Post pics of your watches Part II

njburke · 31-12-2020 02:50PM

This arrived today to drag the tone of the thread back down to the affordables. A 1981 seiko 5 7019, I have another 7019 which has a neat feature where you push the crown in to index the day. This '81 is a birthyear for my brother latest birthday, it would of course be valid on any birthday.

stuchyg · 31-12-2020 04:48PM

Not sure how to post images but a casioak with the nicest stout I have had in a long long time

893bet · 31-12-2020 05:23PM

Grand Seiko says to Rolex "My finishing is the best".......ALS says to Patek "here, hold my beer".........

Pretty sure any blemishes are dust on the outside.....and dust on the actual camera lens!!

Apologizes for the terrible macro images. Got a macro lens for xmas and now realise that not having a macro lens is the problem. Its the idiot operating the camera.......bad trades man blames his tools is the saying that rings true...

893bet · 31-12-2020 05:25PM

How the hell do people get macro images with the whole picture in focus?

Or do they just crop them?

banie01 · 31-12-2020 05:31PM

893bet wrote: »

How the hell do people get macro images with the whole picture in focus?

Or do they just crop them?

I reckon they crop or are taking pics of items far smaller than a watch or using a lens with a big FOV/focus point.
I've got a decent macro mode on my phone and it's usually just centre frame that's in focus, which is great for insects and such but crap for watches.

Wibbs · 31-12-2020 05:38PM

893bet wrote: »

Grand Seiko says to Rolex "My finishing is the best".......ALS says to Patek "here, hold my beer".........

Lange finishing is second to none IMHO, especially in the movement. That's one thing I noticed with the two springdrive GS' I had in the hand. The dial hands etc and case were impeccable and you could see that with the naked eye too*, but the movement finishing was so so tbh.

*granted I'm short sighted and have a built in loupe so my naked eye might see more than non four eyed people.

Thirdfox · 31-12-2020 05:54PM

893bet wrote: »

How the hell do people get macro images with the whole picture in focus?

Or do they just crop them?

Lots of methods depending on what equipment you have - you can:
1. buy an expensive dedicated macro lens which is built to render more items in focus even at very close distances;
2. take multiple photos and overlay the in-focus portions over one another and build a composite image;
3. the focal plane is flat - so if you're photographing head on instead of at an angle you will get more of area in focus.

I wasn't using a dedicated macro lens with my Omega shots - instead I use a reverser ring - I mount one lens onto another lens and turn it into an ultra macro lens - it means I have very, very narrow DOF (depth of focus) a few mm or fractions of a mm:

reverse-lens-macro-close-up-photography-06.jpg?resize=600%2C429&ssl=1

https://digital-photography-school.com/reverse-lens-macro-close-up-photography-lesson-3/

In my case I was reversing a 50mm lens onto a 200mm lens - so you can see the extreme magnification (the larger the magnification the less DOF you'll get too) and razor thin DOF. It does allow you to capture the raindrops on the eyelashes of a dragonfly though (sadly that image of mine got lost in a cloud storage incident!)

@893bet - the dark spots could actually be dirt on the electronic sensor too - you might need to look up how to clean your sensor (a slightly nerve wrecking thing to do if you've never done it before). Or just use the clone tool to remove them if you don't want to stick a swab onto very sensitive electronic equipment

edit: And I was just about to recommend the photography forum too - but I see you posted there already ha!

unkel · 31-12-2020 06:12PM

Still the classiest watch on the forum.

893bet wrote: »

Got a macro lens for xmas and now realise that not having a macro lens is the problem. Its the idiot operating the camera.......

I guess I shouldn't buy one then? Or even a camera?

Fitz II · 31-12-2020 06:16PM

Wibbs wrote: »

Lange finishing is second to none IMHO, especially in the movement. That's one thing I noticed with the two springdrive GS' I had in the hand. The dial hands etc and case were impeccable and you could see that with the naked eye too*, but the movement finishing was so so tbh.

.

Exactly, its a magic trick with GS....in one hand the distraction the dial and hand...so well done.....look at this dont look at the case design, or thickness, or the rubbish bracelet and clasps...and spring drive is not sneaky quartz....oh no, its a horoligical innovation of immense importance....definatly not quartz.

836bet...even your macro shots cannot mask to beauty of the ALS. Classic design and proportions, understated dial and wonderful craftsmanship. ALS is the brand for the true purist, as a Rolex pleb I am unworthy to touch the helm of the ALS garment.

