My Horological Opinion and Advice

I have been wearing a watch since the the time my brain was able to develop storage memory. I am not a doctor and not any scientist so far but I have never had a memory of having a naked wrist aside from taking a bath, sleeping or just lazying it up in the house. And so therefore this thoughts are from the mind of a practical wristwatch user with upscale interest in anything involved in horology in the hopes to help anybody that might need such information. I try to make it as simple as reading time.

For me, there are only two types of watches as I based it from how the watch is regulated to tell time, Which is a mechanical or a quartz watch.

Mechanical watches are mainly composed of gears, screws and springs in its movement or the engine of the WATCH. Mostly these watches are similar in looks to that of a quartz watch but the components inside are still that of century old technologies with improvements over the period of time. These type of watches are less accurate than quartz watches and are more expensive in selling price and maintenance costs. And aside from that, these watches are not grab and go pieces, there is a consistent effort from the owner as to powering the watch, setting the time quite often, sending it to service more often and all other tasks needed to own and use one. Which is why some dubbed as romantic for the owner since mechanicals require or better yet need you to live. Its power source comes from you by winding it or wearing it which is the case of automatics, and the frequent resetting of time due to its inaccuracy effects after a month or so. Which is why this romance is often accepted by watch enthusiasts and collectors like myself. Its like we are wearing a watch that has a personality and dependence to you, which shall I say creates more attachment to your relationship with it. Crazy though but its not sick at least.

Quartz watches on the other hand are quite new if you'd compare it to the mechanicals. The first commercially sold quartz wristwatch was available on December 24, 1969 by Seiko. It was the horological technology that really changed the watch industry and took the norm of majority. It changed how everyone then perceived the watch up to this day. These watches are in majority powered by batteries. Though many advancements have already come for the past decade which came from the technology driven land of Japan. Seiko, the pioneer of the quartz wristwatch has its popular kinetic watch, which generates power from the movement of your wrist stored in a capacitor or rechargeable battery and regulates the watch through a quartz crystal for better accuracy. Citizen, does also have their Eco-Drive which gets power from solar energy or any light for that matter as they say and of course house a quartz crystal too that regulates the watch.

So the next practical question is, which is better? Well of course with everything considered, I'd say its the battery powered quartz watch. Why, because mechanicals are inaccurate, needs maintenance and constant attention and more expensive. Kinetics are accurate, but it still needs more service and maintenance, its a lot costly to replace the capacitor or rechargeable battery and more expensive. Eco-Drives are far better and should come close second to battery operated ones. But, does being better mean that it should be the type of watch that you should buy? In common sense yes, but some of us are crazy like me would not use this as the overall basis. Therefore if we have simply defined the types of watches, we can defined three types of people who wear watches. And these people are defined as to why they wear these timepieces. I call em the 3 F's. Function, Fashion and Fun.

Function are those who use a watch to primarily tell time. It could be military, security, professionals, divers, sportsmen which value the accuracy, durability and usability of a timepiece. Therefore these market should go for quartz time pieces that come at bang for the buck price. A seiko, citizen, casio or a timex would always fit the bill.

Fashion are for those whose primary objective is that these watches are part of their full fashion get-up. They sport whatever is new, and whatever style is in. May it be quartz or mechanical, depends on the purchasing power.

Then there are those for fun. Well not necessarily fun as a joke, but as a passion or a hobby. This is where enthusiasts and WIS (watch idiot savants) belong. They normally purchase a lot of watches over time that are more that what they need. Majority of which get mechanicals and some quartzes depending on the popularity or rarity of the watch.

So I guess i have just pretty summed up what is all about to know about what is it about watches and who wears em. So which are you?

Orient Diver Watch Mako XL CEM7500

Orient Watches will be celebrating their 60th year on July 13th 2010. A company having those years of experience in watchmaking is quite unknown to the normal watch user, except if you are talking to WIS like me. But I'm not gonna talk about the 60th anniversary edition watch, we are here look at new diver model OEM7500 or otherwise named as Mako XL, Big Mako, New Mako or hogrider.

This model was released about early half of 2009 or that was the time I first saw it in watch forums. This belongs to Orient's diving sports category alongside the mako and the ISO rated 300M diver. So here's my take.

