The 100 Blue Edition

From Aquadive -

Courtesy of Aquadive

This one is a bit special.  Now regular readers will know that I spent a little over three years with DOXA Watches in North America.  And I have no problem with saying what I am about to say -
DOXA have lost their way.  I could go on and on, but let's just leave it there for now.  

Aquadive is perhaps one of the few remaining options for those looking for an iconic dive watch, with some history, that is well made, where you might have a hope in hell of dealing with a human being on the other side of the phone line with questions or customer service needs, and you're not paying over $5,000.  And as the move to online shopping for watches has accelerated from a brisk pace to warp speed, most brands are learning some difficult lessons.  Among them?  You actually need to give some localized customer service.  And Aquadive has you covered in that area.

But let's get back to the watch in question -

Courtesy of Aquadive

Like every Aquadive I've personally worn, the lume is strong with this one.  

The case is of stainless steel and measures 43 x 49 x 12.5.  The casebook and crown screw down to ensure water resistance to 1000 meters.  

The movement is ETA's 2824 Elabore grade.  And the 100 Blue is secured to your wrist with an ISOfrane rubber strap.

Here are the pertinents -

Model:
Aquadive 100

Size:
42.9mm diameter, 49mm lug-to-lug

Thickness:
12.5mm, case including case back 14.00mm

Case material: 316L surgical stainless steel
Helium release valve: automatic HRV at 6 o’clock

Bezel: 43mm uni-directional ratcheting 120-click rotating, with blue ceramic timing ring

Dial color: blue

Luminescence: Super LumiNova markers and hands

Water Resistance: 100bar (approx. 1,000 meters/3,333 feet)

Strap: ISOfrane rubber strap with signed pin buckle or optional stainless steel mesh with foldover clasp

Caliber: ETA 2824-2 Elabore grade

Functions: Hours, minutes, sweep seconds, date

Size: 11.5″

Adjustment: Adjusted to 5 positions with certificate provided

Power reserve: 42 hours (fully wound in lab)

Winding: Self-winding

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour)

Jewels: 25

The Poseidon GMT

From Aquadive -

Courtesy of Aquadive

This is the latest from Aquadive, a collaboration watch with Sweden's Poseidon.  For those of you desk divers (like me) who are perhaps not familiar (again, like me), Poseidon is a long-standing industry leader making various indispensable items for the sport diver.  So needless to say, this is a natural partnership.

Courtesy of Aquadive

Based on Aquadive's 100 GMT, the Poseidon GMT measures 43 mm in across and 50 mm from one lug to the other.  And for those of you ready to act now?  You can get it at a pre-order price.

The Poseidon GMT will retail for $1,890 but the pre-order price is $1,395.  So for those of you so inclined, your deposit is $395, with the balance of $1,000 due when the watch ships.  More details can be found here:

AQUADIVE POSEIDON

Here are the pertinents -

• 43mm 316L stainless steel case (50mm lug-to-lug, 12.5mm thick) with 1000m water resistance
• Flat, AR-coated sapphire crystal
• 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel, fitted with fully luminous ceramic bezel insert
• Dual Viton gasket system in crown tube and caseback
• Shock-resistant ETA 2893-2 automatic movement with 24-hour indicator (2nd time zone)
• Includes official Poseidon mission patch, and two genuine ISOfrane straps: Black, and Poseidon Yellow
• Shipping begins November 2019

Thursday Field Trip

So yesterday found me at Bunker Hill Community College attending a talk given by Kareem Abdul Jabbar -

It was interesting, engaging and thought provoking.  I highly recommend his book - Coach Wooden and Me, and apparently his latest book will be out in November.

But this was actually more of a personal journey for me.  One that started back in 1976/1977 if memory serves me correctly.  My father was at a work convention in Milwaukee, and apparently the Los Angeles Lakers were in town - staying at the same hotel.  He was not able to get an autograph, but came home with the story of being in the same elevator with, according to him, "the best basketball player ever".

