Cameras and watches.

[Pál_K]

That Zeppelin Hindenburg with the power reserve indicator is really attractive.

Anyone like ceramic dials? I love a ceramic dial with blue lettering.

 

[je2a3]

Nobody does gear-porn magazines like the Japanese! Hoping to pick up an issue of Old Lens Life next time I'm at Kinokuniya in SF, but $$.

I agree 100%!

Last time my wife and I visited Tokyo, I bought a few camera + vintage/DIY hifi magazines.



BTW, I'm an Orient fan too - Mako II and Monarch 😊

 

[Pál_K]

Unusual variation on the "Pepsi" bezel there.

Rolex introduced the Pepsi bezel with the first GMT Master; the 24-hour indicator pointing to daylight or nightime hours, as reflected by the bezel colors. There have been numerous different color choices over the years.

 

[JeffS7444]

Great thread running here.🙂 Everyone is sharing very enjoyable posts and photos!

What level of detail do you want? I got a free, broken, Orient wristwatch (been debating whether to use it for learning watch repair!) and I can see where folks would like it as a quality product at a modest price. But you're not going to get heat-blued hands or cloisonne dials at the price.

And a tough one for me is the realization that no matter how careful I am, wristwatches get scuffed, dinged, and scratched. And the only way to avoid that is not to wear them. I was pretty disappointed by how quickly PVD-treated titanium showed wear and tear, and wondered if I'd have done better with a more basic sandblasted or brushed finish.

 

[Taipei-metro]

HardOff Audio Salon near Tokyo;

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

I agree 100%!

Last time my wife and I visited Tokyo, I bought a few camera + vintage/DIY hifi magazines.

View attachment 4824950

BTW, I'm an Orient fan too - Mako II and Monarch 😊

Visit HardOff Audio Salon in Kichijoji 吉祥寺, Tokyo Area,

 

[dave lackey]

What level of detail do you want? I got a free, broken, Orient wristwatch (been debating whether to use it for learning watch repair!) and I can see where folks would like it as a quality product at a modest price. But you're not going to get heat-blued hands or cloisonne dials at the price.

And a tough one for me is the realization that no matter how careful I am, wristwatches get scuffed, dinged, and scratched. And the only way to avoid that is not to wear them. I was pretty disappointed by how quickly PVD-treated titanium showed wear and tear, and wondered if I'd have done better with a more basic sandblasted or brushed finish.

Agreed on that point about scratching and wear and tear. I really enjoy wearing the gold Seiko that was a gift almost 30 years ago but I don’t like the scratches, and such. Time to limit my wearing it, I think.

Maybe an inexpensive Seiko 5 stainless steel watch (less than $150USD) will suffice for everyday work, while I decide on a nice watch.🤷🏼‍♂️

Then there is the thought of a 60s pocket watch.🤔

Another rabbit hole!

 

[Pál_K]

...
And a tough one for me is the realization that no matter how careful I am, wristwatches get scuffed, dinged, and scratched. And the only way to avoid that is not to wear them. ...

A co-worker friend bought a Rolex GMT Master II about 20 years ago. He has never worn it, never put it on his wrist. He told me he keeps it in his bedroom dresser, where it's apparently been for 20 years.

He hasn't wound it, either - so the mechanism has been stationary and the lubricants have not been distributed as they would be through normal operation. If he were to ever want to wear it, it'd probably need a complete disassembly and CLA.

His watch, his choice. I know some people do this with cameras, cars, etc.

If I buy something, I'm going to use it, otherwise I'd rather just get a photo of it and put the photo on the wall.

So my Omega Speedmaster has a scuffed bracelet and the Hesalite crystal has earned its reputation for scratches.

 

[JeffS7444]

Last time my wife and I visited Tokyo, I bought a few camera + vintage/DIY hifi magazines.

Sweet! Bet you never realized how quickly a couple of hundred $ could vanish 😛

 

[dave lackey]

A co-worker friend bought a Rolex GMT Master II about 20 years ago. He has never worn it, never put it on his wrist. He told me he keeps it in his bedroom dresser, where it's apparently been for 20 years.

He hasn't wound it, either - so the mechanism has been stationary and the lubricants have not been distributed as they would be through normal operation. If he were to ever want to wear it, it'd probably need a complete disassembly and CLA.

His watch, his choice. I know some people do this with cameras, cars, etc.

If I buy something, I'm going to use it, otherwise I'd rather just get a photo of it and put the photo on the wall.

