Category: Vincent’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 – A Conversation Between Marshall & Vincent – Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull

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[Year 2077, 2133HRS, Ampang City 1:- Ampang, Malaysia]

“Sirens can be heard from a few blocks away, along with gunshots.

Chaotic was an understatement. Civilians could be seen fleeing from the scene, and cyber troopers and cyber terrorists were engaged in a firefight amidst the chaos.

[Come in Hotel-6, we are en route to the rendezvous point with the Commando strike team 1, we need to regroup at the back of the overpass and – – – ]

Vincent was abruptly interrupted by a nearby explosion which blasted shreds of vehicle metal into Vincent’s direction, he managed to get away unscathed and quickly scurried behind a turtled civilian vehicle beneath the overpass for cover.

He then engaged his HUD built-in thermal scanner.

“4 tangos to the left, 2 right ahead…”

Before Vincent could finish the monologue in his head, an enemy with concealing ability caught a glimpse of Vincent’s position and bullets started firing towards his direction. Unfortunately, Vincent’s pre-programmed bionic reflexes overheated and malfunctioned, he barely got away in time and sustained several gunshots to his metal-casted knee.

Vincent had no choice but to activate a signal scrambler to nullify the enemy’s communications at the expense of his own HUD’s functionality in order to create an opening for an escape. As he made a run for the nearest evacuated building for cover, he briefly activated cooldown mode so he could ready his malfunctioning boosters to get him to higher ground for safety. 

Panicking, Vincent was. 

As he glanced down on his wrist in despair while waiting for the cooldown sequence to initiate, an angular mechanical object was peeking out of his left-hand glove, sitting on his wrist was the Bell & Ross Cyber Skull, with a sturdy silicone strap wrapped around his wrist. 

Vincent rolled over his wrist, all he could see before his own eyes was a skull, and there, with an hour and minute hand.”

Vincent

“If there was ever an advertisement idea for the Cyber Skull, it should go a little something like that.”  Marshall muttered to me the other day over a Zoom call while we were having a debrief on the Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull.

For context, a couple weeks ago we met up with Mr. Tong, the General Manager of Bell & Ross Asia the other day at his office in downtown Kuala Lumpur and we were given the opportunity to view and experience B&R’s latest addition to the Skull family. We were also given the opportunity to take home the Cyber Skull for a week so that we could have an in-depth review and a conversation about the watch.

During my Zoom conversation with Marshall, we brought up hints of the newly released Cyberpunk 2077 game. For some odd reason, we both mutually felt like the watch could be connected to a futuristic world similar to what you would experience in that game. 

That said, here is a quick recap of our discussion.

“Hello, hello hello?”

Marshall: You know what, Vincent? I still cannot believe that Mr Tong willingly let us have the Cyber big boi for a week for this review. (laughs)

Vincent: Exactly mate, that was also my very first experience with Team Matick to meet our friends over at Bell & Ross. With that, what’s your first impression of Cyber Skull?

Marshall: Well, I love it. As you can see, it is much sleeker and stealthier looking in comparison to its predecessors, which is a trait that I am absolutely in love with. I’ve always admired the B&R Skulls from afar but when this came out last year, I knew that we had to take a closer look. It was really nice of Mr Tong to have us in his office to view the watch and he even gave us a detailed briefing about it. 

Vincent: Indeed! Honestly, I’ve never tried any of the Skulls, nor did I have any knowledge about them before we covered the Cyber Skull. For me, seeing and holding it in person gives a different kind of thrill compared to any other watches due to its aggressive yet subtle looks, and that all sapphire surface on the top and bottom of the case.

Marshall: Indeed, it is unlike anything I have ever seen so far from B&R. I’ve tried the older Skulls but the edgy and angular personality of the Cyber Skull just speaks to me on some level. According to Mr Tong, it was based on the angular shapes of the fuselage of the Lockheed F117 Nighthawk fighter aircraft, which was one of my favourite fighter jets when i was a young boy. It’s aggressive but quite subdued at the same time, the facets on the side of the case makes the watch feel like it is a 3 dimensional origami. The exterior beauty is quite something and I found it really difficult to put into words, really. 

Vincent: Yes, it has some of the details that we don’t usually see on a watch of this caliber. For instance, the inspiration and also paying tribute to the brand’s military-esque direction with pretty much the majority of their products. For many watches at this price bracket especially, it crept into the territory of what I would categorise as the “haute luxury” space where many of the brands tries to do their own “thing”, and very much disconnects with what other price/market segment does at paying homage to a certain cause or following. 

Marshall: Absolutely. For that I think we have to give B&R some credit on the execution of the Cyber Skull. I thought they did an outstanding job in conceptualizing the spirit of the Lockheed F117 Nighthawk so very well within the Cyber Skull. That being said, let’s briefly get into the technical specifications, shall we?

Vincent: We shall. First up with the case diameter, it measures at 46.5mm across, and a close to 14mm of thickness. It comes available on only a rubber strap, and the dial is literally a floating skull in the middle of the case that houses the BR-CAL.206/ With such case dimensions, it definitely sits on the larger side of things for my skinny wrist. Surprisingly though, compared to the previous generation – the Laughing Skull and the Burning Skull, the Cyber Skull looks and feels smaller than its predecessors. This is mainly because of the lack of case-estate as the Cyber Skull has only two pieces of 2mm thick sapphire crystals sandwiching the case, whilst the case itself has a somewhat minimal presence.