Well, about 40 years later...

I had imagined this moment in mind a lot over these last 4 decades.  

What would I say?  

What would he say?

"Is it big enough?"

Summer Rerun - Wrapping up the Aquadive

It goes without saying, that when you own a watch, you do not feel nearly as pressed for time to wrap up a review and complete it!

So what can I say about the Aquadive?

To say that it has exceeded my expectations is an understatement.  Having worked for a company that specializes in dive watches, it is easy to trot out all of the old catch phrases to describe it -

"Big, rugged, tank" blah-blah-blah...

I don't know how and when being a "real man" became tied to how big your watch is?  Is it like the old saying - big feet...?

So for the vintage Aquadive it is safe to say, it is not about the size.  Although the size is on the more modest size - approximately 36 mm with an 18 mm lug width, it has a real presence.  This is a watch that harkens back to the time that a watch had a real identity.  Not to pick a fight with the entire watch industry, but honestly?  How many dive watches look, essentially, the same?

In terms of time keeping, it has been very, very good.  As this is my watch, I can be blunt - wavering between +5 and +6 seconds per day.  As this is a vintage watch, I am very, very happy with the results.

The wearing comfort has been excellent.  Again, this is a watch from a different era.  A time when "substantial" wasn't necessarily a word directly associated with quality.  It has some heft to it, but again, not like the "heavy-weights" you find today.  It is a reasonable response to a real need - a watch that you could take into the water, that would keep time, and come back up out of the water safe and sound.  It wasn't designed to be a "lifestyle accessory", but in many ways it is the jumping off point for the dive watch industry as we know it.   

A few more details - the bezel is a bi-directional one.  Again, this is consistent with the time when this watch was made.  A wonderfully rounded convex crystal that balances out the entire look and feel of the watch. 

So I realize it is easy to say as I have one, and they are not exactly "available", but if you can get one, jump on it! 

Again, apologies for this review moving well beyond the originally planned 15 days, but as the watch has not left my wrist, I honestly lost track of time ; )

What's That Sound? What If - Update Number 11!

Why, that sound is the sound of momentum!

GoS Watches and our first retail store - Catherine Jones of Cambridge!

Thank You!!!

So let's see:

Girard Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, A. Manzoni & Fils, Kobold, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Xetum, Jardur, Gavox, the Oberlin Pen Company, SAVOY, Ressence, Marvin, the Chinese Timekeeper, Tigerlily Skye, GoS Watches and Catherine Jones of Cambridge!

For those of you keeping score at home - that is 17! We are nearly 20% there! C'mon!

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

What If? Update Number 8!

And a BIG THANK YOU goes out to MARVIN for joining the Tempus Fugit Initiative!

We are starting to get some momentum going here, Marvin is lucky number 13!

Our "Band of Brothers and Sisters" has grown to 12 with RESSENCE joining forces with Girard-Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, A. Manzoni & Fils, Kobold, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Xetum, Jardur, Gavox, the Oberlin Pen Company, SAVOY and Marvin!

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

What If? Update Number 7!

And BIG UPS to RESSENCE!  Our "Band of Brothers and Sisters" has grown to 12 with RESSENCE joining forces with Girard-Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, A. Manzoni & Fils, Kobold, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Xetum, Jardur, Gavox, the Oberlin Pen Company and SAVOY!

And for those of you have have missed it ; )

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

What If? Update Number 6!

And the good folks at SAVOY have signed on to the Tempus Fugit Initiative - joining forces with Girard-Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, A. Manzoni & Fils, Kobold, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Xetum, Jardur, Gavox and the Oberlin Pen Company!

And because it never gets old -

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

What if? A third update!

And we have a few more participants in the effort to aid wildlife rangers in the battle against poaching -

KOBOLD, Aquadive and ISOfrane have joined the initiative!

Keep it coming watch brands!

And thank you!

