Mine arrived in a beat up padded envelope, folded in half and taped. But it cost less than $8, so after shipping cost, packing materials, and eBay fees, the seller might have pocketed $3.Sporkboy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:25 amThe package I received was approximately the size of a brick, wrapped in brown paper, tied with a string and had a partially intact wax seal. Absolutely an experience for sure, but I was pleasantly surprised.Rabirnie wrote:I know the feeling well! I didn’t even want to see what I ordered.Split-Time wrote:Well, I received a package today but I’m sort of afraid, or should I say ashamed, to open it . This has been an experience, that for sure!
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The Leap Year Watch Challenge
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
I wish that watch were 38mm?
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
OK, you may have me beat for best value as far as uniqueness to $ goes.Boourns wrote:Mine arrived in a beat up padded envelope, folded in half and taped. But it cost less than $8, so after shipping cost, packing materials, and eBay fees, the seller might have pocketed $3.Sporkboy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:25 amThe package I received was approximately the size of a brick, wrapped in brown paper, tied with a string and had a partially intact wax seal. Absolutely an experience for sure, but I was pleasantly surprised.Rabirnie wrote: I know the feeling well! I didn’t even want to see what I ordered.
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Have we figured out how we are voting? I think it was by poll and there was going to be a competitors only vote and an open vote.
My question is if there will be multiple categories or if it is just best overall matching the uniqueness criteria?
I am guessing the single category will be fine for this first challenge, but you never know.
I am also wondering if there will be any new participants for a future challenge, but we will see that spike once we start posting our entries. Anyway, it is a fun time all around...except for Watchpalooza. Actually, I am scared of his entry as he found something that I had no idea existed.
AM, this was an amazingly good challenge for an opener, and I hope that it gets a whole lot more fun in a couple of days.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
That may prove to be an issue. I don't think there is a way in the software to limit specific polls to specific users.Sporkboy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 11:40 amOK, you may have me beat for best value as far as uniqueness to $ goes.Boourns wrote:Mine arrived in a beat up padded envelope, folded in half and taped. But it cost less than $8, so after shipping cost, packing materials, and eBay fees, the seller might have pocketed $3.
Have we figured out how we are voting? I think it was by poll and there was going to be a competitors only vote and an open vote.
My question is if there will be multiple categories or if it is just best overall matching the uniqueness criteria?
I am guessing the single category will be fine for this first challenge, but you never know.
I am also wondering if there will be any new participants for a future challenge, but we will see that spike once we start posting our entries. Anyway, it is a fun time all around...except for Watchpalooza. Actually, I am scared of his entry as he found something that I had no idea existed.
AM, this was an amazingly good challenge for an opener, and I hope that it gets a whole lot more fun in a couple of days.
[mention]Animal Mother[/mention]'s best option for that scenario may be to create a poll with a third party poll/survey site and PM the link to participants.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
Hmm... I'm definitely intrigued to see what you scored. I do not think I will win, but my wife has already called dibs on my watch and is wearing it already.Sporkboy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:25 amThe package I received was approximately the size of a brick, wrapped in brown paper, tied with a string and had a partially intact wax seal. Absolutely an experience for sure, but I was pleasantly surprised.Rabirnie wrote:I know the feeling well! I didn’t even want to see what I ordered.Split-Time wrote:Well, I received a package today but I’m sort of afraid, or should I say ashamed, to open it . This has been an experience, that for sure!
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
Maybe we go without a poll and the contestants just post their pick within the thread and [mention]Animal Mother[/mention] counts them up? We could set a date and time window for polling. Not sure if everyone wants their vote anonymous though.ManOnTime wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 11:48 amThat may prove to be an issue. I don't think there is a way in the software to limit specific polls to specific users.Sporkboy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 11:40 amOK, you may have me beat for best value as far as uniqueness to $ goes.Boourns wrote:
Mine arrived in a beat up padded envelope, folded in half and taped. But it cost less than $8, so after shipping cost, packing materials, and eBay fees, the seller might have pocketed $3.
Have we figured out how we are voting? I think it was by poll and there was going to be a competitors only vote and an open vote.
My question is if there will be multiple categories or if it is just best overall matching the uniqueness criteria?
I am guessing the single category will be fine for this first challenge, but you never know.
I am also wondering if there will be any new participants for a future challenge, but we will see that spike once we start posting our entries. Anyway, it is a fun time all around...except for Watchpalooza. Actually, I am scared of his entry as he found something that I had no idea existed.
