Post pics of your watches Part II

njburke

Fitz II wrote: »

I think a certain ex forum member, king of the internet and pal of mine, will copyright strike you if you use the "Anus" suffix

Do you miss him at all, especially at Christmas. I wasn't active on this subform but I can imagine the jests and joly japes.

Fitz II

Thirdfox wrote: »

^ These photos will be used to pre-empt people looking at the Starlight's blued screws and thinking "omg the screw looks appalling at 40x magnification in a 3-400 euro watch" - hopefully giving people some perspective on what ultra-macro photography will reveal about any watch - Chinese/Japanese or Swiss.

Oh man, I see that conversation coming too. glad you are out in front of it. You look at movements on the Watchfinder vids from Patek and ALS and even those brands have casting blemishes and investment bumps in the metal. Managing expectations is important

njburke wrote: »

Do you miss him at all, especially at Christmas. I wasn't active on this subform but I can imagine the jests and joly japes.

Certainly it wasn't boring with him around, nobody has threatened to come to my house and assault me in ages.

Birneybau

There was an article about 'he who shall not be named' in one of the rags earlier in the year.

Northern Monkey

redlead wrote: »

Two things, firstly, that's the second time this week you've actually made me legitimately LOL. Bravo

Secondly, you must be the only man on here that has Omega planet oceans/seamasters stuck in the back of a cupboard that you've half forgotten about haha.

You’ve just made me go to the sock drawer to dig out my PO!

Thirdfox

Fitz II wrote: »

Oh man, I see that conversation coming too. glad you are out in front of it. You look at movements on the Watchfinder vids from Patek and ALS and even those brands have casting blemishes and investment bumps in the metal. Managing expectations is important

The easy thing would be to say "I've inspected the screws and are happy with them" - but I do see it as a way of sharing/teaching/discussing things too - not everyone has this kind of macro photography equipment at home so why not share the photos if I have them - hopefully people can learn things.

You see some of the watchfinder videos of Pateks and people saying the underside of the second hands "looks like trash" etc.

My poor Omega was kinda thrown under a bus there (but actually it fared very well - it was Swatch serviced a year ago though so I would have expected it to look reasonably good - didn't check the underside of the seconds' hands though ).

On the other hand - I would expect a Grand Seiko to have very good second hand undersides though - which goes back to the conversation of what do people like/want in their watches

njburke

This arrived today to drag the tone of the thread back down to the affordables. A 1981 seiko 5 7019, I have another 7019 which has a neat feature where you push the crown in to index the day. This '81 is a birthyear for my brother latest birthday, it would of course be valid on any birthday.

stuchyg

Not sure how to post images but a casioak with the nicest stout I have had in a long long time

893bet

Grand Seiko says to Rolex "My finishing is the best".......ALS says to Patek "here, hold my beer".........

Pretty sure any blemishes are dust on the outside.....and dust on the actual camera lens!!

Apologizes for the terrible macro images. Got a macro lens for xmas and now realise that not having a macro lens is the problem. Its the idiot operating the camera.......bad trades man blames his tools is the saying that rings true...

893bet

How the hell do people get macro images with the whole picture in focus?

Or do they just crop them?

banie01

893bet wrote: »

How the hell do people get macro images with the whole picture in focus?

Or do they just crop them?

I reckon they crop or are taking pics of items far smaller than a watch or using a lens with a big FOV/focus point.
I've got a decent macro mode on my phone and it's usually just centre frame that's in focus, which is great for insects and such but crap for watches.

Wibbs

893bet wrote: »

Grand Seiko says to Rolex "My finishing is the best".......ALS says to Patek "here, hold my beer".........

Lange finishing is second to none IMHO, especially in the movement. That's one thing I noticed with the two springdrive GS' I had in the hand. The dial hands etc and case were impeccable and you could see that with the naked eye too*, but the movement finishing was so so tbh.








*granted I'm short sighted and have a built in loupe so my naked eye might see more than non four eyed people.

Thirdfox

893bet wrote: »

How the hell do people get macro images with the whole picture in focus?