Marshall: Yes, unfortunately at 46mm with a case like that, it just didn’t sit too well on my 6.75inch wrist. BUT, I could probably wear it on my forearm, yeah, that’s a good look. I digress. But yes, although the Cyber Skull is just simply too large for my wrists, my appreciation for the watch would still remain the same. The new movement BR-CAL.206 and the floating skull in the centre of the watch is also particularly impressive, quite significant and symbolic to the ‘death from above’ theme, if I do say so myself.

Vincent: Yes, 100%. Mr Tong did mention that the BR-CAL.206 was developed by Concepto specifically and only for the BR 01 Skull series. It is a movement that is encased in the Skull structure like the Laughing Skull, which is impressive to begin with. The Skull here as the name suggests, Cyber Skull, has a reworked look of the skull that adopts the same design language as the case that is angular, stealthy yet aggressive. You’ll find the balance wheel trying to balance itself (lol) at 12 o’clock, and the barrel hidden behind the jaw, which can be seen when you’re winding this manual wind movement. Essentially a Laughing Cyber Skull, if you will. And Marsh, I wanna know, how would you introduce the Cyber Skull to other consumers?

Marshall: I think the starting point for watches of this particular category should be, as you said, “novelty”. Obviously, it isn’t something I would foresee people wearing on a daily basis, as it is more like the Métiers d’art for B&R. Now before you say anything, I am fully aware that some people might say that my comparison was questionable, but as a matter of fact, B&R is not known to be a brand that creates Métiers d’art pieces, but neither is Blancpain, Ulysse Nardin, etc. Therefore, the novelty aspect of B&R’s Skull watches are definitely in some ways comparable to the Métiers d’art category. The way I look at it, this is just how B&R interprets it.

Vincent: I totally agree with you. It definitely isn’t a category expected to come out of B&R, but with this cyber-futuristic design, I can imagine it’s gonna go out faster than the predecessors. 

Marshall: Yes, I do think that the Cyber Skull has a much more palatable aesthetic for the modern watch enthusiasts.

Vincent: On that note, I would also want to recap the origin of the Skull. During the presentation with Mr Tong, he mentioned that the skulls had been a symbol of luck for the military, or even for pirates as a provocative insignia. In the context of B&R’s watches, it pays homage to the historical warfare that took place in June 1944, the infamous D-Day where American troops with skull symbols etched onto their uniform, parachuted down onto the French shore of Normandy to retake the territory from the Axis (Germans). Like you have mentioned earlier, this earned them the “Death From Above” moniker. Quite interesting, right?

Marshall: I absolutely love the story behind B&R’s Skull watches. As you said, the skull symbol is one that is widely used for the sake of intimating the enemy during those times, and I personally think the adaptation and the spirit of that concept really shines through in the Cyber Skull. Now only if we were in 2077… Anyway, Vincent, you’re the one who took home the Cyber Skull, tell me a little bit about your experience.

Vincent: While my time with the Cyber Skull is short, it was still an exciting experience for me. Imagine having a RM58,000 watch on loan, man. My hands got all sweaty thinking about it all over again (laughs). With just a week’s time to just stare and fiddle with the watch, I found myself pretty impressed with the watch’s aesthetics and build quality. I’ll say it again, while it is not a watch for me to time my late night’s Indomie craving, or my coffee brewing process, I simply enjoy its presence around my wrist in the office or at home. It’s like a piece of art.

Marshall: Did you discover any gripes with the watch during your time of having custody of it? Although I can appreciate the fact that this design cue was intentional to give the watch a “floating” sensation, which expresses the “Death From Above” concept very well, I, for one, am not a huge fan of transparent or skeletonised cases, but solely because I have ugly wrists for watches belonging to that category. 

Vincent: Not really. But since you mentioned the transparent case, I don’t particularly hate it. I think it goes well with the novelty behind it, and who knows if I have a hairy wrist, it’ll be an added complexity isn’t it? (lol) But anyway, for obvious reasons, the Cyber Skull is also reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk-ish theme. As someone who obviously is not in the military, I can only relate this to a few AAA title games such as the Borderlands series, Call of Duty, and also the most recent title Cyberpunk 2077. I think the watch came out at the right time for the younger audience to develop a sense of familiarity towards post-apocalyptic concepts being popularised and conceptualised in everyday objects such as watches. Not that boomers like our in-house doctor KC aren’t gonna understand it, but I’m just speaking in a much general context. If I recall, you are a fan of the post-apocalypse cyberpunk theme yourself?

Marshall: Well, I wouldn’t go as far as calling myself a huge fan, but I will say that I can definitely appreciate the cues and nuances of any design, including digital art, inspired by the synthwave,  post-apocalyptic cyberpunk-ish theme. It is just simply a fascinating fantasy world, and to see elements of that world being translated into a lot of the designs of artful, ornate objects around us has been quite an interesting experience on my part. Although, obviously there were no official design associations being established between the said theme and the Cyber Skull, I just can’t help but to associate the two elements together. It almost seemed like they were supposed to go hand in hand.

