Saturday, June 29, 2019

On the Road with my Buech & Boilat Thresher Dive Watch

When it comes to travel, everyone has their own favorite "go to" watch.  My current favorite is my Buech & Boilat Thresher dive watch.  It looks great in a business casual setting and has the rugged stainless steel construction that's needed for the hustle and bustle of travel and airport crowds.
 
The Buech & Boilat Thresher

The readable dial came in handy as I wondered whether I would ever make it through intensely long airport security lines.  Fortunately, the TSA moved us quickly and this huge security line in Atlanta was only a 45 minute wait.


 After a long day, the Thresher looks great on the hotel nightstand.  It's a watch that goes with anything.


The next morning it was up and ready for breakfast.  While I was tired, my watch didn't miss a beat. 


When your watch makes you feel like a real man, you don't have any problem wolfing down quiche.



Most of my week was spent in meetings, but as they drug on, I did find time to take a few quick shots of my watch.

The etched caseback is interesting.  The pattern and logo are cool.




It would have been nice to take advantage of the pool.  But, that was only a dream.  An escaped to see it on a short break.


At the end of a long week at the Mall of America, my Buech & Boilat still looks great. I've had this watch for just over a year.  I got it when I was a member of the WatchGang watch club.



I was tired on the airplane, but I had time to take in a light show beneath the wing.


Check this link out for my complete review of my Buech & Boilat Thresher.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Watch Sighting: Izod Diver Style Watch

I recently spotted this Izod diver-style watch in a  discount store for about $15.  It's a nice looking quartz wattch, but a little tough to find online.  There's no date window.  It's just a basic no nonsense diver-style watch with a rotating bezel.

Izod Diver Style Watch

I probably should have picked it up.  But, the day was young and I passed on it.  In retrospect, I think it was a pretty good deal.  If I stumble upon it again, I may have to snatch it up. I'm kicking myself because it would have been perfect for that James Bond watch project idea I had a couple of weeks ago.


Sigh.  I may have to root around in my watch boxes to find another nice looking dive watch.

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Recreate the James Bond watch from Goldfinger on a budget.

Most of us wish we were James Bond at some point in our lives and watch collecting can bring us a little glimpse of that James Bond world from time to time.  One of the most famous James Bond scenes is the opening scene from Goldfinger.  A SCUBA diving James Bond wears a Rolex Submariner 6538 with a nylon strap on a demolition mission. Would you like to recreate a classic James Bond look with your watch collection?

The first step in recreating this Bond look is to get a watch with suitable styling. In the best of all possible worlds, we'd simply saunter down to the nearest jeweler and pick of a Rolex Submariner.  Unfortunately, that's not something most of us can do.  Instead, you might look for an affordable watch that draws inspiration from the classic Rolex Submariner.

 Choosing a Cheap Bond-style Watch 

 

The Rolex Submariner look is the standard look for dive watches.  It is quite simply the epitome of a dive watch.  Lots of watch can recreate the style.  If you want a waterproof dive watch, I'd suggest starting with watch makers like Invicta.  However, if you just want to recreate the fashion, there are many timepieces that will fit the bill.

For less than $50, you can get this Fanmis diver-style watch. This watch features a rotatable bezel, sapphire glass crystal, and luminous hands. It has a 40 millimeter diameter stainless steel case and 20 mm band.
Fanmis Diver-style Watch

Choosing a James Bond-style Watch Strap


Of course, you'll need a suitable strap to go with your Bond watch.  The easiest choice would be to simply get a NATO strap.  But, 007 didn't actually wear a NATO strap in Goldfinger.  If you don't believe me, check out this explanation from the European watch strap retailer Esprit NATO.  This Barton Watch strap is the closest match I could find on Amazon.

Barton Watch Bands Ballistic Nylon Strap

You can get this James Bond-style strap here from Amazon at an amazingly affordable price.
 
Neither this watch nor this strap will transform you into James Bond. You'll have to become suave and debonair on your own. But, this watch and strap combination should successfully evoke the James Bond Goldfinger look for less than $50. Have fun and, for your own health, stay away from the unfiltered cigarettes.