Which watch ?

[demographic]

Just my mobile phone, theres some old CCCP soviet watches that manage to raise a small amount of desire in me but almost none of the swiss stuff as just I can't stand "bling".

Its like jewellery for blokes.

 

[TrashCanMan]

I really fancy a suunto watch with all the bells and whistles but cant justify the expense.

Had a result in tescos the other day - £16 for a black watch with digital compass and thermometer. Does me for an everyday watch

 

[torc]

http://www.casio.com/products/Timepiece/Classic/F91W-1/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casio_F91W
http://www.coursestuff.co.uk/ENVT1010/designed-world/casio.htm
Absolutely bomb proof. My present one is several years old, I just replace the straps when ever needs be.
It has small buttons which are difficult to press accidentally, a plastic strap and case compatible with the Silva wrist strap compass, reasonably water proof, cheap and very tough.
Happy trails...torc.

 

[Dave_the_Pilgrim]

Well, the posts so far have proved that what I said in the original post about either very cheap or very expensive watches being recommended but little middle ground and a LOT of contention was spot on.

As with most things in life, some people who are in a position to will like to surround themselves with quality kit and others will crow that they are the smarter because they can get by on spending very little for things which do the same job.

I daresay that if we were all given a quarter of a million (£ or $ ) some would spend 25% on a decent car and some would still buy the cheapest car available. Psychiatrists would have something to say about the generosity or not of people in each camp but I'll not go there as I'm new and don't want to start WW3 just yet

Loved the remark that it is only something that blokes could find time to discuss Spot on ! 'Course the girls would all be too busy talking about dresses and shoes and make-up. Accepting that there are exceptions in both genders. Vive les differences I say.

Thanks for all the posts so far folks.
Dave

 

[ForgeCorvus]

When I do have one with me its a Fob Watch I bought myself.........nearly 20 years ago,damm! didn't think it was that long, that would explain why the gold platings mostly worn off

I hate having a watch strapped around my wrist (normally coz I'll smash it)

I've got a Silver chain my Parents gave me for my 18th, with an opal drop they gave my on my 21st (its OK, I'm an October baby) that I wear for best

A cheap (but still silver) chain I bought at a carboot that I use at events

I've used a leather thong tied necklace fashion when working and on walking holidays (don't wear it at work since a lump of molten steel stuck to the face and melted a crater just below the nine)

And the watch itself cost me 9 quid

 

[harryhaller]

I hate having a watch strapped around my wrist (normally coz I'll smash it)
......
And the watch itself cost me 9 quid

I, too, have a fob watch - chinese, mechanical, cost me about a fiver, or a tenner? I forget.

I keep it in my trouser pocket on a chain clipped to my belt so I can just pull on the chain to get it out.

I stopped using my wristwatch during cycling - it got sweaty underneath and also very hot in the sun.

I wanted a mechanical because I got annoyed at having to replace a battery every couple of years, because the watch would start acting weird as the battery went on the blink, but also because I didn't like being dependent unnecessarilyy - and it's more environmentally friendly!

I wind it up when I leave the house, just 5-10 turns, so that the mechanism is never under strain - I don't need it at home. In my pocket it is protected from rain, heat etc. Also in the rain or cold etc it is easier to pull the watch out than push back the sleeve of my jacket.

And I don't need to know the time down to the millisecond!

I think a mechanical watch is more bushcrafty - and, depending on the problem, you could repair it yourself...

 

[Tor helge]

I use a Seiko kinetic. I`ve had it for 2 years and it is still working. What more could I want .
The main idea for choosing this watch was that whenever I really needed a watch before its battery needed replacement. I had a citizen divers watch of some model.

Tor

 

[steven andrews]

I think a mechanical watch is more bushcrafty..

If you really want to deny hundreds of years of advancement in technology, you could use one of these:

 

[harryhaller]

If you really want to deny hundreds of years of advancement in technology

That is like quartz technology - the one is dependent on a battery, the other is dependent on the sunlight

You see how advanced the mechanical watch is?

Hey - they're just discovering clockwork radios for poorer countries! And my bicycle will be running smoothly long after oil has run out


But that sundial is beautiful, isn't it

 

[ScarletPimpernel]

I wear a Suunto Core, and a Panerai Luminor Marina - but not at the same time.

 

[sapper1]

I only put my watch on at the end of a trip so I know when my wife is picking me up.Otherwise I don't wear one,I don't see the point when out in the woods.Dinner time is when I feel hungry,bedtime is when I feel tired and wake up time is when it happens.

