Discussion
mikeveal said:
Rugged watches do not have to look rugged.I never drove over my watch, threw it at a wall, hit it with a hammer or shot at it with a 12 bore. I don't understand why you'd do that. It is a watch, not a sleeping policeman, ball, nail or a clay pidgeon.
Edited by mikeveal on Thursday 21st May 08:30
As for the final paragraph, you want an item to be able to pass stricter tests so it will survive in a less harsh environment. Also, I want to know that if I wear a watch, I don't have to care about it. When I'm busy running into a wall while playing squash, I haven't got time to think about my watch. If it's going to hit the wall (because it's attached to my arm) to save my face, it's going to hit the wall.
Hoofy said:
True - but your watch has a quartz movement which will be tougher than a mechanical one.
As for the final paragraph, you want an item to be able to pass stricter tests so it will survive in a less harsh environment. Also, I want to know that if I wear a watch, I don't have to care about it. When I'm busy running into a wall while playing squash, I haven't got time to think about my watch. If it's going to hit the wall (because it's attached to my arm) to save my face, it's going to hit the wall.
And G-Shocks aren't quartz?As for the final paragraph, you want an item to be able to pass stricter tests so it will survive in a less harsh environment. Also, I want to know that if I wear a watch, I don't have to care about it. When I'm busy running into a wall while playing squash, I haven't got time to think about my watch. If it's going to hit the wall (because it's attached to my arm) to save my face, it's going to hit the wall.
That Tissot survived every thing I could throw at it for just over ten years of daily wear, without need of repair. For a middling dressy watch it was as tough as old boots. It was the first watch I owned that cost me more than £50 and the first watch that lasted more than three months. Younger me was a destroyer of cheap horology on an epic scale.
I agree about passing stricter tests to survive in a less harsh environment, but they should be proportionate. I'm a hardware designer. My living is made making sure that the stuff I design is tough enough to be regarded as industry leading, but not over engineered and over expensive. The tests people are boasting that their watches can pass are not proportionate to the real life stresses that a watch undergoes. That Tissot had a really hard life and not just survived, but survived (largely) unscathed.
It's only right that I conclude the story. The Tissot did eventually fail at the hands of my wife.
Going to bed late one night, I accidentally knocked it off my bedside table and into the waste paper basket. Being tired and lazy, I thought "get that in the morning." I awoke the next day to find that for the first time ever, my wife had got up before me and taken the bins out. The bin men had already been.
And so began a two year search on ebay to find another T660. In the process of looking (the T660 didn't sell in big numbers), I accidentally acquired a '66 Hamilton Darwin, a '72 Omega Geneve thick crystal and a Cartier Roadster. And that's how I teetered over the edge of the slippery slope.
"And G-Shocks aren't quartz?"
Yes, they are. That's the point. Re-read what I wrote. Perhaps turn your head 30 degrees to one side.
"That Tissot survived every thing I could throw at it for just over ten years of daily wear, without need of repair. For a middling dressy watch it was as tough as old boots. It was the first watch I owned that cost me more than £50 and the first watch that lasted more than three months. Younger me was a destroyer of cheap horology on an epic scale. "
That's quartz for you.
"I agree about passing stricter tests to survive in a less harsh environment, but they should be proportionate. I'm a hardware designer. My living is made making sure that the stuff I design is tough enough to be regarded as industry leading, but not over engineered and over expensive. The tests people are boasting that their watches can pass are not proportionate to the real life stresses that a watch undergoes. That Tissot had a really hard life and not just survived, but survived (largely) unscathed."
G-shocks were designed to be used by pneumatic drill users. I have slammed my arm against a climbing wall before - G-shock hit the wall first. I'm glad they are designed as they are.
"It's only right that I conclude the story. The Tissot did eventually fail at the hands of my wife.
