Any wristwatch aficionados?

[Chrisj CMA]

I’ve always used dive watches but after living in North Florida where the diving is not my cup of tea I didn’t replace my worn out dive watch with another.

I really like this light powered Citizen watch. Never needs the battery replaced. I’ve had it many years. Keeps perfect time.



After seeing many ads for these magnetic watches, I had to try one. It’s unique. Takes 3or4 days of constant wearing to get good at reading the time quickly.



But I like unique and unusual things so it’s a keeper.

[John Schmidt]

I used to have one that was based on the binary numbering system...1's & 0's.  Also very unique but got lost in the shuffle when I moved from Florida to Wisconsin five years ago. I'd be interested in your magnetic watch, I like "different" stuff like that. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I used to have one that was based on the binary numbering system...1's & 0's.  Also very unique but got lost in the shuffle when I moved from Florida to Wisconsin five years ago. I'd be interested in your magnetic watch, I like "different" stuff like that. 

This magnetic watch tricks your instincts because it’s backwards. Mickys little hand is the hour on a conventional watch. But, Mickys big ball is the hour on this one. Little ball being minutes obviously.

[Jersey mike]

I believe Invicta makes some decent watches, we bought my son one once which never needs a battery or winding. It operates on the movement of your arm/wrist and will run many days if not in use.

Not sure what your intended usage is, everyday, dress, or just casual wearing. If it’s something you intend to wear without regard for Nick and scrapes but still want waterproof those inexpensive Ironman watches take a good beating but the bands are like rubber and can get cracks and wear spots in the bands.

[Chrisj CMA]

I believe Invicta makes some decent watches, we bought my son one once which never needs a battery or winding. It operates on the movement of your arm/wrist and will run many days if not in use.

Not sure what your intended usage is, everyday, dress, or just casual wearing. If it’s something you intend to wear without regard for Nick and scrapes but still want waterproof those inexpensive Ironman watches take a good beating but the bands are like rubber and can get cracks and wear spots in the bands.

Funny you should ask/wonder about the intended use. The Citizen Eco Drive is my daily all purpose watch.    

The magnet watch is going to be for driving the Healey. Matches the wooden dash and I think it looks cool in that setting. Definitely won’t be wearing it on the motorcycle. It is however, waterproof to 66 feet so rain or such won’t hurt it.

[Jess from VA]

I have a number of watches.

Overseas, I bought a Foolex (fake Rolex Submariner); it has an actual Rolex stainless case and band and mineral crystal, but Seiko works inside.  Served me well for many years (but heavy).  The only way to tell the difference is, the second hand clicks like most watches, while a real Rolex second hand just sweeps around steadily. 

When I retired, I stopped wearing watches.  Except for rare occasions, I don't care what time it is (or really need to know).  I don't need one to know the sun is up or down.  Have a few rings and neck chains in 18kt; never wear those either.

On the rare occasion I need to wear one, I have to go through them to find one the battery isn't dead.

Right around the corner from me is a little watch repair shop with an ancient Japanese man owner who swaps out my batteries. 

[Chrisj CMA]

On the rare occasion I need to wear one, I have to go through them to find one the battery isn't dead.

That’s what’s so good about the eco drive. Fully charged  you can leave it in a dark place six months and it won’t die leave it some light indoor or sunlight and it will never die

[ValKrayzie]

I have a citizen ecodrive I have worn for the past 12 years straight with the exception of having to have the crystal replaced a couple of times, I enjoy the perpetual calendar, only thing I ever have to adjust is daylight savings time and I have it set to where I just have to flip it frome time to L-tm and back twice a year.

[Jersey mike]

I believe Invicta makes some decent watches, we bought my son one once which never needs a battery or winding. It operates on the movement of your arm/wrist and will run many days if not in use.

Not sure what your intended usage is, everyday, dress, or just casual wearing. If it’s something you intend to wear without regard for Nick and scrapes but still want waterproof those inexpensive Ironman watches take a good beating but the bands are like rubber and can get cracks and wear spots in the bands.

Funny you should ask/wonder about the intended use. The Citizen Eco Drive is my daily all purpose watch.    

The magnet watch is going to be for driving the Healey. Matches the wooden dash and I think it looks cool in that setting. Definitely won’t be wearing it on the motorcycle. It is however, waterproof to 66 feet so rain or such won’t hurt it.

Well, for some people there are watches and then there are watches.

Big difference if you’re pouring concrete or working on your car and getting dressed for a wedding or a nice night out. I would not recommend a Breitling or comparable watch brand if you were wearing it to hammer nails or do landscaping all day.

