Who's got a nice watch? Traditional watches only, no smartwatches please.

[eyoungren]

My watch, Seiko Kinetic…

My dad's great-uncle's watch from 1882 that has finally been passed to me…Elgin Nat'l. Watch, 15-jewel. Attached now to a chain that's clipped to my belt loop and resides in the small pocket they make in your jeans (apparently that's what it's for).

 

[BarracksSi]

It is not exactly what I was looking for but it's close.
I have an Apple Watch Series 2 and wear it most of the time except for when I am in the field in which case I wear a more rugged watch. It isn't my idea to get a new watch but something my wife wants to get me which worries me about what she wants in return!
I am a huge Omega fan and you can thank James Bond for that. But who knows if my wife will get me an Omega or something else.

Ha! My wife says that when I get a nice new watch, she can get the equivalent amount in jewelry and h4ndb4gs.

What kind of budget? Three, four, or five figure$?

Where do you think you'll wear the new one? In the field, or when you go out for Saturday brunch in the hip part of downtown? Or maybe both?

Quartz, or mechanical?

 

[USAFA2008]

So I when all out and bought this one day...

Nice!

Ha! My wife says that when I get a nice new watch, she can get the equivalent amount in jewelry and h4ndb4gs.

What kind of budget? Three, four, or five figure$?

Where do you think you'll wear the new one? In the field, or when you go out for Saturday brunch in the hip part of downtown? Or maybe both?

Quartz, or mechanical?

It seems like our wives learned the same thing. Although my wife will just go and buy jewelry and handbags like crazy. Oh and cars too as she bought her WRX when she had her Forester in for an oil change.
I am not sure what the budget is. She wants me to pick it out which makes it even more difficult. She caught me eyeing a Rolex Explorer II and a Breitling Avenger II GMT when we were in Switzerland but I am not sure what she has in mind. However knowing her the limit will be pretty high since she enjoys purchasing jewelry and that is basically what a watch is.
I would like a dressier watch that I can wear when I am not in the field. Currently I have a Suunto Elementum Terra All Black that I got myself as a graduation gift from the Academy which has served me well on several deployments and is still going strong. I have an Apple Watch Series 2 that she got me for Christmas last year that I wear the majority of the time unless I am in the field or in a SCIF.
Quartz or mechanical doesn't matter to me since I enjoy both. One of my parents has a Breitling Emergency and Emergency 2 and also has a Rolex GMT Master II as well as an older version. I am torn because I prefer the accuracy of a quartz but I also like the mechanics in a mechanical watch.
Honestly I am not sure what I want in a watch and am looking for ideas. I think I have a field watch covered so perhaps something more formal. But who knows what my wife has in mind. It has me worried about what big purchase she will make next that she is trying to be preemptive about.
I have attached a picture of the Suunto Elementum Terra All Black which I found online.

 

[BarracksSi]

I am not sure what the budget is. She wants me to pick it out which makes it even more difficult. She caught me eyeing a Rolex Explorer II and a Breitling Avenger II GMT when we were in Switzerland but I am not sure what she has in mind. However knowing her the limit will be pretty high since she enjoys purchasing jewelry and that is basically what a watch is.
I would like a dressier watch that I can wear when I am not in the field. Currently I have a Suunto Elementum Terra All Black that I got myself as a graduation gift from the Academy which has served me well on several deployments and is still going strong. I have an Apple Watch Series 2 that she got me for Christmas last year that I wear the majority of the time unless I am in the field or in a SCIF.

Go check out a Rolex Oyster Perpetual in either 36mm or 39mm. This isn't a "dress" watch in the strictest terms (it's on a bracelet and has luminous markers) but it'll fit the bill. No date to reset after you haven't worn it for several days, clean design that'll wear well with anything you own, and an extensive network of certified repair shops where you can take it for service every few years.

Or, yes, just spring for an Explorer II, with the same benefits that go with Rolex.

If I were to dabble in Breitling, I'd be hard-pressed to get anything besides the Navitimer. It's a rare chronograph that looks good when dressed up, and it has a bona fide history in aviation.

I've also liked trying out Omega's Globemaster and Speedmaster Pro (the former, pictured above, being fully antimagnetic; the latter is still the same as NASA issues to its astronauts), and I'll also recommend taking a look at Raymond Weil -- we picked up a pair of RW watches for my parents for their 50th anniversary this fall.

