Watch question...

[665ae]

I'm in the market for a new watch... and I know nothing about them...

I like the looks of a couple of the G-shock models, but it seems like their accuracy is a bit high.

Is +/- 15 seconds a month high?  Am I just being unrealistic?  What kind of accuracy do other watches have?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have 2 G's and don't see a significant problem with them.

I have another Casio watch- the telememo 30 I think and it's ok too.  I never wear it or use it.

Mostly I stick to my SAK watches and my Seiko Orange Monster these days, or just use my cell phone, PDA or laptop to tell the time.

Def

[thebullfrog]

I have a Casio Pathfinder and have always worn nothing but Casio for years now. The Pathfinder has an altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer etc. Solar battery that always seems to be fully charged, only dips to "mid' when I use the backlight a lot at night. Awesome watch. Accuracy is still the same 'ole +/- 15 sec. of all the other Casio's I've seen. They've always been plenty accurate enough for me. Never been a problem. Realistically 15 sec a month adds up to what? 2 min. a year? Not a big deal IMO. especially when it takes all of 2 sec. to synch the watch up again.

[665ae]

Realistically 15 sec a month adds up to what? 2 min. a year? Not a big deal IMO. especially when it takes all of 2 sec. to synch the watch up again.

Hey!  You're not allowed to think realistically! 

[yellowhammer]

If you get a Waveceptor Casio (G-Shock or Pro-Treck/Pathfinder) the time is set by atomic clock signal daily, in theory. Mine has never failed to get the signal in the 2 months or so I've had it. The atomic clock is apparently accurate to within a second every million years, so that should be close enough for most of us Get a solar powered model and forget about replacing batteries too!

The atomic clock signal is, I believe, in Denver for the States (Cumbria or Germany have transmitters for Europe, and there's another in Japan) and, although not as easy to get a signal, people in South America can recieve it ok.

The +/- 15 seconds a month accuracy figure is, on these models, the outer limits of performance of these models if they don't get a signal. There was a test done on this forum; http://forums.watchuseek.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17 that had accuracy figures for loads of G-Shock models, and I don't think that any of them were that far out, but I can't get the site to load at the minute lots of good info there, and big lairy plastic watch porn too

[665ae]

If you get a Waveceptor Casio (G-Shock or Pro-Treck/Pathfinder) the time is set by atomic clock signal daily, in theory. Mine has never failed to get the signal in the 2 months or so I've had it. The atomic clock is apparently accurate to within a second every million years, so that should be close enough for most of us Get a solar powered model and forget about replacing batteries too!

The atomic clock signal is, I believe, in Denver for the States (Cumbria or Germany have transmitters for Europe, and there's another in Japan) and, although not as easy to get a signal, people in South America can recieve it ok.

The +/- 15 seconds a month accuracy figure is, on these models, the outer limits of performance of these models if they don't get a signal. There was a test done on this forum; http://forums.watchuseek.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17 that had accuracy figures for loads of G-Shock models, and I don't think that any of them were that far out, but I can't get the site to load at the minute lots of good info there, and big lairy plastic watch porn too

Thanks for the info.  I'll check that forum out if it'll load.  I figured I was being somewhat unrealistic with accuracy, but I had to ask

[NutSAK]

I have a Casio Waveceptor Tough Solar also.  I like it for its accuracy, but I prefer my Victorinox quartz analog chrono.  It is much simpler, thinner, and it only gains about .5 second per month.

[yellowhammer]

A nice analogue quartz is hard to beat for wearing, I've got an old Tag Heuer Formula 1 for those days when I'm not likely to smack it into a wall or something. I'd like an auto, something like an Orange Monster or an old 80s Seiko diver with the Pepsi bezel. Don't know if I could put up with all that character though Having said that, my mate's 2000 Submariner loses less than 2 seconds a week.

Best thing about his Rolex is that it lets us try 4 grand watches on without looking like total chancers; we spent a pleasant half hour yesterday cooing over Tag chronos When the Sub hits the counter we look like we might have some money!

[Benner]

I still want to get me a G Shock.  Will prob pick up a cheap one one day.