My dad had 2 identical Timex watches except one was stainless and one was *gold* and they were both the kind with the metal expandable/stretchy band. The plain stainless one was his everyday wear watch and it took a beating over the years but never failed him, he just kept winding it up once a day.

[Chrisj CMA]

It doesn’t matter which watch I am wearing, nice or a beater. I have always taken off all jewelry including watches to do the dirty jobs. It’s really not to protect the jewelry, I just feel safer not having anything that can catch or get stuck in tight places. Especially near moving parts.

[LadyDraco]

What a  lovely interior.

I haven't worn a  watch since  ,I stopped  Teaching, and  taking dudes out on horseback..
I  only wore   Rolex..  
 
Sold  years  ago..

[old2soon]

     Bought a beautiful Seiko with a blue dial I liked but somewhere with all the moves it left me. Have a couple-1 being a Bulova-watches for some years of safe driving from variou`s companies. And being retired I no longer wear a watch but I KNOW when I have to unazz the rack fer Drs. Appts and other satuff I gotta be on time for. And the ol reliable cell phone has a clock built in. RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

What a  lovely interior.

I haven't worn a  watch since  ,I stopped  Teaching, and  taking dudes out on horseback..
I  only wore   Rolex..  
 
Sold  years  ago..

Thanks Tracy. Ya the car is like a dream. Definitely nicer than I expected to find or deserve for that matter. Just like a Valkyrie you can’t go anywhere  with it without having conversations that usually start with “What is that”

[Savago]

@Chris: aren't you going to show the rest of the car?
 

Concerning wristwatches (and other watches & clocks) I got a few as also books on the subject but I don't want to change the topic of discussion too much.

I will share here a photo of one of my favorites: the Omega Speedmaster Professional. Similar to the ones used by the Astronauts in the Apollo missions, but this one has a moonphase complication and date as also a display back allowing to see its movement.

It uses the Omega Caliber 861 that is hand wound.

The Speedmaster was chosen by NASA as an official piece of equipment used by Astronauts, as it was the only thing back in the 60's to have the features and be sturdy enough to be used in space. It holds the honor to be the first and only watch worn on the Moon.

[Savago]

For further info on the Speedmaster:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Speedmaster

[LadyDraco]

That interior  almost reminds  me  of   the top line  of  Chris-craft 

[Chrisj CMA]

For further info on the Speedmaster:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Speedmaster

Beautiful Watch. James Bond wore Omega in Casino Royale as well.

[Chrisj CMA]

That interior  almost reminds  me  of   the top line  of  Chris-craft  

Feels great every time I get in it. The whole car is just a joy and since Savago asked

[Savago]

Damn! That is a sweeeet ride!
 

[carolinarider09]

While I am not necessarily a "wristwatch aficionado" I did, at one time, own a wrist watch of two.

Back in 1969, sometime in the spring I suspect, I had just left the U.S. Navy ET School and was sent to the USS Wasp (CVS-18) before being sent to the Navy's Nuclear Power School.  Nuke school was to start in January 1970.

I was single, on board ship, not much going on and we had that "ship's store" where you could buy stuff.  I saw this wrist watch and decided I had to have it.  I just liked the look and the name "Zodiac Seawolf" seemed very fitting.  

I still have it. I don't think it is still operational but,,,, it brings back memories.  




A picture of me wearing it (left wrist) sometime around Jun/July 1969 reading a 'letter" from my future wife (I was going to ask to marry me when I visited her where she was living in Minnesota in July.  As fortune would have it I asked her to marry me on July 20, 1969.  The only reason I remember the exact date was that was the same day Apollo 11 landed on the moon and we watched it on TV).  

[Chrisj CMA]

Nice story carlolinarider

[Savago]

@carolinarider09: it may be the case it can still be serviced, if the movement is not rusted. The tough part is to find a good watchmaker in these days.

The Zodiac Seawolf was relaunched a couple years ago, it is possible to buy a new one with similar 70's style:
https://www.zodiacwatches.com/en-us/products/super-sea-wolf-compression-diver-automatic-rubber-strap-watch/ZO9270.html
https://www.zodiacwatches.com/en-us/products/super-sea-wolf-compression-diver-automatic-stainless-steel-watch/ZO9304.html

[Avanti]

Bought new in early 1960 by my Mother as a gift to my Father.  It was his daily watch the rest of his life.

The proper voltage battery was no longer available about 25 years ago so I located a watchmaker that rewound the electromagnetic coils to run on the newer available batteries allowing my father to continue using it.

