Sweet Seiko Solar Chrono SSC103P1

Check out the matched colors to my shirt livery.

I actually bought this SSC103P1 in 2022. But I did not really write about it because it was a time when I got disappointed with Seiko's QC with my Presage and its repair. But this is a real surprise because this is a watch that has (quartz) solar, chronograph, sapphire, solid links, 100m WR. 

And although I thought 42mm case would be a bit (acceptably) big, it fits VERY well and comfortably. Considering that this is a Seiko from around late 2008s to 2010s, this is a Seiko from around the times when it's still very good and I believe they are known as the Criteria line. I had my eye on the Prospex Speedtimers, but I saw this and it was going for 50% off, and not only that, even without the discount it's still nearly 50% off of the Prospex Speedtimers it was a no-brainer. It makes the Prospex seem overpriced even... 

 2 years later, what do I think? Well. These are great! I love the SSC103P1 and have been looking for Chronos with a tachymeter and this ticks all the boxes. Does it redeem my views on my Seiko after my poor experience with the SRPD97J1? ..maybe, if we get an older Seiko? With the new ones I don't know you may still be getting a few duds every once, but for this era Seiko I think they are great.

CASIO AQS810W-1AV BEST WATCH EVER

Bought it for my son - it's favorite watch. The Tough Solar AQS810W-1AV. Best. Casio. Ever. (Old picture showing July)

 

Specs:

CASIO SOLAR POWERED 

• Tough solar 

• World time

 • 1/100-second stopwatch

 • 5 alarms

 • LED light (LCD part only) 

• 100-meter water resistance

 • Sporty design

Solar Seiko SCC913 'Speedtimer' is Such a Beaut; I wonder About The Old Chrono Movements

 

 

  Seiko has left me feeling discouraged recently, due to their QC problems and poor service issues which I have personally experienced. However, despite this, I can't help but admire the stunning SCC913 Solar Chrono, which Seiko has designed to perfection. At 41mm, it is larger than the first batch of 39mm Speedtimer lineup, and its design appears to draw inspiration from the early speedtimer mechanical chronograph models.

  However, the main issue I have with the SCC913 Solar Chrono is its high price, as a Solar Quartz. The prices for them now are more than doubled what the older Solar Quartz movments used to go for retail. While I understand that the production of automatic chronograph movements is a complex process, I can't help but wonder why Seiko cannot reissue the original 60s automatic chronograph movements for production. While Seiko does have newer automatic chronographs which are pretty trick but thick, and they are expensive. The old vintage chronographs are thin and svelt by comparison.

Unlike car companies, who cannot bring back older engines due to environmental or emissions regulations, I wonder why Seiko couldn't bring back those 60s automatic chronograph movements, even if it is in the form of a limited production for a higher price, though a high production number version would be neat. (And with QC up to scratch, of course).

Citizen Eco-Drive J810-S112761 for the Missus

 In May of 2021, in the midst of all that COVID restrictions, I decided to get this Citizen Eco-Drive J810-S112761 Women's watch for my wife for her birthday in June that year. I figured that the solar movement (Eco-Drive) would work best for her because obviously - no battery change, and not having to reset the time constantly. 

 The version I got is a nice dark blue dial that matches some of her outfit and shoes. It's now February of 2023, and the Citizen has worked flawlessly ever since, as expected. 

She loves it and wears it everyday.

The Beautiful Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC717P1 is on my Wish List

 I came across this and it just has to go on the 'To keep an eye on' list. Such beautiful combination of colors. The SSC717P1 uses the Seiko Calibre V716, which is a solar charging quartz movement. Featuring Lumibrite on the hand and indexes.

 Apparently the SSC717P1 also comes with Hard Coating applied to its stainless steel case. I saw this watch in person, it is a gorgeous watch - the photos don't do it justice.

 If you would like to buy this watch you can click here.

Movement
Calibre - Number V176
Movement - Type Solar
Accuracy - ±15 seconds per month
Duration - Operating for approx. 6 months (when fully charged)
Exterior - Case Material Stainless steel (hard coating)
Crystal - Hardlex LumiBrite Lumibrite on hands and indexes
Clasp - Three-fold clasp with push button release

Other Details
Water Resistance - 10 bar

Case Size
Thickness - 12.2 ㎜
Diameter - 43.2 ㎜

Other Specifications
Screw case back
Other Features Chronograph up to 60 minutes in 1/20 second increments
Date display
Overcharge prevention function
Stop seconds hand function

Reflecting on Quartz Watches

I've had some time on my hands recently and reflected on my Quartz watches - Both Casios and both Edifices.

See, even if the mechanical watches have 'soul', or a heart beat, and needs attention to wind it up, set time, etc.. the quartz just ticks on and on and on. In the case of both of my Edifices, they last almost a lifetime of the watch themselves. (There was one instance where my EF-125 stopped which I thought was the battery running out, but a bit of tapping and adjusting the hands it has gone on working since.)

This is because the EF-125 has a 10-year battery, on which it is still ticking on, and the EQS-500DB is solar.

