I got a watch!

EasEWryder

EasEWryder

Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
628
I have never had a nice watch and just got this in a trade. It's a Festina Mecaquartz "cal. BP10" is what the booklets say. I have never had anything this fancy before and dunno if I should keep it.

I know a lot of people are into watches, so I was wondering if anybody knows anything about this watch ro Festina. Is this a nice watch? Is it like a Sebenza, 710, SERE 2000, etc. I know next to nothing about watches, except they're supposed to tell time. Here are some of the features and pics:

- WR 100M

- shiny place markers where some numbers should be; they have glow in the dark stuff on them, and only 12, 3, 6, and 9 are numbered.

- It charges itself by the motion of my swinging arm.

- What the "day" date is.

- Steel/ rubber? bracelet type band with black face.

- Transparent back so you can see all the doo-dads and gizmos inside.

- The fanciest box(plactic, wood inlaid, hinged) I have ever had(Way fancier than my ER MPC box) with a pillow inside, booklets and receipt for $300?!?!? :eek:

Thanks,
EasEWryder
 

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Looks nice, I don't know anything about that one though. You might be interested in checking out this site - watchuseek.com. They have lots of information and forums. I'm not really a collector, but I like to look.
Bob
 
Festina is what some might consider a "Mall Brand." They are commonly found in jewelry kiosks and other mall stores. They aren't really what one would call a luxury or high-end brand. They are probably comparable to Sector, and ESQ Watches.

If compared to a knife, it would be hard to say, not really up there with Sebenza. Maybe Swiss Army Knife?

Bob
 
Bob is right. I hated breaking the news to you so I'm glad he did...!
But don't worry, if it works for you, it's fine. At least it's got a reasonably sophisticated movement inside; from your description and the price-tag, I'd say it has a Seiko-derived "Kinetic" movement that charges a battery by kinetic -wrist- movement. An automatic movement does the same thing but instead of a battery, there's a steel spring that's being wound. I'm wearing one of those right now, an Omega Speedmaster Automatic from a series that originated in '74. Mine is a very late sample from '86. It's a chronograph with 7 hands and day/date index - love it.

I used to be a regular on timezone.com but, like many others, have moved away from there because of various reasons, among which the current site-layout is my biggest gripe. There's a lot to be learned over there though, do have a look.

But please, enjoy your watch! I started off with a very cheapo quartz and worked my way up. You might end up going the same route... :D

*edited to kill a few spelling-errors*
 
That's OK. It is my first watch, I guess, and I only traded a 806D2 and one of my Nimravi for it... You think that was ok? Good thing I didn't buy it( or have to go to the mall ;) ). I wanted it 'cause it doesn't need to have it's battery changed and is shiny. :D I'm like a racoon like that I guess... Well, it's definitely gonna be my work watch. :)

I looked at an Omega Seamaster today. That was like $1750, and the guy was kinda weird at Shreve & co., but he said it would last forever. I don't generally trust salesman, and I value forumites opinions on stuff, so I posted this. I think I'm gonna shoot for one of those next. All I want is a watch that will last a lifetime, and I could pass on to a son. Any suggestions for a watch under 2G's ? Preferably a kinetic-automatic-no-battery-needed-type... Thanks Fellas :)
 
Originally posted by EasEWryder
All I want is a watch that will last a lifetime, and I could pass on to a son. Any suggestions for a watch under 2G's ? Preferably a kinetic-automatic-no-battery-needed-type... Thanks Fellas :)
Click to expand...
You need to live a quiet life and stay at home a lot and even your shoes will last a lifetime. :p

I got a Casio Tough Solar G-Shock Waveceptor. I'm not sure of the exact designation, but it looks like this is about it -- http://www.4-watches.com/casio/mtg900da9v.html

I don't really like them too shiny, which this is, but it may actually last a couple of years before I smash it like I so often do. My grandfather was a jeweler, so we always had cheap watches to run around with. Now I get to break more expensive watches I buy for myself!

Anyway, you got a nice-looking piece there. Enjoy it! :D
 
If you're serious about watches, here's a few brands to drool over..

Breitling
Chronoswiss
IWC
Fortis
Limes
Omega
Rolex ( ;) )
RGM
Sinn

Do a bit of Google searching and sit back for the ride...
And you thought knives were enough to keep you broke... guess again.
 
