has a custom face, case back, EL light background (Cyborg 009), custom printing on the band and will come in a special gift box. This watch will be available from 19th July 2009.