The case of the watch is a combination of polished and brushed finish stainless steel. It's 44.5mm wide which is bigger that its older brother mako to which I can say was one of the reasons I got this one. That size and finish really held on to me and just stuck on my wrist from the moment that sales lady made me try for size. It's big, but it doesn't shout loud. It's not a thick watch to with respect to the ratio of how big the case is, that is why it just sits firmly to your wrist, like a baby firmly sleeping in Dad's arms. The bezel is likewise well done. That improved big numbers on the insert and the grip for 60 click diver feel. Bad though is it has no lume pip on the 60. Well this is not an ISO rated diver though, I myself am also not a diver by any certification available, so I guess it did not bother me. The 200m WR i guess won't be really for open diving or saturated diving, just for casual swimming by the pool or beach. As they said, this is a cocktail or desk diver.

Movement is from the highly dependable and efficient 46943. I believe came from the 7000 series movement from Seiko way back in 60s, its the "if it ain't broken, why fixed it" movement. And I like it that way, its like having an old dependable VW beetle in your driveway but its just been built off the shop floor. A touch of heritage and history but still new for you to make your own.  Absolutley digg it. The movement is the basic automatic winding system with no handwinding or hacking. It has the easy quick-day function through the push of the tiny button on the 2 o'clock marker.

Casebacks. I personally love casebacks. When eyeing or trying out a watch, the caseback is the next thing I'd look at after studying the dial, the hands, bezel and everything in front. I don't know why but something in the caseback makes me feel like looking on the engine of the car, especially for clear casebacks. So for this watch, it has that nice and elegent Orient Automatic Emblem that is just perfect for the brand. It shows also the model number and case numbers but unfortunately, it doesn't have serial numbers like Seiko where you can refer when the watch was produced. Its also a screw down caseback as customary for diver style watches.

The dial on this model is black, though it comes with the bright blue and orange but those colors on watches aren't just for me. Its just either black, white or grey/silver. Well the dial is quite decent and formal, it has big hour markers with that nice Orient Emblem and that 'Automatic' and 'Water Resist' font just makes it somewhat grand. The lume though is the weakest thing on this watch. I mean, my 14 year old Seiko shines brighter than this one.

The hands are quite unique. I haven't seen this kind of arrow shaped hands in any Orient watches and in any other diver watch brands for that matter. It's definitely Orients own arrow head. The second hand has that classic look with the lume pip on the near end. But yes again, lume really sucks, so if it really bothers you, have them relumed.

The bracelet if the watch is one of its high points. It's like buffed biceps to complement and buffed chest with six pack. Its 22mm all throughout. A double push button lock clasp with that nice Orient emblem. Gotta love that emblem.

Overall, its definitley a dress/cocktail/desk diver considering the lack of true ISO diver's rating. But aside from that, its a definite beauty with superb quality craftmanship and design that is uniquely Orient that you can't deny any wrist time for years and years to come.

Nautica Chronograph Watch N17541G

Okay okay so I was never a fan of designer watches...watches from designer brands that would be known for selling other items such as clothes, apparel, or cars or food or anything for that matter aside from watches. And these brands don't even produce any timepieces, just designs em on the outside and probably puts a label on the face and lets the watch experts do the building. So you can't actually expect new watch innovations from these guys, except that they partner with a big watch brand.



Nautica watches have been around but still considered quite new. I was aware of the brand Nautica when I had some shorts with its logo on it a few years back. I saw some watches on the malls for a year or so and find them interesting, as they portray a yachting sport kind of a watch. The model I will be talking about is the Nautica Men's Chronograph under model N17541G. Well here are the horological details:

Movement: As said on the caseback, its equipped with a japanese movement. Yes that is correct, we can be assured the powerhorse is something as reliable as a honda or a toyota.



Chronograph Function: It only reads minutes and seconds sans the milliseconds that we usually find on most chronograph quartz watches. The usual dial for such is occupied by a 24 hour dial seated at the right upper corner of the watch. The chrono pushers are big and very fitting for the watch size. The start/stop function has that clicking feel to alert you the start of the function. It does not have a lap time function though for continuous timing.



Dial: This is one of the design features of the watch that caught my attention. The layout is simple with the 3 rings sitting nicely on the black dial. The date window is also something original and unique as it sweeply opens up on the 4'o clock position with a crescent style opening showing other 2 days of the current date.



