Category: KC’s Entries

#FieldNotes – My Father & His Watch

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In the spirit of Father’s Day this year, we here at Team Matick thought we share with you some of our intimate and personal watch-related stories with the one of the most important men in our lives.

Do you have a story you would like to share?

Feel free to reach out to us and we may just feature them on here.

Marshall

As a young boy, my father didn’t grow up with much to his name. He was born in Penang Island, Malaysia, to a family that was poor, and he was the first son to receive a scholarship to pursue his studies in the United States, which was something unheard of at the time in the family.

He wasn’t a man who celebrated much of these milestones in life, his focus has always been on survival more than anything else. He left for the US as a young boy who knew little about the world outside of Penang Island, with quite literally nothing to his name. He had no choice but to resort to working multiple part time jobs during his studies to keep himself afloat. This thrifty and frugal lifestyle pretty much influenced his outlook on life throughout his youth, and eventually his adulthood. He never asked for much, and could easily get by with bare minimum; that was the kind of man my father was – and still is to this day.

When I was finishing up law school in 2016, I decided to get my father a watch to signify my appreciation. After several months of rigorously saving every penny I could, I managed to save up for a Seiko SNZF17 “Sea Urchin”.

It wasn’t exactly a fancy watch by any standards, but it was a versatile one. When the watch first arrived, I swapped out the rattly bracelet for an aftermarket one with straight end links; I’d say it gives the watch a pretty nice look. I passed this Seiko to him when I got home from the UK couple months later, he didn’t say much about it (apart from complaining about the price I paid for it at the time), but one day he sent me a wrist shot of the watch on his wrist, and the rest is just history. Just by looking at the watch, you can tell that he wears it every single day and on every occasion. All the scratches, dings, and dents, they are all the spirit of my father embedded into this watch, and that is the beauty of it.

This Seiko would eventually also give me something to hold on to, a memory of my father for me to keep and cherish when he is no longer with me, and hopefully one day, pass it down to my children.

KC

The story of my watch journey first began with my father’s 1952 Omega Seamaster. It’s a story I’ve mentioned a couple of times on the KC & JonJon podcast already, but the short version is that my old quartz watch died and I searched the house for any watch that I could wear to work. I stumbled on this old Seamaster, which my father said wasn’t working right. But I shook it a little and the watch immediately started ticking away, and I wore it to work the next day. 

This old Omega Seamaster is a fairly basic, stainless steel, time-only watch with a central seconds hand, and has the bumper-wound Omega Caliber 352 beating within. Patinated beyond all recognition under the heat and humidity of tropical Malaysia, the dial is now a splotchy brown, with some marring of the hands and markers as well. Having finally been serviced in 2016, the watch is now worn sparingly, but keeps good time and has a decent power reserve despite the inefficient bumper mechanism.

The watch itself, however, has some nebulous origins. The serial number dates it to 1952, but my father first got hold of it sometime in the 1980s when it was gifted to him by my uncle. My uncle picked it up from a watch store selling second watches, and it came without box, papers, or service history, as is par for the course with most watches of this vintage. My father then wore the Seamaster for the next 20 years or so without ever sending it for a service, before the power reserve gradually worsened and he gave up on it and kept it in a drawer.

My father, like many others of his generation, learned the need for financial prudency from a young age. Having come from a blue-collar family with 7 other siblings, life was never easy and a dollar saved was more than a dollar earned. The Omega Seamaster was a watch that he appreciated, but also seemed too expensive to send for a service. Why spend so much on this old watch when you can spend less on a brand new one that could tell time just as well, if not better? It is only now in his retirement that he has started to indulge in some of his hobbies, including golf and horology. And that included sending this Seamaster in for a much-needed service.

So this Father’s Day, I’d like to celebrate the spark that lit our joint fascination with mechanical watches: this water-damaged, six decade old watch that simply refused to die. And I hope to keep it alive for many decades to come.

Vincent

I have two watches passed down from the men in my family. 

I inherited the first one from my dad in 2017 when I came back to Malaysia during summer break. I was given the option to choose between a Victorinox Maverick Chronograph and this, a Tag Heuer Formula 1. I chose the Tag of course, because of both the brand and its 40mm case size. As you can see clearly, the watch is full of “character”, as enthusiasts might call it, but really it was just beaten up as my dad works in the furniture manufacturing industry.

The second one came in the form of a 26th birthday present. A little background on my late grandfather: he grew up in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan and worked as a truck driver at the age of 18, before moving over to soy sauce manufacturing. By the time my dad was around, he had a company with a business partner manufacturing and selling soy sauce to the local grocery stores and restaurants. Sadly, his then business partner pulled some strings behind his back and ultimately gobbled up the entire business, which resulted in my grandfather being ousted from the company. 

With that, and also the early passing of my grandmother, it resulted in my grandfather feeling defeated. I still remember my aunt telling me this: “After seeing the state that your grandfather was in, we as his children swore to work hard so we can all provide him a better life.” A year after I was born in 1995, his children, including my dad, bought him a watch to signify the success that each of them had achieved for him, and it was this very watch, the Omega Constellation 1512.30.

Jon

You might have heard me talk about the story of how I got into watches on the KC and JonJon podcast multiple times, but since it’s Father’s Day, I’m quite happy to put it all into writing.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a watch on my wrist. Whether it was a funky Swatch, or some McDonald’s Happy Meal freebie, that small piece of real estate on my right arm was taken up. As I got older, I enjoyed pretty interesting fashion watches; watches that told time in quirkier ways than your regular three-hander.

My interest in mechanical watches started when my dad decided he had outgrown three of his watches and gave them to me. These were a Panerai Radiomir, a Gerald Genta Arena Biretro, and a Alain Silberstein Pikto. These mini machines fascincated me, from the sweeping seconds hand, to the spinning thing at the back. That got me doing more research and led me down the incredibly deep rabbit hole of this hobby of watch collecting. So, as much as he complains that I am spending way too much money on watches, I have to give him a friendly reminder that it is actually all his fault.

I’d have to say that my dad’s tastes in watches are similar to mine. He appreciates the finer details, like the enamel dial on his Breguet Classique 7147, but he also admires eccentric pieces, such as the Pikto that he gave me. He’s also given me advice in watch collecting, such as not to buy a certain brand’s products because they don’t contain in-house movements, or to save my money to buy watches from brands with watchmaking pedigree. Sometimes I listen, most of the time I don’t. My dad and I don’t really have much in common, but I’m glad watch collecting is something that we can share.

Happy Father’s Day.

For Team Matick,

Marsh, KC, Vincent, Jon

#LookCloser – Wear Report – RZE Endeavour

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KC

Prologue

In the watch enthusiast universe, the watch enthusiasts are represented by two separate, yet equally unimportant human beings: KC, who likes titanium, and Marshall, who doesn’t. This is a watch review.

Lame podcast jokes aside, titanium is often a surprisingly divisive material in the weird world of watch enthusiasts. Some enjoy the lightness of the material, citing its comfort while on the wrist. I find myself in this camp, and I also enjoy the odd feeling of disconnect when picking up a watch that is much lighter than it looks. On the other hand, people like Marshall dislike the lightness of titanium.

So when RZE Watches reached out to us at Team Matick, I was more than happy to answer the siren call of receiving and reviewing their latest model: the RZE Endeavour. Measuring a distinctly wearable 40.5mm in diameter and 46mm lug-to-lug, the Endeavour shares these dimensions with their first watch, the Resolute field watch (seen below). They both share a similar case that has modern, industrial design with sharp angles and faceted edges.

Technical Specifications

The only change to the Endeavour is the addition of a dive bezel and an additional 100 meters of water resistance, which increases the thickness by 1mm to a still very reasonable 12.5mm. Both come in a bead-blasted finish, with the resulting muted grey titanium working with the sharp case design to provide a watch that simultaneously stands out without being too eye-catching.

Whatever your thoughts are on this divisive material, there is no doubt that the RZE Endeavour is a properly executed titanium watch. Its angular, faceted case and H-link bracelet weigh a mere 93 grams when sized for my wrist. This is in stark contrast to my only other titanium dive watch, the Tudor Pelagos, which weighs a hefty 138 grams. Both are lighter, however, than the fully steel Nodus AvaMatick, which comes in at 160 grams.

RZE Endeavour

Case

RZE also goes the extra mile with their watches, imbuing both the Endeavour and the Resolute with a scratch-resistant UltraHEX coating with a hardness of approximately 1200 Vickers. While this should go a long way towards assuaging people’s concerns about how easy it is to scratch titanium, I’ve personally never shared this concern and simply consider it to be a bonus.

Lugs
Crown
Buckle
Side Profile

On-wrist Comfort

None of this would matter, however, if it wasn’t comfortable on the wrist. Fortunately, excellent case dimensions and lightweight construction make for a very comfortable fit on the wrist. The case sits well even on my small 6.3” wrist thanks to the sloped, angular lugs (which are also drilled, another plus point for my fellow strap addicts out there). The bracelet itself tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 16mm at the clasp, and has sufficient inter-link articulation to make for a great fit.

The reinforced, faceted case naturally leads the eye towards the dive bezel; a relatively simple one-piece design with coin edged finishing along the sides for grip. With fully demarcated minute markers terminating at a lumed triangle at 60, the bezel adds to the tool watch feel of the Endeavour without detracting from its clean design. While the bezel is just a smidge misaligned on my review piece, RZE has assured us that this is a problem caused by the pre-production nature of this unit, and that it will not be present on the final product.

Pocket shot

Dial

Moving to the dial, this is quite simply the highlight of the watch. The grained, textured dial comes in 4 colour variations: Medallion Yellow, Polaris White, Pacific Blue, and Frigate Grey, which is the one I have for review. Regardless of the variant you choose, however, the dial hides a number of small details that would please any watch enthusiast. For example, a series of printed markers runs along the edge, with simple hash marks for the minutes. This is relatively routine, but they are broken up by small lumed circles at every 5 minutes, and a small triangle at 12.

The hour markers are another example, appearing at first glance to be relatively simple, lume-filled batons, with a double-width one at 12. But look closer and a few details emerge: the batons at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock are just a smidge shorter and thicker than the rest. And these three markers, along with the cardinal one at 12, are all divided: a central 2/3rds with white pigmented lume, while the outer third has a touch of bluish-grey lume.

This hints at the final detail hidden in this watch, and one you’ll only notice in the dark: two-toned lume. While the peripheral minute marker circles, outer third of the cardinal markers and seconds hand have a green glow, the remaining hands, hours markers and bezel triangle glow blue. Two toned lume is something that I’ve always enjoyed, and this is one of the best executions I’ve seen in terms of how aesthetically pleasing it is.

Lume shot by Watch Report.

Movement

However, RZE has hidden one last surprise, one that cannot be seen but only felt by its operator. Within the Endeavour, they have opted for a rather left-field choice for the movement: the Seiko caliber NH38A. While these movements come with an open-heart display, RZE chose this movement simply because this movement does not come with a date. This eliminates the phantom date position on the crown, so the crown will only click once for you to set the time. As this is a personal pet peeve of mine, I hope other brands will take note and use this movement on their no-date watches.

Caseback

Final Thoughts

Overall, the RZE Endeavour is a pretty fantastic watch for its price point. Available for pre-order now for 555 SGD (just over 410 USD) over on the RZE website, you’re getting a fully-hardened titanium dive watch with an angular, modern look and great attention to detail throughout. If you’re looking for a titanium dive watch that you can wear as a daily wearer, you won’t go wrong with the RZE Endeavour.

For Team Matick,

KC

#LookCloser – Au Revoir, Seals Model A.5 – Michael Knight Edition, in Collaboration with Matt Smith-Johnson

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FurryWristAbroad (FWA)

Marshall: Just FYI, our KC&JJ episode with FWA and MSJ is now out! Check it out here:

Prologue

A farewell for the brand’s iconic watch, in collaboration with designer Matt Smith-Johnson.

– FWA, 2021

Over the last two years, the integrated bracelet steel sports watch gained traction from a lot of microbrands. The founders of Nodus Watches, Cullen Chen and Wes Kwok, mentioned on their highly entertaining and informative podcast Long Roads that they too wanted to take on the genre of watches popularised by Gérald Genta. 

Last year, I reviewed the Dietrich Pure Time for another website. I still consider it a modern classic, and the stainless steel model simply spoke to me. It modernised the Genta formula and added a design language that only a brilliant mind such as Emmanuel Dietrich’s could conjure. The Pure Time was a collaboration between Dietrich and Matt Smith-Johnson. Mr. Smith-Johnson’s designs have a way of extracting unexpected characters out of already existing model lines. In the case of the TC Pure by Dietrich, he expertly designed a timepiece that is arguably the perfect integrated bracelet steel sports watch. I still to this day get little pangs of pain from missing that watch.

So, when I heard that Mr. Smith-Johnson had collaborated again on another watch, but this time with the much-adored brand Seals Watches, I simply had to have some time with the watch. This is the third A.5 which Mr. Smith-Johnson has designed, and it is arguably my favourite. 

