Herculodge

The Watch That Started the Madness: The Citizen Eco-Drive Pro Diver

I think it was September of 2006 I bought myself a watch, one based on a real passion, based on a chill up my spine. It was this 48mm Citizen Eco-Drive Pro Diver BJ8050-08E. It was $205 then; now it goes for $237.

As much as I like it, I don't think I can recommend it for most people. The strap is meant for a diver sleeve, not a human's bare wrist. As a result, the rubber doesn't conform to the wrist well at all so that tight, the strap pinches part of the wrist. Worn loosely, the strap makes the watch wobble a bit. 

I have the stainless steel bracelet version, which gets more wrist time. Part of me thinks I should sell rubber strap version, but then there is probably a sentimental factor to deal with. 

Downsizing Quest Continues: Herculodge Puts Two Invicta Leviathans and an SAS on eBay

The watch downsizing quest continues with the Invicta Leviathan Reserve 6646 and the Leviathan 6652. Also up for sale is the Invicta Subaqua Specialty Reserve Combat 6181. 

Manly Watch Temptation of the Day: Citizen Eco-Drive CA0210-51A

Featuring sporty Daytona-like chrono styling, titanium, and sapphire crystal, this Citizen Eco Drive CA0210-51A is a substantial timepiece at 46mm and sells for around $280, making it a huge temptation for materials, function, and solar battery life and style at this price point. The white dial version will play even bigger on the wrist. 

Angelo's Vintage Seiko Is a Keeper

Here is an older "Seiko Sport" analog watch. I'm not sure when it was made. It belonged to my late wife's father----and along with a vintage Omega, a moonphase Pierce and a couple others, she gave me this Seiko as a link to a man I never met. Neither of us ever had parents-in-law as all four were deceased when my wife and I started dating. The Seiko is easily the most contemporary of the lot. It's not large by today's standards----but certainly holds its own with a relatively large diameter and thicker than average case, a hefty feel for its era and a nice quality, original bracelet. I like the deep blue face and contrasting bezel too. It keeps perfect time. For sentimental value----and for that matter, basic Seiko goodness----this watch is most definitely a keeper for me. Angelo

Best Red Wine I've Had in Recent Memory: Epicuro Riserva 2009

 

Carrie bought the Epicuro Riserva 2009 at Trader Joe's for $5. Insane if you like huge, thick, rippling red wines exploding with blackberries and cherries. I know I do. 

First Look: Seiko Velatura SNAA93P1

 

For the past six years, I've explored the extreme depths of manly watches, that is manly in the form of big, bold, aggressive, and ostentatious. My drug was Invicta for the most part. 

But funny enough, the Invicta Ocean Reef, all stainless steel version, pointed toward a more refined, mature style. But the most powerful influence of all was my Seiko Black Monster, a substantial but comparitively mid-sized watch, only 43mm across the bezel. But in my opinon my most manly watch.

So my manly watch quest shifted toward more understated, more subtle timepieces. A Tag would be nice, but I'm not spending close to $2,000 at this stage of my life.

However, Seiko with its Divers, Arctura and Velatura models seems to fit the bill. Enter the Seiko Velatura SNAA93P1, 44 across the sapphire bezel, 49mm counting the crown. 

Very comfortable and high quality build. It makes me not miss a $10,000 Rolex. I can wear it to almost any occasion. While bold in the Seiko lineup, very subtle compared to my oversized Invicta models. 

The good news: The crown does not dig into my wrist like the Invicta Subaqua Noma III, which I eventually sold. 

I decided to show some photos of the 43mm Seiko Black Monster and the 48mm Citizen Professional Diver to give a sense of the Velatura's overall size. 

The Velatura has timeless style and looks like a keeper. 

When It Comes to a Manly Watch, You Might Ask: "What Would James Bond Wear?"

 

Thanks, Tom W:

My guiding principle has become WWBW?

What would Bond wear?

Bond, James Bond.

Seiko, Rolex and Omega for the most part.

http://www.jamesbondwatches.com/the-list-eon-movies.htm

 

Flash Impressions of the Seiko Velatura SNAA93P1

I wish I had time to photograph my new watch but I doubt I will till tomorrow or Saturday:

I just received my Seiko Velatura today. It is 45 across the bezel, 49 across the entire case if you add the crown. Wears like a mid-sized watch. Very light and comfortable on the wrist. Elegant and classy without being ostentatious. Build quality is excellent.

The price point was $359 and free shipping. The Velatura is worth the money, but since I own the Seiko Black Monster, a $200 watch, I feel compelled to make this point: While the Monster and the Velatura are different types of watches, I find the Monster has more of the "gotta have it" factor. It is a magical watch, very manly and has a stunning quality about it, the shine of its steel and the stark contrast of its shark teeth lume marks and black dial that makes it special and transcendent, a classic.

So while I love the elegance of the Velatura, it lacks the wow factor of the Monster. I'll get some comparison photos in the next day or two.

Angelo Defends the Invicta Brand

Angelo defends Invicta as Herculodge and Johnny have recently found some disenchantment with the brand:

Is Invicta, Ginger and Seiko, Mary Ann? I think you guys are acting hastily. I only have two Invictas----it's possible that you both just overdosed on them or something. I have a Sea Spider (matte black and gold) and an Ocean Reef that Herc sold to me. I love them both. I just wore the Sea Spider yesterday. Guys----stand back for a moment and reconsider what Invicta is: They don't pretend to be Breitling or Rolex----they are just a company who sells fashion forward watches at a moderate price. I think there's most definitely a place for Invicta in watch collections like the ones you describe.

Maybe someone with Bill Gates money would opt for watches starting in the thousands, not the hundreds----but for most of us, spending more than a hundred dollars on a watch is a serious collector purchase. We're not talking about a fifteen dollar drug store watch. Invicta does pretty darn well at providing value at their price point. I think a lot of thought and creativity goes into the design of their watches, material selections----and even how they are named and marketed. They're fun. What's wrong with "fun" as a component of collecting?

I especially like the fact that they will combine carbon fiber, silicon, high polished metal----and other materials---all on the same watch----and somehow make it work. Are some of them over the top, in size and in "wow" factor? Yes. But you don't have to buy those and if you have them, you can sell them----as there is a strong market for those watches, still. The beauty of Invicta is their variety----and in many cases, their value for the dollar. I compare them to Nixon----and I think you get a much better deal, all things considered.

Madeleine Brand Departure Spells KPCC Mess

LA Blogs reports on the KPCC mess, a very complicated, ongoing one.