Foo - Which watch?

Which watch?

My watch broke. Apparently it was waterproof but not shampoo-proof, and letting it dry, reinserting the battery, and shorting the "reset" wire wasn't enough to wake it up. So now I'm torn between:

1: A nice grown-up guy's watch
2: A neat HRM. I have a HRM watch but it's really ugly -- not something I'd wear anywhere but running, and even then I wrap my wrist with an ACE bandage and pretend I hurt it at volleyball so nobody will see it. [1] Plus, it's a bit old and underfeatureful.

So, what do you think? Are there any HRM watches that you'd actually like to be seen in public with? Having two watches is just one more thing to deal with. But the rest of me just screams GEEK so I really don't want yet another reason for all the girls to say "You're a really nice guy, but I'm just not comfortable dating someone whose species I can't identify."

[1] OK, maybe not.

I know almost nothing about new watches and I'm biased heavily toward mechanical movements, but if you want advice on antique stuff let me know.

I love my citizen. Plus it's Ti! The geek in you just can't resist a watch that says tasteful and geeky at the same time!

Watches...boo!

I have really skinny wrists, so any watch I wear looks ridiculous. I don't mind, though. I've never been in such a hurry that I don't have time to take my cell phone out of my backpack to check the time.

Watches...boo!

I have really skinny wrists, so any watch I wear looks ridiculous. I don't mind, though. I've never been in such a hurry that I don't have time to take my cell phone out of my backpack to check the time.

The solution to the skinny wrist problem, and the one I wear most of the time:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/cincophoto/G-P1.jpg

It's a 1949 Girard-Perregaux Gyromatic in 14k and has the first (eh... sorta) commercially viable automatic movement. Yay old Swiss guys!

Watches? Watches? We don't need no steenikn' watches!

1: A nice grown-up guy's watch

yes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/timeonhands.jpg

^^^ Those are some hawt watches. Am an analog man myself.

Hmmm... I've never understood the facination with fancy or expensive watches that do nothing other than tell time well enough for someone to function in life. I have a Timex IronMan... it's like the second one I've had in my entire life. I wear it everywear except cycling, where I have a NIKE Triax C5 HRM watch. I have one antique gold watch my father handed down to me that I wear if I'm getting dressed up real fancy...that's it. I got a Movado from my company for my ten year anniversary....I sold it on ebay and bought a new dual function computer for my time trial bike. I can understand have one slightly "dressy" watch and one for everyday use, but I have a co worker who has like 6 different watches. They think I'm a caveman because I don't own a Tag Heuer, Rolex, Movado etc...

As for your question...get a new HRM/Sports watch.

Some people like it. One of my profs, his everyday watch is a Rolex. And his wedding ring has more diamond that the average engagement ring. Obviously he has a business on the side too. ;)

The bottom line is that past achievements are indicative of future performance, and people like success. So they wear their success on their wrist. I have to admit, I like having a nicer than average everyday watch. And my ti citizen was only $50, not much more than an ironman. The wonders of ebay.

I've been thinking about getting an orient to use as a dress watch. My options are very limited since I have nickel allergies and they don't make enough ti women's watches. I really want one with a carbon fiber dial, because I'm geek. :D

Don't get the HRM for everyday use. You will look like a geek. Or worse, a poser! Anyone who recognizes it for what it is will think you're either obsessed with yourself or that you're just that ultra geek that you're afraid they'll see.

If you want a geeky watch, get one that's a watch first and then has other features. My watch just broke - for the second time in 6 years (note: don't bother with the Omega X-33 if you're after a high end watch) - so I'm looking for a replacement. Being a bit of a geek, I'm thinking about those Tissot touch screen watches. Haven't seen one in person so I don't know. I'd also like a Breitling but not sure I can justify the expense at the moment since I'm also thinking about a new bike this summer (yes, cycle17, I'm someone who likes higher end watches - not all, just some very specific ones, usually aviation related... but don't worry, I don't care if anyone else does or not; it's just me).

