CPKomplications (watches)

[SilverAlert]

There are a lot of different flavors of the Seiko 5 watch that won't break the bank and would give you a chance to try different types of watches to determine your personal preference

They have an almost a cult following and it wouldn't be weird for a person with a Patek Philippe in their collection to also have a Seiko 5

It would be a little weird

 

[SilverAlert]

I have two watches. This, my second...unplanned-ish. I went ahead and picked it up (when at the AD, dropping of 'my one watch', going in for full 4 year service. I'm scared at the cost. Truly. It's gonna be high. Could be months before back. )

The exact right answer is, the one you like. Whatever motivated this upgrade to you, use that first. There's one, at least a type or style, in your head already. Keep your priority there and go look around. Not just online, in the store and ADs. Try some on.

One will speak to you.

Post it here for understanding, prior, if you like. There are a few do's and don'ts with 'professional' in the mix. Tool watches, all.

Otherwise, no matter what you choose, most will not even notice, much less appreciate, no matter what you spend or how awesome it actually is. (like the knives.) You have to be happy about 100 times a day.

If does come down to it and it get noticed as nice, or standout, in some way. Anybody who looks, will be 'checking for Rollie'. ...just like you, until now. (Rollie i can't have and 'everything else' are the two types of watches. Me too, one time. True for all, no matter the passion, at some level. We all want to be superlative...always.)

Magic incoming: The Rollie you can't afford in your head is a Submariner: 99.9999%...most copied watch in history. You a may have thoughts of another style, but not attached to Rollie. Viola!

Report back and tell us about it.

I've had a few...random purchase, coming home. "A beer sounds good, right now." Not against it, just don't drink much. Add that filter, where needed - length for sure.

 

[SilverAlert]

I need to send the Deep Blue in to get cleaned again. Anyone know a better place than Saltzmans?

ed. One of the nice things about the autowinder vs. the Garmin I sometimes wear is, if my phone is confused about the time/time zone, the mechanical watch doesn't care. The Garmin is confused right along with the phone. I have tried to convince my wife that the power reserve hand is just as good as a step counter but she isn't buying it.

fnordmorph said the 'A word!'

I left it out on purpose. He does any study and 'looks inside'. A watch is not just a watch.

 

[fnordmorph]

fnordmorph said the 'A word!'

I left it out on purpose. He does any study and 'looks inside'. A watch is not just a watch.

I've fox pawed and I don't even understand the nature of my sin... self winder? kinetically recharging?

 

[SilverAlert]

3I've fox pawed and I don't even understand the nature of my sin... self winder? kinetically recharging?

Insomnia, my affiction, i tend to think out my thoughts, always clever (to me.) It's checks them and explains them...in writings, 10 miles long. Plus I'm extra...so says my daughter.

Written and deleted, distilled to this:

Understanding creates value (or lack, thereof) . Spending follows. (Since here) addiction next. Then (the worst of all) requirement. Bottom bar lifted.

Can of worms opened.

Also...the answer is not always some version of Seiko. (A historical brand, in watch history, for all.)

You gotta watch those Seiko guys, though. They are serious about loving that brand!

 

[Tensegrity]

Thank you for all the recommendations and advice, fellas. It definitely gives me a fair bit to chew on. I'm seeing numbers anywhere from 3-500 bucks to mid-thousands to tens of thousands and even more. It's incredible to me that a watch could cost as much as what I paid for my house...

It makes sense though. Traditionally, women (or their men) would covet and/or possess fine jewelry. Watches have traditionally been a "guy" thing - it's their form of jewelry so why would the sky not be the limit in terms of their cost?




This resonates with me quite a bit, thank you for the thoughtful feedback. I wore a watch extensively in my youth, though growing up on a farm, I broke them all the time. I also took violin lessons for many years and would always take it off. I stopped wearing a watch when I worked in electrical construction - I was sticking my hands in all sorts of places where there was a good chance a watch would have gotten me stuck. I began wearing them again when I worked for the Sheriff's Office and it's been off and on for me ever since.

Once you get in the habit of checking your phone for the time, a watch seems unnecessary. I've become accustomed to a watch again though (the less time spent on my phone the better).

