Tick-Talk: Jam Tangan Replika (Tiruan) High Grade dan Mewah

"Aku ngaku. Aku pernah jadi peminat jam-jam replika tiruan suatu masa dulu. Cumanya waktu tuu aku bukan laa penternak. Sekadar memenuhi selera mata... nak melaram. Dari yang murah 2 3 ratus sebijik sampai laa yang cecah harga ribuan satu. Pastinya yang branded! Kini tukun-tukun ni memang dah takda lagi dalam simpanan. Lama dah aku usir keluar... hehe! PS Boutique pusat jual beli jam-jam spesis camni pun dah bertahun aku tak jejak. Tapi minat aku masih ada pada tukun-tukun tiruan ni. Bukan minat nak beli-pakai-simpan, tak! Tapi minat mengetahui perkembangan tukun-tukun ni terutamanya yang harga seketul seribu ke atas. Ada gak kengkawan yang pakai kereta Merc Bee Em masuk kencang puluh ribu setiap bulan... pakai tukun-tukun ni. Bukan tak mampu beli yang ori. Mereka minat, cuma tak nak belanja mahal-mahal. Hehe! Jangan rasa hairan, ramai orang macam ni kat luar sana. Okeylah, aku kongsikan sedikit hasil carigali aku pasal industri penternakan tukun tiruan gred gred tinggi nih... baca santai, jangan serious! Artikel agak panjang." - thetick-thetick2020 

Jam Replika (Tiruan) High Grade
Bila disebut atau dinyatakan sebagai jam replika high grade, pastinya kita beranggapan yang jam tangan tersebut berkualiti tinggi. Berdasarkan pengalaman, ada kemungkinan ianya benar. Kemungkinan juga tidak. Walaupun harga memainkan peranan dalam menentukan kualiti sesuatu barangan, kita tolak tepi dahulu. Jam-jam replika jenis high grade biasanya mempunyai ciri-ciri ‘luaran’ seperti berikut: 

• Fizikal – Mempunyai bentuk fizikal yang sama atau hampir sama dengan yang asli, boleh dikategorikan sebagai ‘clone’. Dari segi ukuran dan ‘setting’ segalanya sama atau hampir sama.

• Fungsi – Sama seperti jam yang asli. Fungsi perakam masa, chronograph, GMT, ‘bezel operation’, moon-phase, dll. sama sepertimana yang terdapat pada jam asli yang diciplak. 

• Material – Ini sesuatu yang sukar dibezakan. Banyak jenis gred stainless steel ada dipasaran. Ada replika yang menggunakan gred-gred bagus seperti ‘surgical grade steel’, 316L steel, dll. Crystal juga, kebanyakkanya menggunakan sapphire crystal dan tidak kurang juga diperbuat dengan AR coating. Untuk tali jam yang bukan metal, jam-jam replika jenis gred mewah menggunakan tali getah, tali silicon, dan tali kulit yang bermutu tinggi. Begitu juga hardware yang lain seperti buckle dan keeper pada tali jam tangan.

• Signature – Kebanyakan jam-jam yang diciplak adalah dari jenis berjenama dan model-model yang mendapat sambutan. Kebanyakan jam-jam asli ini mempunyai signature tersendiri. Daripada sebesar-besar crown signature sehinggalah engraving pada movement jam tangan, semua signature-signature ini ada pada jam replika mewah. Hanya jauhari mengenal manikam, nak membezakan adakalanya sukar.

• Complete Merchandise – Ini bukan suatu yang baharu. Jam replika jenis ini dijual dengan set lengkap (complete merchandise) yang sama seperti jam-jam asli. Kotak luar, presentation box, certificate, booklet, manual, sales tag, watch tag, dll, kualiti kesemua barangan ini adalah jenis yang sememangnya bermutu, hampir serupa – good counterfeit, premium fake.

Semua yang di atas adalah sifat-sifat ‘luaran’; dalaman pula adalah merujuk kepada movement (atau enjin jam) yang digunakan pada jam replika tersebut. Baik, berbalik kepada andaian high grade, high quality; movement pada jam tangan replika menjadi penentu. Adakalanya high grade, high price... inferior quality. Bukan semua replika mewah ini high quality. Usah seronok bayar harga ribuan. Bukan sedikit, tapi kebanyakannya selepas beberapa tahun dipakai - kalah pada jam Seiko 5, jam atuk-atuk yang berharga cuma dua tiga ratus! Tepuk dahi kauuu... jam replika mewah betul-betul jadi tukun. Campak ke laut. Percaya atau tidak? Baik, baca di bawah, jenis-jenis movement yang digunakan. Ini jadi ukuran!

The ‘Asian’ ETA

Asian ETA adalah merujuk kepada movement Swiss ETA yang diciplak dan dikeluarkan di negara China. Tidak dapat dipastikan samada ia adalah movement yang sama digunakan oleh pengeluar jam terkemuka dari China – Seagull. Terdapat berberapa variasi movement ETA yang diciplak - Cal. 2824, Cal. 2836, Cal. 2892, Unitas 6497/98, dan variasi chronograph Valjoux 77xx. Yang pastinya, movement-movement ini adalah calibre yang memacu perakam waktu pada tahap 8bps/28,800bph dan mempunyai kadar ketepatan yang bagus. Cuma, tahap ketahanan movement-movement Asian ETA ini meragukan. Samada mempunyai signature ETA pada semua movement-movement ini atau tidak, kualiti bahan dan proses pembuatannya tetap jadi persoalan. Berapa lama workhorse ini mampu bertahan? Jika beli (jam guna Asian ETA) harga seribu, tahan hanya dua tahun... berbaloi? Alat ganti? Berdasarkan pengalaman, tiada alat ganti. Cuma perlu ganti  movement yang sama... mana nak cari? Taukeh replika bagi 6 bulan warranty jeh... aduyai!  

Kiri - Mido Multifort high grade replica. Guna clone ETA Cal. 2824-2. Kanan - Longines Master Collection. Guna clone ETA Cal. 2892. Haa amacam? Serupa tapi tak sama. 

The Miyota

Miyota adalah syarikat bersekutu kepada jenama Citizen dari Jepun. Miyota mengeluarkan movement jam quartz dan automatic untuk kegunaan jenama-jenama kumpulan Citizen dan juga pengeluar-pengeluar lain. Jam-jam replika tiruan menggunakan dua jenis movement Miyota – Standard Automatic dan Premium Automatic. Harga jam replika berbeza dan bergantung kepada Miyota Standard atau Premium. Pastinya jam replika gred tinggi menggunakan Miyota Premium terutamanya Cal. 9015 atau Cal. 90S5. Movement Miyota juga banyak digunakan oleh pengeluar-pengeluar jenama mikro (micro brand) dan jenama-jenama lain yang agak dikenali. Movement Miyota ini telah terbukti keupayaan dan ketahanannya. Malah dikatakan sebagai pesaing utama kepada movement Soprod, Sellita, dan ETA yang asli.

Bell & Ross BR123 Vintage. Jam replika gred mewah B&R model ini menggunakan movement Miyota Calibre 9015. Berbaloi beli?!!!

