All parties come to an end, ...

which it is the case for my Omega SMP co-axial blue Bond. The will be off to its new owner soon ...

I think its one of the my best buy for my entire collector "career". It has beautiful case and bracelet, comfortable to wear, looks fantastic, the lume is among the best I have seen, the co-axial movement with longer service period and best time keeping over the range of power reserve ...

But if its the "best", then why sell it? Good question. Just like the case of being the best man at a wedding. Per Jerry Seinfeld: "I was the best man at the wedding. If I'm the best man, why is she marrying him?" Ok, that basically got nothing to do with me selling my "best" watch and I just to post it somewhere. Haha~ :p

But the reason for me selling my SMP blue Bond co-axial basically comes down which one should I keep? the blue or black Bond SMP co-axial?

Well, ever since I saw the black Bond, I've always wanted one. I think the black color is deep and definitely gave the SMP a brand new look. The "whitter" lume though doesn't shine as bright as the C3 SL, but it makes the watch looks much better with the deep black bezel and dial. And since I could live with Rolex, which lume is definitely not one of their strength, then I think the "brightest lume" may not be the most important thing on a watch for me.

So, the black Bond wins, and bye-bye blue Bond.

I do think may be I shouldn't be collecting just one (SMP) case style. Diversity is good. May be my next watch would be a Panerai just to make it different. Who knows? LOL :D

Some other Panerai for me to drool on

Though I still can't convince myself of Panerai's pricing, I do like their watches.

Another Panerai that caught my attention is the Panerai 92 Arktos SE from 2004 of 500 units to celebrate the Mike Horn's Arktos expedition.

Panerai 92 Arktos SE

The SE model has a uni-directional compass bezel, the Crystal is 4.2mm thick, and its anti-magnetic up to 100,000 A/m. Water resistance 30 bar or 300m.

Also the PAM 252 North Pole GMT (2006 Limited Edition - 500 pcs) and PAM 186, both with GMT hands.

The wait is almost over

When I had my Rolex GMT Master IIc (116710LN), I like the size and the comfort of it a lot. And then I had to let it go because I almost semi screwed by the credit card company (and I have since stopped using ALL my Master Cards and would only use my American Exress and Visa). And then take a few step back, I tried on a Rolex Milgauss black dial (116400) when I still had my GMT IIc. And I found I really like the size and comfort just like the GMT IIc. Along with the exceptional capability for anti-magnetism, I knew I would want one ... :D

Fast forward to today, my GMT IIc was lone gone and I have a black Milgauss incoming. I opt-ed for the black Milgauss non-GV (no green sapphire for me) version because the regular black dial version looks much cleaner to me and i don't know the orange indice on the white dial version (not to mention the weak lume of the orange lume material).

I will give the Milgauss a try and see how much I like it, and see if I could like without the date feature.

One thing though, if I do like the Milgauss and decided to keep it, then at least one (or more!) SMP in my collect is in jeopardy! :p

Warzone: over 200k

Still playing Quick cash, land unit only.

It was over 200k but the computer was getting slow and I got bored. :p

Looks like I still have room to still keep it going. But I just didn't care enough to do it. LOL :D

Wave: 244
Score: 201817


(click on pix to view bigger image)

More on the Seiko Kinetic 200m diver SMY089

It has been on my wrist days and nights for almost the full work week. The more I wear it the more I like it. It wraps around my wrist very well. I found it comfortable to wear it for extended period of time. I begin to dig the board integrated lugs, the polished center links and curvy roundish case shape. .

The Marinemaster clasp works well with the watch and definitely adds a nice feature (adjustable diver extension) to the watch.

It lacks anti-reflective coating for the crystal, but I can't be too picky at this price point, LOL :D Though I wonder if the aftermarket sapphire crystal (with AR coating) for Seiko SKX divers would fit the SMY089.

The watch came with battery level at 10 min mark. After I put it through two of my running session, now its at the 20 min mark. I think it will takes a bit more work to bright up to full charge.

I plan on wear this one with bracelet only because of the integrated bracelet with odd lug size. I don't even know what lug size it is ... LOL :D (16mm lug size? May be?)

What should I "try" next?

Okay, so ... I am pretty happy with the watches that I have right now. But ... the hunter for the next watch can't stop right there (or here), right? hehe :p

So What should I get next?

Since I am a fan of Omega, I am thinking about a Speedmaster, the moon watch 3570.50 or the double sapphire (front and back) 3756.50. Things that I may not like are the lack of date complication and the water resistance is only to 30m. I am used to diver watches with WR200m or more, so 30m seems a little ... not enough. :p But the history of the Speedmaster definitely intrigue me.

