What time do you wear?

Watch? Who needs a watch? I've one of those Organic Lifeforms time pieces whose mother taught her many years ago to sound the alarm "Hey you, are you ready yet? It's time to go___(fill in the blank___!". So I'll ask you again, who needs a watch?

The band does look the same, I would think you would have the same problem with the Monsters....though my wrist seems unscathed and adjustment knob (not the technical name:) on the Monster is offset to the 4:00 position which seems to help.

Pabul57,

Does that model have rough, irritating parts that rub your skin? I ask because while my Seamaster was being serviced I bought a Seiko and then had to return it. It was tearing up my wrist.

Here's a link to it: Seiko

Size and band seem similar to Black Monster.

This thread led me to the Seiko Orange Monster - quite a nice watch for the price, feels like a much more expensive watch, might get a black monster too.

This thread seems to perpetuate the same theme we see in audiophilia. Enthusiasts excitedly talk about the intricacies and emotional delights of owning a beautiful, artpiece created by renowned artisans. Someone comes along and talks about how they don't see the use of having a watch, what with televisions, cell phones, pagers, the sun rising and setting, cocks crowing and all. Yet these very people inhabit this forum, purchase cables more expensive than these watches and argue the same point to people who tell them that with car radios, Ipods, computer speakers, bose speakers, cell phones, not to mention watch radios, what's the use of owning a world class audio system?

awci.com american Watchmakers Clockmakers Institute. Lists certified watchmakers in your area.

I have owned an Omega Seamaster since 1994. In early 2001, I was living in Germany and it started losing time so I took it to a jeweler who sent it back to Omega Switzerland for an overhaul. It cost me just 400DM ($200) and that included new hands, stem, oring and band parts. They gave me back all of the old parts. I wear the watch almost every day and it is still keeping good time. The red on the hands have faded again a bit, but otherwise the watch still looks great. Since being back in the US, I have been wondering what I should do when it is time for another servicing.

I own a few watches, but the main one worth mentioning is my Baume & Mercier....Love it! It's an automatic, self-winding unit. An automatic watch is to Analog LP like a Quartz watch is to Digital Compact Disc! Interesting Analogy I think!

Roxy54, thank you for that information.

One jeweler told me Omega is now owned by Swatch and that change is what brought on all the customer service and PR issues, including increased repair cost.

My previous service years ago, I sent my Seamaster direct to Switzerland. The invoice was almost exactly the number you mentioned and the watch looked and worked perfect in every way.

Part of me wishes I had a Rolex again. My Rolex was no more or less accurate than other mechanical watches but service was fast, fair and reasonable.

Albertporter,
I have been in the jewelry industry for over 30 years, and I also happen to own an Omega Seamaster GMT (stainless steel). Several years ago, because of corporate reorganization, they nearly destroyed their reputation because of poor customer service in regard to repairs. That problem has been addressed now.
I don't know where you live, but I recommend that you find a private watchmaker who has a good reputation, and allow him to do the work for you. It is absolutely a myth that only the facotry can do excellent repairs and overhauls. A good place to start is the jewelry district in the nearest large city. Ask around for referrals. If that is not possible, do an internet seach for your area.
Rolex is a different story. They are absolute control freaks, and even though their movements are quite conventional,(think Honda) they manage to get a majority of their out of warranty work sent to them because they will only release parts to dealers, and exclude most (but not all) private watchmakers.
I believe, based on my experience that you were correct to decline the estimate you received. I think that you should be able to have the watch overhauled for $600.00 or thereabouts. Check araound. Also, remember that bracelet refinishing is an extra charge. Also, remember that the jeweler is the middleman, and they are tacking on a healthy profit margin to what Omega is actually charging them. I say that assuming that you went through a jeweler instead of contacting Omega directly. In any case, my advice would still be the same.

MIH -an annual calendar with only 9 moving parts! Do a search it's just amazing.

Tpreaves,

That's lost on me, I don't understand.

My watch costs more than yours,na na na na na na!!!

I just payed $3500 for a new Trane air conditioner.

Would've likely cost $1000 or more to try to keep the old one running, and its not even something that most people might keep around as a family heirloom.

You're right Syntax, I dropped my (then) Rolex President off at the factory in Switzerland when my wife and I were on vacation many years ago.

Fortunately I registered it with US Customs because when it was returned there was no way to tell it from brand new in the box. It was literally perfect in every way.

Cost was I think about $400.00, I assume much more now but no way $2K like Omega is asking. The Omega does not have anything broken, runs very slightly slow and looks good, no scratched crystal or anything damaged.

I'm pissed at Omega, will likely put the watch up for sale at Flea Bay. I have no idea what to replace it with.

