Simple Living

It arrived!  Got the Seiko SSB003 in the mail and its a very nice watch. Aesthetics - Dial -  more a Glossy Silver than 'White'.  Pics don't do it justice and it's a very appealing color. -  Sub-Dial  - 3 registers at 3,6,9 o'clock.  Black color contrasts nicely with the Silver Dial. -  Bracelet -  20mm Steel.  Cheap and Rattly, but ok.  Identical to one used on some snkk Seiko 5 series. -  Bezel  - this was interesting, the case is a unibody design so the bezel is not a separate piece. -  Size  - it's a nice 40mm watch and a more conservative and classic feel.  Height is about 10mm and overall comparable in dimensions to my Omega Seamaster 2531.80. - Weight -  Case has some heft, bracelet is very light and total weight is same as my Rolex Explorer. Usage - Chronograph -  uses the 6T63 movement.  Some call it a 'MechaQuartz' as the Chronograph functions just like a pure Mechanical Chronograph watch would.  The big red s

Wow...there are an endless number of different Seiko models.  The SNDF line are amazing.  Some have a very retro and classly vibe.  I love these models: SNDF35 - White/Red Stripe SNDF37 - Black, Red Bezel SNDF87 - White/Blue, Orange Seconds SNDF93 - White/Blue, Yellow Seconds I may pick up one.  Need to decide which one.  Leaning towards the 87 or 93, but that 35 looks so gorgeous. Bezel issue with SNDF Thankfully, I didn't pull the trigger.  After some thought...these models have some design issues.  The 35 and 37, 12 hour bezel is redundant.  While the color scheme is nice....there is no reason to put an extra set of hour mark indicators.  The 87 is gorgeous, but others online have complained about the blue bezel.  As I look at it more closely, I tend to agree.  Why did Seiko mess up these fine watches with the bezel?  They also seem large and hopefully are not beyond 42mm. SNDD Other honorable mention are the SNDD91..White w/ Red Register Dials. SC

What is it with Seiko watches?  I'm smitten with several models lately...the SSB007 chronograph is stunning and reminds me vividly of my first watch a humble Guess Chronograph.  The Arctura GMT model SUN003 with black dial is also amazing and looks so cool with its futuristic curves and design.  I'm missing my old Guess Chronograph.  While it was nothing special horologically, it was my first watch and that particular style and feel holds some sentimental value to me.  The SSB line looks awful close.  And some are going for $100 brand new on Amazon so very affordable. SSB003 - White Panda To help me decide...I am listing the various models and styles to pick which one is right for me.  So far I like the first few of the series...the 001, 003, 007, or 013. SSB001 - white SSB003 - silver/black Panda, red seconds SSB005 - blue SSB007 - black SSB009 - white, gold TT SSB011 - black, black bezel, red seconds SSB013 - white/black Panda, red seconds SSB015 - b

Yup.  The Audio Technica M50 sound better with age.  Some call it 'burning in', personally, I think it's more getting used to how they sound and becoming familiar with their audio signature.  However, there are limits and the M50's block out external sound quite a bit making them not great at work when I people might be yelling my name across the office or cubicle and I cannot hear them.  Also, you can crank up the sound and not realize it...but others can hear you as they leak sound quite a bit.  They suck when wearing glasses or while being on the move (ie walking, running, etc.)  For a busy coffee shop, a noisy airplane ride or when you just want to hear some tunes while chilling in bed....these are perfect. I found the smaller Audio Technica WM77's are perfect for work.  They give a decent sound stage without sacrificing ability to hear others around you in the office.  I'm kinda questioning whether the flat cable causes some loss in audio quality and wi

I stuck the Rolex Explorer I back on the Leather Hirsch strap.  While it does dig into the sides a bit, I like the overall look and feel.  Been using this combo for a few weeks now and it's very comfortable.  I love the steel bracelet, but something about leather makes it feel more casual and low key.  Love it.  And how funny....I'm now desiring a Jaeger LeCoultre Revereo.  Go figure, let's see how my tastes change and what'll it be next?