The Accutron Spaceview keeps time by oscillating a tuning fork at a rate of 360 times per second.

I am now the keeper of the watch. I keep it as it was original purchased and I wear it every Sunday, since my father’s passing which happens to be ten years ago today.

[Chrisj CMA]

Bought new in early 1960 by my Mother as a gift to my Father.  It was his daily watch the rest of his life.

The proper voltage battery was no longer available about 25 years ago so I located a watchmaker that rewound the electromagnetic coils to run on the newer available batteries allowing my father to continue using it.

The Accutron Spaceview keeps time by oscillating a tuning fork at a rate of 360 times per second.

I am now the keeper of the watch. I keep it as it was original purchased and I wear it every Sunday, since my father’s passing which happens to be ten years ago today.

Very cool. Having something that was meaningful to your Dad is priceless.

[Timbo1]

While I am not necessarily a "wristwatch aficionado" I did, at one time, own a wrist watch of two.

Back in 1969, sometime in the spring I suspect, I had just left the U.S. Navy ET School and was sent to the USS Wasp (CVS-18) before being sent to the Navy's Nuclear Power School.  Nuke school was to start in January 1970.

I was single, on board ship, not much going on and we had that "ship's store" where you could buy stuff.  I saw this wrist watch and decided I had to have it.  I just liked the look and the name "Zodiac Seawolf" seemed very fitting.  

I still have it. I don't think it is still operational but,,,, it brings back memories.  


A picture of me wearing it (left wrist) sometime around Jun/July 1969 reading a 'letter" from my future wife (I was going to ask to marry me when I visited her where she was living in Minnesota in July.  As fortune would have it I asked her to marry me on July 20, 1969.  The only reason I remember the exact date was that was the same day Apollo 11 landed on the moon and we watched it on TV).  

If your interested in trying to get it serviced there's a guy on Youtube I follow that's serviced a few of his viewers or Patreon subscribers watches.  He considers himself a hobbyist but he's taken on some pretty expensive watches and brought them back to life.  You might reach out to him if your interested in that.

https://www.youtube.com/@WristwatchRevival

[carolinarider09]

If your interested in trying to get it serviced there's a guy on Youtube I follow that's serviced a few of his viewers or Patreon subscribers watches.  He considers himself a hobbyist but he's taken on some pretty expensive watches and brought them back to life.  You might reach out to him if your interested in that.

https://www.youtube.com/@WristwatchRevival

Thanks.  I will give it some thought.  It would be nice to have it operational after all these years. 

[Robert]

Watches used to be for status had many for that reason but couldn't wear them, when I liked them and the got used to them on my wrist. So lifestyle became the deciding factor of what watch to wear. Was going to get a Patek Philippe since it had a synthetic watch band and looked nice but my South African friend had a Rado. He just threw it around and it was with him everywhere so I looked at them.

So for many years had a Rado watch since I was so tuff on watches that none would hold up. The Rado is scratch proof and not conductive and I took a file to the face the day I got it and it did not scratch. I am too active for other watches and destroyed them in short order. I cannot stand jewelry on my wrists because if you get it hot it can burn you and if you touch anything electric it can seriously burn you. Ive had it happen and left a nice scar on my wrist when the band touched electric and burned the skin off a spot on my arm. I smelled the burning skin before I felt it. In gym also was a problem.  

Loved this watch for many years since it looked good, thin, water proof.



But lately with riding and not wanting to have a regular phone on me, yet wanting to have directions and a phone on my person I bought the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Had a few of the regular Apple watches but they did not work to well. Its a great traveling companion and no longer do I have to have my phone for directions in front of me. Want to make a call just say Siri call so and so and its done. This watch is Scratch proof, water proof, diving watch with directions, altimeter, depth meter, limited internet, close locations, good phone,  that you can actually hear and use, and messages all on my wrist. No longer have to hold my phone to my ear just raise my wrist, and with the elastic band for 12.00 its really comfortable. Has last spot memory if you leave something someplace and want to go back.

The other night was going for a ride and was just cruising along by the beach and raised my wrist told Siri to send a message, done without a problem. Not expensive works well with the phone if necessary, can get directions by haptic and syncs directions between the phone and watch. So turn by turn directions on my wrist. Love it, weather no problem, mostly non conductive, not sweaty on wrist and easy on and off. The battery lasts for at least a couple of days, recharge is in about 30 minutes. Has a siren and light on it that is pretty loud and fairly bright also. Change the face to anything you want and heart rate also. It also works with Apple Ipods too with noise cancellation a big plus in the convertible or on the bike.

