WRUW Thursday April 11th 2024?

[peterr]

a non-pharmaceutical antidote to incessant April showers...

[russtmurray]

[suntzu]

[inboost]

The Bulova Accutron Quartz TZ for me today. This N7 date code (1977) 242.10 movement is very interesting to me. It's called an 'SMQ' - stepper motor quartz powered movement by Bulova. Like the Chaika 3050 yesterday, a small multi-pole stepping motor is used to move the train. Technically all quartz analog movements are steppers, but these look like little DC motors and spin a fairly large mass with each step. This was likely their demise as moving all that takes more energy than the tiny rotors of modern steppers.

In stunning shape, this watch shows minimal signs of use and it's precision brushing, fine coin edged bezel, and high pattern dial just knock me out. I'm not normally a fan of two-tone gold and silver watches but this one is a keeper for sure!

Even more interesting, this 'TZ' model has a jumping hour hand at crown position 1. This function allows one to move between time zones easily hence the moniker 'TZ'. Normally for date setting, this position instead advances the hour hand forward or backward in one hour jumps without upsetting the minute hand or the sweeper. Run it forward 24 clicks to get a date change if needed. Position two hacks the watch and allows full hand setting. The icing on the cake is a button at 4 o'clock which is called the 'Accuset Button'. 

When the sweep second hand is positioned less than 30 seconds, the movement will halt that number of seconds at the moment it is pressed and then resume operation. This allows a fast watch to be adjusted to a time signal effortlessly. Of course if the sweep second hand has passed the 30 second mark, it will now instead double-step to the 0 second position to catch up to a time signal. I suspect this is why some people insist this movement was delivered by Citizen for Bulova as they have had this feature in a number of Crystron models long before this watch came to be. So far after a peek inside I think I would protest that claim as it doesn't 'look' the part of a Japanese watch. Furthermore the feature doe not operate the same, requiring a synchronization after a power loss or service. The Crystron method uses actual cam and contact systems to always know where zero is.

Now sadly, my Accuset button is mostly frozen so I am unable to perform that function. I figured it would be a quick remedy and de-cased the movement to work on what must be a hardened o-ring. However I was met with the grim discovery that Bulova stakes these pushers in place. Instead of a cir-clip feature, the pusher stem is hollow, and after passing through the case band port, it is flared with what must be a special tool so that it can no longer escape from the case band. I suspect one must force it out of the case with that same tool and either hope there is another round of flaring possible without cracking the skirt of the pusher, or the pusher gets replaced.

Time to go looking for yet another new tool for me...

[ouroboros]

[dudlei]

Gshock 20th anniversary Project Team Tough

[scubarob99]

Blue 6139-6005 on East Tech

[SeikoSoMatic]

Champion J13040 

[small]

Two weeks almost. Like this band better than the OEM, again should have pony'd up for the bracelet. Still dropping a few seconds a day but I figure set it fast a minute when I put it on and in a couple three weeks I'll be about 1 slow neither one will have an effect on my getting places...Same I do with my Lum-Tec I bought at more than 10x the cost.
I still have not removed the cyclopes as originally planned....and I may not as this one seems to be better positioned then the last that had me hold my wrist in kind of an awkward position to read it.
I know others would debate the merits of these homage watches from Steeldive and others but for the cost of one with a Seiko movement (that runs well keeping good time) in a case that has as nice of finish as just about any watch I have looked at. Mind you I have not ever held too terribly expensive watches to compare. I just think the value of these is truly under rated. Anyone unsure that would like to give it a try just send me a message and I can loan it out. I also have a couple of the Willards as well. QC has not been great and returns seem to be a PITA. Issue I'll just take care of myself going forward...I might start a thread with my Steeldive experience and get others to chime in as well. 

[cd_god]

[longbike]

    Aloha 
This for some time in the .....A.M.

This C023 Model with this Bezel is a very rare one to find.
          


 Salmon -Avocado Bowl                              Black Coffee                                              Kelp Miso 
                                               


Louis in Hawaii

[dapellegrini]

Just noticed a mark on the dial of this guy.... If I hadn't got it new from an AD, I'd be sweating it



I have now received at least one new Omega and one new Rolex with imperfections under the crystal...  That has not yet happened to me with a new Seiko....  perhaps because they are 100% machine built?

[tommie]

[tommie]

Apr 11, 2024 10:15:18 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

Just noticed a mark on the dial of this guy.... If I hadn't got it new from an AD, I'd be sweating it



I have now received at least one new Omega and one new Rolex with imperfections under the crystal...  That has not yet happened to me with a new Seiko....  perhaps because they are 100% machine built?

Omega, for me, although I love the brand… has been the brand of watches that I’ve had the most trouble with. Luckily covered under warranty but both my seamaster and my speedy have been back to Switzerland… seamaster just stopped altogether after a year, and speedy got the dreaded chrono creep after 2 years. And i really don’t wear them that often. My jap stuff is used and abused and never fails to keep on ticking.

Omega actually returned my seamaster after repair with a 007 second hand, from the Ltd edition ones. Looked proper gash. Off it went for another 2 months to get changed lol

[59yukon01]

[scubarob99]

Apr 11, 2024 10:15:18 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

Just noticed a mark on the dial of this guy.... If I hadn't got it new from an AD, I'd be sweating it



I have now received at least one new Omega and one new Rolex with imperfections under the crystal...  That has not yet happened to me with a new Seiko....  perhaps because they are 100% machine built?

Very nice. 126610? How does it feel compared to 116610?

Rob

[twhp101]

A Stelux Cyma for me today. I don't normally go for this style of watch as it's been done so many times, but I spotted this and took a punt. It's extremely comfortable on the wrist and I rather like it

[dapellegrini]

scubarob99 ya, this is a 2023, so 126610.  The 41mm case size and thinner lugs + better power reserve have me sold over the outgoing 116610.  I get why a lot of folks start and stop their watch ownership here.  I'm a little more of a chronograph lover though, and think I would rather daily a Speedmaster.  The click action on this bezel is sublime, and so much better than any others I have.

[scubarob99]

Apr 11, 2024 14:10:33 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

scubarob99 ya, this is a 2023, so 126610.  The 41mm case size and thinner lugs + better power reserve have me sold over the outgoing 116610.  I get why a lot of folks start and stop their watch ownership here.  I'm a little more of a chronograph lover though, and think I would rather daily a Speedmaster.  The click action on this bezel is sublime, and so much better than any others I have.

It's been a battle for years for me- Sub vs Speedy. The water resistance and my lifestyle nudged the needle to the Sub.
Date/no date is the real battle. Both have their pros and cons.
The power reserve is not an issue for me, but the shape thickness of the lugs push me towards the 12 (and the 41 mm)

Rob

[victor]

On the car ferry crossing a river in Mississippi