Photo info: SONY SLT-A77V, 35mm, f/2.4, 1/60 sec, ISO400 “Tabled Watch” Cedar Park, 2017
こんばんは。How’s it going?
Today’s photos were taken with my second-favorite camera/lens combination that I own: Sony 35mm f/1.8 on my Sony a77. But really, it’s about the lens. That wide-open aperture produces some lovely bokeh, and even the chromatic aberration is kind of pleasing to look at.
Photo info: SONY SLT-A77V, 35mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1000 “XA” Cedar Park, 2017
The 35mm lens is relatively inexpensive (~$200 brand new), light, and very sharp when stopped down a bit. I love it.
Photo info: SONY SLT-A77V, 35mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO640 “Anko” Cedar Park, 2017
I say it’s my second-favorite camera/lens combination because my Fujifilm X100T is still my favorite. It’s the perfect size for me. While the Sony SLT/lens has killer performance, it’s too big to carry every day. Still, it is a lot of fun!
Photo info: SONY SLT-A77V, 35mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO800 “Nikon & Empty” Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/45 sec, ISO3200 “Red Thread” Cedar Park, 2017
こんにちは
Since getting my Seiko SKX007 a couple months ago, I’ve acquired a small collection of watch straps too. I have some striped bands, but I gravitate back towards the solid colors, namely the plain black or army green. But I had been on the look out for a black strap with thin red stripe, and one finally showed up on Ebay so I ordered it. This strap has become my favorite now!
I wanted this strap for a couple reasons. First, it’s a good combination of the solid and striped bands. I’ve found that some bands, like the “Bond” straps, look great while the watch is on the table, but less-so when on the wrist. The solid colors always look nice on the wrist, but are somewhat plain. This red-striped version is subtle enough as not to be too flashy, but has a little visual interest. A good compromise. The color scheme matches nicely with the watch face too.
The second reason I wanted this design is more fun and esoteric. I was blown away by the movie Your Name (君の名は), and liked the symbolism behind the red braided cord that Mizuha wore. So, thinking about the red stripe in the watch band… I don’t know, I just like the connection (no pun intended) to the movie, even if I am the only one who realizes it. If you don’t know about the long tradition of the red string, you can read more about it in this Wikipedia article. I think it’s a cool and romantic concept.
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/70 sec, ISO3200 “Red” Cedar Park, 2017
The only thing I don’t like about the strap is that although it was listed as 22mm width, it’s more like 20 or 21, so there is a small gap where you can see the watch lug pin. Not a huge deal, but still, a little disappointing.
Anyways, now I am wearing this band most of the time, and occasionally swapping out with the plain black or army green bands. Fun stuff for a watch otaku like me! 😆
またね～
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO2000 “Red Thread” Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO640 “Seiko SKX007” Cedar Park, 2017
こんばんは。How’s it going?
The other day, I received a new 22mm zulu-style strap for my Seiko SKX007 watch. It’s the black, green, and red striped design, the same one that I have for my Seiko SNK809 (18mm). I really like the Artstyle straps because they have nice brushed metal hardware, and a good price. As you can see from the photo below, I have purchased a small collection of them!
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/30 sec, ISO3200 “Bands” Cedar Park, 2017
However, they are not perfect. I guess they had to cut corners somewhere to get the price so low, and thus the finishing of the nylon and stitching is a little rough. I noticed that it gets a little scratchy sometimes. To fix this, I used a grinding stone (used in ceramics) to smooth out some of the rough cuts, which appear to have been heat-sealed. Basically around all the holes I sanded it down a bit. The nylon stitching also had a some bits which stuck out and would poke my wrist, but the polishing stone took care of that easily as well. You can see in the photo below where I sanded around the holes, buckle, and stitching.
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/40 sec, ISO3200 “Band Work” Cedar Park, 2017
After that small amount of work, the bands are very comfortable and just about perfect. 🙂
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/20 sec, ISO3200 “Keeper” Cedar Park, 2017
こんばんは。How’s it going?
It’s the 2nd day of Spring Break for the kiddos, so I worked from home in the afternoon. I think they are old enough to take care of themselves, but I still worry! 😀
New Watch
Well, I kind of knew for a while now that I wanted to get a new watch, and I also had narrowed it down to a certain model. I just had to decide on the size and the color. The watch is a Seiko diver, the SKX. There are different variations: 007 – 42mm with black bezel and face; 009 – 42mm with blue and red “Pepsi” bezel and blue face; 013 – similar to the 007, but a 38mm size.
I went with the SKX007 because I thought the Pepsi blue/red of the 009 wouldn’t look as good with different watch straps, and didn’t go for the 013 because I already have a smaller-sized watch. Plus, I liked the classic black of the 007.
I bought the model with the black rubber strap instead of the metal bracelet to save a few bucks and I knew that I would take off whatever it came with to replace with a zulu strap. In fact, I ordered a black zulu strap with the watch so that I could change it immediately. I read that getting the old watch band off was difficult and by god, it was a pain! Even with a dedicated tool, it was a struggle and my fingers are sore. But in the end, I won and got the rubber strap replaced with the plain black zulu strap. I think it looks great. And so comfortable! This watch/strap combination feels a lot better than even my 37mm Seiko SNK809 with 18mm zulu strap.
One other thing I love is the raised design on the back of the watch. It features a flowing wave 🌊, which is on all the Seiko dive models.
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO2500 “Wave” Cedar Park, 2017
Speaking of dive models, this SNK007 is ISO 6425 compliant, which means it has been tested to meet or exceed some pretty impressive specifications, including depth rating of at least 100 m (this watch is 200 m). So I guess I can be confident taking this watch anywhere. In other words, I don’t have to worry about it. Here’s to a bit more peace of mind!
The SKX007 is the most expensive watch I have ever bought, but that’s not saying much since I am such a cheapskate where watches are concerned. This watch is generally regarded in the watch community as one of the cheapest yet respectable diver watches, but for me, it’s a definite keeper and the highest quality timepiece I own. I am expecting it to be my daily watch for the rest of my life. We’ll see!
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/125 sec, ISO2500 “Instax, NATO, Zulu” Cedar Park, 2017
Continuing with my (so far) inexpensive watch obsession, I put my grey and black NATO band onto an old Casio quartz dive-style watch. I used to really like this style of watch face, but now I don’t like the shiny polished metal looks as much. But, it does match the shiny buckles on the strap, so I think it’s a good complement. If you look at my Seiko and its strap buckles, you can see both have a matte finish so it matches nicely. 😊
I also learned that the strap that has the 5 buckles is not a NATO strap, but a “Zulu” strap. The larger, rounded buckles are the difference here. I think I prefer the Zulu strap.
Anyways, my interest in watches continues, and I have made a little Amazon wishlist in case anyone is feeling incredibly generous! 😍 But seriously, I’m keeping my eye on a Seiko 007 model… One day!
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My camera & photos
I use a Fujifilm X-series camera for most of the photos on this site and my Instagram. Why not pick one up for yourself?
