Orient Symphony and Bambino

Formal attire deserves a proper dress watch. A simple classic understated watch with a  leather strap is the proper companion for formal wear. Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin make the finest classic dress watches. Most people would probably not willing to spend the cost of a very decent car on a fine timepiece.

There are good low cost alternatives to expensive Swiss dress watches. The Orient Watch Co. Symphony and Bambino collections are good choices for those looking for a good,  low priced, classic dress watch. The Orient Symphony has a 41 mm case and a flat glass.  The Orient Bamboo has a 40 mm case and a domed glass. Like a proper classic watch, both the Symphony and Bamboo have self winding mechanical movements. Should you meet a timepiece enthusiast during a formal event, you will get a approving nod to having selected a watch with a proper mechanical movement. 

While Orient may not be the most prestigious watch brand, those who appreciate timepieces will also give an approving nod for having selected a watch from a manufacturer that builds it's own movements in-house. Orient prides itself with the fact that it manufactures all it movements in-house. This is something few Swiss manufacturers can claim. 

All-in-all the Symphony and Bamboo offer a lot of class for watches than can be had for about US$200.

AVI-8 AV-4011 Hawker Hurricane

I found a fairly interesting watch from a small UK based company called AVI-8. Given the staggering number of watches offered by the company, manufacture is outsourced to a third party. Most likely a China based one. Still, Being a fan of Pilots watches and aviation history, I could not help but notice the AV-4011 when is popped on for sale on a local online store.

There is nothing spectacular about the watch itself. The watch has a 42 mm case which houses a Japanese quartz chronograph movement. Priced at about US$200, it is not necessarily a bargain. Still I found the old RAF roundel at the 9 o'clock particularly interesting. The watch comes in several color of dials and black and brown options for straps. But personally cream and brown (AV-4011-04) seems like the most attractive combination.

Still, if you are interested in aviation history, a watch commemorating the Hawker Hurricane might be a worthwhile addition to your collection.

IWC Pilots’s Watch Mark XVII Edition “Le Petit Prince”

I am a big fan of IWC's Mark series of Pilot's Watches. The minimalist design, military heritage and value for money proposition these watches represent are appeal to me. A bit more than US$4,000 gets you watch with an interesting heritage and the prestigious IWC branding. And yes, 4K for a luxury watch these days is a very good deal.  IWC's latest Pilots Watch Mark edition, the IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVII Edition "Le Petit Prince" will probably cost you a fair bit more than that. I do not know retail price, but being built on a stainless steel case, there is a fair chance that it won't cost you both your arm and leg. Just one. After all, the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII Edition “Le Petit Prince” in stainless steel is limited to a production run of 1,000 watches.

IWC Schaffhausen celebrates the 70th birthday of the “The Little Prince”, the highly acclaimed novella with the launch of two limited special editions: the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince” and the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII Edition “Le Petit Prince”. Both these, watches pay tribute to one of the best-selling books in literary history, written by legendary writer, pilot and adventurer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. 

IWC has has maintained a cordial partnership with Saint-Exupéry’s heirs and their charitable organization, the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation, and release watches in honor of this legendary pilot. Celebrating his highly acclaimed book is a very nice touch.

Unlike the stark matter black with white and red highlights of the military inspired Mark XVII, the "Little Prince Edition" has a lighter feel to it with a blue dial. At the short end of the second hand is a small star, which indicates that this watch represents something special. The little star is likely to get a query from a curious onlooker as to what it represents. At the back, you have an engraving that shows the little prince with his fluttering scarf standing on a tiny asteroid. 

Part of the proceeds from sales of the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII Edition “Le Petit Prince” will go to the Foundation to support its worldwide commitment against illiteracy. This is in keeping with the thinking of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who once wrote: “Your task is not to foresee the future, but to enable it.”

So you have a watch with a long history of use with the Royal Air Force which commemorates a legendary pilot and takes as back to our youth and this little illustrated novella we were once asked to read. This is something worthy of any collection. At the same time, you will help a little bit, in making Antoine de Saint-Exupéry aspiration come a bit closer to fruition.

About IWC. IWC or the the "International Watch Co. Schaffhausen" was founded by an American engineer from Boston, Florentine Ariosto Jones, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland in the year 1868. IWC Schaffhausen is notable for being the only major Swiss watch factory located in eastern Switzerland, as the majority of the well-known Swiss watch manufacturers are located in western Switzerland.

Casio Edifice EQW-A1200DB-1A

It is hard to fall in love with a Quartz wristwatch. To the purist, a watch must have a mechanical movement. Many a watch lover can see the merit of a digital watch for specific tasks. A quartz watch is hard to fall in love with.

Quartz watches are practical choices. They are cheaper than mechanical watches and providing better timekeeping accuracy. Some features like perpetual calendars, which make for very expensive mechanical watches, are inexpensive to implement in a quartz watch. But to many, myself include, the abrupt and halting of the motion of the second hand is just something we do not like to see,

Casio Edifice EQW-A1200DB-1A. If you are going to go with a quartz watch, might as well goes with one that does everything. The Casio Edifice EQW-A1200DB-1A is powered by the sun. The battery will last all of six months without exposure to light. The rechargeable battery itself should be able to last you about two decades before needing replacement.

If you live in a supported area, you never have to set the correct time. The Casio Edifice EQW-A1200DB-1A is Radio-controlled and can receive signals from six different transmitters around the globe which will automatically make sure you have the correct time set to an Atomic clock.

