Watches - another OCD problem
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Some of you may be familiar with the name Bob Barth. I was lucky enough to meet Bob once in Carmel at a Rolex event. His book Seadwellers is a fantastic read and a prized possession in my small library.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce we’ve lost a legend, US Navy SEALAB Diver Bob Barth has passed away. His work as a saturation diver or “aquanaut” where he spent days and weeks in a pressurized habitat underwater led to the invention of the Rolex Sea-Dweller. As they tested different breathing gas mixtures for the decompression chamber they would often hear a loud “pop” and the crystals were exploding off their watches. What made the watches waterproof were also trapping the helium under the crystal since helium particles are so tiny, they could get into the watch. As the decompression took place, the helium gas would expand and “pop” the crystal off. Bob Barth worked with Rolex to invent a one-way valve to release the pressure, now known as the Helium Release Valve on the Rolex Sea-Dweller. We thank Bob Barth for his service to our country and his dedication to Rolex. We will miss you and send our condolences to his family. Rest in peace Bob.”
[from Fourtane]
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Some of you may be familiar with the name Bob Barth. I was lucky enough to meet Bob once in Carmel at a Rolex event. His book Seadwellers is a fantastic read and a prized possession in my small library.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce we’ve lost a legend, US Navy SEALAB Diver Bob Barth has passed away. His work as a saturation diver or “aquanaut” where he spent days and weeks in a pressurized habitat underwater led to the invention of the Rolex Sea-Dweller. As they tested different breathing gas mixtures for the decompression chamber they would often hear a loud “pop” and the crystals were exploding off their watches. What made the watches waterproof were also trapping the helium under the crystal since helium particles are so tiny, they could get into the watch. As the decompression took place, the helium gas would expand and “pop” the crystal off. Bob Barth worked with Rolex to invent a one-way valve to release the pressure, now known as the Helium Release Valve on the Rolex Sea-Dweller. We thank Bob Barth for his service to our country and his dedication to Rolex. We will miss you and send our condolences to his family. Rest in peace Bob.”
[from Fourtane]
Really interesting, thanks for the info. I’ll try and locate a copy of the book. Lots of time for leisure reading atm.
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Hodinkee have published a piece on Bob Barth.
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It's just a short article, but it links to this one, which is about the Sea-Dweller, and is more interesting.
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/hodinkee-exclusive-and-in-depth-bob-barths-historic-sealab-r
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There's a story on WatchPro that Patek might skip announcing any new models this year, and release them in 2021.
Worn & Wound reported the WatchPro story, and added speculation that Rolex might do the same.
https://wornandwound.com/around-the-web-patek-philippe-to-postpone-new-watch-releases-until-2021/
@louisbosco might need to take a lie down in a dark room for a few minutes to recover.
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@Graeme got all the time in the world now that i'm out of a job for 4 weeks..
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I know that feeling @louisbosco…
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As expected, Rolex and Tudor are postponing their 2020 releases.
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-tudor-patek-philippe-postpone-2020-new-product-announcements
However, I'm hearing that a lot of people are getting calls from Rolex dealers letting them know that previously unobtainable models are now in stock. So if you want that Pepsi or Daytona, now might be a good time to phone around…
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I think so.
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Watches of Switzerland and Goldsmiths (in the UK) are having online COVID-19 sales.
There are some decent buys in there, including a denim Railmaster (the NATO version has a better discount than the bracelet), Zenith Cronometro Tip in bronze, Omega Planet Ocean Big Blue, plus a few Speedmasters and Nomos watches.
Then there are some that probably aren't worth it even at the sale price, such as the U-Boat Capsule Watch.
I'm not sure if all the deals are that great, and you might be able to get a similar price on a regular piece by haggling, given no one seems to be buying right now.
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Oris and Momotaro have collaborated on a Divers Sixty-Five.
https://monochrome-watches.com/oris-momotaro-jeans-divers-sixty-five-introducing-price/
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Watches and Wonders is currently going on virtually. You can see the watches at:
https://www.hodinkee.com/packages/watches-and-wonders-2020
Or in this video by Time and Tide.
Cartier have released a number of new models, including a revamped Pasha, which I quite like, and Tank Asymétrique. The Maison has a website for its novelties.
https://cartierwatchmakingencounters.com/en/
Most of the other releases are line extensions. But Panerai have gone mad with lume and created the unofficial Tron watch.
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food for thought. bonus if you have experience diving.
as a submarine, deep sea and the likes being dive watch so to speak, i weighed up the differences between lume VS tritium. i know tritium doesn't need to be charged up and produced a glow underwater to monitor 'time left in tank'. as opposed to lume where it needs to be charged up. from my experience, even if you have a full day in the sun, the superluminova doesn't hold up as well as tritium..
here's the question:
do you have a preference as to which you prefer? if so, why?
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I think the days of a tool watch are well over. Anyone getting a watch in this thread is getting it for jewellery. Mechanical watches don't perform as well as an Apple Watch.. the main reasons for them is romantic ideals, jewellery, or potential investments (not right now of course :P). Actual diving watches are less than 1K USD for the most part and digital.
As for personal preference, superluminova as it's less obvious. Does just enough most of the time..That said I have an Apple watch as a sleep monitor on the other wrist of a night, so don't really need the lumes either way.