Years ago when I had Rolex they were a fraction that cost for complete overhaul.

Yes, you are right. Most watch manufacturers charge an Arm for nearly nothing.
Rolex is expensive when you buy it, but their Revision incl. repair is a bargain compared to others. I had a Datejust running 23 Years nonstop, then it stopped working (Dry). Rolex made the repair with new parts and polish for 500$ only. I expected much more, because it was not working anymore.

Does anyone have a Ball watch? I saw some at a local store and was impressed. They have unique but still tasteful designs and are relatively inexpensive.

Yikes, a $2000 maintenance. I was pissed when my Baume & Mercier "required" a $400 brush up.

08-29-11: Aball
My Omega Seamaster quit working! I had to get it completely overhauled after only 2.5 years of light (but regular) use.

My jeweler sent my Seamaster (Titanium and Rose Gold) back to Omega for clean and refinish.

I received the estimate by phone last night, nearly $2000.00 including tax. I requested they return with no work done.

I'm considering selling and going to another brand I'm so angry. Years ago when I had Rolex they were a fraction that cost for complete overhaul.

My Omega Seamaster quit working! I had to get it completely overhauled after only 2.5 years of light (but regular) use. Luckily it was still under factory warranty since it has the "fancy" co-axial movement. But it was still a real bummer.

My Rolex GMTII-C is doing great though. I can't believe it but I'm getting +2 seconds a WEEK! Although I attribute that mainly to dumb luck. Either way though, I love this watch more than I ever thought I could.

I wear a Victorinox automatic. Can't remember the model number, as it's several years old. It's most similar to the Divemaster, but isn't a divert watch.

Very solid and reliable. I wear it almost everyday. A great value for the $400 or so my wife paid for it at the Victorinox outlet store. I think it retailed for about $800.

If I had the money, I'd go with a Corum Admiral's Cup Trophy. One of these days, I suppose. Oris seems to make some very good watches in a variety of styles for somewhat sensible prices. Maybe once my 9 month old daughter is out of daycare.

Mrtennis, I agree mostly with your understanding that audiophiles are probably more likely to enjoy the finer things in life. I think this thread is actually relevant on Audiogon because of that. In fact, I have a number of other things that I enjoy while listening to the music. Whether it's a nice glass of wine or wearing a very comfortable pair of slippers, it enhances the experience.

In fact, I decided to post a thread on what are audiophiles' favorite steaks to eat while listening to the system. Again, it synergizes with the music, and typically makes for a better music session (for me, anyway).

Michael

Mitch4t,
That was very hilarious :-))))))))) Did you have your watch cryo-ed?

There are plenty of audiophiles however for whom the only luxury in life worth having is audio equipment and little else - that too is a contingent of the "community".

hi bombaywalla:

thanks for your insightful reply.

if i understand what you are suggesting, there may be a correlation between expensive audio gear and an appreciation of the finer "things" in life among audiophiles.

conspicuous consumption rules--for some people. any expensive item will do.

Well said!

08-15-11: Mrtennis
i realize that there are collectors and curiosity exists.

perhaps someone can enlighten me as to the reason for asking this question.

by the way, my inquiry applies to many other threads, but i'll try to be relevant and not bring up the "kitchen sink".

I *think* that the OP is trying to ascertain whether or not the audiophile breed is as discriminating in the things they wear just as they are in the audio gear they purchase......
reading several of these posts the conclusion I seem to be coming to is that audiophiles are a discriminating breed from A-Z in the things that concern them personally. Also, the higher up the "audio gear chain" (i.e. more expensive the equipment) a certain audiophile is, he/she is gets even more discriminating. There appears to be a direct correlation. I.E. I have not found, as yet, an audiophile having a $100K+ system & wearing a plastic Timex watch - he/she'll be wearing some boutique brand, expensive watch.
Another empirical conclusion I seem to be drawing is that discriminating people seem to be drawn to this "hobby" - the nonchalants call themselves "music lovers" instead. So, it seems to me that people in this hobby have a propensity to discriminate to start off with OR this attribute is latent in them & once they find audio they take-off on the discrimination process. Maybe this the status-quo with other hobbies as well?
FWIW. IMHO. YMMV.

i realize that there are collectors and curiosity exists.

perhaps someone can enlighten me as to the reason for asking this question.

by the way, my inquiry applies to many other threads, but i'll try to be relevant and not bring up the "kitchen sink".

Mini Nixie tubes?

.
I wear a Longines modded with tubes. Not as accurate as a solid state watch, but the time it keeps is warmer that solid state. Lots of air and detail when it ticks.
.