The Clone

Pembuat-pembuat jam tiruan kini semakin maju. Movement-movement "in house" atau "enhanced ETA ebouche" kini sudah mereka berjaya klonkan. Memang perlu penelitian untuk membezakan antara movement yang asli dengan yang klon. Namun, disebalik kesamaan dari segi bentuk dan jenis komplikasi; movement yang diklonkan ini pastinya tidak sama dari segi kualiti dan penggunaan bahan. Proses pembuatan, pastinya tidak sama. Jam-jam asli guna in house movement atau enhanced ETA dijual pada harga yang boleh cecah ratus ribu, kalau murah pun... haha, tak murah, mungkin puluhan ribu. Maka pastinya ada proses dan kualiti pembuatan khusus pada movement yang digunakan. Klon? Mungkin harga jam guna movement klon ini hanya berharga sekitar 2 hingga 3% dari harga jam yang asli. Jadi, movement klon bagaimana? Murah dari yang asli... pastinya tidak akan tahan lama. Cuma bertahta di mata, pandang memang seronok. Bila rosak, pasti tiada alat ganti dan pastinya menyakitkan hati. Tepuk poket, tanyalah selera. Jam komplikasi harga ratusan ribu Richard Mille kini ada high grade replica guna clone movement. Nak beli? Harga 3 ke 4 ribu lebih bro... kalau rosak? Elok beli jam Oris genuine. Pasti tahan berzaman lamanya. Fikir-fikirkan...

Clone Movement. Omega Calibre 8900 dengan Panerai P.1000. Menarik! Nak beli jam-jam Omega atau Panerai second hand hati-hati... jangan sampai remuk hati. Bayar beribu, tapi jam clone. Kalau yang memang mencari... pilihan sendiri. Mahal brader....  

The Ronda Quartz

Selepas ISA Elemex SA dibeli oleh syarikat Ricoh dari Jepun dan tidak lagi mengeluarkan movement-movement quartz, pembuat-pembuat jam dari Switzerland mula beralih kepada Ronda. Ronda adalah pembuat movement quartz dari Switzerland yang masih beroperasi dan menjadi alternative kepada ETA quartz. Movement-movement Ronda sudah lama digunakan oleh jenama-jenama Swiss dan juga jenama-jenama lain dari seluruh dunia. Ia digunakan untuk jam-jam kelas pertengahan. Ronda mengeluarkan movement jenis standard timekeeper, GMT, dan pelbagai konfigurasi jam chronograph. Jenama Tag Heuer adalah pengeluar yang paling banyak menggunakan movement Ronda. Hampir kesemua model-model quartz Tag Heuer menggunakan Ronda. Nah!!! Kalau jam replika Tag Heuer guna movement Ronda bagaimana? Harga pulak hampir satu per empat dari harga yang asli! Rupa jam replika pula memang hampir 99% sama. Inilah realiti, engine sama kilang lain-lain. Kilang halal dengan kilang haram. Yang pastinya, movement Ronda memang terbukti kualitinya dan sudah digunakan oleh industri sejak sekian lama. Spare part? Mudah diperolehi. Hantar sahaja kepada apek-apek repair jam. Maka jam-jam replika gred mewah guna Ronda ni hayat dia agak panjang laa kutt! Tukar Swiss Renata battery je bro!

"Original Reassembled!" jam tiruan Swiss Made Tag Heuer Formula 1 WAZ111A. Guna original Ronda quartz.
Nota: Tag Heuer asli tidak guna spacer plastic berwarna putih seperti gambar di atas. Guna stainless steel spacer. Bila buka case back baru tahu bek!!!  

Rumusan

Ini pendapat peribadi. Bukan hendak mempromosi jam-jam replika gred sebegini. Cuma pandangan terhadap industri pembuatan jam tangan itu sendiri. Sejak movement ETA hanya dibuat dan diguna untuk jenama-jenama dari Swatch Group; Ronda menjadi alternative kepada pengeluar-pengeluar lain. (Nota: ETA Montres SA adalah anak syarikat kepada Swatch Group yang memiliki jenama-jenama seperti Omega, Longines, Tissot, Swatch, dll jenama mewah). Movement Ronda boleh diperolehi dan diguna oleh pembuat-pembuat jam jenama lain termasuklah pembuat tukun tiruan harga mewah. Begitu juga setelah berakhirnya hakmilik paten (patent right expiry) movement ETA; pengeluar-pengeluar lain mula beralih kepada Soprod, Sellita, Miyota Premium, atau Seagull yang mengeluarkan movement berkeupayaan yang hampir sama dengan ETA. Kehadiran teknologi Rapid Prototyping pula membolehkan pelbagai movement-movement in house diciplak atau diklonkan. Perkembangan ini membuka luas peluang untuk pengeluaran jam-jam replika tiruan gred tinggi dan mewah. Selagi ada permintaan, selagi itu aktiviti ciplak akan terus hidup dan berkembang. Permintaan dari yang ingin bergaya, tanpa mahu berbelanja banyak... atau yang kurang berkemampuan. Branded dan status sosial!

"Best copy, best edition, factory A, factory B, original reassembled, tut.. tut.. tut. Macam-macam tagline sipenjual jam replika tiruan jenis mewah ni. Aku tak nafi laa... bila nengok tuu macam berselera pulak. Cun bekkk... tapi tuu laa. Kita ikut matematik orang kumpul jam laa senang. Bayar replika sampai seribu setengah... elok aku beli jam Seiko Prospex, Citizen Promaster ke... Orient Star ke... jam Swiss second hand pun okey pe! Selera masing-masing. Seiko high-grade tiruan guna movement original Seiko... NH35 dengan NH36. Haruuuuu... Grand Seiko Quartz tiruan pun dah muncul! Siapa ada beli? Meh aku operate jam tuu." - thetick-thetick2020

Review: Seiko Prospex Solar SNE541P1

“I agree with Maverick Watch Channel on YouTube. The Seiko SNE541P1 deserved to be nominated for 2019 Seiko’s best looking watch. My love at first sight. I received this Baby Tuna on 21st November last year. I bought it online from Shopee store named wengcheongbahauns from Bahau, Negeri Sembilan - a southern state of Peninsular Malaysia. The price is the cheapest I found on Shopee at that time. Anyway, I am not going to touch about the price. Let me share my view on this original 1975 inspired diver.” – thetick-thetick2020 

The Seiko Prospex Solar SNE541P1

The SNE541P1 is one of the four latest release from the 2019 Street Series. The other three are the SNE545P1 in white-black with red markings; the SNE547P1 in olive green and black; and the SNE5431P1 in military green and black ion-plated. The older versions are the 3 solid coloured divers – the SNE533P1 in navy blue, the SNE535P1 in olive green, and the grey SNE537P1. Check this out from Seiko official website.  

Specification and Pictorial Review 

• Movement – Cal. V157 Solar, 3 hands date movement, +/- 15 seconds per month, continuous running for 10 months (when fully charged), overcharge prevention function
• Watch Case – Stainless steel with plastic (the shroud); 46.7 mm diameter, 46.1 mm length, 12 mm thickness, 22 mm lug width
• Case Back – Stainless steel screw case back
• Watch Crystal – Seiko Hardlex
• Crown – Screw-down crown
• Bezel – Stainless steel ring with stainless steel bezel insert, 120 clicks unidirectional bezel
• Strap – Silicon with stainless steel pin-buckle
• Luminous Compound – Seiko Lumibrite
• Water Resistance - ISO rated 200m / 660ft diver's 

Read below, my pictorial review on this great looking diver.

