Digital Vs. Automatic

[bobm12]

Just my luck but my work watch's battery ran out at work! It is so inconvenient for me to look up the time in my cell that I'm seriously thinking that automatics are better suited for everyday use.  Am I the only one who finds inconvenient to check time in a cell? Are watches nowadays only jewelry? Any thoughts on this? ,,,What watch do you prefer to use at work? 

 

[Geo]

I'm with you on this one, I hate having to use my phone to check the time. It's a watch for me all the time as long as it has hands!

[Vich]

I'm glad Geo left his post as I thought you were in prison. (:-))

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[Geo]

I'm glad Geo left his post as I thought you were in prison. (:-))

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Next best thing...........kitchen renovation!

[bobm12]

Absolutely, hads are important! :thumbsu: On the other hand (pardon the pun), how is that kitchen going Leo? I haven't forgotten about that chronometer. Parts are simply very scarce! I'll keep looking.

[Geo]

I haven't forgotten about that chronometer. Parts are simply very scarce! I'll keep looking.

Good man Bob, it would be great if you did manage to find some.

The kitchen is about half way there, it should be at least functional tomorrow. The weather was so good today in Dundee that I took a day off to enjoy it, not something you would have to do in gaitor country!

[autowind]

During my working life I once wore a Seiko 5 for about 8 years in conditions of shock and awe that would frighten most watches to death.  The Seiko eventually stopped due to a train pivot hole elongating, it was the only one not jewelled,  moral is,  buy at least a 17 jewel or better movement.

 

I also have a quartz with a 10 year battery life,  this is getting close to the ultimate watch,  if they could get it up to 100 years life,  then one watch is all we would ever need.

 

It's all a matter of choice,  something like a Rolex is virtually indestructible and will probably outlive it's owner if serviced now and again.  The only thing a Rolex is afraid of is fire and lots of it. 

[Geo]

 if they could get it up to 100 years life,  then one watch is all we would ever need.

God forbid, Will would have to kill himself! :-)

[bobm12]

Gator and Shark country! It is a hot summer here and usually hot winter, spring and fall,,, oh no, Florida has no seasons, what am I talking about! In any case, when it is not raining or there isn't a hurricane in the neighborhood we usually have excellent weather (what is left!). Then, if you want to enjoy the beach you have to beware of sharks and if you chose the "country", read swamp, then it is the alligators... Well, we still have margaritas, night clubs and watches! ...more than one, (of either) by the way :)

 

What is certain is that from now on I'll be wearing an automatic. I use my watch a lot at work since it is more practical for me to just look at my wrist instead of digging in my pocket for the cell when I carry it on me (I'm not much of a text person either). Considering how awkward it is to carry a cell in your front pocket if you don't wear baggy pants, I've broken more than one cell screen by seating on them, so it is either a belt pouch or the backpack for the cell which puts the device effectively out of immediate reach. Because quartz is accurate and cheap if I damage it it is no big deal. But this one left me flat in the middle of the day! Less than 6 months new from the store and already out of juice! And the battery it takes is the size of a quarter! (CR2016). The worth part is that it seemed to be working fine, seconds hand moving and all, but the watch was slow like 10 minutes every hour! I'm starting to think that Timex is the new Ford... (Fix Or Repair Daily!) Pardon me, Ford lovers! (I've owned one or two in my time too).

 

To make a story short, the watch was rushed to surgeon Bob a.k.a. myself. The open heart operation lasted about 15 minutes: Cut open (bergeon case knife), extract movement, cleaned inside of the case ( Windex, soap and water, whatever), rodico on dial, new battery of course, wristband detailing (no polishing, doesn't deserve it for quitting on me) and Seiko silicon sealant in crown gasket and back for a better water resist deal. My two daughters were quite good assistants supplying air to the patient (bergeon hand pump) and the suture (cheapo case press) for the procedure outlined! They'll still make good watch doctors one day. The watch is happily ticking away and keeping time with accuracy again. Next appointment in 6 months!

Edited July 6, 2014 by bobm12

[Lawson]

I think the cell phone will be the death of digital wristwatches ... and not of the mechanical watch.  Is it just me, and I could be wrong here, but didn't the mechanical wristwatch resurgence really taken off since the advent of "smartphones"?

 

Bob, you asked if watches are only jewelry these days.  Personally, I think it goes deeper than that.  Today, in the cheap quartz age, people are inundated with "time".  There's a clock on your phone, on the stove, on the computer, in your car, on the Stereo/DVD player ... time is EVERYWHERE!!  But it's impersonal, soulless time.  A mechanical watch is different physiologically: it beats like a heart, is complex, with many microscopic parts ... just like us: they have a soul.  They are also a link back to when the displaying of time was less in your face; and more subtlety on your wrist: a time when we weren't ruled by time ... and people are gravitating back to them for many of these reasons.  Hence the value of vintage pieces becoming more desirable.