[Savago]

@Avanti: the Accutron is an amazing timepiece, with a quite interesting history!

The first models were sold with regular dials (i.e. not transparent) and the 'Spaceview' was a kit that would be installed by the watchmaker to show off its space age internals.

It turns out that most people would see that on display and wanted to order the 'Spaceview' model. Bulova soon realized that it would make sense to offer a stock 'Spaceview' model and the rest is history.

Unlike a mechanical watch that uses a escapement to control the time (most use a boring 'Swiss lever' escapement) and release the energy stored in the mainspring, the Accutron like you said, used a vibrating tuning fork for counting time.

As a result, it will 'humm' instead of tick like regular mechanical watches.

Its original battery used to last around 1 year, which was excellent when it was introduced and its timekeeping was in average waay superior to regular mechanical watches of the same time period, being guaranteed to be within 1 minute per month.

It is important to keep in mind that this predates the invention of Quartz technology (introduced by the Japanese maker Seiko in 1969) and requires crazy precision to manufacture.

Bulova saw Omega making some good money out of the Moonwatch & NASA missions and developed a chronograph based on the Accutron internals and called it the 'Lunar Pilot' (https://www.watchgecko.com/blogs/magazine/battle-of-the-moonwatches).

Fearing losing the 'moon watch' exclusivity, Omega actually licensed the tech from Bulova and made a chronograph called the 'Omega Speedsonic' (https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-speedmaster-speedsonic-st-388-0800) in case NASA resolved to adopt the 'tuning fork' technology.

Anyway, wear it in good health!
 

[Avanti]

It also has a mate.

[Savago]

It also has a mate.

Truly awesome! Judging by the case shape, it is probably from the early 70's (unlike the 'spaceview' you posted before which looks like early to mid 60's).

In the 70's, wristwatch designers were more creative when it comes to cases!
:-)

I will share another one of my favorites: the Omega Speedmaster Mark II.

It was introduced in 1970 as the evolution of the Moonwatch, as an improved version addressing some of the shortcomings of the original Moonwatch and incorporating feedback from NASA.

One complaint that Omega received from the Astronauts is that sometimes the tachymeter bezel would pop out from the case if it got knocked by accident inside of the metal walls of the moon lander. Also the hesalite crystal of the original Moonwatch was prone to get scratches (fortunately it can be easily polished out with some 'polywatch' or even tooth paste).

So the Mark II incorporated a mineral crystal (much harder and scratch resistant than hesalite) and featured the tachymeter scale printed on the *inside* of the crystal, instead of being a bezel insert.

The case was also changed to be shaped as a barrel, to avoid the situation of getting lugs marked/dented as on the original Moonwatch.

The one I'm sharing here dates from 1970, but its movement serial is from late 1969 (the year of Moon landing).

It has original hands and dial (the tritium marks aged to become golden with a beautiful patina) and the case seems to be never polished/refinished.

The best part is that the dial has started to go 'tropical' (i.e. some Speedmasters and Mark II used a dial that will start to turn chocolate colored if they were used in a sunny weather along the years).

I purchased it online from a estate sale, its mainspring was broken and it had to be serviced right away. After service, it keeps good time of +2/-3 seconds/day.

Since I bought it to actually wear it, I replaced the original mineral crystal for a *sapphire* one, made by a gentleman watchmaker here in the USA. The typography is perfect, exactly the same as the original crystal from 1970.

Even though it is clearly a superior watch, the Mark II had to live under the shadow cast by the Moonwatch and it was discontinued just 3 years after being released.

And the worst part: it was never adopted by NASA, since the Apollo program was ramping down by early 70's after the USA beat the russians in the space race.

In the mid 70's the Swiss watchmaking industry started to suffer competition from Japanese watchmakers (Seiko & Citizen) and almost went bankrupt in the early 80's.

Omega re-released the Mark II a couple years ago, but with an automatic movement and changed dial to display the date (https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watches/speedmaster/heritage-models/mark-ii/mark-ii/catalog).

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok, I have a strange question. I know now but had no idea when I bought this watch. Do you guys know how the tachymeter thing works. I’ll give you a hint it’s has nothing to do with rpms.

[Savago]

I will give another hint: it is in the name of Omega's chronograph.

[Oldfishguy]

Elgin, 1910 era.  Along with the fob from a few years later.

Yes, it keeps time.

