The New Seiko Prospex 6R15 Divers

This isn't as theoretical as you might think since many races ban music players. With the Nike+ SportBand, you can see all the same information that the Nike Amp+ iPod displayed on the screen of your Nano (pace, distance, calories burned, etc.), but on an LCD integrated into the SportBand itself rather than on the screen of your iPod.Like the Nike Amp+, you can still upload your running data when you get home, so it's just as well integrated into the whole Nike/Apple ecosystem. All you do is pop the Nike+ Link out of the SportBand, and plug it directly into your computer's USB port.Nike has also introduced a web-based coaching system called Nike+ Coach with professionally crafted programs for a range of fitness goals.While it's probably splash-resistant, I'd not get this watch wet.The dial has a nice amount of fine detail and is done in a classical style. The minute track and subseconds are circular-grooved, and the face has a mesh pattern impressed. The hands are blue, with Breguet-style minute hand and *** second hand. Overall, it's well proportioned, not too busy and very functionally attractive. On the back we see the display window showing a basic movement of Chinese manufacture. You can see that the bridges and rotor have what I would call 'stamped geneva stripes' on them, meant to evoke a real Cote du Geneve finish.

Stainless case and bracelet (pictured at left), black dial, red compass markings on the chapter ring, and a nifty combined compass/time bezel. In com

The graphical display of altitude was nice, though I only used that to review the ride once I was done.I should mention another feature that I really like on this watch, the alarm. Long ago relegated to checkbox status, innovation in this area has languished. Not so on the WS4: By using the bitmapped display for prompts, you can easily select that it ring on weekdays, weekends, a specific day only, with five-minute backup alert. I used it to wake up on weekdays, and rather enjoyed not having it go off Saturday morning. It seems like a small thing, but I appreciate the versatility it provides. I was hoping to wear the WS4 hiking in the Anza Borrego State Park, but ended up moving house instead, so the outdoor portion of this review will have to wait.The compass should be quite useful there. The altimeter is considerably more capable than I've yet put to use: You can set all sorts of alerts and alarms for max/min altitude, time above or below a set height, set four reference points, track time in or above a given altitude, graphically display ascent/descent and more. The weather forecasting on the WS4 uses barometric pressure to predict the short-term trends, and is thus only slightly more useful than visual observation. It's most helpful for rapidly dropping pressure signaling a storm, which for the backcountry is reason enough to exist. There's only two things I can suggest for improvement on the WS4: Solar power and better waterproofing.

Review of the Phosphor P

The Alpinists are now being redesigned with three new models set to drop in late July for the Japanese domestic market. The case shape has changed considerably, and the crown is now at the 4 o'clock position, and from these pictures, it appears that they're using a variant of the classic SKX-series divers' watch case.There are three new models, all with the 6R15 mechanical movement.The first one I want to talk about is the ion-plated black SARB063 (top right). List price on this is 71,400 Yen, or about $720 USD. For that, you get a plated case and bracelet which gives the watch a fashionable flat black look. The black-framed hands are a trifle less legible but still quite readable in my opinion. The white-on-black bezel pops visually, and looks very functional.Next is the SARB059: Stainless case and bracelet (pictured at left), black dial, red compass markings on the chapter ring, and a nifty combined compass/time bezel. In common with the other models, it has a screwdown crown, domed mineral glass crystal, screwdown caseback, 23-jewel movement, and accuracy rated to -15/+25 seconds per day.Handsome, unobtrusive, and a very legible face. I like the nice touch of white-on-black date window and bold hands.List price is 60,900 Yen, or about $600 USD.Last but not least is the budget model, the SARB061 (lower right). List price is 57,750 Yen, or about $580 USD. For that, you get a rubber strap instead of a bracelet, and only the bezel is ion-plated for a nice contrast with the stainless steel case. Weight on these three is unknown; thickness is listed at a reasonable 13mm. The previous generation of Alpinists was less to my liking, but these are a delight.

Review of the Luminox EVO SEAL Colormark 3051

Dials are black (shown right) or silver. It's an understated look, with just hours, minutes, and the date at six o'clock.The 2892 is the next movement up from the ubiquitous 2824, and is considered to be a better design. It's the base for most of Omega's co-axial series, for example, and is held in very high regard by watch aficionados. I think 40mm is a perfect size for this watch: large enough to read easily without partaking of the big watch craze. Even though I'm close to seven feet tall, I don't want a full-dress watch to occupy too much wrist space -- it's supposed to be understated, after all.List price for these ranges from $745 to $795, and they seem to be available for a bit less than that. Given the 2892 beating inside it, I consider this to be an excellent value.If you're like me, you probably never thought of using the flip-dot technology that you see on roadside signs for a wristwatch. A company called Sequel AG did, though, and has miniaturized it and licensed the technology to Guess for a line of women's watches appearing this fall to be called G-Motion. If you hit the link, you'll see a Flash video of the watch in action; in this case the design is Swarovski crystals (red/white) which makes for a standout look.In effect, the face of the watch becomes a bitmapped display -- either on or off -- and we're excited about the possibilities of what a watch designer could do with that. the G-Motion line appears to use it for eight-segment displays of time/date/seconds, but you could also draw graphics, text, or pretty much anything else.

Swiss watchmaker Rado

Swiss watchmaker Rado has been obsessing over highly scratch resistant watchesfor over 40 years, and now it looks like they have truly outdone themselves withthe RadoV10K. The name "V10K" comes from 10,000 Vickers. Vickers area measurement of hardness and resistance, and 10,000 is the top of the scale --achieved only by diamonds, and now, by the Rado V10K.Some of the materials that go into the Rado V10K are fairly standard: titaniumcaseback and clasp (extremely strong and lightweight), sapphire crystal, and arubber strap (available in black, orange, red, and blue). The rest of the watch,however, is decidedly non-standard. Using a furnace capable of recreating the atmosphericpressure of Jupiter, Rado actually coats the case of the V10K with synthetic diamonds.If diamonds are the hardest substance in the world, the only way to build a trulyscratch-proof watch is to actually use diamonds to coat it.It's nice to see that Rado did not sacrifice aesthetics to achieve this amazingfeat. While the V10K is certainly an unconventional watch, it is also ***, stark,and stunning. It's so *** and stark, in fact, that it doesn't even have a crownto interrupt the flow of its form. Rather, the watch is adjusted by placing a magneticdevice which is integrated into the strap against the caseback -- at once, bothhigh-tech and retro (remember the Pulsar LEDs of the 70's?).The Rado V10K contains a Swiss quartz movement. It's is water resistant, and comeswith a 2-year guarantee. Pricing is available upon request.