Redux Watches

Recently a good friend pointed out this new micro brand out of the USA. The brand is called Redux Watches and they started off as a Kickstarter project. 

I have to say that their product offering is interesting. They offer historical aviation based military watches with a 'modern twist'. They have (so far) 5 watches on offer.

The watches is available in either Grade 5 or Grade 2 (interesting) titanium. All the watches comes in at 39mm in diameter, 13.7mm thick and have 20mm lugs. All their watches have lug holes. The watches are powered by the Seiko NH35A automatic movement. 

All their watches have rotating bezel, with the Grade 5 having 90 clicks (unique) and Grade 2, 120 clicks. The grade 5 titanium watches are water resistant to 20 ATM white the Grade 2 watches are rated to 15 ATM. 

Prices start at USD395 for Grade 2 titanium watches and USD450 for Grade 5 Titanium ones. 

The watches...

Courg Type A 39mm

Courg A-11 39mm

 Courg Minimalist 39mm

Courg Type B 39mm

Courg Zero-Hour 39mm

Photographs: Redux Watches

For more information: 

Redux Watches

Do visit their site. It is a pretty interesting site. 

Omega Ploprof 1200

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to 'play' with a watch I really like. Actually, I saw the watch on the day before I left for a holiday. The watch is the Omega Ploprof 1200. 

I have always liked the Ploprof, regardless if it the 600 or 1200. But of course the 600 would be awesome. But I got to see is the 1200. One of the main problem I have with the watch is the name. I always get the spelling wrong. 😊

The watch...

The watch is pre-loved. I like the watch. It comes in at 55mm in diameter and 48mm in height. Lug width is 24mm. This watch is the 2009 reissue of the original Ploprof 600 from 1970. 

The Ploprof or Plongeur Professional (French for Professional Diver) was introduced by Omega for use by the divers from COMEX and also used by the divers of Jaqcues-Yves Cousteau. It is was also used and tested in Operation Janus.

The watch on the wrist. The beautiful thing about the watch is its lugless design. This makes the watch wearable even on small wrist. Trust me, its not that big. The only problem is its weight. This was resolved (somewhat) in 2015 with the introduction of the Ploprof case in Titanium. 

Yeah, Omega added to the collection a few more variations to the watch. Different colors, different case, different movement. The basic change is the introduction of the Master Chronometer Caliber 8912 (vs the 8500 in the 2009 reissue). Omega also introduced the ceramic bezel insert as opposed to the sapphire crystal bezel insert. The date display was removed and a display back was also introduced in 2015.

As far as I understand, both the original 2009 reissue and the 2015 (updates) are being offered, but thus far, I have not seen many boutiques or shops carrying this watch. 

The lume shot. I like the lume bezel.

As luck would have it, a friend has one and I hope to do a review of the watch soon.

The watch fitted with Ted Su's French Ammo strap. 

The French colors forms part of the stitching. I like. Most appropriate don't you think so.

Magrette is 10..

Magrette is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Congratulations to Magrette. 

In conjunction with its 10th. Anniversary, it will be releasing a Limited Edition watch in the Moana Pacific Professional Kara. 

More about the watch...

The Moana Pacific Professional Kara is Magrette's latest premium dive watch and celebrates the brand's 10-year anniversary. Kara (pronounced "cat-rah") is Maori for "flag" and references the use of New Zealand blue, red and white as the color palette. Blue also represents the surrounding waters of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The association with the national flag and colors underscores the deep pride Magrette takes in being a New Zealand watch brand.

This watch introduces a Grade 5 titanium case (noted for its superior tensile strength and surface hardness) for the first time in Magrette's dive collection. In addition to titanium's exceptional corrosion resistance and high strength-to weight ratio the Kara is built for the toughest aquatic environments with a water resistance rating of 500M, large screw-down crown with safety alert collar, scratch resistant sapphire crystal, and engraved ceramic bezel insert. The Moana Pacific Professional Kara is powered by the automatic Caliber STP-11 from Swiss Technology Production SA. This movement along with a new custom winding rotor is visible through a sapphire casebook, another first in the Moana Pacific Pro legacy.

