Laco manual wind vintage watch

An interesting watch in my collection is this Laco, which I got from a seller from Greece. This is the same one I got my Helbros alarm from. This is a watch from 1937, and easily the oldest in my collection. It is older than my Jaeger (ca. 1948) and my Timor (ca. 1945/46).

The watch has a simple face with a width of 33mm except for the crown. The lighting doesn't do justice on this watch.

The side view provides a better angle for appreciation of the patina on this watch.

Another side view showing an old watch in very good condition

A clear view of the crown

The watch back is pristine and shows gold plating and Laco emblem

This watch does not have spring bars but has a bar solidly connecting the lugs. I was glad it came with a customized strap as it would be difficult to find straps for this beauty.

This reads: 20 microns gold-plated

I have not opened the watch but it is supposed to have been recently serviced. The photo above of the Durowe 410 movement is from the seller. This beats at 18,000 A/h and is supposed to last about 40 hours on a full wind.

Here's a photo of the watch on my wrist as I submitted grades last Friday.

The watch keeps very good time. On a full wind, it is supposed to last about 40 hours. I timed it to about 43 hours! This came as a pleasant surprise for this 81-year old gem of a timepiece that's made in Germany.

-

Chocolate review: Alluvia 70% dark chocolate

Reviewing our stash of chocolates, I found that we had a few more bars from my trip to Vietnam last year. I picked this bar of Alluvia dark chocolate (I am usually the designated picker from our cache.). This one had a "Best Before August 2018" on it so I thought it's ripe for the picking.

Nice and simple package design for this chocolate that's proudly made in Vietnam

This is a very good chocolate that's probably under the radar of those shopping for souvenirs in Vietnam.

Details about the chocolate state that the cocoa is from beans produced in an area along the Mekong Delta. The cocoa content is 70%.

Gold foil wrap for the chocolate

The chocolate bar bears the brand.

The chocolate is smooth and just had a hint of bitter that should be expected from a 70% cacao bar. The 100g chocolate bar retailed for 8 USD (about 400PHP at the time). It is on the expensive side but this is high quality chocolate that's comparable in taste if not better than other more expensive chocolates that I've had. There is another Alluvia bar that we had just recently and I will be writing about that soon.

-

Helbros alarm vintage watch

We begin the month of June with one of my favorite watches in my collection, which is this one with an alarm feature. Yes, you read that correctly - an alarm feature. This is not an unusual thing for watches as there are many other models from various brands that have alarms including Seiko's bellmatic watches.

The watch has an elegant face showing four hands. The hour and minute hands are syringe-shaped. The red 4th hand is the indicator for the alarm, which is set "on" when you pull the crown on the 2 o'clock position. You set the alarm "off" when you push the crown back. There is also the date feature on the watch.

The watch is waterproof, anti-magnetic, and an incabloc shock resistance.

Side view showing the two crowns

Another side view showing the really good condition this vintage watch is in

The watch is a regular in my rotation and here it is on my wrist as I recently corrected exams.

I recently had the watch serviced but was not able to take a photo of the movement. The photo above is from the seller and my suking watch serviceman tells me the watch is in great condition.

Based on my limited research, this watch is supposed to have an AS 1568 movement that beats at 18,000 A/h and lasting for about 46 hours on a full wind. I have observed it several times reaching a maximum of 45 hours. This is also a favorite of my daughter as she is amused with the alarm feature, which she says is like the sound of an insect.

-