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I fell off the wagon last night.  And I blame Kevin Jankoski! 
Ricky Lee
October 24, 2009 05:41PM
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Registered: April 2005
Posts: 5,891 (2010-02) |
The reason being I read Kevin's post about how he bought the Nino automatic while under the influence, and got a good laugh out of it. I've long since learned me lesson about WisUI, you see, and said to meself "Silly bugger. Doesn't he know that poitín and 
don't mix?", as I sipped my Tullamore Dew. Well, then I recalled he'd mentioned a purveyor of mesh
bracelets a bit earlier, and I'd been meaning to check them out. Well,
long story short, I found that said seller also pushes watches along
with bracelets & straps, and this morning I woke up next to an
eMail announcing that I'd bought this:
Now, it could have been a lot worse, for I paid a mere US $29.30 shipped. Me Inner Scotsman keeps me from being too extravagant, even when I'm in me cups. 
And given that even the 
equivalent costs more than twice as much nowadays, I reckon 'tis a pretty good gamble...
Here's the auction description
Quote
eFlay seller
HIGH QUALITY MECHANICAL AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH
--Movement: 21 Jewels mechanical multi-function automatic movement (no battery required)
--6 hands with calendar, week and 24 hours
--El luminescence hands of watch
--Case: solid steel case
--Back: solid stainless steel
--Strap/band: 20mm genuine leather
--Size: 44mm (diameter,including crown) *13mm (thickness) total length:260mm
--3 circle dials are calendar, week and 24 hours display
--Weight: 90g
--Water resistent 3 ATM
--Condition: 100% new
Nice profile..
And it at least has a screwdown caseback, though I'm not sure about the crown(s).
It's shipping from Hong Kong, as you might expect, given the price. So now The Wait begins. 
A Planet Ocean homage has been on my WISh List for quite some time, though, so I reckon another week or three won't kill me... 
Thanks fer readin', y'all!
-Ricky
Oh, and did I mention the fact that I love the brand name, it being..
..a character from my all-time favorite sitcom.
Messages In This Thread
I fell off the wagon last night. And I blame Kevin Jankoski! 
Ricky Lee -- October 24, 2009 05:41PM (Views: 187)
It's clever how they make the day/date subdials look like chrono subdials! 
(n/t)
MCV -- November 06, 2009 12:12AM (Views: 17)
Re: I fell off the wagon last night. And I blame Kevin Jankoski! swell in my defense:
KMJ1966 -- November 01, 2009 11:31PM (Views: 20)
Ricky the funniest thing is the same night I gave serious thought to
buying the Basil I mean serious but like the look of the nino better
and I like cool vintage
finds so send me a PM when you get her and let
me know if I should get under the influence again lol great minds work
alike too!!!!!!
Your fellow wissing under the influence partner in crime
Ricky !
IF -- October 25, 2009 11:57AM (Views: 24)
1. for a watch at an unbeatable price and a cool extra crown at 10.
2. for that marvellous whisky ( Tulla) , super choice !
3. Faulty Towers rocks !
I love this post, Ricky ! ( ...and...I know nothing, I come from Pitsidia !!!!!!..............).....
How typical,I was>>
Bock -- October 24, 2009 09:49PM (Views: 43)
looking at the very same watch on eBay and then see this post of yours Is that a sign or so? No I wait
Nah not exact the same btw,another brandname on it and the minute hand differs...
Re: ..looking at the very same watch on eBay and then see this post of yours
Ricky Lee -- October 24, 2009 11:42PM (Views: 14)
Not surprising. Great Minds Think Alike, after all.
Quote
Bock
Is that a sign or so?
No I wait
Nah, go for it! Then we'll have a 
Cage Match!
Quote
Bock
Nah not exact the same btw,another brandname on it and the minute hand differs...
Yeah, I've seen (and been tempted by) the Schaffer in the past. Dunno why I've never pulled the trigger on one 
- the price is within a dollar or two of the Basil, after all. I'm not
seeing any Buy-It-Now deals, though, so not quite as convenient.
