Horology filter: watch out, watch in.
September 28, 2015 10:32 AM Subscribe
I want a new watch. Nothing too special, but how can I get what I want while avoiding the errors of the past. Details within.
For the past several years, I've been wearing a Tissot PRC 200. It's a $350 watch, and I've enjoyed wearing it for the jewelry value, and the heft of the stainless steel link watchband. However, it was never as good a timepiece as it ought to have been. In the first year, it stopped several times, even after two warranty trips back to Tissot, and continued to stop from time to time until it stopped and refused to restart a couple months ago (shortly after installation of a new battery). Moreover, the technology is obsolete. In this day and age, it's silly to have to reset the day of the month at the end of any month with less than 31 days. So, I refuse to invest more in it.
I have a Timex digital for sailing and other informal activities. It has two time zones, chime, alarm, stopwatch, countdown timer, light, etc. But there is little joy in wearing it, and the lightweight metal band not only seems flimsy but the catch comes undone easily, usually at an inconvenient moment.
So, I want a new watch to replace the Tissot, but without its annoyances, which is to say, it should 100% reliable, not cost $30/year to keep in new batteries, not need to be set every month. I suppose the easiest way to avoid the latter problem is to get a watch without the day/date feature. OK with me. And it should have decent jewelry value.
I'd also like all those features that every $35 Timex and Casio have, but mostly they come in plastic case with a plastic band. My experience is that those band needs to be replaced every year which may involve an annoying hunt for a store selling the right thing.
I could go all in for a plastic (actually, silicone rubber) type like these from 40Nine, but how durable is a watch sold with a non-durable strap.
So, I'm ready to accept nominations from the floor...
For the past several years, I've been wearing a Tissot PRC 200. It's a $350 watch, and I've enjoyed wearing it for the jewelry value, and the heft of the stainless steel link watchband. However, it was never as good a timepiece as it ought to have been. In the first year, it stopped several times, even after two warranty trips back to Tissot, and continued to stop from time to time until it stopped and refused to restart a couple months ago (shortly after installation of a new battery). Moreover, the technology is obsolete. In this day and age, it's silly to have to reset the day of the month at the end of any month with less than 31 days. So, I refuse to invest more in it.
I have a Timex digital for sailing and other informal activities. It has two time zones, chime, alarm, stopwatch, countdown timer, light, etc. But there is little joy in wearing it, and the lightweight metal band not only seems flimsy but the catch comes undone easily, usually at an inconvenient moment.
So, I want a new watch to replace the Tissot, but without its annoyances, which is to say, it should 100% reliable, not cost $30/year to keep in new batteries, not need to be set every month. I suppose the easiest way to avoid the latter problem is to get a watch without the day/date feature. OK with me. And it should have decent jewelry value.
I'd also like all those features that every $35 Timex and Casio have, but mostly they come in plastic case with a plastic band. My experience is that those band needs to be replaced every year which may involve an annoying hunt for a store selling the right thing.
I could go all in for a plastic (actually, silicone rubber) type like these from 40Nine, but how durable is a watch sold with a non-durable strap.
So, I'm ready to accept nominations from the floor...
Do any of these Casio Wave Ceptors appeal to you? I'm not sure what jewelry value means, so I don't know if they qualify. I think mine is beautiful, though.
I had one model for many years before I messed up the antenna replacing the battery, so I got a new one just like it, except with solar.
It's pretty much zero maintenance, and it synchs to the atomic clock, so it's always accurate.
posted by ernielundquist at 10:58 AM on September 28, 2015
I had one model for many years before I messed up the antenna replacing the battery, so I got a new one just like it, except with solar.
It's pretty much zero maintenance, and it synchs to the atomic clock, so it's always accurate.
posted by ernielundquist at 10:58 AM on September 28, 2015
All your requirements can be fulfilled by an Apple Watch. Get it in Stainless Steel with the link bracelet, and swap out the bracelet for a sport band when you sail.
posted by ejs at 11:37 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ejs at 11:37 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Think_long: This is formal wear plus the high end of casual wear. The Timex will serve for active wear.
Ernie: The Wave Ceptors look good. I'd need to heft one, though.
posted by SemiSalt at 11:47 AM on September 28, 2015
Ernie: The Wave Ceptors look good. I'd need to heft one, though.
posted by SemiSalt at 11:47 AM on September 28, 2015
A Citizen Eco-Drive might work for you. Solar powered, nicely built, not cheap but not extremely pricey. The metal bands are solid. Lots of face designs to match your taste, and some of the models have perpetual calendar (but not mine, the Nighthawk.)
posted by smackfu at 12:09 PM on September 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by smackfu at 12:09 PM on September 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
What's your budget? Am I right that you're only considering quartz? What complications are important to you? Your Tissot is a chronograph, is that what you'd like next?
Off the top of my head, assuming you want something similar, and less expensive I would say maybe a Bulova Precisionist, though it's a bit bigger than your current watch.
Or if you want to go a bit more expensive than your current, maybe a Certina DS-2 Chrono, which has a thermo-compensated movement, making it one of the most accurate watches available (±10sec/yr).
posted by danny the boy at 9:55 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Off the top of my head, assuming you want something similar, and less expensive I would say maybe a Bulova Precisionist, though it's a bit bigger than your current watch.
Or if you want to go a bit more expensive than your current, maybe a Certina DS-2 Chrono, which has a thermo-compensated movement, making it one of the most accurate watches available (±10sec/yr).
posted by danny the boy at 9:55 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nthing citizen. There's a huge range that should have something you need. I'm also very partial to Momentum watches, they are super customisable,i love that you can upgrade to sapphire glass on their models.
posted by smoke at 5:03 AM on September 29, 2015
posted by smoke at 5:03 AM on September 29, 2015
I'm sorry, but a perpetual calendar on a mechanical watch (even quartz) is a major complication. It's been done since the 70s, but it's expensive.
Obviously it's easy for digital.
posted by notsnot at 11:45 AM on September 29, 2015
Obviously it's easy for digital.
posted by notsnot at 11:45 AM on September 29, 2015
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posted by Think_Long at 10:57 AM on September 28, 2015