EdipisReks1

Monday morning wrist check: Chopard LUC XP in grey gold. A wonderful daily wear watch that I rarely wear. 7.2mm thin. Wears like a dream.

Picked up a Nikon D40x with 18-55 kit lens in basically BNIB condition for $100 shipped. This is for my stepson. He has been shooting with his iPad Mini for years, so this should be a big upgrade. He turns 11 this year, and I think the D40 body will work well for him. I bet he outgrows auto pretty quickly and will want me to explain photography to him. Plus now he can help shoot the wedding!

Picked up a D610 and 50mm f/1.4G, full set, under 13,000 actuations, for so cheap as to be free. I loved my D600, but sold it for Fuji. Between the 610 and the Q, I’ll be set to shoot my upcoming wedding (will have to pass things off from time to time, of course!). Need to get an 85mm; I have an 85mm, but only AI-S. Gosh it’s a good time to buy DSLR. I’ve seen D4s for not much than I spent on the 610. Though in… used condition.

Just gonna leave this. From the Breville.

Picked up a Leica Q. Should be a big upgrade over no camera.* Wish I had never sold my X100F. *no digi camera. I have an FM2 and a bunch of lenses, which I use.

That GS is gorgeous. Oatmeal Johnny likes my dad’s watch.

Yes there is. Speaking of Cartier… I’m not quite as happy with the engraving on the Credor, but it’s such a tiny watch.

For anyone who cares, a long term impression of the Niche Zero and Breville Dual Boiler: I couldn’t be happier. My Breville issues were caused by buying used, nothing inherently wrong with the machine. It’s super easy to use and makes just absolutely delicious espresso. Temperature is spot the fuck on. I have no desire to do the Slayer mod, but of course I have a Flair 58. Regarding the Niche, it took me a little while. I didn’t love it compared to 64 SSP burrs, at first, but I have come around to it. Using it is of course foolproof. Workflow is perfect. Shots are round and unctuous and delicious. I honestly don’t want to “upgrade:” I’m perfectly happy. I have a routine that I go through twice every morning, and I enjoy the coffee every time, even when I fuck up on coffee selection (I found a light roast Yirgacheffe somehow so porous I have to grind on 0, but it just barely pulls a traditional shot: I normally just turbo it, though: it’s still good). Both machines are older, but quality hasn’t been affected by the appearance of competitors: I would buy both again, here in 2024. Maybe I would get the Duo, if I were buying new now, but I’m unlikely to “upgrade” from the Zero to one: it’s a great grinder.

I didn’t find one, on my search for a 1908, but I found a couple watches I wouldn’t mind going home with. The Louis is most likely, but I think I would honestly buy a Ralph Lauren 867 by Piaget first for half the cash.

The Ultra (and 2; these are essentially identical) is amazing.

For those interested, the bracelet from Ultra Supply Co is very nice for the price. It’s an exact match for the Ultra’s finish. It is built well, though has a cheap stamped clasp (it’s sturdy enough). It’s a lot cheaper than the Sandmarc or Nomad bracelets. I have their titanium Milanese mesh coming soon, too. Recommended.

Picked up an Apple Watch Ultra 2. I have decided that if I’m going to wear an Apple Watch, which I do 95 percent of the time, that I want it to be an Ultra. Maybe having two Ultras is silly, but I don’t have to worry about charge now (I would swap to my series 7 when the ultra died and then rush to change back). Unlike with my “old” Ultra, I have picked up a generic titanium bracelet, instead of another Sandmarc; options have gotten a lot better than they were a year ago, so I don’t see the point in spending hundreds on a bracelet when you can (hopefully!) spend dozens instead. Also I seem to have lost my Series 7, so I needed a second Apple Watch anyway.

I’ve been getting used to wearing a gold watch on the regular (the Chopard being an automatic and all; Santos Dumont isn’t a daily wear watch). It’s a different experience, and I was very wary of dents and scratches. I’ve put plenty of small superficial scratches on the Chopard, but the couple of moderate hits it’s taken have caused no damage (I’m guessing that the crystal actually took the knocks), which is good for confidence.

I don’t worry about long draw downs on pour over anymore.

It’s… so hideous it’s hideous.

I wanna see pictures of the HeadSave! Talk about a blast from the past! I love that it’s still up and running.

Swapped the Slim onto an orange Hermes barenia strap. I think I like it, at least for very casual wear. Hermes sure makes a nice strap.

It’s small, but has plenty of room for an engraving on the back. I think it’s quite lovely. Box and papers makes presentation nice. HAQ movement to boot, which is silly since it has no seconds hand and it’s not like you can read it particularly accurately! Surprisingly weighty.

I bought this Credor as a wedding gift for Heather (she won’t get it until July of next year, but I thought it was perfect, so I went ahead and got it). I’ve never handled a Credor before. The lettering looks like it was done by hand, which I believe is a hallmark of Credor watches. It’s very small, 21mm, and I hope there is enough room on the back to engrave the date on it. I don’t think I’ll be able to get initials, too. It’s supposed to be in mint condition; still has the sticker on the back. Coming from Japan, of course.

I have a new grail: Berneron Mirage. It’s vaguely attainable, as a grail should be. Sort of like a Crash, but boozy instead of Dali-esque.

I tried a new coffee roaster/shop in Cincinnati. Up the street from me. It was really good. I figured I would really challenge it with decaf. Pretty good!

There is ever always room at the conspicuous side of the price envelope.

I had the opportunity to handle some Pateks, when I had the Chopard in to have the strap replaced (gold makes me nervous). In hand there is nothing between the Chopard LUC and a Calatrava. Having said that, next time I feel like throwing down a house down payment I might get a Golden Ellipse for me and a Gondolo for Heather, as it’s a gorgeous pairing, and isn’t too “cutesy,” I think. Maybe for our tenth wedding anniversary (gotta get married first!).

I’m on the road with the Flair Pro 2, the Bellman, and the Orphan Lido OG grinder. Not a bad setup for a little latte in the morning. I’ve found soaking the brew chambers in boiling water to be the most effective way to go.

Looking at the 01, I don’t think it’s a particular upgrade, no: I think they just had the idea to use the 102mm size for the blind burrs, and here is the result. I would just keep and enjoy your P100: it’s an end game grinder, after all! Thanks for the feedback on the noise! Oatmeal Johnny doesn’t mind the Ode, which is a deeper sound, but hates the higher pitch of the Niche. I bet the P100 would do the job, if I were to decide to open up my coffee budget (I’ve only allowed myself a strict amount, which I’ve kept under even after having to replace the Breville: the P100 would certainly blow that!).