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

[Scepticalscribe]

@transmaster: Thanks for sharing the very interesting posts and pictures; fascinating. I love the watches, they are gorgeous.

Re wrist watches, my understanding is that their use (among men, for, as you rightly point out, women had worn wristwatches for a lot longer) became common - or, a lot more widespread - during the trench warfare of WW1, as officers needed to be able to synchronise (and see) their watches prior to embarking upon attacks or other military activities.

Motorists - pre and post WW1 - also tended to favour wrist watches, again, for ease of use.

However, postwar after WW1 (and interwar) male civilian wear, - especially when wearing the sort of suits that came complete with waistcoats (vests) - still saw the widespread use of pocket watches.

 

[transmaster]

@transmaster: Thanks for sharing the very interesting posts and pictures; fascinating. I love the watches, they are gorgeous.

Re wrist watches, my understanding is that their use (among men, for, as you rightly point out, women had worn wristwatches for a lot longer) became common - or, a lot more widespread - during the trench warfare of WW1, as officers needed to be able to synchronise (and see) their watches prior to embarking upon attacks or other military activities.

Motorists - pre and post WW1 - also tended to favour wrist watches, again, for ease of use.

However, postwar after WW1 (and interwar) male civilian wear, - especially when wearing the sort of suits that came complete with waistcoats (vests) - still saw the widespread use of pocket watches.

The use of wrist watches by Officers in the trenches is a direct result of the aviators having them. Army combat officers when they saw the pilots wearing they instantly understood their utility. Here is a WW1 ad for a "Wristlet" I love how the ad punches you in the face with "HE". The HE is a not so subtle hint that it is manly to wear a wrist watch.

 

[transmaster]

Incidentally the tradition of fighter pilots wearing mechanical wrist watches carries on to this very day.

 

[zagato27]

Might add helo pilots to that list. To add a twist, in flight school they gave us a small orange dot to stick on our watch face. A reminder to never trust your fuel guage...do fuel checks. No idea if they are still doing this. Had that orange dot for many a year and yes it worked. Cheers

 

[CooperBox]

My favorite so far. Recently had its 10 year service done. Decided not to polish it.

View attachment 2244593

You were very wise not to have it polished during the service, as with a high-end watch like yours it significantly reduces the eventual re-sale value. I guess you specifically requested this, as some watchmakers do polish watches in for a service expecting that the customer wants it back looking as new as possible.

I rarely dispose of any in my collection, but recently wanted to sell a special edition 1945 Oris Flight Timer; after frequent wear it had lost the large polished crown at 2 o'clock which operates the internal rotating bezel.
As it had accumulated a number of fairly minor marks during wear I really wasn't too concerned whether it was polished or not back at Oris - who were the only ones who had a replacement crown and could perform the change together with a service (I'd purchased the Oris new approx 14 years previously).
They were not specifically instructed to polish the watch but did so anyway. It came back looking like new.
I subsequently advertised the watch and mentioned it had just been completely serviced and polished. I received quite a number of 'silly' offers (half of my realistic price), but it sold after 3 months to a keen watch collector who was delighted with my offer price - and the condition.
Had it been an Omega, JLC, IWC, Rolex or similar I would not have had it polished.

 

[CooperBox]

Incidentally the tradition of fighter pilots wearing mechanical wrist watches carries on to this very day.

View attachment 2244776

I'm having fun trying to positively identify that watch, and having difficulties..... Does anyone know for sure?
I'm guessing it may be an IWC or a Fortis Flieger, but not familiar with a model exactly as shown.

For info, I recently read that in an informal survey Garmin and G-Shock were the two prevalent brands among fighter pilots.

 

[alexandr]

You were very wise not to have it polished during the service, as with a high-end watch like yours it significantly reduces the eventual re-sale value. I guess you specifically requested this, as some watchmakers do polish watches in for a service expecting that the customer wants it back looking as new as possible.

