The NIXON SUPERTIDE that KAZUKIN has used for many years.

It can display a tide graph—a so-called surf watch.

...But.

I've used it in the ocean only once

The truth is, I've used this watch in the ocean only once.

Why?

The outer frame is metal.

The first time I used it in the sea, the watch hit my surfboard while I was surfing.

Thunk.

The watch was fine.

But the surfboard got dented.

“...Maybe I shouldn't use this in the ocean.”

Even though it's a surf watch.

Since then, it has mostly worked on land.

The birth of the land-surfer's watch.

Stripping the screw

Still, I like it, so I replaced the battery every time it died.

Battery replacements so far: three.

But perhaps from years of hard use, I finally messed up one of the screws on the case back.

Screw head, completely stripped.

It wouldn't turn.

It wouldn't come out.

In other words, I couldn't replace the battery.

Operation Rescue

Normally this is where it retires.

But KAZUKIN is strangely stubborn only at times like this.

So I bought

ANEX's “stripped precision screw remover.”

It's less a watch tool than equipment for a rescue operation.

The package of ANEX's stripped precision screw remover No.3610-N
The savior that forced open the stripped screw this time. The true strength of MADE IN JAPAN.

Carefully...

was not how it went.

I somehow got it to bite, turned it, pried it,

and forced it open.

The NIXON SUPERTIDE with its case back open. The removed case back is engraved “THESE ARE THE BREAKS”
Rescue operation: success. The case back is engraved “THESE ARE THE BREAKS.” It was the screw that was nearly broken.

And then I forced the battery swap.

The removed NIXON SUPERTIDE movement with a CR2450 button cell in place
The movement, removed. Seen like this, it looks kind of cheap...

Result.

Revived.

It's ticking along normally even now.

What it probably needs is a perseverance graph

A surf watch used in the sea only once, with a past of denting a surfboard, three battery replacements, a stripped screw, even a special tool brought in—and it's still in service.

What this watch probably needs is not a tide graph.

It's a graph of KAZUKIN's tenacity.

A brand-new watch is nice.

The latest model is nice too.

But for a tool that has collected scratches, run into trouble, and been fixed by my own hands each time, a strange attachment grows.

So I keep using it.

Even with a stripped screw.

Even if it doesn't enter the sea.

NIXON is great, right?

KAZUKIN

NIXONいいよね

KAZUKIN Rating

  • 🌊 Real-world experience as a surf watch — ★☆☆☆☆ (once, in the ocean)
  • 🪛 The rescue from the stripped screw — ★★★★★
  • 🔋 Track record of three battery swaps — ★★★★☆
  • 🏝️ Active duty as a land-surfer's watch — ★★★★★
  • 😤 Refusal to give up — ★★★★★

This article is a personal opinion and record. KAZUKIN LAB has no relationship with NIXON. I'm just a NIXON fan. Disassembly such as battery replacement is done at my own risk. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

The illustration is an image based on KAZUKIN's experience. It may differ from real stores and products. It is not an official manufacturer image.