"Going to bed late one night, I accidentally knocked it off my bedside table and into the waste paper basket. Being tired and lazy, I thought "get that in the morning." I awoke the next day to find that for the first time ever, my wife had got up before me and taken the bins out. The bin men had already been.
"And so began a two year search on ebay to find another T660. In the process of looking (the T660 didn't sell in big numbers), I accidentally acquired a '66 Hamilton Darwin, a '72 Omega Geneve thick crystal and a Cartier Roadster. And that's how I teetered over the edge of the slippery slope."
It's an illness I tell thee.
Yes, they are. That's the point. Re-read what I wrote. Perhaps turn your head 30 degrees to one side.
"That Tissot survived every thing I could throw at it for just over ten years of daily wear, without need of repair. For a middling dressy watch it was as tough as old boots. It was the first watch I owned that cost me more than £50 and the first watch that lasted more than three months. Younger me was a destroyer of cheap horology on an epic scale. "
That's quartz for you.
"I agree about passing stricter tests to survive in a less harsh environment, but they should be proportionate. I'm a hardware designer. My living is made making sure that the stuff I design is tough enough to be regarded as industry leading, but not over engineered and over expensive. The tests people are boasting that their watches can pass are not proportionate to the real life stresses that a watch undergoes. That Tissot had a really hard life and not just survived, but survived (largely) unscathed."
G-shocks were designed to be used by pneumatic drill users. I have slammed my arm against a climbing wall before - G-shock hit the wall first. I'm glad they are designed as they are.
"It's only right that I conclude the story. The Tissot did eventually fail at the hands of my wife.
"Going to bed late one night, I accidentally knocked it off my bedside table and into the waste paper basket. Being tired and lazy, I thought "get that in the morning." I awoke the next day to find that for the first time ever, my wife had got up before me and taken the bins out. The bin men had already been.
"And so began a two year search on ebay to find another T660. In the process of looking (the T660 didn't sell in big numbers), I accidentally acquired a '66 Hamilton Darwin, a '72 Omega Geneve thick crystal and a Cartier Roadster. And that's how I teetered over the edge of the slippery slope."
It's an illness I tell thee.My Citizen Promaster Tough non-chrono titanium continues to just work after many many years, seawater immersion, droppage, impact. It does have a tiny tiny dink. That's it.
The titanium bracelet looks a bit scuffed underneath, but if it ever gives up the ghost I'll put the kevlar strap back on.
The titanium bracelet looks a bit scuffed underneath, but if it ever gives up the ghost I'll put the kevlar strap back on.
Mike and Hoofy, you both have valid points. Most quality "sports" watches will withstand anything you're likely to deliberately throw at them and most accidents as well.
Mechanical watches aren't the fragile break-if-you-look-at-them bits of kit that people seem to think - even vintage, pre-shock protection, ones were worn and used through 2 world wars with a lot of them surviving better than the arm that was wearing them. On the other hand, knock them at just the right angle, as the balance gets to just the right point, and they will break with remarkably little force.
Something like a G Shock is in an entirely different league. I've played cricket using one of the early digital G's as the ball in the past and it didn't care. In fact, it did more damage to the bat than to the watch. That level of resilience from something that, by today's standards, was a small watch and that cost less than an entry level Seiko is a phenomenal example of product design regardless of whether or not it's actually needed.
It was also a major marketing success to bring something to market that was generally considered one of the ugliest, lumpiest, misshaped watches ever at the time - if you're old enough, think back to how "different" they were to everything else out there!
Mechanical watches aren't the fragile break-if-you-look-at-them bits of kit that people seem to think - even vintage, pre-shock protection, ones were worn and used through 2 world wars with a lot of them surviving better than the arm that was wearing them. On the other hand, knock them at just the right angle, as the balance gets to just the right point, and they will break with remarkably little force.
