Recommended Watch #36: Timex Traveller Series World Time ref. no. T2N943

It was about 5 years ago when a new watch brand raised a couple of eyebrows in the watch market.  That watch brand was TX which stood for Techno Luxury.  But with its entry of multi-hand quartz movements house in German inspired cases with a price tag of around $500-$600, it was in for huge competition with mainstay Swiss, Japanes watch brands.  So only time could tell how they would be able to survive. And as predicted, not long.  Lived 4 years to be exact.  Though I wouldn't say TX watches weren't good, they actually were.  The design was straight out breeded in-house, no easy way homage/rip-off.  And a reliable made movement at that.  But I guess, that because of the fact that TX was a mid-tier watch brand from Timex that people can always associate with an affordable watch that keeps on ticking and can be found at Wal-mart or Target had a hard time convincing them of the price twice its siblings.

But now, after a couple of years after TX was shut down, I believe Timex has done what it should have done in the beginning.  Make it a Timex.  An affordable Timex.

During its TX era, there was one specific model that caught my eye.  It was the TX 500 Series World Time that featured an independent world time indicator in retrograde fashion, a summer-winter indicator and the usual 3-hander with date-only window.   The dial had thes embossed wordl map in black-gunmetal gray colors with thick hands and striking markers.  The case shape was also wide at the bottom, shollowing at the top to make it a steady and elegant decoration on yout wrist.  And with an onion crown at 3'clock and a wicked classy bracelet, this watch was a winner.

        

 
       
So when Timex reintroduced the World Timer, now tiwh a Timex badge on it and a $300 price tag on it, this now surely belongs as the 36th Weekly Watch Recom here at Shots of Thoughts.

          

Now, its not exactly the same watch as before, since it has more simpler hands and indices on the dial, a more subtle round knurled crown and a leather or a standard oyster style bracelet on it.  But still, it has that same movement powering it which Timex now labels them "Intelligent Quartz".  Now I don't quite find the name great at all but to now see a Timex badge on it is a more revealing success for me.  It shows Timex has moved up to the ladder of ordinary easy readers to multi-hand quartz movements without fearing of upping the price and maintaining the American badge that is quite a household name in the watch department.  And before I forget, one great thing that sets it apart from the TX brother is of course, the indiglo as quietly stated at the bottom of the dial.  Some may find the indiglo thing too nerdy camper for this type of watch but hey, trust me you'll need it upon checking the time when you up a thousand miles in the air and too lazy to turn on the cabin light. 

The Timex Traveller Series is now available in Timex shops all around, right in time for the holiday season.

WWR #35: Seiko Bullhead Chronograph ref no. SCEB009

Way back in 1969, in the world of horology, a break through emerged that changed the industry forever.  That breakthrough was quartz technology. And in the background, there was also a first for the pure mechanical aficionados, it was the first automatic chronograph, the 6139 calibre.  And believe it or not, these two"Firsts" came from Seiko.  Although Seiko was not alone on their feat on the first Automatic Chronograph, it just went to show how Seiko is serious in watchmaking, as if you still didn't know that, and that not everything non swiss made is not worth the look.

And following closely to those historical feats is Seiko's release of another automatic chronograph the 6138-0040/0039 that made an impact to the watch aficianado's world back then and today.  And, to marry those two significant stories, Seiko released a faithful tribute to the iconic Bullhead chronograph.  So for our 35th Weekly Watch Recom here at SOT, we recommend the latest Quartz Chronograph from the Seiko Spirit line, the new SCEB009 or the Modern Bullhead.

Well if we compare it millimeter by millimeter, the Modern Bullhead isn't a faithful homage to the iconic 6138 Bullhead, but rather a remake that will adapt to the signs of the times as what the older brother was back then.  The biggest difference is of course the movement.  The new one is powered by the reliable 7T92 quartz chronograph movement which also powers other Seikos in different line-ups.  Why not mechanical?  Well only Seiko could tell but if it were, imagine how much the asking price would be.

