Lee's Watch Thread for MM'ers of Impeccable Taste

[JPolen01]

I don't think I could switch to a regular watch after wearing the Apple watch. I may have ruined myself.

[JustinG]

Same boat, I wear my other watches randomly, but all they do is tell time.

So disappointing, how am I supposed to check my phone notifications?

[Ryan T]

So disappointing, how am I supposed to check my phone notifications?

On your fucking phone.

[JustinG]

[emoji8]

[WRXtranceformed]

I was the exact opposite.  When i had my smart watch i never ended up wanting to wear it.  I didn't find it any more convenient for me vs just pulling my phone out of my pocket for non-time checking related things.  I also hate reading long texts and work emails on a small screen. The watch nerd in me though mainly appreciates the fact that i have something mechanical not electrical that's keeping me on time (with the exception of my Protrek and Garmin S2 which are tool watches)

[JPolen01]

I never read emails on it. I don't even think I have that ability through Gmail which is fine with me. It's great when I'm at my desk and don't want to grab my phone to see the notification. My biggest use is at the gym. I don't have to take my phone out of my armband to change music/adjust volume and use the voice to text to send messages. Checking the time is cool too.

[Apoc]

Oh good, the smart watch debate again.

All I care about is not having to pull my phone out in meetings and being able to tell when my phone is ringing because I don't wear skinny jeans and rarely feel it vibrate if I'm walking around.

[WRXtranceformed]

So we're saying that a smart watch is really only good for checking and responding to texts faster? Sounds about right, not saying there's anything wrong with that I guess that's why it never caught on with me though

[WRXtranceformed]

Goodbye "Perfect SKX"! On to a new home:



I realized the other day that I had 4 black-faced divers and this one wasn't getting the wrist time it deserved. It was a little bittersweet because this was the watch that got me into the hobby and was the first mod project I did. I listed it yesterday and was blown away by how much interest I got. The gentlemen who bought it made me an offer I couldn't say no to, so it's headed out tomorrow!

That begins the next project which is to replace the blue dial in my collection. I've had my eye on a fairly new model after trying it on at a local Seiko outlet, the Seiko "Samurai":


Limited edition "Blue Lagoon" variant


I almost worked out a trade to use the Blue Lagoon as a base but ultimately decided on the blue dial / Blue+brown bezel variant of the standard Samurai, the SRPB49. I think the "Clou de Paris" texture on the dial will be much more visually interesting than the sunburst on the BL:



The case is a pretty sharp departure from most Seiko divers in that it's very angular and modern. It is actually a remake of a version that had a short production run in the early 2000s (on the right):


So I'm in the process of finding a donor watch and envisioning what will be on the docket to make the "Perfect Samurai". My inspiration is this:



What I'm thinking:
- Sapphire crystal swap
- LCBI bezel insert
- Possible yellow tipping the seconds hand (like on the blue lagoon model)
- Black date wheel
- *Possible NE15 swap (!) (this is a Seiko movement that's manufactured for other manufacturer watches and is considered a step up from the 4R35. Basically it's got a 50 hour power reserve vs. 40, tighter timekeeping tolerances and Seiko's SPRON mainspring that is much more durable and resistant to shock, temperature changes and position)

Stay tuned, this one will hopefully be awesome too when it's complete

[Apoc]

Seek help. You have a problem.

[WRXtranceformed]

The Seiko "Alpinist" (SARB017) that we talked about much earlier in the thread was just put on the discontinue list. If anyone was seriously interested in one now is the time to get it before it becomes collector status.

[CaptainHenreh]

Not a Seiko or Rolex, but my wife bought me this for a graduation present:




I didn't want a full-bore smartwatch. Too much money to have a WATCH potentially segfault on me. It's bigger than watches I've had in the past, but I don't mind. I'd forgotten how much I missed having a watch, and I like the notification ability. It's all I really want out of a "smart" watch, I don't need a tiny phone on my wrist, I think we already have a big enough problem ignoring people. But when my phone beeps, it's nice to know what it's trying to tell me without digging out my phone and potentially ignoring my loved ones. It's also nice to "find my phone", but a lot of the other functionality (steps, sleep tracking, etc) I probably wont' use much. 

Anyway. my contribution to the watch thread.

[JustinG]

They make really nice smart watches. Their Analog series seem to be well thought out.

I like the color combo.