[NutSAK]

Best thing about his Rolex is that it lets us try 4 grand watches on without looking like total chancers; we spent a pleasant half hour yesterday cooing over Tag chronos When the Sub hits the counter we look like we might have some money!

There is a Tag chrono model that has the identical Swiss quartz analog movement as my Victorinox.  The only functional difference between them is the Tag is water resistant to 300m, and my Vic is 200m.  The price difference?

Tag - $300
Victorinox - $40

I bought the Vic on clearance, but it's usually still 1/3 the price of the Tag.

 

[yellowhammer]

Blimey, the cheapest Vic. watch I can find over here is £225! Which model have you got?

I'd still rather have a Tag though

[NutSAK]

It's a V-7, and I think it's designated the "22 Racer" or something like that.  I don't have it on right now, and it's no longer on the Victorinox site.

I honestly don't know what the suggested retail is for this one:

[yellowhammer]

Ooh, I like that! I've developed a bit of a thing for blue faces recently, much to my friend's disgust. If you can get another one for similar money let me know

I was looking at this yesterday, the pic really doesn't do it justice;



And I keep meaning to get one of these - old-school looks, 50m water resistance, 7 year battery life... 10 quid

[Splat]

I received a Casio G-Shock Wave Ceptor MTG930DA-8V http://tinyurl.com/26nde3 for Christmas and I love it. Every night it calibrates with the Atomic Clock in Colorado(IIRC) and if not you can manually activate a calibration...which I've never had to do yet. I have cop buddies who own G-Shocks and they love them so that was a good enough referral for me.  I've gotten two compliments from women on this watch. It doesn't look like your typical monstrous G-Shock. It's got 4 alarm functions, solar recharged, shock resistant, 200M water resistant, and did I mention it's a damn good looking watch?! 

[NutSAK]

Ooh, I like that! I've developed a bit of a thing for blue faces recently, much to my friend's disgust. If you can get another one for similar money let me know

I was looking at this yesterday, the pic really doesn't do it justice;

(Image removed from quote.)

Man, those Gulf colors are awesome.  I would need a Ford GT-40 (or GT) in Gulf colors to go with that watch (see pic below).

Trust me, If I find more of those Vics, I will buy as many as I can.  Def has dibbs on the first one. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Woohoo!

I may consider parting with one of my G's in case anyone is interested.  I rarely ever wear them anymore.

Def

[yellowhammer]

I might be interested Def, wotcha got?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I don't know much about it- apparently it's a Japan model from a sporting series called G-Lide.  It's got moon phases and a tide graph in addition to the normal stuff like timer, stopwatch, and three daily alarms.  It also has an automatic light feature where you tilt the watch and it lights up.

Def

[yellowhammer]

Got a pic or a model number Def? it'll be on the back of the case. There might be a 4 digit number in a box too, which is the module number. Of course, Japanese home market stuff might be different

[Grant Lamontagne]

The module is 2012 and the model number is GL-121.  I have some other photo duties today so I'll snap a few decent pics of it for you.

Def

[yellowhammer]

Cheers Def, but don't rush yourself on my account

[kreskin13]

This is the best watch I've had in years. It's the Timex "Data Link". It's almost as good as a PDA and hooks up to your computer. Great stuff. Can set up to 200 alarms, holds phone numbers, appointments, schedules, notes and more.

http://www.timex.com/gp/product/B0000U5BYU/sr=1-2/qid=1200085018/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=A1S5XB33AHYRMX&n=APS&timexBrand=core

Retail 90 USD, can be found for around 65 USD.

Calvin

[Splat]

This is the best watch I've had in years. It's the Timex "Data Link". It's almost as good as a PDA and hooks up to your computer. Great stuff. Can set up to 200 alarms, holds phone numbers, appointments, schedules, notes and more.

It immediately made me think of Woody Allen's "Sleeper" for some strange reason. 

[kreskin13]

This is the best watch I've had in years. It's the Timex "Data Link". It's almost as good as a PDA and hooks up to your computer. Great stuff. Can set up to 200 alarms, holds phone numbers, appointments, schedules, notes and more.

http://www.timex.com/gp/product/B0000U5BYU/sr=1-2/qid=1200085018/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=A1S5XB33AHYRMX&n=APS&timexBrand=core

Retail 90 USD, can be found for around 65 USD.