Another difference is the chrono registers on the dial.  The new one has the running seconds counter at the bottom replacing the vertical day-date of the old one.  The new date aperture resides near the 5 o'clock marker.

The case difference is still to be investigated.  I haven't seen one in person yet so probably a later update of this article will surely come once its release.

I also like the oyster style bracelet on the new one, though the fish bone bracelet of the old was comfortable and classically stylish, it was a bit flimsy.

There are also four variants to choose from.  Still, I'm a bit conservative myself in terms of color that is why I recommend the 009 version, fits in all dress styles.

                           

 


And lastly, the price tag on the Seiko Japan site is around 26k Yen which converts to around $315, which makes it another bang for the buck chronograph watch.

If you've never had a Seiko chronograph before, this watch will be a good start, along side to accurately guide you good old mechanical Seiko Divers too.

WWR #34: Ingersoll Scott ref. IN8402GY

A few weeks ago, news broke out in the horological world about the the rarest (only two in the world) watch to be Auctioned.  And apart from that, its a Patek, and previously owned by guitar god himself, Eric Clapton.  Price will be monumental and for sure will break records.  Which brings us to a question, did Clapton wear this watch?  I think not.  I believe there are watches meant to be preserved in a vault somewhere and be unearthed from golden slumber again for the world to appreciate.  And then there are watches that are meant to be worn and care less about scratches, theives, resale value nor personal status.

Our 34th Weekly Watch Recommendation is the Ingersoll Scott ref . IN8402GY.

Now a lot of people shun the idea of a Chines made watch.  Yes, Ingersoll is an American brand, designed in Germany, and made in China.  For me, it really doesn't matter where its made, as long as it delivers what its supposed to and commensurate to the price tag.

What atttracted me to this watch is that it looks similar to Clapton's Patek.  Now the monumental price tag of that Patek is nowhere for the masses, this Ingersoll is.  Ingersoll Scott to be specific.

Scott is highly influences by the styling and cues of a classic Swiss dress watch with complications.  Now at first glance this may seem to have a split chronograph and possibly a perpetual calendar, it actually doesn't.  What the Ingersoll Scott has is a moon phase, day, date and month complications aside from the usual three hander.  Now the two chronograph-like buttons are a wild guess for me, it could either set-up any of those features mentioned above.  Will try to get my hands on one and update on the specific button functions.

Here is a view of the movement from the exhibition caseback.  We would all know that only a company named Seagull would create this movements in China, thus we'd assume Ingersoll bought their movements from them.  The movement is labelled as a 435 calibre automatic with 35 jewels.

The case size is 45mm including the crown with mineral glass on the top and bottom.  The dial is a light gray color with blue hands, big aperture under the 12 o'clock for the date and and roman numeral indices fill the whole dial.  Water resistant is 3atm, pretty standard for dress watches like these.  Do take note at the bottom of the dial, the print Germany Design. Well I find it to marketing cheesy and honest too.  The less knowledgeable on the WIS stage would find this value adding to the product while the rest of us so called idiot savants would know what this means.

But with all these characteristics at hand, as popularly would be the outcome, a lot of serious watch lovers would neglect the idea of having this strapped to their wrists.  But I tell you, in these times of economic struggle, where ever you put your business too, life ain't as easy as it used to be.  And it that these kind of watches come in.  With a dollar price tag of around  450$, it doesn't at all account to a mortal sin to have this to be paired with your everyday work suit, dress shirt and tie, to tell everyone that sometimes, we don't need to be extravagant, but just be humble and practical.  Yes that is what that watch is, humble and practical. If you are one, got get one.

WWR #33: Orient Flight ref ER2A003B Pilot Watch

Looking for your first pilot watch?  One of our favorite watch brands from Japan, Orient, has just release a new Pilot watch. And this ain't like the previous "Aviator" watch where it didn't look nearly anywhere in the cockpit of a flying machine.  This is actually the first Japanes Branded Pilot watch that is very true to the original Beobachtungs-uhr which meant Observation Watch of the Germans way back in World War II.  It even has the dial Type B of a B-uhr watch.

