iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

It's Kodak avoiding paying Alaris (which they founded to fund the pensions) for the trademark. A bit underhanded, so I'll just try this roll and see if I can find the old brands.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 21h

My 9K shutter release embossed with my own trademark/maker's mark.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 21h

Loading Kodak Ektacolor Pro 400 C-41. Essentially rebranded Portra. And Ektapan (TMAX) B/W. Camera is my double pump M3, brassed black paint over gold.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 21h

My Shifu (Sam), his wife and I are visiting CameraFilmPhoto in Hong Kong. They have a wide selection of film. Prices are in HKD.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

A village near Kam Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong. Just now.

In reality, it was close to pitch black. The whole place smelled of cow manure. Not common in Hong Kong.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

This an example of applying a custom logo to the solid 9K quick releases. In this case, my own trademark/ maker's mark since 20+ years ago when I was forging steel and doing leatherwork. And the one I use on my watches. It's embossed, rather than a surface laser mark.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This old Omega Seamaster suits my style, but my own guys overpriced it so I'm not going to keep it. Plus, it clashes with my bag.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Old age and the scars we bear are like a photo album from an epic road trip with your closest friends and family.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I consider it a success. I made 60 bad decisions (60 jumps). Including deciding to jump again after a dislocation in free fall and I got away with it all with relatively little long term consequences. It's like I was born with plot-armor.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

My shoulder grinds like an old camera after some skydiving injuries in my youth.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Tech and consumer companies: We strongly don't want this. You know we don't want this. If you add it, any shred of goodwill your brand had is gone.

I don't even need to say that "this" is, because your machines will read the text in the image.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I mistook the cowboy photo for something else. So not that one.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

He doesn't look well. 😉

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Surely, essentials like choccy biccies should be price-controlled by the home office.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The rewind release released the spools for rewind, but if the lever advance doesn't immediately reengage the lock, it may need taking apart. I don't think you're doing anything wrong, so that leaves mechical failure.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

At this point, my instinct would be to smack it on the table. Probably don't do that. All I can do it repost your question and wait for the actual experts to arrive.

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Reposted by Dan K

Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Calling on my #film camera repair people for a little help troubleshooting an issue with the film advance on a Ricoh KR5 Super II. Any advice you could offer would be welcome.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Try advancing the lever.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Ooh, that was a worryingly dark post of yours that popped up in my feed, but it looks like the weekend has made up for everything! 🌞 ⛰️ 😀

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Very cool. That's a day position I've never seen before.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

That's the best harvest moon photo I've seen this year. Those super bridge cameras are incredibly good value. I remember my wife's cousin coming back from a Safari with Nat Geo level pics and she wasn't even a keen photographer with a fortune invested in gear.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Steeldive Bronze Willard, with patina, at sunset.

It's only just occurred to me why I'm so bad at buying jewelry for women. It's not just tasteful bling. I might even know their style. But like watches for men, there's probably some kind of aspirational self-image going on in there. What does it say about you, how you project your image, or as an expression of your mood. I have a lot to learn.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I think after Seiko put up their movement prices, the Chinese mid tier watch brands have been looking for a good Japanese alternative. But in the long run, they're better off with Chinese or Swiss.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It sounds like a small ball bearing instead of a broken watch like the 8000, but I still don't like it. I would have preferred a Sellita.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I know what the Luddites would have done to those datacentres. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddites

en.wikipedia.org

Luddites - Wikipedia

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Watchdives WDC0001 (sorry for the typo in the post above) is their new flagship/ halo model, showcasing the best they can do. Much more info in the Alt Text.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Wrist roll on the new Watchdives WD0001. It really pops in the late afternoon hard light.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In an era where marketing went "Consumers are cheap and inept, but tolerant of mediocre prints" Minolta set out to make a rangefinder with a fixed lens and pressed aluminum, but for demanding photoraphers who wanted "something like a Leica but smaller and lighter". The result was your 7sII.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I love it! And Quartz is sensible on a Seamaster.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

See what I mean about legibility? 😑 I'm going to need a Goldeneye, aren't I?

The Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Quartz Reference 2541.80.00 was the one worn by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Goldeneye, which kicked off the Omega-James Bond partnership.

Later, Bond switched to the more expensive automatic version, but I personally prefer Quartz.

Why do I need it? It's blue, da ba dee.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I found this Piaget Polo Date Ref. G0A47014 to be wearable and modern. Which it should for a timepiece that retails for about USD11,600. We'll be lucky to get a third of that in our closed trade auction.

A nice office watch. It could do with a gentle repolish. No doubt the buyer will do that. It's not super vintage and collectable so it'd be OK.

It's not expired. It still has the January 2025 manufacturing date sticker on it. Ooh, 100m depth rating and quick release spring bars. That's useful.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

There's a glorious "Tropical" patinated dial on this Rolex Oysterdate Precision Ref. 6694, which is probably at the early end of the 1960s to 80s when the model was made. The Coca Cola branding adds character. It's a Rolex for someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously.

I bet this watch has some tales to tell. I'd buy it drinks in a pub all night just to hear them.

I was half expecting to see Swire Bottlers 50 Years engraved on the back, but sadly, no.

Look how slim it is. Haven't watches changed over the decades?

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Piaget are masters of elegant diamond set ladies watches. This Piaget Limelight white gold wristwatch featuring a brilliant diamond-set oval bezel and a mother-of-pearl dial...is quartz, which is great, because I've yet to meet a lady who enjoys winding ladies watches.

I do love this one. It's a good choice for a young woman.

It was keeping time, so presumably the battery was replaced.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This peanut or guitar looking thing is a ladies watch by Sarcar Genève in 18K white gold and diamond-set. I've seen these advertised for £20k and up, but they must be dreaming.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Now, if I had roughly 1.75x more taste than I do, I'd have bought this 1950s "fat lugs" Omega Seamaster instead of the "Peter Blake".

