Thanks. Will add that to the characterization. Since receipt, it's been getting about 16 hours of wrist time daily. I actually had some questions about how delicate automatic mechanisms are - what types of activities should I not wear the watch.

Do you guys have a preference between esslinger and cas-ker? I'm planning to buy tools from there - Prime seems to only have a 3rd party PRC vendor for the Bergeon tools of interest - no go for me.

quote:

what types of activities should I not wear the watch.

Avoid using a jackhammer while wearing an automatic.

For bracelets, avoid pin and collar types and opt for the screw link variety.

Going inside the watch... not the best idea, especially for a person without a lick of training.

Watches are an exercise in finesse and knowledge.

Going inside with no more than enthusiasm is a sure fire way to destroy it.

Buy a couple cheap chinese knock-offs and practice on them.

Jackhammer is in my shopping cart

I was just reading articles and they mentioned that automatics are a little more delicate than quartz. But doesn't say much more beyond that. I've been crushing garlic (using my palm as a hammer) and was going to use a pickaxe on hard soil / rock. I've been going swimming. I haven't dropped it yet but I have dropped watches before (dropping was called out in the articles as a potential issue). I've been going about life w/o regard to how delicate it may be. Not sure where to draw the line outside of jackhammers.

quote:

Originally posted by Snapping Twig:
Going inside with no more than enthusiasm is a sure fire way to destroy it.

Yup - I've decided based on the above that I'll treat cuts and bruises but leave the heart surgery to an expert. No open chest (open case) stuff.

Never had links w/ screws, just the pins. Is some weak loctite indicated? Or just check them once in awhile?

I crashed a bike while wearing a Seiko Samurai and once again while wearing a Ball chronograph (that was so stupid of me) and neither time did the watch movement get harmed. The Samurai sustained a bit of cosmetic damage but the Ball came through it miraculously without a scratch on the case and only a small scuff mark on the tough as nails leather strap! Though I got a bit of road rash from both crashes.

I also got punted off a boat tube wearing the same Seiko Samurai and it never skipped a beat. They are much stronger than I originally expected.

Thanks! Good to know. Instills more confidence. I was a little concerned after reading some of those articles. Now, not so much.

Getting ready to order screwdrivers and spring bar wrench.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, my Dad taught me how to fix, clean and regulate watches, and I probably shouldn't tell you guys this but...

When I change spring bars, I use nothing but a very small pocket knife with a half inch blade. I can change from one band to another in less than a minute.

Practice makes perfect.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
1. depends on the watch and bracelet
2. see 1.
3. Probably not worth it
4. See 1.

This is an accurate answer.

Adjusting a watch and regulating a watch are two different things.

Mine just says 6767. Get the S.

https://www.ofrei.com/page252.html

Thanks. I ended up getting the 7677 with standard and fine forks.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
...snip... I didn’t realize how long I would have to sit there and shake it before it reached a full reserve. ...snip...

The written materials with my Baume & Mercier Capeland state very explicitly DO NOT SHAKE THE WATCH as it may cause damage. Either wear it, or wind it, but do not shake it.

Gratuitous picture...

ETA: I've always done spring bars with a small pocket knife.

Shaking an Orient is going to hurt it. I am 100% certain the watch can handle it.

There are certainly more elaborate and fragile movements out there BUT I can assure you the movement in Konata’s Orient is not one of them. Orient's F6922 automatic movement (found in the Orient Kanno and other Orient watches) is quite robust and can absolutely hold up to the “Seiko shake”.

I’ve put my Orient and Seiko watches through a shocking amount of abuse and have yet to harm one or change the accuracy of its timekeeping.

I broke both of my Seiko SKXA51s by dropping them.

I’ve dropped two Seiko movement watches, vintage diver and an Invicta with a Seiko NH35A automatic movement. The second hand fell of the vintage diver which was an easy fix. To my amazement the cheap Invicta survived the drop from a few feet onto the concrete floor of my garage with only a small chip in its cyclops magnifier on the crystal.

I really would not recommend dropping them but in my experience the auto movements in the Orient Kanno price range are robust and can handle a lot more than one might expect.

My Seiko diver got slammed against a piece of coral years ago due to my stupidity in getting caught in some heavy waves. put a good sized ding in the side of it where one of the spring bars goes, but it kept on ticking.

Honestly, many of the (diver) automatics look like they are built like a tank. And even many that aren't divers. I didn't really think about how delicate the internals might be until I owned one.

But if I ever get another automatic, one criteria will be relatively durability. I can accept not dropping these onto a concrete floor. But I want to be able to go about my daily life, as sedentary as it is, without having to consider my watch and whether what I'm doing will damage it or not. I want to be able swim, play sports, cook, mountain bike, jog, etc and still have a reliable watch.

Sounds like the Kanno is up to the task. And Seiko. Hopefully Tissot. If so, I'm probably covered.

Tissot is solid. Those movements are based off of the ETA 2824-2 which is an absolute work horse. The latest movements are modified slightly to give you a MUCH longer power reserve and exquisite consistency. I believe the old and new Tissot Seastar watches are every bit as robust as a Seiko diver in regards to the movement and ability to withstand being knocked around.

I believe the Omega Seamaster line of watches to be one of the more robust luxury dive watches based off the abuse and serious impacts they can withstand. I had one that looked like it survived a war.

Cool. Thanks! Orient, Seiko and Tissot stay on the future short list (not that I'm buying anything soon, but perhaps someday). Omega would be nice but way beyond my means.....