Synchron's New Old Stock Chronograph

Courtesy of Aquadive and Synchron

I stumbled across this gem just now on the Aquadive website.

A GMT from Aquadive

Courtesy of Aquadive

43 mm wide, 49 mm end to end.

AQUADIVE's NOS Model 77

This just in from AQUADIVE -
AQUADIVE is proud to be the only watch company in the world today to offer an updated NOS version of their vintage iconic timepieces. The soon to be released AQUADIVE NOS Model 77 (December 2012), is based on the iconic 70's design and model, the 1977 AQUADIVE MARITIME.

Courtesy of Aquadive

The NOS Model 77 is a classic beauty, housed in a genuine NOS vintage case with a unique 70's Swiss design. Only a limited quantity of these cases are still available in our inventory. The NOS Model 77 case is all original with beautiful stainless steel suburst finish and extremely durable PVD coating on the lower part of the case. In the 70's, AQUADIVE would be one of very few companies who applied a layer of copper alloy to the case to make the PVD coating extremely durable. The original unidirectional rotating bezel has a black aluminum insert and operates on a very precise and solid 60 click mechanism. The model 77 case measures 41mm wide - excluding crown - by 48mm long, and has 22mm lugs.

Courtesy of AQUADIVE

The NOS Model 77 is supplied on a specially designed NATO or rubber dive strap. The case, bezel, case back, and Anton Schild automatic movement are vintage genuine NOS parts originally manufactured in the mid 70's in Switzerland. The crystal, gaskets, galvanized dial, hands, and ETA movements are all new Swiss made parts. The new 5mm thick crystal and gasket insure much higher depth rating than the original. So the NOS Model 77 case is now depth rated beyond 200m/660ft. An HRV was also added at 2'clock to insure that the model 77 can also be used by professional divers.

Courtesy of AQUADIVE

The modern black dial is a two piece galvanized and all Swiss made construction. The hands are a 100% reproduction of the original hands found in the vintage automatic version. The NOS self-winding 21 Jewel Anton Schild movements are regulated to 20 seconds a day, due to age and features of this particular movement. They have all been disassembled, oiled, cleaned, and serviced by our master watchmaker. They are the movements that were originally used in this case back in the mid to late 70's. The vintage date wheels in the Anton Schild movement are white with red digits. Back in the 70's, it was a common feature for date wheels in terms of legibility. So to stay true to the vintage heritage of this model, AQUADIVE did not switch the date wheels over to modern black versions on these vintage movements. With the modern ETA 2836 Elabore movements, the date wheel is black.

The Model 77 was first developed in the early 70's, and is entirely constructed and manufactured in Switzerland. The case was originally designed to accommodate a mechanical three hand, or chronograph, automatic movement; hence the thickness of the case back. In preparation for the digital revolution, it was later adapted and offered with a US developed LED module from the mid 70's until the early 80's. The LED module displayed hours, minutes, seconds, month, and date. Only a limited amount of this model were ever produced with the automatic movements. And very few used examples of this model - in either form - even exist today. And that makes them highly coveted by dive watch collectors around the world. When first manufactured, the case was depth rated to 20ATM.


www.aquadive.com

Where to Shop on Cyber Monday

I am not sure if it is the same in other parts of the world, but here in the US it is Cyber Monday.  This is the day that historically sees the most online holiday shopping - the theory being people are back in their offices after Thanksgiving and have already suffered "Black Friday".

So for those of you out there still looking for that great watch but not too anxious to do it "in person" - here are some options for you:

Baume et Mercier -

Courtesy of Baume et Mercier

This is the Hampton from Baume et Mercier.  A beautiful tank style watch with wonderful blue hands to offset a tastefully subtle dial.  45 x 32.3 mm, self-winding.

Available direct from Baume et Mercier - 

www.baume-et-mercier.com


But maybe you are looking for something a little different in design?  Something that NOT everyone has?

