Archive for the ‘Watches’ Category
Damasko DA-36.
Damasko has just announced that they’re bringing back the DA-36/37 models after discontinuing them for a short time. The DA-36 is my favorite of the German company’s offerings, mostly for its understated appeal but also for the technical innovation that has gone into the watch itself. The matte black dial with hi-contrast arabic numbers is designed to be easily readable, and the yellow second sweep hand is a nice touch too. The case is where the watch really shines: it’s stainless steel, nickel-free, bead-blasted, and ice-hardened to make it extremely scratch-resistant. Like the Sinn 656, it’s got an integrated antimagnetic core and a sapphire crystal with A/R coating on both sides to improve visibility from all angles. Their gaskets provide UV radiation and chemical resistance to protect the watch internals, and their patented crown contains a self-lubricating cell to eliminate friction.
Omega Railmaster.
The Railmaster was first released in 1957 as part of the famous Omega technical “master” triumvirate, alongside the Seamaster and the Speedmaster models. The Railmaster heralded a double-housing case and special dial design that helped it withstand extreme magnetic fields, making it useful for railroad engineers, scientists, electricians and technicians. The modern interpretation of the Railmaster unfortunately lacks the same technical features as its predecessor, but fortunately it’s still a very handsome watch.
Stowa Marine Original II.
The Stowa Marine Original is a watch I’ve had my eye on for some time. I particularly like the clarity and readability of the watch face, which is based off old German naval observation clocks. Last year, Stowa produced a limited edition version with a new color scheme in my favorite color: black. The stainless steel case has a brushed finish and the crown bears the Stowa logo.
Inside the watch you’ll find a hand wound Unitas 6498 movement with blue screws and Geneva stripes, all of which are visible through the sapphire crystal back.
Sinn 656s.
My trusty Sinn 656s – a gift from my wife last year – has served me faithfully day in and day out. I love it for many reasons – its clean and understated aesthetic, its history, and the brand’s longstanding attention to technical innovation and detail (many thanks to my friend Rob for pointing me in the right direction).
Though I occasionally toy with the idea of picking up a dressier watch when funds allow, I find myself continually drawn to other tool watches that are just as “non-dressy” as my Sinn – which means that this watch serves me just fine for now. Or perhaps it means that I will only wear instrument watches that are matte black for the rest of my life… which is not a bad thing in my book.
