Rediscovering the G-spot

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I’ve always liked my G-Shocks and have had a fair few of them over the last decade including intage from 1980, “neo-vintage” from 2000 and a host of modern variants, all of which I’ve enjoyed owning and wearing. Two, though, have always stood out to me as my absolute favourites.

The King of G’s is, of course the GW-5000-1JF; I’ve had one for the past seven or eight years, I think, and it gets worn a fair bit as it’s my running watch as well as seeing some football action back in the day when such things were possible (I also wear it sometimes just because I want to). If that’s the best of the best, then it’s closely followed IMO by the venerable Riseman GW-9200-1. There was a time that I had both the standard and the Men in Smokey Grey models but there’s something about it that just makes other Gs seem a bit unnecessary.

Anyway, the good news is that a lovely mint Riseman has just joined my GW-5000 and I couldn’t be happier. Now I have the pair together in my collection again I can say with complete certainty that neither will be going anywhere any time soon!

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G-Shock heaven

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I seem to have amassed a mini-collection of G’s, albeit unintentionally. The two I had were joined yesterday by the stealth 5610 that was (and still is) being offered at half the list price over at The Watch Shop; it’s rather nice actually, and having never worn a G on the composite bracelet I have to admit that it’s very comfortable.

The 5610 joins the “King of G’s” GW-5000, with it’s steel case and screw back; and the 15 year old G-2000, which is the only model who’s number signifies the sole year of production. (Unfortunately I inadvertently changed the date on that one before I took the shot below, and as it’s not atomic it’s also a few seconds out time-wise).

A nice trio, actually, not that i actually need three G-Shocks 🙂

Arrival of a neo-vintage G!

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The G-2000-1JF is a beauty… stainless steel case, screw down case back, quite a wide and immensely comfortable resin band and more weight than one usually finds on a G. It’s not atomic, and it’s not solar-powered – more of a round version of the DW-5000 and earlier of the 5600 series (but with a better quality finish and a lot less plastic). I have to say that it’s far and away the most comfortable G I’ve ever worn, and it feels like it’s built to last a lifetime.

Oh, there’s a link to the specification here.

The venerable Riseman

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I’ve had about a dozen G-Shocks at a conservative estimate. Square and round, modern and retro, including the much-revered GW-500-1JF. In some ways I liked them all and in the case of a few I really liked them a lot. But for some reason, the only G that has ever stuck with me is the Riseman.

I’m not entirely sure why that is, but the case seems to wear relatively small on the wrist, and also sits very flat. It has all the functions you’d ever need, but the buttons and the sensor don’t shout out at you as they do on some models (the Mudman springs to mind). Even though it looks kind of lary, it’s anything but that when you wear it. For me, its the perfect G.

I’ve had both the “standard” and the men in Smokey Grey..

The grey and orange combination on the case was actually quite beautiful, but try as I might I can’t get on with reverse displays and I ended up sticking with the classic GW-9200, and it’s never let me down. It’s seen more than a few miles pounding the pavement, many DIY jobs around the house, and a smattering quiet weekends, just because…

A collection goes vintage

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A while ago, I was planning on attending a TZ-UK GTG, but found that – at the last minute – I had to cry off due to other commitments. However, for a while leading up to that point I’d been going through something of a painful realisation. There was no doubt that my collection contained some lovely watches; but even acknowledging that to be true, I looked at my watch box and failed to find a single piece that I’d seriously want to show anyone; not a single piece made me proud to own it. I could accept the inherent value sitting there, and I could appreciate the quality of engineering required to produce them; but there was no emotional connection with them at all.

This started me thinking about what I really wanted from (and in) my watch collection. One thing I knew was that I really didn’t like the newer super-cased Rolex models; in fact, I subsequently traded my brand new GMTC for a rather gorgeous 16710, but I knew after a short while that I needed to go a further step if I was going to get any joy from this hobby of ours, So, in a relatively short space of time, out went my Rolex GMT, my Zenith Ultra Thin and my Speedy Pro Moonwatch. In their place came watches from 1977, 1972 and 1981, all of which are icons in their own right.

Essentially, then, I’ve decided that I’ll no longer buy modern. I know that vintage isn’t to everyone’s taste, and I can still appreciate the newer watches that I’ve owned and that I see in photos on here every day. They just don’t seem to… call to me, if you know what I mean. I can, and will, continue to admire them on others wrists – I just don’t particularly want them on mine.

So, after all the angst and no little money lost, here’s my collection as it stands today. I’m also just concluding a deal to bring my 1968 vintage Grand Seiko 61GS back to its rightful home, and to say that I’m pleased would be something of an understatement!

In fact, I’ve NEVER been so happy with my watches.

Rolex 1680 – 1977

Rolex 16014 – 1981

Omega Speedmaster Mk II – 1972

Oh, and a couple for knocking about in 🙂

The perfect G?

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I must admit, I’ve been going through G-Shocks (by which I mean buying and flipping, of course) at a rate of knots for months now. Modern, traditional and even NOS vintage have all passed through my fingers, but in reality I’ve been waiting for The One… the King of G’s.