OR, here's an option that I can't get out of my head since seeing them last Friday: Grand Seiko. Whether you choose purely mechanical, quartz, or Spring Drive, you'll get among the best in each category (and in the case of Spring Drive, it is its own category). Their automatics are high-beat with unique technology in their construction; the quartz 9F has a theoretical 50-year service interval, is rated to deviate within just ten seconds per year, and can have its battery replaced by any competent watch shop; and the Spring Drive is like nothing else. If you can see them in person, do it.

FWIW, this is my current stash. Took the photo before I received my great-great-grandpa’s Hamilton pocketwatch:

 

[TheDoubler55]

So I when all out and bought this one day...

beauty!!!!!!

 

[USAFA2008]

Go check out a Rolex Oyster Perpetual in either 36mm or 39mm. This isn't a "dress" watch in the strictest terms (it's on a bracelet and has luminous markers) but it'll fit the bill. No date to reset after you haven't worn it for several days, clean design that'll wear well with anything you own, and an extensive network of certified repair shops where you can take it for service every few years.

Or, yes, just spring for an Explorer II, with the same benefits that go with Rolex.

If I were to dabble in Breitling, I'd be hard-pressed to get anything besides the Navitimer. It's a rare chronograph that looks good when dressed up, and it has a bona fide history in aviation.

I've also liked trying out Omega's Globemaster and Speedmaster Pro (the former, pictured above, being fully antimagnetic; the latter is still the same as NASA issues to its astronauts), and I'll also recommend taking a look at Raymond Weil -- we picked up a pair of RW watches for my parents for their 50th anniversary this fall.

OR, here's an option that I can't get out of my head since seeing them last Friday: Grand Seiko. Whether you choose purely mechanical, quartz, or Spring Drive, you'll get among the best in each category (and in the case of Spring Drive, it is its own category). Their automatics are high-beat with unique technology in their construction; the quartz 9F has a theoretical 50-year service interval, is rated to deviate within just ten seconds per year, and can have its battery replaced by any competent watch shop; and the Spring Drive is like nothing else. If you can see them in person, do it.

FWIW, this is my current stash. Took the photo before I received my great-great-grandpa’s Hamilton pocketwatch:

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a nice looking watch and not one that I ever paid attention to. However I wonder how the 36mm and 39mm will wear. Having no date to reset will be a good thing. When I am in town I will look around and see if I can check out the Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
The Rolex Explorer II looks like it will fit in wearing a suit or jeans and that is what attracted me to it. The Breitling Avenger II GMT looks like it could fit both a suit and jeans as well.
I am curious why is the Navitimer the only Breitling you wouldn't be hard-pressed to get? The Navitimer Cosmonaute has my eye too but I want something not as busy. My family has a lot of Breitling watches and one of my ancestors wore a Navitimer during his tours flying in Vietnam. He knows that I am after both his Navitimer and his PanAm Rolex GMT Master that he was issued by PanAm. The black dial was issued to flight crew and the white dial issued to PanAm executives. One of my parents has both an Emergency and Emergency 2 and while they're nice they look too big for what I am looking for. The Chronomat is nice too and it doesn't look as busy as the Navitimer. The history behind the Breitling brand is what I like about Breitling.
I do like Omega especially after seeing them in several James Bond movies. The Speedmaster Pro is one of my favorites so I will look at it again as well. Ultimately it is whatever my wife decides to get me and I don't want to influence her decision too much. I will check out Raymond Weil thanks for the recommendation!
It's funny you mentioned Seiko. I had a SKX173 that I got when I was accepted to the Academy and wore it until graduation where I got a Suunto Elementum Terra All Black as a graduation gift to myself. My SKX173 was still going strong despite having a scratched crystal when I gave it to a family member who told me a day or 2 ago that he just swapped out the crystal with a sapphire crystal and it's still going strong. I have never paid too much attention to Grand Seiko but I will definitely try and check them out. A theoretical 50-year service interval sounds great!
It appears you have a nice collection yourself. Do you wear them or mostly your Apple Watch now? Also nice cufflinks and tie bar, what MOS were you?

 

[scotthayes]

Do you wear them or mostly your Apple Watch now? ?

I know this is a thread about traditional watches so please, nobody shout at me... I wear my Apple Watch on my right arm and my 'real watch' on my left. works perfectly for me as the Apple Watch is more a fitness tracker/messages thing.

