Let's see some wristwatches!

[bjornkeizers]

Ten years or so ago, I started collecting watches. I love everything both technical, mechanical and, artsy designed and geeky in nature, and watches feed into that love just nicely.

There are a few great watch forums, such as Watchuseek.com and pmwf.com . And as I've seen over the years, most watch collectors have a certain passion for photography as well.

So, let's see if the reverse is true. Judging from a poll I saw elsewhere on the forum, I expect there are quite a few people here that own some nice mechanical, vintage and/or other high end pieces.

I own about 80 watches, so I'm not going to post them all.

From the mechanical and vintage section of the watch box, 1971 Seiko 6139, 1972 Omega Dynamic and Double Rhomb handwinder.



Designer and modern: a LIP Mach 2000. 70's design by Roger Tallon, who also designed the high speed TGV Train.



I'm proud to say; Lip actually liked my photo's so much, they use them on their website to sell the watch in question. No, they didn't ask me. Nor do I receive any compensation... I don't really get my photo's published, so I don't think I'll start a riot over it.

Another one of my favorites: Omega Speedmaster X33. These are actually quite rare since only a small number were ever sold to the public. It wasn't a crowd pleaser: very high cost, 'cheap' feel due to light titanium and it was a quartz digital.

Guess who their biggest customer was and is? NASA. The Omega X33 is the actual watch that astronauts get issued. Whenever you see images from the Space Shuttle or ISS, there's an X33 somewhere in the pic. They have several great functions for space travel, namely several long timers, high resistance to G-forces and an alarm loud enough to wake the dead (i.e. hear it over the roar of the Space Shuttle engines!)



My 'daily driver' is more down to earth, namely a Breitling Airwolf. Very nicely built, a bit flashy for my taste and combines all the functions I need.

[dave lackey]

Hey, thanks for starting this thread...my trusty old watch has died. My old vintage Bulova died too after running only 2 years since getting it running.

I really miss a good watch. Maybe someone can post really nice AFFORDABLE watches that meet the following preferences?

1. Mechanical...to match my cameras.
2. Leather or metal band...depends on the watch, I suppose.
3. As close to a Rolex as we can get for very little money....

[dave lackey]

Bjorn, those are nice watches. Since I just walked in with the grandkids, I will review them in detail when I have more time..

[bjornkeizers]

Thanks Dave. There are actually more then a few watches that fit those criteria you mentioned.

If you want something that really looks like a Rolex, your best bet is probably Steinhart. http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/

They specialize in what are known as 'homages'; they mimic well known Rolex models that are usually long out of production. They are based in Switzerland and use Swiss movements that are quite reliable. They are also capable dive watches, just like the real Rolex. They cost about 500 euros and you can find them cheaper in the US.

Go to the site, click 'collection', 'dive watches', then browse the list on the left. The Ocean 1 black looks most like the classic Submariner.



If you want just a really kick-ass dive watch with vague Rolex-like touches, you can go even cheaper and buy any number of excellent Seikos. Produced in Japan with good, workhorse movements. They lack the polish of Rolex, but you'll be hard pressed to buy anything better and more reliable. I'd recommend the SKX009 or SKX007. They cost about 150 euros.

[Frontman]

Here's mine, being admired by an unlikely fan,

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by bjornkeizers

Designer and modern: a LIP Mach 2000. 70's design by Roger Tallon, who also designed the high speed TGV Train.



I'm proud to say; Lip actually liked my photo's so much, they use them on their website to sell the watch in question. No, they didn't ask me. Nor do I receive any compensation... I don't really get my photo's published, so I don't think I'll start a riot over it.

Bjorn,
You don't have to start a riot over it.
But a polite and clear letter to Lip asking that your name be displayed as the credit for the photograph is a good thing to do.

This is a matter of whether you respect your own work, which is clearly good enough for others to appreciate.

[dave lackey]

Excellent advice from Will. To the company, it is just goodwill, to you it is the right thing to do and for the profession of photography, it is important even to those of us who just struggle to sell anything.

Great photos btw. You need to be given credit.

[Efra1]

Hi bjornkeizers congratulations, you have a good collection.
I have the X-33 , is my only one quarz watach, the other are all mechanical, but the X-33 is the more versatile.

[bjornkeizers]

Thanks guys; guess I'll fire off a letter to Lip's parent company and we'll see where we end up.

Efra,

Good to meet another down-to-earth X33 owner What other mechanicals do you own then? One of my personal favorites is another Omega, namely the 2531.80.00 Seamaster Professional 'James Bond' version. This is the watch type worn by Pierce Brosnan as Bond.

[dave lackey]

I swear, the more I look at your product photos of these watches, the more I am impressed!

[robklurfield]

[robklurfield]

[robklurfield]

[robklurfield]

[dave lackey]

Excellent Rob! Discriminating RFF members for sure....

[robklurfield]

[Efra1]

bjornkeizers, if I founf time I´ll post some pics of them.
I have the Rolex Explorer 2 Black Dial, Rolex Submariner, Panerai 183 Black Seal, IWC 3377 PilotCrono, the X-33 and one of my fav the Speedmaster Double Zaphire...
In some boxes I also hace many Hamiltons and a lot of Russian movements, and a small collection of Seikon Chronos from the 70¨s

[bjornkeizers]

Good to see I was right - Photography fans indeed have excellent taste in watches! Very classy selections Rob & Efra.

Brands like Patek and IWC are understated elegance at its finest. Plus, you can wear one without looking too flashy. They fly under the radar, unlike Rolex, Breitling or Omega which are known as 'rich guy watches'. Few people would recognize something like a classy IWC pilot chronograph.

I personally enjoy wearing just about every type and brand of watch. I own expensive ones and cheap ones, known brands to home-builts. And I really have a soft spot for the Casio G-Shock. These are really great Japanese watches introduced in the early 80's. They are shock proof, water resistant to 20 bar, they last forever on batteries... and they have all the functions you need at a price of well below $150 or so. Plus, there's a color for every occasion. Also great for when all your mechanical watches are stopped and you don't feel like winding them

[David Hughes]

Will this do? Found in a flea market...



Regards, David

[ped]

Great, I love watches. It's quite interesting to photograph them because there are so many possibilities for arrangement and they are tricky in their own 'reflective' way.

I'll post a pic or two later

ped

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by David Hughes

Will this do? Found in a flea market...



Regards, David

Yes! How much do you want for it?

[David Hughes]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Yes! How much do you want for it?

Hi,

You mean it might be worth something?

This one keeps better time.



But the photo is somewhat distorted as I took it from the side to get rid of the reflections...

Regards, David

[135format]

My currently in use watch is an Enicar Sherpa Ultradive which have had and used for 40 years. Cost £20 new in a sale when bought. I rekon its worth £400 now so has probably kept pace with inflation.

[135format]

I gotta ask, has anyone ever actually used the tachymeter on a watch bezel to calculate your speed over distance?

[-doomed-]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Hey, thanks for starting this thread...my trusty old watch has died. My old vintage Bulova died too after running only 2 years since getting it running.

I really miss a good watch. Maybe someone can post really nice AFFORDABLE watches that meet the following preferences?

1. Mechanical...to match my cameras.
2. Leather or metal band...depends on the watch, I suppose.
3. As close to a Rolex as we can get for very little money....

Im a big fan of what Orient and Seiko puts out, tough, well built and affordable. Though I also like some of my Fossil watches quite a bit as well.