OT: Q for the watch enthusiasts

[erolorhun]

Originally Posted by IJWS

Since I started wearing a wedding ring, I've been sensitive to watch size and 42mm and 13mm tall is too big for me right now--there's too much shininess going on on my left hand.

Otherwise it's a really great watch. I love the Ti, the lume, the super-legible dial, and the power reserve. All very "tool". It's also cool to have the cool doodads like the helium escape valve and the springy clasp but I realize that the list of features all come with a packaging requirement. I would be tempted by the new smaller Pelagos but I feel like they kind of neutered the Pelagos to get it into a smaller package. The OG Pelagos was like a no-holds-barred design experiment. We're just not getting on well right now.

For reference, my short list is something 37/38 from Nomos like a Club or Orion, and my long list would be a stainless pepsi (40mm and that tapered Jubilee are amazing--and I'll be 50 by the time my name comes up on the waiting list ).

Thank you, excellent points, great insights.

I had a Submariner 114060 that I let go because of its size. It was just too blocky and chunky on my wrist. Otherwise fantastic watch and the bracelet / clasp was a work of engineering art compared to the one on my 14060, which is borderline folded sheet metal in comparison. But is much more palatable to wear because of its size, for me.

I would recommend some kind of a Rolex to OP, but yes, waiting lists / prices / etc.

[Dlevy05]

Originally Posted by Louis

It isn't at all clear to me why this would be so. More and more of my recent purchases have been hand-winders and I like them just as much if not more than my autos. Others may differ regarding hand-wind vs auto, but IMO telling someone that an auto is what he wants is going a bit too far.

Lol - true. I want a moon watch and would only consider the original mechanical

[LouDeeter]

I've offered this mechanical (auto) Maurice Lacroix as trade for bike stuff to many of you over the last 14 years since I wore it before I retired. I still like it, but just don't wear it. All I need to know is whether it is after 4 PM daily. Otherwise, the days and time just run together.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by Dlevy05

Resources:

1. WatchUSeek is the best forum

I've been on WatchUSeek for a *long* time but once I acknowledged my shopping addiction and stopped buying watches, I can't stomach the place any more.

All members on that forum seem to want to talk about is their Rolex AD and how they suck up to get the latest DeepSeaMarinerRimBrake Complication. Should I wear this watch? Is it too flashy for my manager, the judge, the girlfriend? Does this dial color go with these shoes? Yuck.

It makes me wonder how interesting these people are IRL, and why I would want to hang out with them.

I'm in the process of getting rid of *most* of my watches, keeping just my Garmin and a Seiko Sumo, and maybe one more. I had a brief dalliance with a vintage Breitling Chronomat, but forgot to wind it, missed a meeting and sold it.

[earlfoss]

Totally agree regarding watch forums. They're more rife with clout chasers than genuine watch enthusiasts. I lurked on a few for a while, then bailed. Gross.

Get what you like. If that's an automatic, hand wind, or quartz who cares but you? I have been intrigued by Seiko quartz movements using mechanical components to keep them running.

I already have a nice watch that I use as a daily, otherwise I'd seriously consider diving back into the addiction

[IJWS]

Originally Posted by erolorhun

Thank you, excellent points, great insights.

I had a Submariner 114060 that I let go because of its size. It was just too blocky and chunky on my wrist. Otherwise fantastic watch and the bracelet / clasp was a work of engineering art compared to the one on my 14060, which is borderline folded sheet metal in comparison. But is much more palatable to wear because of its size, for me.

I would recommend some kind of a Rolex to OP, but yes, waiting lists / prices / etc.

@Erolorhun, If you didn't get on with an 114060, then the 42mm Pelagos is not going to work for you. Next time you come across a Tudor AD, you should try the new smaller Pelagos though. If you like it, they will sell you one right there on the spot

[IJWS]

Originally Posted by earlfoss

Totally agree regarding watch forums. They're more rife with clout chasers than genuine watch enthusiasts. I lurked on a few for a while, then bailed. Gross.

