What time do you wear?

"Does anybody really know what time it is?"

My sister gave me an AKTEO. It's styled to look like a vinyl record. My others (7) range from Timex to Pulsar, nothing expensive as I spend my money on Belgian beer and vinyl records.

My latest addition is a 1972 Certina Chronolympic (blue face white sub dials, NOS).

Rolex Submariner ss/gold with blue face

IWC Aquatimer in SS

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph (Titanium). I fell in love with this watch years ago and finally splurged for a used one. I also have a Movado museum for more formal occasions. I've had my eye on the IWC Titanium Chrono Perpetual as well, but it doesn't strike the same chord with me as the Audemars does.
Rob

Thanks for the responses to my question. I guess I've never been in a position where I really had to know the time closer than 15 minutes. Besides, there's clocks everywhere -- on the computer, TV/cable box, radio, PDA, car, etc. To each his own.

Onhwy61, good question.
For me, it is to know what time it is. For my job, during the week I have to know what time it is all the time. Certain things have to be done at or by a certain time during the day or they cannot be done that day (or ever). And I could get myself in a world of hurt by having my watch/clock set back 15mins and me being caught by that. That's why I have a clock on each one of the four computer monitors I have on my desk (and there are several clocks on the wall, one on my cellphone, and my office phone, and...) and I check my watch for accuracy against them on a regular basis.
On the weekends I often do not where a watch because I do not care to know the time or to think I have to know the time. My idea of a vacation is to not wear a watch or use an alarm clock for an extended period.

Is there also something else going on? Of course. Fashion. Desire. Conspicuous consumption. And to some extent, what Jla noted above - some people simply admire the technology which goes into a good mechanical watch.

Time flies when I listen to music!

There is a time and place for everything. This is a right thread in the wrong place!

The obvious answer is to know what time it is. However, the reason a majority of watch enthusiasts have a fascination for fine time pieces has to do with the fact that they are addicted to the meticulous mechanical complexity and intelligent design by many of the top producers like Jaeger Le Coutre, Audemars Piquest, Girard Perregaux, A Lange & Sohne, Patek Philipe,etc who produce limited pieces per year....not mass-market quartz junk. These watchmakers are true artisans with a critical eye and an immense attention to detai dating back over 500 years ago. The same can be asked as to why people still listen to vinyl or why people restore vintage automobiles?

I mean this as a serious question. Why do people wear watches? I haven't worn one since 1982 so I'm kind of clueless as to why people strap them on their wrists. Do other people really need ready access to what time it is or is something else going on?

Jaeger LeCoultre - Master Compressor Memovox
Heure - Monaco
Rolex - Explorer II
Omega - Speedmaster Professional (Moon Watch)
Muhle Glashutte - Sea Rescuer

An Omega Seamaster Pro Chronometer...what else is there??

Rado Sintra.

Seiko for work (150m sports diving watch and a kinetic)
Casio for play (G-Shock)
Zenith for dress (El Primero)

Rolex SS/Gold Datejust for almot 25 years but am beginning to think that it might be time for a change to a PP.

Chronoswiss Lunar in SS, GP power reserve in pink gold, and my daily watch is Omega Seamaster. Wife has AP Royal Oak, Ebel, and Tag. Have to know where to shop, like Audiogon for great audio gears at discounted price.

Timex Atlantis 100. Can't beat it with a stick.

Midsize Omega Seamaster (yeah, yeah, the Bond watch...). Quartz movement, not mechanical. I bought it because the case is tough and understated, the dial is easy to read with my aging eyes, and I just plain like the look and feel of it. I can wear it absolutely anywhere without any concern, and if I ever go down to 1000 feet below sea level, it will tell me exactly when I got so stupid :-)

Rado jubilee

IWC daVinci perpetiual calender chronograph. Worn it every day for 15 years. Only problem is need stronger variofocals to read all the dials!

Rolex Submariner -- I have worn it every day for the past 18 years on high mountain peaks and in some depth of water. Looks like the day I got it -- unlike myself!

Interesting that this thread comes back into circulation, I thought it was deleted! I just got a new toy in my collection, an Alain Silberstein krono2 with tons of extra goodies! Now all I have to do is figure out how to get it set properly and make sure it always stays wound, or it'll take another 2 weeks to get it set again! Those who know what the Silberstein's look like know how fun it is to see in action.

nothing.

all the cell phones, pagers, PDAs, plus the clock in the car, really no need for a separate time piece.

Abe

Timex Ironman Triathlon. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking (well, it would if it were mechanical). For a reasonably cheap investment, it performs the job admirably. As a kid I used to have a thing about watches - mostly seeing how well they lived up to the specs emblazoned on the case (shock proof - well, wonder if I can drop it from 10 feet?; water resistant for how long?). I've beaten the hell out of the Timex for a number of years, and besides replacing watch straps - it's been remarkably reliable.

