Citizen Altichron

The Citizen Altichron is here and it's one of the best Citizen watches to come along in quite some time.  Citizen continues to produce highly technical watches that work fluidly and intuitively.  It an impressive ability and I give a lot of credit to the Citizen engineers.  It's one thing to make a watch with a lot of technical features like digital compass and altimeter but it's something else entirely to make it easy to use.  But that is exactly what Citizen has managed to do and it's the first thing that stood out to me when I first held the watch in my hands. 

The two main technical features of this watch are the Electronic Compass and Altimeter and each is as easy to use as the other.  One of the first things you'll notice is the two color coded buttons on the left side of the case.  One is orange and one is neon yellow.  Then on the face of the watch you will also notice two additional hands.  Once again, one is orange and one is neon yellow.  This is not a coincidence.  Each button corresponds with it's matching hands and automatically launches it's touted feature into action.

Pressing the orange button sends the watch into Compass Mode.  No fiddling required.  Press the orange button and the orange hand starts up and finds true north.  Simple, easy and fast.  No changing modes, no set-up, no fuss.  Just press and go.  Frankly, it's very impressive and intuitive to use.  The big large buttons also mean they are easy to use even if you are wearing gloves or other outdoor equipment.  This is truly a watch you could take into the field and use every day.  And once you are done simply press the orange button again and it goes back to normal.

So, how about the yellow button?  You guessed it.  It operates the other main function, the Altimeter.  And just like the Compass, it's every bit as easy and intuitive to use.  This time by pushing the yellow button, the watch's Altimeter function comes to life and once again does so without any complications.  One press of the button sets the yellow hand in motion and comes to rest on the current elevation displayed by the yellow numbers on the dial.  Simple, easy and efficient.

The watch also features Citizen's now famous light powered technology (Eco-Drive) and come in a variety of light-weight Titanium cases.  Model BN5030-06E is solid Titanium in the standard finish (pictured in the top image) and Model BN5035-02F has a black IP finish.  Both models come standard with a Rubber Strap.  No metal bracelet is available at this time.  Each watch is also 200 Meter Water Resistant and comes with a Power Reserve Indicator on the dial.

Retail pricing starts at $850 for the standard Titanium model and $995 for the Black IP model.  Sale prices are much lower and right now we have a special Summer Citizen Sale going on to make these deals even better!  Simply visit us at one of our sites and enter the Code: Citizen10 to get an additional 10% off the sale price.

This watch is available at both Gem of the Day and TopFlight Watches and the code is good at both sites as well.  As always, you can call us Toll Free at 1-888-243-6329 with any questions, comments or just to talk watches.  Our watch experts are available to answer any question you may have.  We'd love to hear from you.

Traser Outdoor Pioneer Chronograph

The Traser Outdoor Chronograph

Say hello to the all new Traser Outdoor Pioneer Chronograph.  Its the latest series available from Traser and it does something none of their other watches do.  It's an all new series with all new tricks!  On the surface, the watch looks like another in the ever expanding P6600 series but closer inspection reveals something completely different.  It's true there is a family resemblance but pretty much everything is new here.  It's slightly slimmer measuring in at 44 mm across the diameter and a little thicker top to bottom, measuring in at a chunky 14mm thick. 

But there is a reason for this extra thickness.  Firstly, this is a chronograph series and those movements require a little more room than a traditional 3-hand movement but more importantly, there is a little more room in there for it's secret weapon, the Tritium Illuminated Date Window.  That's right!  For the first time ever, Traser has made a watch with a fully illuminated date window.  

This was done by cutting out the numbers on the date wheel and then placing a Tritium tube underneath.  At night the effect is a perfectly readable date just like the rest of the hands/markers.  It works flawlessly and really adds that "X factor" to this series.  Normally this type of feature is only found on the really high end Tritium watch but Traser has done it and managed to keep the cost down too!  At a full retail price of $525, the Outdoor Pioneer Chronograph is a fantastic deal.

