Now I Understand what the Citizen RING is all About

So the deal with the Citizen RING concept model is that the solar panel has been moved from underneath the dial to run around the perimeter of the case.  This explains the open design of the casework in order to let the panel have greater access to light.  You can see the RING in the picture below.

What an interesting idea.  Not only does it permit for interesting case work design, but it also allows Citizen to use traditional dial construction which might have otherwise obscured the solar panel.

Other concept models from Citizen can be found here and here.

New Citizen Eco-Drive "Appleseed XIII" Satellite Wave Video

Another must see video of this super exciting new offering from Citizen Japan. Here you can see better closeups of the watch and see some of its main functions, including, GPS time sync, world time for 26 major cities around the world (Plus UTC) and perpetual calendar. Although this model has two "pushers" on the case, there is no mention of stop watch and alarm functions. The case is made of steel + ceramic. Can't wait to see this limited edition watch being released in the fall.

To me this new Citizen Satellite Wave was the absolute highlight of Basel World 2011. What do you think?

Electronic Seiko Heritage Book

Need to brush up on your Seiko history?

Looking for conversation ice breakers?

Look no further than the electronic Seiko heritage book.

Example picture is below. 1969. What an amazing year.

Direct link is here.  Check it out.

130th Anniversary Grand Seiko Video

Citizen Appleseed and RING Highlighted in Real Scale

Real Scale Volume 12 highlights the Appleseed and Ring models recently announced at Baselworld 2011.  Some is presented below but check out the online issue for more content and some more sweet pictures.

Citizen's marketing is hard at work and I love it.  First the tag line "Space Drives Time" and now "Horology, from Heaven to Earth".

Seiko Releases Executive Summary of Baselworld 2011 Press Conference

Echos of the 1923 earthquake, celebration of 130 years and a strip tease.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



This morning, the first day of Baselworld 2011, SEIKO held its now traditional press conference in the Congress Center next to the main hall. Over 400 people attended and, as they entered the Hall, one could sense a slightly muted atmosphere, reflecting the sympathy that the media brought to the nation of Japan after the disaster of the recent earthquake.



Mr. Hattori, President and CEO

New Orient M-Force Now Available

I noticed that Seiya now lists the new Orient M-Force for sale on his website listed here.  Model number is WV0011EL. Picture below is his and check out his site for some more.  Orient incorporates the power reserve meter well by giving it more of a tool look and the construction of the bezel looks unique interesting something Orient excels at.

What do you think?

Complete Table of Seiko Sponsored Sporting Events

Seiko has published a database of its sponsored sporting events from the 1964 18th Olympic Games to current day.  Check it out along with some interesting technological information here.  The discussion of Timing Systems in use is quite interesting.


Below is a peek at the list of sponsored sporting events, except the original looks nicer.

1960's

1964 -- 18th Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan
1965 -- 1965 World Wrestling Manchester, UK
1966 -- The 5th Asian Games Bangkok, Thailand
1966 -- World Wresting Championships Toledo, Spain
1967 -- Taipei Athletic Game Taipei
1967 -- The 8th Asian Table Tennis Championships Singapore
1967 -- Singapore International Swimming Games Singapore
1967 -- Philippines Big League Cycling Manila, The Philippines
1967 -- The 4th Southeast Asian Peninsular Games Bangkok, Thailand
1967 -- Universiade 1967 Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
1968 -- CISM Athletic Meet Athens, Greece
1968 -- The 27th Balkan Games Athens, Greece
1968 -- Taipei Athletic Game Taipei
1968 -- Macao Grand Prix (Every year from 1968 to 1991) Macao
1968 -- Macao 101 Endurance Race Macao
1969 -- The 1st Asian Highway Motor Rally Vientiane-Singapore
1969 -- The 9th European Athletic Championships Athens, Greece
1969 -- 7th Southeast Asian Peninsular Games Rangoon, Myanmar

Video Friday: Citizen Appleseed XIII

Super cool video. Enjoy!

