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The watch thread: pocket, wrist, sporty, showy? You name it!

I touched lucky (I hope) a few weeks back. The Mrs bought me this when I started competing in Motorsport, 25 years ago now. It became my everyday watch. Never took it off to shower or go in the pool, it went in the sea and had hot oil from various oil changes cover it. Regular 2 year services and battery change at the dealers were carried out always when the second hand started to jump in two's but the facia became stained and finally it gave up the ghost about 4 years ago and sat in its box until recently. A corroded finger pivot movement was diagnosed along with an overall failure of the movement and damaged face to boot. Basically scrap. I recalled the price the biyearly service and seal swap used to cost to come to that conclusion that the work would be diminishing returns so forgot about it. This year however the good lady asks if I want a new one for Christmas and I got the old one out to look at it again now the memory had been jogged. Took it to original dealer and he shook his head and sucked through his teeth....beckoning me to stitch for a new one:D I liked this one though for sentimental reasons. So I just mentioned it quietly on a few car forums where this make is popular and bingo....I got a pm from a bloke saying he was an ex repair man and he had a new movement, fingers, service parts etc. and also reckoned he could clean up the dial. I checked him out with other guys and he was a well respected watch repairer and ex Tag specialist. £140 he charged and I got the watch back the next week. I thought it was a great deal and was over the moon. It pissed the Mrs off as that was her Christmas pressie idea sunk............so it was back to aftershave and Calvins sadly for me:D I was happier to get it back this time than when it was bought new!!!


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wow&flutter said:
That reminds me so much of a Seiko I got for my 18th or 21st birthday back in the day.I’m guessing this one is almost twice what I paid for mine back in the day.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338728743&icep_item=323791843946
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It's almost certainly double what it used to be. Although in fairness, Casio have added the gold-tone finish to the back and sides of the bracelet compared to the previous finish which only had the gold-tone finish on the front of the bracelet. Either way though, the finish is cheap and classy all the same :)
 
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I meant to say, I bought the gold-tone Casio because I wanted an eye-catching watch that looks a bit flashy but obviously isn't a Rolex; although my Explorer is very eye-catching on this luxurious-looking purple nato strap, there's a time and a place for it and that time and place is few and far between as I prefer to dress down my Explorer with this drab olive green nato strap for all but special occasions.
 
PhilofCas said:
Wouldn’t be surprised if it discontinued, it was reduced from £170 to £85, it’ll do for me.
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If you keep an eye on Seiko 5s the outgoing models can be great bargains. Just don't try to get another 6 months down the line. Of course you never get to know what will carry on and what won't.
 
windhoek said:
I meant to say, I bought the gold-tone Casio because I wanted an eye-catching watch that looks a bit flashy but obviously isn't a Rolex; although my Explorer is very eye-catching on this luxurious-looking purple nato strap, there's a time and a place for it and that time and place is few and far between as I prefer to dress down my Explorer with this drab olive green nato strap for all but special occasions.
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Snag is that Rolex watches tend to shout regardless of the strap. Explorers less than some of the other models but they still shout. Sometimes that may be what you want, other times not.
 
Yeah, some Rolex watches are blingy on another level. I only tart up my Explorer with the purple strap for family occasions like Christmas, birthday nights out etc. I'd never wear it at work - too risky that someone would spot it.
 
Hi PhilofCas

Yes I really liked the Seiko 5 and decided to treat myself to the black one. It was to be an everyday watch but I didn’t wear it while doing heavy work etc. It was relatively accurate but would gain a minute or two over a week.
After around 18 months wear it suddenly decided to gain anything up to 2hrs in a 24 hr period ! I’ve made enquires about fixing it but most quotes start at over £100 so it’s not exactly viable considering it was only £90 new. (and still are)
I must confess to being very disappointed with my 1st ever Seiko 5 !!
If you purchase I hope your experience is better than mine!
 
