Saturday, December 26, 2009

Plastik Fantastik

A couple of months ago I lucked into a limited edition anniversary issue Luminox Navy Seal dive watch. By "lucked into" I mean the following: Fellow collector, Rob Minuteman ordered a Luminox Model #8817 and was accidentally shipped two of them. Being that we're aspiring petty criminals we split the cost and split the watches. We're bad people. Someday I suspect I'll be standing in front of St. Peter and I'll ask him why I'm going to that other place and he'll remind me of a watch I got for half price back in '09. Yeah, you don't want to mess with us, man.

The Luminox 8817 Limited Edition Anniversary Navy Seal Watch came in a nice, zippered, hardshell case which can now be used to carry Tootsie Rolls in.

I got the watch just in time for opening day of deer hunting season. It was nice to have a watch that could be easily read in pitch darkness as we were up two hours before the sun and walking into the woods shortly thereafter. The tritium illumination works like a charm and is surprisingly bright. Gas filled glass tubes are set at the hour makers and each hand of the watch. There is also an illuminated dot at the zero position on the rotating bezel. According to the manufacturer the illumination will last for 25 years. Also, according to the manufacturer, the amount of radiation produced by the tritium is well within legal limits and is harmless. Nonetheless, I try to keep the thing away from the front of my pants. Just in case.

The micro gas light tubes are clearly visible in this picture. Click on the image to enlarge.

By my own measurements the carbon reinforced polymer watch case is about 48mm wide and 51mm lug to lug. The lug width is 22mm. The band is resin (rubber) and the crystal is mineral. The movement is Swiss quartz but I don't know whether it's a Rhonda movement or not. It does have a "hacking" ability which is necessary for military use. Whatever it is, it has lost a total of 2 seconds in the last two months. Now that's good.

A little big for me. The 8817 might look better on the outside of my wetsuit.

The water resistance is claimed to be 200 meters but I'm a little wary of that claim because the crown pushes in and pulls out. Shouldn't a water resistant watch have a screw-in/out crown? I can vouch for the water resistance as far as my shower goes but that's about it. I have to believe though, that the watch is as water resistant as they say since it meets or exceeds Mil. Spec. #W-4637 4F. The instruction manual, however, warns that aftershave or other cleansers may harm the gaskets and compromise the water resistance of the watch. Therefore take extra care when engaging an enemy that may be using weapons grade Hai Karate.

A grayed steel crown that pushes in/out rather than screw in/out.

The mortal enemy of your Luminox 8817.

Also, it's just my opinion, but, shouldn't a military watch have a domed acrylic crystal? I mean, it is made for use by active military forces such as the Navy Seals, underwater demolition teams and Army Rangers not the girl scouts. Glass crystals, sapphire crystals and mineral glass crystals shatter don't they? Flat glass is also much more reflective, isn't it?

Ah, that's right, John Q. Public prefers flat mineral glass.

Complain, complain, complain. The bottom line is it's a great affordable watch even at full price. It's easy to read in light or in dark, it's lightweight, water resistant, is made to withstand the elements and to meet the demands of people whose lives may very well depend on it. It's not allowed to be poorly made. It can't be.

USN SEAL emblem on the case's back plate. Proof of the standards met by Luminox.


Thursday, November 5, 2009

I Bitch Therefore I Am

I post today not to complain about taxes or the cost of living or the government. I'm not going to offer my opinions on wars, past or present. I don't want to discuss terrorism, religion, famine, global warming, disease or racism. Today I want to pet the sweaty things. I feel like making a short list of the little things that don't really matter just because they may strike me as absurd, annoying or just plain stupid. Of course many of them have to do with this little watch hobby of ours. They are as follows:

Exhibition case backs. If I see one more glass window on the back of a watch I'm going to yak. I don't know how long exhibition case backs have been around but ENOUGH ALREADY. It's like a fad that won't go away.

