quote:

Originally posted by architect:
The way technology and miniaturization is progressing makes me think that we will soon have watches that are as accurate as our phones and computers based on GPS signals or network time synchronization algorithms such as NTP (I think there are already watches that do NTP, or at least query NTP servers, the Apple Watch for one).

Watches that precisely sync with NIST's atomic clock network via radio signal have been a thing for decades.

The first watch I bought for patrol duty in 2006 was a Casio Pathfinder that does that, and they were around long before that, since the late 1980s/early 1990s.

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:
and it made no sense to pay any more then I needed to get through my daily life.

I guess I don't need prime ribeye steaks and a cabernet sauvignon to get through my daily life. Just the basics.

One part is the engineering involved in mechanical watches is impressive. Something else a halo product like that does it inspire you to get better by giving you a goal to work towards. By the time you get there, you not be interested in that item, but you're in a far better position that you were in and on the way to the next goal.

The Apple Watch is moderately expensive, but it’s an amazing instrument, and well worth the cost to me. Its fall detection and reporting alone make it a must-have.

Also ECGs. And it’s wonderful timers. “Hey Siri, start a three minute, twenty second timer.” And you can have multiple timers going.

And I can make/receive phone calls and text messages.

Measures my walking distance.

And more…

A) The weird thing is the whole “coveting”
Thing around them. I like my nicer watches, but I don’t wear some of them because of the “lust” random people express over them.

B) That we pay high rates for a watch which does a worse job of telling time, but doesn’t hit moving sculpture levels, is weird.

I understand paying for an ALS, etc.

The reality is a Rolex etc is just a mass produced watch - and very well done - but it’s not art the way the high end watches can be.

And, my G shock tells better time.

(I don’t find Apple Watches comfortable.)

I think there can be arguments for some slight higher levels of cost - Sinn UX, etc can take more abuse than almost any cheaper watch.)

Beats me - I don't ever even wear a watch.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
<snip>
(I don’t find Apple Watches comfortable.)
<snip>

A very puzzling statement. Its back is smooth, and there are MANY band choices.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
If you carry a phone any watch is redundant.

Nonsense. A pocket watch would be redundant, but then again, I don’t want to have to pull something out of my pocket every time I want to check the time, which is why I wear a wristwatch.

I agree it's a little quicker so if you need to check what the exact time is, often, a wrist watch might save you a couple seconds.

But I can guess the time pretty close, the few times I need to confirm the exact time, it takes all of 2 seconds to lift the phone out of my pocket. Further the phone can alert you with its timer and alarm. In addition to the phone every vehicle I have has a clock displayed, so does the oven, microwave, etc, so the need just isn't there any longer for me.

I quit wearing a wrist watch in summer years ago because I found it uncomfortable when riding a motorcycle with a jersey, jacket cuff, glove cuff, and watch, all bunched together where my wrist was bending. Found I never missed the watch so just quit wearing them altogether.

quote:

Originally posted by Sacramento Johnson:
I like nice watches. I worked very hard in my career and want a little 'jewelry bling'! I figure I earned it and if I have the discretionary money, why not!

Ok but unless you "show it off" 99% of people will never know if it a cheapie or one that cost thousands.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
If you carry a phone any watch is redundant.

Yep. The extra weight and cost are pointless.

As a mechanical engineer I admire watches' mechanisms, same as I admire the elegance and simplicity of my flintlock pistols. That said, after the advent of smart phones - which get their time automatically updated and which people keep charged for other reasons - watches have become essentially just jewelry.

Can I see having a few in a 'SHTF' kit as a failsafe in case an EMP and/or failure of the electrical grid and/or mobile phone infrastructure were to happen? Sure.

I don't know why people bother to wind them or put batteries in them unless they are amongst the very few who don't use mobile telephony.

People buy what they want to buy with their money just like you buy what you want to buy with your money. I never wear a watch except when I go to the gym so a cheap timex works perfectly and I don't see the need for an expensive watch since I don't wear one but other people love watches so they buy the nicest watch they can afford. My passion is motorcycles and I paid over 30 grand for my 2016 BMW K1600GTL, some would question the sanity of buying a motorcycle that costs as much as some cars but it's what I wanted and I had the money so I bought it. You can't take a penny with you when you depart this earth so might as well spend it and not worry about what other people spend their money on.

A Rolex or a Corvette is an expensive piece but a lot cheaper than an expensive wife / girl friend.

The satisfaction of owning a quality timepiece is lost on many. For me I am attracted to the designs, engineering and fact that my movement alone keeps the watch ticking and will do so for years.

