I got side tracked ... again! This time by Sahara (movie) & Doxa (dive watch) ...

So the night, Sahara (movie) was on one of the DirectV movie channel. It was an entertaining movie so I went ahead and see it again (on HD this time :p ). Bad move ...

Because I saw the Orange dial Doxa on Dirk Pitt's (played by Matthew McConaughey) wrist, and now I want one ... LOL :D Well I want one not just because a movie character wore it, I have always wanted a Doxa with orange dial cause I think they make the orange to be just right. After all, they were the first to make a dive watch with orange dial in 1967. Seeing the movie again pretty much pushed me over the edge for an orange dial Doxa. :p



(Picture from watchesinmovies.info)


I already tried two Doxa(s) before. I had a SUB 750T Sharkhunter, but the reason that I sold it was the sizing of the bracelet didn't really fit my wrist well. And the mis-match in lume brightness between the hour markers and the hands was a turn off for me at that price point.

And then I tried a SUB 5000T Sharkhunter. That was a little too big for my taste. The 45mm bezel diameter combines with thickness and shape of the watch didn't make it a comfortable wear for me. So there it went.

I have researched on some of the modern Doxa and found out that the SUB 1000T is probably the one thats going to fit my wrist. It has a smaller vintage size which is closer to the 600T. The 1000T is thicker, has SEL on the bracelet, hash marks on the minutes, and improved lume brightness on the SL lume.

Doxa also released PVD version of the 1000T Professional. They call it the "Military Edition" ... LOL I am not crazy about the name, but hey, whatever works for their marketing department. haha~ The contrast of the PVD case and the orange dial makes a very sharp color combo.



(Picture from the web)

I am having one of those incoming, I will see how I like it. :)

Looking for PAM, but saw the Milgauss instead

So right before the long weekend, I went into a fine Jewelery store, trying to see if they have any PAM 312 so that I can try them on in real life. Ended up that store wasn't a Panerai dealer, instead they have Rolexes and Breitlings. So I ended up trying on a few of them:

• Rolex Sea Dweller Deepsea (116660)
  Since its a step above the Rolex Sea Dweller 4000 (16600), I just have to try it on. Its a big watch. The side to side is acceptable, but the height of it is not. Its a very tall watch at 18mm, and I guess the shape of the case makes this watch a "For people with big wrist only". Another thing that I didn't like about the SDDS is that the bracelet tapered down to 18mm or 20mm. On such a big watch, I think it can live with a non-tapering bracelet. Anyway, its just too big for my wrist size and I know I don't even have to think about it.
  
  
• Rolex Milgauss black dial (116400)
  This one is on my wish list and man, what a nice watch. I think it wears like the GMT IIc, which I love. And The dial is very clean and easy to read. I actually prefer the regular black dial version rather than the green crystal (GV) version because all the hour markers are white and the clear crystal makes it more ... clear. :) I really like it and its staying on my to-buy list ... :D
  
  
• Breitling SuperOcean (black dial)
  I found it to be a ggood fit. It wears nicely without being too big or too tall for my wrist size. If I am going to have one, I would probably go with the older version with all solid numbers on the dial and arrow second hand.
  
  
• Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish
  I had one of these a while ago, this is just reconfirming that its too big for my wrist size. And it still is. Great watch with a lot of features, just wished its in 42mm instead of 44mm.
  
  
• Breitling Seawolf stainless steel (black dial)
  Its big. No question about it. But I found it to be more "wearable" than the Rolex Sea Dweller Deepsea because of the curved lugs. I won't be in a hurry to get one cause it is still too big for my wrist size, and the lume on it doesn't impress me much.
  

So I am still itching to try on the PAM 312 to see if its wearable for my wrist size. The search continues ...

Marathon SAR is gone ...

I *think* I have decided that I will keep the Omega SMP GMT Great White as my *beater*. I will put it on black rubber strap when I do wear it as a beater. Otherwise, it will be on the original speedy SMP bracelet.

So, that would mean I need to sell the Marathon SAR, and I did. Its just that I *think* I my collection is moving up the scale. Though the Marathon SAR is one of the best bang for the bucks at its price point (pre-owned for less than $600 with bracelet) and the SL lumed dial model is discontinued, I think the level of watch is not cutting it for me anymore. I really like it, its a tough and well built watch, which also works very well for its designed purpose as a diver's watch.

its a tough and well built watch, which also works very well for its designed purpose as a diver's watch (easy to read dial, great lume, easy to use bezel, drilled through lugs for quick strap change, scratch resistant sapphire crystal, excellent quality bracelet with diver extension, large and easy to grip crown ... ).

What got me to sell it is that its probably won't win much wrist time when its competing with my two Omega SMP and Rolex GMT IIc. And of course, plus whatever my next watch will be ...

I will miss it.

I still don't "get" Panerai ... ?