When I first saw this, I just couldn't believe it had an Orient badge on it.  One would assume it to be photoshopped but no, this appears on Orient's website under the model number ER2A003B.  I then did a fist pump as I have dreamt for a bang for the buck pilot watch for years and Orient has answered my prayers.

The watch comes with a 48743 in house movement which I would suspect to be a workhorse automatic watch that will have no winding or hacking function.  This is the same movement as their popular Bambino.  Honestly, I never felt the need for a winding/hacking function especially Orient watches were the second hand instantly runs even as I pick-up the watch.

Another great thing about this watch is YES it has a date window at 3 o'clock marker.  Usually, B-uhr inspired watches don't have this, and is the deal breaker for me for not purchasing them.  A big plus for Orient.

And, for collectors, this comes with lots of colors to choose from.  Personally, I liked the classice black dial stainless steel version, the PVD black dial version and the blue dialed stainless steel version (a great first blue dial watch if ever you don't have one yet).  The blue dial seems to come with a brown leather strap, contrasting but matching color combination.  

Here are some specs from Orient's site.

Mechanical Movement : ORIENT caliber 48743 Made in Japan
Self-winding movement
21 jewels
21,600/hour vibrations
Date indicator

Stainless steel case
Crystal glass
Screw caseback, Screwed-down crown
Genuine leather strap
Water resistant to 100m
Diameter 42.00mm
Thickness 11.65mm


I haven't seen this watch in the metal yet nor have I seen any live pictures of it.  This was just practically released just a few weeks ago and I believe SOT featured this first.  I have no word on pricing yet and haven't found any for sale yet but I'm pretty sure this will be around $150-$200 price range which is pretty affordable.  Will update you guys if I have further information on this, for now, this is SOT's Weekly Watch Recom #33.

Recent updates everyone, Orient Flight has now landed in Long Island.



Available for $159 here.

WWR #32: Orient Star WZ0201EL collaboration with SOMES

The leather strap craze is on full speed.  And about 70% of the new watches purchased by any random buyer are replaced with a thick leather strap.  I think the Nato strap craze has just ended.  And it's very fitting that Orient Star from Japan, a higher end brand from Orient Watch Co. has an offering that will make every leather lover drool and every in-house purist scramble for his/her credit card.

My 32nd weekly watch recommendation is the Orient Star WZ0201EL with collaboration from SOMES.

What initially attaracted me to this watch is the cushioned case that is similar to vintage japan watches of the 60s and 70s but with Orient Star giving it an elegant twist.  Below is a picture of a French Market Seiko, the 7006-7020 that rather looks similar to this Orient Star.

The 43mm case seems to have a longitudinal base then resedes to a cobra like cushion which will definitely give you mysterious 2nd look of how the design actually is.  The placement of the power reserve is perfectly balanced with the Orient Star logo on the bottom.

                       

The movement in this watch is the 40M50 21 Jewel in house movement made in Japan.  It has a power reserve of 40 hours and accuracy of about +25/-15 sec/day.



The other great thing about this watch is the thick sporty bridle type leather from Somes.  The stitches aren't what you normally see on stock ones.  And is quite relatively unique for Orient Star and with a price of around US$ 500, a definitely good deal.

A wrist shot I found over the net.

And some links where there are for sale.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

It's clear that this is another all occasion watch.  From casual to formal, without hitting the pool of course as this is good at 50m WR only, this watch will fit purely well for a man with great taste and appreciation of value.

WWR #31: Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic 44mm

30 Weekly Watch Recom posts ago, Hamilton made it to my first recommendation because it had to be.  A mid level watch brand that brings you the Swiss satisfaction covered with an American utilitarian look.  The watch that I am going to recommend for this week is the upsized version of the most iconic Hamilton watches out there. 

