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Let's see your mechanical watches

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
Pretty much agree with your Rolex sentiments. I bought a new Explorer 114270 from an authorized dealer in 2002. Sold the Explorer in 2012. The lack of a date indicator and the "retro" (to be polite) deployant clasp caused a loss of interest in the watch. My Archimede Outdoor Protect fulfills the tool watch category I thought the Explorer would fill-- though, the Archimede has a similar clasp, it does have the date function and is a well constructed watch.

I've owned a few vintage watches, but not anything too costly. If I want a watch I can wear doing physical things, it'll be an unbreakable Citizen Ecodrive - and great not to have to set the time, replace a battery or have it serviced.

citizen-promaster-tough-eco-drive_360_40ba3c9b0ba9abd849c985481ff5ef03.jpg

The term 'tool watch' is kind of an irritating marketing term for YouTubers, not sure a Rolex Explorer as a status symbol has qualified as one of those for some decades. Certainly not the rather delicate but pretty 1016.
 
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Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
Today, it’s a 1966 Times Marlin on a period perlon striped grosgrain-ish strap. View attachment 260247

Now they are really pretty watches in a classic mid-century idiom and to me they look better than similar period Omegas. It's curious how such a crude mechanism, which can't even be properly serviced can survive so well for so long. A cheap shit disposable watch that ended up having heirloom qualities and classic looks.
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
I mean this one, nothing fancy.

View attachment 265222

Caravelle watches were the budget brand made by Bulova - some of those 60's ones had Japanese or Swiss movements. That one looks a little later. I quite like the mid 1960's Caravelle Sea Hunter with the Explorer style dial. Thanks to the internet cult of cool things they now go for big money, but they were a kind of $12 Timex-style watch. Five years ago you could still get them for a few bucks.
 

Beresford

New in Town
Messages
17
A Gotham date-o-matic watch that belonged to my Dad. I remember being captivated by the moonphase display as a kid. A modest stainless watch with a swiss movement. My main wearer is out for service so I've been enjoying some watches that I've rarely worn. Might look for a nicer strap for this one.

View attachment 266074
That's a cool watch!
 
Messages
12,425
Location
Germany
Got a nice new automatic. Again Zeppelin, nothing special, just working-horse Miyota 821A. But I just like the Zeppelin's. Nice design.
I love the hands and the cream dial on this one. And I got a ticket from Friedrichshafen to Köln, too. ;
 

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Yahoody

One Too Many
Messages
1,107
Location
Great Basin
1903 Waltham Rail road watch. Keeps time as good as any modern mechanical movement. My Great Grandfather's watch. Far as I know it has only been serviced once since built. Kinda embarrassing if you own a COSC certified, Swiss Rolex chronometer and ever care to make that comparison.



 
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Beresford

New in Town
Messages
17
In order to be allowed for railroad use, those old pocket watches had to meet special construction standards and pass an accuracy certification process similar to COSC chronometer standards. I think I read somewhere they had to be tested weekly. Obviously, accurate time was essential for railroads to avoid the unfortunate possibility of 2 trains being at the same place at the same time.
 

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