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Dolphin 24-hour ARCHIVE
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Posted By: Ricky Lee McBroom
Date:
Friday, 31 March 2006, at 9:49 p.m.
OK, so after the last pair of
s, y'all thought I was through with
24-hour watches, right? Not so!
Dolphin 24-hour I must be
, I admit. Who needs four 24-hour movement watches? Especially when three are so similar they're like peas in a pod? Right!
I'll excerpt a bit from my Raketa KGB review to illustrate what really led me to take the plunge:
As an aside, the seller I bought my watch from stated in the auction that "Raketa factory was closed 9 years ago." Most of the folks hawking Raketas are careful to point that out, and that their wares are NOS. Well, if so, they had one hell of a lot of inventory when they closed shop! There's certainly no shortage of 'em![ . . . ]
In any case, this all got me to wondering, and I turned up this little article which the author (somewhat grandiosely
'twas that bit about the 'The Raketa Conspiracy' theory, and how the Dolphin is so similar. I mean, I already had two Raketas, right? So I just had to get my hands on a Dolphin so I could compare!
The seller's specs were:
- Automatic, self-winding movement
- 35 jewels
- Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date-of-the month calendar
- Sweep type seconds hand
- Luminous hands
- Case: polished stainless steel, 40mm diameter, height 8mm
- Water resistant to 3 ATM
- Rotating dial (bezel ring), black
- Upper crown changes the time and date functions
- Lower crown rotates the inside black ring
- Mineral crystal
- Comes with leather band and box
The most obvious difference 'twixt the Dolphin and Raketa, going by the sellers specs and pics, is the movement.
, 35 jewels vs. 19 jewels, date vs. no-date. The cases appeared identical..
So when the Dolphin arrived, imagine my surprise to find that it sports a screwdown case back instead of the Raketa's snap-in!
And not only that, but it's a
pattern! Cool! Can't imagine why the seller didn't tout this in the auction. I was skeptical of the seller's claim that the case is 'polished stainless steel' - I expected chrome over base metal, as I had assumed was the case with the Raketas. However, the Dolphin's case does indeed appear to be SS: I used a diamond scribe to score the case (
) and was greeted with the shiny glint of steel, not the brassy base metal I was prepared for. I now suspect that my assumption about the Raketas may be in error. I suppose that I'll go back and test them with the scribe, to be sure. If they are stainless, they're certainly not polished as well as the Dolphin, which shows no finish flaws in the case whatsoever.
Still, the physical dimensions of the cases appeared to be very close! Careful measurements put the actual dimensions of the Dolphin at 40.2mm dia x 42.4 mm across the lugs. It's 14.05mm thick measured to the top of the crystal which, since it has a much more pronounced dome than the Raketas, accounts for the difference. Measured sans crystal, they're within .3mm of each other. Both take 18mm straps. The Dolphin's crowns are slighly beefier, at 5mm dia x 3mm wide, vs. 4.75mm x 2.75mm.
There's as much as .2mm variance between my two Raketas in their case dimensions, so basically the Dolphin and Raketa case dimensions are the same within normal manufacturing tolerances. But there's that screw vs. snap back, of course, so I've got to admit that my theory that the cases would be identical is kaput.
The Dolphin's calendar function was another obvious difference, yet still managed to surprise me. It's quick-set, you see.. and that's something that I'm definitely not used to seeing on budget-priced
The autowind function works smoothly, and makes a nice sound. Sort of halfway between the great 'ratcheting' sound of my Marina Militare and the dull thud of some
I didn't take any pics of the OEM strap, but the
seller's pics will give you an idea:
A black padded double-ridged unit with contrasting stitching, it's quite a decent quality strap. Light-years better'n the ones that came OEM on the Raketas! Of course, 'twas way too short.
bracelet to a
Feels great on the wrist!
So, to summarize: The Dolphin's level of finish is far and away better than the Raketas. For the price ($39.74 shipped), it's astounding. No, it doesn't have a nifty engraved caseback like the Zodiac, never mind the inlaid crown. But, know what? Discount the
's above-and-beyond extras, and it's close. The finish of this watch is that good. Recommended! If the styling appeals to you, don't hesitate.
Here's a group shot, for reference:
So, have I solved the 'The Raketa Conspiracy Theory'? No. Perhaps nothing short of a covert James Bond-style visit to the Petrodvoretz Watch Plant could do so. But if Raketa is manufacturing the Dolphin, I can say confidently that they've learned a thing or two about finishing and quality control. I'm Double-Dog Sure that the Dolphin's a neat little watch all around, and a great value!
What's that you say? Am I through with my 24-hour movement Watch Buying Spree? Yes! Definitely! Well.. probably...
ArrrrrrrrrGH!!!! Must resist, must resist...
Thanks for lookin', y'all!
-Ricky
Messages In This Thread
ARCHIVE
> (views: 178)
Those really
make you think about the time! Good review of
a watch I just received this week... (views:
15)
. Get outta here! No kiddin'? Kewl!
} The internal bezel makes a
} worn-ball-bearing noise
when
} actuated on my unit.
Really? Man, not good. Mine's silent & smooth as can be. However..
} A little cheap sounding.
That describes my KGB
perfectly. Hmmmm. Maybe the Dolphin quality control is not as good as I assumed.
I mean, I am judging on one solitary example...
} It is my only 24-hour watch.
Beware! They're addicting!
} Eerily, you and I seem to have the same
} tastes as I
have seen you review several
} watches at about the same time that I
}
have bought one!
Well, could be a case of "Great Minds Think Alike".
But probably it's genetic. "O'Connor", "McBroom"?
I know the Scots got the rep, but the Irish are frugal, too (Oh, why be PC? This
is the 
! IOW, Micks are
cheap-a$$ bastards, too. ), and probably we're
just zeroing in on the Great Deals.
But "several watches"? Which others, if I may be so bold as to inquire?
} In short, you really
} have good taste, Sir .
, Sir!
You're a Gentleman and a Scholar!
-Ricky
Cool!
Probably easier to browse my page at mcbroom.biz...
} Slainte! to you, my friend!
Erin go Bragh!
-Ricky
...I will report to you on the similar watch purchases in my next post, but first things first...
...Orson Scott Card and Heinlen are PEERLESS SF writers, save a passin comparison to Asimov...and Mark Twain was and is my inspiration for being a writer...
As you said, Brother, "Great Minds"!
} ..Orson Scott Card and Heinlen
} are PEERLESS
SF writers
Now ye're talkin'!
Yeah, Heinlein changed my life, literally. My political perspective.. shit, my entire world-view, really, is based upon "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress". Read it at an impressionable age, you see. Plus, it just Makes Sense.
Card, pure genius. "Lost Boys" is my favorite, much as I love the "Ender" series".
Asimov.. don't get me started. And Arthur C. Clarke. Likewise Philip K. Dick.
Ever read William Gibson? Perhaps my favorite of the current generation (I.E.
young whippersnappers ) of SF authors.
"All Tomorrows Parties" is directly responsible for me becoming a WIS.
'tis the only True WIS SF Novel ever, IMHO. Never mind the "Neuromancer"
trilogy which, to my mind, is a Science Fiction Masterpiece of the top rank.
I say 'perhaps', though, 'cause there's two nuevo SF authors that give him a run for the money: Bruce Sterling and Greg Bear.
Bruce.. well, he's kind of an odd duck. Consistently brilliant, he's yet to really grab me by the balls. "Heavy Weather" comes closest, I think.
Bear, now.. WHAT a talent he has. The "Forge Of God" pair.. I don't
quite know how to describe my admiration for them. Except to say that I've read
them 6 times.. 'Nough said!
} As you said, Brother, "Great Minds"!
You've convinced me. Great Minds, indeed! -Ricky
..."The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" is astonishingly good and is Heinlein's best, IMHO. Greg Bear is very good but I like Stephen Baxter a little better.
P. K. Dick's "Man in the High Castle" is too good, as well as "Clans of the Alphane Moon". I guess you knew about Hollyweird making a movie out of "The Golden Man". It will probably suck, but it may be passable as they do have Nicolas Cage and Jessica Biel starring.
I really enjoy Harry Turtledove's SF also, especially the "worldwar" series.
I have not read any William Gibson, but thanks for the tip, I will pick up a few of his titles tomorrow.
I will read you around, my friend.
} Greg Bear is very good but I like
} Stephen Baxter a
little better.
You know, I don't believe I've ever read Mr. Baxter at all. But I will! I mean, our tastes are obviously similar, and if you like him more'n Bear, 'tis a no-brainer!
} .."Clans of the Alphane Moon".
Haven't read that one, either. "Man in the High Castle" is Dick's masterpiece, I suppose, but my personal favorite is "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?". Love all Dick's short works, really.
} I guess you knew about Hollyweird making
} a movie
out of "The Golden Man". ..it may
} be passable as they do have Nicolas Cage
} and Jessica Biel starring.
No, I didn't! I usually enjoy Nicolas Cage's movies, though, so I'll certainly check it out. The title of the movie will be "Next", apparently...
As aside, I consider "A Boy And His Dog" to be the best movie
adaptation of an SF story ever. Another genius, Harlan Ellison.. though,
apparently, not someone you'd want to ask for an autograph.
} I really enjoy Harry Turtledove's SF also,
}
especially the "worldwar" series.
Oh, aye, Harry's the master of alternate history! "Worldwar.." is great! Ever read the "Guns Of The South" series? If you like that one, I recommend "1862" by Robert Conroy.
} I have not read any William Gibson, but
} thanks for
the tip, I will pick up a few
} of his titles tomorrow.
Man, I almost envy you.. that way I could read
"Neuromancer" for the first time.. (And that's the place
I'd recommend starting: "Neuromancer", "Count Zero", then "Mona
Lisa Overdrive".)
Enjoy!
-Ricky
My mom remarried while we were young so thats my Dads last name. The Irish last name is Hamilton. The great grandfather came over to Canada from Ulster, many years ago.
Thanks for the Good health and wealth and back at ya. -Chris
-Jeff
beater for that kinda
jack?! (views:
6) Ricky, I always
enjoy reading your reviews (views: 3)
. I enjoy writin' 'em,
so it works for everybody. (views: 2) (views: 4)You know, that part, like the 24-hour dial, is a bit of a struggle for me. Not intuitive at all. I'm used to an independant GMT hand, yout see...
Still, no hu-hu. I'll adapt.
-Ricky
Great review (views: 2) (views: 3)But then that is in keeping with the
mission, eh!
, Dan!
-Ricky
(views: 3) Sam! As far as
making you want one.. >> (views: 5)..all I can say is "Turnabout is Fair Play."
You did the same to me with the , after
all..
-Ricky
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