Something like a G Shock is in an entirely different league. I've played cricket using one of the early digital G's as the ball in the past and it didn't care. In fact, it did more damage to the bat than to the watch. That level of resilience from something that, by today's standards, was a small watch and that cost less than an entry level Seiko is a phenomenal example of product design regardless of whether or not it's actually needed.
It was also a major marketing success to bring something to market that was generally considered one of the ugliest, lumpiest, misshaped watches ever at the time - if you're old enough, think back to how "different" they were to everything else out there!
I'd be happy to drive over your sub regardless of what it cost you 
The thing is, driving over them looks impressive but isn't actually that much of a test. take an average (say) 1200 kg car, split its weight between 4 wheels, then have rubber tyres that won't put the full weight of even that one wheel on the watch because the watch is much smaller than the tyre's footprint.
You might end up with 100kg of that weight actually applied to the watch, which isn't much different to standing on it - a far less impressive test than "driving over" it. In terms of straight pressure it's probably equivalent to about 100 - 150psi which is (very) roughly a 100m pressure test. The casing and glass on most watches will survive that even if the seals wouldn't!
Impact's where it's at for testing because that can destroy a mechanical movement even without visible damage to the case
The thing is, driving over them looks impressive but isn't actually that much of a test. take an average (say) 1200 kg car, split its weight between 4 wheels, then have rubber tyres that won't put the full weight of even that one wheel on the watch because the watch is much smaller than the tyre's footprint.
You might end up with 100kg of that weight actually applied to the watch, which isn't much different to standing on it - a far less impressive test than "driving over" it. In terms of straight pressure it's probably equivalent to about 100 - 150psi which is (very) roughly a 100m pressure test. The casing and glass on most watches will survive that even if the seals wouldn't!
Impact's where it's at for testing because that can destroy a mechanical movement even without visible damage to the case
Own several 'tough' watches.
Only one of them has survived extreme abuse with only slight marking. I slid down a track at over 100kph some of it on my Gshock Mudman and it has only minor grazing to show for it. It's still fully functional. Can't imagine any of my other watches surviving as unscathed.
Only one of them has survived extreme abuse with only slight marking. I slid down a track at over 100kph some of it on my Gshock Mudman and it has only minor grazing to show for it. It's still fully functional. Can't imagine any of my other watches surviving as unscathed.
I thought I'd try throw a different watch into the mix
The victorinox Inox. Got one for not too much money and have to say it's probably the most durable watch ever.
They are made to withstand a tank running over them ( check out you tube for a few reviews etc. ).
Not only that, they look quite smart too.
Just my 2penceworth......
C.
The victorinox Inox. Got one for not too much money and have to say it's probably the most durable watch ever.
They are made to withstand a tank running over them ( check out you tube for a few reviews etc. ).
Not only that, they look quite smart too.
Just my 2penceworth......
C.
You need to look at what kind of warranty comes with your watch before you decide if you want to throw it at someone, or drive over it with your car:
Warranty & Guarantee
There isn't much in day-to-day life that will destroy one of these watches. If you break a crown, button, sapphire crystal, damage the movement or do anything else from any reasonable level of accident (dropping the watch for instance) over the first 2 years of ownership then just send it back and it will be repaired or replaced. Same goes for any water ingress provided you promise you didn't push the chronograph buttons when swimming.
The warranty extends to the strap, clasp and bracelet. You can swim or shower with the leather strap as it is silicon impregnated to be more waterproof than your skin, but please remember not to apply any mosquito repellents containing high levels of DEET as they will dissolve the neoprene lining and leave a black stain on your wrist.
If you manage to break an OFFSHORE Professional Field Engineer through something not covered by the Warranty, like running over it with a car, then I will replace it at half the price of a new one. This is a lifetime guarantee (my lifetime as I don't want to pass any liabilities onto my children) regardless of abuse, lack of servicing or number of owners. Failure analysis is a important part of engineering and from a dent or damage size, I can back calculate the impact energy that caused it and the energy levels that were absorbed or transmitted through each of the shock absorbing layers.
