Watch Photography: My New Nikon D3300 and Some Classic Divers

The Seiko SRP775 on a MN strap.  Shot in pure natural Chicago window light.  

Watch photography is one of those things.  We can all take passable watch shots thanks to the nowadays incredible cameras which accompany our mobile devices.  However, I've always been interested in picking up a more premium camera with the specific interest of taking some better "blog quality" watch photos.  I want to provide better photos for my dedicated (I know you're out there) readers.  I recently acquired a "nice" camera, the Nikon D3300.  I bought it completely as stock from an Amazon seller who sells returned or refurbished items.  Though the camera did not come in Nikon packaging, it came with all the stock accessories and a standard 18-55mm zoom lens.  Here are a few of my early attempts at actual photography with the new camera.  Any insight or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks to my lovely wife for the action shot taken before a quick trip to Michigan.  The bike is a Cannonade CAAD10 if anyone is interested.  

The Zodiac Sea Wolf is one of my all-time favorite divers.  These classic and underrated watches share a rich history with watches like the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and can be had for a measly few hundred dollars.  

The incredible CWC SBS issue watch resting on a completely functional WWII era Chelsea ship's clock which saw service aboard a small USN barge numbered YF287.  This is shot in auto mode with natural light from a large window and a simple light bounce.  

CWC SBS Diver's Watch: A Currently Issued Tool Watch Reviewed

If you're a tool watch person, then you're aware of CWC.  If you're not, you're about to be!  The British brand has been producing watches (they're made for CWC in Switzerland) since 1972.  Founded by Ray Mellor, former UK distributor for Hamilton Watches, the brand has supplying the Ministry of Defense (MOD) since their inception.  In their 44 years of existence, CWC has supplied tens of thousands of their W10, G10, and somewhat fewer chronograph models to the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.  In addition, they've supplied at least hundreds of their 300 metre (spelled that like that for you Brits) divers to Royal Navy divers, the SBS, and other "specialist diving units".

All of the watches CWC makes are purpose built, whether for pilots, infantry, or divers.  With that in mind, their designs are all business and their watches are intended to handle a beating.  In a world where most military organizations use G-Shocks, it's refreshing to see that some still believe in an overbuilt analog watch when the going gets tough.

I've owned almost every CWC, except for the automatic diver model and the chronograph.  I keep coming back to the brand because they sell you a solid, dependable Swiss made tool watches for a reasonable price.  In this review, I'll be taking my dedicated readers through the CWC SBS diver's issue watch, as CWC calls it.  It's an instant classic based on the basic CWC Royal Navy diver which takes many design cues from previous Royal Navy issued watches like the Omega Seamaster 300 and the mighty Rolex Mil-Sub.  The SBS differs in that it has a PVD coating for durability and low reflectivity (for when you're operating secret squirrel-like) and a Swiss day/date movement.  They were supposedly designed after SBS operators requested a version of their CWC divers which were less reflective.

If this is your commuter, you might just need the CWC SBS.  It also works pretty well for less extreme efforts.  

For full disclosure, I've owned this model before.  I regretted selling my first example and always wanted another one but never got around to getting one until CWC so kindly informed us, the watch nerd public, they were once again being issued.  CWC had several Instagram posts which I'll reproduce here which showed the SBS diver's watches being packed up and sent to the MOD, pretty freaking cool.

This is a cool shot because it shows the serial numbers of the watches being sent to the MOD.  

This one shows that they're apparently sent with straps separate.  It looks like they all get the most basic grey Phoenix G10 with stainless steel hardware.  

Apparently, this is how they get sent out to the MOD after being carefully arranged for Instagram photos.  

I couldn't resist and ordered one straight away after selling a watch or two to fill up the ol' PayPal.  After a two week hold in the evil vortex which is postal customs in Chicago, the watch arrived to my door.  Here's the obligatory and completely staged opening the CWC tin shot...