I get the impression that manufacturers of cheap watches use the transparent back to prove that their claim of automatic movements is genuine. Then they go ahead and decorate and doll up the rotor on their questionable movements so you don't feel like you've been ripped off for having bought a 99 cent watch for $100. Now I admit that I own several watches with see-through backs like Alpha and Seiko but I didn't buy them because of the glass. Maybe I'm supposed to take my watch off during the day to stare at the movement and marvel at it. Maybe I can use the exhibition back to attract potential mates. Hmmmm. "That's right, baby, 21 jewels. How 'bout we go to the park and watch the submarine races?"

I can understand the fascination of the first time watch owner who is blown away by all the little moving parts. It's like a fishbowl. You look in and watch the fish swim back and forth over and over and over again. But they're never really going to do anything different or somehow surprise you with new tricks. So after awhile you stop looking and begin to wish that that fishbowl on your wrist had a real caseback.

What surprises me is that even Rolex and Omega, among others, now have models with these backs.

Invicta. Why do you make a watch that I can't wear. I'm afraid that if I wore an Invicta watch people aren't going to say "Wow, that's a really nice big watch you're wearing". What they'll say is "Damn, are you dying or just shrinking?" And Eyal Lalo, I've seen you on ShopNBC and you know what, you look a little embarrassed hawking your gigantic novelty watches. And another thing, you can stop stamping the name Invicta into the case sides of your watches, or is that the only thing keeping Rolex from suing you?

Casio. You make great watches that have wide appeal and have stood the test of time. However, someone in your company came up with the names Gulfman, Riseman, Mudman and Baby G. Fire this person.

Entry Level. When anyone says that a product is "entry level". What the hell does that mean? This has got to be one of the most idiotic and condescending phrases I've ever heard. This phrase implies that the watch or tool or motorcycle or house that you just bought labels you as a beginner, immature and naive. Better think about upgrading or they'll laugh at you.

Can I infer by this phrase that the manufacturers of fine watches, motorcycles, tools, etc. also produce a line of crap suitable only for the imbecilic novice who isn't ready for a real man's watch or a real man's motorcycle. Must I work my way up the model line or am I just going to be a constant source of shame to my family and friends.

What if I started with the most expensive model? Would that not be my "entry level" item? Would I be pressured into buying the next level down? Whatever, salesass. I'm happy with my "entry level" watch and my "entry level" bike and my "entry level" wife so I have no need to upgrade just to make you a buck.

Someday I hope to have a conversation that includes the following: "You don't want that casket, that's an "entry level" casket".

Presence on the wrist. When I read anywhere that a watch has "more presence on the wrist" I cringe a little. You mean it's a big watch. So just say it's a big watch. You, the salesman, are stuck with a line of watches that are too big for humans to wear so you have to come up with bullshit doubletalk like "more presence on the wrist" to sucker in customers with girly wrists. Shame on you.

Movado Museum watch. Mies van der Rohe's philosophy was "Less is more". In the case of the Movado Museum watch, less, is actually less. How does a quartz watch with no hour markers, no minute markers and no second hand qualify as a quality timepiece? Obviously, accurate timekeeping is not the prime directive of this watch nor is the water resistance which is a mere 30m. Therefore the watch should only be worn as an accessory and a real watch should be kept handy just in case. I think it would be funny if I asked a guy wearing a Movado Museum watch if he had the correct time and he said "I don't know". Ah, fashion.

Any watch that comes in pink.

American Watch Manufacturers. There are no substantial American watch manufacturers anymore. Sorry Timex, the Virgin Islands is not the 51st state.

Unruly Arm Hair. When I turn the bezel on my O & W Ranger I invariably grab some hairs and tear them out of my arm.

Any Quartz Rolex.

When A Watch Salesman tells me that Casio makes the best G-Shocks.

When A Watch Salesman told me that he spent $3,000 to customize a $1,000 Tag Heuer but didn't know what movement was in the watch.

Tourneau-Roosevelt Field. For telling me I'd have to wait four hours to have my watch bracelet sized while another customer, who arrived after me, was taken care of immediately and left after only five minutes. Those big tits sure come in handy sometimes.

