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Surveying the 2018 Seiko x Giugiaro “Speed Master” LCD Reissue Series (SBJG)

January 18, 2019 By Stephen 6 Comments

Seiko has been collaborating with Giugiaro Design since the 1980s. The most famous fruit of this collaboration was the “Aliens” watch line, which have been reissued in recent years. In late 2018, Seiko introduced another reissue: The SBJG multi-function digital models we will discuss today.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: A825, A828, Giugiaro, LCD, quartz, SBJG, Seiko, Seiko Giugiaro, Speed Master, SSBA

Seiko Returns With Another Giugiaro SCED Series

January 17, 2019 By Stephen 3 Comments

When Seiko reissued the 1980s-style “Aliens” Giugiaro watches between 2013 and 2015, collectors were thrilled. But after thoroughly exhausting color combinations on the “Ripley” and “Bishop” watches, where would Seiko go next? They turned to the less well-known 7A28-7A00 SBBJ “Speed Master” series, with angled faces inside a round case.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 7A28, 7T12, Giugiaro, SBBJ, SCED, Seiko, Seiko Giugiaro

The Current IWC Ingenieur Lineup is a Travesty

December 5, 2018 By Stephen 4 Comments

My enthusiasm for various watch models tends to wax and wane as I see something interesting, and lately my attention has turned to the IWC Ingenieur range. From the original Milgauss competitor to Gerald Genta’s remarkable Ingenieur SL to the chunky Mercedes-AMG racing models, the Ingenieur lineup has always been worth a look. Yet today’s lineup is beyond bland and not deserving of the name. Good thing, too, since IWC seems to be eliminating that, too!

Filed Under: Grails, Reviews Tagged With: Albert Pellaton, Chronograph, Flyback, Gerald Genta, Ingenieur, Ingenieur SL, IWC, IWC Ingenieur, perpetual calendar

Xeric Xeriscope: An Amusing Piece of Junk

April 25, 2018 By Stephen 8 Comments

The Xeric Xeriscope is not an enjoyable watch. Mine was $349 on Kickstarter, and I feel it’s not worth even that. The finishing and usability is so bad I can’t even enjoy the novelty of the open heart carousel movement. I thought I knew what I was getting, but I didn’t know it would be this bad.

Filed Under: Collection, Reviews, Watch A Day Tagged With: Carousel, China, Chinese, dual timezone, Kickstarter, Open Heart, power reserve indicator, PTS Resources, PTS ST-1201, Wachismo, Watches.com, Xeric, Xeric Xeriscope

The Real James Bond Watch Strap, Resurrected!

April 19, 2018 By Stephen 8 Comments

Most watch enthusiasts have a grail, a watch just out of reach whether through rarity or price. But once they attain their grail, they often turn to restoring missing accessories like the proper box, papers, buckle, and strap. Who wouldn’t want to put their “James Bond” Submariner on the proper “Goldfinger” strap?

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Bond Strap, canvas, dive watch, Diving Watch, Goldfinger, James Bond, NATO strap, Rolex, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Submariner 6538, Strap, Submariner, Watch, watch strap

Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec: Attainable Complications

April 13, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

The last few “Watch A Day” choices were quite inexpensive, but today’s watch is affordable only compared to other options in its class. The Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec combines unique complications, a special manufacture movement, and an eye-catching look at an attainable if not exactly affordable price. It’s also a comfortable, useful watch for traveling.

Filed Under: Collection, Reviews, Watch A Day Tagged With: Chronograph, column wheel, Complicated Watches, Complication, double barrel, dual timezone, GMT, Homage to Nicolas Rieussec, Horology, Luxury Brands, MB R200, monopusher, Montblanc, Montblanc Star, Nicolas Rieussec, Richemont, vertical clutch, Watch Calibre, Watches

A Great Clock for Watch Lovers – Grand Seiko and Others!

March 5, 2017 By Stephen 1 Comment

I needed a new clock for my office and, being a watch lover and Seiko enthusiast, couldn’t countenance buying some crappy plastic monstrosity. So I found this excellent Seiko QXA630ALH clock and thought my readers might enjoy a look at it.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: clock, Seiko, Seiko Clock, Seiko QXA630ALH, wall clock

How Good Is the Mondaine Helvetica Smart Watch?

December 30, 2015 By Stephen 1 Comment

Overall, the Mondaine Helvetica Smart watch falls short of the high bar set by Swiss competitors and Apple alike. In my review, I was surprised by the high-quality materials and finish evident in my steel Apple Watch. The reverse is true with the Mondaine; it’s just “good enough”. Combined with lackluster “smart watch” functionality, I’d call this a “do not buy”.

Filed Under: Commentary, Reviews Tagged With: Apple Watch, Frederique Constant, Helvetica, Helvetica Smart, MMT, Mondaine, smart watch, TAG Heuer Carrera Connected

The Case Against the $10,000 Gold Apple Watch Edition

February 27, 2015 By Stephen Leave a Comment

My post laying out why the gold Apple Watch Edition must cost $10,000 caused quite a stir, but I’ll be the first to admit that I could have it all wrong. It’s entirely possible for them to put together a gold-cased Apple Watch for a much-lower price point, but I’m much more interested in the reasons why: Apple’s manufacturing and retail empire would be seriously disrupted by a $10,000 lump of gold!

Filed Under: Commentary, Reviews Tagged With: Apple, Apple Watch, boutique, gold, retail, security

Why the Gold Apple Watch Edition Must Cost $10,000

February 16, 2015 By Stephen 28 Comments

Get ready for the tech press to flip out when Apple announces the retail price for the gold Apple Watch Edition model. Apple critics have always roasted the company for selling products that are more expensive than they should be, and they frequently use this as a wedge topic to criticize buyers. But the “18-karat gold” Apple Watch Edition will set a whole new bar with a sales price of $10,000. The funny thing in this case is that Apple is perfectly right to be charging that much!

Filed Under: Commentary, Reviews Tagged With: Apple, Apple Watch, Cartier Tank MC, gold, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Squadra Hometime

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