A Pair of Digitals in my collection

CASIO 200m Surfing Timer Sliderule (NOS)

Digital quartz caliber DW-7000

Produced circa 1989

200M Water Resist with mathematical sliderule bezel

I bought this recently at an old watchshop. My hunt for NOS quartz watches led me to this particular watchshop where these types of watches are aplenty. Overall a very clean and classic watch with Stop watch and Countdown functions. The case is also full steel and has standard 20mm lugs which make future strap change very convenient.

I think this watch will make a good travelling mate and I intend to wear her during my Europe honeymoon where rail timings are crucial!

CASIO 45-minute Timer

Digital Quartz Caliber W-731H

Purchased in 1999

This used to be my Triathlon watch but the rubber strap broke and I hooked her on a black NATO. Now this watch is used my my younger sister for her sporting activities or for academic exams.

In my opinion, Casio digital watches are real workhorses. You wear them, beat them, soak them; and they still run properly. True, reliable beaters!

I am not a Quartz fan but this is a must-have!

SEIKO Quartz Chronograph Day-Date (NOS)
Caliber 7A38-7190 Fifteen Jewels
Dated: September 1985

I bought this NOS full set from an old watchmaker in Singapore. Although not a fan of quartz movements, I have learnt from numerous forums the horological significance of this full 15 jewels quartz chronograph with full metal parts.

I quote from SteveG as he wrote in his website (http://ninanet.net/watches/others13/Mediums/mseiko7a28.html):

Introduced in 1983, Seiko's 7A28 (and related) movements were intended as their best efforts in designing quartz-controlled chronographs. As with the JLC and Piguet movements, this now seems rather quaint, if not misguided, but at the time these held real horological significance. While the Swiss firms were naturally trying to preserve their vital traditions from the seemingly-past mechanical age, Seiko dove right in and produced the world's first all-analog-display quartz chronograph. Even though these watches were relatively modestly priced (about US$250), the 7A28s inside were clearly intended to be permanent movements. Most unusually, the mechanism is fully jeweled (15), uses no plastic parts, and allows for simple regulation by the user. A separate motor is provided for each indicating function, and the button at 10 o'clock temporarily stops the chronograph hands' motion as actual timing continues, providing an odd sort of "split-second" function. Best of all, while the main chrono-seconds hand moves at the typical quartz once/second, the hand within the subdial at 3 o'clock races along at a most entertaining 20 steps per second, (although it is labeled "1/10s").

From SteveG's website, a detailed scan of the movement (shown 7A28 but similar for 7A38) can be found here.

Shown below is a full steel caseback consistent with watches manufactured during that era. This particular Seiko was made in September 1985.

This is how the olden days Seiko Warranty booklet looks like. New Seikos now carry a warranty card instead. The pages in the 7A38 manual have also turned yellow from age.

Overall I am pleased with this rare gem. As I grow along the way of my watch quest, I have to admit that we cannot totally write off quartz movements. In fact there were a lot of quartz movements from the yesteryear that paved the way for the current watch making technology we have now.

So will I still buy and collect quartz watches?

The answer is Yes but selectively according to the age, rarity and technological advancement during that era.

My Favourite Beer - The ASAHI "Dry"

Here is a pic of my favourite Asahi with my 6138.

It is a wet day today so my watch-hunting plan is shelved. I had actually wanted to visit the "usual suspects" in Singapore but it was pouring everywhere!

CHEERS!!

In the spirit of the Beijing Olympics & In memory of a French gentleman

LONGINES Chronograph - 2004 Olympic Collection
Caliber L651 (base ETA2894) 37 Jewels
Self-winding chronograph with 28,800 vph and 42-hour power reserve

I purchased this Longines during a Cortina Watch private sale using the monies I earned from my stellar 1st quarter performance incentive! This Longines was produced (currently discontinued) to commemorate the 2004 Olympics @ Athens. A real gentleman classic watch with elegant blue hands set against a satin-like finished dial.

Recently I put her up FS to fund my Oris purchase. A French gentleman by the name of Mr. P.D. (initials are used to protect the privacy) voiced interest and promptly bought my Longines. I have requested for a wire transfer to speed up the transaction and Mr. P.D. had also requested I ship the watch by the speedy UPS which I gladly agreed.