Location of Atomic clocks:

• Station name: DCF77 (Mainflingen, Germany), Frequency: 77.5 kHz
• Station name: MSF (Anthorn, England), Frequency: 60.0 kHz
• Station name: WWVB (Fort Collins, United States), Frequency: 60.0 kHz
• Station name: JJY (Fukushima, Fukuoka/Saga, Japan), Frequency: 40.0 kHz (Fukushima) / 60.0 kHz (Fukuoka/Saga)
• Station name: BPC (Shangqiu City, Henan Province, China)
• Frequency: 68.5 kHz

The watch is pretty accurate even in area with signal calibration. The Casio Edifice EQW-A1200DB-1A is rated at ±15 seconds per month with no signal calibration.

One good reason to get a quartz watch is if you intend to use it as a chronograph. The watch has a 1/20-second chronograph. The best mechanicals measure to the closest 1/8th of a second, and very few can go 1/10th. This is because they "beat" at 8 to 10 times a second. The Casio Edifice EQW-A1200DB-1A can also keep records of up to 10 laps. Even the best mechanical watches are limited to two. 

The list goes on. The Casio Edifice EQW-A1200DB-1A has a full auto-calendar until the year 2099, a electronic compass, a countdown timer, can display time in different cities around the world (29 time zones), alarm, battery level indicator, day and date display.

The watch is also designed to be durable with a 100-meter water resistance and a vibration-resistant structure.  The internal module of the watch is encased in αGEL®, a highly vibration-absorbentmaterial that isolates the module from vibration and impact. Silicone-based soft gel material that provides superior vibration-absorption capabilities. Also, the spring rods connecting the band to the case are enclosed in carbon tubes that protect them from becoming detached due to vibration.

About Casio. Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is a multinational electronic devices manufacturing company founded in 1946, with its headquarters  in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Casio  is best known for its calculators, audio equipment, PDAs, cameras, musical instruments, and watches. Casio released it first G-Shock watch in 1983.

Officine Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00510 - Amazing value

While Officine Panerai has come come out with many interesting new dial and case designs over the years, the basic Luminor design with the pancake dial and hand wound is still my personal favorite. The Panerai Luminor Marina PAM 510 is a updated version of the PAM 111. The hand wound Unitas movement in the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM 111 is replaced by the new built-by-Panerai P.5000 calibre. This new movement is an eight day hand wound movement. 

Now, the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM 111 is one of the more affordable Panerai offerings with a list price of US$6,800. The new Panerai Luminor Marina PAM 510 will apparently be retailing for just US$400 more, at US$7,200. I find this to be an extremely attractive proposition. An eight day movement adds a touch of flair to what is already a very attractive watch. At this price, it is a steal.

Cabot Watch Company Royal Navy Divers Watch

Off the beaten path. If you are looking for watches with an interesting history, the offering of the Cabot Watch Company might just be what you are looking for. The CWC Royal Navy Divers Watch is the watch officially issued to Royal Navy Divers. In the early 80's a CWC manufacturer divers watch started replacing Rolex Submariners as official issue to Royal Navy Divers. The automatic version was the official issue watch for just one year. It is still in production and can be purchased for around US$850. 

The watch has a 45 mm diameter bezel, and is water resistant to 300 meters.

Cabot Watch Company Royal Navy Divers MOD current issue. The Cabot Watch Company Royal Navy Divers Automatic Watch was replaced by a quartz version without a date display. It features a battery life indicator.

This is watch is priced at US$540. 

Seiko Superior Limited Edition Model Nos. SRP451K1, SRP453K1, SRP455K1 and SSA147K1

In celebration of its 100 years in watchmaking, Seiko has released a series of Limited Edition watches. It appears that different models are being targeted at different markets. One series of Seiko Limited Edition watches being released is the Seiko Superior Limited Edition series of "Baby Monster" and "Baby Tuna" divers watches.

• Caliber: 4R35 Automatic winding type with manual winding mechanism
• Metal:  Stainless steel 
• Size: 44.5mm 
• Band: Nylon Strap
• Water resistance:  100 meters
• Glass: Hardlex Crystal

• Caliber: 4R36 Automatic winding type with manual winding mechanism
• Metal:  Stainless steel 
• Size: 42.3mm 
• Band: Resin Band
• Water resistance:  200 meters
• Glass: Hardlex Crystal

• Caliber: 4R35 Automatic winding type with manual winding mechanism
• Metal:  Stainless steel 
• Size: 43mm 
• Band: Resin Band
• Water resistance:  200 meters
• Glass: Hardlex Crystal

Model No. SSA147K

• Caliber: 4R37 Automatic winding type with manual winding mechanism
• Metal:  Stainless steel 
• Size: 45mm 
• Band: Nylon Strap
• Water resistance:  200 meters
• Glass: Hardlex Crystal

While the watches are marked "Limited Edition" they are unnumbered so I do not know how many are made. I posted the case sizes above from other sources, but they do not seem to match up with my own inspection. Will try to get the correct case size measurements. 

About Seiko. In 1881, when Kintarō Hattori opened a watch and jewelry shop called "K. Hattori" in Tokyo, Japan. Eleven years later, he began to produce clocks under the name Seikosha. The first K. Hattori wristwatches were produced in 1913. The Seiko brand was first used in 1924. Today the company is named Seiko Holdings Corporation.