LRRP GMT 48 Has Arrived

This is the final iteration of the MkII LRRP.  Bill Yao, MkII's founder, calls this the LRRP GMT 48.  What's in a name?  Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP).  Next, GMT is obvious.  Finally, 48 denotes the forty-eight click bi-directional bezel.


This is my second LRRP.  The first one is the classic homage to the Rolex ref. 1655 Explorer Mark II from the 1970s.  That one came in the non-HRV (helium release valve) case and was fitted with a bracelet.  This version is a more modern homage (especially with the font on the bezel insert) to the Rolex ref. 16710 and 116710 GMT-Master II models.  It really looks awesome!


I specifically wanted the HRV case with the thick screw bar lugs.  My intention is to wear this one on nothing but one piece straps (NATOs and the mil-straps) all throughout my trip to humid and steamy South East Asia.  In addition to the black Maratac NATO that came with watch I'm packing spare Olive Drab and Desert Tan Maratac NATOs plus a Grey and Olive Drab milstrap with PVD'd hardware.

New shoes for the Quad10

I fitted my MkII Quad10 with a leather NATO strap.  I got these off of ebay for a reasonable price.  Unfortunately, one of the colors (light tan) was out of stock so I could only buy the ones in dark brown and black colors.

The hardware on these aren't massive which I like.  I can't stand the overblown metal rings on Zulus and their like.  The leather is smooth on one side and soft and rough on the other.  Most leather NATO straps I've seen have a buffalo skin texture.  I prefer the smooth leather.

 

Here are more pics of the watch on the strap.

 

Bronze Nipple Dial Ref. 16753 GMT-Master II

I love the two-tone Bronze GMTs.  Clint Eastwood wore this exact reference (16753) in this configuration (Jubilee bracelet and bi-color bezel) in the movie Firefox!

This is one of the "transitional" references, 1675x, the only GMT-Master IIs with the quick-set date.  Later, in the reference 1671x the date became semi-quick-set with the advent of the jumping hour hand.

Bronze Nipple Dial, Jubilee bracelet, yellow gold and stainless steel.  It doesn't get any better.

 

All the MKIIs in one place

From L-R:  Kingston, LRRP, Quad10, Vantage.

The movements used in each are ETA 2836, 2893-2, 2824-2, and 2824-2, respectively.

Function-wise it's non-date, date + GMT, date, and non-date, respectively.

 

Seiko Gen 2 RAF Chronograph

I previously owned a Seiko (generation) Gen 1 RAF chronograph from the early/mid 80s, but this is the first time I've ever owned a Gen 2 version.  It's been said that both the Gen 1 and 2 watches were issued to RAF helicopter pilots.  The Gen 2s came into service in the 90s after the Gen 1s were phased out.  The Gen 1s had a different movement (15-jeweled high-end Seiko quartz).  These Gen 2s have a no-jewel Seiko quartz movt.

There's a more rare non-luminous dial and hands version of the Gen 2 chronograph that has been linked to RN nuclear submarine crews.  The lack of (radioactive) luminous supposedly does not interfere with the radiation detectors on the boat.  These non-luminous versions lack the circle-P on the dial and have non-framed hands.  (The circle-P denotes Promethium-47 as the radioactive isotope used in the luminous material of the dial and hands).

Finally, there's even a civilian version of the Gen 2 (without issue marks).

All in all this is a very clean piece with some serious wabi in the form of some strap burn.  Gotta luv it!

Mine is from 1997 as you can see from the MOD issue engraving.

MkII Vantage on a US milstrap

I got tired of the OEM rubber strap so I decided to try a one-piece strap on my Vantage.  The NATO didn't look right as there was too much hardware on the strap.  They work best with watches with rotating bezels.  This US milstrap fits so much better.  Very lean and clean.  The military look suits the watch IMHO.

The Vantage is MkII's homage to the ref. 1016 Explorer.  Mine is a custom-made job with a matte-yellow sweep hand and scientific 369 dial.


At 39 mm in diameter it's the same size as the new ref. 214270 Explorer.

 

MkII Kingston

I finally got around to sizing the bracelet on my Kingston and it was not for the faint-of-heart or impatient!  The faux-rivet style looks great, but some of these tiny "rivets" are actually screws.  Not only are they small, 1.2 mm in width, but you need to hold the opposite screw head while turning the other one since they are screwed onto each other.  This usually takes 3 hands...

So on Saturday I spent 2, yes two, hours sizing the bracelet.  Six links on each side.  After wearing the watch on Sunday, I found that it didn't balance correctly on my wrist so tonight I spent another hour resizing it; actually rearranging the links so that it is now 5 links on the six o'clock side and 7 links on the 12 o'clock side.  Much better balance with this configuration.


For those that are wondering, the Kingston is MkII's homage to the Rolex Submariner ref. 6538. 

Enough with the talk.  Here's the lates iPhone 3GS "grainy-style" pic.

The Kingston Has Landed

After two years (wow!) my MkII Kingston has finally arrived.  I put in my deposit as a "plank owner" in January 2009 and in February 2011 she's finally in the flesh or should I say steel?

The Big Crown, gloss-gilt dial, and gilt hands really rock.

This is a teaser pic as I still have to size the bracelet.

Two Americans

Two US military watches separated by almost 40 years.  Similarities show the bloodlines.  Benrus Type II Class A from November 1976 and Marathon GSAR February 2010 issue.