Vincent: The symbiosis of two of these themes into one definitely worked in my opinion, too. With the cyberpunk theme, it saves me quite some time as it created a fun opportunity for a photoshoot. I tried replicating the streets of what you would see in Cyberpunk 2077 with different bright neon lighting in my own bedroom and man, the watch looked bad-ass. The multi-dimensional look of the case, although in matte ceramic finish, bounced light off each corner and created a layered look with a lot of depth. It is almost as if the watch was finished with brushed and polished surfaces instead. That would be something that I would love to see during the product refresh if B&R is planning one for the Cyber Skull, is to make it in white ceramic. That I think would be an absolute looker.

Marshall: Now that you’ve mentioned it, I think that would be an absolute match made in heaven, however, I personally think that the Cyber Skull is already expensive as it is (lol). Still, a good material proposition in my humble opinion is to create a Yin-Yang conceptual contrast. According to Mr Tong, the Cyber Skull is limited to 500 pieces and retails for USD 10,900, or RM50,900 here in Malaysia. That said, although this is a watch that is undeniably up there in terms of pricing, I still think that the Cyber Skull is a compelling package consisting of technical and  design finesse, it is definitely one of the headliners for the Skull family in my book. What do you think?  

Vincent: I guess we’re both on the same page. From the way I look at today’s market landscape, there are two polar opposites, let’s call them two bandwagons: Bandwagon #1 – those who champion classic looks and vintage design cues; Bandwagon #2 – those who are adventurous and are constantly trying to break the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. While I can tell many on the Bandwagon #1 can’t justify the price for something that’s totally not up their alley, I think the Cyber Skull has a lot more potential for those belonging to Bandwagon #2. Although one concern that I have is that skulls generally are deemed as bad omens in Asian cultures and are often associated with death and barbarism, but as long as it’s for the forward thinking audience, why not?

Marshall: All I can say is, whether or not you are in the market for something that is a little off the beaten path, the Cyber Skull is a watch that we should not sleep on. Looking at the Cyber Skull in its entirety, I also hope that the design language of the Cyber Skull would find its way into its other range of watches, that would really add a lot of synergy to the entire brand collection as a whole.

Vincent: Agreed. With that, I think it all comes to the right note to conclude this, thank you for joining me in this conversation Marshall, hope to see you real soon for some coffee or beer at Pete’s!

Marshall: Likewise mate, I’ll see you soon.

Once again, we would like to extend our gratitude to Mr Tong, General Manager for Bell & Ross Asia for lending us the Cyber Skull for this episode of #LookCloser.

For more information on the BR 01 Cyber Skull, click here.

For Team Matick,

Vincent, Marshall.

#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 – A Week On The Wrist: Bell & Ross BR05 Chrono in Blue Steel

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Vincent

  • The Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono in Blue Steel.

In 2019, Bell & Ross (“B&R”) introduced the world to their first ever integrated sports watch with the three-hander BR 05. Now in late 2020, the BR05 Chrono was subsequently introduced as a follow up of the original BR05 in the form of a chronograph variant. Marshall and I were lucky enough to have met up before the implementation of the Movement Control Order 2.0 (“MCO”) with our dear friend Tong, who is the General Manager for B&R Asia and he graciously loaned us his BR05 Chrono for an article opportunity.

The conversation of luxury sports watch design with integrated bracelets had always been a highly debated topic over the past decade, and one that I personally find very intriguing. With B&R’s participation in this particular market segment, I found that the introduction of the BR05 line-up has added value and an extra considerable option for prospective customers and enthusiasts alike for a modern sporty do-it-all watch. During our conversation with Tong, he noted that the BR05 Chrono was B&R’s attempt to penetrate the market with a more commercial objective in mind. It is essentially a watch that is specifically built for the urban go-getter, in other words – for everyday wear. I’m not planning to dive too deep into the details because all the specifications and details of the BR05 Chrono can be found here for your reference. 

  • My main go-to with watch photography: Moment lenses and my iPhone XR

Dial and case: 

In my humble opinion, B&R has been throwing punches with the introduction of this BR05 Chrono, why do I say this? You may ask. Well, this is largely due to the fact that the BR05 line-up has been realized in a slightly larger 42mm form factor, coupled with a symmetrical and very well-balanced dial design. In comparison to the three-hander BR05, I think everyone here at Team Matick can come to an agreement that the dial of the BR05 Chrono is well-populated with the appropriate amount of details. It’s not overbearing, neither being too minimal. Just right.

But wait. 42mm, isn’t that still quite large by today’s standards? Again, you may ask. Well, hear me out, even with watches that usually would be a stretch to wear at 42mm for half of the wrists out there, thanks to the BR05s steeply-angled lugs and integrated bracelet, I thought it provides a lot of accommodation with skinny wrists out there like mine at less than 6 inches. This is definitely out of the norm for the most part especially for skinny Asian wrists, especially myself. While we are currently witnessing a trend for many brands to opt of smaller case sizes in recent watch releases, B&R really did this one a great amount of justice even though with a size bump with the case. Well played.