How it Wears

We shall start out this review with a matter of perspective. Due to the nature of my life and the work that I do, I simply do not wear watches with integrated bracelets, or ones that have bespoke lugs. For the daily grind, wearing any bracelet is not an option for it would utterly destroy the laptops I work on. Do not even get me started about dive watches with integrated bracelets and straps when taking them underwater.

With that out of the way, I admire this genre of watches from afar. They carry with them an appeal that other watches do not. They, more than any other genre of watches, look like a single piece of art. This cohesive character gives these timepieces the feeling of being an entire suit of armour for your wrists. The beautifully brushed case and bracelet add to this. At 12mm thick, the A.5 can slip under a cuff. It may, for the overall endlink-to-endlink length here is a staggering 60mm, up from its 50mm lug-to-lug. This will make those with wrists smaller than 6.5 inches potentially look elsewhere. I have a 6.75-inch wrist and it wears well to my eyes, as well as to those I asked. However, I do not like watches smaller than 40mm and wear a 51mm Garmin all the time. The bracelet just starts to taper at the end of my wrists. Any smaller wrists, and this watch may prove too awkward to pull off.

Like the Royal Oak, Nautilus, and the Dietrich TC Pure, the A.5 simply looks perfectly at home with any outfit. This limited edition Michael Knight model would look perfect with a suit or even at a formal event. If you are the sort of person who demands others to never wear a watch (or a dress watch smaller than 38mm) to a formal event, I am pretty sure that you also love the sound of your own voice. Yes, this is a limited edition, and the last model to be made in the A.5 range.

The Design

The exquisite detail of this dial is where this version of the A.5 proves to be my personal favourite. The matte dial is subtly raised from the grey seconds ring, and it truly leaps to your attention as a result. The crosshairs give the dial some grounding to not get lost in. The contrast between the hands, modern Arabic numerals, and gorgeous octagonal seconds hand tip makes legibility essentially perfect. The second chapter ring hovers above the other dial elements, further adding depth and weight to the viewing experience. The lume burns bright enough for this type of watch and never caused any concern.

The execution of this dial and all its elements truly makes this a timepiece the eye will never tire of. The applied and brushed steel Seals logo further adds to the watch’s character,  summarised by one word: substance.

The brushing from the logo extends outward to the case except for the outer bezel. This careful use of polishing dramatically frames the beautiful case. This genre of watches is known to be more loved by the owner as time passes. The more scars, the more attractive and alluring the timepiece becomes. So, any off-hand complaints about the placement of polishing on a watch of this design genre is simply nitpicking.

However, areas where one does not have to nitpick to find some fault are the clasp and the interaction with the crown. The crown guards do their job a little too well. With the crown fully extended, the user’s thumb and index finger will grind against the sharp crown guards. Winding a mechanical watch should be a pleasurable experience. However, reengineering the entire stem to pop out even further, or to get rid of these lugs, are in the former case impossible, and in the latter would make for a lesser watch. These crown guards are truly beautiful and add to the feeling of weight and a sense of severity.

The stamped clasp would be fine on most other watches, but it is out of place here. Though it looks delightful when on the wrist, especially with the powerful placement of the logo, its weight and tinny feel and sound do not belong on such a watch. The case and the bracelet of this watch are purposefully substantial, and the thin clasp simply does not live up to the rest of the watch. With the case of the watch being as substantial as it is, the weight balance of the watch is very top-heavy as a result. A milled clasp would truly elevate this watch. Keep in mind that this clasp was definitely chosen due to cost and that of availability from the various choice of suppliers. The microbrand space has to continuously combat with various factors that we as the consumer are not aware of. Usually if there is one or two characteristics of a watch that look and or feel out of place, it is for a good reason. This reason almost always comes down to the cost of production, and the tolerance for how much of that cost is passed down to the consumer.

Lastly, the bracelet links use a pin system. Granted, you will only have to change the size of the bracelet once, but like the stamped clasp, this is out of place today’s market. Screwed links and a higher-quality clasp would essentially make this watch faultless. 

Conclusions

Whereas Mr. Smith-Johnson collaborated with Seals to make two colourful renditions and remixes of the A.5, he now has created another timeless gentlemen’s sports watch that will stand the test of time. If you like watches that wear larger, and want a watch that you can take anywhere, then look no further than the A.5 Michael Knight by Seals Watches.

For more details and specifications, click here.

For Team Matick,

FWA

#TimeWellSpent – A Virtual Afternoon with Omega Watches – Novelties 2021

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Introduction

Omega has finally unveiled their novelties for 2021, and we at Team Matick had the privilege of being present for the virtual launch. As there are already a number of in-depth articles detailing the exact specifications of the watches in question, we’ll instead be sharing some of our thoughts on these new watches, as well as answering some specific questions that you may have.

Oh, for those of you who are too lazy to read and prefer to listen to this episode (just kidding), check us out here @ The KC & Jon Jon Show:

Seamaster

  • Lens Position: 2479

First up in the line of new releases, we have the Omega Seamaster 300. First released in 1957, the latest generation is thinner than the last-gen model, thanks to the new domed sapphire glass and reworked case geometry. It also has a new movement, with the Calibre 8912 Master Chronometer movement (previously found on the Omega PloProf) beating within.

The watch contains plenty of vintage cues, from its clean sandwich dial inspired by early Seamaster 300 models in the 1960s, to its lollipop seconds hand. All the superfluous dial text has now been moved to the caseback, a good move in our book. As for case size, the watch remains at 41mm, although it may now have more presence on the wrist, with the dial opening increasing to 30.4mm from 29.5mm. On the other hand, the new angled, thinner case and bracelet with female end-links will probably help this watch be significantly more wearable for those with smaller wrists. We hope to go hands-on soon enough, and we’ll be sure to bring you an update!

While there has been a move towards ceramic bezel inserts across the industry as a whole, Omega has opted to use an aluminium one instead for its latest Seamasters, albeit one that is fully lumed. When we spoke to Jean-Claude Monachon, VP of Product/Customer Service and Product Development at Omega, he cited aesthetics as the primary reason for this choice, citing aluminium’s more vintage look. They were also only able to achieve a similar pantone to the dial via the use of aluminium, in order to achieve a pleasing, uniform appearance. 

To assuage concerns regarding reliability and durability, Gregory Kissling, Omega’s Head of Product Management, informed us that there is an oxalic anodised coating on the aluminium that has a hardness of approximately 500 Vickers. This offers a scratch resistance similar to that of LiquidMetal technology used on other Omega models.

The flagship model of the range here is obviously the Bronze Gold Model Seamaster 300. In case it isn’t obvious from the name, this particular Seamaster 300 is fully cased in Omega’s proprietary patent-pending alloy that was inspired by ancient Greece’s Corinthian Bronze. Its composition of copper, gold, silver, palladium, and gallium, creates a soft pink hue that sits between the brand’s 18K Moonshine gold and 18K Sedna gold.

Aside from the prerequisite copper (50%), the main ingredient in any bronze alloy, gold (37.5%) is added to bolster corrosion resistance and the specific amount used is to allow it to be hallmarked as 9K gold. The remaining 17.5% contains a secret blend of silver, palladium, and gallium, which provides colouration, shine, and promotes a more controlled patination process. This particular alloy offers bronze’s corrosion resistance without the scourge of verdigris formation (the greenish corrosion residue usually found on bronze), while still allowing for the formation of an even and mild patina over time. Omega has promised us that this material will age slowly and retain its vibrant shade, while developing a natural and beautiful patina over a longer period of time.

The dial, on the other hand, is made from an aging process with regular bronze, tropicalised to a deeper shade of brown before being coated with a sealant. This coating, along with the fact that the dial will be hermetically sealed within the 300m water-resistant case means that the dial will remain untarnished. Gregory also stated that the desired colour of the dial was impossible to achieve with Bronze Gold due to its chemical stability.

TL;DR

  • Available in black, blue and Bronze Gold variants;
  • Brand new Bronze Gold alloy, offering vibrant hues with slow, controlled patination;
  • More vintage aesthetics, with less dial text and a lollipop seconds hand;
  • New Master Chronometer movements;
  • Fully lumed bezel, but now in strengthened aluminium instead of ceramic; and
  • New, more wearable case dimensions, and female end-links for the bracelet.

Aqua Terra / Constellation

  • Lens Position: 2689
  • Lens Position: 3428
  • Lens Position: 2689

Next, Omega focuses on the discerning female collector with the Constellation Small Seconds and Seamaster Aqua Terra. Firstly, both watches will now have Master Chronometer movements by METAS (Federal Institute of Metrology), with the Calibre 8800 powering the Aqua Terra, and Calibre 8802/8803 powering the Constellation. Both ranges measure in at 34mm, both feature colourful dials, and are available mostly in precious metals, although the Aqua Terra will also be available in a two-tone combination of stainless steel and 18K Sedna gold.

Coming with a new array of textured dials in various striking colours and bejewelled bezels and hour markers, there’s something for everyone here in this new collection.

TL;DR

  • 34mm dials across the board.
  • Vibrant hues and textured dials.
  • New Master Chronometer movements.
  • Mostly precious metal cases with bejewelled bezels and dials.

Trésor

  • Lens Position: 2654
  • Lens Position: 3988
  • Lens Position: 3988

Omega’s deeply underrated dress series has now been revamped, with 2 new variants of the simple and elegant dress watch. The flagship model now has a small seconds at 6 o’clock that is balanced by, for the first time, a power reserve display at 12 o’clock. Powered by the brand new Calibre 8934 Master Chronometer, it is a manual winding movement with 72 hours of power reserve. Coming in a 40mm diameter case, it measures only 10mm thick inclusive of the box sapphire crystal, despite co-axial movements usually being significantly thicker than other more traditional movements.

According to Jean-Claude and Gregory, this was achieved by building the Calibre 8934 from the ground up with an integrated power reserve complication. Unlike other movements that use a module to integrate a complication to an existing architecture, this integration allows for the movement to be significantly thinner. It was also at this point that Gregory mentioned that the Calibre 8900 movement had sufficiently high torque to be a “tractor” movement; an interesting tidbit that we hope to revisit in the future!

The other new model in the Tresor line comes without the power reserve complication but maintains the small seconds display, via the also new Calibre 8926 Master Chronometer. With just the petite secondes at 6 o’clock, it retains a more traditional dress watch aesthetic. One model with a deep, shimmering blue dial was a real standout to us here at Team Matick, and we hope to bring you more pictures of that soon.

TL;DR

  • Brand new movements with small seconds and power reserve complication;
  • 10mm thick, inclusive of box sapphire crystal; and
  • Available in precious metal and stainless steel cases.

Seamaster 300M Black Black

In the vein of the Dark Side of the Moon (“DSOTM”) (and, partially, the Planet Ocean Deep Black), Omega has now launched an all-new addition to the Seamaster Diver 300M line, the Black Black. True to its name, this new variant comes entirely blacked out: the case, crown, helium release valve, bezel, insert, and dial are all made from black zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) ceramic, along with PVD blackened hands, anthracite black Super-LumiNova, and a black rubber strap with black ceramic clasp. Omega was not messing around when they named this the Black Black, something our own Vincent discovered when he asked the question, to which Jean-Claude simply answered: because everything is black, literally.

In order to achieve some semblance of visibility and visual interest, the watch blends a serious contrasting mix of finishes; brushed and polished segments of the case, polished hands to stand out against the matte wave dial, and a textured, laser-ablated finish on the bezel insert. We believe they may have achieved this, based on the quick look we managed to get via the online presentation with Gregory, but we’ll reserve judgement for when we manage to meet this watch in the metal (or ceramic, as it were).

TL;DR

  • New blacked out Seamaster, in the style of DSOTM;
  • Fully ceramic external components;
  • Various finishes throughout to improve visibility; and
  • Nekton-style textured bezel insert.

Moonwatch Velcro Straps

  • Lens Position: 2198

In the most interesting launch of the year, at least for our resident Moonwatch fanboy KC, Omega has listened to their fans and launched a series of NASA-style Velcro straps. We say NASA-style, as they are not quite the same as the original straps used by the astronauts during space missions. Using a two piece construction rather than the pass-through design of the original, the new strap sacrifices security against springbar failure for a more comfortable fit, with less material underneath the watch.

These new straps will be available in 3 colourways at launch: a standard black version most reminiscent of the original, a white version that serves as a callback to the Alaska Project, and a silver version that harkens to the pre-Moon Project Mercury era and their pioneering silver spacesuits. All versions of the strap will come with the classic NASA “meatball” logo, a nod that Speedmaster lovers are sure to appreciate.

As our in-house Speedy fanatic has the wrist circumference of a toothpick, he was concerned about the sizing of these new straps. However, Jean-Claude was kind enough to reassure him that while the initial launch will only come in a “regular” size, short and extra long sizes will also be released to ensure that all enthusiasts will be able to find an appropriate fit.

TL;DR

  • Two piece NASA-style velcro straps;
  • Available in black, white and silver;
  • Comes with the classic NASA “meatball” logo; and
  • Three sizes will eventually be available.