And for the record, if anyone goes looking up the X-33, I didn't pay anywhere near it's price; Omega has a program so military aviators can get them very inexpensively. Lets them say the watch is used by military aviators in high performance/high stress environments. Great... but I won't recommend this watch to anyone because if it's going to break every 3 years it's just not a very good watch!

Tag

My last watch died because my wife took it to get the battery replaced and the installer didn't notice he rolled the o-ring inside when putting the cover on. So my waterproof watch was no longer waterproof. With that and wanting a nice watch I went with the Citizen Eco Drive the battery charges by solar through the face of the watch. They have some very nice designs I recommend you check them out.

I'm kinda cheap and have always had good luck with inexpensive Casio (http://www.casio.com/products/Timepiece/) watches.

Hmmm... I've never understood the facination with fancy or expensive watches that do nothing other than tell time well enough for someone to function in life.

That's kind of ironic coming from a guy who has a severe case of Trek bulimia. :rolleyes:


I have a Timex IronMan... it's like the second one I've had in my entire life. I wear it everywear except cycling, where I have a NIKE Triax C5 HRM watch. I have one antique gold watch my father handed down to me that I wear if I'm getting dressed up real fancy...that's it. I got a Movado from my company for my ten year anniversary....I sold it on ebay and bought a new dual function computer for my time trial bike. I can understand have one slightly "dressy" watch and one for everyday use, but I have a co worker who has like 6 different watches. They think I'm a caveman because I don't own a Tag Heuer, Rolex, Movado etc...

As for your question...get a new HRM/Sports watch.

You should point out to them that Heuer was a fantastic watch making company, then they lost the plot when they became Tag Heuer, although they've gotten better the past few years with the Heuer era re-issues.

You should also mention that Movado has been cr@p for years, and that Rolex is the best 3,000$ watch you can buy for 5,000$.

I wear it everywear except cycling, where I have a NIKE Triax C5 HRM watch.
How do you like the Triax design? I'm looking at one of Nike's non-HRM Triax models. I'd be using it for interval and lap timing mostly, but also as a regular watch.

Those of you with small wrists - go check out the Skagen (http://www.skagen.com/watches.asp) line. I have one that I love (though it needs to go in for repair) for its very thin side appearance. While not a Ti model (they have those too though) it is quite light and doesn't bother me while working at the computer.

https://commerce76.datapipe.com/skagen/data/categoryimages/icon_msteel.jpg

I am going to go in a differnet direction and say you need to think outside the box.

http://newsday.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/flav.jpg

I got this Casio about a year ago and it is now the only watch I wear. Never had a Casio before this one but it is perfect for me. Slightly dressy, but still a little sporty too. Retail is a little pricey for a Casio($180), but I got it on sale for a little over a hundred bucks.

It sets itself automatically(WaveCeptor). It charges its own battery during daylight hours. It is compact(compared to the other self setting watches I have tried). And it looks pretty good...IMO.


http://www.casio.com/resource/images/xlarge/wv300da-7b_xlarge.jpg

This model ALLEGEDLY comes in different color combinations, but I have yet to see one other than the one I got. http://www.casio.com/products/Timepiece/Waveceptor/WV300_Series/

get one with a tachymeter dealie-do on it so you can.... umm.... what the heck do those things do, anyway?

hey botto, is that a copyright tattoo on your wrist? awesome.

I love mechanical watches. My beater watch is a Seiko Orange Monster. You can buy it for about $150 from any number of online sources. It's a sporty looking watch, very funky looking and you can dress it up with the stainless steel bracelet or use the rubber bracelet.

I wear my Monster mountain biking and if I do any form of physical activity. It is both waterproof and shampoo proof. I wear it in the shower after working out so that I can rinse out any grime or dirt that may have got on it.

http://stradasystems.com/bmw/images/dscn2199.jpg

Edit: FWIW, I have girly-man wrists and have no problem wearing this watch. I think it has a 42mm face, which is on the large side but I'm okay with it.

get one with a tachymeter dealie-do on it so you can.... umm.... what the heck do those things do, anyway?

measures speed.


hey botto, is that a copyright tattoo on your wrist? awesome.

you're not the 1st person who thought that. #1 rotring.