A special award goes to the Tourneau salesman who held up a Luminox 3901 with tritium tubes to a light bulb to "charge it up" for me. Moron.

Overall an award goes to Tourneau for charging full retail on everything in the place.

Well, that's it for now. If there's anything else I can think of I'll be sure to tack it on. Better yet, I'd like to hear your gripes and peaves and we could bitch together. Bye.

Addendum, 11/27/09:
In order to dispel any doubt regarding the exhibition casebacks used by both Rolex and Omega, I submit these images of the Rolex Cellini Prince, circa 2008 and the Omega Aqua Terra, circa 2009.

Back of the Rolex Cellini Prince.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Chronometer in stainless steel and 18k rose gold. Ref. 2303.30.00

Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Russian Diver

Since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 we capitalists have been able to purchase surplus Soviet government and surplus military items at bargain basement prices. I remember seeing for sale such items as used East German uniforms, Russian uniforms, communist bloc rifles, pistols, binoculars, night vision goggles, flags, ammunition, etc. And thanks to the latest Soviet technology you could get an i.u.d. the size of a tractor, pencils that run on car batteries, diesel hair dryers and a diver watch that is so big that no normal human would ever be able to wear it in public.

I speak of the Russian Diver Watch (Type 3) made by the good people at the Zlatoust Watch Factory.
This is one heavy canteen watch weighing in at 260 grams. The case is approx. 75mm with the crown and about 60mm without. Case thickness is about 23mm. Lug to lug distance is 75mm and lug width is 24.5mm. The case material is almost certainly nickel or chrome plated brass. And the claimed water resistance of 700 meters is doubtful. I suppose that at one time the watch was all steel and the depth rating was as claimed but I suspect that was back in the 70s. To tell you the truth, I'm actually a little skeptical about getting it wet but since I'll never actually wear it that won't be a problem. I admittedly don't know anything about the movement but it supposedly utilizes 15 jewels.
The watch comes in a small blue box with instructions, a screwdriver for strap pin removal and an additional gasket to be used when the protective grill is not installed. I don't speak or read Russian so the instructions are superfluous exept for the stamp that says in English "NO RADIATION". Why is that the only thing in English? Why make a claim of no radiation? Do watches usually have radiation? Does my Timex have radiation? Note to self: Keep Russian Diver watch away from front of pants just in case.

Yay, no radiation!

?

I am sooooo cool.

A thick piece of glass at 4mm.

This is the only watch I own that doesn't have a second hand.

One last look at the Russian Diver because my arm hurts.

Sadly, this watch will only exist as a conversation piece. It's really neat and I wish I could wear it but that's not going to happen in this lifetime.
"Remember, is making for nice gift at glorious people's party worker union function"

Благодарю вас и прощальное

Friday, October 16, 2009

Goldball and Thunderfinger

A look that never quite caught on. A shame, really.

Is there any excuse for this? I mean, "Q" has outfitted 007 with watches that have geiger counters, ticker tape machines, mini buzz saws, lasers, explosive compartments, etc. not to mention gadgets of every sort that were "state of the art" at the time. So how did this happen? How did the pride of MI6, the most successful spy ever wind up with this watch strap on a Rolex Submariner?

The strap isn't too small, the watch is too big.

Maybe nobody thought it was important or thought it mattered. Maybe there was only enough money in the budget for mini submarines and frisbee hats. Or maybe all the cool kids were wearing their watches that way, not like those uptight establishment squares who wear the correct sized straps with their watches. After all, it was the mid 60s, man.

Mr. Underwater Watch

Raise your hand with the SCUBA watch on it if you remember a television show named "Get A Life". It was cancelled, I think, a little prematurely by the Fox network about twenty years ago after only two seasons. One of the episodes titled "The Counterfeit Watch Story" was one of my favorites.