Now if you remember the time when Rolex upsized there iconic Submariner with the Deep Sea - Sea Dweller, the big boys celebrated but the purists shunned the bigger brother.  But on my side, we don't have all the same wrist sizes, and don't have all the same tastes, that would be weird to think if it did.  And now that the modern day standards of men's watch sizes is from 40 - 44mm, and anything below or outside that is somewhat unacceptabley puny or too wall clocky designed just for the cocky.  So Hamilton, did exactly that and co-released an upsized 40mm Khaki Field to a 44mm model.

Here are pictures of the iconic 40mm Khaki and the 44m one.  Any differences? Just minimal.

 

The obvious difference aside from the size is the background color and finish of the dial and the red handed second hand on the 40mm.  The hour and minute hands still incorporate the same style but with a bolder and edgier look. The bracelets seem to have a difference on the middle links but I'm sure most would replace them with thick military/aviation style leather straps.So with these minimal differences, it basically boils down to size.  What size fits you most.  Its like jeans of the same model and cut but on a different waistline.  I have a puny wrist of just about 6.25 inches but seems 44mm watches fit right in with no problem.  So basically its what you prefer.  And of course, the greates advice prior buying is to actually wear one.  Try it on for size, and actual hands on is the biggest deciding factor in getting which and what model.

The 44mm still has the same movement, the ever reliable 2824 ETA automatic movement with handwinding capability and date complication.  The 40mm retails around $500 and the 44mm about $700.  Minimal price differences too right?  Either way, no once can get wrong.  The 44m model has some modern style looking color combination on pvd on its range but I'm more of a classic iconic styled taste person, and want my watches that never goes out of style. 



Here's a nice video from watchtanaka that displays the beauty of this classic.

WWR #30: Grand Seiko Hi Beat SBGH001

In the world of mechanical watches, there has been the long term battle for accuracy that for the longest time, a pure mechanical watch would already have an acceptance of such.  That is compare to electronic quartz and atomic timekeeping.  And aside from complications such as tourbillions, there has been once key aspect which has been talked about often as its relation to its accuracy.  Which is, the level of frequency if the watch.

The normal frequency of a watch is 5-6 bps (beats per second) or 18,000-21,000 bph.  It has been proven way back when pocket watches were the norm, 5-6bps was enough to achieve a level of accuracy that would make railroad schedules synch avoiding catastrophic crashes and would in majority pass COSC standards when professiionally adjusted.  So why the need a Hi-beat?  

Well, same goes with a lot of watches where there are features that we simply do not practically need. Its because in the expensive and interesting  world of watch collecting, we don't necessarily buy because we need it, we buy because we appreciate it.  We appreciate the hard work of the people who have worked behind it from conceptualization to design to production and the whole package.  Whatever that oddly new feature is, or call it complication, its worthwhile most of the time if its not that easy to do and it doesn't sound practically stupid. 

Enter  the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat.

The Grand Seiko hi Beat might look like an ordinary 3 hander but under the hood, to be able to offer the smoothest second sweep from a 100% mechanical watch, you must have the most advanced materials, robust engineering, and flawless design to make it work.  I mean if the mechanical gears run twice that it normally should, then that part must be twice as durable that the normal.

 

Though a hi beat movement has been around the longest time and some are still working as of this day, its a testament that this is not as delicate as it seems to be nor is it more high maintenance that the usual lady in a big city.

 Justifying the price of this beautiful piece should not be about accuracy, but all the components encased into this watch that make it twice that watch it is. And by standards it self, who has a higher standard than Grand Seiko?  Price of this piece starts around $6K.  A definite WWR grail from SOT.    

Here are the technical laydown on this grail from the official website.

