New NATO Band

Omega Speedmaster Triple Date Reduced, on my wrist, with a new black and silver seatbelt nylon NATO, Captured with TG-7, 2025-07-26 12:08:33, 5.4mm, 1/40sec, f/2.3, ISO-800, SOOC.

I thought I ordered a 24mm NATO for a loaner Luminox watch. What arrived in today’s mail was a 18mm. I like the colorway of the band (black and silver), so I will keep it. It turns out that it fits my Speedy Triple Date reduced. So, I put it on the watch and then put the watch on my wrist.

I made the capture with the Olympus Tough TG-7 in macro mode. The flaking of the rhodium plating on the hands of my Speedy is evident. I will probably have them replaced when I next send the watch off for service. (I do not know when that might be.)

I think the colors go well with the watch. And, it gave me motivation to give the Seamaster a rest.

Life is good.

Omega 150th Seamaster Pro

My Seamaster Pro 300 150th was returned from repair. A wrist check was appropriate. Captured with TG-7, 2025-07-03 09:04:13, 5.4mm, 1/640sec, f/3.2, ISO-100.

My Omega 150th Anniversary Seamaster Pro returned to me a couple of weeks ago. The bezel was “tweaked” and did not function correctly. The repair was expensive, but necessary for my mental health.

It has been on my wrist consistently since it returned, not on its titanium bracelet, but on a BluShark seatbelt nylon NATO strap. It is my favorite watch. I will probably wear it a lot.

The 150th was released in 1998 and there were 1,848 of them made available. There are lots of watch reviews out there about this particular piece. Therefore, I will not attempt a review. What I do think about the watch is that it is lighter than the standard Seamaster because of the titanium case. The wave dial is absolutely gorgeous and readily readable. The lume is generously applied and works very well. I have no issue reading the watch at night without my glasses.

Mine is running two or three seconds fast per day on my wrist. That is definitely chronometer accurate. (The watch is a chronometer.)

I think this is a forever watch.

I am grateful. Life is good.

Blue Speedy

Again, the Speedmaster Triple Date with a blue-striped NATO. This strap is ribbed nylon and is nowhere near as comfortable as the seatbelt nylon NATO straps.

I made this image a couple of weeks ago. My wrists do not get along well with bracelets because of a protruding bone. A bracelet causes the watch head to bump the bone, which irritates the skin.

I never noticed that this is different than most wrists. Hmmm… I suppose I am unique.

Blue Seatbelt Nylon NATO

A capture of my Speedmaster Triple Date with a seatbelt nylon NATO affixed to it.

My Omega Speedmaster Triple Date is the first nice watche in my small collection. It came with a stainless steel bracelet that is sized to fit my wrist. However, like most humans, my wrist dimensions change over the course of a day such that a bracelet is either too loose or too tight.

And, I have little tolerance for a loose bracelet because of a bit of bone on my wrist that is more prominent than in a lot of people. A loose watch with any mass will bounce into it multiple times a day, which results in some discomfort.

As a result, I prefer my watch to be relatively immobile on my wrist. That means that bracelets are not my best choice for affixing a wristwatch to my wrist.

A leather, rubber, or cloth strap will work much better because they are readily adjustable as my wrist circumference changes during the day. They also have a little inherent give to them that means they will change length slightly with my changing wrist geometry.

I have learned a bit about NATO and Zulu nylon straps. They provide another way of adding some color that can complement my wristwatch.

And so I have my Speedy on a seatbelt nylon NATO in blue. This straps complements the blue dial of my Speedy nicely and I like the combination. Plus, the strap is very comfortable against my skin.

I also think that a blue strap with some gray or silver might also be a nice color combination for the Speedy. I will spend some time this weekend shopping.

Speedy Tuesday

My buddy loaned me his Speedmaster. I wore it today.

My buddy Jimmy loaned me his ’57 Speedmaster Replica, later called the Reissue, to wear for a week. It is not a small watch at about 41mm case width. But, it is the iconic Speedmaster that represents the watch that introduced the line.

I favor chronographs because of my affinity for tool watches. So, the Speedmaster appeals to me.

Is the watch too big for my diminutive wrist? I don’t think so.

Life is good.

Lorier Hyperion Series II

Lorier is a watch microbrand that has a good reputation.
I recently learned of the Lorier microbrand from both my buddy Jimmy and from a couple of YT content creators. The Hyperion Series II is a GMT watch (two time zones with the second time zone indicated by a fourth hand) based on a Miyota 9075 caliber. Miyota is owned by Citizen but builds movements for other makers, including Lorier.

As I wrote before, I do not expect to have a large watch collection and plan to sell those that I do not wear. But, I like watches, always have, and the mechanical movements fascinate me.

There are many reviews of the Hyperion so I am not going to do that. The technical aspects of the watch as well as its aesthetics are described all over the Internet. I cannot add anything to that mix other than I like the look of the watch and it fits me. I will be tracking that over the next few months and we will see if it sticks.

A Lorier Hyperion Series II GMT on the wrist.

Wrist Check 04 April 2025

On my wrist today is a Cincinnati Watch Company Cincinnatus.

I have always had an affinity for wrist watches, but never acted on it. I turned my nose up at the Rolex brand because they always seemed a little proud of what they are. That is almost always a turn off for me.

I had a Timex I bought as a very young man and wore it until the case was so corroded by my skin that it started cutting my wrist. I guess that watch lasted me a couple of decades.

It was replaced with a Seiko Quartz chronometer that I wore for years, finally replacing the movement 20-years ago and mistakenly buying a Seiko Sportura that was far too big for my wrist. It has languished on a shelf all that time.

When Apple released the Apple Watch, I bought one and used several of them over the intervening period until late last year. The smartwatch has always irritated me a bit with its insistence on making itself known. And, after reading Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism, I found myself wanting to be less connected and more present.

Last year I took up my love of mechanical cameras and realized just how good they are and that they have no need for batteries (which only run the meter).

And a gift from a friend reminded me that the same thing is true about mechanical watches. And, so I own a few.

This Cincinnatus from Cincinnati Watch Company arrived this morning. It needs a NATO strap and I am working on that. It is just a watch with no complications (unlike some of my other favorites). I think I will like it a lot. I will know more in a month or two.

Wrist Check 04 March 2025

My buddy Jimmy loaned me this Zodiac. It is a triple date with a moon phase complication. It is a nice watch.

I had supper with my buddy Jimmy last night. He brought me a pretty to wear for a few days. I cannot recall the brand name, but it is called a Zodiac. I believe it is vintage, from the 1960s. It is a triple-date (Day, Date, Month) and has a moon phase complication that is cool.

I have not timed it yet, but my sense is that it is running within a few seconds per day, which is better than my Speedie! It is also small enough that it does not dwarf my 6.5-inch wrist.

I am completely enamored of my Omega Speedmaster chronograph. Plus, I really like tool watches. But I might actually wear a Zodiac.

Vintage Wyler

My buddy loaned me this vintage Wyler to wear for a week. It is lovely!

My buddy is really into mechanical watches and has been for several years. So, I am dabbling lightly and enjoying the camaraderie. I deeply enjoy listening to him talk about watches — something is very passionate about. Even if I am not so invested in the hobby (or obsession), it is interesting.

He loaned me this lovely vintage Wyler chronograph to wear for a week. I am enjoying it.