What Qualities do you look for in a watch?

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

We all love our watches....probably just one of the several reasons why we have all gathered here to drive each other nuts!!

Big question is what qualities do you look for in a watch?

1. Accuracy?
2. Looks?
3. Complications?
4. Size (i.e. diameter & thickness)?
5. Metal i.e. SS, TT, YG, etc.)?
6. Comfort?
7. Brand name?
8. Price?

I think I've just about covered all the angles....but if I've missed out anything, please feel free to add on to the list. Thanks.

JJ

PS: With me it would have to be Nos.1 and 7 as top priority.

[Uncle-AJ]

I thought we just did this? Mine's the same....................the quality to tell the time.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi guys,

We all love our watches....probably just one of the several reasons why we have all gathered here to drive each other nuts!!

Big question is what qualities do you look for in a watch?

1. Accuracy?
2. Looks?
3. Complications?
4. Size (i.e. diameter & thickness)?
5. Metal i.e. SS, TT, YG, etc.)?
6. Comfort?
7. Brand name?
8. Price?

Actually a good question but hard to answer. After thinking it all over I discovered that my answers are very subjective. I’ll try to explain (random order). I fall for the brand name. $4000 for a Rolex, yes. $4000 for an (equally good) Citizen? No way. The brand name plays a big part, no use denying this. That brings me to the accuracy. Well, after spending that $4000 I expect my mechanical watch to keep time pretty well. And with this comes the C.O.S.C. certification to prove this of course. But I am well aware of the fact that an uncertified watch may well be more accurate then the certified watch! (B.T.W., it’s a stripped version of the movement that is tested and certified, not the complete watch). Metal used. Important, I’m not a big fan of precious metals in watches. I do like the blue TT Sub but one can only wear this on a yacht in Saint-Tropez. (Looks great with your tan and your cocktail!). Comfort and weight. I found the Sub comfortable to wear and of precisely the right heft. I had a great Citizen dive watch years ago (stolen) that was pretty hefty too but the rubber strap caused some problems. A bit unyielding and I never was able to get a 100% fit. I will try on a Sea-Dweller in a couple of weeks to assess its weight and comfort. Price. I am bound by a maximum amount. Watches like these are an extreme luxury and hardly justifiable. 3500 EUR is my limit. The looks are important to me as a former and perspective Rolex owner. I’m a great fan of their sports watches and the Explorer I. The dress watch is a great classic but appeals less to me. The Sub is the mold after which almost all other sports watches are made after. Unbeatable. But there are more very nice watches, like the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer. The rest of the higher end watch marques and serious watches with complications (I don’t consider date and GMT a complication) are out of my reach. The tourbillion makes me puke, I’m sorry. Every watchmaker offers that nowadays and it has become a fad. A Breitling Tourbillion? Don’t make me laugh. I’ve seen the Mulliner version, I think a cool $45,000. Mind you, it is not my intention to offend the owners of those watches, it is just my opinion. Size. Well, the Sub is the largest watch I can wear before becoming ridiculous. I have a narrow wrist, not the tree trunk some guys have. They make the biggest Panny look tiny.

JJ, I hope you can make any sense out of my senseless answer



Frans.

[JJ Irani]

JJ, I hope you can make any sense out of my senseless answer

Your answer does make a lot of sense, Frans, and I thank you for the same.

However, your total lack of paragraphs has driven me square-eyed and nuts!!

Please throw in a few paragraphs next time. Thanks!!

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

JJ, I hope you can make any sense out of my senseless answer

Your answer does make a lot of sense, Frans, and I thank you for the same.

However, your total lack of paragraphs has driven me square-eyed and nuts!!

Please throw in a few paragraphs next time. Thanks!!

JJ, you had this coming! Now you know how the rest of us feels after having to watch all those PO pics and endless stories. Square-eyed and nuts (Ohhh, you are soooooo easy. It's like taking candy from a baby)


Take care budy,


Frans.

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

But I am well aware of the fact that an uncertified watch may well be more accurate then the certified watch! (B.T.W., it’s a stripped version of the movement that is tested and certified, not the complete watch).

Frans.

Depends on the test in question. If we are talking about the COSC - definitely a stripped down version of the movement, and mere marketing in my opinion. On the other hand, the JLC 1000 hours test - complete watch is tested. One reason I own a JLC.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by Avalon

Depends on the test in question. If we are talking about the COSC - definitely a stripped down version of the movement, and mere marketing in my opinion. On the other hand, the JLC 1000 hours test - complete watch is tested. One reason I own a JLC.

True, but is it more accurate or durable than a mere COSC tested watch c.q. movement? The whole 'certified chronometer' business, so to speak, has become obsolete as ships aren’t usually navigated by a time related calculation anymore. It’s all GPS now.

But I find it a nice touch because I’m a sucker for these things. The biggest laugh of course is that the average punter doesn’t even know what chronometer means and most of my colleagues confuse the term with that of chronograph. I still can recall a remark from one of them, pointing at my watch while saying: “that can’t be right, where are all the buttons and dials?”.


Cheers,

Frans.

[JJ Irani]

Quite true, Frans.

There are still many out there who confuse "Chronometer" with "Chronogaph"!!

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Quite true, Frans.

