The Official Watch Thread

[rootabaga]

So I didn't see a thread discussing watches, and I thought I'd create one for those who enjoy watches.

I'll admit it: I'm kind of a watch addict. No, we're not talking Imelda Marcos and shoes, but still, I think I have probably twenty watches altogether. (No, none of them are "devices," lol.)

For a long time I stopped wearing a watch when I realized I was carrying around at least one and often two cell phones, but have gotten back in the habit. It's nice for a casual glance at the wrist, not nearly as obvious as hauling out the phone in a meeting or something.

I've always loved the designs of Breitling, but buying a watch that costs as much as a decent used car has never made much sense to me. I have a couple of Seikos and a Citizen (that's my "dress watch") as well as a few Sturhlings (some of their designs are really terrific). There's a Docker's "denim" watch in the mix as well as a couple of Relics, along with a Casio dive watch, which gets used far too infrequently. My "daily driver" is a very inexpensive Casio (pic below) that I bought because it was pretty thin and offered a ten-year battery. (One thing that drives me nuts are the huge watches that are 1/2" thick or more...that's just too big, at least to me.)

I took to wearing my watch to the inside of my wrist to protect the crystal (working in IT I was always scratching up the face of them!) but as you can see in the attached pic, even that doesn't always work.

Anyway, share your (ahem) timely thoughts if you're so inclined.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Believe it or not, with all the great choices you provided, I couldn't find one that fits me!

See, I used to wear a watch every day, sometimes even leaving it on at night. That was back when I was in college, working, and raising my child, who was also in school. We had a LOT of places to be at specific times, and a watch was part of my normal wardrobe. I had a lot of watches, including some really cool ones. Like one that was square and was a replica of a Monopoly board, one that I got at Disneyland when the Star Tours ride was brand new, and a few others.

But once I had moved on to working in my career, and being salaried, and having hours that were "from when I get here to when I leave," a watch was no longer meaningful, or necessary. So I stopped wearing them. It's now been years and I can't imagine wearing them again.

 

[olbriar]

I was a watch guy for years. I first started wearing a watch in middle school and never left home without one. I paid big bucks for the first battery operated watch. You had to push the stem in to light it up lol. I wore cheap throw away watch for work and invested in higher end watches for dress. Three or four years ago my current work watch quit running. I tossed it and didn't buy a replacement. I always have my phone so date and time are always handy. I still wear a nice watch when I go out. It's just part of dressing up.

 

[Kaat72]

I have always been wearing watches. It was only the day I walked out of my last job in an advertising agency, that I took it off in my car, before I drove home. As a statement to never let time rule my life, ever again. The advertising business is a very stressful one; every minute has to be accounted for, time is money, and deadlines are to be taken dead serious.
Nowadays I wear a watch as a jewellery. I own a handful, and am most fond of my Tag Heuers.

 

[mikedt]

Repeating a post I made yesterday in the iPhone 6 thread.....as this thread is about watches...

Actually I do have a nice watch myself, a Rado Ceramica. Bought in the UK about 10 years ago, and still looks pristine, synthetic sapphire, "Swiss made", etc. I tend to be concious about wearing it in semi-rural China though, because it does attract attention from the affluent brand-whore types, and questions like "Is that a real one?"......"Yes, this is where your English lesson fees go!"

EDIT:

I just checked out of curiosity...they still make it 10 years on...
CERAMICA

 

[Revenant Ghost]

I used to wear watches when I was younger. But when I got older (and larger), I had a difficult time finding a watch that would fit me comfortably. And by the time I got my first cellphone, I just stopped wearing them altogether. I wouldn't mind having a nice pocket watch though.

 

[Hadron]

I wear a watch because it's less hassle than pulling a phone out or not knowing what the time is. Also if I don't wear one I end up looking at my bare wrist a dozen times a day (even if I've gone several weeks without wearing one!).

I just have the one though: a simple titanium Tissot. Keeps times, goes many years on a battery, weighs very little, and works with formal or informal clothes (though as I wear a tie a few times a decade "formal" isn't high on my requirements).

It's also about 36mm diameter (body, not dial) and 6mm thick, which is a good size for my wrists. Being used to that size and thickness is one of the big obstacles to smartwatch adoption for me.

And although it's about a decade old, like Mike's Rado you can still buy them (though for about twice what I paid). That's the beauty of a mature technology - no blessed upgrade pressure .

 

[lunatic59]

My three dressier watches ...

Spoiler

Two things you should notice. One, I am left-handed so I wear my watch on my right wrist. Second, I have a preference for dark faced watches.

When I am out and about I will put on a watch, especially if I have an appointment. Pulling my phone out to check the time seems a bit rude, especially if I am with someone else. If i am working, however, I don't wear a watch because, being on my "mouse" hand, the buckle or band irritates my wrist.

 

[Hadron]

Actually I'm left-handed too, but wear my watch on my left wrist. And one of my right-handed brothers wears his on his right!