The specifications:

MOVEMENT: Swiss Made Caliber STP-11 automatic movement with hacking seconds, 28800bph, manual winding, Incabloc absorption and Nivaflex NM mainspring. 

CASE DIMENSIONS: 44mm excluding the crown, 53mm lug-to-lug, 15.3mm tall, 24mm lug width. CASE FINISH: Brushed Titanium grade 5 (brushed) with stainless steel case back. BEZEL: Ceramic (matte finish), engraved and fully lumed. CROWN: Screw down crown with red safety alert collar. CRYSTAL: Sapphire (double domed), AR coating. DIAL, HANDS & BEZEL: Super Luminova BGW9 (blue in color). WATER-RESISTANCE: 500m/1650ft Water resistance. Viton gasket used on case back. STRAP: All new blue FKM rubber integrated strap with logo, name and customized deployant buckle. For more information: Moana Pacific Professional Kara Photographs: Magrette

Happy Birthday Malaysia

Malaysia is 60 today. Selamat Merdeka. Happy National Day. 

From my understanding, Hublot in collaboration with Hour Glass is commemorating the event with the Hublot Big Bang Merdeka Edition. Only 60 pieces will be made and will be available at the Hublot Boutique in KLCC and Hour Glass Boutiques. 

The watch...

Photograph: Hublot

From my limited knowledge, the watch comes in at 44mm and features blue ceramic case and cobalt blue dial. The number 60 (in gold) adorn the 12 o'clock position to signify Malaysia being 60 years old. The gold stitches on the blue strap pays homage to the Cresent and Star on the Malaysian flag, the Jalur Gemilang. 

The watch retail for about MR77,400.

Seiko x Lowercase collaboration

Seiko has launched a very interesting series of watches in collaboration with LOWERCASE. LOWERCASE is a leading on-line destination for fashion in Japan. This is not the first time Seiko is working with LOWERCASE. Anyway on to the watches. 

There are 8 watches in this collection and I have to say that the watches are very nice. All the watches are powered by the Seiko Solar powered caliber V157 and offers a water resistance rating of 20 ATM. The watches are 44.5mm and have screw down crown and casebook. All the watches in the collection offer a countdown bezel.

Prices start from about USD 340.

SBDJ023 Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Limited Edition Freemans Sporting Club Exclusive Model. This will be a limited Edition run of only 300 pieces. The case back will have the 'Limited Edition' and serial number engraved.

Seiko SBDJ025 Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Limited Edition Freemans Sporting Club Exclusive Model. This will be a limited Edition run of only 700 pieces. The case back will have the 'Limited Edition' and serial number engraved.

Seiko SBDJ027 Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Limited Edition. There is no information how many pieces will be offered and if the case back will be engraved.

Seiko SBDJ028 Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Limited Edition. There is no information how many pieces will be offered and if the case back will be engraved.

Seiko SBDJ029 Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Limited Edition. There is no information how many pieces will be offered and if the case back will be engraved. I like. 

SBDJ031 Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Limited Edition BEAMS Exclusive Model. This will be a limited Edition run of only 300 pieces. The case back will have the 'Limited Edition' and serial number engraved.

SBDJ032 Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Limited Edition United Arrows Exclusive Model. This will be a limited Edition run of only 300 pieces. The case back will have the 'Limited Edition' and serial number engraved.

Pictures: Seiko

SBDJ033 Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Limited Edition JOURNAL STANDARD Exclusive Model. This will be a limited Edition run of only 700 pieces. The case back will have the 'Limited Edition' and serial number engraved.

What is interesting from the pictures is the spring bars. They look like shoulder less bars. That would mean that there are lug holes. I like. Lets see if any of the watches makes it to Taiwan.

Bracelet

This is the bracelet of a recent acquisition. As you can see, the bracelet have had some work done to it. Not very well, sadly. 

A closer view of the bracelet. Can you see what is wrong?

Yeah, the finish is wrong. The center portion of links 2 and 4 (counting across the bracelet width) should be brushed. It should be brushed, polished, brushed, polished, brushed, polished, brushed, polished and brushed.

Something I need to look into and work out. :)

More photography experiments...

Trying out iPhone depth effect....

Some more successful then others...

Rolex Explorer II and Tudor Heritage Black Bay Red...