January 2021 – Team Matick

#LookCloser – Seiko DressKX vs Swatch Sistem51

January 18, 2021 The Matick BlogLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: If you came here from our 24th INaUgurAL episode of the KC and Jon Jon Show.. well done. And thank you for tuning in!

Introduction

For many years, there has only been one option for anyone looking for a cheap, fun and reliable sports car: the Miata Is Always The Answer (we hope you caught that). That same cliché also exists for a cheap, fun and reliable mechanical watch: a Seiko 5 is always the answer. Simply search the internet for “best entry level watch” and you will find page after page of articles recommending Seiko 5s in all its various guises and variants. There truly is a Seiko 5 for everyone out there.

One of the latest releases in the Seiko 5 family is perhaps its best to date; the SRPE series, affectionately dubbed the DressKX. Taking design inspiration from its progenitor, the now-discontinued SKX series, and repackaging it into a svelte 40mm package and available in various colourways and strap options, the DressKX is one of the best entry level watches in the market today.

But what if I told you that you could get a fully Swiss made watch with a mechanical movement that’s made with cutting edge technology, all for the same entry-level price? An intriguing prospect, I’m sure you’ll agree. As unlikely as it sounds, it does exist: the Swatch Sistem51. First announced in 2013, it packs a mechanical movement whose assembly is entirely automated; the first of its kind.

Initially released in classic Swatch fashion with cheap and cheerful plastic cases, Swatch would follow it up with more sombre steel cases in the Irony line in 2016. And Swatch has continued to iterate on the Sistem51 series, producing more and more variants and strap options, culminating in the Petite Seconde line released last year. And they retail for just under the price of the DressKX.

If it all sounds too good to be true, that’s probably because (spoiler alert) it is. But owning both a DressKX and a Sistem51 has offered me a little insight into both these watches, and despite the similar price there’s more than meets the eye here. So join me as I put my personal Seiko 5 Sports SRPE57 and Swatch Sistem51 Irony Knight YIM401 (let’s just call it the Knight for this article) in a head to head matchup.

Design

The DressKX, as mentioned, comes with classic SKX design cues; its unique handset (needle seconds hand with lumed counterbalance included), mix of round and oblong markers for the hours, plus a triangle at 12, and the day-date window at 3. This is then packaged into a 40mm stainless steel case and bracelet sans dive bezel.

But where the DressKX turns it up a notch is with the markers; they are now applied markers rather than printed ones. In this particular iteration (the SRPE57) the hands and applied markers are also finished in gilt. This combination gives it a significantly more premium feel, and adds a lot of depth and interest to the dial.

In the other corner, the Knight comes with a brushed gunmetal case and textured silicone strap. Inside is an interesting two-finish gunmetal grey dial: a sunburst center, ringed by a circular brushed surround. On the periphery there are printed dash minute markers with small lumed dots at the hours, paired with simple lume-filled black baton hands. There is also a circular date window at 3 that blends in nicely with the rounded hour markers.

The Knight also comes with an excellent display caseback, with a peripherally weighted acrylic rotor that allows for a full view of the movement below it. Other nifty details include a skeletonised mainspring barrel and a tiny peephole through which the movement of the escape wheel and pallet fork are just about visible.

This one’s a tough decision to make, as these are diametrically opposed designs. Where the DressKX has gilt and applied markers, the Knight has a minimalist, almost Bauhaus-style design. In the end, I’m going to have to chalk this one up as a draw as they each have their own distinct appeal.

Wearability

This category, on the other hand, is easily decided. The Knight is not the most ergonomically designed watch in the world, measuring a beefy 42mm in diameter, 50.6mm lug to lug, and 13.8mm thick. The DressKX is smaller in all dimensions at 40mm in diameter, 44mm lug to lug, and is a relatively slim 11.5mm.

Although the hooded, integrated lugs and comfortable silicone strap of the Knight does help it to remain quite comfortable on the wrist, the Seiko has some tricks of its own. With its classic scalloped case design and smaller overall dimensions, this is an easy win for the DressKX.

Robustness and Longevity

I hope fans of the Knight are prepared to be disappointed, because the Knight gets steamrolled here once again. Where the DressKX comes with a mineral crystal (Seiko’s proprietary Hardlex) front and back, 100m of water resistance, and the promise of legendary 4R36 reliability, the Knight packs acrylic crystals front and back, a mere 30m of water resistance, and seriously questionable serviceability for the hermetically sealed movement.

Another point for the DressKX.

Novelty

With the Knight reeling after two straight losses, perhaps there’s a point to be clawed back here. As the name of this category would suggest, there is a certain je ne sais quoi to the Sistem51; an avant-garde mechanical watch made entirely by robots, helped by the notion of being a fully Swiss-made watch. The Knight is also just an excellent looking timepiece, with an intriguing see-through caseback and transparent rotor. The movement also boasts 90 hours of power reserve and a claimed +/- 10s/day accuracy. Combined, it makes for a real conversation starter, even amongst seasoned watch collectors.

