Watches

[TheSanDiegan]

On 9/16/2023 at 9:20 PM, NMpackalum said:

 

I think it’s odd that they used a mechanical movement. If I’m buying a toy watch, I don’t want to wind it.

Swatch debuted the SISTEM51 movement ten years ago, named for the fact it has a total of just 51 parts. I appreciate it for the fact it is another development by ETA that moves the industry forward, the focus on simplicity flying in the face of - but every bit as impressive IMO - the tendency to throw in complications as a demonstration of skill.

It's cool for what it does - it uses an alloy that's inherently anti-magnetic, provides 90 hours of power reserve, and allows for the manufacture of Swiss automatic watches at an MSRP well-south of $200.

Here's the CaliberCorner page on the movement.

[NMpackalum]

On 9/17/2023 at 1:26 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

Swatch debuted the SISTEM51 movement ten years ago, named for the fact it has a total of just 51 parts. I appreciate it for the fact it is another development by ETA that moves the industry forward, the focus on simplicity flying in the face of - but every bit as impressive IMO - the tendency to throw in complications as a demonstration of skill.

It's cool for what it does - it uses an alloy that's inherently anti-magnetic, provides 90 hours of power reserve, and allows for the manufacture of Swiss automatic watches at an MSRP well-south of $200.

Here's the CaliberCorner page on the movement.

The movement is very cool with excellent reserve if not as accurate. I’m not an accuracy nerd so it doesn’t bother me. I would beinterested if they put it in a cheap tissot or mido dive watch.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 9/17/2023 at 2:03 PM, NMpackalum said:

The movement is very cool with excellent reserve if not as accurate. I’m not an accuracy nerd so it doesn’t bother me. I would interested if they put it in a cheap tissot or miso dive watch.

I used to be. I would - regularly - track both the accuracy and precision of my watches over a week. But the more watches I accrued and the greater the associated cost of getting them cleaned and serviced as soon as I noticed a deviation from norms, the more accepting of said deviations I became. Whereas I used to strive to keep my automatics not just within COSC tolerances but within +/- 1-2 sec/day, I am old enough now to give far fewer fux about it.

Still much rather a watch run a little fast than a little slow tho. Doubt that ever changes.

[Stealthlobo]

On 9/17/2023 at 3:12 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

I used to be. I would - regularly - track both the accuracy and precision of my watches over a week. But the more watches I accrued and the greater the associated cost of getting them cleaned and serviced as soon as I noticed a deviation from norms, the more accepting of said deviations I became. Whereas I used to strive to keep my automatics not just within COSC tolerances but within +/- 1-2 sec/day, I am old enough now to give far fewer fux about it.

Still much rather a watch run a little fast than a little slow tho. Doubt that ever changes.

Decided to borrow the Oris for the day and it's driving me nuts. It's lost 9 seconds in like 6 hours. Told her she needs to get it serviced soon while it's still on warranty. The Tudor barely gains a second or two a day.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 9/17/2023 at 3:12 PM, Stealthlobo said:

Decided to borrow the Oris for the day and it's driving me nuts. It's lost 9 seconds in like 6 hours. Told her she needs to get it serviced soon while it's still on warranty. The Tudor barely gains a second or two a day.

Yeah, that's way out of spec... -36 sec/day is worse than all but my Chinese movements and one Orient I had. If I had a nice watch performing that poorly I'd definitely send it in, especially if it was under warranty. 

[Stealthlobo]

Got invited by my SA to an "invite-only" Omega VIP party on Thursday. Have no idea what to expect. I bet @TheSanDieganhas been to a few.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 10/2/2023 at 3:58 PM, Stealthlobo said:

Got invited by my SA to an "invite-only" Omega VIP party on Thursday. Have no idea what to expect. I bet @TheSanDieganhas been to a few.

Negatory. Please go and bring back free shit and report.

[Stealthlobo]

On 10/2/2023 at 5:24 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

Negatory. Please go and bring back free shit and report.

Will do. I have no idea what to wear though. I don't own an Omega except for the moonswatch which I don't really consider appropriate for the event. Should I go with the Tudor or Grand Seiko? Or the GF's Oris?

