No 83 – Tärnan Oceanographer

There were so many of us who had such high expectations when this watch was presented. Tärnan was an old Swedish watch brand which was re-launched by Franck J (Francis Jacquerye from Techné Watches) and classic slogans like “a limited edition built by the best suppliers in the industry and representing a great value for money” and “manufactured using cutting-edge processes” were used to sell it. Everything looked so good on paper. The specs were nice (42mm case, 300m WR, double domed sapphire, ETA 2824-2 movement etc.) and the old traditional look of an early Rolex Submariner with gilt dial was something that really got me going at the time.

Product image of the Tärnan Oceanographer. (picture borrowed from http://www.taernan.com/)

When the news about the Tärnan Oceanographer reached the former Swedish watch forum Axelzons (now replaced by TimeToTalk) in February 2011 it started a small hype and there were several of us who placed our pre-orders quickly. We all chipped in our share and then kept an on-going discussion on the official forum for the Tärnan Oceanographer. All buyers who wanted was given the opportunity to share thoughts regarding options like lug-holes or no lug-holes, polished center links or not, design regarding the box etc. and the final result was pretty much in favor for how I wanted it to turn out. It took a while though before the activity on the forum got going and if I’m not wrong I don’t think all the pre-orders were sold out before the watch finally was produced and delivered in June the same year. 50 pieces were made in the first run and if I remember correctly I think another 50 was made but I’m really not sure, I could be wrong. I got my hands on number 17; my forever lucky number.

#83 - The Tärnan Oceanographer.

Nice engravings on the case back.

The watch’s finish didn’t feel very good at all. I was very disappointed. Perhaps my expectations had been set too high. All the waiting had built something up in me and what I received in my hands wasn’t close to meet what I thought I was going to get. Perhaps the so called “best suppliers” was the best on delivering average watch parts? That could have explained a thing or two because it definitely can’t have been the best suppliers of the best watch parts out there. For example the clicks of the bezel felt very stiff and made a loud sound when turned. The bracelet felt cheap. The case back was sharp and the watch was just felt awkward to wear. It had an overall low budget feeling which is hard to describe. Either you know what I’m talking about or you don’t. 

At the hospital after surgery. Totally gone on sedatives after removing my wisdom teeth.

The Oceanographer really got me psyched and I was talking about it all the time. I even got a colleague at work to make a pre-order. Luckily he wasn’t as nerdy and picky as I and was totally fine with what he received. We are not colleagues anymore but the last time I ran into him he was wearing it which was fun to see. I on the other had sold mine quickly. What a shocker!

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.

No 82 & 103 – Doxa SUB 1200T Sharkhunter

YES! Finally we have reached another Doxa. I just love them. Two Sharkhunters has been a part of my collection and I had them both during 2011. The first one I got in May and the second one in October. The second one left quickly because by then I’d realized what it was that didn’t do it for me. It was the orange minute hand. I would have wanted it white like on the 600T Sharkhunter. Man, the 600T Sharkhunter is just great. Probably my favorite of all the Doxa SUB’s. The 1200T is also a nice watch. It’s a little thicker than the 600T and the 1000T and it has the helium escape valve on the left side of the case. My first one was pretty much brand new although I bought it used. It hadn’t been worn at all. The polished bezel was very easy to scratch and the hairlines showed up pretty fast.

#83 - The Doxa SUB 1200T Sharkhunter.

Wrist shot on the balcony.

Sweet cushion case! Measured 42mm excl. crown.

Helium escape valve.

Pocket shot. Or what we in Sweden on the watch forum Klocksnack refers to a so called "MK-shot".

#103 - The second Sharkhunter. A little more worn than the first one.

Even though the iconic Doxa look is orange, the black Sharkhunter is my personal favorite. It’s just as unique looking only a little stealthier. The newly produced Doxa’s that has been discontinued are becoming quite expensive these days. A Sharkhunter 600T is listed today on eBay for $2500. Last time I saw one for sale in Sweden was back in 2012 when it sold for $950 and then everyone thought it was overpriced. Crazy stuff. 

Some final pictures from were the Sharkhunter got caught on camera.

Here with my sister on her Police Academy graduation day. She wore her Traser of course!

Here together with a steak and egg sandwhich and an ice cold beer in the sun on the balcony. Sweet summer days!

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.

No 81 – Breitling Avenger Seawolf E17370

Alright, so does anyone remember why I sold the blue titanium Seawolf? That’s right, it was way too big. As usual. But do you also remember how impressed I was with the details of the dial and the overall high quality? Exactly! And at this time I was a little obsessed with yellow dials and when I saw the E17370 on a black Hershey rubber I was completely sold and had to have it. I don’t know why I’m so crazy about big dive watches and keep insisting to buy them when I know I won’t be able to wear them. It really is insane!

#81 - The Breitling Avenger Seawolf E17370.

The yellow Seawolf I got a hold on was a full set with both the Pro-I bracelet and the Hershey rubber. I tried it on the bracelet once but only wore it on the rubber while I owned it. What a great high end beater it was. This Seawolf was exactly the same as the blue one I had but I liked this one so much more.  I wish I’d kept it as a vacation watch. It’s a perfect watch to wear with just a t-shirt and a pair of Vilebrequin.

Tried it on the Pro-I but if it should be worn on anything else than the Hershey rubber it should be the Pro-II bracelet.

I bought and sold my used yellow Ti Seawolf for $1300 in the summer of 2011. Today when I checked eBay the cheapest full set I found was listed at $2250 and on Chrono24 the cheapest one was listed at $3200. How crazy is that?

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.