{"id":1881,"date":"2016-07-12T10:11:46","date_gmt":"2016-07-12T09:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tekhead.it\/blog\/?p=1881"},"modified":"2016-10-09T16:40:59","modified_gmt":"2016-10-09T15:40:59","slug":"its-a-geek-life-hdd-watch-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tekhead.it\/blog\/2016\/07\/its-a-geek-life-hdd-watch-review\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s a Geek Life! HDD Watch Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, why an HDD watch review on a tech blog?<\/p>\n

Well, I’m not a “watch guy”, meaning I don’t have a collection of 50 varying and expensive watches, however, I do consider myself as someone who appreciates the skill which goes into producing a timepiece. Regardless of what many millennials will tell you, I also believe you should never be without one, and a mobile phone simply will not do\u2026 \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

It was my birthday recently, and based on a none-too-subtle hint from me, my wife very kindly gave me the gift of an HDD watch! Needless to say, I was extremely chuffed with it, so thought I would provide a mini review here.<\/p>\n

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Very happy with my birthday present today! #HDDWatches<\/a> #Microdrive<\/a> #GeekLife<\/a> \ud83d\ude42 pic.twitter.com\/BOcrdtaOdk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Alex Galbraith (@alexgalbraith) May 10, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

I originally heard about these very funky (yes, read: nerdy) watches via the biggest watch aficionado I know IRL, Stephen Foskett, who has an extensive collection and loves anything which goes tick-tock! He even runs his own watch blog, Grail Watch<\/a>, which I recommend for any horologists<\/a> (if that is the correct term?).<\/p>\n

The original run of 500 watches came from an IndieGoGo campaign<\/a> in 2014. In March this year, Jean Jerome<\/a>, the creator of the HDD Watch, has opened up his own website for anyone who missed out the first time.<\/p>\n

\"HDD<\/a>

It’s more than 8-bits!<\/p><\/div>\n

The watch itself is of a very decent build quality. The HDD Microdrive (Hitachi 4GB<\/a> to be precise<\/a>) has been encased in a custom (very shiny!) stainless steel enclosure, which provides both shock and water protection. A Miyota GL20 quartz movement is added, which provides accuracy to +\/- 20 seconds per month. Mine seems to be achieving something within this window\u00a0but with no second hand, it’s hard to tell! I’ve also caught it once or twice on hard objects and ne’er a scratch has been seen, so I would definitely attest to the build quality.<\/p>\n

\"HDD<\/a>

When did you last stick an HDD in a glass of water and expect it to keep working?!<\/p><\/div>\n

Most of my life I have been used to wearing segmented metal watch straps with butterfly clasps, which I find to be most comfortable and secure. When I originally received the watch I did consider replacing the strap, which is rubberised (neoprene) and modeled on a PCB<\/a>, with a segmented metal strap. Replacement straps are available from the vendor, including a metal expansion strap, but it turns out that this is one of the features which most draws the eye, and people often comment on this first! It even drew the eye of one of my interviewers when I was interviewing for my recent change of role, which I don’t think harmed my chances! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

\"HDD<\/a><\/p>\n

There were only two negatives I would highlight about the watch, one is a “bug” and the other is a “missing” feature!<\/p>\n