Horological Meandering

Could we have a thread devoted to this watch, just for a while?  I know there are references to it scattered about here and there, but they are hard to piece together.  I am seriously considering pulling the trigger on this one, at what I think is a bargain price.  I share the affection some of you folk have for "weird" watches, and I think this one is unusually attractive in that genre.  I know very little of the quality level of Azimuth generally or this model in particular.  And do people have opinions on the three models available (regular SS/blue dial, PVD/blue dial, PVD/grey dial)?  What straps/bracelets are available?  I have seen the blue leather with blue and white stitching, and a rubber band, but have I also seen a bracelet, or was that just my imagination?

Thank you all!

You are paying for design and aesthetic, the quality - finishing and components - is not up to par for the price. The look and display is interesting, but beyond that it has little horological value in my opinion.

- SJX

I appreciate the response, but what are the subpar elements?  Obviously, the design and display are what is appealing; the movement appears to be a respectable, if common, one; the spinning Earth as second hand display is a unique approach; and the jumping hour display seems interesting.  So what, specifically, are the elements that cause you to express that view?  I really don't mean to sound combative (if I do), but I am curious (and the price point is not that high).  Thanks again.

if you can wait until tomorrow i'll do it by then.

best

Graham

Can't wait Graham,

 

Always love this watch.  it would be good to see some pics and your thoughts on it.  Certainly one I've been interested in for a long time,

 

All the best

 

Tim

I examined the Azimuth pieces a while ago, and I looked at several models at the time, so I may have gotten specific traits of individual models mixed up with each other.

The printing of the dial is not as crisp as it can be, and the texture and sheen of the dial looks inexpensive. The cases do not feel substantial, and the case finish, especially at the corners and edges, is not well done; the engraving on the laser caseback is also shallow.

- SJX

I was extremely excited when I first came across Azimuth in a watch magazine. It was a watch the company that was founded by a Singaporean. They've got all the right advertisement on the right places, watch magazines, Wristwatch Annual, etc.

My initial response was: Can it be that we might be having a KuTaiYi or Franc Villa of the South-East-Asia in the making (please pardon my wild thoughts and ignorance)? We have lots of renowed watch connoisseurs in this region but we did not have our own watchmaker, or watch brand. This might just be a dream come true. So, before even looking at any of their watches, I already have very good feelings about them.

And I waited eagerly for an opportunity to see the watch in person. Finally got a chance to visit their boutique in KL late last year.

Of course the first watch I rush to see was the Spaceship. Must say that I wasn't that dissapointed even at first glance I realized that the watch does not look as impressive as it is on the pictures. But even in my least critical mood...

 

When I start to look closely, I realized the printing on the dial is not sharp and fine enough, and the sub-secong-dial earth looks as if it has been cut from a piece of paper and pasted on. (I am no watch critic, just my very subjective experience).

I also found it difficult to actually read the "hour". Since the whole of the hour disc moves all over the dial, we cannot "guess" the hour like we do on a conventional watch (with the guidance of a shorter hour hand). The whole "hour" disc is too small, and the "robotic" font numbers is really not helping. Part of the hour number is also blocked by the opening. Considering that there is already no "second" and "minute" to read on this watch.

I remember telling the sales assistant the same things I have written here. He just smiled back at me.

Pricing: All I can say is that as excited as I am on the watch design and concept, there are a lot of other watches I would first buy before condsidering this watch (that is if I have the money).

Above all, I still feel good about the close-to-home-watch-brand. I wish them improvement and success. Meanwhile I will continue dreaming. 

Pat

 

 

 

my new SP-1 arrived last monday and i planned to do a review of it after wearing it for some time. the last post on it was Cen's last year when they were first released so i didnt expect sudden interest before i'd had time to write about it. firstly let me apologize for the dust and fingermarks on the watch. i took them the day after it arrived and it had been well fingered by me, wife and kids. they were so hard to take that i'm not going to try to do it again. but hey ho, these things happen so i'll get on with it.

From what i can gather there are 2 models available, the steel version and the black pvd version. both have deep blue dials. i have not seen any mention of another coloured dial, but anything is possible. there are 2 straps. the original steel version came on a very nice dark blue leather strap with pin holes all over it. this is the model that i have which i understand is now discontinued. the only strap now available is a black rubber one. the reasons i went for the steel case and blue strap are that i dont like rubber straps and i personally think the blue dial stands out better against the steel case than it does the pvd case.  