After being held up by the French customs for 5 days, the parcel arrived at the intended destination. Mr. P.D.'s son emailed me to thank me for the watch and he broke a sad piece of news to me - His father, Mr. P.D. has passed on due to cancer. Mr. P.D. did not receive the watch but I understand from his son it was meant as a gift to him. The symbolic importance of Mr. P.D.'s last transaction in this world was meant as a parting gift to his son!

I was touched and a little sad, disappointed that the watch did not arrive on time. Had the customs not helf up this shipment, Mr. P.D. would have received this beautiful watch and hold her in his hands.

I learnt a valuable lesson from this deal. I had sold close to 40 watches around the globe and never was the shipment late. I am glad that I did not delay any shipping of the sold goods. You never know when you will not MAKE IT IN TIME!

I do not know Mr. P.D. personally but transacting with him was a breeze. Fast response and quick decision making enabled this smooth transaction. A true gentleman indeed! Thank you, Sir and I wish your family happiness & peace!

This Orient is not for the Faint-hearted

ORIENT "J" AAA Sapphire
Caliber 489 Twenty-One Jewels
24 diamond bits on bezel with cabochon crown


Some people could not tolerate the bling, but to me this is a unique Orient in a class of its own. The radial textured yellow dial with the raised steel indices and "AAA' letterings make this Orient comparable, if not better, than some mid-range Swiss watches! This is my first clearback Orient. I never seen an Orient movement before so this is really an eye opener for me! This is also the only Orient in my collection that has a sapphire crystal.

I guess the letter "J" stands for "Japan" perhaps?


The caseback looks purplish in the pic as it is the color of the protective film that is still present. Currently, this Orient is in brown croc leather as I may wear it on my wedding day. Still thinking which watch to wear during the daytime & during the banquet night of my Big Day...

Any suggestions?

An Oriental Rainbow

ORIENT 3-Star SK Diver Automatic (NOS)
Caliber 469 Twenty-One Jewels
Bi-directional inner bezel

This Orient never fails to put a smile to my face - she is simply so refreshing in her vibrant colors coupled with a vintage copper color dial! My understanding of the meaning and usage of the inner bezel has got to do with the relationship between dive time and non-decompression depths. I am no diver but I remember Mr. Reto from PMWF.com explained graphically the use of this inner bezel in his site. The domed crystal will be a scratch-magnet so I supposed she is safer to stay in the watch box!



Again another NOS which I was fortunate to have purchased three of them! I sold one to a lady in the States and the other locally. Now I keep this piece with my other NOS Orients.

Go for GOLD !!

ORIENT Automatic New Multi-Year Calendar (NOS)
Caliber 46D 21 Jewels
Massive 44mm case in 10-micron gold plating

This old stock Orient is an exceptional big watch for her era. The perpetual calendar can be read by depressing the pusher at 2 o'clock position. The beauty in this Orient is in her matt gold finish, not too much bling and not so eye-catching. This form of gold plating seemed to be very popular during the 80's. The color of the dial is of a dark charcoal grey shade with gold indices and a gold-rimmed date window.



I bought two of these NOS and sold one to a buyer from Switzerland. Definitely a keeper for me for now! There is still one more left in the watchshop (if it is still there!) but that dial is blue, which seems a little off color coordinated imo.

FORTIS - Then & Now

FORTIS Square
Caliber ETA2836-2 Twenty-Five Jewels
38mm x 38mm case

"The concept of the FORTIS SQUARE watch results from a discussion and eventual partnership between the manufacturer and SWISS International Airline" - adapted from FORTIS catalog 2007.

The FORTIS Square was one of my most beloved timepieces. Carefully and rarely worn. Somehow the case did not sit well on my small wrist. I eventually sold her to the freezing Alaska where she is still loved and missed by me from sunny Singapore!

Well, there is only one FORTIS left here in my collection; well not really actually, as this FORTIS Handwinder shown below is my fiancee's daily beater!

FORTIS Ladies Handwinder (bought NOS)
Caliber unknown
17 Jewels Incabloc



I bought the final two of these NOS handwinders from an old watchmaker here. I sold one and gave the other to my fiancee. A classic evergreen timepiece that keeps excellent time. The only inconvenience? You have to wind her every morning. I call this watch-bonding.

