watch reviews

4/14/2019 0 Comments

Carrnegie Watch Review - Seiko VH63 Mechanical Quartz

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Case

The Carrnegie models feature a wide variety of case finishes and strap combinations for your liking. They do only have one current model, and I think it is a fairly decent piece for the coin. The solid 316L stainless steel cases feature integrated lugs and a 41MM diameter with a 12.5MM case thickness. In terms of finishing, they have a smooth brushed finish, with zero blemishes or errors on the two models I have been wearing for the past couple weeks. The case itself features a screw down caseback along with fifty meters of water resistance, suitable for shallow swimming and hand washing. Some nice details include the drilled lug holes and concealed downward curved concealed lugs, for easy strap swapping. Carrnegie offers a few different straps such as genuine rubber, Italian leather, and standard leather as extras if you take a peek at their webshop. It most definitely is smart looking on the wrist and certainly one that can be dressed up for any occasion. For you spec freaks, the lug to lug distance measures in at 49MM which wears real nice on my 6.5 inch wrist.

Dial

The white dial is a bit more dressy, as you can see from the photo above. Some aspects I like are the symmetry of the three subdials, and applied faceted bold hour markers. The black dial variant is a bit more fierce and bold looking when on wrist, and even feels slightly sporty or casual in a way. A nice set of dauphine hands and a needle point sweeping seconds hand certainly look right at home on the Carrnegie timepiece. So, there are three complications on this model...at 9:00 we get the day of the week, at 3 the day of the month, and finally a 24 hour subdial resides at 6. It’s amazing they are able to fit all of this information packed into a 41MM case without it looking cluttered or distorted. In addition to this, a nice thick piece of genuine domed sapphire crystal resides above the dial, allowing for a classic luxurious feel.

Movement

I really do adore this Mechanical Quartz hybrid Seiko VH63 movement they decided to use. It has four ticks per second, along with a three year battery life. You really do get the feel of a mechanical watch, but with the upsides of a quartz caliber such as accuracy, robustness, and reliability. The accuracy on this piece is no exception and certainly is doing much better than some pieces with a standard swiss made ronda 515, gaining only 1 second in the two weeks I have owned it!

Genuine Leather Bands

Now, there are infinite strap options at different pricepoints with Carrnegie. The two I have in hand are the rubber tang buckle, and the premier italian embossed leather on a butterfly clasp. The straps are 20MM in width which suits the case diameter just fine, and certainly does not look out of place. Out of the two, I much prefer the rubber tang, as it is extremely supple, comfortable, and can get wet. It feels at home on the rose gold plated iteration, and suits the case and lugless design with ease. On the other hand, the Italian leather Premier band is a bit more classy and dressy - allowing for a completely different look and feel. It has a decent signed butterfly clasp which is super easy to adjust and fit. It really is a hard choice to choose permanently between the two, so Id reccommend grabbing one of each if your not certain.

Conclusion

Furthermore, Carrnegie watches have done a decent job on their first major release in my eyes, providing probably the best quality you can obtain for your money at this entry level sector. The movement is the real star of the show for me, and I think will be one of the main reasons many will choose a Carrnegie timepiece. The overall design and presentation is good enough, and I do like the fact that they have created numerous strap options to swap out. Some brands create a watch with a lugless integrated design, but forget to actually create more strap options, often leaving the customer hopeless. So, there you have it - the Carrnegie ! I did leave a link button above if you are interested in picking up one of these pieces for as low as $179 USD , AND I believe if you sign up for their newsletter you can save an additional ten percent...which is a real bargain.

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4/1/2019 0 Comments

Fleur De Lis Watch Reviews - An Affordable MoonPhase automatic watch?

Fleur De Lis is a relatively new watch company based in Australia. They have one model I have for review which is currently in stock dubbed the AL-01 which has a price of $435 AUD, and takes slight hints from watches such as the Patek Nautilus and AP ROYAL OAK. The second Automatic Moonphase model is quite a stunning piece and original in design which will be released in the coming months.

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AL-01

Case

The AL-02 is crafted of solid 316L steel and is entirely brushed, feauturing a diameter of about 42MM across. The watch is certainly well cut and crafted and feels like it should cost a lot more than it actually does in my
opinion. Some nice features are the drilled lug
holes, and large crown guards. The caseback is rather solid and features a unique design which is quite subtle, but still noticeable. The case itself feels like it should be rated deeper than 50M, but that is what is stated from FDL on their website. This allows the end user to get the watch wet a bit, but not a piece id take for a dip in the pool if you know what I mean. Overall, I am
happy with the case cut and finish, and do not really see any errors here.