It's easy to see why quartz watches are so popular with the general populace - especially with long life batteries or solar watches - they are basically set once and forget. In the case of my EQS-500DB, it is also perpetual.

So, with the EQS-500DB, you get:

- Water resistance up to 100m
- Reliable and toughness to abuse
- world time, 1/100 chronograph, alarm, 24 hour indicator
- solar, never needing a battery change so often
- being a quartz, the time is always spot on
- perpetual calendar so you never need to set for months that skip the 31st or leap years
- essentially almost needing no service

...and all for about the same price as my Orient automatics that only just tell the time.

In essence, these two are essential to my time keeping for all my other watches - I set all my automatics to the Quartz watches (and sometimes my phone, if I could even be bothered to turn its screen on).

So if you're rational, all you need is just this one watch.


But, and this is irrational, because I like my automatics. It's like a little engine ticking away on my wrist. It's like jewellery and fine machinery combined into one. It's precision engineering. And it's a joy to watch the movement do its thing in a transparent caseback. Quartz itself is an engineering marvel in its own right when it first came out.. it's too good for its own good.

Oh well. Quartz is important - but don't let the mechanicals become obsolete (or become high-end curiosities only for the rich). I hope the likes of Seiko and Orient keep producing affordable, reliable, mechanical little spring driven engines for our wrists and I hope people keep buying them.

Casio Edifice EQS-500DB-1A2 Wrist Shot

I've been neglecting this one for quite a while. I've put it on a brown leather strap I have lying around and it does look pretty good like this.

Casio WS200H Tough Solar Digital

Casio WS200H Tough Solar Digital , 100m water resistance. Inexpensive but extremely tough and

 resilient tough practical watch like all Casios.

Eyeing the Casio Edifice EQS-700DB-1AV

Uh oh, I am getting the collectors addiction....

Lately I have set my eyes on this very nice Edifice:

• Partial ion plated
• Neobrite
• Sapphire Glass
• 100-meter water resistance
• Case / bezel material: Stainless steel
• Stainless Steel Band
• One-touch 3-fold Buckle
• Solid Band
• Solar powered
• World time
  29 time zones (29 cities + coordinated universal time), daylight saving on/off, Home city / World time city swapping
• 1/100-second stopwatch
  Measuring capacity: 23'59.99''
  Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time
• Daily alarm
• Low battery alert
• Power Saving (Hands stop to save power when the watch is left in the dark.)
• Full auto-calendar (to year 2099)
• Regular timekeeping
  Analog: 3 hands (hour, minute (hand moves every 10 seconds), second),
  3 dials (24-hour, world time hour and minutes, day), date
• Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
• Approx. battery operating time:
  6 months on rechargeable battery (operation period with normal use without exposure to light after full charge)
  28 months on rechargeable battery (operation period when stored in total darkness with the power save function on after full charge)
• Size of case/total weight: 50.5 X 47.3 X 12.6 mm/184 g

Sapphire crystal? And with all the gizmos? I seriously hope I don't get it, makes my wallet complain. ;)

Link

Casio Edifice EQS-500DB-1A2

 

I just bought this...

I know it's another Casio, but damn, these Edifice are like Nissan GTRs in car terms... Japanese, high tech, full of features long lasting and just freakin' awesome in that sense.

I do like the charm of mechanical watches, but basically I like all watches. I got this one mainly because I got a good deal out of it and it's solar. It's a large watch, at about 46mm across but surprisingly, it fits rather well and doesn't feel like there is a heavy watch on my wrist. It should fit well in more formal occasions.

I'll take more complete pictures later, but enjoy this one pic from me and the video below I found on Youtube.

Oh and lastly, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Edifice EQS-500DB-1A2

 5-motor chronograph solar-powered module with 1/100-second stopwatch
• 1/10-second center hand that completes one revolution per second
• World time
• Stainless steel case and band
• Rotatable inner ring
• 100-meter water resistance
• Multi-dimensional face
• Dynamic wide face


    Mineral Glass
    Partial ion plated
    Neobrite
    100-meter water resistance
    Case / bezel material: Stainless steel
    Stainless Steel Band
    One-touch 3-fold Buckle
    Solid Band
    Solar powered
    World time
    29 time zones (29 cities + coordinated universal time), daylight saving on/off, Home city / World time city swapping
    1/100-second stopwatch
    Measuring capacity: 23'59.99''
    Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time
    Daily alarm
    Low battery alert
    Power Saving (Hands stop to save power when the watch is left in the dark.)
    Full auto-calendar (to year 2099)
    Date display
    Regular timekeeping
    Analog: 3 hands (hour, minute (hand moves every 10 seconds), second),
    3 dials (24-hour, world time hour and minutes, day)
    Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
    Approx. battery operating time:
    6 months on rechargeable battery (operation period with normal use without exposure to light after full charge)
    28 months on rechargeable battery (operation period when stored in total darkness with the power save function on after full charge)
    Size of case/total weight: 50 X 45.8 X 12.3 mm/164 g