Oh and give IWC a look. The offer some quite stunning watches that can be used as a dress watch, tool watch or both.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I know this is a thread about traditional watches so please, nobody shout at me... I wear my Apple Watch on my right arm and my 'real watch' on my left. works perfectly for me as the Apple Watch is more a fitness tracker/messages thing.

Oh and give IWC a look. The offer some quite stunning watches that can be used as a dress watch, tool watch or both.

Well, yes, I will - if not shout - at least offer a whispered reprimand.

On this thread, I don't want to hear about Apple watches at all.

Now, on the other hand, if you wish to write a symphony of praise to IWC watches, I will read your posts endlessly, as I share your opinion that this is an attractive, and classic brand, beautifully engineered and equally an exquisitely elegant timepiece.

And, as for the classic IWC watches from the 50s, they are simply........gorgeous.

 

[BarracksSi]

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a nice looking watch and not one that I ever paid attention to. However I wonder how the 36mm and 39mm will wear. Having no date to reset will be a good thing. When I am in town I will look around and see if I can check out the Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
The Rolex Explorer II looks like it will fit in wearing a suit or jeans and that is what attracted me to it. The Breitling Avenger II GMT looks like it could fit both a suit and jeans as well.
I am curious why is the Navitimer the only Breitling you wouldn't be hard-pressed to get? The Navitimer Cosmonaute has my eye too but I want something not as busy. My family has a lot of Breitling watches and one of my ancestors wore a Navitimer during his tours flying in Vietnam. He knows that I am after both his Navitimer and his PanAm Rolex GMT Master that he was issued by PanAm. The black dial was issued to flight crew and the white dial issued to PanAm executives. One of my parents has both an Emergency and Emergency 2 and while they're nice they look too big for what I am looking for. The Chronomat is nice too and it doesn't look as busy as the Navitimer. The history behind the Breitling brand is what I like about Breitling.
I do like Omega especially after seeing them in several James Bond movies. The Speedmaster Pro is one of my favorites so I will look at it again as well. Ultimately it is whatever my wife decides to get me and I don't want to influence her decision too much. I will check out Raymond Weil thanks for the recommendation!
It's funny you mentioned Seiko. I had a SKX173 that I got when I was accepted to the Academy and wore it until graduation where I got a Suunto Elementum Terra All Black as a graduation gift to myself. My SKX173 was still going strong despite having a scratched crystal when I gave it to a family member who told me a day or 2 ago that he just swapped out the crystal with a sapphire crystal and it's still going strong. I have never paid too much attention to Grand Seiko but I will definitely try and check them out. A theoretical 50-year service interval sounds great!
It appears you have a nice collection yourself. Do you wear them or mostly your Apple Watch now? Also nice cufflinks and tie bar, what MOS were you?

I mostly wear that watch daily, but I wear my other watches at the office (no smart gadgets allowed), for special occasions, and the rare time when I want to disconnect.

(and that 6th gen iPod? Wore it as a watch exactly one day. Learned that it's a PITA to push its button to read the time, and it was also nerve-wracking to wash my hands in the bathroom. Betcha Cook/Ive/Schiller felt the same way)

Rolex's non-toolish-watches, to me, are best experienced in smaller sizes. The 39mm Oysters and Explorer I's are plenty big for their dials, but going down to 36mm feels much more "classic", especially when you move to the Datejust series. They make me feel more "mature" (and I need all the help I can get!). Bulkier watches give the wearer the impression, "Yeah, that's a REAL watch," but don't conflate so-called "wrist presence" with "discomfort". Across the Datejust and Oyster Perpetual lineup, they have a huge range of sizes because they understand that people's wrists are a huge range of sizes as well. It took me some time to realize that a 36mm Explorer's meh-ness was because it was more comfortable than the heavier watches I tried the same day.

(I may have mistyped -- my favorite Breitling, by a mile, is the Navitimer)

I really like the idea of Breitling's 24hr-dial Cosmonaute (adjusting the time is a hoot since the hour hand moves half as fast as I expect), but I don't want to daily-wear a manual-wind watch with a date window. But I like the style a lot -- I think Jerry Seinfeld wears his Navitimer well in his Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee series. The larger Breitlings are just too big for my tastes. Here's a dark horse: Sinn 903, using the same Navitimer design, for which Sinn bought the rights from Breitling as the latter was near bankruptcy, except Sinn made it waterproof by adding a crown to use the slide rule.

Omega also recently reintroduced the Railmaster name in a no-date watch with a 12-3-6-9 dial. It's completely antimagnetic like the Globemaster (and any of their newer "Master" movements). Check those out, too, but they may be hard to get.