It looks like I have a whole different world to explore. I don't think I can stomach another collecting pursuit but having a nice piece or two wouldn't disappoint me.

Check out the Chrono24 site/app.... and lose yourself.

In the vein of diver/tool watches, some more brand suggestions;
Oris (great story, still independent)
Sinn
Grand Seiko (Sport)
Tudor
RGM (US made)
Sangin
CWC

Economical, but punch -way- beyond their price;
Seiko Prospex or SKX
Citizen Promaster
Steinhart

 

[Tensegrity]

I have a soft spot for these destro Citizen Promaster divers. On the left is the venerable 0040. Selected by Italy's Marina Militare, supposedly unmodified except for some text upgrades (check 'the bay to the e'), it was/is likely capable to 500m. ISO 6425 certified. I got mine for $168, new. A legendary piece. #sandbagger

The intro to this review is sweet, and the reviewer is obviously interested and informative. A good combo and... watch.
Citizen 0040 Marina Militare

 

[Chief]

If you have a cell phone (and who doesn't?) a watch is the most expensive and least effective time keeping device you will ever own.

However ... my dad was a conductor on the Rock Island and growing up I gained an emotional attachment to his pocket watch. It was necessary for his job and he had to make payments on it from a local jewelry store. He had to have it serviced / accuracy certified every few months and was proud to own it. This combo has surely traveled a million miles, I'm proud to own it.

When Bulova came out with their railroad approved wristwatch, my dad wanted one real bad. Many other railroaders had one but he never could manage to save enough for one. Too frivolous when raising two kids on a blue collar salary. Between my junior and senior year in HS I got a job working full time at a truck stop on the interstate. Used two weeks salary and bought this watch for his birthday August 73. Backside of knife is the same one as above after he broke off the scale and filled it in with epoxy after Case wouldn't repair it for free. They rightfully termed it abuse.

In my time living in underground silos we used 8 day mechanical clocks for a reference to coordinate WWIII launches. Had to time hack them every 4 hours and make adjustments as necessary. Timing was important, also wore a cheap Casio with built in stopwatch / timers. When I was able to afford a decent watch, I purchased a no name ETA Pilot watch with a see through back and easy to read face. Looked cool, but sucked keeping time. So I upgraded to SINN watches, still have a 656 that needs serviced but costs more to service it than it's worth. Always wanted a Rolex Submariner. SilverAlert is spot on, it's the one you want. So when I retired bought the cheapest Rolex Submariner made, a stainless no date. I liked the symmetry of the no date and since I was retired I didn't care what day it is anyhow. I wear it everywhere, exercise 6 days a week in water, salt water for years, and it still looks great.

Decided the date might be important so bought a blue / gold two tone submariner. Daily wore for a few years until I decided it was too flashy for daily wear, a little afraid someone will want to hit me in the head for it. Service was $1K but it looks new afterwards.

Because of the hysteria surrounding stainless ceramic Daytonas, had to buy one. Three year wait from Rolex authorized dealer, much longer today, even a submariner is a three year wait. More comfortable than a sub, I should wear it more often.

Have been on the list for a Rolex RLX Titanium Yachtmaster since the day they were announced. List has been moving one spot a year and I started #7. Over 125 names on the list, they go for double MSRP on the secondary. I'll wait. I also have my Great Grandfather's 1893 Waltham pocketwatch in a silver hunter case, he paid for it with a bale of cotton, surely his pride and joy. That's my journey with mechanical watches. The Rolexes are all worth more than I paid for them new but none keep better time than my cell phone. I must not be the only afflicted soul.

 

[SilverAlert]

If you have a cell phone (and who doesn't?) a watch is the most expensive and least effective time keeping device you will ever own.

However ... my dad was a conductor on the Rock Island and growing up I gained an emotional attachment to his pocket watch. It was necessary for his job and he had to make payments on it from a local jewelry story. He had to have it serviced / accuracy certified every few months and was proud to own it. This combo has surely traveled a million miles, I'm proud to own it.

When Bulova came out with their railroad approved wristwatch, my dad wanted one real bad. Many other railroaders had one but he never could manage to save enough for one. Too frivolous when raising two kids on a blue collar salary. Between my junior and senior year in HS I got a job working full time at a truck stop on the interstate. Used two weeks salary and bought this watch for his birthday August 73. Backside of knife is the same one as above after he broke off the scale and filled it in with epoxy after Case wouldn't repair it for free. They rightfully termed it abuse.