I'm sure there are plenty of copycats of the Breguet 5907.  The 5907 is one of my dream watches and at times I'm torn between that or getting a Patek.  Seems the world views Patek Phillipe as the best and Breguet merely a high end brand, but not in the same league.  But being a preowned 5907 costs about $10,000...I'm not getting one anytime soon. The best I can settle for is a homage.  Not a replica or knockoff, but a homage.  The most decent I could find is the Rotary GS02424, which is probably closer in resemblance to a 5920 as it has a date complication, but close enough and for under $150, a reasonable deal.  It's the same watch that Benedict Cumberbatch wears in the Sherlock Holmes series and enough people have confused it with a Breguet to make me interested in owning one.  Not to pass it off as a Breguet, but to try it out and see if I even like that style of watch and consider would I be willing to shell out 10 grand for the real deal?  The hard part is find

Notes to myself.  I'm leaning on picking up an skx again...maybe the mid size 013 or full size 009 Pepsi. Seiko SKX Models Full size (40mm dial , 22mm lug) - 200M rated 001 - Silver bezel 003 - 005 - Classic Trio 007 - black 009 - Pepsi bezel 011 - Orange dial 173 - black - square hour markers 175 - Pepsi bezel 399 - black - square applied markers 401 - Pepsi bezel Titanium 403 - Black dial, silver bezel 405 - silver dial, silver bezel Monsters 779 - Black Dial , silver bezel 781 - orange dial, silver bezel Mid-Size (37mm dial, 20mm lug) 013 - black 015 - Pepsi bezel 017 - Orange dial Mid-Size - 3 o'clock crown 021 - White dial 023 - black dial 025 - Pepsi bezel 027 - white dial 031 - black dial 033 - Pepsi bezel

I wanted a Seiko 5 SNZF29 as it's a better size, but they are hard to find and only one I saw was asking $400, ridiculous for a basic Seiko 5.  Instead, I picked up the bigger SNZF17J2 and it's not too bad.  The dial is a glossy black with applied indices that have decent lume.  Lugs fit 22mm straps and it looks good on a dark brown leather band. Now for the bad...bezel is crap, it does 'turn' but you need to really grip it hard for it to move.  It's pretty much for 'show' only...although, then I got mine preowned so maybe it's defective?  The skx007 had a much better bezel action.  It has a typical +15-20 second/day accuracy which is average for the 7s movements.  I leave it crown up at night and that seems to even it out by slowing it down a bit...I'm still experimenting and getting it close to +5 seconds/day.  This one uses the 7s36 a 23 jewel calibre vs the 7s26 21 jewel I've see in other 5's.  But I see no difference in quality or f

Seiko 5 Model SNKK33.  The Seiko 5 line of watches are great and a good value as they are very inexpensive to purchase.  New you can find many for $70-80 and used ones for even less.  They have basic Automatic Movements so they are not the same as a higher end ETA 2824 or 2892, but they are excellent for basic watches and to get into the hobby.  You won't cry if you break this $50 watch, but you might with a $5000 Rolex. Hirsch Liberty on Seiko 5 The SNKK33 come standard with a stainless steel bracelet that honestly is crap and very tinny and has a cheap feel.  I chucked it for a leather band.  I gave it a go and was very pleased at how it looked on the Hirsch Liberty Band.  It'll accept a 20mm band (although there are many models of Seiko 5 and they can range in what size bands they will take.  SKX007 take 22mm and some Seiko 5 can take 18 mm).  Overall, I love this watch and am comfortable wearing it in rotation with my Rolex or Omega.  The three things I would want is

Sweet.  The Hirsch Liberty Strap arrived! Tried it on the Rolex, but it was way too thick and was rubbing against the case.  I'll stick to the black leather strap. And so it went on the Omega and wow...I love it.  Idk how to describe it, but the blue and brown exudes a vibe that feels like this combo was from a bygone classic maritime era. Very happy with the Hirsch.  The Omega looks better on brown strap.  Must warn you...the Hirsch Liberty is very thick at 4mm.  It's twice the thickness of any of my other leather straps. Gave it another go and got it to fit on the Explorer.  It's a really tight fit, but it looks ok.  Color wise black dial and brown strap looks good, but it is a little thick.  I'll try it for a while and see if it grows on me.  Comfort wise, it's nice.

Sourced a 20mm rubber Bonetto Cinturini 285 strap from an old Casio watch and tried it on the Omega Seamaster 2531.80.  It actually looks pretty good and gives it a more sporty feel.  I've been trying a variety of watch bands to see what works and while it looked okay on a black leather band, it feels better on the rubber strap. I also plan on trying a Hirsch Liberty Brown Leather band and later a Hadley Roma PU Ballistic Band in Black w/ Orange Stitching.  I'm banking on the Hadley Roma to make this Omega truly sing for me.  I spend most of my time on a computer and the stainless steel band is getting scuffed up. Also, my arm tends to expand during the hot summer months and I'm tired of changing links.  The Omega is not the friendliest in adjusting sizes on the metal band.  There is nothing like a simple watch band change to help make an old watch look more appealing.  I'm loving the Seamaster again. Update 5/19/14 Dang...even though it's tearing,