In this episode Chris Peterson, played by Chris Elliott, is inspired by the television show, "Sea Hunt". This inspiration leads him to seek a "Mr. Underwater Watch", the fictional SCUBA watch worn by one of the "Sea Hunt" characters. At the local watch store he's told by the salesman that the Mr. Underwater Watch is a piece of junk and he won't sell it to him. What he will sell to him is the Chronosync. But not just a Chronosync, the Chronosync 2000. Elliot is told that it's the Cadillac of watches. When the watch stops dead in the store the salesman informs Elliott that it's a tap watch which means that it stops itself to keep from overheating and must be tapped to be re-started. Of course he buys the watch for $100 and even pays 18% sales tax.

After some fanfare Chris Elliott finally takes a shower with his new state-of-the-art, water resistant to 1000 ft. diver's watch. After two seconds in the shower he screams like a little girl and comes running out of the bathroom holding his arm out with the watch still on his wrist. The watch had practically dissolved, the colors ran and the bezel fell off. This was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
Not so hilarious was when I bought a new O & W Ranger from Gnomon Watches two years ago. After waiting nearly six weeks for the watch to arrive from Hong Kong, I, like Chris Elliott's character, couldn't wait to get the watch wet and prove it's superior water resistant qualities. And just like Chris Elliott's watch, it failed immediately. No, it didn't melt but the crystal did fog up. It turned out that the case back had never been tightened fully at the factory. I had to open it and allow it to dry for 24 hours before I could replace the case back and tighten the hell out of it. Now it was water resistant and has remained so for two years. I learned two things from this experience. The first is to expect a long wait from Gnomon Watches. The second is to always check the case back that it's been properly tightened. Fortunately my O & W Ranger is no worse for wear but it could have been much worse. Remember, all warranties exclude any damage as may be caused by water entering the case.

Aside from these not so small complaints the Ollech & Wajs Ranger is one of my favorite watches. I would recommend it for anyone who wanted a tough, military styled automatic watch. So far it has put up with showers, swimming, diving and hunting in near zero degree conditions. In fact, I bagged my first buck while wearing the Ranger. And since buying it, it's ETA 2824-2 automatic movement has maintained an accuracy of +5 secs/day. I can live with that.

Specifications:

Movement: Swiss Automatic, ETA 2824-2, 25 jewels.
Case Material: Polished stainless steel.
Case Size: 42mm without crown.
Lug-to-Lug Size: 47mm.
Bracelet: Oyster, Stainless Steel, 20mm wide, brushed with polished center link.
Bezel: Uni-directional.
Crystal: Mineral crystal.
Luminance: SuperLuminova.
Water Resistance: 200 meters.

The watch came with a stainless steel bracelet and a black Nato band. The Nato was kind of cheap so I replaced it with an olive drab Maratac band of much better quality. To me this watch looks a lot like the British MoD issued SBS watch.



It's almost too good to be a "beater" watch but it's a tough watch and looks good with a little wear and tear on it.


















The Ranger with the original stainless steel bracelet as shown on the right. The watch comes from the factory with the black face as shown or with either an orange or yellow face.

All in all, the O & W Ranger is nothing like the Chronosync or even the Chronosync 2000. I give it two thumbs up. I consider it to be on a par with the Seiko SKX007. I have to give Gnomon watches one thumb up. Even though there was a six week wait they replied immediately to all of my e-mails. I probably became a bit of a pest after awhile but Anders, the Gnomon Watches rep., didn't lose patience with me. Thanks.

Fontain Mystery Watch


This past Summer my sister handed me a shoebox of old knick-knacks that had belonged to my father. He had passed away about twenty years ago and I guess, at the time, I wasn't interested in the items that were inside of the box. Now, some twenty years later, I found myself going through the box again. This time I would take the Seiko Quartz (I dated it to 1985) and a watch with the name Fontain on it.


My problem is that I don't know anything about the watch or the company. I found only two images on the internet of Fontain watches. One was dated from the 1950s and the other from the 1930s. This Fontain looks older.






The case hinges open and the movement can be removed easily. The inside of the case Indicates "14K" and has a proof mark that looks like a squirrel. That strap is probably from the 1980s.





