Justin, the Wristorian, is the man. He genuinely gets to know the heroes behind the "wristory" and gets to hear and share their incredible stories firsthand! Great recommendation.
David, if you’d like to further explore the option of Bonaire please look into Harbor Village. We’ve gone several times and spent last Christmas there. There’s a very accessible beach with excellent snorkeling. They also have a dive shop that can take you and family out on amazing beginner dives.
Great episode guys! I think this was one of the best Q&A's to date (and not just because you took two of my questions!) Great mix of subjects in this one.
I ended up with the 6139, and love it! Bought an Uncle Seiko tapered H-link for it.
Hey J&J just curious if there is a specific listening platform that actively supports the show better vs. the average (ie generates $ at a certain number of plays or something) I use Spotify for convenience but wondered if there was a more advantageous alternative for the show
That's a very sweet question, but the truth is that the show does not currently generate any income. Spotify, or otherwise, no aggregator pays for podcast plays (to my knowledge). We are actively exploring other methods of funding the show but don't have any news to share just yet. The best thing you can do is share the show with your friends and maybe leave a review with iTunes. Thanks so much for considering us - JS
Hey hey hey! Felix here. Thanks for including my question! So life and family got in the way (as usual) so I'm now settling off 16th August (on this 330km trail run). The watch I'm taking will probably be my Citizen Promaster NY0071-81E on it's rubber strap. Titanium, small crown, great lume, light and tough (https://www.instagram.com/p/CI0od28L6jZ/) There is a chance that the Marathon Pilot’s Navigator will be coming with me instead if I can source the Sage Green version for a good price and get it delivered before I go. If any of you guys and girls want to follow my preparation and training (including the odd wristwatch or sneaker check) for the trip you can follow my escapades on my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/FastingForFitness or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thefastingforfitnessclub/
Great range of questions in this episode, and as ever an interesting and informative discussion.
I’ve got some thoughts on watches for African trips, both ‘tourist’ and safari. First, a lot of more touristy areas in many African countries can be pretty edgy, and personally I prefer to leave my Rolexes/Omegas/Heuers etc at home. Knife holdups are not rare eg in Cape Town Waterfront, and I just feel much more relaxed and can better enjoy my trip wearing something I could hand over without a concern. My choice is a quartz Citizen diver, on an OEM steel bracelet, which basically never leaves my wrist.
Several NATOs is a decent strap suggestion, however I find rubber straps give me a rash in sweaty environments. A solid steel bracelet is totally impervious to sunscreen and (especially) DEET mosquito repellant, and you’ll be layering on plenty of those if you want to remain comfortable. So the NATOs will work, but you’ll be washing one every couple of days or I find they’ll be looking and smelling a bit cheesy…
Faced with the same conundrum on several tourist expeditions around Botswana, Tanzina, and Rwanda, I found the 62MAS to be the perfect combo of a "in the know" watch that didn't attract any attention at all.
Yup, that's certainly not going to attract unusual attention and will be plenty tough, but I'm concerned I'd feel a bit inhibited from handing something that nice over, and that's what I'm trying to avoid entirely! This is what I've settled on for the past few years, having replaced the strap with Citizen's dedicated bracelet (which is cheap and actually quite good): https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/BN0150-28E.html?cgid=mens-ecodrive#start=45
I used to buy a cheap Swatch before departure at the airport when I was travelling to places like this, but it was with these that I first found my problem with rubber straps. Also you have to leave them on the beach when swimming (which rather defeats the object), plus I smashed one a few years ago on a bumpy ride in a landcruiser in Moremi and that prompted me to go for something tougher for not much more money. It's lasting very well.
A few comments with regard to data protection. (Putting on my IT manager hat here...)
If at all possible, try to keep a copy of your backups at a location that isn't where your data and primary backups reside. Or if you keep a "bug-out" bag for any sort of emergency situation, maybe keep it in there. I.e., I'm assuming most who backup their data do so to some sort of data storage medium that is also kept at the house. I know that's where my primary system backups exist. But, I also keep a copy of that data on a USB HDD in a locked drawer of my desk at my office.
I also make regular backups of the data that I store in Google Drive. There's always the possibility that the service won't be able to recover some or all of your data should it get lost, corrupted, etc.
My process:
I do weekly image backups of both storage drives in my home PC.
Once a month, I copy the most recent disk image files for my home PC to that USB HDD along with a .ZIP file of my Google Drive contents.