The rest of the watch is equally impressive as well.  just take a look at this list of features:

• MOVEMENT: Ronda Caliber 5030D Quartz Chronograph Movement
• 42 Month's Battery Life
• Lightweight Fiberglass Reinforced Polyamide Case
• Blackout Style Unidirectional Rotating Bezel
• K1 Ultra Tough, Scratch Resistant, Mineral Glass Crystal
• Water Resistant to 660 feet / 200 Meters below Sea Level
• Black Silicone Dive Style Strap
TRITIUM ILLUMINATION:

• Green Tritium on Number Markers 1 through 11
• Orange Tritium on the 12 o'clock marker
• Green Tritium Marker on the Time Elapse Bezel
• Green Tritium on the Hour Hand, Minute Hand AND Large Second Hand
• Green Tritium BELOW the Date Window to Illuminate the Date

Robust, durable and ready for anything, the Outdoor Pioneer series lives up to it's name.  It's the perfect watch for any situation and full Tritium illumination means that you will always be able to see the watch no matter where life takes you.  For more information, pricing and ordering information you can call us Toll Free at (888) 243-6329 visit us at one of our stores: Gem of the Day, TopFlight Watches or Time 4 Tritium.  Real watch experts are available to answer any of your questions in a no-hassle, no-pressure environment.  We love to talk watches.  Give us a call!                          

Mondaine Creates a True Stop2Go Watch

Mondaine has perfected a watch with a true "Stop 2 Go" movement that replicates exactly the Swiss Railroad Station Clocks. We'll have much more on that watch soon, but we fell in love with Mondaine's Advertising Video and we're posting it below for your enjoyment.

Never Forget to Fall Back Again!

 

(Seiko Astrom Solar GPS - SAST003)

This Sunday marks the end of Daylight Savings Time (DST) in most areas of the USA.  Twice a year we adjust the time either forward or back depending on if we are going into or coming out of DST.  I always remember it by the old simple saying, Spring Forward or Fall Back.  Meaning in the Spring you set the time forward an hour and in the Fall you set it back an hour.  Most of us have done it all our lives and while we are used to doing it, it's still sometimes a pain. 

Like for me personally I have quite a few watches.  DST means having to adjust all of them at some point or another.  But it also means actually remembering that DST is happening.  How many time have we just missed it completely only to show up an hour early/late the following day?  More times than I care to admit.  But we carry on and go about our little time changing rituals.  Wall clocks, watches, car clocks, mantel clocks etc... but then there are a few clock that have started getting smarter.  Car clocks/radios and cell phones were among the first to offer automatically updating time.  If the feature is turned on, the clocks will automatically update to the correct time for you.  Wake up the next morning and your phone has already changed and ready for the new day.  It's a nice convenience and one that has started to spoil us to the luxuries of modern technology. 

Well now, watches are starting to make the leap as well.  Most notably the Atomic Controlled/Satellite Controlled watches.  Many watches have had DST features built in to them for years now but you still had to tell it to adjust the time.  Basically they just an hour adjustment when you told it to but these new AT (Atomic Time) watches are different.  They will adjust the time automatically without you doing a thing.  Just go to sleep as normal on Saturday night and wake up Sunday to find the watch is already updated and ready to go.  It's a wonderfully welcome feature to an ever evolving marketplace.  And beyond that it actually updates the time every night so it is to-the-second accurate all the time.  Time and date automatically adjust every day making these watches the most care-free watches to own.  Combined with the Solar technology you don't even have to change the battery!  Talk about easy to own and operate.

 

 (Citizen Skyhawk AT - JY0010-50E) 

So much so that I find myself wearing Atomic watches more and more.  They are just too easy and convenient compared to the other watches in my collect.  Not only is the watch always running (thanks to the solar tech), it's always got the right time and date down to the exact second.  Just pick it up and put it on. Not only that but I use it to set the time on my "less advanced" watches too.  It's the gold standard as far as accuracy and convenient to set by.  Whatever watch replaces it on my wrist gets set to the time before going back in my watch box.

Now don't get me wrong, I actually just blogged about the beauty of Automatics and how new technology watches have lost some of the "soul" you find in the beating heart of a mechanical watch but that is not to say they don't have their place right along side them.  So next time you find yourself going through the house and resetting everything for DST, remember that there is a better way.  And right now is the best time of all.  In celebration of these watches and just in time for DST ending we are launching a FALLBACK sale on all of our automatically updating watches.  All Atomic and Satellite watches are on sale from now through November 15th on Topflight Watches.  Just enter the code FALLBACK during checkout and receive an additional 10% off your purchase of any Atomic/Satellite controlled watch.