Basel World 2011: Seiko Ananta Collection

The Ananta mechanical chronograph for divers.
A celebration of Japan’s artistry.


SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION is proud to announce the creation of an Ananta Automatic Chronograph Diver’s watch. It is a leading watch in the SEIKO 130th Anniversary Commemorative Collection and is offered as a limited edition of 700 pieces. It will be released in the autumn of this year on a worldwide basis.

Basel World 2011: Seiko Premier Collection

The 2011 SEIKO Premier collection.
A new look, a new mechanical movement and a perpetual appeal.

Premier is SEIKO’s leading dress watch collection and has been a consistent and significant success worldwide for many years, first in Europe but now all over the world. Its appeal lies in the synthesis of the modern with the classical. The exterior design is inspired by the architecture of classical times,
but with the addition of touches from the world of modern buildings. Similarly, the duality of Premier is expressed in the movements within. The Premier range includes both traditional mechanical calibers and also the very latest Kinetic movements. In every sense, where classicism and modernity meet, there lies the essence of SEIKO Premier.

A new look
For 2011, the collection offers a new interpretation of this classic and modern duality. The cases are slightly more rounded, the dials are more textured, the crowns are new and the bracelet links are slightly smaller, to give a softer fit on the wrist. The change from 2010 is subtle, but evident at first glance. The new Premier is more classic in its look and softer in its feel.

Video Friday: Seiko Premier 2011 - Classic Inspiration. Modern Expression

Video Friday: Seiko Sportura 2011 - For Those who Know the True Value of Sport

Video Friday: Grand Seiko 2011 -Seiko 130th Anniversary

Video Friday: Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater

Let the magic sounds from this masterpiece engulf your senses. Enjoy!

Video Friday at Jikan Watch Blog

That's right. Whenever possible we will bring you video watch related content on Friday's so you can start your weekend in the right set of mind.

Here we have some cool promotional videos from Seiko to share with you, our valued readers, as part of the new watch releases unveiled in yesterday's press conference in Basel.

Let's get started with this one. Here you'll see the new Seiko Ananta 2011 watches, including the limited edition 200m diver's mechanical chronograph with the new caliber 8R39 movement (The 8R39 is a modified 8R28 for underwater duty) and its exquisitely hand crafted black lacquer dial:

Seiko Ananta 2011- A Form of Japan's artistry

Baselworld 2011: Seiko's Heritage Honoring our Past Building our Future

The story of SEIKO began in 1881, when a 22 year old entrepreneur, Kintaro Hattori, opened a shop selling and preparing watches and clocks in central Tokyo. Just eleven years later, 1n 1892, he established the 'Seikosha' factory and built its first clock, and in 1895, its first pocket watch. Today, after 130 years of innovation, Kintaro Hattori's company is still dedicated to the perfection that the founder always strove to achieve.
Follow this link to the rest of the story:

Seiko 1881 to 2011.... 130 years of dedication to perfection

Seiko Baselworld 2011: Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater

Wow! That is all I can say about this pinnacle of Seiko's haute watchmaking and know how...

A very significant release since the Spring Driven Credor Sonnerie flagship model shown at the 2006 Basel World fair.

SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION is proud to announce the creation of the Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater. It is the first minute repeater watch ever built by SEIKO and, alongside the Credor Spring Drive Sonnerie, marks another milestone in the developing tradition of SEIKO as a leading
manufacturer of ‘complication’ timepieces.

Baselworld 2011 Citizen Eco-Drive "Ring"

Citizen announced the commercialization of a product concept introduced at Baselworld 2009.  Not sure why it is called Ring but that is how it was presented in the translated version of the release.

Not much to say about this one except I could look at that stunning casework all day. Incredible. Double Sweetness!

Press release here.

Baselworld 2011 Citizen Attesa

Citizen announced the planned release of a new Attesa model for May 2011. This model looks very similar to the current "Direct Flight" with the same H610 radio controlled caliber inside except with a funky, futuristic looking bracelet. Sweetness.

