Wrist Check. Which watch are you wearing?
Apr 20, 2017, 7:41 pm
#271
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
These days, the value in an older watch is to retain its older look even if it's in slightly rough shape. The vintage vibe is very hot right now for watches that show a little patina and wear. Restoring to like-new condition is a no no.[left]The recommendation you would get is to have the watch mechanically restored but leave the dial and hands alone. Post up a picture and I can give you some advice and direct you to someone who can do whatever is necessary.
From a catalog I found online, I think the model is the Sawyer. The band is not original.
BTW if you're interested in seeing watchs that are in "slightly rough shape" I've also got the 1942 Gruen my Dad was wearing when his ship was sunk in WWII. That one I don't think will ever run again...
Last edited by CDTraveler; Apr 20, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Apr 20, 2017, 9:48 pm
#272
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 431
I should have been more clear. I want to restore the watch to working condition, not change the look of it. It definitely shows signs of 40+ years of Dad's daily wear, and that's part of why I want it running again.
BTW if you're interested in seeing watchs that are in "slightly rough shape" I've also got the 1942 Gruen my Dad was wearing when his ship was sunk in WWII. That one I don't think will ever run again...
BTW if you're interested in seeing watchs that are in "slightly rough shape" I've also got the 1942 Gruen my Dad was wearing when his ship was sunk in WWII. That one I don't think will ever run again...
If the '42 Gruen is a military-issue watch (usually with both 12 hour and 24 hour time markings) that could be worth some serious coin. And even if you aren't inclined to sell it, that may be a more interesting wearer than the Hamilton, put that on a khaki NATO strap and you are 100% on-trend with the Hipster crowd with a great casual-Friday look. Post a pic of that one.
Apr 20, 2017, 11:21 pm
#273
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: SkyTeam Elite, HH Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 262
I wanted to track my health so I got a Garmin vivosmart HR+ which I've been wearing for a couple weeks. I like it. I am thinking to get something that looks a bit better like the fenix 5 with a steel or titanium band.
My Seiko spring drive is crying a bit, but I am liking the data I get from my activity.
I doubt I will ever go with an Apple Watch. I want something that looks like a watch but tracks activity. If anyone has experience with these types of watches, please share.
My Seiko spring drive is crying a bit, but I am liking the data I get from my activity.
I doubt I will ever go with an Apple Watch. I want something that looks like a watch but tracks activity. If anyone has experience with these types of watches, please share.
Apr 20, 2017, 11:26 pm
#274
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
If the '42 Gruen is a military-issue watch (usually with both 12 hour and 24 hour time markings) that could be worth some serious coin. And even if you aren't inclined to sell it, that may be a more interesting wearer than the Hamilton, put that on a khaki NATO strap and you are 100% on-trend with the Hipster crowd with a great casual-Friday look. Post a pic of that one.
The Hamilton is a clean, classic look. Much more my style than hipster.
Thanks for the pointers. If anyone has a watch repairer they especially trust, feel free to PM me with the name.
Apr 23, 2017, 1:28 am
#275
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,622
I have the Charge 2 and I just put it on the charger before I shower in the morning 2x a week. One of the reasons I skipped the Blaze is that you have to remove it from the wrist bands to charge it. I just saw that as a failure point and decided the color screen wasn't going to tell me anything more than a B&W OLED screen would.
Apr 23, 2017, 8:25 am
#277
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Chicago...MDW & ORD
Programs: Iberia Platino,15x Southwest Companion Pass/ Hilton LT Diamond/ Hertz PC, OWEmerald; Marriott Gold
Posts: 427
FitBit Charge 2 or FitBit Alta HR gets my vote -- I want something which doesn't need to be recharged every single night. Apple Watch is rated for 18 HOURS, Charge 2 is rated for 5 days, Alta is rated for 7.