Courtesy of Savoy

This is the Savoy Icon Light from their ladies collection.  A 35 mm stainless steel case, purple mother of pearl style dial.

www.savoycollections.com 


Or you want something rugged and sporty?

Courtesy of Aquadive

As the picture says - this is Aquadive's Bathyscaphe 300.  This is a DIVE MACHINE!
47 mm of Swiss dive watch goodness!

www.aquadive.com

Labor of Love

So today, I found it fairly challenging to get up at the usual ungodly hour of 5:30 to:
1.  Feed the kitties
2.  Make espresso
3.  Reply to email requests
4.  Edit and post press releases
5.  Try to think of something witty and original to write about

For myself, and I suspect quite a few other bloggers out there, we do it because we love it.

And for some other bloggers and forum owners out there, I suspect that they did love it at some point, but the love went away to be replaced by jealousy, assumed rivalry and negativity.  To this extent they spend their time looking for things to criticize or even attack outright.  This is unfortunate.  For my part, I still love it!  And it is really only possible because of the support of you - and the watch companies out there.

So for you readers out there, I wanted to let you know who shows us (the bloggers) love so that we at least have things to write about and actual watches to review -

1. Girard-Perregaux - without a doubt, they go above and beyond.  Yes, they are a luxury brand - but they treat everyone as if they were important.  Thank you GP!

2.  Eterna - fantastic, wonderful, superlative in their support and assistance - can't say enough good things about them.

3.  Breguet - with a caveat - at the store level.  The boutique employees are AMAZING - and I say this with having taken a fair sample of three different boutiques, not attending events but just dropping in.  Having said that, and please hear this as constructive criticism - Breguet marketing, pr and communications should spend a training day in the boutiques - the people there are truly amazing ambassadors to the brand.  I still have yet to get a reply from their marketing/pr folks - 3 requests for a BaselWorld appointment have gone unanswered - but maybe this is the year!

4.  Hanhart - engaged, communicative, professional - enough said!

5.  Aquadive - newly reborn company, going out of their way to get real watches into the hands of people to give real reviews.

6.  ochs und junior - masters of customer engagement

7.  Frederique Constant/Alpina - didn't always feel this way - but its not every company's CEO who will take time to call you from Switzerland for a follow-up to an interview.

8.  Bremont - bar none, top-notch folks!

And while I am on the topic - there are some really great bloggers out there, putting content out there for us day in/day out without getting paid - Frank Geelen of Monochrome comes to mind.  Blancpain should seriously consider hiring him as their official blogger/ambassador.  Good, intelligent and informed.  Check him out:
www.monochrome.nl

And now I'm off to "work" - i.e. that which I actually get paid for ; )

So show these companies some love!  And check out Frank's latest updates on Monochrome

15 Days with the Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100

And as I say goodbye to my "Tovarich", a new friend has swum up.

15 days with the Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 begins now.

Niceties - The Aquadive Bathyscaphe 300

It's the little things that make a watch purchase special.  Sometimes, it's no packaging, or certainly poor packaging that can sour you to a watch without even considering the watch itself.  Sometimes the packaging is 100 times better than the watch itself.  And then sometimes - as in the case of Aquadive, the packaging strikes just the right chord -

The box is nice, flip open, holds the warranty card, the watch of course, and a few surprises -

Any guesses?  Another hint -

If you haven't guessed - it's replacement spring bars!  Made in Switzerland, of course!

And to make sure that you have a personal connection to your Bathyscaphe 300, and you are fully aware of its condition before it left on its trip to your door, here is a calling card -

You can see the "bona-fides".    And mine is still holding true - I do not have the benefit of a watchmaker's timer, but if my calculations are correct, we are holding true at + 3 seconds.  COSC is all well and good, and I am not saying that this replaces it - but consider this - it gives you the same info - a rate, and it doesn't add several hundred dollars to the price!

Only a few days left in the 15 - stay tuned!