Press release here.

Baselworld 2011 Citizen "Appleseed XIII"

Citizen plans to release in the fall a model inspired after the anime Appleseed XIII and is also capable of receiving time calibration through GPS satellites.  Quite an interesting look and technology to boot.

Prototype image below with a picture of the city-state of Olympus.

Press release here.

Baselworld 2011 Citizen Campanola

Citizen has announced a new Campanola model.  The Campanola line features exquisite, artistic, Japanese laquer, hand crafted dials.  Several years ago Citizen introduced the Eco-Drove technology to this line and many felt the quality of the dials suffered.  These new models continue the use of Eco-Drive, but from the press photo, the dials are very impressive.  I look forward to seeing some better pictures of these.

Google translation is rough, but here are the details.

Product Name Kanpanora
Item Number BU0020-03A / Tenma stars (Hoshino honey sweet) BU0020-03B / Scarlet depth (drill respiratory)
Suggested Retail Price (approx.) \ 283,500 (planned)
Release Date Will be released in July 2011

Press release here.

Seiko Baselworld 2011 Sportura Models

Seiko announced the release of two new Sportura models, a chronograph featuring the 7T62 caliber and a 200M diver featuring the kinetic 5M62 caliber.

Citizen Baselworld 2011: New "The Citizen" Eco-Drive Models Unveiled

The biggest news coming out of Baselworld this year for Citizen Watch Co., are the introduction of the first ever "The Citizen" high accuracy quartz watches using a yet to be specified Eco-Drive caliber with adjusted factory accuracy of -/+ 5 seconds per year!

New Casio Mudman G-9300 to be Released

Holy Smokes there a whole bunch of new G Shock models have been announced. I can't even try to keep up with them all so I'll just refer you to mygshock who has it all covered.

I will point out that the new Mudman model G-9300 is my favorite. I think this looks great and I think the Mudman can now be the official Field Watch for G Shock with a digital compass, thermometer, moon phase display and of course the mud resistant case. Is it me or do the buttons on the right side look similar to those on the original Mudman DW-8400?

Here's a direct link to Riley's Mudman post.

And while you are there, check out the other new releases.

Basel World '11: New Seiko 130th Anniversary Models

Basel World 2011 is here and we are only hours away from Seiko's press conference where the above 130th anniversary edition models along with new 2011 watch releases will be unveiled to the public.

For now, let's take a quick look at the new 130th anniversary models in the caption above:

Grand Seiko manual wind model SBGW033 retailing at 430,000 YEN or USD $5,300 at today's exchange rates. This model is reminiscent of the original Grand Seiko launched in 1960. There will also be gold and platinum versions of this magnificent piece.

The second watch shown below the Grand Seiko is a new interesting addition to the successful Ananta lineup. You are looking at first ever "Diver" watch offered for the Ananta line and it is based on the Japan domestic market Seiko Brightz Phoenix mechanical chronographs. The model number is SAEK015 This one appears to house the caliber 8R28 automatic chronograph movement with column wheel, vertical clutch, 34 jewels, 292 hand assembled parts and 45+ hours power reserve. This time around Seiko is using an "off the shelf" Brightz Phoenix model with its own case design instead of the hallmark Ananta "Katana" sword inspired semi-monocoque case design with very pronounced side lugs. It is rated to 200m or 20 bar water resist. No word on retail pricing yet.

The last watch is another limited edition Professional Tuna shrouded diver's watch from the Japan domestic market Prospex line. I believe this one is based on the current "Emperor Tuna" with the 8L35 mechanical movement. The model number is SBBN021.

It isn't clear whether these models will also be available in the North American market. Seiko will release them to market in August 2011.

Casio to Release G-Shock Bluetooth Watch in 2011

Casio Japan has announced their Bluetooth enabled G-Shock will be released in 2011 and have provided a picture of the model.  View the original press release here.