 

More Pics of the Marathon GSAR

Fresh pics of the GSAR.

Marathon GSAR

I finally got around to getting one of these modern Marathon dive watches.  This is the GSAR or Government Search And Rescue dive watch.  It uses tritium gas tubes for illumination.  The dial style is based on the classic Type II arabic 12/24 hour dial.  I got mine from CountyComm.

 

Benrus Type II Class A

A 1976 issue Benrus Type Class A has just arrived to join my stable.  These were issued to the US Army, Navy SEALs, and CIA Maritime units from the early 70s to around 1980.

MkII LRRP: Homage to the Rolex Explorer Mark II Ref. 1655

I received my MkII LRRP a couple days ago, but I just got around to sizing the bracelet.  I chose the bracelet model since the 1655 always looked best on its Oyster bracelet IMHO.  However, this MkII bracelet is "odd".  The removable links have (tiny!) screws on each side PLUS there's a rod/bar inside the link that actually holds two links together.  All three need to come off when you remove a link.  

The watch is powered by an ETA 2893-2.  So the 24-hour hand is independently adjustable, not the 12-hour hand.  Sapphire crystal and 300 meter water resistance.  The lug width is 22mm.  The bezel rotates bidirectionally.  Originally, these were fitted with a metal ring but apparently they are a challenge to get on correctly so Bill (Yao) switched to using a rubber gasket.  I requested the metal ring be fitted on mine, but Bill recommended and installed the rubber gasket.  Bill being who he is, he actually shipped two extra rubber gaskets and two of the metal rings with a note that I could have them installed later if it bothered me.  Now that's service.  Thanks Bill.

Enough talk.  Here's an iPhone 3GS pic.

IWC Porsche Design Ocean Bund bracelet sized!

I finally got the bracelet sized on my IWC.  It took a couple of weeks, but the bracelet tool and the other accessories finally arrived.

New Pics: IWC PD Ocean Bund

More iPhone 3GS pics of the new arrival.

My Grail Has Arrived: IWC Porsche Design Ocean Bund

After several years, I finally have my grail.  IWC PD Ocean 2000 Bund Ref. 3529.  All titanium case, bezel, and bracelet.  I'll let the pictures do the talking...

PAM 111 on Serge Custom Strap

I put my PAM 111 on a dark brown Serge strap I received from the generosity of my friend Chris M. (aka Speedmaster).  Thanks Chris!  What a difference a strap makes.  It has breathed new life into the 111 as I was getting bored.  Nice and thick, but not ridiculously so.  The buckle is the curved type "Pre-V" style bottle-cap.  It's a brand new strap, but it feels broken-in.  It's very comfortable and has a vintage aura to it.

Serge straps are some of the best value per buck aftermarket Panerai straps out there.  Check them out!

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 16760: The 1st GMT-Master II Model

The glossy dial on my 16760 is turning matte!  Gotta love those 80s Rolex gloss dials with their funky defects: You have the infamous "spider-web" dials and now these "gloss-to-matte" dials.  This is a 9-million serial number case that appears to be totally unpolished.  The case and lugs are nice and thick.

Some call this model the "Fat Lady", but I really hate that name.  I think it's really stupid.  I'd rather nick-name it the "GMT-Dweller" since its middle case is about the same thickness as its contemporary, the Sea-Dweller ref. 16660.

Different Shirt, Same Watch...Warning: GMT-Master Content!

Just because I love the Pepsi bezel insert...

 

Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 16700

I recently went to the Authorized Rolex Service Center in San Francisco and had a brand new BLRO (Pepsi) insert installed on my GMT-Master.  Unfortunately, a nasty aftermarket bezel insert was put on the watch by the seller--a well-known website.  They did send a genuine replacement insert, but it was scratched and chipped in places.

I met Giovanni, the owner and Rolex watchmaker at the SF RSC.  He's very friendly and he shared some really rare Rolex pieces with me.  We talked watches for half and hour or so and I had a great time.  He brought out the factory fresh insert and installed it while I waited.  The results speak for themselves and his prices are reasonable.  I plan on taking some of my other vintage Rolex watches that need a service to Giovanni.  If you're in the Bay Area and need to service your Rolex, I highly recommend the SF RSC.

The Old Republic

Wow.  If only the prequels were as good as this video game trailer.  George, maybe let these guys do the next one.

MkII Vantage

Close-ups of Bill Yao's homage to the ref. 1016 Explorer.  I chose the non-date "scientific" dial and the yellow sweep seconds hand to differentiate it even more from the original Rolex icon.  At 39 mm in diameter, the Vantage is the same size as the new ref. 214270 Explorer released at this year's Basel Watch Fair.

The 4 gradations between the seconds markers on the dial correspond to the beat rate (28,800 bph) of the ETA 2824-2 movement.  That means I can hack this watch on any of those lines.

Dauphine hands would also look sweet on this watch.  I wonder if Bill would make that an option in the future?

1973 Seiko 6105-8110 Diver

I love these vintage Seiko divers.  They're better than the divers' watches that they currently make IMHO.  Clean, sharp, classic styling and extremely comfortable to wear.  I sold my first one a couple of years ago.  I won't make the same mistake twice.

1978 Omega Speedmaster Professional

I love these vintage Speedmasters.  This one is my latest and being from circa 1978 is also the youngest vintage example in my collection.  It came on a wonderful Mark I ref. 1171 bracelet with 633 end links.