In Zero Dark Thirty, Katheryn Bigelow's latest war film, the real story of the death of UBL is finally filmed the right way with the right actors, right story and of course the right watches.
In once scene, the replacement CIA station chief islamabad is wearing a Rolex Explorer 1
The beauty and simplicity of the Explorer is something thats due to its great balance with function and form. The super legible no date 3-6-9 dial minimalist and symmetrical. The 39mm oyster case is actually this generations right size without the hassles of looking out for your huge watch from banging around life's furnitures. And of course the simple Oyster bracelet where Rolex made origin that still is simply beautiful and sturdy.
Kyle Chandler, who plays Jonathan Bradley, the first CIA station chief in the movie is wearing nothing but an Omega Speedmaster.
Only half of the watch is seen on the wide screen but from the hands, indices, bezel and buttons is no doubt the iconic moonwatch.
I'm not that much in favor of product placements on movies especially the all too clear ones. And the one at "Jack Reacher" is no exception. I always prefer that a product was used in the film without any contract or marketing ploy, but because it fits the overall aesthetic and purpose in the movie.
But even though, its always fun to ID these things, especially watches.
The villain in the movie sports the Tag Heuer Aquaracer 500M Calibre 5. The watch was a couple of seconds in full glory on the screen.
Then the mistress who bought it for his forbidden man. Tag Heuer Carrera Heritage Calibre 6.
And, the detective also wore something to which looks like an Omega Speedmaster. If so, are the Tags really product placements? Well I still think they are.
I have decided to rename my column to just Watch Recom as I have tried to make publishings every week but got inundated with the realities of the real world. Rest asssured that I will continue to publish watch recommendations that will realistically meet the demands and respect of true watch followers.
My 42nd Watch Recommendation yet again comes from my favorite watch brand. In the advent of all the Baselworld hoola around the net, I have a found a classy looking timepiece that bears some resemblance to one of the best known chronograph watches in the world, the Rolex Daytona. And t hough Rolex didn't release a 50th anniversary edition watch of the Daytona as so many wished, they did not disappoint as always. But the watch that I am recommending you today isn't from Rolex.
It's a Seiko!
The quartz chronograph reference SSB047 has absolutely classic looks. What attracted me most was the "X" sword hands that is definitely a Japanes watch design incorporated on mostly newer Seiko quartz chronographs. I aslo love the clean white dial which has different finish for the inner and outer part. The indices complement the sword hands perfectly. The the 3 register, 24 hour, minute chrono register and the subdial second hand complement the classic look of a homage to the Daytona. The tachymeter is on the chapter ring and a fixed 60 minute bezel to complete the look.
Another thing I noticed about this model is the bracelet. Though its not solid, links and end-links, has a middle link polished finish similar to you guessed it, a Daytona.
The chrono pushers are the standard non-screw type so as the crown as well without any crown guards. The watch is rated 100m water resistant, 42mm wide case and with the ever reliable Seiko Calibre 6T63.
Here are more great pics I found from an ebay seller.
Now so many times the term homage and watches like these are snobbed by many, well we can't blame them at all. But I always consider the fact that there is still huge value in high quality watches like these that will serve us for many long years. This Seiko isn't a complete homage, it gets some design cues from the iconic daytona, but its main character is dictated by the quality and reliability of the watch and the Japanese modern design that can all be had for a price $150 or less.
Hangover wolfpack leader Bradley Cooper at a premier of Silver Lining Playbook last January wore two iconic and classic pieces that showcased the personality of a successful man yet maintaining casual logical sense.
Cooper was sporting the "Iron Ranger" Red Wing boot from its heritage collection.
And an IWC Big Pilot as zoomed in below.
The IWC BP is actually simply the most iconic and timeless design at its size at 46mm hence the name "Big Pilot". Pilot watches were naturally big during their stint in the war in the 40s, but IWC is the only brand who has reincarnated the observers watch with a minimalist and classy tone, not too loud and not too vintage looking. A match at every generation.
