Comments on: Death in the Afternoon http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/ Japanese Watch Enthusiasts Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:11:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.11 by: Sjors http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1263 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:06:48 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1263 Hello Petew, I like the "flip open" design of the No Nonsense Seiko model. I think the Bulls Head design is a very functional one, although I never had noticed this kind of designs before. I think the Seiko (and the Citizen also) is not only a remarkable and cool design, but also quiet a good ergonomic design. I have a Waveceptor G-Shock on my night stand with a metal bracelet. Somehow I never got my bracelet folded so that I can read it from my bed... I think the Seiko design would be an outcome for me... Kind Regards, Sjors Hello Petew,

I like the “flip open” design of the No Nonsense Seiko model. I think the Bulls Head design is a very functional one, although I never had noticed this kind of designs before. I think the Seiko (and the Citizen also) is not only a remarkable and cool design, but also quiet a good ergonomic design.

I have a Waveceptor G-Shock on my night stand with a metal bracelet. Somehow I never got my bracelet folded so that I can read it from my bed… I think the Seiko design would be an outcome for me…

Kind Regards,

Sjors

]]> by: petew http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1254 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 12:27:43 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1254 Hi Paul, I always assumed the flip case was utilized because when closed, the watch pushers and crown are protected. Your theory is interesting. If I put my hands in front of me in the classic driving position, the dial is visible when flipped out. However, it would need to be rotated on a separate axis to be truly in the optimal position to be facing the driver. Interesting theory though. Thanks! petew Hi Paul,

I always assumed the flip case was utilized because when closed, the watch pushers and crown are protected. Your theory is interesting. If I put my hands in front of me in the classic driving position, the dial is visible when flipped out. However, it would need to be rotated on a separate axis to be truly in the optimal position to be facing the driver.

Interesting theory though. Thanks!

petew

]]> by: blackdial http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1253 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:00:30 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1253 Pete...I have been looking more carefully at the Seiko bullhead watch, and something has just occurred to me. Is it possible, that Takuyu Yura actually designed the watch so that the driver of the car can see the time better while gripping a steering wheel. This man designs racing cars right? By flipping the case upright, the dial becomes more visible while steering. It does seem like a lot of work to make the watch flip up, if it serves no purpose. What do you think? Paul Pete…I have been looking more carefully at the
Seiko bullhead watch, and something has just
occurred to me. Is it possible, that Takuyu Yura
actually designed the watch so that the driver
of the car can see the time better while gripping
a steering wheel. This man designs racing cars
right? By flipping the case upright, the dial
becomes more visible while steering. It does seem
like a lot of work to make the watch flip up, if
it serves no purpose. What do you think? Paul

]]> by: ADAN http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1250 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:00:51 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1250 The Spanish style!!! I like a lot! Thanks! great! The Spanish style!!! I like a lot! Thanks! great!

]]> by: petew http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1248 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:05:19 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1248 Hi Don and Paul, Thanks for the kind words. As far as those limited run of 15, I was never able to find out exactly what they commemorated. I saw a picture of one a couple of years ago, but I could never find it again, and I don't remember what the caseback engravings were. I'll follow up if I can find out more. Bryan is great at sleuthing, maybe he'll find something! Regards, petew Hi Don and Paul,

Thanks for the kind words. As far as those limited run of 15, I was never able to find out exactly what they commemorated. I saw a picture of one a couple of years ago, but I could never find it again, and I don’t remember what the caseback engravings were. I’ll follow up if I can find out more. Bryan is great at sleuthing, maybe he’ll find something!

Regards,
petew

]]> by: DG43 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1247 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:37:35 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1247 Hi Pete, Thanks so much for a great article on two very interesting watches. And thanks to Bryan for the footnote on the original designs. I was wondering, is there a story behind the 15 silver dial Citizens for the Singapore market? I don't recall ever seeing one of those come up for sale on any site. Again, thanks for such an informative read. Cheers, Don Hi Pete,
Thanks so much for a great article on two very interesting watches. And thanks to Bryan for the footnote on the original designs. I was wondering, is there a story behind the 15 silver dial Citizens for the Singapore market? I don’t recall ever seeing one of those come up for sale on any site. Again, thanks for such an informative read.
Cheers,
Don

]]> by: blackdial http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1246 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:31:20 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1246 Bravo! Bravo! for both of you guys, Pete and Bryan! The little bits of information you guys get is super fascinating. Even though I used to live in Japan, I cannot read Japanese, so getting information from Takuya's web site would be difficult. Impressivo! Paul Bravo! Bravo! for both of you guys, Pete and Bryan!
The little bits of information you guys get is
super fascinating. Even though I used to live in
Japan, I cannot read Japanese, so getting information
from Takuya’s web site would be difficult.
Impressivo! Paul

]]> by: petew http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1245 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:12:19 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1245 Hi Bryan, Thanks a million for posting those pictures. It's great to see Takuya Yura's concept drawings. I think that square model would have been very good. I laughed when I saw that he tested the watch in a wind tunnel. I have a friend who used to work at a wind tunnel not too long ago and they would often test all sorts of odd things in the tunnel during down times. Hi Bryan,

Thanks a million for posting those pictures. It’s great to see Takuya Yura’s concept drawings. I think that square model would have been very good.
I laughed when I saw that he tested the watch in a wind tunnel. I have a friend who used to work at a wind tunnel not too long ago and they would often test all sorts of odd things in the tunnel during down times.