The squirrel proof mark is just above the "14K" stamp. The hand wind movement is engraved with WELSAMWATCH, SWISS (in two places), FOUR 4 ADJTS and FIFTEEN 15 JEWELS.






There is a serial number stamped 195831 on the inside of the case back. There are also several other numbers that are scratched into the inside of the case possibly by whoever serviced the watch. I don't know if it's important but the domed crystal is acrylic or some other clear plastic.




The watch has been running for over two hours and, so far, it's dead on. Of course two hours isn't enough time to truly test the accuracy of a watch but if there was a real deviation I would have noticed it by now.

I invite you to look at the images in this post and let me know if you have any info regarding the history, date of manufacture or value of this timepiece. Thanks.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

The 10

Behold "The 10". The ten watches that I don't have but wish I did. Some are expensive and some are not. Some are steel and some are plastic. Some you will agree with and some you won't. This is simply a wish list of watches that for various reasons I've decided I can't live without, but I will try.

Casio G-Shock Riseman, Model #G9200 in Rescue Orange. Among this watch's features are an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, world time for 33 cities, stop watch, countdown timer, alarms, 200m water resistance and a solar powered battery. The time is radio set so it's accuracy is always adjusted.

I can see taking this watch on hunting trips and when hiking the Appalachian Trail. When you're in mother nature's house it's nice to know that you can check on her mood regarding the temperature and barometer. And knowing your altitude would help confirm that you are where your map says you are.

"Excuse me sir, have you the correct altitude?"

And it's orange.


CWC G10 Non-Dated Service Watch. Available only from Silvermans Ltd. in the UK, this watch is Swiss made with a quartz movement. It has a battery hatch in the back of the case for easy replacement of the battery. Illumination is tritium though not in tubes. The crystal is domed acrylic.

To me this is what a military watch should look like. It's not pretty nor should it be. The dial is no nonsense, is very legible and the case is matte finished to eliminate reflection of light. There is another company which sells very similar pieces through the internet. It's my opinion that they are not on a par with these CWC watches.


Traser Type 3, P5900, Model #P5900-506-33-11. Again, a watch that is military in design and meets military specifications. The case is made of fiberglass reinforced polyamide with tritium filled tubes on the hands and tritium hour markers. Water resistance is 30m. The strap is leather and nylon. The face is uncluttered and easy to read.

To me this is another example of the perfect military, or military inspired, watch. It has a more modern look where the above mentioned CWC is more "old school". One of the big selling points of this watch is the tritium which has a ten year claimed life span. My only gripe with this watch is the water resistance of 30m. I'm not sure I'd even take a chance showering with it on.


Luminox Navy Seal Dive Watch, Model #3901. This watch features a Swiss quartz movement, unidirectional bezel, velcro strap and tritium hands and hour markers. A tritium dot is provided at the zero of the bezel. Water resistance is rated at 200m. The case is carbon reinforced polymer and the crystal is mineral glass.

If the U.S. Navy approves of this watch then I do too. I had the opportunity to try this watch on at a dealer and was immediately smitten by it. I liked the look and feel of it even on my 6.5" wrist. The Navy is not the only branch of the armed services that uses this watch either. I know of at least one Army Ranger who was issued one and has a very high opinion of it.



Seiko "5" Diver, Model #SKZ211. Sometimes called the Atlas or Gadget Watch. A stainless steel watch with the 7S36, 23 jewel movement. Hardlex crystal, rotating unidirectional bezel and compass ring and 200m water resistance.

This watch seems like the next natural step in the evolution of the Seiko 007 diver's watch. The 7S36 movement is an upgrade over the tried and true 7S26 movement. This diver sports a rotating compass ring and a blacked out date window with a silver frame. I could never understand why manufacturers would put a white date window on a black faced watch. Truth be told, I want those yellow hands.