Pulled out my old CDs to try out the M50's.  My collection is modest and rather eclectic.  I gravitate more towards singers with great vocals and lyrics like Morrison, Mercury, Collins and others.  And my little secret..Utada Hikaru (pre Exodus). Update Oh, nice.  Listening to Phil Collins - In The Air Night (Track 15).  Brings backs memories of the 80s.  This song played from a very memorable scene in Tom Cruise's movie 'Risky Business' and it epitomizes an aspect of those bygone days when things were still carefree and you could get away with crazy stuff like a girl named Lana.  You can't do that now.  Which is now making me want to watch it again.

I recently sold my Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Headphones.  I got them as a gift and they were my first introduction into 'high end' headphones.  Of course, as I learned more about headphones, I quickly learned that Beats are at best an entry level pair of cans.  They are great for music that need a lot of bass like some electronica/techno or hip hop songs.  They are certainly meant to be 'seen' and I got plenty of compliments while rocking these outside at Starbucks or on the Bus.  But for overall listening pleasure, I would rate them average and it became a nuisance to have to constantly check that the power button is off before putting them away.  I also didn't like that it required two (2) AAA batteries in the first place and it got old real quick having to change them. Ultimately, what did me in with these headphones were all the online reviews that stated this particular generation of Beats Studio are not that great and I have to agree with them.  The newer gene

If you are going to own only one pair of headphones buy either the Audio Technica M50x or the Sony MDR-V6 .  They are the best bang for the buck in terms of sound quality, durability and overall aesthetics.  The Sony V6 are half the price and I plan to purchase them to compare them against the M50.  I am relying on all the positive reviews online about the Sony V6's that are constantly compared with the AT M50. M50x, M50s, M50 - Three Variants It can get confusing, but there are three distinct variants of Audio Technica M50 headphones: M50 - is the original and has a 10 ft. coiled cable M50s - has a 10 ft. straight cable M50x - allows for interchanging of cables and comes standard with three (3) cable options (10 ft. coiled, 10 ft. straight and 4 ft. straight). The M50x is the newest version of the M50 model and was likely made with a nod to portable devices.  The 4 ft. cable is perfect for my iPhone. Original M50 vs M50x The M50 w/ 10 ft coiled cable being sold is

I purchased a pair of Audio Technica EQ500's in Shibuya for about $10 USD in Yen.  They are quite good for the price.  In hindsight, I should have purchased the EQ700's that can retract the audio cables just like the WM77's.  I find that quite convenient.  Basic Specs: 28mm Driver 16 ~ 24,000 Hz 40 mW -- Max Input Power 103 db/mW -- Sensitivity 20 Ohm Impedence 22g -- Weight 1.2m -- Cable Length

I own a modest, but growing collection of Headphones.  As of 2014, I own five (5) headphones (I exclude ear buds, which I have about a half dozen, including the standard ear buds that come with the iPhone). In no particular order: Audio Technica -- ATH-M50x (White) Audio Technica -- ATH-WM77 (Red) Audio Technica -- ATH-EQ500 (Green) Sony -- MDR-ZX100 (White) Skullcandy -- Hesh Gen1 (Black) Past Headphones (Sold or Broken): Beats by Dr Dre -- Studio Gen 1 (White) Skullcandy -- TI Skullcandy -- LowRyders Audio Technica ATH-M50x (White) Audio Technica ATH-WM77 (Red) Audio Technica ATH-EQ500 (Green) Sony MDR-ZX100 (White) Skullcandy Hesh Gen1 (Black)   Beats by Dr Dre Studio Gen 1 (White) 

The Sony MDR-ZX100 were an impulse buy.  They were selling for $20 at a local store and I picked them up as I didn't have any headphones and wanted to listen to some music.  Don't expect much for $20 headphones.  These sound okay and do the job.  One nice thing that I must compliment Sony is the overall improvement in the build quality of their cheap headphones.  I've owned several cheap Sony headphones and by far these are the best in terms of durability.  The plastic feels strong and flexible and in some ways the headband feels more like some kind of injection molded resin than cheap plastic.  But, if I could do it all over again...I would prefer to buy the Sony MDR-V6 for $ 80...or if you must get the mid-tier MDR-ZX300 as those use an upgraded gold plated 1/8" plug.  Still, for those situations where you only need or want a basic pair of headphones...the ZX100 is an okay choice. Basic Specs: 30mm Drivers 12 ~ 22,000 Hz 24 Ohms 3.5mm Plug