I love mechanical watches. My beater watch is a Seiko Orange Monster. You can buy it for about $150 from any number of online sources. It's a sporty looking watch, very funky looking and you can dress it up with the stainless steel bracelet or use the rubber bracelet.

I wear my Monster mountain biking and if I do any form of physical activity. It is both waterproof and shampoo proof. I wear it in the shower after working out so that I can rinse out any grime or dirt that may have got on it.

incorrect.

it's water resistant to 200M.

shampoo (i.e. soap) can eventually breakdown the rubber o-ring. wearing it in the shower (hot water at pressure) is also problematic.

now that i've just typed the worst case scenario - it is a beater after all. exactly why i bought my monster.


Edit: FWIW, I have girly-man wrists and have no problem wearing this watch. I think it has a 42mm face, which is on the large side but I'm okay with it.

the face/dial is smaller, but it s +/-42cm in diameter (bezel incl).

Good to know but it still meets my needs as a beater watch.

incorrect.

the face/dial is smaller, but it s +/-42cm in diameter (bezel incl).

Errr.... 42cm would be about 16.5 inches. That's one very LARGE watch. Beyond Monstrous... well into humongus for a wrist watch!

Errr.... 42cm would be about 16.5 inches. That's one very LARGE watch. Beyond Monstrous... well into humongus for a wrist watch!

correct.

42mm bezel
38mm dial

you're not the 1st person who thought that. #1 rotring.
???

That's kind of ironic coming from a guy who has a severe case of Trek bulimia. :rolleyes

You got me there Botto. All I can say is a wrist watch and a bicycle are two different things.;)

How do you like the Triax design? I'm looking at one of Nike's non-HRM Triax models. I'd be using it for interval and lap timing mostly, but also as a regular watch.

I really like the triax series. They are rugged and have a nice large display. Mine's been great for cycling and very dependable.

You got me there Botto. All I can say is a wrist watch and a bicycle are two different things.;)

true. if it's the right watch, it will usually hold it's value. ;)

???

http://www.chartpak.com/kohinoor/images/redpen.jpg

so disappointed. i was all set to go get ©CyLowe97 tattooed on my wrist to compliment my leather-banded Seiko and Citizen.

so disappointed. i was all set to go get ©CyLowe97 tattooed on my wrist to compliment my leather-banded Seiko and Citizen.

go for it.

btw - apart from one, all of the watches in my pic are seikos with a citizen thrown in as a bonus.

Partial to Seiko alarm chronographs, but it is only "relative"

btw - apart from one, all of the watches in my picare all seikos with a citizen thrown in as a bonus.
Yeah, but mine are thin quartz time-tellers. Nothing fancy or bulky to make my wrist look even more like a twig.

I'm actually starting to wear them more. Sick of checking my cell phone for the time. Checking the wrist is just somehow more.... classy.

Yeah, but mine are thin quartz time-tellers. Nothing fancy or bulky to make my wrist look even more like a twig.

I'm actually starting to wear them more. Sick of checking my cell phone for the time. Checking the wrist is just somehow more.... classy.

quartz.

http://brownfemipower.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/vomit.jpg

get yourself one of these citizens. they're extremely reasonable, and pokemonyu (the seller) is reliable.

http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/46/45705/ny0040-09e_4.jpg (http://search-desc.ebay.com/citizen-diver-200m-scuba-watch-ny0040_W0QQcatrefZC6QQfromZR10QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQftsZ2QQpqryZcitzenQ20dIVERQ20200MQ20 SCUBAQ20WATCHQ20NY0040QQsacatZQ2d1QQsaprchiZQQsaprcloZQQsofocusZbsQQsubmitsearchZSearch)

get yourself one of these citizens. they're extremely reasonable, and
Okay, watch idiot question coming up....

Do you have to wind those watches all the time? Are the fancy high-end watches I see in magazines hand-wound?

Sure, it's a finely crafted piece of art that would showcase my style, sophistication, and penchant for sailing/diving/mountain-climbing, but if I have to remember to wind the dang thing and don't wear it every day, then it's constantly going to need to be set properly. What a drag. I just need something to tell me the time with minimal effort.