Hands: I especially love the hands on this one. It sports a skeleton style hands in white for the minute and hour hand. The second hand is a full white pin shaped hand that complements the whole face. The 3 rings for the chrono, second and 24 hour dials are read through a gauge meter style hands that are thick and short.

Case: It's in all stainless steel with a screw down caseback with a nice big Nautica logo. The case is a combination of polished and brushed finish that distinguished the smooth edges and accents of the whole design. Lug width though is only 20mm which is an understatement considering the 46mm diameter of the case.

Bezel: It rotates in 120 clicks with a formal black bezel insert with 5 min interval markers. The edge of the bezel though needs a little improvement as it somewhat queer to the rest of the case

Strap: This model comes with a leather strap. Quality of strap is average. The buckle though comes nicely with Nautica name on it and has that edgy design that fits nicely with the concept of the watch. Its belt-buckle style and would be perfect if it would have been in a deployment clasp style.







What got me to get this watch was aside from bargain price for the value of the watch, was it's looks. The only cons on this is the thin leather straps and the large grip holders on the bezel. Aside from that, everything looks, feels and works great. It has that classic look that you won't grow tired off after a few years down the road when big faced watches will go out of style. It can be easily be mistaken from another watch brand. You can wear it on the office, casual or parties. Its a keeper.

Off to the waves i guess.

Emotion and Commotion by Jeff Beck

"Mr. Jeff Beck!"....."Jeff Beck!!!"....."Jeeeeeeeeeeeffffffffffffff Bbbbbeeeeeeeeeccccccccckkkkkkkk!". As Mr. Bill Murray's introduction in 2007's Crossroads Guitar Festival sounded like there is no other need for words to add meaning to the guitar player. And repeating it three times depicts the volume of greatness. That is Mr. Jeff Beck.

And that english guitar god Beck just released a new record title "Emotion and Commotion". It carries 10 tracks with 4 tracks featuring powerful female voices of Joss Stone, Imelda May and Olivia Saf. The tracks offer a more behaved and subtle tones and tempo with originals and classic covers.

These are my favorite tracks...

Hammerhead...the track starts with a wah-ful riff that is soon to be joined by symphonic keys leading to the whole caravan in a louder smash of the track. You get instantly floored when this happens.  That beatful drive continues as lead by Beck's strat voice shouting, screaming, grunging it way till chorus and solo and as it ends.  This puts the gatorade on the album.

Lilac Wine...I am a big fan of the late Jeff Buckley, a name so similar to the legendary guitar hero featured.  Mr. Buckley has this purest voice ever to grace the rock scene.  He made anything rock divine.  With Jeff Beck's cover on this featuring Imelda May reminds us of how Jeff Buckley used to do it.  Unpolluted, silent and tearful song.  You could actually play this song on a fine dining restaurant and the seniors would appreciate it.  The chorus is sang by Beck through his strings, and the solo is like the rat pack in pick-ups...dreamy and blissful.

I Put a Spell on You...Featuring the lovely and talented Joss Stone, the bluesy tune sang with soul and force is undeniably puts the whole emotion and commotion in the album.  This pair cannot be replaced.  They have created a bridge from the past and future.  This is what music really is, what it was and how it should be in the future.  A timeless spell.

Well done Mr. Beck.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

I first graced upon the contents of the series when Lucy Lawless appeared topless on one of www.egotastic.com updates.  The normal guy I am got interested and decided to find a copy and give it shot.

First few episodes gave me a hunch that this was just another tv series made to promote sex and all.  I mean it was like every minute had this sex scened showing up with modern shaved ladies and gym shaped men engaging on a ride.  And just topped it with some 300 spartan gladiator moves with liters of blood shed all over the screen. But interested as I am on these, the story made more sense as the episodes aged up.  I am not to write about this to give spoilers, but it portrays the story of yes obviously the adventures of Spartacus in battle in the arena.  But there is more to that, that brutal and bold depiction of how the Romans and men in that time do it, in sex, in business and what not, all for the love of blood.  

You are all are summoned to watch this.  My Domina awaits!

 

Battle Studies by John Mayer

I quickly filled up my player, went to my room, grabbed my audiophile earphones , made myself comfortable, made sure I got the L-R right, then relaxed and pressed play.

Battle Studies has begun.