Another aspect I really appreciate with the BR05 Chrono is that B&R did not forget its signature case design which helped shape their brand identity today. As you can see here, the BR05 Chrono comes in the form of its signature square case along with a touch of an aviation-inspired dial with the largely applied numerals on 12 and 6 o’clock. The sub-dials on top of the sun-burst blue steel dial just speaks to me. I think almost anyone, whether you are a watch enthusiast or not, can appreciate a nicely designed sports watch with a simple, detailed and yet well-balanced chronograph sports watch.

As for the hour and minute hands, B&R used minimalistic baton-styled, applied polished indices, this gives the watch a nice tinge of simplicity and greatly enhances its legibility. As marketed as a watch for urban go-getters, B&R did not forget the inclusion of a date window just in case you get lost in time and day working overtime at your desk job (lol jk), which is positioned at the 4:30 position. With a round aperture and a blue-coloured date wheel that matches the dial perfectly – an aspect many brands tend to overlook which can make or break a dial’s symmetry in my opinion.

  • An exemplar of industrial design for integrated watches like this.

If there’s one thing that I would give kudos to, is that the chronograph pushers are well-integrated too. It doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb like almost half of the chronograph pushers out there (I’m looking at you, AP and Grand Seiko). Instead, it embraces the curve and edges of the case design really well, with multiple case steps that make the watch look rather complex in an integrated form factor.

  • Pushers and crown.
  • Emphasis of integrated design as seen.

The pusher action is overall, decent. It doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb like almost half of the chronograph pushers out there (ahem, AP and Grand Seiko). Though I must point out that, the pushers on this watch may be a little too stiff for some to get the chronograph running, I’m totally fine with it as it is, but I can only hope that this is a calculated safety mechanism to account for any occurrences of accidental activation. Overall, I think the overall design embraces the curves and edges of the case design really well, with multi-layered case steps that lends the watch some depth in an integrated form factor. Good stuff.

Bracelet:

Before going into the conversation revolving around integrated bracelets, I understand that many would, one way or another, relate this watch to the two of the “firsts”, or rather Gerald Genta’s integrated sports watch designs, i.e. the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Phillipe Nautilus, due to their respective integrated bracelets. The integrated bracelet design dates back to the 1970s industrial design language, right when the Swiss watch industry was facing the quartz revolution and desperately in need of a disruptive product, which, I guess eventually turned out to be in the form of stainless-steel integrated sports watch. With the huge success of the two “firsts” that has opened up a brand new market segment, it also has solidified its position in the market as a point of inspiration where, to put it simply, many people took references off from. Just like how we talk about similarities between a lot of skin divers out there with slim and flat watch cases and straight long lugs (ugh, ew), the usual comparisons drawn on the similarities of industrial design on these integrated bracelets used on sports watches are inevitable, to say the least.

Really captivating under ample of light.

The integrated bracelet on the BR05 Chrono comes with brushed surfaces and mirror-polished center-links, as it should be, to invoke a perception of luxury (i.e. how a product shines and plays with light on most luxury goods). It also has good tapered dimensions which is meant to shave off some of that bulkiness and a butterfly clasp with an “&” logo on it. There’s an option with the rubber strap with the BR05 Chrono, but I’m all for the looks of the bracelet, as it is better looking when paired with the BR05 Chrono in my humble opinion. I have worn this continuously for an entire week and I can confirm that the tapered design of the bracelet greatly contributes to the comfort, as it should be. There’s no point in wearing an uncomfortable watch when you’re paying at the full retail price of approximately MYR 28,500, am I right? (Foreshadowing this, more to come later.)

Movement:

  • BR 05 Chrono’s display case back.

Housed inside the BR05 Chrono is a BR-CAL.301 calibre, which essentially is a modified ETA calibre 2894-2 with 42 hours of power reserve, and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Nothing really much to shout about really, though I really enjoyed the exhibition caseback with the customized rotor in full view. The crown is also at the right size, which is sufficiently sized to handle, but nimble enough to not to stick out like a sore thumb.

Although I personally would appreciate it if it housed an in-house calibre, but because with B&R’s own proprietary design language that’s generally with costs associated, it’s still an A-okay for me.

Price:

Currently, the BR05 Chrono in blue steel dial is priced at approximately MYR 28,500 – still quite steep I know, but hear me out – considering some of the strong contenders in the price range, the BR05 Chrono has some high expectations to meet, especially with the price tag it bears. Personally, I think B&R certainly delivered with an emphasis of an integrated design, that is well thought-out and executed. Although, I get the feeling that many might look elsewhere, but with what the watch offers in dimensions, quality, and design; having experienced all of the above during my time spent with it on my wrist, I personally feel that the price tag can be justified.

Final thoughts:

Overall, as I have mentioned in the above, the BR05 Chrono is a well-designed watch in many aspects, but most importantly, it is a design that carries the B&R DNA so very well. I personally think that B&R has done a tremendous job in taking its original rugged design DNA and translating it into something very wearable for modern standards by many urban city people. My only gripe with the watch is the integrated bracelet which restricts convenient strap changes. I call this an iNteGRaTed Pr0bLeM (Pun totally intended by the way).