Thick Seiko proprietary Hardlex crystal. Conical minute indices. Look at that precisely placed thick minute markers and the watch hands. They look similar with the legendary 62MAS dial setting. All in rectangular shape including the second hand's tip. The hands and the minute markers are a little bit yellowish like patina and blends perfectly with contrasting matte black dial.

The dial... the Solar dial is not like the ordinary glossy looking but some kind of tiny granular spread all over. I like the big encased lume pip. A little offset, the lume pip is greenish not similar to the patina looking hands and markers. The bezel is brushed steel with engraved markers painted in black. It is thick and slightly raised above the lume pip triangular cut. I love it, not shiny on bright daylight.

The date window or aperture is slightly raised, same level as the height of the minute markers. Silvery white number printed on black, the date indicator matches the entire dial setting.

Seiko's standard dial and movement reference at six, finely printed. The dial reference is 0EL8-HR-2 accompanied with the movement number V157.

Side profile. At the top, the side position at nine. The plastic shroud is fitted onto the watch case using two hex-screws. At the bottom, the crown side. Like the other diver, the crown is proportionately sized and placed suits to the time-setting function and wearing comfort. The shroud is fitted onto the watch case using a single hex-screw on this side. Symmetrical, the shroud profile is lowered at 12 to 3 and 6 to 9 to ease the bezel usage. Hence, the saw tooth edge on the bezel ring gives better grip. Trust me guys, the 120 click bezel is so smooth and almost no play at all. Seiko did it right on this model. Not like the new Arnie, so rough and wobbling! Did you guys noticed that tiny granular texture on the shroud? Awesome, matches the solar dial.

All polished case back with Tsunami medallion and engravings. The plastic shroud protects the watch case and the big protruding crown perfectly. Seiko's expertise since 1975, producing the world's first shrouded diver.

Craquelure texture! Sorry guys, I use the Adobe Photoshop's effect terms for this cracked textured matte black silicon strap. The texture matches the tiny granular texture on the dial and the plastic shroud. Standard Tsunami stamp on the Seiko's diver straps. The strap is fitted with normal stainless steel pin-buckle. The Street Series strap loop or keeper is made of the same silicon material and texture. Not the Seiko signed buckle and keeper. 

The big protruding screw-down crown is 6.5 mm height and 7 mm in diameter. Like most Seiko divers, the lug width is 22 mm. The thick connecting end of the silicon strap leaves very minimal gap with the watch case. Perfect.

Seiko Lumibrite. The rich luminous compound on the minute markers, hands and lume pip produce immense glow in blue. I would prefer the green. The green glows better and brighter. No luminous marker at four!

My wrist is 17 cm in circumference. This baby tuna is not a big-zilla diver to me... but the watch looks "expanded" by the ventilating curve of the diver's strap. I don't bother the protruding strap end. The diver strap standard is longer than the ordinary. Purposely made for strapping on thick scuba wet suit and glove. Don't like it? Change the strap. Get the shorter one you desk divers!!!

My Opinion on this Watch

• The function – An ISO rated 200 meter W.R. dive timer suitable for scuba diving. A daily timekeeper suitable for all sort of water activities. The solar powered movement need no battery change. Cal. V157 +/-15 seconds per month is acceptable. Very very acceptable.
• The design – For daily casual wear, rugged but decent looking timepiece.
• The construction – The watch head construction is meant to stand underwater pressure at 200 meter depth. My concern is the plastic shroud. How long it takes before it cracks? I do not know but those that I have last till today with minor scratches, no cracks. The tiny granular texture on the surface is not just a cosmetic. I believe it was made as such to absorb knocks and bumps. The steel bezel, better than lacquer painted aluminium or alloy insert. Once scratched, you can still brushed it. Overall, it is a compact dive watch, not so big to strap on.
• Wearing comfort – The weight of the watch is unnoticeable albeit the heavy steel parts. The silicon strap feels rubbery and soft. Very comfortable to wear the whole day. The texture makes the strap more durable.  

“Boring laa… asyik-asyik Seiko. Guys, have you ever had enough of Seiko? I guess the scuba world is so dominated by them. My experience, I haven’t seen any of my dive instructors wearing other than Seiko. Back in the late 90s the SKX are famous among them. May be a few wear the Citizen Lefty and none wear Rolex! I haven’t been diving since 2006 but I heard recently from my fellow divers, most of them wear dive-comp. Ha ha... that makes all these dive watches a fashion wear! Don’t you think so? Next, let me do a review on micro brand dive watches. Are they any good? Wait.” – thetick-thetick2020

OTW: Seiko Prospex Solar SNE541P1

Citizen Eco-Drive, Seiko Solar and G-Shock Tough Solar. I experience them all. All are similar, using the quartz workhorse. But they are not the same. Am I right? I do not know what you guys think. I just want to highlight on the power recharging method. Eco-Drive recharged by any source of light, where else Solar and Tough Solar need the sunlight – the solar energy. The sunlight have more photon to channel into the movement's power cell. How long the power reserve last? It depends on the movement. Standard calendar timekeepers last longer. Not the power-hunger multi-function movements. The Seiko SNE541P1 is actually my second solar-powered watch from the Prospex line. The first one is the Arnie Re-issue. I don’t quite like the new Arnie. Anyway, quartz movements are more accurate than mechanical. For diver’s watch, quartz is highly recommended. You don’t need to unscrew and screw back the crown quite often thus making the water resistance last longer.

The Seiko SNE541P1 is from the Prospex Street Series. It is low profile and smaller size Tuna diver – black and steel combination. What interests me to acquire this so called Baby Tuna is because of its design and the V157 quartz movement. The Cal. V157 date movement share the same accuracy with Cal. 7C46 used in the Original Tuna; +/-15s per month. Wait for my review on this shrouded scuba dude - inspired by the original 1975 Seiko diver. – thetick-thetick2020     

Icon: Casio G-Shock DW-6900

"G-Shocks are meant for the youth. Aged people like me are not apposite to wear them. Hmhhh… I don’t think so. Who cares! I like it. I like it a lot. Cheap? Not all G-Shocks are cheap. What matters to me most is the features. A real tool watch and I never feel bored with G-Shock. Solute to Mr Kikuo Ibe, the brainchild behind these amazing timepieces.” – thetick-thetick2020 

Watches for Harsh Environment

I can’t remember who told me but G-Shock is one of the U.S. Army standard issue for military watches. It has been used by many army combatants in many military campaigns. For the Navy Seals, Luminox is the brand synonym to this elite forces. Born in 1983, the G-Shock was proposed as rugged, tough, and fashionable timepieces. It bears a standard water resistance at 200 meters, suitable for scuba diving. The watch movement or what they call the module is encased in several layers of protective parts to absorb shock and can be used in harsh conditions - in the muddy, dusty, wet, deep water, high altitude, heat, and freezing temperature.

The G-Shock DW-6900

In 1994, G-Shock released the DW-6900 model. The model has been one of Casio’s top-selling models of all time and the company still alluring the market with release of new series and special editions. This year, the DW-6900 will celebrate its 25th anniversary. While preparing this article, I received an official announcement from Casio (via email) about the release of the DW-6900 anniversary editions.

The G-Shock DW-6900 family. On the left, the basic model of DW-6900. On the right, the newly released 25th anniversary edition.

