Panerai: New book

To Panerai lovers out there, there is a new book out. The authors are the same people who brought us the wonderful book, Vintage Panerai, Watches With History. The new book is Vintage Panerai, The References. This new book will be a good reference for current and future Panerai collectors. The authors, Mr. Ralf Ehlers and Mr. Volker Wiegmann are noted Panerai collectors with vast knowledge of the brand and its products. I hope to post a review of the new book and their past book soon.

I also like this brand since I got my first in 1999.

http://www.vintage-panerai.de/shop/index.php

DW-8030G-1V

Well as a watch blog should be, let's look at a vintage G-Shock.

This is the Casio G-Shock model DW-8030G-1V.

This series was issued in 1995. This model that I have is the export version, thus having the Illuminator moniker instead of Fox Fire at the 6 o'clock position just below the LCD screen. This is the G (gold) version of the standard DW-8000-1, hence the gold lettering as oppose to the red on the DW-8000-1 (G-Shock and LIGHT).

This watch uses Casio Module 1180.

This module have the following functions:

Timekeeping Mode: Hour, minutes, seconds, am/pm, month, date, day of week.

Time system switchable between 12-hour and 24-hour formats.

Calendar system: Auto-calendar pre-programmed from 1995 to 2039

Alarm Mode: Daily alarm, hourly time signal

Countdown Alarm Mode:

Measuring unit: 1 second

Input range: 1 second to 24 hours

Others: Auto-repeat function, repeat function

Stopwatch Mode:

Measuring units: 1/100 second

Measuring capacity: 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59.99 seconds

Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time and two finishes

Battery: One CR2016 lithium battery

This watch is impact resistant (it IS a G-Shock) and water resistant to 200m. It has EL backlight function (selection by the center button) which also activates 'Time to Get Tough' accross the upper half of the screen.

What is interesting about this watch is that it has a demo mode where the watch will demo the 'Time To Get Tough'. To access this mode, one just has to press the mode button for 3 seconds. (It is the lower left button :) )

Time To Get Tough

The case back. It is the standard SS plate held by 4 tiny screws. It is matte with the standard vertical brushing. This watch was made in Japan (Japan M). The normal markings are there, module no., model no., manufacturer, water resistant, shock resistant and stainless steel back.

The buckle is gold in colour (but I doubt it is gold). It is made in Japan and the engraving looks good.

The strap on this watch is pretty stiff and feels stronger than the straps on the newer G-Shock model. It is smooth on the exterior and feels good. It wears well. Internal markings: 413 H1, 413 H2. The insides of the strap has the ridges at the side of the strap to prevent the watch from rotating on the wrist.

The 'G' button is the light button.

Another interesting thing about this watch is that it does not have a button at the top right hand of the watch. As can be seen in the picture below, the cutout is there but it has not been punched out. In standard Casio G-Shock that button would be for the light on/off function (which this watch does not have) or the lap/ reset button. The other interesting is that the bezel is different from the standard bezel as it is textured on the bottom half. I don't remember seeing this on my other G-Shocks.

So how does the watch wear? Well it is a big watch, measuring 49.5 mm across and 53 mm top to bottom. It is thick, 18 mm in fact. It is heavy. But once on the wrist, it is ok. It is not something you would wear to office on a daily basis as it would snag your shirt cuff. I like it and would get another. The display is clear, although it has a gold tint and the EL is very good, and the 'Time To Get Tough' does somehow motivate you when the going gets tough.

The only problem I have with the watch is that the display has clouded over time. I have cleaned the the display, but that it another story. :)

Casio G-Shock New Products

Casio just announced their new G-Shocks for May 2009. Some very interesting colours and design. The 5500 series is being updated and the much anticipated GW-5000 (with screwback) has been launched.

http://product-search.casio.jp/wat/g-shock/new_product.php

Seiya Japan

Just found out that one of my favourite site is down at the moment due to the fact that his mother has passed on. My deepest condolences to Seiya and his family.

Casio G-Shock

I am into Casio G-Shock in a big way. In fact I have a lot of G-Shock and these watches were collected in a matter of months. (Reviews of these watches will be coming up soon) There are a number of great sites that I frequent to get news on the latest release and also the Casio G-Shock Wiki. Below are the links to these great site and hope you will find them useful as I did. In the Wiki site, you can find other links to other great site that will introduce you to the world of G-Shock (and at the same time cause a hole in your wallet).

http://mygshock.com/

http://mygshock.com/wiki/Main_Page

Introduction

A bit about myself. I have been collecting watches for sometime now. I think I began when I still in school, playing with Citizen Ana-digi watches and Casio G-Shocks (how I wish I have kept them). My collection now consist of Swiss and Japanese made watches. I am only now starting to collect German made watches. I have digital watches, analogue watches, automatic, hand wound, battery and solar powered watches.

At present I am looking into and trying to learn about military watches, both pilot and naval watches.

So the question is why Horology crazy? Well, I love watches. I have books on watches. I am currently studying basic watch making and watch repair. I replace the batteries in my watches by myself. I have basic watchmaking tools, and am even contemplating getting a demag and a timing machine. I have watch magazines in languages I don't even understand. So, I must be watch crazy.

Anyway, enjoy you stay here, as I will be bringing reviews of not only watches, but also books, tools and whatever else horology related.

Welcome

Hi, welcome to my blog. In this blog, I will take you on an adventure into the world of Horology. There will be news, reviews and everything else watch related. So, come in and enjoy.