A vintage Ricoh World Timer

There are a few watches that I consider to be like grail watches. These are not luxury watches that I cannot afford in the first place but certain models that are within reach if reasonably priced. These include the Vulcain Cricket (I currently have two), LeCoultre's PowerMatic and FutureMatic (I have one each), Seiko GS and KS watches (I have a few of each), vintage Glashutte divers (I have two), and Philippine Edition watches from Seiko (I have all with the exception of the last one that was supposed to have been inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces. The latter's design just wasn't my type.).

A rare Ricoh World Timer automatic watch

Side view

Side view showing the unsigned crowns and date adjustment button. The crown at 4 o'clock is for adjusting the time while the crown at 2 o'clock is for adjusting the inner bezel. The first variants of the watch had signed crowns (R).

Case back - the first variants of this watch had a mispelled 'Warld Timer'

Close up of the dial and the outer bezel. Note the Japan and model number indicated above the 6 o'clock. Notable, too, is the 'Manil' beside H.K., making this one of a few world time watches (vintage or non-vintage) featuring Manila on the bezel. This is actually one of the reasons I considered this a collectible.

Another close-up showing the raised R and printed Ricoh below the 12 o'clock. Other models have the R printed and the Ricoh raised.

Wrist shot - I replaced the old strap the watch came with with a rally strap from Hirsch.

Wrist shot after I changed the strap. I thought he rally strap from Hirsch was suitable for this big watch.

 

Wrist shot - the first time I wore the watch, I decided to use it almost everyday for a week straight. It ran continuously and kept decent time, losing only 1 minute over about 3 days.

I did my research on this watch before I finally pulled the proverbial trigger. I am very happy to have acquired one in good condition. It is not mint and you will probably be suspicious if you one that is claimed to be like new or new old stock. 

 

Perhaps on top of my list now is an Enicar Sherpa. I saw a few ones on sale but they were priced beyond my budget.

-

Another Seiko Navigator Timer GMT watch

It's been a while since I've written about a watch in my collection. I sort of slowed down and currently content looking and browsing rather than buying. I have several Seiko GMT watches including four world timers; two of which are from the time of the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. I had one Navigator Timer from October 1976 that I acquired more than 3 years ago. And I say 'had' because now I have two of these Seiko 6117-6410's. The latest acquisition was again by chance when few seem to give attention to this older model with imperfections on the dial.

Seiko 6117-6410 with imperfections on the dial particularly around 6 o'clock to 11:30.

Side view showing the crown at 4 o'clock

The other side view

 

This one's an older model that was probably manufactured in October 1972. I assume that the case back is originally with this watch and not a replacement. If this was true then this is a 52-year old watch as of this writing.

This piece was made in October 1972 as indicated in the serial number.

Close up of the dial showing also the hands in good condition. Note that unlike the other one I have the writing above 6 o'clock has 3 lines - the top states Navigator Timer, the middle states Water 70m resist and the last shows the Suwa logo. The middle line is absent in the later models of this watch.

Wrist shot the first time I wore the watch.

Based on my using the watch for one week straight, I would say that this one's in tip-top condition and did not lose or gain significant time. The inner bezel is also working on this watch unlike my other one, which fortunately is fixed at the correct 24h position for the inner bezel.

-

Collectors or pickers in the neighborhood?

We were on our regular walk one morning when we can across this sign mounted by a neighbor at his property beside his home. It was probably taken down during demolition or perhaps replaced by a newer sign for the restaurant branch where it came from. The neighbor is a contractor so I was not surprised he was able to get this piece for what I assume to a collection. Or maybe it's just that one piece of curiosity they decided to take home and install?

A familiar face greets walkers and joggers along one of the streets in our village

I joked that seeing the sign during our walks somehow made me hungry. The chain, after all, serves breakfast aside from the usual burgers, fries and the fried chicken they are most known for.

-

Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Ultraseven Limited Edition - SRPJ79 on oyster bracelet

I wrote about this limited edition watch that I acquired early this year. I just wanted to feature it again as it has become a regular for my rotation especially after I changed the strap to a stainless steel bracelet. There is also this 4th Philippine Limited Edition watch that just came out yesterday that to me is a bit underwhelming after the first three releases the past years. The only thing notable about it I think is the price, which is on the expensive side of the model series.

The watch features day and date complications, an elegant rotating dial and a sweeping second hand with a red tip.

Side view showing the crown

The other side view

The case back is transparent with an image of the Ultraseven character. It also shows the model number 4R36-14S0.

A closer look shows the watch to be number 3043 of  only 3400 made.

