Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with watches

Simple pocketwatch, either from the fringe or elsewhere

gleuschk — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:38:53 -0800

I need/want the pocketwatch shown in this screenshot from Fringe. Where can I find it? Failing that, can you point me to a similar (classy, simple) pocketwatch for under, say, $200? You can't see it in the screenshot, but I'm pretty sure that watch says "Classico" across the face. I wasn't able to Google up anything good from that. Maybe you can.

If that particular watch isn't an option, how close can I come? The black case isn't necessary -- silver/chrome is ok too, though I'd rather stay away from gold or brass. What I want is a simple, undecorated case and a simple, un-tricked-out face. Either Arabic numerals or Roman ones. Can it be done?

Lifespan Of A Watch?

Spurious — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:43:02 -0800

Bought my first watch (ever). Will I be passing it on to my (future) grandkids? What is the lifespan of a watch? I am in my 20s and last month I started what is likely to be a great adventure and career.

To celebrate, I bought my first watch. It is a Citizen Men's Eco-Drive.

I was wondering what is the long term quality of this type of watch. Could I give it to my grandkids in 40 years? Or, will I be buying a new watch in 5 years when this one falls apart?

ads for watches and clocks

Postroad — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:01:20 -0800

Why do watch ads always show one hand on ten and the other on two? Once I had been told or read this, I became nearly crazy looking at watch ads and sure enough, that is how they invariably depict watches in ads. Why or why do they do it this way?

Looking for reputable watch companies!

PetiePal — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:45:30 -0800

Looking to buy a new watch, something nice for daily wear but that won't break the bank. Suggest some great watch-makers. Looking for reputable and quality watch company suggestions. Criteria and background expanded on in full q! I used to have a really nice Fossil watch my brother gave me for my Confirmation gift years ago. It was a leather band, off-white pearlish face and the crystal was raised to a diamond point on top. It had Roman Numerals and a big sun/moon dial that rotated through the day. Sadly it was stolen years ago.

Since then my brother gave me an ESQ Swiss watch for my college graduation in '04, quartz timed which I love and wear only for really nice occasions as it's a much fancier watch than for every day. I may be getting an automatic I've had my eye on for Christmas from the 'rents but I'm looking for another every day watch.

Here are some criteria:

-Can be quartz or automatic movement
-Preferable steel or titanium metal bands as leather tends to rot away too quickly
-I am however open to some cool leather "cuff" watches if they are inexpensive as I might buy one of those and another nicer watch
-I'm not very fond of Chronographs, they feel too "busy" to me so no Tag Heurs lol.
-I'd LOVE if it had sun/moon dials. I miss that from my older watch
-Looking to spend no more than 1200 at the very very most. More likely I'd love to stay under 1k.

Can Mefites out there suggest some great watch companies I could look into? I've checked out Hamilton, Fossil, Invicta, ESQ Swiss. Feel free to suggest more than one watch, I'm looking for classic variety here.

Thanks :)

Where can I find a silver ornate watch?

mrmarley — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:00:24 -0800

Where can I find a watch in this style? (silver/western/spanish/somewhat ornate) this is for a man bytheway. It's a "Fossil" brand watch, but they don't sell this style, nor could I find anything like it on amazon. ideas? suggestions?

Looking for the Japanese watch of my dreams

symbebekos — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:57:20 -0800

I'm looking for this watch, designed by Naoto Fukazawa. It is NOT part of his collection for Issey Miyake, nor was it designed for ±0. I can't find any details about it beyond what's on the IDEO page, and I'm guessing my inability to google in Japanese might be the problem. Help!

Water, Water, and No Watch

ilyanassa — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:22:30 -0800

I've lost or broken my third watch in three months! Help me find a cheap, seawater-proof watch. I'm a grad student in marine biology, so my hands end up in seawater all the time. This seems to make watches mad. My first two watches were Timex Ironman digital (about $50 from Target). The first one lasted about two years, but the second pooped out after only a month. The third watch was a nice Swatch dial watch, but not waterproof, so in taking it on and off I managed to lose it.

Help me find a watch that is in my tiny budget (under $100, but preferably closer to $50) that can stand up to the ocean! It doesn't need to withstand depth, just a dunking to 2 feet or so.

Help me push this hobby even further into the pathology zone.

sneakin — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:22:11 -0800

What's a good magazine subscription for a 30-something guy who is really into watches and pens? My brother is young, hip dude who is super into (obsessed with, really) collecting and repairing and tinkering with old, antique and collectible watches and pens/ink. What are some cool publications for a collector like him? I'm especially interested in anything slightly less popular and a bit more off the beaten path (that he's less likely to have already stumbled upon).