Calvin

Make that about 52 USD.

http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T53722-Mens-Watch/dp/B0000U5BYU

Calvin

[edap617]

I have this Seiko Diver's 200m wrist watch on my wrist for more than 6 years already. It haven't been opened yet and it still functions perfectly like when it was new. A very rugged watch and its strap is still the original one. I guess the 200m indicated in its dial means water proof up to 200 meters. I'm not sure, it's only my guess.





I have one valuable watch in my position and this watch has been passed down to me from 3 generations. I really treasure this gold pocket watch. It was made in USA by ELGIN. I do not know what year, probably in the late 18th century.



Eddie

[Grant Lamontagne]

Looks like you and I have similar taste in watches- I have an old Waltham pocket watch similar to yours, and an orange Seiko like your black one!

Find the serial number on the movement of your Elgin watch and you can find the approximate date of manufacture: Elgin Watches

Def

[edap617]

Thanks Def!

My Elgin watch was made in 1903.

Eddie

[Grant Lamontagne]

The same age as my dusty old Waltham!

Def

[bobofish]

Couple of points:
First off, even coming from a watch lover like me, losing 15 seconds a month is a ridiculous nonissue. By the time you ever know the difference, you will probably have taken a vacation somewhere that has at least a one hour time difference from your home and reset it anyway. I bite my thumb at the douchebags that care if their watch is losing a few seconds a month. Now a few seconds a day could really add up. For me it's just about quality in a watch; sure I don't mind if it's accurate, but I just like the feel and looks of a nice watch. Buy what you like and bite your thumb with me at all the idiots who are spending all their time calibrating their watches. What are they, cat burglers?

As for those Elgin watches, it's sad how little they sell for on Ebay. The reality is that they're made to a level of quality that really doesn't exist anymore. Those watches were hand made and hand fit. Each little gear spring and doodad was individually fit to match that particular movement or watch case in a way that just isn't practical today. People often say that Patek Phillipe's are the same "old world craftsmanship," but open one up and even as nice as it is, it just ain't a nice watch from the late 19th or early 20th century. Even watches like Lange are only approaching the love which was lavished on those old watches. To get something comparable, you have to find some of the few remaining real small-time watchmakers in Switzerland and Germany, and to be able to buy those watches you need to run a hedge fund.

Enjoy your Elgins, Walthams and Hamiltons and treat them nicely. Tell your children to treat it nicely. It will still be around when your grandchildren are a distant memory, and will be a reminder that it was the Americans, and not the Swiss that first built a watch that could run a train station.

[665ae]

Couple of points:
First off, even coming from a watch lover like me, losing 15 seconds a month is a ridiculous nonissue. By the time you ever know the difference, you will probably have taken a vacation somewhere that has at least a one hour time difference from your home and reset it anyway. I bite my thumb at the douchebags that care if their watch is losing a few seconds a month. Now a few seconds a day could really add up. For me it's just about quality in a watch; sure I don't mind if it's accurate, but I just like the feel and looks of a nice watch. Buy what you like and bite your thumb with me at all the idiots who are spending all their time calibrating their watches. What are they, cat burglers?

As for those Elgin watches, it's sad how little they sell for on Ebay. The reality is that they're made to a level of quality that really doesn't exist anymore. Those watches were hand made and hand fit. Each little gear spring and doodad was individually fit to match that particular movement or watch case in a way that just isn't practical today. People often say that Patek Phillipe's are the same "old world craftsmanship," but open one up and even as nice as it is, it just ain't a nice watch from the late 19th or early 20th century. Even watches like Lange are only approaching the love which was lavished on those old watches. To get something comparable, you have to find some of the few remaining real small-time watchmakers in Switzerland and Germany, and to be able to buy those watches you need to run a hedge fund.

Enjoy your Elgins, Walthams and Hamiltons and treat them nicely. Tell your children to treat it nicely. It will still be around when your grandchildren are a distant memory, and will be a reminder that it was the Americans, and not the Swiss that first built a watch that could run a train station.

Thanks for the reply.  Be careful not to hurt your thumb...

Sincerely,

Douchebag