Idiots and watches.

[sc_rufctr]

Someone should start a dedicated watch thread.

We should try and keep it as on topic as possible encouraging people to post pictures of their watches and timing equipment.

All makes welcome...

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by javadog

No,

Rolex used the Valjoux when they began producing chonographs way back in the 30's. The Valjoux movement was used for around fifty years, before the Zenith-based movements were made. They didn't start using the Zenith until the mid- to late-80's.

JR

Right- so racing to Wiki which isnt terribly helpful- there was an original series of "Daytona" chronographs between the 60's and the late 80s- and these had the Valjoux cal 72- as had previous Rolex chronographs. But the modern Daytona series ( from the middle 90s)- these were originally released with the Zenith, never had the Valjoux. Is that right?

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Someone should start a dedicated watch thread.

We should try and keep it as on topic as possible encouraging people to post pictures of their watches and timing equipment.

All makes welcome...

Note the topic. It is on-topic as.

[stuartj]

Two of my favourites.

1951 IWC Cal 88 and its more modern cousin.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by javadog

Stuart,

Rolex used a Valjoux movement for most of their chronographs, for 50 years, give or take. The Zenith movement came later, followed by an in-house Rolex one.

JR

My Daytona uses this movement. Easy to get parts for and works great. What else do you need?

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stuartj

Right- so racing to Wiki which isnt terribly helpful- there was an original series of "Daytona" chronographs between the 60's and the late 80s- and these had the Valjoux cal 72- as had previous Rolex chronographs. But the modern Daytona series ( from the middle 90s)- these were originally released with the Zenith, never had the Valjoux. Is that right?

Wiki? Really?

OK, here's how it goes... In 1960, Rolex began making a watch that bore a resemblance to the modern ones. In 1961, they resurrected the Cosmograph name for these watches and subsequently, the Daytona name began being used on some of them. In 1977, they added screw-down pushers, which gave the watch it's current look, more or less. The Zenith movement was designed in the 1980's, was introduced around 1988 and you could actually buy one by 1991. A couple years after that, Rolex began work on the their own movement and that series of watches was introduced in 2000. Some minor tweaks occurred in 2005.

Each series of watches had minor evolutionary changes along the way but, in any given era, the movements were the same. When they introduced the watches that housed the Zenith movements, they discontinued the use of the Valjoux movements. Their cousins in the Tudor line, however....

JR

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I sold my Rolex awhile back, but am thinking of getting a watch again just so I can tell time without having to pull out my phone. Am thinking of this - simple and not stupid expensive

Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic - 38 mm - Black Face - Leather Strap H70455733

That's almost exactly what I have. I love it. I agree with the others that you should buy it with the stainless bracelet and get a leather one after, then switch depending on mood. I got a black leather Di-Modell with a good deployment clasp and can switch bracelets in 5-10 minutes.

BTW, if you have not seen one in person I would recommend doing so before you pull the trigger... 38mm appeals to me and IMHO looks good against my thick wrist and huge hand, but it's definitely a different look from the larger faces. I gave my grandfather a khaki king (40mm) last Christmas and it looks substantially larger/weightier than my 38mm.

[berettafan]

stuart i have a seiko that looks very similar...(pic found via google).

nice, light watch.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

That's almost exactly what I have. I love it. I agree with the others that you should buy it with the stainless bracelet and get a leather one after, then switch depending on mood. I got a black leather Di-Modell with a good deployment clasp and can switch bracelets in 5-10 minutes.

BTW, if you have not seen one in person I would recommend doing so before you pull the trigger... 38mm appeals to me and IMHO looks good against my thick wrist and huge hand, but it's definitely a different look from the larger faces. I gave my grandfather a khaki king (40mm) last Christmas and it looks substantially larger/weightier than my 38mm.

I have fairly large hands, but skinny wrists, so I prefer a smaller face. My old Explorer 1 was 36mm and that is about perfect for me. 38 is ok - wish they made one a little smaller.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I have fairly large hands, but skinny wrists, so I prefer a smaller face. My old Explorer 1 was 36mm and that is about perfect for me. 38 is ok - wish they made one a little smaller.

Lots of really cool vintage stuff out there in 36mm.

[Les Paul]

More quartz than any of you boys

[Damian in NJ]

Originally Posted by javadog

The problem is that there are a lot of idiots out there, on both sides of the table. More of them are born, every minute.

I've been selling off most of my watch collection lately and I have come across more than my share of stupid people. There was one jackass that wanted my to send the watch to "his watchmaker" in another country, so that he could open up the watch (and thereby ruin the waterproofing guarantee from the manufacturer) to inspect it. Only then, would he decide if he wanted to buy it or not. Yeah, I'm really going to trust someone that I don't know, in another country. with an expensive watch.

