The I.T. Life

Not that I am the classiest guy around (frankly I am a bit closer to border-line slob some days), but I do appreciate a simple and elegant design. Watches are something that I’ve been fond of years now, my two current watches are a Bulova and  Citizen, neither extremely elegant however both are very nice watches.

Victorianox has released there “original” series, throwing back to a very classic Swiss Army style. With NATO straps, and drab military colors the watch may help you re-live your dream of truly being in the Swiss-Army. As well as the clean look, they offer a 40mm case, scratch-proof bezel, luminous hands and is even water resistant to 330 feet. I think this may be on my wish list.

I’m a bit of a watch snob, I don’t own a lot but I drool over lots of them. I’m adding this new Casio to my wish list, partial because I love the G-Shock series, but mostly because of the awesome feature set. For $130 you’ll get a watch tougher than you are (just look up the G-Shock line, there insane) with front facing temperature and pressure sensors, that allow you to see both current temp and altitude all at the same time.

I’m a big watch fan, the problem is I don’t have the money to buy the ones I really love. Now, even though the price for this citizen is TBA, it will be part of that list. The new Satellite Wave from Citizen features a sleek and modern design, with some pretty fancy tech to power it. Unlike atomic watches which use RF, Citizen actually picks your local time via a GPS. And like other Eco Drive watches, this is solar powered to keep it constantly running.

So I’m drooling over new watches, and with my new active lifestyle and my birthday coming up in a few months, it might be the best time to make people know what I want. I’ve decided I want a Suunto watch. I’ve liked Suunto for years and they are a very well known brand, they started with compasses, and they still make great ones, but now they are into everything from you standard heart rate watch, to full military spec GPS watches. I’ve convinced myself I don’t need a GPS watch because I have a very nice unit already (though its not built into a watch). I have a belt clip so if I’m walking, and can get a handlebar mount for cheap if I’m biking, and if I’m kayaking its waterproof anyways. So anyways, this leaves me to some other features they offer that I want. First almost all watches come with a digital compass, altimeter, and barometer, so they can give you weather and everything, there great. Now the next feature I want is a heart rate monitor, and this is where I get myself into some trouble. The watches with HR monitors (in my opinion) are pug ugly. There basic, boaring, and look like any cheap Timex $30 watch. However, there is a watch, (the Core) that is a very nice watch, looks great (many styles actually, I want black/orange) and does all the basic altimeter, barometer, compass, etc however, it does not do HR. So, I’m between a rock and a ugly place. I can get all the data I want, but have a watch I will likely only wear when I am exercising, or a watch that is as attractive as my other watches, however doesn’t give me HR data. Now, I’m a gadget fan, and not a big all in one fan, so if I can find a pocket HR monitor or something like that, I may be convinced…. But for now, I’m sold on the Core.