Fine automatic mechanical watches are one of the best things humans invented in my eyes. Few things have brought me the same level of joy of ownership.

quote:

Originally posted by abnmacv:
A Rolex or a Corvette is an expensive piece but a lot cheaper than an expensive wife / girl friend.

LOL that reminds me what my BIL's friend once told me. "The most expensive things a man can have are a boat, airplane, horses, and wife. Six years ago I had all four, I now have none."

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I can get by with what I need but there is something special about a Glencairn glass with a pour of Colonel EH Taylor single barrel Bourbon VS some Jim Beam in a dixie cup

Watches are no different

Some of the finer things in life are well worth it

Big Swede- I like your style!


To the OP:
Because I can.

A lorcin or a jennings piece of shit pistol have probably shot more people in Chicago than any other guns. So I’d say they work.

Im not carrying one because they are a piece of shit.
One day, I might snatch up a Staccato.
I like my LMT’s, my higher end Colts, my custom Springfield.

Yes, somewhere I have a $30 Timex. It tells time, and probably more water resistant than my Omega Speedmaster. But I’m at a position in my life and with my finances that I can comfortably afford a Omega.
And a few Marathons, a Tudor, some nice micro brands that are in the +$1,000 range… and one of these days, a Rolex. The kicker is: those aren’t even “high end” or “expensive”!

What is one’s priorities? What is one’s interests?
Figure it out from there-

I’m not going to say anything about anyone driving a high end Mercedes, BMW, Corvette….
If that’s what they’re into, that’s their allure.

Boats, motorcycles, airplanes, bourbon, guns, pens…
All the same.

If ya can afford it, and that’s your grove- go get it.

lots of people think I'm crazy with how much I've spent on home audio equipment/components... its what I like

if others like watches, go for it

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

I work with a guy like that. He's a cop, but his wife makes multi-million dollars as a corporate exec. Everything about his personality is centered around "look at the expensive toys I have". Always bragging about his latest luxury watch, new luxury car, exotic material bathroom remodel, upcoming expensive vacation, etc.

It's exhausting.

Dude wears a $15k Rolex Milgauss on duty, meanwhile I'm rocking a $30 plastic Casio as my duty watch because if it gets bloody or broken it's not a big deal.

And you know what? They both tell the same time.

The problem with that guy is he’s turning everything into a dick measuring contest.
Fuck that guy.

I’m going somewhere nice, I have to toss on a suit, I’ll toss on a nice watch.
I’m also not going to brag about it.

I had a good friend like that as well. You’re right- it’s exhausting.
He always had to “one up” every one else.
Cars, motorcycles, guns…

The funny thing was when he pulled out his $20,000 Shotgun, and was getting his ass handed to him by guys banging away with Remmington 870’s and Mossberg 500’s, he’d get all sorts of butt-hurt and storm away.
It got to the point where everyone just stopped hanging out with him.

Like most other things, it is personal.

For me, I don’t wear jewelry other than my wedding band and I don’t wear a watch. I can pull my phone out to check the time, though in some situations that is a lot more rude than sneaking a peak at a wristwatch.

I do like nice things though. Why do I daily carry a ‘94 P229 milled for an optic when a G19 should be able to do just as well? Because that’s what I like, that’s what I’ve trained and practiced with, and it’s like an old friend.

I suspect some folks wear expensive watches to show status, but I’ll bet a significant percentage of nice watch wearers do so because they like nice watches and get pleasure from wearing them.

I don’t even wear watches anymore, but I was sure tempted by Dave’s SIGforum watch.

Expensive anything, WHY? Because one wants it and they can. The underlying reason may that one just gets pleasure from the expensive thing, it might be ego, it might be showing off, it might be a combination of all those things and others.

It kinda doesn’t matter. One of the great things about freedom is we all get to spend our hard earned dollars on whatever we want, whether it makes any sense to anybody else or not.

@pipesmoker maybe they changed? The one I looked at had a round protrusion out of the back.

Due to the stupidity of my youth, there’s been a lot of joint and nerve damage.

I found out that pressure on that spot was very unpleasant, for me.

My SBDB015, is my most comfortable watch, but the thickness is a little awkward.

My Milgauss is close, but Ti is more comfortable.

I usually just wear my MRG B5000 because I don’t have to think about it, but they are poorly finished for the price.

Although I don't wear a watch and stated why, I have no problem with people who like and wear expensive watches. If I wore one I might decide on an expensive watch, I would appreciate the quality and craftsmanship. Come to think of it I do have an expensive watch, it was my father's and just sits the safe.