are mechanical watches any more than an anachronism?
Discussion
or jewelry?
Given that you can buy much more cheaply a smart watch that tells the time more accurately, can be read in the dark will make and receive phone calls, will monitor your exercise, track your heart rate, receive texts and emails, and take you back to where you have forgotten you parked your car - well is there any point other maybe than sentimentality to spend a lot of money on a mechanical watch that only tells the time and does that inaccurately?
Is it not the horological equivanet of using the horse and cart for transport rather than the car?
Given that you can buy much more cheaply a smart watch that tells the time more accurately, can be read in the dark will make and receive phone calls, will monitor your exercise, track your heart rate, receive texts and emails, and take you back to where you have forgotten you parked your car - well is there any point other maybe than sentimentality to spend a lot of money on a mechanical watch that only tells the time and does that inaccurately?
Is it not the horological equivanet of using the horse and cart for transport rather than the car?
Not everyone wants a smartwatch. I've had two and really don't like them, they are worse than having a phone buzzing in your pocket for taking attention away from what you are doing.
I can ignore my phone quite happily but I found with a smart watch in my wrist I felt like I was never off it, I suppose it's the old thing about the person controlling technology rather than the other way around but I'm done with them personally.
I am a big fan of mechanical watches too, I think they say a lot more about self expression than having a generic smart watch.
I can ignore my phone quite happily but I found with a smart watch in my wrist I felt like I was never off it, I suppose it's the old thing about the person controlling technology rather than the other way around but I'm done with them personally.
I am a big fan of mechanical watches too, I think they say a lot more about self expression than having a generic smart watch.
bordseye said:
or jewelry?
Given that you can buy much more cheaply a smart watch that tells the time more accurately, can be read in the dark will make and receive phone calls, will monitor your exercise, track your heart rate, receive texts and emails, and take you back to where you have forgotten you parked your car - well is there any point other maybe than sentimentality to spend a lot of money on a mechanical watch that only tells the time and does that inaccurately?
Is it not the horological equivalent of using the horse and cart for transport rather than the car?
More equivalent to taking pleasure in the small things in life. Like grinding your own coffee beans and making a great espresso instead of instant, or enjoying vinyl instead of digital streaming, or refurbishing a vintage car and making it fire up for the first time. I can take pleasure in looking at my mechanical watches and watch the movement tick away, understanding the craftsmanship that it took to create and knowing how it works.Given that you can buy much more cheaply a smart watch that tells the time more accurately, can be read in the dark will make and receive phone calls, will monitor your exercise, track your heart rate, receive texts and emails, and take you back to where you have forgotten you parked your car - well is there any point other maybe than sentimentality to spend a lot of money on a mechanical watch that only tells the time and does that inaccurately?
Is it not the horological equivalent of using the horse and cart for transport rather than the car?
Doesn't have to be practical to be appreciated. You can buy a $10 casio that does everything that a $50k Patek Phillipe does and more.
Mechanical watches are absolutely nothing more than jewellery. There’s nothing wrong with that, but they are worse in every objective way than a quartz watch or digital watch. I have a Rolex Datejust and never use it. It doesn’t keep time very accurately, always worries me that it will get lost or make me a target for thieves and costs a not insignificant amount to get serviced on a regular basis. My cheap tissot keeps time far better and costs between 1/5th and 1/20th the cost to service whilst being more reliable, and no thief is going to swipe it and I have no fear of taking it in the water.
Smart watches are something different all together IMO.
Smart watches are something different all together IMO.
I had a smart watch which was great, but needed to be charged every day and the tiny battery in it died just after the warranty expired; a year. Replacement of the battery was not possible from the manufacturer and I didn't find any reliable sounding alternative.
Not saying that all smart watches are going to die after a year, but there's a definite time limit to how long phones & watches are viable before they become yet more electronic waste.
My mechanical watches all still work fine, can be serviced if they don't, and have been/will be kept for years. I agree that they are jewellery, at least as far as I am concerned.
Not saying that all smart watches are going to die after a year, but there's a definite time limit to how long phones & watches are viable before they become yet more electronic waste.
My mechanical watches all still work fine, can be serviced if they don't, and have been/will be kept for years. I agree that they are jewellery, at least as far as I am concerned.
Electro1980 said:
I have a Rolex Datejust and never use it. It doesn’t keep time very accurately
I've worn an Omega, on and off for nearly 20 years now. When I bought it it used to lose a minute every day or so - I thought it was just one of these things - part of the character of the watch (like a Maserati, or an Aston). Not so - I took it back to the dealer, who sent it off to be looked at. Since then it doesn't lose any time.My mate just bought a Deepsea - I said the same to him, if it loses any time don't put up with it, get it fixed.
They are undeniably old fashioned, they have been since quartz watches were invented and were cheaper and more accurate.
But they're unquestionably a much nicer thing. I find the idea of a tiny machine on my wrist fascinating and there is something much more tactile and aesthetic about a mechanical watch.
I suppose it's why many of us still prefer a V8 to an electric motor, it's less efficient, it's noisy and requires more looking after. But it's more interesting and it's got far more character. Same goes for a mechanical watch.
I do understand people's wants for a smart watch or just a simple quartz that does the job, less interesting to me personally.
But they're unquestionably a much nicer thing. I find the idea of a tiny machine on my wrist fascinating and there is something much more tactile and aesthetic about a mechanical watch.
I suppose it's why many of us still prefer a V8 to an electric motor, it's less efficient, it's noisy and requires more looking after. But it's more interesting and it's got far more character. Same goes for a mechanical watch.
I do understand people's wants for a smart watch or just a simple quartz that does the job, less interesting to me personally.
