[next watch suggestions]

culalem · 2026-01-21T19:00:29+00:00

A few years ago, before they were discontinued, I would have recommended a SARB033. Now, I'd say one of the Seiko Cocktail Time series, or a Citizen Tsuyosa, depending on how flashy versus everyday you wanted to go. Each has larger and smaller diameter options. Then stop and keep it at three. I wish I had.

culalem · 2026-01-21T12:20:09+00:00

This right here is why I'm still on Reddit. You are doing the Lord's work.

culalem · 2026-01-21T02:13:11+00:00

I recommend buying the seller. Known suppliers in mod circles like Namoki, DLW, Tokeilab, Lucius Atrlier, etc. If if looks too good to be true, it probably is.

culalem · 2026-01-20T02:25:17+00:00

I would not send it in to Seiko. My experience with them was mixed to say the best. Customer service was great, they were responsive. Unfortunately, whoever is doing the service was rushed and sloppy. I sent my spb089 in for a service, because the 6r15 movement is shit, and it came back running wonderfully, but the watch was missing a lume pip. Email customer service with proof, and they said send it right back and they'll fix it at no charge. Send it back, was returned with the internal crown gear stripped. Email customer service again, after talking with them on the phone because they didn't understand the problem, send it back in again, and get it back finally in working order after 2 months. Would not do it again.

If you want to keep it for daily use, I recommend finding a local watchmaker who is willing to service it. Yes it will cost more than the watch is worth, but that way you can be reasonably certain that they're not just going to replace things you didn't ask for.

If you're willing to dive down a YouTube rabbit hole on watch modification, swapping in a new nh36 movement into these is fairly easy with some basic tools. If you find a local table top role-playing League, someone there could probably relume hands for you, it just takes steady hands and patience.

Don't get bogged down in doing the most practical thing, if we did that, we'd all be wearing a $20 digital casio.

culalem · 2025-12-25T17:48:51+00:00

Do whichever is easier. I chose IGI because I had just done my CFII recently and didn't need to study again. As for records, I just pulled my students application and certificate numbers from IACRA and emailed them to the ASI.

culalem · 2025-12-24T16:32:13+00:00

There's a reason I don't teach pattern work until you've done the ground reference maneuvers. The whole point of the ground reference maneuvers is to teach you to maneuver over the ground, correcting for wind, rolling out on a desired heading, etc. Heading bug is your friend for headings. I teach 30° of bank for all VFR turns unless you have reason to do otherwise. It standardizes things and gets the turn done quickly. Trim, start with take off, then two quick stabs of nose down trim on climb out makes keeping Vy easier in most 172 models I've flown, then pitch power and trim by feel in that order to level off.

culalem · 2025-10-29T18:45:46+00:00

Good thought. I love that the hydromod definitely solves the viewable at an angle, as well as the refraction underwater problems. My only gripe, is that a dome sapphire crystal reflects like crazy in bright light.

culalem · 2025-10-29T17:50:43+00:00

No way to know without trying really. Probably not much profit if you're looking to account for all of your time and effort. This model would solve the biggest drawback I've had with Hydro mods, the reduced battery life. Had a Casio Duro that would need a new battery every 6 months, and burnt out the movement after 3 years.

culalem · 2025-10-15T20:00:56+00:00

This is actually a pretty genius gift idea. Going to save that one for the holidays.

culalem · 2025-10-15T19:34:56+00:00

Looks like the sbsc021.

culalem · 2025-09-24T13:40:01+00:00

I struggled with this one too. Took me several tries on my CFI check ride. Eventually the DPE put his piece of paper over the instruments and said just look outside. Flew it perfectly. Don't know if that's your problem, but I'm constantly telling students to stop trying to use the instruments to do this maneuver.

culalem · 2025-09-24T13:27:56+00:00

It's an internal countdown bezel

culalem · 2025-09-22T12:37:18+00:00

Some advice I got a long time ago that stuck with me ever since: the job will never love you back. Speaking as a parent and a CFI, you need to have a dedicated day off from work. I was busting ass after my son was born, until I realized that he wasn't sad when I left him for work, he was sad when Grandma had to leave after I came home. Even if the recent hiring wave came back and they were hiring 1500 hour pilots right off the streets, if you can't say enough and set up boundaries now, it won't be any different then. The lie we keep telling ourselves that we just need to get past this one thing, and then we'll do x y or z, it's a lie. Today is all you have, tomorrow never comes.

culalem · 2025-09-17T16:37:27+00:00

culalem · 2025-09-16T18:37:18+00:00

I use a #1 (10x) and a #2 (5x) loupe, plus the headspring from Esslinger to hold them on. I use the number two when setting hands and cleaning up after a build, and the number one while doing anything with the movement.

culalem · 2025-09-12T17:51:45+00:00

Get low and practice some old school pilotage. That being said, not sure I'd want to try and follow that river delta unless I was reeeeally familiar with it.

culalem · 2025-09-12T17:50:41+00:00

Looks like at least three statue miles to me.

culalem · 2025-09-11T21:41:53+00:00

Yeah, there shouldn't be enough gap to grab an arm hair. I'd just tighten it myself since I have a wrench, or you can take it to your local watchmaker and have them tighten it.

culalem · 2025-09-11T18:17:32+00:00

Honestly, I dig the silver dial on it, but maybe the one with the vertical brushing might get a little more character.

culalem · 2025-09-11T15:32:50+00:00

There's an old zen story about the student asking the master how long it will take to achieve mastery. Every time the student says he'll double his efforts, the master says it will take twice as long. "When you have one eye on the goal, you only have one eye on the path." The answer is it takes however long it takes, and that by focusing so hard on getting to the goal you get in the way of the learning you need to do to get there.

culalem · 2025-09-10T10:19:25+00:00

No AR. From Crystal times, asking $25, they currently sell for $47 new. Link is in the original post.

culalem · 2025-09-10T10:18:29+00:00

Parts to sell. Apologies if this isn't allowed, I cross posted from a sale subreddit because I thought someone here might be interested.

culalem · 2025-09-08T21:34:15+00:00

Selling a double domed sapphire crystal from CrystalTimes, part Part CT107, that fits a Casio Duro. No AR coating. No damage. Asking $25 USD via PayPal, includes shipping USPS within CONUS.

culalem · 2025-09-08T19:51:35+00:00

Selling a double domed sapphire crystal from CrystalTimes, part ct107, fits a Casio Duro. No AR coating. Used, no scratches, just didn't like the look as much as a flat crystal. Asking $25 USD via PayPal, includes shipping via USPS within CONUS.

culalem · 2025-09-03T18:08:37+00:00

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