I'm sure I can just google around for titles but I was hoping for feedback about quality of specific publications.

hands up detroit

jmgorman — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:59:04 -0800

[holiday_gift-filter] My wife needs a new watch and I'd like to buy one for her, but I can't seem to find anything that fits my requirements. She needs something with a digital face, that easily comes on and off, and looks equally appropriate with hospital scrubs and business attire.

Looking for a nice, reasonalby priced watch.

Sgt.Grumbless — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:23:21 -0800

Recommendations for a good wrist watch for myself for Christmas, 400$ or less please. I'm a 19 year old male, no experience with watches besides the whole 20$ cheap mall watches I got to keep track of how long i was running etc.

- Stainless steel/metal band please however I'm open to suggestions for a leather banded watch if you've had an extremely good experience with them.

- Anything from 400-500$ would have to be a really good jump in quality please.

- Able to go underwater and come out still working is a definite plus.

If you think I'd be better off waiting until I get closer to graduation to ask/get myself a watch I'm also willing to listen to those reasons and hold off on a watch for another 2 years.

I need a waterproof watch that monitors heart rate

oldlies — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:53:36 -0800

I'm looking for a waterproof watch that also measures my heart rate. It doesn't have to be an expensive, super accurate, bells 'n' whistles watch. Just a basic digital watch that isn't too big, ugly, inaccurate, or cheap quality. I'd like to spend less than $100. Oh yeah, I also need it to be waterproof because I'll wear it when I swim, do the elliptical machine, and do some weight lifting.

I like how these Timex models look, but maybe someone who owns one can tell me if they're worthless or worth buying.

Should I have the gold plating on my watch renewed?

orange swan — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:38:33 -0800

After two years of almost daily wear, the gold plating is starting to wear off my beautiful and beloved Bulova watch. Is it worth my while to get the plating renewed? How expensive would that be? How long would it last?

Watch for girlfriend

you're only jung once — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 04:44:55 -0800

Help! Girlfriend's birthday imminent. Looking for a watch (preferably available in the UK) that is original, understated with good design (maximum price 150 quid) to buy for her birthday? Eternal gratitude available. After a resounding success with AskMefi's assistance for my girlfriend's birthday present last year I thought "I'd roll the dice and take my chances" and see if anyone can suggest watches and where to buy with the above description? Thanks in advance.

Looking for a watch that does the basics extremely well

DirtyCreature — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:14:04 -0800

Looking for a watch that tells near-perfect time, doesn't require winding or battery replacement, has a comfortable band in hot and cold weather and will last at least 10 years. It just needs to show the time and preferably the date. It's either got to be something very special, or at the lowest price which meets the above standards. Style and uncomplicatedness a bonus.

Recommendations for watch repair in Seattle?

mhum — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:18:58 -0800

Any recommendations for watch repair in Seattle? When my 50's-era manual-winding Omega Seamaster (similar to this one) stopped working, I took it to the downtown Ben Bridge on 4th Ave. They came back with an estimate of $660 for all the cleaning, parts, and repairs. This came as quite a surprise since the whole watch is only worth around $200. If the watch didn't have a bit of sentimental value, I would just forget about it. But, since it does, I'm asking for any recommendations for a reliable watchmaker who can provide a second opinion. Is it possibly worth poking around at the North Seattle Community College horology program for a referral?

Good watchbands in DC?

commander_cool — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 12:22:58 -0800

Where in DC can I buy a quality watchband? I had a Seiko perpetual calendar watch I was very pleased with, but the watchband broke after years of use. After scouring jewelry and watch stores in three different malls looking for someone willing to sell me a watchband, I went to FastFix in Pentagon City and paid an embarrassing sum for what is, to put it bluntly, a crappy watchband that chafes my skin and doesn't bend properly. Do I have any options, or should I just buy a new watch?

Looking for a watch for the big wristed.

eggerspretty — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 19:35:56 -0800

Looking for a watch for the big wristed. My fiance is a tall, big guy. We have never been able to find a watch that will fit his wrist. Help me find an affordable watch with some style that will fit his big wrist that I can give him as a wedding present. (He draws a cartoon so I don't think he needs anything strictly 'professional'.)

