Herculodge

Alternative to James Bond's Omega Seamaster: Seiko SKA371P1

 

 

 

 

It would be nice to have the Omega Seamaster, but not everyone is inclined to spend the asking price of about $4,000. 

For closer to $200, is the Seiko SKA371P1 Kinetic Diver. Not a bad alternerative at all.  

 

 

 

Randy Johnson's Big Unit Wrist Watch Limited Edition for Over $15,000

 

 

I read in the latest New Yorker about Randy Johnson's limited edition Big Unit wrist watch, a rather disappointing 45mm. I thought it would be over 60mm. Oh well. Size is relative. In any event, the look doesn't do much for me. 

Reader Needs a Thin Watch with Brown Strap That Looks Cool for Under $300

 

 

 

Question:

Got any ideas for a thin watch, maybe with a brown strap that looks cool under $300? maybe something raiders of the lost arkish :-)

I bought an black invicta a while back and never wear it, it is too damn thick for me... thanks

Answer

I'd look at the solar powered Seiko SSC009P3 Flightmaster, very low profile on the wrist and great look for about $215. 

Sells for $213 on Amazon but they may charge tax on this one. 

Manly Watch for Under $140: Seiko SRP169J1

 

 

 

 

I can't find an eco drive that looks as good as a Seiko automatic. Here's a black Seiko SRP169J1 with a 45mm case. The bezelis probably about 42mm. This Seiko has the new 24 jewel movement that has hand-winding option. At this price point, this is a lot of watch. Look at those big lume markings. 

Manly Watch Sighting: Gunmetal 24 Jewel Seiko SRP157J1

 

 

 

With a 43mm bezel and 46mm case size, this Seiko SRP157J1 has the new 24 jewel movement that allows for hand winding option. I love the gunmetal. Price is about $180. I also like the retro look of the silver version. 

SWLing 2012 Holiday SW Radio Gift Guide

 

 

Thanks, Vimal:

SWLing.com’s 2012 Holiday Shortwave and Radio Gift Guide
Posted on November 22, 2012 by Thomas

http://swling.com/blog/2012/11/swling-coms-2012-holiday-shortwave-and-radio-gift-guide/

Looks Like a Gunmetal Version of My Seiko Black Monster

 

 

 

I love a gunmetal diver watch, especially a Seiko with a 4R37 24-jewel movement (hand-winding option) like this Seiko SSA057K1, about the same dimensions as the Black Monster, 45mm case size. 

Pablo's Mini Review of the Meloson M7 Radio with MP3

 

 

 

 

Here is a mini review, hope it helps:

First at all, it is a general purpose AM FM MP3 radio with strong and solid reception. 
Construction: this small radio is well constructed, all switches and knobs work as they should. I love the analog potentiometer for volume control, far more convenient that those digital steps in Tecsun´s, which jump from zero to loud even in lowest volume settings. The numeric keypad works well and is very handy to introduce frequencies (no backlight here). Maybe, one of the weakest points is the antenna (seems to be a little bit fragile) and the display, a tad spartan (the most important lack is no battery status shown).
The two left knobs are just for decoration (remember that the shape resembles a mini Grundig 700..)
Reception: compared with my similar sizes radios (tecsun pl606, Degen DE17 and Degen DE1127), reception is similar in both AM FM..Of course I´m not a DX chaser, but the hard to get stations (on AM and FM) could be hear on the Meloson easily.
Regarding the AM band, the step is fixed with 10 khz step (on FM you have a 100 hz step)... and the sound, that´s where the Meloson excels...I dare you to find another radio with this form factor (even bigger) with this warm, sweet and great balanced audio..a pleasure! You never get "tired" to listen it!
The MP3 section is just fine..the M7 uses micro sd cards and reproduces the sound again in a impressive way for the size..but the functions and the display information is just basic.
The battery really do an excellent job, given me the ability to play it (with an average of 3/4 hours of listening) about 5/6 days at mid/moderate volume. The radio can be charged with the provider ac adaptor or a usb connector to your pc/laptop.
The M7 is very useful also as a portable speaker for my laptop, to do this the radio has an aux in jack.
The radio could be improved in many aspects (specially the display info and MP3 section) but I think it is a nice radio for everyday use.
Nowadays, is my more often used radio all around the house (along with my beloved Mutant portable internet radio) and I can´t be more pleased.. 
Sorry for my poor english.

Pablo Recommends the Meloson M7 Radio with MP3

Regarding the Meloson M7

http://herculodge.typepad.com/herculodge/2012/08/owl-recommends-the-melosom-m7-fmam-mp3wma-radio.html

is now available on ebay thru KaitoUSA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Meloson-M7-Rechargeable-MP3-Player-DSP-AM-FM-Radio-/251180877294?pt=Other_MP3_Players&hash=item3a7b8c05ee

 

I´ve just ordered my second unit from this mini wonderful radio, and I strongly recommend it!..sound is incredible for such a small radio, the reception on MW and FM is strong (thanks to the DSP I guess) and the MP3 section, if basic, is not bad at all!

Battery seems to last forever (it uses the B5CL cell phone type battery).

I bought my first unit directly from China (thru a Taobao Agent) and it is a keeper!

Regards!

Pablo

First Look: Seiko SUN007 KInetic Gunmetal GMT

I wanted to buy a Seiko SUN007 over 2 years ago because I was drawn to the monochromatic gunmetal styling, but at the time I was going through my clown watch phase and deemed the SUN007 "too small," at 44mm. 

My tastes have changed and confident that my people at Watch City can work on a kinetic for a low cost, I pulled the trigger on this used model, mint condition, for $199. It arrived mint as described with 4 links. I could not get the watch around my hand, let alone my wrist and had to add 3 of the links. It's a bit loose now but I fear one less link will be too tight for me. We shall see. 

The lume is great, the same as my Seiko Black Monster and the energy reserve works well, considering I only wore it for a half hour last night and this morning it was still ticking.

However, I don't understand the power reserve monitor. There are different color marks, but I don't know how to read it. I guess I'll open the manual. 

On a bad note, it appears the crown is push/pull, not screw-down. 

But overall the gunmetal has the iconic look that makes me a huge fan of the Black Monster. This one is a keeper. 

Update on Power Reserve Monitor:

Tony emailed me:

To check the power reserve on your Kinetic, you wait for the second hand to reach 12 then press the button.   The second hand will then fast forward up to 30 seconds.   30 seconds is full power, 20 seconds is somewhat less etc.   At least that is how mine works.