Fall Preview: Torgoen's T33 Series

"The T33 was made in commemoration of one of the most successful American planes in the history of the Airforce, the P51 North American Mustang. It was designed by Edgar Schmued and introduced in 1942 to be used in WWII, but it continued to be used in the Korean war and other conflicts. It broke many speed records for piston engine airplanes even decades after its production ended. The Mustang was used for a "fighter sweep" to clear the air for the B52 bombers. When the Mustangs started being used the Luftwaffe lost 17% of their pilots in one week." - Torgoen USA

The T33 is designed in the fashion of the P51 Mustang with features of the cockpit. It's inspiration was drawn from the legendary plane itself and is a striking looking time piece. Like most torgoen watches it was designed with pilots in mind. Clear and easy to read hands and markers are designed to be readable in the blink of an eye. The numbers, hands and markers take design ques directly from the instruments found on the P51. The idea is to not only borrow from the design of the P51 but also recreate the ideal readability. The last thing you need to do while flying is to have to stare at your instruments. You need to be able to tell at an instant exactly wehat is going on. The same is true for the T33 "Mustang" Collection.

On the inside is an all Swiss made Rhonda chronograph movement. Precise, well built and dependable. The case is solid stainless steel and it's available in a wide variety of dial colors and band options. In fact a total of 10 different options of this watch are available. Each has a nicely unique look and feel to it. With a collection this diverse, you would be hard pressed to not find a model that speaks to you personally.

Other key features include a K1 Mineral Crystal, 100 meter water resistance, true 12 hour chronograph and luminous hands and markers for night visibility. It's a truly striking Swiss made watch at a very affordable price. The watch has great fit and finish front and back as do all the newer Torgoen watches of late. Torgoen is really stepping up their game and changes company wide have set them on a new path to deliver the best quality available. The T33 "Mustang" Collection is a perfect example of the new direction and the quality they can produce.

If you would like to see all 10 models together, visit Torgoen USA. TopFlight Watches is proud to be among the first to offer this watch here in the USA. Addition pictures, specs and pricing is also available as usual. If you have any questions, comments or concerns do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call. Our "Watch Guys" are ready to help with anything you might need. Real experts are just a phone call away! You can reach us Toll Free at 1-888-243-6329 or shop online with us at TopFlight Watches, Time4Tritium and Gem of the Day.

Modern Automatics

Once upon a time mechanical watches were the only option for personal time keeping.  During the inception of the personal timekeeping, mankind developed an amazing piece of technology.  Based off the larger, easier to make clocks of the time, we developed an incredibly compact and amazingly accurate (for the time) personal timepiece.  Originally in the form of pocket watches and eventually wrist watches.  These first watches were made entirely of cogs, gears, springs, coils, plates and levers.  There was no power supply like modern watches.  The watches were run off a 'main spring' set inside the watch and you had to wind it up by the stem.  As you wound the watch, tension applied to the spring would force the other parts of the watch to move.  Eventually the main spring would unwind completely and the watch would stop.  Then you simply wound it up and again and away it went.  It was truly a remarkable invention and a testament to human ingenuity.  Even today I an impressed when I look at a mechanical.  I marvel at how well it still works to this day.  No fancy batteries or circuit boards.  Just pure engineering and careful calculations all set to the unwinding of a spring in the center of the watch and managed to keep remarkably accurate time all things considered.

Fast forward a few decades we see a ton of new version and improvements to the wrist watch.  They made them better, smaller, more accurate and durable.  First we saw the invention of the "automatic".  This was the the same basic principal as the first mechanical watches but added a weighted pendulum that would rotate inside the watch case as the owner wore the watch.  The rotation of the weight would "automatically" wind the main spring and keep the watch constantly running as long as the wearer remained active.  This proved to be a major improvement in the overall design and remains the standard for mechanical watches even to this day.  Almost all modern mechanical watches are automatic mechanical watches of some form or another and even the term "automatic" is often used to describe any mechanical watch by the uninitiated. 

But soon came the dark days of mechanical watches with the invention of the modern battery powered quartz watch.  These watches were no longer powered by a constantly unwinding spring but rather by a small replaceable battery.  This provided a constant power supply for longer periods of time and even opened the door to more possibilities then would ever be possible in an "old fashioned" wind up watch.  The technology increased almost as fast as companies could make watches.  1/100th stop watches, multi-time zones, multi-alarms, calculators, altimeters, depth gauges, atomic time, etc...  Greater accuracy and dependability then was ever possible before.  Watch would run better and longer without any required maintenance AND have more features than ever possible.

The automatic mechanical watch was in big trouble.  Companies went out of business and factories shut down.  The modern quartz watch was the future and the older antiquated technology was being left behind.  But it wasn't the only thing left behind.  Something was actually lost in the transition that no one at the time was considering.  Everyone was so concentrated on making a better, stronger, more advanced watch that they lost sight of something very special.  The heart of the watch itself.  Modern quartz watches and very impressive things but they lack... should I say souls?  As impressive as they are technologically speaking, on the inside they have very few moving parts and are controlled by circuit boards and micro computers.  They are boring, dull and lifeless.  No thought to beauty or design.  All function and no form.


