Marathon TSAR Diver's Watch

Another watch in my collection is the Marathon TSAR. I got this watch in a trade for the RLT29 (which I will try to post at a later time). At the time of the trade, I did not know anything about this watch except some light reading on the WatchUSeek forums. It came with the standard black zulu strap which I am not very fond of. I replaced it with a silicon rubber strap I got from Wal-mart.


According to specification, the dial uses Tritium Vial Technology. The luminous property will be stable for next 15 years (approx.) without charging with light source. "H3" on dial indicated scientific symbol of "tritium." Along with radioactive symbol at 3 o'clock. It is noted that the radioactive dose is way below safe level. Some of the models has the "U.S. GOVERNMENT" is printed on underneath "MARATHON" logo on the dial, but not mine model.

Movement: ETA 2824-2
Depth rating is 300m/ 1000ft
Case material: 316L Stainless Steel
Case size: 46mm (including crown)
Lug to Lug: 46mm
Lug: 20mm
Weight: 93g (without strap)





I love the design of the watch from the dial, the bezel, the case to the crown. It is also a very sturdy watch and it has received some hard knocks. However I wished it came with a 22mm lug. I have fitted several of my 20mm straps and it does not look good because the straps look too skinny on this rugged TSAR.

Di-Modell Jumbo Strap

I was looking around for a nice strap for my Seiko Diver's 7002-7020 and came across The Straps Shop. They got excellent photos of various strap with various watches. This really allow buyers to see how the strap would look on their watch, which is definitely an asset because I have bought straps that look good on its own but not with my watch. (That's why I end up with so many straps I don't wear anymore.)

The Di-modell Jumbo waterproof strap really caught my attention and I have seen other Divers with tan strap that looked really good.

Since they are located in the UK, I decided to find a dealer in the U.S. as I can't wait to get the strap on my Seiko. I read a lot about Freda Watch Straps on WatchUseek and decided to go with them. Shipping cost is only $1.50, which is very reasonable. I am sure if you order more than 1 strap, it would be more worth it. I placed my ordered on Saturday and it arrived today (Monday), which is really fast :)

Ken from FWS was nice enough to include a strap removal tool, which is a really handy tool to have if you intend to "pimp" your watch with different straps.



Doesn't it look great on my Seiko? I couldn't be happier with this strap. Looks like a keeper, finally!

Seiko Diver's 7002-7020

This is one of my favorite watch in my collection. I bought it almost 10 years ago. It is the predecessor of the current SKX171 model, which features the day/date. The dial is pretty stand for a Seiko but I really like about this watch is the bezel.

The parts are from Japan but the watch is assembled in Singapore.

As you will see in the photos below, this watch has many scratches on it.

What happened was, I bought it to replace the standard Seiko rubber strap with a stainless one and the lady at the shop did not put in the correct pin and it got loose.

I used to ride a bike and it came off while I was riding and of course got ran over by oncoming traffic.

I managed to retrieve but the crystal was smashed, the dial and case was scratched. However, the watch was still ticking.

Anyway, I brought to Seiko repair center and got it fixed. It cost me as much as the cost of the watch but I feel that it is worth it.

It has served me well even since and still keeping good time.

Burn Notice

Jeffrey Donovan in Burn Notice is wearing a .....



Chase Durer Special Forces 1000 XL UDT

Pilot Bracelet for Breitling Intruder

This watch came with the original Breitling 20mm dark blue leather strap but I decided not to use (since it was brand new). Instead, I bought a-look-alike Ostrich leather band for and a blue silicon band to replace it for wearing.

While browsing eBay one day, I came across an after market stainless steel Pilot bracelet with all the Breitling markings and logo. You don't usually see many of these after market Breitling bracelet with markings and logo. Price was 10% of what the real thing cost, so I went for it.

I hard abit of a hard time fitting the lugs maybe because it is an after market one or just maybe this watch was not mean to be worn with the Pilot bracelet but the Professional bracelet. Here is what it looks like:


I would say that apart from the markings and logo on the deployment bucket and clasp, no one would really be able to tell that I had a fake Breitling bracelet on. Can you?

Breitling Intruder Chronograph Reveil

This is my first post on this blog, so I will start with my own collection. I recently acquired this Breitling Intruder Chronograph Reveil watch on eBay. The watch come with the original manuals only, no boxes :( However, what surprised me is the condition of the watch. It was purchased in 1998 but it seems like the owner never worn it at all.

The Intruder is discontinued, the last of the line replaced after nearly 20 years by the new B-1. The 'INTRUDER' ref A51035 has the same Breitling B51 movement as the Pluton but the case and dial are new. The Intruder is instantly recognisable by the words 'CHONOGRAPHE REVEIL'(chronograph alarm) on the dial. The dial design owes a lot to the Colt SuperOcean while the hands are like the Aviastar.

Featuring a double time display system - analog and LCD digital - the INTRUDER combines the instant legibility of time shown by its hour, minute and seconds hands with the digital logic facilitating the programming and use of its timing functions. These include a split-time chronograph to 1/100th of a second, and alarm function, a second timezone indicator, a 12hr/24hr civilian/military time readout option along with a time signal.

The watch's highly resistant steel case, with screw-locked crown and recessed crystal, is water-resistant to 100m (330 feet). Its bidirectional rotating bezel bears 360° and wind-rose inscriptions, making the watch easy to use as a solar compass.

Breitling Catalog Photo