I would have purchased this about 25 years ago from an antique dealer for about $65.  As usual after a purchase a try to dig into it and find some history.  As luck would have it when I pulled the back cover it was inscribed with a personal note from one family member to another. Feeling awkward at this point I did some more research and found the family member that sold the watch.  With a phone call I described the note inscribed and sure enough the individual knew of the family member in the inscription.  I asked if they wanted the watch back with the now known inscription owner and author, for the $65 I paid . . . They declined, to my astonishment.  Family heirlooms are meaningless to some.

[Chrisj CMA]

Elgin, 1910 era.  Along with the fob from a few years later.

Yes, it keeps time.

I would have purchased this about 25 years ago from an antique dealer for about $65.  As usual after a purchase a try to dig into it and find some history.  As luck would have it when I pulled the back cover it was inscribed with a personal note from one family member to another. Feeling awkward at this point I did some more research and found the family member that sold the watch.  With a phone call I described the note inscribed and sure enough the individual knew of the family member in the inscription.  I asked if they wanted the watch back with the now known inscription owner and author, for the $65 I paid . . . They declined, to my astonishment.  Family heirlooms are meaningless to some.

Nice watch. Interesting story. At least you offered

[Alien]

Years ago, my dad bought a new toolbox and gave me his old one.  In one of the drawers was a watch with no band.  I asked him about it and he said he had forgotten it was in there.  Turns out it was his first watch that my grandparents bought him when he started High School in the late 1950's.  It was pretty beat up from being in the tool box for decades but I took it to a watch guy/jeweler and had it restored.  They got the nicks out of the case, new crystal, full cleaning/tuneup of the workings and a fresh band that matched what I could find that the old one would have looked like.  I gave it to him on Father's day and he teared up, which is not a common occurrence for my dad.  I believe it was a Bulova.  I know it's self winding.  He turns 80 in January and still wears it.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Chrisj CMA]

Years ago, my dad bought a new toolbox and gave me his old one.  In one of the drawers was a watch with no band.  I asked him about it and he said he had forgotten it was in there.  Turns out it was his first watch that my grandparents bought him when he started High School in the late 1950's.  It was pretty beat up from being in the tool box for decades but I took it to a watch guy/jeweler and had it restored.  They got the nicks out of the case, new crystal, full cleaning/tuneup of the workings and a fresh band that matched what I could find that the old one would have looked like.  I gave it to him on Father's day and he teared up, which is not a common occurrence for my dad.  I believe it was a Bulova.  I know it's self winding.  He turns 80 in January and still wears it.

Ride Safe,

Alien

That is just really neat. Good job!

[Savago]

Ok, I have a strange question. I know now but had no idea when I bought this watch. Do you guys know how the tachymeter thing works. I’ll give you a hint it’s has nothing to do with rpms.

Since after near 2 days no one answered, here goes the full explanation straight from ''The Wristwatch Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Mechanical Wristwatches" (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/185149829X/).

Quote:
"Some chronograph watches include an additional scale, divided
into increasing increments, along the circumference of the main
dial or etched onto the bezel.
These additional scales rely on a central chronograph seconds hand
and is referred to as tachymeters (measuring average speeds over a
base distance), telemeters (measuring the distance of an object or
event by the time it takes for the sound to be heard), pulsometers
(measuring the heart rate over a base of 30 pulsations), and
asthmometers (measuring the breath rate over a base of five breaths
and often included as a secundary scale to the pulsometer).
"

The basic idea for a tachymeter is that it allows to calculate the average speed of say a car in a
defined distance (1 KM or 1 mile). Thus the name that Omega gave being 'The Speedmaster Professional'.

This video explains it pretty well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJkknzIOhMs

In the past it was more common chronographs that featured more than a single scale, like the Tissot Janeiro or the new release the Telemeter 1938.

The only issue is that the dial starts to get really busy as you keep adding scales:

[Chrisj CMA]

That was the long answer from Savago

Basically you need two things  

1. Have an accurate way to know when you have traveled a mile

2. Be moving at least 60 mph

Start the second hand (stopwatch mode) at the beginning of the mile and stop it at the mile mark. The second hand will show your speed for that mile.

I feel this feature is practically useless. Kinda like an abacus is to a calculator. Probably designed for pilots but stilll

[Savago]

@Avanti: in case you are curious, there are two really great videos that explain how the Accutron actually works.

This one explains the electronics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XugX5zb1rG8

And this one the mechanical parts and shows it running in real time using a high speed camera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPS7aNCAwAA

[Avanti]

Thank you,

I researched the watch and the way it works years ago when I was deciding who I was going to let work on it/touch it.