It arrived this morning – the GW-500-1JF. A Japan-only model, it features a solid steel case with DLC coating, screwed steel back, all the modern functionality you’d expect of a current model, a beautifully soft resin strap and a lovely 80’s-style case design. I think it’s fair to say that I’m no longer looking!

SOTC

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I don’t mind admitting that I posted this in similar form on the TZ forum too, but it deserves a place on here if only as a marker in my hobby/journey/obsession…

There have been a couple of SOTC posts of late that I found really enjoyable to read and – because I came to an interesting conclusion this morning – I was prompted to do something similar myself. The conclusion I came to, having not really bought anything of significance for some weeks – was that I’m really happy and settled with my collection. Without thinking too much about it, I seem to have covered all the bases, and every watch has it’s own specific part to play in the whole. So here they are, then, 5 months down the TZ road…

Rolex Submariner 16610 LV

The watch that started me on this perilous journey was the one and only Submariner. I’d always considered it an icon in the true sense of the word, and the only reason my original Sub was allowed to go was in order to fund the LV that is now my absolute keeper. Currently on the green bezel insert but I may just switch it for the black one that’s sitting in the box soon; and what I consider to be the perfect marriage of traditional size case with maxi dial. A truly wonderful watch.

Seiko Marine Master SBDX001

The first time I had an SBDX001 in my grasp, I got myself in a right old state about the bracelet clasp, and because it never quite felt perfect I mistakenly let it go. The moment I posted it off, though, I knew I was going to buy another and the replacement came all the way from Jakarta, BNIB and courtesy of Kucimo. This time I planned for it’s arrival, and a quick switch of clasps (I have no need whatsoever for a ratcheted divers extension, frankly) soon proved to be the answer. And for those who’ve never owned one, there’s a reason that those of us that sell them almost always buy them again. And again…

Omega Aqua Terra 2503.33.00

I’d never particularly been into Omega, but that changed when I saw a Broadarrow, with blue hands and markers, for the first time. It was bloody gorgeous, and I immediately set my heart on something similar, nearly crying when I missed this fairly scarce and discontinued Aqua Terra first time around! I got it in the end, though, and I regard it as the perfect dress watch in today’s less than dressy age.

Grand Seiko 61GS 6146-8000

My next Seiko was bought on pure, unstoppable impulse. Dating back to 1968, it’s one of the earlier-production Grand Seikos… the GS newbies have illustrious forefathers that have only recently been properly recognised as classics (at least by most of us). This one has had the lightest of polishes and looks as if it were bought yesterday, but its simple, understated design (or should I say its “grammar”) is completely timeless. I really do love it, and having worn it with anything from a suit to a pair of disgustingly old jeans I can vouch for it’s total adaptability.

Casio 110QS-37B

Another impulse buy, but when you get an opportunity to acquire an iconic watch from the year 1980, in unworn and pristine condition, and for not very much money… well, it would be rude not to. I haven’t had it sized as yet as I’m not sure that I’m going to wear it, but I love the fact that it’s such a reminder of another period in my life, and whether I wear it or not doesn’t really matter. I probably will, though, and if I do I’ll match it up with an appropriate pair of flared Lee jeans and a nice purple tank top.

Casio G-Shock DW-5000SL-1ER

Finally, the beater. Well, it’s not really as – try as I might – I don’t seem to “do” beaters. I look after all my watches in the same way, but if I were to own a beater it would most likely look just like this one. As it is, it’s another retro digital (and another Casio) modelled on the classics from the eighties but given the bullet-proof G build quality. Strangely, I wear it a lot, even though it’s the least glamorous of my collection. There’s something reassuring about it, and it’s seen some fine matches at The Lane already this season.

That’s it then! Five months-worth of evolution in my small collection, and I’m happy. Well, I’m happy for now…

Gotta love some retro Casio

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It was quite a surprise when I realised I wanted a G-Shock. I’d never really had much interest in them but admired their toolishness and knew there were times that I’d wear one. Then the original Agos special popped up on TZ-UK and I decided to give it a go. It wasn’t a G, but some serial flipping saw about three that were pass through my hands before I settled on the DW-5000SL-1ER. It’s a retro beauty!

It’s very similar in style to the DW5600 but this one has a full stainless steel case and screw back, reminiscent of the original 80’s models. In fact, the “SL” in the model number denotes that this is the Spike Lee limited/25th anniversary edition, with Spike’s signature on the case back… not that it appealed to me because of that, but it happened to be the one I came across when I was ready to buy.

It’s not as big as some of the more modern style G’s but it has a nice weight to it and is supremely comfortable with it’s lovely, flexible resin strap. It fits nicely under a shirt cuff and looks surprisingly good with clothing other than jeans and a t-shirt. It’s also perfect for the gym, or on the bike… a fantastic all-rounder, in fact. The upside – or the downside, depending on your point of view – is that what you get with the DW5000-SL is a good, basic module. It gives you time, day, date and month; one alarm plus the hourly chime; and a 24 hour countdown timer and stopwatch. if you need world time, 5 alarms and Waveceptor technology, this isn’t the one for you. But who does, really?

This retro baby gives me everything I need from a G. The only other one I want, perhaps more, will cost me well over £200 if I find one used, so for now I’m not looking. Then again…