Casio GW-6900A-9

I always wanted to get a yellow Casio G-Shock. However I never got to buying one. Over the last weekend, I came very very close to getting one. This was when I got the Baby-G for the kids. But, it never came to be.

Today I was talking to a friend over lunch and I noticed that he had a yellow G-Shock. It was the GW-6900A-9. The very watch I wanted to get. It looked pretty good on him and that made me want to get it even more. Well perhaps after the project/ homage watch. This watch is an update of the classic and popular DW-6900.

Anyway the watch and its specifications:

Photograph: Casio

Module 3179

Tough solar

Atomic Timekeeping

Alarm

Hourly Time Signal

Auto Calendar (to 2099)

Countdown Timer

World Time with city code display

Stopwatch (1/100 second)

Slowdown in postings

There will be a slowdown in the number of posting on the blog as I am away to attend to some family matters. The frequency should resume soon.

Swatch Tweezers Needed

It has been sometime since I did a review. So lets do a big one. This is the Swatch Tweezers Needed Maxi wall clock. This clock is from Swatch 1999 Fall Winter Collection. From my understanding, the Swatch Maxi first came out in 1985 and the last piece came out in 2007. The Maxi are actually based on the normal size Swatch watches.

The model number for this clock is MGG184. The clock is big, it measures about 7 feet tip to tip. The dial itself is about 1 foot across. It looks just like the normal size watch. It has straps and even a strap keeper. The straps on the clock can be removed and it is an easy process. Before I forget, this is not my clock.

The clock is powered by a Swiss/ German made quartz movement. I am not too sure if the movement is Swiss made and the clock is German made or the movement is German made and the clock is Swiss made. According to my research, the movement is suppose to be Swiss made, however based on the photograph below, it is clearly made in Germany.

The movement is powered by a single 'C' size or LR14 battery. The movement number I believe is 01248. There is only one adjustment available and that is for the time adjustment.

As earlier stated, the straps can be removed. It is as simple as pushing out the rods. The construction of the strap is the same as their watches.

The strap is made of plastic and is decorated on the front. The printing is very good as can be seen in the photographs. This clock is already 10 years old and it does not show any signs of fading. The keeper is made of a rubber like material.

The decorations on the strap and dial shows why the name of the clock is Tweezers Needed. It is to remove the thorns of the cactus from the person's bottom.

The back of the strap is white with no decorations. The illusion is complete with holes for the buckle.

The watch can be hung by the buckle or just with the clock head (straps removed). This clock was hung by its buckle. There are holes near the buckle to loop the string to hang the clock.

The buckle, just like the rest of the watch is an exact copy of the watch, right down to the tang which can move.

The clock itself is big, about 1 foot across. The dial is decorated with a man who is jumping up in pain because there are the cactus thorns in his bottom. The hours are marked with Arabic numerals, except for 7 and 8 o'clock. There are no markers as the painting covers this location. The hour and minute hands are design like cactus and the sweep second hands is also rendered in green (lighter green).

It comes complete with a non working crown.

The markings on the case back completes the watch. It has the ETA logo and the numbers 507.101. This may indicate the actual movement fitted to the watch version. I cannot verify this as I do not have the watch to confirm this. On the other hand, it may just be the number of the quartz clock movement used on the clock.

I like this clock. The finish of the clock is pretty good as can be seen from the photographs. I know that the clocks are still available. I might just get one for myself.

Project/ Homage watch update 4

Well the movement has been sent in for a clean up and service. Was told that it will take a week to complete the work. In the mean time, I was at my friendly neighbourhood watch shop to pressure test the case and to purchase the straps and spring bars for the watch. The strap I finally purchased was the locally sourced Tropic design straps. I may change it to the racing design straps that I have. We will have to wait and see.

Anyway it was an interesting experience for me to see the watch case being pressure tested. The watch case.

The case being prepared for the pressure test. The gasket/ o-ring is lubricated as is the winding stem and the gasket in the crown. The case back and crown is then tighten.

The test machine. This machine uses the vacuum test method.

The tester is filled with the test medium, water. The water is filled to the red line.

The case is then lowered into the water. It is suspended from the rod.

The pump is operated. This is to reduce the air pressure in the space between the surface of the water and the top of the chamber. The pressure in the watch is now higher as compared to the tube. Air inside the watch will now try to escape from the watch. If there is a leak, bubbles will form and that indicates the place where there is a leak. This is a safe way to test a watch (with movement) as the water will not get inside the watch.

The photograph below shows the reading at 4 bars. The watch was tested up to 6 bars. There were no air bubbles. After about 3 minutes, the pressure was released.

The test was repeated. It was again tested to 6 Bars.

There were no bubbles.

The case back. There were no bubbles.

The front.

After about 5 minutes, the pressure was released. Basically the watch case passed the test. Technically the watch should be water resistant to 202 feet or 61 M as it was tested to 6 Bars. I am happy with the test. I know that the watch is suppose to be rated at 20 Bars and I would like to test it to that depth, but they do not have the machine to do that. It was an educational afternoon for me.