Conclusion

In line with Omega president Raynald Aeschlimann’s vision of streamlining the entire collection, the focus of the new releases was evolutionary rather than revolutionary, consisting of upgrades to existing models, rather than introducing brand new ones. These upgrades include new materials, new Master Chronometer-certified movements, and subtle design tweaks inspired by Omega’s vast archives. Omega is also moving towards having Master Chronometer-certified movements powering every watch, which is a testament to the quality and standard of excellence that Omega strives for.

For Team Matick,

KC, Jon

#LookCloser – Seiko DressKX vs Swatch Sistem51

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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!

KC

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.

  • Swatch Siste51 Irony Knight
  • Swatch Siste51 Irony Knight caseback

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.

Ding Ding Ding! DressKX wins!

For Team Matick,

KC

#LookCloser – Team Matick Picks: Best Watches Around RM500, RM1,500 and RM3,000 for the 2020 Holiday Season

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Introduction

Yes, it is that time of the year again. Be it Christmas, the year’s end, or you just wanting to buy a watch to commemorate your 2020 (for all the right reasons, we hope), or perhaps even to buy a new watch for a friend / family member / significant other who is fairly new to the watch collecting scene, the sheer amount of choices on the market can be intimidating. Not sure where to start? Fret not, Team Matick is here to help you out. In this buying guide, you will find our recommendations to consider at 3 different price points to suit everyone’s budget.

For the purpose of this article, our recommendations span across 3 different categories of watches for each price point, namely: a tool watch, dress watch and all-rounder.

Note: None of the photos used in this article belong to The Matick Blog, all respective owners have been credited accordingly as indicated under each segment.

WATCH RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND RM500 AND BELOW

MARSHALL’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

1) The Tool Watch: Casio Duro Marlin Diver MDV 106

Photo credits: Watches You Can Afford, Dive Watches Blog, Strap Code, Deployant

The Marlin is one of the very first tool watches that I personally owned which eventually led to the growth of my appreciation for dive watches as a whole. It is the catalyst to my growing affection for the “Submariner” aesthetic. Fun fact: the Marlin was also known as the “Bill Gates watch,” as it was seen on the wrist of Bill Gates on several occasions. Ultimately, the Marlin is a no-frills, “everyman’s” watch. It is understated, simple, reliable (thanks to the 200 meter water resistance and quartz movement), with decent legibility, and most importantly, it is wallet-friendly. It is everything you’d like to see in a budget tool watch.

  • 44mm case diameter
  • 200m water resistance
  • Japanese quartz movement
  • Mineral crystal
  • Approx. RM160+

2) The Dress Watch: Seiko 5 SNKL23

Photo credits: Watch Gecko, Hodinkee

The SNKL23 is, in my humble opinion, arguably one of the best looking Seiko 5s in its class. This specific model is widely coveted and has a dial that screams a million bucks. It offers a lot of ‘watch’ at this price point as it brings to the table a solid workhorse movement with a great size for most wrists. This watch is definitely for those looking to acquire their first dress watch and are not ready to break the bank. This watch right here, is the true definition of value proposition.

  • 38mm case diameter
  • 30m water resistance
  • Seiko 7S26 automatic movement
  • Hardlex crystal
  • Approx. RM300+

    3) The All-Rounder: Seiko 5 SNK809

    Photo credits: Monochrome Watches, The Modest Man

    The ‘809 (and its other more colourful counterparts) is one of the most iconic and recognizable Seiko 5s of our time. The military pilot / field watch-inspired look checks a lot of boxes for both new and experienced enthusiasts alike. It offers a lot of versatility and durability, which is a substantial plus point for a watch that is potentially suitable for every occasion. To put it simply, it is an everyday watch with mainstream appeal. In fact, this is the watch I’d recommend the most to anyone who’s looking for their first watch purchase on a tight budget but would like to own something that is tough enough to withstand the rigors of daily wear.

    • 37mm case diameter
    • 30m water resistance
    • Seiko in-house caliber automatic movement (with Diashock)
    • Hardlex crystal
    • Approx. RM265+

    KC’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: G-Shock DW5600

    Photo credits: Strap Change, World.G-Shock

    In my mind, this is the quintessential tool watch. It has an array of functions combined with legendary G-Shock toughness; all in a retro package that looks good on any wrist. Size concerns go out the window with this model, as it wears great on practically any wrist, and it comes in a multitude of variants to suit any taste. Splurge a little over RM500 and you can even swing a solar charging version for which you’d basically never have to change the battery. As is often the case with G-Shocks, it’s hard to beat the value proposition of this core model.

    • Resin case / band
    • 48.9mm case diameter
    • 200m water resistance 
    • Mineral Crystal
    • Rugged af / zombie-proof
    • Approx. RM300+

    2) The Dress Watch: Seiko 5 SNK381

    Photo credits: BabyJoe from Watchuseek, Creation Watches

    This is… an unconventional choice for a dress watch, I know. But hear me out. This particular Seiko 5 comes in a 38mm case with a bracelet that’s reminiscent of the beads of rice aesthetic, with an applique dial plus the requisite day-date complication framed in a polished window. While the look is closer to that of a field watch than a pure dress watch, I think the SNK381 is a watch that punches far above its weight (as many Seiko 5s do) and maintains a semblance of being a dress watch while remaining different from your run-of-the-mill dressier Seiko 5 options.

    • 38mm case diameter
    • 30m water resistance
    • Seiko 7S26 automatic movement
    • Hardlex Crystal
    • Approx. RM385+

    3) The All-Rounder:  Invicta 8926OB Pro Diver

    Photo credits: Two Broke Watch Snobs

    If you thought the previous one was controversial, well, I’m not sure how you’re going to react to this one. But once again, hear me out: the Invicta 8926 is, objectively, an excellent entry level watch. A classic Submariner homage in the classic, pre-maxi 40mm case, it comes with a decent oyster bracelet, your typical Sub dial and hands, plus a reliable Seiko NH35 movement. Yes, it does come with the twin stigmas of being both a homage and an Invicta, but it also works as an incredible base for any modifications down the road as it has robust aftermarket support, allowing you to modify this basic watch into nearly anything you can think of.

    • 40mm case diameter
    • Seiko NH35 automatic movement
    • 200m water resistance (diving not recommended)
    • Mineral Crystal
    • Approx. RM243+

    VINCENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Timex MK1 Aluminium

    Photo credits: Style & Stylus, Timex, Hypebeast

    As someone who works in carpentry that involves much heavy duty work, I tend to lean towards a watch that’s durable, easy to wear, coupled with a slim profile and great comfort. That has me naturally recommending the MK1 Aluminium as a durable tool watch with its acrylic crystal and aluminium watch case. It doesn’t scream ultimate “tool watch,” coming without many functions and complications that digital watches can offer. It is instead a simple watch that tells time with great legibility and features Timex’s famous Indiglo™ electroluminescent dial. At just RM470, I think this is a deal you shouldn’t sleep on.

    • 40mm case diameter
    • Aluminium case
    • 30m water resistance
    • Acrylic Crystal
    • Quartz
    • Approx. RM365+

    2) The Dress Watch: Swatch Skin Black Classiness

    Photo credits: Hodinkee

    Although it is a watch made from plastic with a silicone strap, the Skin defines the form and dimensions that a dress watch should be. A ridiculously svelte quartz watch with a case measuring only 3.9mm thick, 34mm in diameter, with minimalist looks, it pairs really well with smart casual or dressier outfits. Topping up just a little over RM10 from the base price of RM445 will get you the milanese bracelet which I’m an absolute fan of, being an owner of it myself. I personally have my Black Classiness paired with the milanese bracelet, and its look still puts me over the moon.

    • 34mm case diameter
    • ETA Quartz movement
    • 30m water resistance
    • Plastic case
    • Approx. RM445+

    3) The All-Rounder: Seiko 5 SNK393

    Photo credits: Gliderbee from Watchuseek, Creation Watches

    The Seiko 5 catalog is populated with a whole plethora of, you know, Seiko 5s. But among the billions-and-billions-and-billions of Seiko 5s, the SNK393 here takes the cake for me for the ultimate everyday watch under RM500. As with most Seiko 5s out there, it has a diameter of just 37mm and a lug-to-lug of 42mm, which is a blessing in disguise for small wrists out there. Plus, any automatic watch at this price is pretty much a no-brainer, and a more easily accessible crown compared to many other Seiko 5s makes this an easy recommendation that will only set you back RM379.

    • 37mm case diameter
    • 30m water resistance
    • Seiko 7S26 automatic movement
    • Mineral Crystal
    • Approx. RM379+

    JON’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Seiko 5 SNK803

    Photo credits: Fifth Wrist, Worn & Wound

    Honestly, anything from the SNK80x range will do. The only difference is a matter of colour, but my personal favourite is the beige. The 5 in Seiko 5 represents the five principle attributes behind the line, which are: Diaflex (unbreakable mainspring), Diashock (shock resistant design), automatic winding, day/date indicator, and water resistance. All of these qualities lend the Seiko 5 range enough versatility to basically cover every category in our list, which is a bit of foreshadowing here, but in terms of a starter tool watch, it’s hard to get past this particular model. I should know, as this is the watch that kickstarted my journey into the hobby.

    • 37mm case diameter
    • 30m water resistance
    • Seiko in-house caliber automatic movement (with Diashock)
    • Hardlex crystal
    • Approx. RM265+

    2) The Dress Watch: Orient “Bambino” FER2400BW0, Gen. 2 Ver. 2

    Photo Credits: Worn & Wound, Drop

    While the Orient Bambino has gone through multiple generations, my pick would be the 2nd generation-cum-2nd version Bambino. The mix of Roman numerals coupled with baton indices give it a vintage vibe, one that might be associated with some of the works of Vacheron Constantin. Now, that is genuinely high praise for a humble brand like Orient. Like the aforementioned Seiko, the beige dial is my preferred choice, which provides a perfect canvas for the blued hands. With dress watches, it’s all about the little details, something the Bambino is not short on. With the vintage coat of arms, minutes track, and cursive fonts, there is much to admire here.

    • 40.5mm case diameter
    • 30m water resistance
    • Orient F6724 Caliber automatic / hand-wound movement
    • Approx. RM500+

    3) The All-Rounder: Casio AE1200 “Casio Royale”

    Photo credits: Tick Talk, Afford Some Time

    Originally, this was going to be classified under the tool watch category, but it has since been changed to an all-rounder, simply because of its resemblance to a watch a certain James Bond wore in “Octopussy”. This watch, affectionately nicknamed “Casio Royale” for aforementioned reasons, retails for basically spare change, but has a whole host of features; more so than any other watch in this article can boast. The most important of these is the world time function, which allows this watch to track all the time zones in this world.

    • 39.5mm case diameter
    • Japanese quartz movement
    • 100m water resistance
    • Mineral crystal
    • Approx. RM125+

    WATCH RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND RM1,500 AND BELOW

    MARSHALL’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: BOLDR Venture Field Medic II

    Photo credits: BOLDR Supply Co

    The VFM II is an enthusiast-level watch that was specifically designed as a tribute to medical professionals who are currently at the frontlines battling against the COVID-19 pandemic. A noble and meaningful cause by BOLDR, I would say. But for the average person, the VFM II is a heck of a tool watch to have on the wrist. It houses a hybrid meca-quartz movement (think half-mechanical, half-quartz) by Seiko, a.k.a the VK64. The dial features a very unique pulsometer scale which is usually only found on “Doctor’s watches”. That said, the VFM II is a tough-to-beat option (quite literally) with a light-weight titanium case and a visually stimulating dial. There is simply no reason why you should overlook this.

    • 38mm case diameter
    • Titanium case
    • 200m water resistance
    • Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement
    • Sapphire crystal
    • Approx. RM1,211+

    2) The Dress Watch: Orient “Bambino” Small Seconds RA-AP0005B10A

    Photo credits: A Blog To Watch

    In my book, the Bambino lineup has always been a solid contender from Orient over the past few years for affordable classic dress watches. This particular model, the Bambino SS (small seconds), is no exception. For just under RM1,200 (actually, the Bambino SS costs even less in Malaysia, depending on how hard you look), you are getting an exceptional timepiece in almost every technical aspect. The Bambino SS is handsome, houses a workhorse movement, and is very wearable for its size for most people. A true value proposition in its own right, I personally and highly recommend the Bambino SS wholeheartedly.

    • 40.5mm case diameter
    • Orient F6222 caliber automatic / hand wound movement
    • 30m water resistance
    • Domed mineral crystal
    • Approx. RM1,235+

    3) The All-Rounder: Seiko SPRE55 “DressKX”

    Photo credits: Watchclicker

    The DressKX is, in my mind, one of the best value-contenders coming out of the Seiko umbrella this year. Here at Team Matick, it has been affectionately dubbed by our KC as the “DressKX”. The marriage between the SKX signature case aesthetic with a less-cluttered dial seems to be hitting all the right spots for many watch enthusiasts, including myself. A significant plus for me is the upgraded 4R movement. Mark my words, this is a Seiko you do not want to miss if you are planning to opt for an all-rounder type of watch. It is one of the best watches; one I’d highly recommend for anyone who’s just getting into the hobby. For less than USD300, you are essentially getting a watch which fits the “all-rounder” category almost too effortlessly. That said, my only complaint is that, unlike its older brothers (SKX007 / 009), the DressKX does not feature a screw-down crown, but is still rated for water resistance of up to 100 metres. All things considered, it shouldn’t pose any issue for the average wearer / watch enthusiast, just don’t dive with it for good measure.

