new "guy" thread - watches?

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Been looking at watches recently, gonna go for a dress watch, something I can wear for special occasions with suits and such. It has to be something that will last, unlike the watches I wear everyday (seem to wear out easilly, my skin is oily and corrodes the cases in a couple years' time.)

I really don't know what is considered some of the "better" watch brands, I know rollex and seiko make some high end stuff, but I dunno how much I want to spend (preferably $3-500 tops.) Any input from the experts?

The watch I wear everyday now and is about a year old (quite beat up by now though) is a fossil:

[Mr. Clean]

Shiny Lil Detlr

You've hit on one of my hot topics. I love watches, vintage and new.

Do you want a quartz or a mechanical watch?

If you choose the mechanical option...

Do you want vintage or new?
Do you want hand wind or automatic?

My personal preference is the automatic. There is something about an auto which links you with your watch, as your watch depends on you for energy as you depend on your watch as a tool.

Would you consider a diver style watch for a dress watch. No not one with the rubber watch band, but a bracelet And speaking of bands, do you want a leather strap or bracelet?

Do you want to buy from a brick and mortar, or do you want to buy online?

If you lean toward the automatic and don't mind purchasing online, I have a couple of watches that I'm looking at to add to my small collection, none of which are over $400.

Lots of questions, and maybe more than you want to deal with. If you want to explore further, give me a shout.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Mr. Clean

Honestly on half the stuff I don't know what the pros/cons of each option are. I think I more than likely would want something with a metal bracelet band, but I could be talked into a leather band as well.

A "Diver Style" watch might be okay, just depends on the overall look of the particular watch. I guess vintage versus new would also depend on the particular watches I was looking at.

Now as for quartz/mechanical, and the wind/automatic, I don't know what the major factors on this are as far as how long the mechanism is going to last, be reliable, etc.

[Mr. Clean]

Shiny Lil Detlr

Just like with waxes, a lot of the pros and cons have to do with personal preference.

Quartz vs Mechanical - Quartz watches will typically be cheaper in price than their mechanical counterparts. Of course with a quartz watch you have to replace the battery on occasion. With a mechincal you don't have a battery. You either hand wind or it winds with a rotor. Seiko has a "hybrid" watch known as the Kinetic. It relies on your energy, but stores it in a capacitor type device.

A quality mechnical watch will last for generations. I currently own a 1953 Bulova, a 1957 Bulova, and a 1970 Bulova. The '53 is a 21 jewel hand wind, the '57 is a 23 jewel auto (6 adjustments, 3 temps), and the '70 is a 21 jewel auto. I also own 2 vintage Fortis autos, a 17 and 21 jewelled models. All three are Swiss movements. I have owned the '70 Oceanographer since it was new, the other four were eb@y purchases. Those are my mechanicals. I have a 80s vintage Seiko quartz (Rolex look alike) and several other beater quartz watches (Timex Ironman etc.)

Just like watches, the bracelets and straps come in nice and not as nice. Even if you get a watch with a braclet, you can purchase a nice Croc or Lizard or Alligator strap for a different look.

Brick and mortar vs Online - Do you want to touch and feel and see what the watch looks like on? Many online stores have no provision for returns other than a non-working watch.

PM me if I can answer any specific questions, or if you just want to chat about watches in general.

Good luck in the hunt.

[Jngrbrdman]

I'm a small boned guy so big watches look like crap on my wrist. I'm a fan of my Goofy watch. I've had it for over 10 years now. I tried getting one of the Skagen thin watches but I wear my watch upside down and that one just wouldn't wear that way. I guess I'll stay simple with my little backwards watch.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

jngr - I have the same problem size-wise... the watch I have now (the fossil above) is a "midsize" which is about perfect for me. The other problem (if it even is a real "problem") I have is that being left handed, I wear my watch on the right arm, opposite of how most do it. All stuff I have to consider.

oh BTW - goofy watches for goofy (looking) people!

[Dr. Jones]

Not really a dressy or classy watch, but for an every day watch that provides lots of convienence, you can't beat a casio G-shock. I am more than happy with mine. It is digital, so easy to read, has a really nice glowing mode so you can see it in the dark, and has all kinds of features that make it very easy to use.

ie. it syncronizes with the atomic clock every night. That means exact time, all the time. It's great when someone asks what time it is and someone says "5:32" and i can say... "Actually it's 5:34"

Since the time is automatically updated and kept (including daylight savings) to set the watch you just select what city/time zone you are in. It will do all the calender stuff also.

It also has a little system where to make it 'glow' so you can see it in the dark, all you have to do is tilt your wrist naturally. Like you would if you were looking to see what time it is. It really does work, it's great for lazy people like me who think using your other hand to go all the way over and push in that little button is too much work.

It also has a solar cell, so you don't really have to worry about changing batteries.

There are a whole ton of features i haven't even gotten around to using yet (like you can store times in it)

It looks really good to.

overall i give it

[Dr. Jones]

Originally posted by ejant
Don't know what it costs, I like this one

how could you use that? I maybe very much consumed in this whole digital age, but it would honestly take me a good 20 seconds to figure out what time it was if i had that watch. I have to have a digital watch. That analog stuff is too old school.

[Jngrbrdman]

Originally posted by Shiny Lil Detlr
B]oh BTW - goofy watches for goofy (looking) people! [/b]

Hmmmm..... I'll take that as a compliment. If I didn't take it as a compliment then I'd have to take it as an insult and that means you must die.

[PrinzII]

Ejant, if I am not mistaken, that is a Movado. Nice choice. I want to get an Esperanza for myself.

I don't wear an everyday watch. I used to wear a Skagen until I cracked the crystal on it (watch still works). I also have a Citizen (Needs a new strap for my big wrists).

However, I want the following for everyday as well (Seiko SNA 061):

[Smoker]

Watches!!!!

YUMMY.

I own a G-Shock and a Seiko Kinetic.

My buddy is mad on watches and owned 3 Omegas and a Rolex Submariner, so i got used to him boring me silly about them.

For $300 or so you cant go wrong with a Seiko, your not paying for the name like some 'designer' watches and mines lasted me a good 4 years without missing a beat (no batteries to change!! yay!!)

If your really going to push the boat out, to me an Omega beats a Rolex hands down.
Sure the Submariner looks nice, but the Seamaster (James Bond watch) or the Speedmaster (Man On The Moon Watch) blow it away by miles.

The big money hike comes in when you buy a Chronometer - that means the movement is GUARANTEED to a certain accuracy, and that kinda workmanship costs $$$$$

The difference between an Auto, non Chrono Omega and a full-on top o the line is around $600 or so ....

[thomasfl]

Ejant, yeah that is a Movado, nice watch I think that will run at least 7 hundred. For $400 Bulova makes some nice watches all sizes, for a cheaper watch I have seen some Kenneth Coles that look good for around $200. Prinz that's a nice Seiko.