Get what you like. If that's an automatic, hand wind, or quartz who cares but you? I have been intrigued by Seiko quartz movements using mechanical components to keep them running.

I already have a nice watch that I use as a daily, otherwise I'd seriously consider diving back into the addiction

I think watch people are much more palatable IN PERSON than on the forums. Bike people though, are universal.

[IJWS]

Originally Posted by Dlevy05

Lol - true. I want a moon watch and would only consider the original mechanical

I used to think that the Speedmaster being handwound was an issue, but now it is one of my favorite attributes of that watch. You never wonder if it has any power reserve or if it is still set to the right time. You just pick it up, wind it, set it, and then sneak admiring glances at it for the rest of the day. Rinse and repeat.

[RFC]

Originally Posted by IJWS

I used to think that the Speedmaster being handwound was an issue, but now it is one of my favorite attributes of that watch. You never wonder if it has any power reserve or if it is still set to the right time. You just pick it up, wind it, set it, and then sneak admiring glances at it for the rest of the day. Rinse and repeat.

I'd always wind my at stop lights.

[RFC]

Once you go down the watch rabbit hole, at best, you are always in recovery.

It starts early and watches become part of your Every Day Carry (EDC). At the age of 12, if I had my bike, pocket knife and watch I was ready for adventure.

Around 2000, I was heavily into the German and Swiss watch thing. That was during the early days of Time Zone and money orders. I probably bought, sold and traded close to 75 watches, usually making a profit. BTW, that was similar to a future bike behavior.

One day I looked at my watch drawer and realized I had a bunch of very expensive jewelry all wrapped up on little pillows.

I sold them all.

I've moved back into the watch space slowly, this time with the theme that I I will only collect dive watches that divers, like me, actually wore when divers wore watches. That means that the vast majority of mine are Seikos and Citizens. They were the leaders in dive watch technology. In part, the smartness of their technology is what attracts me

The Tuna came out of the 1000 meter watch war. The Europeon companies went one way and the Japanese another. Nine patents came out of the Tuna development and it has been called the most purposeful watch ever.

Here is the history.

https://monochrome-watches.com/histo...na-dive-watch/

https://prowatches.com/seiko-tuna-a-...robust-models/

BTW, Jacques Cousteau doesn't count. His expedition was sponsored by Rolex.

[jimcav]

Originally Posted by RFC

when divers wore watches

weren't there divers wearing watches before seiko and citizen became ubiquitous options?

nothing against the tuna.

somewhere in a box I think I must still have my 1st navy issued dive watch, a citizen from 1999.

If I could, I'd have a fifty fathoms

[RFC]

Originally Posted by jimcav

weren't there divers wearing watches before seiko and citizen became ubiquitous options?

nothing against the tuna.

somewhere in a box I think I must still have my 1st navy issued dive watch, a citizen from 1999.

If I could, I'd have a fifty fathoms

Good question. That's why God gave us Google. Sort of like turn signals, which many view as optional.

https://revolutionwatch.com/a-histor...he-dive-watch/

I amend my comments to refer to the rise of recreational diving after WWII.

Me, if I were to dive back into auto Euro watches, it would be Sinn and Omega. But I'm not going to.

[Blue Jays]

The most nauseating watch forums pics are from the cabin of a private jet with the cockpit as the background. So pretentious.
Or the trite watch close-up at the wheel of their new Audi / BMW / Mercedes-Benz / Porsche. We get it. You have lots of money.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by Blue Jays

The most nauseating watch forums pics are from the cabin of a private jet with the cockpit as the background. So pretentious.
Or the trite watch close-up at the wheel of their new Audi / BMW / Mercedes-Benz / Porsche. We get it. You have lots of money.

Note to self: Be sure Blue Jays isn't on the forum when I post images of my Richard Mille with my Veyron's streering wheel just in focus in the background...

[Blue Jays]

Originally Posted by Louis

"…Note to self:
Be sure Blue Jays isn't on the forum when I post images of my Richard Mille with my Veyron's streering wheel just in focus in the background..."

Ha! Fellow cyclists get a pass!