Considering selling my AW for a mechanical watch - update: decision made!

[Miat]

I forgot to mention that my mechanical watch is a pocket watch. I don't wear it anywhere, it just hangs on a hook near my desk, quietly ticking away at a relatively sedate 5 beats/second. Very soothing. The daily winding is also a nice marker in my day. 🙃

I would really like a 4 beat movement – the 2Hz lope, as it is sometimes called. It is the ideal rate to my ear. Not too fast, not too slow. Slower beat rates also help keep the wear rate down. But they are not easy to find these days.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think there is a place for a smart watch like the Apple Watch in my life and then there’s my mechanical watches. My mechanical watches have a longer heritage in terms of wearing them with certain outfits and I’m not always keen on wearing my Apple Watch every single day where I don’t need to.

But I think it’s nice to have the best of both worlds in terms of having a smart watch, because that’s the era that we live in where we have advantages to tech on our wrists and then of course the mechanical watches are time pieces that I certainly couldn’t part with over some silicon made in China. The Apple Watch is a great device, but it does _not_ replace my mechanical watches in the slightest.

I had a black tie event a few weeks back and enjoyed the fact I could wear and enjoy my Seiko Sarb 033. An Apple Watch wouldn’t have looked right in that situation.

 

[Abazigal]

@Strangedream Enjoy your ceramic and may you change your mind later and continue to stick with one.

 

[Otflyer]

I haven’t wore a mechanical watch since I bought an Apple Watch S0 some 4 yrs ago. I have lost all interest in them.

 

[Strangedream]

I forgot to mention that my mechanical watch is a pocket watch. I don't wear it anywhere, it just hangs on a hook near my desk, quietly ticking away at a relatively sedate 5 beats/second. Very soothing. The daily winding is also a nice marker in my day. 🙃

I would really like a 4 beat movement – the 2Hz lope, as it is sometimes called. It is the ideal rate to my ear. Not too fast, not too slow. Slower beat rates also help keep the wear rate down. But they are not easy to find these days.

The watch I wanted has a 5Hz movement (1/10 second) but I really really like the buttery smooth motion of the sweeping hand on the dial.

 

[xDKP]

I had a black tie event a few weeks back and enjoyed the fact I could wear and enjoy my Seiko Sarb 033. An Apple Watch wouldn’t have looked right in that situation.

I would argue that a black tie event is asking for an even dressier watch than your (very stunning) SARB033.

But I agree. At those events my vintage 1965 Seamaster is proudly on the wrist - but in the office on a daily basis it’s the Apple Watch on either leather or the steel bracelet

 

[rillrill]

There was a good episode of the HODINKEE radio show where one of the guys gave his reasons for wearing both a classic watch and an Apple Watch. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...ch-draft-results/id1412458259?i=1000452614731

 

[Miat]

The watch I wanted has a 5Hz movement (1/10 second) but I really really like the buttery smooth motion of the sweeping hand on the dial.

Fast beat watches have their place, mainly when high accuracy is required, and their second hand motion is certainly a lot smoother.

But for your actual genuine buttery smooth second hand, Seiko's Spring Drives are the only game in town.

Spring Drive
SPRING DRIVE Grand Seiko
Youtube video explaining the tech
Youtube video comparing different beat rates

 

[Kataran]

That’s right......the AW is a wearable device that incidently also tells time....
For a timepiece buy a watch with hands......

Agree

My job use to give out gold watches at 25 years of service. My Dad Uncle And a good friend each had one but when I reached 25 years of service the tradition had ended so years later I bought a 1965 Solid Gold Bulova and engraved it with my 31 years of service after I retired and wear it almost daily.

My most cherished possession

 

[Strangedream]

@Strangedream Enjoy your ceramic and may you change your mind later and continue to stick with one.

Thanks! But I have a SBSS not ceramic
I’m more tempted to go with both in a few year time actually. I only wish I would be able to find the very same watch I just passed.

 

[richard371]

This is a AW forum so of coarse people are more interested in that. I love mine but there is just something special about owning a timeless Swiss mechanical vs Chinese made wrist computer that will be in a land fill in a few years. Check out Davidsw.com he has lots of excellent condition pre loved mechanicals and new. He's very reputable in the watch industry. Zeniths are great and I used to own one. If you want a true classic the Omega Moon watch is a must and not too exp. Both inhouse.

Thanks! But I have a SBSS not ceramic
I’m more tempted to go with both in a few year time actually. I only wish I would be able to find the very same watch I just passed.

 

[th0masp]

Your poll had me confused - it said mechanical chronograph and when I saw that the El Primero chrono is about 6-7k at first I was left wondering how this could be an either-or kind of decision.