 

[shawn]

Don't do it !!! They look great but are as waterproof as a teabag. I've had 2 issue ones and they are o.k. for a quick shower but any immersion and they let water in. And NEVER use the buttons when near ANY kind of water or water vapour.

Remember, they were made for pilots and when a pilot gets wet it means that he has things other than how waterproof his watch is to worry about LOL.

I would recommend the divers or SBS watches if you like CWC. They were made for dunking. I opted for the battery version as I like to wear my Rolex a lot still and can't be bothered with a watch that would need to be re-set every time I put it on anew. Also, the auto versions are very thick watches and stick out from your wrist a lot further than the quartz ones.

My two pen'i worth,
Dave

do you know any watch thats exactly like the seiko but doesnt have the waterproof problem? its the only watch ive ever seen thats simple looking and small. my wrist is only 5 1/2" around, so the watch face shouldnt be much bigger then a quarter. the ones you recommend look huge and way too bling bling for my style. thanks!

 

[craeg]

I've had my Rolex GMT I since my 18th birthday back in 1981. It cost £350 back then !

I switch between the NATO strap and a Submariner bracelet. It has been my daily wearer apart from when climbing. I also have my old issued G10 but my son 'borrowed' that.

I do a lot of kayaking in Klepper 1 and 2 seaters and decided that losing my Rolex wasn't worth the risk anymore as whilst it is insured, it's sentimental value is priceless. I recently bought the CWC to use for paddling and activities where losing a watch where it would be unrecoverable.


C'mon guys, photos would be nice ! Save me trawling the internet looking to see what they look like ;-)

Dave

A posh 18th pressie mate. I had to put up with a glass tankard and a cardboard "key to the door"

 

[ForgeCorvus]

do you know any watch thats exactly like the seiko but doesnt have the waterproof problem? its the only watch ive ever seen thats simple looking and small. my wrist is only 5 1/2" around, so the watch face shouldnt be much bigger then a quarter. the ones you recommend look huge and way too bling bling for my style. thanks!

Might I suggest this as an idea

http://www.skywatches.com.sg/watches/product_info.php?cPath=48&products_id=535

Search for a lady's divers watch, small face on a smaller strap

I noticed you're in the US, so I found a US site (I think)

 

[mayfly]

In the woods I usually wear a Seiko 5 Military, which is hard to beat for the money (excellent movement).

Chris

 

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

Nite MX30

Review here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23186&highlight=nite+watch

 

[Deerhunter]

Seiko divers watch here, Automatic as I can't stand it when the battery runs out on quartz models!
bought it from someone off BB for a very reasonable price.
virtually indestructable movement and able to take a bit of hammer.
exactly the same as the one in the picture.

http://www.sporttek.co.uk/popup_image.php?pID=85&osCsid=a9dqbfjur6uta5j9lud4n0hc05

 

[Dave_the_Pilgrim]

A posh 18th pressie mate. I had to put up with a glass tankard and a cardboard "key to the door"

Creag,
My folks offered me some money towards a car or a big party. I wanted something that would endure. And it has.
Whilst £350 was a fair bit of money back in the day, my Dad was working on the oil rigs then and £350 as a proportion of his wages was a lot less that the current price of a Rolex against current wages. Also the GMT I was not an 'in' watch back then.

I've been offered £2,000 for it. Strange world.

Dave

 

[Dave_the_Pilgrim]

do you know any watch thats exactly like the seiko but doesnt have the waterproof problem? its the only watch ive ever seen thats simple looking and small. my wrist is only 5 1/2" around, so the watch face shouldnt be much bigger then a quarter. the ones you recommend look huge and way too bling bling for my style. thanks!

Problem is Shaun, that any watch with non-screw-down buttons will not be as waterproof (or I should say water RESISTANT) as a single screw down crown divers type watch. That's why divers watches tend to be chunky and simple.

If you plan to be bushcrafting and not swimming or travelling on water, get a Seiko or CWC navigators/pilot's watch. With a very small wrist, I'd avoid divers watches as it will look huge/oversize on you. Difficult to advise as watches are very much a matter of taste.

Regards,
Dave

 

[sandbender]

I'd be interested to hear which watch you use and why.

I keep a Timex TMX clip watch attached to my rucksack strap...

They must be good because Lara Croft uses one!

I'll get me coat

(I also have one of these)