Hey, this is fun after all! It's now 21:48 GMT by my £8 watch - which means it's accurate to within a few nanoseconds and will outlast me.

Now I must take the dog for his last pee-poo. Tomorrow I bathe him, clip his toenails and read a few more tweaks reviews.

it's now 4:20 pm EST :)

This thread is dangerous.
I very nearly died laughing at that one.

right now? 1:21 EST

And just one more important question, what time do you wear?

I ditched my toenail clippers years ago after I took an old Dual turntable, glued some high-end 220 grit sand paper to the outer rim, and use it to fine-tune my toenails. It seems to work much better when supported on a maple amp stand. This way I never have a problem with clipping a little too close. If the nails get a little long, I add a weight to it to help with inertia.

I see the logic of this. It just might be possible that with 140 tweaks in aggregate, you could possibly surpass the sound of the real thing (TAS), and wouldn't that be something.

Clippers, hmmmm. The Germans seem to be good with steel, but the Swiss shouln't be discounted either. The world's best toe nail clippers upon which everyone can agree? I know it is out there. Nothing worse for the sound of your system than an ingrown toenail - at least according to the lab measurements made by Julian Hirsch in the summer of 1974.

It makes good sense that wearing an excellent watch improves your hifi.

All of the tweaks I buy improve my hifi.

I realised long ago if you only bought a hifi tweak your wife agreed improved things you’d miss out on just about all of them. Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, you can’t detect a 1% tweak improvement. It becomes essential to read very many reviews and use your judgement that a given tweak would pull on the same end of the rope as another tweak. Ten tweaks give a maximum improvement of 10% - and so I’d hear it. Even with a couple of misjudgements, rope-wise, I’d still get a 6% improvement which I’d also hear. Note this is indistinguishable from ten tweaks averaging +0.6% each. Or nine tweaks averaging +0.7% and one error of -0.3%. I’m not a mathematician but wouldn’t be surprised to learn that gives at least factorial 10 divided by factorial 2 + factorial 10 divided by factorial 3 etc etc - permutations of tweaks. This is a big number and makes it pointless trying to eliminate rogue tweaks.

I hope this makes some sense. It’s a lengthy process typing one handed in the foetal position – especially when you can’t see your watch.

I’ve looked up Solingen, thank you, but what I need are very fine clippers not scissors – ideally ones that float.

Solingen, the Audio Note and Jager Lacoutre of snipping blades.

Incidentally, this thread thankfully lead me to the Seiko Orange Monster which I got for $200 and wear it more than 35x more expensive IWC - which I love, but I love wearing the OM, and my stereo sounds much airier in the highs, the bass is tauter and more tuneful, the midrange is, well you know, more liquid, and it even slightly improves dimensionality when I wear it, even more improvement than an great pair of ICs and power cords, don't why it works, it is irrational, but so efficacious.

Surprisingly, now I think about it, it varies for so many reasons. I suspect I'd do it more regularly and more often with a mighty fine pair of German-made scissors. I'd like to know all about those.

How often do you trim your toenails?

The thing watches, and a discussion about them, has in common with audio is that appeals to connoisseurship, to discriminating about the differences between things and finding a language to describe them, which is why many audiophiles also like to discuss the qualities of cars, beer, wine and guitars. Toenails might not lend itself to such chatter, though German-made scissors are mighty fine indeed.

Only that it's a very populous pond. It shows, rather depressingly, whatever bait you lower on the hook some fish will bite.
Should we start a thread on toenails ? How often do you trim your toenails and in what sequence ? There must be someone who does it while listening to high end audio.

And this is germane to high end audio how?

IWC Portuguese Chrono for work, Seiko Orange Monster for weekends -- something by Nike when on the bike (no motor).

A free one they gave me from working at AT&T a long time.

omega seamaster professional

Hi Metman
Was looking at the Luminox as well, loved the night time visibility but chose a Prometheus Jellyfish instead.
The watch also uses tridium, is 300M water resistant and comes with a great SS watchband with screws instead of pins.
Great value.

I have a luminox F117 Nighthawk which I believe was a special edition and no longer made that I've been wearing for about six years now. Within a year of purchasing it the ratcheting mechanism on the bezel broke and the bezel just moved around freely Luminox would not honor the warranty because they stated it was not purchased from an authorized Luminox dealer even though the watch was genuine. It then happened again last summer, and for some reason the minute hand becomes loose from time to time and have to bring it to a local jeweler who fortunately tightens it for approx $10.00. Prior to this model I had the navy seals one with the blue face and the movement literally went one month after the warranty and had to pay for the repairs. I Haven' had very good luck with Luminox. Sorry for the rant