To start with the basics, here are some stats.  The watch is 40mm wide, about 47mm long, and 11mm thick.  The case is essentially the very classic Monnin style made famous by Heuer and others but with solid lug bars which necessitate the use of a pull through strap like a nato or zulu.  The watch features 300 metres of water resistance, a positive feeling, 60 click, one-way bezel, a screw down crown (obviously), and a ETA 955.122 Day/Date movement with an end of life indicator.  It comes on a British made Phoenix nato strap (more on that later), housed in a  simple little tin.  Once again, it's all business.

The SBS is extremely comfortable on the wrist, being fairly lightweight and also needing to be worn on a nato.  This photo shows the stock Phoenix nato in grey.    

On the wrist, it's pure joy.  This watch is one of my all time favorites.  It's relatively short lug to lug and not very wide either.  It wears about like a Submariner and plays very well on smaller wrists like my own.  The fact that the watch can only be worn on a nato and has a quartz movement makes for a very light overall package which is extremely comfortable.  I sleep with it on and completely forget it even exists until I need to read the time from the incredibly legible dial.  The SuperLuminova on the dial glows brightly all through the night even after limited exposure to light and is green in color.  The SuperLuminova is a recent advancement as previous versions had tritium lume.  Though I haven't taken the watch diving yet, I will and I promise to GoPro the hell out of the experience.

After the removal of VAT from the price of this watch, it was a fairly reasonable buy at around $500USD.  However, shortly after I purchased mine, CWC raised the price significantly to about $615USD shipped to the US.  Though that's a lot more money, it's still a lot of watch for the price.  Quartz will scare some away, especially at that price, but the watch is an instant favorite and the quartz movement makes it a real grab and go piece which can handle just about anything.  You can try to wait for a used one, but they come up for sale on the secondary market very rarely and are snapped up quickly.  That should tell you something by itself.

The color also varies from batch to batch with Phoenix straps.  

Older Phoenix on the left, note the smaller keepers which are not stainless steel.  On the right, the new Phoenix which has stainless keepers (and a signed buckle) but is thinner and cheaper feeling.  

 And now for a brief note on Phoenix nato straps.  They are, without a doubt, the most authentic option out there when it comes to a British mil-watch or a nato strap in general.  However, their quality varies from one to another (probably production batch by batch) and some are pretty thin and flimsy like those which came with my watch.  Now I'm a watch nerd and have a lot of natos lying around but for someone who doesn't, you might want to grab something heavier to go with your SBS if you pick one up.  I put mine on a vintage Phoenix I had lying around which is much thicker and balances out the watch head much better.  As a diver, I always want the most secure strap setup for a diving watch and the included Phoenix straps just really didn't hit the mark for me.  I'm sure they're fine for desk diving.  It's worth noting that the watch comes with a black nato with PVD hardware and the issued version probably ends up on the standard grey nato with stainless steel hardware.  If you want the "real" look, you've got to go grey!

SBS here with a somewhat flashier friend from the deep...

All in all, this is an awesome, highly capable watch.  If you're going for a classic watch design with military roots and tactical flavor, the SBS is for you.

Casio G-Shock and the DW-5600: The Everyman Tool Watch

The classic DW-5600E-1V is the most basic G-Shock available and shares DNA with the original G, the  DW-5000C.  

If you're into watches at all, you know the Casio G-Shock series.  You also probably know the DW-5600.  Even if you're less of a watch nerd and you don't know the reference number, you'd recognize the now retro styling and thin, square case of this iconic tool watch.  It's a watch which bridges the gap between watch people and people who absolutely don't give a shit what kind of watch they have because it's been available for around $40-50 from every retailer for decades.  G-Shock durability, style, and low cost have made this the watch of choice for skinny jeans wearing hipsters, elite military units, and even astronauts.  The DW-5600e is a true tool watch you should know about, respect, and for the price, probably own.

