Oh, I have no problem understanding and appreciating the 'intangible' reasons. I used to have a love for fountain pens (since you mentioned it). I overcame it, but I still like their touch. It's just that in my lifestyle they're too impractical.pcnorton said:I serously doubt you will find an 'objective" reason for the allure of a mechanical watch.
Some people like mechanical things. Some people like nice fountain pens. Good luck trying to understand. It will take alot of trolling to get it.
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The allure of an automatic watch
- Thread starter hwyhobo
- Start date
Years ago I read an article that, half tongue in cheek, said men fall into two groups. Those that like shiny things and those that like dull things.
I recognised myself in the second group: I like wooden sailing boats with traditional rigs (not plastic power boats), leather and canvas, old cars (though I have better uses for my money than to run them), old motorcycles, anything with a fine patina, anodised not chrome, mechanical watches, fountain pens and so on.
My weekend EDC (WEC?) is a matt black Leatherman Wave. Actually that's a good touchstone. When I show it to people they either ask why it is black and are puzzled by the choice or they get it right away and grin. OK, I see the appeal of my son's ipod nano too so I can understand shiny but it doesn't direct most of my choices.
I recognised myself in the second group: I like wooden sailing boats with traditional rigs (not plastic power boats), leather and canvas, old cars (though I have better uses for my money than to run them), old motorcycles, anything with a fine patina, anodised not chrome, mechanical watches, fountain pens and so on.
My weekend EDC (WEC?) is a matt black Leatherman Wave. Actually that's a good touchstone. When I show it to people they either ask why it is black and are puzzled by the choice or they get it right away and grin. OK, I see the appeal of my son's ipod nano too so I can understand shiny but it doesn't direct most of my choices.
My Father purchased a Rolex Explorer in Sept 1967 - wore it as his work watch until 1985 - gave it to me on my birthday. I had it 3rd party serviced (Rolex wanted to change face and hands - I wanted them rebuilt) in 1985 - and wore it daily until 3 weeks ago.
This week I will be getting it back from Rolex Canada, completely refurbished and ready to go back in my wrist.
As a gift, it represented more than the time to me - and I doubt a Timex Quartz would last have lasted as long, or be as well rec'd by the factory for service/refurb.
MAT
This week I will be getting it back from Rolex Canada, completely refurbished and ready to go back in my wrist.
As a gift, it represented more than the time to me - and I doubt a Timex Quartz would last have lasted as long, or be as well rec'd by the factory for service/refurb.
MAT
Why Timex quartz? You know we're not talking about cheap digitals. It's like building a straw man to enhance your argument. It ends up weakening it.bbcmat said:
I agree with your general feelings and I understand the sentimental value. I do, however, question whether it would be difficult to refurbish a quality quartz watch. I see absolutely no practical reason for it. I would say it would probably be easier.
I make no argument.
Buy and enjoy whatever you like - I was purchasing watches every couple of years before the Explorer - bought only one since - as a dress match to my wedding ring.
It (Raymond Weil Fidelio Model 4704 - quartz) goes back in the box once my Explorer gets back. I feed it a fresh battery every couple of years, usually the same time my wife's one needs one. Nice watch, extremely comfortable and thin, waterproof, accurate.
MAT
Buy and enjoy whatever you like - I was purchasing watches every couple of years before the Explorer - bought only one since - as a dress match to my wedding ring.
It (Raymond Weil Fidelio Model 4704 - quartz) goes back in the box once my Explorer gets back. I feed it a fresh battery every couple of years, usually the same time my wife's one needs one. Nice watch, extremely comfortable and thin, waterproof, accurate.
MAT
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2002
- Messages
- 2,177
It's the 'EDC as a companion' theme that makes me into mechanical watches. I've seen Sieko auto divers on the wrists of roughnecks, seamen and sailors that have been worn daily for 25+ years. I've never seen battery powered watches that old still being worn (or maybe I just haven't looked, this being a subjective conversation after all). I like to preface thoughts about my EDC gadgets (knife, watch, pen, wallet etc) with 'my trusty old....'
