Vintage Duward Aquastar Costeau diver watch

I had been thinking about whether to keep or sell this diver watch. I did some research before I acquired it (again for cheap), and lo and behold, this was a very good brand and model line. It is associated with Jacque Costeau, the famed explorer and conservationist. I used to watch a TV series featuring his exploits, when I was child.

The dial and bezel are in good condition. The watch has day and date features with the days indicated in Spanish.

Side view showing the signed crown consistent with the brand and model

The other side view

The lumes are still good.

Case back with the galleons and the watch specifications (automatic, 200m water resistance, incabloc shock protection, anti-magnetic). The model name is also here: Duward Oceanic 1346.

Inside the case's cover shows this watch to be a compressor. Other details like the serial numbers and patents are also etched here.

The watch runs on an automatic movement the specs of which I still have to determine. It looks like an ETA movement but I need to be sure. The photo is from the seller and I have yet to have the watch serviced. Then, I would probably have the chance to take a closer look at the movement and see if the number is etched on the mechanism. [Note: the movement is supposed to be an AS 1906 running at 21,600 A/h with a potential power reserve of 44 hours - updated 8/3/2022]

One reason I think I will keep this watch for a while is its value. I got it for less than 100 USD but the model and others in its line are priced from 400 to more than 1,000 USD. And mine is in better condition than most.

Here's the watch on my wrist after I changed the strap to a nato

 

I think this one's a keeper for now. I have worn it more times than other watches I have. It helps that the lug size is 20mm so I can change the strap every so often.

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Hesso vintage watch

There is another obscure watch brand in my collection is this Hesso. To be honest, the airplane above the brand on the dial caught my attention. It

View showing the crown

Stainless steel case back with what appears to be a serial number

Watch movement

Close-up of the movement showing this to have a Felsa 465 movement dating this to around 1950. The watch runs at 18,000 bph and can last 38h on a full wind.

The watch on my wrist the first time I used it.

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Our Lady of the Pillar Church, Cauayan, Isabela

On almost every travel, I make it a point to visit the nearest church even if it was not a Sunday. Traveling to Cauayan, Isabela was no different and it was easy to find the old church that usually defines old towns like Cauayan. And so we start the month of May with a post and photos of the Church of Our Lady of the Pillar. The church was originally constructed back in the late 1700s and was reconstructed or repaired several times since especially after being damaged by earthquake.

Entrance to the church compound

The Pieta is one of the huge installations around the church

Church bells and marker relating the history of the church

Gigantic image of Our Lady of the Pillar stands above the candle house

Church facade. I just wished I could have gotten a photo without the SUV in front of the church

A closer look at the facade - the red bricks reminded me of the old church in my father's hometown in Cabatuan, Iloilo

Inside the church, one is treated to a spectacular interior

A closer look of the altar and retablo - I refrained from taking more photos as there was a Mass ongoing when we entered the church to pray.

Here's a photo of the ceiling just above the main door of the church

View from the main entrance. The main aisle is a long walk from the door to the altar. I can imagine this to be quite ideal for the bridal march during weddings.

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