Chad the Watch Guy

Submariner “Looking for Leaks”

Chad — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:56:25 +0000

Photo Credit: New Style Photo

Everyone is anticipating the arrival of the new Steel Submariner! I don’t know as Gospel, but I would say the chances of the introduction are strong. I will be in Basel soon and everyone will be stealing shots of the new Rolex pieces. I hope myself the steel Submariner comes out and we can get the time frame of the arrival. This piece will be incredibly hard to get out of the gates, so place yourself in line now in hopes the spring brings the Sub! Other hopefuls being the Explorer II remake and GMT’s with colored bezels again, Blue-Red etc. Any sneaky, Dick Tracy leeks on the stuff is welcome!CTWG

A Surprise From The Orient? An Automatic Watch?

Chad — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:47:36 +0000

Again, the kind folks at Orient have graced us with the offer to my readers for a free watch! Last time it was a speed run to see who would post the quickest. This time let me pick the witty comment of the run. Hey, an automatic watch for a smart comment! Who could beat it! My last reader that won the piece, stops in and really has enjoyed it.

Here is a spread of some of the new Orient pieces, check them out if you are looking for a reasonably priced Japanese watch with an automatic movement.
I actually love the new age marketing approach, hitting blogs etc. with there product and letting people in the states know the real size of their organization in Japan. There is always an option to get a nice timepiece in every price bracket, Orient is a great starter automatic!

Omega Autoquartz? A.K.A. Omegamatic?

Chad — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:53:57 +0000

Yah, they made one, not long ago in about 1997 and ran production just for a short time? Autoquartz for the Swatch group kinda took a slide to Tissot and Omega left it there to stay. So, what’s the point. Well, it is perfect for a collector, nice size (39mm), obscure, and really wearable. Someone wrote a great portion on Wikipedia, really couldn’t believe they took the time? See if you can get your hands on one of these, they are really cool, and will be worth something in the future, I would bet. CTWG

Daytona For Chronograph Lovers.

Chad — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:54:43 +0000

The 4130 movement from Rolex is arguably the best chronograph in production to date. Reversing the trend to be overcomplicated, it puts the highly functional movement together with no fuss. Daytona worship has not declined and there are many different flavors for the Chronograph available. If the steel is not there for the taking, check the other, strap, gold etc. models. You may be surprised how nice a 18k and steel looks with different dials. I mean for heaven’s sake it is the same movement, don’t get caught up in the steel! Buy for the movement and then the case. CTWG

Comanche by Kobold

Chad — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:06:31 +0000

Kobold hits the scene again with a new introduction this month! The Kobold Comanche is the latest edition to the Kobold line, finally offering the rubber strap requested by so many and a real sharp industrial look.
“The Kobold Comanche Chronograph is the latest addition to the growing line of professional-grade watches by Kobold. The Comanche was designed for military pilots and offers such features as a uni-directional rotating bezel with count-up minute scale and a domed sapphire crystal with antireflective coating. The rotating bezel’s design is superior to conventional bezels thanks to the use of ceramic ball bearings which ensure that the bezel rotates smoothly even in extreme conditions. The Comanche’s scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is domed to minimize the reflection of light, thereby reducing the chance that the pilot wearing this wrist instrument is distracted by glare.”
Get your Christmas list ready! CTWG

Powder Coat Takes On Fashion

Chad — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:44:27 +0000

Have you seen “The Black Out Concept”? Taking high end goods, say watches, that are in stainless steel and blasting them in PVD and well, blacking them out. The Rolex GMT pictured is a fine example of the process. Houses, Cars nothing is spared. I like it, different and a little military, but cool. CTWG

Check their site: http://www.blackoutconcept.com

Rolex Promotes Smoking?

Chad — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:49:17 +0000

Well, not actually, they did provide a nice box for the cigs though! Came across this insert from an estate buy of an older Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Read the bottom line, ya just can’t suggest these things anymore from your old watch boxes. The P.C. Police would be all over the company promoting the smoking lifestyle! CTWG

Exploded Submariner

Chad — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:58:23 +0000

Photo: J. Peter of Watchmakingblog.com

Just in “case” you have never witnessed the dissected case and the high quality that is a Rolex Submariner, check this exploded style shot and breakdown of the components. You can see all the gaskets to the crown, crystal, and back of the watch, making it the most sought after “Dive” watch construction of our time. The extra thick crystal and superior craftmanship have made this watch an ICON of contemporary watch making. The new introduction of the Submariner steel and gold has all these components and a little heavier construction than older models, but steel lovers still have to wait!(maybe this Basel) CTWG

Union Without The States?

Chad — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:53:28 +0000

Sister companies can be a drag sometimes, Girard Perregaux has Daniel Jean Richard, Rolex has Tudor and Glashutte has Union Glashutte. Often times quality and availability are issues, and it is the case here also. If you have the scratch for a Glashutte Original get it! Still, there are many out there that want a high quality watch with a few less bells and whistles and at a lower price point, Union is it. Made by the same hands that form Glashutte Original, but much less expensive. No where to be found in the States, we will just have to wait till the Euros think we are worthy, this could be a long wait. CTWG

A Stone For Jeremy Glick

Chad — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:09:10 +0000

Everyone was deeply effected from the 9/11 tragedy in America and it hit very close to home here in Pittsburgh with United Flight 93 coming down in the fields just south of here. Each year I hear the name Jeremy Glick and what a hero he was during the last moments that took place on that plane. He was a fellow Judo black belt and Champion at the National level, so when I hear his name it always rings of what a real American encompasses. Thank you, Jeremy your spirit as a Judo player and fine American live on…….We place a stone on your grave today.CTWG