HOROLOGY CRAZY

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Watch shopping in Okinawa Part 2

What with typhoon Vong Fong looming over Okinawa, going out was not really an option. However I did spot this shop near where we were staying. The shop is called the Hachimine Watch Store and Jewelry. It is about 5 minutes walk from the Omoromachi Monorail Station in Naha.

They carry Rolex, Seiko (very little), Citizen and Gucci. I understand that they have been around for about 73 years.

Excuse the quality of the photographs, difficult to take pictures in strong winds....

Friday, October 10, 2014

Round 2...

It looks like 'Benrus' Japan has released a couple of new Type 1 and 2 watches. These are quartz powered watches and is a homage to the original Benrus Type 1 and 2 from the 70s. These watches will retail between 29,000 to 30,000 Yen, before tax.

The Benrus Type 2BK.

The Benrus Type 2SL.

The Benrus Type 1SL.

The Benrus Type 1BK.

Photographs: Amazon Japan

There have been a number of changes made since the launch of the first ones back in 2010 (?). I actually had one back in 2010.

Benrus Type 1 Reissue

I eventually sold it because I did not like the gas tubes.

The new model no longer feature the gas tubes, but sadly, the ladder hands has also been replaced.

Anyway, fast forward to today.

Its round two for me.....

Made in Swiss....

The Benrus Type 1 SL. Note the new hands design...

Well it does say 'Swiss Made' on the case back. The earlier reissue was made in Hong Kong.

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Watch shopping in Okinawa Japan Part 1

We have been in Okinawa for the past few days and have not really been out shopping or watch hunting. However I did come across some watches being sold...

In Motobu Town....

At a local Daiso store...

Looks like these watches are specially made for Daiso.

At a town nearby, Nago City..

In Aeon.

The selection is much better. Casio and Timex.

Interesting pieces with Bluetooth connectivity..

Very tempting indeed...

Surprisingly, I have not seen any Citizen or Seiko... OK, I lied. There were 2 Seikos in the display above.

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

The Runwell Sport 48mm

The Runwell Sport. Hand assembled and built for action. Features include a sapphire crystal, Super-LumiNova printed dial details, Detroit-built Argonite 715 high-accuracy quartz movement, a solid stainless steel case with screw down crown and a date indicator. Premium sport components include a red turning topring and a black rubber strap. Engineered with an obsessive focus on making a watch of the highest possible quality. And making it right here in America.

Basic specifications:

Case: 48mm diameter, stainless steel, with double curve sapphire crystal, 10 ATM.

Dial: Super-LumiNova hands, Arabic numerals, and hour markers.

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date complication.

Movement: Shinola Detroit-built Argonite 715 quartz movement, hand assembled from 43 Swiss-made components.
Watch Strap: Custom rubber strap made by Stern Manufacturing in Staples, MN.

Photographs: Shinola Watches

For more information:

The Runwell Sport 48mm

Testing....

I just got myself a new gear, thanks to my wife, the Olympus OMD EM-10 with the 14-42mm EZ lens. I always wanted an Olympus, during the days of the OMD1, OMD2 and OMD10. Yes, we are talking about film cameras. So, good time to test and see..

The Ennebi...