Double Trouble

SEIKO SNKF07 "BFS" (aka Big Freakin' Seiko)
Caliber 7S26-02Z0 Twenty-One Jewels
44mm case diameter
24mm lug width

When Seiko launched the SNKF07 (left) in steel bracelet and the SNKF11 (right) in leather, there was an excitment in the watch community. The reasons being the massive case size coupled with a generous lug width.

For me, I switched the leather and bracelet to achieve a different look & feel. In the end, I sold my SNKF11 with the bracelet and the off-market white stitched leather. I decided to keep only the SNKF07 as the matt black dial is less busy. The chrome lined indices also give a dressier feel. The BFS is only WR to 100m and has a non-screw crown. However I find the Seiko leather strap a little too thick and hard to manage.

This S-WAVE was only a Ripple then...

SEIKO S-WAVE (NOS)
Caliber 7S26-0110 Twenty-One Jewels
Day-date window @ 4 o'clock position
"S" signed crown @ 4 o'clock position

After much haggling with a watch shop that I did not like to shop at, I finally bought this S-WAVE (head only). The striking orange red second hand and uniquely placed day-date window moved me and I must have this watch! Luckily I managed to find a matching Paros blue croc leather to create a timeless look in her.

I understand that the S-WAVE supposedly came in retro styled steel bracelet. The shiny case has a touch of "helmet" style to it. The S-WAVE series surfaced in the 90s to target a younger crowd but somehow, this range killed itself. The different colors in the range are truly vibrant; I recalled there were green, red, orange, black, blue and yellow dials. In Singapore, you can still find the S-WAVE in couple pair at some older watch shops.



This NOS came with hangtag and the blue film still affixed on clear caseback showing the common Seiko 7S26 movement.

What do I have in my drawers?

I am no watchmaker, but simple tools like these enable me to size bracelets and change leather staps. I have yet to progress to "opening a watch case" but I think I should pick it up soon. It is simply wonderful to peep into the intricate movements, and I will have more subjects to photograph too!

Can you see a 20x loupe in the picture below?

I rely HEAVILY on her when I shop for NOS or pre-owned vintages. This loupe surfaces the most minor flaw un-noticed by the naked eye. With her, I spotted a faint stain on an ORIS dial and a cracked lume material on the minte hand of another ORIS! Save me from wrong purchases! All watch hobbyists must have this valuable tool.

Here is a box that I used to store straps and bracelets. There is an old blue Seiko plastic watch box too! Beside it is a box to keep hangtags (I insist on them everytime I buy a watch!), manuals, warranty cards, receipts, repair chits etc.

Orient Ladies Automatics from the '80s

ORIENT Crystal Ladies (NOS)
Caliber 559 Twenty-One Jewels
Automatic (can be Hand wound)
Stainless steel folded bracelet





A touch of Rolex homage from the jubilee bracelet, clasp and the "bottle cap" bezel. I bought three in a go from an old watch shop. The quality in the '80s seemed better as the folded bracelet looked nearly solid if you don't look close enough!

Some ORIENTS previously owned

Some ORIENTS I have bought and sold over the fora. During that time, my collection focus was blurred so I did not expect to streamline into Orient watches. Had I known, would I have sold these watches? Well, maybe not but what has been done cannot be undone! Here are the pics I keep as a memo.

ORIENT Railroad Power Reserve
I will buy this watch again soon as I just love Arabic numbered dial! The off-white textured dial is beautiful with the printed Arabic numerals.


ORIENT SK 3-Star Vintage Diver (NOS)
I had three of these so I sold one to a lady in United States. She was thrilled and emailed me this pic. Wear it in good health, Pam!


ORIENT GMT
This is one of my touch-&-go watch. I bought it without much thought and decided it was too heavy for my small wrist even after I changed into a leather strap. So off she went to a new owner.


ORIENT Pointer Day 24h Pointer
This was my dad's first Orient and he wore it everyday as his beater. This was a beatifully made watch with textured dial and blued hands. One day, I hope to buy it again BNIB for collection purpose.


ORIENT "Explorer"
I bought this watch for my uncle as his daily beater. Don't be fooled by the simple classic design - it is a hardy watch! You can see that solid stainless steel oyster bracelet built for a tank!