WIP

I am slowly getting use to and moving around this blogging stuff. This after 300+ post. I am working on labeling the post so that it is easier to find stuff. I am also working on changing all the font and font size to make it easier to read. Thank you all for the suggestions and comments.

Battery change Guess Steel watch

Another one of my watch needs a battery change. This is my Guess Steel men watch. I got this as a birthday present a long time ago. I believe this is the first battery change. Anyway on with it. First remove the case back.

I skip a few steps, like the removal of the battery retainer and the battery itself. This is the movement with the battery removed.

The movement is a Japanese movement. The movement is made by S. Epson or Seiko Epson. The movement is the VX42E movement. It is a 3 hands, no jewels, 11 1/2 ligne quartz movement. It has a calendar complication. The number 3 near the battery compartment indicates the battery life.

As can be seen from the photograph above, the gasket/ o-ring is dry. Do not forget to lubricate the gasket.

The movement holder cum battery retainer. The tab holds the battery in place.

The new battery. It is interesting that the battery used is a Swiss made Renata battery. I would expect that since the movement is Japanese, the original battery would be Japanese. The battery is the 371 battery.

The battery fitted into the movement. Check that the second hand moves before reassembly begins.

Reinstall the movement holder cum battery retainer. Note that the tab holds the battery in place.

Install the lubricated gasket. Make sure it sits in the groove. We do not want to crush the gasket.

Make sure everything is OK, a quick blow with the blower to remove any dust or lint and close the case back. We are all done.

Project/ homage watch update 3

I finally got the movement. The donor movement comes from the 'same' series of watch as the project watch. You can see the movement below. Sadly from the serial number, the movement is from 1962 (19xxxxxx). The project watch was first issued in 1957, however the model I am working on was first issued around 1964/65. So the movement does not match the watch. It is OK for me as this is my project/ homage watch to the original. The rest of the parts are all original from the manufacturer but they are not from the 1960s. The case is new from the manufacturer with the new case back font, but still with the flat top A. The dial and hands are also the new luminova hands and dial.

According to the seller, the movement was sent for servicing about a year ago. I will still be sending the movement for a servicing and to replace whatever parts that are worn. The watch will be sent as is to the authorised service center. I will also have to order a longer winding stem as this movement is fitted to a watch with a diameter of 34 mm. Once all these is done, the assembly can begin.

The movement, serial number has been removed.

My Morellato Cordura Lorica strap

I have had this strap from Morellato for about 2 years now. I hardly use the strap, maybe 20 times over the 2 years. However over the weekend, it was tested to its limits (to me anyway). First a bit about Morellato. The company was founded in 1930. It is the oldest company in Europe in the watch-strap sector. The straps are made in Italy. Their straps are available in over 60 countries worldwide. Morellato is also an OEM for a number of watch company. Their leather is sourced from controlled stock-farming and the hides are tanned naturally.

Anyway the strap that I have is the Morellato Cordura Lorica 24 mm strap. The part number I believe is MT-KBU2779-110. The upper material is made from Cordura textile. Cordura is a durable synthetic fabric. The lining is made from Lorica. The strap is water repellent and is quick drying. It is also anti-allergic.

The strap measures 75 mm on the buckle side and 120 mm on the other side. The strap is 24 mm and tapers down to 20 mm at the buckle. It tapers down to 19 mm on the other end. The tip is pointed. The strap comes with 2 strap keepers. The strap is 3 mm thick and the thickness is 3 mm throughout.

The strap is well made and it shows. The stitching (black) is even and good. The edges of the strap is well formed and the Cordura goes underneath the Lorica lining. The Lorica lining is textured like leather and the strap is well padded. The strap is very comfortable when worn. The strap is signed 'MORELLATO, Italy' on one side and 'Cordura Lorica' on the buckle side. The strap width (24 mm) is also on the buckle side.

Like I said earlier, the strap was put through it paces over the weekend. It went for a swim in the swimming pool followed by a soak in a hot spa. It spent about 40 minutes underwater in the swimming pool to a depth of 120 cm. The water temperature was about 28 degrees centigrade or 82 degrees Fahrenheit. It then went into the spa where the water was 38 degrees Centigrade or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It was taken out and was allowed to dry for about 10 minutes in 18 degree centigrade (64 degree Fahrenheit) wind. This was followed by a 5 minute dip into running water at 28 degrees Centigrade.

It was then washed (in the bath) and allowed to dry in room where the temperature was 20 degrees Centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit). It was exposed to rain and cold winds for about 1 hour and was finally allowed to rest. The result? Well look at the photographs and it still looks like new. I am indeed impressed by the strap. I would not hesitate to get another.

Note: I swap the original buckle that came with this strap as I did not like the buckle. The buckle is made of nickel free stainless steel (polished)and it is sign with the Morellato logo. The strap is currently fitted with a buckle from Seiko. Hence the review did not include the buckle.