My collection, at least at the moment, is, technically speaking, all gifts. My wife paid for the AW, Casio and Citizen; the Omega and Rolex were my dad's and mother-in-law's; in the far-right slots, the Seiko and Bulova were my granddads'; the SKX came from an online giveaway; the Honda commemorated my first new car purchase; and the Rado was from my godfather.

What would I get for myself if I was given the green light today? Honestly, I'm not sure, because so many bases are covered by what I already have. My top three might be a Speedmaster Pro, two-tone Datejust, or the white Grand Seiko "Snowflake" I posted.

My MOS was 5512 (was 9812 a little over a decade ago, then we got merged with the other 5500's). Retired last year and doing computer work now. My manager says I did a career shift without a clutch.

(I should've worked harder to convince my wife to let me get an older GMT Master for $1600 at a local PX... the big one that got away...)

 

[USAFA2008]

I know this is a thread about traditional watches so please, nobody shout at me... I wear my Apple Watch on my right arm and my 'real watch' on my left. works perfectly for me as the Apple Watch is more a fitness tracker/messages thing.

Oh and give IWC a look. The offer some quite stunning watches that can be used as a dress watch, tool watch or both.

I used to wear a Fitbit with my Suunto Elementum Terra All Black before my wife got me an Apple Watch. How is it wearing both an Apple Watch and a real watch together?
I will check out IWC as well.

I mostly wear that watch daily, but I wear my other watches at the office (no smart gadgets allowed), for special occasions, and the rare time when I want to disconnect.

(and that 6th gen iPod? Wore it as a watch exactly one day. Learned that it's a PITA to push its button to read the time, and it was also nerve-wracking to wash my hands in the bathroom. Betcha Cook/Ive/Schiller felt the same way)

Rolex's non-toolish-watches, to me, are best experienced in smaller sizes. The 39mm Oysters and Explorer I's are plenty big for their dials, but going down to 36mm feels much more "classic", especially when you move to the Datejust series. They make me feel more "mature" (and I need all the help I can get!). Bulkier watches give the wearer the impression, "Yeah, that's a REAL watch," but don't conflate so-called "wrist presence" with "discomfort". Across the Datejust and Oyster Perpetual lineup, they have a huge range of sizes because they understand that people's wrists are a huge range of sizes as well. It took me some time to realize that a 36mm Explorer's meh-ness was because it was more comfortable than the heavier watches I tried the same day.

(I may have mistyped -- my favorite Breitling, by a mile, is the Navitimer)

I really like the idea of Breitling's 24hr-dial Cosmonaute (adjusting the time is a hoot since the hour hand moves half as fast as I expect), but I don't want to daily-wear a manual-wind watch with a date window. But I like the style a lot -- I think Jerry Seinfeld wears his Navitimer well in his Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee series. The larger Breitlings are just too big for my tastes. Here's a dark horse: Sinn 903, using the same Navitimer design, for which Sinn bought the rights from Breitling as the latter was near bankruptcy, except Sinn made it waterproof by adding a crown to use the slide rule.

Omega also recently reintroduced the Railmaster name in a no-date watch with a 12-3-6-9 dial. It's completely antimagnetic like the Globemaster (and any of their newer "Master" movements). Check those out, too, but they may be hard to get.

My collection, at least at the moment, is, technically speaking, all gifts. My wife paid for the AW, Casio and Citizen; the Omega and Rolex were my dad's and mother-in-law's; in the far-right slots, the Seiko and Bulova were my granddads'; the SKX came from an online giveaway; the Honda commemorated my first new car purchase; and the Rado was from my godfather.

What would I get for myself if I was given the green light today? Honestly, I'm not sure, because so many bases are covered by what I already have. My top three might be a Speedmaster Pro, two-tone Datejust, or the white Grand Seiko "Snowflake" I posted.

My MOS was 5512 (was 9812 a little over a decade ago, then we got merged with the other 5500's). Retired last year and doing computer work now. My manager says I did a career shift without a clutch.

(I should've worked harder to convince my wife to let me get an older GMT Master for $1600 at a local PX... the big one that got away...)