In my time living in underground silos we used 8 day mechanical clocks for a reference to coordinate WWIII launches. Had to time hack them every 4 hours and make adjustments as necessary. Timing was important, also wore a cheap Casio with built in stopwatch / timers. When I was able to afford a decent watch, I purchased a no name ETA Pilot watch with a see through back and easy to read face. Looked cool, but sucked keeping time. So I upgraded to SINN watches, still have a 656 that needs serviced but costs more to service it than it's worth. Always wanted a Rolex Submariner. SilverAlert is spot on, it's the one you want. So when I retired bought the cheapest Rolex Submariner made, a stainless no date. I liked the symmetry of the no date and since I was retired I didn't care what day it is anyhow. I wear it everywhere, exercise 6 days a week in water, salt water for years, and it still looks great.

Decided the date might be important so bought a blue / gold two tone submariner. Daily wore for a few years until I decided it was too flashy for daily wear, a little afraid someone will want to hit me in the head for it. Service was $1K but it looks new afterwards.

Because of the hysteria surrounding stainless ceramic Daytonas, had to buy one. Three year wait from Rolex authorized dealer, much longer today, even a submariner is a three year wait. More comfortable than a sub, I should wear it more often.

Have been on the list for a Rolex RLX Titanium Yachtmaster since the day they were announced. List has been moving one spot a year and I started #7. Over 125 names on the list, they go for double MSRP on the secondary. I'll wait. I also have my Great Grandfather's 1893 Waltham pocketwatch in a silver hunter case, he paid for it with a bale of cotton, surely his pride and joy. That's my journey with mechanical watches. The Rolexes are all worth more than I paid for them new but none keep better time than my cell phone. I must not be the only afflicted soul.

....unless it's Daytona.

Superlative!

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

I stopped wearing a watch once I retired. Never even tried on my 25 year watch or my Union Retirement watch, both still brand new in the box.

Still have my divers watch that runs on being moved ( self winding movement?), but too big for everyday wear, diving only, but works great.

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

My absolute favorite watch, 10 years safe driving award. It was the wings on the knob that I liked so much, plus the size too. But the wings saved so many cuts on my wrist.

Got a larger one for 15 years, but was too big for my liking.

It’s the protective wings that sells me on the watch, and I’ve never found another one that matched it.

Once the knob fell off one day, I’ve never worn one again.

I suppose a watchmaker or jeweler could fix it, but I’ve never looked into it cause I know it’s a cheap watch, just very sentimental to me.

 

[clinton1]

If you have a cell phone (and who doesn't?) a watch is the most expensive and least effective time keeping device you will ever own.

However ... my dad was a conductor on the Rock Island and growing up I gained an emotional attachment to his pocket watch. It was necessary for his job and he had to make payments on it from a local jewelry story. He had to have it serviced / accuracy certified every few months and was proud to own it. This combo has surely traveled a million miles, I'm proud to own it.

When Bulova came out with their railroad approved wristwatch, my dad wanted one real bad. Many other railroaders had one but he never could manage to save enough for one. Too frivolous when raising two kids on a blue collar salary. Between my junior and senior year in HS I got a job working full time at a truck stop on the interstate. Used two weeks salary and bought this watch for his birthday August 73. Backside of knife is the same one as above after he broke off the scale and filled it in with epoxy after Case wouldn't repair it for free. They rightfully termed it abuse.

In my time living in underground silos we used 8 day mechanical clocks for a reference to coordinate WWIII launches. Had to time hack them every 4 hours and make adjustments as necessary. Timing was important, also wore a cheap Casio with built in stopwatch / timers. When I was able to afford a decent watch, I purchased a no name ETA Pilot watch with a see through back and easy to read face. Looked cool, but sucked keeping time. So I upgraded to SINN watches, still have a 656 that needs serviced but costs more to service it than it's worth. Always wanted a Rolex Submariner. SilverAlert is spot on, it's the one you want. So when I retired bought the cheapest Rolex Submariner made, a stainless no date. I liked the symmetry of the no date and since I was retired I didn't care what day it is anyhow. I wear it everywhere, exercise 6 days a week in water, salt water for years, and it still looks great.