I'm
of two minds about the minutes hand. On the one hand, the arrow-tipped
minutes hand looks good, and complements the hour hand nicely. OTOH,
insufficient differentation between the hour and minutes hand is a poor
design practice, IMHO, and compromises at-a-glance readability.
Likewise, being something of a Bracelet Man, I like the idea
that the Schaffer comes so equipped. But OTOH, I'd much prefer that it
was a solid-link bracelet. Now, I'm not a snob about such things, and
in most cases I'm fine with a folded-link bracelet. But something about
this watch seems to demand a nice hefty solid-link bracelet.
So.. I dunno. All in all, I think the Basil is probably a better bet, for me.
-Ricky
Congrats Ricky. Looking forward to photos and review. (n/t)
Mark C. -- October 24, 2009 08:20PM (Views: 27)
The proof is in the pudding - Standing by -- looks
(n/t)
Riddim Driven -- October 24, 2009 07:51PM (Views: 30)
Looks interestink... (Also.... teh he he, "farty towels" ) (n/t)
Nuvolari -- October 24, 2009 07:12PM (Views: 43)
Be sure to 
when it arrives. (n/t)
Dave Murphy -- October 24, 2009 07:10PM (Views: 28)
First thing I thought of was Fawlty Towers, Cool Chronograph Sir Cool (n/t)
S.Hudson -- October 24, 2009 06:51PM
OK, it's official. My WUI watch IS an 
November 06, 2009 02:53AM
See HERE for the WUI Incoming post.
Bit of a scare, as at first I thought the bezel was scratched;
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
But turns out the bezel had a protective film on it, and that is what was scratched. IOW, it served it's purpose.
The bezel is actually flawless..
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
..though you'd be hard pressed to tell by these Q&D photos, I grant you. Sorry! Best I can do with this light! 
I'll make it up, I promise.
And
speaking of the bezel, it's a 60-click uni, and could be smoother. Not
bad, mind, but not exceptional, either. The pip lines up at 12 spang
on, so that's a plus.
Case finishing is very good, bordering on
excellent. And rather unique.. the polished areas are not a true mirror
finish, but an odd sort of hybrid. Looks like something you'd get if
you glassbeaded first, then polished lightly. Quite unique, and very
pleasing to the eye! The area between the lugs is brushed, and quite
well done though, again, not exceptional. The case back is mirror
polished. Can't fault the lines at all - looks to me like they nailed
the PO shape perfectly, including the rather complex curvature of the
lug's inside edges. Base diameter of the case is 41mm.
Sure I couldn't resist peeking at the movement..
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
..no idea what it is, but perhaps one o' you Chinese watch gurus can ID it. Gigfy?
I
will add that the caseback is machined quite well - the threads mate
smoothly, and there was no drama whatsoever in the caseback R&R -
and the gasket is nice and substantial.
One more shot, with the rotor rotated slightly...
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
Some niggles, sure. First, it is
a faux chrono, right? The subdial at 3 is date, at 6 is AM/PM, and at 9
you have day. Pusher at 2 adjusts day, pusher at 4 is date. The crown
at 10 o'clock is a dummy, totally non-functional. 
But
some positives, too. It hacks and handwinds, and sets and winds very
smoothly indeed. Likewise the pushers operate well. And don't get me
started on the strap! Not only is it an XL ,
but is very nicely finished, with a not-too-glossy yet not-too-drab
sheen that's spot on. The buckle and tang border on artwork, easily the
best I've seen at this price point. 
The
lume.. definitely a positive! I can't vouch for the longevity, but it's
damned impressive initially. One surprise here is that the day and date
hands are lumed. Not sure I wouldn't rather they weren't, as you can't really read the D-D in the dark, and so they just add a bit of confusion to the mix, IMHO.
