Avatar Is a Happy Day! The new watch arrived! I blame this one on that egg sucking dawg Chris Larson. I am hopping mad!  Post contains photos Post contains linked URL
Ricky Lee
May 16, 2009 05:14PM		 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 2,894 (2009-04)

Chris, you see, posted a photo back on 7 May, allowing as how he had to "..quit looking at this watch or else I'll buy it", and further expounding that 'twas "..such a perfect layout for that type of movement". Well, long story short, he sowed the seed that ended up with me, in a moment of Tullamore Dew-induced weakness Laughing!, hitting the "Buy It Now" button. Scary!


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Nevertheless, I do not regret the purchase. Sure, I had to do a bit of justification, since I already own three 24-hour Raketas, four if you count the Dolphin, which quite obviously has a bit of Raketa DNA in its genetic makeup. But hey, I blamed that on Chris, too! Laughing! "If he can collect every dial variation of Vostok Submarine" the thinking went, "surely I can collect all the basic Raketa case types". Wink, wink ...


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

The case shape was a bit of a surprise, too..


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo


..as it falls away at a bit steeper angle along the long edges than does the average cushion case. Solid SS, nicely finished, and a pleasing shape earn it a Thumbs Up! from me. The crystal was also a bit unexpected, being a somewhat unusual acrylic high-ledge low-dome pattern. Also nice, though I fear the high-ledge design may result in the edges getting buggered up, eventually. We'll see...

The back side is plain..


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..and unadorned, as are all the Raketas I've ever seen. Ditto the snapin caseback. I know that some disdain a snapin caseback, but they're A-OK by me, on anything other than a diver.

Another welcome surprise was..


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..the lume. Thumbs Up! Not particularly long-lasting (2, 3 hours max) it is nevertheless impressive with a fresh charge. WIS honeymoon The painting could be a bit crisper, mind you.. and it does look quite crisp under normal lighting, even when viewed through the loupe. All in all one helluva dial IMHO, the best of all my Raketas, and easily a match for the Dolphin. Thumbs Up!

Another surprise was the strap..


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..which was a long, and juuuust long enough to work for me, albeit on the last hole. Yippee! Is Happy Day! But the quality of the strap was the real surprise! My other Raketas came on straps of such outrageously low quality that they could only be considered a joke. This one, though, is a cut above a Speidel or a WBHQ, nearly on a par with a Hirsch. I am confused... You coulda knocked me over with a feather! Scary! Thumbs Up! Laughing!

And it feels soooo right on the wrist;


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Sorry about the smudge on the dial. Oops! My goof! I am sad... It was hot as hell yesterday here in the North Mississippi Hills, and I was sweating like a pig, 'scuse please. Wink, wink ...

In conclusion, I can't recommend this Raketa highly enough. Impeccable design, more finely finished than your typical Post about a Russian watch or movement, and costs less than a top-notch steak dinner. How can you go wrong?! Thumbs Up!WIS honeymoon

Thanks for your attention, Constant Reader.

-Ricky



Messages In This Thread

Is a Happy Day! The new watch arrived! I blame this one on that egg sucking dawg Chris Larson. I am hopping mad! Post contains photos Post contains linked URL (Views: 134)
Ricky Lee -- May 16, 2009 05:14PM
Looks great, Ricky! Thumbs Up! (n/t) (Views: 6)
Dave Murphy -- May 17, 2009 03:06AM
Congrats Mr. McBroom Thumbs Up! (n/t) (Views: 4)
Sfnewguy -- May 17, 2009 01:38AM
Re: Is a Happy Day! The new watch arrived! I blame this one on that egg sucking dawg Chris Larson. I am hopping mad! (Views: 8)
fWord -- May 17, 2009 01:09AM
Well, I saw your lume shot and was very impressed with the way it look. Pity it just lasts a few short hours, but the basic look is excellent.

There's a Mondaine I'm very tempted to purchase, and if I do so, will blame that solely on you. So hey, you're the pot that's calling the kettle black! I am angry!!

