Lost Track of Time

I had a very nice exchange today with a fellow WIS (I purchased a watch of his on the forums). He had some nice things to say about my blog; that was what I needed to move from thinking about blogging to actually doing it.

The last year has seen me go through two job changes, a bout of unemployment, and a relocation. Now that I am settled in here in the Windy City, I can begin again to catalog the pieces I have known.

There have been a few additions. Maybe now I'll actually follow through on selling the ones I told myself I would when I made those new additions.

Watch cases seem to have their own gravitational fields.

Vintage Japanese Steel

Here's a link to a forum entry I made. The pieces will be/have been featured here on my blog, but it's kinda nice to see them all together.

I've been swapping out pieces and concentrating on divers and 6138 and 6139 chronographs, and things are starting to come around. I'd say these are the highlights of my vintage collection.

Seiko Sawtooth Diver, SCH063

Age: September, 2007

Dimensions: 46mm wide w/o crown, 20mm lugs

Features: Day, Date, Hardlex crystal, Uni-directional rotating bezel, Water-resistant 200m, Quartz movement, Fully lumed hands and hour markers, Screw-down crown at 4:00.

Notes: My low-ball bid won this on the bay last summer, and when I put it on it didn't come off for months. The lume is outstanding, the quality in materials is there, and it's quite comfortable. The bezel is still stiff (I hear it's an easy fix), and clicks with a very satisfying feel. Having recently fallen in love with automatics again (and procuring an amazing piece to be reviewed later), this out-of-production-diver has been nudged onto the "maybe for sale" list.

Seiko Chronograph, 6139-6000

Age: February, 1970

Dimensions: 40mm wide, 19mm lugs

Features: Day, Date, Chronograph (30 min events), Tachymeter, Rotating inner-bezel, Water-resistant 70m

Notes: I landed this great example of a Seiko Pepsi Chronograph about a month ago. It's dial hasn't faded to deep blue, as most do. It still plays in the light. It's marked "proof/proof" and there's a notch above the crown, available only on the early makes of this watch. Bezel, case, and straight bracelet are in great shape. It needs a new crystal and the day function isn't advancing, so in the coming months it'll get shipped out for service.

Tissot Quickster Chronograph

Age: 2001

Dimensions: 42mm wide (w/o crown), 20mm lugs

Features: Date, Tachymeter, Event timer (1/10 second, 12 hour events), Sapphire crystal, 100m water resistant, Swiss quartz movement

Notes: I bought this watch used, but just after its release. I really like its 70's style, but modern durability and ease of use. This edition, with the blue and white rally striped strap, is a bit of a collector's item and has appreciated nicely. I still take it out and enjoy it from time to time.

Seiko Bullhead Chronograph, 6138-0049

Age: February, 1975

Dimensions: 42mm wide, 19mm lugs

Features: Day, Date, Chronograph, Tachymeter, 2 sub-dials for 12 hour events, Mineral glass crystal, Water-resistant 70m, Lumed hour markers and hands

Notes: This wonderful Bullhead chronograph was too good of a deal to pass up. I've wanted one for years, and my patience paid off. A fine, all original example on fishbone bracelet, it makes a great addition to my 6138 collection. Eventually, I'll get a new crystal and the case needs minor work, but it is an enjoyable watch in just about any state. Keeper!

Seiko 5 Sport "Sushi" Diver, 6119-7163

Age: April, 1970

Dimensions: 42mm wide, 19mm lugs

Features: Day, Date, Rotating inner-bezel, Waterproof 70m, Applied hour markers, Glass crystal

Notes: I just sold this great example of a "proof/proof" sport diver. It was a sweet watch that I owned for about two years and just never wore. I'm trying to give my collection some direction, and this piece was one of the odd ones out. I know it went to the good home of a SCWF member.