    • 40mm case diameter
    • Hardlex crystal
    • Seiko 4R36 Movement
    • 100m water resistance
    • Approx. RM1,114+

    KC’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Seiko “Arnie” SNJ025P1

    Photo credits: Hodinkee

    The Seiko Arnie is, as its name suggests, a reissue of the original H558 worn by Arnold Schwarzeneggar in movies like Predator and Commando. Encased in a Tuna-like shroud, this analog-cum-digital watch offers a terrific array of functions in a chunky but surprisingly wearable case. Falling under the Prospex banner, the modern Arnie offers ISO-certified dive credentials, and even includes solar charging, so you’ll never have to worry about switching out the batteries. For a tool watch at this price that offers more than your basic set of features, while also having the cool factor of being a watch featured in popular media, it’s hard to look past the Seiko Arnie.

    • 47.8mm case diameter
    • Solar H851 movement
    • Hardlex crystal
    • 200m water resistance
    • Approx. RM1,450+

    2) The Dress Watch: Swatch Sistem51 Knight

    Photo credits: Swatch, Watch Shop UK

    Once again, I’m going left field for this option. But in my humble opinion, this Swatch offers a lot of bang for your buck. Besides the novelty of having a fully-machine assembled mechanical movement, it comes in a stealthy PVD treated stainless steel case and minimalist dial design that makes for a subtle yet interesting watch on the wrist. It may be a little beefier than the ideal dress watch, but the overall design stops it from sticking out on your wrist, which is what you need from a dress watch. Plus, the 30m of water resistance is right at home in this category.

    • 42mm case diameter
    • Sistem51 Automatic movement
    • 30m water resistance
    • Stainless steel case
    • Approx. RM895+

    3) The All-Rounder: Citizen Promaster Nighthawk BX1010-11L

    Photo credits: Citizen

    The Citizen Promaster Nighthawk range is a series of watches that I have always admired, but have yet to own. While there are a couple of models that are very well known, for the purposes of this list I am looking specifically at the BX1010-11L. A modern take on the quintessential pilot watch aesthetic, it comes with a world time complication, a perpetual calendar (in the sense that you’ll never have to adjust the date, though there are no indicators for month or year) and 200m of water resistance. This all comes with a deep blue sunburst dial and Citizen’s signature EcoDrive solar charging. Hard to argue with as a watch that wouldn’t look out of place in any situation.

    • 42mm case diameter
    • 200m water resistance
    • EcoDrive movement
    • Mineral crystal
    • Approx. RM1,205+

    VINCENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Seiko PADI ‘Turtle’ SRPE99 

    Photo credits: Watchuseek, Designer Optics

    In my opinion, the Turtle is the ultimate tool watch at this price point and needs no introduction. Just ask Uncle Google about it and it will tell you just how much of a legend the Turtle is. It was THE tool watch that assisted in Antarctic explorations, deep sea diving expeditions, and the modern adventurous desk diver at their day jobs. In all seriousness, the watch wears really well despite its deceptively large on-paper dimensions, a result of its cushion case. With the rich historical significance of this watch, you can’t possibly get more watch for your money at only RM1,494, or you can even opt for the SRP779 at RM1,199.

    • 45mm case diameter
    • 200m water resistance (ISO rated, suitable for diving)
    • PADI special edition
    • Seiko 4R36 automatic movement
    • Approx. RM1,494+

    2) The Dress Watch: Dan Henry 1937 Dress Chronograph

    Photo credits: Time & Tide Watches, Dan Henry

    While there are many dress watches like the Seiko Presage series in this price bracket that might offer more bang for your buck with automatic calibre movements, I think the 1937 is something that’s great for its price and has a magnificent look. Inspired by watches from the Art Deco era of the 1930s, and being a bit of a Patek Phillipe Ref. 130 homage, the watch demonstrates elegance with its vintage sector dial. Coupled with a Seiko meca-quartz chronograph movement within, the watch remains slim without sacrificing that mechanical sweep seconds goodness when activated. Value, elegance, great vintage execution? It’s a yes to all three for me, and at a price of just RM1,100.

    • 38mm case diameter
    • 30m water resistance
    • Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement
    • Sapphire coated K1 mineral crystal
    • Approx. RM1,100+

    3) The All-Rounder: Brew Retrograph

    Photo credits: Brew Watches

    This is another meca-quartz chronograph, but one in a unique rectangular case with exciting dial colour options that is very easy to pair with any casual, business or even dress outfit. Despite its limited availability with only seasonal restocks, it is still a watch that’s still too good to overlook at RM1,400+. For your information, Brew Watches was born from an inspiration and association with coffee, and it’s all about the coffee-centric details with the watch. You get a coffee bean motif Brew logo on its crown and specific chronograph markings at 30 to 35 seconds as it’s the optimum time for espresso extraction. If you’re a coffee nerd like Marshall and I, these details are just the cherry on top of an already excellent watch.

    • 38mm case diameter
    • 50m water resistance
    • Hybrid meca-quartz movement
    • Sapphire crystal
    • Approx. RM1,418+

    JON’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Nodus Sector Dive (Tidal / Seafoam)

    Photo credits: Nodus Watches

    This price segment is interesting in the sense that there are various microbrands that the vast majority of people outside of the watch community might not be aware about. One of these is Nodus Watches (“Nodus” us, senpai!), who has built up quite a loyal following and may or may not have a reasonably close relationship with Matick. Their Sector Dive range has cool dial colours, are powered by the reliable Seiko NH35 movement, resistant up to 150m of water, and have incredible lume. Seriously, what more could you want?

    • 38mm case diameter
    • 150m water resistance
    • Seiko NH35 automatic movement
    • Approx. RM1,722+

    2) The Dress Watch: Baltic HMS 002

    Photo credits: Baltic Watches

    Do you like the Jaeger Le-Coultre Master Control Sector Dial, but can’t stump up the best part of RM25,000 to purchase it? Well, luckily for you, Baltic is here to save your bank account. This may be stretching our under RM1,500 category, but at current exchange rates at the time of writing this article, you only have to stump up just over RM100 extra to be the owner of the HMS002. For that price, you get a classic, almost JLC-esque design, powered by a reliable Miyota movement. You’d also be able to appreciate a variety of finishing, from a sandy matte central dial, to the brushed sector ring, and a polished case.

    • 38mm case diameter
    • 50m water resistance
    • 821A Miyota automatic movement
    • Hesalite crystal
    • Approx. RM1,642+

    3) The All-Rounder: Seagull 1963 Chronograph

    Photo credits: Worn & Wound, Watch Review Blog

    I don’t want to get too political here, but anti-China sentiment has been rife within the past few years. Despite the majority of products being made in China, some of which may be the devices you’re reading this very article on, there’s still a stigma to that label, unfortunately. That being said, the Seagull 1963 Chronograph is very much made in China; a faithful reproduction of the original used by the Chinese Air Force in the, you guessed it, 1960s. Replete with this gorgeous gold dial and Chinese characters, and powered by a column wheel chronograph, I’ll wait here patiently while you research other column wheel chronographs at this price point.

    • 38mm case diameter
    • Seagull ST19 hand-wound movement
    • Acrylic crystal
    • Approx. RM1,576+

    WATCH RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND RM3,000 AND BELOW

    MARSHALL’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Laco Aachen 39

    Photo credits: The Columbia Watch Society

    I am of the view that pilot watches are severely underappreciated as a tool watch. The Laco Aachen 39 is, in my humble opinion, one of the best and most solid pilot watches in the market currently at this price point, and one that is not talked about enough in the watch enthusiast community. Whilst the Laco Aachen 39 uses a smaller case than most traditional pilot watches, I personally think that 39mm is a good size for most wrists in today’s modern context. Furthermore, the finishing of the dial and the case of the Laco Aachen 39, along with the extra-bright luminescence, exerts a lot of wrist presence which makes up for the slightly smaller case size. The dial is your standard “Type-B” dial with an inner hour index and larger outer minute index, which is typical for most pilot watches at this price range. This is a watch that is built like a tank and one that I cannot recommend enough, especially for those who are fans of the pilot watch aesthetic.

    • 39mm case diameter 
    • Type B dial layout
    • Miyota 821A automatic movement
    • 50m water resistance
    • Sapphire crystal
    • Approx. RM1,645+

    2) The Dress Watch: Tissot Heritage Visodate Automatic

    Photo credits: Monochrome Watches, Tissot Official

    The Visodate was one of the very first dress watches I desired so very badly during my university days. There is simply nothing I can nitpick with this watch. It is simple, handsome, well-built and comes in a great size with a robust Swiss movement. It is also one of the most versatile dress watches I have come across so far due to its neutral looking dial; it is simply effortless to have it look good on almost any strap you desire to wear it with. Don’t believe me? Check it out at your nearest Tissot boutique and you can thank me later for this recommendation. It is THAT good.

    • 40mm case diameter
    • ETA 2836-2 automatic movement
    • 30m water resistance
    • Sapphire crystal
    • Approx. RM2,800+

    3) The All-Rounder: Merci Instruments LMM-01 Original Mecanique

    Photo credits: Hodinkee

    The Merci LMM-01 is a watch that is high on my “to-own” list. There is something very compelling about the overall look and feel of the watch. What I really adore about the LMM-01 is how Merci Instruments has found a way to conceptualize a watch that utilizes a design meant for mid-century military usage and infused it with an elusive sense of romanticism that is hard to come by in today’s world of watches (at least in my humble opinion). To sum it up, the LMM-01 is one of my favourites for 3 specific reasons. One: it has a purpose-driven form and evokes mid-century design in a very appealing way. Two: it is very simple to dress it up and dress it down to suit any occasion. Three: It is a watch you just don’t see everyday.

    • 37.5mm case diameter
    • ETA 2801 hand wound movement
    • 50m water resistance
    • Mineral crystal
    • Approx. RM2,482+

    KC’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Certina PreciDrive DS2 Chronograph

    Photo credits: r/Feathered_Brick from Reddit, Certina

    The PreciDrive movement is, in my opinion, one of the absolute best bang-for-buck movements in the horological world today. It is a thermo-compensated quartz movement with a chronograph that measures up to 1/100th of a second, with 30 minute and 12 hour counters (no absurd 24-hour indicator subdials here, hint hint Seiko) all in an extremely wearable 41mm case. In addition to this, the chronograph hands reset extremely quickly for a quartz chronograph; a little nod to enthusiasts who enjoy the snap reset of mechanical chronographs. Just a fantastic package overall and an exemplary quartz movement for a phenomenal price.

    • 41mm case diameter
    • ETA quartz movement
    • Sapphire crystal
    • 100m water resistance
    • Approx. RM1,823+

    2) The Dress Watch: Orient Star Power Reserve RE-AU0002S00B

    Photo credits: Orient Watches

    It’s hard to make one of these lists without including an Orient, but I’ve opted to go above and beyond the typical Ray/Mako/Bambino choices, and go for one of Orient’s more premium offerings. The Orient Star Power Reserve is a reserved, understated and classy affair, with a subtle power reserve complication to boot. Offering a refined design and surprisingly good finishing for its price, the Orient Star offers a sterling dress watch that punches well above its surprisingly humble price point.

    • 38.7mm case diameter
    • Orient Caliber F6N43 automatic / hand wound movement
    • 50m water resistance
    • Sapphire crystal
    • Approx. RM2,000

    3) The All-Rounder: Longines Conquest VHP

    Photo credits: Watchoninsta, Deployant, Longines

    In case you haven’t been able to tell, I am a quartz enthusiast, and I am including yet another stellar quartz movement here from the house of Swatch Group. The Longines Conquest VHP (Very High Precision) has a thermo-compensated quartz movement that is rated to +/- 5 seconds per year. For context, a typical quartz movement is rated for +/- 15 seconds per month, and even the fabled 9F quartz movement from Grand Seiko is only rated to +/- 10 seconds per year. Coming on either a rubber strap or steel bracelet, plus an extremely wearable 41mm case, the Longines Conquest VHP could easily be the only watch you would ever need.

    • 41mm case diameter
    • L288 quartz movement
    • Sapphire crystal
    • 50m water resistance
    • Approx. RM2,890+

    VINCENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Seiko ‘Alpinist’ SPB117

    Photo credits: Hodinkee, Gear Patrol

    This elegant yet robust tool watch, at least in my book, comes from Seiko. Having personally owned an Alpinist SARB017, the SPB117 in black dial is one of the best, no-nonsense tool watches that you can get in the market. With a price tag approaching RM3,000, the reissued Alpinist has modern dimensions of 38mm that almost anyone can rock on their wrist, while staying faithful to the vintage Laurel Alpinist that started it all back in 1959. This variant of the Alpinist features shark tooth indices and offers more versatility for your day to day life, work or play.