I too wear my Apple Watch daily but wear my Suunto Elementum Terra All Black in the field. Where I work we can't take any smart gadgets or real watches into the secure areas.
I remember the 6th gen iPod. Wasn't that a wrist strap you could buy to wear it as a watch?
I will check out the Rolex after the holidays since I don't want to go get caught up in the crowds. The ones you mentioned were nice looking and I want to try one on for size.
The Navitimer is nice! It is on my list of watches to buy but I will wait until I have a job where I can wear it more. Until you mentioned it I never even considered setting the time on a Cosmonaute I bet it is interesting. I will check out the Sinn 903 as well. Have you handled one in person and do you know anything about the quality of Sinn watches?
The Railmaster caught my eye when a few coworkers and I were on Omega's site. I just looked at the Globemaster and it is a nice looking watch as well. Why might they be hard to get?
My two watches are gifts. The Apple Watch was a gift from my wife and the Suunto Elementum Terra All Black was a gift to myself when I graduated from the Academy. Whatever watch my wife gets will be another gift. But the problem is now I need to get her something in return!
Yeah that would be a career shift! Congratulations on the retirement as well. I am hoping I make it to retirement. What kind of computer work are you doing?
You saw a GMT Master for $1600? What PX was that in? That almost seems too good to be true.

 

[BarracksSi]

I too wear my Apple Watch daily but wear my Suunto Elementum Terra All Black in the field. Where I work we can't take any smart gadgets or real watches into the secure areas.
I remember the 6th gen iPod. Wasn't that a wrist strap you could buy to wear it as a watch?
I will check out the Rolex after the holidays since I don't want to go get caught up in the crowds. The ones you mentioned were nice looking and I want to try one on for size.
The Navitimer is nice! It is on my list of watches to buy but I will wait until I have a job where I can wear it more. Until you mentioned it I never even considered setting the time on a Cosmonaute I bet it is interesting. I will check out the Sinn 903 as well. Have you handled one in person and do you know anything about the quality of Sinn watches?
The Railmaster caught my eye when a few coworkers and I were on Omega's site. I just looked at the Globemaster and it is a nice looking watch as well. Why might they be hard to get?
My two watches are gifts. The Apple Watch was a gift from my wife and the Suunto Elementum Terra All Black was a gift to myself when I graduated from the Academy. Whatever watch my wife gets will be another gift. But the problem is now I need to get her something in return!
Yeah that would be a career shift! Congratulations on the retirement as well. I am hoping I make it to retirement. What kind of computer work are you doing?
You saw a GMT Master for $1600? What PX was that in? That almost seems too good to be true.

The $1600 GMT Master (might've been $1800?) was at Henderson Hall about five years ago. Before WLXT came in with their preowned Rolex and Cartier selections (usually), the on-site watch repair guy -- who basically owned his little business and used a spot next to the jewelry counter -- would have the occasional nice watch to sell, probably doing a consignment deal with other customers. The two standouts I remember were that GMT (but without its original bracelet) and a manual-wind Rolex Precision (which was much thinner and lighter than usual Perpetual since it didn't have the self-winding mechanism).

Yup, the iPod was on a third-party leather strap. The iPod clipped into a metal holder, and the strap attached with regular springbars.

I haven't handled a Sinn in person, but word on the street is that they're as good as any other Swiss brand in their price range.

The Railmasters are brand-new and just trickling into shops, and I think the hype of the limited edition version (part of that '57 Trilogy) will keep the standard version moving. I think the standard model looks better anyway, although I haven't seen either one in person.

What kind of computer work? I was brought on for Web app development, and it looks like I'll soon take on an additional role to maintain site content. We'll see how this keeps going. I'd really like to work someplace like Goddard. Maybe someday.

 

[BarracksSi]

Oh yeah — gotta add some shots I took of the Hamilton:

 

[USAFA2008]

The $1600 GMT Master (might've been $1800?) was at Henderson Hall about five years ago. Before WLXT came in with their preowned Rolex and Cartier selections (usually), the on-site watch repair guy -- who basically owned his little business and used a spot next to the jewelry counter -- would have the occasional nice watch to sell, probably doing a consignment deal with other customers. The two standouts I remember were that GMT (but without its original bracelet) and a manual-wind Rolex Precision (which was much thinner and lighter than usual Perpetual since it didn't have the self-winding mechanism).

Yup, the iPod was on a third-party leather strap. The iPod clipped into a metal holder, and the strap attached with regular springbars.

I haven't handled a Sinn in person, but word on the street is that they're as good as any other Swiss brand in their price range.