silviffer said:
Hi PhilofCas

Yes I really liked the Seiko 5 and decided to treat myself to the black one. It was to be an everyday watch but I didn’t wear it while doing heavy work etc. It was relatively accurate but would gain a minute or two over a week.
After around 18 months wear it suddenly decided to gain anything up to 2hrs in a 24 hr period ! I’ve made enquires about fixing it but most quotes start at over £100 so it’s not exactly viable considering it was only £90 new. (and still are)
I must confess to being very disappointed with my 1st ever Seiko 5 !!
If you purchase I hope your experience is better than mine!
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Thank you, bought one yesterday, see photo up the thread, yes, will hope for better experience. (Not sure when you had the problem, but they’re a 2 year warrant).
 
silviffer said:
Hi PhilofCas

Yes I really liked the Seiko 5 and decided to treat myself to the black one. It was to be an everyday watch but I didn’t wear it while doing heavy work etc. It was relatively accurate but would gain a minute or two over a week.
After around 18 months wear it suddenly decided to gain anything up to 2hrs in a 24 hr period ! I’ve made enquires about fixing it but most quotes start at over £100 so it’s not exactly viable considering it was only £90 new. (and still are)
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I think this is the wrong way to look at it. On another thread, we're talking about the wastefulness of the disposable society. A mechanical watch should be able to keep working almost indefinitely. I'd view the cost of the repair (sounds like something has broken rather than just needing a service, to me) as greatly preferable to spending a similar or greater sum on replacing it and discarding this one.
 
Personally I think solar powered quartz is a better technology for an everyday watch than a mechanical auto movement. It may not last forever but 10+ years seems common.
 
Sue Pertwee-Tyr said:
I think this is the wrong way to look at it. On another thread, we're talking about the wastefulness of the disposable society. A mechanical watch should be able to keep working almost indefinitely. I'd view the cost of the repair (sounds like something has broken rather than just needing a service, to me) as greatly preferable to spending a similar or greater sum on replacing it and discarding this one.
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I get that, but it's always a tough call figuring when something is 'beyond the cost of economical repair'.

In real terms I wonder, if you look at the total materials and energy costs involved, is it really that much better for society and the planet to set up relatively inefficient and probably costly distribution and storage systems for parts to repair cheap(wish) watches than it is to manufacture them efficiently in the first place ?

Just a thought admittedly based on zero empirical knowledge of the whole economics of the industry or the topic really btw. I do remember a quip from student days mind you, about it being easy to spot the engineers as the only ones who would even contemplate trying to repair a $5 Chinese watch :)
 
-alan- said:
I get that, but it's always a tough call figuring when something is 'beyond the cost of economical repair'.

In real terms I wonder, if you look at the total materials and energy costs involved, is it really that much better for society and the planet to set up relatively inefficient and probably costly distribution and storage systems for parts to repair cheap(wish) watches than it is to manufacture them efficiently in the first place ?

Just a thought admittedly based on zero empirical knowledge of the whole economics of the industry or the topic really btw. I do remember a quip from student days mind you, about it being easy to spot the engineers as the only ones who would even contemplate trying to repair a $5 Chinese watch :)
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Yes, it's a discussion worth having. The key to it, I think, is how you define 'economical'. Personally, I think wider factors, such as embedded energy of manufacture and distribution, and human rights issues around mass production at low cost, not to mention local environmental issues, should play their full part in the decision-making process.
 
Yes a Rolex would be nice but I certainly couldn’t wear one everyday. No matter how careful I think I’m being, I always manage at least one scratch on the crystal.
As for a repair at possibly twice the initial cost I personally would deem lunacy.
Possibly I was just unlucky but it would make me think twice about another Seiko 5.
 
-alan- said:
At the price of them, you'd not be looking at too much repair work, hopefully..
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Servicing, when they need it. Mine is still keeping excellent time, as I’d hope, at nearly seven years old.

A mate has ‘loaned’ his 1980s Datejust to his daughter, never been serviced, keeps good time.

My Daytona is going to hurt when it does need servicing though. :(
 
I got the Sub serviced once - more because I felt a growing sense of guilt than anything else, but am not entirely convinced it was necessary. Hasn't been touched in the last 15 years (I think) at this stage, and runs perfectly.

I think the more complex stuff like the Daytonas probably do require a bit/lot more care and attention - unfortunately :(
 
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