The model looks to be cased in the classic and popular 6900/6600 case and looks a lot nicer than the prototype that was announced at the CES show earlier in 2011.

The watch features the use of Bluetooth Low Energy to provide 2 years battery life from a standard CR2032 cell with 12 hours of Bluetooth use per day.  The watch will receive the time calibration as well as phone and message updates but can also communicate with the phone to silence any unwanted rings.  Functions typical of the G Shock such as world timer, 24 hour stopwatch and 24 hour count down timer are also incorporated.

It should be noted that Bluetooth Low Energy devices are not backward compatible with existing Bluetooth technologies.  Since Bluetooth Low Energy is still in its infantcy, this watch is a little ahead of itself with regard to existing smart phones on the market.  However, I for one find any technological innovations exciting and this will finally deliver the highest time accuracy to even those outside of the transmission range of the atomic towers.  This will also provide a means to deliver other content to your watch for ease of access such as stock ticker, weather, sport score updates or perhaps even  biometrics from an implanted pacemaker or insulin pump diagnostics or any other innovations yet discovered.

Seiko TV Watch

Obviously I've been farming youtube for some interesting content. Its amazing what's out there. Here's a short video of a Seiko TV watch from 1982.

A visit to Seiko’s Shizukuishi Watch Studio

Some excellent posts featured on The Purists detailing a personal visit to Seiko's Shizukuishi Watch Studio. Highly recommended read.

A visit to Seiko’s Shizukuishi Watch Studio

Part I: Parts production

Part II: Decoration and finishing

Part III: Movement and watch assembly

Part IV: Assembly of ultra-thin, skeleton cal. 6899A

Part V: Inspection and testing

SEIKO's Shizukuishi Watch Studio Visit - Appendix

Seiko Baselworld 2011 Press Conference -- Announced

Seiko will unveil their new 2011 collection during a press conference on Baselworld's opening day, March 24, 2011.

Link

The Making of the SEIKO Ananta

Another fantastic video featuring the Seiko Ananta.

A Surprise Package

A friend drops me an email.  Says he's sending me some watches to review for the site.  G Shock analogue atomics he says.  I make a joke about a MTG and expect a AWG or that Waveceptor Arnie diver model.  I received the package today.  Holy crap!  This from a guy I exchange emails with on a regular basis, but wouldn't recognize if I bumped into him at the grocery store.  Thanks mate!  They won't leave the house, I promise.

Left to right -- Giez GS1100, Oceanus OCW600, MTG1000

Grand Seiko 50 Years of Dedication to Perfection

Awesome eye candy video featuring Grand Seiko.

Citizen BM6400 -- Citizen's Field Watch

Well I have finally joined a club that I never thought I’d be a member of. I have bought a watch a second time after selling it off. It is the Citizen BM6400 which is the agent of this change. I have seen plenty of people on forums posting that they have done the same and I could never understand it. I sold my BM6400 a couple of years ago and I didn’t feel much regret initially, but recently I started to see pictures of other people’s and started to wonder why I sold it off in the first place. At the same time, a friend decided to flip one that he owned and next thing I know, its mine again...like it never left the watch box.

Orient Watch USA Promotion to Benefit Japan

Orient Watch USA is launching three new ladies models and all proceeds from the sales of these three models will be donated to the Red Cross to benefit the relief efforts in Japan.  Use the code HELPJAPAN for a 50% discount from the MSRP.  Click here for more information.

Some videos after the jump.

To all Japanese Friends, Colleagues and Readers

Tragic disaster
The deepest regret is felt
The world mourns with you

Modded G Shock DW6900 with How-To

Found these pictures from a while ago and thought I'd share.  A friend had sold me this basic G Shock model DW6900 and I had decided to try my hand at modding.  I think it turned out well.  The colors weren't exactly what I was after, but I think I got the technique down.  I sent the watch back to him and then it has been passed on to someone else.  Sometimes I wonder where these watches go after they have left me.