The DW-6900 Module and Construction

The DW-6900 is using the 3230 module which is a basic digital timekeeper with 1/100s stopwatch, countdown timer, multi-function alarm, hourly time signal, full auto-calendar, 12/24h format, and running on CR2016 standard battery. The size of the case is 53.2 X 50 X 16.3mm with average weight of about 67g. The watch is constructed in 3 main assemblies – the watch head, the bezel, and the band. The watch hard case housed the watch movement, LCD display, faceplate, crystal, backlight EL G-button, integrated 4 push buttons, and covered by a screw-type water-proof stainless steel case back. The bezel is unique by design; rugged, thicker, and engraved (or moulded) with operating labels which is aligned with the 4 operating push buttons by the side. The purpose of the bezel is to protect the watch hard case. The strap is attached to the watch head using the 16mm spring bar. For the basic model (DW-6900-1AV or 1V), the strap is fitted with black plastic pin-buckle, else the other variants are using the stainless steel. The DW-6900 band and bezel’s (B&B or BNB) resin has gone through continuous improvements on the material compound. The new resin is soft and much lighter compared to the previous production.       

Custom Watch

The modular design makes the watch easy to dismantle and to customise. The parts are interchangeable and can be fitted with many accessories. You only need a right size Philips screwdriver to dismantle and assemble them. Easy customisation is another factor why DW-6900 loved by the collectors and the G-Shock cult. There are varieties of parts and accessories available on the market today. Different set of BNBs, special print faceplates, matching themed case backs, colour-plated steel buckles and keepers; once fitted it will give a different look and personality to the watch - custom watch.

The DW-6900 family. Colourful but tough.

Collaborating and Limited Editions

Watchmakers like to associate themselves with celebrities, institutions, special events, or other non-competing brands. Collaborating with these groups enable Casio to produce the special or limited editions. The unique selling proposition is to attract more sales. The DW-6900 has been a Casio collaborating model for more than a decade. We can find the Eminem edition, Transformer edition, Bape (Bathing Ape), Off-White, Undefeated, Avengers, and a long list of names to be associated with. These models are not cheap and hunted by the cult and collectors.

Some of the special and limited edition sought-after by DW-6900 collectors. Different cosmetics, similar features and functions.

In the Movies and on TV

Most of the watch icons worn by actors in the movies. For Seiko lovers, the Diver 6105 is known as the watch worn by Captain Willard (played by actor Martin Sheen) in the famous Apocalypse movie. Although can’t be spotted while running on the cinema or TV screen; there are G-Shock cult out there manage to freeze the screen to show the silhouette of the watch. Wondering what model of G-Shock worn by the character in that movie. We can find in Goggles’ images; actors like Tom Cruise wearing the DW-6900 in the movie Mission Impossible, Tom Hanks in the thriller movie Captain Phillips, Ethan Hawke wears it in Training Day, Bradley Coopers wears it in the American Sniper, and many actors and actresses wear this iconic watch in other movies and TV series.  

My latest acquisition. The DW-6900LU-8 from the stealth series. Dual-tone strap, dark grey with black markings.

The 6900 Design DNA

The 6900 design DNA has become the impetus for Casio to extend the product line. Today we can find models replicated from the original design like the G-6900 upgraded version to tough solar, the GD-X6900 larger version, the GLS series, and other product line with various display configuration and functions. Besides all these extended version, the original DW-6900 and its variants are still liked by many collectors around the world. That makes the DW-6900 an icon, a must have model for all G-Shock lovers.

Models from the 6900 design DNA

“Wait a minute. I can’t read it. Age factor; short-sighted problem, I can hardly read the time on my DW-6900 with negative display. I have dispose all my G-Shock with this type display. The clear positive display suite my eye sight, more visible. OK guys, I hope this article is informative and useful. Thanks for visiting my blog. Wait for the next icon.” – thetick-thetick2020    

Review: Casio DW-291H Youth Series

"The model reference is DW. DW always referred to the G-Shock line. But the watch looks like the other standard Illuminator models! Hence, the 200m WR is a typical G-Shock rating. That surprises me when I first saw this watch on Shopee’s feed by a store named Jam Corner. After watching several video reviews and checking on Casio official webpage, I bought the watch from that store. Read below, my pictorial review on this 2020 Casio newbie. The Casio DW-291H-1AV. A missing G-Shock dubbed by one of the watch reviewer. Enjoy." – thetick-thetick2020 

The DW-291H Youth Series

The DW-291H is the latest Youth series release by Casio for 2020. It comes with three variations – the DW-291H-1AV, DW-291H-1BV, and DW-291H-9AV. At the beginning, I thought of buying the 1BV with read marker display. But, I settled with the 1AV because it is the standard model and the standard is always referred to the watch original design. Others are varients. The 9AV looks kind of a stealthy black. I don’t quite like it because of the polarized light amber display.

The case, the bezel, and the strap is made of resin. The watch features the 3484 module. Besides standard timekeeping, the module comes with multi-time reference up to 4 cities including the home time, world time, 1/100s stopwatch, countdown timer, and 5 daily alarms function. The module uses the LED light and the afterglow timing can be set for 1.5s or 3s. Besides that the module proposes a 10 year battery life using the standard CR2025. (For more details of the watch specification, please go to Casio official webpage). From my survey, the online stores in Malaysia is selling this newbie between RM130.00 to RM170.00 excl. shipping charges. Below, my personal view on the construction and the aesthetic design of the watch.

The watch design is symmetrical. It consists of four displays - the round analogue indicator at the top-right hand corner, watch mode and calendar display at the top-left, the main display is at the bottom half of the watch dial and in between there is a ten-seconds running graphics indicator. 

The gunmetal resin engraved with Illuminator and 200m is a top-screw bezel. It is not that tall above the thick mineral glass. I like the big main display. It covers almost half of the dial. I guess aged people like me prefers big and visible digital display! Rabun dekat daa.... short-sighted problem! He he.

Look at this barrel type of push buttons. They look like a stack of weight lifting plate! But I like it. It is big and mushy when pressed. Easy to operate.

The side profile. Symmetrical in every angle. The bezel is quite thick and rise like a dome. I like the watch shoulder, so recessed to connect the strap.

  Underneath. The watch case back is a screw-type stainless steel with very minimal engravings/markings. I like the strap connecting end. Simple with a single ventilation curve. Hence the absence of decals or prints on the strap make it looks clean.

I guess this resin strap comprises of new or enhanced compound that makes it so light and soft. It is not like the old one that feel so rigid and easily breaks after sometime. The strap pin hole is separated by about 5 mm gap allows strapping adjustment to fit even for smaller wrist. 

Plastic pin buckle. The keeper or the strap loop is made of the same resin. Other reviewers are questioning why Casio did't fit in the strap with stainless steel buckle and pin!? For me, the black pin buckle blends well with the strap. All black.

 No EL back-light. The amber coloured light comes from a LED lighting beam at bottom-right corner of the main display. Sorry, not that easy to make a shot in the dark while focusing on the object on camera within 3 seconds! Sorry bek... tak jumpa lagi digi-cam, pakai henfon cabuk Redmi jehh... haha.

My wrist is 17 cm in circumference. The watch sits nicely on my wrist. The only gap in between is just the space created by the ventilating curve of the strap. I believe it would be comfortable to strap on the diver's wet suit or hand gloves. 

