We haven't had a good watch thread in a while so here is one.
What is your preference in watches, mechanical or quartz and why? Or maybe you think watches are obsolete if so tell us why.
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We haven't had a good watch thread in a while so here is one.
What is your preference in watches, mechanical or quartz and why? Or maybe you think watches are obsolete if so tell us why.
Omega speedos are all I wear anymore,sold all the rest,my 331s are truly some of the finest movements made.
861s are great,but am trading them off and wearing mostly my newer autos.
At work where watch is likely to get damage from sharp/heavy/hot objects i wear an old Citizen Promaster quartz.
At home i have Longines Hydroconquest automatic for daily use and manual Omega Seamaster 600 on a rare occasions where i need a "better" watch. It was my fathers so it must be from sixties. From my father-in-laws remains i found Zenith pocket watch. At the back there's a train engraved and on the face it says T.C. Devlet Demir Yollari. I have no idea what it means or what is the story of this watch. All are serviced and all keep time well.
What i like in mechanical/automatic watches is that they are nice combination of history, craftsmanship, accuracy and precision mechanics. Also i like that they are not dependent on external power sources that sooner or later runs empty such as batteries. Elder watches are also made to last, unlike many modern hi-tech thing that becomes useless in year or two.
Sorry for the recycled SOTD Picture
My preference for watches is Mechanical (Of course it is, I shave with a Straight Razor) as opposed to Quartz. I have a collection of around 30 Wrist watches, some Swiss Watches( The expensive ones I have been given through my job) but I also like some Japanese Watches (Orient in particular).
I have a Digital Quartz Watch, that i use when I'm Running.
Just lately I prefer a Pocket watch, for the simple reason that I can almost see the time without having to put on my Reading Glasses.
I have couple nice Timex automatics I wear to work and a Christopher Ward "Malvern Automatic" I wear for dress. I have restored a couple Elgin pocketwatches; I have a 1888 clamshell dress pocketwatch that I cleaned, serviced, and installed a new crystal.
For a pocket watch, you have to get mechanical. I am a fan of Citizen watches for day to day wear.
I love and collect watches.
Currently wearing a Lang & Sohne.
Just bought a Glashutte while on a trip to Las Vegas.
I use a couple different wrist-watches.
All mechanical, except for my Citizen Pro-master divers watch.
Most of the days, I wear a really simple and clean looking Panerai.
I also use a Tag Heuer Golf watch when I need a slimmer and smaller one.
Here's a couple pics of the Panerai:
Attachment 78173
Attachment 78172
I'm a sucker for mechanical watches. I currently have an Orient Mako (nothing fancy but looks decent and keeps good enough time for me) that gets worn to work almost daily. I also have a Seiko 5 Sports & Vostok Komandirskie and Amphibia. The Amphibia is old school with the CCCP markings, hand wind. The Komandeirski has neither CCCP or Made in Russia on it so I assume it's from right after the fall of the wall when they were trying to figure things out. I also have a cheap chinese made automatic pocket watch that I've had for going on 12 years and it still keeps good time when I am able to wear it.
But, I'm also addicted to my G-shocks. I have three right now but will hopefully getting rid of one soon to pick up either a pathfiner/protrek or another ABC watch. I'm currently thinking maybe Riseman or Gulfman although HighGear is now an NSP sponsor so I may give one of their watches a whirl.
Oh, and Birnardo, that Paneri is gorgeous. I've been oggling them for a while but I'll have to wait until all the kids are in school and I'm not paying for child care before I can purchase one. Curse these expensive hobbies. And pesky children. On the upside, If I'm nice to the kids now maybe they'll make sure I'm in a good nursing home when I'm old and decrepit.
My favorites are Timex. I've had so called better and more expensive watches, but none have lasted even a fraction of the time a Timex can last. The one I am currently wearing is an Ironman that I got for my birthday back in 94. It's fallen 4 stories onto pavement and has been immersed in water too many times to mention and it still works. My dad is still wearing a Timex from the early eighties that he wore into many a fire as a firefighter. Still works as new. On the other hand was my rather pricey(for me anyway) Seiko. Had it for less than a week and it quit working and I was told it would cost close to $100 dollars to fix it. Needless to say it is still sitting at the bottom of the drawer.