ORIENT Pointer Date Power Reserve
This watch was a gift to me from a close friend. Again, it was too heavy and the lugs are semi-integrated thus making future strap change difficult. Sold to a fine gentleman who wore it handsomely!


ORIENT Multi Calendar (NOS)
I had two of these and sold one to a Swiss buyer. I am proud that Asian watches stand tall and highly sought after even in Europe and Switzerland!

My First Orient - The Black Mako

ORIENT Black Mako
Caliber 469 Twenty-One Jewels
200m Water Resist
Screw crown
Solid Stainless Steel Oyster bracelet

I bought my first Orient during the period 2005/2006. It was a black (more a matt dark charcoal grey) dial ORIENT Automatic 200m, also known as the "Mako". The Mako is a tough reliable watch and I wore it as a real beater - for swimming, for gym, for work, for play etc. And it stood up to expectations. The 469 starts up the moment I picked up the watch to set the time. This watch had a very strong lume and a heavy duty oyster bracelet. Later in the years, I put her on a black leather strap and she was still as stunning. This beater watch is now in her new home across the globe.




Here is a pic I borrowed from the Web, showing the Caliber 469, the solid stainless steel oyster bracelet and fat spring bar.

SEIKO Watch Co Japan

SEIKO Watch Co in Brief

• Kintaro Hattori establishes K. Hattori & Co., Ltd. (present Hattori Seiko) in 1881. At first, retail, wholesale, and the repair of the import clock were the main. The amount of the clock import seemed to have counted 37,000 pieces during year in 1886. Seikosha is established as a clock manufacturing factory in March, 1892, the production of the multiplication clocks begins in July of the same year, pocket watch "Timekeeper" of the first domestic production is put on the market in 1895, and "Laurel" famous as the wristwatch of the first domestic production is put on the market in 1913. It is said that the move of this laurel is a copy of AS (A shield) the 55th Co. in Switzerland.
• It revives promptly, and the factory of Seikosha restarts the production of wristwatches in the Great Kanto Earthquake in September, 1923 in December, 1924 though it has burnt down almost. Seikosha separated, established the second Seikosha independently, and provided 1937 with the section of the wristwatch and the pocket watch in the demand increase of the wristwatch.
• Seikosha becomes munitions subcontract factory, and begins the factory evacuation in 1943 when the situation of a war was made a tension when the Pacific War starts in 1941.
• Only the Suwa factory remained in the locale in 1945 though each factory of the second Seikosha that evacuated it to Suwa, Sendai, Toyama, and Kiryu was going to consolidate in Kameido on the end of the war by a strong request of local, that is, "It wanted to develop precise industry and to aim at Switzerland in the Orient".
• Two clock producing companys named the second Seikosha (alias and Kameido) and the second Seikosha Suwa factories (It amalgamates with Yamato Kogyo that was the subcontract factory in local in 1959, and is Suwa Seikosha and becomes, is an alias, and is Suwa) will exist in Seiko, and thus, it studies hard mutually and "Aim at Seiko in the world. "
• First of all, the production of wristwatches has been restarted by Suwa in Kameido since 1948 since 1946. Afterwards, its own move with high not the copy of a Swiss clock but accuracy is developed, and it works hard at production.
• And, playground Seiko of the crown base is put on the market from Suwa in August, finally 1960. On the other hand, Kameido puts king Seiko of the Cronus base on the market in August, 1961.
  ･･･I hear It competed for each other that there was "Two clock manufacturing manufacturers" in the average of "One Seiko" ..rival.. seeing ･･･ that engineers of a top at that time, class were at all such Dorodoroed feelings, and were holding out single-mindedly however aiming at "It caught up with a Swiss high-level clock, and outstripped it" actually though seen. As a result, it might have seemed to be competing if it saw from by the side.
• It seems to have held out as "Catch up with Seiko, and outstrip it" hung to the slogan because it was a place where it was different around here from the citizen, and a citizen at that time was a second son of the industry.

