Monday, August 31, 2009

Casio G-Man


Finally it is confirmed that Casio will be selling the much popular 'G-Man'. It will come with the following watches, bundled, DW-6900SW-1 (G-Shock) and BG-5601SW-7 (Baby-G). This watches will be available in Taiwan in October while the rest of the world should get it in September. I have 1 on order (the G-Shock).

DW-6900SW-6



BG-5601SW-7


Photograph: Riley (http://mygshock.com/)

Tag Heuer Popular Diving Spot Limited Edition Watches


I just found out about this series from Tag Heuer. It is the Popular Diving Spot series. The watches in this series are from the 2000 series (Exclusive, Classic or Aquaracer). From what I found (and very limited information), the series started in 2001 and it is an annual affair (every summer). Both men and women are available but not for all years.

All the watches are issued with 'Electric Blue' dial (to represent the sea?). For the women model (not all), the dial is made from mother of Pearl. The case back will be engraved with the map of location featured in that year. The location name will be rendered on the dial along with a icon of some sea creature (diver included) that is native to that location. Some models are quartz and some are mechanical (automatic). All watches are fitted with sapphire crystal as standard.

Most models will offer a water resistance rating of 20 ATM. The newer models will offer 30 ATM.

I believe this series is a Japanese market exclusive series, thus the limited information on the watches.

Well on with it. I will provide as much information as I can find.

2001: Blue Holes, Palau.
No information.

2002: Rangiroa, Tahiti. Diver.
Men model: WN111A.BA0332 - 3,000 pieces
Women model: WN131A.BA0333 - 1,500 pieces


Photograph: rakuten.jp

2003: Seychelles. Manta Ray.
Men model: CN111D.BA0337 Chronograph model - 3,000 pieces
Women model: WN131D.BA0333 - 2,000 pieces


Photograph: rakuten.jp

2004: Cayman Islands. Hammer Head Shark.
Men model: WN111M.BA0332 - 2,000 pieces
Women model: WN131M.BA0333 - 1,000 pieces



Photographs: rakuten.jp

2005: Maldives. Shark.
Men model: WAF211M.BA0806 - 1,000 pieces


Photograph: rakuten.jp

2006: The Fiji Islands. Turtle.
Men model: No part number. Aquaracer Automatic - 1,300 pieces.


2007: Bora Bora, Tahiti. Sea horse.
Men model: WAF211N.BA0806 - 900 pieces
Women model: WAF141N.BA0812 - 600 pieces



Photographs: loveshop


Photograph: ishida

2008: The Bahamas.
No information.

2009: Ile des Pins, New Caledonia. Manta Ray.
Men model: WAF211T.BA0806 - 800 pieces (will feature the Tag Heuer Calibre 5)
Women model: WAF141.BA0812 - 600 pieces

For more information:



The men's model.


The women's model.


The case back.

Photographs: Tag Heuer (Japan).

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Kronos British SBS Satin 200M Military Diver Watch Modification, The End


I finally got my watch back from the watch shop. With it the new crown and the new stem installed. The old crown, diameter 5.5 mm, thickness 4.5 mm.



The stem tube. You can see that it is pretty mangled up. This happen during the removal process, but you can see where it cracked.


You can see the gasket inside the stem tube.



Another view.


I peeled back the top part of the stem tube to show where is the crack. It was at the second thread.


The new crown with the stem installed.


Diameter 5.5 mm, thickness 2.5 mm. It is thinner. Unsigned.


You can see the gasket inside the crown. The stem looks crooked, it is as I depressed it into the crown to test the spring-load of the crown. This is the spring load that 'pop' the crown from the stem when you unscrew the crown from the stem tube.


The watch was pressure tested to 20 ATM and it was ok. I am happy. The new stem tube. The gunk you see around it is silicon grease.


There are 2 gaskets inside the stem tube.


Testing the crown.



Now to reassemble the watch. Actually I test fitted the parts earlier and took the watch apart again to clean all the parts, lubricate parts that needs lubricating and cleaning. The following pictures are from the test fit. The test fit looks good.





Now for the complete reassembly. Clean the movement holder and spacer. The gasket is lubricated and the case is cleaned and checked for any debris from the boring to fit the new stem tube.


The new crown installed and checked for ability to screw-down and unlock.


The movement is installed into the case.


The battery is installed. The battery comes with movement.


The movement holder goes in. The movement comes with a battery retainer. If you remember, the movement holder had to modified as in the old movement, the battery is located at the opposite end of the new movement. So a little snip at the correct place and the movement holder fits. As you can see the retainer is now over the battery.


Next, the gasket is fitted. It sits in the groove in the case.


Next the case back is fitted and the watch is done.


The watch is fitted with a locally sourced black 'Mil' spec strap. It originally came with a NATO strap, but that strap is currently fitted to another watch.



Overall, I am happy with the results. It would have been batter if the stem tube was not cracked and the internal thread of the crown was not damaged and the only modification was the change of the movement and spring bars, but as luck would have it.... Oh well, anyway it was an interesting modification. Perhaps I should get the CWC RN diver (which this watch is based on), but for what I paid for this watch and from what I learnt from this modification, it was worth it.

I am currently wearing the watch and it has gone through my non-scientific water resistance test and passed (well it passed the 6 ATM pressure test). So far the battery has not 'popped' out and the watch is running smoothly. I am happy. A review will be done soon.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

TW Steel CEO watch


TW Steel has just issued another 2 watches under its CEO series of watches. CEO stands for Collection Extra Ordinary and it is targeted at the CEO (Chief Executive Officer). The new watch comes in 2 sizes: 45 mm and 50 mm. The new watches, CE 1035 (45 mm) and CE 1036 (50 mm) will share the basic specifications of the watches issued under the CEO series.

Basic specifications:
Movement: Japanese quartz movement
Case: stainless steel (some A Grade Rose Gold IP plated)
Crystal: mineral
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Design: Canteen watch

The 2 new watches will have its bezel made of ceramics and the case will be Rose Gold plated. The dial will be rendered in vibrant white and the hour index in rose gold. The strap will be made of Italian leather (in white) and the clasp will be in rose gold (unclear if it is plated or solid).

For more information:


The watches:

CE 1035


CE 1036

Photographs: TW Steel

Friday, August 28, 2009

LACO

LACO has updated its website and it is indeed a looker. For more information:

Archimedes Spiral Watches (AS Label)


I believe this brand is a Japanese exclusive brand. They are a private label brand and the brand was established in 2000. AS Label as it is known produces watches based on antique designs of watches from the 20s, 30s and 40s. The watches they produce are very unique and very beautiful.

Basic specifications:
Case: stainless steel with screw down crown and case back
Size: 31 mm X 31 mm (cushion case design)
Movement: ETA 2671, 25 jewels, 28,800 A/h
Crystal: sapphire
Water resistant: 10 ATM

They do have round case watches but the cushion are most popular. The brand just celebrated their 9th anniversary. The watches retails for about USD 400 upwards.

For more information:

A sample of their offerings:

AS Label 9th Anniversary watch. Limited edition of 99 pieces. This model has a large case at 39 mm and the case is PVD black.





I like this model. however at 31 mm it is small for me.
6th Anniversary Model. I like this as well. It does look like Rolex of old.


The dial on this model is aged to make it look like it was from the 40s.

This model will be released on September 6 2009. Orders are being taken at the moment.



The dial on this model is textured to simulate a porcelain dial like watches from the 20s and 30s.



Photographs: AS Label