Happy New Year

Wishing all a Happy New Year. May 2018 be a blessed year for you and your family. 

Merry Christmas

Wishing one and all a Merry Christmas. 

Lume shot... with a twist

It has been sometime since I last did a lume shot. Here is the Wired watch I got recently.

Unlike the watch of old, the light is white instead of yellow. :)

Wired...

I was at Costco today when I saw this watch. Looks interesting and kind of reminded me of vintage Seiko watches from the 70s. 

The watch...

The Seiko watch from the 70s...

Photograph: shameless borrowed from the Internet

So while waiting for the missus to do her shopping, I quickly searched the Internet about the watch. Interesting. The watch is part of a series of watches Wired produced in collaboration with Beams. The other watches in the collection..

Photograph: shameless borrowed from the Internet

The model on display is the AGAM701. The watch is also know by various names, so far I found that it is called Seiko Basel 2017 Limited Edition Wired x Beams, Seiko Solidity Beams produce, Seiko Wired x Beams Solidity and the list goes on. 

So far, I have established this is Limited Model produced in collaboration with Beams and it is a Limited Edition of 1,600 pieces. 

So I got two. One for me, and the other for my brother. 

I have to say the watch is rather unique and I like it. 

Oh, before I forget, one of the watches below appeared in a Bond movie. 

Photograph: shameless borrowed from the Internet

Bracelet resizing..

I was resizing some Seiko watches the other day. The most important thing to watch out for when resizing the Seiko monster bracelet is the locking collar and pin that hold the bracelet links together. Seiko use the pin and collar locking system and the collar is plenty small. 

The pictures below, don't serve as a step by step guide. Apologies for poor quality of some of the pictures as the background is not the best in the world... 

The Seiko Monster SZSC003 Blue Ocean.

Disconnect the bracelet from the clasp.

Mount it on the tool to punch out the pin.

The removed link, pins and locking collars. See how small the locking collars are.

All done.

The watch, Seiko SZEN006.

Note the direction to punch out the pins. 

Disconnect from the clasp. Note the spring bar. Don't lose this. :)

The link removed. Note the pin and locking collar. 

Reconnect the bracelet.

Pin in position. 

How time flies...

I have a unique way to measure time, especially how long I have been in Taiwan. It helps that when I first came to Taiwan, Casio was celebrating its 25th. Anniversary of the G-Shock. Fast forward and Casio is celebrating its 35th. Anniversary. So it has been 10 years. 

As with any celebration, Casio have released a number of Limited Edition Casio G-Shock to celebrate this. 

My friendly local watch shop sent me this...

Yes, these are the 35th. Anniversary Big Bang Black series. The collection consist of 4 watches, The GA-135-1A, GA-735A-1A, GA-835A-1A and the GG-1035-1A Mudmaster. 

Photograph: Casio

But wait, there are 5 boxes. What is the other one? 

The other watch is the GW-5035A-1 which according to sources will only be available in Japan, China, Taiwan and America. 

Photograph: Casio

Casio will also be releasing another collection to celebrate the 35th. Anniversary. The collection is the Gold Tornado Collection. It consist of 3 watches.

GWF-D1035B-1. I like...

GPW-2000TFB-1A

GST-B100TFB-1A

Photograph: Casio

There are other models released in this celebration. As usual, Casio will work with Eric Haze to release a Casio x Eric Haze collaboration model.

GA-700EH-1A

Casio is also collaborating with Chinese Fashion brand Sankuanz to celebrate the 35th. Anniversary. The Casio X Sankuanz model.

GA-700SKZ-7A

Photographs: Casio

I guess we will be seeing a number of mooks to celebrate the G-Shock 35th. Anniversary. 

For more information:

G-Shiock 35th. Anniversary Models

Bell&Ross BRV Aeronavale

Bell and Ross have released two new watches in the BRV Aeronavale. 

Right from its inception, Bell and Ross has been passionate about the history and values of the military. To progress as far as possible in its quest for excellence, Bell and Ross has made aeronautical instrumentation one of its primary sources of inspiration, both in terms of design and technology. This is why its watches meet the functional and ergonomic criteria required by pilots and all users of professional horological instruments. Featuring the colour codes and rich detail of the naval officer's uniform, the BRV AÉRONAVALE symbolises military excellence and tradition.

The prestige of the uniform In the cockpit of a Rafale, a naval air force pilot wears a flight suit covered in pockets, for practicality and comfort. During official ceremonies, his attire changes to display military prestige.

The blue of the uniform evokes the sea. The gold of the wings, trim and buttons conveys poise, nobility and victory. The blue/gold combination is also found on VINTAGE BR AÉRONAVALE models, which feature all the symbols and motifs that appear on naval uniforms.

Reflecting the prestige of the ceremonial uniform worn by naval officers, the VINTAGE BR AÉRONAVALE models will seduce fans of timepieces rich in both colour and values.

Two new models have been added to the BRV AÉRONAVALE collection: a chronograph and three-hand small seconds. The 41 mm diameter polished steel case exudes retro chic. On both versions, the gilt skeletonised hour and minute hands stand out starkly against the navy blue sunray dial. The contrast between the two colours offers a refined air and excellent legibility. Designed for pilots, the BRV AÉRONAVALE Chronograph is a time measuring instrument that marries functionality and elegance. It has two additional counters with snailed guilloché decoration and a 60-minute graduated bezel in blue anodised aluminium.

The ultra-curved sapphire crystal underlines both the classic style of the watch and its strength. Made in Switzerland and renowned for their reliability and accuracy, the mechanical movements with automatic winding that drive these two versions are visible through a transparent case-back.

The watch comes with either a distressed blue calfskin strap with cinnamon stitching, or a midnight blue alligator strap with a pin buckle clasp. The shiny alligator strap of the BRV AERONAVALE exudes classic sophistication, while the satin-like texture of the calfskin, with distressed effect and overstitching in contrasting colours, makes for a very sharp, on-trend look.

Bell and Ross BRV Aeronavale is retailing from RM13,000 to RM20,700. 

The technical Specifications of the watches:

BR V2-92 Aeronavale

Movement: calibre BR-CAL.302. Automatic mechanical. 

Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds and date. 

Case: 41 mm in diameter. Polished steel. Rotating steel bezel with anodised blue aluminium ring and 60-minute scale. Screw-down crown. Sapphire case-back. 

Dial: blue sunray. Gilt applique numerals and indices. Gilt skeletonised Superluminova filled hour and minute hands. 

Crystal: ultra-curved sapphire with anti-refective coating. 

Water-resistance: 100 metres. 

Strap: satin-polished steel or ice blue calfskin. 

Buckle: folding. Satin-polished steel. 

Photographs: Bell and Ross

BR V2-94 Aeronavale

Movement: calibre BR-CAL.301. Automatic mechanical.

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o'clock. Date. 

Chronograph: 30-min timer at 9 o'clock, central chronograph seconds. 

Case: 41 mm in diameter. Polished steel. Steel bezel with anodised blue aluminium ring and 60-minute scale. Screw-down crown and push-buttons. Sapphire case-back. 

Dial: blue sunray. Gilt applique numerals and indices. Gilt skeletonised Superluminova filled hour and minute hands.

Crystal: ultra-curved sapphire with anti-refective coating. 

Water-resistance: 100 metres. 

Strap: satin-polished steel or ice blue calfskin. 

Buckle: folding. Satin-polished steel. 

I would like to thank Bell and Ross Malaysia for the information.