I would like to note, that as a geology student I appreciate rugged watches. My Casio G-Shock has been going 10 years without any damage from my MANY outdoor excursions. I also had a large piece of bar-stock steel fall on it in a machine shop (I luckily has taken it off)... I was sure of it's destruction. To the surprise of everyone in the room it came out unscathed! They aren't the best to look at, but for pure functionality, use, and features it can't be beat!
where's the pic's guys i would love to see some of these watchs
I don't really have a preference on mechanical vs quartz, though loud automatics do bother me. I like something in the 44-46mm range, especially if it has a bezel, because I like larger, clearly visible numbers on the face. For those reasons, I really love the tool like look of some watches, like the Marathon SAR's and my DB Day/Night. Tritium is awesome, too.
I'd really like to get a type B face Nav-B watch... if I ever get another watch.
Some day, some day: GMT-OCEAN 1 BLACK - Taucheruhren - Steinhart Watches
Ok, here are a few that were sitting around on the cell phone:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/...c047b3f2f2.jpg
IMAG0231 by harner.bill, on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/...db4917d31b.jpg
IMAG0227 by harner.bill, on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/...910411fc05.jpg
IMAG0219_edit0 by harner.bill, on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/...868f5cdc18.jpg
IMAG0216_edit0 by harner.bill, on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/...67b255ca85.jpg
IMAG0213_edit0 by harner.bill, on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/...2bf68b8908.jpg
IMAG0182 by harner.bill, on Flickr
I've got a cheap chinese mechanical watch
Mystery device | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
http://img.focalprice.com/lpic/200904/YW047B-1.JPG
it's accurate and takes a beating like a man :P it's all I want from my watches :)
it does have some welding beads stuck to the wirstband :/
Damn. What happens when you combine absolutely novice level photographic skills, poor equipment w/o decent macro lense, lack of daylight, lack of decent edit program and objects difficult to shoot. Pics like this.
Anyways. Here's the watches i have. Watch and suffer.
Vintage Omega Seamaster:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/.../Seamaster.jpg
Longines Hydroconquest:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...s/Longines.jpg
Zenith from both sides:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...es/Zenith1.jpg
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...es/Zenith2.jpg
Great pics all
sold this little Russian dive watch awhile back on BB,other is one of my speedo moonies.
Sucker had to wgt at least a pound.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...econe/dive.jpg
You want pictures?
Watches are another one of my major hobbies, I love mechanicals for the same reasons I like straight razors, they are an old art form that in many ways is superior to what has replaced them. My particular favorite brands are Vostok-Europe and MKII though the movement on my handwind glycine is something to behold. I like the sense of fun behind Vostok-Europe they make great looking and practical watches with some neat extra complications only found on watches many times their price. MKII watches a a great small watch company from Lancaster PA that are beginning to put out some of the best fit and finished watches available.
My every day watch is one of the origional tazer dive watches I bought about twenty years ago. It had been thru many bands and one case replacement but keeps on going.
I also have a Hamilto 992B Railroad pocket watch with a Simmons gold chain and a hand carved peachseed monkey fob on the chain. Also have an old Elgin and Waltham pocket watches but they are not railroad watches.
Would love to have an origional Zodiac Seawolf or Super Seawolf.
My favorite watch is an OMEGA 007 model. I do not wear it to work for work I wear my cheaper Seiko watch. I almost love watches more than cigars ;)
Thanks to this website, which led me to watchuseek website, I have a mechanical and an Eco Drive. I have a Seiko 007 that is classic and neat looking. Also have An Eco Zilla Citizen. It is HUGE! Like them both. I also bought second hand on watchuseek an L.L. Bean branded Microtec Tritium Military watch for $35 as a beater. It retails for $199.99 so even with the scratched crystal I did good. First foray into tritium as well. Microtec makes Traser, Smith and Wesson, and Luminox watches BTW. My last one is a Timex Military style watch on an OD Green ZULU.
I only have one wrist-watch, a matt-black Eco-Drive chronograph that I wear all the time - I love it! One of these days (hopefully in the far distant future) I stand to inherit the watch my grandfather wore in the Second World War - it's an Omega Seamaster Mariner, but what makes it more special is that it was sent to him in 1939 by his uncle (who lived in NZ), who had worn it in the First World War. My grandfather was in the RAF Air Sea Rescue in WW2 - he was quite proud of the fact that he spent the War saving lives rather than taking them, and he wore this watch all the way through. I have his medals and cap + badge and all his insignia which I keep in a home-safe...I'd love to have his watch but can't help feel I'd be too scared to ever wear it!