Drive system	Mechanical Automatic (Hand winding capability)
Caliber No.	9S85
Case	Stainless steel
Case back	See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal
Glass	High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Bracelet	Solid stainless steel
Buckle	Stainless steel with three-fold clasp with push button release
Accuracy	+5 ~ -3 seconds/ day
Water resistance	10 bar
Magnetic resistance	4800 A/m (60 gauss)
Weight	151g
Case thickness	13.0 mm
Case diameter	40.0mm
Jewels	37

WWR #29: Longines Legend Diver with Date

Not many people know this but Longines is brand with a rich history dating back to the 19th century up to the current era.  And one of their famous stories is their pioneering pilot watch that emerged from the 1930s under the first man to fly over the atlantic ocean, Charles Lindbergh.  Then fast forward to the next few decades, embracing the quartz revolution. Well we know that story.  And up to what we see now, Longines is a brand donned by power tennis legends and an Indian Beauty.

But during the 1960s,  Longines was part of the Diving watch frenzy.  And like JLC, Hamilton, IWC, UG and Vulcain,  the brand developed a Super Compressor Dive watch.  It was called the Longines Legend diver as seen on the picture below.

Stunning watch isn't it?  Well since the past few years has been the time where we've seem numerous remakes and tributes is just about anything that happened about half a century ago, Longines, re-released the new version of this legendary diver.  Now what struck me with this watch is that compared to other tributes from the 60s, this model resembles so much from the original one that if you'd see a mint condtion 60s Legend Diver.

The new one is upgraded with a Sapphire Crystal with AR coating, screw in crowns, new movement with 28,800 bph.  Now this tribute watch has two versions, with and without date.  The one I am recommending is the with date.  Though the ultimate remake would be the no date but I just can't live without a date complication.  And it's the best distinguishing mark compared to the old one.

Here is the new legend diver after 50 years.

the no date

                                



the with date

So why this Longines compared from other super compressor dive watches around? The price is just below $2,000 USD, great tribute watch, from a trusted brand, and most of all, if the Omega that I featured last week could be a contender for the one watch to fit all, then this would be one of it's greatest challenger.  The Longines would look great under a dress or wet suit.  Young or old. Contemporary or an artist. 

Well the design might not be blendable to everyone's taste but I'm sure those with good ones will consider it.  My initial reaction to the legend diver was that of the hour hand.  I first thought it was too short, but then again, weren't hour hounds supposed to be, to be recognizable and big compare to the minute hand.  And if you were the 50s designer of the original one, there was no other way, and the design they ended up is perfect to which I would conclude.  Some designs need to grow on us.  We are not all masters of our taste.  That's what for me a good design is.  A design that not just acts as a pusher but actually teaches us and makes our way to the roots of our tastes and molds and corrects it.  And the simple dial, and inner rotating bezel, crown design, and the most common looking case, sets this to be an immortal classic, that is not that popular to the point of being unique. 

Longines usually has no defined image to their watches except for the Lindbergh hour watch which is a totally different interesting story in itself, and so with this Legend diver, I hope they carry on to this type of image with their sport/dive watch categories and forget the urge to follow the trend but rather be the trail blazer.   

WWR #28 - Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 2503.33

Omega has got to be the 2nd most popular watch brand out there after Rolex.  Without a doubt.  Well its like the 2nd choice from buying a Rollie.  Omega also has the most extensive successful marketing strategies versus any watch brand.  From James Bond, to the Olympics, to Gorgeous George, to Couching flying Zhang, to Nicole, and list goes on and on.  And not only that, their biggest marketing success came from the success of their most popular Moonwatch the Speedmaster.

But I am not recommending for this week the Speedmaster as this is a must have grail in watch addict's bucket list.  So I am recommending a more simple yet elegant and likewise a master in another element of the human world.  The Seamaster Aqua Terra 2503.33.

What struck me about this particular Omega? Being the first to appear on my WWR list?  Well just look at it.  Simply elegant, pure, calm and downright capable.  Imagine this, a pre-loved mint Mercedes Benz 300SL, in all of its glory speeding up to the hill with glittering beach view on the side, ramping its 6-cylinder engine as it conquers the slope and roars like a king while doing it, then goes downhill during the day's sunset and heads down to the sandy shores speeding gracefully looking for a perfect spot to lay back and have a sunset picnic.  Scenic isnt it?  Well thats how I view this watch.  Elegant white dial, perfect blue hands, accurate and durable movement, well crafted case, and before I miss it, resists water worth 150m of pressure.  I would like to think that if you can only have one watch and that the Rolex Submariner might be too common to or too replicated for your liking, that this watch will fit the bill.  At any occassion, any environment, and in any gentleman's personality, no one I mean not a single soul can go wrong by wearing the 2503.33. You object Sir?  Why not the Explorer? - No date.  Why not the daytona? - too busy and too pricey.  Or why not the PO Seamaster? - Well its macho rugged and not as versatile and humble as this.