Nooooo, blame getting that Mondaine on me! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! Post contains photos (Views: 7)
Chris L -- May 17, 2009 01:17AM
Ricky is a much better blamer than blamee. Lauging out loud!
Photo by Chris Larson

Photo by Chris Larson

Photo by Chris Larson

Re: Ricky is a much better blamer than blamee. Laughing! Post contains photos Post contains linked URL (Views: 6)
Ricky Lee -- May 17, 2009 09:54AM
What're ye sayin' Chris?! Laughing out loud!

Come to think of it, though, I did blame my Mondaine on you, didn't I? Laughing! Laughing! Laughing!

Crazy thing is I'd still love to own the basic 3-hand mechanical model, like yours.. Drooling over that watch!

-Ricky

Re: Ricky is a much better blamer than blamee. Laughing! (Views: 4)
fWord -- May 17, 2009 11:10AM
Simplicity is a good thing. It'd actually mesh (pun intended) very well with my Explorer II.

Re: Nooooo, blame getting that Mondaine on me! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! (Views: 6)
fWord -- May 17, 2009 01:55AM
Ahh!!! No!!! Must not look!

Must not look!

Thou wilt maketh me broke!

R O T F L M A O !!!!

Ah, go ahead. Thumbs Up! Just blame Chris! I am smiling He's.. (Views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- May 17, 2009 10:05AM
..got broad shoulders, and can handle it. Laughing!

-Ricky

Now that was worth the wait,what a good looking Raketa! Thumbs Up! Congrats man! I am smiling (Views: 6)
Bock -- May 16, 2009 11:10PM
Really a looker if you ask me,that dial rocks.Such nice green on that black.And dude what a lume shot! Thumbs Up! Lauging out loud! I could go for one of those I am smiling ... --Eric

Thank you Bock! Glad the suspense wasn't TOO stressful for you.. Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! Post contains photos URL (Views: 5)
Ricky Lee -- May 17, 2009 11:06AM
Quote
Bock
Such nice green on that black.
The green and black do work very well together, I must admit. I don't have anything else even close. Well.. the Alpha One, maybe...


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for Watch Review

Though there it's just the cardinal lume pips, and the green's a much lighter hue. No, this Raketa is pretty much a unique color scheme for me. Thumbs Up!
Quote
Bock
I could go for one of those I am smiling ...
Better hurry! The seller only has a few left, and you know that rascal Chris wouldn't hesitate to horn in on ye! Laughing!

-Ricky

Laughing! Now you made me I am hopping mad! for finally passing it up. (Views: 9)
Chris L -- May 16, 2009 11:03PM
I may still go for one myself, now that you took the plunge for me and posted such a nice review. Wink, wink ...
It is a perfect dial layout for a 24-hour movement. Read the inner circle for the hour, and a simple to read outer minute chapter. Much less confusing for me to read than many of the other Post about a Russian watch or movement 24 hour watches I've seen.

I just need for my paypal account to cool down a few weeks first.

Re: I may still go for one myself.. Post contains photos (Views: 6)
Ricky Lee -- May 17, 2009 10:35AM
Quote
Chris L
..now that you took the plunge for me and posted such a nice review. Wink, wink ...
But remember my motto, "I do these stupid things, dear reader, so you don't have to." Laughing!

But in this case you'd be fine. I am smiling... I do think you'd enjoy the watch. Thumbs Up!
Quote
Chris L
It is a perfect dial layout for a 24-hour movement. Read the inner circle for the hour, and a simple to read outer minute chapter. Much less confusing for me to read than many of the other Post about a Russian watch or movement 24 hour watches I've seen.
I hate to admit this, but if anything I found this dial layout to be a bit less intuitive than the standard Raketa 24-hour layout...



..at least initially. But I think that's only because, with 4 of the things, I'm so used to them. After a little bit the inner hour / outer minute layout worked fine for me, too.
Quote
Chris L
I just need for my paypal account to cool down a few weeks first.
I heard that... Wink, wink ...