    • 39.5mm case diameter
    • 200m water resistance
    • Front: Sapphire crystal / Back: Mineral crystal
    • Seiko 6R35 automatic movement
    • Approx. RM3,034+

    2) The Dress Watch: Baltic Bicompax-002

    Photo credits: Baltic Watches

    The Baltic Bicompax 002 is yet another sector dial that I’m pretty much a sucker for. Being one of the dressier watches in Baltic’s lineup, it is still fit for the occasion despite being a chronograph. Beating within is a manual-winding Seagull ST19 movement that has been adjusted and regulated by Baltic themselves in their home base of France. The Bicompax 002 is able to deliver a quality chronograph without breaking the bank at RM2,600+. If you’re in the market for a simpler and more affordable option, look no further than the three-hander HMS-002 (see above) at only RM1,600+.

    • 38mm case diameter
    • 50m water resistance
    • Seagull ST1901 hand wound movement
    • Hesalite crystal
    • Approx. RM2,671+

    3) The All-Rounder: Astor and Banks Fortitude 

    Photo credits: Hodinkee

    The Fortitude is an easy recommendation, coming from the microbrand Astor and Banks. In the spirit of keeping these recommendations within budget, the Fortitude is one of the best everyday wear watches that you can get below the price tag of RM3,000. The Fortitude measures in at 38.5mm diameter and 46mm lug to lug, making it easy to wear for Malaysians with smaller physiques like myself. The bracelet wears nicely too, measuring 20mm at the lugs, tapering down to a vintage 16mm. With a higher grade Miyota 9015 automatic movement from Japan and Swiss Superluminova-X1, the watch couldn’t possibly pack more punch at its price point ranging from RM2,600+ to RM2,800+.

    • 38.5mm case diameter
    • 200m water resistance
    • Sapphire crystal
    • Miyota 9015 automatic movement
    • Approx. RM2,600+

    JON’S RECOMMENDATIONS:-

    1) The Tool Watch: Hamilton Khaki H69439411

    Photo credits: A Blog To Watch

    The Hamilton Khaki has many visual similarities to the Seiko 5 SNK range, but it sits within the Swatch Group, which makes it Swiss and instantly better compared to its Japanese counterparts. Like the SNK range, there are also multiple models within the Khaki range that you can choose from, whether you want a quartz, manual, or automatic watch, and they all come in a variety of colours. My personal choice would be the H69439411, white dial with faux-tina indices like its 1960s forebears, and an 80 hour power reserve, so you don’t have to worry about constantly winding this watch.

    • 38mm case diameter
    • 50m water resistance
    • Sapphire crystal
    • H-50 hand wound movement
    • Approx. RM2,065+

    2) The Dress Watch: Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 

    Photo credit: Tissot Official

    Tissot, like Hamilton, is also a storied brand that has been absorbed into the Swatch Group. What this essentially means is that they have access to ETA movements, and are able to produce watches containing these movements at a reasonable price point. With this watch in particular, you get an 80 hour power reserve movement, which is basically unheard of for most brands, at an affordable price point. Once again, this watch may be a contender for an all-rounder, especially judging by its versatile looks and that lengthy power reserve, but it has been beaten by a watch that can actually better that power reserve.

    • 39.30mm case diameter
    • 30m water resistance
    • Swiss automatic movement
    • Sapphire crystal
    • Approx. RM2,300+

    3) The All-Rounder: Mondaine Stop2Go

    Photo credits: A Blog To Watch

    The only movement that could better a mechanical movement with an 80 power reserve is a quartz. With the Mondaine Stop2Go, we have one, but it is a truly captivating one. For one, the seconds hand completes a smooth sweep around the dial in only 58 seconds, pausing for 2 seconds before the minute hand jumps to the next marker, and the cycle repeats itself. This is a representation of the sweep of its counterparts in actual Swiss railway stations. Secondly, its design is also a replication of actual clocks in said Swiss-Federal Railways stations. With the complexity and history in this watch, what more do you want?

    • 41mm case diameter
    • 30m water resistance
    • Mondaine stop2go caliber 58-02 quartz movement
    • Sapphire crystal
    • Approx. RM2,860+

    HONOURABLE MENTIONS

    Lorier Neptune Series III, & Falcon Series II

    Photo credits: Watch Clicker

    In general, Lorier’s lineup of watches are some of the best looking vintage inspired watches out there. Both the Neptune and Falcon emphasise wearability, at 39mm and 36mm case diameters respectively, and straight lugs that emphasize its vintage design. The angular bracelets are rather playful under good lighting conditions, which is something to be commended at this price. While the clasp has fewer micro-adjustments, the focus on vintage inspired design can be seen from the domed plexiglass and the bracelet tapering from 20mm to 16mm. While the Neptune is more of a tool watch, the smaller Falcon will please more wrists out there. Both the Neptune and Falcon are priced at around RM2,000.

    Lorier Neptune Series III

    • 39mm case diameter
    • 200m water resistance
    • Miyota 90S5 automatic movement
    • Dome plexiglass crystal
    • Approx. RM2,021+

    Lorier Falcon Series II

    • 36mm case diameter
    • 100m water resistance
    • Miyota 90S5 automatic movement
    • Dome plexiglass crystal
    • Approx. RM2,021+

    Baltic Aquascaphe

    Photo credits: Monochrome Watches

    The Baltic Aquascaphe is yet another vintage inspired dive watch that is rather popular amongst the watch community and costs RM2,800~. The strongest design points here are, in my opinion, its sandwich dial and overall dial proportions. Compared to the Lorier mentioned earlier, where the bracelet design is an integral part of the experience, the Aquascaphe here puts all its attention on the dial and watch head itself, and pairs well with either the tropic-style rubber strap for a skin diver aesthetic, or dressed up with a beads of rice bracelet. This can easily be swapped with the Alpinist as a potential tool watch, but the Alpinist makes it to the list as it’s more easily accessible at your local Seiko dealer.

    • 39mm case diameter
    • 200m water resistance
    • Miyota 9039 automatic movement
    • Double dome sapphire crystal
    • Approx. RM2,858+

    Mr Jones Watches the “Ascendent”

    Photo credits: Mr Jones Watches

    The Ascendent’s is one of MJW’s most interesting, ornate and delicate creations to date. The artist behind the gilded artwork, Marion Labbez, said that the watch was conceived as a celebration of the challenges we all face to scale our personal mountains. She wanted to create “a hopeful visual invitation to look forward. Explore, discover, climb, travel: experience the world around you. Never look down, the only way is up and the journey is fulfilling.”  As for the sophisticated and elegant gilded artwork on the watch glass (yes, you read that right), it was created with gilded palladium applied in different ways to achieve two different textures. All we can say is that the Ascendent is not a watch for everyone, it is only for those who like to live life a little off the beaten path. 

    • 37mm case diameter
    • 50m water resistance
    • Seagull ST1721 automatic movement
    • Sapphire glass
    • Approx. RM1,350+

    EPILOGUE

    With this concludes our list of watch recommendations that you can grab for your money at price points of RM500, RM1,500, and RM3,000 for this holiday season in 2020.

    Of course, this guide is not meant to be, by any means, exhaustive. But we certainly hope that our recommendations have given you a rough idea of the vast range of options out there in 3 different price points.

    Let us know in the comments if you have any recommendations of your own that you think should be on this list.

    Til’ next time, guys!

    Wear your watches in good health, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Here’s to a better 2021 ahead.

    For Team Matick,

    Marsh, KC, Vincent, Jon.

    #OpenLetter – #MYSpeedmasterStory – Omega Malaysia x Team Matick

    The Matick BlogLeave a comment

    Introduction

    One of the reasons why we started The Matick Blog 5 years ago (we just turned 5 last week!) was to uncover the untold stories of watch collectors in the most non-pretentious manner possible. We have always felt that there is a certain sense of romanticism associated with the bond a watch owner has with his/her watch. That bond is truly one of a kind. And for us, we live for those stories. 

    Recently we partnered up with Omega Malaysia to uncover those stories – YOUR stories.

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    The significance of the Omega Speedmaster, and many of the stories that go along with it, have been uncovered and shared with the public, especially over the past several years. Having survived everything; from being an untested piece in early spaceflight, to gruelling tests by NASA, and every manned lunar mission in history, it’s easy to see the appeal of the Speedmaster. And this appeal extends beyond just enthusiasts of watches and space exploration, as it touches the hearts and minds of anyone with a passing interest in history and the tales of intrepid explorers.

    But while these stories are well known, what we wish to share via this campaign are your personal stories with the Speedmaster. As Speedmaster enthusiasts are wont to say: there are many Speedmasters out there, but only this one is mine. And that personal bond is exactly what we want to learn about and share. 

    By answering a brief questionnaire and submitting a photo or two, we hope to be able to dig further into the personal bond between Malaysians and their Speedmasters, and to share them with other collectors. And in return, Omega has generously agreed to provide a few special gifts and exclusive invitations to a future Speedmaster event (mind you, we’re not talking about just any random watch event, you’re in for a treat if you participate) as a sign of appreciation for the local Speedmaster community.

    To kick things off, we have reached out to Speedmaster owners that we know personally, but if you’re a fellow Malaysian Speedmaster owner and you’d like to join us on this journey and be a part of a very special community, please reach out to us via email or IG, and we’ll set you up and we promise you, you’re in for a real treat!

    For Team Matick,

    Marshall, KC, Vincent.

    Week 1 #MySpeedmasterStory Recap – 5th July 2020

    Throughout the course of the week, we’ve been honoured to share stories from three Malaysian Speedmaster owners: Jimmy Ang, Azfar, and Wen Harn.

    We kicked things off with Jimmy, who recounted his initial experience with his vintage Speedy ref. 3592. Treating it with kid gloves, it took him a while to remember that he was wearing a watch qualified for space exploration!

    Next up was Azfar, sharing the story of how he purchased his modern Speedmaster on a rather special date: 18.8.18. He also doffs his hat to an Omega boutique manager who helped him with his purchase.

    Finally, we heard from Wen Harn as he explained the personal significance of his Speedmaster. Being the spark that lit his horological passion, it holds enough sentimental value for it to be an absolute keeper.

    And that’s a wrap for week one of #MySpeedmasterStory! Thanks to everyone who’s sent their submissions in; we’ll continue putting these up for the coming month, so keep your eyes peeled. Let us know in the comments if you’d like to see the full stories from these gentlemen, and if you haven’t already joined us, there’s no time like the present.

    For Team Matick,

    KC

    #TimeWellSpent – GTG Edition 3 – Team Matick x Nodus Watches – Launch of the AvaMatick

    The Matick Blog1 Comment

    Marshall

    Introduction

    These are some challenging times for all of us. As we are currently approaching a full month of the Movement Control Order here in Kuala Lumpur – the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone well. I know it’s been a heck of a month, and little did we know how much this pandemic would go on and affect our daily lives. Personally, it has been quite a chaotic month for us all here at Team Matick because the Movement Control Order literally kicked in just days after we wrapped up our GTG with Nodus. 

    Most of us are currently working from home as we speak, except for our resident doctor – KC, who is currently on the frontlines fighting the good fight. For me, work hasn’t slowed down at all, less time travelling to work means more time working. We’re all trying to adjust to the new norm, and hopefully we come out of this stronger, and as better human beings. But for now, we can only do what we can and pray that we pull through these unprecedented times. In the meantime, we would like to offer a little piece of distraction from all the unfathomable chaos that’s unfolding across the globe right now. So here’s a bit of the conversation I had last month with the team and Wes from Nodus Watches as we conclude our third edition of #TimeWellSpent GTGs with the good people of Front Room.

    NodusxMatick-43

    DSC_3623.jpg
    PC: Cedric Hansen

    Take it easy, my dear friends.

    For a closer look at the AvaMatick – click here.

    Check out our podcast episode with Wes as well – here.

    A big thank you to Terrence Yong and Cedric Hansen for providing some of your amazing photos for the site.

    For Team Matick,

    Marshall

    This conversation took place on 14th March 2020.

    Recap

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
    Fresh out of the oven.

    KC: So guys, we’re finally here: the event is over and we’ve crossed the finish line. Our little GTG is done and all the AvaMaticks have been delivered. I don’t know about you guys, but that was a hell of a ride. Without meaning to toot our own horn, this was an event with quite a lot of firsts for us, and I’m still stoked about pulling it off. 

    Wes: That was fun. Exhausting as hell but really fun. We’ve been all over the place for these types of things but Kuala Lumpur was definitely one of the highlights. I think its safe to say that I want to come back here every year. 

    Marsh: Oh man, I’m so exhausted, but for me, the excitement hasn’t worn off just yet. I heard some of our guests saying that this is by far the best GTG they’ve attended in KL, and that makes me really happy to hear, considering the amount of work and effort we had to put in for this. I think it’s safe to say that this is a mission accomplished. Well done, boys.

    Vincent: I’m just glad everything worked out at the very end. I was working early in the morning and thought that I could come earlier too to help out. When I arrived at the Front Room I think I walked into quite a different surprise, given what you guys were doing at that time!