Dial

The dial itself appears to be a deep grey color and features horizontal elevated planks across. The markers themselves are lumed with superluminova which glows green in color, and is not that bad. A nice detail if you look real close is the printed text at 1:00 “No Guts No Glory”, not really sure what that means - but it sounds cool! Everything is very symmetrical which I do like and I think that is how a no nonsense dateless watch should look. Hovering over the dial is a nice piece of genuine sapphire crystal which really does not give off much glare, and is certainly legible when out and about.

Movement

If you did not notice already the words “Swiss Heart” below 6:00, this watch IS powered by a trusted and reliable Swiss Quartz no date Ronda movement. These are pretty much the go to movements in higher end time
only Swiss models, and for good reason. They are extremely accurate, have a 3-4 year battery life, and tough as nails.

Leather Band

The embossed genuine leather brown band is integrated into the lugs, just as a Nautilus is. It has a decent butterfly deployant which made it really easy to adjust the strap straight out of the box by gliding it into position. However, one must realize this pretty much is your only strap option considering these are custom fitted for this specific model. I can predict they will be releasing different bands in the future as this is a usual request from watch brands that use this method - such as Oris and Patek Philippe. Overall, it is comfortable and gets the job done.

Fleur De Lis Will Moonphase Automatic

Case

The Moonphase is their latest prototype which will be available for Pre-Order by Summertime. This watch is obviously going to cost more due to the movement and quality it boasts ( $690 USD ). The case is solid 316L highly polished steel and comes in at 41MM wide with 20MM Lug widths. It definitely does have a bit of wrist presence, and allows us to read and adjust the moonphase a bit easier due to that.

Dial

The classic quint essential sophisticated mens dress watch, if you want to call it that. The light
grey dial really struck me on this one and looks right at home with its moonphase subdial
at 6:00 and long slender classic hands. The date cutout is quite subtle, but definitely still legible
at a glance. I like how everything is proportionate and no aspect looks too large nor small. A nice detail
is the classic numerals and railroad track surrounding the outer portion of the dial, as well as the long stick seconds hand reaching into the chapter ring. Most will definitely buy this watch for the true moonphase, which is stunning in a bright blue/gold pallet. Finally, a genuine sapphire rests upon this beautiful
classic dial
for that luxurious feel.

Movement

The Selitta SW 280-1 is housed inside this model which is definitely a not so common Selitta calibre. It has a true moonphase function, a quickset date, hacking, and manual winding. The actual movement is displayed through a screwed caseback and it can be seen in its’ gold color. You can expect around 38 hours
of power reserve while
it beats away at 28,800 BPH. In terms
of accuracy, this example is running at +6 seconds a day which is good in my
book!

Leather Band Equipped

The genuine leather Quick-release band is quite similiar to the strap on the AL-01 , but toned down a bit. It has a nice supple feel on the wrist and conforms
nicely out of the box. It does feature that same butterfly clasp with a signed buckle, which some prefer while others aren’t huge fans. However, with watches such as this strap changes are common and many do swap out to their own preferred watch strap brand.

Conclusion

Furthermore, I think FDL is really onto something with their newest release which is expected late 2019. They are taking classic design hints from horologically sophisticated and historic brands and embedding that DNA into parts of their watches. The quality is definitely there for the money, and I cannot wait to see what they have to offer us watch geeks in the future. Please do watch the full hands-on video on the Youtube channel.

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4/1/2019 0 Comments

Seiko 5 Bottlecap SRPC61K1 Watch Review

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Case

The Seiko 5 “Bottlecap” gets its’ nickname from the bottlecap shaped case it has, which is quite
obvious. The solid 316L stainless steel case sits at a diameter of 45MM...but really wears like a 40-41MM watch when strapped to the wrist. I was actually quite impressed by the smooth brushed finishing Seiko did here, which honestly is equal to some
of their more expensive Seiko Prospex models in terms of quality and refinement. Anyway, the thickness is roughly 13MM and we get nice drilled lug holes which is really nice to have on a modern watch. ( 22MM lug width ). As most seiko 5 sports models are water resistant, the bottlecap is no different and has a 10 ATM ( 100M ) rating. This piece is definitely safe to swim with or go snorkeling if your into that. If we flip the watch over, there is a nice exhibition window displaying the automatic Seiko movement...which is quite
bland and not really necessary in my opinion.