So my Omega Speedmaster has a scuffed bracelet and the Hesalite crystal has earned its reputation for scratches.

View attachment 4824952View attachment 4824953

Well, there you are, like most people I guess, a selection of watches. 👍 I think it would be a good idea to have at least one casual watch, one work watch and one sports watch for when I go fishing. Hmmm… or out shooting. A dress watch? It would be nice but it will wait…

Three watches minimum. 😇

Btw, love the Omega Speedmaster.

 

[shawn]

This is my only spring powered mechanical watch.

I have a nice Citizens Skyhawk Blue Angel but figured it doesn't count since it is ecodrive.

Normally wear a Garmin Vivoactive 4......

 

[je2a3]

Sweet! Bet you never realized how quickly a couple of hundred $ could vanish 😛

Exactly! 😊

 

[je2a3]

HardOff Audio Salon near Tokyo;

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Visit HardOff Audio Salon in Kichijoji 吉祥寺, Tokyo Area,

Thanks!👍



But I'm actually more into building tube amplifiers and vintage Altec speakers.😊

So I spent some time in this building in Akihabara.

Looking for parts...

...and audio transformers

 

[JeffS7444]

Visit HardOff Audio Salon in Kichijoji 吉祥寺, Tokyo Area,

Thank goodness that my hifi madness has eased a lot compared to my earlier years! I may want to get back into low-power, high-sensitivity systems again, but with super-efficient Class D amplifiers, not tube amplifiers, particularly not with summers being as hot as they are these days. Maybe I could build another wee little tube amplifier like EL84 single-ended with just three tubes; that wouldn't heat up the room too much.

In recent years, I've felt less need to shop while overseas, because so much can be had online. Gave myself a whirlwind tour of Akiba the last time I was in the area (2007?) but with only a limited amount of time, and no real focus, it was more enjoyable sensory overload than productive shopping! I'm like the proverbial deer-in-the-headlights at shops like Tokyu Hands or Yodobashi.

But there's so much else to do: I like a good onsen, sweet potato ice cream, croquettes, tempura soba, etc. And so many eateries which are not part of an international chain.

 

[dave lackey]

Rainy day here. With plenty of trading time available, I find the Hamilton Field Watch to be a strong contender for matching the M2. Basic, functional beauty, tough, reliable and I think the Hamilton would match quite well.

The 15 Best Field Watches

Field watches should be reliable, legible and simple.

www.gearpatrol.com

 

[JeffS7444]

A number of years ago, I encountered a nice secondhand Cartier Santos for 1500 USD, and I wonder if I should have gotten it. This was in the midst of the oversized/chunky watch craze, and the Santos seemed dainty by comparison. But now it seems that the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction. The watch in question looked like this, though I don't recall a jeweled winding crown:
https://www.cartier.com/en-us/watch...rtier/santos-de-cartier-watch-CRWSSA0029.html

 

[dave lackey]

A number of years ago, I encountered a nice secondhand Cartier Santos for 1500, and I wonder if I should have gotten it. This was in the midst of the oversized/chunky watch craze, and the Santos seemed dainty by comparison. But now it seems that the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction. The watch in question looked like this, though I don't recall a jeweled winding crown:
https://www.cartier.com/en-us/watch...rtier/santos-de-cartier-watch-CRWSSA0029.html

That is a beauty! A great dress watch to match with a chrome Leica!🙂

 

[wlewisiii]

This is what I should stay away from:

Orient Bambino Version 4 Automatic FAC08002F0 TAC08002F0 Men's Watch

Introducing the Orient Bambino Version 4 Automatic FAC08002F0 TAC08002F0 Mens Watch, a timeless timepiece that effortlessly combines classic style with modern functionality. This watch features a sleek design with a stainless steel case and a striking white dial, making it perfect for any...

www.citywatches.ca

Nice looking watch. You might like this link... 😉 Orient Bambino Version 4 Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch FAC08004D0

 

[By-tor]

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Here are a set of pairings of cameras and watches. First up: M3 and Seiko Liner, a 1970s (I think), Japan domestic market dress watch. All chrome and and leather.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I'll be honest: still life composition is not my forte -- and I am genuinely conflicted about the best way to show off these pieces on a flat surface. I kind of like by-tor's approach, because the top plate is where a lot of Leica's styling choices are visible. I went "face plate" but I am not sure it is the best presentation. Here's an M5 and a Seiko Liner -- this has the benefit of being a 1970's pair. Who cares? Not me, but it was what Leica and Seiko were doing in the 1970's with manufactured consumer goods.