For starters, what makes a watch a tool watch?  Is it the durability, the legibility, the comfort, or the practicality?  It's probably all of these and more.  I'll argue that other important features are attainability or replaceability.  The phrase "tool watch" gets thrown around a little too easily.  I'm unlikely to use a ten thousand dollar screwdriver because if I wreck it or lose it, I'm out for ten thousand dollars.  I'll probably use the least expensive high quality screwdriver I can find.  That screwdriver in the watch world is the DW-5600.  It does exactly what you need it to do, without fail, in arduous circumstances, for cheap and if you lose it you can head down to Walmart and get another one.

This is cool but if you're imagining some burly Navy SEAL walking around Afghanistan wearing it, you're probably wrong.  The guy is probably wearing a G-Shock. 

Case in point.  This guy sure doesn't look to be wearing a JLC or a Luminox or any of the other brands which use the SEAL name to sell stuff.  Looks like a DW-6600 to me.  

Therefore, no matter what the marketing execs tell you, the Rolex of today is not a tool watch.  The JLC Navy SEALs super alarm 10000 meter double split seconds chronograph ninja special Torneau limited edition is also certainly not a real tool watch and has probably never even been worn operationally.  If someone can produce pictures (not from a marketing campaign) of real military members wearing such watches whilst doing real military work I'll humbly edit my post.  I may be ruffling some elitist feathers, but it is what it is and in some ways the watch world needs to get real.

Let's take a quick look at what we're working with.  The most basic model of the 5600 family is the aforementioned DW-5600E-1V.  The watch features 200m water resistance, extreme shock resistance,  EL backlight, stopwatch, countdown timer, auto calendar, and 12/24 hour formats all in a fairly compact 42.8mm wide by 13.4mm tall case.  The whole things weighs only 54 grams.  This one of the best parts of the 5600 series.  Most G-Shocks, while awesome, are bulky and tall.  The 5600 is lower profile and works well with any kind of other gear you need to sport like tactical stuff or clothing.  There are dozens (probably hundreds) of variations on the 5600 style with as many features as you can imagine including solar power and atomic time keeping.

5600 in higher tech solar atomic form, the GWM-5610.  I just bought one of these and will have a photo/review post coming soon.  

Now, for proof.  The military has a long history with G-Shock, with Navy divers and SEALs grabbing them right when they came out in 1983 and often throwing their suddenly antiquated Rolex and Tudor submariners in their sock drawers (insert gasp here).  The Casio G-Shock 5600, 6600, 6900, and 9052 models have all been awarded Nato (or National) Stock Numbers (NSN) which indicate they are "standardized items of material supply" and available for military issue.  Currently, military divers attending training at Naval Dive and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) are issued the classic DW-9052-1V.  So obviously, the military is down with G-Shock.  In the interest of sticking with my 5600 theme, here are some pictures of the brave men and women of our nation's service sporting the mighty DW-5600.

And if that weren't enough, the DW-5600 is also often sported by astronauts.  If that doesn't make it cool, what would?  Astronauts as you may know are often associated with Omega watches, specifically the Speedmaster (which was worn on the moon) and the newer X-33 which seems to be often worn inside the International Space Station.  However, there's plenty of video evidence to support astronauts wearing the forty-freakin-dollar-freakin-Walmart G-Shock in the ISS.  Don't just take my word for it.  Check it out.

This is a classic case of "good enough for them, more than good enough for me".  In no other watch will you get the mix of classic and necessary functions with extreme low cost and a cool look.  If you're going for the semi-vintage real tool watch look or have need for a super durable, go anywhere watch, consider the classic G-Shock.

The Parabolic Tactical Diver: Germany's Laco Squad Atacama

A situation requiring immediate tactical intervention is taking place in Germany.  Highly trained and specialized federal police units which have trained for years for just such an occasion are en route via a number of highly tactical modes of transit.  They are equipped with the world's finest gear for diving, parachuting, and tactical operations.  As they arrive at the incident site in waning daylight each operator glances briefly at the highly luminescent indices on their mission-timer.  The PVD coated, 500m capable, parabolic shaped Laco Squad Atacama (also lovingly and confusingly known as the "Ninja") is a piece of kit every bit as essential as their rifles or plate carriers...  Or so our dear Freunden at Laco would have you believe.  And while the Laco Squad is probably not totally essential for tactical operations, this is one very cool, highly capable, and truly different watch.