And the people who wear the Big Pilot share that same characteristics the watch emits.
Jude law sported one in the move "Blueberry Nights"
John Mayer, a known huge watch collector like Clapton, also sports an IWC Big Pilot during the early days as seen on his "Any Given Thursday" concert and on this humurous youtube video with Kanye way back in 2006.
And some more pics of Bradley Cooper looking dapper with a suit and the IWC BP.
When we speak of most entry-mid level Japanese watch brands, one of the common features we get are workhorse bulletproof automatic movements w/o hacking and handwidning, excellent lume, stainless steel cases and .....mineral crystals. But on the contrary, Orient, a subsidiary of Seiko offer the most affordable watches with sapphire crystal. They have it on some of their dressier models evident by a sapphire crystl symbol on the dial. And now, with their Orient Star line-up, they just release a more upgraded sapphire crystal called SAR (super anti reflective) installed in their latest orient Star Standard date, which to say is one beautiful watch in itself.
There has been countless blogs and posts on watch forums about this watch and the great value it brings. Personally, I prefer the striped white dialed version. Here are some pics and videos.
Watch porn at watchtanaka, in Japan, this is the model no. WZ0061DV
The SAR (super anti-reflective) coating offers features on a whole different level for sapphire crystal. Below are some images from Orient Star website.
Water repellant properties. SAR on the left.
Superb visibility by 99% suppression of reflection. SAR on the left compared to ordinary sapphire on the right.
Technical details:
ORIENT caliber 40751 Made in Japan Self-winding & Hand-winding movement 22 jewels 21,600/hour vibrations Date indicator Second hand halt mechanism Stainless steel case & bracelet Sapphire crystal with ORIENT SAR (Super Anti-Reflection) Coating Screw see-through caseback with crystal Water resistant to 5bar Diameter 40.00mm Thickness 11.61mm The Orient Star Standard-Date is now available for sale and the 30% discount over at Orient Watch USA. Now this weeks Weekly Watch Recom doesn't end there. While scouting for information on the Standard-Date, I stumbled upon an earlier model from Orient Star which looks very similar to the Standard-Date and offers a more minimalist look but beautiful nonetheless. The Orient Star Standard line.
They don't have the newly developed SAR coating on the crystal but it surely is a great execution once again by Orient Star. What struck me with this watch is it's oyster style bracelet. If the Orient Star Standard Date would have this one, it would be bliss.
Technical Details:
Drive system: Mechanical
Caliber: 40750
Case material: stainless steel
Glass material (Table): Sapphire glass (anti-reflective coating)
Glass material (back): crystal glass
Yes: Luminous Light
Band Material (Surface treatment): Stainless Steel
Band width: 20mm
Push three fold: clasp
15 seconds +25 seconds to over day difference: accuracy
Waterproof: 5 ATM
Anti-magnetic: 1 seeds
Driving time: 40 hours or more
Weight:
Thickness: 11.3mm
Longitudinal diameter: 46.5mm
Transverse diameter: 39mm
(Hand winding), with second hand stop device, see-through back, 22 stone self-winding: Other Features
More pics.
WZ0021DV
The blue version WZ0031DV is also a classic beauty.
Once again Orient Star continues to impress us with wide variety offerings that offer high quality and value that is unmistakebely hard to beat.
Just two days ago, bluesman and new guitar god John Mayer held his first live online concert after his vocal problems reappearred after his latest album Born and Raised was released. I'm a big Mayer fan and though I should talk more about his comeback, this time its about the watch he was wearing. We all know John is a huge watch fan and a serious watch collector (even one fan asked him during the hangout what he'd trade his whole watch collection for, money not considered) and every sighting of John is worth a look, aside from the great songs he can offer. He is also a contributor at Hodinkee.
For the Google+ hangout last March 22, he was wearing a gold vintage Paul Newman Rolex Daytona.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
