Near undestructable mecanical watches?

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
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All,

What in your opinion are the most abuse-resistant mecanical wrist watches - excluding exclusive pieces above say $5,000?

I'm talking about watches that are least likely to ever be broken - not "pretty good" or "good and easy / cheap to replace". In other discussions I've heard of IWC, Sinn, Ball, Rolex, etc, etc.

Thanks!
 
Seiko's 7S26 movement is as about as indestructible as a mechanical watch can be, along with the Omega Cal 861
 
I remember reading in one of those russian surplus gear catalogues about the cosmonauts watch. it was supposed to be so industructable that the 'nauts could use it as a hammer in an emergency and it would continue to function.

then again it was a Russian, surplus catalog.:confused:
 
At the upper end Rolex Sea-Dweller or Submariner. Lower end Seiko Black Monster or 007 ( could even get one from Bill Yao that has been customized).

Take a look at the Marathon GSAR as well. I have the TSAR (quartz movement) that I wear on duty, very solid watch.
 
Only speaking on the watches I own. I have a Breitling SuperOcean that from what I have read uses and ETA movement. The watch is built like a tank. Also as mentioned above, the Seiko movement is excellent and my Seiko auto is very reliable. I recently traded for a Citizen auto diver that the guy had for a while and it works perfectly.

My brother has a Rolex that is probably 12 or 13 years old and has never had a problem and he has worn it in some harsh conditions.
 
Joss said:
All,

What in your opinion are the most abuse-resistant mecanical wrist watches - excluding exclusive pieces above say $5,000?

I'm talking about watches that are least likely to ever be broken - not "pretty good" or "good and easy / cheap to replace". In other discussions I've heard of IWC, Sinn, Ball, Roleix, etc, etc.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
My vote will go to the Citizen 1000m Titanium Ecozilla...That watch IS a tank!
 
Right now I am wearing an Omega Seamaster GMT Chronometer. I have worn it day and night for over six years. It has accompanied me on numerous dives in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. I have used it while doing heavy construction and worn it to social events.

Still keeps good time and if you don't use a magnifying glass, still looks like new.
 
Tough mechanical watch?

Any of the various Seiko diver's watches, and I also like the Citizen NY0040.

Good luck,
Allen
 
I have owned two Rolex Submariners in the past; Each one for several years.

When I was much younger, the first Rolex I had took a tremendous beating. It was smashed into sand and gravel several times when the surf spit me out and withstood hard banging around on various jobs. No question, that Rolex "took a lickin' and kept on tickin".

I was amazed the watch survived after some of the ordeals it went through. The dealer I finally sold it to was somewhat appalled at the deeply scratched condition of the SS casing and band and surprised at the pristine condition of the sapphire crystal.

For the most part, the best mechanical watches are not as accurate as the best quartz movements. Judging from the examples I owned, Rolex accuracy is mediocre even for mechanical watches. I have heard the same from others.

The Omega Seamaster on my wrist now has excellent accuracy compared to the Rolex Submariners in my past. Durability is another matter and I have not given the Omega anything close to as tough a workout as the first Rolex I abused; So I don't really have even anecdotal evidence to go by.
 
Joss said:
All,

What in your opinion are the most abuse-resistant mecanical wrist watches - excluding exclusive pieces above say $5,000?

I'm talking about watches that are least likely to ever be broken - not "pretty good" or "good and easy / cheap to replace". In other discussions I've heard of IWC, Sinn, Ball, Rolex, etc, etc.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
IMHO I wouldn't touch " BALL " with a ten foot pole.
Been there, crap watch high $. Rolex ? didn't keep that great of time, even after a one year tune up at $500.00 bucks. IWC Great watch,high $. Sinn, good but still to much $. I've owned all the above but am now sold on Marathon GSAR Auto,Tritium vials, own 4 in varied combinations of bands.Check this fellow out. He is a swell fellow and has a ton of good to excellent watches.
$60.00 on up. http://westcoastime.stores.yahoo.net/index.html
 
I had a Sears Stellaris Auto wind (about 30 years ago). It consistantly ran 1 minute per week fast. I figured that it was a good durable watch when I sent several days breaking up clay soil with a jack hammer...forgot to take the watch off. Still kept running 1 minute fast per week.

I worked with a guy who had to wear a 100% mechanical watch. A watch with any sort of electronics in it would stop within a few hours. his watch of choice was Timex.

Ric
 
Rado Ceramica. $1700-1800. Great watch. It is made of the same ceramic material that the space shuttle is made of, and has a sapphire crystal. I have worn mine every day since I bought it new in 2002. There isn't a scratch on it- the ceramic is very durable.
 
Breitling SuperOcean or any of the Breitling Avenger series,Tutima DI-300 or NATO, Omega Seamaster, any of the BALL watches, Bell and Ross, or SINN.

I wouldnt get a ceramic watch they are hard to scratch but WILL chip crack or shatter
 
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