I saw this vintage 1930's Ebel Sports Classic in a used watch shop on Melrose street like 10 yrs ago. It was love at first sight. 4 years later, I tried to go back to that shop and buy that watch with my first paycheck, assuming that watch wasn't sold, or they had another one similar to it. But, I couldn't find that store. So, I bought a new one. I am not a big spender, nor do I usually wear watches. But, I never leave home without that watch now. I get nervous when I don't wear it. I am afraid I'd lose it.

A Tag Heuer for everyday use. My grandfather's gold Hamilton retirement watch (circa late 40's) for dress.

Wow...all these expensive watches on audiophile's wrists. Now I know for sure I'm just a poor slob. Truth is I carry a sundial. No batteries, no winding. At night or on cloudy days when it doesn't function too well I just sit back and listen to my Bose system. At least I have a state of the art stereo to entertain me while I wait to become "time updated" again.

Casio Titanium Dive Watch. I tend to beat the hell out of my watches, but this one is built like a tank. I don't even dive either, heheh.

"She walks with a bell-clock round her neck
So the hippies think she's in with time, Time..."

(Jimi Hendrix)

From "She's So Fine."

She should read this post before being seen in public.

"and then one day you wake to find, ten years have got behind you, no one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun" Quit looking at your watch and listen to the floyd. Timex for work Movado for play.

Hey Tireguy,

That www.artoftime.com site is the best for selection and prices IMO. The others lack website quality and the prices are a little steep! Thanks for the tips, I've been looking for a while for this type of site.

Eric-I have a Kirium its OK but it is the one watch that I have that I don't care for too much, probably because it is quartz, they are available as an automatic and I would strongly advice towards getting it that way as it will have NO value retention if it is quartz. The reason I don't sell mine is it looks OK, and its msrp was $1500(paid 1/3 less though, as should you watches like most jewlery is over priced) and I could sell it for $400 since its quartz. It was the first watch I bought and didn't know any better, but after gazing at an automatic for the last 2 or so years, as one member here claims AM radio hurts his ears, I think watching a quartz watch tick-tick-tick hurts my eyes-those here who are into watches know exactly what I am talking about. I believe the Monaco series are available as automatic's as well, it will cost a little more now but it will be worth it. Check out www.tfta.com he is a member here he sells audio, watches and guitars, they may not have what you want but that is were I would start. also check out www.artoftime.com and www.bgrayjewelers.com those are the best places on the net to buy a watch that I have found.
Tim

Hey Guys, I'm looking for a nice TAG. Can you watch nerds give me some good advice? I love the looks of the TAG watches over any of the half decently priced watches out there. I'm looking to spend around a grand. If you have any recommendations for other types please let me know.

Thanks for the response gentlemen. I'm not sure my watch should cost more than my amps so will pass on the Patek, but will look at the Rado. Hmmm -- there's a topic for another thread: What should the rest of your hobbies cost as a ratio to your core component costs ;-)

What an incredibly revealing thread.

brulee: i be waitin.' -cfb

Ever put your hand into a device that is running about 60 KV ( Kilovolts )with a watch strapped to your wrist ? No ? Me neither and i never will. I either break them, loose them, they are in the way or are a safety hazard. Give me a sun-dial any day : ) Sean
>

I have owned the same watch for the last 30 years. It is the only watch I have ever owned. Am I the only pocket watch, watch keeper? alot, alot, alot, alot alot.
Take that Cornfedboy my friend. And i ain't done yet. CFB, keep an eye out. I am working on a post just for you.
Alot,alot,alot,alot. And I have put alot of work on this one. And i mean alot! CFB, keep a watch out. I am gonna make you proud. Just wait and sea! I meen see. I mean see.

I wear a Tag or a Zodiac Seawolf automatic

ozfly: you might also try the rado ceramique. very thin. very light. not so very expensive. 'course, it's all relative. -cfb

Ozfly-One of my friends has a Patek that is VERY slim, and pretty small face(male not a females watch) with a Reptile Strap, it is super lite. I forget the model number but they retail for around 15k, if your into watches it would be worth it.

Watches are too uncomfortable for me: They drive me nuts so I stopped wearing one 10 years ago. It's not too inconvenient since digital and analog clocks are everywhere. On the other hand (wrist?), if someone has a suggestion for a truly comfortable watch -- one you don't even know is there -- I'd welcome the advice.

I have lost every watch I have ever bought.

God it seems to me we audiphiles must have too much time on our hands or wrists or something. My own choice is a Rado ceramica model. What does this say about me?

I stopped wearing a watch 30 years ago when I was a teenager. Life really is too short to have it run by a clock.

Oris Big Crown Commander. Omega Speedmaster. Swiss Army (Victorinox).

Stasis-Well that depends on what your wearing? if you have an A.Silberstein that you wear to funerals then yea you need help, but if your sporting a PP Nautilus then your cool in my book ;)

Re: vanity remark.
geez, had no idea that my watch made me a carrier of sin!
i just thought i was investing in an incredible timepiece
that is legacy to generations of skilled craftsmen. damn.
now i have to sell two paintings, a motorcar, several pairs of shoes, suits, sailplane and of course that temple of shame in my living room. i was brainwashed to belive it was just a killer hifi, not an expression of my weak character.