To me watches are first and foremost jewelry - and in that department a smartwatch simply doesn't compete IMO. I do have one, mind - but only use it for sports and as a heart rate monitor. My mechanical watches are one each from Sinn, Tutima, Tudor and IWC. Outside the shower I'm never without one of those.

I will admit that enjoying life is possible even without a fancy watch though. So you may as well keep the AW but be advised that prices for mechanical watches are only going one way.

 

[Strangedream]

This is a AW forum so of coarse people are more interested in that. I love mine but there is just something special about owning a timeless Swiss mechanical vs Chinese made wrist computer that will be in a land fill in a few years. Check out Davidsw.com he has lots of excellent condition pre loved mechanicals and new. He's very reputable in the watch industry. Zeniths are great and I used to own one. If you want a true classic the Omega Moon watch is a must and not too exp. Both inhouse.

If it were not for the huge 42mm (I have 5.9" twig-sized wrists) I'd consider a FOIS or Speedy Pro. I did check the Speedy reduced 38.5mm and while the size is perfect, the modular Chrono on the ETA movement and glass make don't justify the cost for me. Also I see so many Omegas and Rolexes they almost became bland. On the other hand the Zenith I've been eyeing and that keeps me awake at night only had a production run of 3,725 units.
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Your poll had me confused - it said mechanical chronograph and when I saw that the El Primero chrono is about 6-7k at first I was left wondering how this could be an either-or kind of decision.

To me watches are first and foremost jewelry - and in that department a smartwatch simply doesn't compete IMO. I do have one, mind - but only use it for sports and as a heart rate monitor. My mechanical watches are one each from Sinn, Tutima, Tudor and IWC. Outside the shower I'm never without one of those.

I will admit that enjoying life is possible even without a fancy watch though. So you may as well keep the AW but be advised that prices for mechanical watches are only going one way.

I'm aware of the depreciation for new watches (Rolega aside), that's why I was about to go for a used (but good condition) early 2000's EP (pre-Nataf!). Managed to get the price down to 2k so it's definitely within my means - and only few 100's more than my S5 with all its bands.

What models you have in your collection by the way? I've been thinking a vintage IWC portofino would be an affordable yet classy dress watch.

 

[Beachmusic18]

I bought my Rolex 35 years ago. Changed out the dial ages ago for dark blue with diamond numerals. It’s as much a piece of jewelry as a watch, and I have loved it over the years. BUT...it sits in a drawer now, never worn, but neither will I ever sell it. Someday I might put it on for some occasion...

Apple watches aren’t beautiful...yes, a square little computer on my wrist...that I love for its functionality! They are fun, with multiple colorful bands, but as a workout freak, they are my motivator and keeper of records, and the guy that pushes me out the door to just do it when I’m really not in the mood to just do it. Like someone else...I wish I could pair it with my Rolex and not look ridiculous, but I can’t. Apple Watch wins, every day! I’m hooked. My husband, who looked at it with a bit of disguised scorn when I first got mine, now sports one as well, and I smile to myself when I hear that ding go off on his watch about 10 minutes before the hour, and he gets up and starts walking around. Stand goal achieved!

 

[th0masp]

I'm aware of the depreciation for new watches (Rolega aside), that's why I was about to go for a used (but good condition) early 2000's EP (pre-Nataf!). Managed to get the price down to 2k so it's definitely within my means - and only few 100's more than my S5 with all its bands.

What models you have in your collection by the way? I've been thinking a vintage IWC portofino would be an affordable yet classy dress watch.

Oh I actually meant prices going the other way - if you buy new that is. Some manufacturers are quite shameless in hiking them almost year on year. But true, if you buy second hand then depending on brand there are a lot of savings to be had.

My collection is rather quite sporty - I did not diversify for styles or special occasions. I'd like to be able to wear any of my watches anytime and am not into vintage at this point. So it's a Sinn 142 Ti, a Tutima Di300, a blue Tudor Pelagos and the white IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph. Looking at a Bulgari Octo and/or a Franck Muller Vanguard to add to it.

 

[Strangedream]

Oh I actually meant prices going the other way - if you buy new that is. Some manufacturers are quite shameless in hiking them almost year on year. But true, if you buy second hand then depending on brand there are a lot of savings to be had.

My collection is rather quite sporty - I did not diversify for styles or special occasions. I'd like to be able to wear any of my watches anytime and am not into vintage at this point. So it's a Sinn 142 Ti, a Tutima Di300, a blue Tudor Pelagos and the white IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph. Looking at a Bulgari Octo and/or a Franck Muller Vanguard to add to it.

Nice collection, very sporty modern indeed and original choices too! You should check out the latest Ulysse Nardin Marine Divers I think they'd make a nice addition and are not crazy expensive right now.