Watch Out or Watch On?

[didimauw]

So due to budgetary constraints, (rent AND a mortgage) I decided to go with a seiko 5 instead. I figured I should also make sure I enjoy the automatic lifestyle before jumping in head first.
It still has everything I need in a watch.

 

[ssjones]

The Seiko 5 has been around for a long time and is a great watch, good choice!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Excellent Didi. I’ve lost all of my bids recently for watches. On one, I just knew I was going to get a Brathwait for $100. But then it got crazy at the last minute, and some fool piad $50 over going retail. They are a brand new company, and I think that people are gambling that they will be a finer collectible some day, only releasing very limited selections, like one new design a year, a US maker collaborating with Rolex, I think. But, they are very affordable right now.

And, bidding on Marlins right now is crazy competative. You can still get crappy ones cheap, but...
I love the large face on that one, Didi, and that band looks like it could be casual to dressy if you needed. Congrats!!!

 

[didimauw]

Thanks guys! It's bigger then I imagined in the face, and I had to remove 4 links to get it to fit, but it's perfect now.
I already started breaking it in, and I wore it while changing my oil, and had to wash it already. Haha.
I think I'm going to like this one.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Excellent choice. I have three Seiko 5 watches and they all have the indestructible 7S27 automatic movement. They are also a doddle to regulate.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[seacaptain]

I like the look of this one. Kind of a mid century modern I think.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Is that yours, seacaptain? Would look smoothe with a tan textured leather band, Imo. I love those Marlins!!!

 

[seacaptain]

No, I was just commenting on a pic upthread.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Ha ha! I’m an idiot. I actually put a tan textured band on that one.

 

[ssjones]

I fell prey to another Borealis. This Sea Storm was offered with a local to me pick up and I grabbed it earlier this week. Its smaller than my Seafarer (41 vs 44), which always feels just a little too large. This one is an homage to the Blancplain Fifty Fathoms watch. I'd never have the coin for one of those reissues ($8k or vintage $15k), but love the look. It came with this suede band and a rubber divers strap. I ordered the black, weathered leather strap from Martu, pictured below. I also bought a cheap shark-mesh strap on Ebay, to test, I'm not sure I'll like that kind of strap (but appropriately vintaged to the watch). I may end up selling the Seafarer.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Niiiice!!! I am also picky about bands. I have a drawer of bands that didn’t cut it for me. They looked great in the store or online but just didn’t feel good against my skin. The older I get the more sensitive my skin on my wrist gets. So, I know the hesitancy on band selection. That one looks great though. I’m also not afraid to stray away from bands that aren’t traditional to the watch.

 

[mawnansmiff]

On the subject of straps, a couple of weeks ago I bought two, one was a 'Fullmosa' and the other was an 'Omyzam'. Both claimed to be 100% genuine leather.....alas the Omyzam was actually a thick rubber strap with a wafer thin layer of leather glued and stitched to it!. Made in China you see!
My one star review is to be found here under the name 'J G Roland'......
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074SGK3YT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sadly many gullible folks think they got a top quality thick and flexible strap not realising it's actually bloody cheapo rubber.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[didimauw]

My Seiko started giving me a rash the other day. I should have known it would, I get one from my belt buckles as well. So I ordered a green nato strap for it. Similar to the one I just put on my citizen. I think it looks much better. Excited to get the new one for my Seiko now.

Here's the citizen with the nato.

 

[shanegreen]

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I haven't worn a watch in ten years and don't miss it. The only watch I'd consider now would be one of the Apple watches. I considered one for about ten seconds and decided no. I will say, when they make one that only requires charging once per month, I'll possibly reconsider.

 

[jvnshr]

hoosierpipeguy, I've been wearing Samsung Gear S2 for a while now to track my sleep, steps, heartbeats, etc. They are very useful however as you have mentioned, a little bit pain in the butt because of that charging thing. It charges really fast but recharging it every other 2 days is somewhat tiring.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

hoosierpipeguy, I've been wearing Samsung Gear S2 for a while now to track my sleep, steps, heartbeats, etc. They are very useful however as you have mentioned, a little bit pain in the butt because of that charging thing. It charges really fast but recharging it every other 2 days is somewhat tiring.

Given my incredibly poor sleep habits and basic disregard for my health, I'm not sure I want to track any of these things. LOL
What I thought could be handy with the Apple watch was to be able to step away from my phone and still have a short phone call. Or to handle a short text message. And perhaps use a few of the apps such as a calculator. I think nice watches look ... nice! LOL I don't like wearing them. And since I own my own business and am getting older, I don't like the idea that time controls me. As I near the age of 61, I don't want to be reminded I've logged well more time than I have left either.
With that said, I'm a dedicated technie nerd type, so I suspect I'll eventually give in to the urge and get one. If nothing else, I can remember watching Dick Tracy comics when I was younger and seeing him speak into a watch. The idea that I can do that now as an adult holds a bit of fascination for me.

 

[Civil War]

Never much liked the feel of a watch on my wrist, or a ring on my finger.

 

[ssjones]

@shanegreen - as a restaurant manager in the late 80's , I had and loved that Casio calculator watch!
I added a Staib mesh bracelet for the Sea Storm. They are a German company who make the factory mesh bracelets for Breitling and Omega. I picked it up NOS. The quality is incredible and fits the vintage look of the watch but does add some heft to the watch, so I'll use it in the summer.

Since getting the Sea Storm, I wasn't wearing the larger Seafarer. I swapped it for this Zelos DMT (Diver Medical Tehnician). Zelos is another micro-brand company, but they use Swiss movements (Stellita SW200-1). It is modeled after the 60's Aquastar (Jacques Costeau wore one) and later copied by Seiko for the Turtle. It has a funky 70's vibe that I like.

 

[ssjones]

My wife has a Fit Bit and loves it. She's been on a weight loss/fitness program in the past six months (and looks pretty damn good!) The features of that type watch are fascinating, but I couldn't wear something like that. I stumbled across this the other day. A kickstarter program put the "Smart Buckle" type data into a traditional style strap buckle. Having to charge yet another product every couple of days is not appealing to me, but might interest others here.
https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Buckle-Activity-Tracker-Notifications/dp/B075RV4HFZ