Anyway, there we have it, this is my take on the B&R BR05 Chrono: A great, no-nonsense, luxury all-rounder. In my mind, the BR05 Chrono is one of those watches where you have to put it on your wrist in order to pass judgment. In other words, this is a watch you should not overlook if you are looking for something that has a modern, sporty, daily-wearing and urban appeal. Therefore, I highly recommend you check it out at B&R boutiques after the MCO 2.0 period.

Quoting a Malay idiom: “Belum try, belum tau. Sudah try, hari-hari mau.”

(You won’t know it unless you tried it. And until you had tried it, you would come back for more.)

Finally, if you like it as much as I do, then just Buy la.

For Team Matick
Vincent

#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.

    #LookCloser – Wear Report – Reverie Diver

    The Matick BlogLeave a comment

    Vincent

     

    Introduction

    Thanks to work commitments and the chaos that’s been happening around the world lately, I must confess that it has been a while since I last reviewed a watch.

    Naturally then, when Sam from Reverie Watches reached out to us, asking if we would be interested in spending some time with their latest offering – the Reverie Diver, I wasted no time to jump at the opportunity.

    Now that I have spent about a week with the Diver, I thought I would do a short write-up of my experiences to share with you.

    Before I dive (yep, you saw that coming) right into the review, and to give you an idea of what to expect from the Diver, you should probably check out our introductory post here, if you have not done so already.

    IMG_4029

    First impressions

    The excitement hit when I put the Diver on for the first time; the sheer joy of having a watch that fits perfectly on my tiny wrist is quite overwhelming! It felt like the kind of joy I experienced as a kid receiving my first Swatch. What sets the Diver apart and takes it further by a mile from that experience, however, is its guilloche dial that is super playful under the sun, along with the brushed and polished finishing of the watch case. I do find the hands unique and one of a kind, with the similarly shaped seconds hand acting as a counterbalance that compliments the overall visual.

    The bracelet has a sweet taper that is everything I look for in a vintage-inspired piece. It had me wanting to stick with the bracelet instead of swapping it out with other straps, mainly because of its hidden lugs, sweet glide-lock mechanism, and just how much the bracelet compliments the watch.

    IMG_4026

    Flipping over, the Diver greeted me with an open caseback, decorated with Seigaiha engravings on the Miyota 9039’s rotor. While it is a subtle decorative touch, I find it a little lacklustre in visual impact, yet to others, it may be a bonus for an open caseback diver. Nonetheless, a little detail that counts.

     

    Looking Closer

    I noticed a few things which I would love to see improved in the final, production version of the Diver. Turning the prototype’s bezel is a slightly disappointing experience due to the amount of back-play, something which I hope Reverie will resolve in full production.

    IMG_4030
    Notice the cut-in on the bracelet.

    No doubt, the bracelet’s glide-lock mechanism is a saving grace for when my wrist expands and shrinks along with the very much temperamental Malaysian weather. Probably as a result of the aggressive tapering, however, it proves to be a double-edged sword, as I noticed that a few of the links weren’t quite small enough to fit under the skinny clasp. Several cuts and dings too could be found as a result of the rather aggressive corners and edges cutting into the steel bracelet.

    The crown of the Diver is something that I hoped would be slightly larger, though I had no issues with adjustment thanks to its threaded surface. An educated guess would suggest that the crown’s size was probably held back by the case thickness at 11mm. A missed opportunity at that.

    IMG_4028

    I found the choice of case dimensions to be interesting. It measures only about 40mm across and 43mm lug to lug but does look larger than the numbers suggest. Visually, the case is cushion-shaped, somewhat similar to that of the modern Omega Constellation, i.e. aggressively cut off lugs, which exposes the upper, curved side of the case, and gives the appearance of being thicker than it is from the wearer’s visual angle.

    Personally, I would like to see a solid caseback instead of a decorated rotor, which brings the question: What could Reverie do with a solid caseback that would better complement the Diver?

    Above all, I appreciate the blurring lines between strictly utilitarian divers and dressier pieces. History notwithstanding, this could have been James Bond’s watch for his cocktail parties and hardcore spy missions alike, ambitiously speaking of course.

    In my opinion, the Diver unequivocally possesses some of the flair of its higher-end brethren. At a practically rock-bottom asking price of US$350+ via Kickstarter, there is not much room for argument as the Diver definitely packs a punch in terms of paying homage to a classic design language.

    IMG_4031

    Conclusion

    With the above said, the Reverie Diver is a dive watch that nicely combines the virtues of function and elegance in a solid package.

    A standout for me was its near-perfect size and dimensions for noodle wrists such as mine. There is some room for improvement, many of which can easily be addressed in production models.

    I can see this piece fitting into many collections, including mine. In other words, it’s a thumbs up from me!

    If you’re keen on securing one for yourself, head over to the Reverie Diver’s Kickstarter page to help fund its production by clicking here; while stock lasts, of course.

     

    For Team Matick,

    Vincent

    #Introducing – Reverie Diver

    The Matick Blog1 Comment

    Vincent

    According to Marshall, Reverie watches was one of the first indie brands we worked with back when we first started the site in 2015. We have come a long way since then, and so have they. It has been approximately four years since we reviewed the Sea-Spirit. Today, I am very excited to know that we are going to be reviewing their latest offering – the Reverie Diver.