The only thing too bad about this recommendation is that, the watch is no longer available, Omega is not producing one any more, well it makes the hunt more interesting.  Sure there are new Aqua Terras out there that George is courting you but this specific one is just magnificent.  I always have a fond for classic and iconic styled watches that even in a million years would still look good and won't get caught by any fashion and trend police.

What I also look for in watches is the style that could match up any shoe you'd like to fit it with.  Brushed stainless steel, plush premium leather, silicon rubber, ballistic nylon, name it bro, this one is up to game.  Just google a pic of the 2503.33 and you'll see what I mean.



There is also a black dialed version of this baby, but the blue hands is just a large margin win.

Here are the technical info on the watch

Crystal - Domed Scratch Resistan Sapphire
Size - 39.2mm
Movement - Omega 2500, self winding chronometer, Co-axial Escapement with rhodium plated finish, PR 48 hours.
Water Reistance - 150m / 500ft
Transparent Caseback
Date function.

As a management professional, i can say this is a true KISS watch.  They kept it smart and simple.


 

WWR #27: Ball Trainmaster One Hundred Twenty

When I was at my local tailor shop the other day to have my suit done, I was flipping the pages of this fashion magazine and admiring the sweet models and nice suits in its prints.  While quickly turning the pages for boring features, an small glimpse of something familiar caught my eye at the least focus area of my natural lenses.  It was a watch.  Gold case, brown leather strap, grayish dial, well don't see that quite often I said.

I thought it was from the usual big Swiss brands that offer fine haute horlogerie and nothing less.  But I was surprised that it was from the hardcore (well that's my personal perception of the brand) Ball as the matter of fact. Those tough anti magnetic water resistant gas power lighted watches has come up with an elegant dress watch to celebrate 120 years of the brand.  And, hence its name the Ball Trainmaster One Hundred Twenty.  I love the name.  Simple and meaningful.

Here is the gorgeous watch.

 The case is rose gold at a perfect dress size of 39.5mm. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the grey sunburst dial that is nicely complemented with gold markers that have gas powered lights that will illuminate and eliminate all non luminous dress watches.  Its powered by an ETA 2892 movement that gives you the standard automatic movement with date function and over course hacking and handwinding capabilities.

With the gas lights on...

Well I really can't say anything about this watch but pure absolute drooling praise.  I mean the reason dress watches aren't so popular as dive watches or chronographs, is for the fact that they are so refined looking and doesn't offer anything more but elegance and formality.  While for this, at $6000, you can still get that elegant classy look plus a 120 year heritage of a tough watch brand that simply gives you legibility at night when most evening affairs are done.  And its not from the usual suspects.  Its not mainstream.  For me its one of the most underrated brands that exist today.  And this watch is their cream of the crop.  Get this while you still can.

Get a Ball for your next ball.

WWR #26: Tissot PR516 Automatic Chronograph

I was never fan of the Tissot brand especially their T-Touch series of watches.  Though Tissot carries with it a lot of history way back, it never came to my subjective taste of owning one with the styles they offer, from sport to dress to divers, something's always a bit off.

But it has now changed now with their vintage inspired lines in the sports category.  And particular that took my eye's attention is the PRS 516 Automatic Chronograph.  There are different variations as to color combinations, all of them classic beauties, but I'd like the white dial version.  It matches well with the black tachymeter bezel.  And of course its an automatic with the legendary Valjoux 7750 movement in it.  This series has some quartz models too. Everybody is reviving vintages nowadays and Tissot's execution wasn't too far or too weird.  It revived the old model back but still differentiates it numerously from the past which is the right way to do it.