So I have been looking at some PAM lately, and I even almost pulled the trigger on a PAM 111 (J series). What stopped me is that I found out the movement (OP XI) is not hackable ... So what are we getting for the MSRP of USD$5600 (in 2008)?



(Picture of PAM 111 from the web)


We get a simple ETA 6497/2 based hand-wind movement (*upgraded* and decorated by Panerai), strap standard (bracelet version is USD$1800 more on the PAM 104 vs PAM 220), 316L stainless steel case (with a lot of polishing), the unique crown locking system, 2 huge pieces of sapphire crystal front and back, also extensive testing and QA before the watches leave the factory.

Ok, I don't know. Maybe its just me. But I can't find myself spending that kind of money on a watch that has an ETA based movement, non-hacking, and doesn't have a date complication on it. Of course, it IS just me, because they pretty much sold out all the series every year, well since all production (for each series) are *limited*.

I think the business model works very well for Ferrari: "Always build 1 less than you can sell". :)

So for me, all the PAM 000, 005, 111, 112, etc are out of the question.

Then I look at the PAM 24, 25, 104, 220 with the OP III movement, which is based on Valjoux 7750. And that's another movememnt that's widely available at much much lower price point. That definitely makes it less *special* in my book. And the movement is less decorated, thus they have solid caseback cause they don't have much to "show off".

And they all have cyclops (date magnifier on the crystal) which break the clean look of the PAM 111 and such. I like the 44mm PAM with automatic movement by default (because the draw back of the non-hacking OP XI movement). But still, that's a lot of cash for a watch with a "semi-generic" movement.



(Picture of PAM 104 from the web)


The PAM 24 and 25 is close to what I could "live with", but the dial has circle as hour indices, instead of the "stick" as PAM 111. There's nothing wrong with that, that's just my personal preference. I like the PAM 25's dial, but I would prefer a brushed stainless steel case (24 has a polished stainless steel case and the 25 has a brushed titanium case, which is a softer metal than steel and easier to be scratched and dinged).



(Picture of PAM 25 from the web)


Now comes the PAM 312. To me surprise, it has everything that I want from a watch to make it "special". It has a 3-day (power reserve) in-house movement made by Panerai, a date complication, the 1950 case style (which I like better than the Luminor case), no cyclope makes it a clean looking watch, display back to show off the in-house movement. It does carry a higher list price at USD$7400. But at least now, there's an *affordable* (its all relative ... LOL) Panerai with in-house movement.



(Picture of PAM 312 from the web)


Then comes the deal breaker ... its over 18mm high! (Some say its 18.5mm) I have doubt if my wrist size can pull off a watch with a 44mm case and over 18mm high. I can't say for sure until I go to the dealer to try one out. But man, the dimension is "big" enough for me to pull it off my wish list.

I have to admit, luxury items almost never have a proportional "price to product" ratio, meaning you are paying much more money for much less "increase in level of luxury". So if you like it, can afford it and don't care about it, then more power to you. :)

Never ever take your car to Jiffy Lube

I have learned my lesson. And believe me when I said I learned from my mistake:

Never, ever, take your car to Jiffy Lube for any kind of service, no matter if its big or small.

They don't do the job well and they break stuff without telling you. I have heard plenty of horrible stories, including that they will charge you for a service but that they didn't perform.

For my person horrible experience with them. After they are done with the oil change on my old car, I saw them broke a plastic piece when they slam the hood close. I was right there and I saw it. I called it out to the guy, who probably have no license or training of any kind on how to work on cars, and he simply denied it. I made a complain to the store manager. He said he was not going to do anything about it. And I had to make a written complain to the district manager or something. They were just trying to make it as troublesome for me as possible so that I would drop it.

Here you go, learned from my mistake and NEVER TAKE YOUR CAR TO ANY JIFFY LUBE FOR SERVICE. And believe me when I said I won't ever make that mistake again.

EDC-ing the Spyderco Sage (Boker Plus Hyper as a comparison)

With my new incoming Spyderco Sage, I almost never clip my Boker Plus Hyper in my pocket anymore. Here's a pic of the Sage in my front pocket.



And as a comparison, here's the Boker Plus Hyper in the same position. :)



I have to say, though I think both are comfortable because of the light weight and slim profile, the Hyper is still more comfortable because of the width of the knife. The Sage takes up more "real estate" and makes put thing stuff in and taking stuff out of the pocket just a little bit more work.

And since the Sage is a tip down carry, I have to do just a little more work to get the knife to open when I pull it out of my pocket. In comparison, the Hyper is at a much more natural position to deploy when pulled out of the pocket with its tip up carry.

With the thumb open, the Sage is easier to pull out of the pocket because there's nothing to get caught with the pocket. Unlike the Hyper with the thumb stud, which sometimes will get caught with the edge of the pocket.

"Rolex Submariner 14060M" blues ...