The DressKX, on the other hand, is perhaps a little more pedestrian to the casual observer. Although enthusiasts such as ourselves may fawn over the applique dial and gilt details, the general public may perceive it to be an ordinary, run-of-the-mill Seiko.

Where your preferences lie is entirely up to you. Do you prefer the relative uniqueness of the Sistem51 and the story behind it, or the subtle and inconspicuous nature of the DressKX? There are no wrong answers here. But in terms of pure novelty, we can chalk this one up for the Knight.

Conclusion

By the numbers, the DressKX takes home an easy win. Objectively, it is the superior watch, being more versatile, more rugged, and having a decent chance of outliving its owner. The Knight is chunkier, more delicate, and has serious questions about long term reliability.

But does that mean that Sistem51 does not deserve a place in your collection? To answer that pointed question, I think there are two ways of looking at this. If you’re just starting out in this hobby and looking for your first watch, the Seiko is absolutely the way to go. It will sit comfortably on your wrist for an entire day, regardless of what you have on your agenda. And it will run reliably day after day, whatever you decide to do with it. The DressKX is quite simply one of the cheapest, most well-rounded watches out there, and could well be the only watch you would ever need.

On the other hand, the Swatch Sistem51 range offers something quite special to the collector who has already amassed a versatile collection. If this hobby and its ever-increasing prices have you feeling jaded, consider picking one of these up. It serves as a good reminder that novelty and joy are not limited to the realm of haute horlogerie, and that you can still have fun without the exorbitant price tags.

For Team Matick,

#LookCloser – Wear Report – BOLDR x Kenji Chai – Venture Chaigo

January 14, 2021 The Matick BlogLeave a comment

Marshall

Introduction

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It became somewhat of a routine to see Chaigo on my way to school almost every single day, and little did I know I would be sitting here a few years later, writing about the very artist behind Chaigo and his collaborative project with our friends over at BOLDR Supply Co.

For those who do not know what Chaigo means. To put it simply, “Chai” (蔡) is the surname of the artist – Kenji Chai, and “Go” (狗), means dog in Mandarin (a little more on Chaigo’s origin story later). When Leon from BOLDR reached out to me and asked if I wanted to cover the collaboration, I immediately jumped on the opportunity, because in my mind, there aren’t many significant or meaningful watch collaborations coming out of Malaysia over the past few years (with the exception of our beloved AvaMatick with Nodus Watches), or any at all. When Leon first talked to me about the idea and inspiration behind this collaboration, it became very clear to me that this BOLDR x KENJI CHAI partnership was something special and it made a lot of sense. Essentially, it is an artistic union with BOLDR doing what they do best, leading the forefront and pushing the boundaries of microbrand watch collaborations with the direction of a world-renowned graffiti virtuoso coming out of my very own homeland. And that makes me immensely proud.

Background story

The most intriguing aspect of this collaboration is the story behind the project. In my mind, Kenji’s story was an interesting one – his adoption of Chaigo as his alter-ego / spirit animal came about during his darkest moments in the earlier years of his career. According to Kenji, in his own words:

“I was going through some family issues and was generally not the happiest person at that particular point in time. One day I was driving around and spotted a carcass of a stray dog lying on the highway. It wasn’t the first I’d seen, but somehow that day it affected me more. I felt like a stray dog too, inside. Growing up in a broken family, there was a constant feeling of being estranged, never really having a place I felt at home. Somehow, relating to the stray dog ignited a sense of identity in me. I, too, had to fend for myself and learn never to rely on others. I knew that anything was possible if you’re willing to work hard enough, and be really true to yourself. But unlike the dog, I had the power to decide from then on to live life on my own terms. That’s when Chaigo was born.”
-Kenji Chai

I guess in some ways I felt that his story somewhat resonated with me. Sometimes your greatest inspirations come to you in the darkest moments of adversity.

Watch

The heart and soul of this collaboration are encased within the BOLDR Venture, BOLDR’s bestselling watch to date, and presented in the form of a full titanium case accompanied with a titanium bracelet. The application of titanium in the case and bracelet give the Venture Chaigo an almost feathery-light feel to its weight and construction. When I first took it out of its zombie-proof storage box (no, seriously. But as expected because BOLDRRR) and laid eyes on the dial, I thought it had a visually stimulating aesthetic. The visual contrast between the titanium body and the dial is simply unlike any watch I have seen before coming out of BOLDR’s catalogue. Needless to say, the titanium exterior is quite impressive, it exudes an air of toughness and masculinity, which is very much a spiritual attribute carried by all of BOLDR’s watches to date.

Another thing I enjoy about the Venture Chaigo is the case size. Like its regular Venture counterparts, it sits well at 38mm and can be widely considered as a wrist-friendly option for both genders and especially for those who prefer smaller case sizes, like me. But in my book, the star of the show is the matte black dial with Chaigo at its center, accompanied by the multi-coloured Superlume markers. It may not the best in terms of legibility throughout the day, but boy does it come to life during the evening. It is simply one of the most captivating luminescent dials I have seen so far when it comes to utilitarian field watches. To top it off, the dull and subdued appearance of the titanium case and bracelet offsets the dial very well, giving it an aggressive look, which I think would be very appealing to those looking for a watch that’s a little off the beaten path.