	The rotor which is designed in a vintage style sports steering wheel is quite a treat at the back.

Music Review: Born and Raised by John Mayer

 Household name John Mayer has been in the news lately about his comeback after a two year silence after the widely talked about Rolling Playboy interviews. It seems the public eye had more interest in his up and down private gone kiss and tell life than the reason why he ever was a celebrity in the first place. But here at SOT, we vow to focus on what should matter to you and leave the gossip to Perez and dumb blonde bombshells.

John has come a long way. From his breakthrough success as a pop prince to becoming Slowhand Jr. and settling down as a Battle Star right up to his hibernation to be reborn as a Western Cowboy. John announced "Born and Raised" as his next album mid last year and was continually giving fans scenic glimpse of what the album will be intil its official release today.





"Shadow Days" was the first single that was released a couple weeks back then followed with its own music video that would set the mood for the whole album. The song starts of with a drum roll as John starts his trip to the west in search for something beneath the cony mountains and long stretch of fields playing his new custom Martin atop his defender. The words chosen are like excerpts from cliches that 90% of them can be found on popular songs sprawling around. Combined with a major un-complex tune, I could easily imagine that this could be a song written by studio songwriters for American Idol winners. The great thing though is that the guitar work is still comprehensively talented amidst the major notes as basis. A true testament that John up to this moment is still more of a guitar player than a singer or songwriter.



First track off the bat is "Queen of California".  It starts with an acoustic strum that's bright as sunny skies and beaches of California.  The tune suggests of a hopeful dream becoming a reality and freedom from the past as the beats starts digging in to your bones. The guitar blends and solo is a perfect compliment, a tone similar to what was introduced to us in Shadow Days, that has a country slide laid back character quite different from previous JM strat settings.

"Age of Worry", even though in some ways it has no relation whatsoever, but the track reminds me of the Christmas season.  The echo of the percussion and winter hums give me a picture of carolers in the frigid streets singing to their hearts desire in a cold silent night.  But this is about giving up worrying, truly we should not care.  John composed this song straight out, its not guitar driven, and it feels the class and power of an orchestra.  Though John is not known as a powerful singer, but he
sang this perfectly considering his condition and capacity to strut those vocal chords.  Its his song anyway.  Something new and surprising.  So far liking it.

Olivia Oliva Oliva....  Many for sure wants to know who she is.  And what hes done to the Connecticut native, as he has composed a somewhat intriguing and mysterious song that we again would not want to over analyze further.  All we care is the emotion in it and rhythmic electric guitar strums all throughout the song.  A breather for the left lung from the Martin strums.  And a solo widely reminds us of the old bluesman in John without compromising the whole character of the album.

Ahh yes the flagship track. What is an album like this without a harmonica eh?  Many said he's mirroring Dylan and makes a Dylanish album.  Dylan is different, though blows that harmonica and hungs a guitar around his neck, but John delivers this album with his own results.  And we've heard of what John has been up to even though he is away from the limelight for a while, and we can confidently say that the simple lyrical genius of this song is for everyone, to relate, to tell, to share, and say a story that even the most successful music artists in our generation has his own gaps.  I personally love the words in this, its yes hard to take and hard to fake but luckily for John has come to being reborn and re-raised shall I say.  To most of us, we may still be on the way and this track is for us.  When I first listened to this track, I instantly remembered is Adele's "Someone like you".  The recognizable tune has some similarities on some parts of this track and seemingly coincidental that Adele also mentions something about being born and raised on her song. But wait, John reprises this on the last track.

