I'm a watch geek. I'm always looking for the "right" watch. Well, I think I found it. The Casio Pathfinder PAW-5000:


It has all the features I like and even sets the time itself. It's a little thicker than I'd like, but still OK.

Alas, it has stopped working. The second hand still works, but the minute and hour hands have stopped moving. The digital part still works a little, but the ABC parts do not.

According to the Casio repair site, it could cost up to $150 to repair it. I believe I only paid $200 for it originally. So, would you fix it or just look for another?

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Freedom isn't free.

By the time you paid the shipping, (both ways) and the $150 repair bill, you might have well bought a new watch.


No brainer

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Slim, U.S. Army, Ret.

How much does an equivalent replacement cost?

After looking at your watch, I just wish I had your eyesight.

An excellent question. It seems that I got a good deal when I bought it. The least I've seen another for was $250, but most are going for $300 or more. I've also seen another watch, a Garmin Fenix, with similar features, plus GPS for around $270. Then I've also seen a new model from Casio that is the same, but 5mm thinner.

I wish I had my eyesight too. I need reading glasses now. This is why I like the analog feature. Without my glasses I can see the hands, but little else.

Maybe I should just go back to one of these:

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Freedom isn't free.

Sorry, missed this. Yes, but it might cost less than the $150. That is just the top of their price range. It would have to be sent in for evaluation before they would tell me the actual price.

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Freedom isn't free.

i wish i could go back in time so i can see what time it is

The question comes from a similar experience. I wear a Seiko Quartz Electric Pro Diver which I bought for $200 in 1991. It died about four years ago and the repair bill was $150. At that time I found that if you could find another Quartz Electric Seiko Pro Diver they were $400 to $600. It took my watch guy two weeks to acquire the action he needed, because they did not make them like that anymore.

A friend of mine told me I was crazy, I should get a Casio similar to yours which he said were cheap. I said his was too thick, while he looked up the going price on them. He said... Oh, the prices have gone up since I bought mine. Six months later, some electronic part in his Casio died, it went into Casio for repairs, and cost him $125 to fix.

If I were looking for a rugged casual watch today, I'd lean towards the Luminox models. My 23 year old Seiko has taken a beating and still keeps perfect time, but the next time it dies, repairs may not be an option.

I been collecting the older Russian pocket watches on eBay. I figure they would go nicely with my Russian guns.

I like the Luminox reputation, but haven't seen one that I like aesthetically. I have the model Seiko I pictured above. I bought it way back in 1990-1991 and it still works fine, but it doesn't keep great time.

The main thing I like about the Casio, is the Atomic time keeping. The thing was always spot on. It's not the end of the world though.

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Freedom isn't free.

Those old Automatic Seiko dive watches were rugged beyond the modern Kinetic Seiko equivalents, but they did need to be reset regularly. If you like the Casio, I'd recommend getting it fixed. I trust a watch the longer it has been on my wrist, but if you do not need accuracy to within three seconds a month your old Seiko is a good option.

The Seiko is a nice watch. I'd have to back to school several years before I could operate the Casio.

My everyday watch is a Casio PAW 2000; love the automatic time/date update.

If I want to just see the time, I like wearing this manual watch from China (they have a US distributer):




I have automatic watches from Switzerland and Japan, they're very nice but I'm too lazy to keep up with the date/time thing for watches I don't wear very often.

And I haven't been able to kill this old G-shock, even if twice a year I have to look up how to reset the time for DST.

Isn't it funny how the $30 watches last through several batteries and the nuclear holocaust, but the $200+ watches either need attention or repair or die completely in a few years?

That PAW-2000 is one I'm considering if I replace mine.

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Freedom isn't free.

Sometimes it ain't about the money.

Doesn't your cell phone show the time?

Which way has the better warranty?

I don't think these watches are built to last.

All I require on a watch these days are two hands and a second hand. I hate digital.

Audemars Piguet makes a pretty good watch but the prices start around what a midsize car costs.

Cell Phone? What's a cellphone?

Cheers;
Lefty

Ah yes....I remember 40+ years ago when the only way to go with a certain few was a Rolex watch, a Randall knife, and a gold star sapphire ring. Never could justify a Rolex, but did go with a Seiko.

I've worn a Pulsar Railroad Approved watch now for over 40 years and it's still going strong.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Dead on. If you like the watch, get it repaired and keep it. It will be just as good as new.

It's like an old classic car that you love. Keep repairing it and drive it.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

If this were something my father or wife had given me, there would be no question; I'd repair it. This one has no sentimental value. I just like it.

Sure, but I can't see it when it's in my pocket. And, it doesn't look as cool.

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Freedom isn't free.

Fix it. If you don't, you'll always wish you had.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner