Are you familiar with Zenith Watches? If not, you should be. Zenith watches are not made by the same company as the television sets:

Zenith has taken some flak in recent years because they’ve gotten too big and gaudy for some people’s tastes… especially since they cost quite a bit.

Some might come to the conclusion that since some models look a bit “Extreme” and “Defy” convention too much that Zenith is on the same level as brands like Invicta (whom I have nothing against) with their Subaqua Noma watches,

Invicta Men’s Subaqua Noma III Reserve – Red Dial $219.00

Or maybe Stuhrling,

Stuhrling Original Men’s Exclusive Trekker Sportsman Swiss Chronograph Black Dial Watch $315.99

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Zenith is a manufacturer (manufacture) of high end watches and movments and their big claim to fame is the El Primero movement:

This movement used to be put in the Rolex Daytona and if that’s not proof of quality, I don’t know what is.

The El Primero movement is somewhat unique in the watch world because of the way it tracks time in chronograph mode. Instead of the center second hand going around once per minute, it travels around the dial once per 10 seconds. As a result, whenever the chronograph is stopped after starting it, the center second hand reads the 10th of a second reading on the scale around the dial. Not quite as impressive as the Tag Heuer Mikrograph I did a video about here, but quite a nice piece indeed. The El Primero watch has a 36,000 Vph (vibrations per hour) escapement and that is what allows for the way the second hand moves. If you divide 36,000 Vph by 60 minutes, you get 600 vibrations per minute. Divide that by 60, the number of seconds in a minute, and you get 10 vibrations for every second. This precision is what allows the central second hand to stop on the 10th of a second mark whenever the stop button is pressed.

Additionally, it is a very precise and smooth movement. The El Primero movement is in a number of Zenith watches ranging from Extreme to conservative and if you can afford one is worthy of consideration.

Watches from Zenith:

Click on the pictures to buy!

This new watch from Tag Heuer is quite impressive!

The Mikrograph is only available in 150 pieces and isn’t out yet, but Tag Heuer makes some other incredible watches that are available to anyone and some are very affordable: (click to buy)

TAG Heuer Men’s CAV5185.FC6237 Grand Carrera Leather Strap Chronograph Black Dial Watch $7300.50

Tag Heuer Aquaracer yellow dial 300m water resistance $1195.00

The shake weight:

Made fun of, spoofed and embarassing to use in front of others, the Shake weight is now a household name in the U.S.

Maybe you own one, maybe you don’t, but I think buying one would be as embarrasing as buying contraceptives.

If you’re wanting the benefit of the Shake Weight without the associated embarrasement, consider the Corum Golden Bridge Automatic:

Even though Corum has not announced the price of this particular iteration, I’m guessing it will be more than the non-automatic versions, which go for around $15,000.00 or more.

The original Corum Golden Bridge movement was introduced in 1980 and has been very highly regarded in the watch world ever since… Now for 2011 Corum is introducing a version with a linear automatic winding mechanism:

This mechanism is unique in the world of horology and will be available in limited quantities, at only 130 pieces in red gold and 70 pieces in white gold.

Will you want to exercise with this watch? Perhaps switching wrists hourly to balance the physical effects on the biceps from wearing this piece? Not likely. Although moving in a linear fashion, the platinum weight in the movement only weighs 4 grams and oscillates back and forth 1 cm. Corum chose platinum for the weight as it is a very heavy precious metal and maximizes the effectiveness of the weight and creates the energy needed to wind the movement.

Friction is an enemy in any watch movement, but especially in this one as a linear motion transferred to circular motion is somewhat less efficient than a circular one transferred to another circular motion. In order to overcome this mechanical disadvantage, the rails that the weight “rides” on are made of teflon coated steel to allow the weight to slide more efficiently while the direct contact of the weight to those rails is made of beryllium copper also designed to minimize friction. The winding system encorporates a reverser to make sure the movement winds one way only and is wound with each movement of the wearer. The winding mechanism also features ceramic ball bearings which means that lubrication is not necessary – yet another friction reducing effort. Also, in the picture to the left, notice the little “bumpers” at the ends of the rails to absorb shock when the weight reaches the ends.

A few more facts about the movement: 194 parts, 40 hour power reserve, and 28,800 vph movement. 26 jewels, plate and bridges made in 18kt Gold with guilloche decoration. 30m (99 feet) water resistance.

To accommodate this new movement, which is larger, the new watch case will also be larger than predecessors at 37.2 x 51.8mm and is slightly curved for wrist comfort.

One of the cool features of this watch is the fact that the case features 4 antiglare coated crystals, one on front and back, and one on each side, to really showcase the movement. You can see the movement from many directions and the parts of this movement are amazingly decorated by hand. The case, movement, and buckle on the crocodile strap will be made of the same color gold depending on which is chosen by the buyer, again in either red or white gold.

The automatic Golden bridge is very exclusive but if you’d like to buy a manual wind version, check out these links:

Corum Golden Bridge watches at Amazon.com

Other Corum watches at Amazon.com

Corum Golden Bridge watch at Ashford

Golden Bridge watch at Dexclusive

Corum Golden Bridge at Jomashop

This is one of my most viewed videos on Youtube and below you’ll find links on where to buy the watches featured.
Enjoy!

Summary:

This video takes the viewer through my favorite Dive watches under $300.00. Some on the list are specific models, whereas others are lines from brands.

teeter totter watch from the 70's

Do you know the teeter totter nursery rhyme? It says, teeter totter, teeter totter, wash your face in dirty water… A sure recipe for getting sick, don’t you think? Well, I’ve been sick for a few days now, and last week was really busy at my “real” job, which I still do offline until Watchurself.com takes off and I can retire from my window tinting business.

What’s Up? I’ve added a Like button in the sidebar to the Right, and I’m still posting the Daily Deals, but not doing much creative writing for the “blog” part of this site.

By the way, isn’t it funny how “slow” time seems to go when you’re sick? I’m taking vitamin C, NyQuil, Ibuprofen, cough drops, etc. and waiting until I start to feel normal again.

Another related fact: a study done by Royal Hallamshire Hospital in the UK showed that medical workers who wear a watch have around 1000 times more bacteria on their wrists than people who do not wear a watch. Other items like ties, stethoscopes, and rings play a part, too, as you can probably imagine. The article recommends that we ask our doctor if they’ve washed their hands since the last patient they saw but who but the boldest person is going to do that? I have seen doctors wash their hands in front of me in the exam room, though and I think that’s pretty smart.

On yet another semi-related fact: did you know that several thousand women during WWI were paid to paint radium paint on watch dials in the U.S. and Canada? They did this by hand and would use their tongue or lips to keep the tip of the paintbrush sharp! An unknown number of them developed radiation sicknesses as a result. It’s definitely something to be glad about that the modern workplace is generally kept free of this type of activity but I wonder about other countries.

Radium Girls Painting watch dials

That’s all for today but I hope to recover soon and get back to more informational writing!