 Not so crowded. I like the combination of black, gunmetal, steel and minor prints in red. The watch reminds me of the robot in that original Lost in Space movie. The big push buttons look similar with the hand joints on that ugly looking fat robot. Old science fiction! Anyway, I like this fat robot. Another love at first sight, actually.

My Opinion on This Watch

• The price - worth for a 200m WR watch
• The function - suitable for daily use
• The design - looks decent but rugged
• The material - I don’t think it will last longer than the battery life!

"Honestly, Casio is a no boring watchmaker. They produce very functional timepieces to suit to our often diverse tastes. Cheap or expensive, Casio wide range of product is fun to collect too. Bek! Amacam? Seiko memang boring? Okidoki, wait for next watch review. Thank you visiting my blog." - thetick-thetick2020 

OTW: Casio G-Shock DW-6900

"OTW - On the Wrist... articles on the way! I will post OTW from time to time. A snippets, a pictorial brief about a watch to be reviewed or a subject of opinion. It will be in Malay or English." - thetick-thetick2020 

Iconic watches! Does not mean they have to be expensive. What makes these watches becoming an icon is because of its original design and loved by many. In some cases the watch created a cult by itself. Apparently they are also top selling models of all time. Some of these iconic watches have been discontinued but some still exist on the market until today. The original design remains but the manufacturer keep rejuvenating the model with production of new series, re-issue, or making a special edition. Another reason why these models survives the market is because of their easy customisation by design. Like the Seiko SKX divers, some collectors preferred to modify their collection with variety of accessories and parts that are widely available on the market. Casio’s infamous G-Shock DW-6900 model is another watch in this category. An iconic watch - a glimpse on someone's wrist, you can recognise the watch by its signature design.

The Casio G-Shock DW-6900 model was released right after the DW-6600 in 1994. Both are signature models of Casio that still exist on the market until today. The DW-6900 model is the first G-Shock to feature an EL (Electro-Luminescent) back light. Wait for my posting on this icon. - thetick-thetick2020

Tips: Beli Jam Tangan Secara Online Bhg. 1

"Baru-baru ni aku gi The Curve, Campbell, Pertama Complex, dan merayau area Jalan T.A.R. Sejak kembali sihat dan berkelapangan, aku mula tinjau balik toko-toko menjual jam tangan yang aku biasa masuk bertahun-tahun sebelum ni. Jangan kata jam tangan... kedai-kedai jual jam tangan pun dah mula pupus! Tempias dan saingan dari kedai online kat pasaran maya (bahasa ubi kentang dia Virtual Market) yang bercambah hari demi hari macam sayur taugeh. Taukeh dan salesman kedai jam kerut dahi! Jam Online Store halga mulaa (murah) maa. Talak macam saya, misti bayar sewa. Sewa kidai pun sikalang talak mulaa! Itulah keluhan seorang taukeh kedai jam yang aku kenali hampir tiga dekad lamanya. Saingan perniagaan dari dunia maya. Kepada pemburu-pemburu jam tangan, membeli di online store tak sama dengan beli di kedai. Kedua-duanya ada kelebihan. Jangan ingat nak murah jehh... Beli online pun ada risiko... aku kongsikan tips." - thetick-thetick2020

Web-store vs. Market Place
Web-store (kedai di Internet) dan Market Place bukanlah sesuatu yang baru. Telah wujud hampir tiga dekad. Kebanyakan web-store ini dimiliki dan dikendalikan oleh pengeluar atau reseller jam tangan. Tujuannya adalah untuk memberi kemudahan kepada pengguna untuk membeli jam jualan meraka secara terus menggunakan Internet. Juga untuk mengawal promosi dan pemasaran menggunakan channel web-store itu sendiri. Selain dari web-store, wujud virtual market atau market place seperti eBay, Amazon, Rakuten, Mudah, Lelong, Carousell, Shopee, Lazada, dll. Antara web-store dan market place, mana pilihan terbaik?

Mutakhir ini, pengguna-pengguna lebih tertarik untuk membeli jam-jam tangan di market place berbanding web-store. Ini adalah kerana pemilik market place menawarkan banyak purchase incentives dan promosi berbanding web-store. Market place juga menempatkan (secara virtual) banyak kedai-kedai online (online store), Virtual Mall, dan mampu diakses dengan lebih mudah. Tidak perlu menaip URL untuk untuk setiap kedai seperti web-store. Melalui market place, kita boleh cari jam; pelbagai jenis jenama jam, jam baru, jam lama, jam vintage; bahkan pelbagai accessories, spare parts, dan peralatan membaiki jam. Bukan hanya peniaga-peniaga tempatan, malah dari luar negara turut ada dalam platform yang sama. Semua dalam satu login! Macam pergi pasar borong... kena singgah semua kedai atau penjual untuk cari sesuatu yang dihajati, terbaik dan termurah. Kalau tak jumpa? Kena cari di web-store!

Web-store tetap relevant. Terutamanya untuk jenama-jenama tertentu, jenis-jenis accessories tertentu, dan sesuatu yang special. Hendak beli jam JDM (Japan Domestic Model)? Nak cari tali besi... tali getah untuk jam Seiko Sumo? Nak mod (modify) jam-jam Seiko automatic? Tidak mudah untuk mencari semua ini dalam market place. Mungkin ada, tetapi hanya segelintir. Kita perlu ke web-store seperti Seiyajapan, Dagaz, Strapcode, dan special online store yang lain untuk mendapatkan barangan tersebut. Web-store atau Market Place, kedua-duanya mempunyai kelebihan sendiri.

Online Catalogue vs. Barangan Sebenar
"Ni warna bijik remia... bukan warna merah! Apa laa seller nih! Jangan-jangan mata aku terpeleot!". Rungutan dan nasib apabila terima barangan dibeli secara online. Ini perkara yang pertama kita perlu tahu dan pastikan sebelum membuat pilihan. Warna-warna di online catalogue atau sales display bergantung kepada colour setting pada peranti yang kita gunakan untuk akses - smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, mahupun television. Mungkin berbeza dari warna sebenar!!! Adalah dinasihatkan, jika ada masa terluang - pergi ke kedai-kedai jam, lihat barangan yang sebenar. Bukan setakat warna, spesifikasi lain seperti saiz dan fungsi sebenar boleh kita pastikan jika rajin membanding apa yang ada di skrin dan keadaan fizikal yang sebenar. Aku selalu buat camni... hehe sorry laa taukeh kedai!!!

Ada kalanya kita kurang pasti apa yang dimaksudkan atau disenaraikan oleh penjual-penjual di dalam katalog. Terutamanya spesifikasi dan fungsi-fungsi sesebuah jam tangan untuk dijual. Kita boleh Google search model atau jam tersebut. Ini perkara yang amat disarankan. Bukan apa, kadang-kadang penjual pun boleh jadi terpeleot jugak. Saiz jam 50mm lug to lug, dia bubuh 40mm. Padahal 40mm tuu diameter jam tuu... bukan tip to tip atau lug to lug. Haru beli kalau pergelangan tangan saiz kecik, dapat jam saiz gabak!!! Ada banyak review-review jam tangan di Internet sekarang ini. Ada video review, ada text & pic review. Terpulang... dapatkan maklumat barangan sebelum membeli.

