Something Interesting from Holland

While down in New York City I got to see some interesting watches offered by smaller independent watch companies.  And one of them was Eza -

Now I need to be very clear that I had been on the move since 5:00 AM when I finally came face to face with the Co-founders -

But if I got the story right, Mr. van Golen and Mr. Trampe met as university students in their native Holland. One was wearing a Vostok Amphibia and the rest was history.

The Eza Sealander is a vintage inspired dive watch that really ticks all of the boxes for that watch fan or even non-fan who makes purchase decisions based on what they see and like rather than what brand name is stamped on the dial.
It is available in a black dial -

Courtesy of Eza Automatic

And a very striking blue dial -

Courtesy of Eza Automatic

But this is more than an "homage" effort.  The guys at Eza did not go cheap and cheerful, 'cause let's face it, there are plenty of Vostok Amphibia's out there already!  Perhaps the single greatest wish of those of us (yes, me included) who have owned Vostok, Poljot (insert other Soviet era watch name here) is that the quality of the watch might live up to the cool look.  And of course it never did!  Well, now for all you fellow former cold-warriors and true fans of form AND function, your wish has been granted.

And the packaging and attention to detail far surpasses what you find from so many other big boy brands. The watch is delivered in a beautiful leather roll which accommodates your Eza watch, the complimentary bonus NATO strap, and a strap changing tool.

That roll is placed in a beautiful black wooden box

And that box has not only the guarantee, but the running rate of YOUR individual Eza watch as recorded by the Dutch watch maker who assembled your individual Eza watch himself and adjusted and tested the movement in several different positions.

All of this for a very reasonable price -

€701.65 excl. VAT | €849.00 incl. VAT

Here are the pertinents -

Movement
Calibre ETA 2824 Automatic, Ligne 11-1/2’”, 25 jewels, 28.800bph, 38-40 hour power reserve, adjusted by Eza Watches to six positions.

Functions
Automatic & manual winding, Display by means of hands: hour, minute, second. Date calendar, Stop second device, Shock-absorber for balance staff.

Case
316L Stainless steel case with mixed brushed and high gloss finish. Case diameter 41.0mm, lug width 22.0mm, case thickness 13 mm.
High gloss 316L Stainless Steel Caseback with engraved logo.

Dial
Dial with high gloss indexes filled with C3 SuperLuminova™
Ceramic bezel insert with C3 SuperLuminova™

Crystal
Double domed anti-reflective, scratch resistant sapphire crystal.

Water resistance
Water resistant to 30 ATM, 300 meters.

Strap
Vintage leather and nato strap.

Ratings
Adjusted to six positions and tested.

Moose and Squirrel...

And this just in from the "you couldn't make this stuff up" box:


RAKETA’S ANSWER TO AMERICAN SANCTIONS!

(This is just too good in its original form to edit so this is straight, no chaser)

The Petrodvorets Watch Factory “Raketa” has taken the resolution to answer to American and European sanctions against Russia.

Workers of the factory are shocked by these rude and unfair sanctions. This is why the factory has decide to answer to the decadent Western countries. From today the factory has taken the decision not to sell anymore the leading Raketa models to the west. All the models based on “Raketa Avtomat”: «Petrodvorets Calssic», «Amphibia», etc. will no longer be sold to western countries.

Also “Raketa” is recommending to the Russian Parliament (Duma) to vote a new law, forbidding government organisations to buy Western brands that are usually used as presents for employees, partners and friends.

So take that you nasty imperialist stooges!  

So for all of you heartbroken lap-dogs of the West who don't know a well-placed apparatchik to smuggle one of these priceless collectibles across the border, fear not!  Your old pal Bullwinkle's got you  covered!

I joke, but honestly Raketa, for realsies?

Timing with Vostok - the Brunch Test

As with many of you, I do not race sports cars or pilot a plane.  I do, however, cook and that requires a fair amount of time control.  As many of you out there will know and appreciate, yesterday was the Final Four showdown to determine which two college teams would advance to the finals of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament - March Madness has nearly run its course.  So last night I did some timing tests, and the Vostok-Europe Gaz-Limo Quartz Chronograph was bang on for every shot clock, 10 second and time out.  I realize that with a quartz watch time keeping is something that we tend to take for granted, but I have experienced some sloppy timing with others out there.  Vostok-Europe opted to utilize a Miyota quartz movement, and it is is a good choice.  


Of course, this morning it was up to me to prepare brunch for the lovely Wendy, and eggs in purgatory is my Sunday "go-to", although I added bacon "seasoned" with coffee beans, as well as a loaf of ciabatta  (with peppers and onion on top), and fired up the coffee maker - French Roast.


3 minutes to soften the onions - which today required an extra 46 seconds, 5 minutes for the tomatoes to "break down" and then 10 minutes for the eggs (requiring 9 minutes 52 seconds this time), with Wendy helping to "compartmentalize" the various eggs into their own "neighborhoods".  

Happy Sunday!

The Vostok-Europe Gaz-Limo Quartz Chronograph - a week in

I've now had a week to spend with the Vostok-Europe Gaz-Limo Quartz Chronograph and it has been a great seven days!


More than anything else this week - the key word has been "wearability"!  This is one of the MOST comfortable watches I've had on in some time.  

It's a 43 mm watch, but it does not "swamp" your wrist with its size.  As you can see - the lug ends neatly stop at the edge of my wrist.  My wrist is about 7.5 inches so you get a general idea of scale here.


The strap is profoundly comfortable.  This is a very nice "surprise" for a watch in this price category.  Usually you are stuck with something scratchy or frail.  Not so here - soft, yet durable leather.  The 22 mm lug width strikes just the right balance. 

And as always, it's the little things.  The finishing work on the clasp is a very nice touch.

All of these element combine for a very comfortable watch that feels "present" but not "oppressive".  Substantial - but not unreasonable.  

The Vostok-Europe Gaz-Limo Quartz Chronograph OS22/5611131 a few days in

Okay, I've had a few days to get acquainted with my new friend, and I must say - Spaceba Vostok-Europe!

More than anything else, I am really struck by the finish of this watch.  Let's be very clear, Vostok-Europe is not in the upper-echelons in terms of price.  But having said that, I must say that the finish and attention to detail on the case is really something quite impressive.

And at: 179,00 €  

it is certainly at a price point that most people could afford.  The fit and feel of the watch so far have
been top-notch.  For a less-expensive, quartz piece you might be expecting something that feels light-weight or unsubstantial.  Not so with the  Gaz-Limo Quartz Chronograph!  It sits very well on the wrist and its presence is truly felt on the wrist.  Not overly heavy, but there.

And before I go any further, a big shout-out to the nice folks at  who sent the watch for review!

Vostok europe

So far, the chronograph functions are working flawlessly.   And the finish on the buttons is as good as the case -

More tomorrow - stay tuned!

Ode to the cold war

This is my Vostok Amphibian - a gift from Wendy several years ago

It has accompanied me to (of all places) the "old Saigon" section of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam - how's that for irony!  Luckily for me, the McCarthy is long-gone!

Spaceba Raketa!

Okay, so there I was checking out some of the more loftily priced Swiss watches at BaselWorld's Hall 4.  And I spied with my little eye some old friends from the cold war -

Courtesy of Raketa

This is the Petrodvorets Classic, featuring Raketa's 2609 HA movement.  The self described Head of Design & Propaganda - Jacques von Poller gave me the grand tour of the new collection and briefed me on the rebirth of Raketa.  More on this in future posts.

Courtesy of Raketa

So looking back -

Courtesy of Raketa

And looking forward -

Courtesy of Raketa

The word that I have heard is that there is possibly a new distributor for North America now - but this is to be confirmed so stay tuned!  For now, visit our comrades virtually -

www.raketa.su