The radio controlled feature is one of my favorites. I wish the Citizen Promaster Tough had the radio controlled feature. My perfect watch would be in the field watch category but it would be more than just capable on land. It would work in the sky and sea perfectly as well.
I would use the Citizen Tough as the basis of my perfect watch.
Eco-Drive.
Radio Controlled.
Increase case size to 44-46mm.
Screw down crown.
Divers 300 meter water resistance rating.
Bi-directional bezel with Compass Points and Degrees.
Two piece case design. (No case back) Green tritium vials on all 3 hands, Orange at 12/24 hour position and blue for the other 11 markers.
Day and Date window.
1-12 medium text dial with 13-24 small text
Seconds chapter ring.
Sapphire crystal with AR coating.
I might have missed a feature or three but that is basically my perfect watch for everything I do.
The Traser I have has tritium on the 3 hands and at every hour marker. I've had that for 12-15 years and I noticed a week or two ago... the Tritium doesn't glow anymore.
-Brian A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
That is the downside to tritium is the fact it has a half-life. I have night sights that have dead tritium in them. 10-15 years is about the longest I have ever had tritium last. If a high quality lume is applied with tritium then you have a backup when it goes out. Also the lume with help until you can get the tritium replaced.
I was actually a watchmaker until my motorcycle accident. So I've seen inside of just about every type of watch imaginable.
I remember back in the 90's my friend got one of the first Citizen Eco Drives in approx 1996 while in vacation down in America. At the time it cost his Father about $2000 US dollars! And I could be wrong but I think a Rolex was the same price at the time. But we were completely amazed by the EcoDrive. It was made of titanium which no one had really seen in person yet and the solar technology without seeing solar panels seemed like something from the Starship Enterprise.
A couple of years ago I found the exact same watch in a pawnshop for $20.:/ Despite having tons of watches I couldn't say no because of the nostalgia. But I ended up having to modify it to run on regular batteries as I couldn't seem to order the capacitor anymore.
Hey that's interesting cbrstar :) I heard that to work on those high dollar Swiss made watches people had to have specialized training for that and usually from the factory. Like I said in an earlier post I had heard that here in the Kansas City, Missouri USA Metro area ( a pretty big Metro Area) we only have two or maybe three factory authorized repair techs that can work on Rolex and other big name Swiss watches. Is that true maybe? Or is that something that my neighbor lady might have made up out of her head?
However I do know for a fact that there are only 3 Factory authorized Rolex dealers here in the KC Area. I had a guy who used to own a jewelry business here in this town I live in tell me that about a year ago. It's always interesting to find out the real truth.
To work on higher end Swiss brands quite often you will need your WOSTEP certification. There are other schools that depending on the area many brands may still accept. The big change in my lifetime was seeing many companies not sell parts to anyone but their certified watchmakers. Rolex not only started that trend but increased it. To get Rolex approval you need to be able to purchase their equipment just like a franchise. And it's not cheap!!!
The old days any Watchmaker could crack open a catalog and order any part they needed as long as it wasn't out of stock from the main parts suppliers. Now day's there are some generic parts available. I'm afraid that car companies like Tesla will start the same nasty trend in automotive industry.
I'm afraid that car companies like Tesla will start the same nasty trend in automotive industry.
This is already happening across a large range of physical goods. Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) makes it a felony to tamper with any digital locks. Originally, this was designed to keep people from copying DVDs, CDs, and the like. It's the same reason I can't sell or give an ebook from Amazon to a friend (but I can do it with a physical copy). People started to realize that you can slap digital locks on all sorts of things to control consumer access to the object we supposedly bought. John Deere and GM are some of many companies that put digital locks on the vehicles. You have to be a certified repair specialist or buy authorized parts to legally work on your own vehicle. They have argued in court that you aren't actually buying the tractor or car. Instead you are buying a lifetime license to operate the vehicle. This is why right to repair laws are so import. Companies also use this to keep independent security researchers from investigating products for flaws. Sorry for getting off-topic, but this irks me to no end.
I wear and use mostly Seiko Autos. I used to have the kind with the generators until the part that stored the electricity wore out at around 3 to 4 years. I'm back to simple autos now.
I have a box of old manual wind watches of different brands I keep too. Some go back to the early 60's and mine still work. I have a few pocket watches also. I don't know why I like old stuff but I do.
I wear and use mostly Seiko Autos. I used to have the kind with the generators until the part that stored the electricity wore out at around 3 to 4 years. I'm back to simple autos now.
I have a box of old manual wind watches of different brands I keep too. Some go back to the early 60's and mine still work. I have a few pocket watches also. I don't know why I like old stuff but I do.
I want a few more Eco-Drives and Seiko Solar watches but before that I want to get an Seiko king turtle and Marathon Jumbo Day Date.
I've never been a person to wear a wristwatch. The only reason I wore them is out of necessity due to work. Needed a stopwatch feature in the Army to time my runs & used it for taking vital signs as a Medic. Once I got out of the Army I started using a more traditional watch as I didn't need a stopwatch. Plus the smoother sweep on the second hand for automatic watches is nicer for vital signs. Nowadays I no longer need a watch in my job so they sit at home unused. Among the nicer ones:
Casio GWM5610 G-Shock
Seiko SKX009 automatic with Pepsi dial
Hamilton Khaki Navy
The G-Shock is probably my most worn just because it is solar powered with atomic timekeeping. It's comfortable to wear and no having to fuss around with it.
The Seiko dive watch is my favorite visually as I just like the looks of the Pepsi dial. Only thing I wish is that it had a hand-winding movement as I have to reset the time & date everytime I put it on after letting it sit for a day.
The Hamilton Khaki Navy is my most expensive watch as I spent around $500 on it - and that was with a major discount through a friend who was a watchmaker at the time. It's a dive watch, but it's more dressy than the Seiko. It's actually less comfortable to wear than the other 2 & I just never warmed up to it. I was going to sell it, but my oldest son likes it so I think I'll end up giving it to him when he graduates college.
I want a few more Eco-Drives and Seiko Solar watches but before that I want to get an Seiko king turtle and Marathon Jumbo Day Date.
They are well built and sure last. I liked the tanks when I was working jobs that were very tough on watches. I had a Breitling broken during a wild melee at work the very first day I wore it and that set the tone for me. Now I'm getting to enjoy the very light titanium watches that are hardly noticeable. I have more expensive taste than I have a large pocketbook so watches are one thing I compromise on. I won't compromise on Knives, Guns, and stuff I have to depend on but I don't look at watches like that anymore now I can plan and have a say where I end up and with what I can take. There are some good things about retirement. :)