The Devil is in the Details - the subtle beauty of the Bathyscaphe 300

Okay, in all fairness we are talking about a watch that measures 47 mm in diameter and 53 mm from end to end.  So subtlety might not be a word that springs to most minds, but I continue to be impressed by the quiet way that the Aquadive Bathyscaphe 300 flexes its dive watch muscles.  The Bathyscaphe's HRV (Helium Release Valve) is a prime example of this -

How many times do we see a watch company go out of their way to make sure you see a large, protruding HRV nob to ensure that anyone and everyone will know what a rugged, tough guy you are?  To be clear, there is nothing wrong with this, if that's what makes you happy.  Then there are the other, more reserved design approaches where the HRV is an "automatic" (meaning you do not have to unscrew the crown), and they sit in a dignified manner - usually at 9 o'clock on the case just opposite the crown.

But the folks at Aquadive had a far more elegant solution in mind.  They placed the HRV in between the lugs of the watch case at 6 o'clock.  The result is an HRV that works just as well as those placed at 9 o'clock, and easier than those that must be manually unscrewed.  Moreover, it is protected from potential harm as the strap and spring bar must first be breached for any possible damage to befall it.

I think what I like most about this solution, is that the wearer still knows it's there.  It is hidden, not obvious, not for everyone to see - and I like that!

Subtle strength.

15 Days with the Aquadive 300

The nice folks at Aquadive were good enough to send me the Aquadive Bathyscaphe 300 for a 15 day review.  With BaselWorld approaching, this will probably be the last review for February.

Just the thing for a rainy day in Santa Barbara - I know what you're thinking - "is there such a thing?"  Well yes there is!

So this morning I strapped on the Bathyscaphe 300 , and prepared to face the elements.  

15 Days with the Aquadive Bathyscaphe 300 begins now - stay tuned!

Aquadive is BACK!

Okay, you can honestly say that you heard it here first!  Aquadive is back in business and their online store opened today!

www.aquadive.com

A vintage new old stock model is available now -

Courtesy of Aquadive

And there are two new models that are on pre-order status -

Courtesy of Aquadive

I will be posting more about these fantastic new watches shortly!

Courtesy of Aquadive

Stay tuned!

Wrapping up the Aquadive

It goes without saying, that when you own a watch, you do not feel nearly as pressed for time to wrap up a review and complete it!

So what can I say about the Aquadive?

To say that it has exceeded my expectations is an understatement.  Having worked for a company that specializes in dive watches, it is easy to trot out all of the old catch phrases to describe it -
"Big, rugged, tank" blah-blah-blah...

I don't know how and when being a "real man" became tied to how big your watch is?  Is it like the old saying - big feet...?

So for the vintage Aquadive it is safe to say, it is not about the size.  Although the size is on the more modest size - approximately 36 mm with an 18 mm lug width, it has a real presence.  This is a watch that harkens back to the time that a watch had a real identity.  Not to pick a fight with the entire watch industry, but honestly?  How many dive watches look, essentially, the same?

In terms of time keeping, it has been very, very good.  As this is my watch, I can be blunt - wavering between +5 and +6 seconds per day.  As this is a vintage watch, I am very, very happy with the results.

The wearing comfort has been excellent.  Again, this is a watch from a different era.  A time when "substantial" wasn't necessarily a word directly associated with quality.  It has some heft to it, but again, not like the "heavy-weights" you find today.  It is a reasonable response to a real need - a watch that you could take into the water, that would keep time, and come back up out of the water safe and sound.  It wasn't designed to be a "lifestyle accessory", but in many ways it is the jumping off point for the dive watch industry as we know it.  

A few more details - the bezel is a bi-directional one.  Again, this is consistent with the time when this watch was made.  A wonderfully rounded convex crystal that balances out the entire look and feel of the watch.

So I realize it is easy to say as I have one, and they are not exactly "available", but if you can get one, jump on it!

Again, apologies for this review moving well beyond the originally planned 15 days, but as the watch has not left my wrist, I honestly lost track of time ; )