Let's get down to business.  This watch is BIG.  The watch sports a 46mm perfectly circular case shape which tapers down from the unidirectional rotating count down bezel to the somewhat surprising transparent case back.  The screw down crown is positioned at the 12 o'clock spot which is intended to move it away from the back of the wearers hand.  The lugs are hinged to the case and hug the wrist making the much more comfortable than you would imagine as well as aiding the watch in wearability on smaller wrists.  A very minimal looking (über Bauhaus) dial, a tall chapter ring sporting the traditional 1-12 numerals, and the PVD coating make for a very all-business and tactical appearance which you will either love or hate.  Inside the 500m rated case, the trusty ETA 2824 keeps reliable and robust time.  This all makes for a pretty impressive resume but how well does it all work?

For starters, the size will be an issue for some as it is I think for me.  My wrist is at most about 6.25" (that's on a good day after a workout) and I always knew the Squad would be a pushing it for size.  However, as I mentioned the hinged lugs do aid the watch in having a short perceived lug to lug measurement.  Also, when worn on the stock rubber vent style diver's strap the lugs sort of blend into the strap making it look like the round part of the watch is the whole thing.  It doesn't feel like a large watch on the wrist.  For anyone with a more normal wrist size I think the Squad would look great.

The fit, finish, and attention to detail of the Germans at Laco is in keeping with the finest Swiss or Japanese watch manufacture.  The bezel has neatly engraved numerals which are filled with some kind of white paint which must be pretty durable as mine is a well used example and it's all still there.  The bezel's edge sports a neatly cross hatched design which makes it easy to grab with gloves on or without.  The time keeping on my recently serviced example is well within chronometer standards which seems to be possible with any well regulated 2824 equipped watch.

Tools of the trade.  

The lume is clearly Superluminova (green) and glows evenly throughout the night in keeping the watch's tactical concept.  The strap as a mentioned is also a nicely executed rubber vent strap which comes in two lengths with one being for daily wear and another longer one for use with a wetsuit.  The shorter length strap makes it so that even with a very small wrist and the hinged lugs I don't have six inches of strap "tail" hanging off my wrist.  This is because even the saltiest diver mostly wears their watch while not diving and being comfortable out of the water matters too.  My dream is that someday Seiko will come out with short length Z series straps for their divers.

Probably too big for me, but really cool nonetheless.  

This is an impressive watch but the Laco is not perfect.  The watch suffers in some way from an identity crisis.  Is it a diver or more of a tactical mission timer concept?  Why the heck is a German made tactical diver named after the Atacama desert of South America?  An example of the discord is the countdown bezel.  If you're going to go through the trouble of rating the watch to 500 meters and including a wetsuit strap then I'd prefer a traditional elapsed time bezel.  In fact, as someone who often dives sans computer, I'd likely choose another watch for my diving needs.  Although I can't claim to be a tactical operator, I can imagine the watch would suit those needs adequately though so too (the US military would argue) would a $40 G-Shock.

Though the case design is old, it is still highly unique in today's watch-scape.  L-R: A vintage Preziosa diver, the Squad's smaller quartz brother, and the Atacama on the right.  

The main selling point here is in the uniqueness of the watch.  This particular parabolic case has been utilized by other brands before but never in large numbers.  At the moment nothing looks even remotely like the Squad except for the offensively overpriced and under engineered ZRC rerelease.  The Squad and Laco deserve respect for unapologetically daring to be different.  The minimal, highly teutonic design of the Atacama combined with the impressive list of features makes the watch an insane value for the $5-800 you're likely to spend but the polarizing nature of the design will keep this watch in the hands of those who want to wear something totally different.  I'd argue that Laco is perfectly OK with that.

Absolutely a great watch for... drinking on a sailboat?  The Laco Squad is huge and makes a statement.  It is probably the most often asked about watch I own.  