I rarely dispose of any in my collection, but recently wanted to sell a special edition 1945 Oris Flight Timer; after frequent wear it had lost the large polished crown at 2 o'clock which operates the internal rotating bezel.
As it had accumulated a number of fairly minor marks during wear I really wasn't too concerned whether it was polished or not back at Oris - who were the only ones who had a replacement crown and could perform the change together with a service (I'd purchased the Oris new approx 14 years previously).
They were not specifically instructed to polish the watch but did so anyway. It came back looking like new.
I subsequently advertised the watch and mentioned it had just been completely serviced and polished. I received quite a number of 'silly' offers (half of my realistic price), but it sold after 3 months to a keen watch collector who was delighted with my offer price - and the condition.
Had it been an Omega, JLC, IWC, Rolex or similar I would not have had it polished.

Thanks! Yes, I did a bit of research on it, and even though I don't have any immediate plans to sell this watch, you never know — I did get on the list for the 2 tone GMT-II when I was dropping it off for service ))

The only reason I wanted to is I'm fairly OCD and scratches catch my attention sometimes, but had I had it polished — the new scratches would be driving me absolutely mad!

That's a beautiful timepiece! Love the propeller too!

 

[CooperBox]

The use of wrist watches by Officers in the trenches is a direct result of the aviators having them. Army combat officers when they saw the pilots wearing they instantly understood their utility. Here is a WW1 ad for a "Wristlet" I love how the ad punches you in the face with "HE". The HE is a not so subtle hint that it is manly to wear a wrist watch.

View attachment 2244769

Following on from your attached ad promoting watches for MEN, I thought this may now be appropriate and if nothing else it may please Scepticalscribe.
Plus imho, this 1914 ad is visually more pleasing.

And there's more......



Interesting enough, our son has recently bought a new Doxa divers watch (a men's version I hasten to add).
I knew very little about the make, but after a little research I learnt that as a long established Swiss independent manufacturer in Le Locle, they have many devoted followers and appear to be an iconic dive watch with a diving pedigree that's hard to match. The watch in question is the Sub300Pro which I must confess appeals to my taste too.

 

[transmaster]

Following on from your attached ad promoting watches for MEN, I thought this may now be appropriate and if nothing else it may please Scepticalscribe.
Plus imho, this 1914 ad is visually more pleasing.

View attachment 2246055

And there's more......

View attachment 2246057 View attachment 2246058

Interesting enough, our son has recently bought a new Doxa divers watch (a men's version I hasten to add).
I knew very little about the make, but after a little research I learnt that as a long established Swiss independent manufacturer in Le Locle, they have many devoted followers and appear to be an iconic dive watch with a diving pedigree that's hard to match. The watch in question is the Sub300Pro which I must confess appeals to my taste too.

View attachment 2246095

The 1914 Ad is very progressive Very few woman drove Gasoline automobiles at that time. Women, if they could, drove electric cars.

 

[transmaster]

A very interesting women's wrist watch used early in the 20th century was the Nurse's, female Doctors watch. It had a seperate second hand clock face for taking pulse rates.

 

[Queen6]

64 of 100 my KORSBEK Ocean Explorer (OE) designed by a diver who was also a fervent watch enthusiast.

The OE is circa 2008, was on a forum and got clued into this deep diver. Even at the time the OE was a tremendous deal being the companies premier launch piece. The OE was produced at cost if not a small loss. Manufactured in Germany by Fricker, massively over engineered 1000M diver. This is the kind of watch that scares door handles and notebooks alike LOL.

A very substantial piece especially when worn on the bracelet. Each one was hand adjusted and personally shipped by the owner of the company. The watch has kept that same accuracy throughout the years. Very much a tool that will last as long as it can be serviced...

Borrowed this image, as my Pelican hard case is boxed up.