Or do they just crop them?

Lots of methods depending on what equipment you have - you can:
1. buy an expensive dedicated macro lens which is built to render more items in focus even at very close distances;
2. take multiple photos and overlay the in-focus portions over one another and build a composite image;
3. the focal plane is flat - so if you're photographing head on instead of at an angle you will get more of area in focus.

I wasn't using a dedicated macro lens with my Omega shots - instead I use a reverser ring - I mount one lens onto another lens and turn it into an ultra macro lens - it means I have very, very narrow DOF (depth of focus) a few mm or fractions of a mm:

https://digital-photography-school.com/reverse-lens-macro-close-up-photography-lesson-3/

In my case I was reversing a 50mm lens onto a 200mm lens - so you can see the extreme magnification (the larger the magnification the less DOF you'll get too) and razor thin DOF. It does allow you to capture the raindrops on the eyelashes of a dragonfly though (sadly that image of mine got lost in a cloud storage incident!)

@893bet - the dark spots could actually be dirt on the electronic sensor too - you might need to look up how to clean your sensor (a slightly nerve wrecking thing to do if you've never done it before). Or just use the clone tool to remove them if you don't want to stick a swab onto very sensitive electronic equipment

edit: And I was just about to recommend the photography forum too - but I see you posted there already ha!

unkel

Still the classiest watch on the forum.

893bet wrote: »

Got a macro lens for xmas and now realise that not having a macro lens is the problem. Its the idiot operating the camera.......

I guess I shouldn't buy one then? Or even a camera?

Fitz II

Wibbs wrote: »

Lange finishing is second to none IMHO, especially in the movement. That's one thing I noticed with the two springdrive GS' I had in the hand. The dial hands etc and case were impeccable and you could see that with the naked eye too*, but the movement finishing was so so tbh.

.

Exactly, its a magic trick with GS....in one hand the distraction the dial and hand...so well done.....look at this dont look at the case design, or thickness, or the rubbish bracelet and clasps...and spring drive is not sneaky quartz....oh no, its a horoligical innovation of immense importance....definatly not quartz.

836bet...even your macro shots cannot mask to beauty of the ALS. Classic design and proportions, understated dial and wonderful craftsmanship. ALS is the brand for the true purist, as a Rolex pleb I am unworthy to touch the helm of the ALS garment.

Wibbs

Fitz II wrote: »

and spring drive is not sneaky quartz....oh no, its a horoligical innovation of immense importance....definatly not quartz.

It isn't "sneaky quartz", whatever that means, unless you consider a grasshopper escapement a sneaky verge or the pivot cup on a water clock. It's a completely new and innovative and more accurate way of regulating the stored mechanical energy in a mainspring to drive the hands for timekeeping.

893bet

Fitz II wrote: »

836bet...even your macro shots cannot mask to beauty of the ALS. Classic design and proportions, understated dial and wonderful craftsmanship. ALS is the brand for the true purist, as a Rolex pleb I am unworthy to touch the helm of the ALS garment.

Pull your tongue out of my arsehole gary (in a bricktop voice).

ALS is beyond reproach but they ain’t exactly cheap. I have been considering an AP next year to complete the holy trinity but...the only one I want really is the blue jumbo and that is hot ££££££££. Unobtainable at retail and way above RRP on second market.

ALS are expensive.....but are actual value for money when you put them beside the steel Rolex, AP, Patek, etc. Hope to add a second next year all going to plan.

Wibbs

893bet wrote: »

ALS are expensive.....but are actual value for money when you put them beside the steel Rolex, AP, Patek, etc.

+1. In the flesh they don't disappoint either. A chap I know has one, a black dial two register flyback chronograph(ticking all the boxes ) and it's one of the finest watches I've ever laid eyes on. Arse puckeringly* expensive mind you. I think he told me it was 30 odd grand? He worked up to it though, flipping over the years adding a little at a time, buying used as he went, so it was more like 10 odd to him in the end.




*should be a word.