The 14060M (Sub ND as in "Submariner No Date") is kinda like the *real* Rolex Submariner. The version with date complication is actually called "Submariner Date" (11660).

I like this watch. But the delima is that I probably won't own one. Reason as follow:

• There's no date complication.
  Though I love the simple and symatical dial of the Sub ND. I would *prefer* the date complication because it comes into handy quite often. This is not a deal breaker though.
  
• The Sub ND is one of the most common Rolex divers/sports watch.
  From the people that I know personally, I know four guys that owns a Sub ND! They are practically everywhere. Being so common makes it less "special" ;-)
  
• The lume
  I don't think I would be happy with the lume brightness of the Sub ND. The lume on the Sea Dweller still leaves a bitter taste in my month. And I can only call the lume brightness on the Maxi dial on my GMT IIc *decent*. So for the Sub ND, I already knew I won't be *happy* with the lume.
  
• And what? No solid end links on the bracelet for a watch that cost over USD$5000 MSRP?! My Marathon SAR and Omega SMP is cost much (much) less and they comes with fantastic solid end links with the bracelet. So what do you say about that? The clasp isn't something you would call home about either, but that's across the whole Rolex line (production before the new improved clasp), so its not just the problem of the Sub ND.
  
• With the funds for a SUb ND (and the version that I want, read below), I could have used the funds towards another watch thats higher up on my wish list. (Rolex black Milgauss (116400)? Omega Ploprof 1200m?)
  

Having said all that, would I own one if right opportunity present itself? Most definitely ... LOL There's something about the Sub ND that makes it so desireable: the simple and clean dial, the drill through lug holes, low profile case, reliable 3130 movement, robust triple lock crown, the whole tried and tested package ...

For me, it probably has to be the COSC version with the "Chronometer Certified" on the dial and RRR rehaut. I think those "extra" makes it *just* a little bit more special than the ones without. LOL :D



(picture from the web)

For sale blogs moved to new location ...

The for sale blogs moved to a new location, so that its easier for me to control the content and it won't clutter up my other BS-es ... LOL :D

Panerai delima ... ( + what should my next watch be? )

So, I thought I wanted the PAM 312. It looks very good with the 1950 style case, an *affordable* in house panerai automatic 3-day (power reserve) movement with date complication, no cyclops, the new quick change system (no more screws) for strap change, sandwich dial, ... everything looks fantastic. Unfortuniate, my local AD doesn't have one for me to try it out. Until I found out that its about 18.5mm thick! And that's THICK! Even thicker than the Rolex Deepsea Sea Dweller (DSSD). I don't think I will be able to pull off the Rolex DSSD, so now I have doubts if I can pull off a PAM312. "Regular sized" (44mm) Contemporary Collection Submersible (PAM 24 and 25) is already big for my wrist size. I would imagine the even thicker PAM 312 would over power it. Though I really like the 312, I might have to drop it from my wish list until I tried one out in person and it somehow fits ...

I have worn 18mm tall watches before, a Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Titanium Chronograph. But that's a watch with curved lugs that really huge your wrist.

So, possibly another Panerai? 24, 25, 104, 111, 186?

• PAM 24 is a little too blingy as a diver,
  
• PAM 25 is matt and nice but I am afraid the titanium may get beat up quicker than I would like,
  
• PAM 104 is good because its automatic and its good for lazy people like me (too lazy to wind the watch every day or every other day), but I think the don't like cyclop (date magnifer). I think it looks better with the bracelet (PAM 220) but the bracelet is EXPENSIVE!
  
• PAM 111 is the most basic I could live with (3 hands) and I like the sandwich dial, but for reason I am having a difficult time justifying the cost of a simple watch and simple movement like that,
  
• PAM 186 is awesome, but its harder to come by and I would expect the anti-magnetic case (the caseback) would be too thick for me to wear.
  

That leaves me ... no choice?! No PAM! I digress. I am sure I can find other watches to buy. And there are always "impulse buy" ... LOL :D

Maybe another Rolex? Milgauss? Sub LV? Sub ND COSC? How about a 45.5mm Omega Planet Ocean (black/black) with rubber strap? And don't forget about my grail Omega SMP Plofprof 1200m ... hehe~ :)

And for some odd reason, the Zinex Heliox caught my attention. Its a huge chunk of metal that can take the pressure of up to 2500m. I am sure it will be pushing the limit of my wrist but I guess the odd case shape draws me to it.

I can never do this with my Rolex Sea Dweller 4000 ...

I can never do this with my Rolex Sea Dweller 4000



The Maxi dial on the GMT IIc (117610) provides much better lume than the Sea DWeller did. If the Sea Dweller has lume this *decent*, I would have kept my Sea Dweller.

Mind you, the Omega SMP's and Seiko Diver's lume still a few steps brighter than the Rolex.

Having said that, the lume on my GMT IIc can last beyond 4:30am and still *readable* in a dark room.