Then maybe a 42mm PO with black bezel and white numbers. I like the PO and its definitely an "upgrade" from SMP. But at the same time, its a lot of the same watch as my co-axial SMP (same 2500C co-axial movement, same layout of the manual HEV) ... and yes, I am weird. Cause I can have 2 co-axial SMP with different color but think co-axial SMP and PO are somewhat alike ... LOL :D

I also toyed with the idea of yet another Seiko Marinemaster 300m automatic (SBDX001). I have had quite a few of them and I was never been able to keep them in my collection. But a Seiko 300m MM auto on rubber strap just seems like a proper tool (diving) watch. I don't think I want history to repeat itself (again, with the buying and selling of Seiko 300m MM auto), but I really dig that tool watch look.

Omega Seamaster 1200m Ploprof, Rolex GMT Master IIc and Panerai 243 or 312 seems to be a little out of reach right now. But if I happened to come across a good Rolex Submariner ND COSC, Submariner Date (Y series with lug holes or LV), Sea Dweller (Y series with lug holes), PAM 111 or 24 submersible (with the new strap change system). Then I might bite the bullet and get one.

I will just take my time, I am not in a hurry to get another yet. I think this is a good sign that I am happy with my watches right now.

Its a Warzone ...

Let me say this up front: Quick cash, land unit only.

The situation was not looking good, but that was quite a traffic jam ... LOL :D

This is my high score so far: 179800


(click pix for bigger image)

A few more new pix and a few more $0.02 of my new SMY089

I wanted a analog diver watch with bracelet that I can go to in a hurry when all my other mechanical watches are not winded. My search landed me the Kinetic Knight (SMY089). I finally pulled the trigger on one.

I have had (more than just) a few Seiko before, so I already have an expectation on how the watch should be at this price point. And Seiko delivers it right on the money.

The case is a good size for my wrist (my sweet spot is 40-42mm case size). Its nice to see a case that has a lot of curves. The lugs are curved down and lugs my wrist a little bit. The integrated lugs also give the watch a "board shoulder" look.

The side of the case and bracelet, as well as the center links, are polished. And the top of the case, bracelet and bezel are brushed.

The bezel is also recessed (like the Sumo), which makes the bezel slight harder to turn.

The clasp is a Seiko signed 4 holes with diver extension. I have since replaced it with the clasp from SBDX001 Marinemaster to take advantage of the adjustable diver extension. The MM clasp fit and works great with the SMY089.

The dial is nice and easy to read. It has a checkered finish in the center and glossy finish on where the raised indices are. The lume is the usual "Seiko Great", it works and it works all night (tested by me when I woke up at 6pm and can read the time with ease)

I also like that it has both date and day wheel, which will makes it a great vacation watch.

And here are the pix:

Just ordered: Fenix MC10 angle light

I finally ordered a Fenix MC10 angel light in black. I am in step closer in replacing my RCR123 lights :p

(Of course, I think I need to order a few more AA and AAA lights ... LOL)

Seiko 200m Kinetic diver SMY089 2nd impression

I finally got the SMY089's bracelet sized, put on the SBDX001 Marinemaster clasp (which fits and works great), set the time and date, and now its on my wrist.



First, I have made a mistake saying the original SMY089 clasp doesn't have diver extension. I guess I have been away from SKX and Monster for too long and forgot that the diver extension is at the other end of the clasp. (which is the same for Monster) So the SMY089 does have diver extension on its 4 holes clasp.

But of course, I since swapped it out for the Marinemaster clasp to take advantage of the on-the-fly adjustable diver extension.

The watch itself has great detail, like the polished case side with brushed on the top of the case. The bracelet has the same matching finish, polished on the side, brushed on top, with polished center links. The case shape is curvy with minimal hard angle. Somehow it reminds me (very remotely) of the case design of the Panerai 1950 case design. Its comfortable on the wrist, and the integrated bracelet gives it a "board shoulder" look. The lugs are also curved down so the watch will "hug" your wrist a little.

The lume is the usual Seiko diver quality, which means its plenty bright and it will last through the night. (tested: went to bed before 12am and checked the time at 6am and it was still easily readable)

I think its a great wearer/beater with the great lume, easy to read dial all the times any time, great comfortable bracelet, reliable 5M63 kinetic movement (6 months power reserve max).

My Seiko SMY089 is in

My Seiko SMY089 is in and here's my initial initial impression, cause I didn't even sized it yet and this week is my "black Bond" week! :D

• The watch is of very good size. I think the case size is about the same as SKX007 (and the like). Feels solid and has a good weight to it. And the extended integrated lugs makes the watch "feels" larger.
  
• The bezel is recessed (like the Seiko SUMO), its slightly harder to turn then the fully exposed bezel like SKX007.
  