Decided the date might be important so bought a blue / gold two tone submariner. Daily wore for a few years until I decided it was too flashy for daily wear, a little afraid someone will want to hit me in the head for it. Service was $1K but it looks new afterwards.

Because of the hysteria surrounding stainless ceramic Daytonas, had to buy one. Three year wait from Rolex authorized dealer, much longer today, even a submariner is a three year wait. More comfortable than a sub, I should wear it more often.

Have been on the list for a Rolex RLX Titanium Yachtmaster since the day they were announced. List has been moving one spot a year and I started #7. Over 125 names on the list, they go for double MSRP on the secondary. I'll wait. I also have my Great Grandfather's 1893 Waltham pocketwatch in a silver hunter case, he paid for it with a bale of cotton, surely his pride and joy. That's my journey with mechanical watches. The Rolexes are all worth more than I paid for them new but none keep better time than my cell phone. I must not be the only afflicted soul.

Amazing post, Sir! Appreciate you taking the time (no pun intended)!

 

[SilverAlert]

This is the can of worms (cost of ownership) you don't want opened. Wow. Cost of ownership i did not anticipate.

I will say i beat this thing, relentlessly, like a g shock for 4 years of solid service

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Mark wore his Rolex continuously for almost 30 years until it finally ground to a halt.

I hate to think what the service is going to be on that one.

 

[Rostovchav]

 

[SilverAlert]

This is the can of worms (cost of ownership) you don't want opened. Wow. Cost of ownership i did not anticipate.

I will say i beat this thing, relentlessly, like a g shock for 4 years of

Mark wore his Rolex continuously for almost 30 years until it finally ground to a halt.

I hate to think what the service is going to be on that one.

Go Rollie! That's really sayin' something...for any watch

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

Go Rollie! That's really sayin' something...for any watch

My simple Casio lasted 20 years at work, and 10 years after retirement no less, zero complaints other than a few scratches. Battery super easy to replace too, once every other year perhaps.

Doubt I’ll ever wear another, or even find one I like, thank goodness

 

[Pàdruig]

I am getting my first real experience with a mechanical watch. John ( Chief ) reached out and sent me what he called a mechanical watch starter kit. It got here today and I'm already a fan after getting it set up and on my wrist. The more I browse watches and the various options out there (still overwhelming), the more I am starting to develop the sort of aesthetic I prefer and I really like the clean simplicity of what they call a Pilot watch or Field watch. Easy to read and they simply provide the time.

John, you are too kind, and I appreciate your gesture so much.

As a side note, I've been a fan of John's photography across the forums for a long time. He gave me some great pointers some time back and though I am learning, I still hardly know what I am doing.

 

[Jabrni]

I am getting my first real experience with a mechanical watch. John ( Chief ) reached out and sent me what he called a mechanical watch starter kit. It got here today and I'm already a fan after getting it set up and on my wrist. The more I browse watches and the various options out there (still overwhelming), the more I am starting to develop the sort of aesthetic I prefer and I really like the clean simplicity of what they call a Pilot watch or Field watch. Easy to read and they simply provide the time.

John, you are too kind, and I appreciate your gesture so much.

As a side note, I've been a fan of John's photography across the forums for a long time. He gave me some great pointers some time back and though I am learning, I still hardly know what I am doing.

That’s awesome!

Chief - incredibly kind.

 

[KnifeVice]

I only own 2 watches currently but the old square face G-Shock gets the most wrist time. I am always drawn to things that just freaking work, all the time, and require as little maintenance as possible. I also like light-weight and comfortable. The Citizen Eco Drive is shockingly accurate and stays within a few seconds of my radio updated G-Shock all the time. I have a huge appreciation for automatic watches, but I’m hesitant to spend the money. The CW Sealander has been tempting me for a while and I might pick one up at some point, I just know that I’ll spend $1000 and go right back to wearing these two all the time . I’d love to own a Rolex or Omega, but I don’t think I could ever bring myself to spend the money on the watch and the maintenance down the road.

Edit: I’ve been wearing the Eco drive since daylight savings time, obviously.