Pure class, but ignore the strap. 3, 6, 9 and 12 on the patinated dial. It has just the word "Seamaster", probably because claimed water resistance was only 30m when it left the factory. This is a 50s sports watch, meaning nothing more vigorous than Backgammon.

More gold than C3-PO. Actually, I see no hallmarks so I think this is gold capped, which is thicker than plate, but not solid. Still, if it was just plate it'd have worn off by now.l and if it were solid, it would have been melted. A watch this old will have been worn proudly by many and will be worn by many more.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

More cool stuff. Here's the first generation Rolex Sea-Dweller, Reference 1665, specifically the "Great White". It's slim like a Submariner, has 4 digit, late 70s charm.

I wish this were mine. At least I got to wear it.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Omega Seamaster Professional Ref.2254.50. Peter Blake was a famous competitive sailor sponsored by Omega who was shot dead by Brazilian pirates who boarded his yacht "Seamaster" and stole his watch and an outboard motor. This isn't the same watch, but it's the same model he was known for.

It's pretty much the same as any black-on-steel Seamaster, but it has easy to read sword hands instead of skeleton hands.

The clasp is beautiful but offers no adjustment bar a divers extension. Not even with tools. You need to add or remove links. At least the bracelet is tapered. That small mercy is not a given on an Omega.

Hippocampus is a mythical seabeast. As opposed to a Hippopotamus which is endemic to Columbia, thanks to Pablo Escobar.

I paid HK$10,000 for this. With box and papers, one like this will run you upwards of USD3,500.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Me to my GM "Hey, if you ever see one, I'm looking for an original bracelet." GM: "Yeah, that one's the wrong color. Eww 🤢" Me: 😳 And that's what it's like working with a Pawnbroker.

The truth is I just don't see it. I feel it and cna hear it, but I don't see the problem.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I set out to look for a cheap and sh*ty watch for meet ups. It is SO cheap and sh*ty that it's charming. I'm actually enjoying wearing it. Review is in the Alt Text.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

That's the manned torpedo variant.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

It's watch nut fashion going back to the 60s, showing off fixed bars with a skinny strap. It's a bit wee, admittedly.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Lovely watch. I see how it looks like James's Rolex. FYI, I have a hunch that that's an army regimental colours NATO strap like the one Bond wore (though he was a Naval officer) to go with his military issued Rolex A/6538 which had fixed spring bars. More info in the Alt text.

In Goldfinger, Bond wears a Rolex A/6538 Big Crown Military Submariner with fixed spring bars. The lug width is 20mm but Bond is wearing his on a 16mm strap, though the only such MOD standard is RAF 6B/2617 in Admiralty Grey, which this isn't. It was typical for members of the military to wear their service watches understrapped like this. In summary, he changes out of his wetsuit and has the gall to wear the same military issued watch into a black tie casino, where he should be wearing a dress watch, like the Gruen Precision 510 he wore in Dr No. That's pure Bond!

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It's amazing how much difference a strao or bracelet can make! Talking of which, you can't change the bracelet on this TAG Heuer, but it's pretty much the whole point of the watch.

Magical gloopy goodness from Birth Year Watches dot Com.

It's only just occurred to me that this Chronograph has a dive bezel too! Wait, that means it's a dive watch... Ooh 200m!

And I've just noticed the tachymetre. I've been wearing this watch for months and been looking for it since the 90s. I'm not very observant.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I have both the Watchdives titanium version with steel mesh and the Omega version. Really enjoyable watches. Biggest differences are domed sapphire vs top hat and feel of the caseback. The WD007 is going spare, but shipping and tax may not be worthwhile.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

... I recommend you buy the SKMEI 1628 if you want a value for money work watch, process film, or are parked at an expensive car park ticket. Buy the CASIO G-SHOCK DW5600 for prestige, you need an on-paper water resistance rating of 200m or a reference timekeeper for long periods.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Seeing as the SKMEI 1628 has demonstrated pressure resistance of over 5ATM (50m water resistance), and can take the same kind of abuse as a G-Shock, has bettwr lume and can autorestart TR, and costs like a Prêt-à-Manger Sandwich...

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

SKMEI destruction testing. Forhwd head 6 Iron, steel shaft, half and 3/4 swing. 5-6 hits in different positions. Results: Watch survived, slight cut, needs screwdriver and new spring bar. Watch reset, but still working. Details in Alt Text. Conclusion: Similar to a G-Shock.

The unscientific but meaningful test is hitting it progressively harder in various positions with a forged head 6 iron. This is far above and beyond what any watch is likely to need to survive over years of hard use and abuse. It tests impact resistance (case and glass), acceleration (internal components), and cutting (case).

Failures: Hit 1 the spring bar bent, releasing the strap. Hit 2 the watch reset, meaning the power supply was interrupted by something like the battery bouncing around on its electrical contacts. Hit 3 the outer case was cut below a button. Hit 4 a repeated blow on the same cut and exposed corner bent the outer case off the retaining screw and a screwdriver will be needed to resecure it. But after all that, the LCD display and glass are undamaged, all buttons work, illuminator works. Power supply and elecrronics works and there's nothing done that would require a professional repair or replacement, except one spring bar. It's in the ballpark of what I'd expect from one of the better G-Shocks. If you think your watch would do better, hit it a few times with a 6 iron and report your findings.

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Dan K @zdp189.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Ah, little one. She's standing perfectly placed to get hit in the head by every spent case as it bounces back off the wall. She's mostly into cross-stitch, so she's probably trying to punch holes in a grid pattern.

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