Wristwatch Updates: Carrera Cal 1887, Orient Mako, Super Oyster II, & More!

The beautiful vintage Heuer pic at right is courtesy of David. Remember the Watch Reviews of Les Z?

Carrera Cal 1887 -- Flash Review: "The Carrera Calibre 1887 is a beautiful chronograph, taking the defining elements of the 1960s Carreras, and incorporating them into a state-of the-art chronograph. One by one, we see the key elements of the vintage Carreras transferred from the 1964 Carrera into the form factor required to house a modern movement."

Review: Super Oyster II Bracelet For Seiko Auto Diver: "A few years ago I bought an almost new Seiko SKX-173 Automatic Diver (my 3rd Seiko auto diver). It came with the ubiquitous Z22 rubber strap. I've been thinking about getting an oyster style bracelet for it, they only shipped with I think jubilee and president type bracelets."

A Look At The Chinese Watch Buyer (VIDEO) - Hodinkee: "The Chinese market is where the luxury watch industry is looking next. Hong Kong is quickly becoming the watch capital of the world, and now a whopping 35% of Sotheby's large clients are Chiense, up from only 8% in 2008. In a quick profile of Chinese watch buyers, the Wall Street Journal reveals that they are looking for five traits ..."

Orient Mako CEM65001B Review: "Orient is Japan’s largest producer of mechanical watches. Orient designs and produces their movements in-house. This movement design and production style is truly rare in the watch industry and sets Orient apart from a vast number of watch companies. Orient was recently acquired by Seiko, but runs as an independent subsidiary."

SCUBAWATCH.ORG CERTINA DS-3 1000M: "Manufactured by Certina, the DS-3 was selected for service by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The back of the case has the NSN (National Stock Number) and issue numbers engraved indicating it's use by the RAN. Originally issued in the early 70's, only a very few of these issued watches have appeared in the collectors marketplace making it one of the most sought after military issue watches."

Have you got a Black Watch? I'll start with a Porsche Design by: "Orfina. What sort of black watches are out there? Let's see some of yours. This PD was one of the earliest attempts. But they've been more popular that ever in the last few years. Kobold, IWC, B&R, Sinn, Fortis etc. (but famously not Rolex - unless you include some private 'initiatives')."

Rolex Coolness: Steve McQueen The King Of Cool: "In this photo we see Steve McQueen at Sebring in 1970 wearing his trademark Rolex Submariner (Reference 5512). Of course, Steve McQueen is the King Of Cool, and I included a video interview of Steve McQueen at Sebring in 1970 talking about how he was racing with his broken foot!!!"

Some Q & D pics of my SUB 4000T Sharkie (more pics added): "Well I guess it was about time that one of these showed up in the wild! My crappy pics don't do the watch justice, but I think you get the idea. Some first impressions ..."

The Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic - WatchingHorology: "A deceptively simple looking three handed dial measuring 41mm in diameter with a discreet exhibition back that showcases its tourbillon cage with quality finish and workmanship and a new caliber that one would expect from top Swiss brands."

Zenith Watches Rebalanced: "Whether you like them or not, they were an experiment, and one that crashed along with the global economy. New CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour has tacked back and is emphasizing in-house movements and classic designs. The 'striking 10th' at the top of this article is probably my favorite - high-beat movement, well-proportioned dial and enough touches of color to provide visual interest." (more on Zenith)

A Solitary Watchmaker: Finishing the parts for Calibre ‘R’: "Finishing on a movement fulfills three objectives: aesthetics, longevity, and timekeeping. Finishing as aesthetics is something for the collector. The glow or gleam in the movement is something to marvel at; and how different elements of the finishing reflect the light and show different elements of the mechanics is one of the elements that keeps collectors interested in watches. It also allows watchmakers to present their work with a degree of pride and show case their skill."

New Arrival - Roger Dubuis Sympathie Guilloche Main: "A few weeks ago, I came across this particular Roger Dubuis Sympathie with the same guilloche dial, and my heart skipped a beat. I loved the blue hands and cursive applied numeral. However, before I pulled the trigger, I had to overcome a few points of hesitation ..."

AHCI - A visit to Parmigiani Fleurier: "Michel Parmigiani is a watchmaker who grew up and worked in the Val de Travers. When the crisis in the Swiss watch industry came in the 1970's he decided to set out on his own as a watch and clock restorer."

Tissot Visodate 1957 Heritage Collection Automatic - REVIEW: "I’ve always admired Tissot’s Heritage Collection for their authentic reproductions of past models and I was seriously considering buying a 150th Anniversary Commemorative Edition a few years ago."

Additional links:
PhotoWatches.eu - Prim Sport II
John Glenn's Stopwatch
SCUBAWATCH.ORG SEIKO 6105
Pele: The Greatest Soccer Player In History...
Seiko Divers Gallery :: SKX007J & SKX007K
2010 In Asia: The Year of the Watch (and Other Gems)
Vintage Rolex Forum: Unique Sea Dweller?
Omega W.W.W. watch
Nixon 42-20 Chrono Watch in All Black/Tortoise
Junghans 150th Anniversary Meister Chronoscope