The case back is simple but interesting, it comes embossed with Kenji’s very own signature logo “蔡” (Chai) as you can see in the picture below. When it comes to the rest of the Venture Chaigo’s specifications, it is identical to the regular Venture models. It uses a workhorse Seiko NH35A automatic movement, and it comes with a lug width of 20mm, a thickness of 12mm, water-resistance of 200m (660ft) / 20ATM, and a custom printed NATO strap with titanium hardware to match!

Accessories

The watch is not the only thing you will receive in the box, the package also comes with a collectible, 4-inch tall “Graffiti Chaigo” figure. According to Kenji, the figure was a decision to eventually bring Chaigo to life because of how Chaigo had evolved over the past few years and eventually took on a life of its own. These figures are hand-painted with slight imperfections, which is a trait Kenji intended to celebrate as it reflects the uniqueness in every individual.

I absolutely love the Graffiti Chaigo. It is too cool. I would absolutely love to have one of these on my office desk.

Final thoughts

I have mentioned this in a recent episode on the KC & Jon Jon Show (check us out here) that The Matick Blog would no longer do reviews or any articles of the sort. But one thing I would like to keep is the freedom to write about meaningful stories like Kenji’s. In fact, the sole reason why I am writing about this collaboration is that I feel that this project is an important partnership between a watch brand that we respect and an artist of Kenji’s caliber. It represents so much more than just selling a watch or an idea, at least to young people like myself, it also represents what good energy within the watch industry can do and how watches can bring people together.

I have yet to meet Kenji himself personally, but we did exchange a few text messages over the phone now and then. He is exactly who they describe him to be; warm, friendly, and very encouraging. When he heard about my brief story of leaving my job as a corporate lawyer and taking The Matick Blog full time, he was very encouraging and reassured me that my passion will be my guiding light. It’s funny, I don’t actually know Kenji personally, but I felt like I could relate to his journey on a deeper level for some odd reason. Maybe it’s his story, or maybe it’s because in some ways I felt like a part of me grew up with Chaigo. That being said, it is simply amazing to see how much a person can achieve when they put their minds to something.

Today, Kenji is a successful artist who has collaborated with internationally renowned brands and companies such as, to name a few, Tiger Beer, Netflix, Puma, Uniqlo, Volkswagen, etc.

I guess it is safe to say that the Venture Chaigo is one of the more interesting collaborations I’ve seen in recent years coming from a microbrand like BOLDR. I almost felt a little emotional reading about Kenji’s story and his work during the research and writing process of this article. You could feel his passion, energy and spirit shining through in this watch. It is very difficult to put it into words, and I thorough enjoyed the entire writing process from start to finish.

Writing about this collaboration made me think a lot about my path and where I am heading. Kenji is the embodiment of what it means to be truly living your purpose. It is indeed a very gratifying feeling to see someone like Kenji just living his own life, doing his own thing, and succeeding. This is by far one of the best collaborations I have witnessed and written about. As I have mentioned before, this is more than just selling watches, it stood for something much bigger than that.

This is the story of Kenji Chai, and I hope I get to continue to witness his journey and greatness unfold.

On behalf of Team Matick, best of luck, Kenji. Let us all keep striving for greatness.

The Venture Chaigo is limited to 160 pieces and retails for USD 499, more details of the watch can be found here.

Til’ next time.

For Team Matick,

Marshall

Featuring our Podcast: The KC & Jon Jon Show!

January 4, 2021 The Matick Blog1 Comment

Its official! You heard it here first.

The KC & Jon Jon Show podcast is now officially onboard with The Matick Blog!

For links to all of their platforms – click here.

“An awkward yet arousing duo having amateur discussions about watches, occasionally about alcohol, but mostly irreverent and absurd humour.”
– JonJon, 2020

Simon and Garfunkel. Batman and Robin. Chris Tucker and that Chinese martial arts dude. Dynamic duos are omnipresent in both fictional and non-fictional media, and now we have another addition to the long, illustrious list of dynamic duos: KC and JonJon.

These two could not have been any different. KC, aka Ng Kuo Chern, is a doctor by day (and sometimes night). Meanwhile JonJon, aka Jonathan Thong, contributes nothing useful to society. Yet, like human-shaped magnets, these two polar opposites were attracted by the sheer force of their witty banter. With a chorus of angels in the background, signifying the holy unity of this awkward yet arousing pair, they decided to share their gospel with the world through the greatest podcast that has ever been created.

It’s also a convenient excuse to get drunk during the day, and unofficially serves as a therapy session because JonJon prefers to spend his money on alcohol rather than a shrink. So please, pour yourself a glass of your preferred poison, and allow KC and JonJon to aurally pleasure you.

Check out below for their latest episode on Spotify.

Some more features and regular occurences on the podcast:

Art by Nadirah Sharif