Details;
Case & bracelet by Fricker (Germany), surgical grade 316 stainless steel, bead blasted (45 x 17mm, 54 mm lug end to lug end, bracelet 24mm)
Adjusted ETA 2824-2 movement
Heavy duty 4mm domed sapphire crystal with internal AR coating
Water Resistant to 1000 meters (3300 ft)
Anti-magnetic (80,000 a/m); shock resistant; pressure-proof to 100 atmospheres
Automatic Helium Escape Valve
Pelican Case, accessories + Bonus Hirsch Strap
Limited to 100 Units

Q-6

 

[ericwn]

64 of 100 my KORSBEK Ocean Explorer (OE) designed by a diver who was also a fervent watch enthusiast.
View attachment 2246657
View attachment 2246658
The OE is circa 2008, was on a forum and got clued into this deep diver. Even at the time the OE was a tremendous deal being the companies premier launch piece. The OE was produced at cost if not a small loss. Manufactured in Germany by Fricker, massively over engineered 1000M diver. This is the kind of watch that scares door handles and notebooks alike LOL.

A very substantial piece especially when worn on the bracelet. Each one was hand adjusted and personally shipped by the owner of the company. The watch has kept that same accuracy throughout the years. Very much a tool that will last as long as it can be serviced...

Borrowed this image, as my Pelican hard case is boxed up.
View attachment 2246581

Details;
Case & bracelet by Fricker (Germany), surgical grade 316 stainless steel, bead blasted (45 x 17mm, 54 mm lug end to lug end, bracelet 24mm)
Adjusted ETA 2824-2 movement
Heavy duty 4mm domed sapphire crystal with internal AR coating
Water Resistant to 1000 meters (3300 ft)
Anti-magnetic (80,000 a/m); shock resistant; pressure-proof to 100 atmospheres
Automatic Helium Escape Valve
Pelican Case, accessories + Bonus Hirsch Strap
Limited to 100 Units

Q-6

Looks awesome!

 

[Queen6]

Looks awesome!

One that will never be sold, too much personal attachment...

Q-6

 

[transmaster]

Somewhere around here I have a original Soviet Union military watch. Stopped wearing watches years ago so it is in its box in such a safe place even I can't find it now. It is a Vostok Submarine automatic. It is built like a pickup truck. The movement is not finished any better than is needs to be. Considering how cheap it was when I purchased it back in the 1970's it kept good time.

It looks something like this.

 

[CalMin]

Just got this as a milestone birthday gift from my folks. It's not something I would have ever chosen since I don't really pay much attention to Breitling as a brand, but I'm really loving it as a daily driver. It's really comfy due to it's low weight (titanium) and the fact that it is quartz (actually SuperQuartz) means I never have to set it or wind it when I grab it to put on. It's nice to have a dress watch which doesn't need to be set when I feel like a change from wearing my Apple Watch.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The use of wrist watches by Officers in the trenches is a direct result of the aviators having them. Army combat officers when they saw the pilots wearing they instantly understood their utility. Here is a WW1 ad for a "Wristlet" I love how the ad punches you in the face with "HE". The HE is a not so subtle hint that it is manly to wear a wrist watch.

View attachment 2244769

I would imagine that it was also a function of the nature of trench warfare, whereby officers needed to wear watches that would have been synchronished shortly before an attack (watches which could also be easily accessed and easily seen, - as when worn on a wrist - when their own hands were otherwise occupied, with whistles, revolvers, etc) when about to commence an attack.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Following on from your attached ad promoting watches for MEN, I thought this may now be appropriate and if nothing else it may please Scepticalscribe.
Plus imho, this 1914 ad is visually more pleasing.

View attachment 2246055

And there's more......

View attachment 2246057 View attachment 2246058

Interesting enough, our son has recently bought a new Doxa divers watch (a men's version I hasten to add).
I knew very little about the make, but after a little research I learnt that as a long established Swiss independent manufacturer in Le Locle, they have many devoted followers and appear to be an iconic dive watch with a diving pedigree that's hard to match. The watch in question is the Sub300Pro which I must confess appeals to my taste too.

