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# 9: Orient Ray Diver Watch EM65009D

You may think that I have any link with Orient or anything but I just can't help but recommend another watch from the brand after finding this over the net and just stuck with me to share it to rest of the public to know.

Another thing Orient is popular with from the views of WIS like me is the cool names that they name their watches for easier identification for watch fans. Their most popular watch I have to say is the Mako. It's a diver style watch with a 40mm diameter, auto movement 46946 and is available with quite a range of dial/bezel colors, blue being the most popular. By 2010, the Mako was upgraded to it's bigger brother and named it Mako XL which is by far one of the best sellers to date from Orient. I also did a review of the Mako XL in my previous post (check it out). And just last night, while hunting the net for horological species, I found this. It's the new diver watch called 'Ray'. And by the looks of it, it's another upgrade from the Mako.



The bezel and case is very similar. The hour and minute hands are upgraded and I like the ones on these better from the Mako. By far the best hands I've seen from lower end Orient diver watches. The other thing I like are the round indices that are inspired from their pro-saturation divers. The bezel insert is a mix fusion with the Mako and Mako XL, and has remained the lume pip on the 12 marker. The bracelet now is slightly decorated with polished lines which gives it a classier look. The specs read it has a 41mm case diameter and 22 lugs. The price is at $215 (same with the Mako). Below are the pictures from Orient. If you are looking for your first or next affordable mechanical diver, look no further.





for comparison sake, the Mako, Mako XL, Pro Diver and the Ray in order.

WWR #8: Orient Power Reserve Dress Watch DJ0200

What of the things that I look for when choosing watch brands is the way how they are able to meet the demand of the consumer which is me of course. What I mean is, we as watch idot savants or watch consumers have needs. We have specifics that we want a watch that has an inhouse mechanical movement, perpetual calendar, chronograph, power reserve indicator, tourbillion, platinum casing, etc etc..blah blah blah. But of course, most of the time, those needs are not met because of the constraint of our capacity to pay our credit card bill after a month's purchase. And it surprises me when there is a product our there that meets my needs, and at the same time I can demand (I can afford I mean). And this is one example that I will recommend for this week. The New Orient Power Reserve Dress Watch.




Mostly, low to middle-end watches that come from the land of Japan have basic automatic movements and features non decorated movement which some do not hack or wind. It may feature day-date and thats it. For this watch that I recommend, it has that, plus a real GMT hand function, a power reserve, and a winding and hacking function to complete a jetsetter yuppie's demand of a classical timepiece. To add to that, it has a Sapphire Crystal and a see thru exhibition caseback for the view of the decorated new movement.



Here are the tech specs of the watch from Orient's site.
Mechanical Movement : ORIENT caliber 40P51 Made in Japan
Self-winding & Hand-winding movement
22 jewels
21600/hour vibrations
Power reserve indicator, Date indicator
24hour hand (Dual-time function)
Second hand halt mechanism
Stainless steel case
Sapphire crystal
See-through caseback with crystal
Stainless steel bracelet
Water resistant to 50m
Diameter 40.40mm
Thickness 11.98mm



The thing though is, I haven't yet seen one in the wild so I cannot validate the price and the value, but with the experience with the brand and its value and affordability always in mind, I'm sure it will meet my demands and expectations.

If you have this actual watch, please send me a message on your thoughts about it and pictures of it, I would gladly update this post with your shared pictures for everyone to see.

WWR# 4: Seiko Automatic Watch SARB071

Seiko is well known over the world for their cheap auto dive watches, and their kinetics too. But little do only know that Seiko was truly the first to bring to the market the quartz wristwatch way back in December 25, 1969. And aside from that, Seiko also does manufacture middle to high end mechanical timepieces which are of majority offered only to JDM (Japan Domestic Market). And so my WWR for this week is from the latter. It's a mid-range JDM Seiko, which is the SARB071 Automatic Dress Watch. Why this watch? well from browsing along Seiko's offerings, this one's look sung out to me. For me it's got that vintage japanese design similar to the world's first quartz watch and commemorative edition...

Seiko Astron 1969


Seiko Astron 40th year Commemorative Edition 2009


...powered by the mid-range 6R15 movement which can also be found in the popular Seiko Sumo diver's watch. That sleek and lean design of the hands and hour indices enclosed on the semi cushioned case is something truly Seiko design. The crown has that "S" logo and the exhibition case back marvels you with the robust and dependable automatic movement. And yes, apart from the low-end Seiko movements, this one hacks and winds.

Here are some pics of the SARB071 (courtesty of www.seiyajapan.com)









Here are the specs:

Made in Japan
Case: SS
Dial: Black
Crystal: Sapphire
See-through back: Hardlex
Diameter: 38 mm (without the crown)
Thickness: 11.2 mm
Weight: 77g
Movement: 6R15 23J Automatic (with Hand winding and Hack function)
Accuracy: +25/-15 sec/day
Power reserve: 50 Hour
10 ATM water resistance

Need I post more details? Oh yeah I almost forgot, it's tagged at $454 in SeiyaJapan.com website. A definite win from powerhouse watchbrand Seiko!