Close up of the dial - TDG-UG stands for Terrestrial Defense Force - Ultra Guard

An even closer look showing the very small dial number at the bottom of the dial

A more recent wrist shot

Wrist shot when I first got the watch

The watch came with the nylon strap in the last photo. I changed it so I can wear it more frequently without worrying about the strap becoming dirty or wet (rains or perspiration) especially if I will use it for field work.

More information on the watch at Seiko: https://www.seikowatches.com/no-en/products/5sports/special/ultraseven/index

-

A vintage Gruen Geneve watch with sub second

I found this watch tucked away in one of my storage containers. I had forgotten about this watch that I acquired before the pandemic. The style is like the Gruen Precision sub dial that was the first James Bond watch. That's a Gruen Precision 510, which is quite costly to acquire especially if you're looking for one in great condition.

Gruen Geneve featuring a sub second dial

Side view showing the crown

The other side view showing a relatively pristine dial

Case back indicating the watch to be water resistant and made of stainless steel

Close-up of the sub-dial and the 'Swiss Made' at the bottom of the dial

I have not opened the watch and I seem to have misplaced a stock photo of the movement so I currently don't know the movement for this model. I recall though that Gruen also made in-house movements and for all I know, there might be a Gruen Cal. 510 inside this watch.

-

Another vintage Grand Seiko - GS 5646-8000

The latest addition to my collection is this Seiko GS 5646-8000 automatic watch. The watch is in great condition considering its 52 years. The only flaw would be the hole on the medallion. Other than that, the watch is in really good condition.

The watch has a simple dial design with day and date complications. The quick sets work and I use the Kanji day display.

Side view showing the signed crown

The other side view.

Here is the case back showing the medallion, which is in fair condition (i.e., there's a hole where the K and O of Seiko are). The serial number indicates the watch to have been manufactured on July 1971.

Close-up of the relatively pristine dial. The correct model number is indicated at the bottom of the dial.

Here is the obligatory wrist shot. The watch came with an aftermarket stainless steel strap that I adjusted so it fit my wrist perfectly.

The watch is powered by a Cal. 5646A that runs at 28,800 A/h with a potential power reserve of 46h.

 

Case back showing the model number

 

The watch does not feel as heavy as my 61GS models. Though hi-beat at 28,800 A/h, it is lower than the 36,000 A/h of my 6145 and 6146 GS watches. I wore the 5646 GS for 7 days straight to see if it runs well and keeps time. It did and became a part of my current rotation. It should be a keeper for now.

 

-

Another vintage Ricoh Dynamic Wide watch

It's been a while since I've written about my watches. I was able to get another Ricoh watch a while back. I just was not able to write about it as I wasn't sure I was keeping it (for now). This one has a simple design. It does not bear any of the emblems or logos Ricoh has used on its watch dials.

Ricoh Dynamic Wide automatic watch with day and date complications

Side view showing the signed crown

The other side view

The watch came with the original beads of rice stainless steel bracelet.

Close-up of the signed crown featuring the letter 'R'.

Close-up of the relatively immaculate dial - the Kanji day displayed is for Wednesday (Suiyobi)

The case back has signs of being polished and the information is faded.

Here is a better, clearer photo of the back showing the watch model's serial number, the Ricoh emblem and stating the watch to be waterproof (an indication that the watch is from the late 60s or early 70s). The serial number on Ricoh watches help you determine the movement caliber.

Inside is a Cal. 41 movement from the Ricoh 30 series. This dates the watch to the early 1970s.

The Cal. 41 has 21 jewels and runs at 18,000 beats per hour. I have not seen a reference for the potential power reserve.

Inside the back cover, there are no etches or writings except for this O and J that appears to be stamped here. Maybe these were the initials of the watch repair guy?

This is one of those watches that have a simple design and doesn't attract attention. It is wearable for any occasion whether for formal, casual or even outdoors. I have not timed it for how long it will run after regular use but it runs the morning after not being used overnight. It also keeps time as there are no noticeable gains or losses in time when its in regular use.

- 

[Just unloaded this another Ricoh. 11/3/2023]

Watch strap replacement - Luminox diver 4221

The old silicone strap of my Luminox diver deteriorated and final broke more than a year ago. I replaced it with an ostrich leather strap while keeping the old buckle. I thought I would just get another, generic silicone strap and replace the buckle with the original one. I never got to do that but I'm now glad I didn't as I was able to acquire a suitable replacement strap.

The watch with the replacement strap after I installed the latter.

The replacement strap came with this buckle.

A wrist shot after I replaced the strap.

I can now use this watch for swimming again. It is a nice watch for casual wear. It helps that this is a diver and a hardy model. I acquired this the same time as my Mido Ocean Star. While I thought about unloading this watch a few times, I have always decided to keep it - at least for now.

-