Btw, decided to pull the trigger and get the Zenith Chronomaster Sport once the 911 sells in a week or two. Fallen head over heels for that one.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 10/2/2023 at 4:31 PM, Stealthlobo said:

Will do. I have no idea what to wear though. I don't own an Omega except for the moonswatch which I don't really consider appropriate for the event. Should I go with the Tudor or Grand Seiko? Or the GF's Oris?

Btw, decided to pull the trigger and get the Zenith Chronomaster Sport once the 911 sells in a week or two. Fallen head over heels for that one.

I imagine the GS will probably catch the eye of the Omega reps more. You definitely got to go tho... 

[Stealthlobo]

On 10/2/2023 at 5:55 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

I imagine the GS will probably catch the eye of the Omega reps more. You definitely got to go tho... 

Ok thanks, I was thinking the gs too.

Oh, I'm definitely going. The miss is trying to switch her shift to go too, but dont think she'll be able to switch it unfortunately. She really wants to see/buy the new 39.5mm blue gradient planet ocean.

[Stealthlobo]

On 10/2/2023 at 5:24 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

Negatory. Please go and bring back free shit and report.

Actually was a lot of fun. We met a lot of cool people from Omega and others with cool watches. One let my girlfriend wear his snoopy. The event was for the release of their 75 year seamaster anniversary collection (the one the miss wants). Got to drink wine, eat caviar, get free gifts and try on lots of watches. Good times.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 10/5/2023 at 8:17 PM, Stealthlobo said:

Actually was a lot of fun. We met a lot of cool people from Omega and others with cool watches. One let my girlfriend wear his snoopy. The event was for the release of their 75 year seamaster anniversary collection (the one the miss wants). Got to drink wine, eat caviar, get free gifts and try on lots of watches. Good times.

#WatchPorn

[Stealthlobo]

On 10/5/2023 at 10:21 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

#WatchPorn

Forsure. I think I want that dark green dial gold speedmaster as my 'precious metal' watch in my collection. Won't be able to afford though until I'm like 60.

[SDSUfan]

On 9/17/2023 at 12:26 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

Swatch debuted the SISTEM51 movement ten years ago, named for the fact it has a total of just 51 parts. I appreciate it for the fact it is another development by ETA that moves the industry forward, the focus on simplicity flying in the face of - but every bit as impressive IMO - the tendency to throw in complications as a demonstration of skill.

It's cool for what it does - it uses an alloy that's inherently anti-magnetic, provides 90 hours of power reserve, and allows for the manufacture of Swiss automatic watches at an MSRP well-south of $200.

Here's the CaliberCorner page on the movement.

I thought the whole point to this hobby is complexity and complication.

If not, buy a quartz, the ultimate in simplicity and accuracy and plenty of options south of $200.00.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 10/9/2023 at 9:25 AM, SDSUfan said:

I thought the whole point to this hobby is complexity and complication.

If not, buy a quartz, the ultimate in simplicity and accuracy and plenty of options south of $200.00.

I'm not sure there is a singular set of objective guidelines determining what the "point" to the hobby is (or any hobby for that matter) other than the subjective degree of enjoyment one receives from participating in it.

Yes, for many - myself included - an appreciation for haute horology as manifested in the design and utilization of superfluous complications is definitely a driver behind my interest. However, this itself represents an appreciation for the engineering prowess required to execute such a project. And in that same vein, I also appreciate the engineering prowess required to maximize the simplicity of the movement design. In addition, I appreciate the fact it provides an affordable gateway that allows others to get into the hobby.

Similarly, I appreciate quartz watches as well; probably 1 in 4 (or 1 in 5) of my watches are quartz. Some were purchased just for their aesthetics. Others, such as my UHF Bulova moon watch or my HAQ Certina Precidrive, were bought (at least in part) for the merits of their own respective movements.

As someone who used to compete in motor sports, I will always get a semi at the prospect of driving something designed to go fast around a track. But that doesn't stop me from appreciating the design principles behind a 4x4 trail beast, a stupid-heavy muscle car worthless for anything other than firewalling the throttle in a straight line, or a 100 mpg hybrid. I'm simply more inclined to buy one over the others. 

Hope that helps.