Marathon GSAR Dive Watch. Issued to qualified government divers this is a Swiss made watch with an ETA 2824-A2 movement with 25 jewels. Tritium tubes illuminate the hands and hour markers. Case diameter is 46mm. The crystal is sapphire. Water resistance is 300m.

Now this is a serious dive watch. It has a no-nonsense look with a large "grippy" bezel. I imagine that the deeply cut bezel is more ideally suited to manipulation with diver's gloves than the usual consumer bezels. After all, search and rescue doesn't just happen in warm tropical waters. With a 300m WR I'd have the utmost confidence in it. I'd also get the stainless steel bracelet to compliment the rubber strap. My only gripe, if you could call it that, is, why the date window is located between the 4 and 5 hour markers.


Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Mid Size, Model #2504.30.00. Chronometer. Omega Caliber 2500 Co-Axial Escapement automatic movement. 48 hour power reserve. Stainless steel case with exhibition window in the back and anti-reflective treatment inside the sapphire crystal. Date window at 3 o'clock. 150m water resistance.

Sporty good looks and classic styling. There are a couple of things I do question about this watch, though. The first is why they felt the need to provide an exhibition case back. I don't know why anybody does that at all. The second is the water resistance rating of 150m. It just seems like an odd number when the watch is a member of the Seamaster line. Shouldn't a Seamaster be a "Master of the Sea?" I'm nitpicking. This is, after all, on my top 10 wish list. I would consider myself very fortunate to have one of these.


Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, Model #2209.50.00. Chronometer. Omega Caliber 2500 Co-Axial Escapement automatic movement. 48 hour power reserve. Stainless steel, 42mm diameter case. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside. 600m water resistance. Helium escape valve.

By now you can see my bias toward diver's watches. This is no exception. A 600m WR means that nothing I do to it will ever cause water to enter the case unless I open it up and pour water in it. The helium escape valve located at 10 o'clock is meant for divers who operate in a helium environment at great depths. It must be manually opened to allow the escape of helium molecules and closed after. I will probably never need this feature but it's one of the things that makes this watch special. The copper colored bezel is a design touch that has grown on me over time that I find irresistible.


Panerai Luminor Marina, Model #PAM00050. Automatic chronometer Panerai OP III Caliber movement. 40mm stainles steel or titanium case with a 3.5mm thick sapphire crystal. 300m water resistance.

I don't care if this watch is too big for me. I can't let my scrawny wrists dictate whether or not I should choose a watch to wear. If big is in fashion then it should be perfect. I like the look of this watch so much that I'd probably need therapy after I manage to scratch it the first time. I don't say IF I scratch it, I say WHEN. We all know getting a scratch or dent or nick is only a matter of time. Maybe I'd just keep it in a safe and visit it once in awhile.




Rolex Submariner, Model #16610. Cal. 3135 automatic chronometer movement. 40mm, 904L stainless steel case. Stainless steel bracelet with deployment buckle. Sapphire crystal. 300m water resistance.

The most recognizable watch in the world. The most copied watch in the world. The ultimate Diver's watch. The Rolex flagship. Can be worn equally well with a wet suit or a tuxedo. James Bond's watch. An icon.

If this were the only watch I could ever wear again I'd be satisfied.

Or would I?





There you have it, my Top 10 Wish List. What does your wish list look like?

By the way, manufacturer's and dealer's, most of the images were copied from your websites so I'd be very grateful if you guys didn't sue me. Thanks.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

AK vs GS

An idiot I once put up with blithered to me some time ago that he believed "The watch one wears says a lot about the man wearing it". This was said while he was waving around the "Rolex" he inherited from a relative. I agreed with a simple "Uh-huh" in the hopes that he would go away and that would be the end of it. I've since thought about it and realized that a more accurate comment from him would have been "The watch I wear says a lot about what I wish I was", or even "The watch I wear says a lot about what I hope others will think of me". It's dumb, I know.