AM, this was an amazingly good challenge for an opener, and I hope that it gets a whole lot more fun in a couple of days.
@Animal Mother's best option for that scenario may be to create a poll with a third party poll/survey site and PM the link to participants.
Another option would be to send [mention]Animal Mother[/mention] a PM with our vote?
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
My entry is on this desk somewhere. I can hear it, I just can't see it! (That's what happens when I buy-in at the beginning of the contest.)
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
PM'ing [mention]Animal Mother[/mention] might be an easier way for him to keep track. Plus it makes the votes anonymous. I am a participant but I'd be more than happy to help with the voting process - I am pretty sure I will not win with my questionable entry especially amongst you all MoT giants hahaStretch44 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 12:51 pmMaybe we go without a poll and the contestants just post their pick within the thread and @Animal Mother counts them up? We could set a date and time window for polling. Not sure if everyone wants their vote anonymous though.ManOnTime wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 11:48 amThat may prove to be an issue. I don't think there is a way in the software to limit specific polls to specific users.Sporkboy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 11:40 am
OK, you may have me beat for best value as far as uniqueness to $ goes.
Have we figured out how we are voting? I think it was by poll and there was going to be a competitors only vote and an open vote.
My question is if there will be multiple categories or if it is just best overall matching the uniqueness criteria?
I am guessing the single category will be fine for this first challenge, but you never know.
I am also wondering if there will be any new participants for a future challenge, but we will see that spike once we start posting our entries. Anyway, it is a fun time all around...except for Watchpalooza. Actually, I am scared of his entry as he found something that I had no idea existed.
AM, this was an amazingly good challenge for an opener, and I hope that it gets a whole lot more fun in a couple of days.
@Animal Mother's best option for that scenario may be to create a poll with a third party poll/survey site and PM the link to participants.
Another option would be to send @Animal Mother a PM with our vote?
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
If your wife likes it enough to wear it then I think you are already a winner.Stretch44 wrote:Hmm... I'm definitely intrigued to see what you scored. I do not think I will win, but my wife has already called dibs on my watch and is wearing it already.Sporkboy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:25 amThe package I received was approximately the size of a brick, wrapped in brown paper, tied with a string and had a partially intact wax seal. Absolutely an experience for sure, but I was pleasantly surprised.Rabirnie wrote: I know the feeling well! I didn’t even want to see what I ordered.
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Inside the paper was a brick of sryrofoam. In the center was a small cutout, I removed that and there was my ~34mm watch. You can’t say my watch wasn’t well protected.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
Crazy packaging skills right there!
I'm cleaning my entry up tomorrow, re placement strap, photos, etc. Ready for March.
Regarding the voting, I'm happy for any help and/or ideas.
I'm cleaning my entry up tomorrow, re placement strap, photos, etc. Ready for March.
Regarding the voting, I'm happy for any help and/or ideas.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
My final watch arrived today. Well, not the final watch, but the last that I am going to admit to. This has been a lot of fun. I will post the final watch but it doesn't quite qualify for the challenge. I am very happy with it considering that I had to start this challenge by creating an eBay account. It makes the other junk I accumulated worthwhile.
Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!
Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
Hello all, it's Feb 29th! I have just been looking at my entry. I initially thought it was kinda weird and unusual, but maybe that's just because my limited exposure in life made me think that way. I finally managed to set it and will get it sized today. The sun is out this weekend so I am hoping to take some decent pictures, following [mention]yinzburgher[/mention]'s tips.
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The Leap Year Watch Challenge
Raketa Watch for the Blind
Watch Make/Model//Reference: Raketa ref. 201248 AKA: Watch for the Blind.
Cost: $18 (+ $10 shipping from Uzbekistan)
Purchase Listing: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 4001197146
What makes this watch special or unique:
Unless we tinker with modding and repair, the watch dial is locked away behind a protective layer of glass. So close, yet so far away. When we do touch a dial, we do so carefully with finger cots or gloves to avoid unsightly smudges, fingerprints and marks. We avoid touching installed hands for fear of bending them or nudging them out of time with one another. The dial and hands are delicate and must be protected. Across the world glass, acrylic and sapphire all send a clear message- Do Not Touch!
Nearly all analog watches are the same. And most of those would be of little use to someone who couldn’t see. In days past there were precious few complications that could help the blind know the time without help from someone else. The minute repeater comes to mind, those are well out reach of for most people (not to mention being well out of the range of this challenges budget).
