My Alpha's Arrived Today!

Checked the mail tonight and found this envelope:




Opened it up to find two watches:




This one is for a buddy of mine, so I won't spoil his fun by taking off the wrappings (hence the crappy pic), but it looks quite nice - even decent decoration on the movement! This is the jump hour watch, and might be next on my list!




This one is mine!




Fits well, after some hassle getting the bracelet adjusted:




Even used it to time my coffee tonight!





Overall they both seem to be very decent quality. A few observations on the chronograph:

1/ All the link pins were loose! Need to tighten them ASAP if you get one of these.

2/ While trying to adjust the clasp after taking out a few links, I found the pin to be very tight and really struggled with it - minor point.

3/ While trying to get the pin out of the damn clasp, I cut myself on the stamped piece - is was VERY sharp due to a burr on the edge. Didn't notice until it was too late. The bleeding is slowing now....

4/ Don't really get what the sub-dial at 6 is for. It seem to always mirror the time of the main hands - something I can live with but wonder if there's a secret that I'm not aware of with this dial?

Anyway, thanks a bunch to Lt. Dan who put together the group buy! Cheers mate!!

I will certainly be on board for the next one!

[Otis]

Nice pickup Al. That chrono looks good on you!

You'll have to give us an update on how you like it. I've just put my speedmaster in for service & am thinking about ordering one while it's gone.

[montecristo]

Sounds like a great deal for some quality watch.

[Launch Mini]

Very nice.
Glad to know it works on coffee, cuz if I get a chrono, I will be timing my noodles.

[Lt. Dan]

Glad you got them! I was really impressed with the Newman's, they look so much more expensive. As for the dial at 6, its a 24 hour repeater... I guess you can use it to tell am/pm military time.

As far as the link pins, I notified everyone in the GP thread to check them. Alpha says they no longer use loctite because too many people complained that it made it too hard to remove links. Several people have found loose pins and I'm starting to think that they do this on purpose so people can make adjustments. Glad you like them!

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Glad you got them! I was really impressed with the Newman's, they look so much more expensive. As for the dial at 6, its a 24 hour repeater... I guess you can use it to tell am/pm military time.

As far as the link pins, I notified everyone in the GP thread to check them. Alpha says they no longer use loctite because too many people complained that it made it too hard to remove links. Several people have found loose pins and I'm starting to think that they do this on purpose so people can make adjustments. Glad you like them!

Yep, saw the mention in your post about the pins, but thought it was worth mentioning again.

Once again, thanks for your help on the purchase.

[amanda]

Nice one Avalon!!!

I've had my eye on this one on the bay

Originally Posted by amanda

Nice one Avalon!!!

I've had my eye on this one on the bay

That's okay, but personally I'm not fond of the fake diamonds, and I was also looking for a real chronograph, and not something that has the day and date on the sub-dials.

I also like the looks of the old Daytonas rather than the new, but if you like that one, go for it!

[amanda]

Originally Posted by Avalon

That's okay, but personally I'm not fond of the fake diamonds, and I was also looking for a real chronograph, and not something that has the day and date on the sub-dials.

I also like the looks of the old Daytonas rather than the new, but if you like that one, go for it!

I'll give it a miss, will dent future strap funds for the PAM!

[Alcan]

Good stuff! I ordered the Newman too. As soon as it gets to Hamilton there'll be two Al's here with them.

P.S. Thanks for the heads-up on the link pins.

[mikey]

The black dial is just a perpetual calender automatic. I have held it. It is not a 30min Chrono like the Newman

[Rockrolex]

Al, are you sure the 6 subdial is not a second time zone?

BTW, nice watch, and you can't beat it for the price.

[amanda]

Originally Posted by mikey

The black dial is just a perpetual calender automatic. I have held it. It is not a 30min Chrono like the Newman

yeh but it looks cooool as

[montecristo]

Originally Posted by mikey

The black dial is just a perpetual calender automatic. I have held it. It is not a 30min Chrono like the Newman

I doubt its a perpetual as its got no leap year/month register.
The 6 o'clock looks like either its military time or a separate timezone

Agree on the chrono > calendar part, the buttons on the calendar are probably useless.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by montecristo

I doubt its a perpetual as its got no leap year/month register.
The 6 o'clock looks like either its military time or a separate timezone

Agree on the chrono > calendar part, the buttons on the calendar are probably useless.

I doubt it's military time since it's only a 12 hr dial. More likely a second time zone.

[montecristo]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I doubt it's military time since it's only a 12 hr dial. More likely a second time zone.

I see 24...
Are we talking about the black alpha with calendar amanda posted?

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I doubt it's military time since it's only a 12 hr dial. More likely a second time zone.

Rock, its not independantly settable. I wish it was. It just repeats the main time, but on a 24hr dial.

[JJ Irani]

Congrats, Al....wear it in good health. Excellent value for the money!

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Rock, its not independantly settable. I wish it was. It just repeats the main time, but on a 24hr dial.

It's actually a 12 hour dial.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by montecristo

I see 24...
Are we talking about the black alpha with calendar amanda posted?

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Rock, its not independantly settable. I wish it was. It just repeats the main time, but on a 24hr dial.

I think we're talking apples and oranges here. I was referring to Al's watch which appears to show only a 12 hr ring at the 6 subdial.

I agree Amanda's pic is a 24 hr ring at the 6 subdial. Too bad neither one is independently settable (I assume Al's isn't either).

[padi56]

My only gripe and I am being really picky about the Alpha Newman,its only a two sub-dial proper 30 minute Chronograph.Just like the now out of production Venus 175 which the movement is a copy of.The sub-dial at 9 O'Clock acts for seconds,the one at 3 the 30 minute timer,and the one at 6 just a hour timer,same as the main hour hands.But for what I paid from ebay $65 plus $15 postage perhaps I am a bit too picky.But now had for a few months and has remained a constant very accurate watch.My first had the locktite on the screws but the second one,had to tighten a few,but know big deal,as I check on all the watches I have with bracelet screws just to make sure they are tight.Just make sure you remove the plastic protector off crystal and the black bezel.Myself tried to polish a mark on crystal with the protector in place,what a dipstick.All in all for the price a working good looking mechanical chronograph. That functions work very crisp,and resets with perfect realignment for very little money

Movement.

[charles]

Nice!

[charles]

Out of curiousity...anyone know how long it takes for them to ship to the US?

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by charles

Out of curiousity...anyone know how long it takes for them to ship to the US?

My coworker odered a GMT and it took just under two weeks. For my bulk order, he shipped them out express and I had them in about 5 calendar days.