To protect against the possibility that the drive could be stolen from my office, the drive image files and .ZIP files actually reside in a Veracrypt-encrypted virtual drive that's created on that USB HDD. If the drive gets stolen, they'll need to crack the encryption key for that virtual drive to get any usable data out of it.
It may seem over the top, but my data is important enough to me that I take the time to do this monthly.
Nice to hear that I'm not the only insane one. I use cloud storage (Mega) for "live" backup and two veracrypted USB drives - one that lives in my bug out bag, the other at work - which are updated monthly. I still feel like I'm a little under-protected, though.
For the person who asked about heart rate monitors on smart watches: I know my Garmin vivoactive3 isn’t as accurate as a chest strap mounted one. But, I don’t think it was no more than a couple or few BPM. Whether that’s acceptable or not is up to the individual.
The nice thing with the Garmin is that it can sync to any BT connected HRM. I ended up buying a used Polar one and it paired and works with my Garmin.
I’m also surprised by the lack of real diving bezel'ed gmts. Feels like that would be the ultimate adventure combo (throw in an alarm and I’ll have everything I need). Aside from the Bremont you mentioned James, there was that funky co-axial seamaster in 42mm from a few years ago - I believe even w jumping local hour hand - think you might’ve even mentioned it on the grey nato or HODINKEE radio. Course you’d have to like that scalloped bezel. Also that upcoming Serica for a little over a grand - not a real gmt but that dual purpose bezel has my vote!
Hi Jason and James, thanks for another great episode. I wonder, and indeed the question is extended to the wider TGN community, what you think of Squale divers? How do they compare to the similarly priced SPB line from Seiko, or offerings from Oris or Sinn, in terms of build quality? I enjoy the design language of the squale 1521 and considering it as a next step up from my SKX, which I've been wearing for almost 5 years now. I've tried a Sinn 104, which whilst an amazing watch, I didnt connect to in the same way I do with the SKX.
Thanks for any insight, and keep up the awesome work with the podcast.
Hey gents, another fantastic episode! I have a question for the next Q&A. “If a ‘strap monster’ is a watch that goes with nearly any strap, is the grey nato the original ‘watch monster’? Discuss.” From a mountaineering instructor, Antarctic guide, environmental educator and now thanks to your show, diver, Alexander Dylan Thomas.
James- you commented that the Pelagos bracelet is the best in the world. Admittedly, I haven’t tried one yet, but do you feel it’s even better than the modern Rolex Oyster? If so, in what ways? Genuinely curious since I can’t compare them. Thanks!
For the new dad, new teacher chap I thought about the Hamilton khaki field watches. There are some with dates or day dates. Cool watch for a teacher - rugged but suitable for parents evenings
I agree with everything that was said during the Pelagos discussion. It's so many things that I love in watches but I haven't pulled the trigger on one. Part of it is because I have a couple of other titanium divers but a large part is that I just feel like they'll come out with a version that I like more. And a GMT version with a dive bezel would be just that.
My current GMT "Diver" is a Sinn 857 UTC TESTAF. It's not a true diver since it's a bi-directional bezel but as a GMT with a timing bezel, 200M WR, and GMT it's pretty darn good. I just wish it was a "traveler" GMT and not a "caller". A little smaller would be nice too but it's not a bad thickness and wears really well.
On the $5K GMT question - I bought two for that total price. Grand Seiko sbgn005, And Oris Aquis oris aquis carysfort reef gmt (mentioned in previous episode). The GS is a true GMT (with local hour hand, while the Oris is a dive watch, but with a rotating GMT bezel (don't turn it clockwise though).
I did laugh at the question - Nato or strap. Jason and James answered: Nato. Waddaya expect - the show is called the grey Nato. ;-)
Justin, the Wristorian, is the man. He genuinely gets to know the heroes behind the "wristory" and gets to hear and share their incredible stories firsthand! Great recommendation.
Thanks so much Chris. There are so many untold stories out there. Just trying to do my part!
David, if you’d like to further explore the option of Bonaire please look into Harbor Village. We’ve gone several times and spent last Christmas there. There’s a very accessible beach with excellent snorkeling. They also have a dive shop that can take you and family out on amazing beginner dives.
https://www.harbourvillage.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjM-q042I8gIVcWxvBB0l6wHIEAAYASAAEgJr_PD_BwE
Thanks Ryan!