Penjual, Jaminan, dan Khidmat Lepas Jualan
Kebanyakan pemilik atau pengendali market place seperti eBay dan Lazada, menyediakan store rating sebagai rujukan pembeli mengenai sesebuah barangan mahupun pemilik online store. "Camtu laa juga kita-kita ni Cek Kiah oiii... rajin nyoping online pun ada rating". Anda pastinya tahu! Pendapat peribadi, saya tidak terpengaruh pada seller's rating atau store rating semata-mata. Berdasarkan pengalaman dan kajian, kebanyakan penjual yang mendapat rating tinggi seperti 5 star... 4 star... atau volume rating seperti 1.5k sold ini lebih dipengaruhi oleh harga tawaran dan jumlah belian sesuatu barangan.

Lumrah, membeli online untuk mencari harga termurah. Namun, harga termurah tidak menjamin sesuatu yang penting seperti keaslian barangan tersebut, warranty atau guarantee oleh pengeluar barangan, mahupun after-sales service. Ini perlu penelitian. Bak kata mat saleh, penny wise - pound foolish! Kata pak mat... alah membeli, menang memakai. Perlu penelitian sebelum membuat keputusan. Usah kena jerangkap samar atau perangkap harga oleh penjual-penjual online. Kena barangan yang dibeli rosak, nak return untuk claim warranty - masalah. After sales adalah penting akan tetapi selama mana anda dibenarkan untuk edit balik rating penjual tersebut? Dalam masa setahun? Nasib laa... kena hati-hati dan teliti.

Harga Patut dan Harga Tak Patut!
Ingin mengetahui harga asal atau SRP (suggested retail price) untuk sesebuah jam tangan? Kita perlu semak di laman-laman web rasmi pemilik jenama atau model tersebut. Boleh juga kita semak di kedai-kedai yang menjual jam-jam tersebut. Namun, jika kita tidak mempunyai sumber maklumat sebegini; kita boleh membuat bandingan secara rawak (random) di market place. Sebagai contoh - jam penyelam Seiko Prospex model Turtle Standard tali besi harga online terkini di Malaysia sekitar RM1,200.00 hingga ke RM1,350.00 satu. Usah tertarik pada penjual yang menjual jam yang sama pada harga RM380.00 atau harga yang jauh lebih rendah sekalipun! Ini bukan harga patut, tetapi adalah harga yang tidak patut. Jam yang asli, genuine tidak semurah itu. Usah ditipu dengan sales claim oleh penjual seperti OEM, re-assembled, reject, dan helah-helah untuk jual jam tiruan! Lain lah jika seller memberitahu bahawa jam tersebut adalah jam tiruan!!! Haha... tepuk dada, tanyalah selera. Nak tukun tiruan, silakan. Sebagai peminat jam, pastinya kita mahukan yang asli. Namun, jika terlalu dipengaruhi oleh "harga runtuh" alamat bakal terpijak tahi ayam laa gamaknya. Aku dah terkena. Haha... pengalaman. Buat kaji selidik mengenai harga terlebih dahulu. 

Harga patut? Mana ada harga Seiko Turtle PADI semurah ni! Usah tertipu.

 Jam G-Shock. Lowest price guaranteed. Original? Hati-hati dengan "China Scam".

"Nak ziarah toko-toko jam tangan kat mall yang besar-besar ni meletihkan. Boleh luruh bulu betis banyak naa berjalan. Berbatu-batu berjalan tak perasan, ngalahkan main golf jalan kaki satu round. Nak buat camna, minat punya pasal. Dah jumpa apa yang awak nak? Itu laa soalan isteri aku kalau gi merayau kat mall. Dia tahu jeh mana nak carik aku... kedai jam! Awas... scam, penipuan jualan jam tangan original di market place. Haha... tunggu, akan dibentangkan di bahagian kedua." - thetick-thetick2020

[Semak dan susun semula 24 Februari 2020]

Pengetahuan: Jam Tangan Replica, Re-Issue, Homage, dan Tiruan

"Sama. Tapi tak serupa. Apa yang sama? Yang sama tuu ori ke boss? Yang tak serupa tuu apa? Yang mana tak serupanya... kalau tak serupa kira tak ori ke? Tiruan ke? Kalau replika tuu kira sama? Kalau klon? Hmhhh... macam-macam kat pasaran sekarang nih. Macam-macam terma diguna-pakai bagi mengkategorikan sesuatu model jam tangan yang mempunyai ramai peminat dan jadi buruan penternak-penternak. Alamak bekk... sorry laa, aku tak minat jam-jam homage nih! Itu komen aku pada Wak Asan tuan punya detikduabelas.blogspot.com bila dia offer aku satu jam... jam diver sebijik macam Seiko 6105 tapi bukan Seiko 6105! Jam Seiko homage, bukan jam replika ke? Haha... jangan konpius-konpius. Baca hehh. Setuju tak setuju, ini topik debat seantero dunia... di dunia Horology." - thetick-thetick2020


Jam-Jam Icon, Popular, Original Design, dan Trendsetter
Tak banyak, tapi ada berberapa model jam tangan popular dari jenama-jenama terkenal layak dikategorikan sebagai icon dalam dunia horology. Jam-jam tangan ini mempunyai daya tarikan tersendiri. Rekabentuk dan nilai estetikanya (aesthetic value) menjadi ikutan pengeluar jam-jam tangan yang lain. Model-model yang dianggap sebagai trendsetter ini merupakan original design kepada pengeluarnya dan sering mendapat jolokan sebagai signature model. Demi mengambil peluang untuk pasaran-pasaran tertentu, model-model ini telah dikeluarkan oleh pembuat-pembuat jam tangan yang lain dengan menggunakkan rekabentuk yang sama, atau hampir sama tanpa melanggar undang-undang hakcipta atau meniru registered pattern oleh pengeluar yang asal (pemilik original design). Ada jugak yang tiru!!! Maka wujudlah di pasaran - jam-jam original replica dan homage. Jam-jam tiruan (fake) jangan cakap laa... makin banyak, bak cendawan tumbuh di pagi hari. Antara model-model trendsetter yang menjadi ikutan, antaranya adalah Rolex Submariner, Rolex Oyster-Date, Rolex Cosmograph, Rolex Explorer, Panerai Luminor, Panerai Radiomir, Patek Philippe World-Timer, Breitling Navitimer, dan model-model signature jam penyelam Seiko. Perkara ini bukan baru, tetapi telah wujud sejak tahun 60an dan berlarutan sehingga sekarang.  

Rolex Submariner & Date-just. Model yang paling banyak direplika dan dihomage. Mutakhir ini Seiko SKX Bond ni pun dah dihomage dan dijadikan tukun tiruan!!!