I have the Charge 2 and I just put it on the charger before I shower in the morning 2x a week. One of the reasons I skipped the Blaze is that you have to remove it from the wrist bands to charge it. I just saw that as a failure point and decided the color screen wasn't going to tell me anything more than a B&W OLED screen would.
I have the Charge 2 and I just put it on the charger before I shower in the morning 2x a week. One of the reasons I skipped the Blaze is that you have to remove it from the wrist bands to charge it. I just saw that as a failure point and decided the color screen wasn't going to tell me anything more than a B&W OLED screen would.
Apr 23, 2017, 8:28 am
#278
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Chicago...MDW & ORD
Programs: Iberia Platino,15x Southwest Companion Pass/ Hilton LT Diamond/ Hertz PC, OWEmerald; Marriott Gold
Posts: 427
Apr 23, 2017, 1:07 pm
#279
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
It obviously doesn't do all of the cool Apple apps, but it does email/text notifications, has a few basic (mostly timekeeping/fitness) apps, and most importantly, the battery lasts 2 weeks.
I've found the HR sensor to be basically as good as my Polar chest strap (the gold standard), unlike the Apple Watch when I tried it out or my Fitbit Charge 2, where the HR sensor is unusable for anything other than resting HR.
I bought it because I have to take my Rolex in for its long overdue servicing, so figured I'd be without my watch for 6-8 weeks.
Greg
Apr 23, 2017, 10:30 pm
#280
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: SkyTeam Elite, HH Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 262
I've added a Fenix 3HR to my Rolex (the current version is the 5, but I got a good deal on the 3HR (the immediate prior version - there's no 4)). It's now my weekend/workout watch. Big honking thing, but I have large wrists.
It obviously doesn't do all of the cool Apple apps, but it does email/text notifications, has a few basic (mostly timekeeping/fitness) apps, and most importantly, the battery lasts 2 weeks.
I've found the HR sensor to be basically as good as my Polar chest strap (the gold standard), unlike the Apple Watch when I tried it out or my Fitbit Charge 2, where the HR sensor is unusable for anything other than resting HR.
I bought it because I have to take my Rolex in for its long overdue servicing, so figured I'd be without my watch for 6-8 weeks.
Greg
It obviously doesn't do all of the cool Apple apps, but it does email/text notifications, has a few basic (mostly timekeeping/fitness) apps, and most importantly, the battery lasts 2 weeks.
I've found the HR sensor to be basically as good as my Polar chest strap (the gold standard), unlike the Apple Watch when I tried it out or my Fitbit Charge 2, where the HR sensor is unusable for anything other than resting HR.
I bought it because I have to take my Rolex in for its long overdue servicing, so figured I'd be without my watch for 6-8 weeks.
Greg
Apr 23, 2017, 11:00 pm
#281
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
I got the 3HR because I could get sapphire with wifi for just over half the price of the 5, and I didn't really care about the more sophisticated metrics. The one thing I will flag, though, is that there is a known altimeter bug on the 3HR, and it doesn't keep its calibration (I can be sitting at my desk and it pops to 20,000m). Garmin swears they're working on a fix, but it has been many months.
Apr 24, 2017, 8:55 am
#282
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
As ugly as it is, I wear my Garmin VivoActive HR... ESPECIALLY in client situations. I'm the field of Management Consulting/Analytics so it is a great conversation starter/icebreaker.
Apr 24, 2017, 10:42 am
#284
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
Apr 26, 2017, 5:21 am
#285
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 139
I wear an Apple Watch. i always wear a smartwatch when I travel because it gives me notifications if the flight is delayed etc. yes you can just pull out your phone but not bothered to pull it out for every notification so would decrease chances of missing the notification.
but IMO, it doesn't look good as my Rolex or the Omega. but recently got the Tag Hauer Connect and I love the design, I'll report back if it's better than the apple watch.
but IMO, it doesn't look good as my Rolex or the Omega. but recently got the Tag Hauer Connect and I love the design, I'll report back if it's better than the apple watch.