Okay, watch idiot question coming up....

Do you have to wind those watches all the time? Are the fancy high-end watches I see in magazines hand-wound?

Sure, it's a finely crafted piece of art that would showcase my style, sophistication, and penchant for sailing/diving/mountain-climbing, but if I have to remember to wind the dang thing and don't wear it every day, then it's constantly going to need to be set properly. What a drag. I just need something to tell me the time with minimal effort.

Why do you hate horology?

Why do you hate horology?
don't try to drop such words on my honest question, man! btw, the university I attended was one of the last in the US with a program in horology. That's gone, though I think they have one in wh... (nevermind... that's just a tasteless joke)

Okay, watch idiot question coming up....

Do you have to wind those watches all the time? Are the fancy high-end watches I see in magazines hand-wound?

Sure, it's a finely crafted piece of art that would showcase my style, sophistication, and penchant for sailing/diving/mountain-climbing, but if I have to remember to wind the dang thing and don't wear it every day, then it's constantly going to need to be set properly. What a drag. I just need something to tell me the time with minimal effort.

Look for 'Automatic' watches as they wind while you wear it.

don't try to drop such words on my honest question, man! btw, the university I attended was one of the last in the US with a program in horology. That's gone, though I think they have one in wh... (nevermind... that's just a tasteless joke)

get a kinetic seiko, or an eco drive citizen. not quite as charming as an automatic, but it will fit your requirements.

if you want a really fancy 'quartz' get a spring drive seiko.

get a kinetic seiko, or an eco drive citizen. not quite as charming as an automatic, but it will fit your requirements.

if you want a really fancy 'quartz' get a spring drive seiko.
So, you didn't educate me.... do the high-end watches have to be wound?

So, you didn't educate me.... do the high-end watches have to be wound?

depends on the watch, obviously. ;)

the good stuff comes in automatic, hand-wind, and for the past +/-2 years spring drive (high tech mix of quartz and mechanical).

I love mechanical watches. My beater watch is a Seiko Orange Monster. You can buy it for about $150 from any number of online sources. It's a sporty looking watch, very funky looking and you can dress it up with the stainless steel bracelet or use the rubber bracelet.

I wear my Monster mountain biking and if I do any form of physical activity. It is both waterproof and shampoo proof. I wear it in the shower after working out so that I can rinse out any grime or dirt that may have got on it.

Edit: FWIW, I have girly-man wrists and have no problem wearing this watch. I think it has a 42mm face, which is on the large side but I'm okay with it.

I've got the same watch I too have girly-man wrists. I've had the watch for 3 years now and it has held up just fine between yard work, working on the car, mountain biking, hunting, camping, etc.

Chris

Suggestions - stainless goes with nearly everything. Sapphire crystal and Swiss movement are pretty much mandatory in a grown-up watch. My preference is Chase Durer for everyday wear, and a Baume & Mercier for when I need to wear something a bit nicer. Automatics are nice, but Swiss quartz will keep better time without requiring service.

Suggestions - stainless goes with nearly everything. Sapphire crystal and Swiss movement are pretty much mandatory in a grown-up watch. My preference is Chase Durer for everyday wear, and a Baume & Mercier for when I need to wear something a bit nicer. Automatics are nice, but Swiss quartz will keep better time without requiring service.


incorrect.

http://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/grand_seiko/SBGM001-13.jpghttp://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/divers/SBDX001-46.jpghttp://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jgauch/watch/spring/SBGE001-28.jpg

incorrect.



Meh, it's a Seiko. Not that there's anything wrong with a Japanese movement, but I'm not going to wear a brand that sells watches for under $100.

Meh, it's a Seiko. Not that there's anything wrong with a Japanese movement, but I'm not going to wear a brand that sells watches for under $100.

ignorance is bliss. :rolleyes:

ignorance is bliss. :rolleyes:

I know a thing or two about watches. I just have different preferences than you, that's all. Citizen and Seiko both make some nice watches, but they also make a lot of cheap watches. I prefer brands that are not made for the mass market.