Automatic watches - why??

[Harris_I]

I realise this is a non-motoring topic, but people on here seem to enjoy the thrill of having a big strapping diving watch on their wrists almost as much as the thrill of driving, so I thought it was an appropriate place to ask the question.

Anyway, how come automatic watches are so expensive? Surely you get more accuracy from a battery-operated quartz. Is it some sort of "vintage" feel thing?

Just curious, that's all.

[crankedup]

Antiques of the future and/or look at me I'm a rich flash git. Your choice

[DennisTheMenace]

dont wear a watch , dont give a toss.

[Tarka]

Harris_I said:

Anyway, how come automatic watches are so expensive? Surely you get more accuracy from a battery-operated quartz. Is it some sort of "vintage" feel thing? Just curious, that's all.

I suspect it's the same respect for a fine piece of machinery as you get from quality cars. After all, when every car on the road these days can exceed the NSL by a fair margin, what makes PH-ers drool is the style and quality of the machine.
Same with quality watches. My favourite looks elegant rather than flash, wouldn't turn any heads because most people wouldn't recognise it and doesn't begin to match the accuracy of my 'daily driver' quartz watch. However, it's one of the vintage quality watches of all time and made with the sort of care that excites admiration. If you're interested in what makes automatic movements like mine expensive, have a look at the following article:
www.timezone.com/article.aspx?id=horologium&articleId=horologium631672832368975787

[rolex]

DennisTheMenace said:

dont wear a watch , dont give a toss.

I think the watch would still work without rapid movements of ones hand

[Andy mac]

I bought the Limited edition 2002 F1 omega, with the carbon fibre face, to celebrate the 2001 championship by schuey, because I liked it.... no other reason... Its a watch, an digital is probably more accurate, but I like the noise autos make, and the look of a nice quality watch... all personal preference i suppose.

[DennisTheMenace]

rolex said:

DennisTheMenace said: dont wear a watch , dont give a toss. I think the watch would still work without rapid movements of ones hand

Give it a good weeks charge i suppose

Cant be arsed with spending a fortune on one though , the phone has a clock and thats good enough . just dont like wearing them feel weired on my wrist , dont like wearing rings or chains either

[GetCarter]

I like German hand made engines, Spanish hand made guitars and Swiss hand made watches.

I could spend 10% of the cost and get a cheap watch. I could spend 10% of the cost and buy a Spanish guitar from Argos. And of course I could spend 10% of the cost and get a cheap car. No reason to have a 911 turbo is there.





>> Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 2nd May 13:11

[ultimasimon]

I have had hundreds of LCD watch watches and still come back to the old analogue design. They are classy, contemporary and easy on the eye, without having to press 15 buttons to get the date up. Every data style watch I have owned has either dumped and lost the entire memory of everyone's contacts or just ceased working completely.

Now I own just two watches. My everyday watch is automatic or as Seiko call it 'Kinetic' which is a quartz watch but doesn't need winding - ever. It is stainless steel and gets very abused, but so far hasn't scratched and still keeps perfect time.


and the Roly of course, which is just a simple looking watch, but I really love it and its also insurance in case I need to raise fundage in readies if I was ever caught short abroad.



So with these two I will never have to buy a watch again unless I lose either.

[shadowninja]

So what 'reasonably priced' quality brands are there in the watch world?

URLs, please?

I've always been a Seiko man (or is that psycho?) but if I wanted something more upmarket/less common for that special occasion, what should I go for?

[ultimasimon]

shadowninja said:

So what 'reasonably priced' quality brands are there in the watch world? URLs, please? I've always been a Seiko man (or is that psycho?) but if I wanted something more upmarket/less common for that special occasion, what should I go for?

The Roly above was only £1200, which is a reasonable introduction into Rolex ownership.

[bobfrance]

I have a Mondaine Ecomatic Swiss Railway Watch.
It's Swiss, made from recycled metal and self-winding.
It only cost £100 new and is definately the best watch I have ever owned.

The website is www.mondaine.com

However I couldn't see any self winders on there the last time I looked.

[shadowninja]

Not keen on the Rolex. Even that simple one is far too fussy in design :/ Without wanting to insult anyone I'd say the Seiko is a nicer design!

[FourWheelDrift]

shadowninja said:

Not keen on the Rolex. Even that simple one is far too fussy in design :/ Without wanting to insult anyone I'd say the Seiko is a nicer design!

I'd agree with that, to me Rolex's just say "bling" in the watch world. In the same way that Burberry has become the tartan of the chavs.

[LRdriver II]

I love the understated look of titanium so of course my omega is made of it. I personally dont like Breitling as they seem very fussy (esp. the bezel) so have never warmed to them (even being pilot where its mandatory to wear a HUUUGE watch..)

[Tarka]

I've been trying to work out how to post a photo of my automatic and have now had the help of another PH-er, whose splendid server system (Register1.net) now hosts my website. Thanks Jamie! - though, like me, you would probably rather be out motoring in the sunshine on an afternoon like this in London!




>> Edited by Tarka on Monday 3rd May 16:17

[JamieBeeston]

no Worries.

I do like my watches, but currently only own non-autos.

A nice Daytona, and a Navitimer.

tho tbh, i never wear either anymore :|

Such a shame.

[li'l pugs]

Personally I have two Automatic watches, one of which is crap at keeping accurate time and the other which is excellent. One was a present and the other I bought myself. One has lost value and the other has made me some money. Basically I love watches and cars and have to have a nice one of each.

[raf dug]

www.secondtimeround.com sell used Rolex's,ok so they are around 10 grand but they are a lot cheaper than new ones.

[JonRB]

The Seiko Kinetic range are superb. Think of it as a battery-operated quartz movement that has a tiny generator run off body movement and a rechargable battery. Best of both worlds.