Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Some thoughts on Cell Phones and Watches




    
    I have noticed that most people nowadays are not keen on wearing watches. They rely mostly on their phones for the time. People also set schedules of their important personal / business meetings on their phones and use the phone alarm function so as not to forget them. Cell phones are also used to remember someone’s birthday, wedding, love anniversaries and other special occasions. And if there is a research on what is the most important thing that we cannot live without, cell phone would  definitely be on top of the list.

      For most people, it is better to have at least one cell phone rather than owning a watch. Who needs a watch when your phone is perfectly updating you of the time? When we need to know the time, it is just a button press on our cell phone and it quickly displays the time, day, month and the year or depending how we wanted the time displayed on our cell phone screens, be it in military or in normal time. Cell phones also connect us with people through calls, texts and on social media. Watches do not provide these services.  So may I ask, what is the essence of wearing a watch when everybody is using their phones as a perfect alternative for watches? 

    This is maybe one reason why some relatively new watch companies are coming out with “eye-catching watch designs” because of the stiff competition posed not only by the same league but by  the "other" (cell phone companies) competitors in the market. Some of the new swiss brands  are producing  watches to catch buyer’s attention. Some watches that are being offered in the market today looking like colorful candies.


     But there is one huge advantage of some swiss brands over cell phones.  One  advantage of  some well known swiss brands in the market is the ability to withstand pressure on the deep sea or in space. I have not known anyone bringing a cell phone when he/she dives in the deep or explore the outer space. Well, it is now a common knowledge that some cell phone brands are incorporating waterproof technology on their phones but even if cell phones are already waterproofed, cell phones are not yet designed and created to withstand the pressure in the deep sea or outer space. I have not seen a cell phone company on television or even heard over the radio who advertises their cell phone brand being used by divers or astronauts. But having said this, I might be wrong in the future if cell phone companies would venture in developing phones to be used in the deep sea and in outer space. Technology is constantly changing. We will never know. And if that happens, That’s gonna be awesome! 






Monday, August 11, 2014

Vintage Zodiac Clasp for 20MM Lugsize?



     In my 10 years in watch buy and sell business, this is the first time that I came across with a Zodiac Stainless Steel Clasp. I assume that this clasp is for 20mm lugsize? I have seen many 7206, 7835 Rolex Clasps but this Zodiac clasp marked 7-66 on the blade is considered my rare find todate. I am wondering if the numbers (7-66) correspond to the production date of the clasp? 




The clasp has a Zodiac logo and one blade is marked Zodiac and 7-66.




A pin is missing that connects the two blades.




There is a repair on where you insert the pin that connects the two blades.






Happy Viewing!




Sunday, August 3, 2014

How I remove small scratches on my vintage watch plastic glass covers

    


    It is very unavoidable that small scratches accidentally occur on your vintage watch plastic cover in the course of wearing your vintage watch. We do not plan accidents.

   Sometimes, I feel bad when I see those small scratches. For me, the scratches are mood changer. Once you see some small scratches on your vintage watch plastic cover, you will also be annoyed. 

    I have experimented on how to remove the small scratches without going to the watch repair shop or asking for a professional help because I knew that I can do it myself. In doing it, I also save on money from the high cost of professional help. Now, with constant practice and patience, I am getting good on removing the scratches on some of my vintage watch plastic glass covers!

    First, I buy the smoothest sand paper available in the market. Here in the Philippines, the smoothest sand paper is made in Japan. I divide the sand paper into eight pieces and I use a scissor to cut it. The reason being is that, the sand paper must exactly fit with the size of the watch plastic glass cover. Since I am not a professional watch technician, I do not have a tool to remove and separate the plastic glass cover from the case. I just let the plastic glass cover remain on the case. Before I start on sanding the plastic glass cover, I remove the band to protect it from getting dirty. Then, I put the head of the watch on the palm of my left hand and I gently sand the plastic glass cover. Scratches are usually located in the middle. I gently rub the sand paper on the plastic glass cover in circular motion. While rubbing the plastic cover with the sand paper,  I am very mindful that the sand paper must not touch the watch case. After rubbing for three minutes, I used my watch loupe to inspect if the scratches are already gone or removed and check if my sanding is even on the flat surface of the plastic glass cover. If the small scratches are still evident, I continue sanding the plastic glass cover.

    When the small scratches are already removed, I also experimented on how to remove the coarseness of the surface of the plastic glass cover brought by the sanding and how to make the plastic glass cover shiny. I use a metal polisher.  I apply a small amount of the metal polisher on top of the plastic glass cover. Using a soft cloth, I polish the plastic glass cover until it becomes shiny. If you don't have a soft cloth, you can use your worn out cotton tee-shirt to polish the plastic glass cover. 

  

Again here are the things you need to remove the small scratches:

Sand Paper - the smoothest available in your area.

Metal Polisher

Soft Cloth or a Worn out cotton tee -shirt.

Watch loupe

Scissor

Small Metal Pin to Remove the Band