Built in obsolescence in wrist watches

[jb]

I like to take mine off and wind it up in the middle of meetings full of 'smartphone geeks' it helps to stave off the dreaded sleep during PowerPoint presentations. - simple pleasures

[Mike Sales]

It's wise to economise where style might dictate otherwise. That way you get to spend your money on what you really like, rather than on what is fashionable. Thing is... I have done the cheap watch thing and learned what all you cheap watch people are now beefing about. I am not rich, but I am careful how I spend money. In respect of watches, I learnt you didn't. QED ! It's a case of false economy.

Al

I really don't see why I should have to spend eighty pounds when twenty pounds should buy a perfectly adequate watch, if it were not that the makers fit straps with built in obsolescence. If a durable strap costs more to make, which I doubt, it can only be pennies.
I repeat, what you call a cheap watch is a watch which will keep very good time for years with no attention. The cheap watches are let down by the strap and I think this is deliberate.
Some of the responders to my original grouse have found me cheap watches with what look like decent straps. When I buy another it will be one of those, not some ridiculously expensive flash status symbol. In any case I have now fitted a new strap for a fiver, so I think I have come out ahead.

[fausto copy]

Nearest 15 minutes is good for me , a single handed watch would be ideal ......

Didn't Hilda Baker have one of those?

[MarkF]

.......... if I bought a watch that lost 3 mins a day, then I'd want a refund.

Me too!

My point is that if you need the EXACT time, there are many other methods to give you that. On the bike, my Garmin 705 has the exact time via GPS. Our computers have the exact time via the internet. Mrs Mick F's Samsung Galaxy ditto, though my old mobile phone wanders a bit over the months. Our bedroom radio-alarm clock - a Roberts - has the time set by the radio signal, but seems to set itself 3mins slow.

We have two old clockwork clocks in the living room, one a 1950s clocking-on clock, and a 1920s mantle-piece clock. The clocking-on clock is quite accurate and the mantle clock not quite so, but both could be put right every day or two.

But why bother?

If I know the time to the nearest 3 or 4 minutes, that's good enough for me.

But, as I said, I use the radio controlled Casio to set my automatic watches, therefore I need the exact time. Why would I have Garmin 705 next to my bed and not the Casio?

Why bother? It is no more bother to set up an automatic watch exactly than it is to set it incorrectly. Why would I bother to do the latter?

[MarkF]

Nearest 15 minutes is good for me , a single handed watch would be ideal ......

Here you got then,

[MarkF]

I worked with a chap who scraped the face off his lovely Seiko watch on a wall,the two wire bars on my cheap as chips Casio saved it time and again.

I know the bars you mean and they offer great protection, a wonderful idea if you like looking at a watch face covered by 2 ugly black bars. We could have similar for our bike frames and fork legs, yes?

Tbh it's easy to buy a Casio, or many low end brands, with a recessed dial making it nearly impossible to scratch the glass.

[reohn2]

It's wise to economise where style might dictate otherwise. That way you get to spend your money on what you really like, rather than on what is fashionable. Thing is... I have done the cheap watch thing and learned what all you cheap watch people are now beefing about. I am not rich, but I am careful how I spend money. In respect of watches, I learnt you didn't. QED ! It's a case of false economy.

Al

Upstairs in a drawer in their nice little boxes I have an Omega which was was my Dad's, and a wafer thin Rotary a wedding present from Mrs R2,as due to nature of my work I never wore a ring as they're too dangerous.I wouldn't part with either and wear neither.
When I did work(now retired)Casio watches were great,I bought three in 25 years at a cost of £15(?) each,max,they occasionally needed a battery(£2(?) and occasionally needed a strap £3(?),but stood no end of abuse when on site working in any kind of muck dust and wet weather etc.
Now tell me about false economy,tell me I could have worn my dear old Dad's Omega or my lovely Rotary and I'd say it's Mr fancy watch who didn't learn.
You see the thing is,it's horses for courses!

[al_yrpal]

During my Seiko time I have never suffered the inconvenience of a busted strap. I fully expect it to last another 20 years and see me out and its much nicer than a digital watch and doesn't look naff.