Who could be so bold as to create a watch that could give the blind the freedom to independently know the time and do it in such a way that the average person could afford it? Soviet Russia of course.
In Soviet Russia all comrades could have a watch that was suited to that persons needs. If you were a deep sea diver, a nurse, a student or you were blind, it didn’t matter. Not only was there a watch for everyone, but the movements tended to be robust and easy to repair.
A hunter-style watch case allows the crystal holding bezel to flip open at a push of a button situated through the crown. The crown is of 3-piece design, which is pretty cool in its own right.
PICTURE- Crown sub assembly Opening the bezel reveals a dial that has raised bumps to indicate the hours with double bumps at the cardinal positions. Thick and solid hour and minute hands provide a robust surface for determining the time.
For fingers practiced in Braille reading, sorting out the time to the nearest minute or so would be a fairly easy task.
The Raketa Watch for the Blind sports a 2601-H movement, which appears to be a modified version of the 2609 series movement, which was used in a slew of watches including the famous Big Zero.
The obvious modifications are the lack of a seconds hand (and pinion). This allows for a solid, and more robust, minutes hand pinion.
The spring action on the button and the bezel hinge achieved by a single piece of spring steel that wraps around the inside of the case.
While the watch was designed with a blind person in mind, it does feature some delicate Arabic numerals. The smaller size and sylish case shape make it an appropriate candidate for a modern semi-dress watch and is a great functional conversation piece.
It can be dressed down a bit with a more rugged canvas strap.
Additionally, it is a great example of adaptive design and Soviet engineering prowess.
This watch is not without its faults, which I am going to view as quirks.
- No lume. Oddly enough, there is no need for lume with watches for blind people.
- No water resistance. With no crystal beneath the hunter case, it can’t be sealed.
- Loud enough that if you were blind you could find it. It is brass Timex quartz loud. I haven’t measured it, but it might even be a little louder than the Scout I held it next to.
In the design of the watch, trade offs were made, but I really like this watch and will be hanging on to it as it is the most unique and interesting watch in my collection. While it doesn’t have the same mass appeal as the Big Zero, this one is not on the radar of most collectors so it is easily acquirable. The seller claims that it was recently serviced and I can find no evidence to the contrary as it is keeping good time and
If you are interested in learning this watch and its contemporaries , you can check out Braille Watches of the USSR (https://mroatman.wixsite.com/watches-of ... le-watches).
The reason that I was initially interested in this watch was that I wanted to be able to check the time in boring meetings without looking at my watch. Since the dial is so nice and I like it as is, I am reluctant to touch it and wear it down. The condition was better than expected, otherwise I would be training my fingertips on reading the minutes hand since I would probably know the hour already.
Watch Details:
Dimensions:
33.75mm wide (38 w/crown)
33.25mm tall
10.5mm thick
40.75 L2L
Materials:
Plated Brass
Domed Acrylic Crystal
Features:
Made in the 1970’s in Soviet Russia
Hunter-style push button crystal door
Raketa 2601 Movement
Rugged solid minutes pinion
Braille-like bumps on dial for indices (double bumps at cardinal 12, 3, 6 and 9)
No water resistance
No lume
So loud you can find it if you are blind
Maintenance/Repairs Done (if any):
-Movement removed from case and case cleaned.
-Stem/button mechanism cleaned and lubricated.
-Hinge lubricated.
-New strap.
-Light case polish
Edit: 3/2/2020- Added reason for purchasing this watch.
Watch Make/Model//Reference: Raketa ref. 201248 AKA: Watch for the Blind.
Cost: $18 (+ $10 shipping from Uzbekistan)
Purchase Listing: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 4001197146
What makes this watch special or unique:
Unless we tinker with modding and repair, the watch dial is locked away behind a protective layer of glass. So close, yet so far away. When we do touch a dial, we do so carefully with finger cots or gloves to avoid unsightly smudges, fingerprints and marks. We avoid touching installed hands for fear of bending them or nudging them out of time with one another. The dial and hands are delicate and must be protected. Across the world glass, acrylic and sapphire all send a clear message- Do Not Touch!
Nearly all analog watches are the same. And most of those would be of little use to someone who couldn’t see. In days past there were precious few complications that could help the blind know the time without help from someone else. The minute repeater comes to mind, those are well out reach of for most people (not to mention being well out of the range of this challenges budget).
Who could be so bold as to create a watch that could give the blind the freedom to independently know the time and do it in such a way that the average person could afford it? Soviet Russia of course.
