Why the SEIKO SKX007 7S26 is an UNBEATABLE timepiece?

I will give you these simple reasons, in which it has been hard for me to find a replacement for it:

1. Legibility / Readability

2. Day-Date function

3. Screw down crown

4. 200 meters water resistance

5. Robust and rigid body

6. Reliable engine - movement

7. It is cheap

8. Easy maintenance

9. Rugged look

10. Crown guard

11. RICH WITH HISTORY!

CASE Steel | MOVEMENT Seiko 7S26 | DIAL Black | LUME Lumibrite | GLASS Hardlex | STRAP various | WATER RESISTANCE 200m | DIMENSIONS 42.5 x 46mm | THICKNESS 13.25mm | LUG WIDTH 22mm | CROWN GUARD YES |

Therefore, I'm sharing a couple of #wristshot for those who still doubt this magnificent legendary timepiece that once explored and walked the earth. Can I find a replacement for it? (Yes, to buy another SKX007 would be the answer, but I'm not talking about Seiko, but I'm looking for a different brand!)

The search continues!!

Hamilton Khaki King Powermatic 80 - Interesting indeed!

As you got older, your eyesights tend to get weaker too. Sometimes you can’t see the day date on your watch. Without glasses, I am struggling to see the date on my Seiko Fieldmaster (so I look at my phone instead), the date window on my Seiko Fieldmaster is so tiny.

Therefore, Hamilton Khaki King got my attention. It looks rugged, and it has that sapphire glass on it although I hate see-through back case; indeed, this guy is intriguing! As a field watch for my age now, I can see the day-date function without my glasses. It is a plus point for me!

I just knew that there are two versions of these Hamilton, 1. The powermatic 80 hrs power reserve, without regulating pin (good inaccuracy?) 2. Classic ETA with regulating pin 38 hrs power reserve.

However, this watch comes with only 50 meters water-resistant. Hmm, I wore my 200 meters water resistant Seiko, but still, I never go below 1 meter in swimming pool :-) again I have had a bad experienced with a 5 bar water-resistant watch (it reminded me of my ex Tissot PR50) in which it got foggy after being exposed in heavy tropical rains routinely. So that is the only setback of this Khaki King for me, afraid of getting a misty prone watch again!

But, if I want to give a reason of getting this timepiece, I would say that the 5 bar issue that I had with my Tissot PR50 last time was due to my mistake, maybe I didn’t push down the crown properly when wearing it last time that’s why it got foggy...maybe? I can’t remember either.

However, only time can tell.

See you again with the update!

 Hamilton Khaki King 

Seiko Fieldmaster Solar SSC293P1 (sharp and accurate!)

  #SeikoFieldmasterSolar #SSC293P1 wristshot

Seiko Prospex Solar Powered SSC293P1: The Adventurous Fieldmaster

*FIELDMASTER SSC293P1

Solar powered Seiko Prospex. I’ve never came accross this particular timepiece before, so it was love at the first sight. In someway the Adventure Fieldmaster reminded me of Omega Speedmaster (Speedy and Reduced) but with the date function and reasonable and affordable price tag. The curved hardlex cristal gives it the rugged-classic looks.

To me, the most important feature that must have on every adventurer, explorer or diver watch is the fully covered stainless steel caseback! With the chronometer functionality and 1 time alarm sound, the Fieldmaster reminds me a bit of my previous Casio Protrek.

This military style analog solar watch SSC293P1, has a twin which is called the SSC081P1; with only couple of slight differences in styling (SSC081P1 comes with calf skin leather band with the word chronograph on the face, anyway I prefer the SSC293P1 ProspeX).

THE FIELDMASTER SSC293P1 and SSC081P1 also shared the same capable of 100 meters water resistant depth, same engine VT172 with 6 months of power reserves with +- of 15 sec of accuracy. Not to forget the manual winding compass feature (will be useful in certain way, not in the bright daylight city, no! You will find this tool useful only when you find yourself lost in a jungle with all your batteries and electronic devices and gadgets are ‘kong’ dead). Its tiny second hand also ticking beautifully, so it will be your only ticking friend during your loneliness time in the field.