Al

[reohn2]

I worked with a chap who scraped the face off his lovely Seiko watch on a wall,the two wire bars on my cheap as chips Casio saved it time and again.

I know the bars you mean and they offer great protection, a wonderful idea if you like looking at a watch face covered by 2 ugly black bars.
Tbh it's easy to buy a Casio, or many low end brands, with a recessed dial making it nearly impossible to scratch the glass.

My reason for wearing a watch was to tell the time that is it's only function if I can't see the face because it's all scraped up it's not much use is it?
The two ugly bars I looked upon as functional,like the plastic body and strap that I could run under a tap to wash the dust off after a hard days graft.
BTW I'm not into trinkets,however it that's what strums yer strings be my guest.

We could have similar for our bike frames and fork legs, yes?

We could or just be careful how we park them.

[reohn2]

During my Seiko time I have never suffered the inconvenience of a busted strap. I fully expect it to last another 20 years and see me out and its much nicer than a digital watch and doesn't look naff.

Al

But wouldn't have lasted five minutes on site in a harsh enviroment,that's been my point all along.
Horses for courses!

[PaulCumbria]

I think you need to use phrases like "ridiculously expensive flash status symbols" with care. I have no watch fetish, but I own four watches which to buy new would together cost about £780. None of then are "flash", none of them are status symbols - I've yet to meet anyone (apart from the chap in my local watch shop) who has the faintest idea what they are or what they're worth. Three of them are truly beautiful (to me) and give me enormous pleasure to wear, despite them being totally anonymous to everyone else. The fourth is a big ugly brute that does its job (timing dinghy races) perfectly.

Watches can be jewellery that does a practical job - and I love them!

[al_yrpal]

During my Seiko time I have never suffered the inconvenience of a busted strap. I fully expect it to last another 20 years and see me out and its much nicer than a digital watch and doesn't look naff.

Al

But wouldn't have lasted five minutes on site in a harsh enviroment,that's been my point all along.
Horses for courses!

I never worked on a site, so it doesn't apply, otherwise it would be in a drawer with my other broken strap digitals. This one is the same watch but they are charging double what I paid ! so it must have appreciated too I am well pleased, it has hardly a scratch on it.

Al http://www.expresswatches.co.uk/seiko_m ... tAodRG0A5Q

[MarkF]

My reason for wearing a watch was to tell the time that is it's only function if I can't see the face because it's all scraped up it's not much use is it?
BTW I'm not into trinkets,however it that's what strums yer strings be my guest.

Like I said, there is no need for anything to clutter the face with a recessed dial/glass. The bars didn't catch on...........

I am not into trinkets either but I do have an interest in horology.

[MarkF]

But wouldn't have lasted five minutes on site in a harsh enviroment,that's been my point all along.
Horses for courses!

That's not right........even some Rolex models, seen by many as aspirational trinkets, are actually designed for harsh work and environments. Same for many Omegas, Breitlings, IWC's etc.

A Seiko 5 is every bit as robust as Casio G-Shock, I've broken the latter but never the former. As a work watch I use an Ollech & Wajs diver, the bezel protects the glass (which is diamond & recesed anyway), it still looks great, the scratches & gouges suit it and I can wear on site or in a meeting. It cost £120 (ish) 10 years ago and with the model now in demand, even in it's beat up condition, it's worth £250.

[reohn2]

But wouldn't have lasted five minutes on site in a harsh enviroment,that's been my point all along.
Horses for courses!

That's not right........even some Rolex models, seen by many as aspirational trinkets, are actually designed for harsh work and environments. Same for many Omegas, Breitlings, IWC's etc.

A Seiko 5 is every bit as robust as Casio G-Shock, I've broken the latter but never the former. As a work watch I use an Ollech & Wajs diver, the bezel protects the glass (which is diamond & recesed anyway), it still looks great, the scratches & gouges suit it and I can wear on site or in a meeting. It cost £120 (ish) 10 years ago and with the model now in demand, even in it's beat up condition, it's worth £250.

I haven't come across many lads on site,ie;brickies,plasterers,joiners,plumbers,sparkies,etc,wearing £250 watches.
That said I've been retired now for ten years so things may have picked up a bit .
The recessed face you mention still could get scraped up IMO,but I suppose we'll have to differ on that one.