Chicago: The Big Move and the Future of BottomTimer.com

My beautiful wife and I celebrating my graduation from commercial diving school.  Man, I already miss SB.  

It's hard to believe I haven't written here since mid May.  All I can say in my defense is that life has been... well, crazy.  I graduated from dive school sometime right around then (YESSSS!)  Also in that time, my wife and I have moved from sunny Santa Barbara, CA to also sunny (for now) Chicago, we've gotten new jobs, and we're learning how to live in a new and much more urban setting.  Though it was a difficult decision making process for us the choice to move here hinged on several important factors.

Diving momentos in our new home in Chicago.  

For one, as a new graduate of commercial diving school I was forced to look upon the bleak state of the current commercial diving industry.  As you may imagine, when oil prices are where they're at (low) the amount of diving tasks and underwater construction projects winds down significantly making good entry level diving jobs hard to find.  My professors ensure the cyclical nature of the industry will see it swing up in the next few years but what is there to do with the next few years?

We stopped by my Mom's house in Denver during our move.  

 My wife and I ultimately decided on hitting a few birds with the one stone, the stone being the move.  The move brings us very close to family for the first time in years, enables a scene change for both of us as far as jobs, and enables me to continue my education with the help of the GI Bill.  I start at DePaul University in a few weeks and I'm excited to get going and finally finish my bachelor's degree.  This way, when the the diving industry gets going again I'll be even more educated and ready for a hopefully lengthy career underwater.  

It's hard to not love Chicago when you go sailing on Lake Michigan.  We're pretty scared about the whole Winter thing though...

Now, what does all of this mean for BottomTimer.com, whose dedicated fans have been sitting on the edge of their seats for weeks?  I'm not going anywhere.  My love for diving and the diving world will not falter and I will continue to bring you content which I feel is worth checking out.  There may be some slight deviation in terms of the nature of my posts as I probably won't be hard hat diving any time extremely soon but you can still expect dive watch reviews, diving articles, and maybe a few scuba trips from yours truly.  It blows my mind to see that my little blog has been viewed ten thousand times.  I'm thankful and motivated to make it better than ever.  Stick with us.

Coming soon: A review of this sea monster from Laco.  BottomTimer.com is going nowhere.  

The Last Great Issued Diver's Watch: The Marathon GSAR

Nowadays, some of the most collectible and valuable watches in the world are those with military provenance.  The best example is of course the British Rolex Mil-Sub with the most pristine models hammering for $100,000US at auction. This is a more recent swing in the world of watch collecting where auctions of years past dealt with more complicated or fancy (think Patek or fancy chronographs or multiple complications) watches.  The world of collecting, fueled by a new, younger generation of collectors, has become obsessed with the story of the watches themselves.  People now care about how and when the watches were worn and used and not only about the piece itself.  The coolness matters and recent prices are proving there's nothing cooler than military issued dive watches and the stories of their wearers.

Without a doubt the Rolex Military Submariner is the most badass issued diver of all time but with prices around $100k, I'm out.  

However, the watches we're talking about belong to another generation.  The issued Rolex and Tudor Submariners, the Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms, the closely related Tornek-Rayville, and even the Benrus Type I and II's all belong to a different time for the militaries of the world, an analog time (watch pun).  In fact, the arrival of the digital watch and specifically the venerable Casio G-Shock fortold the end of a great era of military watches by doing just about everything as well or better and being well, cheap.  The US Navy for example, once the buyer and user of many high-end, Swiss-made, automatic watches, has completely and totally shifted their focus to the mighty, digital G-Shock.  In many ways, the automatic watch in military use is dead.  Even the British, with a very strong history of military watches, seem to have kept the analog flame alive but moved on to quartz models like the CWC RN Diver's and the Citizen Eco-Drive 300m.

All business.  

There is, to my knowledge (and I could be wrong and would love to cause a heated discussion), only one Swiss automatic diving watch being currently issued by a military and it is the Marathon GSAR issued by the Royal Canadian Air Force to their Search and Rescue Technicians.

