Horological Meandering

Ruckdee
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For the Love of the Moon

After experimenting with ownership of several watch models over the years, I have noticed that I tend to like watches with a moonphase function, especially ones with longer power reserve. This one can well be my ultimate watch because it has everything, plus a perpetual calendar ... and thermometer ... and compass ... and a solar cell?





Please welcome my Casio G-Shock Mudman G-9300-1.

It comes complete with the Tough Solar system for generation of power to be stored in the battery.

The moonphase is not clearly represented here as it is only one dash away from full moon. More clearly indicated is the compass dial and the power reserve indicator at "H".

Buttons are reportedly sealed against the elements. The rough surface is supposed to help improve traction.

Sadly there is no display back for this model.

But this one is nicely presented, with a rather sober and reserved look unlike many newer G-Shock models.

So, that is it, my perpetual calendar, moonphase and power reserve watch.













On a second thought, I think I might have posted a wrong set of pictures!

Here's the real deal, my latest watch from last year and one that I have sacrificed three smaller pieces for ... the IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5032

The 7-day power reserve is more than enough for my needs.

It happens to be my first gold watch also because this model is not available in steel.

I would not have been able to wear this watch if the lugs didn't curve down this way.

Unlike on my previous Portuguese, the newer deployant buckle seems to be fashioned this way now with IWC Probus Scafusia logo.

These symbols are seen inside of the buckle. I have a general idea that they are for gold. It's new to me.

Not one but two moons for the northern and southern hemispheres. It is interesting to observe how the gold disc is stationary and only the top black plate rotates.

The perpetual calendar function was never my goal. But IWC does not offer a Portuguese with a simple moonphase so I had no choice.

I will be sure to keep this century slide for the great-grandchildren of my niece or nephews as I don't plan on having one myself.

The watch is massive at 44.2 mm. on my 6.5" wrist. This is the largest of my non-sports watch. Too big for me, yes, but by default not by choice.

Not sure if IWC changed the length of standard strap. The one I had on my Portuguese Automatic seemed to be longer. I had to use the first hole on that one whereas it is the third for this.

This man was washing dog cages only a couple of hours earlier. Now he is seen sporting a sophisticated watch and a proper shirt while waiting for his customer at an upscale hotel.


The watch has been with me on a few trips.

Over the past six months, it has been to the north and the south of Thailand, as well as Hong Kong and Macau.


Most of the time it faces the dreadful reality of Bangkok though.


But surely there will be opportunities for the watch to travel more with me in the years to come.

Enough has been written elsewhere about this watch where technical aspects are concerned. Let me just add that I chose it almost entirely for the personality match. I am the work from home type and wears polo t-shirt and jeans six days a week. Other choices I considered did not provide as good a match to this circumstance of mine. For example, the JLC Master Ultra Thin Perpetual is more proper and dressier and would not see much wrist time with me. The same is true for the Lange 1 Moonphase and in that case I would have had to sell more watches than three pay for it. That was not something I was willing to do. It was a tough decision all right. But this Portuguese was my choice in the end and I am very happy with how I decided.

Thanks for looking. It is only once in a decade that I have something this special to share. And here's the watch with the only other IWC in my possession right now...
Have a nice day

Ruckdee