]]> by: bryanandersen http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1243 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:54:41 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1243 Hi Pete, As you point out, the year 2004 was <em>annus mirabilis</em> for Seiko and Citizen bullhead chronograph fans! Regarding Takuya Yura's design of Seiko Prospex SBDP021, according to his Web site he first envisioned it having a square-shaped case. His conception went through four different stages before he hit upon the final design. <p align="center"><img id="image829" alt="pspx1-04.jpg" src="http://www.gmtplusnine.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/pspx1-04.jpg" /></p> <p align="center">Design Idea 1</p> <p align="center"><img id="image828" alt="pspx1-06.jpg" src="http://www.gmtplusnine.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/pspx1-06.jpg" /></p> <p align="center">Design Idea 2</p> <p align="center"><img id="image827" alt="pspx1-09.jpg" src="http://www.gmtplusnine.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/pspx1-09.jpg" /></p> <p align="center">Design Idea 3 (note pushers on right side) <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><img alt="pspx2-13.jpg" id="image830" src="http://www.gmtplusnine.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/pspx2-13.jpg" /></p> <p align="center">Final Design</p> <p align="left">An interesting thing about the final design is the prototype was tested in a wind tunnel. Since Yura designs race cars, like the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://dhost.info/thesupercars/supercars/yamaha/ox9911/ox99113.jpg" rel="nofollow"><u>Yamaha OX99-11</u></a>, that's a natural. I wonder if the Citizen bullhead was also wind tunnel tested?</p> <p align="left"></p> <div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://www.gmtplusnine.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/pspx1-07.jpg" /></div> <p align="left">The images above come from Yura's personal Web site. To visit it, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mooncraft.jp/yuratakuya/" rel="nofollow"><u>click here</u></a>.</p> <p align="left">Great article and pictures!</p> <p align="left">Regards,</p> <p align="left">Bryan</p> <p align="left"></p> <p align="left"></p> Hi Pete,

As you point out, the year 2004 was annus mirabilis for Seiko and Citizen bullhead chronograph fans!

Regarding Takuya Yura’s design of Seiko Prospex SBDP021, according to his Web site he first envisioned it having a square-shaped case. His conception went through four different stages before he hit upon the final design.

pspx1-04.jpg

Design Idea 1

pspx1-06.jpg

Design Idea 2

pspx1-09.jpg

Design Idea 3
(note pushers on right side)

pspx2-13.jpg

Final Design

An interesting thing about the final design is the prototype was tested in a wind tunnel. Since Yura designs race cars, like the Yamaha OX99-11, that’s a natural. I wonder if the Citizen bullhead was also wind tunnel tested?

The images above come from Yura’s personal Web site. To visit it, click here.

Great article and pictures!

Regards,

Bryan

]]> by: petew http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1242 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:05:31 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1242 Hi Paul, You hit the nail on the head when you speculated if .."getting to know about the watch is almost more enjoyable then owning the watch." Often, for me it is. Owning and wearing the watches is great, but I really do get a great deal of enjoyment from learning about the brands, the lineups and the history. The Citizen is titanium and it uses the Duratect technology. Thanks for reading. Pete Hi Paul,

You hit the nail on the head when you speculated if ..”getting to know about the watch is almost more enjoyable then owning the watch.” Often, for me it is. Owning and wearing the watches is great, but I really do get a great deal of enjoyment from learning about the brands, the lineups and the history.

The Citizen is titanium and it uses the Duratect technology.

Thanks for reading.

Pete

]]> by: blackdial http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1241 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:32:38 +0000 http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2007/09/13/death-in-the-afternoon/#comment-1241 Hey Pete W. Thanks for writing this excellent article. Even though I may not actually buy one of these watches, I really enjoy getting to know more about them. Sometimes I wonder if getting to know about the watch is almost more enjoyable then owning the watch. You give us information and background on these watches, that I feel like they are an old friend now. I don't see these watches often in the U.S. and if it wasn't for you writing about them, I would have no clue what they are about. Thanks for a great article. By the way, why does it say, "Titanium" on the Citizen? Paul Hey Pete W.
Thanks for writing this excellent article.
Even though I may not actually buy one of these
watches, I really enjoy getting to know more
about them. Sometimes I wonder if getting to
know about the watch is almost more enjoyable
then owning the watch. You give us information and
background on these watches, that I feel like
they are an old friend now. I don’t see these
watches often in the U.S. and if it wasn’t for
you writing about them, I would have no clue
what they are about. Thanks for a great article.

By the way, why does it say, “Titanium” on the
Citizen? Paul

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