The watch (timepiece) thread

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

If that's your philosophy, then why rely on detailed technology like a GPS? Seriously, you just made my point.

But you claim to use a watch, or a clock, but just not wear on on your wrist. That's fine if you do not want a watch. I'm not telling you you need to buy a watch or that you should wear one at all times. I'm not a watch salesman.

But what's funny is, you claim a watch is not needed because you're on your own time. You have nowhere to be and could really careless about what time it is. For you, having a watch is like being tied down and reminds you of the daily grind. You just can't find the reasoning behind wearing a watch, but you find a serious need for a GPS.

But what ever happened to exploring? Driving into the unknown? Getting out of your truck and hiking? You think these guys can give you GPS coordinates to some of these places? http://www2.expeditionexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1187 Do you not feel that a watch could come in handy while in a deep canyon away from your trucks, or away from other members of your party?

How about if you go diving in some remote places? Is a watch still part of the daily grind?

It's fine if you do not want a watch. It's fine if you want a cheap watch. But a watch is very much a tool that should be packed in everyone's kit. A watch is just as important as a map and compass when traveling an unfamiliar area. Electronics can fail. Engines can fail. Parts can break. At some point you'll have to leave your truck and that fancy GPS is not going to help too much.

All very good points. However, the GPS serves more than one purpose: not only does it help on the trail finding my way to where I want to go, but it also helps me navigate the concrete jungles that one inevitably has to travel through, it also has a clock built into it, and is detachable so I can take it with me if necessary to hike or get lost with out my truck. I always plan out my trips so I have a plan in mind and why I am going and the GPS helps me get there.

Back to the watch thingy, yes I wear a diving watch when I dive to help me moreccurately keep track of how long I have been down and how much oxygen I have left. Tough to see the sun when you're down 60 feet sometimes. In diving a watch can make the difference in safety. However, in hiking or trailing it is mere technology that serves a minor purpose and I consider it jewelery.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Well, if you really want to get away from the technology, you can always wear one of these.

Nice jewelery, but nature already provides that.

 

[RgrBox]

I can tell you from experince that many of the Wrist Watches/GPS, /Altitude etc.. don't work very well. They go by Barameter, and next to the skin this isn't the best most accrate way to use these watches. Also they eat batteries..

RB

 

[Colorado David]

Sorry to be a year or so late to answer, but I've had good service and quality from this company; http://www.globalwatchband.com/

 

[SAR_Squid79]

I bought this watch to bring to Afghanistan. My dive watch would have died for sure by now with all the extremely fine dust that's constantly blowing around.

This watch rules! It does everything I need a watch to do...

Casio G-SHOCK Mudman Tough-Solar Atomic Watch

• Hourly Time Signal
• Calendar
• Daily Alarm 4 Daily/1 Snooze Alarm
• Tough Solar
• Atomic Timekeeping
• Power Saving Function
• Countdown Timer
• Backlight Auto EL with Afterglow
• Water Resistant Up to 200 Meter
• 12/24-Hour Formats
• World Time 48 Cities
• Battery Power Indicator
• Stopwatch
• Shock Resistant
• Mud / Dust Resistant

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-G-Shock-Mudman-Atomic-GW9000A-1/dp/B000UV0MJS

 

[Hank]

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...7cTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QpADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4697,3765913

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I bought this watch to bring to Afghanistan. My dive watch would have died for sure by now with all the extremely fine dust that's constantly blowing around.

This watch rules! It does everything I need a watch to do...

I've had a G-shock for years. Just a basic one I got for free, Ford was giving them away at one point. Tough watch. Still on the original battery after ~5 years and keeps time very well.

I often strap it to the handlebar pad on my WR250 for timekeeping during enduros. Doesn't get much tougher than that.

It's not *Bling Bling*, but it's a watch, and it works. I have better things to spend money on.

My wife gave me a Casio Pathfinder for Christmas. It's more of a toy than anything. I wouldn't do the things with it that I would do with a cheap G-shock. The barometric feature is nice though, for weather changes. And I tend to rely on the sun for direction, but on overcast days that doesn't work so well, the compass can be handy.