Fitz II

Wibbs wrote: »

It isn't "sneaky quartz", whatever that means, unless you consider a grasshopper escapement a sneaky verge or the pivot cup on a water clock. It's a completely new and innovative and more accurate way of regulating the stored mechanical energy in a mainspring to drive the hands for timekeeping.

Depends on your perspective. If a quartz crystal is regulating the watch its quartz for me. If you split hairs on how the pizo electric regulation force is transferred you can start making a differentiation, but for me you have stolen the pure "engine" feeling of the movement in order to add extra accuracy still inferior to a basic quartz movement. I know there is no physical connection between the quartz and the movement except the electromagnetic braking effect, but for me if there is electricity involved it's not mechanical, its a hybrid or a chimera. If you need more than Newton knew to describe the watch its not analogue.

I dont know about the other things you mentioned, but the ghost of George Daniels appeared to me as an apparition and scolded me for being a filthy casual while I read them, and honestly that turned me on.

893bet

Wibbs wrote: »

+1. In the flesh they don't disappoint either. A chap I know has one, a black dial two register flyback chronograph(ticking all the boxes ) and it's one of the finest watches I've ever laid eyes on. Arse puckeringly* expensive mind you. I think he told me it was 30 odd grand? He worked up to it though, flipping over the years adding a little at a time, buying used as he went, so it was more like 10 odd to him in the end.




*should be a word.

Some one on TZ recently got one. Mesmerising caseback. Pure porn. In the region of 30k sterling.

https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?486525-A-Lange-amp-Sohne-1815-Chronograph&p=5626288&viewfull=1#post5626288

unkel

Wibbs wrote: »

It's a completely new and innovative and more accurate way of regulating the stored mechanical energy in a mainspring to drive the hands for timekeeping.

Indeed. Very interesting for someone into horology. What's the point of it though? The overwhelming majority of people buying expensive men's watches aren't all that interested in how good it is at timekeeping. Your phone can do that.

njburke

893bet, I'll use the shot of the balance wheel for my screensaver, with your permission. I really like the weights on the wheel, my eye is drawn there as to me that's where the magic happens.

The spring drive technology was not new to Grand Seiko, their production floors would have been full of tools using linear motor technology, well before spring drive. What they did do was scale it down and make reality Richard Feymanns tiny hands thought experiment.

I agree the GS is not finished in the movement to the standard in the Dial. I do recall the germans being critical of the T34 weld finishing on the exterior of the tank, did they look at the bearings I wonder?

Wibbs

unkel wrote: »

Indeed. Very interesting for someone into horology. What's the point of it though?

As you say U it's very interesting for someone into horology more than just the jewellery side. Both sides have their thing and that's fair enough, but there are two sides. It's not my thing personally, but I don't have any problem with someone buying a [insert brand here] as a luxury jewellery piece* and that making them happy and fair bloody play, so I don't get the attitude that someone who doesn't or is more into the horology aspects is somehow wrong.

Fitz II wrote: »

if there is electricity involved it's not mechanical, its a hybrid or a chimera. If you need more than Newton knew to describe the watch its not analogue.

If you stop at Newton we'd be kinda boned. Silicon hairsprings and sapphire crystals are out for a start and good luck in manufacturing or regulating a modern watch without electricity and quartz and atomic time. COSC and the like rely on it. And Newton was aware of electricity and magnetics, even mused about how electricity might work in the nervous system, clever if bloody odd bastard he was. He'd need a quick primer on peizo effects alright, but within the space of the making and drinking of a cup of coffee I reckon he'd be up to speed with how a springdrive operated.

I dont know about the other things you mentioned, but the ghost of George Daniels appeared to me as an apparition and scolded me for being a filthy casual while I read them, and honestly that turned me on.

893bet wrote: »

Some one on TZ recently got one. Mesmerising caseback. Pure porn. In the region of 30k sterling.

https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?486525-A-Lange-amp-Sohne-1815-Chronograph&p=5626288&viewfull=1#post5626288

Yeah, like that only with a black dial. I got a semi just looking at the front and then I turned it over...