Dial

The glossy black dial really pops on this model and features XL applied lumed markers with silver outlining. It is your typical dive watch layout, or shall we call it “Seikomariner” layout. The long sword hands are easy to read at a glance as is the long needle seconds hand, reaching to the end of the dial. One nice detail is tje red “Sports” print below 12;00 , adding some flavor to the dial. The crystal utilized here is a hardened mineral crystal, which is sort of expected at this $180 price.

Movement

Powering this piece is the well known in-house Seiko automatic 4R36 Day/Date movement. This is a trusted and reliable one which contains 24 Jewels, Hacking, Hand-Winding, and a 3 HZ Beat rate. These movements are widely used in the Seiko Prospex range as well as the Seiko 5 range.

Stock Bracelet

To be quite frank, the bracelet is not amazing. It is certainly not a throw away accessory, but it could be better. It has rather square shaped links, instead of curved links - making it feel a bit blocky on wrist. There is also no end links, so it sort of looks awkward with that gap at the lugs. I found myself experimenting with numerous NATO straps which really look great on this piece. It is most definitely a “Strap Monster”.

Conclusion

Furthermore, I really enjoy the peculiar aesthetic this model has to offer. I love the shape of the case and how
it really does not mimic any other watches out there. It contains a decent movement, great lume, and 100M of water resistance all at a price below $200. Can you really ask for more from Seiko?

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3/25/2019 0 Comments

Melbourne Watch Company Sorrento Dive Watch Review

MWC OFFICIAL SHOP

Case

The Melbourne Assembled Australian Sorrento diver is quite a classy and dressy piece. However, I believe it combines both a diver, dress watch, and functional everyday tool watch all in one 42MM package. It features reasonable dimensions such as the 50MM lug to lug distance and 13.5MM case thickness. The 200M rated case is suitable for diving and really finely cut and brushed out of 316L stainless steel. I really did take notice of the brushing work on the case flanks, it is quite good for this pricepoint of 950 AUD. Some other nice details include the raised vintage dive helmet on the screw down caseback which I found charming.

Dial

Now, the dial is where it gets exciting...It is a multi-layer ceramic dial which is usually only seen in luxury watchmaking. It also features planks flowing horizontally which mimic the decl of a classic boat. The brushed hands play nicely and are extremely legible
under the genuine sapphire AR coated crystal. The markers themselves are lumed of course, with blue BGW9 lume and I found it to be quite responsive and long lasting. Another interesting component is the Aluminum 120 Click bezel. OK - Bezel action. The bezel action is solid, with minimal backplay nor alignment issues. The actual ceramic insert features a wave pattern which really caught my eyes and almost reminded me slightly of the Omega Seamaster 300 wave dial models. A lot of thought has gone into making this dial, and it certainly shows in the results.

Movement

At this pricepoint we are either expecting an ETA2824 or a SW200..Melbourne chose the SW200 Swiss automatic calibre which is essentially the same movement as a 2824. It beats at 28,800 BPH and features 26 jewels along with a quickset date located at 3:00. In terms of power reserve you can expect around 38 hours...Accuracy wise....+4 Seconds per day on my exact example. Who needs chronometer rated movements when brands regulate the same movement themselves?

Quick Release Bracelet

The solid oyster style 316L steel bracelet features screw in links, a milled clasp, and solid end links which contain quick-release pins. Now, usually we only see quick release pins on various nato, leather, and canvas straps. However, MWC has somehow
incorporated it into their steel bracelet. It really
is quite effortless to switch to a nice nato or rubber band if you are looking for a lighter option. The comfort is decent and the bracelet does not pull my hair, which is the first thing I look for. It can also accommodate larger wrists.

Conclusion

Furthermore, the Sorrento diver offers a rare classic
blend between dress/dive styling for a reasonable price. It checks all the boxes I look for when looking to add a new piece to my growing collection of watches. I feel that this brand saw a niche to fill, and they did quite well.

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3/21/2019 0 Comments

Casio WorldTime Digital Watch Review

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Case

The Casio WorldTime is probably the cheapest most functional water resistant Casio digital watch available on the market today. At around $25 USD for the bracelet variation and even less for the rubber band version, it sure does pack a punch for the money. The case itself is comrpsied of a Polymer and painted in a Silver color measuring in at 40MM in diameter. The thickness is not too bad either at 12.5MM with a lug to lug distance of 44MM. In terms of design, its pretty modern, and classic at the same time. Its’ weight at 40 grams does not feel substantial on the wrist and even I sometimes forget I am wearing a watch.