Sorry, all I have is before and after pictures.  I didn't think to take pictures through the process, but it is easy enough to do yourself if you read along.  Besides, you can probably find some other pictures if you look hard enough.

Stock DW6900 >>>>>>>>>>>>

After >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Nerd Chic -- Casio G Shock G5600CC-2

I admit it. I’m jealous of the kids who match their G Shocks with their caps, jerseys and sneakers. I just can’t pull it off. Sure, anyone can buy and wear, but its the confidence I lack.  An exchange that disappears with the extra decade of age. Maybe I could pull it off if I had a few drinks in me, but that would make the rest of the day a challenge.  Maybe with an extra two decades I will have the confidence to simply not care what people think.

Then one day I saw the 5600 Crazy Colors models and made a wonderful observation. Yes, I can now finally accessorise with my G Shock. You see, the blue one is the same color as the Fisher Space Pen X-750 I just bought. So now I think I’m cool, in a nerd kinda way.

Sneak Peek at a New Citizen Signature

Joe Kirk of Arizona Fine Time just posted a sneak peek of a new Citizen Signature.  The picture below is from his post.  See original post here.

For those of you who don't know, the Signature line is positioned as a primer series characterized by meticulous finishing and an invisible sapphire crystal.

To my surprise this next model is to be a diver with 300M of water resistance and containing a perpetual calendar solar powered movement inside.  The starburst dial is very similar to the newly released diver BN0085-01E.  The bezel reminds me of a Tag Aquaracer.

Photo of the entire collection.

 Some real life picts.  Blue one is by far my favorite.  More here.

I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to seeing some more of this model.  It is also good to see Citizen continue to develop this line which I think fills an open gap in the "near luxury" offerings from Japan to the rest of the world.

EDIT 4/5/11
More picts here.  I really like the blue.

What do you think?

Seiko Spring Drive Master Watchmaker Junya Kamijo In Action

It never ceases to amaze seeing Seiko's top "Meisters' or watchmakers working on these highly intricate Spring Drive movements with such ease. In many instances, they don't even use a jeweler's magnifying eye piece! It looks like a simple and straightforward task to assemble a Spring Drive movement, that on average, has over 400 separate components. But make no mistake... It takes years of complete dedication to achieve the level of watchmaking required and manual prowess to be allowed by Seiko to manufacture and service these movements.

Here you can see Junya Kamijo at a recent Grand Seiko launch event that was hosted in New York City late last year (2010). Kamijo-San is the managing director of the Spring Drive assembly section of the Seiko-Epson Shinshu watch studio in Japan where every Seiko Spring Drive watch (Grand Seiko, Credor, Izul, Ananta and Prospex) is currently manufactured at:

(Videos embedded from YouTube.com)

Part 1



Part 2



Kamijo-San can be seen here assembling and taking apart a Grand Seiko Spring Drive 200m steel diver model SBGA029 with the caliber 9R65 Spring Drive movement.

Seiko Seals Partnership with FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona and SEIKO seal a global partnership
SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION is pleased to announce that SEIKO and FC Barcelona have just entered into a far-reaching and long-term partnership agreement in which SEIKO is appointed as the Official Watch Partner of FC Barcelona and will benefit from marketing and visibility rights for three years.




FC Barcelona. The most successful Club team in world football.

From its foundation in 1899, FC Barcelona has always aimed high, winning its first ever competition in 1902 and reaching the final of the Copa del Rey the same year. Its record of achievement in both national and international football is among the most distinguished in the world. FC Barcelona has won La Liga 20 times, the Copa del Rey 25 times and the UEFA Champions League three times. In 2009, the Club enjoyed a spectacular year, winning all six competitions which they entered and becoming the FIFA Club World Cup winners for the first time. The success story continues this season; FC Barcelona is leading La Liga and has reached the latter stages of the Champions League once again.

SEIKO and FC Barcelona. A true partnership.