Flashback to June when John himself announced the new album title and the start of a journey he openly shared to all his fans through tweets and blogs, videos and everything. Thus like me, the self proclaimed #1 fan in my city started anticipation and making intelligent guesses as to what this new album has to give.

When the movie-ish intro of Heartbreak Warfare started, it was not new to the ear as expected. John has plugged this out to the public prior release. He even released an augment reality video to give touch to fans with the latest webcam flash technology or so. The song's solo is saved this song from losing the battle. I first heard this from a live acoustic set by John on the Mayercraft. People have dubbed it the "Jennifer Aniston" break-up song and whatever TMZ. I didn't care, cause all I could worry is the plain mediocre lyrics that somehow is an understatement of what John could do and has done in the past. I never expected this to be part of a studio album. But it did, and first track even. Hmmmm.

Let's move to the next chapter. This one kinda sets the tone of the album considering Heartbreak Warfare was widely heard already. It would say, "Yes avid fan, this is what battles studies and the rest of the album will be more about". True to the sense of having a heartbreak album. Chorus has a nice sad touch to it, left me singing right after the first one. Its easy to like. Simple but deep.

Honestly going to track 3, I was still convinced that this isn't going to be a good JM album based on my predictions. And what better to justify my claim was Half of my Heart with Taylor Swift. that pop alternative catchy tune that would expectantly have usual love song DNA to it. The Jonas Brothers would be happy and would think they are doing it right.

And what more by adding fuel to the fire with 'Who Says'. This song, i had no idea why this is in the heartbreak album or why even John wrote this. Have they been friends with Kanye too long or have gone too close. I have nothing more to say to it I'm sorry. It's not even worth it to think about it. What is that your saying? there is a video? I think I have intentionally and permanently deleted it in my human memory.

Perfectly Lonely showed a sign of good to this material. It had this upbeat basic rhythm with that tingy tele sound chopped in slabs and coupled with overall pop blues side licks. It has that powerful bridge that shows a variety of that husky pop prince voice that John has. It opens up going to the solo that is short and worthy. You know its a John Mayer solo because it sings to you like you understand what it is saying or sounding. His Fender axes are like his duet singers of some sort.



After the lonely fade, these Japanese inspired bamboo sounds come in. Assassin. From an early observatory standpoint, its that red fender 4 string bass being gamed on by Mr. Palladino. It is in this song, not even on the Try! album, that i had an awe for this guys talent. Please listen to it and concentrate on Pino, you'd want to hear it again. But aside from that, this is the first song in the album or rather is the only song that can be awarded with the Continuum Degree of Great Songs from John Mayer University. I know that song award title was full of corny WTH stuff but mind you this song isn't. It also tells the story of how an self proclaimed heartbreaker has found her match and had reacted with everything to late. Broken Mr. Heartbreaker.

From the title itself, its impossible you would think John would ever make an original song on a very popular title. Its the 'Bold As Love' cover song for battle studies. Crossroads has been reinvented, Mayerized (what he usually does on his covers) and as usual goes away with it. This 1930's song just got a flavor of the 2000's. Robert Johnson would be happy, I'm sure he is. Probably John has made a point that although he is dubbed as the "Slowhand Jr." which is already a huge compliment, is that he has something truly his own, to rediscover and reinvent like the legendary Clapton himself and other notable greats.



From this moment on, confidence is back. Everything is now calmer. Listening to War of my Life makes me damn sad and yet hopeful. I love the low volume guitar plucks on this one and the simplicity of drum beats as if playing with the audience is sleeping and dreaming on their own struggles and pains. Its like a pop psychiatric audio tape that your therapist would recommend to you, its just that your therapist is the Pop prince, new blues god John Mayer. The studies of heartbreak has now almost culminated. Dry that tear and let's move on.

In Edge of Desire, that sad aura still resides. But the dim mood is fought back by that complex guitar plucking rhythm with clear broken arpeggios ringing from pickups. Beautiful. This song crystallizes the clarity of feelings for someone that you'd imagine singing this song while just even saying out in the open. Love is crazy beautiful, and so is the belief of yearning for it and the man made songs to come with it. This song is one of em, this is how love should be depicted in songs. You can't even describe the desire but you can surely sing it. I wont forget to mention the amazingly short and perfect guitar solo on this one. You also have to get a copy of the acoustic version of this, recorded by John in his apartment as appreciation to all of us.