Great episode guys! I think this was one of the best Q&A's to date (and not just because you took two of my questions!) Great mix of subjects in this one.
I ended up with the 6139, and love it! Bought an Uncle Seiko tapered H-link for it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJwECeL6qk/
It's going to get a Heaton Bund for winter duty.
Thanks guys!
Hey J&J just curious if there is a specific listening platform that actively supports the show better vs. the average (ie generates $ at a certain number of plays or something) I use Spotify for convenience but wondered if there was a more advantageous alternative for the show
That's a very sweet question, but the truth is that the show does not currently generate any income. Spotify, or otherwise, no aggregator pays for podcast plays (to my knowledge). We are actively exploring other methods of funding the show but don't have any news to share just yet. The best thing you can do is share the show with your friends and maybe leave a review with iTunes. Thanks so much for considering us - JS
I would love another merch run like you all did a while back. My wish list:
1. Camera Strap
2. Small gear bag like a Topo
3. NATO Strap
4. Patch with new logo
5. Kill Hubris TGN t-shirt.
Hey hey hey! Felix here. Thanks for including my question! So life and family got in the way (as usual) so I'm now settling off 16th August (on this 330km trail run). The watch I'm taking will probably be my Citizen Promaster NY0071-81E on it's rubber strap. Titanium, small crown, great lume, light and tough (https://www.instagram.com/p/CI0od28L6jZ/) There is a chance that the Marathon Pilot’s Navigator will be coming with me instead if I can source the Sage Green version for a good price and get it delivered before I go. If any of you guys and girls want to follow my preparation and training (including the odd wristwatch or sneaker check) for the trip you can follow my escapades on my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/FastingForFitness or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thefastingforfitnessclub/
Thanks again and keep up the great work! 👍🏽
Great range of questions in this episode, and as ever an interesting and informative discussion.
I’ve got some thoughts on watches for African trips, both ‘tourist’ and safari. First, a lot of more touristy areas in many African countries can be pretty edgy, and personally I prefer to leave my Rolexes/Omegas/Heuers etc at home. Knife holdups are not rare eg in Cape Town Waterfront, and I just feel much more relaxed and can better enjoy my trip wearing something I could hand over without a concern. My choice is a quartz Citizen diver, on an OEM steel bracelet, which basically never leaves my wrist.
Several NATOs is a decent strap suggestion, however I find rubber straps give me a rash in sweaty environments. A solid steel bracelet is totally impervious to sunscreen and (especially) DEET mosquito repellant, and you’ll be layering on plenty of those if you want to remain comfortable. So the NATOs will work, but you’ll be washing one every couple of days or I find they’ll be looking and smelling a bit cheesy…
Faced with the same conundrum on several tourist expeditions around Botswana, Tanzina, and Rwanda, I found the 62MAS to be the perfect combo of a "in the know" watch that didn't attract any attention at all.
Yup, that's certainly not going to attract unusual attention and will be plenty tough, but I'm concerned I'd feel a bit inhibited from handing something that nice over, and that's what I'm trying to avoid entirely! This is what I've settled on for the past few years, having replaced the strap with Citizen's dedicated bracelet (which is cheap and actually quite good): https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/BN0150-28E.html?cgid=mens-ecodrive#start=45
I used to buy a cheap Swatch before departure at the airport when I was travelling to places like this, but it was with these that I first found my problem with rubber straps. Also you have to leave them on the beach when swimming (which rather defeats the object), plus I smashed one a few years ago on a bumpy ride in a landcruiser in Moremi and that prompted me to go for something tougher for not much more money. It's lasting very well.
The Citizen eco drive is a great call. That and a Marathon Navigator are my, as James would call them, beaters.
A few comments with regard to data protection. (Putting on my IT manager hat here...)
If at all possible, try to keep a copy of your backups at a location that isn't where your data and primary backups reside. Or if you keep a "bug-out" bag for any sort of emergency situation, maybe keep it in there. I.e., I'm assuming most who backup their data do so to some sort of data storage medium that is also kept at the house. I know that's where my primary system backups exist. But, I also keep a copy of that data on a USB HDD in a locked drawer of my desk at my office.
I also make regular backups of the data that I store in Google Drive. There's always the possibility that the service won't be able to recover some or all of your data should it get lost, corrupted, etc.