    Rocks - Blue

    To kick things off, I have yet to receive the Reverie Diver simply because.. well, it got stuck in customs, but that’s okay! I am still going to be “diving” a little bit into my initial impressions of the watch. So here’s my quick take.

    When I first laid my eyes on the digital renders of the Reverie Diver, I could feel that something was amiss with its overall aesthetic, but I can’t quite put my finger on it right now simply because I have yet to experience the watch in the metal, and according to Marshall, this was the case with the Sea-Spirit as well. When I had this conversation with the Reverie team, I was told that the Diver that we see today is the brand’s take on a hybrid sports watch with deliberate hints of elegance, meticulously exhibited in all the right places. 

    Side Profile

    This concept was not something unheard of, and as expected, I was told that the design team at Reverie made countless revisions to ensure the balance and synergy between the elements of ruggedness and elegance are properly conveyed in the Reverie Diver’s overall design language.

    This is something I really look forward to experiencing when I finally get my hands on the watch. I love the fact that Reverie has stayed true to their roots ever since their humble beginnings by retaining their signature guilloche-patterned dial, which is a trait that can also be found on the Sea-Spirit previously. 

    To wrap up my initial impressions, I will leave you with some information regarding the general technical specifications about the watch. I know, boring stuff to some people, but still good to know!

    Caseback

    Technical Specifications:

    Case Material: Made up of 316L stainless steel.

    Case dimension: 40mm diameter, 43mm lug-to-lug, 11mm thickness, 20mm lug-width.

    Case feature: Sapphire-crystal with AR-coating, 120-click unidirectional dive rotating bezel, display case back.

    Movement: Miyota 9039 movement with 42 hours power reserve, hacking and winding, 28,800 vibrations per hour, with ‘Seigaiha’ engraved rotor

    Lume: 2 types of Super-LumiNova lume material, with BGW9 (blue) on hands, C3 (green) on indices and bezel markers.

    Lume

    Water resistance: Up to 20ATM with a screw-down crown

    Bracelet: Adjustable brushed stainless steel with 6mm tapering, micro-adjustments with extra 11mm extension on-the-go, and quick-release.

    Additional items: 1x EPDM rubber strap with tang buckle measures at 20mm lug-width tapers down to 18mm with quick release, 1x leather travel watch roll

    The Diver is also available in three colours: Navy, Olive Green, and Warm Grey (and a possible Burgundy release), and all of them come with a 2-year international warranty.

    Trio

    With that said, I can’t wait to get my hands on the Diver and share more of my thoughts on the watch in an upcoming update.

    In the meantime, if you’re interested, you can get the Reverie Diver via their Kickstarter campaign and secure a super early bird pricing at US$325 by clicking on the link below:

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/reveriewatches/the-reverie-diver-an-elegant-and-functional-dive-watch

    Until then, I’ll catch you in my next Reverie Diver update!

     

    For Team Matick,

    Vincent

    #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.

    IMG-20200624-WA0007.jpg

    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.

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    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!

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    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?

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    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.

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    PC: Terrence Yong

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    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)

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    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*

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    PC: Cedric Hansen

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    PC: Terrence Yong

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    PC: Cedric Hansen

    ’til next time, Wes.

     

    #LookCloser – Wear Report – Seiko Alpinist SARB017

    The Matick Blog4 Comments

    Vincent

    As the relatively new owner of a Seiko SARB017 ‘Alpinist’, I thought I would take some time to share my thoughts on this nice little piece with our loyal readers of The Matick Blog.

    Introduction:

    The existence of the Alpinist model first came into my knowledge when I witnessed a video on Youtube, of a man who had a strange hybrid American-British accent, professing his sheer adoration for the humble Seiko model.

    After what felt like an ages-long period of consideration and anticipation, a “check out” button was hit and in March 2019, a fine specimen of the Seiko Alpinist was flown in from the land of the rising sun to the land down under.

    The Seiko ref. SARB017, more fondly known as the Alpinist, was since then finally made mine.

    Why the Alpinist, you ask? Well, I’m the sort of person who likes watches with the ability to start conversations that go a little like this:

    “Oh, nice watch!”

    “Oh yes thank you! It’s my favourite piece… yadeeyadeeyada” 

    The Alpinist was simply the obvious choice, and in my experience, has made for the best conversations over coffee and over sales at work. I have owned the Alpinist for almost six months now, and the sheer adoration I felt when I first laid eyes upon it in the YouTube video I was talking about earlier hasn’t waned at all. Not one bit.

    The Alpinist, Explorer from the East

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    Many of us watch lovers will consider Seiko watches to be sort of a starting point for our collecting journeys, no doubt thanks to the watchmaker’s heritage and the outstanding value for money their watches represent. I am no exception—I haven’t stopped since my first Seiko 5 and can’t see myself jumping off the Seiko hype train any time soon!

    The Alpinist should no doubt be familiar ground for many of our readers. As for those who may not know, the Alpinist was conceived in 1961 to serve the needs of Japanese mountaineers and explorers, more specifically, to navigate through the deepest of Japanese forests—only much later on did they begin to become perceived as collectors’ and enthusiasts’ watches. Equipped with a compendium of rugged specifications which we will delve into shortly, the Alpinist has certainly lived up to its name, and in doing so, become one of the most collectable sports watches out there.