It arrived in a nice outer and inner box which i wont dwell on as i'm a firm believer that they are unnessesary and add costs to the watch which could be avoided.

the watch case itself feels quite heavy and substantial. its 45mm diameter with long curved lugs top and bottom. personally i think the case finish is quite good although basic. there are no sharp edges anywhere and it is mostly satinised with 2 polished sections down each side of the dial. the crown looks to be in an awkward place, but works well with the whole spaceship theme. (one important note about the crown is that only the top side is accessible and there is a specific technique to winding it. i only found this out after contacting the company prior to purchase due to Cen's negative experiences with his. Alvin Lye one of the 2 company owners was extremely helpful and explained how to do it. while the watch is in your left hand with the crown uppermost you put the outside of your right thumb on the crown and push right to left. it is extremely easy and can be done without removing the watch from your wrist. personally i think that Cen's problem was his very nice aftermarket strap which may obstruct the crown) 

the 2 side pieces on the case are unusual and curve down from the top and up from the bottom which means that only the smaller display back sits on the wrist. i think this helps to make it feel smaller than it is.

even though the watch is quite large the curved lugs make it fit very well on the wrist to the point where you can easily forget you've got it on. following the spaceship theme, if you look at it side on the very domed sapphire crystal reminds me of the Jetsons if anyone here remembers them   its very hard to measure but i would say that the crystal dome is 4mm high in the centre. it feels very strong and solid so i have no worries about damaging it.

as you can see from the above pic, the lugs are different in length with the crown end being about 3mm longer probably to give better access to the crown.

i will disagree with some points already made about the dial, but agree with others. the minute hand is extremely substantial and is the major implement for reading the time. on the company website it mentions lume on the minute hand, but mine doesnt seem to have any. not a problem from my point of view. the jump hour mechanism is simple, but clever, using a metal stud on the dial to actuate the hour disc. the hour disc is however a bit of a problem. it is very hard to read the numbers due to the small aperture and 'digital' numerals. the numbers are lumed which is pointless as they are so hard to read. a square hole would have been better and ordinary font on the numbers would have improved legibility immensely.

the dial itself is a very nice deep blue. i think that the quality of the text is good. it all depends how close you want to look. i used a 10x loupe and found no faults. this is far closer than the eye can see so thumbs up for that. the lume on the 5 minute markers is good although the 'stars' which look great in daylight dont show up at night. this could have something to do with the fact that i wasnt wearing my glasses at the time. its not really a watch designed for night time legibility so all of these 'faults' can be forgiven. the rotating earth at 6 is, as someone has mentioned, quite flat, but you need to bear in mind that it needs to rotate on the sub second spindle so has to be light in weight to avoid problems. overall i think its a nice dial.

as you can see in the close up below, the numbers dont fit the aperture very well. this could easily be improved by changing the font or the shape of the aperture.

the movement is a manual wind Unitas 6497 without much decoration, but its an excellent tried and tested movement and does the job perfectly well. there is a nice display back fixed with 4 screws. again, due to the shape none of these are in contact with the skin so wont annoy. the watch is 30m WR, but its not designed for swimming so thats not a problem. accuracy is difficult to gauge as there is no second hand and no minute markers, but in the 10 days i've worn it i havent had to adjust the minute hand so it must be pretty good. 

you can see that the strap is attached with 2 springbars on each side to allow it to follow the curve of the case and lugs. it could make it very difficult if you want another strap. that is a problem for me as i resent paying the prices charged for OEM straps.

this is the best pic i could take of the strap to show its true colour which matches the dial nicely. the little pin holes dont go all the way through, but give it some added texture. the strap is extremely soft and comfortable and comes with an Azimuth marked butterfly deployment clasp which works fine.

to summarise, this watch is not a serious timepiece, but more of a toy that tells the time. if you view it on that basis then it is very good indeed. price wise i think that the retail is expensive, but i paid quite a lot less than retail. if you look around you can find them very keenly priced due to global meltdown. on that basis i think it is worth what i paid for it.

if you want an extremely accurate timepiece which you can see clearly at a glance then this is not the watch for you, but if you like wearing a fun unusual watch that promotes conversation then give this one a go.

its not perfect, but it is fun and i like it.

i hope this is an informative and unbiased review of a rarely seen watch.

enjoy

Graham

This message has been edited by gmhutton on 2009-02-19 03:59:31

I decided to pull the trigger, and my experience is similar to yours.  I do have lume down the sides of the minute hand, and the stars on my dial shine quite well in the dark.  Thanks for the winding tip as well; one serious objection I have is the lack of any literature or instructions with this watch; the sole provided brochure was for Azimuth watches generally, and had not one reference to the SP-1 specifically.