*though I think actual jewel encrusted watches tack as fook

Wibbs

Ah well, back on topic. My unashamedly and most certainly quartz not sneaking around.



I set this when I got it in September, then noted it was running slightly fast after a fortnight so did the oul tappy tap tap with the built in regulation bits and bobs(gave it two - .33 sec per month) and since has not gained or lost a second. Well if I squint hard enough I think it's maybe half a second fast. Though a mate's phone app that checks watch accuracy has it at zero taking a reading ten days apart.

A few weeks ago I even got a spare working movement from the Bay. 20 quid. Sweet. Look away Fitz, Unkel! Save yourselves!



They're usually more like 1-200 as there's even odder than me hyper accuracy non radio controlled quartz nutters out there who look for these and it also fits some Omega models.



Judging by the dial it looks like it came from one of their solid gold jobs from the late 80's. Probably long melted down in a cash for gold place. Many if not most of the loose movements mechanical or otherwise we see on the Bay come by this route. Back when I'd poke about in general/house auctions in the 80's generally the only watches that got attention were the solid gold ones regardless of brand(and current "fancy" digitals), the steel and plated went for buttons in general. Plated probably made up two thirds of all that showed up.

Thirdfox

@Wibbs - sorry to sound like a broken clock :P but I think the Zenith defy lab movement is the most recent really clear horological innovation - as accurate as quartz but entirely mechanical in operation (insofar as something designed by computers and CNC machines can be "fully mechanical").

Shame it just looks so weird right now - but I do think it will give Spring Drive a big run for its money once the price comes down in future production models.

…The calibre 9100 is what I was thinking of - something that really appealed to me - but too many compromises in visual design currently.

Wibbs

Feck off! :mad: :pac: Ah no I agree 100% TF. The Zenith defy lab movement is a fantastic piece of kit and certainly the most recent of true horological innovation and as you say fully mechanical. Now me being me :eek: I do like that it's a bit weird looking and conservatism be damned, but I could see that hurting sales alright until they make it more "traditional" and/or cheaper of course. At a lower entry point they could pick up a fair number of customers even at with the wacky looks. I would imagine residuals would tank though?

Thirdfox

Wibbs wrote: »

Feck off! :mad: :pac: Ah no I agree 100% TF. The Zenith defy lab movement is a fantastic piece of kit and certainly the most recent of true horological innovation and as you say fully mechanical. Now me being me :eek: I do like that it's a bit weird looking and conservatism be damned, but I could see that hurting sales alright until they make it more "traditional" and/or cheaper of course. At a lower entry point they could pick up a fair number of customers even at with the wacky looks. I would imagine residuals would tank though?

No different than any other Zenith watch? :P

The aeronith has been uncharitably been described by some as looking like concrete and I'm disappointed they couldn't fit a date complication in a 14.5mm thick watch - but hopefully this will change in the future.

Fitz II

unkel wrote: »

Indeed. Very interesting for someone into horology. What's the point of it though? The overwhelming majority of people buying expensive men's watches aren't all that interested in how good it is at timekeeping. Your phone can do that.

That is an insightful and pertenant question, that cuts to the core of this absurd hobby, however instead of answering.you I shall.dodge and.mansplain to you how you don't understand the mechanics of watchmaking or it rich history.

david

Things have been pretty quiet for me on the watch front. Still happy out with this pair now I have the the Sinn back from a service/refurb. Some nice watch related gifts this year from the other half, a new strap tool and leather watch roll.

Happy New Year guys!

Cyclingtourist

Stowa still my bricks & mortar watch.

Thirdfox

What's everyone else wearing for the first day of 2021?

This is something hopefully that will be seen in 2022-23 if it passes all tests - ignore the case, dial etc. etc. - this is purely a movement testing sample... But Hangzhou being the nice guys they are - were able to incorporate the Sólás S into the co-axial tourbillon cage (not a carrousel I believe)... that won't be the only "trick" we have up our sleeves though - model 3 hopefully should be a really good foundation for our Lir repeater model - but testing needs to be conducted now if I'm going to go ahead with a tourbillon model that I'd be happy to release to customers.