    Case, dial and everything at first glance

    The Alpinist’s case sits particularly well on the wrist at 38 millimetres across and 46 millimetres from lug to lug, and manages to please most wrist sizes out there including my tiny 14.5 centimetres (<6 inches).

    The Alpinist sports two crowns: a threaded, signed crown at 3 o’clock for your usual time and date adjustments, along with a second crown at the 4 o’clock position for calibrating the compass found on the outer chapter ring. The 3 o’clock screw-down crown furnishes the Alpinist with an extra water resistance depth of up to 200 metres/20 atmospheres— figures which should, if anything, make the Alpinist an all-around reliable sports watch. 

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    Turning over to the Alpinist’s presentation dial, you will find yellow gold indices around the chapter ring—triangular indices for the odd numbers (except at 3 o’clock) and Arabic numerals for the even numbers. All this is applied against a green canvas with a breathtaking sunburst effect. Tiny applied lume dots which correspond to the hour indices may also be found on the chapter ring.

    A generous quantity of photoluminescent material is applied on all three hands. The elongated hour hand, in particular, appears to reflect a hybrid Mercedes-Cathedral style, while the minute hand is the ‘piston’ style. While the quality of the Alpinist’s lume is decent overall, I personally found it challenging to read time in absolute darkness due to the design of the hour lume dots, all of which are identical in size and proportion.

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    Spanning the dial’s outermost circumference is the Alpinist’s compass feature, divided into printed cardinal and intercardinal directions. Rather than using it as it was perhaps intended, I found an interesting utility for the compass in the form of a timer for my late-night snacking indulgences (usually, none other than the famous Indomie Mi Goreng noodles).

    With sufficient lighting, however, telling the time accurately using the Alpinist is an absolute breeze, thanks to the clearly printed chapter ring divisions.

    The featured date window is well presented and comes at the right size. To my pleasant surprise, Seiko made the wise design choice of matching the date wheel’s colour to the dial. Though I personally prefer framed date windows on my watches, but hey, it looks really good this way too, so no complaints from me there.

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    The Alpinist’s case back is nothing too fancy, as you would expect from a traditional sports watch. A substantial layer of stainless steel helps lock away the watch’s internals from moisture, and presumably adds to its water-resistance as well. As an ode to its mountaineering origins, the Alpinist does have a signed case back consisted of two alpines set at the centre, along with the usual ring of basic specifications. 

    The Strap

    It has been my experience that one of the ways in which Seiko is able to keep the prices of their watches low is by making compromises with their straps. This is a known testimony among collectors and watch buyers alike, whom are often disappointed by the quality of Seiko’s bracelets and straps. Much my disappointment, the Alpinist’s stock leather strap does Seiko no favours to dispel this unfortunate preconception.

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    Being the past owner of several Seiko 5 models, I speak from first-hand experience when I say that I have been largely underwhelmed with all of Seiko’s straps and bracelets. This was, to me, not unreasonable as the Seiko 5s are after all made to a price point, and a budget one at that. Unfortunately, I had the same underwhelming impression of the Alpinist’s strap as I did of those Seiko 5 straps, which was made all the more disappointing, considering the Alpinist is a proper Japanese-made model which also happens to cost substantially more.

    The 20 millimetres-wide leather strap quite frankly looked the part, but felt plasticky upon contact. It was also, in my opinion, excessively stiff, which made the strap feel like it would never break in nicely as would most other leather products. All of these annoyances make this supposedly genuine-leather strap score, for lack of a better term, a complete zero in my books. I personally opted for the Strapcode oyster bracelet and have never looked back since.

    I’m not alone in thinking that the Alpinist’s stock strap simply isn’t ideal. Have a quick scroll through Instagram for posts about the SARB017 and you’ll see what I mean.

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    The replacement bracelet, with its alternating brushed and polished surfaces, allows the Alpinist to look much more playful than it already is. It does so by giving it an abundance of visual appeal through the way it plays with lights.

    Movement

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    Sweeping seconds hand of the Alpinist.

    The beating heart of the Alpinist comes in the form of Seiko’s in-house calibre 6R15. It beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, and features hacking and manual winding for your daily syncing and winding indulgences.

    I personally love hand-winding my watches. Doing so provides me with the opportunity and a reason to take a moment to gaze upon and admire them. And with the Alpinist being one of my favourite watches, these features were very much welcome.

    There are no doubt other watches at a similar price point to that of the Alpinist, including those by micro brands such as the Nodus Avalon and the BOLDR Expedition, which feature movements with a higher number of vibrations per hour (such as the Miyota 9000 series or Selitta SW-200-1), presenting a smoother looking sweep on the seconds hand and is, admittedly, very aesthetically pleasing. Speaking from experience, it is a noticeable difference, and if these things matter to you, you would be looking at watches equipped with what are called ‘high-beat movements’.

    As almost everyone knew what the Alpinist has and made of, let’s skip to what makes the whole part of the love-hate relationship that you will be reading today.

    Everyday wear with the Alpinist

    I spent a good 3 months in the honeymoon period with the Alpinist. I wore it to date nights, work, nights out with friends and sometimes even when I was just simply chilling around at home, though I don’t usually wear my watches at home (yes, I was that enamoured with it).