My process:
I do weekly image backups of both storage drives in my home PC.
Once a month, I copy the most recent disk image files for my home PC to that USB HDD along with a .ZIP file of my Google Drive contents.
To protect against the possibility that the drive could be stolen from my office, the drive image files and .ZIP files actually reside in a Veracrypt-encrypted virtual drive that's created on that USB HDD. If the drive gets stolen, they'll need to crack the encryption key for that virtual drive to get any usable data out of it.
It may seem over the top, but my data is important enough to me that I take the time to do this monthly.
Nice to hear that I'm not the only insane one. I use cloud storage (Mega) for "live" backup and two veracrypted USB drives - one that lives in my bug out bag, the other at work - which are updated monthly. I still feel like I'm a little under-protected, though.
Ha! Me, too. I always feel like I haven't protected it enough.
For the person who asked about heart rate monitors on smart watches: I know my Garmin vivoactive3 isn’t as accurate as a chest strap mounted one. But, I don’t think it was no more than a couple or few BPM. Whether that’s acceptable or not is up to the individual.
The nice thing with the Garmin is that it can sync to any BT connected HRM. I ended up buying a used Polar one and it paired and works with my Garmin.
I’m also surprised by the lack of real diving bezel'ed gmts. Feels like that would be the ultimate adventure combo (throw in an alarm and I’ll have everything I need). Aside from the Bremont you mentioned James, there was that funky co-axial seamaster in 42mm from a few years ago - I believe even w jumping local hour hand - think you might’ve even mentioned it on the grey nato or HODINKEE radio. Course you’d have to like that scalloped bezel. Also that upcoming Serica for a little over a grand - not a real gmt but that dual purpose bezel has my vote!
Let's not forget the Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT, which is a fantastic GMT diver, albeit a big one.
Hi Jason and James, thanks for another great episode. I wonder, and indeed the question is extended to the wider TGN community, what you think of Squale divers? How do they compare to the similarly priced SPB line from Seiko, or offerings from Oris or Sinn, in terms of build quality? I enjoy the design language of the squale 1521 and considering it as a next step up from my SKX, which I've been wearing for almost 5 years now. I've tried a Sinn 104, which whilst an amazing watch, I didnt connect to in the same way I do with the SKX.
Thanks for any insight, and keep up the awesome work with the podcast.
Hey gents, another fantastic episode! I have a question for the next Q&A. “If a ‘strap monster’ is a watch that goes with nearly any strap, is the grey nato the original ‘watch monster’? Discuss.” From a mountaineering instructor, Antarctic guide, environmental educator and now thanks to your show, diver, Alexander Dylan Thomas.
James- you commented that the Pelagos bracelet is the best in the world. Admittedly, I haven’t tried one yet, but do you feel it’s even better than the modern Rolex Oyster? If so, in what ways? Genuinely curious since I can’t compare them. Thanks!
For the new dad, new teacher chap I thought about the Hamilton khaki field watches. There are some with dates or day dates. Cool watch for a teacher - rugged but suitable for parents evenings
Khaki King all day long!
I agree with everything that was said during the Pelagos discussion. It's so many things that I love in watches but I haven't pulled the trigger on one. Part of it is because I have a couple of other titanium divers but a large part is that I just feel like they'll come out with a version that I like more. And a GMT version with a dive bezel would be just that.
My current GMT "Diver" is a Sinn 857 UTC TESTAF. It's not a true diver since it's a bi-directional bezel but as a GMT with a timing bezel, 200M WR, and GMT it's pretty darn good. I just wish it was a "traveler" GMT and not a "caller". A little smaller would be nice too but it's not a bad thickness and wears really well.
On the $5K GMT question - I bought two for that total price. Grand Seiko sbgn005, And Oris Aquis oris aquis carysfort reef gmt (mentioned in previous episode). The GS is a true GMT (with local hour hand, while the Oris is a dive watch, but with a rotating GMT bezel (don't turn it clockwise though).
I did laugh at the question - Nato or strap. Jason and James answered: Nato. Waddaya expect - the show is called the grey Nato. ;-)
Jason. doesn't need the Tudor since he has a Scurfa MS21.
I also thought of this,
https://www.citizenwatches.com.au/products/bj7111-51m
A bit big for James but ticks the boxes.
My Citizen,
https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/BN0190-07E.html
,on a NATO, is my current travel/adeventure watch. Great show again. Cheers.