Jam-Jam Model Re-Issue, Replica, dan Homage
Tajuk debat seantero dunia - re-issue, replica, dan homage. Tiga terma berbeza dari segi istilah. Dari segi pengeluaran jam tangan ianya perkara yang sama. Bagi pengeluar jam tangan jenama Seiko, model re-issue adalah replica kepada model asal keluaran mereka sebelum ini yang mendapat perhatian dan diminati oleh penggemar dan collector seperti model 62MAS, Turtle, Samurai, dan berberapa lagi signature models. Model-model ini dikeluarkan oleh pemilik original design itu sendiri iaitu Seiko. Begitu juga Omega yang mengeluarkan replica-replica kepada model-model asal Seamaster yang popular untuk edisi re-issue atau untuk edisi anniversary. Homage... ada dua pandangan tentang homage. Pertama - homage adalah satu penghormatan oleh pengeluar-pengeluar jam tangan terhadap model-model tertentu keluaran mereka atas kejayaan model-model tersebut (successful models). Sebagai contoh, Mido mengeluarkan semula model Multifort sebagai penghormatan (paying homage) kepada kejayaan model tersebut. Begitu juga Tag Heuer dengan model Monaco; Blancpain dengan Fifty-Fathom; dan banyak lagi. Ini adalah homage oleh pengeluar untuk model-model mereka sendiri. Kedua - homage adalah jam-jam replica atau original replica yang dikeluarkan oleh jenama-jenama lain sebagai tarikan jualan untuk pasaran tertentu. Tidak semua orang mampu memilik jam tangan Rolex Submariner kerana faktor harga; maka pengeluar jenama Invicta mengeluarkan jam-jam tangan yang hampir sama sepertinya pada harga yang jauh lebih murah. Ini dikategorikan sebagai jam-jam homage. Pendapat atau pandagan mengenai homage ini masih jadi perdebatan, namun ia tidak dikategorikan sebagai jam tiruan (fake watches). 

Original Replica. Phoibos dan Invicta - replika asli kepada Rolex Submariner. Orient - rekabentuk jam macam telur ni bukan Ahmad Albab yang punya... Rado yang punya?!!! Takpa... ni semua jam-jam ori.

Homage Seiko SKX oleh Steeldive... cuma model homage oleh Steeldive ni hanya ada date calendar, takda week-date (day-date) calendar. Kalu ada... mau kena saman dengan Seiko. Saman dengan Seiko, bukan Saman Ekor!!!    

Jam Original Replica vs. Jam Replika Tiruan (Fake)
Original replica pastinya tidak akan 100% sama dengan original design atas sebab undang-undang hakcipta yang melindungi pemilik model yang asal. Nampak macam sama! Banyak jam-jam original replica boleh dijumpai di hampir semua toko-toko menjual jam tangan. Kebanyakannya adalah replika kepada model-model signature jenama elite seperti Rolex Submariner, Rolex Date-just, Rolex Cosmograph, Rolex Explorer, dan Rolex GMT. Jenama Jepun seperti Orient, Citizen, dan Seiko ada mengeluarkan model-model yang mirip Rolex Submariner dan Rolex Date-just. Begitu juga jenama-jenama lain seperti Steinhart, Invicta, Ancon, dll. Ada juga pengeluar-pengeluar jam tangan lain yang mengeluarkan model-model seakan Panerai. Semua jam-jam ini dikategorikan sebagai original replica dan yang pastinya setiap satu memaparkan jenama pengeluar itu sendiri. Namun disebalik pemintaan original replica model-model mampu milik ini, ada pengeluar jam tangan haram yang mengeluarkan replika tiruan (fake watches). Merekalah yang melabelkan jam-jam tangan ini sebagai replika! Kenapa? Banyak sebab. Haha... tak perlulah aku nak bahas kat sini. Cuba browse Shopee atau Lazada. Ada best copy, ada re-assemble, ada original copy 1:1, clone dan yang paling extreme - Original. Macam mana jam tiruan dioriginalkan??? Nantilah aku buat satu artikel khas hasil siasatan aku sendiri. Keluar modal bekkkk... nasib baik dapat balik refund. Saja aku test seller tuu... hehe. 

Cuba nengok online sales display kat atas ni. Seiko PADI. Munasabah tak harga dia RM398.00??? Ini jam tiruan, bukan original/genuine. Ikut kehendak ngkorang laa... nak beli? 23 sold!

Generasi Baru Jam Tiruan - Replica, OEM, Re-Assembled, Copy Original 1:1, Best Copy, dan Clone
Ada satu teknologi yang telah wujud lebih dari sedekat lamanya yang dikenali sebagai rapid prototyping. Teknologi ini tujuan asal dibangunkan adalah untuk membolehkan sesuatu objek diimbas secara 3 dimensi (3D scan) untuk tujuan pembuatan barangan proto-type secara pantas. Teknologi ini semakin berkembang dan semakin mampu dimiliki oleh mana-mana pengeluar, termasuklah pembuat-pembuat jam tangan halal dan haram! Antara negara industri yang menguasai teknologi ini adalah China. Kerana itu Seiko, Citizen, dan banyak lagi pengeluar-pengeluar jam tangan menjadi mangsa. Semuanya kerana business outsourcing dimana sebahagian dari model-model keluaran mereka dikeluarkan di sana secara 100%, atau assembled, atau "Cased in China". Profile sesuatu unit keluaran (production unit) samada case, dial, jarum, crown atau bahagian-bahagian jam tangan lain mudah diciplak. Makanya wujud generasi baru jam tiruan yang memang canggih dan hampir sama dengan yang asli. Bukan hanya watches hardware, movement-movement turut ditiru atau diklonkan! Namun, harga jam-jam tangan jenis ini berbeza dari segi kualiti. Dari semurah puluhan ringgit sehinggalah ribuan ringgit. Mengapa murah? Mengapa mahal? Akan saya kupaskan dalam satu artikel khas. Tunggu....

ORIGINAL! LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED. 2 YEARS WARRANTY. Harga RM68.00 satu tak termasuk shipping dari China! Jam clone, jam copy ori 1:1, premium copy. Memang fungsi dan kualiti hampir-hampir sama dengan yang asli. Amacam? Nak borong? Ratusan! Rasanya ribuan dah dibeli oleh peminat-peminat jam G-Shock dari Malaya.

"Nak carik jam tiruan, replika jenis tiruan, original tiruan, clone... sekarang ni tak perlu naik-turun turun-naik kereta, bas, LRT-MRT, atau angkat Grab pergi P.S. Boutique... Petaling Street. Kat Shopee dengan Lazada berlambak-lambak boleh jumpa. Kalau kat Lelong.my... setakat ni memang aku dah tak jumpa. Bagus. Pengurusan Lelong dah tak nak virtual market mereka menjadi lubuk jam-jam tiruan. Kalau kat eBay sejak awal mula memang tak ada pun. Jadi kalu beli jam kat Shopee dengan Lazada tuu... pandai-pandai, jangan sampai tak boleh dapat refund dah laa! Tipah tertipu bang... Tipah tertipu." - thetick-thetick2020 

Exploring Horology: 20-Twenty-Plus Part 1

"What are you? Some kinda war junkie? Haha... I always remember that line from my favourite movie Black Hawk Down. War junkie? Yea... I was but just a short term serviceman in the reserve army. Nope... I am not a war junkie... I'm just a watch junkie. Hoo hoo... who said that? I remember my fellow H4U co-founder Nazri Mat Akim said that when we first met at the Horology for Unit inaugural meeting donkey years ago. Now, year twenty-twenty, what else? My journey continues..." - thetick-thetick2020

A Junkie's Collection
I have to admit - I am a DIY person. I repair some of my home appliances, fixing minor car problems, do plumbing works, restoring old furniture, and work on watches in collection. I bought a lot of watchmaker tools throughout the years. Not only that, I also keep some watches' junks - from those tiny little watch hands and rusty old dials to watch cases and bracelets. Some of these junks come from my BER watches. BER??? Beyond Economical Repair! That makes me a watch junkie! Just recently, I manage to organise and put all these junks and gadgets into proper storage. Before, they are all over the place... huhu.