    Marsh: Yeah I think you joined us right in the middle of a podcast recording session with Wes. That was quite an interesting experience, and a first for KC and myself. In fact, Wes had just recently published the episode on Long Roads (link here). My voice sounded like a complete potato, man.

    KC: Ditto. Not looking forward to people on the internet confirming their opinions of me after listening to me run my mouth!

    Vincent: Oh don’t worry about that, doc, I’m pretty sure it’ll be fine. The podcast aside, something that I noticed immediately as I entered the space was the stash of boxes right in the middle of the room. I was very excited when I realised that they were the AvaMaticks that we’d all been so excited about – all freshly packed, arranged, and ready to go home with their new owners. It was quite a sight for sore eyes.

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
    All freshly packed and ready to go.

    KC: It was quite the spectacle indeed. Marsh had spent the entirety of the previous day running about to put the final touches. Right before you came in, and before we started recording the podcast, we had just sorted out all the boxes, placed the thank-you notes and Barton straps, and snapped a couple of photos. It was a pretty hectic afternoon. I think it’s safe to say that, as early as you came, you were still a bit too late!

    Marsh: Speaking of which, this is also our very first time hosting a GTG in this brand new space by Front Room (a.k.a Seremban Cycle Trading Company), what do y’all think?

    Wes: It was amazing. The space was really nicely lit during the day for our photoshoots, the ambiance was perfect for the event in the evening. The food was fantastic, even the pizza passed my New York test. 

    Vincent: I really love this new space, it’s really cosy with the soft lighting and overall decor. I really liked how the lighting was a little cool during the day and then gradually warmed up as the evening went on. The long table in the middle of the room just screams DaVinci’s “The Last Supper” as well.

    KC: The new space was definitely a nice step up. While we’ve always loved the Front Room for its cozy and intimate space, we’ve found ourselves running out of room as our Time Well Spent community continues to grow. This new space is a lot bigger, yet Pete and Jo have worked their magic to keep the same ambiance and feel. I think it’s safe to say that we’ve found a great new home for our events, and I can’t wait for the next one!

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    Vincent: Oh by the way guys, I was quite busy with work in the days prior to the event, I believe you guys brought Wes around our little neighbourhood, tell me a little bit about what you guys did!

    KC: Well it mostly involved a tonne of eating, drinking, shooting the shit, followed by more eating. Pretty much the quintessential Malaysian experience, if you ask me. But given the situation at the time, we were mostly erring on the side of safety, so that was pretty much all we did over the past 24 hours. 

    Marsh: Yeah, it was a lot of fun. It’s funny how this is actually our first time meeting Wes in person, but it felt like we were just hanging out with an old friend. We had a lot of great local food, great beer and great conversations. I’ve learned a ton about Nodus, as well as the brilliant minds behind the brand. Such a shame Cullen wasn’t here with us!

    KC: Well, he’s with us in spirit. And I did send him pictures of Wes with food, just to keep him apprised.

    Marsh: I’m sure that made him feel a little better about not being here, and not jealous at all (laughs). Anyway, Wes, what was your favourite dish here in KL?

    Wes: I’m actually quite familiar with the food in the region as I grew up for part of my life in Singapore. My childhood favorite has always been mee goreng, but I was actually more taken by the banana leaf place we went to. The Nasi Lemak was also very memorable, but I can make that stuff at home. The curries at the banana leaf place was next level though, so was the food coma. KL, in general, was a great time. The city is awesome, and the location we were at was super convenient. Driving around and seeing the different neighborhoods was awesome. In some ways it reminds me of Singapore, but like an old Singapore from my childhood days. And of course, the event itself was the highlight. I have been friends with you guys and many of the people who came to the meetup but haven’t met anyone in person. It was great to finally put a face to the names. I’m super impressed by the community you guys have built over the years. This event went off without a hitch and it seems like everyone had a great time.

    Marsh: Thanks man, that really means a lot to us. For what it’s worth, edition 3 had a very different vibe in comparison to the first two events. I felt like this GTG had a little bit more excitement and energy, thanks to your presence and enthusiasm. 

    KC: Yeah, I completely agree with you. Wes’s passion for the brand and what they stand for really shone through, which was something that people picked up on instinctively. I think there were quite a few Nodus converts that night! Anyway, Wes, since this was your first time in KL and joining us at #TimeWellSpent, what did you enjoy most about the evening?

    NodusxMatick-12
    PC: Terrence Yong

    Wes: Watching everyone get their AvaMaticks was quite special. As an online brand, we don’t often get a chance to see people actually receive and unbox their watches. We do go out and hand-deliver around LA and also throw parties, but seeing this thing unfold on the opposite side of the world was certainly something to remember. The food was fantastic, the beer was even better, and the company was the best.

    Marsh: Speaking of watching people get their AvaMaticks, it’s funny how Pete suggested I man the “re-size station”; I had a lot of fun just helping our guests resize their watches so that they could wear them right away. I think that made a great photo opportunity as well as a chance to share an intimate conversation with the new owners about their new watch. Seeing the excitement manifesting on their faces was pretty cool and gratifying.

    NodusxMatick-1
    PC: Terrence Yong

    DSC_3631.jpg
    PC: Cedric Hansen

    KC: Absolutely, in fact I think there were some great photos of you in action. You know what they say, you fake it ‘til you make it, right?

    Marsh: Dude, you know that’s not the case here, pun intended. (laughs).

    KC: Don’t I know it! So while the first AvaMaticks started trickling onto the wrists of our guests, we kicked off the night with our usual small speeches. As is customary, Pete went first by going over the house rules, addressing the do’s and don’ts for the night. I was also roped in for the first time to give a safety briefing of sorts for the night. As Wes often says, we live in freaky times, and I think we all felt it was important for us to put everyone’s health and safety before anything else. 

    Marsh: Yeah, these are weird times, man. Not sure about you guys but I was so stressed out, given all the uncertainty of the times we’re currently in. In the days just before the event, we were starting to see a second wave of infections, so we had to take extraordinary measures to ensure everyone’s safety at our event. 

    KC: Absolutely, there were quite a few rules that we had to implement for the evening. For starters, there were no handshakes or hugs; we all resorted to elbow bumps instead. I think it might have started off a little awkward, but it was good to see people get into the swing of things: I personally received quite a few overenthusiastic elbows by the end of the night! And while we’ve always stressed the importance of being careful with other people’s watches, we really had to step it up this time by ensuring everyone sanitised their hands both before and after handling anyone else’s watches. As Wes would say, these are freaky times we live in, and the speech I gave just revolved around the array of safety precautions we implemented for the evening. You guys got to give all the fun speeches though. (laughs)

    NodusxMatick-52
    PC: Terrence Yong

    Wes: I feel like I’ve been dodging corona bullets all of 2020 so far, starting in Europe, then to the US, then to Asia. I’ve gotten really lucky, landing in cities where the situation is either under control or the virus hasn’t hit yet. This thing very easily could have fallen apart, but as I always say, we roll with the punches. Everything always works out. I can’t begin to tell you how many times Cullen and I have had close calls on deliveries, travel plans, and everything in between, but at the end of the day, we are still alive and kicking. I know how important this thing was for Marshall – I could feel the anxiety emanating from his body – and really, I’m just thankful not only to you guys but also to everyone who came out and maintained the safety precautions that we set in place, especially because I had another stop to make on the tour.

    Vincent: You may have been used to the experience, but we surely weren’t! I gotta admit, it was a pretty touching moment when you delivered your speech, Marsh. The Matick Blog has come a long way for sure. The fact that we got such an amazing opportunity to work with Nodus has definitely helped elevate things to a whole new level. And let’s not forget the food on the night; it was delightful, with pizzas, rolls, meatballs, etc; all prepared by our friends at The Front Room & Kneady Baker, Pete and Jo! And the entire menu was named after Nodus’s product line-up, past and present! Pretty clever, I would say.

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    The big boss of Front Room, Pete (only second to Jo, the bigger boss of Front Room) feat. Altimet. PC: Terrence Yong

    Marsh: Thanks for your kind words, Vincent. And yes, we started the site sometime around 2015, and it definitely hasn’t been an easy journey. We faced lots of challenges and growing pains along the way, and struggled in ways most people wouldn’t imagine nor understand. But you know what, running the site for this long now has made me realise the beauty and the joy of just being present and involved with the process. I have a lot of faith in the team and the good people we surround ourselves with, people like Wes and Cullen are a great representation of the community we are a part of. You know, this whole watch thing for me, personally, as corny as it may sound, but it really is a labour of love, man. Anyway, edition 3 of #TimeWellSpent was definitely, at least in my books, the best GTG we’ve done so far. 

    KC: Absolutely, it was a genuinely fulfilling evening. That said, I was really glad to see such a wide spectrum of watches on display again. Besides the Noduses that were obviously there for the night, we also had everything from Seiko 5s to a Laurent Ferrier, oh and a Ressence too. Seeing that happen always warms my heart. The founding principle behind Matick and TWS has always been a coming together of passion. And a passion for watches transcends price tags; there’s as much space on our “sexpiles” for a G-Shock as there is for a Patek Philippe.

    Marsh: Exactly, I’ve said this a million times but I’m not afraid to say it again. This is what it’s all about. No pretentiousness and snobbery, just an evening of great camaraderie, company, watches, food and beer. It’s just everything we stand for, and I’m very sure for Nodus as well.

    Vincent: As I’ve mentioned earlier, this was my very first time joining everyone here at home since returning from the land down under, and it was definitely an enjoyable experience. It was also an eye-opener for me to see the community that The Matick Blog has built over the past couple of years. I truly enjoyed the night and meeting everyone I had heard so much about. I think I’d go so far as to say that it was much more enjoyable than the meetups I’ve had back in Melbourne. Everyone was so closely connected, sharing their thoughts and experiences on watch collecting, which then translated into having conversations about everything else under the sun as well. On top of that, both Wes and I were finally able to put faces to names for all the wonderful individuals from the online watch community, or should I say faces to Instagram handles (laughs).

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    Marsh: I’m just happy and relieved that everything fell into place at the very end. The delays and shipping issues we faced really had my blood pressure going at some points. I’m not sure if our attendees were aware of the issues and anxiety attacks we had to put up with just to get their watches shipped over (laughs).

    KC: Yeah, we encountered some delays with the shipping process, but I’m glad they came through at the very end, literally at the very end. That’s probably a story for another time though; it’s a tale that deserves its very own article!

    Marsh: But man, it’s been a heck of a ride. I think we should take this opportunity to give a huge shout out to our main bosses – Pete and Jo, for being so generous in allowing us to host such a great event at their humble little space. Also we really couldn’t pull this off without the help of their dedicated team. 

    Wes: Yeah, Pete and Jo were great. Honestly, I haven’t had this level of hospitality that they showed. They really went out of their way to make sure that the event went well and that we were all comfortable. The free flow of Tiger beer really helped. I really hope we can turn this into an annual thing. As this company grows, the importance of community grows with it. This trip has reaffirmed to me that we are a community-building company that just happens to sell watches. Your vision for Team Matick is in perfect alignment with our mission for Nodus. Ultimately, these are just watches, but it’s the community that makes the world a bit of a nicer place to live in. Also, if I can get my annual fixing of nasi lemak, teh tarik, and tiger beer, that would be nice too.

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    Big boss Uncle Pete on the right, bigger boss Jo on the left!

    Marsh: I’m happy you feel that way, man. We can’t wait to have you back again next year, and be sure to bring Cullen along for the ride! 

    KC: Oh man, let me know in advance: I’ll need to steady my heart, and prep my liver, because we gon’ drink to the ground! More seriously though, I think I speak for all of us when I say this was one of the highlights of the year, and we’d absolutely look forward to a part 2 of The Matick Blog x Nodus Watches next year. 

    Vincent: Same here, definitely down for more of anything Nodus and of course beer. Bring it on! See you guys soon.

    Marsh: Cheers guys. To hell with the virus and wear your watches in good health, and see you next year, Wes! (fingers crossed)

    *sounds of beer bottles shattering into pieces*

    DSC_3742.jpg
    PC: Cedric Hansen

    NodusxMatick-9
    PC: Terrence Yong

    DSC_3618.jpg
    PC: Cedric Hansen

    ’til next time, Wes.

     

    #LookCloser—A Conversation Between KC and Marshall—The Nodus AvaMatick Limited Edition

    The Matick Blog1 Comment

    Saturday, 1st Feb 2020, 11:16am @ Front Room & The Kneady Baker, Taman Desa

    Marsh: Good to see you, KC. It’s been awhile.

    KC: Likewise, buddy.

    Marsh: I think both you and I can appreciate how much this watch means to us as a team. This collaboration is something we’ve been talking about for a long time. It really is a testament to how far the team has come ever since our inception in 2015. There’s definitely some dissecting (no pun intended, doc) required here, so let’s talk a little bit about how the AvaMatick came about and what makes it so special. 

    KC: Certainly, Marsh. I think we could both agree that all this emerged from a long-standing desire to do something beyond our previous meet-ups and events. I mean, our #TimeWellSpent events have been a blast (big shout-out to our lovely event partners Pete and Jo from the Front Room), but we felt the need to do something a little more daring. Something riskier. And, for me at least, something more tangible. 

