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#20 Doxa Sub 300T Sharkhunter Vintage Dive Watch

So many ask why people collect vintage watches.  The terms old, used, outdated, faded etc etc are not the preferable adjectives to put prior an item in a sentence in an ad.  But yet they don't seem to apply to watches and everything horology.  So what is it? Some say its the history and heritage of the brand and the watch.  Definitely true, and as I way I would put it, imagine a piece, that goes way back when technology of the quartz was still a dream, and a ticking movement of gears and springs is all it took to help man keep track of time.  Especially for divers, time was crucial.  And now imagine that in your wrist, that very same batch of watches, telling you that its time for your important appointment.

And with the love of vintage watches, my 20th WWR is the DOXA SHARKHUNTER 300T.  Now what makes this particular watch special?  For one, its a vintage dive watch that dates from the 1967.  Where were you at that time?  Well I was probably a sperm swimming around and listening to Beatles and Hendrix tunes that ran across the radio waves.  This particular model was used from one of the famous diving teams way back, who was lead by their master the late Capt. Jacques Yves Cousteau.  Mr, Cousteau and his team introduced SCUBA diving to which they called it 'AQUALUNG', to which were the watch dial bears that logo.  Third, just take a look at this dive watch, its iconic design seem to never fade. The 42mm cushion case fits very well in today's sizes and won't be called a grandpa's watch.  Look at that bezel, doesn't copy the usual submariner homage, but its a dual purpose bezel that's engraved on the bezel itself and not an insert.  It shows an Non Decompression Dive Table too which is I believe Capt. Cousteau wanted in the partnership of designing the watch with Doxa. 


Here is a pic of that watch on a sports strap.

 

Case back with the Doxa Sailing Ship logo

The Sharkhunter 300T with its original bracelet and other newer Doxa models including the popular Orange faced Professional.

The 17-Jewel ETA 2852 movement that is automatic and hand winding capable.

A U.S. Divers Co. ad featuring DOXA, Capt. J.Y. Cousteau and Aqua Lung

And a picture of Capt. Cousteau wearing the watch himself.

This watch would be quite hard to find now, some would take them years to hunt one down that is in good condition and at reasonable price.  If it ever finds your way, get it, before you regret it for passing one by.