Wibbs · 31-12-2020 06:32PM

Fitz II wrote: »

and spring drive is not sneaky quartz....oh no, its a horoligical innovation of immense importance....definatly not quartz.

It isn't "sneaky quartz", whatever that means, unless you consider a grasshopper escapement a sneaky verge or the pivot cup on a water clock. It's a completely new and innovative and more accurate way of regulating the stored mechanical energy in a mainspring to drive the hands for timekeeping.

893bet · 31-12-2020 06:39PM

Fitz II wrote: »

836bet...even your macro shots cannot mask to beauty of the ALS. Classic design and proportions, understated dial and wonderful craftsmanship. ALS is the brand for the true purist, as a Rolex pleb I am unworthy to touch the helm of the ALS garment.

Pull your tongue out of my arsehole gary (in a bricktop voice).

ALS is beyond reproach but they ain’t exactly cheap. I have been considering an AP next year to complete the holy trinity but...the only one I want really is the blue jumbo and that is hot ££££££££. Unobtainable at retail and way above RRP on second market.

ALS are expensive.....but are actual value for money when you put them beside the steel Rolex, AP, Patek, etc. Hope to add a second next year all going to plan.

Wibbs · 31-12-2020 07:07PM

893bet wrote: »

ALS are expensive.....but are actual value for money when you put them beside the steel Rolex, AP, Patek, etc.

+1. In the flesh they don't disappoint either. A chap I know has one, a black dial two register flyback chronograph(ticking all the boxes

) and it's one of the finest watches I've ever laid eyes on. Arse puckeringly* expensive mind you. I think he told me it was 30 odd grand? He worked up to it though, flipping over the years adding a little at a time, buying used as he went, so it was more like 10 odd to him in the end.

*should be a word.

Fitz II · 31-12-2020 07:18PM

Wibbs wrote: »

It isn't "sneaky quartz", whatever that means, unless you consider a grasshopper escapement a sneaky verge or the pivot cup on a water clock. It's a completely new and innovative and more accurate way of regulating the stored mechanical energy in a mainspring to drive the hands for timekeeping.

Depends on your perspective. If a quartz crystal is regulating the watch its quartz for me. If you split hairs on how the pizo electric regulation force is transferred you can start making a differentiation, but for me you have stolen the pure "engine" feeling of the movement in order to add extra accuracy still inferior to a basic quartz movement. I know there is no physical connection between the quartz and the movement except the electromagnetic braking effect, but for me if there is electricity involved it's not mechanical, its a hybrid or a chimera. If you need more than Newton knew to describe the watch its not analogue.

I dont know about the other things you mentioned, but the ghost of George Daniels appeared to me as an apparition and scolded me for being a filthy casual while I read them, and honestly that turned me on.

893bet · 31-12-2020 07:24PM

Wibbs wrote: »

+1. In the flesh they don't disappoint either. A chap I know has one, a black dial two register flyback chronograph(ticking all the boxes ) and it's one of the finest watches I've ever laid eyes on. Arse puckeringly* expensive mind you. I think he told me it was 30 odd grand? He worked up to it though, flipping over the years adding a little at a time, buying used as he went, so it was more like 10 odd to him in the end.

*should be a word.

Some one on TZ recently got one. Mesmerising caseback. Pure porn. In the region of 30k sterling.

https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?486525-A-Lange-amp-Sohne-1815-Chronograph&p=5626288&viewfull=1#post5626288

unkel · 31-12-2020 07:30PM

Wibbs wrote: »

It's a completely new and innovative and more accurate way of regulating the stored mechanical energy in a mainspring to drive the hands for timekeeping.

Indeed. Very interesting for someone into horology. What's the point of it though? The overwhelming majority of people buying expensive men's watches aren't all that interested in how good it is at timekeeping. Your phone can do that.

njburke · 31-12-2020 08:01PM

893bet, I'll use the shot of the balance wheel for my screensaver, with your permission. I really like the weights on the wheel, my eye is drawn there as to me that's where the magic happens.

The spring drive technology was not new to Grand Seiko, their production floors would have been full of tools using linear motor technology, well before spring drive. What they did do was scale it down and make reality Richard Feymanns tiny hands thought experiment.

I agree the GS is not finished in the movement to the standard in the Dial. I do recall the germans being critical of the T34 weld finishing on the exterior of the tank, did they look at the bearings I wonder?

Wibbs · 31-12-2020 08:03PM

unkel wrote: »

Indeed. Very interesting for someone into horology. What's the point of it though?