Digital Display Dial

The functions are all laid out orderly with Separate windows covered by a Plastic crystal. Now, plastic will eventually scratch if put to use - but what can we honestly expect for the money? If we look at the top left of the watch, your home time is displayed in a circular subdial. To the right we have a world map which states the area of the continent in which your watch is programmed too, and cycles around in world time mode. Finally, at the bottom your main functions such as Time, Worldtime, Day-Date, 5 Alarms, StopWatch, and Countdown timer are displayed as you cycle through them with the metal pusher at 8:00. The pushers themselves are small, and really keep out of the way of your wrist. The LED lights up for a couple seconds and then fades as you push the 2:00 pusher for easy reading in dark areas. It looks like a really complicated watch, but is actually quite simple to use at the end of the day.

Metal Bracelet

The steel bracelet is actually quite cheap feeling, and constructed with bars for adjustment. It features an 18MM lug width and honestly looks odd if you decide to throw it on a NATO or some other type of strap due to the case over powering it. However, the bracelet is comfortable and really doesn’t pull hair. There are even four micro adjustments and a signed steel clasp. Do not get your hopes up for a decent quality bracelet on a $25 watch - but do keep in mind it is useable and can hold
up to daily use.

Conclusion

Furthermore, Casio definitely
does offer quite an outstanding watch at around $25 and $15 for the rubber version. It is definitely a decent piece which contains a lot of useful functions which get much use in my daily day to day life. Thanks for taking the time to read another article on Watch Addict and stay tuned to our YouTube channel “Watch Addiction Watch Reviews” for a full hands-on experience.

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3/15/2019 0 Comments

Ergon Maelstrom Bronze Dive Watch Review

Ergon Website

Packaging

Case

The Ergon Maelstrom diver features an all
CUSN8 solid bronze brushed case with an exact diameter of 40MM. In terms of lug width we are looking at 20MM and width is 12.5MM. This is honestly
a rational size for the modern dive watch. This is a true dive watch also which can dive to depths of 300 Meters and features a screw down crown and solid steel screw caseback. Some small details that catch my attention are the slightly polished chamfered lugs and the detailed Tornado logo which is raised on the caseback.

Dial

The grainy black dial reminds me of a vintage 60s diver with its large lumed markers and submariner style 120 click ceramic bezel ( lumed also ). I do like the fact that the handset is unique and does not copy...well a submariner! The logo below 12:00 is subtle and flows well with the dial design, also keeping symmetry. Above all this lays a domed Sapphire with AR coating and a matching date window above 6:00.

Movement

This is where the real value comes into play with the Maelstrom. Beating away inside is a Swiss Made automatic Selitta SW-200-1 movement. This movement contains 26 jewels, 38 hours of power reserve, and beats away at 28.8K. It is a true workhorse swiss movement and keeps great time at around +6-7 seconds a day.

Straps

A nice 20MM tropic style rubber band is included with this model and the quality is decent, around the same Quality that most of the Zelos Mako watch straps come equippee on. However, a higher quality waxed Horween leather quick release strap is also included in the roll. It is definitely a very good quality and quite supple on wrist. However, I usually like to get my watches wet so I think I will be sticking with the tropic strap which plays along well with the vintage aesthetic here.

Conclusion

Furthermore, after doing some research I have yet to find a better value bronze automatic dive watch on the market. It definitely checks all my boxes which include Sapphire, Swiss automatic movement, decent quality bands, and a delightful watch roll which I will get a lot of use from when traveling or on the go. Thanks
for taking the time to read and please do watch the full video review on YouTube linked above.

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Carrnegie Watch Review - Seiko VH63 Mechanical Quartz

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Case

Dial

Movement

Genuine Leather Bands

Conclusion

Fleur De Lis Watch Reviews - An Affordable MoonPhase automatic watch?

AL-01​Case

Dial

Movement

Leather Band

Fleur De Lis Will Moonphase Automatic

Case

Dial

Movement

Leather Band Equipped

Conclusion

Seiko 5 Bottlecap SRPC61K1 Watch Review

​Case

Dial

Movement

Stock Bracelet

Conclusion

Melbourne Watch Company Sorrento Dive Watch Review

Case

Dial

Movement

Quick Release Bracelet

Conclusion

Casio WorldTime Digital Watch Review

Case

Digital Display Dial

Metal Bracelet

Conclusion

Ergon Maelstrom Bronze Dive Watch Review

Packaging

Case

Dial

Movement

Straps

Conclusion

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AL-01

Case

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