I need a new watch!

[straightrazorguy]

If you want to buy a Swiss-made automatic, but don't want to spend your kid's inheritance, look at a Hamilton. They are serious watches, at reasonable prices. Here's an example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE1gGoTC5lo

I have a Khaki Navy (not the GMT), and I love it!

[kien]

I've actually been curious about the Automatics and Solar Powered watches. Both very interesting features that I never considered before. After reading watch forums (OMG I'm on watch forums now!), I read that the automatics can be more maintenance in that the oils can tend to dry out? Also there is the danger of over wearing out the auto-winder? I have absolutely no experience with them so I don't know how they are in reality.

The Citizen solar powered watches are interesting, but after reading a bit I did read some posts echoing a knee-jerk concern I would have and that is the constant charge-discharge cycling of the rechargeable battery. I know from electronics that rechargeable batteries have a life expectancy. I don't know how often or easy it is to replace the batteries in those suckers.

A friend suggested an Omega Seamaster Pro in a 36mm casing that seems like it suits my needs. Simple 3 hands, date and rotating bezel and built to last (I think). I have never put one on my wrist though so I may have to try one out to see how it feels.

I do have a Mickey Mouse watch actually :-) That battery has been dead for a number of years though. I should put a new battery in it.

Steve, you must have auto-winders for all your automatics? Aren't you concerned about prematurely wearing them out ? Or maybe you don't use auto-winders.

[Slick Fork]

I've got a citizen solar powered watch and love it. The claim is 11 hours of sunlight provides enough juice for 6 months. No idea how true that is, I don't go out of my way to expose it to sunlight and never had a problem all winter. Only had it a year so I can't speak to its longevity though. My understanding is that battery replacement should be done via sending it in so they can re-waterproof the watch.

When I was researching, what swayed me to the citizen brand was primarily price point. An automatic would be nice, but out of my league at the moment. I had the same battery concerns as you, but from doing a lot of reading I got the impression that the batteries lasted quite a while. The big advantage to solar seems to be they are a little more durable than automatics (no shock sensitivity), and that not having to change the battery all the time means the waterproof seals stay intact for much longer.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

I've got a citizen solar powered watch and love it. The claim is 11 hours of sunlight provides enough juice for 6 months.

there was a chart that came with mine, 2.5 hours direct sunlight, 7 hours indirect, 11 hours under florescent and something like 17 hours under an incandescent.

Steve

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by kien

Steve, you must have auto-winders for all your automatics? Aren't you concerned about prematurely wearing them out ? Or maybe you don't use auto-winders.

Nah I just wind and set when I put them on, it's a pretty simple task so I don't see the need for such a gimmick. Some will last a few days without being worn so if it's the only watch you wear you won't need to ever wind it but there are others that may not last the night. I've never had problems or preformed such said maintenance but I'm not on a watch forum so probably don't have to

[hillegom]

I had an automatic wind divers watch in the 60's. Loved it, never overwound, wore it every day as well as diving once a week in the summer. Finally quit after about 20 yrs.
Have a seiko auto winder now for about 5 yrs runs perfect.Wear it every day, never overwound. Snorkel with it but never dove.

[jorjef]

I could never suggest just one. Just remember even if it's an auto it still needs to be manually wound before you wear it next if it dies. If you do buy on line pay very close attention to case size. Sometimes pics can fool your eye. 40-42mm and no more than about 13-14mm thick is my comfort zone

http://www.bernardwatch.com

I have bought from Bernard. If you ask on the forums I'm sure they would be highly recommended.

Want vintage check out these guys. They are in Canada so no issues with customs $$ crossing the border.

http://www.yorktime.com

http://www.derekdier.com

Derek Dier will get mixed reviews on forums

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by kien

The Citizen solar powered watches are interesting, but after reading a bit I did read some posts echoing a knee-jerk concern I would have and that is the constant charge-discharge cycling of the rechargeable battery. I know from electronics that rechargeable batteries have a life expectancy. I don't know how often or easy it is to replace the batteries in those suckers.

I have two, one similar to the one I posted and the other a digital version (had to have one that displayed 24 hour time format when I worked for the railroad) the basic one I have had for 9 or 10 years now, still works perfect. you figure it will go 6 months in total darkness, so it doesn't get discharged really. the digital one I have had 5 years now and it still keep perfect time.

I still use my digital one for work, so I use that one 4 days in a row then my other one for my 4 days off. I do also have a 1940something Bulova that was my greatgrampa's that works great also, but only pull that one out once and a while.

Steve

[mark]

I'd been looking for months nothing really got my attention then seen the Momentum Deep6. I ordered with sapphire crystal and SS band, had around a month and still thinking it's a nice looking watch. It's "oversize" but there's also the M1 that's a little smaller. Canadian based company as well.

[kien]

Originally Posted by mark

I'd been looking for months nothing really got my attention then seen the Momentum Deep6. I ordered with sapphire crystal and SS band, had around a month and still thinking it's a nice looking watch. It's "oversize" but there's also the M1 that's a little smaller. Canadian based company as well.

wow, thanks for that mark! Never heard of them before but after browsing the M1 series it seems the Deep 6 is what I'm looking for if I can just find it in a smaller casing.