And now it’s time for that promised closer look at the Jorg-Gray 6500.  Unlike the model that President Obama sports, we’re taking a look at the bronze finish variant (hence the -31 suffix).

As mentioned in our earlier look, this model sports a chronograph feature.  You start timing by using the pusher located at the 2 o’clock position (and with a very satisfyingly-solid click); you can stop/start timing with that same pusher.  To reset it, you’ll use the pusher located at 4 o’clock (again, another solid click).  If you’re using it for an extended amount of time, you’ll rely on the sub-dial at 9 o’clock to track the elapsed time.

The remaining sub-dials have very clear (and easy-to-read) purposes.  At the 3 o’clock position, you have a 24-hour indicator, and at 6 o’clock, you’ve got the seconds ticking away.  Between those two, obviously, you have the date display (the white background here makes it readable, but I would’ve liked to see black, for a better blend with the dial).

All in all, we have a very sensibly laid-out dial in black with white indicators and accents.  I was uncertain at first how this would work with all the brown tones (bronze finish on the case and hands; dark-brown alligator strap), but I have to admit – it all comes together aesthetically.

I know in other posts, I’ve gone on and on as to how a dress watch should be simple, on a black leather strap and with a white or silver dial, but this watch has broadened my outlook.  The 41mm case is the right size, and thin enough to slip easily under a shirt cuff, even with the domed mineral crystal.  And the bronze finish here, again, is just a unique look – almost a dark rose gold, if you will.

All in all, this is a great watch.  Sure, you might not expect to pay $395  for a quartz watch – but I’d definitely recommend you give this one a closer look.  The combination of functionality and looks, and a solid quartz movement, make for an appealing package.  And, of course, if you would prefer to not have the 44th President’s name on the back of the watch, they do have a non-commemorative option as well.

]]> http://www.wristwatchreview.com/2011/12/18/review-jorg-gray-6500-31/feed/ 0 http://www.wristwatchreview.com/2011/12/14/review-jorg-gray-jg1020-12/ http://www.wristwatchreview.com/2011/12/14/review-jorg-gray-jg1020-12/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:20 +0000 Patrick Kansa http://www.wristwatchreview.com/?p=4720

Awhile back, we brought your attention to a newer brand that recently got some high-profile exposure courtesy of President Obama.  While we be taking a closer look at a variation on that model, we’re first going to take a look at another model, the JG1020-12.

This model is one of a handful that JG offers in a bronze finish – and it works quite nicely on this watch.  Combined with the brown face and leather strap, you’ve got a very nice, and casual presentation.  What’s running under all those earth tones?  Glad you asked!

For starters, you have a Miyota 2115 three-hand movement and a date-display complication.  This is housed in a 45mm stainless steel case (with the afore-mentioned bronze finish) that features a fixed bezel.  Up front you have a mineral crystal, and around back you’ve got a screw-in caseback.  This all combines to give you a watch that will run without much attention, and is water resistance to 100 meters.

Of course, you may not want to go quite that deep with the included leather strap.  This is one of the thickest straps I’ve seen on a production watch, and is quite nice and comfortable.  The one wrinkle I ran into with the strap is a minor one.  With the first (fixed) keeper on the strap, it’s a touch too tight, which makes threading the end of the strap a bit more difficult than you’d expect.

Of course, that’s a very minor quibble.  At a $275 MSRP, this is a rather affordable, and good looking, option for a casual watch.  The case has a very vintage (almost Panerai-like, I’d say) feel to to it, and inspired my wife to say that this is a watch she’d buy for me if she saw it in the store.  Suffice to say, this is solid watch, and the bronze finish isn’t something you see every day.  Sure, not a truly bronze case, but eminently more affordable.

Well, then it just might be good enough for you!  In one of my research sessions surfing the web, I came across the watch company Jorg Gray.  If you’re like me, you’re wondering who they are.  Lucky for you, I’ve done some digging (even uncovered our own post from 2009), and they’re a California-based company that’s been around since 1998 – so they’re really not newcomers at this point.

Of course, their biggest “claim to fame” is that fact that the Secret Service gave a Jorg Gray to President Obama, and he’s actually put it to use.  So, let’s have a look at a variant of the model the President wears, shall we?

