Pond Life: Pictures of a Pond

My short photo-study of a small pond with pictures taken last summer.

No real reason, except a summer pond looks good at the end of a Moscow winter.

Lada 112 1.5l 16v GLI

This is my car spotting post in both my Moscow Cars and Lada Love series of posts.

I saw this Lada 112 hatchback recently.

There's no grille, just a slot... which I like as I somehow decided that I like grille-less cars (typically of the 1990s) more than the gaping maws all cars seem to have now - which are fake too for the most part because no way the engine needs that big an opening in the front end.

Overall, its style is dated of course.

However some think that it is unique. 

And I certainly think so too but it does seem to be on the clumsy or even ugly side of things, especially at first, but then it sort of grows on you and you begin to appreciate and even like it. 

I should know as I actually honed my then newly acquired driving skills in a Lada 112.

The fifth door has a spoiler.

Actually it is the spoiler that makes it possible to identify the car as a much rarer (and earlier) version - a 21120 with the 21120 engine, 1.5l 16 valve GLI... where GLI stands for Grand Luxe Injector no less. They had this spoiler and are pretty rare. This is the first time I saw one.

But most, especially later, versions had a different and much more prominent spoiler, and are more common, still to be seen daily in Moscow, though production ceased in 2008. 

I had a lot of driving time in the latter version and I remember the spoiler could really hide a car behind you. You are driving relaxed, you look in the rear view mirror behind you -- and there's nothing there -- then just 20 seconds later a car is breezing past you. Where did it come from? - From behind the spoiler thing.

And a nice promo picture from years back (borrowed from here). The front end. It is a sedan version (Lada 110) but it's the same as the Lada 112 has.

Instrument cluster & center stack.

Website: SEIKO 5 Finder

Internet browsing yielded another watch related website which looks good and potentially useful.

SEIKO 5 Finder (link to site) is, as far as I can see, an enthusiast website on Seiko Fivers.

It offers info, search tips, pictures, advice, probably customization.

I am adding it to my collection of WWW watch related links which is on the right hand pane, scroll down to see.

My own Seiko 5 out of the year 2001 is here: ten years after: my seiko 5

It was after viewing the site that I realized that the "5" in Seiko 5 allegedly stands for 5 qualities:

1. Automatic winding
2. Day/date displayed in a single window
3. Water resistance
4. Recessed crown at the 4 o’clock position
5. Durable case and bracelet

As regards current Seiko 5s, they are certainly on my radar.

What I don't like about them is that they are much pricier now than they use to be, also seem to have round or rounded cases whereas I prefer the 1970=80s look - square, angular cases, faces etc. 

But what I definitely like about current Seiko Fivers is their display case backs.

My Seiko 5 ca. 2001

Seiko 5 movie

Water Resistance Marks on Watches

Here's a look at some water resistance marks on some of my watches.

According to Wikipedia, Water Resistant is a common mark stamped on the back of wrist watches to indicate how well a watch is sealed against the ingress of water. 

Any water resistance mark is better than none. One assumes that, if there is no such mark, the watch is not "sealed against the ingress of water", with most watches being in this category even now.

It has to be said though that the whole water resistance mark thing in watches had resisted standardization for a long time until some recent past, and some claims of water resistance had to be taken with skepticism but now there are at least two ISO standards dealing with the matter, though they are not universally applied, even in this day and age.

Watches from the Soviet and now Russian periods may continue to use non-standard water resistance marks. Here is a look at such marks and what they mean on the example of some of my own watches.

This Slava 3050 says Водонепроницаемые on the back which literally means "water-proof" as in "impermeable to water". But in reality it at best corresponds to the current standard of Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only and NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkeling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving.

Two Zaria 3105.01 moon phase watches. The water resistance mark here says Водозащищенные which literally means "water protected" and in actual fact probably means same as above - Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only. NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkeling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving. 

However, I should note that the back on those Zarias is very tight requiring a watchmaker's press to snap it back after you open it and there is also a rubber seal and some water repellent lubricant in the crown stem assembly. You could probably take a shower wearing it with no consequences.