The Railmasters are brand-new and just trickling into shops, and I think the hype of the limited edition version (part of that '57 Trilogy) will keep the standard version moving. I think the standard model looks better anyway, although I haven't seen either one in person.

What kind of computer work? I was brought on for Web app development, and it looks like I'll soon take on an additional role to maintain site content. We'll see how this keeps going. I'd really like to work someplace like Goddard. Maybe someday.

Even at $1800 the GMT Master sounds like a steal! I will have to check out Henderson Hall the next time I am in DC.
I thought the i{od was on a third-party watch strap. I am surprised it never really caught on.
I will have to check out some reviews on the Sinn 903 you mentioned.
Ever since you mentioned the Railmaster I looked at it a few times and I like it. But I am trying not to influence my wife too much since it needs to be something she wants to get me like with any gift. Hopefully the wife doesn't get me an Invicta Russian Diver because I will never it.
That sounds like a good line of work. Somedays I regret not getting into IT and then some days I am thankful I didn't.

Oh yeah — gotta add some shots I took of the Hamilton:

That's a nice looking Hamilton.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

@BarracksSi - the Hamilton looks stunning; thanks for sharing with us.

How old is the watch and what is its story?

 

[USAFA2008]

@BarracksSi well my wife just returned from a conference in Germany and there is now a watch box shaped item under the tree. These next 3 days will kill me!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

@BarracksSi well my wife just returned from a conference in Germany and there is now a watch box shaped item under the tree. These next 3 days will kill me!

Anticipation and deferred gratification make the actual moment when the gift is opened all the better and sweeter.

 

[USAFA2008]

Anticipation and deferred gratification make the actual moment when the gift is opened all the better and sweeter.

That is true! Now I need to go get her some jewelry for Christmas.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

That is true! Now I need to go get her some jewelry for Christmas.

Just make sure that it is something that she likes; jewellery is a very subjective matter, and it is one of those areas where the preferences of the individual need - very much - to be taken into account.

Meanwhile, enjoy your watch.

Mine, an Omega Deville, which looks very like those 50s and 60s classics, I bought for myself eight years ago as a Christmas present; prior to that, I had been eyeing it for at least two to three years.

 

[USAFA2008]

Just make sure that it is something that she likes; jewellery is a very subjective matter, and it is one of those areas where the preferences of the individual need - very much - to be taken into account.

Meanwhile, enjoy your watch.

Mine, an Omega Deville, which looks very like those 50s and 60s classics, I bought for myself eight years ago as a Christmas present; prior to that, I had been eyeing it for at least two to three years.

That is great advise and very true thanks! She wants pearls so I was thinking a necklace since and earrings since she doesn't wear bracelets much but I am at a loss for ideas.
Thanks, I am sure I will enjoy it unless she decided to get me an Invicta Russian Diver.
Omega is nice. The Seamaster and Speedmaster were on my list until my wife got me an Apple Watch Series 2 last year. @BarracksSi mentioned the Railmaster which is on my list now too. Perhaps I will go away from my Apple Watch and pick up another Fitbit for tracking. I just looked at the Omega Deville and it does look like a classic!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

That is great advise and very true thanks! She wants pearls so I was thinking a necklace since and earrings since she doesn't wear bracelets much but I am at a loss for ideas.
Thanks, I am sure I will enjoy it unless she decided to get me an Invicta Russian Diver.
Omega is nice. The Seamaster and Speedmaster were on my list until my wife got me an Apple Watch Series 2 last year. @BarracksSi mentioned the Railmaster which is on my list now too. Perhaps I will go away from my Apple Watch and pick up another Fitbit for tracking. I just looked at the Omega Deville and it does look like a classic!

Ask her.

I write as a woman who likes jewellery very plain, but of very good quality.

Now, I can admire the craftsmanship of something extremely intricate - and the skill and mastery of art and craft that it clearly signals - but - personally, I cannot abide it as something that I would wish to wear myself. So, make sure you know what she likes before investing a significant sum of money in something and perhaps running the risk of disappointment.

Worse still, is the situation (not unknown to women) of someone wearing something because they feel they ought to try to please the donor, - and acknowledge the thought and affection that went into the gift - even though they themselves cannot really stand it.

Late in their lives, my parents took to consulting one another before one bought jewellery for the other; while the element of surprise was removed (and the one time I tried to surprise my mother with a jewellery gift, it was a disaster, I had to return it, lesson learned), at least the compensation was that they each hugely liked (indeed loved) what the other bought them.