SEIKO and FC Barcelona believe in the same things. Both are ambitious, both are proud of their long tradition of achievement and both are dedicated to perfection in their chosen art. Most of all, however, SEIKO and FC Barcelona share a conviction that excellence comes from in-house development. Much of the strength of FC Barcelona derives from the success of its youth academy, La Masia. Many team members, including the team’s current manager Josep Guardiola and several of its star players, Messi, Iniesta, Pujol, Xavi, Pique, Pedro, Victor Valdés, Sergio Busquets, Bojan and Jeffren, learned their craft as children in the youth teams at La Masia and have graduated from this academy into the senior side.
Similarly, SEIKO's strength as a watchmaker comes from the company's determination, from the very earliest days, to develop every component and every skill in-house. Both FC Barcelona and SEIKO have “manufactured” their past success through significant investments in long term internal development, and both partners continue to share the belief that this philosophy will continue to deliver world-class results in the coming years.

SEIKO Sportura. The watch chosen by FC Barcelona.

The new Sportura collection is central to the SEIKO - FC Barcelona partnership, and the Sportura chronograph has been chosen by the Club as the FC Barcelona team watch. Each member of the squad will be presented with his watch this summer. The watch will carry the Club's crest on the dial.


The privileges of partnership

SEIKO's partnership with FC Barcelona will be expressed in a variety of ways. As the Official Watch Partner of FC Barcelona, SEIKO will benefit from a wide range of rights, including:
- Branding on the clocks on the home stadium scoreboards
- Recognition on the Club's websites and on Barça TV
- Branding on the fourth official's extra time board at La Liga home games
- Licensing rights for branded watches
In addition, SEIKO will have the right to promote the partnership in all forms of worldwide communication, and will be presenting the new Sportura collection against the background of FC Barcelona imagery, starting this summer.

In announcing the partnership, Mr. Javier Faus, the Vice President of FC Barcelona said:
We are delighted with this partnership with such a prestigious and internationally well-known brand that has always collaborated very closely with the world of sport. We are convinced that this relationship will further encourage both brands to continue their work for excellence and success.
The President and CEO of SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION, Shinji Hattori, stated:
We are delighted to be appointed as an international partner of FC Barcelona. The history, culture and ambition of the Club are a perfect match with SEIKO, and we look forward to a successful cooperation in the coming years.

Seiko press release here.

Cool Crown Feature on the Casio Oceanus OCW-T1000

Happened to see this video of a new model Casio Oceanus OCW-T1000 and noticed the use of the crown as a third button. Gives a cleaner look compared to the typical four button models. Looks like Casio finally has an independent hour hand like Citizen.

More details here.

Video and picture from Watch-Tanaka.

Citizen Chronomaster CTQ57-0961 Date Change Over from 2/28 to 3/1

Last night I shot this two minute and fifty seconds HD video showing the perpetual calendar complication of the A660 Citizen Chronomaster in all its glory:



The date change starts to take place at around 12:00:17 AM.

The A660 movement in the Citizen Chronomaster uses a high speed motor (10,000 revolutions per minute) that drives the calendar wheel and it is fully independent from the motors that drive the hour/minute and seconds hands.

Orient Announces New M-Force 200M Professional Diver

Orient has announced the international release of a new model 200M professional diver under the M-Force line. Have not seen much of anything new from Orient under the M-Force line so perhaps this will mark a resurgence of new models.  I think this model looks good and I look forward to seeing more pictures and new models in the M-Force line up.

This particular model is characterized as having 200M water resistance, improved shock absorption, three dimensional bezel, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a power reserve indicator among many other features.  It uses the EL caliber which is capable of both hacking and handwinding.

Dial color options will be black, blue and orange.  The case measures 47.8mm wide, 51.5mm including the crown and is 13.3mm thick.

MSRP is 56,700 Yen which converts to about $690 US at today's exchange rate.

Full release notice can be found here.