There are still many out there who confuse "Chronometer" with "Chronogaph"!!

Or a Graph-O-Meter, even worse

Frans.

Hi, JayJay

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Or a Graph-O-Meter, even worse

Frans.

Hi, JayJay

Hey Tosser,

That's "JJ" and what the heck is a graph-o-meter??

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hey Tosser,

That's "JJ" and what the heck is a graph-o-meter??

I'm sorry JJ and a graph-o-meter is a word made up from the other 2 words. It means nothing but I thought you would 'get' it

Frans.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

True, but is it more accurate or durable than a mere COSC tested watch c.q. movement? The whole 'certified chronometer' business, so to speak, has become obsolete as ships aren’t usually navigated by a time related calculation anymore. It’s all GPS now.

But I find it a nice touch because I’m a sucker for these things. The biggest laugh of course is that the average punter doesn’t even know what chronometer means and most of my colleagues confuse the term with that of chronograph. I still can recall a remark from one of them, pointing at my watch while saying: “that can’t be right, where are all the buttons and dials?”.


Cheers,

Frans.

Would 100% agree Frans the C.O.S.C system today is not really worth a lot
Think the German Din system is a lot tougher,most modern day movements
with fine tuning can match the C.O.S.C standard from a ETA to a Miyota.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by padi56

Would 100% agree Frans the C.O.S.C system today is not really worth a lot
Think the German Din system is a lot tougher,most modern day movements
with fine tuning can match the C.O.S.C standard from a ETA to a Miyota.

Yes, but as with all forms of official certification: that doesn't mean a thing. The movements may even be twice as accurate, without the wrtten proof of an official testing body this feat is useless for the one's needing such certification.

Take care,

Frans.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi guys,

Big question is what qualities do you look for in a watch?

1. Accuracy?
2. Looks?
3. Complications?
4. Size (i.e. diameter & thickness)?
5. Metal i.e. SS, TT, YG, etc.)?
6. Comfort?
7. Brand name?
8. Price?

The more I thought about this question, the more I realized that I look for all these qualities in a watch. If I had to rank them, surprisingly enough, No. 1 come in close to last. I'm not a stickler for accuracy. Any mechanical watch will gain or lose accuracy over time. I'm willing to recheck and reset my watch once a month or so. For me No. 3 ranks high on the list, as most of you know by now. Looks are important (but what looks good to me may not look good to someone else - that is a very subjective criterion). Comfort is important. I wouldn't want to wear a watch that felt too tight, or too loose. Size is not overly important, although I have found that I'm not crazy about watches that are too thick (e.g., my GP ww.tc), and the 45 mm Omega PO is bigger than I like (no matter what the bezel color). Metal is only important to the extent that I like different metals for different purposes. I like YG or RG for dress watches; SS for every day watches; and TT watches for semi-dress (suit or nice sport jacket attire). And I admit brand name plays a part in my determination as to what watch to buy. I would pay the money for a Rolex GMT, but not nearly the same amount for a Seiko having the same features. (OK, I, too, am a bit of a snob that way - but aren't most of us here, if we admit it to ourselves and each other ). And of course, price does play a significant role in choosing a watch. That's why I don't have a meteorite Daytona yet. I can't justify the price, considering the amount of wear time (or lack thereof) it would get in competition with my GMT-II.

[JJ Irani]

Thanks, Ed. Good post!

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Thanks, Ed. Good post!

Ah, so it goes then, eh? Where's your request for paragraphs now? I know, I'm the rookie, I'm the one that can be put in his place

Frans.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Ah, so it goes then, eh? Where's your request for paragraphs now? I know, I'm the rookie, I'm the one that can be put in his place

Frans.

Valid point, Frans.

Sorry, Ed, but you'll have to give me 50 for that forest of words.

Thank you!!

[dman]

I keep thinking I know what I like in watches, but I change so damn much even I don't know what I like.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Valid point, Frans.

Sorry, Ed, but you'll have to give me 50 for that forest of words.

Thank you!!

I just spent half the day one two different machines trying to fix the formatting of my post to get out of doing 50. I don't know what you did to it, JJ, but every time I tried to edit the post, it would freeze up on me.

So here's 50:

1, 2, 3, 4, . . . . , 47, . . . 48 . . . . . . . .49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50. Whew, didn't think I had it in me, did you?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I just spent half the day one two different machines trying to fix the formatting of my post to get out of doing 50. I don't know what you did to it, JJ, but every time I tried to edit the post, it would freeze up on me.

So here's 50:

1, 2, 3, 4, . . . . , 47, . . . 48 . . . . . . . .49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50. Whew, didn't think I had it in me, did you?

You're trim and slim like Stewart Granger was in that MGM classic: "Scaramouche", so 50 push-ups should be a cinch...even at your age!!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

You're trim and slim like Stewart Granger was in that MGM classic: "Scaramouche", so 50 push-ups should be a cinch...even at your age!!

And what do you mean by "even at your age," OLD MAN.

You don't want to go there, do you?

[dman]

LMAO!!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

And what do you mean by "even at your age," OLD MAN.

You don't want to go there, do you?

I simply buy what I like (and can afford - that is surely a limiting factor!). One thing I look for in a watch (to avoid) is the colour orange.