In Soviet Russia all comrades could have a watch that was suited to that persons needs. If you were a deep sea diver, a nurse, a student or you were blind, it didn’t matter. Not only was there a watch for everyone, but the movements tended to be robust and easy to repair.
A hunter-style watch case allows the crystal holding bezel to flip open at a push of a button situated through the crown. The crown is of 3-piece design, which is pretty cool in its own right.
PICTURE- Crown sub assembly Opening the bezel reveals a dial that has raised bumps to indicate the hours with double bumps at the cardinal positions. Thick and solid hour and minute hands provide a robust surface for determining the time.
For fingers practiced in Braille reading, sorting out the time to the nearest minute or so would be a fairly easy task.
The Raketa Watch for the Blind sports a 2601-H movement, which appears to be a modified version of the 2609 series movement, which was used in a slew of watches including the famous Big Zero.
The obvious modifications are the lack of a seconds hand (and pinion). This allows for a solid, and more robust, minutes hand pinion.
The spring action on the button and the bezel hinge achieved by a single piece of spring steel that wraps around the inside of the case.
While the watch was designed with a blind person in mind, it does feature some delicate Arabic numerals. The smaller size and sylish case shape make it an appropriate candidate for a modern semi-dress watch and is a great functional conversation piece.
It can be dressed down a bit with a more rugged canvas strap.
Additionally, it is a great example of adaptive design and Soviet engineering prowess.
This watch is not without its faults, which I am going to view as quirks.
- No lume. Oddly enough, there is no need for lume with watches for blind people.
- No water resistance. With no crystal beneath the hunter case, it can’t be sealed.
- Loud enough that if you were blind you could find it. It is brass Timex quartz loud. I haven’t measured it, but it might even be a little louder than the Scout I held it next to.
In the design of the watch, trade offs were made, but I really like this watch and will be hanging on to it as it is the most unique and interesting watch in my collection. While it doesn’t have the same mass appeal as the Big Zero, this one is not on the radar of most collectors so it is easily acquirable. The seller claims that it was recently serviced and I can find no evidence to the contrary as it is keeping good time and
If you are interested in learning this watch and its contemporaries , you can check out Braille Watches of the USSR (https://mroatman.wixsite.com/watches-of ... le-watches).
The reason that I was initially interested in this watch was that I wanted to be able to check the time in boring meetings without looking at my watch. Since the dial is so nice and I like it as is, I am reluctant to touch it and wear it down. The condition was better than expected, otherwise I would be training my fingertips on reading the minutes hand since I would probably know the hour already.
Watch Details:
Dimensions:
33.75mm wide (38 w/crown)
33.25mm tall
10.5mm thick
40.75 L2L
Materials:
Plated Brass
Domed Acrylic Crystal
Features:
Made in the 1970’s in Soviet Russia
Hunter-style push button crystal door
Raketa 2601 Movement
Rugged solid minutes pinion
Braille-like bumps on dial for indices (double bumps at cardinal 12, 3, 6 and 9)
No water resistance
No lume
So loud you can find it if you are blind
Maintenance/Repairs Done (if any):
-Movement removed from case and case cleaned.
-Stem/button mechanism cleaned and lubricated.
-Hinge lubricated.
-New strap.
-Light case polish
Edit: 3/2/2020- Added reason for purchasing this watch.
Last edited by Sporkboy on Sun Mar 01, 2020 4:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
- TheJohnP
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
That is an impressive entry. Not just the watch itself, but what you put together.
This first salvo really laid down the gauntlet!
Well done, [mention]Sporkboy[/mention]!
This first salvo really laid down the gauntlet!
Well done, [mention]Sporkboy[/mention]!
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Far and wide I will find 'em and I ride 'em
Bricks and mortar get my licks just for kicks
AD or authorized I don't analyze
Retail, wholesale never fail
Online or offline, I find I don't redefine
Too big to fail or yard sale they all hale
Run or hide just for fun deals I find
Far and wide I will find 'em and I ride 'em
Bricks and mortar get my licks just for kicks
AD or authorized I don't analyze
Retail, wholesale never fail
Online or offline, I find I don't redefine
Too big to fail or yard sale they all hale
Run or hide just for fun deals I find
- Sporkboy
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge
After posting this, I am wondering what should be done for judging purposes. Maybe another thread that has the entrant name, a picture, short description and a link to the original posting within this thread for reference. That would allow us to be free here to comment and such as well as providing an easy reference for those voting. Thoughts?
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