Komandirskie 2416b above. Says Водонепроницаемые as in Slava 3050 above. But in this case I am willing to bet it corresponds to at least Water Resistant 5 ATM or 50 m, that is, suitable for swimming, white water rafting, non-snorkeling water related work, and fishing but NOT suitable for diving.

I showered with it on once myself no problem, except it's not good for the pressed leather strap, even though it is supposed to be water repellent treated. 

Slava 2416 Flotskie, above. Marine-themed, as Flotskie means of, or pertaining to, Fleet or Navy. The water resistant mark here says Повышенная водозащита which means "increased water protection" and there's a picture of a cute little dolphin for good measure on the back. Water born- and sea-dwelling creatures are often used to indicate water protection and not only in Russian watches. In this case we have also only basic water resistance as in Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only.

My Sturmanskie Strela 3133 Volmax mech chrono. Says Водонепроницаемые 30м, that is, exactly this: Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, meaning splash/rain resistant only, and NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkelling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly NOT suitable for diving. 

Also it is a mechanical pusher-operated chronograph and mechanical chronographs and water typically don't mix in any combination with few exceptions. 

A whole bunch of three Vostok Amphibias. These are the most water resistant Russian watches (second only to military spec Zlatoust divers). The back says Водонепроницаемые 200 м, i.e. Water Resistant 20 ATM or 200 m, meaning suitable for professional marine activity, serious surface water sports and skin diving and suitable for skin diving. Some even claim that they are more than that and can be used as professional divers but I have my doubts.

My experience, however, suggests these watches are good for a hot tub, sauna, steam bath, swimming pool -- used them in all of those places with no ill effect at least in the immediate aftermath. Though I replace them after about 3-4 years of use but never service.

And here's a bonus - my Seiko 5 cal. 7s26 of 2001 vintage below. The water mark here is again the non-standard WP probably meaning "water protected" - the most basic water protection offered by Seiko probably again corresponding to the current standard of Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only. NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkelling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving.

Mark Knopfler’s ‘Tracker’ coming March 16th/17th : MarkKnopfler.com

Mark Knopfler’s ‘Tracker’ coming March 16th/17th : MarkKnopfler.com

Snow

Lots of snow in Moscow... this snow drift is taller than my car!

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Moscow Cars: Daewoo Matiz M150 Series

A Daewoo Matiz on a Moscow street in city dirt camouflage, almost blending in with the surroundings. 

Next time I am going to shoot a cleaner example also wait for better weather.

But for now... there's some filter play.

This is the First-Gen Daewoo Matiz face-lifted M150 series (1999-2003). 

Its production ceased more than ten years back everywhere... except continued unabated at Uzbekistan's Uz-Daewoo factory and may still be continuing to this day to the joy of its many fans here.

A very popular car throughout the former Soviet Union, in Russia and in Moscow.

Especially popular with pizza-delivery kind of people, ladies and everybody who needs (or can only afford) a small car.

Subsequent models, including the Chevrolet Spark, didn't quite catch up with it in popularity and are practically non-existent.

 Nice photo gallery BTW at the factory's website from where come the above and below pictures.

Matiz Best!

Another testament to its popularity in Russia is a slick Matiz-dedicated website - www.matiz2.ru - worth a look.

More resources - 3D view of Matiz passenger compartment.

And there is an international Matiz site - MyMatiz.com. 

ДМЛ-120 / DML 120 Lithium Button Cell1983

From my collection comes this vintage Soviet DML-120 lithium button cell, made in 1983, in the USSR.

It is still in its plastic thing and with a small accompanying leaflet. Though I am sure it was used.

ДМЛ-120 (DML-120) button cell, manufactured in 07.83, lithium.

This thing was used to power small calculators like Electronika MK-51 (I had one) and maybe some electronic watches.

It's 23 mm in diameter and is very likely an equivalent of the present-day CR2325.

No sign of leakage anywhere after 30+ years and not much corrosion.

Leaflet.

It's price was RUB 6 back in the day. A lot of money, about US$11 at the official exchange rate. You could buy school lunches for a month with less money, eat 6-7 times at a workers' canteen, or have a nice dinner for two at a prestigious restaurant with entertainment.