    Marsh: I completely agree with you. We’ve been doing this for a solid 5 years now and I thought it was time we took it to the next level, and at the same time, give our friends and the community we’ve built here in Kuala Lumpur the opportunity to be a part of something special and meaningful. 

    “..we felt the need to do something a little more daring. More risky. And, for me at least, something more tangible..”

    -KC

     

    6P3A8129

    KC: Yeah, and now as we’re looking back, I think we’ve landed at the right place with Nodus. Don’t you think?

    Marsh: That’s for sure man, I couldn’t be happier to be launching our very first limited edition with these guys. Nodus is definitely an interesting brand if you look at it purely from a beginner’s perspective; its designs are exciting, well-priced, and excel in both their quality and function. The two brilliant minds behind Nodus—Wesley and Cullen, are also about our age and are originally from Singapore, a land not too far away from ours, which makes this collaboration a really meaningful one because of the common passion, mentality, and philosophies we share.

    KC: Agreed. They’ve been around for a while now, and they’ve gradually improved on their design and execution with each new model. Their watches tend to be a little more than just homages and vintage throwbacks; there’s a real sense of purpose and expression behind each design, and an equal blend of unique twists and classic design cues coming together with great aplomb.

    I remember when we first expressed our interest in producing a limited series of watches collaboratively, and they were just as enthusiastic as we were about the idea. We’ve been working with them over the past few months on the Avamatick, and they’ve been incredibly accommodating in fitting all this into their hectic schedule. The Avalon was also a great foundation for us to work on, being Nodus’ first true flagship watch, and it possessing a level of thought and refinement that was truly a joy to work with. All we needed to do was add a little bit of our own distinct flavour to it, and now we’ve got something pretty special on our hands.

    Marsh: KC, it’s also no secret that you have quite a bit of interesting history with the regular production Avalon. Mind talking a little bit about that here and what is it that makes the Avalon so special?

    KC: The Avalon is certainly a watch that is very special to me. To cut a long story short, circumstances conspired for me to lose my previous Nodus, the Contrail, and a few very kind members of the watch community, including yourself, banded together to help me get my Clover Green Avalon, or as I like to call it, the Clovalon. It’s all a really heartwarming story, which we’ve written about at length here. But about the Avalon itself, it is quite frankly a watch I would still be a huge fan of even without the sentimental value attached to it.

    A quick recap of the basics: it’s a dive watch rated for 300m of water resistance, with an anti-reflective coated double domed sapphire, and fully-lumed ceramic bezel. The case measures a deceptively chunky 43.5mm, but actually feels significantly smaller—the surprisingly svelte lug-to-lug length of 48mm is a better reflection of how it actually wears. Nodus has definitely tapped into some Seiko magic here—the way the case tapers and flows makes the watch extremely comfortable even on my rather diminutive wrist. Nodus did not swing for practicality only to ignore the aesthetics of it; the finishing on the case is crisp, with sharp transitions between finely brushed and polished surfaces.

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    Marsh: I think apart from the super-clean aesthetic, my favourite part of the Avalon is its case. From afar, it looks chunky, but that’s clearly not the case (again, no pun intended) when you see it in the flesh. 

    KC: Very funny, Marsh. Anyway, I’ve heard some people describe the Avalon as a cushion or “turtle” cased watch, but personally, I’m not sure how true that is. My take on it is that it’s much closer to something like a C-case, along the lines of vintage Omegas and Seikos. I think the chief difference is in the shoulders of the case; they taper quite significantly, which allows it to look robust but not quite as chunky as the original Seiko Turtles.

    Marsh: Yeah, I remember the very first time I put on yours. I was blown away with how well it sat on my tiny 6.5-inch wrist.

    KC: Told you so.

    6P3A8828

    Marsh: Anyway, since you were already a proud owner of the regular production Avalon, can you tell our readers a little bit about the key differences we’re looking at here with the AvaMatick, versus the regular Avalon?

    KC: I think the first thing that really hits you is the most obvious design element: Gilt. We decided to go for a mix-and-match between the white and gold elements on the dial. The hands and markers were the first bits to be given the treatment, while the Nodus logo and brand name are also in gilt. It’s easy to forget, given that Nodus has now released quite a few models and iterations of each, but this is actually their first piece to be done with gilt elements in the design. 

    So that we didn’t go overboard with the gilt, we went with a subdued grey for the minute track and ‘Matick’ branding. And, for a little splash of colour, we kept the red Avalon print, as well as the little red accent on the seconds hand. I think it was important to us to keep the branding subtle—we’ve all been turned off by excessively eye-catching branding on the dial. For the AvaMatick, keeping it a subtle shade of grey helps it fade into the background, yet remaining visible enough to remind you that you’ve got something extra special on the wrist. We’ve also avoided filling the hands and markers with ‘fauxtina’. The vintage watches that surround us currently, with their gilt dials and creamy lume, weren’t born that way. When they were new, they had whitish lume that only turned darker after decades of exposure to the elements and chemical degradation. We envisioned the AvaMatick as a ‘new vintage’, or what a vintage watch might have looked like fresh out of the factory.

    While we tried to stay relatively subtle at the front, we gave ourselves a lot more liberty with the caseback. As our tribute to the watch community we’ve built here, the caseback is engraved with not only the limited edition series number and Nodus x The Matick Blog co-branding, but with our watch events’ signature slogan: Time Well Spent, Life Well Lived. This certainly sets the watch apart, and I think it makes for a nice memento for all the members of our little circle. 

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    Marsh: Absolutely. All in all, I’d like to think that what we have on our hands here is quite the timeless design, one that is sufficiently subtle enough for daily use, yet not so plain that you’d soon grow bored of it. We worked really hard to strike that balance, and I think we managed to achieve it. The AvaMatick won’t attract undue attention, but anyone who knows watches would be able to spot something special. The subtle balance between the gilt and grey elements, and the way in which they play off each other, is something that will only be apparent to the wearer and will reward them every time they take a closer look at the watch.

    KC: You know those watches you catch yourself staring at for half a minute, before realising you were too busy looking at the watch to even notice the time?

    Marsh: Yep, and with a gilt dial like the one on the AvaMatick, I can see why.

    KC: You got it. I sincerely believe this is one of those watches. 

    Marsh: What are your thoughts on the AvaMatick’s wearability?

    KC: It’s pretty great. The narrow lug-to-lug length and the curved case makes for a very comfortable watch on the wrist. And despite the rather intimidating specs on paper, I’m confident it’ll fit a wide range of wrist sizes. I’ve got a friend here in Penang with a 5.5” wrist, and my personal green Avalon actually looks pretty great on him!

    Marsh: Let’s also talk a little bit about the movement as well, shall we? I think the one remark that I’ve heard the most with the AvaMatick is “why use a Miyota at this price point?”, which I think may be a major misunderstanding among enthusiasts who are new or relatively new to the game. So let’s take this opportunity to dispel all of that. 

    KC: Sure. Clearly, Nodus has opted for a Miyota 9039 movement here. While there seems to be a stigma within the WIS community against Miyota movements in general, the modern 90xx movements are a far cry from the 8xxx movements of yore that found themselves in such poor regard. These modern movements are high-beat movements, oscillating at a smooth 4Hz or 28800 bph. In addition to this, since the Avalon only comes in a single no-date variant, Nodus has also opted for a no-date movement. This means no dreaded phantom date position at the crown. And the cherry on top? It’s all regulated in-house before being shipped out, to a very respectable +/- 8 seconds per day.

    DSC03272-01.jpeg-01

    Marsh: At this price point, I genuinely believe you simply can’t beat that. I also absolutely admire the dedication and transparency Wes and Cullen have demonstrated through each stage of the production process. From design to assembly and rigorous testing, they’ve been diligently providing consistent updates on their Instagram page, which is something I think a lot of brands don’t do. Overall, there’s just a lot of value to be had here, which is why I have so much respect for these guys, they always strive to do it right.

    KC: I know right? These guys truly are a special bunch, just some good, honest folks putting in real hard work and passion for what they truly love and believe in. 

    Marsh: Yeah, that’s the biggest reason why I have so much respect for Nodus as a micro/indie brand, though I think the best part of all is the price tag we decided on for the limited edition AvaMatick. At 650USD, it’s priced similarly to the regular Avalons available via their online store.

    We made it a point to ensure that just because it’s only limited to 30pcs worldwide doesn’t mean we’re going to jack up the price. We wanted to make it wallet-friendly for our dear friends and readers because I’ve always believed that a good watch shouldn’t make you broke. I definitely can see myself wearing the AvaMatick for a long time, not only because of its significance, but simply because of just how good it looks. I’m just really proud of what we’ve created here with Nodus.

    KC: It’s great, man. You’re absolutely right on that. In fact, it’s even going to cater for those who aren’t fans of bracelets since each watch is going to come with an extra silicone strap from Barton Bands as well!

    Marsh: Oh yeah, I nearly forgot about that! In fact, the overall package is something I can see myself living with for a long time. If I was a one-watch guy (god forbid, please don’t make me choose), I seriously think this could be a good and inexpensive place to start, be it for actual diving or professional diving. 

    “..I’ve always believed that a good watch shouldn’t make you broke.”

    -Marsh

    KC: Heck, though I already have one, this AvaMatick is not to be missed. I am definitely jumping on this one.

    Marsh: In fact, one of our regular contributors – @furrywristabroad, told me that despite already owning 3 Avalons, he is still planning to jump on the AvaMatick. I guess that goes on to show how special and beautiful this watch is. Even for a tool watch, it’s a very handsome one, if I say so myself.

    KC: Indeed. And you get a choice of two different types of bezel too: steel or ceramic. They offer very distinct looks to one another, with the steel bezel making the watch look a little chunkier and more rugged, while the ceramic bezel is a little classier and stealthier. Our readers and friends can take their pick between these options on the ordering page, along with their preferred number out of the 30 available, assuming it hasn’t been taken, of course.

    And while getting a special edition watch like this is fairly meaningful occasion in and of itself, it’ll be made even more so because we’ll be having an exclusive Time Well Spent event on March 7th at our usual haunt, the Front Room, with Wes and Cullen flying in from the United States to personally hand-deliver these watches to their buyers.

    6P3A8802

     

    6P3A8805

    Marsh: Yeah! How often do you get a watch personally delivered to you these days, not least by the brand’s founders themselves? I think it’ll be an amazing experience for our friends and readers—to have your watch hand-delivered to you by the guys who started it all, all the way from the across the globe, and maybe even sharing a beer or two with these guys—it all really adds to the pride-of-ownership aspect of this watch, which is why I’m very happy that we’re able to do this with Nodus. It’s just so cool of them to go out of their way to do this.

    KC: So, I think it’s safe to say that this collaborative project takes the cake as Team Matick’s biggest achievement of 2019?

    Marsh: No doubt about it. It’s not every day you get to do a limited edition with a brand as reputable as Nodus.

    And well, 2019 was a year of trials and tribulations, even for myself personally. But I’d like to think we came through just fine. As long as we keep pushing our boundaries and continue to do the things that matter to us close to our hearts, we’re going to be alright. 

    KC: Like all things in life, I think it’s a journey. The ups and downs are all part and parcel of it; we just gotta stay focused and do the best we can.

    Marsh: Thanks for the chat, KC. Guess I’ll see you on 7th March, well maybe a little earlier to set up. So until then, buddy.

    KC: See you around dude.

    ___

    Order and event details to follow: –

    For Team Matick,

    Marshall, KC.

    #FieldNotes – “A Christmas Tragedy: How Friends from Across the Globe All Came Together to Help Their Friend KC”  

    The Matick Blog2 Comments

    “I never thought I’d ever be so excited to see a grown man cry.”

    – Wes of @noduswatches

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    Marshall

    Today we thought we tell you a little story – a detailed account of what transpired over the past 2 months. Prior to publishing this, I’ve read the draft over and over, and all I can say is that what we’re about to tell you pretty much sums up in a nutshell, what watch collecting means to us at Team Matick – the camaraderie, friendships you forged over sharing the same passion over these beautiful little objects that ultimately outlast us at the end of the day.

    I’ll never forget the warmth of this wonderful community, nor will I ever take it for granted.

    So before you jump into this #FieldNotes entry, here’s a little bit of a background to give you a bit of context. Sometime around Christmas of 2018, our mate KC unfortunately lost his beloved Nodus Contrail, which was the trigger for this ‘expedition’, our friends from all over the globe (mind you, humans from several continents were involved. Absolutely amazing.) decided to give our dear buddy a little push and to present him with something even better.

    So without any further ado, the story goes a little bit like this …

    .

    .

    .

    “A Christmas Tragedy: How Friends from Across the Globe All Came Together to Help Their Friend KC”  

    Written by: Furry Wrist Abroad (@furrywristabroad) & KC (@the.watchdoc)

    Edited by: Adam H. @ahartfie

    Photo Credits: Nodus Watches (@noduswatches), KC (the.watchdoc) , & @wiswc

    Disclaimer: real names and locations of participants and events will be left anonymous and/or will use their Instagram handles.