(Extracted from Hokkaido Wrist Watch Museum website)

CITIZEN Watch Co. Ltd. Japan

CITIZEN Watch Co. Ltd. in Brief

• Came Yamazaki that still became a sponsor at Cou clock factory became citizen's antecedent opened the clock precious metals and the Yamazaki shop in Tokyo and Ginza in 1892.
• Cou clock factory was still founded in the tomb of the drinker ..under Tokyo Prefecture at that time.. in 1918 in addition.
• The machine technical book was bought from Switzerland, the horology school that taught the processing technology and the theory established Naocounaocoucou, and the engineer's training began. This is said that it made the horology school of L Roccl a standard.
• 38.1milli in the outside diameter, so-called ten size pocket watch, was completed in 1924 after six years establishment, and Goto new flat who was a Tokyo mayor at that time named a pet name "Citizen".
• Luwel hertz type special screw of not compatible was used, and the day difference took pride in accuracy of 20 seconds with the Switzerland and United States products to buy parts from the manufacturing origin for this clock when repairing.
• Came Yamazaki is invited to the chairman in 1930 and Saburo of Azca Nakashima is invited as the president of a company, and Naocounaocoucou becomes Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. and starts afresh.
• Afterwards, it renamed from 1938 to 1948 to Dainichi this clock Ltd. by the national policy on the age of the war and a part in the munition industry was played.
• The clock production for the general market has already begun in 1945 after the war.
• Wristwatch with the impact device of the first domestic production and "Parashocc" are put on the market in 1956.
• Introduction of spring that doesn't cut and "Finoccs" that doesn't rust in the same year.
• Complete waterproof wristwatch of the first domestic production and "Parauortar" are put on the market in 1959.
• A real, electronic wristwatch and "X-8" of the first domestic production are put on the market in 1966.
• It was the epoch-making one that this clock kept being greatly good the time accuracy because the adoption and the spring type and the difference supply energy were kept constant, too and work for the movable magnet type temp motor by the transistor drive for one year.
• The citizen puts an analog Quarts wristwatch on the market a little delaying in 1973 and a digital Quarts wristwatch with 5.5 digit day and a day of the week is put on the market in 1974 in December, 1969 though it put on the market at the same time as Seiko's announcing the first Quarts wristwatch in the world.
• The difference plus or minus and 3000 super-highly accurate, analog quartz clocks are put on the market by the limitation for three seconds in the first year in the world in 1975.
• It can be said the citizen of the technology though it is made to do because it is 1978 that Seiko put difference Quarts of year of year of the difference plus or minus of five seconds on the market.
• World..first..alarm..solar battery..rechargeable..domestic production..first..computer..world..for the first time..movement..thickness..milli..wall..break..milli..movement..equipped with..Gold..put on the market..Seiko..defeat..epoch..making..clock..make..citizen.
• It takes pride in clock production world 1(They are 300 million production a year) as shown in the name of "Citizens" in the world now.

(Extracted from Hokkaido Wrist Watch Museum website)

ORIENT Watch Co Japan

ORIENT Watch Co Timeline in Brief

• 1901(1901) The age and Goro of founder Yoshida establish the Yoshida clock shop in Tokyo Ueno, and the import sales of a foreign clock begin. At first, it was a sales line as the special agent of Seikosha.
• Manufacturing the pocket watch case begins in around 1913.
• The Orient clock factory is established in cooperation with 1920(Taishou era 9) age, this company exclusive factory, and Urawa clock side factory, and it starts the Otokei manufacturing.
• Start of manufacturing of 1934 (The Showa era 9) age and wristwatch.
• 1936(1936) The Tokyo Hino factory is established as a wristwatch factory in the age and the Yoshida clock shop. It converts to the munition industry according to the Pacific War inside and the war body pose.
• 1945(1945) It restarts by the age and the end of the war the clock manufacturing.
• 1946(1946) The age, the Orient clock labor union federation inauguration, and the industrial strike are prolonged. So-called "Tail dispute".
• 1949(1949) Age and Hino factory dissolution.