"If I Get Around to Living" is undoubtedly my favorite track, just ask my old school record player.  At first I said, well next track please... but as it moved on to a few minutes on the track where a familiar guitar tune comes up, a gave it the whole nine yards.  And yes got to replay and replay it again and again and again again.  Yes its CSN inspired or majorly influenced, but come on... it may not be that original but its excellently produced.  Its got the typical ingredients of a CSN song, continuous parallel sounds of progressive smooth old school folk and pop electric and acoustic guitar, organic country keys, and a seemingly endless rhythm that housed like 3 songs or so that you wish would never end and will just play forever and ever.  We've never seen John play like this, and its total prodigy.  What a tribute to the classics through CSN.  His transition from the innocent looking acoustic artist to a mature long haired hat wearing Montana resident is as smooth and beautifully unpredictable as this song goes on.  Can we possibly have them collaborate in a stage performance soon?  Get well soon John.  Aced it on this track.

The other remaining tracks are notably good too.  They fill-up what needs to be done, you know what I'm saying.  It completes everything without competing.  Well less competition is not favorable sometimes but we can live through em.  The track "A Face to Call Home" has an inspiring ending giving us a contemporary message that the pop prince has come home sweet home after being long gone.

One of the biggest hurdles with this album is that their ain't going to be tours and live performances to promote this album. because of John's current condition, but I'm confident with this one that it'll live on through.  Why?  Because a well made record will succeed and will see through it to everyone's airwaves by itself.  So am I saying that John has rebounded from the not so wonderful heartbreak album?  Well honestly after the Continuum era, I've accepted the fact of the human life cycle and  thank the Lord almighty daily that we have an artist like John that roams around us everyday.  Born and Raised, through the words of John is the most honest album hes ever made.  Well, it kinda is.  Honest that its an acceptance of saying its ok, its ok to be like this or like that, to come to this or that.  We can't always justify everything, it just has to be that way.  No grammys, no blues licks, no pop sensation, no tour, just the pleasure of writing songs and sharing them.  Know what matters the most.








   

WWR 25: Seiko SBPG001 Spirit Digital Watch

I was watching 'Octupussy' a couple of nights ago and was amazed by how Bond films were before.  How movie was shot, the camera angles, the lines, the pace of the movie, the fashion, style, and of course, Bond's gadgets.  Goes to show what was the "it" thing back in '83 and how James Bond movies are a reflective on what the world was by the time it was made.

And since this is WWR, in a WIS world, the popular Seiko in the film was the Seiko S605831 and its popular "Cleavage" shot by ladyman Mr. Moore who played Bond.  All throughout the film, Bond wore this watch, from action sequences to formal evening events with the villains.  And got me wondering that can a digital watch be ever worn in a formal attire? Under the cuffs perhaps?  Well, I dont think G shocks will ever gonna be fitting so it must have a stainless steel construction same as the iconic Seiko that Moore wore, sans the TV screen of course, too gadgety for our times today.

So I went out to look for an available Stainless Steel digital watch in the market right now that is not a cheap ultra crazy colorful fashion throw away watch but one that is built that can be worn by a special agent, and still provide the class, pedigree and complete convenience of a digital watch.  Well obviously enough, I found no other watch that fits the bill.

My 25th WWR is the Seiko SBPG001 Spirit Digital Watch.  This 40mm squareish cased digi is housed in a stainless steel case and strapped in a stainless steel bracelet that is practically influenced by the advent of digital quartz watches in the 80s.  This watch is from the Spirit line from Seiko which I believe are JDMs as I don't see them often in other markets and is the outcome of the Power Design projects by Seiko.

Details  as follows

• Case/bracelet: SS
• Movement: S760 Solar
• Crystal: Hardlex
• Lumi Brite: Panelight( EL back Light)
• Accuracy: +/-20 sec per month
• Water proof: 10ATM water resistance
• Automatic time setting: This watch can receive official standard Atomic Clock frequencies of Japan, Germany, England and the United States
• Width: 40 mm (without the crown)
• Thickness: 10 mm
• Full Auto Calender
• World time 32 Cities

This is tagged at $322.  

This technological classic beauty brings hues from the age of the 80's but the innovative prowess of the new millennium and it'll fit comfortably under your sleeve to aid you on your journey to Octopussy's Lair at wall street and grab your slice of success.