Thus, with it looks and features, I think in the long run its gonna be another affordable sought after watch next to the SKX007 Divers. Finally, as stated in Seiko website “This watch is exactly that, supporting the adventurer every step of the way”.  The only question is, are you adventurous enough for the Fieldmaster? I bet you are!

Fieldmaster on brown military Nato band

Fieldmaster on black Nato band

Fieldmaster close-up

Fieldmaster meeting the submarine

Fieldmaster on the field

The Fieldmaster watching the sky

Seiko Fieldmaster Solar SSC293P1 #wristshot

My reliable SKX007 in action...what do you actually need from a watch during a critical mission?

Sharing with you the photos of my reliable SKX007 in real action...and this is because I love this watch, like taking photographs with your buddy per se...On one fine day, I’m gonna write, perhaps some tips about what make a good tool watch during a mission...

Laos dam collasped 2018 Attapeu, Sanamxay.

Hinterland trail during a humanitarian aid mission in Sabah, 2018. The road condition was so unpredictable. We were stranded in the middle of the jungle where no communication were available, including sat-phone.

Humanitarian aid for the Syrian in Lebanon 2016 - A Day in A Camp photography exhibition (showing my works during World Refugee Day in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur)

Exploring the frontier facing the Indian Ocean at Sumatera, Indonesia - 

historical research and field studies

This is not Indiana Jones - in front of one of the historical tomb in West Sumatera, Indonesia

Humanitarian aid for the Rohingya in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh. 

(Humanitarian photographer)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

Hopefully it is not too late to wish you all a happy new year 2012.

I think it's gonna be a casual season for my Explorer this year.

Exploring Vientiane - 2.00 am in the morning.

I couldn't sleep. So I packed up my gear and went a walk by myself looking for an interesting subject at 2:00 am.

Patuxai Monument
"It's already late, no entry sir," says the guard
"Just gimme 10 minutes ... please ... big dogs you have there..."

Patuxai - literally meaning Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph, formerly the Anousavary or Anosavari Monument known by the French as Monument Aux Morts) is a war monument in the centre of Vientiane, Laos, which was built between 1957 and 1968. Patuxai is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. In romanising the name from the Laotian language, it is variously transliterated as Patuxai, Patuxay, Patousai and Patusai. It is also given the name of Patuxai Arch or the Asian version of Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane as it has general resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris; however, it is typically Laotian in design, decorated with many Buddhist mythological figurines such as of kinnari (half-female, half-bird figures) - Uncle Wiki

Finally, I got the Peace Gong.

Gong Perdamaian Dunia - World Peace Gong (History)

Where is Vientiane?

From a distance, at night, the street and the monument reminds me slightly of Paris too, but of course here with extremely peace. And for sure I couldn't get this shot during office hour.

 Have you ever watched that movie... American Werewolf in London?

What a Crazy Night!

Vientiane Laos , 8th June

2:36 am

Points to ponder:

Just imagine, if you are in the middle of nowhere at 2:00 am, with your cameras on, handphone (off course), and you get stopped by strangers, what will you do? What will be the first thing they will search for?

It's nothing to be proud of, and I'm just sharing my experience. But as usual, if you need to get the shot, then you need to get the picture - at the right time.

Anyway, never do this at home friends.

SANYO My Old Friend

Long time no see...Sanyo my first digital watch. Beli kat area Chow Kit.

...haaa yang tu tangan Sulaiman Randes @ Man "B****y" otai Kampung Baru :-)

Casio PRO TREK PRG 130T - Wrist Shot

Easy access to all information at a glance.

Casio PRO TREK PRG 130T - after sometimes I don't  feel right. This is a very 'light' big watch but very complicated to use... or perhaps I am too lazy to learn :-) In fact, I hardly used all the features. 

But it went with me to Ayuthia, there another sentimental value...it's a keeper as well.

As for the compass, what I do to compensate the missing compass on the Explorer is that I bought a cheap plastic compass and slide it to my nylon Explorer strap. I need the compass to know where the West is...I mean at night.
The compass is important when you cannot find any 'mangkuk kuali kawah pinggan dishes' a-la Astro that is normally pointing to the west especially in the middle of nowhere in Cambodia.

I don't 100 % trust the digital GPS...

Rolex Explorer Wrist Shot @ Laos - Viet Nam Border

Rolex Explorer Wrist Shot @ Laos - Viet Nam Border