Orient Watch Co., Ltd. age

• 1950(1950) It is production activation as debt Tama meter Ltd. as for the age and the Hino factory facilities.
• 1951(1951) The name of the company is changed to the age and Orient Watch Co., Ltd.. Typical brand "Oriental star" is put on the market.
• 1952(1952) The age and the Hino factory property right are acquired.
• 1953(1953) The age and the headquarters are moved from Hino to Chuo Ward Kyobashi.
• 1956(1956) The age and the headquarters are moved to the Chiyoda Ward Kanda Matss town.
• 1959(1959) The commercial firm part is separated for the age and the sales mechanism strengthening, and Oriental commercial firm Ltd. is started.
• 1961(1961) It lists the age and Tokyo Stock Exchange secondarily.
• 1966(1966) The age and Oriental commercial firm Ltd. are closed, and Orient Watch Co., Ltd. succeeds the business.
• 1970(1970) It is new factory building completion in the age and the Hino factory site.
• 1973(1973) Age, Sharp Corp., and master agreement conclusion concerning production and sales of digital quartz.
• 1978(1978) It is O.R.TIME(HK) LTD in the age and Hong Kong . Establishment.
• 1981(1981) Precision Ltd. of the clock (present Yutees Ltd.) after the wing is established in the town after the age and the wing of Akita Prefecture.
• 1986(1986) Precision the Akita Orient Ltd. is established in the age and Akita Prefecture Yuzawa City.
• 1989(1989) The age and the domestic production base are transferred to precision the Akita Orient Ltd.
• Third-party allocation of shares execution by 1997 (The Heisei era 9) age and Seiko Epson Ltd. undertaking. Seiko Epson Ltd. becomes a largest shareholder.
• 2001(2001) The headquarters and it integrates it the move to Chiyoda Ward Sotokanda from Hino City the age and the headquarters. Third-party allocation of shares execution by Seiko Epson Ltd. undertaking. The holdings ratio of Seiko Epson Ltd. becomes 52% and it becomes the subsidiary company of this company.
• 2003(2003) It corresponds to the age and criteria for delisting of Tokyo Stock Exchange, and our stocks are delistings from second in the Tokyo Stock Exchange market.

(Extracted from Hokkaido Wrist Watch Museum website)

ORIS Classic Date

ORIS Classic Date
Caliber 733 Twenty-Six Jewels
Rose-Gold plated top ring





A big dress watch measuring 42mm! I kept the Oris dark brown leather strap and currently use an off market shiny black croc leather strap. I love rose gold on watches and the ORIS Artelier 18K Rose Gold Hand Winder is on my radar!
(http://www.oris-watch.com/collections/collections_detail.aspx?id_collection=15&id_product=173&ln=en)

ORIS Miscellaneous

Here is a ORIS 100th Anniversary commemorative coffee table pictorial book, together with some past and present ORIS catalogues.


Some old Oris presentation boxes. I always insist on old boxes whenever I purchase NOS discontinued ORIS models. More often than not, the shop will gladly accomodate. Well, I am also helping them clear their old stock!

ORIS BC3 Steel Divers Regulator

ORIS BC3 Steel Divers Regulator
Caliber 649 Regulator 27 Jewels

This is my first Oris beater watch. I wore it in steel bracelet and later changed to leather then to rubber which I find it to be most comfy. This is a discontinued model but the lume is surprisingly weak for a Diver's watch.



This is the other version of the Big Crown Regulator. The bracelet has glossy links and I believed it is more a dress Diver than a tool watch. I wear her with yellow racing stripes to enhance the yellow regulator hands.

I purchased both knowing they are discontinued and rare in Singapore. Definitely a must-have for Oris collectors!

Added: The yellow toned Regulator has found her new home in South Korea.

ORIS Wings Around the World II Limited Edition (No.0973/2000)

ORIS Big Crown "Wings Around the World II" Limited Edition
Caliber 654 Pointer Date 25 Jewels
Serial No.0973/2000

This was my first major internet purchase! I bought this Oris from Zeetan of Collector's Time. Zeetan is a great seller! The watch was shipped from Malaysia via Fedex to my office. I did my payment via wire transfer. The transaction went smoothly and I'm glad I added this unique Big Crown to my Oris collection!





Polly Vacher was born in Oxfordshire, England in 1944. She worked as a physiotherapist, then a music teacher, before becoming involved in fundraising for the disabled. In 1997, just three years after achieving her private pilot’s licence, she flew solo across the North Atlantic in her single engine Piper Dakota. In 2001 she made a solo circumnavigation of the globe. Oris was proud to be a principal sponsor of her 2003 flight, which made her the first woman to circumnavigate the globe via both the North and South Poles.

The Wings Around the World II watch, which commemorated her flight, is limited to 2000 units. A portion of the profits has been donated to the Flying Scholarships for the Disabled charity.

(extracted from www.oris-watch.com)