 

[Mike S]

I have found that price is not a good predictor of durability in 'outdoor' watches. I have two Omega Seamasters - one battery the other automatic. Great watches but the bracelets suck. Dust and grit wear the pins and tubes that hold the bracelet together, and the bands literally fall apart. Of course, the only bracelets that will fit these watches are only offered by Omega at several hundred bucks a copy. I've gone through four or five bracelets and had them rebuilt several times. Well over $1000 dollars in repairs and replacements of bracelets. Ugh.

So I bought a $75 Timex Expedition watch (analog) with a rubber wrist band, It 'takes a licking and keeps on ticking'. It does lose about 5 minutes a month.

 

[Hank]

It does lose about 5 minutes a month.

....and there you have it.

 

[Colorado David]

Here is a good quality automatic movement watch that should hold up well and is not expensive. It's not cheap, certainly, but far less expensive than some very inferior watches.

 

[DaktariEd]

FWIW, I, too, got a Timex Expedition, but for $25 a few years ago.
Takes a total beating and still runs fine.
Before that? Also a Times Expedition! Lasted for >10 years on a single battery (no kidding).
The band wore out but the watch still works (it sits in a drawer at home).
It was cheaper to get a new watch than a band.
They just can't be beat for the price.
And if you lose it, no biggie!

 

[Hltoppr]

I really enjoy watches...and have ones for every occasion:

Daily office/play wear:

Omege Seamaster Quartzmatic
Omega Seamaster Quartz

Black Tie:

Omega Constellation

Rescue Work:

Suunto Vector

Travel:

Vector or Timex Expedition ($18)

Collections:

Illinois pocketwatches

And someday:

Bell & Ross 01-92 Heritage....I will have this watch someday!

-H-

 

[Spur]

I've had a G-shock for years. Just a basic one I got for free, Ford was giving them away at one point. Tough watch. Still on the original battery after ~5 years and keeps time very well.

I often strap it to the handlebar pad on my WR250 for timekeeping during enduros. Doesn't get much tougher than that.

It's not *Bling Bling*, but it's a watch, and it works. I have better things to spend money on.

My wife gave me a Casio Pathfinder for Christmas. It's more of a toy than anything. I wouldn't do the things with it that I would do with a cheap G-shock. The barometric feature is nice though, for weather changes. And I tend to rely on the sun for direction, but on overcast days that doesn't work so well, the compass can be handy.

My 10-year-old Casio G-Shock finally died. Great watch. I replaced it with a Casio Pathfinder a couple weeks ago. So far I'm loving the pathfinder. The altimeter is accurate enough for general use. The compass is super handy. I haven't really used the barometer much yet. I love the looks of the titanium band. It looks good but it isn't too bling. I'm really happy with my purchase. Oh, and I plan on banging it up just as much as my old G-Shock. It doesn't seem like a toy to me at all.

 

[Scott Brady]

I like the Hamilton

I also like this watch: Sinn

And this one: Type Marine, Bell and Ross

And this one: Rolex Dateless Submariner. I love this watch, but am not sure a "Rolex" is for me

I will buy one of these watches (or something similar) on my 40th birthday. Seems worth the wait...

For years, I did not wear a watch, as a phone always sufficed. Now, with all the moto riding, a watch is critical. I find that I do not mind them on my wrist anymore.

I wore this Traser through Central America:

A good, solid watch with a sapphire crystal face, swiss made, trituim illumination. About $400

 

[RgrBox]

I like the Hamilton

I also like this watch: Sinn

And this one: Type Marine, Bell and Ross

And this one: Rolex Dateless Submariner. I love this watch, but am not sure a "Rolex" is for me

I will buy one of these watches (or something similar) on my 40th birthday. Seems worth the wait...

For years, I did not wear a watch, as a phone always sufficed. Now, with all the moto riding, a watch is critical. I find that I do not mind them on my wrist anymore.

I wore this Traser through Central America:

A good, solid watch with a sapphire crystal face, swiss made, trituim illumination. About $400

Sinn makes soem great watches.. They have a military model for divers, filled with liquid that doesn't have problem due to the different ATMs during diving..

RB