As you say U it's very interesting for someone into horology more than just the jewellery side. Both sides have their thing and that's fair enough, but there are two sides. It's not my thing personally, but I don't have any problem with someone buying a [insert brand here] as a luxury jewellery piece* and that making them happy and fair bloody play, so I don't get the attitude that someone who doesn't or is more into the horology aspects is somehow wrong.

Fitz II wrote: »

if there is electricity involved it's not mechanical, its a hybrid or a chimera. If you need more than Newton knew to describe the watch its not analogue.

If you stop at Newton we'd be kinda boned.

Silicon hairsprings and sapphire crystals are out for a start and good luck in manufacturing or regulating a modern watch without electricity and quartz and atomic time. COSC and the like rely on it. And Newton was aware of electricity and magnetics, even mused about how electricity might work in the nervous system, clever if bloody odd bastard he was. He'd need a quick primer on peizo effects alright, but within the space of the making and drinking of a cup of coffee I reckon he'd be up to speed with how a springdrive operated.

I dont know about the other things you mentioned, but the ghost of George Daniels appeared to me as an apparition and scolded me for being a filthy casual while I read them, and honestly that turned me on.

893bet wrote: »

Some one on TZ recently got one. Mesmerising caseback. Pure porn. In the region of 30k sterling.

https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?486525-A-Lange-amp-Sohne-1815-Chronograph&p=5626288&viewfull=1#post5626288

Yeah, like that only with a black dial. I got a semi just looking at the front and then I turned it over...

*though I think actual jewel encrusted watches tack as fook

Wibbs · 31-12-2020 08:34PM

Ah well, back on topic.

My unashamedly and most certainly quartz not sneaking around.

I set this when I got it in September, then noted it was running slightly fast after a fortnight so did the oul tappy tap tap with the built in regulation bits and bobs(gave it two - .33 sec per month) and since has not gained or lost a second. Well if I squint hard enough I think it's maybe half a second fast. Though a mate's phone app that checks watch accuracy has it at zero taking a reading ten days apart.

A few weeks ago I even got a spare working movement from the Bay. 20 quid. Sweet. Look away Fitz, Unkel! Save yourselves!

They're usually more like 1-200 as there's even odder than me hyper accuracy non radio controlled quartz nutters out there who look for these and it also fits some Omega models.

Judging by the dial it looks like it came from one of their solid gold jobs from the late 80's. Probably long melted down in a cash for gold place. Many if not most of the loose movements mechanical or otherwise we see on the Bay come by this route. Back when I'd poke about in general/house auctions in the 80's generally the only watches that got attention were the solid gold ones regardless of brand(and current "fancy" digitals), the steel and plated went for buttons in general. Plated probably made up two thirds of all that showed up.

Thirdfox · 31-12-2020 09:16PM

@Wibbs - sorry to sound like a broken clock :P but I think the Zenith defy lab movement is the most recent really clear horological innovation - as accurate as quartz but entirely mechanical in operation (insofar as something designed by computers and CNC machines can be "fully mechanical").

Shame it just looks so weird right now - but I do think it will give Spring Drive a big run for its money once the price comes down in future production models.

…The calibre 9100 is what I was thinking of - something that really appealed to me - but too many compromises in visual design currently.

Wibbs · 31-12-2020 09:36PM

Feck off! :mad: :pac: Ah no I agree 100% TF.

The Zenith defy lab movement is a fantastic piece of kit and certainly the most recent of true horological innovation and as you say fully mechanical. Now me being me :eek: I do like that it's a bit weird looking and conservatism be damned,

but I could see that hurting sales alright until they make it more "traditional" and/or cheaper of course. At a lower entry point they could pick up a fair number of customers even at with the wacky looks. I would imagine residuals would tank though?

Thirdfox · 31-12-2020 10:13PM

Wibbs wrote: »

Feck off! :mad: :pac: Ah no I agree 100% TF. The Zenith defy lab movement is a fantastic piece of kit and certainly the most recent of true horological innovation and as you say fully mechanical. Now me being me :eek: I do like that it's a bit weird looking and conservatism be damned, but I could see that hurting sales alright until they make it more "traditional" and/or cheaper of course. At a lower entry point they could pick up a fair number of customers even at with the wacky looks. I would imagine residuals would tank though?

No different than any other Zenith watch? :P

The aeronith has been uncharitably been described by some as looking like concrete and I'm disappointed they couldn't fit a date complication in a 14.5mm thick watch - but hopefully this will change in the future.

