The (Less intimidating) Watch Thread
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The ISO standard is not just about water resistance. I don't recall the details but it includes a lumed second hand, so that you can be sure that the watch is not stoped while UW. It also needs a unidirectional rotating bezel. It's a whole series of things that made sense when watches were key diving instruments, which they aren't anymore.
Diving watch <> watch you can dive with
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Copied from my previous Wikipedia link:
The standards and features for diver's watches are regulated by the International Organization for Standardization in the ISO 6425 standard; German Industrial Norm DIN 8306 is an equivalent standard. Besides water resistance standards to a minimum of 100 m depth rating ISO 6425 also provides minimum requirements for mechanical diver's watches (quartz and digital watches have slightly differing readability requirements) such as:[20]The presence of a unidirectional bezel with at least at every 5 minutes elapsed minute markings and a pre-select marker to mark a specific minute marking.
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The presence of clearly distinguishable minute markings on the watch face.
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Adequate readability/visibility at 25 cm (9.8 in) in total darkness.
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The presence of an indication that the watch is running in total darkness. This is usually indicated by a running second hand with a luminous tip or tail.
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Magnetic resistance. This is tested by 3 expositions to a direct current magnetic field of 4,800 A/m. The watch must keep its accuracy to ± 30 seconds/day as measured before the test despite the magnetic field.
- Shock resistance. This is tested by two shocks (one on the 9 o'clock side, and one to the crystal and perpendicular to the face). The shock is usually delivered by a hard plastic hammer mounted as a pendulum, so as to deliver a measured amount of energy, specifically, a 3 kg hammer with an impact velocity of 4.43 m/s. The change in rate allowed is ± 60 seconds/day.
- Chemical resistance. This is tested by immersion in a 30 g/l NaCl solution for 24 hours to test its rust resistance. This test water solution has a salinity comparable to normal seawater.
- Strap/band solidity. This is tested by applying a force of 200 N (45 lbf) to each spring bar (or attaching point) in opposite directions with no damage to the watch or attachment point.
- The presence of an End Of Life (EOL) indicator on battery powered watches.
- Testing diving watches for ISO 6425 compliance is voluntary and involves costs, so not every manufacturer present their watches for certification according to this standard.
- Strap/band solidity. This is tested by applying a force of 200 N (45 lbf) to each spring bar (or attaching point) in opposite directions with no damage to the watch or attachment point.
- Chemical resistance. This is tested by immersion in a 30 g/l NaCl solution for 24 hours to test its rust resistance. This test water solution has a salinity comparable to normal seawater.
- Shock resistance. This is tested by two shocks (one on the 9 o'clock side, and one to the crystal and perpendicular to the face). The shock is usually delivered by a hard plastic hammer mounted as a pendulum, so as to deliver a measured amount of energy, specifically, a 3 kg hammer with an impact velocity of 4.43 m/s. The change in rate allowed is ± 60 seconds/day.
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I saw an Oris Big Crown in bronze yesterday. Didn't try it on, nor did I get a photo (here's one from Monochrome), but it's a really nice looking piece.
The case has more of a red-brown hue than other bronze watches, the photo captures it pretty well, and the green dial is lovely. It's an @Anesthetist (and Hodinkee) friendly 36 mm in diameter, so your other half will probably steal it.
Unfortunately they're around $1800, so not the cheapest option.
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The case looks beautiful, but man, I hate cathedral hands. It also bugs me that the font for the dates doesn't match the font for the main numbers, especially since that font is much cooler.
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Here's my unintimidating piece in its natural element.
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Worth a look at for those folks that like field watches:
I've been saying for years that the SARG009 and SARG011 are great watches, and the prices on the secondary market are still going up. I've had the SARG011 for a couple years and it's more accurate than my COSC certified watches.
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I really like this GS/TP “Fried Egg” watch. Carry on
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At £155 most would consider this a cheap watch. It is battery ok not mechanical, but for bumming about without caring about damage it's served me well in the 3 years I've owned it.
Don’t know much about the Nixon brand , but I like the look of this one .
Simple lines and classy looking .