[SDSUfan]

On 10/9/2023 at 10:04 AM, TheSanDiegan said:

I'm not sure there is a singular set of objective guidelines determining what the "point" to the hobby is (or any hobby for that matter) other than the subjective degree of enjoyment one receives from participating in it.

Yes, for many - myself included - an appreciation for haute horology as manifested in the design and utilization of superfluous complications is definitely a driver behind my interest. However, this itself represents an appreciation for the engineering prowess required to execute such a project. And in that same vein, I also appreciate the engineering prowess required to maximize the simplicity of the movement design. In addition, I appreciate the fact it provides an affordable gateway that allows others to get into the hobby.

Similarly, I appreciate quartz watches as well; probably 1 in 4 (or 1 in 5) of my watches are quartz. Some were purchased just for their aesthetics. Others, such as my UHF Bulova moon watch or my HAQ Certina Precidrive, were bought (at least in part) for the merits of their own respective movements.

As someone who used to compete in motor sports, I will always get a semi at the prospect of driving something designed to go fast around a track. But that doesn't stop me from appreciating the design principles behind a 4x4 trail beast, a stupid-heavy muscle car worthless for anything other than firewalling the throttle in a straight line, or a 100 mpg hybrid. I'm simply more inclined to buy one over the others. 

Hope that helps.

I'm not denigrating the hobby.  I myself have nibbled around the edges and purchased a few moderatly priced watches, my favorite being my Hamilton Khaki Field with Day/Date, It wears very well, maintains it's accuracy far better than the Seikos I purchased and looks great.  

I was simply commenting on what can only be considered a cheap, less than stellar factory movement that may set the entry price point low but in many cases will sour the purchaser on the utility of such a device due to its inherent limitations.

As to quartz, Citizen, IMO reigns supreme with its eco-drive technology married with its atomic time or GPS tech.  You can buy one of these, set it and never have to set it again and it will be accurate within a few seconds when they lower into the casket having never had to change a battery.  Citizen has recently acquired Alpina and is now offering a a swiss factory automatic movement which holds no appeal tfor me.  They should stick to thier knitting. I love my Citizens. 

 

[TheSanDiegan]

On 10/10/2023 at 10:31 AM, SDSUfan said:

I'm not denigrating the hobby.  I myself have nibbled around the edges and purchased a few moderatly priced watches, my favorite being my Hamilton Khaki Field with Day/Date, It wears very well, maintains it's accuracy far better than the Seikos I purchased and looks great.  

I was simply commenting on what can only be considered a cheap, less than stellar factory movement that may set the entry price point low but in many cases will sour the purchaser on the utility of such a device due to its inherent limitations.

As to quartz, Citizen, IMO reigns supreme with its eco-drive technology married with its atomic time or GPS tech.  You can buy one of these, set it and never have to set it again and it will be accurate within a few seconds when they lower into the casket having never had to change a battery.  Citizen has recently acquired Alpina and is now offering a a swiss factory automatic movement which holds no appeal tfor me.  They should stick to thier knitting. I love my Citizens. 

 

My go-to watch when I'm traveling is my Citizen Eco-Drive AT Worldtimer for the very reasons you mention. However, in my carry-on you will find a watch roll with a couple nice mechanicals for various occasions.

Re: Alpina, that is the first time I head this and I am disappointed to learn of it, as Alpina had been independent since their founding. But if they are to have an overlord, they could do worse than Citizen. Citizen's purchase of Bulova may very well have saved the brand.

[Stealthlobo]

Well it's official. Sold the 911 Turbo and I've 100% decided on the Zenith. Think it'll be a pretty complete collection for the near future: Tudor dive (black), GS dress (blue), and Zenith chronograph (white).

Unfortunately, Hyde Park ran out of the watch so I'll have to wait a couple weeks to get it (may go chrono24...)

[Stealthlobo]

Just gave my gf her perlon strap for her Oris bronze cotton candy. She loves it 

She let me take pic with it:

[NMpackalum]

On 10/21/2023 at 7:01 AM, Stealthlobo said:

Just gave my gf her perlon strap for her Oris bronze cotton candy. She loves it 

She let me take pic with it:

Nice! It’s not easy taking good watch photos.