Buy from a dealer or from a trusted seller on one of the watch forums, like Timezone. If you buy a Rolex, look for one that hasn't been serviced yet and send it off to Rolex for a complete service after you buy it.

JR

Well, I'd never let someone send a prospective purchase out of the country, but any good watchmaker will check the water 'resistance, not proof' after he screws the caseback back on.

[Damian in NJ]

Originally Posted by Looking_for_911

I've owned four Rolexes. First was a unique color combo Datejust with Jubilee bracelet; the next was a black bezeled GMT that resembled a Submariner; the next was a Submariner; then the next was a Submariner. At differing times in my life, when a new toy would come along, I would sell one. I can honestly say they're the only toys I have ever either made or not lost money on.
But now, as age had changed me I guess - I still miss my old '90 Cherokee - I don't care about hanging that much coin on my arm. I'd rather dump it in something else. I don't poo-poo the guys that do buy and wear 'em, 'cause I still like them very much, but I am happy with my Invicta that sort of resembles a Rolex Daytona, never needs winding, will never cost me several hundred to service, and if it breaks will be thrown away in all likelyhood. Oh, and I don't have to keep it on a winder.
Yes, I'm too lazy to wind a watch.

'Unique color combo Datejust' as in there only is one made by Rolex? Pics please.

[Damian in NJ]

Originally Posted by stuartj

I post this pic every time this pissing contest happens. Look at that picture and consider the about the actual size of that machine. That is why some people like mechanical watches. Others just like expensive watches.

Can we just clear something up about TAG Heuer. Heuer was one of the old Swiss houses that went bust following the Japanese quartz invasion of the 70s. TAG (or “Targ” as it is amusingly called) is an acronym “Techiques Avant Garde”. This company is a design house that purchased the Heuer name in the 80s. I have one of the first TAG Heuer watches, from about 1984. TAG aren’t a watch company, the are a design and marketing house. They don’t make anything except advertising. There is speculation as to whether they even meet the strict criteria for a Swiss watch. Its only in recent years, following the resurgence in interest (and money being spent) that they have marketed mechanical watches, using Swiss ETA movements (same as found in the good Rolex fakes) . And some of the current TAGs are very nice mall watches, they compete with mall Omegas. But TAG Heuer should not be confused with the original Heuer. TAG is a fashion brand, sadly so is Omega these days.

Im not really fan of what Rolex has come to represent- but we can pretty much thank it for the fact that the mechanical watch still exists as anything other than a curiosity.

Here's some information you'll find useful, as well as point out a Porsche/TAG connection. TAG went way beyond 'making anything except advertising'. There never has been any issue with either the 'TAG' TAG Heuers and the current Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy Group TAG Heuers meeting Swiss Made criteria.

F1 News - Grandprix.com > GP Encyclopedia > People > Mansour Ojjeh

[james doria]

Rolex is just a great watch with a big following. I bought a Rolex Submariner no date as a wedding gift for my future son in law 6 months ago, well the wedding is now canceled, I guess I will try and sell it on Ebay.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by Damian in NJ

Here's some information you'll find useful, as well as point out a Porsche/TAG connection. TAG went way beyond 'making anything except advertising'. There never has been any issue with either the 'TAG' TAG Heuers and the current Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy Group TAG Heuers meeting Swiss Made criteria.

F1 News - Grandprix.com > GP Encyclopedia > People > Mansour Ojjeh

I suggest you inform yourself and come back to me.

[tab tanner]

My wife bought me a Tudor oyster Prince for fathers days. This is my first one as my son Griffin was born on September 6th 2009. I love the watch it's a Rolex with a ETA movement inside. I have a TAG F1,a TAG F1 chronograph , a Raymond Weil, and a Acutron, what can I say I like watches. The Tudor is a vintage one from 1970 the year I was born so it has some connection to me because of that. It's very simple, it looks like a Datejust. I found a local watchmaker to service it and it runs perfectly

[BeyGon]

I am on my second Rolex GMT Master, Coke Bezel, I just like the watch. Not the most accurate watch I own but the one I wear now is the last year made before the ceramic bezel. I wear it all day every day.
If I was looking for a new watch right now I would probably buy an Anomino Polluce 10 ANNI. I realy like them, they are still made in Italy. It comes with the water ressistant Kodiak Strap. I passed up one with the Orange Face last year, should have got it.

[DARISC]

Eschew Rolex, collect Rolodex:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/383876-rolodex-should-i.html

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by bivenator

I can't post a picture of my watch because it is also my camera, phone, mp3 player, digital picture storage thingy.
I haven't had a watch for many years, probably speaks for my level of sophistication. Oh well, i like budweiser and captain crunch cereal also.

Wheaties taste better with Bud than sugary cereals.