• Seems like Seiko makes it as a "dress diver" watch cause the clasp has no diver extension with four micro adjustment holes. (I haven't try it with Marinemaster clasp yet, but it should work)
  
• expecting great lume, but haven't really test it out yet.
  

The next thing I need to do it to size the bracelet, install the Marinemaster clasp, then take it out for running :p cause the power reserve is on "10 min" right now. haha~

I am serious this time, my first new watch in 2010

We are already into 2010 for 11 days, how can i not already have a new watch. That's unpossible.

So my first new watch for 2010 is a Seiko 200m Kinetic diver SMY089. That's the one that I want for my (quartz) beater. Also I should be able to use my Marinemaster clasp with adjustable diver extension on it. Along with the more reliable 5M63 kinetic movement with 6 months power reserve. I think its going to be a great reliable watch.

I never really liked integrated bracelet. But since I am a bracelet guy and I should be able to use the clasp from Marinemaster, I don't really mind the integrated bracelet.



I may "classify" the following "watch" to be a "tool". I am also getting a Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS with heart rate monitor (HRM). Its basically a training tool straped on your wrist. There's no way it can be worn as watch. But it seems like a great tool when I am running outside, it will tell me the speed, distance and heart rate information, etc. I can also use it when i am on my bike as well as my runs.

I have doubt about the lume on the Omega 1200m Ploprof

I really like the new Omega 1200m Ploprof. I consider it my grail watch, which I would like to own some day. Come to think of it, I might have doubt about it.

I own an Omega SMP blue Bond co-axial. The over-sized applied indices are nice-n-big, filled with lume (which seems like they are bright Super Luminova (SL) C3). That's a good thing, and I love it because its effortless to charge up, its easy to read any time of the night, and it easily last through the night.

I also own an Omega SMP black Bond co-axial. It also have over-sized applied indices filled with lume. But Omega used a lume material that grows blue in the dark, but appears much more white in day light. The new blue lume looks nice in day light, but it doesn't match the brightness of the SL C3 used in blue Bond co-axial. I still like my SMP black Bond, but the lume doesn't make me happy like the SMP blue Bond.

Now comes to the Omega 1200m Ploprof. I think it also uses the same blue lume material as the SMP black Bond since it glows blue in the dark. And from the online photos, it seems like the lume appears pretty white in day light.



(Credit: Photo by MarJnk on rolexforums.com)


So I wonder ... would I be happy with the lume of the Omega 1200m Ploprof? I still like the watch and I am not taking it off my list. But it does got me thinking ... wouldn't it be nice if Omega would stick to SL C3. Think how bright the lume on the 1200m Ploprof would be ...

Slight improvement to my G-Shock GW6900

So I found the tail end of the long strap sticking out by just a bit and it sometimes get caught by other stuff. In the fear of the strap retainer (loop) will eventually get ripped apart because of that, I've added a metal strap loop (from my Citizen Aqualand strap) to it so that it will be a stronger hold for the strap.





I still love wearing it :-)

Day dreaming with drools (car related)

I watched a few segments of Best Motoring (International) the other day, they did a nice comparison between the BMW M3 and Lexus IS-F, and how comes the what if I am shopping a car now ...

For around $65,000, the choices would be BMW M3, Lexus IS-F and Mercedes C63 AMG. The BMW M3 should be a pure joy to drive with the balanced chasis and proper 6-sp manual transmission. The C63 AMG would be awesome as well with the hand built V8 power plant and huge (pizze pie sized) brakes. But for some odd reason, I would see myself getting a Lexus IS-F instead. Its not the fastest, not the prettiest and its pretty Lexus first try on a high power luxury small sports sedan (while BMW and Mercedes already have a few generation of those in the pockets). But I can't seems to get away from the idea of the really fast and reliable sports sedan. And the design elements definitely looks odd, if not weird. But still, IS-F it is for me.



(Lexus IS-F)


Then comes to maybe around $30k-$45k, how about Nissan 370z, Infiniti G37S, Chevolet Camero SS or Corvette (C6), Ford Mustag GT, Subaru WRX Sti, Mitsubishi Evolution X, a pre-owned Acura NSX, etc. I like the 370z, but the stupid rev-match down shift feature turns me off because it tries to make people appears to be better driver than they really is. And the Camero SS and Corvette are nice, but American cars are not famous of their reliability, and I don't want to own something that would give me more trouble than I already have. An old NSX would be nice, yet I would always worry about it being expensive to repair. My heart would probably goes to 370z, in spite of the stupid rev-match feature (which can be turned off). But in reality, I would likely to go with STi. Evo X is nice too but STi adds more utility to a super fast package, though lacks the option of a sunroof.