[Edit - Ok google suggests its maybe not a Seamaster Mariner, but he def wore it in WW2 and even then it was second-hand. I'll check with my uncle who currently owns it and see exactly what model it is]
I grew up with a winder and replaced it in college with a Casio G-Shock. I wore that for many years until I decided to go back to a traditional watch; some were quartz, some were kinetic winders. About five years ago, I decided to buy something special for myself and went with a Tag Heuer automatic. It's the only thing that I wear and have received lots of compliments. It's nice to wear quality - a traditional analog will never go out of style.
Attachment 78345
Tag Heuer Carrera Automatic
i like mechanical watchs, i have a soft spot for pocket watchs. first watch is a swatch battery operated the rest are mechanical. second watch is a magnus, third watch a elgin 1908 open face, fourth watch a elgin 1902 closed face, fifth watch a charles-hubert all stainless steel closed face, sixth watch a charles-hubert closed face enjoy!
and my last hubert
The ones I like the most are the ones I have or the ones I could eventually potenially in far future afford with a possibility > 0.1 percent. got two main watches. A quartz Citizen Marinaut and an automatic Orient. I love the Citizen for how sturdy it is, also has Sapphire crystal insead of regular glass and it's practically unscratschable. The Orient just looks classy and I am truly fascinated by mechanical movements, but I prefer the Citizen for most of the time, 'cause I'm afraid to break it. Love both. Orient really makes inexpensive, but pretty precise movements.
Oh yeah... aaand I don't like gold plating.
I'd like to get this one sometime in the future. Vostok Europe Arktika. They don't really have good movements, but it's a really big piece of steel and I love it.
http://www.russia2all.com/images/sho...20bracelet.jpg
The only watches I have are junk or cheap really...Bar two wind up wristwatches, one that belonged to my G-father and the other that belonged to my father (opposite sides of the family though), both in dire need of a clean and service.
I don't wear a watch though, but if I did it would be a mecahnical or 'eco' drive or similar. I don't like battery operated watches at all. I can't afford to get a proper watch though so if I really must know the time, I reach for that modern mans pocketwatch, the mobile 'phone...Which means I really wish I had a proper, decent watch, because more often than not my 'phones battery is dead (I keep forgetting to put the damn thing on charge).
Mick
My everyday watch is a is a now discontinued oakley, which is very cool looking, can't even find it online anymore so will have to get a pic of it. Belive it or not its tough as hell and an excellent watch. my work watch is a Gshock that was a bonus from one of the rigs we worked on and its just hardcore. Don't need to change batteries or even set the date and time, and it's just tough as nails, I have actually chucked it across a car park (during an inebriated night out) and it came away without a scratch.
My good watch is a TAG formula 1 chrono, old style, last present from my gran before she passed away, love it.
I really like Omega, just love them.. the fact they went to the moon and back and are james bonds choice of watch is enough for me..
I would like to like Rolex's i mean, they're tough as hell (they were always working watches) and i believe the only swiss company who still makes their own movement, but they just got to ostentatious and associated with bling for me, and the price went up accordingly
Designing your own watch mvmt is very expensive and few can afford it. Rolex over the years as it has gotten bigger and bigger and richer and richer has bought up all their suppliers and incorporated them into it's operation and they can afford to have a big development staff. However there are quite few who make their own mvmt mostly in their higher end models costing well over 5 grand. IWC, Tag, Breitling, RGM in the U.S are just a few examples. Many other companies modify existing mvmts to varying degrees.
Don't forget Seiko. Not always as affordable as Orient, though.
So now I've started looking at watches again, and I'm once again DROOLING over the UTS 3000m. I doubt I'll ever spend that much on a watch, but a fella's gotta dream.
I have a SEIKO Railroad Approved which has been in daily service for about 25 years. The crystal is well scratched and even chipped in one place between 2 and 3, but the watch still keeps marvelous time and has those nice, big numbers which are so easy to read. I've had to replace pins in the band a couple of times, but it keeps on ticking, er, whirring, or whatever sound quartzes and batteries make.
Seiko Sumo is sort of close. If you had another dial on a Monster you'd have it darn close to the look.
Orient also has a couple models that come close http://orientwatchusa.com/mens/diver-watches/fem7d002b
And the orients can be had for 40-50% off the price listed.
What you really want is an omega mooney (just serviced 6 mos ago)
I have 3 of them,will trade for straights.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...one/speedo.jpg
I've always been a fan of Cartier watches, always go for automatic movements (i.e not quartz). I've owned a couple of Tanque Francais, but my current one is a limited edition Santos 100 with alligator lether strap. Have never seen another one, which is part of the appeal in having it.