Fortunately people eventually started to notice.  Watch collectors and watchmakers at first but eventually the general public as a whole.  The automatic watch movement was helped by some big key player as well.  People like Rolex and Breitling were heavily invested in high-end mechanical watches.  They started to sell the beauty of the movement, the romance.  The precision manufacturing and multi-jeweled movements.  Hand crafted parts and exhibition cases to show off the raw beauty of the mechanical hearts.
Mechanical watches soon became seen more as wearable art.  Beautiful pieces of functional precision.  Something that was to be admired for it's achievement in engineering.  They were elevated to a whole new level that they continue to enjoy even today.  as even today, with all the advances made, an automatic mechanical watch will never be as accurate or dependable as a quartz watch.  But owning an automatic mechanical watch is about so much more.  It's about owning a piece of history, a piece of art.  A precision instrument which can draw direction lines of history back to the very first personal timepieces.  Modern mechanical automatic are better than ever before.  More accurate and dependable but that is not what owning one is all about.

For more information on mechanical watches or watches in general give us a call Toll Free at 1-888-243-6329.  We love watches and love talking about watches.  If you are considering buying a watch or just want some information let us know.  We are happy to help and you get to talk to real watch experts.  You can also check out our online stores Gem of the Day, Time 4 Tritium and TopFlight Watches.  Each is packed with great watches and great deals!

The NEW Seiko Sharktooth Monster

 

As many of our readers know, the original Seiko Orange Monster is a classic staple of watch collectors and divers the world over.  So popular that while originally it was only available in Japanese markets, the demand was so big they brought it to every other market in the world where it continued to sell well for years.  Now there's a new Monster and it is one great looking follow-up.

Featuring a solid black-ion finish and gradient orange to black sun burst dial, the Sharktooth Monster is one impressive watch to behold.  It's roots trace back to the original Orange Monster and you can see the similarities in many aspect of this new model.  First you will notice the case and bezel.  While actually retooled they have a strong resemblance to the original. 

 

Then there is the overall design of the dial and hands.  And once again, while similar, there are slight differences to the new design.  Most notable is the actual hour markers.  The new Monster has sharper angles which lead to it's namesake, the Sharktooth Monster (also referred to as the Sharptooth Monster depending on who you talk to).  This design change coupled with the black on orange color scheme and a few sharper lines end up making this watch a much more aggressive looking design.

 

But the changes don't stop there.  In fact the biggest change is one you can't even see.  The new Monster series from Seiko actually feature a brand new 25-Jewel Automatic/Mechanical movement.  This address the only real short comings of the original series of watches.  You see the original, while legendary for it's durability and dependability, had two flaws holding it back from being an otherwise perfect time piece. One was no stem winding capability and the other was no "hack" feature (where the time stops when you pull out the stem to set the time).  The new movement from Seiko offers both!  You can now fully stem wind the watch as well as the automatic winding from wearing the watch normally and you can also "hack" the time which allows to more specific and accurate timing of event and operations.

What comes as no real surprise is the superior night time illumination.  Now, it's no secret that we are big fans of Tritium watches here on The Watch Guys Blog.  I personally own several and generally preach their superiority at every turn.  But, like many things in life, there is always an exception.  That exception would be the Seiko diver's watches.  Generally speaking these are some of the best illuminating watches available anywhere in the world, at any price.  I mean take a look at the image below.  The effect is so bright you can use it like a flashlight and due to the fact that they apply such a generous portion of paint it can glow all night long.

 

So in the end you really end up with something quite special but what is it exactly?  A new bold design?  The next generation of a legendary series?  The evolution of a true classic?  Yes, yes and yes...  But also so much more. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Seiko and the future looks bright.  This watch is really an amazing time piece and one of the few times that you get something even more special that the sum of its parts. You really own it to yourself to find one of these and see it in person.  Hold it in your hand and really feel it.  Wind the stem and feel the turn of the movement.  I'm telling you, this watch is special.  Don't miss out.

For more information, pictures and pricing info please visit us at either TopFlight Watches or Gem of the Day.  In stock now and available for immediate shipping.  You can also call us Toll Free at 1-888-243-6329.  we love watches and we love to talk.  Call us for more information or to just talk watches.  Real experts and real world experience is just a phone call away.