It became a situation of - while on holidays in, say, Turkey - my father dragging my mother into a shop and saying that he liked a particular gold chain and that this is what he would like for Christmas or his birthday; my mother, meanwhile, might have had her eye on a soft leather jacket.

 

[USAFA2008]

Ask her.

I write as a woman who likes jewellery very plain, but of very good quality.

Now, I can admire the craftsmanship of something extremely intricate - and the skill and mastery of art and craft that it clearly signals - but - personally, I cannot abide it as something that i would wish to wear myself. So, make sure you know what she likes before investing a significant sum of money in something and perhaps running the risk of disappointment.

Worse still, is the situation (not unknown to women) of someone wearing something because they feel they ought to try to please the donor, - and acknowledge the thought and affection that went into the gift - even though they themselves cannot really stand it.

Late in their lives, my parents took to consulting one another before one bought jewellery for the other; while the element of surprise was removed (and the one time I tried to surprise my mother with a jewellery gift, it was a disaster, I had to return it, lesson learned), at least the compensation was that they each hugely liked (indeed loved) what the other bought them.

It became a situation of - while on holidays in, say, Turkey - my father dragging my mother into a shop and saying that he liked a particular gold chain and that this is what he would like for Christmas or his birthday; my mother, meanwhile, might have had her eye on a soft leather jacket.

I understand what you mean. There is nothing worse than getting someone a gift and they don't like it. That is basically what happened with the engagement ring I got my ex-fiancée several years ago.
What you said about someone wearing jewelry "because they feel they ought to try to please the donor" is something I get understand. To be honest the wedding ring my wife got me is too blingy for my tastes but I wear it unless I am in the field then I have a $20 silicone ring that I don't care what happens to it.
You are right buying jewelry for someone needs to be something that is consulted on either with the person their family or their friends.
I have been through Turkey on several deployments and I hear it is a good place to get gold and leather. While I didn't buy gold I did replace my issued jacket and I wear it whenever I can. Do you recall the name of the shops where the gold and leather were purchased? I might have the opportunity to return to Turkey after the beginning of 2018 and plan on making the most out of it if I go.

 

[BarracksSi]

@BarracksSi - the Hamilton looks stunning; thanks for sharing with us.

How old is the watch and what is its story?

It’s inscribed as a gift from his friends at the Prohibition Bureau in 1926. It passed to his son, then after he died, I think Grandpa gave it to my dad. He gave it to me this Thanksgiving.

I’d like to have it serviced, but I’ll need to find a good watchmaker first. I checked its timekeeping, and it sits at a persistent +60 sec/day (yup, a full minute fast). It might be dried out instead of magnetized — a magnetized watch can run much faster. My untrained eye doesn’t see any oil in the balance jewel (the balance can tick faster if it can’t swing far enough), and I don’t think my parents had real work done on it.

It’s definitely not a daily-wear watch, even though it fits perfectly in that little pocket in a pair of jeans. Besides not being waterproof, the crown pops out too easily, which keeps the hands from moving. But it sure is a neat handful of machinery.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It’s inscribed as a gift from his friends at the Prohibition Bureau in 1926. It passed to his son, then after he died, I think Grandpa gave it to my dad. He gave it to me this Thanksgiving.

I’d like to have it serviced, but I’ll need to find a good watchmaker first. I checked its timekeeping, and it sits at a persistent +60 sec/day (yup, a full minute fast). It might be dried out instead of magnetized — a magnetized watch can run much faster. My untrained eye doesn’t see any oil in the balance jewel (the balance can tick faster if it can’t swing far enough), and I don’t think my parents had real work done on it.

It’s definitely not a daily-wear watch, even though it fits perfectly in that little pocket in a pair of jeans. Besides not being waterproof, the crown pops out too easily, which keeps the hands from moving. But it sure is a neat handful of machinery.

Thanks for the explanation - what a wonderful story.

Waistcoat and fob, perhaps? If I had such a watch, I'd do my best to find a way to wear it.

 

[BarracksSi]

Thanks for the explanation - what a wonderful story.

Waistcoat and fob, perhaps? If I had such a watch, I'd do my best to find a way to wear it.

Oh, I’m sure I could wear it, but if the oils are dried out and turned into shellac, the pivots will just grind themselves into dust.

First, I’ll ask my dad how much work has been done to it. If it needs more TLC, I’ve got to do some more looking around.

 

[Sital]

Found this under the Christmas tree - Breitling Avenger Blackbird.