I can't quite remember the rest of this song sounds like except for the title line in the chorus. I was not able to pay attention too much as I was running back and forth, replaying the earlier great tracks. It has that similar guitar pattern with Edge of Desire, but the message on Do You Know Me is dreamy. Bloomed picture of vivid colors of that girl in your head, that you seem to have shared precious moments but simply can't utter or recall who she was. Seems like a pitch from a movie set in central park new york. It lasts only 2 mins but the mystery of that person grabs you at the right exact moment.

Last track is Friends, Lovers or Nothing. Song title probably states it all. This is probably the new undying theme song for all best friend relationships on earth. Or for those confused and baffled. It is accompanied with keyboards and John riffs out slow licks to spice up the confused. John has everything right on this one, many will connect, many will realize, because of this song, you will then have to take notice. Even if non-Mayer fans would love this when they come across it. It's real, straight to the point, no mambo-jumbo. Say it love, "just give it up.....". The Coda on this song damn nearly killed me. Maybe it did. I wanted to shout out in the highest voice and sing it....and close it with a lick only John can make. Thank you John.



To conclude, i should lay it out simply. Its mediocre. Its not great. Some tracks made me think John was high on e and and that he was hanging out with the Jonas Brothers or being brainwashed by Kanye while wearing that striped shades of his. But it brings me to a point that some tracks are damn neat. It absolutely killed me on those. I'd then say this is the worst John Mayer ever done on all four. He was absolutely right not compare it with Continuum....he has confessed it already early on. But why is it that I keep on listening and why you should keep it playing if its the worst? Because it is way way better that what else is out there. And it being un-great makes it an underdog that redefines a character you yourself will love and yearn for it years to come. Weird but true.

End of class.

Real Entertainment on the Tube

We have all had our daily addiction of TV series from different networks and all. From the ever popular Friends that jumpstarted the careers of some, 90210 for the party teenage people, Baywatch for the primarily reason of that red bikini on Erika Eleniak and Pamela Anderson accompanied by the hairy chested David Hasselhoff. The list goes on and on. Though I am not such a big fan of these. I would only take note of a few that has made me a fan and would frantically wait for the next release or so just reviewing back the previous ones when its still off season.

Top Gear. This long running show from UK which started out as just a regular series featuring the newest and hippest cars all over the world. From top to low gear, they would treat every car as if it was equal. No political biased based on brand, just plain and simple critique that could raise the biggest ear on any automotive CEO. And when it came to have the most popular Car show hosts to ever grace the planet, Clarkson, Hammond and May, made this show a pure classic. Not only does this show get you up to date what new cars are in or out, they practically provide a high budget, comedic kick-ass show that even the ladies without the slightest knowledge on cars would enjoy. These trio cannot be duplicated, they made this show up to the 6th gear.

Coupling. Another show from the Brits, is more of a upfront series compared to Friends. It has the same formula, 3 guys and 3 gals, all friends, sleeping in pairs and all with work and all other things in life comedic. But they pull out stuff Friends can't. From dildos, breast flashing, to tripods, to gigaloops, to threesomes and even include pregnancies and the alien related jokes.

Then there's Entourage. The life of a movies star. All the fun, sex, scandals and leisures of life behind the screen. For 6 seasons, Vince, Drama, E, Turtle and don't forget the award winning Ari Gold have constantly brought about a version of sex in city for guys. The slang, fashion, attitude, importance and objective that would clearly target the physically stronger sex. I would not know how long will the boys be coming back for another season, but I wouldn't mind still having them around for updates on the coolness through entertainment.

Lastly, an unexpected guy hero in a form of a writer? Yes from a writer, not from a flying super hero nor from an unbeatable gadgety spy. That's David Duchovny dawing the suit of Hank Moody for Californication. With constant titty exposure in like 8 out of 10 episodes, with notions from the usual sex, drugs and rock and roll with a touch of love, parenting and downright genius of a life of a one hit wonder writer. But this show is no one hit wonder. Running at it's 3rd season now, it still has fresh ladies brought up to the scene, from Mia to Jackie. With everybodies best friend in Charlie Roncol. That soulmate Karen. Sounds so real. Maybe thats what makes this show a hit. Every guy is watching Hank Moody living the real life and living the dream (all the ladies hes scored and still be cool about it).