-Ricky

Good looking Russian there I am smiling (n/t) (Views: 5)
Ed Brandwein -- May 16, 2009 10:50PM
Realy nice Watch Rickey. Thumbs Up! (n/t) (Views: 5)
DanB -- May 16, 2009 09:32PM
This is living proof that we should never discount even... (Views: 6)
JohnnyT -- May 16, 2009 09:07PM
egg-suckin' Dawgs!! Lauging out loud!!

Good on ye Ricky!!

Re: egg-suckin' Dawgs!! Laughing!! (Views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- May 17, 2009 10:15AM
No indeed! Not at all! I am smiling...

Hey, somebody's got to play the part of Phorum Tempting Devil! Temptress, and Chris does it so well! Laughing!

-Ricky

I like, I like! Thumbs Up! (n/t) (Views: 3)
MCV -- May 16, 2009 09:01PM
I really like that design...I'm a sucker for inner rotating bezels...top marks, RLM! (n/t) (Views: 4)
Chance -- May 16, 2009 08:12PM
That is a very sharp lookin watch! (Views: 5)
Dre -- May 16, 2009 07:58PM
I'll have to remember to pull out my bottle of Glenmorangie and see what I turn up on the bay when I'm ready for another watch!

Re: I'll have to remember to pull out my bottle of Glenmorangie and see what I turn up.. Post contains photos (Views: 5)
Ricky Lee -- May 17, 2009 10:11AM
Just use moderation, lest ye end up with..



The wristwatch version of Coyote Ugly!

Scary! That watch makes me want to... Scary! That watch makes me want to... Scary! That watch makes me want to... Scary!

Laughing! Laughing! Laughing! Laughing! Laughing! Laughing!

-Ricky
PLEASE stop posting these great pics! I have a CCCP or RUSSIAN origin of watch or parts problem already!! >> (Views: 9)
UKRower -- May 16, 2009 07:13PM
And I'm running out of room in the watch box. Awesome pickup, RLM!! Thumbs Up!

Oh no! Least I can do is pass the favor along! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! (Views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- May 17, 2009 09:57AM
Quote
UKRower
And I'm running out of room in the watch box.
I know the feeling! I am sad... Scary! Laughing!
Quote
UKRower
Awesome pickup, RLM!! Thumbs Up!
Thank you! Ian!

-Ricky

Thumbs Up! Congrats! Great, now I have a whole boring Saturday to debate getting a Raketa Arctic Expedition dial You tempting Devil! Laughing! (n/t) (Views: 5)
Brian Uziel -- May 16, 2009 07:09PM
I like that one. Congratulations Ricky Thumbs Up! (n/t) (Views: 3)
PaulGeo -- May 16, 2009 07:00PM
Very nice 24H watch! Thumbs Up! (n/t) (Views: 3)
cnmark -- May 16, 2009 06:39PM
Very all around nice watch, especially the stylish retro style case and the impressive lume. (n/t) (Views: 4)
Paul J Costa -- May 16, 2009 05:43PM
Thank You! Paul! I'm sure diggin' it! WIS honeymoon (n/t) (Views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- May 16, 2009 05:55PM
Great looks! Clean and legible. Thumbs Up! (n/t) (Views: 5)
hedgesjr -- May 16, 2009 05:21PM
Well.. kinda sorta. I am smiling Being a 24-hour movement, the legibility is.. (Views: 8)
Ricky Lee -- May 16, 2009 05:27PM
..by definition compromised, IMHO.

Much as I like them, I must admit that 24-hour dials are nowhere near as intuitive to read as a conventional dial. Wink, wink ...

I've been dual-wristing with this one the past few days, and when faced with a need to actually check the time, I invariably look at the conventional dial. Occasionally, I look at the Raketa then check the other wrist to be sure! Scary! Crazy, man! Laughing!

-Ricky