You can't go wrong with any of the Fossil Q watches should you decide you want to go to a true smart watch.

[WRXtranceformed]

Looking good! If you are going to go the route of a smart watch, these hybrid smart watches seem to be a good choice if you don't need another screen strapped to your wrist.

How does it notify you exactly?

[CaptainHenreh]

Looking good!  If you are going to go the route of a smart watch, these hybrid smart watches seem to be a good choice if you don't need another screen strapped to your wrist.

How does it notify you exactly?

When a notification comes in, there is a small vibration and both hands point to a number, 1-12, for a few seconds. (4? maybe?)

You can set all these in the app, so I reserved 1-5 for calls/texts from specific individuals, 6 is google hangouts/FB Messenger, 9 is social media notifications, 11 is Gmail and 12 is Calendar. 

It's a pretty slick way to have a "smartwatch" that isn't just another smaller phone on my wrist, and I'm not doing the "my phone buzzed in my pocket, better pull it out to check, oh it's not something I care about but let's scroll through instagram while we're here."

[WRXtranceformed]

Looking good!  If you are going to go the route of a smart watch, these hybrid smart watches seem to be a good choice if you don't need another screen strapped to your wrist.

How does it notify you exactly?

When a notification comes in, there is a small vibration and both hands point to a number, 1-12, for a few seconds. (4? maybe?)

You can set all these in the app, so I reserved 1-5 for calls/texts from specific individuals, 6 is google hangouts/FB Messenger, 9 is social media notifications, 11 is Gmail and 12 is Calendar. 

It's a pretty slick way to have a "smartwatch" that isn't just another smaller phone on my wrist, and I'm not doing the "my phone buzzed in my pocket, better pull it out to check, oh it's not something I care about but let's scroll through instagram while we're here."

That is really clever, as long as you can remember which setting = which.  Knowing me I would probably forget 

[CaptainHenreh]

Looking good!  If you are going to go the route of a smart watch, these hybrid smart watches seem to be a good choice if you don't need another screen strapped to your wrist.

How does it notify you exactly?

When a notification comes in, there is a small vibration and both hands point to a number, 1-12, for a few seconds. (4? maybe?)

You can set all these in the app, so I reserved 1-5 for calls/texts from specific individuals, 6 is google hangouts/FB Messenger, 9 is social media notifications, 11 is Gmail and 12 is Calendar. 

It's a pretty slick way to have a "smartwatch" that isn't just another smaller phone on my wrist, and I'm not doing the "my phone buzzed in my pocket, better pull it out to check, oh it's not something I care about but let's scroll through instagram while we're here."

That is really clever, as long as you can remember which setting = which.  Knowing me I would probably forget 

I think if you approach it in a nonrandom way, it's ok. If it's on the right side of the face, I know it's a real live person trying to contact me right now. If it's on the left side, it's a Computer trying to get my attention.

You definitely could configure it ot be confusing AF though.

[WRXtranceformed]

Looking good!  If you are going to go the route of a smart watch, these hybrid smart watches seem to be a good choice if you don't need another screen strapped to your wrist.

How does it notify you exactly?

When a notification comes in, there is a small vibration and both hands point to a number, 1-12, for a few seconds. (4? maybe?)

You can set all these in the app, so I reserved 1-5 for calls/texts from specific individuals, 6 is google hangouts/FB Messenger, 9 is social media notifications, 11 is Gmail and 12 is Calendar. 

It's a pretty slick way to have a "smartwatch" that isn't just another smaller phone on my wrist, and I'm not doing the "my phone buzzed in my pocket, better pull it out to check, oh it's not something I care about but let's scroll through instagram while we're here."

That is really clever, as long as you can remember which setting = which.  Knowing me I would probably forget 

I think if you approach it in a nonrandom way, it's ok. If it's on the right side of the face, I know it's a real live person trying to contact me right now. If it's on the left side, it's a Computer trying to get my attention.

You definitely could configure it ot be confusing AF though.

Makes total sense when you caveman it down for me 

[Steve85]

That is very cool!

I have a garmin with smart features and feel similar about the notifications. I can't really read stuff or respond or anything, but I can quickly tell whether the notification is important or not. It not pretty like the Fossil though...

[G.Irish]

I was wondering how those analog smartwatches worked.  Does your have a traditional battery in it?

Skagen also makes some handsome ones too (saw them at the mall yesterday):