As you say, feels very comfortable on the wrist, and looks like hella fun.  And as, like you, I got a drastically reduced price, I don't feel I overpaid for an attractive and not unimpressive toy.

Best,

I'm currently traveling (in Las Vegas, actually, where there are more watch stores than slot machines!), and don't think I could do the photo/upload thing here.  I will be back next week, and will try to send you a useful pic.  Thanks again.

Here is a pic from the web that looks like my watch:

i emailed Alvin Lye at the company and his response has been that they originally put lume on the minute hand and due to several reasons they stopped doing it so effectively you have the lumed model and i have the non lumed model.

they are exploring ways of luming the hands again in a different manner to avoid some very small problems they encountered so future models may have lume on them. he also took on board my thoughts on the hour font and aperture and its possible that there may be changes. if they change that particular issue i hope they will retro fit mine

i sent him a link to my post although i believe he may be a forum member. he was pleased with the unbiased and candid review. i offered to be a beta tester for their new models as i'll give a totally unbiased review which is something every company needs. so you never know................

its a shame i cant go to Basel as their new models promise to be very interesting indeed.

best

Graham

Hey Buddy,

I live in INDIA and i'm really interested in purchasing the same watch !!,  I keep visiting singapore and malaysia once in two months. I hope to find it there.

I would really be obliged if you could send me the "drastically reduced " price of the watch through PM. I would know what to pay then. Usually tourists dont get the best deal .........so if I have the info , I might just get a good deal like you and graham did !!!

Cheers

"toy that tells time" is my trademark. u should put the registered sign next to it and pay royalty to me . I'm in taipei now, went to a nice 2nd store, hyper ventilated after seeing 4 watches that I like, almost fainted when I heard they like cash and would charge more for credit card . So I need cash now, and hope your royalty payment will arrive by tomorrow  

Good review.

cen@jkt

Graham,

As is usual, a splendid review.  Your photo skills have greatly improved....could it be your daughter's influence?

 

 

Thanks Graham,  I've been thinking about one of these for ages, you've just added more interest in the watch for me,

 

Cheers

 

Tim

Thanks Graham,

 

A very informative and balanced report. I like the substantial ‘minute’ hand and it seems that a bit more attention to design detail with the fonts and apertures could have led to a better watch. It will be interesting to see where Azimuth takes their design in the future.

 

I was day dreaming and wondering what a higher end company would do with the presentation and finishing or even how Urwerk would execute the idea. As you say, at the right price (commensurate with the movement and the finish) it is an interesting and fun watch.

 

Congratulations again, Graham; you rarely disappoint!

 

Andrew

If I read correctly, the little stud above the earth engages with the hour wheel and flicks it over when the minute hand hits 12?

I'm not sure whether I think that's "cheating" or a brilliant bit of lateral thinking...

 

And suits the spirit of the watch. And as a piece of lateral thinking I think it's great. Just something doesn't sit right... maybe it's that the hour indicator is "passive" and not directly driven...but that doesn't make sense either, as you could make the same accusation of date wheels, it's just that the azimuth system is so simple...

 

Ahh, Forget it! And sorry for not congratulating you on your new watch!

Thanks Graham for sharing.
According to Wristwatch Annual 09 the case thickness is 13mm. Guess that's measured from the top of the dome crystal.
Congrats on your new watch!
Pat

And thanks for the review!  I'm glad you're enjoying your new watch!  The strap is very festive!

Best,

Daos

I don't think there is anything wrong with a "toy that tells time"  (registered trademark in Indonesia).   Things are what they are - the key is not to deceive one's self in the evaluation thereof.

Enjoy.

BTW,  do you still have and wear the watch with the chalkboard numbers, or has that moved on to finance other purchases?

Ginger