плохой вахта?

joaniemcchicken — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 12:33:21 -0800

Has anyone had any experience with Vostok watches? I think they're cool and want to give them as thank you gifts, but I'm wondering if they're crap. I read one complaint on eBay that they are not stainless steel, but plated brass and the plate wears off. Anyone else have this problem? Or any others? Secondly, if those are shit watches, where can I get some super cool watches for men that are around 50-75 dollars and not crappy?

What exactly can this watch do?

zardoz — Thu, 18 May 2006 01:34:10 -0800

I recently received this cool watch as a gift. What I want to do is figure out how to do all the nifty functions, namely the bezel and all numbers running along the rim(s). It's a (partial) calculator I know, and has techy-sounding words like "STAT" and "NAUT" and "Flight Timer", which I deduce will allow pilots to...well, do what? Can someone help me decipher all the geeky goodness so I can impress my fellow nerd friends? Reason I'm asking is the instructions are in Japanese, which I can't read. I've looked for instructions on the net to no avail.Are these functions pretty standardized among watches, or are they more specific to each watch?

Watch fobs

pjern — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 16:48:14 -0800

Does anyone know anything about watch fobs for pocketwatches? I have a 1905 Elgin pocket watch that has great sentimental value that I'd like to carry with me from time to time. Unfortunately, none of my clothes, with the exception of one pair of jeans, has a watch pocket.

I'd like to find a secure method of carrying it, without the likelihood of losing or damaging it. Any ideas?

Secondary question: I briefly thought of having the watch engraved with the date my grandfather got it, and my name 100 years later. Tacky?

Good looking digital watches with metal band?

grouse — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 07:59:00 -0800

I'm trying to find a good-looking digital watch with a metal band. I've had a Timex Ironman Triathlon 30-Lap Traditional Fullsize which I have been pretty happy with. I'd like to find another watch that is functional and also looks good. Do you have a suggestion? Or does any kind of digital watch just scream "hopelessly nerdy?" I already have a nice analog watch for dressy occasions.

I'm not buying a Casio again after having too many break.

chronograph watch

jmd82 — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 07:41:22 -0800

I'm looking for a new chronograph watch. It'd be a Christmas presant, so I would like to keep it under $150, and around $100 if possible. I'm mostly concerned with durability and having a leather strap. I know this is on the low-end for watch prices, but I am far from worried about having a classy watch I can show off. I just want one that works and won't break easily.
So far, about all I've found is this Fossil watch, but I'd like to see what else is out there and am looking for suggestions!

Help the unfashionable choose a watch for a classy dame

bystander — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 03:39:32 -0800

Help choosing a ladies fashion watch. The good wife is after a timepiece for Xmas. I think she is after something like the watch in this picture.
The one in the picture was $10 on ebay, so does not inspire confidence. I would like something a bit more mainstream, but not ultra-expensive. Say a couple of hundred dollars?
A visit to the real world watch store today didn't inspire, so I'm hoping for some direction. Apparently I've been a bad capitalist, because I have no idea about any women's watch brands due to years of ignoring the glossy magazine ads.
So, some guidance on suitable fashionable brands, and even advice like "that design is sooo 2001" would also be appreciated.
Bonus points if it is available in Australia, but I am interested in international suggestions as it may add cachet.
I will likely hedge my bets and go with a major store, to allow an exchange, but my stock would soar if I picked a good one first up.

Identify this (British) watch

sevenless — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 16:14:18 -0800

I'm looking to identify a watch. Here's a picture of it. The person wearing the watch is British. Any idea of the brand, or barring that, brands with a similar look (large, squarish, lcd face.) Of course, I'm assuming it's actually a watch.

quality middle-price men's watches?

bingo — Sat, 01 Oct 2005 17:56:37 -0800

What are the quality brands for middle-price-range men's wrist watches? I see watches for $100 or less. Those are too cheap. I want something that I obviously spent more than $100 on. I go into a place that sells nice watches, and everything there is typically in the thousands of dollars (usually starting at over $2000). Those are too expensive for me. I'm looking to pay maybe $500, but I've been surprised at the difficulty I've had at even finding watches in that range to choose from. Is that simply the nature of the beast...that they're either so cheap that almost anyone can afford them, or they're so expensive that you have to be making $100k a year to consider it?

I did find an Alfred Hammel watch today for about $380, and then was distressed when the salesman kept lowering the price while I considered; that just made me feel like it must not be worth much to begin with.

For those who would ask, I'm interested in a classic look, and if it's made for deep-sea divers, it's not for me.