    If it wasn’t already obvious enough, I truly enjoyed every moment of my time with the Alpinist around my wrist. And I still do. As I briefly alluded to earlier, part of the reason for my intense love of wearing the Alpinist is due to its hand-winding feature, which, for lack of a better description, compels me to bond with the watch and become acutely conscious of winding it up before I go on with my day. 

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    I should probably also mention that the Alpinist wears very comfortably too, especially with the Strapcode bracelet, which hasn’t come off since the day it was put on. Despite the unconventional green dial, the Alpinist matches surprisingly easily with my wardrobe, as most of my clothes comprise neutral colours, i.e. black, white, grey, and the occasional dark blue as well. 

    Though at 12-millimetres height, the Alpinist’s case may seem to veer slightly towards the taller end of things, it somehow still manages to sit comfortably and tuck easily under my jackets and long sleeves, particularly in comparison to my other watches like the Turtle (duh). I believe this is thanks to the rounded edge design of the Alpinist’s case.

    This sort of wearability, naturally, makes me tend to pick the Alpinist over my other watches. That, along with the generally cold weather in Melbourne, which means that I would often have to put on my jacket and long sleeves when out and about.

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    Easy slide-out in a sunny Melbourne afternoon.

    The 200 metres of water resistance that the Alpinist is rated for doesn’t disappoint at all, especially if you’re the kind of person who routinely walks around outdoors in Kuala Lumpur, or if you’re like me, living at a place known for having “4 seasons in a day”, e.g. Melbourne. 

    Everlasting love for the Alpinist

    I would consider the acquisition of my Alpinist to be my biggest achievement at this point in my life (besides nailing my Master’s degree, of course. Ehehehe). Some years ago, I would never have imagined the day that I would spend this much money on a seemingly simple wristwatch, yet, here I am today with my Alpinist.

    Wearing the Alpinist has, since then, brought me nothing but joy. Pure joy. It’s not the same kind of joy I experienced when I unboxed my very first Seiko 5 (which, by the way, I purchased with allowance given to me by my parents, which then resulted in me having to live on nothing but 40 packs of Indomie for some months); it’s not the same kind of joy I experienced when I was gifted my TAG Heuer Formula 1 from my parents, and it’s definitely a different kind of joy than when I was gifted my Seiko Prospex SRP779 “Pepsi Turtle” for graduating from my MBA course.

    What it is, is the joy of savouring the fruits of my persistence and hard work. It is the joy of feeling like I’d finally achieved a higher degree of financial freedom. Most importantly, however, it is the joy of having it sit comfortably on my left wrist and having it stare back at me—all those hard times that I’d gone through, reflecting right back at me through the Alpinist. My Alpinist.

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    I fall in love all over again every time I pick up my Alpinist, give it a good wind, and slap it onto my wrist. So much so, that the absolute love I have for this piece has almost made me feel like I’ve betrayed my TAG, Turtle and other watches.

    At the risk of sounding creepy and weird, this is a watch I would make love to. Not literally, of course. But really, it’s more the love of a well-designed and well-priced product. For me, the idea of a product that is packed with features and screams “value for money” is always welcome. And the Alpinist, is for me the watch that simply screams a whole lot of value, for my money. 

    A big part of it, is the looks of others, collectors or otherwise, when they spot the Alpinist. Sure, the Alpinist certainly isn’t some million-dollar watch that would amaze nearly everyone in the world, nor is it a watch that has tons of ‘wow’ factors going for it. Yet, it also isn’t some merely ‘normal’ watch that you would see every day on almost 70% of people’s wrists on the tram, on the sidewalk, in a cafe or at work.

    I still remember the time I got dissed by a customer who apparently worked as a representative of Patek Philippe. Well I mean, he is working for PP after all, so whatever. Nothing against PP, by the way. The only point I’m trying to make here is that the Alpinist makes it easy to strike up conversations with the people around me. Some compliment it, some despise it, and some certainly question it. It has this uncanny ability to spark conversations that go on for minutes, if not, hours. And it can certainly be a statement piece that lets people know: ‘ah, I sorta know what this whole game is about.’

    For that (and everything else I’ve already said about the Alpinist), I love it.

    Hating the Alpinist

    Other than its strap, what hate?

    Closing this off

    Yes, I’m fully aware that this is a biased review. But I have a damned good reason for being biased, so why would you let that turn you off?

    For under US$550, the amount of value the Alpinist offers versus its competitors is tremendous. From a reliable calibre to a nicely thought out design, the Alpinist could be one that will stay in your collection for a long time. Add that to the fact that it was discontinued last year, which may make it a sound investment option too.

    Of course, I fully acknowledge that the Alpinist will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Some may think that the green makes it hard to pull off with their outfits, while for me, it works perfectly fine.

    At this price point, the micro-brand space does have a considerable number of models that may suit a larger group of potential watch buyers, especially with the current trend that appears to be moving towards more vintage-inspired designs.

    But for me, what the Alpinist brings to the table is a great design, great specifications and a great history behind the watch and its manufacturer.

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    Hence, the verdict? If you’ve been looking at the Alpinist, I’d urge you to snag one while you still can. Light speed at that too, before we run out of available stock.

    For Team Matick,

    Vincent