Seiko Fieldmaster SAZ018

[Huertecilla]

Anybody knów something about this landwatch?

At sóme time sómewhere it got tagged with the nickname ´contra´ becuase of alledged supply by CIA to contra-revolutionaries in Nicaragua.
I have not been able to find any backing for that.
What I did encounter when checking this, is that the revolutionaries often wore a Cornavin watch íf they wore a wristwatch. Rather funny I thought that.

Back to the crux of the matter; anybody know of some fáct backing up the nick?

[StampeSV4]

This rings a bell with me, Petrus, but I can't remember where I think I saw it. Perhaps Gary or Menno will know?

Regards

Jon'.

[Huertecilla]

Thank you Jon'.

I believe it is one of the myriad of mistymyth things that seem to drive the watch world.

The brand is unknown but for the piece by Walt Odets about Jessica. Yet it appearantly was só widely distributed in latin america that they still are relatively common on the used market from Nicaragua to Chili.
It has nothing to do with anything revolutionary. It simply was cheap and widely available. Sort of a Casio F-91W. Thus some nicaraguan revolutionaries wore them because they were. Again just like the F-91W realy.
Yet the Cornavins remained obscure whereas the Seiko = 'Contra' without anybody knowing where that came from....

Oh, just in case: Yes the Cornavin is a soviet era russian brand but no Cornavins do not have a radium glow

[agent orange]

A distinctive watch with potentially a very interesting history.

However I suspect the link to the Contras is just a bit of marketing spiel aimed at enthusiasts that got out of hand. ASAIK there's never been any evidence, documented or otherwise, that this was the watch of choice for the Contras. As usual I'm prepared to eat humble pie if any materialises but I don't think my svelte figure is in any danger

There's a good little write up and some pics on the link below.

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2009/4/...ng-the-sa.html

Cheers,
Gary

[Huertecilla]

Thank you Gary.

There is a very nice article about the Seiko family of which this is offspring written: http://forums.timezone.com/pdf.php?th=607516

It is a pretty unique 'watch'.
I write 'watch' because it is a NonSateliteGlobalPositioningSystem
It predates GPS and is at least as useable crossing back country. I have both a Garmin and this one (with three modules: it lacks the alarm). The SAZ wins hands down.
The disadvantage is also an advantage: you need to have some basic understanding of chart reading and field navigation.

[StampeSV4]

Thanks for that, Gary, that was where I had seen it. The information you find never ceases to amaze me, Petrus - always interesting and always unusual. Can we see some photos of your SAZ?

Regards

Jon'.