(Nissan 370z)




(Subra WRX STi)



For less than $25k, Mazda Miata or MS3 or pre-owned RX8, Honda Civic Si Sedan or pre-own hatchback, Subaru WRX hatchback, Mitsubishi Lancer Rally Art, VW GTi, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V or pre-owned 350z, pre-owned Honda S2000, pre-owned Toyota MR2 spyder, etc. I owned an S2000 before and that's an absolutely lovely car. I like most part of the RX8, except for the lower mpg. Miata can be had for a wide range of choices of price and feature. It seems like a great substitute for S2000 (when money is an issue). My heart would go with S2000 or 350z. But in reality, maybe a MS3 or WRX hatch back would fit better as a do-it-all vehicle. I also really like the Civic Si Sedan for its lower cost, easy to live with suspenson, seats 5 adults, proper 6-sp maunal and iVTEC power plant.



(Mazdaspeed 3)




(Civic Si Mugen Edition)


But whats a day dream without super cars like Nissan R35 GTR, Porsche 997 Turbo or GT3, Chevolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1 ... which all of them I would have no chance of owning in near future ... LOL :D



(Nissan R35 GTR)




(Porsche 997 GT3)




(Chevolet Corvette Z06)

Great White!

My Spyderco Sage and Boker Plus Hyper

I got the Boker Plus Hyper for over 1.5 years and Spyderco was from last year.

The Hyper has been my do-everything knife and I really like it. The size is good for a sub 3" blade and the blade shape makes it good for a wide range of task. The handle is grippy but its not very comfortable for extended use (because of the thin profile?) The frame lock is solid and it has no play when locked up. Since it has been used quite extensively, it could really use a good sharpening now.

The Sage is scary sharp out of the box. Nice looking CF handle + S30V blade (Hyper has 440C, that's quite an upgrade, both are just under 3" I think). The handle is longer and more comfortable than the Hyper's. The liner lock feels very solid as well and no play everywhere.

Both are slim in profile and you won't notice it when clipped to the front jeans pocket. The Sage is easier to pull out of the pocket cause the thumb stud of the Hyper sometimes got caught by the edge of the pocket.

One thing about the Sage is that the only option is tip up carry. The sets of pocket clip holes are on both sides but can only do tip up carry possible. I perfer tip down carry myself, but that's no a deal breaker for me.

The Sage is Made in Taiwan, but that doesn't bother me a bit. The build quality and finish are nice, and the price is great for the feature. BTW, the Hyper is Made in China, if that matters. :p Yet, I have no problem with it (build quality and finish, as reflected by the price) or what so ever.

Here are some pix: (I think I've lost the pix that shows the knife when blades opened :( )











Front jeans pocket with Sage


Front jeans pocket with Hyper

I like them, but I can't have them

I like watches. Period. That's no secret. But there are some watches that I like, but I want to avoid getting ... Its like my mind is fighting itself (Like vs. Should) ...

I like the look of the newer Tag Heuer Aquaracer 500m with cal. 5. It looks nice (no paper), slightly over sized at 43mm. the nice detail on the dial, hand applied indices, the lume should be decent, auto helium escape valve. What's not to like?

BUT ... while its nice, it has nothing on me. I found it to be "just another good looking dive watch" and that's it. I like it cause it hits all the marks as a pretty nice dive watch, but I don't think I would get one because it doesn't ring my bell ...



(Pic from the web)


Another is the Ocean 7 LM-7. I liked the original Omega Ploprof 600m and I like the new Omega Ploprof 1200m even more, and the LM-7 looks somewhat likes them with 1/5 of their prices, the lume is very good, and seems like a solidly built watch. What's not to like?

BUT ... it looks too much like the new Omega Ploprof 1200m which makes it an homage of an existing model (which i don't like that idea very much). And also, buying watches from a small and new watch company worries me.

Ok, here's the scenario: So now I got the watch, I like it very much and have been wearing it for a while. Few years down the road, when this particular model is no longer made or what if the company is closed all together, something on the watch needs to be replaced (simiply something breaks: crown, crown tube, bezel, bezel insert, etc). So now what? What if they don't stock up parts? And nobody else has replacement parts for it? What to do then?! Junk the watch? Sell it as parts as it? I know having the watch repaired in such a case will cost some pretty pennies, but at least I can bring it back to spec and I can continue to enjoy wearing it. With small company (if they don't stock up parts), then I would be left hanging, with a watch that sorta work, but not entirely ...



(Pic from the web)


That brings me to another one, which is the Zinex Heliox. It has a great unique (vintage) look and bold dial / hands styling, and the lume is certainly great. Also its WR 2500m (!) and has auto HEV. What's not to like?

BUT ... with 46mm (width) x 18mm (height) case size, its not quite wrist friendly for my wrist size. And again, this is from a small company. So the supply of spare parts are in question.



(Pic from the web)