Barchettaman said:
I don't really identify with many of those to be honest 
1. They never go out of style
Meh, just a load of waffle.
2. Automatic watches synonymous with quality craftsmanship
I feel some of this rings true, the craftsmanship / quality / detail is appealing, I like engineering / machines so just find mechanical watches fascinating.
3. You are literally what makes the watch work
A lot more waffle, but agreed the fact an automatic just keeps on ticking because of my movement is strangely alluring, and hearing it ticking away at night time etc. is pleasing.
4. The mark of a true automatic is when the heart beats in silence
Just a load of waffle.
5. They last forever
Well I don't, and realistically they don't either, but yes the longevity and inherent lack of obsolescence (as they're already obsolete really!) is appealing.
6. You are starting a tradition and purchasing an heirloom
No I'm not, I like watches and want more of them. Load of bloody waffle.
7. You really only need one
Nonsense. And a load of waffle on top of it too, 'signature style' my arse.
8. A good automatic watch appreciates over time! You're making an investment
Almost exclusively b
ks as well, and for me personally the saddest and worst reason to buy a watch.To answer the OP, yep, it's an anachronism, it's exactly like riding a horse instead of driving a car, and in 50 years or however long it'll be much like driving a manual petrol powered car instead of whatever EV or otherwise is the mainstream and better in almost every way choice.
A Tesla is better in probably every measurable way than a 300SL Gullwing, for me that's a similar comparison to say an Apple Watch vs. an A. Lange & Sohne or something (to try and keep nationalities consistent
)Smart watches need charged regularly and you need to take it off your wrist to do so - just another pain in the arse part of the day and means that you cannot look at your watch whilst doing so.
My Omega does not have that problem and has not for the past 15 year that I have owned it.
Bracelet strap does need the occasional decent clean due to constant wearing of the watch.
My Omega does not have that problem and has not for the past 15 year that I have owned it.
Bracelet strap does need the occasional decent clean due to constant wearing of the watch.
Electro1980 said:
Mechanical watches are absolutely nothing more than jewellery. There’s nothing wrong with that, but they are worse in every objective way than a quartz watch or digital watch.
How about longevity? Your quartz watch will fail down the line and at some point parts will be obsolete. Even more so with smart watches with very short shelf lives. Future values? I’m certain your Datejust is worth more today than you paid for it and your Tissot less.
SturdyHSV said:
I don't really identify with many of those to be honest
To answer the OP, yep, it's an anachronism, it's exactly like riding a horse instead of driving a car, and in 50 years or however long it'll be much like driving a manual petrol powered car instead of whatever EV or otherwise is the mainstream and better in almost every way choice.
A Tesla is better in probably every measurable way than a 300SL Gullwing, for me that's a similar comparison to say an Apple Watch vs. an A. Lange & Sohne or something (to try and keep nationalities consistent)
Yeah, it was just an article that came up in a Google search. To answer the OP, yep, it's an anachronism, it's exactly like riding a horse instead of driving a car, and in 50 years or however long it'll be much like driving a manual petrol powered car instead of whatever EV or otherwise is the mainstream and better in almost every way choice.
A Tesla is better in probably every measurable way than a 300SL Gullwing, for me that's a similar comparison to say an Apple Watch vs. an A. Lange & Sohne or something (to try and keep nationalities consistent
)Stuart70 said:
Smart watches need charged regularly and you need to take it off your wrist to do so - just another pain in the arse part of the day and means that you cannot look at your watch whilst doing so.
My Omega does not have that problem and has not for the past 15 year that I have owned it.
Bracelet strap does need the occasional decent clean due to constant wearing of the watch.
To be honest you’ve you get into the habit of putting it charge at night, it’s no big deal really.My Omega does not have that problem and has not for the past 15 year that I have owned it.
Bracelet strap does need the occasional decent clean due to constant wearing of the watch.
I’m fine with viewing them as jewelry (and really, aside from a wedding ring the only socially acceptable form of jewelry for men).
I get pleasure from wearing them, looking at it, reading about them and so on. Do I need it? Nope! But it forms part of my luxury consumption spending, like cars, or better clothes, and so on.
I get pleasure from wearing them, looking at it, reading about them and so on. Do I need it? Nope! But it forms part of my luxury consumption spending, like cars, or better clothes, and so on.
My Sub is from 1987 serviced in 94 overhauled extensively in 2008 by Rolex purchased by me in 2009 because I love mechanical watch’s for £2700 it keeps spot on time losing 4 secs a day and still waterproof Value now circa £8400. Going to be handed to my grandson on my demise for him to keep and cherish. To me that’s what special about a mechanical watch.
bordseye said:
or jewelry?
Given that you can buy much more cheaply a smart watch that tells the time more accurately, can be read in the dark will make and receive phone calls, will monitor your exercise, track your heart rate, receive texts and emails, and take you back to where you have forgotten you parked your car - well is there any point other maybe than sentimentality to spend a lot of money on a mechanical watch that only tells the time and does that inaccurately?
Is it not the horological equivanet of using the horse and cart for transport rather than the car?
I have a brand new Apple watch in the bottom of my briefcase, because I keep forgetting to charge it. I have two mechanical watches that either don't need winding or can be wound in 20 seconds. They get all the wrist time (can't believe I just typed that).Given that you can buy much more cheaply a smart watch that tells the time more accurately, can be read in the dark will make and receive phone calls, will monitor your exercise, track your heart rate, receive texts and emails, and take you back to where you have forgotten you parked your car - well is there any point other maybe than sentimentality to spend a lot of money on a mechanical watch that only tells the time and does that inaccurately?
Is it not the horological equivanet of using the horse and cart for transport rather than the car?
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