Some say that if we are being logical we should wear a cheap quartz, but if we were being logical we wouldn't wear a watch at all - we are surrounded by things telling us the time, all the time.
Some say that if we are being logical we should wear a cheap quartz, but if we were being logical we wouldn't wear a watch at all - we are surrounded by things telling us the time, all the time.
Do not put an equal sign between cheap and quartz. I detect a subconcious desire in those who do that to see all quart watches as cheap to elevate their own choice, but the truth is, there are plenty of expensive, beautiful quartz watches, and there are plenty of cheap mechanical watches. Others have already explained their decision without having to use such rethorical manipulation. Let's stick to that.Ming65 said:
These are my mechanical watches, some automatic, some wind-up, some I bought over 20 years ago, a couple I bought six months ago, they all work fine and I enjoy wearing them, even the inexpensive Orient at the bottom right which runs much too fast, but I set it in the morning and it serves me well for the rest of the day. I do have a few quartz watches, most of them have run out of battery and I have not bothered to replace it, I also have three Citizen eco-drive that I really like, and one Casio solar.
Why mechanical ?, well why not ?, I mean part of what makes us human is our appreciation of certain things, like a fine painting, good music, or the working of springs and gears in a mechanical timepiece. There's nothing wrong with appreciating the technology in a quartz watch either, or don't worry about how it works and just get what serves you best or looks best to you.
Luis
Dang I wish I could afford an Omega coaxial...
Click to enlarge
Why mechanical ?, well why not ?, I mean part of what makes us human is our appreciation of certain things, like a fine painting, good music, or the working of springs and gears in a mechanical timepiece. There's nothing wrong with appreciating the technology in a quartz watch either, or don't worry about how it works and just get what serves you best or looks best to you.
Luis
Dang I wish I could afford an Omega coaxial...
Click to enlarge
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2002
- Messages
- 2,177
hwyhobo said:Do not put an equal sign between cheap and quartz. QUOTE]
I didn't mate - you did
I said cheap (ie inexpensive) quartz was a more logical (ie-rational) choice because you get better accuracy at a much lower price.
You detected nothing about my subconscious mind. Projected maybe, but not detected.
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2005
- Messages
- 4,248
Timex is not necessarily cheap. I have a Timex Chronograph that a Horologist (Watchmaker/Repairman) gave me. The movement in the Timex was the same movement in a $400 Citizen. Timex only made the Chronograph with that movement for 2 years before it got stopped. Too many people realized they could get a good watch for $40-$50 vs the $400. That Timex has served me well without fail for 5 years so far.
That out of the way, I am really wanting a Hamilton Khaki Navy. Same Horologist friend has one that I envy greatly. Hanging around him I have learned to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a Mechanical Watch. Somewhere down the road I will get that watch.
That out of the way, I am really wanting a Hamilton Khaki Navy. Same Horologist friend has one that I envy greatly. Hanging around him I have learned to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a Mechanical Watch. Somewhere down the road I will get that watch.
Truthfully, I don't know.
It has been running continuously since its initial winding.
In the morning, I give it about 10 gentle shakes, and then put it on my wrist.
This occurs at approx 5:30am on workdays, and anywhere from 6:00am to 8:00am on off days.
I wear it all day and take if off before I go to bed--usually between 10:00pm and midnight.
So, the longest it's been off my wrist is probably about 10 hours.
I should also mention that it gains about 10 seconds a day.
This is'nt too much of a problem--I just reset it at the end of the month since I sometimes need to adjust the calender anyway.
And I have learned to not "sweat the seconds" too.
I loved my eco-drive and all last summer it worked perfectly.
But during the winter, when I was wearing long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, jackets, and such, it lost substantial time repeatedly.
I had to start leaving it under a lamp for hours to make sure that it was charged up.
I might wear the eco-drive this summer...but maybe not.
The Black Monster is really nice.
And even though it does weigh alot, it carries very well on my wrist.
Cheers,
Allen.