    Prologue:

    (by Furry Wrist Abroad in Canada)

    It was a pleasant Christmas Eve for many of us. Some were finalizing their plans for family dinner parties. Some had just gotten back from a long scuba diving trip and were furiously getting ready for Christmas parties. Some were sobering up from one Christmas party as they gathered up the strength necessary to go to another party. Some had finally gotten the chance to sit back and relax for the first time in what seemed like months. However, all our collective attentions were immediately drawn to our phones when we read the following in our group chat. For it was not all quiet that Christmas Eve. A little mouse was certainly stirring, and his name was KC.

    Act 1: “The Band of GDMFE”

    (by Furry Wrist Abroad in Canada)

    “Worst Christmas Eve Ever,” wrote the ever-lovable yet always dramatic KC.

    We were used to such statements from KC before, but this time it very well may have been his worst Christmas ever.

    “It was in a watch pouch in my bag. I don’t know if somehow I dropped it, misplaced it, forgot it, or if someone nicked it, but it’s gone,” KC explained to us as he had either lost his beloved Nodus Contrail, or had it stolen.

    KC's long lost Nodus Contrail
    KC’s long lost Contrail.

    Even though we all held out hope that the watch would be found and returned to KC, within minutes we started a separate chat that did not include the victim in this tale. The chat included thirteen members who all had come together through their love for watches. We all had gotten to know each other through Instagram and all resided in different countries, states, provinces, and cities globally. Even though watches are what brought us together, we only talked about watches some of the time. Matters such as work, family, nutrition, and many other topics were openly discussed thus creating a safe haven for a group of people who quickly became good friends.

    One member even offered KC his own Avalon after offering his condolences.

    “Sigh, it’s fine,” replied KC. “Worst case, time to buy an Avalon?”

    “Do you want my Avalon?”

    “Lmao no man. It’s very generous of you, but no thanks.”

    Without hesitation, all members agreed to chip in and buy KC a new Nodus Avalon to help fill the void left by his missing Contrail. When you get to talk with someone for over a year on a daily basis, you get to innately know when someone has been wounded by an experience, and we all knew it. This would later be confirmed by KC speaking with one of the founders of Nodus, Wes Kwok, a full month later about how devastated he still was about the loss of the watch.

    @Jwit94, a member of the group who is close to Wes, brought him into the fold and very quickly we got to work choosing the right colour of the watch. Some of us within the main chat went along and did some digging and some investigative work into discovering his preference. Unfortunately, whenever the topic of a Nodus came up, KC stopped making any sense and said that he would love to have any colour variant. When asked about his chance to get a new one in the future in case Nodus ever re-released the Contrail, he again would fall into a panicked emotional state.

    “It’ll never be THAT Contrail though,” KC wrote followed by a long and desperate silence.

    The other chat in the meantime was anything but silent.

    “You guys are a bunch of dirt bags,” typed @ralphman5000.

    “No, YOU’RE crying!”

    “Nobody did anything like this when I lost or got my Speedmaster Alaska Project stolen. (It’s not too late to do the right thing),” typed the man known as the “Future Cat Laser Man” because of his hilarious Instagram profile photo.

    One of his closest friends (or rivals depending on the day), @thechronotrooper chimed in as well. “As horrible as he is to me, I’m in.” Little did he know that this venture from all of us would be dramatically transformed because of his close relationship with KC.

    Act 2: “The Hunt for the Finishing Touch”

    (by Furry Wrist Abroad in Canada)

    When asked whether we could get a custom engraving on the watch for KC, Wes surprised all of us by springing into action by resolutely saying yes, and that he would cover the costs for the engraving. At this point, all of us were extremely involved emotionally, so when it came time to decide what the engraving should be, the suggestions came raining in.

    Our not-so-gentle giant of the group @ea8 first chimed in. “Lose this one and we send @camronlaz for your hand. Love yah.”

    “Don’t bloody lose this one,” offered @tritiumballs.

    Future Cat Laser Man himself @ralphman5000 offered his suggestion which resulted in a roar of laughter. “If you can read this, you run the risk of losing it! Put it the heck back on your wrist, son!”

    As the laughter died down, we were then treated to comic gold from KC’s close friend @thechronotrooper. “Lose your virginity, not your watch.”

    It was perfect. After about twenty minutes of causing twelve other grown men to be reduced into tears laughing across the globe, we all agreed that this should be the engraving on the back of the watch.

    Wes quickly leaped into action getting the watch engraved and sent out to @wiswc, KC’s other close friend who lives nearby. The watch surprisingly arrived on KC’s birthday. However, after a vote we decided to wait until more of his friends could be there when he received the watch, and to give him and his lovely lady some privacy on that special evening.

    As the days went on, many of us kept the chat open and talked about how excited we were about our KC receiving the watch.

    “He is going to lose his poop when he receives the watch by the way,” I said. “He kind of has a negative outlook towards humanity which is why this watch would mean so much to him.”

    “I never thought I’d ever be so excited to see a grown man cry,” said Wes, resulting in instant laughter.

    There was never any pressure added by any members of the group for others to contribute funds. Many actually contributed too much which resulted in us adding a couple of straps as well.

    There has been a lot of talk about smaller watch companies and their place within the horological world. This experience would not have been possible without the help and enthusiasm from Wes Kwok and Cullen Chen of Nodus. Much has been made of the status of “micro-brands” but this is proof that categorizing these companies under such a title is not doing them the justice they deserve. With a level of care and passion for their consumer base that larger and established companies usually feign through marketing campaigns, Nodus has shown us the true value of their company. Not only are their watches on par, or as their new release the Avalon has shown, superior to its established competition, the people behind the company truly care about their work. More importantly Cullen and Wes care deeply about the people who wear their hard work daily in the real world.

    In a discussion surrounding the engraving, Wes went on to tell us, “Also, I just want to say that I know you guys are doing something nice for KC, but it was a reminder of why I started this crazy venture with Cullen in the first place. Crazy how these little objects can bring people together.” Needless to say, all of us are indebted to Cullen and Wes and are eternally grateful.

    To many outside this hobby, such an effort from more than a dozen people globally would seem awfully strange. They do not know that even though the watches are what brought us together in the first place, we became friends because of who we are outside of our shared hobby. All of us come from vastly different backgrounds, hold different jobs, are in our early twenties, or are so old that others continually make fun of us, some have large families, and some of us are single. Yes, we all love watches. More importantly though, we all are people who put others and their concerns ahead of our own without hesitation.

    On the day of the hand-off of the Nodus Avalon to KC, we received a picture from @thechronotrooper of himself and KC on their way to meet @wiswc. Some of us grabbed an alcoholic beverage to celebrate. Then we waited.

    Act 3: “Through the Lens of the Victim”

    (by KC in Malaysia)

    I am, for better or worse, a rather sentimental person. Perhaps that’s why I haven’t sold a single watch, although I have gifted several pieces to friends and family. Perhaps I subconsciously attach memories and meanings to my watches. Or maybe I’m just a hoarder.

    The Nodus Contrail, however, really was something special to me. It was the first micro-brand watch I had ever purchased. It was also the first watch that I bought purely based on the recommendation and testimony of my friends. Friends I’d never actually met in person, but whose opinions and tastes I trusted. It also helped that we, as a group, talked about way more than just watches, and we were always on the same wavelength even when our opinions differed.

    Buying the Contrail was also my first contact with Wesley Kwok, one of the co-founders of Nodus Watches. I think I harassed the poor man for days before making my purchase, but he did an excellent job of tolerating my persistent harrying. And when he told me that the Laguna Sand was close to selling out, I bit the bullet and made the purchase.

    My experience with the Nodus Contrail was no secret; I made my love affair with that watch rather public to the watchfam on Instagram. I fawned over the thoughtful design, unique aesthetics and excellent ergonomics. And when I’d gotten over the honeymoon period, I found that I was still in love with it. I had already expressed my opinion on the piece in several short posts on social media, but I figured it was about time for me to write a full review.

    Alas, it was this full review that led to my downfall. On Christmas Eve, I spent my day at a café in a shopping mall to work on my review, while I waited for my better half to get off work. I had my camera bag with my Olympus E-M10 Mk III, the Nodus Contrail in its canvas pouch, and my iPad + keyboard cover with me. As I sat in the café, I put my thoughts to electronic paper and took several pictures of the Contrail.

    Shortly after, two close friends gave me a call and said they were nearby and asked if I’d join them. Agreeing to do so, I packed up my things and made my way over. It is at this point that I believe my memory must be failing me. I have a distinct recollection of placing the Contrail back into the pouch, and the pouch back into my camera bag. But several hours later, when I wanted to show off my new camera to my friends, I realised the pouch was missing.

    I was immediately crestfallen. My friends often call me needlessly pessimistic, but I had a feeling that I would never see the Contrail again. Nonetheless, I went through the motions; I retraced my steps and dropped by all the local lost & founds, as well as all the cafes and stores that I had visited. No luck. The Contrail was gone.

    Heartbroken, I sought out my support group on WhatsApp: the GDMFE. Of course, they offered me the support I needed. And helped confirm that I wasn’t crazy for losing my mind over losing “just a watch.” Or at the very least, that I wasn’t the only crazy one. As for the conversation going on behind my back, I hadn’t the slightest inkling.

    Fast forward a couple of weeks and a couple of whiny reminiscing posts later, and the Avalon was weighing heavily on my mind. Yes, I did want another Nodus, and the reviews were universally positive. But no, I couldn’t make up my mind: the blue and green both looked stunning and I couldn’t decide between them. I decided that was a sign that I simply wasn’t ready to purchase one just yet. I was still talking to Wes, and he mysteriously dropped hints about future models that I might like (as is his wont to do), so I decided to bide my time. I knew I would get another Nodus, I just didn’t know what or when. I figured time would tell, but maybe in a few months. Definitely by the end of the year. I had no idea just how wrong I was.

    With @thechronotrooper back in the motherland, he invited me and @wiswc out for drinks. But with some complications with the timing, we ended up settling for a quick lunch. I picked up @thechronotrooper from his place and we headed to the agreed location a little earlier than planned. Once we were there, we engaged in our usual banter. After about an hour, @wiswc strode in and took his place.

    The scene was set. A small, brightly lit café. I sat with my back to the counter, with the two of them in front of me. As I got up to turn around and place an order, @wiswc took out a package wrapped in green wrapping paper and thrust it towards me.

    “Open it,” he said. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted @thechronotrooper pointing his phone towards me.

    “The hell is this?” I asked.

    “Just open it la,” said the both of them.

    As I held the box in my hands, a thought flashed through my mind. The size of the box, the weight of it, it all felt familiar. Something I’d felt just a few short months ago.

    “Guys, no way-”

    “Just open it la, damn it!” cried the two of them in unison.

    I whipped out my Swiss Army Knife (much to the approval of @jwit94) and opened up one side of the packaging. Pulling on it slowly, a familiar looking black box presented itself to me, shortly followed by the Nodus logo with one simple word below it: AVALON.

    IMG_2269-1
    LOL KC

    After several minutes of me being speechless, jaw agape and generally making a fool of myself, I composed myself sufficiently to take a look at the gorgeous Clover Green Avalon before my eyes. But while I was busy looking at the dial, @thechronotrooper suggested I take a look at the back.

    Flanking the vine-wrapped Excalibur in relief on the caseback were the words:

    unnamed
    Specially addressed to KC. Someone tell ’em!

    If that doesn’t sum up the relationship that we GDMFEs have, I don’t know what does. Words utterly fail me in expressing my gratitude to this family that I’ve never met. I am touched, thankful, and utterly humbled by this gesture. It has become one of the most precious watches in my collection, and I can’t wait to build more memories with it on the wrist.

    I will be buried with this Nodus Avalon. Partially because I truly do love this gorgeous watch. Partially also because I’ll never hear the end of it if I meet these guys in the afterlife without it.

    Epilogue:

    (by Furry Wrist Abroad in Canada)

    Addressing the vibration on my wrist I looked at my Garmin and saw a message from KC. Because of his insane work hours he would often be conversing with us on the other side of the planet during our work hours.

    Upon unlocking my phone I read the full message from the adorable Good Doctor. “Hey, can you keep a secret?”

    Intrigued I responded as quickly as I could. From experience some of the conversations that I had in the past that started out this way turned into something serious down the line. “Of course, what’s up?”

    “Well, it’s regarding the Avalon,” KC instantly replied.

    “Is something wrong with it?”

    As with most instant messaging applications, I could see that KC was furiously typing away. After a couple of minutes I got the response.

    “KC, are you serious?” I asked.

    “Yes.”

    “Does this look like what I think it looks like?”

    “Yes it does unfortunately. But, no one could have seen this coming,” KC replied in his attempt to relieve my newly found concern.

    As KC went on to explain what the issue was and that it had nothing to do with the Nodus Avalon that we gifted him, and that he was totally in love with it, I grew silent.

    I finally gave in and asked.

    “Oh no! KC, what have you done?”

    – To be continued

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    P.S.

    Special thanks to everyone collectively involved in making this happen. 

    You guys are frickin’ amazing.

    For Team Matick,

    Marshall