Bottom line, I'm happier than a slopped hog.
For the price (US $29.30 shipped), it's hard for me to see how you
could find a better Planet Ocean homage. The Alpha PO costs nearly
twice as much and, it must be said, has a spotty reliability record.
So, while the track record of the Basil remains to be seen, for the
price I am quite happy to be the guinea pig.
y'all!
-Ricky
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2009 03:00AM by Ricky Lee.
Messages In This Thread
OK, it's official. My WUI watch IS an It's a happy day, a new watch arrived
Ricky Lee -- November 06, 2009 02:53AM (Views: 146)
Enjoy it, RL! Looks like the WUI didn't go so bad after all. (n/t)
Dave Murphy -- November 06, 2009 01:03PM (Views: 26)
It is a very nice watch! Enjoy it Ricky ! (n/t)
IF -- November 06, 2009 08:34AM (Views: 21)
I'm happier than a slopped hog for you!! 
(n/t)
JohnnyT -- November 06, 2009 05:21AM (Views: 28)
Nice watch at an unbelievable price! Well bought (n/t)
Nuvolari -- November 06, 2009 03:51AM (Views: 21)
Lookin' good, Ricky. Congrats. (n/t)
Mark C. -- November 06, 2009 03:49AM (Views: 23)
holy mushroom.. thats a nice watch ricky. sorry to ask but is the caseback plan or marked? (n/t)
anjizkit -- November 06, 2009 03:10AM (Views: 26)
Plain Jane.
Ricky Lee -- November 06, 2009 03:15AM (Views: 46)
coool .. i like... >>
anjizkit -- November 06, 2009 03:21AM (Views: 31)
i was hoping it didnt have the emblem of our favorite marine horse...
lol would have destroyed the fun totally. Whats the crystal? mineral?
Flat crystal, definitely mineral glass.
Ricky Lee -- November 06, 2009 03:24AM (Views: 26)
And, yeah, a 
seahorse would've been a downer for me, too.
-Ricky
nice... you have a winner for sure (n/t)
anjizkit -- November 06, 2009 03:34AM (Views: 30)
Poor Man's credo to the max! (n/t)
MCV -- November 06, 2009 03:06AM (Views: 31)
Catalog Shots of the WUI PO Homage..
November 08, 2009 12:32AM
Errr.. weel, as close as I gets t' catalog shots, ye ken?
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
A few minor nits.. 
the bezel is distinctly 'copper-ish' under natural light. It's a good look.. some actual PO photos look so, too ?
Also.. there's a dust speck in de crystal! 
Worse it moves around and appears at different places.. 'tis the pea-soup puking Linda Blair version of a dust speck! Alas, it hid for the photos!
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
So.. dunno what to say other.. Oh! Accuracy! I synched it to the..
..48 hours ago and, as of right now, it shows +22. Not so bad!
-Ricky
Messages In This Thread
Catalog Shots of the WUI PO Homage..
Ricky Lee -- November 08, 2009 12:32AM (Views: 108)
Lookin' good, Ricky. (n/t)
Mark C. -- November 08, 2009 04:01AM (Views: 25)
Hey Ricky, are you gonna get the matching Oregano and Thyme models? (n/t)
MCV -- November 08, 2009 03:30AM (Views: 16)
Very nice photos, RL! Enjoy! (n/t)
Dave Murphy -- November 08, 2009 02:44AM (Views: 18)
Very nice pictures Ricky. I guess that Basil leans a bit on Omega designs (hand, bezel color). It is a great >
Reto -- November 08, 2009 02:13AM (Views: 20)
..looking chrono
Best regards
Reto
Ricky, I believe these are some of your best shots. (n/t)
Dave P -- November 08, 2009 01:07AM (Views: 20)
Nice shots Ricky! Aside from the "pea-soup puking Linda Blair version of a dust speck" looks like a GREAT deal (n/t)
DJM -- November 08, 2009 12:39AM (Views: 29)