If you're a watch guy (or gal) then you probably have a collection of watches. You wear the one you're in the mood for. Or you wear the one most suited to the day ahead of you. Sometimes you just want to wear the shiny one or the heavy one or the neat SCUBA diver one. And we buy watches because they have tritium tubes or go 1,000 feet under water or can be adjusted by a satellite or just because they look cool. No great philosophy or politics here. To make any judgement at all about someone based on a watch is absurd.

That being said, I recently received two watches as gifts from my lovely wife, Sue. One was for Father's Day and the other for our anniversary. These watches could not be more different. The first is the Rolex Air-King. The second is the Casio G-Shock. Call me crazy but I really dig both of these watches. Now what does that say about me? I'm not schizophrenic no matter what the little voice in my head tells me. But imagine if you had to pick one or the other and it would be the last watch you ever wore. Is it a no-brainer? Which one would you choose? Hmmmmmmmm.

I know what you're probably thinking. You're thinking, "Why don't you do an Air-King vs. G-Shock comparison/challenge"? "That way I can compare the two and choose the one and only watch that suits me best regardless of the cost or state of the economy". Well, okay, if you insist.

Some facts and observations:

Rolex Air-King:

Model #: 114200
Material/Case: 904L Stainless Steel
Bezel: 904L Stainless Steel
Bracelet: Oyster, Stainless Steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Automatic, Analog. Cal. 3130, 31 Jewels, Official Chronometer, (Same movement as used in the Rolex Submariner and Explorer)
Accuracy: +/-0 secs. after 7 days.
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Illumination: None
Case Width: 34mm
Case Thickness: 13mm
Lug-to-Lug Width: 42mm
Features: A tiny, laser engraved crown logo in the crystal above the 6 o'clock hour marker that can only be seen with a magnifying glass.
Looks Like: Rolex Explorer
Most Likely To Survive Nuclear War: Yes
Most Likely To Survive Angry Wife: No
Gripe: Hard to read face in low light.
Price As Tested: About $3,500.00

Casio G-Shock:

Model #: G9000-1V (Mudman)
Material/Case: Rubber
Bezel: Rubber
Bracelet: Rubber
Crystal: Mineral Crystal
Movement: Quartz Digital, Module # 3031
Accuracy: +/-0 secs. after 7 days
Water Resistance: 200 meters. The Casio User's Guide claims that the Mudman may be used for Scuba diving except at depths that require helium-oxygen gas.
Illumination: Two Electro-Luminescent Panels
Case Width: 47mm
Case Thickness: 15mm
Lug-to-Lug Width: 51mm
Features: Day, Date and Year, Five Alarms, Countdown Timer, World Time for 48 Cities, Two Stopwatches, 12 Hour or 24 Hour Timekeeping.
Looks Like: Spare tire from a toy truck
Most Likely To Survive Nuclear War: No, EMP will cause malfunction.
Most Likely To Survive Angry Wife: Yes, rubber case will absorb the shock of rolling pin.
Gripe: Alarm is not loud enough.
Price As Tested: About $68.00


Packaging. There is a compartment in the back of the G-Shock Mudman display used for hiding the User's Guide. Do not lose the User's Guide.


The Rolex Air-King and the Casio G-Shock Mudman side-by-side. They refused to touch each other.


The moleman engraved on the back of the Mudman. The watch is made in Thailand.


No engraving or embellishment at all on the back of the Air-King.


The Mudman as it looks on my bony wrist. I know, I know, it's too tight, but it's still pretty comfortable.


The Air-King actually looks at home on my wrist.


A final picture of these two fine watches.

Conclusion: It's a tie. Of course, comparing these two watches is like comparing apples and oranges. They come from two different worlds with two entirely different ideologies regarding how a watch should look and the features it should have. The G-Shock is an instrument and is based on the "Form Follows Function" school of thought while the Air-King is more like a piece of art that must be appreciated for it's timeless, classic design. Maybe someday there will be an Air-Shock or a G-King. Anyway, I think I've had it with these two. I'm puttin' on the Seiko.

Special thanks to Alan Furman & Co. through which Sue purchased the Air-King. They treated us like we were their most important customers.