View attachment 2246095

Gorgeous, just gorgeous.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[CooperBox]

Just got this as a milestone birthday gift from my folks. It's not something I would have ever chosen since I don't really pay much attention to Breitling as a brand, but I'm really loving it as a daily driver. It's really comfy due to it's low weight (titanium) and the fact that it is quartz (actually SuperQuartz) means I never have to set it or wind it when I grab it to put on. It's nice to have a dress watch which doesn't need to be set when I feel like a change from wearing my Apple Watch.


View attachment 2246739

A very nice Red Arrows Aerospace. I've read about it but it's the first I've seen. Thanks for posting.
I can see no time indicated on the lower digital display. I guess that this is masked due to the angle you took the photo as I'd be surprised if this is a feature that can be disabled.

 

[Queen6]

A very nice Red Arrows Aerospace. I've read about it but it's the first I've seen. Thanks for posting.
I can see no time indicated on the lower digital display. I guess that this is masked due to the angle you took the photo as I'd be surprised if this is a feature that can be disabled.

Is a feature of the movement, best served for those models with black dials. Very much gives the effect of a classic mechanical with a very smooth sweep like a Seiko Spring Drive...

Owned an early Breitling Super Quartz, very offput by their egregious charges to replace the battery (as much as a full mechanical service). Later years believe that has changed as people simply stopped purchasing them as a direct result. That said they are fabulous watches with an extreme level of accuracy.

Q-6

 

[transmaster]

If I could afford one I would love to have a Grand Seiko. They have an absolutely unique movement. It is a quartz, mechanical movement the 9R Spring drive. everything is powered by the main spring. The second hand is powered by a quartz movement that is powered from the main spring, The balance wheel works like a tiny generator, there is no battery. It is an automatic, but even with it sitting in a drawer there is enough stored power to keep is running for 6 months. They are accurate within +/- 10 seconds a year. Its suggested service intervals are between 3 to 4 years.

Springdrive | Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko official site. Made by hand for those who value perfection. Grand Seiko raises the pure essentials of watchmaking to the level of art.

www.grand-seiko.com

 

[Fried_Gold]

If I could afford one I would love to have a Grand Seiko. They have an absolutely unique movement. It is a quartz, mechanical movement the 9R Spring drive. everything is powered by the main spring. The second hand is powered by a quartz movement that is powered from the main spring, The balance wheel works like a tiny generator, there is no battery. It is an automatic, but even with it sitting in a drawer there is enough stored power to keep is running for 6 months. They are accurate within +/- 10 seconds a year. Its suggested service intervals are between 3 to 4 years.

Springdrive | Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko official site. Made by hand for those who value perfection. Grand Seiko raises the pure essentials of watchmaking to the level of art.

www.grand-seiko.com

The Grand Seiko Snowflake is my grail watch.

 

[CooperBox]

Just for a bit of fun, I participated on a MacRumors sister forum here and linked to another rather interesting watch. For those interested I suggest reading the first post HERE, then scrolling down to my post #6.

 

[transmaster]

Just for a bit of fun, I participated on a MacRumors sister forum here and linked to another rather interesting watch. For those interested I suggest reading the first post HERE, then scrolling down to my post #6.

Nice.

World Chronograph A-T - Men's Eco-Drive AT8020-03L Blue Watch | CITIZEN

Citizen Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Chronograph World Timer; Blue Angels edition with caseback insignia. Atomic time in 26 world cities; radio-controlled accuracy in 5 zones. 1/20 second chrono up to 60 minutes, perpetual calendar, 12/24 hour time, power reserve, non-reflective sapphire crystal...

www.citizenwatch.com

 

[transmaster]

Radio Station WWV

Notice: Since November 15, 2021, WWV and WWVH has been broadcasting a test signal on minute 8 of eac

www.nist.gov

 

[Speed38]