While the model he wears is the 6500, I was actually drawn more to the 6550 chronograph (to my eyes, the only difference is the main dial color).  You can tell by looking at the watch that it’s a chronograph; along with that functionality you get:

• 41mm steel case
• Matte silver dial with silver and black sub-dials
• Date display
• Quartz movement (a Miyota, I think)
• 100m water resistance

While at first it seemed odd to me that the sub-dials were not all the same color, it grew on me.  If anything, it makes the watch feel a bit more balanced.  If I could change anything on this watch, it would be the strap.  It’s well-known that I’m not a fan of the crocodile-patterned straps, and this one is no exception.

Of course, at a $350 list (less if you search the web), you could certainly pop it onto something else.  Perhaps a gray/black NATO strap would work nicely here…

UPDATE:  We should have some true hands-on reviews of a few JG pieces coming up in the near future.

No?  Ok, how about one who’s name is inspired by what pirates called cannons, due to the weight of the cannon balls being fired?  We have just such a watch from RedSea with their Six Pounder model.

RedSea is based out of Minnesota, and they’re a relatively new company on the scene (from what I can see on their website, it seems they’ve only been around for a few years).   The RedSea name references one of the most popular dive sites in the world, and in their words, invokes excitement and adventure.

Fittingly, it seems their watches have been on plenty of adventure:

 So far our watches have been spear gun fishing off the coast of Texas with a former US Navy Submariner; on the wrist of Seattle’s Lead Bomb Detective who will be wearing the Holystone as he is part of President Obama’s Protection Detail during his visit to the Pacific NW; on a bottle of Red Stripe Jamaican Beer on the red/black nato strap (pic is on our Facebook page); fishing in the Canadian Boundary Waters and the owner swears a Northern Pike tried to bite it off his wrist.)

This model has a clean, simple look to it.  You get a screw-down crown and a functional bezel that rotates around a 44mm stainless steel case (can be unfinished, or with PVD) and contains a Miyota 9015 movement that beats away at 28,800 BPH.  The striking red hands keep things readable, and replicate cannons with the lumed “cannon balls” graphics on them.  And speaking of that lume? It’s all blue, courtesy of  LÜM-TEC.

Rounding out the package you have an AR-coated sapphire crystal, and 22mm lugs that can contain one of the three straps that RedSea provides – a five-link diver bracelet (again, unfinished or PVD),  or a NATO or rubber strap.  This all comes together in a watch that is water resistant to 300 meters that you can pick up for $665 (stainless) or $695 (PVD).  I have to say, it’s a solid-looking entry from a young company in the dive watch market.  If you’d like to read a bit more, you can check out Ariel Adams’ take on it from back in 2010.

Ariel got some hot video of Ke$shaha talking about her sexy new Baby-G line! They come in red, white, and blue! And animal print! She wants Dave Grohl to wear her watch! Also Obama! What a great spokesperson!

What Russian economy collapse? Apparently, despite the fact the people in Russia are starving and with out heat during the winters, government officials still find the funds to buy the little things that make life easier. Like $240,000 Patek Phillipe wristwatches. Everyone snickered a little bit over the Jorg Gray worn by President Obama, but these Russians really know their time pieces.

A russian newspaper (now missing, whereabouts unknown) started to notice a trend in the pictures of their elected officials. They were all wearing some very expensive watches. The gentleman in the picture at the top of this article is wearing a Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillion, worth approximately $425,000 for example. There’s also quite a few Breguet, Rolex, and even a Vacheron Constantin making an appearance. It’s kind of disturbing when you take a look at them all.

Obama wears a Jorg Gray 6500 Series Chrono and now you, too, can own the same watch. How much is this piece of presidential ephemera? $325, babies, and worth every penny. Here’s the story:

org Gray 6500 Chronograph worn by President Obama was given to him as a 46th birthday present by the members of his Secret Service detail. President Obama was the earliest Presidential candidate to be assigned a full Secret Service detail (in May 2007) and his relationship with the members of his security team has been reported to be very close.

It runs a Citizen Miyota quartz movement, which makes President Obama another proud member of the quartz majority. Pick it up now and own, quite literally, a piece of history. It’s a basic chrono movement with the following complications:

12-hour main watch with luminous seconds hand
24-hour indicator inset dial at three o-clock position
Continuous seconds indicator at six o-clock position
Chronograph minutes (stop-watch) at nine o-clock position