I like watches...

[Rastoff]

...but not all are the same. Take a look at these two:

I've had both of these for about two years. Now, I'm hard on watches because I wear them all the time. Because I like to do a lot of outdoor stuff, they tend to get whacked from time to time.

I like the digital because it is synchronized to the WWV signal and is always on the right time. It's also solar powered. So, no batteries and no need set it. It also has timer, stop watch, altitude and barometer functions which I use more often than you might think. But I've never been a real big fan of digital watches.

The analog one has tritium hands and marks. It's really easy to read in low light or no light. I can't read without my glasses, but I can tell where the hands are at a glance.

Even though these cost about the same, they are clearly not the same build quality. Take a closer look:

Casio ProTek

Luminox Recon

The Casio has no scratches on the crystal. It's just got a few smudges on the glass. I should have cleaned it before the pic. But when you look at the bezel, it looks like it's been through a war.

On the other hand, the Luminox looks relatively new. If you look closely, there's a tiny dent in the 24hr ring right near the 24hr mark. Other than that, it doesn't look like there's a mark on it. I don't know what this watch is made from, but it's tough.

I'd buy either of these again, but the Luminox is really a good watch.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Question; You said the Luminox has Tritium hands and hash marks... I didn't think civilians could get the good stuff any more. Could they be phosphorescent instead of radio active?

Ivan

ETA:The thread is about liking watches; Yes, I like watches! My favorite is a Vietnam era Hamilton watch issued to my best friend. It has Tritium hand and hour pips. (they are dark now days, when I'm done with it I'll probably have the National Guard service depot dispose of it.) When my kids were teenagers, they thought I was kidding when I said it had to be wound up every day! It would lose about 5 minutes a month, if you kept it wound.

I had a used Rolex Presidential (day/date) with a Jubilee band, it got absconded with by my jeweler. He spent a few years as a sex toy in prison, very bad decision on his part! I would set the watch with the navigation shortwave radio on January 1st every year and check again on July 4th, mine gained about 35 seconds every 6 months. That would last about 5 years and then need serviced and cleaned, which was why my jeweler had his hands on it in the first place.

Ivan

 

[crsides]

I like old school RR watches.

 

[bill2000]

I like mechanical watches. Have 2 Big Crowns by Oris, an Omega Seamaster and a Hamilton Electric that My parents gave me at graduation from HS.

 

[vonn]

I use copies of military issue watches(might be surplus or Timex) tough and keep good time. Have a dress watch but never use it . Have to have hands on them so I can read them.

 

[DWalt]

I have worn a Victorinox Swiss Army for over the last 20 years. I bought it NIB at a garage sale for about $10 back in the mid-90s. It has kept perfect time (it gains a couple of seconds a month) and has never needed any attention other than replacing the battery every 3-4 years. It's on its third band (which is on its last legs), but I already have the 4th band waiting. The crystal shows a lot of minor scratches but it's still OK. Why would I need a Rolex, except to show off?

 

[03hemi]

I have a few, but I really love my Seiko, Sportura.

 

[DWalt]

I have worn a Victorinox Swiss Army watch for over the last 20 years. I bought it NIB at a garage sale for about $10 back in the mid-90s. It has kept perfect time (it gains a couple of seconds a month) and has never needed any attention other than replacing the battery every 3-4 years. It's on its third band (which is on its last legs), but I already have the 4th band waiting. The crystal shows a lot of minor scratches but it's still OK. Why would I need a Rolex, except to show off? Along with most, I think a watch with hands is better than digital.

I remember that my father had one of the first digital watches from the early 1970s, a Hamilton LED. It was very expensive, I think it was around $1000. He bought it as a retirement present to himself. I sold it several years ago for about $100, it was pretty beat up.

 

[Kurusu]

Me too. And guns.

So, guns and watches.

 

[ditrina]

I've been known to " Like " a watch or two

Datejust; From my wife for my 40th birthday

Two Tone Sub-Mariner

" Triple Red " Yachtmaster

Tudor Cronograph

 

[29aholic]

I am a watch guy too. I have a ton of them including the old Seiko Auto 5's but the one I wear every day is Rolex Stainless Submariner that was a gift from my dad.

 

[VaTom]

Citizen Eco Drive watches are great. No batteries. Have worn one daily for ten years with no problem. Also have a Caravelle by Bulova and a Pulsar by Sieko that were service awards from my work that have held up well for years.

Question: Does anyone wear their watch on the underside of their wrist rather ( like me) rather than on the top? My dad a WWII and Korean War vet always wore his that way and I guess that's how I picked it up. Maybe an old school or military thing?

 

[Marshwheeling]

Forty-dollar Timex here. I like the Indiglo dial, very handy in a dark tent. I have some mechanical Russian military-style watches, probably not the real thing and way too clunky to wear.

One watch I would like to own is the Movado Museum watch, but I never wear a suit any more; it would look way out of place with Carhartts.

 

[FifthWheel]

I prefer mechanical but wear a Citizen Eco drive Skyhawk. I have an old mechanical Tag Heuer safe queen.

 

[Golddollar]

Back in 1994, I decided to treat myself and bought a Cleveland Indians watch made by Bulova. It has a picture of Chief Wahoo right on the face of the dial so there is no question of who I root for. I have worn in every day since and all I've had to do is change a lot of batteries. I guess it will be more valuable after they stop using Chief Wahoo in 2019.

 

[s&wchad]

Dang Sal, nice chronometers!
Having those four serviced would cost more than I paid for my two most expensive watches.

I do like watches and have mix of affordable quartz and automatics. I'll even buy old Timex watches at estate sales if I can get them for under $10.

 

[rwsmith]

They can keep.....

They can keep digital watches, I don't care how they look. First, I need a watch with hands so I can tell what time it REALLY is. Second, mechanical watches are even more incredible to admire than good workmanship in a gun. I've spent some time watching videos of people making those them by hand. I was amazed at the geometric method they used to space teeth around a gear wheel.

I have some pocket watches and a few nice clocks, but I would just like to have ONE really good Swiss watch.

Make it a pocket watch. I don't wear anything on my wrists anymore.

PS: An Audemars Pignet would be nice, but I may be shooting a little high. Their cheapest watches would equal a new car.

 

[nodpete]

I always buy watches with Roman numerals on them. It's fun to show a young person (and a lot of older folks too) the watch when they ask the time. Always get a double-take.

 

[snubbyfan]

Unboxing my Seiko SNZG15 Seiko 5 Sport Automatic Watch a little over a year ago. I've been wearing it nearly everyday since. Only time I don't wear it is when hiking, biking, camping or anytime I think I need to wear my Garmin gps watch.
It's usually accurate to within a minute a month. Works for me.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF3v4YGZlQk[/ame]

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...I like mechanical watches...inexpensive but satisfying is my Orient Blue Mako...