RCAF SAR Techs being lowered hoisted from a perfectly good helicopter.  Apparently, you need a pretty solid watch for this sort of thing.  Enter the Marathon GSAR.  

These guys are intense.  Trained in parachuting, rescue diving, survival, first aid, navigation, skiing, mountaineering, and probably other stuff, the SAR tech deploys from either a fixed or rotary wing aircraft to provide aid to people in need all over Canada's vast wilderness.  As one can imagine, the going is hard and a burly watch was deemed necessary.

The first version of the SAR watch from 2001 with a traditional SuperLuminova dial.  This one has had the obnoxious cyclops removed.  

The Marathon SAR series was, in an unprecedented and very cool move, designed and built with input from watch collectors (nerds like us).  The Canadian government contacted the also Canadian Marathon Watch Company and asked for a new, robust diver's watch and Marathon in turn contacted the owner of the Military Watch Resource forum and a government machinist.  Together, they came up with the first in a series of watches built specifically for hard use in the world of search and rescue which was initially issued in 2001.  Though updated a number of times over the years, most prominently with a tritium gas illuminated dial, the watch case and style has remained basically the same.  This watch is also available for unit purchase in the United States military although there's little evidence it was ever "officially" issued.  The US model is even marked with "US GOVERNMENT" on the dial.  

Sometimes, you need or want a quartz.  Marathon has you covered with the TSAR, supposedly issued to NASA divers.  

Over time, the watch became popular and it was made available in the civilian market where collectors grew interested.  As a result, there's now a selection of variations within Marathon's line.  There's the automatic, 42mm GSAR (ETA 2824), the quartz powered TSAR (ETA F06), a humongous 46mm JSAR quartz, and the also huge 46mm CSAR chronograph (Val. 7750).  All of the original size SAR watches feature a custom machined 300m case, a tall and easy to grab rotating diver's bezel, a thick sapphire crystal, tritium illuminated dial, screw down crown and caseback, and a  Italian rubber strap. It's probably the most purpose oriented designed diver's watch on the market, pure tool watch.  It's pretty clear the watch was intended from day one for hard use by highly trained military members and not Madison Avenue style.  

The GSAR seems to work well for a little parachuting. 

More than anything, what I like about the GSAR is how attainable it is.  I'll never have a Military Submariner.  Though I'd stupidly probably spend that much if I had it, my wife would kill me.  The GSAR at full gas retail is $1150 or so but you should never pay that much.  Barely used models go for between $6-800 on the watch forums and with a watch this tough, being slightly used is no big deal.  Further, the GSAR is insanely wearable.  At 42mm,  it wears just a hair larger than the Submariner, mostly because it's tall.  The supplied rubber strap is awesome and Marathon even makes a super high end bracelet for the watch as well.  With its military styling, the watch looks amazing on a NATO or other nylon strap.

Ok, so you might not do this but if you did, the Marathon GSAR could provide time telling services.  

As a serial watch owner and flipper, I somehow always come back to the Marathon watches, particularly the GSAR.  As a former Coast Guard search and rescue boat operator, I've used the watch for it's intended purpose and it is insanely capable.  The nighttime visibility of the tritium is perfect for the maritime environment and intense durability meant I never gave the watch a second thought.  In my new life of diving, the watch is a reliable brick shit-house as well.  The bezel operates well no matter what gloves I'm wearing and the underwater visibility is perfect.  In short, get one.  You won't be disappointed.  It's Swiss made, will do everything the Rolex Submariner will do, and looks a hell of a lot more interesting. 

Oh, here's a bunch of cool photos.  Thanks for reading.  

At the helm of my ol' Coast Guard boat.  Man, do I miss that job.  

Works even when wet!  

The original did have an awesome dial layout.  

Just the essentials, a GSAR and the .357.  Life is good on my Father-In-Law's farm in Wisconsin.  

By the way, if there was any doubt the GSAR is still issued, here it is with all of the SAR Tech's initial issue.  What a nice bunch of kit they get!  I guess they need it.  

Bam, issued diver's watch gold.  Way to go Canada.