RM005 FM LE

The title looks like a bunch of number. :)

Actually a couple of days ago I was fortunate to have the opportunity to 'play' with this watch, the Richard Mille RM005 Felipe Massa Limited Edition Titanium watch. That was a mouthful. The watch is not mine but belongs to a friend. 

Anyway, this is not a review but more of a photographic learning process (for me). I have to say that the watch is a very beautiful watch, well made and feels very very light on the wrist. It is a limited edition of 300 pieces and comes in at 45 x 37.8 mm. 

On with the photographs:

The watch. 

I just love the dial and the date display at the 7 o'clock position. The dial is rendered in the Brazilian Flag colours.

I also like the 'skeleton' like dial.

Not a safe queen, look at the scratches at the 6 o'clock position. I like the use of the 'Trox' like screw head around the bezel. Very utilitarian. 

Comes with a rubber strap.

The screw down crown. If I am not wrong, the RM0005 FM was the first RM to achieve the water resistant rating of 10 ATM. Look at the beautiful titanium 3 case design (bezel, mid case and case back).

The automatic movement, reference RM005-1, with hours, minutes, seconds and date complication. It also features an adjustable rotor geometry. Basically it adjust to the owners movement.

The case back with a display window. Well made and just beautiful.

Another view of the movement. 

Apologies for the many repeat photographs, but like I said, this is training shots. :)

Again the dial. 

And the case back.

A very well made and beautiful watch. 

Casio New Mook

I have not been following Casio for sometime now. In fact my collection is slowly moving to the home of another Casio collector. Anyway, there is a new Mook (Magazine bOOK) out on the popular Casio G-Shock. It is not really a new Mook as it has been out about a month. The Mook is published by KK Bestsellers and it is printed in Japan. The ISBN is 978-4-584-22208-9. 

The Mook, unlike earlier Mook on Casio G-Shock, seems to focus on the current G-shock collection. There is not much in terms of historical references, i.e. no list of past G-Shocks. There are however lots of cut-away and blow-up (?) photographs of the current models. It is 100 pages thick.

The magazine.

Front cover.

Back cover.

Some of the content.

Collaboration model. I had the Stussy model. 

Current G-Shock models.

Full circle

Got this today. Condition? Just awesome, like new. Truly full circle......

California dial, what else could you ask for.....

Nice to get it back.

Tudor Prince Date Day

I was at my neighbourhood watch shop when I stumbled on the owner's stash of old catalogues. I was looking through a couple when I saw this old Tudor catalogue (well not that old, it was from 2006). Inside I saw these. Never knew there were 4 different models. It is the Tudor with the California dial.

The Tudor Prince Date Day reference 76200-62480. This is the largest at 36 mm.

The Prince Date reference 74000-62470 and this one comes in at 34 mm. The next model is the Prince Date (boys model?) reference 72000-62450 and this one is 32mm. The last model in the collection is the Princess Date reference 92400-62430 at 25mm.

Tudor 7016 update

The Tudor is still with RC/ TSC. Sigh.... Well at least they are doing their job by really checking the watch serial number. 

In the meantime I have been scouring the Internet for a bracelet. I have manage to establish from popular Rolex forums and even from RSC/ TSC that the original strap or bracelet issued with the watch is the reference 7836 and subsequent model, the bracelet reference 9315. Note that there is no 'T' in the reference as these watches were originally issued with a Rolex bracelet and without the flip lock. 

I realised that I have an extra bracelet that I got from the GMT Master reference 1675 (I have 3 bracelets with the watch, the original rivet bracelet, a replacement bracelet and the current bracelet fitted to the watch). Got it out and had a look. It was a reference 78360 which is the 'updated' strap to the reference 7836 (folded bracelet). End links reference 558. Not sure if it will fit the Tudor but will try it out once I get the watch in a couple of weeks time. Anyway I want to use the watch with a fabric strap and I have one from Bambi (Japan). 

I got down to 'servicing' the bracelet. More like cleaning....

Stripping down the bracelet.

The clasp.

The bracelet.

The pins and clasp spring bar. Note the wear on the pins. 

The build up. Complete bracelet with 13 links.

The bracelet ready for the watch.

There is some stretch, common with Rolex bracelet. 

I will continue to search for a reference 7836 bracelet.

Congrats James Cameron

James Cameron is only the third man to have gone to the bottom of the Mariana Trench to a depth of 11 KM. However he is the first to attempt a solo decent. You can read more about it here:

Deepsea Challenge

A big congratulations to National Geographic, James Cameron and Rolex.

A couple of photographs that may be of interest.....

The watch Rolex made for the trip.

Not to sure what or which Rolex he has on his wrist....

Photograph: AP

Notice the watch strapped on the robotic arm of the submariner....

Photograph: National Geographic

Another view of James Cameron and the watch.

Photograph: National Geographic

Something new from Rolex?

An interesting video from Rolex. A new watch perhaps? 

Deepsea Challenge watch

Lume shot

This a lume shot of my British military mechanical CWC and Hamilton Geneve G10 watch. The luminous material, Tritium is long gone (well it is very very dim as the watches are form the 70s). However I notice if you were to expose the watches to strong white light, the watches do illuminate for about 1 second. So photographing the watches were a tad difficult. Timing was everything? :)

Here are the watches immediately after the lights were switch off.

Second attempt.

I have to say it was pretty cool to find out that it will illuminate brightly for about 1 second before it fades (rapidly) away. I will find out why and update this thread.

Straps...

Been very busy the past few days. Trying to find a new house and other things. Now that it is all over (I hope) things will be back to normal. Anyway, I got these today, much to my surprise. I thought it would have taken much longer but am glad to receive them (bravo FEDEX). 

The strap from Peter Gunny is in the house. I have heard much about them but have never gotten one. Now I have two, one for the Bell & Ross and the other for the Panerai. I have to say that first impression is great. I like my straps raw and tough and the Gunny straps does not disappoint. 

The straps. 

For the Bell & Ross.

Signed.

For the Panerai, from the 74 series.

The Gunny signature.

Look out for the review soon.

Watch photography

Change of background but still the same angle. Next to experiment with angles and perhaps moving to outdoor shots with natural lights. 

The Hamilton Geneve 6bb watch.

Reflection due to the tropic crystal.

Something from 74.