Built in obsolescence in wrist watches

[cjchambers]

BEWARE THE CASIO FW91! (and I'm not joking here . . . )

Because of its use in IEDs, the US have designated the Casio FW91 as 'terrorist watch' - some of the people in Guantanamo Bay had the wearing of an FW91 used as part of the evidence against them! Truly bizarre!

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Gu ... io_watches

[snibgo]

When I used to wear watches, Velcro did the trick. I would fold each end over the spring rod and sew it together. When it became a little tatty after a few years, I'd make a new strap.

[MarkF]

Cheapskates!

For £50 you can buy a decent timepiece, a mint used Seiko 5, an automatic watch with a stainless steel bracelet. It comes in many guises to suit everybody, diver, dress, sports etc. No battery to replace, no strap to break and you may have to get it serviced (£20) every 15/20 years, it'll last a lifetime.

[byegad]

After retiring I stopped wearing a watch and rarely need to wear one these days. However I have both a mechanical pocket watch and a good quality battery powered wrist watch, stored with the button pulled out so I don't waste the battery, for the odd occasion when I need to wear the time. This pans out at a couple of times a year .

When I worked I strapped the time on every morning and lived to its rule. Now I really enjoy not knowing the time for days on end.

[MarkF]

It takes me half an hour to decide which watch to wear in a morning, this involves several trips to the bathroom mirror and a lot of arm movement and posture change till I feel confident enough to leave the house.

[Mick F]

BTW I've never worn a watch since I retired

Neither have I.

.......... and I don't miss it one iota.

[Ray]

BTW I've never worn a watch since I retired

Neither have I.

.......... and I don't miss it one iota.

Like you, I was glad to be free of the daily grind, but surely you must need some sort of timepiece on occasions? If not, I wouldn't wish to make a rendezvous with you in a cold and windy location

Ray

[[XAP]Bob]

I haven't worn a watch for years - I'm rarely away from at least four or five clocks.

At least they are all now synchronised by NTP...

[Claireysmurf]

BEWARE THE CASIO FW91! (and I'm not joking here . . . )

Because of its use in IEDs, the US have designated the Casio FW91 as 'terrorist watch' - some of the people in Guantanamo Bay had the wearing of an FW91 used as part of the evidence against them! Truly bizarre!

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Gu ... io_watches

It was the negative publicity around this watch that inspired me to buy a similar one in a stainless case-terrorists choose it as it is the cheapest durable watch you can buy, but with a flaky strap

[Mike Sales]

Thank you all for your advice.
I'm a little surprised by all these watchless retired people. I found mine very useful catching the bus today (using my free bus pass) when I went into town and got a new velcro strap fitted to my old Casio. I suppose I could have got the mobile out, but a glance at the wrist is much more convenient.

[MarkF]

I went into town and got a new velcro strap fitted to my old Casio.

I like these, you can snag and pull out a spring bar but not lose your watch.

Surely it's easier to look at your wrist than fumble about for your mobile phone, unless you wear it on your wrist of course............ I am the other way around, I can't wait till I retire to get rid of the bloody mobile phone.

As for the bloke saving money by pulling the crown out, a £1 battery will last many years, honestly, is it worth it?

[PaulCumbria]

Oh thank you Mark F for bringing a note of sanity into the discussion! I wear a secondhand Seiko Kinetic (£50) for day to day use, it's tough, reliable and doesn't need a battery. Then it's a selection of beauties for high days and holidays.

Come on people - a watch is a thing of beauty!

[fausto copy]

As for the bloke saving money by pulling the crown out, a £1 battery will last many years, honestly, is it worth it?

Well, I was just going to post what a great idea I thought that was (and no I'm not scottish!) [apologies if anyone should find that offensive and if truth be told, there's no one tighter than a cardy! ]

I went to put on my best watch last week for a family party and found the damned battery was flat again.
I think I'd only worn it once in the last year and my market trader charges 3 to 4 quid to change it.

My everyday watch is a Casio with a webbing and velcro combo strap that has lasted for years.

I've been retired for over 3 years now but am still a veterate clock-watcher.

[fausto copy]

Come on people - a watch is a thing of beauty!

An old workmate of mine said he only valued two things in life.

A good pair of jeans and a fine watch.
His was a genuine Rolex held on by a bent dressmaking pin.

[MarkF]

Paulcumbria, Seiko kinetics are good, so are the Citizen alternatives, the solar powered Eco - Drives. Modern watches, quartz accuracy but with no need for battery changes (for decades).

Fausto copy, yes, it's not a lot of effort or expense to own and wear a decent watch. £50 will buy a nice vintage automatic, still be worth £50 when you decide to sell it too.