Temporary workbench. My old workbench dah reban (in Malay means collapsed).  Will get new one soon.

Divers' Watch... Desk Divers
Almost all watch enthusiasts have at least a diver's watch in their collection. Some enthusiast really into collecting this most versatile and appealing watches. Be it Japanese, Swiss made, German's masculine divers... dive watches are the most sought-after design and liked by many. There are few watch collectors that I know for many years keep on collecting dive watches... new models, old models, vintage... I call them penternak  (in Malay means breeder). They keep expanding their collection... 200m, 300m, 500m, 1000m and even deeper ISO rated water resistant dive watches. I don't fall into this penternak category. I have a few... haha a few! But I didn't bother to collect by depth ratings because I am a diver no more. After going through endoscopic surgery for my sinuous blockage in 2006, I stop diving. That makes me a "desk diver". Wearing dive watches and do desk job! Haha... how about you fellow enthusiasts? Another question, would you dive deep into salty water with your expensive Rolex??? Nowadays, dive watches are common for daily wear. A fashion I would say. If I want to go diving one of these days, I would prefer to wear a "dive-comp". An essential and real diver's tool...and may be wearing an ISO rated Seiko as my dive-timer back-up.

A desk diver's collection... nyelam atas meja laa kita! anak itik berenang-renang pakai jam diver atas meja boleh berenang... ha ha. Ni hobi Wak Asan nih. Penternak tegar seantero Malaya. Wait for my review on some of these divers.

Investing and Liquidating
I do not have the privilege to invest in watches. No big spending on watches like before. At this very age, I decided to hedge my money in real investment. For watches, I only look for certain brand, type and model - good bargain suit to my quest is utmost important all the time. Getting limited edition and JDM Seiko is my main interest now. Buying the rare and expensive Seiko? Not me. Why not? Experience... not many people really want to spend heavily on rare Seiko. You might face liquidity issue turning watches into cash. Unless you bought many years ago then it is worth a treasure to liquidate. But in any trade - buyer always have the upper hand. Buying for short term and expecting extra returns? Better not. You might end-up in willing buyer - willing seller situation and at the end, you might get frustrated. Most of these rare timepieces are old models and majority classified as vintage. Rare one is for us to keep and not to trade, unless you are in the used timepieces business. Limited Edition? Ya... but depends on type of watches. I only go for dive watches. Not field watches or dress watches. Special Edition? Ha ha... Seiko, Citizen or may be Orient... what else? Casio G-Shock... Swiss brands? Since the past decade watch manufacturers starts collaborating with institutions and individuals to produce their themed and Special Edition timepieces. Their sales strategy is to satisfy the watch enthusiasts need for a difference... extra cosmetic will do. We got PADI and Save the Ocean for Seiko divers line. We got celebrity endorsed edition, what else? Recently announced, Seiko is releasing the Brian May (the famous Queen's rock band guitarist) special edition Seiko 5 sports dive watch. The dubbed Seiko Superman watch is fitted with a special dial resembling the Brian May's famous guitar look. Are these SE watches worth investing? For Casio G-Shock, I would say yes. Because the cult members always hunt for SE, some SE models are very pricey. But for me; not for Seiko, not for Citizen and not for Orient watches. Swiss? Yes, because most of the SE are produced in limited numbers. It goes with the price though! Spending wisely, I go for Seiko LE. You know why? Easy to liquidate, better resell value. Tak caya? Tanya la Wak Asan... hehe.

Endangered species! This rare and LE Seiko SKXA65 is not cheap. Hence, the announcement by Seiko Watch Corp. to stop production on SKX line makes the value sky high. Nak carik pun payah... nak kira-kira lagi payah. Kalau seller tuu kengkawan bole laa dapat harga cun-cun. Nak jam-jam camni ngkorang tanya laa Wak Asan Detikduabelas. Spesis macam ni memang ada saja dalam sangkar ternak dia.     

Quest for Accuracy
Swiss C.O.S.C. standard? Japan standard? Mechanical timekeepers' precision? Quartz watches accuracy? How accurate you want your timekeeper to perform? I would prefer the Atomic Time Clock. Why? The atomic time clock is the world's most accurate timekeeper, -1 second in a million years. It is a timekeeper synchronised for global operation standard. The most advanced atomic timekeeper that we have now was first made available for synchronisation with computers, named the Internet time clock. Not only for personal computers but for all sort of control instruments and advanced equipment used for daily operation, globally. Accurate, it is a single point of reference for international standard. In terms of consumer service, the telecommunication service providers (telcos) are the early adopters. It is use to record our call or what they call the Call Data Record. The mobile phone is the most accurate timekeeping device most of us own right now. But most of them only display timing up to the minute - no running seconds. Accurate, provided you set the default to synchronise the phone with the telcos timekeeper. The quartz watch precision timing so far lead by Seiko - the Grand Seiko quartz watch. The accuracy measured at -7 seconds per year. Ranking number two is the Longines VHP (Very High Precision) quartz watch and if not mistaken is around -10s per year and the infamous Breitling Superquartz stays third. Besides these three big names, are there any manufacturers come close to atomic precision? There is or... there are now. Not the mechanical but the quartz watch manufacturer, definitely the Japanese. How they brought this precision timekeeping into our watches? You might have read the chapter too early! Casio. Multi-Band? Waveceptor? No... they did it inexpensively and in a very simple way this time. They just use our smartphone as a bridge. Connecting to the Atomic Time Clock using the Bluetooth! Hence the watch operation now driven by a software running on our smartphone. 

    I always set my watches manually by referring to Internet time clock on my laptop. Not anymore, this G-Shock GR-B100-1DR is my most accurate reference now. Wait for my review on this chunky and Eco-friendly dude!    

Go Green
Citizen is the first to mass produce the Eco-friendly timepieces by introducing the Eco-Drive models. The Eco-Drive is a light-powered timepieces with many improvement and it comes with various shapes and functions. I use to own one before. A military watch. No need to change the battery! Exposing the watch dial to the desktop lamp can do. Once sufficiently charged, the stored electrical power will drive the quartz movement. A couple of years ago the market was introduced to the G-Shock Tough Solar and the Seiko Solar. Eco or Solar, the timekeeping technology eliminates the need to replace chemical cell batteries. Disposal of these chemical batteries is the main concern. Go Green! For me, less hassle to maintain the watch. Opening the case back in every two or three years for battery replacement might cost more than the battery itself. Damage on the screws and thread, the rubber gasket, and the need to lubricate for water proofing. Get one I must. From YouTube watch reviews I found a Seiko Solar that really amazed me. Love at first sight! A dive watch. I repeat! A dive watch.

        Released in fourth quarter in 2019, I bought this Seiko Prospex SNE541P1 soon after watching a review by Maverick Watch Channel on YouTube. A solar-powered baby tuna... nantikan kemunculan review diver tin sardin ni. Tunggu tauuu... Wait for my review on this shrouded scuba dude.

"Hmhhh... where did I put my digital camera? I rarely see people with digital cameras nowadays. Most every Tom, Dick, and Harry... and Jane and Mary use smartphone camera. I need my digi-cam... I need my digi-cam... It produces better pix for my blogging. Not my Redmi 8 phone... damned. Where did I put it. Search I must. Haha... guys, enough for Part I. Wait for Part II. Coming soon." - thetick-thetick2020