The Watch Appreciation Thread - Part two (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre,

[patrickBOOTH]

That’s good info, thanks for that. I never would have expected they recommend you don’t shoot firearms with them. I guess the kick is no good for them.

 

[RogerP]

Green Marine.

 

[Riva]

That’s good info, thanks for that. I never would have expected they recommend you don’t shoot firearms with them. I guess the kick is no good for them.

I mentioned already that I took a Ball watch to continuous downhill mountain biking, the kind of rocky path that shakes the watch like a martini. It needed service after 1.5 years but quite impressive as it wasn't one of their burly models but a dressy gmt.

 

[Dino944]

That’s good info, thanks for that. I never would have expected they recommend you don’t shoot firearms with them. I guess the kick is no good for them.

Yes, if you are shooting something with a lot of recoil, it could cause problems for the movements of some watches (although I've never had a problem with any Rolex after shooting while wearing one). Also, if its a watch you really care about and you are shooting a semi-automatic you might not want hot shells to potentially hit your watch as they get ejected.

Green Marine.

Congrats and enjoy it. A friend of mine just picked one of those up. I like the green dial!

 

[Riva]

Green Marine.

Doesn't fit under the cuff?

 

[Belligero]

The #1 killer of mechanical watches is being dropped onto a hard surface. Moisture damage also does a lot of them in. The oils eventually degrade and dry up to the point that the movement stops running, and this is another common cause of potentially-irreparable damage.

The lifespan and service requirements can depend a lot on the watch and how it's used. Fancier, more-complicated movements tend to require more frequent and costly service, and are more likely to be severely damaged if they’re treated carelessly or run to failure.

Service intervals have increased as lubricants have improved, and modern synthetic oils can often go for a decade or more without problems in most movements. Many manufacturers still recommend having them overhauled every three to five years, though — which is excessively frequent and can often cause more problems than it solves, in my opinion.

But it's always a good idea to test the seals regularly. You can also see whether the watch needs a service by checking its rate, amplitude and beat error on a timing machine, which is quick and doesn't require opening up the case.

A quality watch should be able to outlast its owner if it’s cared for half-decently. The snag is that replacement parts can be difficult or impossible to obtain for some older watches, and the cost of repair can exceed the value of the watch.

If you're looking for an older watch to wear daily, I'd stick with something simple from a reputable manufacturer that's still around. My oldest watch is an Omega from 1948 with the 30T2 movement, and it's still running beautifully — though it's very rarely worn. Provided it's in good shape to begin with, I'd trust an older Rolex to run reliably in daily use for many more decades.

Edit: Ha, looks like Dino beat me to it.

 

[Riva]

The #1 killer of mechanical watches is being dropped onto a hard surface. Moisture damage also does a lot of them in. The oils eventually degrade and dry up to the point that the movement stops running, and this is another common cause of potentially-irreparable damage.

The lifespan and service requirements can depend a lot on the watch and how it's used. Fancier, more-complicated movements tend to require more frequent and costly service, and are more likely to be severely damaged if they’re treated carelessly or run to failure.

Service intervals have increased as lubricants have improved, and modern synthetic oils can often go for a decade or more without problems in most movements. Many manufacturers still recommend having them overhauled every three to five years, though — which is excessively frequent and can often cause more problems than it solves, in my opinion. But it's always a good idea to test the seals regularly. You can also the check whether the watch needs a service by checking its rate, amplitude and beat error on a timing machine, which is quick and doesn't require opening up the case.

A quality watch should be able to outlast its owner if it’s cared for half-decently. The snag is that replacement parts can be difficult or impossible to obtain for some older watches, and the cost of repair can exceed the value of the watch.

If you're looking for an older watch to wear daily, I'd stick with something simple from a reputable manufacturer that's still around. My oldest watch is an Omega from 1948 with the 30T2 movement, and it's still running beautifully — though it's very rarely worn. Provided it's in good shape to begin with, I'd trust an older Rolex to run reliably in daily use for many more decades.

I don't service my watch below 10 years. The only time I needed to put them for service below 10 years is if they become highly inaccurate or envied the smartwatch and wanted me to play Tetris

 

[steveoffice]

how is the movement on the 100th anniversary cartier louis tank?

at the moment, my plan is to get 114300 or 214270 and a tank in the next couple years and call it a day until i'm 40.

 

[Riva]

how is the movement on the 100th anniversary cartier louis tank?

at the moment, my plan is to get 114300 or 214270 and a tank in the next couple years and call it a day until i'm 40.

JLC movement so you're safe on that end. Just get the 114300 and forget the Explorer.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I mentioned already that I took a Ball watch to continuous downhill mountain biking, the kind of rocky path that shakes the watch like a martini. It needed service after 1.5 years but quite impressive as it wasn't one of their burly models but a dressy gmt.

Well, not to derail the thread, but martini's shouldn't be shaken either.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I like the Tank solo, but as Foo actually informed me it isn't rounded like the Louis.

 

[RogerP]

Congrats and enjoy it. A friend of mine just picked one of those up. I like the green dial!

Cheers.

Doesn't fit under the cuff?

Not under this cuff. But I don't generally find that to be any kind of an issue for smart casual wear.

 

[Medwed]

I have had 50-60 y.o. watches work accurately and reliably with no issues. When opened for eventual service the rubber gaskets were liquid or petrified ( how long it takes for that to happen?) and yet they still worked fine. I am sure they will outlast all of us with or without service.
Too much anxiety and fetishism seem to be associated with owning a watch. They don't need to be serviced until they start malfunctioning. Juts like they don't need to be wound all the time.

 

[Dino944]

how is the movement on the 100th anniversary cartier louis tank?

at the moment, my plan is to get 114300 or 214270 and a tank in the next couple years and call it a day until i'm 40.

I haven't seen any photos of the movement in this watch or before it goes into it, and its a solid case back, but cal 8971MC is based on JLC cal 846. So its a high quality movement, just not sure how they finished it. The biggest issue with it is getting one. Since it was released I've only seen one in a boutique, and from what I understand Cartier has fallen behind in supplying these pieces (not sure if that is because they are relying on an outside source for the movements).

IIRC, someone on this forum received one as a wedding gift from his wife, and he seems to be enjoying it.

 

[steveoffice]

thanks dino and riva.

i've seen a pink gold one in chrono24 the other day; haven't called around the boutiques however.