Psdrew, thanks for the list. I'm gonna try and keep my watch collection down to three for now. :) So far I have one with another pending. The third will be the "big spender" :)
 
Be advised, this looks very similar to offerings from Suunto. I have a Suunto Vector that has a HUGE face, like 1-3/4". It is also very thick, though light. You may want to investigate this watch's dimensions as it may be quite large, I mean REALLY large. Compared to the Suunto, it has a glass crystal, solar power and greater water resistance rating which makes it a better choice. I reserve mine for camping and outdoor excursion usage. It doesn't lend itself to EDC...

Cool watch!
 
Psdrew, I checked out the Suunto's and they seemed to have a pretty impressive track record, however I really like the solar powered feaature of the Casio's. I'm sold on the idea of never having to change the battery. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
 
Mike,

You got yourself a decent self-powered timepiece appropriate for dress and play for a fair price. The horology bug is an expensive hobby that my dad passed on to me. I've got 13 total. Autos and quartzs. From pricey Omega and Rolex to my affordable EDC Seikos and Luminox. I'm trying to wean myself :rolleyes: but it's an uphill battle. For the love of GOD stop at three...or five...or...!:eek:
Go away from the light Mike! AWAY!!!:D

Dayuhan
 
LOL! The light just seems to follow me all over these forums!:D I really like how knives, flashlights, watches, and stuff to carry 'em in go hand-in hand. You could almost say they all eventually lead to one another. Three watches is all I will probably be able to afford, but then that's what I said about a lot of things... I feel like I need to be in a rehab program:( "Man-toys anonymous" and then there's my struggle with bicycles...;)
 
dayuhan13, sounds like we've got the same bug. My current EDC is a Seiko SNX427K2 automatic. Admittedly somewhat pedestrian but... entertaining none the less.
 
The Seamaster will just have to wait 'til it becomes kinetic or solar ;). [/B]
Click to expand...

I'm all about heirloom quality watches. There's something about an artifact that will outlast you and possibly even your kids.

The problem with kinetic and solar watches is their relatively short life spans. This puts them out of the running in the category of heirloom watches. Kinetic and solar watches have small electric storage cells to hold their electrical energy. These cells have limited life cycles, and after a few years they begin to lose their ability to hold a charge.

I had a Seiko that had such a power cell, and after a few years it would no longer hold a charge. I contacted Seiko and they told me the watch and cell was discontinued, and no longer servicable.

If I were looking for an heirloom quality watch it would be strictly mechanical. My first choice for under $2,000 would be a 5512 or 5513.
 
Originally posted by psdrew
dayuhan13, sounds like we've got the same bug. My current EDC is a Seiko SNX427K2 automatic. Admittedly somewhat pedestrian but... entertaining none the less.
Click to expand...

That's a great 21 jewel auto. Far from a certified Swiss chrono but still a proven movement and much easier to replace. I just picked up an SKX013 Auto-Diver and waiting to get it in. :D So much for will power.:rolleyes:

Dayuhan
 
Originally posted by EasEWryder
Psdrew, I checked out the Suunto's and they seemed to have a pretty impressive track record, however I really like the solar powered feaature of the Casio's. I'm sold on the idea of never having to change the battery. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
Click to expand...

Batteries cost anywhere from a whopping 30 cents wholesale to maybe $2 dollars retail. With a screwdriver and some patience, you can change a battery at home in 5 minutes.

Worn out storage cells for a solar powered watch require a factory service and cost almost as much as the watch. That is if they still have the storage cells in stock. Storage cells for solar watches start to lose their holding capacity after a couple of years. I have half a dozen useless watches whose storage cells are bad. I'd much rather go the battery route. At least I know I will be able to find a battery when the time comes.
 
Bob, you're just full of good news ;)

EasE, I alternate between two watches right now. An Omega Speedmaster and a Casio Tough Solar Waveceptor that was given to me by a friend. While its storage cell may die, I love the gadget factor of it recharging itself and updating the time.

You will not regret buying an Omega. I would recommend that you look around on Timezone.com to see if you could get a pre-owned watch for a better price than full retail.
 
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