 

Also, chatting to friends and workmates, I've noticed that a lot of people are getting sick and tried of our throw-away society, where nothing is valued; or of value, anymore.  Where everything has designed obsolescence: purposely made to fail, and engineered not to be repaired or serviced.  This is not the case with a good quality mechanical watch; as they are purposely designed, with minimal maintenance, to last several lifetimes.  And that has great meaning to people these days.

 

A mechanical watch is jewelry, art, a status symbol, and a wonder of movement and engineering that you can wear on wrist: and like my old Flightmaster that I've worn for 16 years, they become a part of you that will be passed on to the next generation.

 

... steps off the soapbox :fpc:

[WillFly]

If you look at other watch forums, you'll find an enormous number of people out there who feel about their digital/quartz watches like we do about our mechanical watches. They're probably less concerned with the movements than they are with the faces, dials, bezels, cases, etc., but they're certainly out there! Whether even the smart phone will dislodge them from that fondness for quartz I'm not sure.

[Geo]

you'll find an enormous number of people out there who feel about their digital/quartz watches like we do about our mechanical watches.

Good point Will, I have a few quartz watches that I cherish.

[autowind]

To my mind there is no competition between Quartz and a quality mechanical.  Quartz gives us the most accurate watches we have ever had,  but they are completely soulless and today are a throwaway item.  On the other hand no-one is going to throw away a very valuable high quality mechanical wristwatch which looked after can be handed down, generation after generation.

I rest my case.  

[Vich]

Just thought I would add my thoughts. I have to say the combination of electronic and mechanical in the Accutron 214 and 218 elevates them to a different category whereby the skill needed to phase them due to an index wheel 2.4 mm wide with 320 teeth 0.01mm high, is quite testing. With the Spaceview you throw out the dial so the works can be visible. So as usual I seem to be straddling the fence again.

I went into a jewellers in LA where I was advised that if an Accutron came in with a solid gold case it was most likely it would be scrapped for the gold.

My Ancestors were making silver watches in the Georgian period and before but sad to say even the silver in the watch cases is now regarded to some Philistines as worth more than the skilful hand produced parts making up the movements so I appreciate where Lawson is coming from.

In conclusion I suppose I am saying that I am happy to be in the company of people with varying opinions but all of whom have an appreciation for the tastes of others and who honour the skill and hard work of past and current watchmakers no matter what type of watch.

My son wants me to sort out a mechanical Bulova self winder for him, got a working movement a while ago to play with, he does not wear a watch at present and tends to use his phone. Hopefully a convert.

Back to the Uk in 2 days.

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[Geo]

I'm glad you made the case for these humming marvels Vic, they deserve to be preserved!

By the way, are you back in Geordie land yet?

[bobm12]

It is interesting, I never thought (originally) that those movements sold without cases came from stripped out watches (for gold, silver, etc). I could not even think a person would commit such an act! I hope that with time and knowledge that practice will stop.

[WillFly]

It is interesting, I never thought (originally) that those movements sold without cases came from stripped out watches (for gold, silver, etc). I could not even think a person would commit such an act! I hope that with time and knowledge that practice will stop.

Unfortunately, as long as the price of gold and silver - particularly gold - is what it is, we won't see the end of the gutting of watches. The only consolation - if you can call it one - is that, for those of us who can't afford a gold watch, we can at least buy a decent movement for a reasonable price. That's why I was lucky to get my Longines movement recently - probably came from a gold case.

 

Perhaps we should set up in business as casemakers... and remake those lovely watches...

[bobm12]

That will be an excellent idea, only if I could use a lathe!

[Vich]

Back in Geordieland but after being up and travelling for 33+ hours I am knackered.  Bought far too much over there but got it all back unscathed including the boxed Accutron 700 tester. Bought loads of parts in radio shack to make a variable  power supply to use in tandem with the tester - hope my brain still works.Also bought an old but mint copy of Practical Watch Repairing for $6.75 dollars (£4.22) so I will now sit in the chair and read it (code for snooze).

[Geo]

Welcome home Vic, I can see you becoming our resident Accutron specialist! That book was an excellent buy.

[Vich]

Specialist I would doubt.  I have been referred to as an artist before but it was a completely different sort of conversation and there was a prefix to artist.  3 more posts and you join Will in the hall of fame.  Never did get that snooze - 30 days away and I came back to 792 e-mails. my finger is sore through hitting the delete button