Fitz II · 31-12-2020 11:19PM

unkel wrote: »

Indeed. Very interesting for someone into horology. What's the point of it though? The overwhelming majority of people buying expensive men's watches aren't all that interested in how good it is at timekeeping. Your phone can do that.

That is an insightful and pertenant question, that cuts to the core of this absurd hobby, however instead of answering.you I shall.dodge and.mansplain to you how you don't understand the mechanics of watchmaking or it rich history.

david · 01-01-2021 10:02AM

Things have been pretty quiet for me on the watch front. Still happy out with this pair now I have the the Sinn back from a service/refurb. Some nice watch related gifts this year from the other half, a new strap tool and leather watch roll.

Happy New Year guys!

Cyclingtourist · 01-01-2021 10:17AM

Stowa still my bricks & mortar watch.

Thirdfox · 01-01-2021 01:16PM

What's everyone else wearing for the first day of 2021?

This is something hopefully that will be seen in 2022-23 if it passes all tests - ignore the case, dial etc. etc. - this is purely a movement testing sample... But Hangzhou being the nice guys they are - were able to incorporate the Sólás S into the co-axial tourbillon cage (not a carrousel I believe)... that won't be the only "trick" we have up our sleeves though - model 3 hopefully should be a really good foundation for our Lir repeater model - but testing needs to be conducted now if I'm going to go ahead with a tourbillon model that I'd be happy to release to customers.

Cyclingtourist · 01-01-2021 02:05PM

Thirdfox wrote: »

What's everyone else wearing for the first day of 2021?

This is something hopefully that will be seen in 2022-23 if it passes all tests - ignore the case, dial etc. etc. - this is purely a movement testing sample... But Hangzhou being the nice guys they are - were able to incorporate the Sólás S into the co-axial tourbillon cage (not a carrousel I believe)... that won't be the only "trick" we have up our sleeves though - model 3 hopefully should be a really good foundation for our Lir repeater model - but testing needs to be conducted now if I'm going to go ahead with a tourbillon model that I'd be happy to release to customers.

I'm wearing my Stowa no-date/branding automatic flieger that I bought from Micks-address. See pic I posted earlier.

Don't want start an argument but are the public (customers) clamouring for a tourbillon? It always struck me as a solution to a problem that no longer exists and as such is an interesting but utterly useless complication in this day and age.
I'm probably missing the point but to me it's like all those people who want to climb Mount Everest even though it's been done numerous times already and is now just an item on certain people's bucket list.

unkel · 01-01-2021 02:30PM

david wrote: »

Some nice watch related gifts this year from the other half, a new strap tool

Is that the Bergeon 7767-S? Got one myself a few months ago, although yours looks slightly different in the middle. Makes a big difference compared to the cheap Chinese ones I was using before (and I was not going to try those on a Rolex)

redlead · 01-01-2021 02:39PM

Thirdfox wrote: »

But Hangzhou being the nice guys they are - were able to incorporate the Sólás S into the co-axial tourbillon cage (not a carrousel I believe)... .

I think that releasing your own Tourbillon with the Solas S incorporated into the co axial cage would quite possibly be the biggest horological F you to all the "comic sans" naysayers out there!

On a side note, when are we going to get to see the dive watch thats number 2 or is that on hold until delivery of the starlight?

unkel · 01-01-2021 02:40PM

Don't forget the spring drive

david · 01-01-2021 03:18PM

unkel wrote: »

Is that the Bergeon 7767-S? Got one myself a few months ago, although yours looks slightly different in the middle. Makes a big difference compared to the cheap Chinese ones I was using before (and I was not going to try those on a Rolex)

It’s the previous model 6767F from Amazon US store. Been wanting to upgrade for a while and herself was looking for stocking filler ideas.

I actually haven’t tried the fork yet just the push pin end for micro adjusting. Seems pretty surgical and the replaceable threaded tips are a good design. Had a cheapo one I got in one of those €15 watch tool kits off eBay which left its mark on the lugs of my old seikos. Broke two of the tips and they kept slipping out of the clamp even after tightening it with a vice grip.

Might treat the Stowa to a new hand stitched strap and give her a whirl.

The leather watch roll is from a guy in Switzerland who designed the Phase de Lune cases and since went out on his own. Carapaz is the brand. Relatively well priced, I didn’t want PU leather and the design seemed better than the Everest ones for similar coin.

I think she had it shipped to the her place in Florida to avoid the VAT and customs duty. Seems like such a waste of resources shipping it to the other side of the world only to bring it back again. The tax free allowance is way higher in USA.

Post pics of your watches Part II

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