Warranty & Guarantee
There isn't much in day-to-day life that will destroy one of these watches. If you break a crown, button, sapphire crystal, damage the movement or do anything else from any reasonable level of accident (dropping the watch for instance) over the first 2 years of ownership then just send it back and it will be repaired or replaced. Same goes for any water ingress provided you promise you didn't push the chronograph buttons when swimming.
The warranty extends to the strap, clasp and bracelet. You can swim or shower with the leather strap as it is silicon impregnated to be more waterproof than your skin, but please remember not to apply any mosquito repellents containing high levels of DEET as they will dissolve the neoprene lining and leave a black stain on your wrist.
If you manage to break an OFFSHORE Professional Field Engineer through something not covered by the Warranty, like running over it with a car, then I will replace it at half the price of a new one. This is a lifetime guarantee (my lifetime as I don't want to pass any liabilities onto my children) regardless of abuse, lack of servicing or number of owners. Failure analysis is a important part of engineering and from a dent or damage size, I can back calculate the impact energy that caused it and the energy levels that were absorbed or transmitted through each of the shock absorbing layers.
mikeveal said:
...
I never drove over my watch, threw it at a wall, hit it with a hammer or shot at it with a 12 bore. I don't understand why you'd do that. It is a watch, not a sleeping policeman, ball, nail or a clay pigeon.
More seriously, I've thrown my 1951 Helvetia at a wall, with me behind it at 20mph, and it worked fine. Better than me in fact.
sad61t said:
More seriously, I've thrown my 1951 Helvetia at a wall, with me behind it at 20mph, and it worked fine. Better than me in fact.
That's one of the great mysteries of mechanical watches - you'll get away with that ten tomorrow, you'll sneeze violently while wearing it and it'll break 
T5SOR said:
Thanks for all the responses so far. I am edging towards a Suunto Core Ultimate Black. I think they only came out last week, but looks a lot cleaner than the old Suunto Core and I prefer it to the G-Shock.
If it helps, I've got a Suunto Core All Black. I wanted something as an outdoor, riding, walking, hiking kind of thing - it fits the bill pretty well. I was in the same boat as you, looking at G Shocks and the like - the Suunto looks the best of the lot, and certainly it's stood up to a fair few knocks, scrapes and days out. (it's the perfect holiday watch - everything proof and no unwanted attention!)Couple of learning points I guess - firstly it's a big watch - my Breitling looks tiny (38mm) compared to the Suunto at 48mm IIRC. Also, people whinge about the battery life and the display - for me the battery life has been fine (1 year and counting so far) and the display is a little dark, but fine - you can adjust it a little, but not much. Do grab a spare battery though, you can pick then up from Suunto with a spare O Ring as they're self service
UHow about a Marathon Navigator? I believe Page & Cooper is an authorised dealer for Marathon in the UK.
I put a request on here over a year ago requesting a sports watch for Kayaking.
I bought on recommendation a Casio Sea Pathfinder.
It has a 10 year battery, 100mm water resist, Resin strap, and a deeply recessed crystal face.
I have worn it kayaking twice a week. It has been in the sea many times. It has gone scuba diving. It has been sweated on, bashed into rocks, and chewed on by my kids, vomited on and treated with no regard whatsoever. It looks identical to the day I bought it.
It cost 20 pounds. It does a very good job of making my much more expensive watches look like the overpriced jewellery that they are.
I bought on recommendation a Casio Sea Pathfinder.
It has a 10 year battery, 100mm water resist, Resin strap, and a deeply recessed crystal face.
I have worn it kayaking twice a week. It has been in the sea many times. It has gone scuba diving. It has been sweated on, bashed into rocks, and chewed on by my kids, vomited on and treated with no regard whatsoever. It looks identical to the day I bought it.
It cost 20 pounds. It does a very good job of making my much more expensive watches look like the overpriced jewellery that they are.
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